Preserving King Alfred Buses & Coaches and the memory of King Alfred Motor Services 1920 to 1973
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REGISTERED CHARITY NO 1078631
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Sutton Scotney Whitchurch Overton BASINGSTOKE |
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The news route for FoKAB 2009 |
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590 LATEST
Melvyn has started applying undercoat to the outside of our open top Atlantean ahead of a repaint.
Keith M has completed renovating the door mechanism and has renewed the metalwork around the door and frame, and is sorting out the drivers area.
Pete S has completed replacing the destination equipment and has checked out all the light fittings and removed the mechanical tachograph and is wiring in an electronic speedo.
Once the drivers area is sorted we will complete replacing the upper deck floor. Up to now it has been convenient to leave it as we can work from the lower deck on the door mechanism and wiring in the drivers area,
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Our 50 Year old TIGER CUB
Hard to believe but our 50 year old Tiger Cub passed her MoT recently with no problem.
However we are aware of some problems just bubbling under the surface and we will take action in the new year to bring here back to our satisfaction.
Meanwhile when you have a ride on her next compare her with the modern equivalent .
Maybe not as fast but does she rattle? Does she take bumps and holes in the road badly? I sometimes thing we are going backwards with our modern vehicles.
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SUNDAY 18th Oct - STRANGE BEHAVIOUR
On Sunday 2 buses set off to events. 595 went to Wroughton for the BUSES 60 anniversary and performed well all day. Atlantean 592 set off for the Isle of Wight. At the ferryport Nick (our driver) discovered the engine would not stop on the button. Checks were made but we could not stop it from the front or rear stop buttons. It was also noted the indicators were not working. It was decided to abort going to the Island and passengers had the choice of continuing on another bus (thanks to the lads from Cobham) while 592 headed back to the Broadway and home for investigation but lost gears on Andover Road. Now nothing seemed to work. While 592 was at the side of the road yellow coats were directing the traffic with hardly any inconvenience to passing traffic. After a short while the gears returned and our emergency plan was put into action with 592 now heading to our workshops. |
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In the workshops the engine was stopped and as suspected would not restart. It was discovered the batteries were very low. The charging system had failed due to a broken 160amp fuse. Checks were made and it was discovered we had a bad connection going to the field winding on the alternator causing the output to intermittently cut out and surge back. The connection was remade and the circuit operation checked before the fuse was replaced. A short road test and all looks well.
Thank goodness the engine was not stopped earlier. A good decision by the crew and a very well conducted recovery and at no extra cost to FoKAB
592 has had 2 previous problems with the charging system in the last 18 years and both times we have cleared the fault but not found the cause. I hope we have now.
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MDOGS CHRISTMAS VISIT (2008) |
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Saturday 10th October we invited MDOG members to pop into Central Works for a belated Christmas visit. We provided some snacks and a ride on 104. It was a pleasant meeting and keeps the contact between our two groups fresh and alive..
Picture © Keith Morton |
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The latest MOT test This time the test was performed at Botley on our Information Unit 849 and we left with a pass and no advisories. | ||
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ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY ANNUAL WALK
Sunday 27th September FoKAB provided a bus to transport a large number of people who were to do a walk in aid of the Alzheimer's Society. The bus used was 592 and collected the walkers from Twyford and took them to Alresford where they set off on their walk back to Twyford. | ||
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Pictures from the BLUEBELL RAILWAY outing Sunday 16th August
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Above: A couple of preserved Southdowns at Sheffield Park
Right Top: 419 in Brighton
Right Lower: Parked up at Arundel on the way home alongside a German coach with a picture of a London Routemaster on the side.
Photographs © Peter Murnaghan
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FoKAB SUMMER OUTING - Saturday 15th August
The 2 Silver Star vehicles, Tiger Cub SS10 with Harrington coach bodywork and SS42 Atlantean with MCW bus bodywork, turned up at the Broadway ready for our outing.
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We set off to our first pickup point at Stockbridge and then continued to Porton Down (original home of Silver Star) and then a coffee stop at “The Old Inn”
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We negotiated some narrow country roads and ended at East Gomeldon, a former Silver Star terminus complete with an old Silver Star bus shelter.
Photographs © Barry Thomas & Pete Staples
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SS10 taken from SS42 later on in the day
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STOKES BAY RALLY
On Sunday 2nd August, the Provincial Society's Bus Rally was once again held at Stokes Bay in the Borough of Gosport. This is an ideal location by the sea with the Isle of Wight in the background, and made more interesting by the large number of sailing vessels attending Cowes Week.
Once again FoKAB was present at this popular rally, this time with our two AEC Renowns.
Both buses were scheduled in service. 595 departed first at 12.20 on service 93 to Titchfield, followed at 12.30 by 596 on service 71 to Stubbington. When we returned we went on the cavalcade. Different this year due to road works at Lee-on-Solent. When we returned both of our buses were back in service, this time 595 doing the Stubbington circular (71) and 596 heading for Titchfield (93). All services carried good loads and we received plenty thank yous and complements.
The weather was kind and it was a nice day out and both buses performed perfectly.
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And another of our vehicles passes MoT TEST
On the 28th July our 1970 Leyland Panther - UOU419H passed the annual MoT test.
We are aware that there are some minor repairs required. The bell strip that runs the length of the bus is not secured in the centre due to the poor quality of wood the bell strip screws into. It has dropped down the the past and will do again unless we take action now. |
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WINCHESTER FOOD & PRODUCE SHOW | ||
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As part of the Hampshire Food Festival Winchester City Council staged its first Food and Produce Show in the Guildhall on Sunday 26th July. This featured locally produced fruit, vegetables, cakes and bread, plus local wines and beers. There were cooking demonstrations, including dishes with locally prepared watercress and fine seasonal fare. The event coincided with the regular Hampshire Farmers Market which occupied the Middle Brook Street car park and restricted the possibility of visitors arriving by car.
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As a result, FoKAB offered to provide a Park & Ride service from St Catherines, running every 10 minutes from 9.00 until 4.00pm. We used three buses 494, 595 & 596. The show was sponsored by by the Winchester BID (Business Improvement District), who donated the splendid large AEC Renown cake to be raffled with the proceeds going to FoKAB. It was a highly successful day and our buses performed faultlessly. We carried over 660 passengers, many of whom hadn’t travelled on a traditional double decker for very many years |
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WINCHESTER FOOD & PRODUCE SHOW on SUN 25th JULY. Above. Poster for cake raffle
FoKAB provided a Park & Ride from St Catherines P&R to the Guildhall
Below: Both cakes made in the shape of our AEC Renowns The larger cake is the one that was raffled |
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Above: The Mayor cuts the smaller of the two cakes. Accompanied by Sharon Palmer (organisers of the Winchester Food and Produce Show) watched by Ian Folger, Manager of Winchester Guildhall and our Chairman, Peter Murnaghan. Below: Part of the Saturday shift about to finished off the smaller of the 2 cakes |
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POU 494 PASSES THIS YEARS MoT TEST
We presented our 1956 Leyland Titan (PD2) for the annual MoT test on 13th July, and like the previous FoKAB buses, passed with flying colours.
However there was one minor advisory, slight movement in one of the joints. We plan to bring 494 into our workshop as soon as we have a slot. |
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The second of our pair of AEC Renowns was presented for the annual MoT test on 9th June and like her sister passed.
That evening 595 was used to take members of WARG (Winchester Archeological Research Group) for an evening trip.
During the trip it was discovered that 595 had developed a small water leak which was rectified by Brian (the engine) the following Saturday.
Our 2 Renowns are now 45 years old and are pretty reliable but we do get the odd problem which is soon sorted. |
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EASTLEIGH 100
For more pictures “Google” Eastleigh 100 |
EASTLEIGH 100
We supplied 2 buses, 494 and 592. Both were kept busy on this very hot day. 494 performed flawlessly, but 592 had to take a break at a slack time to cool off. Nevertheless both buses carried good loads. The route we ran was from Chickenhall Lane (near Barton Park) past Eastleigh rail station to Parkway (Southampton Airport) Rail Station. There were 2 other buses on a different route that took part in the day. An ex-London Transport RT and a Leaf Green Bristol VR. Our information unit was active within the works and seemed to attract quite a bit of interest.
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SPARSHOLT COUNTRYSIDE DAY 2009 Saturday 16th May
This is FoKABs second biggest event with 5 buses (494, 592, 595, 596 & 104) and the information unit involved.
Sparsholt attracts over 10,000 visitors and our buses were running with full or nearly full loads most of the day.
The day started with the odd light shower. Our buses ran from Garstons Farm to Central Campus, the restaurant and main buildings. The big problem with this route is that most of it is single track so buses cannot pass. This necessitated waiting for the bus to come out of the single track before the next was allowed in. When one bus was not enough then two would enter the single track together from the same end. There was always one bus at each end for passengers to board.
This system worked very well and enabled us to move a lot of people fairly quickly.
It is an enjoyable day for all and the organisation gets better every year. What are they going to do next year???? |
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Our unique pair of AEC Renowns are next to be presented to the MoT inspector. The first being 596 LCG which passed with flying colours on Tuesday 5th May. |
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CENTRAL WORKS UPDATE
Recently Stagecoach made us aware that a survey of the electrical wiring at the bus station showed that it was in need of updating.
This included Central Works and has now been completed at our cost. We had not budgeted for this but we now have a certificate and the site is now protected by Earth Leakage Trips.
11/05/2009 |
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BID for FoKAB
FoKAB's efforts in bringing thousands of people and their trade into the City of
Winchester through its annual King Alfred Buses Running Day has been recognised and
rewarded by BID - Winchester's Business Improvement
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that our passengers bring trade to the city of the order of £20,000 on this one day
each year. We don't benefit from any sponsorship or financial support, but it is
really good to see that our voluntary efforts are recognised by the Winchester BID
for our contribution towards the business community.
“We intend to continue providing our buses for heritage journeys on Running Day and supporting the local community throughout the year. We recognise the importance of maintaining the vitality and viability of Winchester as a commercial centre and are really pleased to do our bit in support". |
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Our latest MoT pass was our 1967 Leyland Atlantean HOR 592 E We were complimented on the high standard of the underneath of the bus. Like all our buses we clean and silver the chassis
Sister HOR 590E is currently in our workshop getting a good make-over
Our next bus to be presented for the MoT test is AEC Renown 596 LCG |
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Panther 417 passed MoT 30/03/2009 |
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Bedford VAL 704 was the second MoT test this year. She passed with flying colours |
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Our first MoT of 2009
Our little Dennis - 78 years old this year - passed it’s MoT for this year without any problems, however our engineers are not happy with the tick over after recent repairs to the carburettor and fuel system.
Our next MoT’’s are Bedford VAL and Panther 417, both now in our workshop for pre-MoT testing. |
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RUNNING DAY 2009 . | ||
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417 (UOU417H). Our 1970 Leyland Panther with Plaxton Derwent body, returned to the streets of WINCHESTER on 1st Jan after a long time off the road due to a major refurbishment.
What started off as a body repair and rewire ended up in a complete rebuild and rewire. The leaking roof was fixed in the our process. We investigated why all our Leylands had wheel imbalance and found the brake drums were made slightly off centre which did not matter until VOSA brought out the computerised tests. To get the balance we had to skim the drums with respect to the axle. Not easy to do but solved the problem.
The body was repainted by hand and the trim was fixed to the body.
PHOTOGRAPHS TOP - Panther 417 in service at the departure point in the Broadway
LOWER LEFT - Atlantean 592 getting a clean up on 31st Dec
LOWER RIGHT - Dennis 6 loading up in the Broadway |
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If you have any news that we may be interested in send it in to webmaster@FoKAB.org.uk The webmaster reserves the right to edit or not to include an article if considered unsuitable or shortage of space. Thank you . | ||
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