Off Beat

There were a few offbeat moments on 8 May 2004 during the 94 heritage service operation...

... like the impromptu Setright training school. In the age of electronic ticket machines, few were totally at home with the Setright ticket needed by conductors on all heritage vehicles. Conductors were given a brief crash course in Setright operation, how to complete a waybill by hand and change ticket roll, should the need arise. You might expect a crew operated bus to be quicker... but that wasn't always the case on the afternoon. Lack of cash bags was also a problem - conductors had to ferret in pockets for change. And don't mention the term "conductor's legs" as balance was sometimes an issue. There were no doubt problems in reconciling cash, waybills and ticket machines on Monday morning!

In no way was rain going to hamper the photography associated with this special event! There were cameras clicking at Cheltenham, Gloucester and along the route..

7900, an open top Bristol FLF6B "Western Challenger" was a surprise vehicle on the 94. It substituted for 8515 at 1510 from Cheltenham, owing to a defect on the older LD. Whereas open tops (with their roofs firmly in place) had seen passenger service in Cheltenham and even operated topless on special occasions, the use of an open top on the 94 must surely be a first! And undoubtedly a last as well!

As you might expect on RE 1003, all passengers tried to pay the driver rather than the conductor. All older passengers were surprised and delighted to see heritage vehicles out, even if those at Gloucester, who had not witnessed the cavalcade, were a little taken aback!

This VR joined the cavalcade from the Racecourse to the town centre but did not operate on service. This was just as well as there remains a few Cheltenham Stagecoach vehicles in this Stagecoach Stripes livery. Passengers would not have realised that the vehicle was part of the heritage fleet!