Fleet History Of Continental Pioneer School Holidays Ltd Continental Pioneer Holidays Ltd Continental Pioneer Ltd

In 1964 three young men bought an ex-London Transport RTL and, that July, along with 37 other young people set off in the footsteps of Cliff Richard for their own ‘Summer Holiday’ – three weeks camping across Europe. The success of the venture resulted in the formation of the Double Decker Club, which organised numerous trips all over Europe and Britain but, more importantly, led to the creation of Continental Pioneer School Holidays Ltd. The company provided inexpensive camping trips for schools and youth groups supplying the vehicle (initially RTLs, ex-BEA and ex-Manchester Airport Coaches) together with a driver/courier and all the camping gear and other equipment. All the group organiser had to do was provide the children, staff and food (although even the food could be provided at extra cost). From May 1966 Pioneer’s base was the old British Rail goods yard at Richmond. From there, as well as operating the camping tours, the company took over operation of the former London Transport bus route 235 up and down Richmond Hill. It also took on private hire and contract work including schools and hospital services. As the business expanded through the 1970s and 1980s, newer and brand-new vehicles were added to the fleet and high-profile work undertaken with American, Australian and Canadian tour operators and providing two coaches for the late Queen’s Silver Jubilee walkabouts. At the same time many ex-London Transport vehicles were brought in to operate the contract work. Their vehicles were often seen on National Express routes and rail and Underground replacement services. In May 1985, British Rail reclaimed the yard for housing development, and most of the vehicles, spares and equipment were sold off. Just a handful of vehicles moved to smaller premises before the business finally closed in early 1986.