Memories of AC (Talbot Road/Devonshire Road)
circa 1970
by Tony Dale
Memories of AC (Talbot
Road/Devonshire Road)
circa 1970
by Tony Dale
| A
brief note about activities at Ribble's premier coaching
depot. Yes, I know some will argue that Manchester had all coaches, but the variety of routes was not there! On an all year round basis, Devonshire Road provided allocations for the X1 Derby, X2 Nottingham, X64? Newcastle, J1/2 Leeds, plus various machines used on X60 and X61, as well as any overnight stays by North Western, Trent or Yorkshire Traction. We also worked the J7 to Barnsley on a Tuesday, but that was always with the Trackie vehicle. Come Eastertime, and our allocation of new vehicles would start to arrive. The last batch I can vividly remember were HRN 956 - 968G, of which we had 4 or 5. Additional workings for the summer were Paignton, day and overnight, South Shields, Glasgow/Edinburgh, Middlesborough, and Scarborough on a Saturday. Only one golden rule was followed, in an attempt to get service out on Saturdays. Anything goes, except no Semi- automatics on Derby/Nottingham. Any driver who made it known in traffic office that he was willing to have a go would have a very varied summer. Personally, I can remember being taken off my crew turn to Knott End, to duplicate the Cheltenham, with 956. There's the M6, lad, was all my route tuition. Then later that week, a phone call to Talbot Rd station, where my mate and I were enjoying a brew before setting out for Preston, resulted in a hasty run to Devonshire Rd for some coach, then an overnight South Shields, via my house to pick up my bag, and inform my bemused wife that she could have the bed to herself that night!! Such was coaching life at Blackpool then ! |
