Drought Breaker crew here seeking other crew 1987, 1989. Thanks for the vid - I recall walking the bus thru those tunnels in Eugoslavia on the coast road! LOL! Bring back the deckers!!
Awesome guys; was on the 1982 Asia overland; sure wish I had kept in touch with the group. The trip inspired me and molded my future!! Thanks for the memories guys!!!
The drivers back then really knew their stuff...cant believe some of the pics of roads and small boats u guys put the deckers on.......I drive for TD today in europe and its no where near as hard as wat u guys had it.....well done to all of you who made Topdeck wat it is today..pax and crew...:)
Good to see this. I drove ' MOOSE ' in Australia in 1983 , 14 day Sydney- Perth. Nearly 30 years on still driving coaches, in UK and Europe now though.
Deck seems to bring up the inadequacies of the other travels: coach around OZ, solo drive to Peru and Alaska [7 trips] 10 years around Mexico, Egypt, all of America. Can't remember the rest. Reminiscing about Decker trips makes many other things seem colorless.
Cheers to Dillon, Curly, John Bremner, Panda Bear, Magoo, Picasso
Strange but true. No amount of money could buy a better trip than a trip on a Decker. Not Contiki,, not Encounter Overland,,, not a private coach. It was the right blend of comfort, camaraderie, and flexibility. Like many of the almost-perfect things in life,,, it's gone. I only spent about 25 weeks on a Decker but, there hasn't been much of anything before or since to compare. It's an intensity of exposure to new things that has no compare. 15 years on the road but, reminiscing about Top
I travelled in March 1986 on the fateful trip where 3 buses joined up for the Kathmandu to London journey. It was Boobs and Casper, cant remember the third. Pedro, Bear, Mad Max and a few others were the crew and we had 60 Aussies and Kiwis all on route for 3 months. Amazing time, great memories
I was on the first TDT bus to go to Kathmandu in 1974/5. We spent 6 mths on the return journey. It was one of the best 6 mths of my life. I had my 21st birthday in Iran. It's sad to hear of the fighting in the countries we travelled through & what will have happened to the friendly people we met. I would love to hear from anyone else that was on that trip (can't remember the name of the bus). I do keep in touch with one other from the trip. She's in OZ & I'm in the UK. We meet up every so often.
By The Way, David G.Savage wrote an illustrated book of the Lodekka in 1985. It was published by the Oxford Publishing Company,Link House,West Street,Poole Dorset,UK. The ISBN 0-86093-338-5. It features many of your buses, and even has some Top Deck buses featured, 'Bloater' and 'NaFai' spring to mind. Plus,you might spot your bus in its original livery as a stage carriage vehicle.I don't know if it is still in print,but,the ISDN number should aid in tracking a copy down Once again,Good Fortune.
Just a word, never drove with you guys, but, you were a welcome and cheery sight with your brightly coloured Lodekka's on the M25 and M26. I used to spot your buses coming and going to the Channel ports and wished I was doing the gig, instead, I spent my time chasing round Britain supporting Tesco's newly launched Check-Out Plus system. It is a treasure to 'land' here and read the 'behind the scenes' stories. Good fortune to you all.
Wicked slideshow !! Almost bought a tear to my eye.
I drove deckers for TDT in '93 and '94. Mainly drove 'Pig Pen' (incredible bus that!!) - but did stints with 'Edgar', 'Camel', 'Gordon', 'Acko' and 'Viking'. They just don't make 'em like that anymore!
I'm working with TopDeck just over 3 months now (TopDeck baby) and I have to say guys "RESPECT". This is one amazing bit of history. I just love it...
My Dad runs the camp site in St. Goar, Germany. Maybe some of you remember "Hermann the German"?!? I grew up with the Deckers comming to our place! Oh Gee, what do I miss them! I miss the stench of their old diesels. I miss the driver's black arms (from fixing the busses - you could allways make out the TD drivers in a crowd ;-)).
It never was the same with the modern coaches. Since 2006 they do not stop at my Dad's any more :-( at all.
I remember crying when the last decker left. Stefan
I remember your Dad & the Campsite very well. I worked for Top Deck from 1989 - 1991 and Hermanns campsite at St Goar was one of our favourites.
I remember many a big night with a boot party after the wine tasting where he would always show the very old British comedy clip about the drunk butler and Miss ?????. I can't remember her name.
Wow,great viewing,I was a passenger on the last trip Pig Pen ever did, (Ge7) 1989. We so desperatly wanted Lindsay (driver) to take her all the way back to London. Our bus is in the process of organising a reunion for 20 years in 2009, as some of us have kept in contact. My brother in-law worked at the farm, Andrew Holmes, I must send him this video. I read the book a few years ago, memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That certainly took me back!. I was a T/L in '94. Had Freckle and Sniffer for charters. Not long after that, the deckers were retired. Those were the days!
That certainly took me back!. I was a T/L in '94. Had Freckle and Sniffer for charters. Not long after that, the deckers were retired. Those were the days!
Is that a former Western Welsh AEC Bridgemaster shown at 8:09? I remember them (WW nos.683 to 702: PBO 683 etc.), and the similar Cardiff Corporation ones (CCT nos.361-6: TUH 361 etc.), from my childhood back in the 1960's.
I was a travel agent with flight centre and as an employee we all got a copy of Top Deck Daze to read.
I have to admit that it is one of my favourite books, and that I am disapointed that I was never able to do a top deck tour in true top deck style! Although I am doing my first European tour with Top Deck next year, I wish I could have done it in the 70's and joined in on the adventures and atmosphere.
I am also a current topdeck driver. Love the photos, was lucky enough to do about 12 weeks on a decker(CRUSADER) as a passenger in '96, was even on the last ever european trip, a double departure SPM. A photo of the buses from this trip is in your slide show.
Started to drive in '97 and was fortunate enough to drive a tour in DA BUS up to Scotland.
cobran20 If it was about Jan/Feb 1983 it was Waftam's second last overland, the next trip had a few problems and the bus is now sitting at the Iran/Paky border rotting away as far as I know.
I believe you were my driver, of the two buses for the Kathmandu-London trip that left in Feb 1983? If so, good to see you're keeping well. Years ago, I saw Bruce Hall driving buses for Australian Pacific. Last I heard of Bill Woodhouse is that he has his own auto electrical shop in Sydney's northern beaches and married the girl he met on his bus, on that trip!
Bruce and I got locked up,at around 21:30 on 9/11/1983, we'd driven Woftam from the Imdad Hotel to 'District Court Compound', in Quetta, After a few nights in the crook police cells, we got bail and lived at the Imdad until early Jan,'84, we got sent down for 2 & 1/2yrs 'rigorous imprisonment', which means hard-labour. So we ended up in 'Quetta District Jail' and got out at Easter '84. Cheers, BL.
87 to 96, pretty much drove all of the fleet in that time, did a few winters at the farm as well, so got to know them pretty well. Have a huge stack of photos in storage in OZ, havent really been back there for a long time, but hope to be back early in the new year,...will get them sorted then,...whatever happened to the bus histories and photos on the reunion website ?
The histories were changed when the site rearranged itself, the bus pics fell off also. I saw a gap about 7 years ago and decided to compile as many pics as I could. Get yours scanned if you can and add them to the pile, I'll be happy to send you a disc of the lot. Where do you live now. Whats your name anyway.
Sorry Mate, Wags here, (Wayne Casey), will definately scan all i have for you, and would love to get all of them on a disc, just waiting for Oz immigration to grant a visa for my wife, been living in Sth America,... Cusco, Peru. for last 5 years, hope to be back in Oz soon, still been driving overland up until last year, pretty much had a gutfull now though, wont make it to '08 reunion, but definately the next one. Still a few old top deck guys around out here.
And the Routemaster is an icon? These rugged reliable Bristols completed a full working life, then many continued to go round the world again, some many times!
These built for purpose workhorses still managed to look attractive and were a good deal more reliable than the over engineered Routemaster.
Drought Breaker crew here seeking other crew 1987, 1989. Thanks for the vid - I recall walking the bus thru those tunnels in Eugoslavia on the coast road! LOL! Bring back the deckers!!
artsalad66 10 months ago
Great laughter , anyone from PLOD i think 89 to katmandu drop me a line rog@ts.co.nz
46rog 1 year ago
GOOD !!!
v3or 1 year ago
GOOG!!!!!
v3or 1 year ago
Awesome guys; was on the 1982 Asia overland; sure wish I had kept in touch with the group. The trip inspired me and molded my future!! Thanks for the memories guys!!!
craigshankster 1 year ago
Many wonderful memories - RAGS Europe July-Oct 1986 Susan Price - Calgary, Canada.
Sunsongca 1 year ago
The drivers back then really knew their stuff...cant believe some of the pics of roads and small boats u guys put the deckers on.......I drive for TD today in europe and its no where near as hard as wat u guys had it.....well done to all of you who made Topdeck wat it is today..pax and crew...:)
kamakazebusa 2 years ago
Good to see this. I drove ' MOOSE ' in Australia in 1983 , 14 day Sydney- Perth. Nearly 30 years on still driving coaches, in UK and Europe now though.
gedebage 2 years ago
Deck seems to bring up the inadequacies of the other travels: coach around OZ, solo drive to Peru and Alaska [7 trips] 10 years around Mexico, Egypt, all of America. Can't remember the rest. Reminiscing about Decker trips makes many other things seem colorless.
Cheers to Dillon, Curly, John Bremner, Panda Bear, Magoo, Picasso
Dan in L.A.
chatsworth777 2 years ago
Strange but true. No amount of money could buy a better trip than a trip on a Decker. Not Contiki,, not Encounter Overland,,, not a private coach. It was the right blend of comfort, camaraderie, and flexibility. Like many of the almost-perfect things in life,,, it's gone. I only spent about 25 weeks on a Decker but, there hasn't been much of anything before or since to compare. It's an intensity of exposure to new things that has no compare. 15 years on the road but, reminiscing about Top
chatsworth777 2 years ago
I travelled in March 1986 on the fateful trip where 3 buses joined up for the Kathmandu to London journey. It was Boobs and Casper, cant remember the third. Pedro, Bear, Mad Max and a few others were the crew and we had 60 Aussies and Kiwis all on route for 3 months. Amazing time, great memories
Dave
davidisimpson 2 years ago
Nice slide show Trevor. Thanks for sharing it. I have more bus photos if you want to add them to your show.
I was a passenger on Bollocks overland to Kathmandu in 1977. I turned 21 in Afghanistan on the trip.
janelinders 2 years ago
great photos!! ive worked with topdeck groups in austria for the last 6 years now.... it would be awesome to see a decker come thru!!
bergcrew 2 years ago
I was on the first TDT bus to go to Kathmandu in 1974/5. We spent 6 mths on the return journey. It was one of the best 6 mths of my life. I had my 21st birthday in Iran. It's sad to hear of the fighting in the countries we travelled through & what will have happened to the friendly people we met. I would love to hear from anyone else that was on that trip (can't remember the name of the bus). I do keep in touch with one other from the trip. She's in OZ & I'm in the UK. We meet up every so often.
Crescentsue 2 years ago
Great stuff and some very moving memories.
It was the best honeymoon I've ever had!
On Bollocks between London in September and Kathmandu at Christmas in 1987.
Also hello Mr G and anyone on the bus (and Casper who we travelled with for a couple of weeks).
krugvintage 3 years ago
Some great memories of Overland 1987 in Bollocks.....the bus with balls..!! Cheers Mr G.
kahu357 3 years ago
By The Way, David G.Savage wrote an illustrated book of the Lodekka in 1985. It was published by the Oxford Publishing Company,Link House,West Street,Poole Dorset,UK. The ISBN 0-86093-338-5. It features many of your buses, and even has some Top Deck buses featured, 'Bloater' and 'NaFai' spring to mind. Plus,you might spot your bus in its original livery as a stage carriage vehicle.I don't know if it is still in print,but,the ISDN number should aid in tracking a copy down Once again,Good Fortune.
DSVOP 3 years ago
Just a word, never drove with you guys, but, you were a welcome and cheery sight with your brightly coloured Lodekka's on the M25 and M26. I used to spot your buses coming and going to the Channel ports and wished I was doing the gig, instead, I spent my time chasing round Britain supporting Tesco's newly launched Check-Out Plus system. It is a treasure to 'land' here and read the 'behind the scenes' stories. Good fortune to you all.
DSVOP 3 years ago
Wicked slideshow !! Almost bought a tear to my eye.
I drove deckers for TDT in '93 and '94. Mainly drove 'Pig Pen' (incredible bus that!!) - but did stints with 'Edgar', 'Camel', 'Gordon', 'Acko' and 'Viking'. They just don't make 'em like that anymore!
CamInsNZ 3 years ago
Have many fond memories and heaps of pix. I'll make a short slideshow of the ones I've scanned.
A big shoutout to all the crew I worked with during that time:
Val, Leonie, Pat, Wayne, Cathy, Tom, Clare, Colin, Brocky, Grant & Nicky (from the farm) and those who's names escape me for the moment.
Decker's Rule !!!
Cam (NZ)
+64 21 221 4114
CamInsNZ 3 years ago
Cam thanks for the comment, when you do the slideshow, please send a link. I have one of pigpen when it was a pigpen.
Trevor Carroll
trecarr 3 years ago
I'm working with TopDeck just over 3 months now (TopDeck baby) and I have to say guys "RESPECT". This is one amazing bit of history. I just love it...
TopDeckTravel 3 years ago
Hi!
My Dad runs the camp site in St. Goar, Germany. Maybe some of you remember "Hermann the German"?!? I grew up with the Deckers comming to our place! Oh Gee, what do I miss them! I miss the stench of their old diesels. I miss the driver's black arms (from fixing the busses - you could allways make out the TD drivers in a crowd ;-)).
It never was the same with the modern coaches. Since 2006 they do not stop at my Dad's any more :-( at all.
I remember crying when the last decker left. Stefan
SuAlfons 4 years ago
Hi Stefan,
I remember your Dad & the Campsite very well. I worked for Top Deck from 1989 - 1991 and Hermanns campsite at St Goar was one of our favourites.
I remember many a big night with a boot party after the wine tasting where he would always show the very old British comedy clip about the drunk butler and Miss ?????. I can't remember her name.
Please give your Dad & Mum my best wishes.
Regards,
Pete Geale
petegea 3 years ago
Hi!
The comedy is called "Dinner for One" and deals about the 90th anniversary of Miss Sophie. It is shown on New Year's eve in German TV since the 60s.
Nice to meet sby that remembers our place.
Chances are, we met too. Because when I still lived with my parents (13 years of school before university in Germany) I used to do the wine tasting.
Regards,
Stefan
SuAlfons 3 years ago
I remember St Goar campsite very well.
(Drove deckers for TDT between '93 and '94)
Definately one of the best campsites we visited. The boot parties rocked !!
Say 'Hi' to your mum and dad from me ...
Cam
CamInsNZ 3 years ago
Wow,great viewing,I was a passenger on the last trip Pig Pen ever did, (Ge7) 1989. We so desperatly wanted Lindsay (driver) to take her all the way back to London. Our bus is in the process of organising a reunion for 20 years in 2009, as some of us have kept in contact. My brother in-law worked at the farm, Andrew Holmes, I must send him this video. I read the book a few years ago, memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
helgapeak 4 years ago
Helga, That was well after my time, Lindsay Moyan must be your driver, he lives not too far from me.
trecarr 4 years ago
That certainly took me back!. I was a T/L in '94. Had Freckle and Sniffer for charters. Not long after that, the deckers were retired. Those were the days!
turnsdownunder 4 years ago
That certainly took me back!. I was a T/L in '94. Had Freckle and Sniffer for charters. Not long after that, the deckers were retired. Those were the days!
turnsdownunder 4 years ago
one of these busses Tadpole comes from the isle of wight and is in the bus museum in newport.
j
jamesy1966 4 years ago
Is that a former Western Welsh AEC Bridgemaster shown at 8:09? I remember them (WW nos.683 to 702: PBO 683 etc.), and the similar Cardiff Corporation ones (CCT nos.361-6: TUH 361 etc.), from my childhood back in the 1960's.
trakmac 4 years ago
I was a travel agent with flight centre and as an employee we all got a copy of Top Deck Daze to read.
I have to admit that it is one of my favourite books, and that I am disapointed that I was never able to do a top deck tour in true top deck style! Although I am doing my first European tour with Top Deck next year, I wish I could have done it in the 70's and joined in on the adventures and atmosphere.
whirlsie 4 years ago
I am also a current topdeck driver. Love the photos, was lucky enough to do about 12 weeks on a decker(CRUSADER) as a passenger in '96, was even on the last ever european trip, a double departure SPM. A photo of the buses from this trip is in your slide show.
Started to drive in '97 and was fortunate enough to drive a tour in DA BUS up to Scotland.
theozrocket 4 years ago
What memories. I did Khatmandu to London in 1983. From memory my double-decker was called WAFTAM!!
cobran20 4 years ago
cobran20 If it was about Jan/Feb 1983 it was Waftam's second last overland, the next trip had a few problems and the bus is now sitting at the Iran/Paky border rotting away as far as I know.
ButchTDT 3 years ago
Butch,
I believe you were my driver, of the two buses for the Kathmandu-London trip that left in Feb 1983? If so, good to see you're keeping well. Years ago, I saw Bruce Hall driving buses for Australian Pacific. Last I heard of Bill Woodhouse is that he has his own auto electrical shop in Sydney's northern beaches and married the girl he met on his bus, on that trip!
cobran20 3 years ago
Yes, I thought Bill married her. Nice gal she was too. I married the one I brought out to India, we left her behind at Lahore. Still married.
Crew reunion Jan 2009, I should catch up on the news then.
ButchTDT 3 years ago
I've digitised some of the slides from the trip, including photos of the buses, Bruce Hall and yourself. Send me an email if you want a copy of them.
cobran20 2 years ago
Bruce and I got locked up,at around 21:30 on 9/11/1983, we'd driven Woftam from the Imdad Hotel to 'District Court Compound', in Quetta, After a few nights in the crook police cells, we got bail and lived at the Imdad until early Jan,'84, we got sent down for 2 & 1/2yrs 'rigorous imprisonment', which means hard-labour. So we ended up in 'Quetta District Jail' and got out at Easter '84. Cheers, BL.
hoogivzarip 3 years ago
hoogivzarip Are you coming to the crew reunion Jan 09?
ButchTDT 3 years ago
87 to 96, pretty much drove all of the fleet in that time, did a few winters at the farm as well, so got to know them pretty well. Have a huge stack of photos in storage in OZ, havent really been back there for a long time, but hope to be back early in the new year,...will get them sorted then,...whatever happened to the bus histories and photos on the reunion website ?
Ozinca13 4 years ago
The histories were changed when the site rearranged itself, the bus pics fell off also. I saw a gap about 7 years ago and decided to compile as many pics as I could. Get yours scanned if you can and add them to the pile, I'll be happy to send you a disc of the lot. Where do you live now. Whats your name anyway.
trecarr 4 years ago
Sorry Mate, Wags here, (Wayne Casey), will definately scan all i have for you, and would love to get all of them on a disc, just waiting for Oz immigration to grant a visa for my wife, been living in Sth America,... Cusco, Peru. for last 5 years, hope to be back in Oz soon, still been driving overland up until last year, pretty much had a gutfull now though, wont make it to '08 reunion, but definately the next one. Still a few old top deck guys around out here.
Ozinca13 4 years ago
No worries, you would have to know Lew Pulbrook, he lives around the corner from me. I will have to have a long chat with you, Cusco is on my list.
trecarr 4 years ago
Great pics and soundtrack, I currently drive for Topdeck and would have loved the chance to drive a Decker to know know what it would have been like.
kostakaris 4 years ago
Dennis Jack telles me that they put one back on the road for promotional purposes. Have a go at that. All the Best TC
trecarr 4 years ago
Brilliant, Well done Trev,... brings back all the memories, gotta keep viewing and work out how many of em I drove,....ten plus, on first viewing.
Still the best Overland vehicle ever built.
Ozinca13 4 years ago
Let me know what buses and period, i have a larger supply of pics
trecarr 4 years ago
And the Routemaster is an icon? These rugged reliable Bristols completed a full working life, then many continued to go round the world again, some many times!
These built for purpose workhorses still managed to look attractive and were a good deal more reliable than the over engineered Routemaster.
Bristol/ECW ruled!
islandtraction 4 years ago
You right, most worked 20 years doing county routes and some did another 25 years working for Top Deck. Those are still going today in retirement.
trecarr 4 years ago
Brought back memories of Bollocks in the Middle east in 1988. Thought I spied Ken and Dehy. Those were the days!
msandgg 4 years ago
Lovely photos. Thank you for sharing.
JamesMorganLondon 4 years ago