For the 2023 heritage open days FoKAB ran a frequent service on the 10 to Sutton Scotney with a few services on the 11 to Basingstoke, re-routed to Sutton Scotney. The pre-war vehicles continued to run the short loop around the city centre to the Broadway.
Before the running started, FoKAB had all their operational buses on display for the first time. The only vehicles not on display were support vehicle 849 and the currently under restoration 811.
The display contained some vehicles not seen at recent running days, Leyland Panther UOU 417H returning after works and addition of advertising panels above the windows like UOU 419H.
Another returning vehicle to the running days was Dennis 6 OU 9286, the tiny pre war bus had been off for some works and a repaint, hence the missing King Alfred logos on the sides.
The Leyland Lion RU 8678 was also present among the King Alfred fleet, this is the most recent addition to the fleet appearing for the first time at 2023 May running day. While not an original King Alfred Motor Services vehicle, it does fit in very well with the two other pre-war members.
The final vehicle of note from the display was Leyland Atlantean HOR 592E, which was rolled forward for a naming ceremoy as a small plaque has been fitted inside remembering Pete Staples, one of FoKABs members who worked to preserve 592.
Around 10:30, the first vehicles departed the line up to head to the Broadway for the running to Sutton Scotney.
As the route was a long round trip, the frequency of buses through the Broadway and St Catherines Park and Ride was lower than on previous running days so it was harder to get photos.
This running day particularly was good for the coaches, 326 and 704, which are capable of far longer journeys so the trip to Sutton Scotney was straight forward for them.
Normally the coaches end up on longer connecting routes for the running days, so as there were no other services during this day it was a good oppotunity to experience them. One of my trips to Sutton Scotney was on the Bedford VAL, CCG 704C.
The Leyland Olympic, JAA 708, spent most of the running day parked by the bus station with ESL 132.
Another vehicle that spent a reasonable time spent parked up was Leyland Atlantean HOR 592E. It apparently experienced overheating problems so spent time on the Broadway, allowing photos to be taken with the King Alfred statue. Towards the end of the day, it did return to running and completed a round trip to Sutton Scotney and back.
The pre-war vehicles continued to do their usual loop from the Broadway round a loop.
As seems to be tradition, Silver Star Leyland Atlantean 1013MW was a visitor at this running day.
The only other bus I got a proper photo of during the running was 596 heading out to Sutton Scotney through Winchester's one way system.
