Swansea Bus Museum Running Day with Bristol VR 978 & Routemaster RM 308. Sunday 14th May 2017.

*Best in Full Screen 1080HD with increased Volume !!* Today Swansea Bus Museum held their 2nd Running Day of the 2017 Season. I was scheduled to drive once again....firstly the 10:30 Service 75 to the City Centre and secondly the 11:45 Service 77 to Limeslade. Both Journeys on Bristol VRT 978 BEP 978V a (now getting rarer) Leyland 0501 Engined example. The Bus belongs to Dave Bemmer and John Adams of the Museum. Most Bristol VR's were converted to Gardner 6LXB Engines in lieu of the Leyland 0501's and also the Leyland 0680's. I must admit to having a soft spot for this Bus....It went very well and could certainly accelerate quickly, and brought back memories of the last time i drove one with this type of engine way back in 1982 at Bristol Omnibus's Muller Road depot. Sharon and myself were joined by our great Friend Bob Masterman on the trips and they both filmed on the 77 to Limeslade. Bob had to leave us around 13:00 and go Home which left Sharon and myself at the Museum. In a bizarre stroke of luck i get the chance to drive the 13:30 Service 75 to the City Centre...What i can only describe as a chance to fulfill a Dream i had since learning to drive Buses back in 1979....I get to drive Ex- London Transport Routemaster RM 308...WLT 308 with an AEC AV590 9.6 litre Engine owned by Duane Curtis. To say i was a happy Bunny was an understatement !! This Bus is immaculate inside and out and a real pleasure to drive...I just couldn't stop grinning the rest of the Day. I would like to thank Bob Masterman so much for videoing Me on VR 978 on the 77, ( Bob's video is on His own Youtube Channel) and also my Partner Sharon who filmed on both the VR and Routemaster Journeys...She was a real Star and i'm very proud of Her for producing some superb Video footage ..Especially on RM 308. My contribution to the video was basically at the Museum and at Limeslade. It was a superb Day at the Museum, although a little bit light on visiting Vehicles and enthusiasts....due mainly to the Taunton Bus Running Day on the same Day....Strangely enough only 10 Miles from where i live....My Heart lies in Swansea my Home City and the Bus Museum. !! The General Public in my mind went a long way to making up the shortfall of people on the Day, i think they thoroughly enjoyed their trips out on the Museums Vehicles to Limeslade and Pennard just for starters. The Weather was very much on our side....a really beautiful Day with loads of Sunshine. Many thanks again to Dave Bemmer, John Adams, Duane Curtis and Huw Morgan for letting me loose on these Buses...I hope You enjoy the video.....Steve.-:) Bristol VRT, BEP 978V. Chassis: VRT/SL3/2299. Engine: Leyland O501 Body: ECW H43/31F 978 was new to the SWT Ravenhill depot in early 1980. In the run-up to SWT becoming privatised in 1987 it was one of the VRs that were kept in stock for an anticipated increase in passenger numbers. In reality it was used for "day" runs, such as school contracts and was allocated a sole dedicated driver. Later in life it transferred to Pontardawe from where it was withdrawn by First Cymru in July 2000 and stored at Tycroes. From there it was acquired by a private owner for preservation during 2003 before being purchased by the museum in 2005. Restoration of this highly original bus was completed in August 2014. The post-deregulation SWT green livery has been retained to complement the red NBC livery on sister vehicle 961. AEC Routemaster WLT 308. LT Fleet number RM308 New to London Transport's West Ham garage in June 1960, RM308 was withdrawn at Tottenham in February 1985 and purchased by JCB Highway of Uttoxeter in April 1985. Following use as a publicity vehicle for Singapore Airlines, it passed into preservation and was kept at a farm in Northamptonshire. Since being re-homed at the museum, RM308 has been painstakingly restored to its original condition, with major interior upper deck refurbishment completed in early 2014. RM308 is a rare vehicle in the Routemaster world due to having been reunited with its original body during its last overhaul in service.