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Puzzle time – have yourself some fun |
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Throughout 2021 TV&GWOT has
been restoring Thames Valley LL 556.
Why not have some fun and have a go at piecing 556
together yourself?
Click here
Supporters
will be putting the final pieces of the real 556
jigsaw together in early 2022 – your support for our
‘final push’
appeal will enable the completed 556 to appear at
events through the year. |
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Diamond SUs seemingly run forever |
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Just like in
the 1960s, the (former) Western National depot in
Kingsbridge was the backdrop for SUs of all shapes
and sizes on 18 September 2021. Marking 60+1 years
since Bristol first manufactured the SU, coach and
bus variants, long and short, carried passengers
around the South Hams demonstrating their physical
(7’6” wide) and mechanical (gearing) suitability.
Authoritative articles by SU aficionado David
Sheppard in the running day
programme and Supporters’ magazine
To and fro’ 026 give technical insight and a
richly illustrated record of SU operations in the
West Country and Thames Valley.
© David Sheppard |
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Celebrating the introduction (!) of integrated
transport |
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Before the
Kingsbridge Running Day got underway on 18
September, TV&GWOT’s museum hosted Anthony Mangnall
MP, Kingsbridge and Salcombe Councillors, Tally Ho
Coaches’ MD Don McIntosh and colleagues, together
with Devon Country Councillors and officials from
GWR, to inaugurate their new through bus service
numbered 164: Totnes-Kingsbridge-Salcombe. Service
timings and frequency now make ‘days out’
connections to the national network practicable.
Formative services on the route over the preceding
century and more are chronicled in the running day
programme.
© Colin Billington |
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Restoration gathers momentum |
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Despite the
constraints of the pandemic, TV&GWOT Supporters have
pulled together to fund the acquisition and
transformational restoration of 1950 Thames Valley
LL 556 (FMO938). Government restrictions twice
delayed our celebration of the centenary of Thames
Valley Traction Co. Ltd’s formation but gave time to
bring the internal refurbishment to original
configuration within scope. The ‘Final Push’ appeal
target is within reach and having returned 556 to
Trust workshops (via Princes Risborough), Supporter
working groups are refurbishing and fitting seat
frames anticipating the first ride out.
Find out more about this Final Push and support
you can give.
© Colin Billington |
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TV&GWOT firing on all cylinders – in the archives
too |
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TV&GWOT events,
restoration working groups, and archive days are all
back up and running with appropriate Covid-safe
precautions. Archive teams meet monthly in Devon and
every three weeks in Berkshire. TV&GWOT has been
grateful to receive
donations from collectors and the estates of
notable photographers and researchers giving plenty
of interest for archive teams to explore and record.
This recently acquired map shows trolleybus
proposals for Paignton and is stamped for return to
the Chief Engineer, GWR, Paddington.
We are always
eager to hear from people with enthusiasm or
expertise wanting to get involved.
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Previous News |
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TV&GWOT Events
2022 |
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Various tbc |
VCS90
– celebrating the past, present and future (a series
of events being developed with Victoria Coach
Station to dovetail with their operations and
refurbishment plans) |
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Sunday 17
April |
Penzance VR Revival & Vintage Bus
Running Day
– with the Cornwall Bus Preservation
Society (CBPS) |
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Sunday 22 May |
Didcot Transport Gala
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with the Great Western Society |
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Friday 17 to Sunday
19 June |
Royal Blue Run |
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Weekend of 9/10 July |
Thames Valley
Traction Co. Centenary Revival |
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Saturday 17 September |
Kingsbridge 7’6”
Vintage Bus Running Day |
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Events TV&GWOT hopes to attend in 2022 |
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Monday
2 May |
Friends of King Alfred, Winchester bus running day |
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Sunday
8 May |
HCVS
London to Brighton Run – showcasing TV&GWOT’s Thames
Valley preservation (subject to entry acceptance |
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Details of other events will be confirmed once third
party dates become available. |
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