Crowds flocked to Newton Abbot in early August for the main event marking the centenary of the one-time Devon General Omnibus & Touring Company, a fleet characterised for decades by its love of most things AEC, several of which took part in the celebrations
More than 2,000 visitors enjoyed the largest gathering of Devon General vehicles in recent years on 4 August, when the Devon General Society, supported by Stagecoach South West, organised a DG100 rally and running day at Newton Abbot Racecourse.
This was the main event in a series of joint celebrations marking this year’s centenary of the start of Devon General services in 1919.
The rally programme was dedicated to the memory of the Phil Platt, 1948-2016, the co-founder of the Devon General Society who had greatly looked forward to becoming involved in the centenary celebrations.
Five free heritage routes operated to Chudleigh (service 1), Teignmouth (opentop service 2), Ipplepen (service 15), Bovey Tracey (service 16) and Newton Abbot railway station (service 36), with most journeys duplicated. The open-toppers followed the scenic A381 alongside the River Teign and proved popular despite changeable weather conditions.
Besides preserved examples …
