When Stroud's buses were green
(and even red)
9th Stroud Bus Running Day 2009
2009 Running Day Report
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We continue our retrospective of the 9th Stroud Running Day in words and images
 Not surprisingly, the two open top buses present on the day did roaring traffic as passengers sought relief from the heat. They provided something different for those visitors who tended towards "interest" rather than "enthusiasm". Ex-Bristol Omnibus Bristol city VR C5033 was new to Muller Road and one of the first at the time to arrive with a Leyland engine, followed by a Gardner unit. Converted in 1985 as an open top, it spent much of its life in Bath and is currently under the safe keeping of the Stroud RE Group Relevance to Stroud: 4/5  In spite of promises, this year was the first time that this pair of former National Travel (South West) Leyland Leopard/Plaxtons appeared at a Stroud Running Day. They represent the standard National Bus Company coach buying policy of the mid- to late-1970s that could be seen operating through Stroud daily on the 1400/1430 departure south from Cheltenham. Bristol Omnibus' successor also used such vehicles at Stroud for a time as dual purpose vehicles. By way of contrast, in the background is an Bristol MW6G/ECW dual purpose vehicle in Bristol Greyhound livery. Though Stroud's tours latterly tended to be operated by dual purpose buses, the Greyhound name was also evident locally. Stroud also operated at least one such MW dual purpose with this bus-like bodywork Relevance to Stroud: 4/5  Posing in the picturesque village of Minchinhampton are these three Bristol REs. The two RESL6Gs in green demonstrate the now uncommon early "wrap-around" ECW style redolent of the MW coach. Both are ex-Southern Vectis and it is rare to see the two together. To their right and with similar styling cues is an older ECW bodied RELH6G, formerly of Royal Blue. Imagine similar vehicles in Tilling green and cream with the exaggerated "Bristol" dome carrying T-shaped destination indicators and you have one of the most elegant vehicles ever to operate at Stroud Relevance to Stroud: 4/5  This snatched shot shows that Stagecoach entered into the spirit of the occasion by ensuring its Cheltenham anniversary liveried Dennis Dart operated the Forest Green-Cheltenham subsidised Sunday service  Meanwhile, Stroud's Stagecoach fleet rests in its valley floor garage clearly visible from the hillside, thanks to one of the clearest days of the year  Making its second appearance at a Stroud Running Day is this locally owned, rare Foden PVRF6/Plaxton. The owner undertook one and only one mystery tour. If you think this vehicle has little relevance to Stroud, it's reputed to have come here as the Foden works bus band band, who were regulars at the Sub Rooms or cinema. How true that is, we cannot say Relevance to Stroud: ½/5 |
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