Articles
Slightly off the beaten track in the seaside town of Ryde is the new home of the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum. At first glance the large bus depot building may not look too inviting, but do not be perturbed by its unassuming and industrial appearance. What lies inside is a veritable treasure trove of public transport history, with a beautifully restored vehicle collection spanning more than 60 years.
Put together when the vintage fleet of the island’s bus operator Southern Vectis was dispersed, the museum primarily features buses and coaches of local heritage. However, there are also some vehicles on loan from other operators around the country.
One shining example is the Bristol K5G 703 (DDL 50) loaned to the museum by private owner Derek Priddle from Farnham, Surrey. The 703 was the second Bristol K5G within the Southern Vectis fleet. While today the apple green and cream body has been restored to its shining former glory, when the bus was delivered during World War Two the roof was painted grey so as to be less conspicuous to enemy aircraft. It shared the heavy wartime workload with its sister bus (702), transporting military personnel to the West Wight area.
There are some great examples of local coaches and buses, many of which you can climb aboard to explore. One such vehicle is the Bristol K 721 which entered service in 1947. It features an ECW ‘low-bridge’ body with rows of long bench seats and a sunken gangway on the top deck.
Built to last
The 20-seat Dennis Ace (405) is the museum’s oldest bus, built in 1934. A distinctive design, the Ace buses were nicknamed pigs because of their long bonnet that gives a snout-like appearance.
When visiting, it is worth taking a peek into the engineering area where volunteers are working to repair and re-store new additions to the museum. Several engines and a gearbox are also displayed, while in another room compressors and engineering spares are stored for curious visitors to peruse.
What makes the museum so engaging is the addition of historical information, local memorabilia and photographs that build a real picture of the island’s bus history, as well as of those who worked for the local Southern Vectis company. The collection of 42 bus drivers’ uniforms from the 1950s onwards that have been donated to the mu-seum is well worth a look.
The museum is run by a team of friendly and well-informed volunteers, and they are happy to answer questions, with many of them being a source of invaluable historic knowledge in their own right.
Once you’ve finished your visit, be sure to grab some refreshments from the café to have aboard the Shanklin Steamer bus that has been converted into a tea room.
Many of the vehicles have been restored to full working condition, and the museum holds days when you can take a ride on some of the historic buses and coaches around the picturesque Isle of Wight.
A particularly popular yearly event is the Beer and Buses weekend, when 50 vintage buses from all around the UK take visitors on routes across the Isle of Wight, stopping at one pub every hour. Last year the event attract-ed 8,000 visitors, so be sure to book.
www.iwbusmuseum.org.uk/
Look and learn: Five things to see
1. Older is better:
The Dennis Ace built in 1934 is the oldest bus in the museum. These small buses were well suited to the narrow roads on the island.
2. Blue belle of the ball:
Soon to be fully restored, the striking blue Moss Motor Tours coach ran island tours from 1957 to 1973.
3. Climb aboard:
You can walk on board many of the buses and coaches, including the Shanklin Steamer that is converted to a tea room.
4. Touring Tadpole:
The 1958 ‘Tadpole’ Bristol LD6G Lodekka bus was converted into a mobile home and travelled the world, from Europe to the Far East.
5. Take a ride:
Book onto one of the museum’s special event days to ride in one of the fully restored vehicles to see the sights of the Isle of Wight.