VISIT TO ZERO2

Each party was met at Braintree station by a Volvo double-deck bus, formerly in the Ensignbus fleet (and so liveried), but now carrying the Great Yeldham buses fleet name. On arrival at Great Yeldham, we were met and welcomed by Peter Newman and led into the main museum area. Here are displayed some 40 heritage buses of various vintages, most, but not all, with a London or Essex connection. 

As well as the full size vehicles on display, there is also an impressive collection of some 10,000 bus models, thought to be the largest such collection in the world.

We were given time to explore the collection at our own leisure; to enjoy a lunch of beef burger and a hot drink; and to view other areas of the site, including a display of ticket machines from Bell Punch to today’s electronic equipment; a display of bus blinds; and the engineering and workshop areas, where buses are maintained and in some cases await restoration.

We were then taken in a Routemaster bus to the Rough Acre Micro-brewery in Clare for sampling and purchasing of the company’s products and eventual return to Braintree station.

There will be a fuller report of the visits in the Summer (July) issue of the Friends News magazine.