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Thursday 22nd December 2011

Big Bus Tours
USA - Philadelphia
VRs operate on the Big Bus City Tour in Philadelphia. In the summer months additional departures are operated by open top ex London DMSs, though their web site and literature do depict pictures of DMS vehicles. The tour lasts 90 mins with spells where speed and hilly terrain make for an enjoyable ride. Photographer Nick Morton was very surprised just how much Philadelphia has to offer the tourist and recommends it. The 'live guides' on both trips he rode upon were extremely knowledgeable and professional.
A photo report follows, with some background information on the buses that have been exported recently using the VR South West News website archives.

FDV781V in Philadelphia on 19th December 2011.
photo copyright of Nick Morton

We have shown FDV781V before, here it is back in October 2007.
photo copyright of Ken MacKenzie

Rear of FDV781V.
photo copyright of Nick Morton

Unmistakably an ex Wilts & Dorset VR due to the removal of the sliding vent opening windows, this is KRU856W which last operated in the UK with York Pullman.
photo copyright of Nick Morton

Here is KRU856W in use with York Pullman (K&J Logistics) outside York railway station on 2nd July 2008. It had been in storage at Eastleigh during January and February 2008, having then moved to Swanage by March of the same year.
photo copyright of Ray Dobson

KRU856W, fitted also with an off side entrance door as per other VRs owned by the Big Bus Company.
photo copyright of Nick Morton

Rear of KRU856W.
photo copyright of Nick Morton

The top deck of KRU856W, still in good condition from the Wilts & Dorset refurbishment.
photo copyright of Nick Morton

Another VR which ended its days with Go South Coast and exported via K&J Logistics was UFX857S. It last operated in the UK for the start of the 2008 tour season when it moved to the Isle of Wight to act as cover for other tour buses.
photo copyright of Nick Morton

Back in 2003, on 14th September, it was owned by Bath Bus Company and was photographed at Warminster.
photo copyright of Neil C.

Once this and WTG360T had moved to Solent Blue Line they operated a New Forest Tour. This finished and the duo operated a sadly short lived Southampton Docks Tour, on which it was seen on 23rd June 2007.
photo copyright of David Roberts

During its spell of operation on the Isle of Wight, UFX857S is seen on 12th April 2008 on the Sandown Bay Tour.
photo copyright of Jay Taylor

Rear of UFX857S.
photo copyright of Nick Morton

Also in Philadelphia...

LFJ884W carrying the front grill from ex Burnley FFR170S including reg plate, also seen on 19th December 2011. Thanks to Rob Sly for pointing out that it was actually LFJ884W, this explains the fact that it has newer style opening windows which would not be present on an S reg vehicle, though not the square indicators.
photo copyright of Nick Morton

photo copyright of Nick Morton