This next part of the potted history of Showbus takes us into the Woburn years from 1982 to 1992, although this particular selection
of images covers the up to and including 1985.
After the hurriedly re-arranged event in the semi-suburban surroundings at Purfleet, 1982 saw the sylvan setting of Woburn Park become the
home for Showbus for the next decade. Located in the lush countryside between the A5 trunk road and the M1 Motorway the ancestral home of the
Duke and Duchess of Bedfordshire, Woburn Abbey became a regular Mecca for the Omnibomoligist (if there be such a word), for much of the 1980s.
This was a splendid location to hold the event, with the great long circuitous drive to the wide open spaces of the display area. There were
also the added attractions of Woburn Abbey and the nearby Safari Park to entertain visitors. Thus many came in their thousands not just for the
vehicles, but to enjoy a family day out. Buses and coaches were driven here from almost all corners of the United Kingdom.
However, it was during this period that the event probably became colloquially known as “Showerbus”, owing to some of the less than perfect
summers that were experienced. Unfortunately most of the vehicles were parked in the parkland up on grass which in the event of anything
but dry conditions created something of a problem, especially those that had been placed in a lower area. In order to regain the more solid
high ground (moral or otherwise!), tractor assistance was regrettably required to extricate vehicles on a number of occasions.
That said, it was still a wonderful location to hold the event and it became almost an annual pilgrimage for me and my family to attend
and the following few images here along with a larger number on the Flickr site, will hopefully provide something of a flavour of those
interesting years. As there are many vehicles to illustrate, this period at Woburn is split into two sections over the coming weeks, this first
one being the years 1982-1985.
1. (T 792 – HLX 462) Looking for all intents and purposes as if it was back in the 1950s and in full revenue earning service, London
Transport’s Mann Egerton bodied 31-seater AEC Regal T 792 made an early entrance to the event in September 1982. It was in these sorts of
surroundings that most of this type of bus earned their keep as they served the ‘green’ country areas of the LT route network.
2. (2009 – FHE 292V) In stark contrast in the same year this Leyland DAB from the South Yorkshire Transport fleet certainly widened a few
eyes, being as the bendibus was nothing like as prolific as it has become these days. This one of three that were delivered to the fleet in 1980
and saw service in Sheffield with others for many years.
3. (PFN 874) Park Royal provided the bodywork for this AEC Regent in the East Kent fleet.
4. (555 – SOH 555Y) It was near to the end of the National Bus Company’s era when this Roe bodied Leyland Royal Tiger was
delivered to the Midland Red South subsidiary in 1983.
5. (6337 – VWW 337X) Twenty-seven years on from September 1984 and one wonders whether the young lad here is still as interested in the
bus scene as when he visited Woburn back then. On this occasion the sun beamed down on him and this West Yorkshire PTE’s Leyland Atlantean with
Roe bodywork.
6. (4819 – 819 HHA) The Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus for a long time built their own vehicles including these splendid Motorway C-class
coaches. These would have sped through the Bedfordshire countryside as they plied their swift trade up and down the M1 Motorway to the east of
Woburn Abbey. Here 4819 heads a line of other entrants as it waited to be directed to the parking place for the day.
7. (37-ONY 637F) Some excellent opportunities offered themselves to the photographer as entrants traversed the circuitous road network
around to the display area. Here Caerphilly fleet number 37, a Massey bodied Leyland PD2 crossed over a small bridge halfway along the
roadway in September 1987.
8. (K 502 - XC 8117) The same location afforded a view of this ancient AEC K type once operated by the 1920s London General company.
9. (101 - G100 JNV) In stark contrast and two years later former National Bus Company subsidiary United Counties sent this
SAS S315 coach to the event that was built in 1989.
10. (FJU 818) Burlingham provided the bodywork for this Crossley coach originally operated by the Adam company of Market Harborough. Am
unsure as to whether the words “Vinegar Hill” in the left hand destination box referred to some local location, or some other such meaning.
11. (US 5798) When this little beast turned up at the 1991 event the company name on the said panels said “Easy”. Regrettably my attempts to
identify what it was proved fruitless, so if anyone can tell me what it is........................
12. (NXL 847) London area based Eastern Belle once operated this fine AEC Regal III with Duple bodywork during the early 1950s. It probably
regularly operated with holidaymakers from East London to the coastal towns of East Anglia. Here the coach passed by the lakeside to the west
of the main house.
13. (DD2 – F102 AVG) Eastern Counties acquired five Leyland Olympians with Northern Counties bodywork during 1989 in the post-NBC era. The
1991 event was blessed with fine weather and as this bus climbed up from the lower parking area, it did so without any problem.