Sunday 29 September 2019 saw the Showbus event held at the Hertfordshire Showground. I was fortunate to travel to this show aboard Elgar Coaches Volvo Jonckheere bodied coach MFU 383 which gave a comfortable ride. At first I was concerned upon arrival as all the exhibits were parked on grass which brought back memories of the dreadful Woburn venue some years ago when many buses and coaches became bogged down; however, despite the recent wet weather the surface was sufficiently firm to take the vehicles' weight.
The Best Modern Coach Post 2009 award went to Elgar Coaches immaculately presented HEK 965, a Setra S416GT-HD new in 2010 with Setra C52F bodywork.
The Best Vehicle Built Between 1990 and 1999 was awarded to Volvo B10M M202 LHP with Alexander DP48F bodywork which was new to Midland Red South Nuneaton garage as 202 in 05/95.
The Best Modern Vehicle Post 2009 award went to Stagecoach Midland Red South 37401 reg no YX65 PXS an Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 MMC with B37F layout new in 2015 to Banbury garage. It has recently been painted in the heritage all red livery to commemorate 100 years of Banbury garage.
The award for Top Former NBC Vehicle was presented to XNV 882S a Bristol VRT/SL3/ 6LXB with ECW H43/31F bodywork new 02/78 to United Counties as 882.
The Shillibeer Award went to YG 7831 a splendid pre-war Leyland Tiger TS6 new 06/34 to Todmorden Transport as number 15 with Northern Counties B36R bodywork.
The award for Best Pre-1950 vehicle went to another Todmorden bus in form of GWU12, number 2, a Leyland PD2/1 new 02/48 with Leyland L27/26R bodywork; it is seen in the company of fellow Todmorden HWY 36, number 18, another Leyland PD2/1 with Leyland L27/26R bodywork new 01/50.
The award for Doyen Singledeck was presented to JPF 108K an AEC Swift with Alexander DP45F bodywork new 03/72 to London Country (Green Line) as SMA8.
The award for Doyen Doubledeck was presented to 699 DYE an AEC Routemaster with Park Royal H36/28R bodywork new 10/63 to London Transport as RM 1699. It is seen alongside 804 DYE another AEC Routemaster with Park Royal H36/28R bodywork delivered new 01/64 to London transport as RM 1804.
The award for Best 1951 to 1959 vehicle was presented to MJB 481 a Bedford SBG (diesel) coach new 05/56 with Duple C37F bodywork to Chiltonia, Clinton Foliat and now with Lodge, High Easter.
The award for Best 1960 to 1959 vehicle was presented to EDD 685C a Bedford SB13 coach new 06/65 with Duple C41F bodywork to Wiltshire, Staple Hill and now with Lodge, High Easter.
This Bedford OB FFS 867 didn't win an award but belongs with the above Lodge Coaches. It started life in 11/47 with Scottish Motor Traction (C167) as a bonneted normal control Bedford OB and coach bodywork (possibly SMT) and was converted to a full-fronted coach and rebodied by Burlingham in 1953 to FC24F layout as seen. Possibly only two of these unique coaches are still in existence.
The award for Best 1970 to 1979 vehicle was presented to UFX 360L a Bedford VAL70 new in 02/73 to Seaview, Parkstone with Plaxton C53F bodywork, and now owned by Dew's Coaches, Somersham.
The award for Best 1980 to 1989 vehicle was presented to E100 AFW a Leyland Tiger TRCTL11/2RZ new in 08/87 to Delaine, Bourne (100) with Duple Dominant B59F bodywork.
The Award for Best Modern Bus post 2009 was presented to AD17 DBL a Volvo B5TL new in 03/17 to Delaine, Bourne (163) with Wright H43/30F bodywork.
The award for best 2000 to 2009 vehicle was presented to AF52 VMD a Scania L94UB new 09/03 to Go Whippet, Swavesey with Wright B43F bodywork.
The Premier Operator Award was presented to Cozy Coaches, Bassingbourne, Royston.
At the show was a familiar vehicle to Worcester in form of HAC 628D a Leyland Leopard L2 new 06/66 to Stratford Blue (62) with Marshall DP41F bodywork. It was used for many years by Midland Red West as a driver training vehicle before being sold for preservation.
Recently acquired for preservation is VU03 YKB an Optare Solo new 05/03 to First Midland Red (1709) at Worcester garage with Optare B26F bodywork.
Most of the vehicles present had been submitted for judging and the following pictures show the winners.Showbus 29 Sep.2019 Pt. one
Re: Showbus 29 Sep.2019 Pt. one
I reckon there's room in those for two of him
Re: Showbus 29 Sep.2019 Pt. one
Bus preservation and being able to afford to eat as well don't mix??
Re: Showbus 29 Sep.2019 Pt. one
Matt took the Solo to work on Saturday so he didn't need to collect it from storage Sunday morning before ShowBus. While he was at work it was parked in an unused bay in Gloucester Bus Station. An old man turned up at the information hatch in the bus station and asked what route it was working. On being told it was not in use he went into a bit of a rant about First Group cuts... Clearly a Worcester resident!
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