The Southern Vectis Unofficial Bus Enthusiasts' Website
Bristol Lodekka FS/ECW (1961)
 
Technical & History Briefing
Chassis: Bristol Lodekka FS6G Body: ECW Series 2
Registration
Mark		 Fleet
No.		 Type Chassis
Number		 Body
Number		 Date
New		 Date
Withdrawn
Other Owners
VDL844
Scrapped		 [567] H33/27RD 166071 12428 05/1961 08/1980
09/1980: North, Sherburn in Elmet (dealer)
04/1983: Parton & Allen (dealer) and scrapped
VDL845
Scrapped		 [568] H33/27RD 166072 12429 05/1961 09/1978
01/1979: Booth, Rotherham (dealer) and scrapped
 
Detailed History
Two Bristol Lodekka FS6G's, with ECW bodywork and six-cylinder Gardner diesel engines, were bought new by Southern Vectis during 1961 which entered service in Tilling Green & Cream livery. Otherwise identical to the previous batch of Bristol FS delivered to the Company in 1960, this batch differed internally in that the seating was covered in green rexine vinyl (rather than cloth) and they featured fluorescent strip lights (rather than filament bulbs) which also featured in subsequent ECW bus vehicles delivered new.

During the summer season of 1968 VDL844 [567] carried the Ryde Borough Crest to commemorate the town's centenary, on a white background over the fleetnames.

In August 1973 VDL845 [568] was repainted into NBC Leaf Green & White livery.

In March 1974 VDL844 [567] was repainted into a Red & White Colorbus advertisement for "Red Funnel Ferries".

In May 1975 VDL844 [567] was repainted into NBC Leaf Green & White livery.

They were withdrawn from service in:
September 1978: VDL845 [568]
August 1980: VDL844 [567]

Subsequent History

VDL844 [567]:

  • In September 1980 it was sold to North of Sherburn (dealer).
  • In April 1983 it passed to Parton & Allen of Carlton (dealer) for scrap.

VDL845 [568]:

  • In January 1979 it was sold to Booth of Rotherham (dealer) for scrap.
 
Photo Selection
Fresh after re-paint into the Colorbus advertisement for "Red Funnel Ferries" VDL844 [567] outside Nelson Road Depot, Newport, during March 1974.
[photo from the Mike Ginger collection]
 
Another offside-front view of VDL844 [567] in the Colorbus advertisement for "Red Funnel Ferries" ascending Staplers Road, Newport, during March 1974.
[photo copyright of Ken Fry]
 
An offside-front view of VDL844 [567] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery (with early style NBC Symbol) at Ryde Bus Station on 13 August 1977.
[photo copyright of Stephen Dowle]
 
A nearside-front view of VDL844 [567] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery (with later style NBC Symbol) ascending Park Road, Ryde, during September 1979.
[photo copyright of Steve Wright]
 
Information on all surviving Bristol Lodekka's is available from The Bristol VR Enthusiasts' Society
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