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CHRISTMASES PAST WITH OLD GROUP OUTINGS
We begin in December 6th 1981, and only we could decide to hire 460 "Golden Hind" with a snow storm predicted.
A Sunday morning outing around the Hoe was curtailed as the snow arrived. We retreated to our family home in Lower Compton to thaw out. A little later East lancs AN68 ATK 156W 156 is seen passing still running in service on route 8. Note Paul Burch still reversed the route board, not that any would be passengers were stupid enough to be out !!
The following weekend sat 12th Dec was the last day of Crew operated services in Plymouth, the last route being 48 to Ford as it required a 3 point turn at the end of station rd into Warleigh ave. Paul Burch was a regular driver of this route and drove the service.
The next day (with a different conductor!!!) a tour around Plymouth before DDR 205D 205 was withdrawn from service. Ford station rd, Granby way dockyard terminus, Millbay rd (the level crossing gates still in place), Sutherland terrace, and out to Cadover bridge and Lee Moor village, meeting AN68 155 ATK 155W on 58/59 Shaugh bridge circular
December 1985 and again 2 tours. We started off on 1st Dec with PD2 open topper 358 "Sir Francis Drake " on a city tour of the Hoe, Jennycliff bay, Bovisands, Torycombe and Shaugh Bridge. Paul and Terry with an inquisitive Dartmoor pony. On the 15TH as an ending to the year of G.W.R 150 anniversary celebrations, we took AN68 171 TTT 171X to Liskeard (seen with 47 613 heading away from Liskeard towards Plymouth) and then back for the last chance to drive in Plymouth city centre before pedestrianisation and a Christmas party outside Dingles.
As an interesting footnote, Dec 1985 saw the trial of an embryonic Park and Ride service for Christmas shoppers. Serving Old Town st from Home park car park. PDR2 MCO 261H and PDR1 FJY 213E are seen at the temporary bus in the middle of Armada Way, just about next to the sundial now. Far more interesting than an E200 on the route 60/61 we have now for Milehouse Park and Ride
