A special compilation video to mark the 30th anniversary today (31/12/23) of the last day of Southend Transport AEC Routemasters - marked by the return of PF Collection’s Leyland-engined 116 (543 CLT) returned home to Southend for the first time since restoration - and accompanied by Stuart Miles’ AEC (but originally with ST, also Leyland engined) 122 (VLT 44) and they ran together over services 1, 3A, 4, 4A, 7A and 29.
Then 116 recreated the final run with 102 (VLT 172) back on 31 December 1993, running to Canvey Newlands and back, joined by 122 carrying a special headboard (carried by 102 that day) before 116 headed back to Purfleet as an X1 complete with yellow indicator blinds.
Short clips show some of the double-running, then we take a ride in the lower saloon of 116 from Leigh to Southend (exactly in the same seat as I did aboard 102 30 years ago) - and in the cab (just behind it) in heavy rain back to Chalkwell, before we see it head off to Purfleet as an X1.
With thanks to Matthew Evans, Stuart and Bob Miles, Ross Newman, PF Collection, First Ensignbus and Chris Moore for making this salute to the once great Southend Transport possible.
** apologies for some mis-framing and DSLR camera noise, as I had to single-handedly record video whilst taking photos on a windy and very wet day **
7 сен 2024
