The London Bus Preservation Trust’s horse bus (ex Andrew’s Star Omnibus Co. Ltd.) is being inspected with a view to operating it at the GNSF this September. A comprehensive check list was supplied by the LBPT when bus passed into their ownership from its late owner, John Andrews. He had collected it (along with two others) and restored the bus to working order to create a unique fleet of vehicles from one operator (and a large family operator at that). The other two buses were kept in Cardiff, this bus coming to Beamish on long term loan. The three were offered to Beamish but we could not at that time accept them. An even better home for them was found in the LBPT collection at Cobham Bus Museum – much more in keeping with their London origins. It was agreed that this vehicle would remain at Beamish on loan however and we are glad to have it on display here.
We are working through the check list and hope that this wonderful omnibus will be seen circumnavigating the museum site over the event, possibly with a trace horse being attached for the ascent of Pockerley bank. This is a rare and fragile vehicle and one which we are delighted to have at Beamish and one I am sure that the museum’s visitors will be delighted to see outside of the carriage house where it normally resides. To the right is the ‘Blaydon Races’ charabanc in remarkably similar livery! The ‘Happy Days’ charabanc is currently with the Friends for painting and when complete will form part of an impressive line up of public vehicles on display and in use at Beamish.