The Irish Adventure: Part 2 26/04/14

 So we were actually here. It still seemed surreal, but after much uncertainty about whether the trip would actually go ahead, here we were, Paul Waplington, Paul Gaunt and myself, in Northern Ireland, all sat around the breakfast table in The Gregory tucking into an Ulster Fry. And at this stage in proceedings, little did we know what lay ahead.

While sat around the table, Paul W seemed unusually pre-occupied with his phone, and after a couple of quick phone calls and several texts, Paul G and I were told to finish our breakfasts as we had a taxi waiting to take us into Central Belfast. We were duly deposited at Donegal Square, and Paul W just told us that our 'surprise' was yet to arrive, so we stood around photographing some of the local Northern Ireland bus scene. We had been here for around 15 minutes when the sky blue and white of an Ulsterbus Wright-bodied Volvo B10BLE - 2823 (CCZ8823) - broke up the sea of pink and white 'Metro' vehicles and added a little colour to a dull and drizzly morning, and as I pointed my camera at it, I could see the driver gesturing to us to come over to where he would be pulling in. Turning to Paul W, his grin got wider and it turned out that he had arranged for us to travel to Cultra for the rally on this vehicle. It was here where we met another member of the Ulsterbus 2599 Group facebook group, Andy Lawless, and thanks must go to him for transporting us to/from Belfast for the rally.

We set off, and apart from a quick stop on the Newtownards Road for breakfast for the Ulsterbus lads, we arrived at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra in ample time to witness the arrival of the exhibits for the Irish Transport Trust rally. Stood around the entrance area photographing the flow of arrivals, ranging from exhibits as old as Northern Ireland Road Transport Board Leyland PS1's to a brand new Ulsterbus Irizar i6 touring coach with Bristol RE's, Leyland Leopard and Tigers thrown in along the way, I can only speak for myself that I was in awe at the vast array of different and interesting exhibits on display that you would not otherwise see at a rally back on English shores.

After a wander around and further photographs, and bidding farewell to Paul G who decided to head off into Central Belfast to look at the modern bus scene for a while, Paul W introducing me to Robert Nogues from the Ards Bus Preservation Group, finally allowing us to be introduced in person to one of a number of people who has helped so much in moving 2599's restoration in the right direction. We stood and chatted, and the subject of missing brackets for Paul's quick-change dispenser came up. Robert took the dispenser away, and after messing about with a screwdriver for a few moments, had fitted the missing brackets required! We also took this chance to have a look around Robert's own vehicle, Citybus Bristol RE 2446 (WOI2446), restored to early 1990's condition complete with distinctive 'skybreaker' advertising panels along the roofline. It was at this stage we met another facebook group member, Ben Simpson, who had played a major part in 2446's restoration before Robert acquired the bus.

We wandered some more and took even more photos, and before long it was time to join a bus for the 40 mile road run around the Bangor coast road, for which the dull grey skies had lifted and we were treated to glorious sunshine. I elected to join Robert and the gang for the trip on 2446, and I must say my grin got wider and wider. Upon our return, the opportunity to meet further members of the group's facebook page in person arose, including Richard Shannon, Phil McAlinney, David Clarke and Nathan Mann to name but a few we had the pleasure of meeting.

During the afternoon, I left the others and paid a visit into the museum itself, which boasted an interesting variety of bus, tram and train-related exhibits, as well as an extensive section on shipping and the history of the ill-fated 'Titanic' cruiseliner (although your blogmaster openly admits to having a very limited knowledge of ships and cruiseliners!). Afterwards, I returned to the others at the rally site, where Paul W was offered the opportunity to drive Citybus 2446 - he didn't need asking twice! Sat just behind the doors on the nearside, I can still remember now Paul's grin getting wider everytime he pressed the accelerator!

Our little excursion in 2446 took us to Bangor BusCentre, where after light refreshments and a comfort break, the security guards shouted us over to have a look around the adjoining Ulsterbus depot - something that would rarely happen here on English soil!! While photographing the more modern Ulsterbus scene here, Robert was most delighted when the current Ulsterbus 2446, Wright Solar-bodied Scania L94 (GXI446) arrived, and after talking to its driver, we agreed to pose both 2446's together in the bus station for photographs, something Robert had wanted to do for three years. After this, we all rejoined the older, more superior Citybus 2446 to return to Cultra, and after further talks with Robert, Ben, Phil and Richard, where arrangements were made to come and visit the collection of vehicles the group owned, we gathered for the closing awards ceremony, and we were delighted to hear both Robert and Phil of the Ards group had won trophies for their vehicles (2446 in Robert's case, and Ulsterbus Leyland Leopard 129 (RUI129) in Phil's case). From here, we said our goodbyes, and regrouped with Andy Lawless for the return to Central Belfast on board 2823.
 

And that was not to be the end of it all. Having said our goodbyes to our enthusiast friends, we were simply blown away by the kindess and hospitality of our non-enthusiasts friends upon our return to the hotel. The owner's son, James, made us most welcome and prepared the dining room for us all to enjoy the Domino's pizza banquet we had brought with us on the way back, and later on we were welcomed in by Jimmy and his wife Alison for a few drinks, and where we also manged to get talking and become friends with several other guests, including a lovely young lady called Maria from Dublin and her friend (whose name escapes me now), a mother and daughter on holiday from the United States, and a young man called Alex who was over in Northern Ireland from Canada with his work.

We settled down for the night, and into the wee small hours,letting the alcohol flow once again (for most), reflecting on a fantastic day I have struggled to sum up in words, with many memories to cheirsh and a whole host of new friends both within and outwith the bus enthusiast fraternity. If any of you see this, it was a pleasure to meet you all, and I only hope we can repeat the experience someday...

The Irish Adventure: Part 1 25/04/14

The weeks leading up to the timeframe covered by this post had been most hectic for your blogmaster, Dan. I had been offered a trial run for a potential new job, and subsequently accepted, worked my notice for a major frozen food retail chain, and successfully completed my first week in my new employment. To top all this off, I also celebrated my birthday. For a while, Paul and I had discussed the possibility of going to Northern Ireland to attend the Irish Transport Trust rally at Cultra (Co. Down), a rally we had been told by many was most excellent, and with my sudden stroke of good fortune and major plans afoot to move the project forward in a bid to get 2599 mobile once more, we had several reasons to celebrate while undertaking this trip.

Friday 25 April dawned a cool, foggy morning, and members of the Ulsterbus 2599 group and an associate set out around 7am in the direction of the Cairnryan to Belfast ferry. The journey north was relatively uneventful, with a couple of refreshment halts, and a mad dash to return to a lay-by on the A75 near Dumfries to get a photograph of a now rare A-reg early model Plaxton Paramount-bodied Volvo B10M belonging to McColls Coaches. After a morrisons lunch in Stranrear, we had sufficient time to have a quick look at the Scottish outstation of Ulsterbus at the former Stranrear ferryport, before pressing on to check in at Carinryan ferryport for our crossing to Northern Ireland, departing Scottish soil at 1430hrs.

 After an uneventful crossing, and a few celebratory ciders in the ship's bar (for me anyway), we disembarked from the ferry and set foot for the first time on Irish soil. After a short drive across Belfast, we arrived at our home for the next two nights, The Gregory Guesthouse, just off the Lisburn Road. After checking in and making ourselves comfortable, the group took a walk into Central Belfast, collecting photographs along the way, and after around half an hour photographing around the Great Victoria Street Bus Station, we ventured into the centre to satisfy our need for food (and more cider in some cases), settling on a little back-street restaurant which sadly turned out to be very much over-priced and under-rated for what was offered. We returned to the hotel for the night, excitement now beginning to brew for what lay ahead, and the next day's much awaited ITT rally.

The Irish adventure had begun...

A brief update 21/04/14

Quick progress report from 2599, and a bit of investigative work by Tim Moss into the situation regarding the springs revealed that some attention would be required. It was noted that the front springs would require some work, but the rears - although looking a little worn in places - still had some life in them.

After our visit from the man from Tanvic to put the new tyres on, we now had two spare tyres requiring rims. A word with our good friend Gary Crosby, another fellow enthusiast and another mechanical expert who has agreed to help with the project, revealed that he may be able to assist. Unfortunately this process has been slower than anticipated as it was around this time that your blogmaster (Dan) changed jobs, although now I am settling into a routine again this will be sorted imminently!

Gary very kindly offered his services to provide a pre-MOT inspection, and after much negotiation a date of 28 April was pencilled in the diary, when members of the 2599 group returned from Northern Ireland.

While your blogmaster enjoyed a suprise evening being supplied with many pints of falling down juice in a public house by his former colleagues for his leaving ceremony (shameful behaviour I know!), Paul and former shareholder Peter paid a visit to a gentleman who used to own Ulsterbus RE 2438, Mr Tony Challons, who has very kindly supplied the group with a large number of very useful parts that will assist greatly in the restoration process, including a shock absorber, two brake shoes, and a silencer system to list some of the major parts! If you read this Tony, or anyone should see this on his behalf, many thanks!

And last but certainly not least, I make no apology for once again extending our thanks to Robert Nogues and our friends of the Ards Bus Preservation Group for sending over a spare Emergency Exit handle and some wheel studs. The group have continually supplied us with parts throughout the restoration process, and have been most helpful with suppliying information and advice that have helped us to move the project forwards, so thank you once again.

'Project X' goes public 06/04/14

Since embarking on the adventure of preserving and restoring the penultimate Bristol RE ever built Paul, Calum and I had kept certain parties up to date with 2599's progress through the use of a facebook page. Initially, this page had been used between the original four members to discuss ideas and formulate plans, and had been shrouded in much secrecy, with the highest privacy settings and codenamed 'project X'. With it now being common knowledge on both sides of the Irish Sea about the bus, and with much interest being shown, the Ulsterbus 2599 group name was officially launched into the public domain on 6 April. At this stage, the facebook group had over 70 members and was expanding by the day as word spread and interest in the bus continued to grow...

Manifold update 21/03/14

One major component that had been causing the group a major headache since February was the exhaust manifold, which it was discovered was severed in two. The dilemma we had, as mentioned previously, was did we spend up to £500 and invest in having a new one produced, or did we go down the less expensive route of having the existing manifold welded. After many long chats and some sleepless nights, we concluded as a group that we should attempt to have the existing manifold welded and cleaned up. The job was handed to Carlton Sheet Metal.

On 21 March, we received news that the manifold was ready, and Paul was duly dispatched to collect it. And boy were we in for a shock! Alan from Carlton Sheet Metal had not only welded the manifold back together, but had also painted it, and the end result was fantastic. With any luck, the newly repaired manifold should give us a few more years of trouble-free use before we need to consider replacement.

Milestones & anniversaries 14/03/14

To open this feature, firstly a shout out to Ulsterbus 2599 group leader Paul Waplington, who celebrated his birthday on this day, and in style by paying a visit to the bus at Langar. Many happy returns leader, 21 again! And what better way to remember the day by than including a photograph of the man himself...

Anyway, back to business. A significant day for all concerned, as Tanvic sent an engineer to Langar to have the new tyres fitted to the bus. This was a major turning point, and an upturn in the group's fortunes after several setbacks. We finally had roadworthy tyres, that we all knew would last us for a number of years, and we had finally ridded ourselves of one of our greatest expenses - to the tune of over £1000!

Sadly all did not go to plan, and relationships with the storage site began to sour when a polite request for a coffee for the man from Tanvic resorted in hot liquids being thrown about and Paul having the door slammed in his face!! Thankfully, in a bizarre twist of fate, a chance text from Michael Rogan, a fellow preservationist, enthusiast and good friend of the group, informed us that there was space for 2599 on a farm near Watnall. Even better, having myself previously dealt with the parties at Watnall, I knew them to be friendly, accommodating and considerably cheaper than the site at Langar. Negotiations began.

While changing the offside front tyre, the man from Tanvic had problems removing the wheel nut, and after actually changing the tyre, told Paul that the wheel stud itself was damaged. Closer investigation revealed that, worst case scenario, the whole wheel and hub assembly would have to be removed from the bus, which was another setback we could have done without.

Thankfully, the news did get a bit better, as upon closer inspection the Tanvic engineer informed us that the two inner tyres were not as worn as we had first anticipated, and would make ideal spare tyres. So not only did we have a bus sat on six brand new tyres, we now had two additional spare tyres that would reduce future expense.

So all in all, a day of mixed feelings, but still a milestone in the project's fortunes. However we still had a lot to consider, particularly with regards storage of the bus. We went away and talks began.

The fundraising begins...01/03/14

In an attempt to generate some much needed funds for the Ulsterbus 2599 fund, Paul and your blogmaster set out on a very cold Saturday morning to Nottingham Bluecoat School for a toy fair, armed with a large selection of models Paul had collected over the years. We were also aided in our quest to raise funds by Paul Seaman of Nottingham Bus Enthusiasts, who supplied us with additional models to sell.

We spent an enjoyable morning meeting numerous people, enjoyed several cups of coffee and a cake (thanks Leader!) and managed to sell a small number of models, and overall we felt that for our first attempt we hadn't done a bad job, coming away with around £70 to put into the fund - not a massive figure, but every little helps (as they say at Tesco!)


The fundraising had begun...