[GB] Cobham Spring Gathering 2011

Once again, the UK rally season formally kicks off with the annual Cobham bus rally. This year the event was moved from the previous location of Wisley Airfield to the famed Dunsfold Aerodrome - best known for its use as the Top Gear test track. And before anyone asked - no, there was no lap time for any of the buses presented.



The annual event is organised by London Bus Preservation Trust, and for the obvious reason, the event have seen a significant turnout of London vehicles. And of course, it means a good number of Routemasters - and a number of odd ones as well:



Almost as well known and loved are the RTs, with about a dozen of assorted variety showing up. However, this is probably the least complete of the lot.



Another standard London double decker, the DMS Fleetline, also made an apparence. Comparing to the much loved Routemaster and RT, the number of preserved DMSs remain rather small.



Another double decker which served London is this Leyland Olympian from Metrobus, although you may not notice that by just looking at its livery. This 20-year old classic is now under preservation.



Three standard London single decker type were presented - Here are two of them, Leyland National LS24 and the newly preserved Dart DT39 - The latter making its debut appearance at Cobham.



The third type, the RF, was actually celebrating its 60th birthday, and a couple dozens of them were presented for a celebratory parade at the airfield and surrounding area. Almost all are in the red and green LT livery, the only exception being RF13.



A number of more recent London haunts also turned out as well, including Stagecoach's E400 "Spirit of London", now spotted the new number 19000, and the semi-preserved Trident TA1 (17001).



TA1 is, arguably, a lucky bus, as a number of newer buses have been withdrawn from service in London and cascaded to other part of the country. Two of the them made an appearence with their new identities.



Obviously, the rally is not just about London buses, although this brand new E200Dart from Sullivan Buses serves barely outside the capital:



And this trio of ex-Dublin Bus Olympians from Southern Transit for that matter:



Another London connection is this preserved Leyland Olympian coach. It made its debut at last year event, and remain, as far as I know, the only British Olympian coach under preservation (barring ex-Citybus 102 and 105).



Also under preservation is this old Dennis Dominator. Never a popular type in the country, it is nevertheless a significant preservation.



As the event was held rather close to Guildford, ADL has taken a number of E400s into the event, including this demonstrator and a conventional powered Trident chassis.



And also the increasingly popular E400H hybrids:



...although in terms of "green-ness", they were comprehensively beaten by this horse bus:



This year's venue is said to be temporary. With the much anticipated Cobham Bus Museum due to open in summer this year, hopefully we would see the event moved closer to - if not in - the new attraction.

題外話。

未知在場的一位穿紅色tshirt同埋一位灰色衣服的兩位行家其中一位是否nv58兄你呢？
未請教。

Off topic: I just wondering that Trident chassis is it for 2.55m wide ONLY?

Also is E500 chassis only able to use 2.55m wide body?

原帖由 iczer3 於 2011-4-13 11:56 發表
Off topic: I just wondering that Trident chassis is it for 2.55m wide ONLY?

Also is E500 chassis only able to use 2.55m wide body?

The E500 chassis is a 3-axle Trident anyway, so of course it will fit to a 2.5m bodywork.

Not sure about the 2-axle Trident, but I will be surprised if it cannot be fitted with a 2.5m bodywork as well.

Thanks NV58
I wonder does Trident chassis still available  on is own, I know there is an operator was about to place an order for it  but with other bodywork, and ends up buying other buses instead..

TA1遲遲都唔走係咪因為佢係第一部倫敦trident？

Hi NV58,

I would like to know the length of SFD633 is 11.3M which same as MTR's E200?

原帖由 GR614 於 2011-4-14 19:15 發表
Hi NV58,

I would like to know the length of SFD633 is 11.3M which same as MTR's E200?

Yes, as chassis code SFD6xx denotes the 11.3m for E200Darts.

S3N92: 17001 is retained by Stagecoach way back since 2006 as a private hired/showbus.

iczer3: I do not believe the Trident chassis is separately offered commercially anymore, as ADL is shifting it focus on offering an inhouse complete product. The same goes for the E200Dart as well over the last couple of years.

不知道这个是不是一年一度的巴士集会？这个是伦敦地区的吗？

I'm not quite sure that is there the bus gathering once a year? Is that only in London area?

[ 本帖最後由 深圳西站 於 2011-4-21 05:44 編輯 ]

是一年一度的,都可以叫做巴士集會的...
令一個一年一度的是''show bus''

不是在倫敦區,不過都好接近倫敦邊界
在guildford/hersham附近....