On Sunday 8th September Merthyr Tydfil hosted the annual Bus and Coach Wales event and classic car rally with more interest than in past years. The gathering of nearly 200 vehicles was held at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Village, Rhydycar.
Cardiff Transport Preservation Group organised the event, supported by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and a number of local businesses. Group chairman, Mike Taylor said, “bookings by people, many local to Merthyr to bring along their restored classic cars, lasted right up to the evening before the event, consequently we had record numbers intending to come along. The sunshine the day before gave way to clouds and there was the odd shower but it did not spoil the day for the hundreds of visitors that attended. Our free heritage bus services to the Brecon Mountain Railway, Penyderyn Distillery and a tour of Merthyr Tydfil were all well patronised”. Around 130 classic cars were in the list and most came along including a number from clubs such as the Glamorgan Classic Car Club, Triumph Sports Car Club and the Ryland Car Club of Neath. Cars from the 1930s to the 80s were joined by around 20 commercial vehicles complemented by a great show of nearly all R.T.Williams’ Heavy Recovery Vehicles. There were around 50 buses and coaches including visitors to Merthyr for the first time, these included a 1952 AEC Regal IV ex London RF type, which once operated between St. Albans and Romford, a 1961 Bristol MW from Gloucestershire, and former SWT ECW VRT appearing in the post deregulation livery of Western National for whom it operated until acquired for preservation by the SWT Museum Group. Stagecoach, Cardiff, and Newport Bus also provided buses for the event, to supplement the the 6 or so buses from the Bus Depot Barry provided by the CTPG.
The Cardiff Transport Preservation Group would like to thank all those who took part, group members, those who worked on the day and those whose behind the scenes activities helped provide such a good show on the day. Thanks also go to Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Stagecoach in South Wales, R T Williams, Sixty-Sixty Coaches, Cardiff Bus and Newport Bus for sponsorship and providing vehicles on the day.
photos supplied by Paul Hamley, Richard Field and Mac Winfield for ctpg.
