On Saturday, I decided I fancied a trip out. Catching the 0947 from Fareham, I alighted at Trowbridge, a town in northern Wiltshire about 12miles south east of Bath. The main operator is First Somerset & Avon, along with an hourly Stagecoach West service, supplemented by smaller operators Faresaver and Frome Minibuses.
The primary service in Trowbridge is the half hourly Bath - Warminster route 264 and 265 service. The route was once upon a time the X4/X5 all the way from Salisbury or Warminster to Bath and Bristol, operated jointly with Wilts & Dorset. Now First Somerset & Avon operate the route on their own using Volvo B7RLEs - here is 66969 (WX55TZA) heading off for Warminster.
The other main trunk route that First Somerset & Avon operate is the hourly 234 from Frome to Chippenham. I once captured Dennis Lances on the route in Frome - now the route has been upgraded, utilising the services of Volvo B7TL double deckers new to Bristol. Here is 32284 (WR03YZT) in a sudden hail storm yesterday afternoon!
First Somerset & Avon also operate the half-hourly town service of route 236, using Volvo B6BLEs or Dart SLFs. Here is 40588 (YG51RGO), which was new to First in York.
I possibly should have done some more research before I left to find out where the Stagecoach 49 terminated, as my only sighting of a 49 was a rather rushed image as I walked to the town centre from the rail station. Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 15650 (VX10FRN) does the honours, as it heads for Swindon.
Faresaver operate the "Zig Zag" service, connecting a series of small villages and towns heading between Trowbridge and Melksham. Mercedes-Benz Vario V707ENN does the honours.
Finally, another shot of the most common type of bus in Trowbridge. This time it is 66937 (WX55UAD), heading for Warminster on the 264.
A few things I learnt from the visit - firstly, don't visit the town in the morning as the sun is very difficult. The summer may be better, but early afternoon onwards is certainly best. Furthermore, you only need an hour or two here, as variety is limited. However, I did have an enjoyable day, and if you are in the area with an hour or so to spare, go and tick it off of your list. There is also a good railway model shop just down from the Market Place, where the buses terminate.
Thanks for an interesting article on the town I grew up in and first fostered my interest in buses (all VRs and Nationals then). Wiltshire has an excellent day rover ticket valid on all operators in the county and makes for an interesting day out. It can be bought on any bus.
ReplyDeleteWith one you could head from Trowbridge over to Devizes (as well as the 49 there are less frequent services via some of the villages) where there is a good selection of independents in the Market Place. From there the 33 takes you over to Chippenham for another selection of independents at the modern bus station. Back to Trowbridge via Melksham on the 234. Not alot in Melksham, but the town service has a "Melksham Metro" branded Solo from Frome Minibuses. On weekdays Faresaver compete with First's 234 with an X34. Last time I saw this it was operated by an ex Isle of Man Dart.
An hour or so in each place is usually enough to get a good selection of photos.
kiaern
ReplyDeleteKiaern