News_Showbus Report 2016

Firstly the usual weather report. It remained dry (for 99%) of the time with a couple of very short, very light showers and a light breeze. It was sunny with broken cloud and on occasions quite bright sunshine which made photography of some vehicles difficult due to the direction they were parked in. The temperature was about 18 degrees. The day before the Show was quite breezy (which caused some problems for one trader when their tent they set up blew over and they were called back to the site to re-secure it).

This year there were no Showbus models for sale although there were a number of Jotus.com (Resin Specialist) models commissioned for the Show as prizes in the various categories for the exhibitors. There was also a Jotus resin model (again commissioned for the Show) for the holder of the programme with a lucky number in it. Unfortunately they had not put out the prizes by the time I had to leave the show so I was not able to take any photograph of them.

The location for this years Show was significantly better than last years (at Woburn) and all the buses were parked on hard standing. I arrived shortly after 10.00 and was also able to park on the hard standing although some later arrivals had to park on the grass.

There were several things that I feel could have been better, these are only general observations and in my opinion. The route to the Show was shown on the Showbus website but as I was not at all familiar with the area I got slightly lost. This was not helped by the lack of signs to the event. I saw one on a traffic light but it was very small. I followed the sign and ended up in the totally wrong entrance (along with quite a number of other people) we were all turned around and pointed in another direction. I then queued for about 10 minutes at another gate only to be told it was the entrance for buses only and directed to a third gate.

Showbus - Please can you get the event signed by the likes of the AA (big clear yellow signs saying Traders, Buses, Visitors etc would have significantly improved access to the site for visitors). I also commented on poor signage at last years event.

A couple of other points. Some of the buses were parked very close together which made photography all but impossible on a couple of occasions. Catering facilities were poor, I only wanted a sandwich and was not able to get one on site so got the shuttle bus to the Donington Park Cafe, to find they had run out and there was a half hour wait for food. Also disappointing was there was no fresh doughnut stall.

There seemed to be significantly less traders than previously at Duxford (but I stand to be corrected) and there was little to look at for the family who had attended with me. A rumour at the Show (apparently from one of the drivers attending with his bus) was that in the exhibitors pack they were given, it implied that Showbus would be at Donington again next year.

Finally my day was partially spoiled by a very angry bus driver who very loudly objected to me moving a flag on a stand (that was positioned directly in front of the radiator of his bus) a few feet to one side to take a photograph. He was not with the bus at the time to ask permission and I had already moved and replaced a flag on another of the same companies buses next to it to photograph that. A great shame to meet such an aggressive person, as it took the edge off an otherwise very enjoyable day.

MODELS FROM THE SHOW

Showbus Prizes
As mentioned above. Showbus commissioned jotus.com (Resin Specialist) to produce a number of models to be given as prizes and for the holder of the lucky programme.

The programme shows some photograph of the models but unfortunately they are too small to read details:

Leyland CR (Red) London Transport
Leyland CR (Green) London Transport
Routemaster FRM - London Transport
Volvo Ailsa V1 - London Transport
Dennis Dart/Marshall - China Motor Bus

Forward Models
Forward Models had a stall and announced delays to their Glasgow and Manchester models. I have attached a copy of their Newsletter which explains everything CLICK HERE.

REAL BUSES This year, I have decided in the first instance to just publish photograph of buses at the Show which are either the actual vehicle represented by a model or the sister/similar vehicle to one modelled. I hope you find them to be of interest. Other photograph of buses that caught my eye might be published later if time permits.
	CROSVILLE - BRISTOL RELH This photograph shows fleet number CRG103 (AFM103G). This is the actual vehicle represented by Graham Farish model 379-530, but the model represents it earlier in its life in Bristol Greyhound livery. Photograph © British Model Buses

	CROSVILLE - BRISTOL RELH6G This photograph shows fleet number CRG106 (AFM106G). This is the actual vehicle represented by EFE model 32203. Photograph © British Model Buses

	ELLEN SMITH - HARRINGTON GRENADIER - Photograph 1 This photograph shows CDK448C. This is the actual vehicle represented by EFE models 12305A & 12305DL. Model 12305 is probably the same vehicle but it did not display a registration number. Photograph © British Model Buses

	ELLEN SMITH - HARRINGTON GRENADIER - Photograph 2 This photograph shows the rear nearside view of the above. Photograph © British Model Buses

	ENSIGN BUS - ROUTEMASTER RMC This photograph shows fleet number RMC1485 (485CLT). This is the actual vehicle represented by Sunstar model H2915 but the model shows it earlier in its life in East London livery. Photograph © British Model Buses

	DEVON GENERAL - BET/AEC RELIANCE This photograph shows 9RDV. This is the actual vehicle represented by Corgi OOC model 97900 and EFE model 35205. Photograph © British Model Buses

	LINCOLNSHIRE - BRISTOL VRT ECW This photograph shows fleet number 1904 (JVL619H). This is the actual vehicle represented by EFE model 38125. Photograph © British Model Buses

	LONDON TRANSPORT - ROUTEMASTER This photograph shows fleet number RM291 (VLT291). This is the actual vehicle represented by EFE model 15616. Photograph © British Model Buses

	LONDON TRANSPORT - ROUTEMASTER This photograph shows fleet number RM1000 (100BXL). This is the actual vehicle represented by Oxford Diecast model NRM011. Photograph © British Model Buses

	LONDON TRANSPORT - ALEXANDER AILSA VOLVO This photograph shows fleet number V1 (A101SUU). This is the actual vehicle represented by Jotus.com Resin Specialist model RS76601. Photograph © British Model Buses

	MTL NORTH - PALATINE 2 This photograph shows fleet number 0317 (R317WVR), this vehicle is a sister to fleet number 0309 (R309WVR) as represented by Corgi OOC model 43611. Photograph © British Model Buses

	NORTHUMBRIA MOTOR SERVICES - OPTARE DELTA This photograph shows fleet number 251 (G251SRG). This is the actual vehicle represented by Corgi OOC model 42902 Photograph © John Bennett

	NOTTINGHAM CITY TRANSPORT - WRIGHT SOLAR FUSION This photograph shows fleet number 704 (FE02AKV). This is the actual vehicle represented by Corgi OOC model OM41302 but in a different livery. Photograph © British Model Buses

	ROCHDALE CORPORATION TRANSPORT - AEC REGENT - Photograph 1 This photograph shows fleet number 235 (HDK835). This is the actual vehicle represented by Corgi Classics model 96982. Photograph © British Model Buses

	ROCHDALE CORPORATION TRANSPORT - AEC REGENT - Photograph 2 This photograph shows the offside view of the above. Photograph © John Bennett

	ROCHDALE CORPORATION TRANSPORT - AEC REGENT - Photograph 3 This photograph shows the Rochdale Corporation Transport crest Photograph © John Bennett

	TODMORDEN JOINT OMNIBUS COMMITTEE - LEYLAND PD2/1 - Photograph 1 This photographs shows fleet number 18 (HWY36). EFE have made several Todmorden PD2/1 models: These have white roofs: 16001 & 16001A = 16 without a registration 16001B/99640 = 30 (FWT187) The following don't have white roofs (as per 18) 16002 = 19 without a registration (it was JWY825 and built the same year as 18) 16016 = 3 (GWW39 - built 1948). Photograph © John Bennett

	TODMORDEN JOINT OMNIBUS COMMITTEE - LEYLAND PD2/1 - Photograph 2 This photograph shows the offside view of the above. Photograph © John Bennett

	TODMORDEN JOINT OMNIBUS COMMITTEE - LEYLAND PD2/1 - Photograph 3 This photograph shows the Todmorden Joint Omnibus Committee crest. Photograph © John Bennett

	UNO - EAST LANCS SCANIA OMNIDEKKA - Photograph 1 This photograph shows fleet number 203 (UH55UNO). This is the actual vehicle represented by Britbus model ES-003A. Photograph © British Model Buses

	UNO - EAST LANCS SCANIA OMNIDEKKA - Photograph 2 This photograph shows the front offside view of the above. Photograph © British Model Buses

	UNO - EAST LANCS SCANIA OMNIDEKKA - Photograph 3 This photograph shows the rear offside view of the above. Photograph © British Model Buses

	UNO - EAST LANCS SCANIA OMNIDEKKA - Photograph 4 This photograph shows the rear nearside view of the above. Photograph © British Model Buses

	WEST MIDLANDS TRANSPORT MCW METROBUS This photograph shows fleet number 2811 (B811AOP). This vehicle is a sister vehicle and in same livery as fleet number 2801 as represented by C'sM model MCW73203 and similar to and in the same livery as Peak Horse model MMC-27702 Photograph © British Model Buses

	WEST MIDLANDS TRANSPORT MCW METROBUS This photograph shows fleet number 2462 (NOA462X). This vehicle is a sister vehicle to fleet number 2468 as represented by Corgi Classics model C675/3. Photograph © British Model Buses

	WEST MIDLANDS TRANSPORT MCW METROBUS This photograph shows fleet number 2989 (E989VUK). This is the actual vehicle represented by Corgi OOC model OM45113 Photograph © British Model Buses