Greyhound Motors 100

Cameras to the ready on 23 & 24 February 2025…100 years after Greyhound Motors inaugurated their Bristol-London express coach service (on February 11th 1925) Dr Michael Walker (Bristol Omnibus Vehicle Collection) is arranging a re-creation of the first return trip using four preserved Greyhound coaches.

26 seat Bristol bodied Bristol D 742, HY6197, pausing in Marlborough when operating the original express coach service between Bristol and London, and with its crew of two

Take a look at the route (principally A4) and 1925 timings they hope to follow.  Find a vantage point, enjoy the spectacle and give them a congratulatory wave along their way.

On Sunday 23rd, Bristol’s Mayor will oversee the 9am departure from Prince Street, Bristol for the journey to London.  The return from London is on Monday 24th to replicate the original service.

Celebrations of the Greyhound Motors pioneers continue later in the year with the Trust’s Royal Blue & Associated Motorways Run (20-22 June) and our Cheltenham Classic Coach Gathering (6 July) – do join us.

39 seat ECW bodied Bristol MW6G, BHU92C, preserved from the Bristol Omnibus Greyhound fleet (No. 2138), turning into Marlborough on the Trust’s Royal Blue & Associated Motorways coach run in 2016 – crewed by owner, Dr Michael Walker

Handbill for the inaugural service from Mike Walker Collection

The timings the run will aim to achieve replicate the original 1925 schedule (above).  However, differences in vehicles, road conditions, vehicular access, traffic levels and the need for different break points will all affect the actual times and photographers need to allow for this. An indication of potential variations each way are given below with reference to original timings.

	23rd Feb	24th Feb	Notes 23rd	Notes 24th
Bristol, Prince Street	09.00	17.00	via Broad Quay, St James Barton, Temple Way...A4	Via St Mary Redcliffe, Bascule Bridge
Keynsham, Church	09.30	16.30
Saltford	09.40	16.20
Newton St Loe	09.45	16.15
Bath, Top Milsom Street	10.00	16.00
Chippenham, Market Place	10.50	15.10
Calne	11.15	14.45
Beckhampton	11.40	14.20
Marlborough, Town Hall	12.10 #	13.50 ~	# photo opp.	~Cobbs Farm lunch break after Hung’fd
Hungerford, Bear Hotel	12.50	13.10
Newbury (timetable allowed 30 mins break)	13.15 *	12.15	*1hr at Wharf	No break
Reading (Cemetery Junction)	14.45	11.15
Twyford	15.05	10.55	via A3032
Maidenhead	15.30	10.30 x	Via A4 not town centre	x off-route break
Slough	15.50	10.10		Via A3006
Hounslow, Broadway	16.30	09.30	via A3006/A315	via A315
Brentford, Magistrate’s Court	16.40	09.20	via A315
Hammersmith Broadway	17.00	09.00