(HD) Swansea Bus Museum Running Day AEC Bridgemaster 1203 returns to the Road.Sun 26th Oct 2014.

**** Watch in 1080 HD Full Screen *****

Today was the Swansea Bus Museum's October Running Day, and as i wasn't rostered to drive i decided to film The first trip on newly restored 1959 AEC Bridgmaster 1203. UCY 837 on Service 33 to Tycoch. The Bridgemaster has had a total refurbishment and rebuild from the ground up and this was it's first trip with passengers for many Years. This vehicle is one of only 4 known rear platformed Bridgemaster's in preservation anywhere.
Driven by ex-South Wales Transport/ First Group driver Peter Nedin, the journey wasn't without it's problems. Peter had great difficulty selecting mainly 3rd gear and he nursed the bus all the way to Tycoch and back..He has to be commended on such a great effort with this Bus on what would be to other drivers a complete nightmare ! I'm sure the defect will be sorted soon and the Bus back out again for the February Running Day. Later we drove the Car to Limeslade and managed to see Peter's Bristol VR. 571 ( with a different driver) On service 77. The Bus that was given to him as a retirement present from First Cymru recently !! Today seemed completely dedicated to Peter !! After a quick Coffee at Fortes we called it a day and went home to West Somerset....Roll-on February !!

My family connections with Uplands and Tycoch:-

Uplands:- My Dad's first car was bought from a BMC Dealer in Uplands in 1969, My Dad's parents used to live a few hundred Yards up Sketty Road ( Le Breos Ave). My Doctors surgery was there, although we lived 3+ miles away in Dunvant and had to catch a United Welsh service 116, on a Bristol Lodekker. Buses were the only way we could get around without a Car up to 1968.!!

Tycoch:- My Mum grew up in St Donat's Avenue and well remembers the service 33.

I hope you enjoy this upload , filmed mainly for the totally addictive Melodic sound from the AEC Gearbox...I rest my case !
My friend Bob Masterman has uploaded a great video at the Museum called.....Swansea Bus Museum Running Day 26/10/14. Well worth watching......Steve.





Filmed on a Panasonic HC X920.