Historic Ipswich buses set to return to streets this weekend

Three of the oldest buses, all dating from the 1950s, will be running on routes where they were once a familiar site. Rides are free - but the normal entrance fee to the museum at Cobham Road will apply.

Three buses from the 1960s will be returning to their former routes on Sunday. (Image: Ipswich Transport Museum)

Event organiser Owen Phillips said: "A group of local enthusiasts bought bus number 24 back to Ipswich earlier this year.

"It had been owned and exhibited by Southampton based enthusiast Peter Culverwell since 1974 – so the group are only the third owners of this 68 year old vehicle.

The recently returned bus is in good mechanical condition but needs attention to its bodywork. (Image: Ipswich Transport Museum)

"The group has worked hard to return the bus to operational condition during the summer. Although it was kept in an open barn and the paintwork has suffered a bit, the bus is in excellent mechanical order.

"It’ll be the first time all three buses have carried passengers together since the Corporation era of the early 1970s."

The three old buses will be giving rides from the museum between 11am and 4pm.

They will be joined by visiting buses from other East Anglian museums and heritage groups representing Lowestoft Corporation, Eastern Counties and Hedingham Omnibuses among others.

The event will also give another opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Ipswich AEC Regent V Bus No.63.

This has been in continuous use since acquired by the museum in 1994, but now needs some restoration work, including new springs and repairs around the stairs and rear platform.

It will be on display at the at the museum where volunteers will be on hand to explain the work needed, and the cost involved. A celebratory 60th Birthday birthday cake will be cut at 1pm.