Back To The 80s (Part 2)

First's Last Gasp To Newquay

Looking for the current timetable for First's 87 between Newquay and Truro offers something of a challenge for the unwary potential bus user. Above is an extract from the Corwall comprehensive timetable index.

It is not there.

But the good news is that there is a very tidy PDF timetable posted by First ...

... showing hourly departures from Newquay. Elsewhere First also provides their truly awful on-line garbage timetable which, encouragingly (?) offers the same timings.

They so show the same information but, sadly, they are both wrong.

Below is the correct current schedule for journeys from Newquay. First also have an on-line current version!

It shows an improvement in frequency from and easily remembered every hour (so good on yer, First) ...

... to a difficult to remember every 40 minutes. So not good on yer, First. The more recent timetable adds 9 minutes to the running time which seems a huge deterioration. Unless fbb is missing something.

There are plenty of pictures of buses with route 87 on the blinds but fbb cannot be 100% sure that we are looking at the same 87. There have been numerous route number rejigs over the years - but, whether right or nay, the illustrations may encourage the nostalgia juices to flow.

A typically feeble National Bus Company Brand for golfers ...

... Cornish Fairways.

Privatisation provoked Cornish Busways ....

... and it is certainly an 87 going to Newquay.

In 2018 Roger French wrote a positive blog entitled "Turnaround Cornwall" in which he extolled better vehicles and positive branding. He appended an 87 picture in what was a smart generic livery for services which did not get full route branding.

The "First" name had disappeared in favour of just "Kernow" - such a vast improvement on fade-out Barbie ...

... proper Barbie ...

... and son of Barbie or was it daughter of Barbie?.

So what nowbhappens to the very wiggly 87 ...

... from February 15th. 

Here is what GoAhead says about its new 87.

So a cut back from every 40 to hourly.

But the overall service between Truro and Newquay is further cut back.

Here is what GoAhead says about its own 86.

It used to run to Newquay via Holywell Bay, but now goes no further than Perranporth where connections are available with the 87.

There are now no links between Perranporth and Holywell Bay,

The new 86 timetable is shown with the 85 ...

... and there is no mention of connections with the 87!

All in all everyone on the 86 and 87 gets a worse service.

So well done Cornwall Council (which is penniless) and Hooray for the joys of less buses from GoAhead (who might well be struggling financially with their whole Cornwall network).

It's this sort of bonus that is promised with local authority franchising.

Be careful what you wish for, folks!

  Next blog (content pending) : Weds 28th Jan 

Back To The 80s (And 90s)

Multiple Mystery Truro Travels

You could strike out west and join the A3075 as a  "corridor". Or, you could join the A38 and travel northbound.

... then find your way across to Newquay from there. This second option is the direction of bus routes 91 ...

... and 93 ...

... now both in the hands of GoAhead. 

For a brief while ...

... the 91 sort of became the short-lived T3.

... but whatever the political or financial reason, GoAhead now 'owns' both that set of routes.

But this blog concerns the eighties.

In no particular order; the 88 ...

... mostly uses the aforementioned A3056 with a diversion via the Monkey Tree Holiday Park.

That pool will be popular for winter bookings!

The 85, also GoAhead ...

... uses a bit of the mega road, the A30, nips off to Zelah (exciting, eh?) ...

... before joining other routes via Holwell Bay and a bit of the coast.

Another GoAhead route is the 86 ...

... via Perranporth famed for its amazing beach.

Which leaves the 87. We have met a derivative of the 87 before. This was incorporated into the extended U1/U1A.

The U1 on this section became the 86 (see above) while journeys via St Agnes (U1A) ...

... reverted to being the ONLY First Bus route between Truro and Newquay. It showed route 87!

Of which more tomorrow.

Meanwhile : At The Castle

Things are looking better. Now the broad structure is in place, fbb can get on with adding some more detailed parts (from the kit) to enhance the model.

Andy Banned, Will Not Stand

So no yellow door in Downing Street!

Not yet, anyway!

Don't you just LOVE the democratic process.

  Next GoAhead blog : Tues 27th Jan 

Sunday Variety

Problems With Fencing

It's all right; fbb has not taken up a new hobby. In the correct gear he would look like a cross between a Dr Who monster, Hannibal Lechter and a barrage balloon. No it is this sort.

But the fence on part of the private car park to the rear of fbb mansions has been "in decline" figuratively and literally for over 12 months. The weekend storms have exacerbated it's decline. You would not believe the implications of trying to get it rebuilt!

Well, you might if your property has any assets shared with others.

One of the below would be mildly amusing by comparison.

So the Round Tuit did not materialise yesterday.

But fbb did some experiments with bits of Mrs fbb's  old quilt.

But the new green bit looks like a finely manicured lawn at a popular National Trust property. More experiments are due when a can of yellow spray paint arrives. Maybe it is stormy weather and stormy daylight at Peterville Castle?

Or just rubbish modelling!

Scrapper Is Scrapped

C F Booth began trading in 1920 and for the ardent train enthusiast, a trip to Rotheram to get a glimpse if what was being torched was often on the agenda.

These pictures show the sort of stuff that might rock up there.

They also did buses.

Now comes the news that thus much loved (?) destroyer of beautiful buses and trains ...

... gone bust! It used to be that these "Scrap Merchants" were the ones driving the Rolls Royce  limos; a far cry from the old image.

From Yellow Buses To Black Door?

Mega Manchester Metro Mayor Andy Burnham has announced (at the last possible minute) his intention to (a) resign as mayor and (b) seek MPship via a by-election in Manchester.

He needs the permission of the Labour Party to do this and the grey suits who run things may intervene in this fair and free democratic process.

But politically savvy bus watchers have long been predicting Mr Bee Mayor's move, since before he was elected to the Manchester position. The big black door is in his sights.

Perhaps Andy will make big changes at No 10?

Wow! Scything satire on an fbb blog!

West Midlands Next?

And will franchising make it any better?

Where's the money coming from?

The livery has gone from blue ...

... to red ...

... to a rather depressing grey.

Coventry, once "different" from Brum ...

... has also gone grey.

But fbb's impression as an occasional user over the years is that majority operator National Express has done a good job.

But that's politics!

Modern Trains Boring?

Or steam hauled at speed?

The new stuff doesn't seem to attract the kiddies any more!

Now those were the days!

This news snippets says it all.

A new Desiro looks very much like an old Desiro - so just a little bit boring to look at, but certainly ...

... a lot faster if you want to get anywhere.

4 hours 20 minutes, Paddington to Swansea as advertised above. Fastest train on the current timetable, 2 hours 39 minutes!

Tomorrow, we need to tidy up Cornwall.

    A GoAhead PS blog : Monday 26 Jan