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Visit to Winchester in 2024 (by Shane Conway)
Page last updated on 4th September 2024
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Having visited Winchester in May 2023 for a classic bus event, we returned to the city a year later for the 2024 version of the same event, which again was excellent and very enjoyable. First leg of the journey there was a drive to Dublin Airport, followed by a RyanAir flight to Gatwick and then a lengthy train journey, involving a change from Southern Railway at Southampton for a short run to Winchester by South Western. The return trip should have been by the same route, but circumstances beyond our control were to change that. Arrival at Winchester was followed by a walk to the hotel in the city centre.
Winchester was at one stage the seat of King Alfred (as King of Wessex) from 886 to 899, and he has been commemorated since 1901 by a large statue at the end of the Broadway, and from 1920 to 1973 as the trading name of the local bus service which was run by the Chisnell family. Amongst other things, the city contains the oldest public school in Britain (founded in 1382), and its cathedral was built between 1079 and 1532.
On Sunday, May 5th we travelled the short distance from Winchester to Alresford by Stagecoach, one of the termini of the Watercress Railway heritage line, the other end being Alton which is also the terminus of a rail line to London Waterloo. Up to 1961 trains ran through from Alton to Winchester, but that section closed in 1961. The present day heritage line uses the Alton to Alresford bit, with two intermediate stops. Our first train was a four coach set hauled by a 2-6-2T loco, 41312 which was new in 1952. The one stop shuttle service had already departed for Ropley. On our arrival there it was waiting to do the return trip, so we quickly boarded it as its only passengers!! Consisting of one van and one coach, I was quite surprised to find it being hauled by a former British Rail class 08 diesel shunter locomotive. I would have thought that such workings were quite unusual, but it got us back to Alresford, taking 14 minutes to do the trip back. After that we did the full round trip to Alton behind 41312, before leaving the railway and catching another Stagecoach double decker on the 64 route back to Winchester.
Monday, May 6th was the bank holiday and the annual Friends of King Alfred Buses running day was being held. Over the years it has grown to become a very well organised event featuring a variety of classic buses from across the south of England. This year's entry was almost 40 vehicles built from 1929 to 2002, covering Leyland, AEC, Dennis, Bedford, Daimler and Bristol makes. From early morning the old buses ruled the streets, vying for space with scheduled services of Stagecoach and Blue Star, as well as allowing room for visiting tourist coaches to pick up or set down passengers. Despite the large number of individual bus movements thoughout the day, and the perhaps thousands of visitors to the event as spectators and passengers, everything went smoothly. The mighty 1940s AEC towtruck that attends the event was not observed by me to actually be doing anything during the day, which is a testament to the hours of work spent making sure the old buses are in tip top order.
Tuesday May 7th was our final day in the area. Observing the cathedral from our hotel window (all 558 feet length of it) brought to mind the 1966 New Vaudeville Band song, which was imaginatively titled "Winchester Cathedral"!! After breakfast it was time to pack up and head back to Gatwick for an evening flight. A Stagecoach bus took us from a much quieter Broadway to the local station. Due to the series of planned ASLEF strikes, both the Southern and South Western Railway were not operating. So we boarded a Cross Country service (Manchester to Bournemouth) for the run into Southampton, where we would change to a train to Reading, and there board a Great Western service to Gatwick. It suddenly became evident that we hadn't actually needed to go to Southampton, as the Reading bound train was routed through Winchester!!! The Cross Country train was a comfortable contrast to the GWR set, which seemed to have rather cramped seating. But at least we got to the airport in plenty of time, and thankfully that area of Britain has plenty of alternative rail routes, a legacy of the railway planners and builders of the late 19th century. I suppose due to the strikes, the stations seemed to be quieter than they normally would be.
One of the 18 Gatwick Express liveried trains, 387211 is seen arriving at Gatwick Airport station on a journey to London Victoria.
One of the 700 class Thameslink EMU trains on a Brighton bound service seen at Gatwick. The journey would have started in either Cambridge or Bedford.
A view of part of the centuries old cathedral in the centre of Winchester.
1952 built 41312 at the head of its four coach train, waiting to do the 11.00 departure from Alresford to Alton on May 5th 2024.
Class 08 shunter D3462 on the Alresford to Ropley shuttle service, after completing its first round trip of the day. The train consisted of one passenger coach (with just two passengers!) and one luggage van.
41312, framed by the footbridge, is seen running round the train at Alresford station, prior to doing the 13.00 departure to Alton.
An unusual visitor to Winchester was this German registered Setra, seen leaving the Broadway on May 6th, with three preserved King Alfred buses (Panther, Atlantean and Lion) also visible.
Another visitor to the area was this VDL coach belonging to Cooks Coaches of Westcliffe-on-Sea in Essex. It was new to Travelstar of Walall in January 2017.
Stagecoach South 10891 is seen setting off on a 64 journey to Alton, passing a 1950 Bedford OB (CCF 648). One of our journeys on the 64 a day earlier was on sister bus 10892 (YX 67 VCE).
Kardan Holidays are based in Newport, Isle of Wight. This Setra 49 seater, seen on Winchester Broadway was new in November 2013, and was originally registered HW63 KAR. A 53 seater version (HW62 KAR, later W222 KAR) had been bought in September 2012.
An early morning stroll after breakfast on the pedestrianised High Street in the centre of Winchester. The musician on the left (in the second photo) played the clarinet beautifully.
The day after the King Alfred event, and a much quieter Broadway. A Stagecoach South decker is seen on route 64 to Alton.
The impressive frontage of Winchester railway station, on the South Western mainline between London Waterloo and Southampton. It was opened on 10th June 1839.
The Stagecoach South buses on the Winchester park and ride route are these green liveried single deckers, including number 26044 seen at Winchester railway station.
A three car Great Western Railway class 166 DMU seen in Southampton station, about to depart on a service to Cardiff. Alongside is an out of use South Western EMU set, as their drivers were on strike on that day.
Seen passing through Southampton was Freightliner loco 70020 hauling 36 empty flat wagons.
A three car Great Western Railway class 165 DMU seen in Gatwick Airport station, after our journey on board it from Reading.
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