Bus nostalgia

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I have just been trying to research the coach company that used to provide the vehicles to take me from Haslemere, Surrey to my school in Midhurst from 1964 to 1966.

This firm was Gales Coaches, and I am amazed to find that they still operate from their yard in Springfarm Road, a small residential type close where we lived in a large Admiralty rented house.

Although not the exact coach, this was the type they often used for us:


They also had strangely a very up to date coach, a twin front axle Bedford Duple like this, which they allowed us kids to use some times!!:



Has anyone got any information (and pics?) of the Gales Haslemere, Surrey, coach company around the mid-nineteen sixties?

I can tell you that they are not in that location anymore as its now houses......because sadly I am in Haslemere as I type on a course

Thanks Mark!

Their web sites all still show the Springfarm Road address, which I thought that was odd after all these years!  It was only a small yard in 1964!

[Marks DTM Calib]

I counted about 3 houses there now.....I think google street view shows them to

[Lizzie_Zoom]

I counted about 3 houses there now.....I think google street view shows them to

Not surprised Mark, as the space was certainly large enough for that.

We lived in Colston House about 75 yards further up that road, and like all other houses there, it had a really large garden.  I used to lay in bed when sick and not going to school (which I tried to make a frequent occurrence!) listening to the school coach pulling out of the yard at the set time; 0800 if I remember correctly.

[Andy B]

....
MFM 39 was new to Crosville Motor Services, but is now a member of Terry Jones' Vista Coachways fleet.
Based near Bristol.

FM was originally a Preston (Lancs) registration 

[splott]

....
MFM 39 was new to Crosville Motor Services, but is now a member of Terry Jones' Vista Coachways fleet.
Based near Bristol.

FM was originally a Preston (Lancs) registration 

Sorry AndyB but FM was Chester, most Crosville's in this area had a Chester reg.

http://www.ukcar.com/features/area.htm

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Well it is back to the future time for London buses!

Today it was announced that the new London bus which Boris Johnson promised is to be a design which is a very close successor to the beloved Routemaster.

It has two staircases, two entrances/exits with folding doors, AND has the open platform at the rear!!  Although at certain times this will be closed off, at other times passengers will be able to do what we always did; jumping off and on buses with ease! 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

[Andy B]

....
MFM 39 was new to Crosville Motor Services, but is now a member of Terry Jones' Vista Coachways fleet.
Based near Bristol.

FM was originally a Preston (Lancs) registration 

Sorry AndyB but FM was Chester, most Crosville's in this area had a Chester reg.

My mistake then. My Dad had KFM 580 on his Triumph, I'll quiz him when i see him next! 

[splott]

....
MFM 39 was new to Crosville Motor Services, but is now a member of Terry Jones' Vista Coachways fleet.
Based near Bristol.

FM was originally a Preston (Lancs) registration 

Sorry AndyB but FM was Chester, most Crosville's in this area had a Chester reg.

My mistake then. My Dad had KFM 580 on his Triumph, I'll quiz him when i see him next! 

I have modified my post see the link
I had a Triumph Vitesse  5727 FM

[Andy B]

....
I had a Triumph Vitesse  5727 FM

What years was that then? I'd assumed that your car's reg format would have been older than my Dad's was, however my Dad's car was 1949 and would have been older than yours.

KFM580 is still active according to DVLA and still on a black Triumph, although it doesn't give a clue as to when it was last on the road. I know it came off the road around 1970 and remained in my Dad's garage for about 10 yrs

[splott]

Well it is back to the future time for London buses!

Today it was announced that the new London bus which Boris Johnson promised is to be a design which is a very close successor to the beloved Routemaster.

It has two staircases, two entrances/exits with folding doors, AND has the open platform at the rear!!  Although at certain times this will be closed off, at other times passengers will be able to do what we always did; jumping off and on buses with ease! 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

I found this on YOUTUBE today, Lizzie you beat me to it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wjbQFl8Z1Y

[splott]

....
I had a Triumph Vitesse  5727 FM

What years was that then? I'd assumed that your car's reg format would have been older than my Dad's was, however my Dad's car was 1949 and would have been older than yours.

KFM580 is still active according to DVLA and still on a black Triumph, although it doesn't give a clue as to when it was last on the road. I know it came off the road around 1970 and remained in my Dad's garage for about 10 yrs

My Vitesse was a 1963 2.0ltr rally spec., very quick for its day

[Andy B]

.... passengers will be able to do what we always did; jumping off and on buses with ease! 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
.....

You'd get your legs slapped by the 'elf 'n' safety mob now!   

[Lizzie_Zoom]

.... passengers will be able to do what we always did; jumping off and on buses with ease! 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)
.....

You'd get your legs slapped by the 'elf 'n' safety mob now!   

Well it looks as though it's back, as it should be on the congested streets of London!

Hoping on and off always worked in the past, and should do again 8-) 8-) 8-)

[Banjax]

short piece on the history of double deckers on "the one show" of all places, probably be available on i-player tomorrow 

[Lizzie_Zoom]

short piece on the history of double deckers on "the one show" of all places, probably be available on i-player tomorrow 

Thanks Banjax!