Bedford VAL CCG704C | May Running Day 2022 #1 | Vintage Buses with Friends of King Alfred Buses

[@glennoropeza3545]

As an American I was a child when the first Italian Job movie was made starring a young Michael Caine. The Bedford Val was the unsung hero in that movie!

[@jaguilar300]

These old buses have very colorful paint jobs.

[@skellertons113]

What a well put together video. I believe the VAL coach chassis was based on a dray chassis, and adapted. I am told the brakes were "interesting" at speed due to the smaller brake drum diameter. However it was and is a modern looking coach. I knew a Driver of one who set down his passengers at a posh hotel, and asked as to where he could park for the night, the manager said, "you park it right here Driver, this up to date coach gives my hotel prestige". 1980 is when Conductor Licensing ended, and in1992 Drivers' badges finished, but the PCV (Passenger Carrying Vehicle) entitlement took over for their permission to drive. The buses and coaches themselves still display a PSV Operator's Licence , and the PSV regulations still apply to Drivers and Passengers.

[@andrewholmes2049]

I recall two VALs operated by a local company in New Zealand during the late 1960s but with decidedly more utilitarian bodies. They were indeed a rarity.

[@iwb316]

Interesting that you obtained one that had been converted for another purpose. Going back to the late 1970's I know of 2 that were converted to transport motorcross sidecar outfits, the rear was converted to an opening door, the cross member allowed ramps to be fitted to load and unload. The whole rear half was used as the workshop with the front half as the living space.

[@CoraçãoGrená82]

Parabéns pelo vídeo 😮 Só raridade 😮

[@alangordon3283]

Great seeing the old beasts

[@Darwenhypnotherapy]

A wonderful restoration by such dedicated people - thankyou for sharing this.

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

Incredible the sheer hard work & commitment to bring the bus back to life. Reminded me instantly of the coach cliffhanger scene in 'The Italian Job'

[@hellowallace]

I have only managed to watch it recently. The last scene in “The Italian Job” did left me feel…suspended… yes that one is also a Bedford VAL, also converted to drive cars onto, but that one has the barn doors at the back…

[@angelsone-five7912]

Lovely piece of nostalgia.

[@seanhedley8028]

When I was a kid in the seventies, living in Kirkham in Lancashire, there was a company called Chris Catterall .They ran converted coach chassis for transporting racing pigeons . The one that always stood out to me was their Chinese Six Bedford VAL .

[@eddkennedy6458]

That was brilliant, very interesting all the hard work keeping those buses and coaches in good order, would be great to have a ride in some of them.

[@hellowallace]

Glad you enjoy this video. Friend's of King Alfred Buses provide free rides to members of public on the "Running Days", usually in January, May and September. Check on their web site for details of the next event: KingAlfredBuses.org.uk - you can come to have a ride too!

[@mitchellhurd9300]

2 words a Bedford VAL reminds me of - Italian Job!

[@hellowallace]

Yes indeed!

[@RaddersandRuby]

Absolutely brilliant video about King Alfred Buses running day. So interesting and informative as well as great pictures and a catchy sound-track. I'm very much looking forward to more of your creative work Wallace.

[@hellowallace]

Glad you enjoyed it... Please check out the latest episode, because it features your "Ruby"!

[@Stratoszero]

Id love have a ride in a VAL! I used to see them in the 60s and 70s as a boy, they looked so daring and posh, but no coach companys near me ran one so Ive never evn sat in one 😮‍💨 .

[@hellowallace]

The next chance to see it is likely to be on Sunday 10 September 2023 at Winchester. Check on www.KingAlfredBuses.org.uk, more details will come soon.

[@Stratoszero]

@@hellowallace I'm 5 hours away but will do my best to attend! Is this the best preserved VAL left?

[@hellowallace]

Possibly… surely it is one of the best restored and preserved one.

[@petergrinnell2500]

When i was kid i used to travel to school on a Bedford same one for years hvn 109n i think been along time ago the company was nn cresswell Evesham Worcester friend of the family worked there for many years and my aunt started bus driving at the same company back in the 90s company still going but not as big as it was years ago nice to see people restore them and keep them in real nice condition must be alot of hard work but they must enjoy it 🙂👍🇬🇧

[@hugelavalava]

What awesome video, fantastic buses as well 👌👍👏

[@hellowallace]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stephenhargreaves381]

Very enjoyable watch . Thank you .

[@Dave58282]

Thanks for the acknowledgement for use of my photo! I didn't manage to get to the running day this year, it looked very good.

[@hellowallace]

More to come in the following episode…

[@keith-nb8ps]

What a good video I have driven one like that thousands of miles.. It sounds like a LEYLAND 400 Engine with a five-speed gearbox...not forgetting the two Hand Brakes.. I worked for Baddeley Bros Limited Of Holmfirth.. Their livery was two-tone Green with a Large Prince of Wales Feathers design on the Boot LID. I will have to come and see you.. All the Best Regards...

[@hellowallace]

Glad you enjoyed this video. All I know that it has a very comfortable ride and lovely interior. The next running day in Winchester coming up is the 1st January!

[@barry5787]

Roll Up, Roll Up for The Magical Mystery Tour.

[@TrashhMack]

Great video

[@hellowallace]

Thank you…

[@ROCKINGMAN]

Grew up in the late 60's and early 70's and all buses and coaches were great to me. At school trips, we sometime had a Plaxton Bedford VAL, beautiful coaches. Loved to sit right up front and here the engine. We had Ford Thames, Leyland Tigers, and Bedford VAS'. Once somehow we had a LT Green Line RC. Great vehicles. Buses now don't interest me.

[@hellowallace]

I am so glad you enjoyed watching my bus videos! More to come in September...

[@MyMustang72]

i did all the bodywork on the donor coach body.

[@volvos60bloke]

beuatiful.question: now brexit is did can we bring back coache's what are like this from new now we dont need there safety standar'ds ect.

[@hellowallace]

I wish I know the answer!

[@MRPAD744]

is the Bedford val equipped with synchro manual box or do you have to double declutch ?

[@hellowallace]

The Bedford VAL CCG 704C is fitted with a David Brown five speed synchromesh gearbox, so there is no need to double de-clutch. Hope that answered the question?

[@ghalibmahmudlaskar5980]

​@@hellowallaceSir was Bedford VAL 14 powered by British Leyland 0.400 Six Cylinder Naturally Aspirated Diesel Engine please 🙏?

[@hellowallace]

@@ghalibmahmudlaskar5980 Yes it is.

[@cannadineboxill-harris2983]

Extended Bodies for Most of the Buses Much as I am not comfortable asking the depot why they stopped running the London Suburban Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW’s on routes 30, 121, 230, 271, 349, N279 And 158 why can’t we make the same make of the Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Buses but Modernise the insides of these Buses. Also, make it low floor up and down and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more so there will be more space for the wheelchair users. By the way, if you could remake and Modernise these vehicles could they also make them into a Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Version’s that if it will be possible to Modernise the insides of these Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW’s make it low floor up and down and also extend the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more so there will be more space and even a London Suburban 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMCs and 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX Diesel engine Enviro 400 MMC’s and also extend the middle the body part of these vehicles a little bit more. Why couldn’t we have those London Suburban Buse's Pale red on the top roof Pale red again on the top middle Milk Chocolate brown on the middle Creamy white on the Bottom Middle and Milk Chocolate Brown again on the Bottom on most of those kinds of those Particular Double Decker Vehicles? Could you put the Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox in the Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMCs and also put the Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearbox in the Volvo TD102KF Engine East Lancs Olympus and also extend the the middle body part of these vehicles a little bit more and also turn most of them to a London Suburban Buses. By the way, could you also make the routes 349, 121, N279 and 271 into a London Suburban Buses and have a a mixture of a Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC and Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Versions. Could they also transfer the Arriva Bus Depots from Hackney to Stagecoach company so they can replace all the Arriva buses so that all of them can go to Birmingham and Leeds and they can be replaced by Stagecoach Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearbox Volvo TD102KF Engine East Lancs Olympus and also Extend the Middle body part of these Vehicles and that includes A Mixture of a Stagecoach Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearbox Volvo TD102KF, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 6LXCT Engine Northern Counties Palatine One and that Includes a Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX Diesel engine Enviro 400 MMC’s and Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles A Little Bit More? Can Arriva London Bus Company Replace Most of their Wight Buses so they can also transfer them to Birmingham and Also Manchester so they can be replaced by Loud 3-Speed ZF Ecomat Gearboxes Volvo D10A Engine East Lancs Olympus and also Extend the The middle body part of these Vehicles A Little Bit More Thank You Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Much. Oh by the way could the bus Factory Companies also Make More of Those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel engine Olympian ECW Vehicles And that also includes Those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC And also Extend The middle Body part of those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel Engine Olympian ECW Vehicles and the Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles and that also includes The Loud 3-Speed ZF Ecomat Gearboxes Volvo D10A Engine East Lancs Olympus A Little Bit More And Paint Those 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Cummins L10 Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles and also those Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Gardner 6LX and Gardner 6LXC Diesel engine Olympian ECW Vehicles and that also includes The Northern Counties Palatine One with a Volvo TD102KF, Gardner 6LXC and Gardner 6LXCT Diesel engines with a Loud 3-Speed Voith Diwa Gearboxes and The Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic Automatic Gearbox Scania N230UD Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles and also The Loud 4-Speed Leyland Hydra cyclic AutomaticGearbox Gardner 6LX Diesel engine Enviro 400 MMC Vehicles to the Grey Green Colours Just Like The Other Original Scania Grey Green on the Bus Route 125, 173, 313 and the 103. If all of the 14 Leyland Titan B15s are Fully Red and even Mostly Red, could they also Repaint All of Those 14 Leyland Titan B15s into Grey Green Colours Just Like The Other Original Scania Grey Green on the Bus Route 313 so they can Reuse them for Only Every 6 and a Half Months and also Reuse them on those Rail Replacement London Bus Routes if that will Be Alright for Only Just Every 6 and a Half Months, starting from the beginning of October and also Reuse Those Buses Only on the London Bus Routes which are The 341, N41, 34, 123, N29, 149, 221, N73, 121, 86, 30, 262, 147, 396, 41, and N26 so Please make sure that the builders can do as they are told!!!! And please do something about these Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Very Important Professional Ideas Please Please Prime Minister and also includes the Mayor of London.

[@hadji4222]

I want a coach anyone know where i can buy one? Please anything up to £10.000