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TRANSPIRE SLIDESHOW T10:

The end of THE TRACK

Added to website 30 October 2011

On Saturday 29 October 2011, through operation between Brampton and Whittington Moor in Chesterfield came an to end after 106 years. See further down the page for more details.

On the same day, the 293 service between Sheffield and Hallowes Estate, Dronfield was also running for the last time after 25 years of operation in various forms and by several different operators. See appendix 3 of the TRANSPIRE September news sheet for more information. This service started on deregulation day and was the brainchild of TRANSPIRE member Dennis Vickers, who drove the first journey in 1986 and travelled on the final working from Sheffield to Dronfield in Ladyline uniform (one of the operators that Dennis had driven for on the 293) and gave out commemorative tickets to the many passengers and enthusiasts on board.

To commemorate the day, TRANSPIRE member and Assistant Operations Manager of Stagecoach in Chesterfield Shayne Howarth arranged for a Routemaster to cover some of the workings on the two routes. See timetable further down the page.

In the days leading up to the 29th the Routemaster appeared in service on some other Stagecoach in Chesterfield routes, much to the astonishment of passengers who were not used to paying a conductor!

The pictures below were taken by TRANSPIRE member Andrew Bagshaw on 29 October. Below the pictures are links to more photographs on Focus on Flickr taken both on the 29th and on surprise appearances of the Routemaster on previous days.

The title picture at the top of the page was taken by Tony Wilson.

Andew comments; "It was an excellent day. Many thanks to all those involved in driving and conducting".

1. Departure from Sheffield 0815

2. Eckington 0843

3. Chesterfield 1218

4. Holymoorside 1439

5. Sheffield before final departure at 1650

6. The journeys were well supported by bus enthusiasts and somewhat bemused members of the public!

7. Dronfield Hallowes Estate terminus at 17.39

More pictures on Focus on Flickr
HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE & HERE

Announcement for passengers from Stagecoach in Chesterfield

Horse Trams began operating between Brampton & Chesterfield town centre back in 1882. Electic tramways commenced in 1905 & at this time the line was extended to serve Whittington Moor.

Since then, despite the replacement of Tramcars with Trolleybuses & subsequently Motorbuses, the bus services along this route have always been fondly referred to as “the track”.

At the end of October 2011, in order to improve reliability, services 50 & 50A will be curtailed to operate between Chesterfield, New Whittington, Eckington & Sheffield only. A new 84 service will be introduced, operating between Holymoorside, Brampton, Chesterfield & Calow Royal Hospital.

Therefore, 106 years of continuous operation on “the track” will come to an end.

To commemorate the last day of bus services along “the track”, Stagecoach in Chesterfield will be operating extra buses between New Whittington, Chesterfield & Holymoorside using a vintage London ‘Routemaster’ bus complete with conductor.

For more information on where & when you can ride on the ‘Routemaster’, please call 01246 211007 or visit www.stagecoachbus.com/chesterfield. We hope to see you on board!

The timetable: