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The Thames Valley & Great Western Omnibus Trust

The Thames Valley & Great Western Omnibus Trust

From Paddington to Penzance, along the corridor tracked by the Great Western Railway, many famous bus companies both large and small helped shape the communities they served over the last century and more. While some remain, others have passed into history.

 

"Buses and coaches are a big part of our national history, so too are the people who operated them and travelled as passengers. Our Trust aims to keep alive the rich history and memories of these companies and the services they provided, by restoring and preserving surviving vehicles, developing an archive, and enabling public access as the past offers important lessons for sustainable transport today. We have in our care many historically important survivors, dating from the 1910s through to the present day. Most are maintained in working order; others are being restored. The Trust organises regular vintage bus days so visitors can experience bygone travel, riding on and learning about a range of vehicles and their place in the history of the area. We are keen to pass on the specialist skills and knowledge needed to restore, maintain and drive these vehicles and have a thriving Supporters’ Group with regular volunteer working parties."