‘Scene’ on the Isle of Wight (IOW) Part 3

The IOW at one time had one of the most well developed railway networks in the country. Today it is reduced to one line running from Ryde to Shanklin with a preserved line running from Smallbrook Junction to Wootton. 

 

Like many other holiday destinations it is now largely dependent on the coach.

 

There are a number of ferry routes to the island and the first three images are taken at Gunwharf Quay in Portsmouth where they are are awaiting the ferry to Fishbourne. 

 

BK11 CPY

A Setra S416GT-HD of Shearings Holidays.

 

TCF 496

Is a Volvo B12B with Van Hool Alize bodywork.

Operated by ‘Simonds of Botesdale’ who are an East Anglian operator working in the Diss, Norwich, Ipswich and Bury St. Edmunds areas. Supplying a mixture of holiday, coach charter and council services, the company is currently listed as running 52 vehicles.

 

K120 LSR

Our transport was this immaculately kept DAF SB3000 with Van Hool’s Alize bodywork belonging to long established operator Albert Wilde Coaches who are based at Heage, Derbyshire.

 

BX-778-TC

A Mercedes-Benz Tourismo seen in Shanklin. 

The operator is a company called ‘Savac Autocars of Paris’ and according to the vinyl by the door is celebrating 70 years of operation.

 

R012 MWN

This smart conversion of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is operated by ‘Coach House Travel’ of Dorchester.

 

BK08 NJU

Another Setra 416GT-HD. This time operated by ‘Edwards Coaches’ of Llantwit Fardre in Wales.

 

L8 OAP

A Scania K340EB4 with Irizar Century bodywork working for ‘MM Coachlines’ (MMC) also seen in Portsmouth waiting for the ferry. MMC operate from the Chatham area in North Kent.

 

111 KJX

A Setra 41 HD one of the fleet run by ‘Turners Coachways’ of Bristol.

 

YJ10 DUH

A Temsa Safari HD from the fleet of ‘Nelson’s Travel’ from Neath in South Wales. 

It’s first operator was ‘Cavendish’ of Poole in Dorset.

The Safari is my experience is a rare beast. I have seen more at the NEC Bus & Coach show than I have seen on the roads.

Temsa are headquartered in Turkey but have a European office in Belgium.

 

WA10 CFY

A Volvo B12B with Van Hool Alize body owned by ‘Barnes’ of Swindon

 

M300 MHS

A Volvo B10M with Caetano Algarve bodywork from the fleet of ‘MHS Travel’ who are based in Stourport on Severn.