Description

The Bristol VRT has had a long association with the south west. In the summer of 2004 cameras visited Plymouth and Cornwall to record these fine vehicles. See them in action at the Torpoint Ferry, the scenic route to Lands End, climbing out of Sennen Cove, plying the Newquay Tregustick service and passing Porth Beach. Covered too are Truronian’s in their distinct red livery.

Full description from the producer:

The Bristol VRT has had a long association with the south west of England. First examples entered service with Western National as long ago as 1969. Now in 2005, some 36 years on the final vehicles are in their Twilight Days.In the summer of 2004 our cameras made a visit to Plymouth and Cornwall to record these fine vehicles in everyday service. The programme starts in Plymouth at the Torpoint Ferry and follows the VRs, running on the ferry between Devonport and Torpoint. Some of these VRs, have now been replaced by new Dennis Tridents. We then move south to Penzance and visit the bus station and observe the VRs? going about their duties, mainly on route 1 and 1A, the scenic route to Lands End. A visit to the picturesque Sennen Cove to see them climbing the steep hill out of the bay is followed by an encounter with the open-top variety running the 300 circular service.Back at Penzance we board 38908 (VEX 288X) a former Eastern Counties vehicle for the route to Lands End and back. Sit back and enjoy the ride, with stereo sound you feel as though you are on board! From Penzance we move to Newquay and have a ride on 38871 (LFJ 871W) on route 305 to Tregustick. Then we observe other VRs, on the 305 passing Porth Beach.

To conclude the programme we have the pleasure in presenting footage from the video camera of Allan Macfarlane. Allan made a visit to Truro exactly 5 years to the day in 1999! Filming many VRs, in service in the city together with some belonging to the company of Truronian in their distinct red livery.

It is possible that the closed top Bristol VRT will finish running in Cornwall during 2005. This video programme is a reminder of the twilight days of these excellent vehicles and what will be the end of the Bristol bus in the west country. We will be following up this programme with a further one charting the last days of the Bristol VRT.

Additional information