Days Out And About 2017

Below are details and pictures of various days out that myself, friends and other museum members have had on GCS 50V, HSD 73V, B509 YAT and E187 HSF. This page of course will be updated over time! If anyone has any other pictures taken on any of these days out please let me know!

Sunday 21st May was the 2017 spring running day at SVBM Lathalmond. The weather was a bit showery in the morning but brightened up and stayed dry for most of the afternoon. The spring SVBM running day in May always signals the start of the rally season and is usually the first time my buses awake from their winter storage. This year it was the turn of HSD 73V my Clydeside Scottish Leyland Fleetline to take part in the event. She had been off the road for a few years now and after a last push to get her ready in time, She passed her MOT a few days before the event. Both HSD 73V and my Volvo Citybus E187 HSF took part in the event offering free trips to Dunfermline and back. My Orkney Coaches Bedford YNT B509 YAT was also on display. Also at this years event my first book "Scottish Buses during deregulation" was on sale. It sold out before the day was over and the comments received were all very positive.

HSD 73V getting ready to depart for SVBM Lathalmond 2017 running day.

B509 YAT on display at SVBM Lathalmond Sunday 21st May 2017.

My first book "Scottish Buses during deregulation" went on sale at the 2017 SVBM May running day event and would go on to sell out before the end of the day!

Newly preserved Highland Scottish Alexander RL Bodied Leyland Olympian looked very smart in Highland Scottish livery.

My own Alexander RL bodied Volvo Citybus E187 HSF resting between duties at SVBM Lathalmond Sunday May 21st 2017.

HSD 73V pictured at Dunfermline Bus station on Sunday 21st May 2017 during SVBM running day.

HSD 73V pictured leaving Dunfermline Bus Station on Sunday 21st May 2017. Photograph Copyright Fraser Murdoch.

The annual Glasgow West End Festival took place on Sunday 25th June 2017. Although I could not attend, My Leyland Fleetline HSD 73V was displayed outside the Riverside Museum with other member of the GVVT collection.

HSD 73V on display at the Glasgow, Riverside Museum Sunday 25th June 2017. Photograph copyright Douglas King.

HSD 73V is pictured outside the Riverside Museum with other members of the GVVT collection on Sunday 25th June 2017. Photographs copyright John Kennedy.

On Saturday 15 July 2017, Many vehicles from the GVVT collection took part in the "Great Big Heritage Bus Tour - Glasgow Museum Bus Tour" The idea was to run a network of services starting and finishing at the Riverside Museum, Glasgow which linked up many of Glasgow's museums. Three main services were operated all on a frequent 20 Min timetable. There was also an hourly service out to the Glasgow Museum Resource centre at Nitshill. HSD 73V took part completing a service on each of the main services. A rather wet day but still very enjoyable. Passenger numbers were good with HSD 73V attracting 212 passengers throughout the day.

SGD 65 and HSD 73V depart Glasgow's Riverside Museum operating services for the Great Big Heritage Bus Tour on Saturday 15th July 2017. Photograph copyright Donald Booth.

Three main services were operated throughout the day all on a frequent 20 Min timetable. There was also an hourly service out to the Glasgow Museum Resource centre at Nitshill. HSD 73V took part completing a service on each of the main routes.

HSD 73V powers up the hill away from the Riverside museum on Saturday 15th July 2017. Photograph copyright Donald Booth.

Passengers boarding HSD 73V outside the Scotland Street Museum. Saturday 15th July 2017.

Hard at work with M73. Pictured calling at George Square, Glasgow. Photo Copyright David James.

My running board from 15 July 2017.

HSD 73V is pictured heading along Queen Street, Glasgow past Royal Exchange Square on Saturday 15th July 2017. Photograph copyright Paul Nicholson.

Photos taken during the annual S.V.B.M Lathalmond open weekend August 19 and 20 2017. The weather was a bit showery on the Saturday but great on the Sunday. This year I was not able to get down to GVVT to bring one of my vehicles up, but Colin kindly brought HSD 73V up on the Sunday for the day. Both HSD 73V and E187 HSF operated a few services. B509 YAT stayed indoors for the weekend with a faulty clutch. As always had a fantastic weekend catching up with many friends and as is usual having many drinks.

Two vintage Eastern Scottish buses together. BSG 537L and E187 HSF on display at SVBM, August 2017 open day. Saturday 19th August 2017.

B509 YAT stuck indoors this year with a faulty clutch. Sunday 20th August 2017.

E187 HSF and HSD 73V on display at display at SVBM, August 2017 open day. Sunday 20th August 2017.

HSD 73V operating on the internal service with Mr Burrell driving. Many thanks to Colin for bringing HSD 73V up to Lathalmond for the day. Sunday 20th August 2017.

A vehicle not often seen in preservation , a Leyland Lynx. G266 EOG travelled from the West Midlands to take part in the event. Saturday 19th August 2017.

E187 HSF is pictured at Stepend after a short run from SVBM. During the run we realised the vehicle had turned 30 years old a few days earlier, Happy 30th E187 HSF. you don't look a day over 21! Sunday 20th August 2017.

HSD 73V rests at Lathalmond after arrival from Glasgow. Thanks again Colin for bringing her up for the day. Sunday 20th August 2017.

E187 HSF arriving back at SVBM Lathalmond on Sunday 20th August 2017. Photograph copyright Jack Lang.

The 2017 GVVT open weekend took place on Saturday 07th and Sunday 08th October 2017. I was fortunate to have both days away from work and had a most enjoyable weekend. The weather was reasonable and my own Eastern Scottish Volvo Citybus E187 HSF undertook a few runs into town and to the Riverside Museum.

E187 HSF is pictured leaving GVVT heading for town during the GVVT open weekend 2017. Photograph Copyright David Devoy.

GCS 50V did not take part in this years GVVT open weekend event, but was on display throughout the weekend.

E187 HSF on Cowcaddens Road Glasgow, above Buchanan Bus Station whilst operating a free service during the 2017 GVVT open weekend.

N94 OGG pictured heading back to GVVT whilst operating a free shuttle service into town

Looking very smart in her new livery. GVVT owned Leyland Olympian P491 MBY is pictured at the Riverside Museum. I was fortunate enough to operate a run to the Riverside museum with her that day.

Kelvin Scottish Routemaster EDS 288A on layover at GVVT during the 2017 open weekend.

LX51 FOF

The most modern vehicle in the GVVT collection is Dennis Trident LX51 FOF. Again I was fortunate to get a drive in this vehicle during the open weekend. LX51 FOF is pictured getting ready to depart GVVT for the city centre.

An interesting visitor to this years GVVT open weekend.

E187 HSF pictured at the Riverside Museum during the GVVT 2017 open weekend.

Decided to take advantage of the lovely November weather and took E187 HSF an afternoons drive around my former stomping ground. Headed down the M8 to Paisley and visited Braeview Drive, Glenburn. From there I headed to Linwood via Foxbar, Paisley Town Centre and Linwood. I then headed to Kilmacolm via Houston and Bridge of Weir before heading down to Port Glasgow. After Port Glasgow I headed to Erskine, Inchinnan, Renfrew, Govan before heading over Squinty Bridge and back to GVVT via Argyle Street and George Square. Very enjoyable day out.

E187 HSF is pictured at Braeview Drive, Paisley on Saturday 18th November 2017.

E187 HSF taking a rest just outside Kilmacolm on Saturday 18th November 2017.

E187 HSF is pictured on 18th November 2017 at Woodhall Station, Port Glasgow.

E187 HSF outside the Erskine Bridge Hotel. Clydeside Scottish Leyland Lions would have been a regular sight here many years ago.

E187 HSF safely back at GVVT after her afternoon run parked next to Strathclyde's Buses Volvo Citybus. 18 November 2017.