Some ‘last of their kind’ vehicles were still operating this summer in Weymouth, but for how much longer, asks Adrian Morton
First Wessex, Dorset & South Somerset once again this summer operated an extensive network of open-top bus services from its depot in Weymouth. These concluded on Saturday 31 August, with the exception of the long established route to Portland Bill, now marketed as the Portland Coaster, which continued to run at weekends on a two hourly basis throughout September.
In addition to the Portland Coaster, the X52 ran from Weymouth via Abbotsbury and the coast road to West Bay and Bridport, and the X50 to Swanage via Lulworth Cove, Bovington Tank Museum, Monkey World and Wareham.
These routes were in the very capable hands of seven veteran Volvo B7TLs and a solitary B9TL which was transferred from First Kernow some way into the season. It replaced a similar Wright Gemini-bodied Volvo B7TL that had been deemed beyond economic repair. The most youthful of the B7TLs date from 2006, the most senior from 2000, so is now approaching its 25th birthday.
The oldest are a trio of Alexander ALX400-bodied examples new to First Southampton and which have not ventured further than the 60 miles along the south coast their entire lives. They are the sole remaining ALX400s within the group. New as W801/3/6 EOW, they now wear cherished plates.
A sole Plaxton President example new to First London but latterly with First Eastern Counties before being converted to open-top configuration for First Kernow and its Atlantic Coaster operations is also a last example within First Group, both in open and closed top formats.
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