The Last Outpost

Penzance in Cornwall is possibly the last place where one can find Bristol VRTs still in operation with a former National Bus Company operator. The following photographs were taken on 30th June 2005.

See also my Western National profile, which shows the Penzance bus scene in 1988.

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	Two VRs flank Mercedes minibus 50832 (K3320AF) at Penzance bus station. On the left is 38771 (LFJ871W) with 1003 / 38641 (VDV141S) in Great Western livery to the right. 1003 / 38641 was a rare convertible top model which was used on the St Ives - Lands End coastal route 15 in summer. It is shown displaying route 300 which was a bold attempt at running a 3-hour circular open-top tour of the whole area and clearly has not yet had its roof removed for the season.
	A bus which has obviously seen better days is 38701 (AFJ701T) at Penzance bus station carrying a late version of Western National livery
	38772 (LFJ872W) climbs Market Jew Street, Penzance with a Penwith Explorer service via Lands End. The 300 service is a circular around the Penwith Peninsula usually operated with open top VRTs.
	As backs of buses go, the ECW bodied Bristol VRT is probably one of the more attractive. This is another view of 38772 (LFJ872W) in Market Jew Street, Penzance.
	The new order. 42937 (SN05DZT), a Dennis Dart with Plaxton style SLF bodywork at Penzance bus station, with St. Michael's Mount in the background.
	Another Dennis Dart 42874 (SN53KKD) at Penzance bus station with a service 2 departure to Helston via the coast road.
	First Devon & Cornwall 751 (A751VAF), a Leyland Olympian with ECW bodywork new in 1983. The bus is working a school service to Helston.
	Another view of 38701 (AFJ701T) with a First Great Western High Speed Train just visible below the houses of Penzance.
	VRT 1141 / 38706 (AFJ706T) carries traditional Western National livery for the 75th anniversary of the company in 2004 (by which time the Western National brand had been obliterated by First for a number of years). The green and cream livery is particularly suited to this ECW bodied bus.
	38772 (LFJ872W) descends Market Jew Street in Penzance.
	38771 (LFJ871W) wears the final version of Western National livery at Penzance bus station.
	VRT 1003 / 38641 (VDV141S) leaves Penzance bus station with a Penwith Explorer journey via St. Ives. This bus will continue from St. Ives along the north coast to St. Just and Lands End before returning to Penzance.
	30001 (GBF78N) in customised First livery on the Penwith Explorer circular service. The bus is pictured between Porthmeor and Morvah on the B3306 road with Mill Downs in the background.
	39907 (JHW107P) on the Penwith Explorer circular service. The bus is approaching Porthmeor Farm with a journey towards Zennor and St. Ives. Carn Galver can be seen in the background.
	A final view of VRT 1003 / 38641 (VDV141S) with St. Michael's Mount in the background. An EFE model based on this vehicle was released in 2005.