Independent Transport Videos (Dentours) - Northern Ireland

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The City of Belfast is home to a variety of buses. The main operator is TRANSLINK whose livery is jade green and mint green with red trim for CITYBUS, or blue trim for ULSTERBUS. Some CITYBUS buses are in the old red and cream scheme and ULSTERBUS vehicles in the blue and cream livery.

Both operators run smart well turned out vehicles. CITYBUS still operates a number of Bristol RELLs, which are covered fully in our video ‘Northern Ireland’s RE Twilight’, Leyland Tigers, Dennis Darts, Mercedes, Scanias, Volvos and Optare Solos.

Recently introduced are a fleet of Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400 double deckers.

ULSTERBUS vehicles on the video include some of the last of a long line of Leyland Leopards - these are seen operating in Belfast, and we make a brief visit to the depots of Portrush, Kilrea and Ballycastle to see them at rest.

We take a ride on a new ULSTERBUS ALX400 to Lisburn and back to Belfast passing along the Falls Road featuring some Bristol REs. Many other ULSTERBUS vehicles are seen as they operate into Belfast and make a nice complement in the home of CITYBUS. Citycentre locations include:- Donegall Square, Wellington Place, Queen Street, Donegall Place, Royal Avenue, the Europa Buscentre and many more.

This video comprehensively covers the busy current (at the time of filming) bus scene in Belfast featuring all bus types.There are even some interesting service vehicles making an appearance!

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: Dennis Strange
First published on DVD: 2003
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 68-mins (1hr 8min) , Colour
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Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R


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The streets of Belfast will not be the same now the famous Bristol RE has finally been withdrawn from service. Saturday 31st January 2004 saw the final service day of these fine vehicles that have operated in the city since 1976.

Our cameras were on the streets to record this historic event. The programme starts with footage shot in November 2003 when the REs were becoming few and far between. Filmed in and around the city centre we see the REs going about their daily work and also make a few trips on them to Four Winds, Forestside and out to Roughfort.

Then came the big day! The weather was appalling, but it adds atmosphere to the film, with full loadings, steamed up windows and plenty of ‘RE sounds’. We travel on preserved RE 2415 to Four Winds and back to the city centre. We continue the day’s travels on ordinary service buses starting with 2527 to a very bleak Mann’s Corner, and return to the city to pick up 2522 on service to Twinbrook. From Twinbrook 2522 takes us to the city to board 2575 to Carr’s Glen and back. We then join 2527 and travel to Old Park leaving her on Westland Road to catch 2548 to Turf Lodge and back to the city.

2548 turns out to be the vehicle with the honour of making the final journey of all! We leave the city centre fully loaded with enthusiasts and bemused local people for the journey to Turf Lodge. From there we run back and into Falls Road depot for the final time. The end of an enjoyable but rather sad day.

We are most fortunate to have access to a number of RE photographs taken by Paul Savage and Raymond Bell which appear in the ‘Photo Gallery’. These photographs were taken during the 28 years of RE operation in the city, showing the variations of the liveries, experimental liveries. Also included are views of some of the second-hand ECW bodied RE’s brought over from England and Wales during the height of the troubles to keep the fleet going due to heavy losses of vehicles being maliciously destroyed.

This is a fascinating and historic programme, a must if you are a ‘ Bristol Fan’!

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: 2003/4
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 72-mins (1hr 12min) , Colour
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For over thirty years now the Irish Transport Trust have held a bus and coach rally. This year, the independent transport videos cameras attended the event, which took place at the excellent Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, at Cultra in Co. Down. If you think a bus rally is rows of smartly turned out vehicles just standing in a field – think again!! This rally provides plenty of action!!

Our programme opens at Great Victoria Street bus depot in Belfast as we board 234 (6234 EZ) a 1963 AEC Reliance with UTA bodywork for the ride to Cultra. Once at the rally site we observe the exhibits arriving and parking up. Vehicles come from all over Ireland with some visitors from the mainland UK and also brand new vehicles fresh out of the Wrightbus factory prior to delivery to their operators – including First and London.

The next section features the owners and drivers taking their vehicles through a driving skills test, which gives us plenty of time to examine the vehicles as they move in and out of cones and white lines!

We then experience the road run on board preserved Leyland Leopard 235 (WOI 2235), which incidentally went on to win the Ludgate Trophy, awarded for best overall vehicle at the Rally, in the guest judge’s opinion. A circular tour through the beautiful Ulster countryside, on a pleasant, sunny day, brings us back to the rally site after a 40 mile trip.

After a brief visit to the Museum to see the ‘bus’ exhibits, we see the preparation for the prize giving and then the vehicles depart for home.

As a postscript, we visit two previous rallies at Cultra, seen through the camera of Richard Shannon.

A very interesting event, featuring old and new vehicles, this video is a nice record of the day, and of a well organised event. It will certainly make you want to pay a visit next year!

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: Denis Strange
First published on DVD: 2005
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 95-mins (1hr 35min) , Colour
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CITYBUS in Belfast has the largest remaining fleet of Bristol REs still with their original owner. ULSTERBUS still runs a number of REs based at ‘country’ depots in the Province. From a once 600+ strong fleet, numbers have now dwindled.

Our cameras paid a visit to Belfast on the 26th and 27th of July, 2003 to film the REs on their last days in service before their retirement for the duration of the schools summer holidays. Some will re-enter service in September, but it is uncertain how many due to the fleet replacement programme of TRANSLINK.

The first half of this video concentrates on the RE services in and around Belfast city centre. We take a ride on 2527 to Ormeau, and back on 2526 - all the sounds are captured in glorious stereo! There is also a ride on 2545 to the Abbey Centre and back to the depot on the motorway! Locations are Donegall Square, Wellington Place, Queen Street, Donegall Place and Royal Avenue to mention but a few. We also feature a ‘Photo Gallery’ of REs from 1991.

The second part of the video is shot on the Irish Transport Trust’s tour to say farewell to the REs based at Coleraine. We set off from Belfast on preserved CITYBUS RE 2415 to Portrush via Antrim. Here we pick up CITYBUS 2512 which is on loan to Portrush and ULSTERBUS 2589 for the drive to Coleraine bus station. From here we use 2599 and 2589 to Ballycastle via Kilrea depot.

From Ballycastle we travel through the spectacular scenery at Portanlevey along the coast the the Giant’s Causeway using 2438 and 2589. Then it is back on 2438 and 2589 to Portrush to pick up 2415 for the trip back to Belfast accompanied by 2438 and 2589 for most of the

Availability: AVAILABLE
Filmed by/when: Dennis Strange
First published on DVD: 2003
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 120-mins (2hr 0min) approx , Colour
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The Potter/Alexander (Belfast) bodied Leyland Leopard has had a long association with the Ulsterbus fleet. The first vehicles entering service in 1968. Today in 2005 there is still a sizable fleet serving the Province, but with a large number of new vehicles on order for Translink their days are numbered. This video programme is a Celebration of the type in many ways.

Our first ‘Celebration’ is a day out on 109 (WAZ 5652) - 4109 to give it its current fleet number - was, in November 2003, the oldest bus in regular service with Ulsterbus. It was due to be withdrawn on the 30th November 2003, so a tour from Dungannon was planned by the Irish Transport Trust to celebrate. There is plenty of interior and roadside footage as we travel along the rain-soaked roads of Northern Ireland, there is even a bonus International trip into County Monaghan at Glaslough! The day concluded at Dungannon and the 25 and a half year old was parked up for the last time? It has since been returned to service which emphasises the quality of the Leyland product!

Our second ‘Celebration’ is that of the coming of age of the final Leyland Leopard 339 (BXI 339) and the first of the Leyland Tigers 340 (DXI 3340). We follow 340 in service from Belfast to Newcastle on board 339. From Newcastle we have 339 for the day and go on a grand tour, taking in the superb scenery of Northern Ireland. Some of the places visited include Ardglass, Strangford and Comber. Lots of interior atmosphere and sounds as well as scenic roadside sequences.

We then ‘Celebrate’ the Leopards in everyday service with brief visits to Belfast, Portrush, Kilkeel and many other depots around the Province.

Our final ‘Celebration’ is that of preserved Leopard 235 (WOI 2235) now owned by Jeffrey Thompson and Stewart Gilmore. We see 235 at the 2005 Irish Transport Trust Bus & Coach Rally at Cultra on the 23rd April, our cameras travel on board during the 40 mile road run. This vehicle is a credit to them. Having left the Ulsterbus fleet after about 10 years and to be used on relief missions to Romania. It was later converted to a caravan. The boys have restored it to Ulsterbus Express livery.

So why not join us in the ‘Celebration’ of these fine workhorses that have graced the roads of Northern Ireland for forty years.

Availability: AVAILABLE

Cover photo: Paul Savage
Filmed by/when: Denis Strange
First published on DVD: 2003/2005
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 96-mins (1hr 36min) , Colour
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Our cameras paid a couple of visits to Northern Ireland in 2006 to record the farewell events at Londonderry and Newry, organised by our friends in the Irish Transport Trust, in association with local Ulsterbus staff.

Derry was our first port of call, back on 28 January, when six Leopards, including a former Clydeside example from the Londonderry and Lough Swilly fleet, were used on a tour of routes in the Derry, Strabane and Limavady areas. Bridges featured a lot on this tour and we captured superb scenes at Tullyard (between Donemana and Newbuildings), Burntollet and a beautiful, late evening sequence of the vehicles crossing the Foyle Bridge on their way back to Pennyburn garage. This tour also raised c£300 for a local hospice.

Our second visit to the Province was for the farewell event at Newry depot. With the kind co-operation of Ulsterbus, the unique Wright TT-bodied Leopard No 258, new in 1982, was made available to transport the party from and to Belfast. Our driver on this part of the tour was Raymond Bell, who had driven No 258 on its first revenue-earning run and was now driving it on its last!

From Newry, the tour took us through the beautiful scenery of South Armagh via Forkhill to Newtownhamilton, then on to the mill village of Bessbrook and back to Newry. Later, a visit was made to Rathfriland depot, high in the Mourne Mountains, fortunately before the weather turned.

Ulsterbus Leopard Finale features both interior and exterior shots, run pasts and superb scenery, all with that familiar Leyland 680 roar that you get from a Leopard. There are two hours of a superb memory of a type not experienced in such numbers (with one company) by mainland enthusiasts, 681 being bought new with a further 110 acquired second-hand.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Irish Transport Trust, Ulsterbus and the Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway Company, and their staff, for the kindness and generous assistance given in the making of this video.

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: 2006
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 120-mins (2hr 0min) , Colour
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‘The Swilly’, or to give it its proper title ‘The Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway Company’ (which last ran trains in 1954), has run road vehicles since 1929 in the spectacular and sometimes remote County Donegal, North West Ireland. Predominantly a Leyland operator, an urgent need for vehicles in 2003 led to a total of 28 former Ulsterbus and Citybus Bristol RELLs with Gardner engines and Alexander (Belfast) bodywork joining the fleet. Used virtually exclusively on schools services and in many cases outstationed at drivers’ homes, they often proved elusive to enthusiasts but our cameras tracked down the majority of them at work between 2004 and 2007. When the last one (451) was withdrawn, by then having reached the prescribed age limit for School Buses, these REs had outlived those in use with Ulsterbus and Citybus by over three years.

The Bristols proved popular vehicles during their time with the Swilly, some of them remaining in Belfast colours whilst others carried yellow and white livery. Six were repainted in the Clydeside Scottish inspired red, white and yellow scheme carried by many of the Leyland Leopards they replaced. Their rasping exhausts combine with the typical Bristol gearbox noise to provide distinctive aural effects, whilst there are a number of highly scenic locations seen in both sunshine and rain! Only in 2009 did the last operational examples leave the Swilly depot in Derry, being two of a number to last into preservation, and their departure also features on this DVD.

So sit back an enjoy Ireland’s last Bristols in everyday service!

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Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 73-mins (1hr 13min) , Colour
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The 35-year reign of the Bristol RE with Ulsterbus and Citybus came to an end in 2004, but for a further three years 33 of these charismatic Alexander (Belfast) - bodied vehicles (although 5 were not operated) served in some of the most scenic and remote parts of North West Ireland with ‘The Swilly'.

On 23rd June 2007 the Irish Transport Trust organised a tour to mark their imminent withdrawal from the fleet (victims of Government age restrictions on school buses), and our cameras follow this farewell day. We begin with arrival, from Belfast, of the main party on two preserved REs, Ulsterbus 2583 (BXI 2583) and dual door Citybus 2415 (VOI 8415). They meet up with its one-time Belfast stable mate Swilly 457 (84-DL-2348, formally BXI 2568) prior to its departure from Londonderry's Foyle Street Bus Station. First stop is Swilly's depot on the Springtown Industrial Estate, where we see several Bristols parked up.

There then follows a run into County Donegal – stopping initially to look at 474 (84-DL-2363, formerly AXI 2547) in sleepy Manorcunningham, and then up to the Swilly depot in Letterkenny, where 459, formerly (AXI 2539), is moved for filming. After lunch, the two REs head out from Letterkenny Bus Station where we also see 453 (85-DL-2603, formally BXI 2580, the last RE new to Citybus) heading northwards towards Rathmullan, past 454 (85-DL-2597, formally BXI 2571) and up as far as the Swilly Ferry terminal before running back down the coast again into Ramelton. Following a brief stop, we see the two tour REs attack the steep hill out of this attractive little riverside town, and then after passing through Letterkenny again we're guided down some very rural roads to an obscure parking spot at Ballyboe containing 464 (84-DL-2359, formally AXI 2535).

Leaving here we cross the course of the long-closed Londonderry and Lough Swilly Railway (still The Swilly's proper title), head for Reddin's Coaches of Muff for a visit and then it's back to Derry city centre where we watch 457 depart for the last time.

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Filmed by/when: 2007
First published on DVD: 2007
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 63-mins (1hr 3min) , Colour
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Most enthusiasts of a certain age associate the Belfast Corporation diesel bus fleet with the Daimler marque; the younger generation will more likely think of Belfast as a ‘Bristol’ city. However, during the 1950s, 1960s, and even into the early 1970s, a significant number of Guy Arab IIIs, with locally-built Harkness bodywork, could be found on the city’s streets.

Like many operators, Belfast first experienced the Guy Arab during World War II, when seven Arab II models, with Pickering bodies, were purchased. After the war, when new buses were in short supply, the Corporation turned to Guy Motors, which was able to offer a reasonable delivery date, for 70 Arab IIIs, with the Corporation’s favoured Gardner engine.

Twenty-five of these Guys were built with 31-seat single-deck bodies, the remaining 45 with 54-seat double-deck bodies. Due to a reduced requirement for single-deck vehicles, that model had a relatively short life, some running from 1950 only until 1958, others being converted to road gritters in 1962/4 with the last being withdrawn in 1970.

On the other hand, the double-deckers had a hard life, some surviving the takeover of the Corporation by Citybus in 1973, and running through the early years of Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’ until 1975.

Fortunately for us, an example of each type has survived into preservation, and on a fair Sunday in June 2009, ITV’s cameras were on the streets of Northern Ireland’s capital city to record these wonderful vehicles on their home ground. We see Jonathan Miller’s fine 1950 single-decker, No 286, which had once been the Transport Committee’s coach, and Raymond Bell’s superb 1951 double-decker, No 346, back on the road again after a very thorough ‘overhaul’, at various locations around the city and suburbs, on routes with which they were very familiar.

So come with us on a journey back in time and experience the aural delights of the Gardner 6LW round the streets of Belfast.

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Filmed by/when: Denis Strange
Narrated by: Denis Strange
First published on DVD: 2009
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 86-mins (1hr 26min) , Colour
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The days of the Bristol RE in the ULSTERBUS fleet are drawing to a close. From a once 600+ strong fleet which includes their cousins with CITYBUS based in Belfast our cameras have followed the blue REs in their twilight days at the close of 2003.

This video programme takes the form of three parts: The first records a day trip organised by the Irish Transport Trust on a tour to say farewell to the REs in the Newry area. The day starts at Belfast Europa Bus Centre on preserved CITYBUS RE 2415 and we journey to Newry via Hillsborough and Banbridge. At Newry bus depot we see ULSTERBUS REs 2589 and 2590 being prepared for the day. From there we head to Rathfriland for a brief visit before driving through the spectacularly scenic Spelga Pass to Spelga Dam. (Just listen to those sound effects!). From the Dam we travel through Kilkeel and Warrenpoint to the Newry Bus Centre. From here we are joined by RE 2454 as 2590 takes a well earned rest.

On board 2589 and 2454 we travel out to Newtownhamilton, Cullyhanna to Crossmaglen. The journey back to Newry is taken through Forkhill where we find former Edinburgh and Ulsterbus 1013 (SWS 13) in a field!! From Newry depot we travel back to Belfast on board 2415.

The second part of the video charts Ulsterbus RE 2190 (POI 2190) now in preservation in England. It is filmed at the Alton bus rally in Hampshire. We take a ride on her through the scenic Hampshire countryside, and then see her on a visit to the Warminster running day in Wiltshire.

The final part features four ULSTERBUS REs 2316, 2390, 2565 and 2594 as they are prepared in Londonderry for their journey to preservation in England. We see them heading to Belfast docks and loading onto the ferry for their voyage across the Irish Sea to Birkenhead. After landing at Birkenhead docks they head to Chester services on the motorway before each heading their separate ways to locations in England.

As on our previous ‘Northern Ireland RE Twilight’ video most of the filming on board features the vehicle following, or leading and getting the driver and passenger eye views. There are plenty of roadside views which of course includes the unmistakable exhaust sounds captured in glorious stereo. So join us in the twilight days of these superb machines

Availability: AVAILABLE
First published on DVD: 2004
Screen aspect ratio: 4:3 SD
Classification: Exempt
Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R

Running Time: 120-mins (2hr 0min) approx , Colour
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Number of discs: 1 DVD-R
Media Format: DVD-R


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