Exclusive(?) Incidents at Bristol 2016

[2-Bil]

Dear Reader ,

Last year because it came highly recommend, i decided to experience for the first time (but not the last!) all that is BOG.Off from Paddington i went, GWR got a little money from me and i warmed up a comfortable seat till a windswept Parkway station. Clocking what looked to be resolute likely show-goers, i followed them out to where Buses and Taxies U-turn........

"Ah!"thought i "I don't need them blokes no more, cos there's the promised transport! That Bus is older than me (63) that must be THE" Vintage Bus"wot shuttles souls to the Centre........." Err, sort of...I was told (nicely) to "wait over there". I did. So did others. The old bus burbled off without us two thirds empty. Soon a"younger" bus appeared: people got on, got off, ENJOYED the show, then went outside to get "shuttled"again. Only the Vintage bus was there. I tried again........same answer.

"But,"says i, "why're you going to Parkway so empty?" I got an affable but inscrutable smile. With four passengers the bus drove off, dumped its load and came back just as the other bus scooped the rest of us up! Two other "shuttlers" had experienced the same as me, we swopped "Search me Bruv" looks .......... Now If any Show Organisers read this, PLEASE don't read it wrong. Its NOT a moan!! Given that most attendees come by car, I'm VERY relieved that Free Transport's laid on for the seemingly few who journey by train. I'd just like an answer to last year's "exclusive" incidents as they seem a bit strange.

With Regards & respect

2-Bil

 

[Osgood]

I have no knowledge of the arrangements under which the old Bristol bus last year was operating - but wasn't it a great piece of eye candy!

However I might be able to offer a possible clue as to the reason for your "exclusive /strange" incidents:

Social, domestic and pleasure road vehicle insurance policies for vintage commercial / public service vehicles impose a limit on the number of passengers covered insurance-wise. Same as for modern vehicles - if the specified number is to be exceeded the driver must have a PSV driving licence and the vehicle be operated under specific legislative requirements, including appropriate insurance cover.

If this was indeed the reason, it would appear that the bus was being operated quite legitimately and bringing great pleasure to a few lucky people at the same time


T

 

[2-Bil]

Dear OZ Thanks .The Insurance stipulations seem a VERY likely reason and one i hadn't thought of. Thats what i like about this Site theres always an answer(s) to a question! Regards to you From BW aka 2-Bil

 

[daifly]

Provided that the vehicle carries no more than 8 passengers, a vintage bus can be driven with only a car driving license. The rules are here.
Dave

 

[Osgood]

Provided that the vehicle carries no more than 8 passengers, a vintage bus can be driven with only a car driving license. The rules are here.
Dave

I would recommend anyone in doubt to check with their insurer, as the number of people (including driver) automatically covered without further discussion / declaration may be less than the number specified by the driver and vehicle licensing regulations.
Tony

 

[daifly]

I've no argument with that but since it is the vehicle that is insured and not a specific driver, the vehicles insurance policy would contain any restrictions.

 

[2-Bil]

Thanks to you both. I think you've nailed a convincing answer to my question. Likely as not it'll be "Brass Monkeys"weather tomorrow so ill be very happy to get scooped up. Which reminds me that(in recent times) whenever Mercury dips below Zero more blokes seem to be wearing shorts when" out and about".Im not after an answer to that! Tis an observation only. regards etc BW aka 2-Bil

 

[2-Bil]

Thanks Len, Reassuring to know someone else has marked the phenomenon.(couldn't have written that last word without the Spellchecker!) Best wishes Brian W aka 2-Bil

 

[bob savage]

Dear all the bus in question was a single decker I believe this was doing the shuttle between the over flow car park and the show to reduce waiting times and yes it was the older bus. The slightly new bus another single decker ( late sixties early 70s )was the bus doing the route to the parkway station they found by operating with 2 buses meant you got to the show faster rather than the scenic tour of the car parks. Hope you had a good day over all we must apologize for the high temperature at the show but system does not seam to handle lots of excited people your bob savage BOGG one of the organisers/ dogs bodies

 

[Purple-haze]

Many thanks for all your support at our show yesterday. Apart from the temperature problems and the (usual) parking mayhem, it appears that most
of you had a good time. Many visitors were seen leaving with bags and boxes, so another year of model making begins!
regards
Rog (another dogsbody/gofer)

 

[lankytank]

Yes, Bob/Rog, I have to admit that at one time I thought it was me having a hot flush (or a series of them) but looking around I noticed that others were wilting as well. Can't believe the number of people walking round wearing fleeces & their 'big coat'. Even people wearing bobble hats...... that famous red hat was also noted navigating the 'festivities'.

All in all one of the most friendliest shows that we've (Metalsmith) attended..... here's to next year......

 

[2-Bil]

Dear Bob S. For me the show was real pleasure and i suspect the blokes wot wore grumpy faces enjoyed it too! Though it DEFINITELY did get a bit steamy by the time i left .
It's no easy thing organising Exhibitions so Well Done Boggers all!!
On another note, waiting on Parkway Station for the London Train i got chatting to another show goer (hale,Very Hearty AND 92!). He'd been a"Southern"man like his Dad,Grandad etc way way back, in fact, to L&BR days. He ate up time with some interesting stories.
I told him id an enduring" affection" for Bulleids since i was about five.
"Oh yes"he said
'Yep,'Off to the coast from Victoria in an EMU, face agin a window, a sudden great gout of steam grabbed my attention ,out of it came a clean, original West Country or BofB flags aflutter and a huge Gold arrow along its flank."Thats the "arrer" that is son !"said some grownup as i lifted my jaw off the floor.The image lodged in my head ever since
The old chap next me nodded sagely
"About Bulleids" he said "When i worked at Nine Elms the Foreman Fitter often dropped by the office to "set the World aright"
One constant "Wrong"were maintenance issues with the" Oil Bath"Mister Bulleid designed for his Pacifics
"Ive read bout them" i said brightly.
"Yes" said the old chap "The Foreman said regular they were a "****ing,b*****d,****ing waste of space!!!!"
"Never read that "i said
The train slowed,passed the dead works,neared Swindon station.The old chap stood, swept up a LARGE bag of Show buys
"Whys a" dyed in the wool"Southern man livin in Swindon??"I asked
"Penance......."he said
Hope to see him next year.
From "Big Coat"Brian aka 2-Bil

 

[cbrailways]

Yes, I must thank the BOGG team for an excellent show. One small gripe was finding out where each stand was (OK, did it by wandering around several times in the end) but that programme . It seemed to be a partially updated version of last years (even referring to this years show date being provisionally the 22nd January) and totally confused me and my wife. Think it would help if each stand had is number pinned up somewhere and there is a floor plan.

Hope you can fix it for next year.

 

[2-Bil]

Dear CBR et al,
Gotta agree about the programme....(sorry BOGGERS!)i did three circuits and still couldn't find a trade stand i particularly wanted to see!Mind you i got to Paddington before i realised id left my spending money at home (sabotaged by the wife...??surely not......)And when i wandered over to the Floor Plan i found id left the reading glasses at home too...................................pillock!
So, though i agree with CBR its only a mini-gripe and was never enough of a pain to marr a VERY ENJOYABLE day out.
Adios compadres
from 2-BIL

 

[SteadyRed]

Following an early departure from Lincoln and a steady drive, arrived at the venue about 09:15. Nice to be able to get out of the weather and get a drink before the show opened.

Nice venue, plenty of space which was a pleasant surprise, and fully carpeted! As was said earlier in the thread the heat got a bit much as the day progressed but overall excellent venue.

I missed a couple of traders I wanted to visit, but hopefully will find them at a future shows. Were Masterpiece Model at the show? (not that my pockets are deep enough for any of their locos, though I shall be watching the Western with interest, I have a big birthday not too far away.

Overall excellent show worth the drive.

Dave

 

[2-Bil]

Curious enough
Masterpiece Models was the stand i couldn't find either and i did ask around.Good Luck with the Birthday Prez!
"Mr Myopic" aka 2-Bil

 

[Dan Randall]

I got there about 08:45 and discovered I was first in the queue to get in - never done that before!

An excellent show as alwàys, so a big thank you to all those who made it possible.


Regards

Dan

p.s. I'm pretty sure I saw the Masterpiece stand, but as their stuff is way beyond the range of any disposable income I might have, I don't tend to stop and look!

 

[Pugsley]

Masterpiece were there, I remember looking, thinking 'those are really nice models' and then also swiftly moving on for financial reasons. I can't remember quite where they were in the hall though, possibly somewhere near South West Digital?

 

[Len Cattley]

I think they were near Slaters.

Len

 

[2-Bil]

Len
Oh dear...............I bought an LMS brake van from Slaters! so if Masterpiece were their neighbours.................. best get MY "Best Price" at the Knackers Yard asap.
"Mr Myopic" aka 2-Bil........