179 Doncaster - Wheatley Hills (Read 1,878 times)

[nickh]

The Wheatley Hills route was originally a trolleybus route, which terminated at the Wheatley Hotel, numbered 19. It was replaced by buses and extended to Sandal Park, using the turning cirle at the junction of Sandall Park Drive, renumbered 179 in 1974. The 190 to Silver Jubilee Close was introduced in the early 80's? and ran every 35 mis between 9am - 3pm.

At deregulation it increased to 2 p/hour to SJC (190) and 4 p/hour to Sandall Park (179).

In 1988 the 179 was extended to Clay Ln, with 4 buses p/hour and 2 p/hour as 190's to SJC.

When the 179/190 became a Mainline route in May 1991 all journies went to SJC as 179's every 10mins, then in September it was changed again, SJC and Sandall Park had alterrnate journies every 10 mins all numbered 179 (that explians the photo of a 179 to SJC). The Sandall Park buses ran to the roundabout at the junction of Leger Way, rather than the turning circle.

From March 1992 the Sandall Park buses were extended to Clay Lane again every 20 mins.

In Oct 1993 the 179 was withdrawn and replaced by the 77/78 running every 10mins, Woodlands - Doncaster - SJC (78)/Clay Lane(78). This didn't last long, as in Jul 1994 the 77/78 were withdrawn and replaced by the 179 again, running Doncaster - SJC, evey 20 mins.

Can't remember when the 179 was withdrawn and replaced by the 67, but suspect it wasn't long after the above change was made.

Hope that helps?

[steveh31]

Thanks for that Nick.

Too add from a friend of mine:


179 was replaced by 68/68A in around 1998 when First bought Mainline and they were replaced by the 67/67A in 2001, 67A was withdrawn in 2004

[Tom B]

Cheers Nick - certainly seems to have been an area with more changes than I've had hot dinners. Every 35 minutes seems a very unusual frequency!

[nickh]

tombeevers said:

Cheers Nick - certainly seems to have been an area with more changes than I've had hot dinners. Every 35 minutes seems a very unusual frequency!

No problem.

The 35 min frequency was 1 bus operating it throughout the day, not a very OAP friendly frequency though!!

I lived on the 179 route from 1973 - 1996 and have memories of lots of varied vehicles operating the 179. Can just about remember the Roe bodied Seddons, then 11XX & 15XX Fleetlines, 1576 - 1590, 16XX, 17XX & 18XX Atlanteans and loads of Dominators. 431 the rare Van Hool bodied Atlantean operated last in service on the 179!

Thorne Rd was one of the best places for seeing many different types and operators, like Blue Line, Relaince, Premier & Severn, all long since gone.

[Tom B]

Thorne Road now has a massive choice of First, First, First and, ooh, First! With five Wilfreda journeys throughout the day and night.

Looking at the terminus of the 179 on Google Earth, it must have been pretty tight to get round there!

[steveh31]

It isnt that tight I think it was purpose built. If you ever go past have a look.

Don't forget the Veolias on 174 and the Mexborough shuttle.

If I can I will take a picture tomorrow

[Tom B]

Ah, true about Viola, First run the Mexborough shuttle though.

I'm basing it on Google Maps only, if I'm ever up that way I'll take a peek.

[nickh]

tombeevers said:

Looking at the terminus of the 179 on Google Earth, it must have been pretty tight to get round there!

The bus would use the junction of Sandall Park Drive to swing into as it crossed Thorne Rd, then pull into the small layby where the shelter is.

This would probably be out the question now though, banned by the Health & Safety police!!!

[Tom B]

Oops - clarify - I meant the one at Wheatley Hills, Silver Jubilee Close.

[steveh31]

Thats very close to where im moving too. Also specially built I dont think it is tight as the satellite image shows there is quite a wide margin to turn around in. In fact i think you could be fairly confident of being straight when turning out of the junction

[donnyboy]

nickh said:

The Wheatley Hills route was originally a trolleybus route, which terminated at the Wheatley Hotel, numbered 19. It was replaced by buses and extended to Sandal Park, using the turning cirle at the junction of Sandall Park Drive, renumbered 179 in 1974. The 190 to Silver Jubilee Close was introduced in the early 80's? and ran every 35 mis between 9am - 3pm.

At deregulation it increased to 2 p/hour to SJC (190) and 4 p/hour to Sandall Park (179).

In 1988 the 179 was extended to Clay Ln, with 4 buses p/hour and 2 p/hour as 190's to SJC.

When the 179/190 became a Mainline route in May 1991 all journies went to SJC as 179's every 10mins, then in September it was changed again, SJC and Sandall Park had alterrnate journies every 10 mins all numbered 179 (that explians the photo of a 179 to SJC). The Sandall Park buses ran to the roundabout at the junction of Leger Way, rather than the turning circle.

From March 1992 the Sandall Park buses were extended to Clay Lane again every 20 mins.

In Oct 1993 the 179 was withdrawn and replaced by the 77/78 running every 10mins, Woodlands - Doncaster - SJC (78)/Clay Lane(78). This didn't last long, as in Jul 1994 the 77/78 were withdrawn and replaced by the 179 again, running Doncaster - SJC, evey 20 mins.

Can't remember when the 179 was withdrawn and replaced by the 67, but suspect it wasn't long after the above change was made.

Hope that helps?

Thanks for that I guess me and steveh31 were both right then. Obviously the latter part where the 179 ran every 20 minutes is the one i remember running to Silver Jubilee Close. Although now you mention it, i do remember it being the 77/78 before that

[steveh31]

I have to admit I dont remember a route 77 or 78 going through town. I only remember my local buses 158 and 159 going to Clay Lane.