R.V.T.P.S

Now if anyone is interested, We have 2 links that will take you to you tube where there are over 40 videos of welsh buses, There is another link to our Flickr web site with welsh bus photographs that may be of interest to you.

http://uk.youtube.com/user/buspreservation  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30794964@N03/?saved=1  

Meeting went very well last night with Councilor Griffiths, Our chairman, Vice chairman and Secetary spent a good 2 hours with Councilor Griffiths who has just been newly elected for the Risca ward.

Next Tuesday, We are holding ourAGM meeting in the Junction Public house Hengoed. @ 7. 00pm. This will be the last meeting we hold in 2008 So all welcome/

Members. Please note, A meeting is being arranged to meet Mrs Phyl Griffiths one day next week to plan our way forward, With our main issue, Adams Quarry. Phyllis Griffiths is the wife of councilor Keith Griffiths, After keith passed away, Phyllis won the by election and has taken over from where Keith left off. We will then plan to call a general meeting with all members and councilors, After this initial meeting with Councilor Phyl Griffiths.

Another Welsh bus we are negotiating the return of. Is West Mon 13 UWO 688. Curently in the Netherlands, Owned by Mr Walter Govaert a local politcian. Again RVTPS must thank Mr Glyn Bowen and Mr Maurice M Bateman for their help in pointing us in the right direction, Tracing this bus for us. UWO 688 Started her life with the West Mon Omnibus Board as a single decker, Even though she was built on a double deck chasis, Especially for the Aberbargoed Hill. After the bridge was removed at the bottom of the hill West Mon sent UWO 688 back to the coach builders to be re bodied back to double deck status. We will report progress asap. Another anouncment will follow shortly on Bedwas & Machen PAX 466F,

  West Mon 13. UWO 688. In single deck and double deck form

We have been contacted by Ian from Pembroke Dock, He has a Van Hool coach, That he would like to put into our museum project. This coach is unique and very rare. As she started her life as an experimental vehicle. More info on Ian and his coach will be posted on here, When we go down to pick her up and bring her back to Oakdale, Probably this weekend.

RVTPS Member David Williams accuired Leyland Tiger C518 WBF From Gareth Handy Sixty Sixty Coaches Merthyr Tydfil. For preservation. In 2004, This vehicle was painted to celebrate Local boy and inventor Richard Trevethick 1771 - 1833

Photographs by kind permission                           Glyn Bowen

It is with great pleasure that we can inform you of another bus returning to her roots here in the South Wales valleys. In the care of RVTPS. I had the pleasure of driving this bus in the early 70s, As well as a few other members of this group did. When we worked for the local coucil. Over the next 2 or 3 weeks, We will finalise the details, To receive this bus at Ty Duffryn House in Ystrad Mynach. Where she will be a stable mate of Caerphilly PD2, LNY 536D. Securly stored under cover. Again, To welcome her home, We will invite the press allong to take some photographs, Special guest of honour being Mr Haydn Williams. Keep watching this page for time and date.   

Today the very last Leyland Tiger left IBT, RVTPS member David Renolds with members of his family took WPH 125Y up to Oakdale where she will stay in storage over the winter. David might show her next year at the local bus rallys, Or consider the reserection of D46 MBO. We will keep you posted on his plans...

C42 GKG Was taken yesterday. Fom IBT and moved to another location in Oakdale, Again on a temporary basis before moving in with the CTPG in the Barry bus depot.

With the withdrawal of the very last Leyland Tiger from Islwyn BT, It is anticipated that RVTPS member David Renolds will purchace this bus as a donor vehicle to resurrect D46 MBO

Today We had a phone call from a Mr Ian Bouchier from Pembroke Dock. He is in possession of a Vanhool 49 seater coach It was new to Ford Brentwood as a experimental vehicle new in 1984. Bus lists on the web will give you a bit of info on C75 YVC. Ian told me that this coach is unique and is only one of this type left in the whole world. He would like us to give it a little bit of TLC and put it in our museum.

I had a phone call from Mr Roger Simms Manager of IBT telling me that their last East Lancs Leyland Tiger Fleet no/ 36 has now been withdrawn from service and we have first refusal on this bus

An update on C42 GKG, C42 is still in IBT's yard as there is an issue over tyers, This being an internal problem, That will be sorted very soon.

Today we had correspondence from a gentleman in Barry.  Mr Terry Sylvester. He told me that his father started their family bussiness in the early 1930s.  Sign writing and coach work. One of their main customers was Gelligaer UDC. Terry sent me 3 invoices dated 15.09.1933   13.10.1941 and 26.11.1941 I have attached these invoices here for you to see the quotes for the proposed intensive work they planned to carry out. ie remove and replace a roof of a bus, For a total cost of £21:10 :00.

              Another 3 exibits for the museum.

As previously mentioned the wet summer weather prevented us from completing the restoration work on our Hill's tiger NDW 141X. We have made significant progress with the majority of the exterior N/S panels being re fitted, next stage is to prepare for painting and refitting of the body fittings....

We had a fantastic day in Showbus, Record turnout of buses and the crowds of people. It was great meeting up with friends and former work mates. We stayed in a hotel over night and guess who stayed there as well, Our buttie Martyn from Pontypool with his Route Master                                            

We are sad to report that the disastrous weather has finally taken it's toll, and held back our attempts to get both NDW 141X and C41 GKG ready to make the 200+ mile trip to showbus.We will be there in person however, so look forward to meeting up with familiar faces and making new contacts. 

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday the 30th September at the Junction Public House Hengoed @ 7 30 pm.

Thanks to Mike Martin, We do not have to report a great deal on the Gelligaer 80th Aniversary. Mikes Photographs of the event on the day says it all. We have a date for June 2009 for our Welsh Heartlands Transport Show, But before we publish this date, we must make sure we do not clash with any othr event. In the area. Watch this space.

The weather has taken its toll on so many events this year, We have to addmit now, We will not be taking Hills Tiger NDW 141X TO Showbus. Instead, We will take IBT 41.

Today is the 80th anniversary of the Gelligaer Urban District Council's celebrations at Llancaiach Fawr. Here is an emergancy telephone no just in case of last minute problems.

Contact John Evans's new EMAIL     :bargoedtaxis@btinternet.com  

  or Phone        07851345047

Full report to follow.... below By kind permission of Mike Martin, rvtps contingent of vehicles wait at Llancaiach fawr earler today ..... Check out our links page to find a link to mike's fantastic photograph site.

Bus and Coach Wales 2008, Gelligaer running day at Llanciach Fawr

Well done to CTPG for yet another marvelous bus rally held at Merthyr Collage last Sunday. Glyn Bowen certainly knows how to pull the buses in.We will post a picture shortly of LNY 536D and LTX 311. These buses are both ex Caerphilly UDC for well over 30 years these 2 buses have not been together, Side by side until last Sunday. Our friend Jim Doig in Scotland is eagerly waiting on this picture as well. An ex RVDC driver Colin Thomas popped in to see us and donated his RVDC uniform and dust jacket to our museum project. Colin worked there with me from 74 til 81.

So now we focus our attention onto next Sunday, Where we are holding our Gelligaer 80th anaversary celebration at Llanciach Fawr Nelson. We will be sending buses from Llanciach Fawr out over the old routes operated by the former Gelligaer UDC. To include Bargoed to Fochriw, Bargoed to Ystrad Mynach via Gelligaer and Cefn Hengoed. 149/150 Rhymney Bridge and Bargoed to Nelson via Bedlinog etc. A mixture of single deck and double deck buses will be used. The haunted house will also be open for tea and coffee and Sunday Lunch. In all probability, You might get a glimpse of the resident ghost for good measure!!!

UPDATE - Our Vehicles  page now has been updated to link to images of our fleet together with a brief history of each vehicle.any feedback would be most welcome from visitors to enable us to improve the site for all. Especially if you can help fill in the blanks, Like LTG 798P did some time with Chase Bus Services, DDW 65V did a bit of time with Stevensons. Can you help us with dates that these and our other preserved buses spent with other operators. All information will be greatly received and credit given for any help provided. Thank you.

Our latest addition to our museum project LNY 536D has been a busy little bee, She went to the Pontypridd Vintage transport show and to the Brislington in Bristol bus show.Today,we left to go to the Kington Steam Fair only to find it cancelled last minute. After all the heavy rain we had. Bank holiday weekend is also busy for her, Pontypool and Blaenavon show, The Blackwood Big Balloon Festival and on duty at the Merthyr Castle event Bank holiday Monday.The Merthyr Express did a story on her last week. Also in last weeks Echo, A local Pontypridd fellow commented on the bus prosession that went through Pontypridd town centre. He stated that on one of the buses, He seen the destination showing Bargoed via Nelson, On the second bus the destination just showed Bargoed. He said '' In it marvellous, You wait 30 years for a bus to Bargoed, Then two show up together.''

Apologies for the lack of recent images, there is a backlog of images of recent events, rest assured they will appear shortly after a minor technical hiccup - or me not being able to use new software correctly !!! 

Just under 36 hrs to go for the Merthyr Bus Rally, Fingers crossed and hope it will be ok on the day. Heavy rains, flooding every where. We have 2 buses booked into the show, Good thing that the show is held on tarmac and every thing else is in doors. We have one week to go for our own show in Llanciach Fawr. Lets hope the weather is kind to us.

We have a Flickr photo web site. Please feel free to look at some more Welsh buses at....  http://www.flickr.com/photos/28089158@N04/

Our ex - Caerphilly no 36 was out and about the Borough today, images below show the waitng on the stand at Bargoed square, and later meeting up for a photoshoot with Mark Barnet's superb ex Islwyn Borough transport Marshall bodied Leopard  no 34.

RVTPS Attended the Kemble transport show today, displaying ex Caerphilly decker lny 536 d attending her first rally since coming into the care of RVTPS.below 36 stands in the line up.

Work is now gathering pace on the restoration work on our Hill's tiger coach.In the images below you can now see the new stress panels fitted today, this will allow the exterior panels to be re fitted shortly.

Today was the very first time I followed a dog through Blackwood driving a double decker bus.''see picture''  We attended the Blackwood Carnival today in 36. Great day Twas n all. We spent a bit of time chatting to the Valleys Classic Car Group and the Over the hill Bikers Group, Mustering support for our show in LLanciach Fawr on the 14th September.Quite strange really, Seeing Hells Angels wearing top hats and bowlers.

Just to remind everybody that that the Gelligaer 80th anniversary rally will now be held on the 14th Sept in the superb setting of the well known LLancaiach Fawr. With several differing routes for free rides and the usual transport related stalls, this promises to be fantasic day out for all the family. RVTPS warmly invite all prospective exhibitors and visitors to support this unique rally setting, click on the link to see up to date information. LLancaiach's resident ghost will be on hand to give you a WARM welcome.

  Gelligaer 80th Anniversary

This weekend, We are out with LNY 536D Tomorrow we support The Blackwood Town Council's annual summer carnival. Starting at 12 noon from the ambulance station through Blackwood town centre and finishing up in the Civic Centre at Pontllanfraith.This is a family day out not to be missed. Then on Sunday we are up the M 4 motoway to Kemble Airfield This is 36's first bus rally since returning home from Scotland

As promised previously, below are some images of the restoration of former Hill's Tiger bodyframe, new stress panel work along with new steel box section framework have been replaced.

As previously mentioned, RVTPS have entered our ex-Hill's of Tredegar Leyland Tiger NDW 141X in this years showbus event.Restoration work is now gathering pace wth the new steel framework of both sides being replaced.Images of the restoration will follow shortly .

3 Days at the Big Cheese. 36 was on display at the St iIans Pontygwindy rd school park and ride.Also prime locations in and around Caerphilly town centre. 3 hot days CCBC have had tremendous success with this years Big Cheese with record breaking attendances every day. 36 Played an important roll in this years event. She took a couple of German Students, staff and their coach driver on a tour of her native streets of Caerphilly town centre, before dropping them into the Big Cheese. I asked the coach driver, If he would like to have a go of 36, His reply was quite straight, and to the point. ''NINE NINE SHTICK!!!'' It was the people of Caerphilly that made my weekend. Clapping, Waving, Smiling and taking photographs of 36, Most would ask ''is this the bus that came down from Scotland'' We gave out loads of RVTPS news letters and membership forms.

The funeral of Len Watkins took place today in Nelson. Lens family really appreciated LNY 536D out side the church. They asked if 36 would lead the funeral procession, Through the streets of Nelson. We accepted this honour, Knowing Len was looking down on us  with a smile on his face,  Lens son pulled me to one side and gave me some of Lens uniforms. These items will go into our museum.

Gelligaer 80th Anniversary    September 14th  2008 @ Llanciach Fawr Nelson Mid Glam. We have moved our date forward 1 week, Not to clash with the Newport Tredegar Park Show. We have also changed the venue from Park Penallta to the old haunted house at Llanciach Fawr. WE DARE YOU!!! Entry forms are now available for you to be part of the celibrations, We will run buses over the old Gellygaer UDC stomping grounds. Or if you prefere to stay and chat up one of the ghosts of Llancaiach Fawr, Its up to you.There will be trade stalls selling model buses,Photographs as well as the usuall brick brack. A great family day out. Contact Simon Roberts or John Evans for more details. Just hit the contact us page.

Just to follow on from previous reports, LNY 536D made the journey from Scotland back to South Wales yesterday..CCBC has allowed us to park and store 36 in St Ives, Ystrad Mynach. We was met there yesterday with lots of people and press taking photographs of 36. I told Jim Doig that  LNY 536D 's first duty when she got home was to attend the funeral of Len Watkins on Monday 14th July at Nelson. It took us just over 9 hours to bring 36 down from Preston. We stopped 5 or 6 times to rest 36, Not that she needed resting. Every time we stopped, People would gather round 36, Passing coments on how fine she looked. and took photographs of her. THIS IS ALL DOWN TO ONE MAN. JIM DOIG.

Tomorrow RVTPS will be travelling a shorter distance than of late, to the Stroud running day.Our entry will be well travelled C41Gkg.Images of the day to follow.  

It is with sad regret that We report that Mr Len Watkins, Who was chief traffic superintendant for Caerphilly Council Transport, Rhymney Valley District Council and Inter Valley Link. Has passed away. His funeral will be held at St John's Church, High St, Nelson. at 1 15 pm next Monday 14th July Then at Llanfarbon Cemetry at 2 00 pm

LNY 536D Will return to South Wales Friday 11th July 2008. Jim has confirmed that he would like to bring her half way home, At least to Preston to say farewell to her, I told Jim that it was not goodbye because 36 will allways be a part of him, Whenever he comes to the Welsh Valleys 36 will be waiting for him to go out for a run to a rally, and in a couple of years time when LNY 536D is placed into the Welsh Heartlands Transport Museum, Jim Doig will be a VIP Guest of honour to her inauguration into the Hall of Fame. LNY 536D Was new to CUDC in 1966 passing on to RVDC in 1974. Between Caerphilly and Rhymney Valley, LNY 536D was in their keep for 20 years service. Before being sold to Jim Doig. After 22 years in the safe hands of Jim, He has reluctantly agreed to send her back home to South Wales. John Evans chairman RVTPS.

Today marks an historic day in the short history of RVTPS. Firstly, we entered our ex-IBT tiger in the  Dumfries Transport show in Scotland, covering over 700 miles in two days -the most mileage covered by any of our buses,and to cap it all we won first prize in best of class .Below organiser Jim Doig is seen presenting our proud chairman John Evans the winners cup.

Also whilst in Scotland RVTPS have finally concluded the long awaited exicting news that ex Caerphilly council LNY 536D has finally been sold to RVTPS,after being under the careful ownership for more than 20 years by Jim Doig,she will be making the return journey to Caerphilly in the next week.Below is Jim Doig and RVTPS chairman John Evans agreeing the sale  of this much sought after bus.

Our website has today past the 1000 visitors.We thank everybody for their continued support.

Local  Bus company -Islwyn Borough Transport have repainted their new fleet no9, ex, Henderson's Optare solo XJ05 XOU,seen here receiving finishing touches in the workshop prior to going into service.

Work is progressing well on our Hill's of Tredegar tiger, the nearside panelwork and fittings have been remove to expose the corroded mild steel framework.Although a good amount of restoration work has been carried out previously the steel framework is corroded badly under most of the window pans. 

Apologies to all for the delays on our news page updates.With all the back to back rallies and umpteen jobs needing doing there is not enough time in the day.

Anyway, in the past week RVTPS have finally completed the much improved exterior repaint on rvdc no8 , those who attended the ctpg rally at Barry would i'm sure have noticed the improvement in the finish.We are sadly unable to upload our new images of the job due to unforeseen technical difficulties,but rest assured that they will be on,ready for your viewing shortly.

Also ex-IBT tger C41GKG also had a exterior uplift,This is only a temporary measure and will be repainted into the correct livery at a later date. 41 attended the Swansea transport festival on Sunday 15th June.C41 below left en-route to Swansea.and right the rear offside corner gets a new panel. 

We have also  now started the task of inspecting our ex- Hill's of Tredegar Tiger NDW 141X and planning the restoration tasks which are mounting daily ! it is hoped that the restoration will be completed ready to debut her at this years Showbus event in September.     

Our new look site is now gaining a worldwide audience,with visitors from as far as China,USA,Brazil and into Europe with Spain,Germany and Switzerland. With the hit counter fast approaching the 1000 barrier,We at RVTPS hope, that all visitors are happy with the site layout,if not please leave feedback for us to improve  the site for your viewing.

Today ex-RVDC no 8 made her new debut resplendent in revamped exterior paintwork.Working into the small hours to get her finished-the wait was worth it as she travelled to the CTPG rally  in the sunshine for a fabulous bus rally which once again basked in glorious sunshine.

Members have today been progressing the exterior repaint on no 8, With scaffolding erected the topcoat of yellow has been applied to the roof, images  to follow   

Today,the new 1st phase of the Bargoed by-pass scheme opened,the new section of road now leaving Aberbargoed by the Duffryn Pub and passing through what was the old colliery site before crossing the new impressive flyover into Bargoed at the top end of town. The town centre has now become a dead end with the bottom end becoming a one way system, allowing the buses and deliveries to drop off and turn,before heading back to the by-pass for journeys north of Bargoed, No doubt there will be some very interesting photoshoots to come.......   

Visitors can now browse our  photo library covering all the past/present local bus and transport companies.

Work is progressing slowly on our RVDC no 8 due to weather, but work is intended to be completed ready for the CTPG rally at BARRY on Sunday 8th June  

Well respected enthusiast Paul Burgess has informed us that the Paddle Steamer Waverley is off service pending urgent repairs, when its annual dry dock inspection found a paddle wheel loose on its shaft. It will almost certainly miss all the Bristol Channel sailings by the time it is repaired. Thanks to Paul for the information 

Negotiations are well underway to receive our latest exibit. A 1920's Manually hand operated Petrol Pump. A CCBC Cabinet member will officialy receive this recently refurbished petrol pump from a well known local company. More info to follow

RVTPS is proud to announce that our new look site is proving popular as we today we smashed through the 500 hits barrier,Thanks to all who have supported us in this new era.   

Arrangements to hold a monthly road run followed by a slide show are in hand. Dates and times will be announced shortly. Remember the old 36 route. Cardiff - Tredegar. Or the 149/150 Newport - Rhymney Bridge. We will also travel the Cynon and Rhondda Valleys in ex Western Welsh and Red & White buses followed by a slide show and light refreshments in a local Public House that is a museum in its self. Well worth bringing your camera along. STAY TUNED! 

To ensure that visitors are happy with site content and associated links ,could we please ask visitors to leave feedback on either the guestbook or via the 'contact us' page,Thankyou

New Preserved car section page added, if you have any photos you would like to share of any transport related items please contact us .     

The weather sadly curtailed the planned reunion,however all that attended enjoyed a memorable event,After a road run on Ex-Rhymney Valley Leopard no 87, taking in Caerphilly Bus station, a memory or two was relived over a drink at the Junction Pub. Thanks must go to the Glyn and his staff  at the Junction Pub Hengoed for the refreshments and welcome. For more photos of the day please go to the reuniuon page .

L-R Ken Brindle-RVDC,Colin Mason-CUDC,W J Evans-RVDC,Anthony Cleaves-Bed/Machen,Cath Hosey-Bed/Machen,Ruth Hardacre- RVDC,Glyn Bowen Merthyr Tydfil,Alan Miles -Gelligaer, Brain Jarrett-Gelligaer,Brian James-Merthyr Tydfil Council,Ian McDonald-RVDC, Haydn Williams-RVDC,Brian Turner-Rhymney Transport services.   

The planned Gelligaer Reunion will take place at the Civic Centre Blackwood.on Sunday 25th at 12.00pm

RVTPS is pleased to announce that We can offer outside secure parking for up to 20 vehicles at a nominal rent.If anybody is intertested in this offer please contact Chairman John Evans on    07851345047 or  Bargoedtaxis@aol.com  .

RVTPS have news of a local transport rally, The Pontypridd Vintage Transport day takes place on 9th August 2008, any buses/coaches with local connections are invited to attend.We have been informed that there will be a procession through Pontypridd town centre and then onto Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.We will post any further details as we receive them  

 RVTPS is committed to returning ex-Rhymney Valley Tiger A71VTX. Surely now a rarity, being one of only a few short bodied East Lancs Tigers that are left. Below,A71VTX IN RVDC livery

RVTPS Member. Stephen Clayton. Our no/2

Today sees the launch of our new website; we would appreciate any comments good or bad to try and improve the site and give the preservation enthusiast a site worth viewing. Any information that enthusiasts wish to share please let us know.

RVTPS will be holding their monthly meeting tomorrow at the Junction Pub, in Hengoed. Which in itself houses an impressive array of transport memorabilia,. Anybody who is interested in our group or even just to have a chat are all invited, It is hoped to have slideshows and topical discussions will have a slot in each meeting, so if you're itching to get those dusty old slides out come along and share your memories of those bygone days .Meeting starts at 7 pm .   

We are asking if anybody has any information or photographs of our ex-Hill's of Tredegar ,Plaxton Supreme bodied Leyland Tiger, we are hoping to take her restored in Hill's livery to the Showbus event in September 2008

Work is still progressing on Rhymney Valley Leopard No 8; hopefully the finished repaint will be complete for her to make her return to the rally circuit at the CTPG rally at Barry 

You can go to YOU TUBE and type in Bristol Harbourside 2008 see a video of the rally and more....

C41 GKG made the successful journey to the Bristol Harbourside rally, another enjoyable day was had by all, view rally scene images on our photo gallery page.

Sadly,rain has hampered our progress on the exterior make-over on No 8,We still hope to finish her before The Bristol Harbourside Bus Rally on Sunday 18th May

Friday 16th Sees the Funeral of the late Councillor Keith Griffiths.

Our resident Yard foreman Colin Hills is shortly going into hospital,The yard will not be the same and we all wish him well and for a speedy recovery. 

Ex-Rhymney Valley fo 87 is also undergoing  some exterior work,rumour has it someone argued with the rear of a leyland lynx????     

Work has been continuing to give Ex-Rhymney Valley Leyland Leopard ,Fleet no 8 an interim make-over.It is hoped No8 will attend the funeral of RVTPS supporter Keith Griffiths.

          Below roof and rear end  display primer and newly applied  yellow paint

The funeral of Councilor Keith Griffiths took place today. RVTPS atteneded the funeral. As a mark of respect, RVTPS took ex RVDC council bus PWO 87Y  sporting a black wreath on the front of the bus.