THE SCOTTISH VINTAGE BUS MUSEUM - 2002 TYNE-TEES RALLY

Following the Stagecoach Perth 2002 Vintage Bus Running Day on Saturday June 1st - timed to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, BXA 464 B (FRD 199) returned to Lathalmond for just long enough to allow a quick bite and wash & brush-up (for the owners) - and some minor brake adjustments (to the bus). Then (as Enid Blyton would say) five went on an adventure, to Stockton and on to South Shields on the Tyne-Tees Run organised by the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society (why is it not the Tees-Tyne Run?). The five were, four of the five co-owners - Mike Chapman, Jim Crichton, Jim Methven and Eddie Taylor - and JM's son Steven. All photos are by Jim Crichton

We left Lathalmond just before 9pm with Jim Methven at the wheel. Jim took it almost to Berwick where I took over as far as our overnight stop at Purdie's Lodge - south of Alnwick, at about 11:30 Money being no object, we went into the lodge ..... visited the loo and returned to our sleeping bags in the bus. Another museum member, John Lydiate, who drives for ASDA saw us parked up on his way south. Luckily for us he didn't know we were in the bus as he said he would have paid us a 'surprise' visit. After a (very) early start we had an uneventful journey to Stockton where we arrived around 9am?

Above: Our bus is on the right of the group

Eddie and Mike shared the driving on the run from Stockton to South Shields, allowing the other three to enjoy the views. Following us at this point is a stream of historic vehicles.

Once on the open road we got along at a decent rate and sailed past this Guy 'Silentnight' delivery van on a long drag. (We could have done with it on our overnight stop.) The only disappointment was that we were asked to miss the half-way stop at Chester-Le-Street as it had become grid-locked with all the traffic.

Passing through Sunderland, with AEC LPT 328 trailing us on the last lap of the road run.

Above: 199 in the rally park at South Shields

Above: Some of the other buses at South Shields

Above: Some other entrants