The Southern Vectis Unofficial Bus Enthusiasts' Website
Bristol VRT/ECW Convertible (1977)
 
Technical & History Briefing
Chassis: Bristol VRT/SL3/6LXB Body: ECW Series 2
Registration
Mark
Fleet
No.
Type Chassis
Number
Body
Number
Date
New
Current Livery or
Date Withdrawn
Other Owners
VDL613S
previously
XDL572
VDL613S
473CDL

UFX855S
[503]
previously
[705]
O43/31F
previously
CO43/31F
VRT/SL3/932 22388 09/1977 09/2006
09/1977: Hants & Dorset [3374]
04/1979: Southern Vectis [705]
02/2007: Quantock Motor Services, Norton Fitzwarren
UFX856S
previously
WDL655

UFX856S
[504]
previously
[706]
O43/31F
previously
CO43/31F
VRT/SL3/933 22389 09/1977 09/2006
09/1977: Hants & Dorset [3375]
04/1979: Southern Vectis [706]
02/2007: Quantock Motor Services, Norton Fitzwarren
UFX857S [505]
previously
[707]
CO43/31F VRT/SL3/934 22390 09/1977 05/1998
09/1977: Hants & Dorset [3376]
04/1979: Southern Vectis [707]
06/1998: Bath Bus Company, Bath
12/2003: Solent Blue Line [901]
UFX858S [506]
previously
[708]
CO43/31F VRT/SL3/969 22391 10/1977 05/1998
10/1977: Hants & Dorset [3377]
05/1979: Southern Vectis [708]
05/1998: Westbrook Travel, Ryde - withdrawn 08/2003
10/2003: on lease to Seaview Services, Sandown, IW
03/2006: Enthusiast Consortium, Wilts/West Hampshire (for preservation)
UFX859S
Scrapped
[709] CO43/31F VRT/SL3/970 22392 10/1977 05/1983
10/1977: Hants & Dorset [3378]
06/1979: Southern Vectis [709]
05/1983: Bristol [8607]
01/1986: Badgerline, Weston-Super-Mare [8607] - scrapped 05/1993
UFX860S [710] CO43/31F VRT/SL3/975 22393 10/1977 05/1983
10/1977: Hants & Dorset [3379]
07/1979: Southern Vectis [710]
05/1983: Bristol [8608]
01/1986: Badgerline, Weston-Super-Mare [8608]
subsequently passed to: FirstGroup, Weston-Super-Mare [39910] - withdrawn by 08/02/2005
 
Detailed History
UFX855S / UFX856S & UFX857S were new to Hants & Dorset in September 1977 whilst UFX858S / UFX859S & UFX860S were new to them in October 1977 and entered service in standard NBC Leaf Green & White livery as their number's [3374] / [3375] / [3376] / [3377] / [3378] & [3379] respectively. All were convertible series 3 Bristol VRT/SL3/6LXB's with ECW bodywork and Gardner six-cylinder diesel engines.

During 1979 all six were acquired by Southern Vectis in exchange for six 1978 series 3 Bristol VRT's UDL671S [671] / UDL672S [672] / UDL673S [673] / UDL674S [674] / UDL675S [675] & UDL676S [676] on:
14 April 1979: UFX855S (entering service on 21 April 1979)
21 April 1979: UFX856S (entering service on 27 April 1979)
23 April 1979: UFX857S (entering service on 1 May 1979)
8 May 1979: UFX858S (entering service on 14 May 1979)
6 June 1979: UFX859S (entering service during June 1979)
31 July 1979: UFX860S (entering service during August 1979)
all were repainted into dual-purpose NBC Leaf Green & White livery prior to transfer to the Island and were numbered [705] / [706] / [707] / [708] / [709] & [710] respectively before entering service.
[per Dave Jolliffe]

In January 1983 UFX855S [705] was repainted into a White & Red Colorbus advertisement for "Radio Victory".

In May 1983 UFX859S [709] & UFX860S [710] were withdrawn from service.

In January 1984 UFX855S [705] / UFX856S [706] / UFX857S [707] & UFX858S [708] were renumbered to [503] / [504] / [505] & [506] respectively.

In May 1985 UFX855S [503] was repainted back to the previous livery of dual-purpose NBC Leaf Green & White.

Three of them were repainted into "Six of the Best" livery of Yellow & Blue in:
March 1987: UFX855S [503]
May 1987: UFX858S [506]
July 1987: UFX857S [505]

In October 1987 UFX856S [504] was repainted into Cream & Emerald Green - a reverse version of the deregulation livery - and carried a rear-end advertisement for Prudential Property Services.

In June 1990 UFX856S [504] was repainted into an all-over Cream Colorbus advertisement for "Isle of Wight County Council Centenary 1890-1990".

In April 1991 UFX855S [503] was reregistered to 473CDL.

In December 1991 473CDL [503] was reregistered to VDL613S.

Three of them were repainted into "The Big Dipper" Lime Green & Purple (harlequin style) livery in: [per Jeff Lyons]
March 1992: VDL613S [503]
April 1992: UFX857S [505] & UFX858S [506]

From October 1993 until May 1996 UFX856S [504] ceased to be used in open-top form. In early 1994 it was repainted into deregulation Emerald Green & Cream livery. [per Jeff Lyons]

In June 1996 VDL613S [503] was repainted into "Shanklin's Pony" Blue & Yellow livery. [per Jeff Lyons]

Two of them were repainted into Mushroom and Dark Green livery in: [per Jeff Lyons]
January 1997: UFX858S [506]
April 1997: UFX857S [505]

In May 1998 UFX857S [505] & UFX858S [506] were withdrawn from service.

From May 1998 VDL613S [503] - or June 1998 UFX856S [504] - were on lease to Traditional Bus Company until January 2000 operating during the summer season under franchise to Traditional Bus Company of Sandown (1998) or Lake (1999) on the Shanklin-Sandown summer service 44. UFX856S [504] had the Green parts of its previous livery painted Yellow and featured Blue & Yellow panels on the front. [per Jeff Lyons & Ian Rivett]

By July 1999 VDL613S [503] & UFX856S [504] were repainted into an overall White livery.

The remaining two were repainted into 1933 Apple Green & Cream livery in: [per Jeff Lyons]
April 2000: VDL613S [503]
June 2000: UFX856S [504]

During the 2000 summer season VDL613S [503] & UFX856S [504] operated under "Village Bus Company" branding and under franchise as fleet number's [3] & [4] respectively again operating the summer Shanklin-Sandown service 44. UFX856S [504] acted as a spare open-top bus during 2000 and also operated (when required) on the Yarmouth-Alum Bay open-top service 42.

In October 2000 VDL613S [3] & UFX856S [4] were reregistered to XDL872 & WDL655 and at the same time renumbered back to [503] & [504] respectively. [per Gavin Rowney]

During the winter of 2000/2001 XDL872 [503] & WDL655 [504] were re-roofed (each incorrectly fitted with each other's roof's) and operated in closed-top form mainly on schools workings.

By July 2001 WDL655 [504] had received a replacement engine and gearbox from DPX684W. [per Gavin Rowney]

During August 2001 XDL872 [503] & WDL655 [504] were fitted with Day-glow destination blinds. [per Gavin Rowney]

On 20 May 2002 XDL872 [503] had the front foglights removed following a shunting accident at Ryde Depot. [per Jeff Lyons]

In February 2003 XDL872 [503] & WDL655 [504] were converted to permanent open-top as O43/31F. [per Gavin Rowney]

The remaining two were repainted into Orange & Yellow "Open Top Tours" livery with branding for "The Sandown Bay Tour" in: [per Gavin Rowney]
March 2003: WDL655 [504]
April 2003: XDL872 [503]

In November 2003 XDL872 [503] was temporarily fitted with Christmas lights and operated a special evening open-top "Tour of DeLights" during the two weeks leading up to Christmas (Newport-Ryde-Bembridge-Shanklin-Newport). [per Paul Budden via. Gavin Rowney]

In November 2004 XDL872 [503] was again temporarily fitted with Christmas lights to operate the special evening open-top "Tour of DeLights" service.

During December 2005 WDL655 [504] was allocated as reserve vehicle for the special evening open-top "Christmas Lights Tours" (with departures from Ryde, Newport & Shanklin) during the three weeks leading up to Christmas. [per Marc Morgan-Huws]

On 30 September 2006 XDL872 [503] & WDL655 [504] were withdrawn from service. [per Marc Morgan-Huws]

Subsequent History

UFX855S / 473CDL / VDL613S / XDL572 [705] / [503]:

  • On 30 October 2006 it was reregistered to VDL613S. [per Ian Rivett]
  • Around 23 February 2007 it was sold to Quantock Motor Services of Norton Fitzwarren. [per Marc Morgan-Huws]

UFX856S / WDL655 [706] / [504]:

  • On 30 October 2006 it was reregistered to UFX856S. [per Ian Rivett]
  • Around 23 February 2007 it was sold to Quantock Motor Services of Norton Fitzwarren. [per Marc Morgan-Huws]

UFX857S [707] / [505]:

  • In June 1998 it was sold to Bath Bus Company of Bath.
  • In December 2003 it was sold to Solent Blue Line being numbered [901]. In March 2004 it was repainted into Southern Vectis Orange & Yellow "Open Top Tours" livery with branding for "The New Forest Tour" which it operated during that, and the following, season towing a cycle trailer in the same livery.
    In September 2005 it was withdrawn from service and For Sale - however, instead it was reinstated during early 2006.

UFX858S [708] / [506]:

  • In May 1998 it was sold to Westbrook Travel of Ryde.
    In April 2002 - still owned by Westbrook Travel - it was repainted into the Southern Vectis 1933 Apple Green & Cream livery.
    It was withdrawn on 31 August 2003 when Westbrook Travel ceased trading.
    By 17 October 2003 it had been repainted into an allover White livery with dark green wheels being on lease to Seaview Services of Sandown.
    [per Ian Rivett]
    At the end of January 2006 it was withdrawn.
    [per Ian Rivett]
  • In March 2006 it was sold, with the roof refitted, to an Enthusiast Consortium in the Wiltshire/West Hampshire area for preservation. [per Leo Roberts]

UFX859S [709]:

  • In May 1983 it was transferred to Bristol operating as their number [8607] in exchange for their Bristol VRT RFB614S.
  • In January 1986 it passed to Badgerline of Weston-Super-Mare operating as their number [8607].
    In May 1993 it was scrapped.

UFX860S [710]:

  • In May 1983 it was transferred to Bristol operating as their number [8608] in exchange for their Bristol VRT RFB615S.
  • In January 1986 it passed to Badgerline of Weston-Super-Mare operating as their number [8608].
  • It subsequently passed to FirstGroup operating as their [39910].
    It was withdrawn from service by 8 February 2005.
    [per Gavin Rowney]
 
Photo Selection

An offside-front view of UFX855S [705] in the "Radio Victory" Colorbus advertisement at Shanklin Bus Station during July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

 
An offside-front view of 1985 UFX855S [503] after being repainted back into the original dual-purpose NBC Leaf Green & White livery in 1985 at Ryde Bus Station sometime during 1986.
[photo copyright of Mark Pitman]
 

An offside-front view of UFX855S [503] in the "Six of the Best" Yellow & Blue livery at Ryde Bus Station on 31 August 1987.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

 

An offside-front view of UFX855S [503] reregistered as VDL613S in "The Big Dipper" Lime Green & Purple (harlequin style) livery at Seaview during April 1992.
[photo copyright of Malcolm Audsley]

 

An offside-rear view of UFX855S [3] in the 1933 Apple Green & Cream livery and "Village Bus" branding at Shanklin Bus Station on 29 August 2000.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]

 

A nearside-front view of UFX855S [503] reregistered to XDL872 in the 1933 Apple Green & Cream livery ascending from Shanklin Esplanade, in Hope Road, Shanklin, on 28 August 2001.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]

 

A nearside-front view of UFX855S [503] reregistered to XDL872 in the Orange & Yellow "Open Top Tours" livery with branding for "The Sandown Bay Tour" ascending from Shanklin Esplanade, in Atherley Road, Shanklin, on 21 October 2003.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]

 

An offside-front view of UFX856S [504] in dual-purpose NBC Leaf Green & White livery, and in closed-top form, at Newport Bus Station during 1986.
[photo copyright of Mark Pitman]

 

An offside-front view of UFX856S [504] in Cream & Emerald Green livery, a reversed version of the standard deregulation livery, in the bus-park at Ryde Bus Station in September 1988.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

 
An offside-rear view of UFX856S [504] in Cream & Emerald Green livery, a reversed version of the standard deregulation livery, in the bus-park at Ryde Bus Station in August 1988.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 

An offside-front view of UFX856S [504] in the Colorbus advertisement livery for "Isle of Wight County Council Centenary 1890-1990" at Ryde Esplanade on 6 September 1993.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

 

A nearside-front view of UFX856S [504] in all-over White livery entering Shanklin Bus Station during July 1999.
[photo copyright of Mark Pitman]

 

An offside-front view of UFX856S - as Village Bus [4] - in the 1933 style of Apple Green & Cream livery ascends from Shanklin Esplanade on 6 July 2000.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

 

An offside-rear view of UFX856S [504] - reregistered to WDL655 - in the 1933 style of Apple Green & Cream livery with Blue roof at Ryde Bus Station on 13 February 2001. Surprisingly it was re-roofed and pressed into service for the winter of 2000/2001 mainly operating school services.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]

 

A nearside-front view of UFX856S [504] - reregistered to WDL655 - in the 1933 style of Apple Green & Cream livery ascendinging from Shanklin Esplanade, in Hope Road, Shanklin, on 28 August 2001.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]

 
A nearside-front view of UFX856S [504] - reregistered to WDL655 in the Orange & Yellow "Open Top Tours" livery with branding for "The Sandown Bay Tour" entering North Road, Shanklin, on 21 October 2003.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 

A nearside-front view of UFX857S new to Hants & Dorset as their [3376]. On route to the Derby at Epsom on 7 June 1978, probably the only time that it was used open-top by Hants & Dorset.
[photo copyright of Mike Penn]

 

An offside front view of UFX857S [707] in dual-purpose NBC Leaf Green & White livery departing Shanklin Bus Station on 26 July 1983.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

 

An offside-front view of UFX857S [505] in the "Six of the Best" Yellow & Blue livery entering Shanklin High Street on 21 September 1988.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

 

A nearside-front view of UFX857S [505] in "The Big Dipper" Lime Green & Purple (harlequin style) livery at Sandown Zoo on 6 September 1993.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

 
A nearside-front view of UFX857S [505] in Mushroom & Dark Green livery in closed-top form at Newport Bus Station sometime between 1995 and 1998.
[photo copyright of Paul Budden]
 
An offside-front view of UFX857S with Bath Bus Company at Parade Gardens, Bath, on 6 April 2002.
[photo copyright of Andy Mitchell]
 
An offside-front view of UFX857S in a revised Bath City Sightseeing livery with Bath Bus Company at Pierrepont Street, Bath, on 17 April 2003.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

 
A nearside-front view of UFX857S with Solent Blue Line [901] in Southern Vectis Orange & Yellow open-top livery at Ryde Depot during the Southern Vectis 75th Anniversary Event at Ryde Depot on 10 October 2004.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 
An offside-front view of UFX858S [506] in the dual-purpose NBC Leaf Green & White livery, and in closed-top form, at the bus park of Ryde Bus Station during June 1986.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 
An offside-front view of UFX858S with Westbrook Travel, in Victoria Road, Sandown, on 26 August 2000.
[photo copyright of Gavin Rowney]
 
An offside-front view of UFX858S with Westbrook Travel in Southern Vectis 1933 Apple Green & Cream livery at Ryde Bus Station on 12 June 2002.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 
A nearside-rear view of UFX858S with Westbrook Travel in Southern Vectis 1933 Apple Green & Cream livery at Ryde Bus Station on 12 June 2002.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 
A nearside-front view of UFX858S with Seaview Services in White livery at Ryde Depot during the Southern Vectis 75th Anniversary Event at Ryde Depot on 10 October 2004.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 
A nearside-rear view of UFX858S with Seaview Services in White livery at Ryde Depot during the Southern Vectis 75th Anniversary Event at Ryde Depot on 10 October 2004.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]
 

A nearside-front view of UFX859S [709] in dual-purpose NBC Leaf Green & White livery entering Sandown Broadway on 29 July 1982.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

 

An offside-front view of UFX859S as Bristol [8607] at Beach Road, Weston-Super-Mare on 20 July 1983. In this view it still carries the Southern Vectis livery, note the different shade of Green on the panels where the former fleetname has been painted out.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

 

A nearside-front view of UFX859S as Badgerline [8607] - date & location unknown.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

 

A nearside-front view of UFX860S as Bristol [8608] leaving Weston-Super-Mare Bus Station on 20 July 1983. In this view it still carries the Southern Vectis livery, note the different shade of Green on the panels where the former fleetname has been painted out.
[photo copyright of Peter J. Relf]

Colour prints may be available to buy - please e-mail Peter J. Relf for details

 

An offside-front view of UFX860S as Badgerline [8608] - date & location unknown.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

 
A nearside-front view of UFX860S as Badgerline [8608] in Bristol sometime during the 1980's.
[photo copyright of Steve White]
 
An offside-front view of UFX860S with Badgerline/Guide Friday as their [8608] in Terrace Walk, Bath, during May 1999.
[photo copyright of John L. Hammond]
 
A nearside-front view of UFX860S with Badgerline/Guide Friday as their [8608] in a revised livery for 2001 at Terrace Walk, Bath, on 27 August 2001.
[photo copyright of Andy Mitchell]
 
Click here & here for views of one of the UFXxxxS batch at ECW during 1977 prior to delivery to H&D
Click here for a view of UFX860S in Barbie 2 livery on 20 September 2003
Information on all surviving Bristol VR's is available from The Bristol VR Enthusiasts' Society
To report any updates, errors or omissions in this section please Click Here
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