WILTS & DORSET BUS: X35 LAST JOURNEY :: Fotopic.Net

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WILTS & DORSET BUS: X35 LAST JOURNEY

24th May 2008

4432 Bristol VR was not originally scheduled to operate the last ever Wilts & Dorset X35 service between Southampton (Castle Way) and Ringwood (Meeting House Lane). As a Wilts & Dorset driver for the last fourteen years or more I have sunken into the habit of arriving on time for my shift-then looking to see what I had to drive and where to! There had been much conversation amongst drivers and enthusiasts about the last X35 day but I have to admit that I did not realise that I was the driver for Saturday 3414 with this service! Almost on impulse I requested with the Fitter-in-Charge who was allocating vehicles for the day if I could have 4431 or 4432 (the only two VR's at Ringwood). I was not sure of the answer I would get so I put across some reasons as nicely as possible across to him: firstly - that the X35 was not an advertised "Low-Floor" service so a bus with steps as the VR would suit; secondly that the X35 had been running for over forty years - numbered 13/13A (under Hants & Dorset with Lodekkas), then part of X17/X27 with RE's and later Nationals, and lastly X1/X2 with Metroriders, before X34/X35 (with Solos); "Could I do the last service with an ex-Hants & Dorset bus, please" I was quite shocked when he said that I could have one. 4432 runs slightly better than 4431, however 31 has that distinctive Gardner sound but a quick choice had to be made. On this dry but cloudy afternoon no problems as usual were encountered on both journeys with 4432. Nothing unusual happened along the way, if anything it was just quiet. Firstly an all-rounder to Lyndhurst departing Ringwood at 1450 was completed, then the actual final all-rounder to Southampton at 1620. Surprisingly there were no evident enthusiasts about at all for the Lyndhurst trip, only 7-8 passengers. The same applied for the 1620 except that two enthusiasts known to me were ready with cameras, and there must have been good photographs shots taken from Poulner, Burley Street and Southampton, West Quay Terminus. These enthusiasts were incredibly patient and I think that they knew that my bus was going to be over 30 minutes late and were waiting for me on return at Burley and Poulner. A look of surprise and a smile came from a fellow passenger/enthusiast Brian at Southampton as the VR came up to his bus stop for the 1725 to Ringwood. Unfortunately I could not obtain further photographs from the bus on its very last trip as a lady passenger needed to make a connection at Ringwood and I had to rush. Top speed of 4432 is between 45-50mph which is acceptable for single-lane road conditions and gear changes are quite smooth generally. I enjoyed driving back on the last journey through the New Forest through Ashurst and A35 absorbing everything with the feel and sound of this typical 1960's designed British passenger carrying vehicle.

4432 at Ringwood (Meeting House Lane) before afternoon departure to Lyndhurst. This journey was prior to the last X35 service. I was the driver. Buy Print	Arrival at The Crown, Lyndhurst. I have always admired the rear curvacious styling of the VR. Buy Print	The Crown Terminus, Lyndhurst before departure for Ringwood. Black Velvet's flag is already in place as their service 35 (exactly the same route as W&D's X35 between Ringwood & Lyndhurst) was due to commence on Monday 26th May. Buy Print	This photo was taken at Holmsley Cattle Grid bus stop. I had two nice elderley lady passengers that were happy for me to get out and take this photo. I read somewhere that beauty & freedom go together... sorry. Buy Print
Offside view at Holmsley Cattle Grid, where the old station was. Buy Print	After arrival at Meeting House Lane I drove "Dead" to the depot to get a shot with 3116, the bus originally scheduled for the last X35. Buy Print	Close up at Ringwood Depot. Buy Print	Rear view at Ringwood Depot. Buy Print
Contrasting styles of Bristol VR & Optare Spectra. Buy Print	LAST JOURNEY: This is where I changed my blinds at Holyrood Church, an attractive memorial of a bombed second world war church. Buy Print	FADE OUT FOR VR: Dusk arrival at Ringwood. Buy Print	Buy Print