A must-see open-top ride with a difference!
Come with me to 'pole position' on the rare 1990-built Farrar LGOC 1916-style B-type replica bus (based on a 1960s Bedford chassis) as we drive along Southend's long promenades with a high tide, the sea glistening, happy people everywhere and the vintage laxon-horn.
We run the whole route from Southend Pier along by the sea through Westcliff-on-Sea to Chalkwell, where we turn inland at the traditional shelter, going beneath the c2c railway bridge (with cheers and screams!) before making our way along the leafy Ridgeway.
We then climb up steeply by Chalkwell Station, with views across the Thames Estuary before dropping down to behind Old Leigh with its traditional buildings, before having a quick blast into 5th gear to cool the passengers (and driver) down on a very hot afternoon.
We run alongside the c2c railway line to the terminus at Leigh Station, where a large family who had seen the rare bus earlier had come back to ensure they had a ride!
With most grateful thanks to Ensignbus Operations Director Ross Newman and also Jake Gillies, who very kindly postponed a cab-ride till another day so I could film this journey to share with you.
8 авг 2020
