I bit later than planned, but here are some pics etc from the Friends of King Alfred Buses service day. it was a great day as usual, a shame that the weather turned bad in the afternoon. As you will see below.
My first trip out on the day, was to Stockbridge on 1962 Leyland Atlantean with a Weymann L30/34f body, in Silver Star livery reg 1013 MW
Which in Stockbridge met-up with Bristol LH 461 (AFB 592V) is preserved in the green National Bus Company livery it would have carried when new in 1980.
After traveling back to Winchester on the Bristol. The next trip was to Hursley on service 66 , which was being operated by Wilts & Dorset 1969 Bristol RELL6G reg MMW 354 . This bus entered service at Salisbury, it was sold in 1985 Serviceair at Stanstead, then to Pennie Blue and was acquired in 2005 for preservation.
After a pint in the Kings head at Hursley, it was back onto the Bristol to return to Winchester. And out again, this time to Tywford, with service 93on a 1980 Bristol VRT. No pic though.
As the rain was coming down in bucket fulls, the bus were all full, so I took a break in the Transport Bazaar which was being held in the Guildhall. But at least I managed to get a few pics from the Guildhall and outside the Bus Station.
Above is Bedford VAL 14, Plaxton Panorama C49F, reg CCG 704c in King Alfred colours. The coach was originally supplies to KA in 1965 and subsequently transferred to Hants & Dorset and re-bodied in 2001.
I did get this Bristol RELH/ECW out to the St Cathrine's park & ride site. This Southern National liveried coach No.1457 coach started life in 1967 and after many owners, was repainted as above in 2010 by the Stroud RE group.
At the park & ride there were a few vehicles including the following.
This Bedford OWB Utility Bus, reg CPT 200, was supplied to Portsmouth in 1943. This wooden framed bus was not meant to be in service long and is fitted with wooden slatted seats. However, the bus was in service until 1962. Currently painted in utility grey, instead of the original bauxite red.
1965 Southdown Leyland PD3 Queen Mary reg BUF 287C, with 1980 Dennis Dominator/East Lancs reg FUT 240V, 1969 Bristol RELH/ECW reg AFM 103G, supplied to Crosville and right at the back of pic London Transport AEC Merlin MB90.
More pics to follow.
