Our Super Spring Weekend
Updated: Mar 16, 2019
A huge thank you to all who supported our spring running over the weekend of Saturday/Sunday the 9/10th March 2019, despite the harsh cold and windy weather!.
On the Saturday afternoon, Volvo Ailsa, TRR814R, started the action, operating as a bonus X51 service from Morley Tingley Mills to Leeds Corn Exchange at 1715.
On arrival in Leeds, 814 proceeded to York Street, bus stop F5, where the bus was prepared to recreate the 1805 journey over the former 90 route between Leeds and Greengates, the reason this particular journey was chosen, traditionally it was the start of Black Prince evening operation on service 90.
Black Prince formerly operated this service, in the latter days by contract to Metro, evenings only.
The 90 service was well patronised and really atmospheric with the interior lights blazing in the Ailsa!.
After the service had visited the terminus at Redcar Road, Greengates, we then returned to Pudsey where a parking spot was found and an hour taken out to enjoy a Black Prince tradition, Fish N Chips!.
It's safe to say, the fish and chips went down a treat and on the return working to Leeds the Ailsa performed superbly.
In Leeds, we ran the bus from York Street to Vicar Lane, operating a return X51 journey at 2100, Leeds Market M7 to Morley Tingley Mills, depositing our guests along the way to enjoy the rest of their Saturday night!.
Sadly, our scheduled Sunday morning 205 service to Dewsbury was cancelled after the Ailsa suffered from flat batteries.
After a valiant attempt to start the bus with a pair of cars, we gave it up as a bad job, it was worth a try!
The passengers waiting in Morley were collected by preserved Optare Solo, many thanks to the owners of this bus, who then stopped by to offer assistance with the Ailsa-very sporting of you guys and very much appreciated-helping others where possible, just how it should be!.
A very kind offer of a battery booster ensured the Ailsa managed to fire up and get to the show at Dewsbury, on arrival 814 proved hugely popular and carried some enormous loads during the remainder of the afternoon.
Of course, the opportunity was taken to photograph a pair of Black Prince liveried Volvo Ailsa buses side by side for the first time in many years. The opportunity will arise once again in Morley, at our 50th anniversary running weekend April 27/28th.
The day ended with a nostalgic trip back to Morley via route 205, departing at 1620 and with a couple of stops for photos on the way.
I hope everyone who made it along enjoyed the weekend as much as we did!.
See you all soon.
Cheers!.
