The Swindon Vintage Omnibus Society was formed in 1968 by a small group of enthusiasts who had found such an organisation lacking in Swindon and the surrounding areas. They began to meet on a regular basis and attended bus rallies in the South and West as well as visiting other places of transport interest.

 

The Society initially purchased an ex-Western National L5G single decker with Beadle rear entrance bodywork. This was later replaced by an ex-Bristol Omnibus Company KSW6G fitted with Eastern Coachworks highbridge bodywork, platform doors and a five speed gearbox. In June 1979 the Society then decided to look into the possibility of purchasing an ex-Swindon Corporation vehicle which was then the oldest vehicle in the present Thamesdown Transport Fleet. This was a 1960 Daimler CVG6 with Weymann Orion highbridge bodywork and had a fleet number of 112. It was thought that such a vehicle would be more representative of Swindon than our previous vehicles.

 

Eventually 112 came into the Society’s ownership and was restored to full running order in time for the rally season of 1982. Since then it has been used each year on Society trips to rallies in the South and West of England

 

In 2004 Thamesdown Transport celebrated their 100 years. To assist in this event Bristol RESL JMW 168P was loaned to the company and returned into the Blue/Cream livery. The owner offered Thamesdown the sale of the bus but it was not viable at the time. Subsequent conversations led to the sale being offered to the Society and the committee agreed to purchase the bus. It then came into ownership of the Society in 2005 thanks to support of pledges from the members.