The big weekend: the Ulsterbus 2599 Group attend their first rally 22/02/15

We press on into February, which continued to be cold and icy, and onto our biggest weekend. Following on from "Rommel's" embarassing little incident just a fortnight before, 1321 was duly jump started and a trip to Hammonds was made (this time after checking the tank) on Saturday 21 February for Dominic to look into the issues with the starter motor. Upon further inspection, it was revealed the wiring to the secret 'anti-terrorist' switch in the cab had perished and was the cause of all our issues, so after a bit of surgery all was once again well and 1321 was ready for her next big day...

05:30hrs on Sunday 22 February dawned (well, no it didn't actually, it was still dark), bringing with it below freezing temperatures and a thick layer of ice to clean from 1321's windscreen before we could proceed anywhere. It was at this point Paul spent almost half an hour cursing and being showered in sparks to reconnect the battery. Bus started and walk-round check done, we were off to our first bus rally of the season...destination Swansea!

Leaving at around 06:00hrs, we pressed on and made good time, with just one stop at Strensham services, leaving Englandshire behind and venturing into a Welsh rainstorm to arrive at Swansea Bus Museum around 10:30hrs. Sadly it was at this point the rain set in for the duration, but this was not to dampen the spirits of our intrepid band of travellers.

Nevertheless, we were here. The Ulsterbus 2599 Group were exhibiting one of our own vehicles at a bus rally for the first time, and all three shareholders (myself, Calum and Paul) were all in attendance for this momentous occasion.

Even better, 1321 got her moment in the limelight too, with her first passenger run on a shuttle service to Swansea City Centre in place of an open-top Bristol VR that had been confined to barracks to the 'slight downpour' (it was like a monsoon all day!!!) At 11:15hrs, she set off from Swansea Bus Museum on her maiden voyage with a near full load for a circuit of the city, a truely amazing feat for all concerned. Sadly numbers were down on previous years due to the appalling weather (which is such a shame, as the event is well organised and comes highly recommended), but we kept ourselves dry and otherwise entertained shuttling to/from Central Swansea on an assortment of suitably proper buses, and our band of loyal supporters who had joined us for our first rally all commented on what an excellent day it was.

While in Swansea, we jumped off an impressive Morris Bros. Volvo B58 to pencil in the local Wetherspoons for luncheon before Paul announced to myself, Michael Evans and Peter that he needed to visit Primark. Curious as to why, all was duly revealed...sadly 1321's heating was not quite upto the standards we had expected on this cold damp day, so Paul treated everyone on the bus to a warm blanket to throw over themselves for the return journey. Our return to the museum site was made on a beautifully restored Red & White Bristol MW, before we said our farewells and took our last photos. Before leaving, there was just enough time to allow good friend of the group and Yardley Wood Bus Club member Peter Turland to have a short drive before we set off for home.

(C) Calum Maclennan/Calumbus

We'd done it...the Ulsterbus 2599 Group had exhibited its first vehicle on the rally circuit. Big grins all round, an emotional day for all concerned. So finally, thanks must go to all at Swansea Bus Museum for being so accommodating, and to our followers Jack and Carl Needham, Michael Evans, Peter Wilkinson, Mark Ashton, Andy and Neil on that maiden voyage for coming along and offering their support.

Here's to the future, and hopefully soon 2599 will follow in the tyre tracks of 1321 on the rally field...