Wheels in Motion

The story of transportation along the South Coast of Sussex.
Seaford Town, where the air is crisp and the sea breeze invigorating, lies a history deeply intertwined with the advent of steam trains. In 1864 when the first puff of steam heralded a new era of transportation, Life changed.
''Wheels in Motion'' traces the evolution of transportation in Seaford and further afield, delving into the vibrant bus operations of the 1940s through the 1970s, viewers are transported back to an era where buses in joyful shades of green, orange, red, and yellow connected communities along the scenic south coast of England.
Through archival footage and interviews with locals, this documentary explores how steam trains, buses, and cars have shaped the identity of Seaford, illustrating how each mode of transport reflects the community's resilience, adaptability, and enduring charm.
Today, I just wish the trains were more reliable.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Such a beautiful AEC - so musical!

[@chrisconil]

Thanks, Robert, glad you enjoy the memory

[@johnpark-jones4285]

Loved the film but why the music that overpowered the narration.

[@chrisconil]

Thanks, John for your comment, working on a new comprehensive version, all the best.

[@isleofthanet]

@@chrisconil Unfortunately its quite common and very distracting.

[@davidsumner4335]

Vacations? In England we call it Holidays.

[@chrisconil]

Thanks for your positive comment, enjoy every moment

[@terryrobinson7371]

It was a Ford Capri not Vauxhall Cresta as on your commentary

[@chrisconil]

@@terryrobinson7371 Thanks Terry, the memory is going, all the best.

[@Zanderguard]

The AI narration is jarring. Otherwise, beautiful video. I like the music and shots.

[@chrisconil]

Thanks, Zanderguard, for your comments, glad you enjoyed the journey, all the best

[@david5845]

Superb! Love the mix and the pro editing! Well done!

[@chrisconil]

Thanks, David, glad you enjoy the journey, all the best, Chris

[@johnharkness6304]

Fabulous. In Dublin we had Leyland double deckers, the R class were older and had a small bonnet and mud guard, the RA class had the full width bonnet. All versions had a hinged drivers door, unlike the sliding door on Routemasters. Apparently not all that easy to drive. I think the early eighties saw the last of these lovely buses in Dublin, replaced of course by rear engined buses (with power steering of course) Wonderful memories going into Dublin city centre on these lovely vehicles. Thanks for that most interesting video.

[@chrisconil]

Hi John, thanks for your positive comments, glad it brought back some happy memories, all the best.

[@blackpoolbarmpot]

The Gent who remembers the open top service from Hampden Park to Eastbourne Seafront, I remember them too ! Service 8 which was seasonal. The main seafront service was the service 6 & 6A, but there was a very short lived service 3A too, this ran between Old Town - Cherry Garden Road, and Langney Roundabout. At the time I remember the open top services, were operated by pre-war Leyland Titan TD4's & a TD5, all with Leyland bodies and AEC Regents with Northern Counties bodies. All Eastbourne's pre-war buses were originally fitted with Petrol Engines and some with Torque Converter (Gearless) Transmission too.
After the war there was a change of policy at the Corporation and all future buses were fitted with standard Oil Engines. Those pre-war buses converted to open top, had their engines and Transmissions replaced with mainly 8.6 Litre Oil Engines and four speed 'crash' gearboxes from withdrawn Southdown vehicles, as and when they became available. Even some of the AEC's were fitted with the same. Making an AEC Regent, sound like a Leyland TD. One of the AEC's was fitted with a 7.7 Litre AEC Oil Engine, and another fitted with a 7.4 Litre Leyland E181 Oil Engine (the same type fitted to the PD1 as standard).
These buses were all eventually replaced with open-top converted post war Leyland PD1's. These, too, were eventually replaced, dates unknown.

[@chrisconil]

Thanks for your very informative comments, all part of a life long gone, but remembered, enjoy the journey, cheers

[@davidbarlow350]

Lived in Eastbourne many years ago.
Anyone remember the Hunting Lodge or the Dixieland Show Bar on the pier?(looks like it's just a shell now).

[@tony8074]

You know you’re a nerd when you can identify a Bullied Pacific by the back end of the tender.

[@PeterSkudder]

The old buses and coaches pre 1980 certainly had character

[@chrisconil]

Thanks for your comment, yes those were the days when traveling was an adventure.