Vehicles: The aim of Driving Sideways is to provide horsedrawn public transport to tourists and locals alike around the Ringwood area and into the New Forest. During our research into this project and through our stages of preparation we have learnt a lot about what is required of a vehicle to support this kind of service.
Initially we planned to use just one vehicle, the Rover, but as our Omnibus was late back from its restoration in 2007 we took the opportunity to purchase our second vehicle, the Rambler taking advantage of what we had learnt in training and in consultation with the Forestry Commission and the National Parks Sustainable Development Fund Committee.
In 2008 we purchased our third vehicle, the Ranger, again capitalising on what we had learnt from the previous two, to enable us to take small parties out into the New Forest countryside.
*Departs Ringwood Tourist Information Centre on Wednesdays
Our Vehicles: Ringwood Rover - a 1906 ex-Southampton Corporation Open Top, Double Deck Omnibus.
Disappointingly, as you can see, the Rover is nowhere near ready. She is an interesting mix of vehicle, we have yet to get to grips fully with her origins.
Her axles carry two different dates, the front Axle is manufactured by Liam E Cary of Manchester and is dated 2/34 and her rear axle is dated 9/14.
She has been boarded out, this means whereas with other omnibuses they are shaped so that the seats inside form the bottom of the bus with the brake rods on the outside, hers are inside under the seats.
It seems fairly certain that she was built originally as a bus and then her skirt was lowered to allow her to be used as a horsedrawn tram.
????? of ????? was kind enough to provide some history from the Southampton Omnibuses which you can read here.
Ringwood Rambler - a two year old Planwagen imported from Holland
We have sourced the Planwagen from Holland, through the biggest horsedrawn vehicle dealer in Europe. Horsedrawn vehicles are far more widely used in Europe and there is a roaring trade in these vehicles second hand. We lost one in between seeing it on the website and phoning to say we would like to buy it but fortunately for us the supplier had this one which was having a spring and it's raincovers replaced.
It seats 18 people and we were able to take advantage of what we have learned in the 6 months the business has been up and running.
Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to identify who is responsible for overhanging trees around Ringwood. It seems there is no one place or authority. The planwagen will allow us to travel routes where the omnibus cannot go. The planwagen also has easier access for the customers.
Once both vehicles are available we will probably run the planwagen on the country routes and the Omnibus around town.
Ringwood Rover - a 1906 ex-Southampton Corporation Open Top, Double Deck Omnibus.
the front Axle is manufactured by Liam E Cary of Manchester and is dated 2/34 and her rear axle is dated 9/14.
Ringwood Rambler - a two year old Planwagen imported from Holland