Transport Museum Wythall season starts with a weekend of Bristols
Published: 11/04/2024
Transport Museum Wythall opened the 2024 season with a busy weekend of Bristol activity. Normally a two-day event, early arrivals caused the Bristol Owners Spring Gathering to spill back into the Saturday, building to a full house on Easter Monday.
Joining the Bristols was a surprise attendee, a long lost Trojan ‘minibus’, kindly brought along by museum friend and regular supporter, Roger Burdett. The Trojan was undoubtedly the start of the show on April 1st.
Roger also attended with two Royal Blue Bristol coaches, 2267/56 GUO a Bristol MW6G from 1961 in blue with cream roof and his recently acquired 2206/VDV 749 an LS6G from 1957. Both vehicles started life with Western National in Exeter.
The latter vehicle spent 13 years with WN before moving on whereas 2267 moved away to Bournemouth after just 7 years. Roger decided to acquire 2206 in March, making the all day journey from Invergowrie in Scotland to Coventry with minimal comfort stops! Wythall was its first public outing, giving passengers rides alongside 2267 during the day.
Also something new at the event was recently repainted 3736/B736 GCN, 1985 Leyland Olympian/ECW resplendent in Stagecoach livery and fitted with a Cummins engine. Alongside was a period sister, B251 NVN 1985 Leyland Olympian/ECW in United livery, this one with a Gardner engine.
A range of REs attended including YCH 890M a 1974 Bristol RELH6L/ECW from Trent, OWC 722M a 1974 RELL6L/ECW new to Colchester Corporation but presented in Blue Bus Services livery and Wythall’s own 1000/KHW 306E 1967 RELL6L/ECW from Cheltenham District.
The undoubted star of the show on April 1st was the Strachan bodied Trojan, one of only three built.
Working as a PSV (following inter-factory use at English Electric in Stafford) for Morris of Leintwardine and then Colverdale of Ludlow its life became a blur for many years until it was found by Roger Burdett and restored into the little known livery from a tiny company in Horsforth, Leeds where it spent just a few weeks in service.
Trojan Coaches was based in Helen Street, Troy, Horsforth, its livery inspired by the manufacturer’s name.
Faded photos and memories have enabled Roger to create its ornate livery, seen for the first time at Wythall’s Spring Gathering. Roger’s research also turned up use as a car sales office (see photo below).
Those that were privileged to ride in the Trojan were in no doubt that its lack of Perkins diesel power ensured that the skin on a rice pudding was quite safe!
Balancing the plethora of Bristols were three excellent AECs from Troopers Lodge Motor Services. 1955 AEC Regent III/East Lancs UTC 672 is presented in Bamber Bridge Motor Services Livery, whilst TLMS’s 1965 AEC Regent V from Southampton Corporation Transport (and also used as a driver/trainer by East Yorkshire) carries a these days rare Neepsend body.
Completing the trio was AHC 411 a 1950 Eastbourne Corporation AEC Regal III, latterly with Stagecoach South East heritage fleet. Three classics for the AEC fans where engine and transmission noise are sounds from heaven!
An excellent weekend was had by all, thanks to the wide number of visiting vehicles that made the journey and the enjoyment of rare sunny periods that blessed the event.
