Ensignbus’ Vintage Running Day is well known because of the wide variety of vehicles that are put into operation and as Nick Larkin reports, this year’s event was no exception
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Thanks are going to out to operators for all their help in supporting this year’s Ensignbus Vintage Running Day. More than 25 classic buses and coaches were in action for the event which took place on 1 December. “It was brilliant and I think we must have had our best support ever from operators bringing guest vehicles,” said Ensignbus director Ross Newman. “We would like to thank everyone.”
Among the guests was ECW-bodied Bristol VRT/SL3 JOU160P from Stagecoach West, restored to the operator’s original livery, and making their Vintage Running Day debuts, Seaford & District’s former Maidstone & District Willowbrook-bodied Leyland Leopard OKO816G and ByeWays Vintage Bus Hire new to British European Airways AEC Regal IV Park Royal MLL738.
Vehicles from Ensignbus’ own vintage fleet also operated on the event’s three routes; the X21, Upminster and Brentford to Ongar, X55, Upminster-Lakeside-Bluewater-Gravesend and X81 Shenfield-Brentwood-Lakeside-Grays –Tilbury Ferry. A tradition of the running day is there is a ‘surprise participant,’ this year being 1932 Leyland-bodied Leyland Titan TD2 registered 6332J (ex J6332), which ran in service.
New to Jersey Motor Transport, this vehicle was in service on the Channel Island until 1961 when it was sold to well-known collector, the late Michael Banfield, who fully restored it over the next couple of years. Ensignbus bought the bus in 2014 and it has again been restored including the instillation of a new engine block which had to be specially cast.
Ensignbus director, Ross Newman drove the TD2 in service during the running day. So er, Ross, what was it like to drive? “Am I allowed to swear in CBW?” he said. “If not, let’s just say it was challenging, if enjoyable!”
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