Part 3; We See The 1B ...
... but first a missing map of poor quality! In very simple terms, this is the 16A.
Just noticed; the skilled cartographer has added an unwanted 'w' to Southbourne. You can't get the staff, you know!
Your author had intended to create individual maps of the three ones by extracting each route from the PDF MoreBus network map. But, sadly, the file was so large that the download process wilted into technological stasis and would not deliver.
So here is the 1B ...
... involving a right hand turn at Pokesdown station. Here is the 1B's trolley bus ancestor, route 23, making that turn.
Almost opposite the turning trolley was a tram depot ...
... which became a trolleybus depot ...
... which became a furniture warehouse, perhaps with a less than inviting name.
Ultimately, the building was demolished ...
... and replaced by a block of flats seen from above the main road ...
... and from round the back courtesy of Google Earth.
Pokesdown station building is above, top right.
After Fisherman's walk, trolley 23 and MoreBus 1B hang a left and and run via residential areas along Beaufort Road ...
... and Cranleigh Road ...
... rejoining the road via Southbourne just south of Tuckton Bridge.
After Fisherman's walk, trolley 23 and MoreBus 1B hang a left and and run via residential areas along Beaufort Road ...
Cranleigh Road still has a few shops ...
... and a splendid red brick building which used to be shops ...
... a hair 'salon' and a dog grooming emporium. Before that they were real retail premises, a greengrocers and a butchers included. But now ...
... the obligatory flats.
The residential hinterland of Southbourne still has a pub.
Next we cross the River Stour on Tuckton bridge ...
... which was narrow (?) and thus scary for trolleybuses.
Back in the 1970s, just after passing over the bridge, you could enjoy a view of St Paul's Cathedral ...
... Tower Bridge ...
... massed bands on The Mall ...
... and many others. This was Tucktonia ...
... a model of London landmarks including the Capital's pier and cross-channel passenger ferries, extra delightful at nightfall.
The park, which included rides ...
... rather feeble by today's standards ...
The 1B, together with the 1C run via the original trolleybus trail, calling near to Christchurch railway station ...
... before the town centre. The 1B continues to Burton, always a Wilts and Dorset destination.
... but never well served. The 1B represents a great improvement, offering a tidy half hourly headway.
Burton was once a picturesque village ...
... and some ot its quaintness remains if you know where to look ...
... amongst the modern "dormitory" development.
Certainly the 1B is a more fascinating ride than the 1A, especially if you half close you eyes and mentally wander back to 1969 to imagine the silent glide of the electric buses and the distinctive clatter as the two trolley poles traversed the multitude of frogs that characterised the Bournemouth Corporation system.
Sigh!
Frogs? They are what rail enthusiasts would call 'points' or 'turnouts'.
1C the final 1 2 C blog : Fri 11 Sept
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