Description

2004 saw the 50th Anniversary of the first production Bristol Lodekka’s introduction into service. To celebrate, two former (now preserved) Crosville Bristol Lodekkas were taken out and filmed. DFG38 (319 PFM) was taken on four routes around Chester and DFG157 (4227 FM) recreated the D1 from Chester to Llangollen. Includes bonus archive film and QH Lodekkas in Minehead.

Full description from the producer:

The year 2004 sees the 50th Anniversary of the introduction into service of the first production Bristol Lodekka. To celebrate this and coincidentally our 50th video programme, we took out and filmed two former, now preserved Crosville Bristol Lodekkas. Both are the ‘FS’ type, referring to Flat floor Short. The first one we see is DFG38 (319 PFM), now reregistered AFM 402A. Originally a Liverpool allocated vehicle, and now restored in National Bus Company leaf green we take her on four routes starting from the home of Crosville – Chester. First service is the C22, leaving Chester taking the scenic route to Parkgate via Mollington, Puddington, Burton and Neston. From Parkgate we depart as an F17 running to Birkenhead Woodside via Thornton Hough, Mount Road and Borough Road. From Birkenhead we recreate the F24 to Heswall via Storeton Village and Barnston. From Heswall we return as C23 back to Chester via Willaston and Mollington. Plenty of atmosphere – it could almost be 1960 again!Next out is DFG157 (4227 FM) this time a Wrexham based vehicle which spent most of its life on the Chester – Llangollen group of services. We recreate the D1 from Chester to Llangollen via Pulford, Rosset, Marford and Acton. Some fine shots of the assent of Marford hill and the run into Wrexham! From industrial Wrexham we head on a beautiful run to Llangollen via Rhostyllen, Johnstown and Ruabon. On leaving Llangollen we return as a D1 back to Chester. Adding to the pleasure of seeing these vehicles again, we have some cine film shot in the early 1980s of the FS Lodekkas on the D1 and D2 routes.To conclude the programme we visit Minehead in Somerset to see former DLG881 (838 AFM) still running in service with Quantock Heritage. This vehicle passed to North Western after Crosville who restored the interior to red instead of traditional Crosville green. Still sounding every inch a Lodekka, this LD type provides an interesting comparison with the other two.So take yourself back to the 1960s and indulge and relive the experience of these excellent vehicles.

Additional information