Independent Transport Videos - Ireland

Ref: IT1112D

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Most enthusiasts of a certain age associate the Belfast Corporation diesel bus fleet with the Daimler marque; the younger generation will more likely think of Belfast as a ‘Bristol’ city. However, during the 1950s, 1960s, and even into the early 1970s, a significant number of Guy Arab IIIs, with locally-built Harkness bodywork, could be found on the city’s streets.

Like many operators, Belfast first experienced the Guy Arab during World War II, when seven Arab II models, with Pickering bodies, were purchased. After the war, when new buses were in short supply, the Corporation turned to Guy Motors, which was able to offer a reasonable delivery date, for 70 Arab IIIs, with the Corporation’s favoured Gardner engine.

Twenty-five of these Guys were built with 31-seat single-deck bodies, the remaining 45 with 54-seat double-deck bodies. Due to a reduced requirement for single-deck vehicles, that model had a relatively short life, some running from 1950 only until 1958, others being converted to road gritters in 1962/4 with the last being withdrawn in 1970.

On the other hand, the double-deckers had a hard life, some surviving the takeover of the Corporation by Citybus in 1973, and running through the early years of Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’ until 1975.

Fortunately for us, an example of each type has survived into preservation, and on a fair Sunday in June 2009, ITV’s cameras were on the streets of Northern Ireland’s capital city to record these wonderful vehicles on their home ground. We see Jonathan Miller’s fine 1950 single-decker, No 286, which had once been the Transport Committee’s coach, and Raymond Bell’s superb 1951 double-decker, No 346, back on the road again after a very thorough ‘overhaul’, at various locations around the city and suburbs, on routes with which they were very familiar.

So come with us on a journey back in time and experience the aural delights of the Gardner 6LW round the streets of Belfast.

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: Denis Strange
Narrated by: Denis Strange
First published on DVD: 2009
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R

Running Time: 86-mins (1hr 26min) , Colour
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Ref: IT1041D

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The days of the Bristol RE in the ULSTERBUS fleet are drawing to a close. From a once 600+ strong fleet which includes their cousins with CITYBUS based in Belfast our cameras have followed the blue REs in their twilight days at the close of 2003.

This video programme takes the form of three parts: The first records a day trip organised by the Irish Transport Trust on a tour to say farewell to the REs in the Newry area. The day starts at Belfast Europa Bus Centre on preserved CITYBUS RE 2415 and we journey to Newry via Hillsborough and Banbridge. At Newry bus depot we see ULSTERBUS REs 2589 and 2590 being prepared for the day. From there we head to Rathfriland for a brief visit before driving through the spectacularly scenic Spelga Pass to Spelga Dam. (Just listen to those sound effects!). From the Dam we travel through Kilkeel and Warrenpoint to the Newry Bus Centre. From here we are joined by RE 2454 as 2590 takes a well earned rest.

On board 2589 and 2454 we travel out to Newtownhamilton, Cullyhanna to Crossmaglen. The journey back to Newry is taken through Forkhill where we find former Edinburgh and Ulsterbus 1013 (SWS 13) in a field!! From Newry depot we travel back to Belfast on board 2415.

The second part of the video charts Ulsterbus RE 2190 (POI 2190) now in preservation in England. It is filmed at the Alton bus rally in Hampshire. We take a ride on her through the scenic Hampshire countryside, and then see her on a visit to the Warminster running day in Wiltshire.

The final part features four ULSTERBUS REs 2316, 2390, 2565 and 2594 as they are prepared in Londonderry for their journey to preservation in England. We see them heading to Belfast docks and loading onto the ferry for their voyage across the Irish Sea to Birkenhead. After landing at Birkenhead docks they head to Chester services on the motorway before each heading their separate ways to locations in England.

As on our previous ‘Northern Ireland RE Twilight’ video most of the filming on board features the vehicle following, or leading and getting the driver and passenger eye views. There are plenty of roadside views which of course includes the unmistakable exhaust sounds captured in glorious stereo. So join us in the twilight days of these superb machines

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: 2004
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R

Running Time: 120-mins (2hr 0min) approx , Colour
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Ref: IT152D

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Availability: AVAILABLE
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R


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