So, for the first time in over a year, we were back
Setting out in the early morning from the damp Dorset countryside, it soon became apparent that we had some mechanical issues to deal with. We had notification of our Poole feeder failing and that our Keynsham feeder was going to be replaced with another vehicle, that was due to be a duplicate of another working.
A quick reroute and I was on the train into Salisbury but wasn't to be met by the booked duplicate of the Poole feeder, which was meant to run. At this point I hoped to find that vehicle at Warminster, so boarded a very smartly turned out Evora, operating the service route 24.
Arriving in Warminster I had false hope when I glimpsed a Solo in the central coach park... It wasn't the bus we needed for the third working. At this point a decision was made to cancel that working and I boarded a train with a few others, headed for Trowbridge and a much needed coffee, out of the rain.
Photo courtesy of Louise Bowman
Meanwhile, we were holding the Keynsham feeder at Chippenham for a late running railway arrival from London. That vehicle eventually made up time by Bathampton. Our other vehicle, that wasn't due to provide a feeder service, got caught up in disruption around a police incident in Bath. In the end it did serve as an ad hoc feeder service for at least one delayed person in Central Bath. It eventually made it to Bathampton where it started it's day, on time.
Back at Trowbridge, we squeezed aboard the Badgerline Ford Transit, with 14 of us including the driver, making it a bit cosy. Through the rain, we headed towards Westbury - the route conductor doing her best, with the driver, to try keep the windscreen free of condensation. Having passed down the narrow lane at Hawkeridge for the first time of many, about 9 of us alighted at Westbury Railway Inn.
It was at this point that I saw and heard, the Bristol RE on the other working for the first time. A fully programmed electronic display and a two tone train horn, really took me by surprise.
Photo courtesy of Emma West
Leaving Westbury this was the first point where all us organisers were on the same bus and from here, we were able to relax into the day. It was a really convivial atmosphere.
Leaving Westbury northbound, we ventured back along the narrow lane through Hawkeridge, only to meet a service bus coming the other way... Best laid plans and all that. After our driver had skillfully negotiated that, it wasn't long before we had overtaken a service bus on the parallel route. From that point onwards, we were stopping regularly, our driver offering any waiting passengers, an often convincing, sales pitch. Passing back through Trowbridge we were carrying a very healthy load, with an interesting mix of unsuspecting locals and bus enthusiasts.
Arriving into Bradford-on-Avon just before 12, a lot of us went separate ways. Some of us continued to Bathampton and back, others had a jolly by train to Avoncliff in torrential downpours.
Photo courtesy of Louise Bowman
Our paths crossed again about 40 mins later back in Bradford-on-Avon, and some then went for lunch while others of us continued south on the Bristol RE, to North Bradley and beyond.
At North Bradley, some of us alighted in a search for the first ever bus to operate an Exercise in Oddity event.
Photo courtesy of Emma West
After a walk down a village lane, we were in luck with YE52 BUS appearing on the 67A back towards Trowbridge and a rather surprised driver who I don't think expected to sell 7 tickets on that trip.
Photo courtesy of Emma West
Back in Trowbridge once again, some of us headed for another coffee stop, if only to seek shelter from the downpours - which were beginning to ease at this point. Soon enough, the Badgerline Ford Transit was back and what followed was a lot of people on a bus not really designed for interurban running, let alone heavily loaded.
We made Warminster by 3 and after a swift half was had by a few of us, we finally did the route end to end, saying our goodbyes as we went along and eventually making Bathampton just after 4.
Photo courtesy of Matt Davis
I think it's safe to say, many of us enjoyed a day we hadn't had for quite a long time. Thanks must go to those who brought vehicles and those who tried to but we're thwarted by mechanical issues. The next event is somewhere on the horizon...
First photo - courtesy of Emma West
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