This is the first time that the independent transport videos cameras have attended this spectacular event centred on the bus station in Penzance, Cornwall. However, we did attend an event organised in 2006 when the final Bristol VRs were withdrawn from service in Cornwall that sparked off this event that is now in its 16th year. The DVD programme we filmed in 2006 is still available – details are shown at the end of this programme. The 2024 event organised by Colin Billington of the Thames Valley & Great Western Omnibus Trust sees preserved buses and coaches operate a network of some 18 routes from Penzance bus station covering the southwest corner of Cornwall.
Our cameras are out bright and early on a lovely sunny spring morning and as the day begins we are transported back to a bygone era as a group of ‘Tilling’ uniformed drivers and conductors discuss the day ahead in front of a Western National Bristol Lodekka! Before the services begin the cavalcade of some thirty-plus buses and coaches are filmed as they pass through the town to take up their duties. Most of the vehicles have a West Country connection representing fleets of the past such as Western and Southern National, Royal Blue and local independents. Vehicle types are mostly of Bristol manufacture, but we also see Leyland, Dennis, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. Some of the contemporary buses are also seen in this programme, mostly First Kernow and Transport for Cornwall (Go Ahead), but these will be dealt with in more detail in a future programme featuring the contemporary scene in 2024. Apart from the action filmed in and around the bus station and town we take four rides with using on board cameras in the driver’s cab and in the passenger’s saloon.
Our first journey is a ride to the pretty seaside hamlet of Mousehole. We have a camera in the cab of former Western National 600 (672 COD), a Bristol SUS4A with thirty-seat ECW bodywork. This little bus is ideal for the extremely narrow roads that lead down to the promenade. Using three cameras we ride there and see the skill the driver has to have to drive the bus on this route! We return as a passenger on former Western National 1254 (VOD 124K), a Bristol LHS6L, this time with a 33 seat-Marshall body and again you will see the skill needed! Our next ride is to Land’s End. This time on former Western National 1141 (AFJ 706T), a Bristol VRT/SL3/6LXB with an ECW H74F body. We travel via the picturesque Sennen Cove on our way to and from Land’s End. Our camera travels as a passenger on the upper-deck to get all the best views both there and back to Penzance bus station.
Our final ride of the day is to the small village of Goldsithney. This time we ride on former Western National Bristol Lodekka FLF 1969 (468 FTT) with an ECW H68F body. We have placed a camera on the front bulkhead window for a superb forward view of the route and a camera travels in the upper saloon that captures the passenger’s experience. Once back at Penzance bus station we see the final buses arriving and some leaving for home completing a superb day of spectacular scenery and happy memories. We hope you enjoy this programme.
Produced by - Independent Transport Videos
Duration - 116 minutes
Region - 0 (worldwide) PAL
Aspect Ratio - 16:9 Widescreen
DVD only
Released - May 2024
