The history of AFM 103 G – Part 5 : Bristol Greyhound (June – December 2007)
On 13th June 2007 AFM103G visited Martins of Middlewich, who dealt with the disposal of many Crosville vehicles over the years. Thankfully this visit was only to obtain an MOT, which was duly passed. Therefore on 14th June AFM was collected and driven down to its new home near Bristol. It is seen here at Falfield services.
On the 15th June, AFM was fitted with vinyls to recreate, after a 35 year gap, the Bristol Greyhound livery on an RELH coach. Seen here under a threatening sky at the Mall, Cribbs Causeway.
(As no ex Bristol Omnibus RELHs are known to survive the opportunity has been taken to recreate the Greyhound livery temporarily. AFM103G will return to Crosville livery during 2009.)
On 16th June it appeared at its first event, the WHOTT’s Royal Blue/Associated Motorways Cheltenham-Weymouth run, which it joined between Crudwell and Trowbridge. This picture shows it leaving Bath’s 1958 bus station which was closing that day. Photo thanks to Steve Graham.
On 17th June it set off to its first rally, the ICG’s rally at Weymouth. Thanks to Dave Godley for this photo of it arriving at Weymouth seafront.
Having clocked up less than 100 miles in the previous 12 years, AFM managed nearly 500 miles in 4 days without a problem. This picture shows it ready to return home for a rest.
On the 8th July AFM103G made the journey to Ringwood for the Wessex Festival of Transport. An attempt had been made to mask the destination blind which was not a total success.
On the 15th July it appeared at the Alton/Mid Hants rally. This time the destination mask was more successful. More pictures.…
On the 24th July AFM was taken to various locations in Bristol, pictures here.
On the 4th August AFM103G visited the Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza at Kemble. Its rear wheel trims had now been fitted, the front ones still needed more work on the brackets.
On the 12th August it attended the Bristol Vintage Bus Group/Avon Valley Railway Rally and operated one of the free bus services to Bristol.
It also managed to pose next to BHU92C, one of the ex Bristol Greyhound MWs. More pictures here.
On the 9th September AFM103G appeared at the Bus and Coach Wales event in Merthyr Tydfil. After several problems the front wheel trims had finally been fitted!
As part of the event AFM ran services to the Brecon Mountain Railway at Pant, and ran with a convoy of Bristol REs to Storey Arms in the Brecon Beacons National Park. More pictures.…
On the 14th September AFM103G took part in the Yelloway 75th anniversary run between Cheltenham and Bristol.
On the 16th September AFM103G made the long trek across to Showbus in Duxford, Cambridgeshire where it met up with another of the Greyhound MWs.
On the 7th October AFM103G travelled down to Devon for the Winkleigh Open Day.
For its last rally of the season AFM went over to the Oxford Bus Museum on the 14th October.
The 29th November 2007 saw AFM103G back in South Wales when it ran through Abergavenny, Brecon, Bishop’s Meadow and Storey Arms. Some of the tour covered Crosville’s old X71 service, which AFM may have operated many years ago.
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