Website designed by Steven Wood  Eastbourne-Classicbus 2010

Site updated 10th May 2012

for Eastbourne running day

Report on 2011 Running Day

This year’s Running Day took place on Sunday 7th August.  In spite of  an indifferent forecast Eastbourne lived up to its reputation as ‘Suntrap of the South’ and we were blessed with dry and fine weather all day.  

 

The 2011 event was more popular than ever with our best attendance ever.  All programmes were sold by late morning and there were more passengers travelling, not only enthusiasts but also local residents and holidaymakers.  

 

Advance publicity, including a short piece in the  “Times”, undoubtedly contributed to this, and on the seafront there were often people boarding and alighting at intermediate stops, something which had barely happened in previous years, other than at the Pier.

 

Services were again based at Eastbourne Railway Station with a link to the Eastbourne Miniature Steam Railway.  Click for a full list of services operated.

 

The Beachy Head and Birling Gap services, operated by Open-Top vehicles proved very popular and a number of ‘extras’ were operated.

 

Prior to the event there had been many problems with vehicle availability with 4 vehicles having to pull out due to various mechanical problems. This  necessitated a number of last minute substitutions that included Maidstone and District 6690, a 1973 Bristol VR;  former LT RF633; a 1979 AEC Reliance and a former Western National Bristol LH.  Click for a full list of vehicles operated.

 

A number of enthusiasts’ stalls were located, for the first time, on the concourse of Eastbourne station with a static display of vehicles at the Miniature Steam Railway.

 

Thanks go to the following for their assistance and support for the 2011 event:

 

 Kate Richards at Southern Railways

 Rachel, Mike, Cheryl and Luke Wadey of the EMSR park

 The marshals Andrew Pill, Roger Miller, Robin Jones and James Wake

 Vivian, Ron and Les for working the CBR stand

    

And finally, thanks to the owners and drivers of the vehicles for making them available for the day.