PRESERVATION UPDATE

Written by Damon Cox Issue 1 - 27th February 2011

WFX 257S - PEOPLES PROVINCIAL 76

A New Year, A New Beginning...

Since its purchase from David Thompson Tours Ltd. of Christchurch near Bournemouth in August 2010, the bus was put into storage under cover at a former army depot in Dinton, west of Salisbury. Her first rally was on the Isle of Wight in the September and soon after she was moved to her current home near Dorking, Surrey. At the time of writing we are a good couple of months into 2011, but theres still lots to be looking forward to. We aim to attend a number of rallies and events this yeardetails of which will be published in future editions of this Preservation Update newsletter and on our Facebook internet page (see the section at the bottom right of this page. The bus was in a good condition, having been in revenue earning service immediately prior to our purchase of her. Minor aesthetic touches needing attention, such as the replacement of the missing front -end garter and fleet number and removal of Thompsons l o g o s we r e n o t e d a n d completed as and when the weather and time allowed. Some touch-up of the paintwork was required as a result of both tasks. The bus was fitted with a Wilts & Dorset destination roller blind however it came with an original green Provincial one, so refitting of that was completed with help from Ian Davey. A further to-do list of more

During the December snow. Mike Nash

technical things has also been drawn up. As the weather improves and Summer arrives, work to cross things off that list will obviously be a lot easier for us to undertake. As always if you have any comments, suggestions, questions and other feedback for us then please do feel free to get in touch!

About Provincial 76 - past, present and future

WFX 257S is an 11.3 metre long Mk2 Leyland National, delivered to Hants & Dorset in April 1978. It is fitted with dualpurpose DP48F seating and bares the chassis LN 11351A number 05188. During its Hants & Dorset days, it wore their NBC Poppy Red & White livery and fleet no. 3732. Five years later it moved to the Provincial Bus Company and wore two variations of their livery - the latter being the one you see her in today. She carried fleet numbers 76, 376 and finally 329. In April 99 First Group took over Provincial and the bus was sold a year later. Two preservationists later, she was put back into service by Thompsons Tours in 2008 on the weekends only 238 Bournemouth to Salisbury via Ringwood route, but bought by Gavin Robinson in August 2010 after Thompsons ceased local bus operation earlier that year. For more info:- wfx257s.co.uk

How to get in touch

Gavin Robinson Damon Cox gavindr7@hotmail.co.uk damoncox90@gmail.com

How to keep up-to-date

We always like to hear from other enthusiasts with their thoughts, comments, feedback and suggestions for the bus. Thats why weve set up a Facebook page viewable by everyone. This allows you to not only talk to us, but also houses a gallery of photographs that you can also add to, videos, a discussion forum and a calendar of events that the bus will be visiting.

On the internet

www.wfx257s.co.uk

wfx257s.co.uk