77syk7
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Post by 77syk7 on Jan 25, 2014 21:09:43 GMT 1
I hope one or two bus enthusiasts have been out today sampling the last day of operation of the through route from Heptonstall to Halifax - a link which must have been in operation for 3 generations!
In the early 60s, I can remember travelling on a Halifax JOC AEC Regal from Halifax to Heptonstall (Route 46). It was a 33 seater with driver and conductor and travelled the long way round via Lee Rd and then Slack before dropping down to the village. It was a spectacular journey for a youngster and I remember feeling even more brave when I travelled on my first journey single-handed on an Albion Nimbus.
Rumour had it that there was always half a beer waiting for the crew at the lengthy layover in Heptonstall village during the evening shift! How times have changed..........
Maybe some should think this should be in the 'Yesteryear' section, but it is of topical interest.
Anyway, I wish TLC well and hope they can restore some confidence in bus operation in the Hebden Bridge / Todmorden area.
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Post by Father Dougal McGuire on Jan 25, 2014 21:28:06 GMT 1
At least things will be quieter in Summer for the residents of Heptonstall, no more Geminis hoovering up the hill! lol.
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andy1
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Post by andy1 on Jan 25, 2014 23:25:30 GMT 1
When I first started driving for the PTE in the early 80s Halifax to Blackshaw Head was 2 hourly supplemented by short workings from Hebden Bridge,the route number was 516 and know buses were allowed to descend the hill from Heptonstall, all workings had to return up the village and go round Lee Wood! in them days the iconic HX to Burnley was numbered 515,now the 517, which was in fact a direct result of numbering the new post deregulation Hx to Heptonstall and Hx to Old Town 516 and 515 respectively, which ultimately became the 591 and 593, of which today of course is their last day of operation.
A sad indictment of the way the deregulated industry as gone where comprehensive network coverage is replaced by a limited series of high frequency services.
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Matty
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Post by Matty on Jan 25, 2014 23:37:58 GMT 1
It may be restored commercially by TLC at peak times some time in the near future.
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Jan 25, 2014 23:45:12 GMT 1
The sight of a double decker squeezing through Heptonstall village on the cobbles was always impressive. I bet walkers from outside the area were shocked when this occurred.
The largest buses now seen up Heptonstall will be the Darts on the Saturday 517, plus also the BMC Condors on the school services that go up that way.
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Matty
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Post by Matty on Jan 25, 2014 23:49:21 GMT 1
The sight of a double decker squeezing through Heptonstall village on the cobbles was always impressive. I bet walkers from outside the area were shocked when this occurred. The largest buses now seen up Heptonstall will be the Darts on the Saturday 517, plus also the BMC Condors on the school services that go up that way. They use the 1100fe's up there. |
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ratty
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Post by ratty on Jan 26, 2014 1:24:03 GMT 1
Surely nothing could beat the sound of a well fettled 85** Leopard roaring up between the houses, past t'rat o'il(the former terminus), heading for Blackshaw Head. Always drove up there with the cab window open, just listening to that roar. I can confirm that many a hiker has had a startled look when confronted by one of those beasts!!!
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andy1
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Post by andy1 on Jan 26, 2014 11:04:25 GMT 1
Agree totally Chris, im sure as well as the 85 series Leopards you also drove the 30 series as well on this and the many other rural and semi rural routes in Calderdale,as I did myself!
Oh nearly forgot lets not forget the 16 series Duple Dominant Tigers which had just been delivered around this time.
The best of times ,great days.
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77syk7
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Post by 77syk7 on Jan 26, 2014 12:31:44 GMT 1
I'm pleased that that my ramblings have provoked interest in this occasion.
I did not know that double deckers were ever used on the route up through the village - more details please.
The 517 has to be one of the most interesting routes in West Yorks - long may it continue!
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andy1
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Post by andy1 on Jan 26, 2014 13:05:54 GMT 1
No DDs were used through the narrow village itself officially,although one Sat afternoon I did take a Northern Counties lowheight Volvo Olympian on the 517 route! in saying that I wouldn't fancy taking one of the contemporary full height deckers through with their bulging body kits and of course extra height.
The 85/30/16 series were all saloon numbers in the PTEs numbering scheme.
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Post by Bradford Traveller on Jan 26, 2014 13:22:19 GMT 1
On the 7th March 1927, [Hebble] introduced a
service between Halifax and Heptonstall, via
Hebden Bridge. Owing to a steep gradient the
service operated via Cross Lane, Whitehall Nook
and Slack Bottom to the centre of Heptonstall
village, but came back directly. As a result a
different fare was charged for the inward
journey than for the outward journey!
(from Peter Gould's history of Hebble Motor Services)
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Post by Bradford Traveller on Jan 26, 2014 13:25:27 GMT 1
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Post by squeaky on Jan 26, 2014 16:12:03 GMT 1
I've been on a 'decker on the 517.
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Jan 26, 2014 17:43:05 GMT 1
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ratty
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Orange,Green and Cream Best livery ever
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Post by ratty on Jan 27, 2014 1:34:24 GMT 1
Agree totally Chris, im sure as well as the 85 series Leopards you also drove the 30 series as well on this and the many other rural and semi rural routes in Calderdale,as I did myself! Oh nearly forgot lets not forget the 16 series Duple Dominant Tigers which had just been delivered around this time. The best of times ,great days. I also drove ex Yorkshire Traction Leopards up there, the ex Halifax G and K registered AEC's, and a couple of the ex Tod Leopards too, only ever drove a double on the bottom bit in to the estate. I think officially the only double decker to traverse the narrows was a school journey from memory. One of the occasions with an AEC was when it went bang going down Slack to Hebden Bridge, after transferring passengers, I was eventually recovered by one of the Matadors and taken down the hill on the end of a straight bar...........that was hairy!! |
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Post by michael1971 on Jan 27, 2014 12:23:34 GMT 1
Surely nothing could beat the sound of a well fettled 85** Leopard roaring up between the houses, past t'rat o'il(the former terminus), heading for Blackshaw Head. Always drove up there with the cab window open, just listening to that roar. I can confirm that many a hiker has had a startled look when confronted by one of those beasts!!! loved those Leporads 8527 etc also the F-XYG batch where best aswell glad 5158 still surives |
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Matty
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Post by Matty on Jan 27, 2014 23:34:24 GMT 1
Surely nothing could beat the sound of a well fettled 85** Leopard roaring up between the houses, past t'rat o'il(the former terminus), heading for Blackshaw Head. Always drove up there with the cab window open, just listening to that roar. I can confirm that many a hiker has had a startled look when confronted by one of those beasts!!! loved those Leporads 8527 etc also the F-XYG batch where best aswell glad 5158 still surives 5158 is due for Export as no buyer could be found for preservation |
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Danny
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Post by Danny on Jan 28, 2014 12:39:18 GMT 1
5158 is in for MoT. If the owner wanted to sell, it could go for export with it been low height.
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riclam
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Post by riclam on Jan 28, 2014 14:58:38 GMT 1
loved those Leporads 8527 etc also the F-XYG batch where best aswell glad 5158 still surives 5158 is due for Export as no buyer could be found for preservation Not even up for sale so dunno where you got that from. The owner has posted on Facebook it is away for MOT. |
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