Adrian Morton reports from a recent South Coast running day, recreating memories of a limited-stop Portsmouth route
Bank Holiday Sunday 6 May a saw small enthusiast running day take place at Hilsea near Portsmouth, the objective to celebrate 50 years since the start of limited stop services by the renowned Southdown Motor Services. The event was organised by Hampshire Bus Preservation.
You may be forgiven for thinking this an organisation perhaps made up of many members but in reality it’s a the Rayner family from Fareham with a genuine interest in buses and coaches that operated in the Portsmouth and Fareham area during the 1970s and 1980s. Their aim is to preserve examples of such vehicles as Bristol REs, Bristol VRs and Leyland Nationals that once graced the fleets of Portsmouth Corporation, Provincial, Hants & Dorset and of course Southdown.
Jason Rayner’s interest in buses started at a young age, and came from regular rides on Southdown buses from Waterlooville into Portsmouth, changing onto a Corporation vehicle to see family and friends. “Southdown’s Queen Marys were mostly withdrawn whilst Bristol REs were slowly being replaced with Leyland Nationals, Bristol VRs and the Leyland Atlantean; they were the regular performers on my local route,” enthused Jason.
[…]By subscribing you will benefit from:
- Operator & Supplier Profiles
- Face-to-Face Interviews
- Lastest News
- Test Drives and Reviews
- Legal Updates
- Route Focus
- Industry Insider Opinions
- Passenger Perspective
- Vehicle Launches
- and much more!
