vr

In common with many other NBC companies, Lincolnshire Road Car's Bristol VR's were once the mainstay of the double deck fleet replacing Bristol FS and FLF's.

Bristol VRTSL6G's 1901 - 3 (JFE 537 - 539G) were purchased new in May 1969, the first of many, the majority having Eastern Coach Works bodies, although some Northern Counties bodied examples were acquired from Lincoln City Transport in 1993.

Taking 1985 as an example, the entire double deck fleet was composed of 84 ECW bodied VR's. The very last to be withdrawn was 1990 (MWG 940X) on November 25th, 2000 and the final day of it in service is featured in this site.

The following photographs show some of the last examples in the fleet. The reason for Grantham retaining a VR allocation long after any other depot was due to a very low bridge which carried the main East Coast railway line over the main Road which meant that ECW bodied Olympians were the only suitable replacement.

1975 (HWJ 925W) was acquired from Yorkshire Traction (Road Car's parent company) in 1991 and, along with 1973, were the used on the Lincoln to Skegness services for several years. It is seen at Skegness bus station on Sundaym August 31st, 1997, on the last day of the X30 service to Scunthorpe. More significantly, it was the last ever Road Car VR to be seen in Skegness.
Another view of the same vehicle on the same date. Having left Skegness it has arrived at Louth bus station for a brief toilet stop.
1975 has since been reallocated to Grantham where it is seen in this view taken at the bus station. It was withdrawn in July 2000 and sold to Johnson of Hodthorpe the following month.
Two VR's at Grantham On the left, 1952 (LVL 807V) was purchased new by Road Car in 1980. It was withdrawn in July 2000 and sold to Johnson of Hodthorpe the following month. Beside it is former Yorkshire Traction 1972 (HWJ 922W) which has since been withdrawn was later disposed of to the gliderdrome at Cranwell.
In the only picture in this feature to be taken in sunshine is ex Yorkshire Traction 1990 MWG 940X. This vehicle was withdrawn on November 25th, 2000, and sold to Johnson (of Hodthorpe) two days later.
1972 departing from Grantham bus station
1975 seen departing from Grantham bus station for the depot on December 11th, 1999.
Another view on Dexcember 12th, 1999, this time at Grantham depot. 1972 (on the left) after withdrawal and minus various panels.
During the latter part of summer 2000, 1957 & 1958 were repainted into yellow livery for school bus duties. They are illustrated here in the new colour scheme whilst at the Great Northern Terrace Depot in Lincoln.
1957 (PFE 541V) emerges from the Great Northern Terrace depot early on the morning of October 17th, 2000. Although it was intended to retain these in the fleet, a change in school contract runs rendered 1957surplus to requirements and it was sold to Johnsons of Hodthorpe in November 2000. Fortunately 1958 will be preserved by the LVVS following its eventual withdrawal.

Subscribe free to the Bristol_VR Group

Powered by www.egroups.com