In 1970 three Bristol VRT's were ordered by Southern Vectis and had been allocated registration marks PDL117H / PDL118H & PDL119H and were to have been numbered [624] / [625] & [626] and had even been fully completed in Southern Vectis Tilling Green & Cream livery by ECW. Being Series 2 VRT's they were identical to the SDL634-9J batch delivered in 1971 except that the interiors' were identical to NDL490-1G delivered in 1969.
But these were diverted to City of Oxford instead - being registered OFC901H / OFC902H & OFC903H they entered service with them as [901] / [902] & [903] (being renumbered in September 1979 to [301] / [302] & [303]) respectively. They were repainted into the (then) new City of Oxford livery of Red, Maroon & Duck-Egg Green by ECW prior to delivery. [per Dave Clements & Grahame Wareham]

The entire batch were repainted into NBC Leaf Green & White livery in:
September 1973: SDL634J [624] & SDL639J [629]
October 1973: SDL636J [626]
November 1973 SDL637J [627]
January 1974 SDL635J [625]
September 1974 SDL638J [628]

Between 1977 and 1981 the entire batch had the rear destination blind screens removed and panelled over.

On 12 October 1983 SDL635J [625] was withdrawn following a mystery fire when the rear upper deck-deck heater caused extensive damage at Lake.

In March 1987 SDL638J [628] was repainted into the original Tilling Green & Cream livery and re-entered service as part of Southern Vectis's Vintage Fleet.

In April 1987 SDL636J [626] & SDL637J [627] were repainted into Solent Blue Line livery at Hampshire Body & Paint, Barton Park, Eastleigh.

Between 8 May 1987 and by 21 May 1987 SDL636J [626] & SDL637J [627] returned to the Isle of Wight (after repaint) and was used on a Special Olympics event charter (between 8 May & 15 May, re-entering service until 21 May).

In May 1987 SDL634J [624] / SDL636J [626] / SDL637J [627] & SDL639J [629] were withdrawn from service.

In October 1990 SDL638J [628] received the gearbox & linkage from RFB615S [508].

In September 1994 SDL638J [628] was withdrawn from service.

Subsequent History

SDL634J [624]:

• In May 1987 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line as their number [04].
  It was repainted into the first version of SBL livery before entering service at Hampshire Body & Paint, Barton Park, Eastleigh. It was also fitted with power steering in that month by Alder Valley Engineering.
  In October 1988 it was withdrawn and immediately stripped for spares.
• In March 1989 the remains passed to Bradshaw (dealer) of Locks Heath and then to Hartwell Exports (dealer) of Birdwell in the same month.
• In April 1989 the remains passed to PVS of Carlton (dealer) for scrap.

SDL635J [625]:

• During October 1983 it was cannibalised for spares.
• In February 1984 the remains passed to WD Metals of Parkhurst (dealer) and it was scrapped.

SDL636J [626]:

• In May 1987 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line as their number [06]. It was also fitted with power steering in that month by Alder Valley Engineering.
  In April 1989 it was withdrawn.
• In June 1989 it was sold to B. Tippetts of Swindon for intended preservation.
• By 2001 it was noted with travellers in the Grateley area.

SDL637J [627]:

• In May 1987 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line as their number [07]. It was also fitted with power steering in that month by Alder Valley Engineering.
  In December 1988 it was withdrawn.
  In February 1989 it was stripped for spares.
• In March 1989 the remains passed to (all in the same month) Bradshaw (dealer) of Locks Heath and then to Hartwell Exports (dealer) of Birdwell and eventually to Wigley (dealer) of Carlton for scrap.

SDL638J [628]:

• On 3 April 1995 it was sold to Westbrook Travel of Seaview and was operated by them, still in Tilling Green & Cream.
  Westbrook Travel named her "Zaphenath Panea".
  It was last used by them in 1997.
• In November 2002 it was sold to a consortium of local enthusiasts for preservation; L. Roberts, M. Birkin & R. Newman and is now stored at the IW Bus Museum.

SDL639J [629]:

• In May 1987 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line as their number [09].
  It was repainted into the first version of SBL livery before entering service at Hampshire Body & Paint, Barton Park, Eastleigh. It was also fitted with power steering in that month by Alder Valley Engineering.
  By October 1988 Solent Blue Line had named it "Age Concern Southampton".
  In December 1988 it was withdrawn.
  In February 1989 it was stripped for spares.
• In March 1989 the remains passed to (all in the same month) Bradshaw (dealer) of Locks Heath and then to Hartwell Exports (dealer) of Birdwell and eventually to Wigley (dealer) of Carlton for scrap.

An offside-front view of SDL634J [624] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery in Newport Road, Lake, on 27 July 1982.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

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An offside-front view of SDL635J [625] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery, with early style NBC Symbol, at Alum Bay on 17 August 1976.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

A nearside-front view of SDL635J [625] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery, with later style NBC Symbol, at Newport Bus Station on 23 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

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A mystery fire caused the premature withdrawal of SDL635J [625]. In NBC Leaf Green & White livery, with extensive damage to the upper deck, an offside-front view at Lake on 12 October 1983.
[photo from the Mike Ginger collection]

A nearside-front view of SDL636J [626] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Newport Bus Station on 14 August 1985.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

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An offside-front view of SDL636J as Solent Blue Line [06] (date & location unknown).
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

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A nearside-front view of SDL638J [628] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Ryde Bus Station on 13 May 1986. By this time it had received a replacement black windscreen rubber and entrance doors.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]

Restored to the original Tilling Green & Cream livery an offside-front view of SDL638J [628] in Newport High Street probably during 1988.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

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A nearside-front view of SDL639J [629] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery on 13 May 1986 departing from Ryde Bus Station.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]

As Solent Blue Line [09] a nearside-front view of SDL639J parked at Ocean Village, Southampton, during May 1987, the same month in which it was transferred to Southampton.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]