Issue 202
(OBP-416)
Sunday
12th November 2006
next update week ending 18th
November 2006
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002
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the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Please note that any
comments made in this news page are those of the Editors' and in no way
constitute
any official points of view from the bus companies
mentioned, or indeed any other official body.
As a news page we
reserve the right to make valid comments as seen from an editorial point of
view.
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news please let me know
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To see the pictures full size just click on the small one
Last week saw
the Coach and Bus show. This year's show was in a revised format taking
place for the first time on 7th-9th November 2006, at the NEC Birmingham in the
United Kingdom - Europe had the opportunity to come together. This show was
designed for operators and those involved in the coach and bus industry.. Euro
Bus Expo 2006 opened doors into the European and International bus and coach
market.
Over 300 suppliers and manufacturers from all over Europe exhibited their latest
developments for the bus and coach market.
Many readers will have attended and Gavin Francis and myself went along last Thursday. We managed to take over three hundred pictures between us and whilst some were duplicated we now have a comprehensive record of the vehicles on display.
It is my intention to give readers a flavour of those displays and relate these to forthcoming developments in our area.
The major operators were represented very well with buses and coaches on show for Arriva, First and Stagecoach as well as a large number of smaller operators.
My thanks also must be recorded to those who have provided additional information and photographs.
Several correspondents have mentioned now orders for major operators in our area but I will only advise on these when I have received the OK from the companies concerned. However Ken MacKenzie, Oxfordshire Other Operators Sub Editor for the PSV Circle writes "Local interest was the MAN double decker with East Lancs body which is destined to Reading Transport after doing a demo circuit.
Other news from me: McLeans are replacing there two W reg Volvo B10's (ex Wallace Arnold) with two new Setra's, one due this coming week and the other by the end of the month.
Pearce of Berinsfield: Two new 41 seater coaches are on order for April 2007. No other details are available yet. T403 BFC has left for Chambers of Stevenage (HT) and R902 GJO is for sale via Plaxton's Coach Sales but still in the fleet at present. This information was supplied to me by Martin Pearce."
Both Gavin and I, as mentioned above took a large number of pictures and below is a selection of those which I thought may be of interest.
Plaxton's are celebrating 100 years and the Panther above was suitably
decorated. Picture by MC.
The Kinetic name was applied to two MAN 18-220 with East Lancs bodywork.
I thought there was a similarity with the NCME Paladin from the side.
Picture one from Gavin Francis with mine second.
Wouldn't this
look nice on the 280 from Aylesbury to Oxford.
An ADL Enviro 400 for Arriva Scotland.
Another Enviro 400, this time for Stagecoach Manchester but set to become the
standard decker for the group.
Picture by MC
A little different but now very popular with Stagecoach this Solo is for
Cambridge and will introduce a free city circle service in that city.
This introduces the M A N engine for the Solo and the group has ordered 75 for
delivery in 2007. Picture by MC.
The matter of wheel chair accessibility is now all important and this is how Van
Hool have approached the matter.
Picture by Gavin Francis.
A VDL chassis
with a Wrights Pulsar body. This is a competitor with the Dennis Dart. Picture
by MC.
Possibly one of the most striking buses at the show, this the Optare Versa of
which Stagecoach has ordered 25.
Again this is a large Midibus. Photos by MC.
The Plaxton Centro available with three chassis options. This one appears to be
for the North West Arriva fleets. Photo MC.
Jonckheere have produced a new design, seen here on a Volvo B12B chassis. Note
the latest style side lights. Photo MC.
Finally, possibly the most bizarre coach in the show. I am at loss for words.
Seemingly two have been sold to Seaview so we may see them in Oxford on National
Express relief work.
Photo MC.
Well, I will post some further pictures and thoughts next week and hope you all enjoy the selection above.
Oxford County Council local bus tender changes - 11th December 2006
David Harrison wrote with details of upcoming changes to services in Oxfordshire effective December 11th 2006.
Oxfordshire CC have announced the results of their review into subsidised services in the Witney and Eynsham areas plus a few other changes. Of particular note is the reduction in Carterton town services and the reduction in the off-peak Water Eaton P&R service to every 20 minutes M-F! The main changes are set out below:
Service 11:
Witney-North Leigh-Freeland-Hanboroughs-Eynsham-Oxford
This
service will continue to be operated by Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, and low floor
buses will be introduced to this route as soon as possible by Stagecoach.
Service 18:
Oxford-Eynsham-Bampton-Clanfield/
Service 19: Witney-Bampton-Carterton
These
services will continue at the current hourly frequency, and they will continue
to be operated by Stagecoach in Oxfordshire. Due to low passenger usage, the
extension of service 19 to Cotswold Wildlife Park has been withdrawn. Low floor
buses will be introduced to this route as soon as possible.
Service 45:
Brighthampton-Witney
Service 45 has been withdrawn due to low passenger use, a daily shopping service
from Sutton, Stanton Harcourt, Bablockhythe, Northmoor and Brighthampton to
Witney provided by service 18A which will be operated by Stagecoach in
Oxfordshire.
The South Leigh to Witney shopping service will now be provided by extension of
Villager service 20A on Thursdays only.
Service 64: Carterton-Filkins-Lechlade-Swindon
The
service will continue at current broadly two-hourly frequency and will remain
operated by Stagecoach in Oxfordshire. The service will operate in and out of
Carterton town centre via Milestone Road and Corbett Road to replace former town
service 117. Low floor buses will be introduced to this route as soon as
possible by Stagecoach.
The diversion via Coleshill is retained, and the route in and out of Swindon is
unchanged.
Services: 213/214/215 Witney town services
The
Witney town services will now be entirely operated by Stagecoach in Oxfordshire,
and Stagecoach will be introducing low floor buses as soon as possible.
The Wood Green/Cogges services will be merged, and will operate in a single
clockwise (213) and anti-clockwise (214) loop, resulting in some increased
journey times. However journeys via Wood Green School retained as at present.
These services will no longer serve the Sainsbury's superstore.
Service 233:
Witney-Burford-Milton-under-Wychwood
Service 233 will continue to be operated by Stagecoach in Oxfordshire. journeys
via Burford School operated by double-deck vehicle as at present, however school
journeys will be withdrawn from Ascott-under-Wychwood.
Stagecoach will be introducing low floor buses to this
route as soon as possible.
Services:
113/117/118/119 Carterton local services
Service 113 will now operate on Thursday only, giving three journeys from
Burford to Carterton via Shilton Village (first morning journey commences at
Fulbrook) and two from Carterton to Burford (final journey extended to Fulbrook
on request). All journeys operate via York Road and Shilbrook Avenue, with two
additional round trips linking this area with Carterton shops and Broadshires
Health Centre. The operator for this service has not been announced yet.
Service 117 is withdrawn, and is replaced by diversion of two-hourly Stagecoach
in Oxfordshire service 64 via Corbett Road and Milestone Road.
Service 119 (York Road/Shilbrook Avenue) and will be replaced by limited
Thursday only service 113.
Service 118 will continue to operate between Carterton town centre and into the
Shilton Park estate via Broadshires Health Centre. It will be operated by
Stagecoach in Oxfordshire and Stagecoach will be introducing low-floor vehicles
to the route as soon as possible.
Service 20A:
Fordwells-Swinbrook-Asthall-Witney
Villager service 20A is extended to/from South Leigh to replace service 45.
Service 20B: Ascott-under-Wychwood-Leafield-Swinbrook-Witney
This
service will not change
Service 21:
Idbury-Swinbrook-Asthall-Crawley-Witney
This
service will not change
Service 14A: Leafield-Asthall-Crawley-Witney
This
service will not change
Service 242 (formerly Service 42): Witney-North
Leigh-Hanborough-Bladon-Woodstock
This
service will continue to be operated by Stagecoach in Oxfordshire, and
Stagecoach will be introducing low floor buses as soon as possible to this
service.
Service 208:
Leafield-Witney
Service withdrawn, Leafield retains shopping links to Witney via existing
Villager services on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Other changes
to contracted services
The
Transport Implementation Committee has also approved the following changes to
contracted bus services in other parts of Oxfordshire to start on 11 December
2006.
Service 511:
Hornton-Banbury
Following the early termination of this service by Jeffs Coaches, it has been
decided that this service will no longer operate due to low passenger numbers.
Hornton retains shopping links to Banbury via existing Cherwell Villager service
53 on Tuesdays.
Service 500:
Water Eaton Park and Ride
A
15-minute service will operate in morning and evening peaks and on Saturdays
with a 20-minute service at other times, and will continue to be operated by the
Oxford Bus Company.
Service 142:
Checkendon-Pangbourne-Reading
This
service will continue to operate unchanged, and will continue to be operated by
Thames Travel.
Services 67/67A: Faringdon-Uffington-Childrey-Wantage
This
service will continue with similar level of service to present, but with a much
simpler revised timetable. The service will be reviewed again in 2007 as part of
the Wantage area review. The service is withdrawn from Woolstone and the morning
peak journey to Faringdon and evening peak journey from Faringdon are withdrawn
from Childrey, Sparsholt, Westcot, Kingston Lisle, Uffington and Baulking.
Off-peak service for these villages reduced from three journeys each way to two
per day with more direct Faringdon-Wantage services operating.
--------------------------------------
David
comments that the Cotswold Wildlife Park will no longer be accessible by bus on
any day except Thursday (although glancing at their website they almost tell you
not to come by bus anyway!)
(Mind you, I went on service 113 once and was the only passenger).
So than you to David for that most interesting information. It would seem that Stagecoach will be getting some new low floor buses for the services mentioned and I will hope to have some details next week.
That ex Arriva Olympian pictured last week
Richard Kane writes to confirm that the ex Arriva bus EWW534Y was indeed being used by a film location company. Further details would be appreciated.
Unusual bus spotted on the M40 near Beaconsfield today by Steve Bunce.
Steve Bunce writes "I was driving West on the M40 today and came across the attached vehicle at the Beaconsfield junction. I had to press Mrs. B into getting a shot of it before we overtook. She did well! I have no idea what it is or who owns it, but it is certainly different.
Through a very bizarre coincidence it would seem that I photographed the original BIB9878 in Brighton a couple of years back. URE257R a Bedford SB5 with Wright bodywork was new to Michelin of Ballymena in 1976 but is now a caravan. Very strange indeed!"
Now I rather think that the bus pictured is owned by Michelin which would explain the registration. Further details would be appreciated. Ed.
Buses in The High, Oxford
There has been some correspondence discussion in The Oxford Times over the last few editions about the excessive number of buses and coaches using The High and it is suggested, spoiling this historic thoroughfare.
A letter in this week's paper suggests that the Queens Lane stop, which often appears only to pacify young students who are quite fit and able to walk to sensibly placed bus hubs away from the main artery roads in the city, should be removed for long distance coaches. One presumes that this writer means the Oxford Bus Company services to London, Heathrow and Gatwick, the Oxford Tube and the National Express service to Stansted.
Yes indeed there are a lot of buses and coaches using the main roads into and out of the city but I wonder how these coaches are to cover stops such as St Clements and Gipsy Lane plus Headington if they are not to use the High Street.
I do agree that The High is a special place but I am not sure what alternatives would work.
Presently Oxford enjoys some of the best coach connection of any city in the U.K. and these services are heavily used. Maybe all traffic should be banned from The High but think of the chaos on other equally attractive routes into the city.
Thank you to all those who been with me since day 1 and to those who have
contributed each week to help make this page so special.
Malcolm Crowe - Sunday 12th November 2006
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002 to date
News of the local companies – 12th November 2006
Simon Coates has provided yet more pictures of an ex Arriva bus with this shot of Western Greyhound D824UTF Outside Foxhole Post Office this evening, 9th November around 4.55pm.
Neil Rees writes "I know that Hitchin & Stevenage it’s a bit on the edge of your area, but have you got any news on what has happened as Stansted Transit Ltd., which operated in Stevenage as “Stevenage Link”, Transit Group Ltd?
This is the only weblink I can find & its not up to date. http://www.stanstedtransit.co.uk/index.htm
I’ve seen a notice up in Hitchin in Hermitage Road (stop A), about Transit Group no longer operate any services in Stevenage, that’s routes 1, 22, 117, 177, 178, 900, as of today. I cannot remember if it said 30 October 2006 or 31 October 2006.
I’ve heard that Arrive are taking on some of the drivers from Stevenage Link.
Finally I have conformation that Arriva's Hitchin Depot will close on the 13 January 2007, most routes will be operated out of Stevenage (but they do not know what depot in Stevenage, yet)."
Further to our report about the bus lost in the fire at Marlow - last week's News Page - Ben Carter sends an interesting link :-
http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news_article.php?section=5&category=87&story=2280
Nigel Peach writes "I noticed today (Sun 12th) that Plaxton Derwent bodied Volvo B10 3080 has disappeared at last from the Cressex depot.
Merc Minibuses 2118 and 2121 (N188/191 EMJ) have been there for some time. I'm not sure if either is still used as a staff bus, or whether they are both withdrawn. Most times when I've seen a staff bus recently it has been one of the Park and Ride VDLs!"
Ed Maun writes "Nigel Peach in commenting about the recent Arriva bus fire in issue 201 makes reference to the lack of fires in Thames Valley buses when he was a bus spotter in the 1960s. In fact you can almost count on the fingers of one hand Thames Valley fire losses in the period from 1930 to 1972. According to my records they consist of ":-
191 RX 4353 a 1929 Leyland Titan TD1 with Leyland double deck body. This was the Wycombe based vehicle that collided with a lorry at the junction of Green Street and Oakridge Road in High Wycombe in 1939, subsequently catching fire and being all but burnt out.
231 RX 8164 a 1931 Leyland Titan TD1 with Leyland double deck body. This was destroyed in a Reading depot fire in 1940.
272 JB 5851 a 1935 Leyland Titan TD4 with Brush double deck body. This was badly damaged in the 1940 Reading fire and was rebuilt by ECW.
393 BRX 909 a 1939 Bristol K5G with ECW double deck body. This was also badly damaged in the 1940 Reading fire and rebuilt by ECW.
715 HMO 861 a 1954 Bristol LS6B with ECW single deck body. This was destroyed by fire in 1965 and I assume is the Maidenhead LS referred to by Nigel.
424 RJB 424F a 1968 Bristol RELH6G with Duple coach body. This was destroyed by fire in 1970 – believed on the M4 motorway when on Reading to Heathrow RailAir duty.
Much reference to the above may be found in the excellent history of Thames Valley already mentioned in these pages sometime ago.
Interesting Link
Simon writes "I've attached a link for my fotopic webpage.....I've started a collection for Arriva serving the Shires (looking at it you'd think they only operate deckers). The picture of 5826 was taken in 0xford last Tuesday on the 280."
Kevin Stevens writes "City Sightseeing Oxford have retired 2 of their longest serving buses. On 31st October Fl No 217 and Fl No 124 were withdrawn from service and taken to Tappins for disposal. Both buses have apparently been sold. In the case of 217 (originally UTV 217 S) I understand it is to a preservation society but where I am unsure. This is good news as there seems to be very few examples of the Daimler Fleetline in existence and certainly even less as open toppers Fl No 215 being the only other one I am aware of in Stratford. The destination of Fl No 124 (originally STK 124 T) is unknown at this time. Attached are a couple of photos, possibly the last ones you will be able to publish of these 2 old timers.
Fl No 129 and Fl No 14 have also been moved to Didcot for winter storage but will return again in the spring."
Gavin Francis, a supporter of Wycombe Wanderers writes "...please find attached a picture of the Oxford United Team Coach taken at the ground this afternoon. (Saturday) - pity it will not be used for the FA Cup again this season ! Yes !!!" (apologies to those supporting Oxford United. Ed.)
Following last week's notes about the Darts being repainted I can now correct this information as the three Darts will be 401 and 402 already completed and 408 currently under repaint.
Scania Irizar coach nr 1 has gained a white offside mirror. However the Irizar pictured two weeks ago has now had the mirrors repainted in the correct colours.
Dart SLF 402 still awaiting fleet numbers to be applied on a 35 road working
last week.
Picture by Gavin Francis.
Ben Morroll sent another picture of Dart ex 412 now with Diamond Bus in Birmingham.
The company has produced a most interesting report which can be accessed on their site at the following link
ENVIRONMENTAL &
SOCIAL REPORT 2006
http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/cgi-bin/cms-pull.cgi?/oasis-ims/img/oxfordbus/live/20061003%20CSR06.pdf
Tim Hall sent this picture of the ex Singapore Bus Olympian working on Park &
Ride service 200 in 1995
R & H Transport
Vikki Lee writes "I took the attached photo of RH Scania on the 25 which worked at least Mon, Tue and Wed of last week on the 25! Bit unusual I thought - finally got sitting still long enough laying over in Oxpens."
Scania F113OMJ
caught at Oxpens in the lens of Vikki Lee last week.
Please refer to the report in the editorial above regarding a number of services in the new tenders effective 11th December 2006.
Matt
Cooper writes regarding new vehicles in the Bedford, MK area. He says "Our
fleet allocation card for period 7 lists the new Virgin vehicles as 53271-276
(KX56 JZJ-JZO) and are of type Volvo B7R, not sure of the bodywork. (Plaxton
Ed.)
The Beds C.C. owned Solos for the new 'Blue Solo' routes 3/4/8 in Bedford
town are 47437-442 (YJ56 AOL/M/N/O/P/R/S) these are Slimline Solos, with an
additional older standard version 47435 (YN53 SVV). As a result a large number
of MB 709D's are withdrawn and will most likely be sold to Ensign for onward
sale (not yet confirmed)"
Glenn Knight sent a couple of pictures of the new Virgin Trains coaches.
The
new Volvo B7R from VT99 53271 KX56 JZJ taken at Luton Airport on the 9/11/2006
on of the front and rear. Matt Cooper.
Details of the delivery by fleet number are: Virgin VT99 Volvo B7Rs/Plaxton
53271 KX56 JZJ
53272 KX56 JZK
53273 KX56 JZL
53274 KX56 JZM
53275 KX56 JZN
53276 KX56 JZO
This information was also provided by Glenn Knight. You can see more of Glenn's pictures at : http://ukbusphotos.fpic.co.uk
Here we see 16525 on a
lunchtime relief at Wheatley Campus. This bus is often allocated to the
outstation at Harwell.
Trident 18395 worked on the U1 last week,
unusual in that this bus is branded for the 27.
The autumn leaves make a
splendid background for 50125 as it approaches St Clements last week.
Kate Pontin of Thames Travel has kindly provided a current fleet list which is much appreciated.
Thames Travel (Wallingford) Ltd |
October 2nd, 2006. |
|
|
||
Fleet No. |
Reg. No. |
Chassis |
Chassis/VIN Number |
|
1st regd |
208 |
WWL208X |
Leyland Olympian |
ON992 |
E.C.W. H47/28D |
01/06/82 |
501 |
M501VJO |
Dennis Dart |
98SDL3054/2286 |
Marshall B36D |
01/03/95 |
67 |
V 67SVY |
Volvo B10BLE |
YV3R4A519XAOO5383 |
Alexander DP44F |
01/11/99 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
49 |
X 49VVY |
Optare Solo |
907-920-00-159155 |
Optare B27F |
08/01/01 |
383 |
X383VVY |
Optare Solo |
907-920-00-134956 |
Optare B27F |
01/02/01 |
313 |
Y313KDP |
Volvo B6BLE |
YV3R3A9131AO10356 |
East Lancs B36F |
02/03/01 |
877 |
Y877KDP |
Volvo B6BLE |
YV3R3A91X1AO10385 |
East Lancs B31F |
01/04/01 |
151 |
KP51UFK |
Dennis Dart |
SFD3C2CR31GW16150 |
Plaxton Pointer B36F |
23/01/02 |
251 |
KP51UFL |
Dennis Dart |
SFD3C2CR31GW16151 |
Plaxton Pointer B36F |
25/01/02 |
351 |
KP51UFC |
Dennis Dart |
SFD6B2CR31GW16231 |
Plaxton MPD B29F |
01/02/02 |
551 |
KP51UFB |
Dennis Dart |
SFD6B2CR31GW16230 |
Plaxton MPD B29F |
01/02/02 |
651 |
KP51UFH |
Dennis Dart |
SFD6B2CR31GW16233 |
Plaxton MPD B29F |
05/02/02 |
BD02 |
BD02HDV |
Mercedes 411CDI |
WDB9046632R348710 |
Guy M13F |
20/05/02 |
BX02 |
BX02CMF |
Mercedes 411CDI |
WDB9046632R390029 |
Guy M13F |
14/06/02 |
152 |
KP52RXF |
Dennis Dart |
CFD6BACR32GW86967 |
Plaxton MPD B29F |
01/01/03 |
252 |
KP52RXG |
Dennis Dart |
CFD6BACR32GW86968 |
Plaxton MPD B29F |
01/01/03 |
352 |
KP52RXR |
Dennis Dart |
CFD6BACR32GW86970 |
Plaxton MPD B29F |
01/01/03 |
452 |
KP52RSX |
Dennis Dart |
CFD6BACR32GW86966 |
Plaxton MPD B29F |
01/01/03 |
153 |
KX53SGY |
Optare Solo |
SAB19000000001215 |
Optare B26F |
24/10/03 |
253 |
KX53SGZ |
Optare Solo |
SAB19000000001216 |
Optare B26F |
24/10/03 |
353 |
KX53SGV |
Optare Solo |
SAB19000000001217 |
Optare B26F |
01/11/03 |
104 |
OU04FMV |
Dennis Dart |
SFD6BACR43GW87649 |
Plaxton MPD B29F |
02/04/04 |
154 |
OU54PGZ |
Scania N94 |
1848515 |
East Lancs CH47/33F |
13/01/05 |
105 |
AE05EUX |
M.A.N. 14.220 |
WMAA66ZZ74H003270 |
M.C.V Evolution B40F |
01/05/05 |
205 |
AE05EUZ |
M.A.N. 14.220 |
WMAA66ZZ74H003303 |
M.C.V Evolution B40F |
01/05/05 |
106 |
PF06 ENL |
Scania N94 UB |
1854142 |
ELC 59301 B31F |
01/05/06 |
206 |
PF06 ENM |
Scania N94 UB |
1854193 |
ELC 59302 B31F |
01/05/06 |
306 |
PF06 ENN |
Scania N94 UB |
1854260 |
ELC 59303 B31F |
01/05/06 |
406 |
PF06 ENO |
Scania N945 UB |
1854261 |
ELC 59304 B31F |
01/05/06 |
506 |
KX06 LXN |
Dennis Dart |
SFD 6BACR46GW 88700 |
ADL B29F |
29/06/06 |
606 |
KX06 LXO |
Dennis Dart |
SFD 6BACR46GW 88701 |
ADL B29F |
29/06/06 |
156 |
KX56 HCZ |
Dennis Dart |
SFD 6BACR46GW 88920 |
ADL B29F |
29/09/06 |
PHOTO CORNER
If you have a digital camera and wish to submit photos for
this page please send them to the me at
malcolmhc@aol.com
Gavin Francis visited Binders Yard, High Wycombe today and sent these interesting pictures.
Two Magpie vehicles that have
not featured in these pages before.
Titan 557 at Binders Yard,
Cryers Hill this Sunday. Pictures by Gavin Francis.
HISTORY IN PICTURES AND WORDS
Some more interesting replies have been received about local coach operators.
Gavin Francis writes re Jack Wingrove saying "I notice on your page last week some details from Nigel Peach regarding the coach company Jack Wingrove.
This is really going back to the start for me. We are not only talking pre-digital cameras, but also pre-colour. I have attached some photos taken at Brighton Coach rallies in the late 60's of Wingrove Coaches taken with my Mum's box brownie. My normal operating area would have been as far as I could go on my bike but Brighton required a day out on the train.
TBH617E was if my memory serves me correctly a Martin Walker body on an Austin J2 chassis. Looking at the relationship between body and chassis I am not sure what this would have been like to drive when loaded with passengers. A year or so later they bought GBH300G which looked a more solid piece of equipment.
Nigel mentions VBH500E which I think was a Plaxton bodied VAL At the same time I think Jeffways may have also bought a similar coach reg VKX777E although because Jeffways always used 777 registrations to compliment their telephone number it is difficult to remember exact registrations and vehicles.
I have also attached a picture of a Grayline (I assume of Bicester) Bedford VAL but this time with an Estoril body also taken at Brighton. This combination must have been very rare and I very much doubt if any exist anymore.
John Bristow
also wrote about
Pilot Coaches of High Wycombe
saying "I
was interested to see Ed Maun's piece on Pilot Coaches. If my memory serves me
correctly, this firm owned a Leyland Comet coach in the late 1950's. I remember
travelling on this vehicle with a local railway enthusiasts' club, doing an
engine-shed 'bash'. The driver claimed that he had once overtaken a fire-engine!
I must also tell you that I have launched a website showing a selection of my
bus photos from the 1960's. The site is called The JHB Bus Gallery and has the
following address";
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.bristow7/
Paul Dudfield wrote regarding services
on Headley Way saying "The
report in last week’s OCBP about the new bus road at the John Radcliffe Hospital
was of interest to me as I grew up in Headington. We lived in Staunton Road,
which is between Headley Way and the hospital.
It would seem from the report that the upper part of Headley Way has now lost
its bus service. When I first knew the area, Headley Way did not reach London
Road. Buses from town on service 8 travelled via Marston Road and up Headley Way
to Fortnum Close. There, they reversed round the corner to lay over before
returning to town.
Later, when Headley Way was extended to London Road, service 5 from Cowley ran
down the hill to Marston, terminating in Marsh Lane. It seems hard to believe
now, with today’s traffic, that such termini were possible.
I enclose a few photos. These are some of my first attempts at bus photography
and taken from 2.25” contact prints. It would seem from the notes on the back of
the prints that they were taken in 1962. In view of their small size I have
scanned them in together. I hope this will be acceptable. I realise they are of
poor quality and I cannot identify the individual buses."
The first
picture is of a Weymann bodied AEC Regent III at Fortnum Close terminus.
The other pictures were taken at the Staunton Road junction.
The Dennis Loline in the rather dark picture has just passed the spot where the
John Radcliffe Hospital entrance roundabout now stands.
The bus stop is rather fine. All pictures by Paul Dudfield
If you have any pictures or historical memories and wish to submit them for this page please send them to the me at malcolmhc@aol.com
Coming events & models
DVD s by Robin Clare
The full details of DVDs available from Robin Clare may be found at his web site :- http://www.robinclare.co.uk/
Latest Citaro models revealed
Dave Rogers sent the following press release.
CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE
Mercedes-Benz Citaro - ukbus 5004 Arriva Manchester - ukbus 5007 Oxford Bus
Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to release two brand new liveries on its well known Mercedes-Benz Citaro casting. Both models have received significant, yet different, modifications to the tooling in order to represent, as close to 100% accuracy as possible, the real buses on the roads.
ukbus 5004 represents fleet number Arriva North West’s 2851 (CX55 EAA). This Mercedes Citaro is one of three such vehicles with dedicated route branding for service 700 and with the destination set to Manchester. The model features a redesigned interior layout that includes the reduced seating capacity and luggage racks.
Starting on 29th October 2005, Arriva North West’s service 700 runs from Manchester’s Piccadilly Railway Station to Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport. For the service, 3 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses were purchased and numbered 2851-3. They were painted in the same style and colours as the Scania OmniCity buses that already operated between John Lennon and Liverpool city centre.
ukbus 5007 represents fleet number 830 (X13 OXF) of Oxford Bus Company. 830 entered service in December 2003, to upgrade the X3 & X13 Oxford – Abingdon services. The bus was painted in a new and distinctive livery designed by Best Impressions.
ukbus 5007 features the smooth, curved windscreen with the destination display set behind the windscreen glass rather than the protruding destination found on the Park & Ride Citaros in the fleet. This feature is one of the standard specifications on other Citaros that the Go-Ahead Group has purchased.
Mercedes-Benz Citaro ukbus 5004 and 5007 models are each a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square-mounted, double-glazed windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on both models is the extensive portrayal of handrails. The headlight / indicator units at the front and indicator / tail light units at the rear are made of individual components to look more realistic.
The brand new single-door Mercedes-Benz Citaro bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The ukbus 5004 and 5007 models are limited to 1700 pieces worldwide respectively.
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Model Buses for Sale
prices revised with immediate effect
I have a revised deal on Models for your readers...
Each of the following models are available for the following price :
Each Model = £10.00
Postage is £4.00 regardless of the number of models.
UKBUS 1014 - CREATIVE MASTER OXFORD P&R TRIDENT
UKBUS 5002 - CREATIVE MASTER OXFORD P&R CITARO
UKBUS 2012 - CREATIVE MASTER BROOKES BUS TRIDENT
CORGI ORIGINAL OMNIBUS OXFORD ESPRESS EXCALIBUR
Once again this offer is only available by emailing me direct at modelsmk@aol.com
More models are for sale on my eBay store, http://www.modelsmk.co.uk/shop
Thanks! James
Would readers who respond to the above please quote my site when doing so.
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Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002 to date
Links
These are three most interesting sites which I do recommend
Mike Penn's photo page with much from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire as well as Buckinghamshire
Chris Lowe's Photo page - mainly North West UK
A web site which has paintings of buses.
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http://www.britishbuspublishing.co.uk/
The latest handbook from BBF was
on sale at Cobham and was the ever popular Stagecoach edition now in its 13th
year. As in earlier editions it includes the 2006 new bus orders. |
Links
Bus Services in Buckinghamshire
Where are the Chilterns?
Visit this informative site through the link below.
Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002