Southwestbus - Stephen Oxbrow
My fleet is based in Bridgwater, Somerset and operates local bus services and private coach hire from a main depot and a number of satellite sites.
The Southwestbus fleet has a number of elderly double deck buses on fleet strength. These are retained solely for use on special event work such as the Glastonbury Festival where dozens of vehicles are required for almost 10 days a year. During winter months these vehicles are stored off road. At other times of the year they are used for shuttle services at events such as the Cheltenham Races and the Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.
Contained with the heritage fleet are a couple of full sized Bedford Plaxton coaches. In this photo a YRQ is seen beside a VAL.
Southwestbus also have a number of Bristol VRTs retained for special events work. The Bristol VR has a long history of use with real West Country operators so a number of the type are in the fleet.
Further examples of the AEC Routemaster include this pair of EFE & Oxford Diecast models. They are painted in red and cream, but use different shades and application.
The introduction of the Irizar i6 as a diecast model has seen Southwestbus acquire a number of these coaches brand new since August 2017. The most recent of these to enter service is YT18 RSO – which is to corporate coach specification. Beside the Irizar are a pair of Hino S'elega coaches.
This RMA Class AEC Routemaster is one of many Routemaster vehicles in the southwestbus fleet, it is seen here in September 2018.
September 2018 saw the arrival of the first brand new ADL double deck buses to the fleet – SN68 NYB/C which are a pair of Enviro 400 MMCs.
Southwestbus operate a number of AEC Routemaster buses on heritage hire work across the South West and parts of Southern England. An RMA is seen with some standard RM buses and an RML which like the standard RM's shown has undergone renovation work before entry into service here.
September 2018 saw the arrival of the first brand new ADL double deck buses to the fleet – SN68 NYB/C which are a pair of Enviro 400 MMCs.
Southwestbus also have a number of open top buses in the fleet which are used on private hire work. 4 of these are Routemasters as seen here. These are a mixture of EFE and Oxford Diecast examples. The Oxford models have had upper deck and rear lower deck windows fitted with clear acetate sheeting before entry into service.
Also a feature of the southwestbus heritage fleet are examples of the archetypal classic coach, the Bedford OB. This trio are Corgi OOC, EFE and Oxford Diecast models.
The increase in resources required to run our power station contract has resulted in some purchases being placed into service partly repainted. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini BD51 YCT is one such vehicle.
Diecast models in need of work are often sought for the fleet. An example of this practice is this dual door Scania Omnidekka which has had replacement whitemetal Mark Hughes wheels. Following a repaint the bus has been put to work on our Hinkley C power station contract.
4 Corgi Toys 'Borismaster' buses are in the fleet – these are used on the Hinkley contract.
A number of forward entrance 1950s/1960s coaches are also in the company's heritage fleet. These see use on private hires and on extended tour work during summer months. Seen here are examples of the Bristol LS, Bristol MW, Leyland Royal Tiger and the AEC Reliance.