Happy New Year

The Focus Team wish everyone a Happy New Year 

Below are a selection of pictures taken during the year by the team and by other contributors. We look forward to the New Year during which we will continue to keep you informed of transport matters and other items of interest.

 Oliver Cromwell 70013 at Weybourne, on the occasion of the Steam Gala on the North Norfolk Railway

 Go-Ahead subsidiary Thames Transit Solo SR 716 at Newbury

Cumbria Classic Coaches excellent ex.Crosville Leyland PS1 at the Fat Lamb Ravenstonedale, Cumbria.

1970 Leyland Panther Plaxton Derwent UOU 419H near Winchester at the King Alfred Running Day on1st January 2013

Stanier Coronation Class Pacific No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland working the Newcastle to Sheffield via Derby on  8/6/13. Currently this locomotive is in BR Green.

 1938 Leyland TD4 seen here at the 2013 Kirkby Stephen Easter Rally

 Dave Young sent these pictures (above & below) of 6229 Duchess of Hamilton in streamlined guise, alongside vehicles from the Aycliffe collection.

Western National Bristol LH FDV  760V is seen waiting for passengers at Goveton during the Kingsbridge Running Day.

Double heading at Statfold Barn Railway in June sees two of the many locomotives that were in steam

ex GWR 3205 in BR livery is seen passing JFJ 875 at Staverton on the South Devon Railway. 

 Reminder of last winter, Blidworth, Notts 21 January 2013. So far this winter  we have had no snow in the Mansfield area. Famous last words . . . . © Oliver Foreman

 After 36 years of sterling service, the old Mansfield bus station closed on 30 March 2013. This photograph was taken on or very close to the final day. © Oliver Foreman

 On the 31 March 2013, Mansfield's splendid new bus station opened! This view was taken through glass from the footbridge to the railway station on 3 April 2013. © Oliver Foreman

 Clydeside Scottish RM835, WLT835, participated in the annual Kirkby Stephen & Brough Easter Commercial Vehicle Rally on 31st. March, 2013, and is seen here climbing the station approach at Kirkby Stephen West station.

 2013 marked the 75th. anniversary of Mallard's world speed record and a number of events were arranged to celebrate this achievement, the most notable of which was the temporary repatriation of 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower and 60010 Dominion of Canada from  across the Atlantic. Before cosmetic restoration began the opportunity was taken to pose three BR green A4s together at Locomotion, Shildon, on 19th. October, 2012. To complete the line up John Cameron's 60009 Union of South Africa visited Locomotion.

 In addition to the Great Gathering, the bringing together of all six preserved A4 pacifics, special dispensation was given for 4464 Bittern to operate three tours at speeds of up to 90mph on certain specified sections of the East Coast Main Line. The first off these tours operated between Kings Cross and York on 29th. June, 2013. Bittern is seen here at speed in charge of The Ebor Streak at Fenwick.

First UK bus boss Giles Fearnley points out his grandfathers name on a liveried bus in Sheffield to mark 100 years of motor bus operation. This event marked the start of a number of old livery repaints by First, not always connected with anniversaries, a process that looks set to continue.

Sights you don't often see. An important part of any holiday is the plane you travel on arriving at your destination but you don't get to see it. This is ours VS 075 arriving at Orlando from Manchester, OK so it was the next day.

 Who needs light rail when you can have slinky things like this that are also much more cost effective, flexible and accessible. It is a NABI 60 BRT of Miami Dade Transit in Miami Beach.

Thanks to all who have contributed to the above and to this website throughout the year. Please keep contributions coming so we can continue to cover a wide range of areas and subjects.

Finally I submit my favourite three pictures taken during 2013 and wish you All The Very Best for 2014. David Gambles

  Leyland Olympic HR40 with Metro-Cammell B40F bodywork arrives at the Bus & Coach Preservation Rally in Newbury. This vehicle was new to King Alfred Motor Services in October 1950.

 1957 Leyland Tiger Cub Burlingham Seagull Coach PUJ 781 also arriving at the excellent Newbury Rally in July. The Burlingham Seagull is my favourite vehicle type, so had to be included in this selection.

Finally I had to include a modern vehicle so here we have YR13 PNV a Scania KUB270 / ADL Enviro 300SG, in Bronze route livery.

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