The May Bank Holiday running day brought most of the King Alfred fleet and a large selection of visiting buses to operate over most of the former King Alfred and connecting routes.
The big news of the day was the first running day for FoKAB's newest fleet member, a 1929 Leyland Lion. While not a King Alfred Motor Services vehicle, there were Leyland Lions within the KAMS fleet so RU8678 is a representation of what they would have been like.
As the newest vehicle, it was very popular, especially earlier in the day.
The interior features many fittings that are like those found in the Dennis and the Albion.
It was in Edinburgh Corporation Transport before moving to Friends of King Alfred Buses, where it has been repainted into the pre war King Alfred livery.
RU 8678 was a Hants and Dorset vehicle before moving round the country and ending up in Scotland were it was restored. It will be repainted into the Hants and Dorest livery for 2029 when RU 8678 will be 100 years old.
The introduction of RU 8678 has been very successful and it fits in well with the existing fleet.
The usual town loop service was operated using the Albion, AAA 756, and the Bedford CA, BHO 543C, alongside the Lion.
The Dennis, OU 9286, was not present at this event.
Three out of four of the single deckers were out on the routes with 417 being the missing member.
419 was one of the vehicles that I travelled on during this running day on a trip to Stanmore down Wavell Way and Stanmore Lane.
Leyland Titan, POU 494, was present as usual and is probably one of the most reliable attendees from the Friends of King Alfred fleet.
The two Leyland Atlanteans were also present with the good weather for most of the day being helpful for 590's open top deck.
The AEC Renowns, 595 and 596, were also present for a 100% attendance of the double deck fleet.
Both 326 and 704 were out on the longer distance connecting services.
Parked around the back of the sales stands within the bus station was NKJ 849P, the Commer Karrier that the Friends of King Alfred Buses use as their support vehicle.
Usual visitor Silver Star Leyland Atlantean 1013 MW was at this event representing the nearby Salisbury Silver Star operator.
Also present were W Alexander and Sons Lion, VD 3433, and Alder Valley National, GPC 736N, representing the single deckers.
As for double deck vehicles, a PD3 from Portsmouth Corporation, STP 995, and Olympian A138 MRN were out and about.
The final Leyland visitors were a pair of coaches, a Royal Tiger E50 TYG from Ridings Travel and a Leopard PWS 492S from Badgerline.
Routemaster RM2208, CUV 208C, returned to the King Alfred running days and fitted in well with 596 LCG.
As with any Routemaster, it looks great from any angle.
This event had a very good turnout of Bristol REs from various operators. The first is DAE 511K, which is in Bristol Omnibus green and cream livery. Next is ECG 112K, which is in Provincial green livery. Then there is PPM 210G, which is in Southdown green livery. Finally, RLJ 341H in Hants and Dorset green livery.
As well has the selection of Bristol REs, there were a number of other Bristol buses on display.
One of these was Bristol MW FEL 751D, a Hants and Dorest coach with ECW bodywork.
Another others were Thames Valley 556, FMO 938, a Bristol LL with ECW body, and Brighton and Hove Lodekka KPM 91E, which joined HOR 590E in providing open top services.
Bedford was another manufacturer that was well represented at this event with two OBs, HOD 75 and CCF 648, from Mervyn's Coaches...
...and an OWB, CTP 200, from Portsmouth Corporation.
Alexander, Dennis and their successor Alexander Dennis also had a good showing at this running day.
GOU 845, a Dennis Lance K3 from Aldershot and District, added to the 1950s double deck range, operating some of the journys on the 14.
From the more modern end of bus preservation was Southdown Dennis Dart SLF, V380 SVV. The two ADL vehicles are still in service with Stagecoach South. The older of the two was SL64 HXO, a Enviro200 in Hayling Island livery.
The other ADL vehicle was SN66 VVL, an Enviro400 MMC recently repainted into Hampshire Bus livery to celebrate 40 years of Hampshire Bus.
Representing Alexander bodywork was Stagecoach Coastline Buses L622 TDY, a Volvo B10M-55 with Alexander PS bodywork.
Southdown Guy Arab IV PUF 647 was another 1950's double deck at this event, along with the 494 and the Portsmouth PD3.
Reading Buses J257 NLU, an Optare Spectra, was also out with a trip to Twyford Waterworks.
The final in service vehicles at the day were Reading Buses Scania Omnidekka, X100 RDG, and Burrows Coaches King Long XMQ6900, GN10 COA.
