NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 122
Helston to The Lizard Bus Route Celebrations
Michael L. Roach
This instalment is about the celebrations which take place on the Lizard Peninsula each August to remember the very first railway-operated bus service anywhere in Britain. The service was launched by the Great Western Railway on 17 August 1903 when buses met the trains at Helston railway station and carried them on to The Lizard, via Poldhu Cove and Mullion it is believed. The bus service was a success but the following year the GWR discontinued the service in a stand-off with the local authority over the state of the roads which the local authority declined to maintain by the use of a steam roller. By 1928 the GWR had the largest railway-owned bus fleet in Britain with routes all over the country areas in its territory, but it also had routes in urban areas, with some quite surprising ones like Paddington Station to Victoria Station. Routes in Devon and Cornwall were turned over to the newly-formed Western National Omnibus Company on 1 January 1929. In 1999 Western National celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a bus rally on Plymouth Hoe, which may be covered later.
There has been a commemorative bus run from Helston to The Lizard in August for many years, although I have not been able to ascertain just how long; but I must have attended my first one perhaps some 40 to 45 years ago. In August 2003 the 100th Anniversary of the commencement of buses from Helston to The Lizard was celebrated in good weather and I just had to be there to witness the celebrations and take some photographs. A few of my photos are attached to this article.
The next Lizard Classic Rally takes place this coming Sunday the 30 August 2026 from 12 noon.
There has been a commemorative bus run from Helston to The Lizard in August for many years, although I have not been able to ascertain just how long; but I must have attended my first one perhaps some 40 to 45 years ago. In August 2003 the 100th Anniversary of the commencement of buses from Helston to The Lizard was celebrated in good weather and I just had to be there to witness the celebrations and take some photographs. A few of my photos are attached to this article.
The next Lizard Classic Rally takes place this coming Sunday the 30 August 2026 from 12 noon.
Bristol VR VDV141S was painted in chocolate and cream for the hundredth anniversary. This bus dates from February 1978 and is a convertible open-topper originally named “Illustrious” and preserved in Cornwall. Alongside is VR AFJ706T painted in seventieth anniversary colours, and also preserved. It was one of a very large batch of VRs with no less than 14 preserved from that batch. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Helston Town Band entertained the visitors that day. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
This original GWR bus dates from March 1927 and had a Guy chassis with a Vickers body which is being completely rebuilt. YF714 returned 10 years later to the 110 year celebrations in triumph looking immaculate. Roger Salter showed some lovely photos of the 2013 celebrations in these columns on 18.08.2013 easily found via the search facility on the home page. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
An original April 1928 advert for Vickers bus bodies shown here on a Maudsley chassis. [No copyright]
Most of the buses present in 2003 were parked on the parched grass of the village green at The Lizard. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Western Greyhound Bristol VR CJH119V is seen en-route back to Helston passing the turn for Mullion. This bus started life in February 1980 with Thames Valley. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
In this view from 1979 Bristol VR PTT97R of February 1977 is heading out of Camborne for Penzance outside the police station before a mini-roundabout was placed there, painted in the special livery to mark the golden jubilee of Western National. For those with knowledge of the timetable the photo was taken at 1.28pm on Friday 15 June 1979. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Otterton & East Budleigh
Light Railway
Clive Smith
A rare Open Day ion Saturday in Otterton, at the former East Budleigh station (which had that name to avoid confusion with the North Cornwall Otterton).
I do believe this railway has not yet featured in the Cornwall Railway Society.
These events only take place on just one day a year. Two of the locos were visiting locos. Otter, from the Beer Heights Light Railway at Pecorama Pleasure Gardens, making a visit along with South Devon Miniature Railway No.10 hauling trains up and down the grounds.
With a food van supplying burgers, cakes, ice creams and tea/coffee it really was a great afternoon out for the younger and older railway enthusiasts.
My knees aren't what they were so no rides for me as a 7+1⁄4-inch gauge railway is a tad on the small size .
I do believe this railway has not yet featured in the Cornwall Railway Society.
These events only take place on just one day a year. Two of the locos were visiting locos. Otter, from the Beer Heights Light Railway at Pecorama Pleasure Gardens, making a visit along with South Devon Miniature Railway No.10 hauling trains up and down the grounds.
With a food van supplying burgers, cakes, ice creams and tea/coffee it really was a great afternoon out for the younger and older railway enthusiasts.
My knees aren't what they were so no rides for me as a 7+1⁄4-inch gauge railway is a tad on the small size .
Otterton & East Budleigh Light Railway open day. 22.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Otterton & East Budleigh Light Railway open day. 22.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Otterton & East Budleigh Light Railway open day. 22.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Otterton & East Budleigh Light Railway open day. 22.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Otterton & East Budleigh Light Railway open day. 22.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks indeed Clive - looks a great little place. Thanks for the photos.
Mondays Clay
Tony Shore, Mark Lynam, Andrew Triggs & Jon Hird
66718 climbs away from Par with the midday Goonbarrow - Fowey Clay, passing Tywardreath with its 11 JIA's in tow. 24.08.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
No prizes are on offer for guessing the location in this photo. 66718 passes Golant. 24.08.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66718 crossing the Golant Causeway. 24.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
A view from higher up at Golant as 66718 carries on towards Fowey with 6G09. 24.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
After a few hours, 66718 once again crosses the Golant Causeway this time in the opposite direction with the empties. 24.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
A slightly wider view than Marks of the same scene. 24.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66718 runs through the former St. Blazey Station and passes the ill-fated JGA wagons left to rot in St. Blazey yard as it continues towards Goonbarrow with the early-running empties. 24.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The train slows to walking pace passing Middleway, it would pause at the next signal behind the football club to allow the GWR unit it was following to clear Goonbarrow. Mark Lynam is stood on the flood defence wall taking his own photo. 24.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66718 arriving at Goonbarrow with the empty wagons. 24.08.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Many thanks Tony, a nice sunny day for it.
The Bicton Woodland Railway
Paul Barlow
A visit to another narrow gauge railway in East Devon.
Bicton woodland railway was built in in 1962 in Bicton park Botanical gardens, and is only a stones throw from East Budleigh station
Bicton woodland railway was built in in 1962 in Bicton park Botanical gardens, and is only a stones throw from East Budleigh station
Diesel loco Sir Walter Raleigh on Bicton woodland railway East Devon. 20.06.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Diesel loco Sir Walter Raleigh on Bicton woodland railway East Devon. 20.06.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Diesel loco Sir Walter Raleigh on Bicton woodland railway East Devon. 20.06.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks indeed, Paul.
Before the steam ban
Andrew Hickson
Before the steam ban. On 23 May 2026, 35028 Clan Line drifts into Honiton on a Exeter bound railtour. Copyright Andrew Hickson.
Many thanks Andrew - plenty of people there to welcome it!
Swanage Veterans
Michael Adams
Two more shots from Michael Adams taken at Swanage station during this year's May diesel gala. Here is 37607 and I tend to forget that these locos are over 60 years old now, this one came into service in November 1963 as D6803.The loco. still sees use on Network Rail test trains. New 99004 in the background. Copyright Michael Adams.
Now we see 26007 waiting to depart for Norden. This engine was built in 1958 as D5300 and is now in the care of Barrow Hill roundhouse centre. Copyright Michael Adams.
Many thanks to Michael Adams for the photos, and to Michael F. for the words and sending them over.
August 1976
Part 25
Roger Winnen
D1010 Western Campaigner at Penzance. 29.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
DMU Cardiff Set 319 working the Looe Branch. 29.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Coombe Junction. 29.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Jenkin family at St Keynes Well. 29.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
DMU at Causeland. 29.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.