To commemorate the event, Arriva had thoughtfully provided the enthusiasts with a ‘day to remember’, issuing specials Commemorative Day Tickets and running 2 Nationals as ‘Duplicates’ on a number of routes throughout the day.
Twin-door 42 (THX 193S) and single-entrance 62 (BYW 366V) were the ‘Duplicates’. Both buses were driven by Arriva Drivers. 62 was driven by a driver from Swadlincote Depot, not knowing neither the bus nor the routes - however, he was given ample directions and failed to get totally lost.
A special timetable saw the ‘Duplicates’ running routes:
319 - Walsall to Bloxwich,
560 - Bloxwich to Wolverhampton returning to Bloxwich,
1 - Bloxwich to Walsall,
362 - Walsall to Brownhills via Clayhanger,
67 - Brownhills to Walsall via Aldridge,
364 - Walsall to Coppice Farm returning to Walsall,
94 - Walsall to Burntwood,
followed by a 30 minutes visit to ‘Chase’ Depot and an unexpected run to Delta Way, Cannock (Arriva) for a further 30 minutes.
The buses then returned to Brownhills to take up route 94 - Brownhills to Walsall,
and finally route 1 - Walsall to Cannock returning to Walsall.
Bearing in mind this took from 09:03 until 16:45 (and actually arriving a few minutes late at the finish), this was a very full day and enthusiasts from all over the country were out in force at Walsall. The 2 buses were full and standing on the trip up the depots. They were frequently used by the locals too - amused by all of the activity. The ‘Duplicates’ were supposed to follow the service buses on all of the routes, but often they were delayed in traffic, got separated or even operated in front!
In the yard at Chasetown was ‘Spare National’ 3 (AYR 309T) along with the long-withdrawn Leyland Nationals in various states of disrepair (some accident victims and some recent withdrawals) and a number of Arriva Leyland Lynxes; these were sold along with the Chase Nationals and other equipment in an auction that took place on 19th May.
Arriva took the opportunity to publicise the take-over by parking ex-Chase 19 (Dart PSU 969 - Now Arriva fl No 2380,) in Park Street, Walsall, giving out freebies and timetables. Arriva are issuing an ‘Arriva Walsall’ ticket, with money off coupons in the local newspapers.
During the day it was possible to see every operational Chase vehicle - and all services were 100% Leyland Nationals!
Here is a list of where the operating fleet was on 28th April (All Leyland Nationals unless noted otherwise):
3 AYR 309T Chasetown Depot, not in use
4 YYE 274T Route 319
5 AYR 339T Route 1
9 BYW 365V Cannock Depot, not in use
10 BYW 418V Route 94
11 THX 260S Route 67
22 YPL 448T Route 381
31 THX 160S Cannock Depot, not in use
33 BYW 382V Route 94
37 CHH 210T Route 560
38 EPD 508V Cannock Depot, not in use
40 THX 209S Route 67
41 BPL 478T Route 1
42 THX 193S ‘Duplicate’ services
43 OJD 868R Route 364
50 THX 149S Route 362
52 THX 266S Route 560
53 THX 264S Cannock Depot, not in use
55 AYR 317T Route 319
56 AYR 330T Route 94
57 AYR 343T Route 362
62 BYW 366V ‘Duplicate’ services
63 TRN 809V Route 560
64 FSV 428 Cannock Depot, not in use
19 PSU 969 - Dennis Dart Parked in Walsall Town Centre
27 PSU 988 - Dennis Dart Cannock Depot, parked over the pits
28 PSU 989 - Dennis Dart Cannock Depot, parked over the pits
30 YBJ 403 - DAF Cannock Depot, parked over the pits
At about 18:30, D Howdle & K Ellis returned briefly to the depot at Chasetown to find 5 long-time Chase Drivers being interviewed by DAVideo, who had been filming the events during the day, along with a small number of photographers determined to see the last of the Leyland Nationals ‘come home’.
The last bus to arrive back in the yard at 18:45 was 22 (YPL 448T), which coincidentally was the last bus to arrive back in the yard before the turn of the millennium!
A number of Nationals were retained for a while at Cannock, however were sold at the auction on 19th May.
A Jolly good day was had by all involved. Arriva Midlands, Chase Buses and Adrian Pearson (who pulled a few strings to make it all happen) are to be congratulated and thanked for organising a fitting tribute to Chase Bus Services, operating local Buses since 1986.
If you would like an Fleetlist of all the vehicles that Chase Buses ran in service,
or any comments or questions about this article,
please e-mail telfordbusgroup@yahoo.co.uk.
