NBC Hants & Dorset Bristol VR 3377 returning to Swanage on an afternoon trip
Both this and the station approach picture kindly supplied by Peter Cook
The Wessex Transport Society would like to thank everyone who attended our
rally and running day at Victoria Avenue in Swanage. Most importantly the weather held and improved later in the
afternoon and it was still warm enough to sit at the beach or find lunch at a table outside one of the numerous pubs.
There were around 25-30 buses and coaches in total and of all sizes including a former East Yorkshire minibus.
We enjoyed a strong Southdown presence with three vehicles running on service, their leaf-green and cream liveries fitting in perfectly with
the Purbeck scenery and surroundings.
It was good to see preserved vehicles of the former Hants & Dorset and Southern National bus companies
standing on show and in good condition within their former home territory. Two Royal Blue coaches proudly showed
SWANAGE on their destination blinds and two modern Shamrock buses made an appearance in their latest all-over orange livery.
Swanage to Studland and Shell Bay ~ When I was a kid on the beach at Shell Bay you only saw the number 7 Hants & Dorset buses and nothing else! However on Sunday 6th September the operation was provided foremost with open-top 410DCD Southdown Leyland Titan/Queen Mary and Hants & Dorset Bristol VR UFX858S. These journeys were supplemented with Hants & Dorset KLJ749, Crossley EVD406 and unlikely JJD584D Red London Routemaster showing Brixton!
Swanage to Corfe Castle ~ Southdown Leyland Titan RUF186 operated a two-hourly service to Norden outward via Kingston Hill, returning via Harman's Cross. The allocated route numbers 28/29 were based upon the former Southern National coastal services to Lulworth Cove and Weymouth (later becoming 419/420 of Western National in the early 1970's as I remember it). Other vehicles were AFJ740T (Mike's coach) and the Crossley.
Swanage local to Herston and Royal Pier ~ This was based on the former H&D 104 town route that called at the rail station and was today operated by AFJ740T, Southdown Queen Mary (closed-top) 972CUF, JJD584D Routemaster, HAC628D Stratford Blue Leopard (former regular visitor to Avon Heath) and H&D RLJ341H Bristol RE which once operated from Swanage in NBC red livery.
Swanage to Studland ~ Norman Aish and Bedford MLC FFX458 operated via Langton, Corfe and Norden, then under the railway bridge for Rempstone Hill and fantastic views of Poole Bay, before returning via Ulwell. The route number allocated was the former H&D 106 that used to operate in summer only.
Swanage to Durlston ~ Although part of the old Hants & Dorset cross-town 104 and commencing from Herston, today it became 1970/80's number 145. It was the only free bus service that could stop anywhere on this hilly route including the station and pier. Vehicles to operate were the lime-green Dorset Sprinter Leyland Lynx (the day before commencing its X5-X55 Bournemouth-Southampton service), Wilts & Dorset Spectra 3111 with electronic display, Bristol RE Greyhound AFM103G (I believe its livery is shortly to be changed-it was new to Crosville) and suitably Gardner-engined H&D KLJ749.
The afternoon Purbeck Mystery Tour ~ A visit was made in Mike Caldicott's narrow-width Bristol LH coach in Grey Cars livery and was kindly driven by Darryl Venner. It found it's way to Lulworth Cove.
We received some really good feedback and the committee have decided to go-ahead again next year, however we would like to make it clear from the start that only LIMITED SPACE may be available at the static display. We are grateful to Chris Harris and the Wilts & Dorset Bus Company for help and sponsorship.
Paul Donald
Purbeck Bus Rally Co-Ordinator
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Email:
Paul Donald, Rally Co-Ordinator
Updated 19th November 2009
