Introduction

Note: By viewing these photographs you signify your agreement to the terms of usage.

This Aleaxander-bodied Albion Viking, previously operated by the Southern Education Board on its school transport service, was entered by Gabriel McConnell of Jerrettspass.

This lovely vehicle is a 1962 UTA-bodied AEC Reliance which is still owned by Translink, successor to the UTA. It has just received a retrim and repaint and was making its first appearance at the rally for a number of years.

This Leyland Atlantean had previously operated for Lothian in Edinburgh and was paying a visit to Cultra on its way to its new owner’s base in the Irish Republic.

Several vehicles had come north from the Dublin area for the event. One was the former Dublin Bus GAC KC48. These vehicles were built in a factory at Shannon Airport.

A first time entrant at the 2005 rally was Alan Francey of Francey Coaches, Ballymena with the Scania/Irizar. It was a good day for Alan as he went home with three trophies.

The Colourpoint trophy is awarded to the preserved bus scoring the highest marks in all sections of the rally. It was won for the second year in succession by the ITT’s Trevor Dixon driving this 1976 Leyland Leopard, formerly Ulsterbus 1886.

Dublin Bus sent three vehicles north to the rally - two Alexander-bodied Olympians and a Dennis Trident, also Alexander-bodied. All three are seen in company with a Metro (Belfast) Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400.

Buses magazine and the ITT sponsor a trophy in memory of the late Reg Ludgate, a founder member of the ITT. The winner is selected by a guest judge and this year the prize was awarded to Messrs Gilmore and Thompson for their restoration of Leyland Leopard 235. This vehicle had formerly been used to deliver aid to Romania.