Chassis: Bristol K5G

Body: ECW

Registration
Mark

Fleet
No.

Type

Chassis
Number

Body
Number

Date
New

Current Livery or
Date Withdrawn

Other Owners

CDL899

[602]
previously
[502]
[702]

O30/26R
previously
H30/26R

51100

6462

07/1939

Apple & Cream
(The Old Girl)

DDL50
Preserved

[703]

O30/26R
previously
H30/26R

55001

6685

01/1940

06/1969

around 08/1969: Transfer to service fleet as the Tree Lopper
10/1979: D. Priddle, Farnham (for preservation - restoration completed 1990)

During the winter of 1958/1959 CDL899 [702] & DDL50 [703] were converted to permanent open-top as O30/26R and repainted into Tilling Cream & Green livery by June 1959. It was planned to rebuild them with full-fronts, as per the Hants & Dorset examples acquired in 1964, but the cost was prohibitive. Both were thereafter based at Shanklin Depot. [Note: the PSV Circle record the conversion dates as 1958 CDL899 [702] re-entering service for the summer season - or August 1959 DDL50 [703] - which appear incorrect.]

During the summer season of 1959 both CDL899 [702] & DDL50 [703] operated a supplementary service over part of the Ryde-Ventnor-Blackgang 16 route between Sandown and Ventnor.

During the summer season of 1960 they operated a new dedicated open-top route to commence as the Sandown Zoo - Ventnor service 47.

In June 1969 DDL50 [703] was withdrawn from service.

In March 1971 CDL899 [702] was fitted with flashing trafficators and double-dipping headlamps.

On 15 May 1976 CDL899 [702] operated a special Newport Historic Tour [Newport-Carisbrooke-Gunville-Forest Road-Newport] to run alongside an exhibition called "Yestoday" celebrating Newport's history in photos and tours. It was never given a service number and operated seven round trips. [per Dave Jolliffe]

During December 1977 CDL899 [702] was licensed to convey carol singers around various towns. [per Dave Jolliffe]

During December 1978 CDL899 [702] was again licensed to convey carol singers around various towns. [per Dave Jolliffe]

During the early part of 1982 CDL899 [702] was fitted with a tachograph.

In August 1984 CDL899 [702] received a new livery of white, verona green & carribean blue (known as the "ViewFinder" livery) and CDL899 reappeared and renumbered as [502]. The old red background destination blinds were also replaced with black background ones, much to the disappointment of enthusiasts. Following the closure of Shanklin Bus Station, it was based at Ryde and operated the new Downs Route service 43 until this service ceased in 1989.

In April 1989 CDL899 [502] was repainted back to Tilling Cream and Green livery with Green bands (to commemorate its 50th anniversary) and was based at Freshwater operating mainly on the Yarmouth-Alum Bay service 42.

In April 1999 CDL899 [502] was repainted into Apple Green & Cream livery with large fleetname, a livery previously adopted by Southern Vectis in 1932 as well as the original livery of CDL899 (no doubt to commemorate its 60th anniversary).

On 1 May 1994 CDL899 [502] took part in the London to Brighton run to commemorate its 55th year in service.

During 2003 CDL899 [502] was fitted with padded seats on the upper-deck replacing the wooden slatted seats. Based at Ryde it worked almost exclusively on the reintroduced Downs Route service 41 for that season.

During May 2004 CDL899 [502] was fitted with a PA (Public Address) system. [per Marc Morgan-Huws]

During August 2004 CDL899 [502] operated on a special service 48 (Cowes-Gurnard) during Cowes Week. [per Ian Rivett]

On 20 September 2006 CDL899 [502] was renumbered to [602].

By 28 March 2007 CDL899 [602] was named "The Old Girl".

"The Old Girl", as CDL899 has been affectionately known for some years, still survives but since early 2006 for Private Hire only. She normally attends the Epsom Derby as well as local carnivals (normally Ryde Carnival) and other events on the Isle of Wight. CDL899 [602], entering service in 1939, is the company's oldest vehicle.

Subsequent History

DDL50 [703]:

• Around August 1969 it was transferred to the service fleet as the Tree Lopper.
  During August 1972 it was repainted into NBC Leaf Green & White livery, together with LDL738 [539] they were the first buses to be repainted into this livery. [per Buses magazine, April 1973]
  During July 1974 it went on loan to Southdown for tree lopping duties.
  In October 1979 it was withdrawn from the service fleet.
• In October 1979 it was sold to D. Priddle of Farnham for restoration and preservation.
  During 1990 the restoration was completed and it was repainted into Tilling Cream & Green livery.

An offside-front view of CDL899 as [502] in the original Tilling Cream and Green livery, but with replacement black destination blinds - much to the disappointment of enthusiasts, during 1984. On the right is sister vehicle DDL50.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs