Avon Bus Collection

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Avon Bus Collection We preserve buses from the former First Bristol and First Somerset & Avon (First BSA) OpCo.

Follow 42728, 66726 and friends through their restoration and travels.

It was with great sadness that we learnt of Jonathon Jones-Pratt’s passing. Jon was a pillar in the bus and train scene,...
13/10/2026

It was with great sadness that we learnt of Jonathon Jones-Pratt’s passing. Jon was a pillar in the bus and train scene, with a very keen eye for detail. Earlier this year he fast tracked Badgers into his workshop, with no task too large for him producing a stellar result. He will be sorely missed.

Jon, I would say rest in peace, but I have no doubt you’ll be tinkering with some form of heritage transport up in the sky. Godspeed brother. You’re in our thoughts.

A pleasant lineup at the outstation last weekend.
29/09/2026

A pleasant lineup at the outstation last weekend.

Today is the 40th anniversary of Badgerline, being formed by a management buyout of the Bristol Omnibus Company in 1986....
23/09/2026

Today is the 40th anniversary of Badgerline, being formed by a management buyout of the Bristol Omnibus Company in 1986. Badgerline would go on to merge with GRT in 1995 to create the FirstBus we all know and love today.

Today we welcome the support vehicle for our fleet! This 1987 Ford Transit Mk3 was new to John Lewis Department Stores i...
21/09/2026

Today we welcome the support vehicle for our fleet! This 1987 Ford Transit Mk3 was new to John Lewis Department Stores in Cambridge, delivering those must have items to shoppers. After seven years with JLP it was passed to Richard Bateman Commercials, where it was bought by a friend to be used by the Bristol Vintage Bus Group, which it served them for 32 years! After many years at hinting to my friend that I wanted it, he recently decided to sell. With us, it’ll be used to shuttle parts and tools around for the buses, and it’ll soon carry John Lewis Partnership branding. Hopefully it’ll attend a few shows too! We’re very much looking forward to enjoying this van 😁

We have a new vehicle joining the fleet tomorrow, but it’s something a little different. It’ll certainly be very handy f...
20/09/2026

We have a new vehicle joining the fleet tomorrow, but it’s something a little different. It’ll certainly be very handy for us. I wonder what it could be, and what its history is? 👀 Tune in tomorrow to find out - I’ll give you one clue 😁

With the news that Badgers sister 66728 wouldn’t be returning to the road, we’re spending the evening gutting it for spa...
15/09/2026

With the news that Badgers sister 66728 wouldn’t be returning to the road, we’re spending the evening gutting it for spares in aid of Badgers. A shame it won’t hit the road again, but not everything can be saved.

Another Saturday night of driving to keep my fleet on the road, and I had 47640 for two and a half hours. I don’t care i...
13/09/2026

Another Saturday night of driving to keep my fleet on the road, and I had 47640 for two and a half hours. I don’t care if I’ll get hate for this, but it was actually a really nice bus to drive! It’s been VOR for almost a year, and is practically a new bus underneath as a result. Its acceleration was stellar, actually outrunning other traffic. A potential preservation candidate perhaps? I should probably stop before I get cancelled 😂

It was strange visiting Wells yesterday without Badgers! Owing to a driver shortage at Wells, I was offered overtime on ...
19/08/2026

It was strange visiting Wells yesterday without Badgers! Owing to a driver shortage at Wells, I was offered overtime on the 376. It was great to see Wells depot celebrating their history, with pictures of both Badgerline and Bristol Omnibus vehicles operating around Wells posted around the depot.

With the Imber Bus event this weekend, we had a couple of visitors at Weston Island. This year saw TUK’s 3124 staying ov...
16/08/2026

With the Imber Bus event this weekend, we had a couple of visitors at Weston Island. This year saw TUK’s 3124 staying overnight Saturday to be charged before heading back to the Capital. It’s seen next to our somewhat recently delivered E200 EV, 43001. 43001 is due to be sent off for repaint, as it was delivered in a slightly wrong shade of green.

If you look carefully into the sky this evening, you may just see an Eclipse (Urban) 👀
12/08/2026

If you look carefully into the sky this evening, you may just see an Eclipse (Urban) 👀

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