After just under 4 months of intense training and learning, today I passed my final assessment meaning I am now fully qualified and ready to start working trains alone 🚂 time for a few days annual leave before the fun begins!
The new voice for the SWR Class 158/9s being trialled on 159006 this evening. It’s due to be rolled out across the diesel units within the next few weeks 🚂
Worked 2V30 this evening, the 2130 Yeovil Pen Mill to Yeovil Junction service, which I believe I’m correct in saying is the shortest service that SWR operate, at just 1 mile 62 chains long with a journey time of just 5 minutes 🚂
After 375 miles and just over 7 hours of travel we arrive at Leeds, completing the last XC HST service. Huge crowds on the platform to see the occasion, the driver stands proud next to the power car before taking the train empty to Neville Hill depot for the very last time 🚂
This afternoon I had 1183, on loan to More in its transition from London to Manchester’s new Bee Network, for a round trip on the Breezer 70 between Hengistbury Head and Rockley Park via Boscombe, Bournemouth, Alum Chine, Canford Cliffs and Poole 🚌
My last booked working to Exeter before transferring depots and leaving the West of England line next week, 159003 marks the occasion joining me on 1L84 to Salisbury last night 🚂
Today saw me operate the last day of service for this years Service 31. And then saw me operate the last Breezer service to depart Lulworth Cove and the very last Service 30 to terminate marking the end of another busy year for the Service 30 🚌
@Morebusco
@PurbeckBreezer
My last booked working on both the Class 158/9 fleet and also on the West of England line. Unless anything comes up on Saturday when I am booked to be spare, it’s a goodbye to the West of England line and to the Class 158/9 fleet, it’s been a pleasure and thoroughly enjoyable! 🚂
This afternoon I had the pleasure of driving the lovely 1941 on Service 1/1a’s between Bournemouth and Christchurch. My first time driving a PVL in public service and hopefully not the last! 🚌
Whilst sitting spare today, I noticed the last 158/9 unit I needed to work (8885) was heading towards me, a call to get the okay to take over the train, and I got to work it Yeovil to Salisbury. My last day based at Yeovil and completing the diesel fleet was rather fitting 🚂
Out on schools and Private Hire today. Had a little guest on my coach this morning wanting a free ride, he quickly alighted when he heard I was going out on a school run 🚌
First time driving a service bus of the year today and what lovely weather for it! ☀️ Myself and 2765 ready to go and spend the day on Service 5s between Weymouth and Dorchester 🚌
The first Jurassic Breezer service 30 of the year ready to go this morning. From Dorchester & Weymouth to Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove, Wareham, Corfe Castle & Swanage, all for just £2 each way! 🚌
@Morebusco
A nice day back at work after some holiday, started with the BL1 school run in 1509, then over to Poole to bring over 1942, then an afternoon on the X12 and 20 in 1013 ☀️🚌
LK53 LYJ (32329) seen in Weymouth Depot this morning having returned from conversion to open top and in the base Jurassic Coaster livery for use on the new X52 service starting this month.
And that’s a wrap! My final day of being a full time bus driver is complete. It’s not a goodbye to the industry, just a see you later, I am now a casual driver so will still be found behind the wheel where I can. It’s been great but now is time to start my next adventure 🚌🚂
Half way through my last week of full time driving for Damory as I move to pastures new next week. Q13 this morning in 7051, then out through the day cleaning off some bus stop flags and timetable cases along our X12 route giving a good first impression to intending passengers 🚌
Had a nice trip up through the New Forest this morning in 1253 followed by a day in 1002 and 1260 operating shuttle services to/from St Mary’s Stadium for University of Southampton students to attend their graduation event 🚌
After an incredible 16 months with First Wessex exploring Dorset, the Jurassic Coast and several other places my time with them has come to an end. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2022! 🎄
New destination blinds for Wessex going live this afternoon/evening making information clearer and easier to read and for passengers to know where the bus is going 🚌
A day on the new summer service 31 in
@Morebusco
1109 between Wool and Durdle Door/Lulworth Cove. Now time to run the last service 30 to Dorchester via Weymouth 🚌
A very busy week exploring lots of the service and school locations across the network. Also expanding my knowledge of the network by learning some additional school services 🚌
The sun is shining over Weymouth this morning☀️ Open toppers out on Service 502s warming up for the start of the Portland Coaster Service 501 from next weekend 🚌
@firstdorset
Started off today with the 701 from Portland to Kingston Mauward College, then some vehicle movements between depots, then the afternoon journey on the PB7 school contract followed by the evening service 701 back to Portland 🚌
Network Rail’s 1Q23 (Reading to Salisbury via Exeter) passes through Yeovil Junction on its return journey towards Salisbury just after the line was reopened following signalling problems (06/04/2023)
The
@firstdorset
Jurassic Coaster X53… arguably one of the best bus routes in the South West. My first time going from Weymouth to Axminster since I last drove the route over 18 months ago! 🚌
A nice mixed day today, a nice trip in 7850 to start with, then a 20 and X12 in
@SalisburyReds
2728, then the Q8 school service this afternoon in 3776 followed by a trip back home in 1253 🚌
A great day out today on Portland Port shuttles. Morebus vehicles 2267 and 366 seen off their home patch and back on the road assisting Damory to provide shuttle services for cruise ship passengers 🚌
1L20 (0510 Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo) marks the first direct train from Exeter to make it into Waterloo this week due to the ongoing issues on the West of England line 🚂