You may think that taking a bus to a show is just a case of turning
up and going but there is a lot of planning that goes on behind the scenes;
like making sure the bus is fit to use and looking smart, finding drivers to
drive, ensuring there is enough fuel to get us to the event and back, along
with a few other things. The week before the event a work party was carried out
at out yard ‘Mini Portswood’ as we like to call it! 133 was washed at the work
party and a few jobs had already been carried out on the Swift and it was
decided that fuel would be got on the way to the event to save fuel and time as
the petrol station was on the way.
So 1st April came and another thing that comes
with going to a bus show is an earlier start. This time around it was not too
bad with a start of 9:30am. Some shows that are further away need an earlier
start. With the weather being so cold of late a few problems were always going
to happen and they did. 133 started but after trying about 10 times to try and
get the gears and doors working it was decided that 133 would have to be left
at home and be fixed another day. The Swift was by this time started and was
moving around the yard ready for the off. After leaving the yard a quick stop
for fuel was made and we were off to Brijan Tours.
Southampton: Then & Now
Arriving at Brijan Tours Open Day at their yard in
Curdridge, it was pretty busy and there was the usual paparazzi taking photos
of the visiting buses. The Swift surprisingly parked next to an ADL Enviro200
Dart SLF; one of the latest Southampton buses. Another buses which was on
display at the event was 335 – 335 AOW which is at Brijan Tours being restored,
which has included a full repaint and a number of other jobs being carried out.
It’s hoped that 335 will be back on the road soon.
335 - 335 AOW
A number of free services ran at the event; one to Eastleigh
Bus Station and the other was a Meon Valley Tour. No. 1 was used on the Meon
Valley tour which went though Bishops Waltham and to Wickham and then back to
Brijan Tours yard. Around 35 people were carried on the journey which took
about 40 minutes and was enjoyed by all. As it was very cold and we had a fun
few hours at the event catching up with a few friends we decided to leave just
after 2pm and start the journey back home to the yard. The journey home saw no
problem with the Swift and once back at the yard the Swift was parked up and
put to bed for the next few weeks. The Swift lives next to the Seddon which sadly has not been used for many years and it’s hoped that work will soon start on getting it fit for the road once again. A few weeks ago a job that was needed to be done was to get the tyres pumped up and thanks to a local tyre fitter they have been pumped up, which has lifted the front of the bus up.
We hope you are enjoying our new blog and hope it gives a
‘behind the scenes’ look at what goes on at S&DTHT. Over the coming weeks
will we be getting ready for the Southampton Maritime Festival taking place on
Sunday 5th and Monday 6th
May at Southampton Docks. Until then thanks for reading!
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