The Cardiff Transport Preservation Group organised, with heritage coach owner Jonathan
Radley an interesting weekend for bus enthusiasts and Depot neighbours. On Saturday 28th April a convoy
of 14 heritage coaches and buses, some running from Cheltenham came to Barry and on
Sunday, free bus trips were run from The Bus Depot in Barry. For the volunteer charity
group they ran more services than initially planned, and visitors and locals alike made full
use of the fee trips, despite the unseasonal cold weather.
The group marked the anniversary, 40 years ago when the then state-owned National Bus
Company formed National Welsh, which became Wales largest bus company (by vehicles
and staff), and this included the depot, now a heritage centre at Barry.
Amongst the visiting convoy of heritage vehicles on the Saturday was a former 1968 Red &
White coach from Swindon and a 1964 Western Welsh coach from Kent, and both ran trips
from Barry and into the Vale on the Sunday. Additionally, a 1950s coach visited from
Coventry and a 1960s bus came over from Bristol.
Mike Taylor Chairman of the heritage bus restoration group said “It was a bit cold at times,
but we had planned for extra trips and they all ran, it stayed dry and we ran our
open top buses and it was noticeable the families with children had a good time.
As an Anniversary for an old local company 40 years ago it was good to see some
past employees, including the manager of Barry, Alf Elms who left 31 years ago.”
The day was saw a test run for a newly restored former Cardiff Leyland Lynx new in 1990
which will be a star attraction at the heritage groups big event on 10th June when classic cars
also come along to our Barry Festival of Transport.
Photos of ABO 145B by Chris Stewart, others by Steve Wren
