Just to set everyones mind at ease KD 184 will be restored without doubt. The only question is when, and this depends on when we can allocate covered storage to her for working on her. We estimate up to nine months.

We will have our first double decker maintenance bay ready in the next two weeks but immediate priority is anything that needs minimal work first and then we work our way down to the bigger jobs.

My best guess is that she just might be a winter project as our immedate priority is to maintain our 20+ strong Ulsterbus fleet in 100% condition.These were handed over in super condition and that is the way we will keep them but it does take hard work and the lack of activity requires a more intense maintenance schedule than if they were working every day. That is the reason we like visitors to come and take vehicles for a run. It keeps them active. The driving school also is a means of keeping them active.

To give an example of the problems we run into, 1143 two days ago would not start for God or man. Yet we knew she was perfect. All it took was a tap of the hammer on the solenoid which simply had stuck in the no start position because she had sat there for a month. Tigers are particularly prone to sitting problems.

The easiest of all are the 680's which seem to start at the drop of a hat even if they have sat for years. The Gardner is not far behind and the only problem on that is the stop unit which sometimes can be very slow to release if she has been sitting.

Our IT Manager, Lukasz, is working on a programme whereby we can make sure that every vehicle gets started on a regular interval and gets a regular run. Quite honestly with so many vehicles one simply loses track of each one and when they last started and when they last ran.

Another peculiar problem is that while if you have only one of a type, it is easier to remember the individual characteristics of each, but where you have identical multiples then it literally becomes impossible to tell one from the other. Ulsterbus Leopards 319, 326, 337 and 338 are absolutely identical as are Tigers 2620, 2624, 2629 not to mention Tigers 340, 385, 1122 and 1143 to name a few. It is equally difficult to differentiate between Gardner Tigers and TL 11 Tigers and it is only when you drive one you notice the difference and how slow the Gardner is. A Gardner does about 45 max and a TL11 65. But that goes out the door when you come to 2609 which is a high speed Gardner and goes like a TL11.... and so it goes. But then to show that the exception proves the rule 598 is a totally different Tiger and there is no way you could confuse her in anyway with any of the others.

Our top priority is to keep our recovery equipment operating perfectly and right now we have major work on both our tow trucks which includes full overhaul and a repaint of our motorway lift vehicle.

We are most grateful for readers support but simply do not understand the comments of people who have never been near us and simply have no idea of how much work goes into running a 300 vehicle museum, yet pass derogatory comments. Ireland is the land of begrudgers.

If it was not for people like Stephen Payne, Stephen Lynch, John Quirke, James O'Donovan and the myriad of other people and particularly Francis Dempsey who did miracles in sourcing vehicles and helped build the collection to what it is, all of whom devote their time and energy in to making vehicles work, we would have nothing.

Of course we are all mad but it is a wonderful form of madness just like my other madness of trying to restore steam in Ecuador but one gets a great sense of pride in having any vehicle, be it bus or steam engine back and running. That was why after restoring KC 129 it broke our hearts to have her stolen and crashed and it had to be someone very close who knew exactly what they were doing. It will take about €5,000 minimum to rebuild her but it will be done and this is a priority.

I hope this gives some insight into our work and when you criticise consider the size of the project we have undertaken. No other bus garage in Ireland has a fleet the size we do but we are proud of it and if we do not get things done this week, there is always next week. The alternative is everything scrapped. In my view our solution is better. I hope people in one hundred years time appreciate our efforts!

Michael Grimes

BACK AGAIN

July 1, 2008. Webmaster is back from Uruguay and Ecuador with some more fantastic photos. They will be posted as soon as possible. The great news is that the entire railway in Ecuador is being rehabilitated with new trains and railcars and of course the return of roof riding. The pictures are worth waiting for.

This means that visitors driving buses is back. In particular do not forget our Northern Ireland weekend which coincides with Mogeely Rally which is July 20th. We plan to have most of our Ulsterbus and Citybus fleet running that weekend and at least one RE, Leopard or Tiger available to drive. It is likely that Tigers 2624 and 1122 will go to Mogeely.

As for other plans the next few weeks should see our first maintenance shed operational which will be able to take a full size doubledecker. Of course anyone is welcome to visit the museum in the meantime between 10 and 4 Monday to Thursday and 10 and 1 Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays on request.

NO SEX PLEASE - WE'RE FROM CARLOW

WE NOMINATE GARDA SGT.NOEL MC SWEENEY, CARLOW
AS OUTSTANDING GARDA OF THE YEAR FOR HIS ANTI-SEX ACTIVITIES.

LATE NEWS: The boys in blue did not take kindly to my article - it was sent to every Garda station in Carlow and Kilkenny - and are currently plotting even more raids to protect the morals of the Carlowpudlians. One would think they had something else to be doing instead of wasting the states time and money trying to stamp out sex in Carlow. Stupid fools!

If Gardai want public cooperation to stop crime, this is not the way to do it. Just like Lisbon where the public really voted against it because they are fed up with the liars running the government and corrupt ex Taoisigh like Bertie Aherne, the Gardai no more get the message than Fianna Fail got it over Lisbon.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

WHY AER ARANN IS RUN LIKE A LUNATIC ASYLUM AND IS GOING BROKE

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

NEW ARRIVAL - LEYLAND LEOPARD 83 D 4174

jUNE 2, 2008. Thanks to Barney Yourell and Stephen Payne and James Kavanagh of Malahide Coaches and their kind generosity we have received another valuable addition to our collection. She was delievred by Stephen Payne accompanied by Aaron Donohoe.

She is a 1983 Leyland Leopard 680 engined Plaxton Supreme in perfect condition. It was delivered new to Wallace Arnold in C49F layout (Plaxton recliners), delivered 4/1981, as PNW 310W. (Chassis No: 8031151 PSU3F/4R). Following delivery, it appears this vehicle was involved in an accident, rendering the body a write-off (Body No: 8111LC3010. It was returned to Plaxton, Scarborough, where it was rebuilt, and delivered in 1983 to Wallace Arnold as GWY 165Y. Hence the unsual reg for a Leopard! We are unsure of when it was withdrawn from Wallace Arnold, and what it did between then and it's acquisition by Malahide Coaches. The body is believed to be the last Supreme body built.

Malahide coaches purchased it in 1998. It was still in school service in January 2007 and was withdrawen in june 2007.

We are delighted with this addition and thanks to everyone. Can anyone fill in the gaps?

A good looking Plaxton.

Rear view.

Passing the most recent arrival Tiger 1143.

Drivers area.

Inside with extra seats.

Rear view.

Stephen Payne and James Kavanagh on collecting the vehicle.

STUPID COMPANIES - STUPID MANAGEMENT - TOPAZ

May 29, 2008. Topaz have taken over the Statoil franchise. The new emblem is total and utter rubbish and a product of an ad agency who firmly believe in the emperors new clothes. Whoever in Topaz selected it needs to be fired for wasting the companys money and likewise at the ad agency who thought it up. To have paid a fortune for this emblem proves that those at the top of Topaz are totally and utterly stupid and should not be in charge of such an important company.

They cannot spell either as this sign at Frankfield service station in Cork shows. I asked them to change it but was informed this could not be done as it is directed from head office in Dublin presided over by one Danny Murray. Danny apparently believes in central control and gives nobody any authority to do anything. A funny way to run a business. We will see how how much longer the stupid sign stays up. I will keep readers advised.

Somebody cannot spell Castlemaine!

THE DEMENTED RAVINGS OF A FOUR YEAR OLD AT ARTS CLASS!!

LEYLAND TIGER TL11 ALEXANDER 1143 ARRIVES

May 28, 2008. A most fantastic machine has arrived at the museum in the form of 1143 which is even better than 1122 and looks and drives like a new bus. They really are nice machines to drive.

As usual it was delivered by our own Barney Yourell and following are the delivery photos.

Coming down the road. Notice the Kells destination blind.

Barney with his steed.

Coming in the entrance to the depot.

An immaculate drivers area.

We should call it Ballymena sub-depot! Some of the latest arrivals!

MORE SCREWY SIGNS - THIS ONE FROM CORK AIRPORT

The following sign was in a lift at Cork Airport!

Hope you have a mobile with you or it may be a long wait in the lift!

VISIT FROM GRAHAM THOROGOOD AND COLLEAGUE

May 23, 2008. We were delighted to have a visit from Graham Thorogood and his colleague Michael Long. We welcome visitors during normal business hours and weekends by appointment.

Graham and Michael with 1122 and 2629.

URUGUAYAN RAILWAY ARTICLES IN

May 22, 2008. Three articles on Uruguayan Railways have now been completed on AFE, the Indare Steam Railway and Uruguayan steam railway. Some 500 photos have gone in. Just click on the menu on the left. Apart from 100 year old steam engines they also run 1937 Brill railcars.

Sample photos:

MOGEELY RALLY - DRIVING AND VISITING WEEKEND - SPECIAL WEEKEND AT MUSEUM - JULY 20th.

Mogeely Rally this year will be held on Sunday July 20th. As usual the Museum will be exhibiting and this year the likely exhibits in the bus section are Tigers 1122 and 2624. We also plan to have a 1947 Leyland Beaver lorry there. If our tractor is ready - we are currently rebuilding the engine - then we may also bring that.

In conjunction with the rally, on the Saturday we will be hosting visitors to the museum with a special weekend for our overseas visitors - and Irish, of course - and we invite them to come from anywhere and particularly the North and the U.K. and we will make available buses for them to drive and photograph. We will collect anyone at the airport or train station and can also arrange accommodation. Transport to the rally will be provided. Return airfares are about €100 all in. So come and visit us and have a wonderful weekend.

Here are a couple of pictures from last years rally.

Leopard 337

Steam

SS 702

Cars

Tractors

Beautiful ladies

INNISHANNON VINTAGE RALLY

Innishannon Steam and Vintage Rally will be held this year on Sunday June 1 and Monday June 2. It is, arguably, the main southern Irish rally catering mainly for steam but with a large collection of everything else. It is certainly the largest rally in Ireland and well worth coming to. Innishannon is 12 miles from Cork City.

The following photos, taken last year give an flavour of the rally.

Cars

Tractors

Trucks

Steam

1122 DUPLICATES BUS EIREANN SERVICE 221 TO KNOCKRAHA

May 13, 2008. Leyland Tiger 1122 went to Knockraha today and one could never have imagined ten years ago that the following photographs would be possible. We think they are fantastic.

Webmaster with 1122 at Knockraha terminus.

VR 39 and 1122 both showing service 221.

On the road back to Cork.

Closeup.

Returning to the depot.

LOOKS LIKE CORK ULSTERBUS DEPOT

May 10, 2008. Here are a few photos taken after the arrival of 2538 and 1122 today showing the Ulsterbus look to the museum! As regular readers will note we are really building our Ulsterbus section and we really thank Frank Clegg, Pat Moss and Michelin. Without their help and cooperation none of it would have been possible and we are really grateful to them and just hope that future generations appreciate what they have done.

Our immediate plans are two more Tigers in the next week or so as well as another RE, this time 2569. We will then draw our breath and our current thinking is one last Gardner Tiger and perhaps three or five TL11 Tigers. Ideally we want about 14 Tigers. It is interesting to note the number of acquisitions we have lately and we have quite a few surprises during the summer when we plan to collect another fifty vehicles or so. By museum standards this is enormous and I do not know of any other museum which operates on this scale. Our eventual targets are 400 by the end of 2008, 600 at the end of 2009, 800 by the end of 2010 and we plan to probably stabilise out at around 1,000 vehicles by 2011.

Left to right 2629, 2624 and 2538.

2538 left and sister 2531 right.

It really looks like an Ulsterbus depot.

CITYBUS 2538 ARRIVES

May 10th. 2008. Citybus 2538 arrived safely today and is a fine machine. Today was marked by the arrival of two Northern buses, Citybus 2538 and Tiger 1122 arriving within a half hour of each other, both making a very long journey safely.

Webmaster and Ross Aitken brought 2538 and the following are pictures of the delivery run.

Before collection.

Inside.

Drivers Area.

Near Durrow.

Leaving the toll at Fermoy.

ULSTERBUS 1122 ARRIVES

May 10, 2008. This is another beautiful machine and was delivered by Barney Yourell. It was outstationed at Portglenone and apparently it and 1143 each had one driver for many years. We would like to contact them to send them photos. Anyone know who the drivers were?

She was absolutely like new.

Rear and side view.

Barney Yourell on delivery.

Inside like new.

Drivers Area.

CITYBUS TIGER 2624 VISITS CORK BUS STATION

May 8, 2008. Citybus Tiger stretched her legs today visiting Cork Bus Station. The following historic photos were taken, arguably the first time a Citybus Tiger ever visited Cork Bus Station.

Coming down the road from the depot.

At the turnoff.

Coming across the bridge to the bus station. A classic location. She looks absolutely at home.

The following photos were taken at Parnell Place Bus Station in Cork.

At the Park and Ride with DD 33 meeting her.

At Grianan House, one of the last of our fleet to go there as we have moved.

ULSTERBUS TL 11 TIGER 1122 REPLACES 1140

May 7, 2008. To keep the record straight 1140 was changed at the last moment due to suspected engine problems and her place taken by 1122. We understand 1140 is now being scrapped.

Anyone know anything about 1122 or its history as we know nothing?

We plan to collect sister 1143 in two weeks time.

NEW VISITING HOURS FOR THE MUSEUM

May 7, 2008. We have moved our entire operation to the depot so we can now offer visiting facilities to anyone who wants to come and see the fleet during the following hours:

Monday to Thursday : 10 - 3.
Friday : 10 - 1
Saturday : By appointment.

This means people can now turn up and there will be someone there and we hope this is assistance to those who want to visit us. Needless to mention ALL visitors are welcome. However, if you want to drive a bus you must let us know in advance so somebody qualified can be there to look after you.

100,000 VISITORS TO THIS WEBSITE

May 5, 2008. An interesting milestone is approaching. Tomorrow or the day after we will have had 100,000 visitors to this website which gives us great pride. We would like if the person who is number 100,000 can identify himself as we might have a pleasant surprise for him/her.

CULTRA RALLY 2008 PHOTOGRAPHS

May 4, 2008. The photographs for the Cultra Rally 2008 have now been posted.

CLICK HERE FOR CULTRA 2008 RALLY PHOTOGRAPHS