The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  

Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002

Visit 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.

If you wish to be included on a mailing list where I will advise of any mid-week news please let me know
malcolmhc@aol.com

To see the pictures full size just click on the thumbnail

A note regarding photographs which show drivers faces.
Following one complaint from a driver of a bus in Oxford but considering the fact that the photographs are taken of the vehicle not any person,
I will blank out the face to avoid any discomfort to the individual concerned. If you are the person involved send me an email to have this action taken.
I am sure people will realise that to ask everyone in advance of publication, whose face may appear in a picture is wholly impractical in both time and practice.
I am sorry to have to mention such a matter but we now live in a world of human rights and political correctness which must be considered.

Well, still on the mid week publication of this News Page and this will continue next week. I am off this weekend to Minehead to attend the Quantock Heritage Running Weekend which should prove most interesting. Full details can be found at the following link : http://www.quantockmotorservices.co.uk/qmsbusrally07.htm

The past week has proved interesting and we have a photo report from Chris Maxfield and Ben Morroll on their visit to Hatfield, St. Albans and Watford. I am also now going to include a suitable picture each week entitled "Buses in the Landscape" and I invite you to submit suitable photos for inclusion. This week's place goes to Colin Cooke for his Canterbury shot.

The weather has been wonderful these last few days and sometimes even a little too much sun for good pictures. Today, Thursday,  is overcast and not quite so warm.

A tight squeeze in Canterbury by Colin Cooke

Colin Cooke writes "As a history student at University of Kent, my son is always telling me how much he likes the bus journey into Canterbury and the entrance into the City via the West Gate tower! The tower has stood for six centuries and negotiating through it represents a good skills test for the local Stagecoach drivers ! As you can see from my photos the wing mirrors only just make it!!!!! Not to be taken at speed. I have also included a shot of the UNIBUS which operates to/from the University."

 
The buses used in Canterbury are based at Herne Bay some 12 miles from the city.
18160 seen above is one of 24 Tridents based at Herne Bay for services in that area.

How nice to see yet another "Uni" colour scheme.
16361 has been transferred from long time hone Hastings to Herne Bay for the "Uni" services.

It is interesting to note the growth of specialised university bus services, some of which have grown into fully fledged bus companies such as Uno at Hatfield featured elsewhere on this page. Indeed there seems to be a whole new subject which could even make a book - University Buses.

Binders Yard, High Wycombe - a visit by Steve Bunce & more on that Olympian F253YTJ

Steve writes "A couple of interesting London Transport types at the Ward Jones premises this week (17th March) were KGJ 621D, which carried the LT fleet number RMA1 although was originally BEA21, receiving some major attention and also present was RT1702 (KYY 529) the last of the 4 Festival of Britain buses, which toured Europe promoting the event in 1950 still carrying a GB sticker on the rear. Also noted was Bristol VRT VDV 123S, originally with Western National, and now privately preserved."

The photo of RMA1 shows quite clearly the one piece windscreen and lack of destination equipment requested by BEA.

A bit of trawling of the internet turned up the following link about RT1702.
http://www.packer34.freeserve.co.uk/KYY529.htm

Following on from the photos of the 17th March, here is a selection of what was around today. I was lucky enough to be allowed inside the workshops to take the photo of a stunning RM2116 having it's  underneath sprayed.

Other Routemasters present were RML2483 and RM938. A lovely RF406 (MXX 294) was also in the workshops for an unknown reason.

Star of the yard this week though, had to be new to Southern National BTA 59 - a 1934 Dennis Mace with a 26 seat ECW body.

One I forgot to mention, JRX 823, new as Thames Valley 748 in 1955. It is a Bristol KSW6B ECW L55R.

Some weeks ago I published a picture of an ex Merseyside Olympian taken by Gavin Francis, we did not however know at that time who owned it or any further details. I have now received a lot more information which is most interesting.

Ian Davey writes "That particular bus belongs to Alder Valley Travel of Alton. See http://www.aldervalleytravel.co.uk/ for details of their other buses.

Many thanks to Ian for that update.

Reading the magazine Route One a couple of weeks ago I discovered that Yelloway had been reborn. I commend the following web site to readers, I found it most interesting as it tells the history of this once famous company which has been recreated by a local coach operator in the North West.

Picture by Chris Lowe - http://chrislowebusphotos.fotopic.net/
http://www.yelloway.co.uk/

As you will see from recollections on the site I have added my own memories of Yelloway which was one of the great names of coaching in the U.K. and must surely rank alongside Black & White, Greyhound, Premiere Travel and so many others.

Portsmouth memories by Marcus Lapthorn

Marcus Lapthorn sent an interesting item on a memory rekindled. Marcus writes "...on 27th July 1963 I travelled on the very last ever journey by a trolleybus in Portsmouth, when BUT/Burlingham 54 seat trolleybus 313 rolled into Eastney Depot just before midnight. 

On 28th April 2007 I was again present, this time at Carlton Colville Transport Museum near Lowestoft, when 313 rolled again after undergoing restoration at different locations over the intervening 40 years. A superb restoration has been accomplished."

http://www.eatm.org.uk/

Seems this museum is well worth a visit, especially with a fine hot summer forecast.

Photo call - Hatfield, South Mimms, St. Albans and Watford visited by Chris Maxfield and Ben Morroll

Imagine my surprise ...... !!!!! - Friday 27th April dawned fine and sunny. I had worked the 04:30 departure from Oxford to Stansted on National Express 737 and was on my way back at 09:15 from Stansted with my first stop scheduled for the University of Hertfordshire at Hatfield at 10:00. As I turned of the A1001 to gain entry to the bus station I was surprised to see my good friends Chris Maxfield and Ben Morroll armed with their cameras snapping everything in sight. This included me and my trusty steed Scania 59214 which features heavily in this edition of the News Page.

Picture by Chris Maxfield.

Chris and Ben were on a two day trip to this part of the world and below are a selection of the results of their efforts. The pictures illustrate vividly the colourful transport scene in our towns and cities these days.

Pictures by Chris Maxfield - captions included in the file names.

South Mimms & Sullivan's

South Mimms is the most southerly service area on the M1 and is home to a lot of coach operations but also home to the operation of Sullivan Buses - http://www.sullivanbuses.com/.

Their web site is excellent giving as it does a full fleet list including a picture of almost every bus operated. Chris and Ben were in time to catch up with L37WLH which has been specially prepared for the 950 Staines-Thorpe Park service.

St Albans
http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/

St. Albans, or to quote its Roman name Verulamium, is a busy place with a "High Street" bus terminus which gives a good area for photography. Served by Arriva, Centrebus, Metroline (on the long 84 service of LT fame) and UNO, the city enjoys good transport services and links.

Watford

Watford is a meeting point for many services and the buses of Arriva, Carousel, Metroline, Red Rose and UNO can all be seen plus those of Virgin Trains run by National Express.

Pictures by Ben Morroll - captions included in the file names.

Hatfield

Hatfield is dominated by Uno Bus which has developed from University Bus and which I believe operated some American Bluebird buses in the early days of its existence. Ray Stenning of Best Impressions devised the striking livery which is certainly colourful to say the least. Very few buses remain in the original white and grey livery. The Galleria, which can be seen from the A1M is also served by Arriva and Centrebus.

From the foregoing one can see that all these places are extremely interesting, offering the chance to see some colourful buses and coaches. Between them, Chris and Ben took several hundred pictures and it has been a difficult job to select and suitable batch of pictures to illustrate their day.

Long live the digital camera !!!!

The Wasps play away from home

Several readers wrote in regarding the report last week. Chris Child wrote "Wasps played Northampton in the Heineken Cup and won 30-13. They go on to play Leicester in the final on 20th May at Twickenham."

Trevor Wilson writes "The Motts convoy on Sunday 22nd April was indeed Wasps fans travelling to the Heineken Cup Semi-Final against Northampton Saints held at Coventry's Ricoh Arena - the first time this stadium has been used for a rugby match.  Wasps won 30-13 and we are now going to the final at Twickenham. 

Match report at http://www.wasps.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=28090&newstype=m.  Coach tickets were £10.  Northampton had about 45 coaches.

Allez Wasps !!"

The full details of DVDs available from Robin Clare may be found at his web site :- http://www.robinclare.co.uk/

A silver RM in Staines on the 441 by Russell Young

Russell young writes "In connection with a transport related collectors fayre at the Hythe Leisure Centre in Pooley Green near Staines. First London SRM3 worked a number of free PM extra journeys on First Berkshire route 41 (as 441) between Slough, Windsor and Staines on Saturday 10 February. Details of the bus were:- First London SRM 3

Picture taken in Egham by Russell Young - Copyright

MK Dons visit Wycombe Wanderers and go home winners

Gavin Francis, who is keen of Wycombe, sent this picture of the team coach for MK Dons who played last Saturday and won. Oh dear!!!

Buses in the landscape

As mentioned above I will feature a picture each week under this heading and pride of place this week goes to Colin Cooke for this lovely picture of the castle at Canterbury suitably enhanced by a Stagecoach Olympian.

Taken on 16th April 2007 by Colin Cooke.

3rd Slough Running Day - Sunday 13 May 2007

Please note that the programmes for the above Running Day are now available at £5 each by post from:

Peter Cartwright
54 Guinions Road
HIGH WYCOMBE
HP13 7NX
Tel: 01494 437750                         

Cheques payable to Amersham & District Motorbus Society

or IN PERSON from next week from

Slough Bus Station Enquiry Office

or

Tourist Information Office
Pauls Row
HIGH WYCOMBE.

Amersham & District Running days 2007 - dates for your diary

http://www.amershammotorbussociety.co.uk/ 

Amersham & District Running Days for 2007 are as follows: 

Sun 13 May 2007 - 3rd Slough/Windsor Running Day based on Slough Bus Station 

Sun 24 June 2007 - 2nd Hemel Hempstead Running Day based on Hemel Hempstead Bus Station                        

Sun 30 September 2007 - 19th Amersham Running Day based on Amersham but commemorating the 30th anniversary of the closure of HE Garage (30/09/1977) so there will be a reconstruction of certain routes in the High Wycombe area.

Another good week for news although the picture stakes have been a little less than usual.

Malcolm Crowe - Thursday 3rd May 2007

Nigel writes "You showed a picture of new Arriva trainer 3342 last week. Interestingly, this bus spent a month or two based at Wycombe when still in service, last year I think it was. (Yes, Nigel ,see a News Page late last year.) 

Matt Robinson writes from Luton to say "I've recently discovered your site on the Net and would like to thank you for the information you provide and say "keep up the good work". 

As you'll probably assume from the information I have provided I live in Luton but visit Aylesbury and Wycombe regularly, particularly to keep up with ex-Luton vehicles. Your site is particularly useful to me for this reason. 

I was disappointed to see the damage done to Scania 3169 in the recent fire and wondered if you were aware that this is not the first time this has happened to this particular bus?

To provide a bit of background to the ELC Scanias 3143-9 were provided new to Luton for the Luton - Dunstable route 31 in October 1995 (along with 16 other examples going to HH and AY garages). 3167-70 (N28/9/31/2KGS) were then supplied new in June 1996. 3168 went to Luton but the other 3 were delivered to Dunstable for the extended X31 service which operated from Luton Airport to Leighton Buzzard. Strange that only 3 went there as the X31 was a 5 bus route so these appeared alongside the B6s and Olympians. (Luton & Dunstable merged in 2001 and the X31 was also merged with the 31).

A better picture than last week sees the present condition of 3169. I would be surprised if it is rebuilt. MC 

On Christmas Eve 1996 3169 suffered an engine fire which did similar damage to the rear shell of the bus. I don't think the bus was damaged as badly internally as the recent fire but it was out of service for around 5 months having repairs made at East Lancs and Scania. I hope the vehicle is repaired this time but not sure if you think there's any chance of that? I was surprised Luton chose to displace this one given its "31" registration, especially as it's still the primary route that the ELC Scanias are used on.

Scania 3167, mentioned above by Matt, seen last Friday on its old route, the 31, at Luton Airport. MC 

Prior to the fire on 3126, B6 3125 was destroyed at Luton in similar circumstances, unfortunately much more severely than 3126. I wondered if the pictures of the gutted B6 on your 30/10/05 page were in fact of both 3125 (first two) and 3118 (below) or whether it was of the same bus which had been stripped of panelling in the later pictures? (Not sure but I'll check Ed.)

Luton based Olympian 5095 (G645UPP) is back in service with a new upper deck roof donated from another RL Olympian (the upper deck rear window is now positioned higher than before). This was the bus which struck the 12' 6"

Leagrave Station bridge back in 2005 and was originally to be scrapped as the entire top deck structure had been bent back in the accident. 

There are also rumours here that one of our Volvo Olympians, 5141, could be on its way to Wycombe. That's N41JPP and has recently had a new engine and a general tidy up. We still have 7 of these at Luton (from the original batch of 10). They usually operate the 24 service although most show tell-tale signs of frequent vandal damage.

Matt then wrote later saying "I don't have much to report from Luton this week, other than spotting Olympian 5087 (F637LMJ) on the back of a tow truck in Dunstable one evening last week, and the return to service of 5138 (N38JPP) following a minor accident at the front end. Despite the rumours about 5141 moving to HW it was still on 24s last week.

Nice to see the advertising livery on Trident 5431 in the flesh on 280s the other day. We don't seem to get nice things like that on the buses in Luton any more. Olympian 5091 has a rather plain contravision ad for B&Q and there's the Virgin Media ad on one side of Dart 3292 and that's it!

Glenn Knight wrote with a picture saying "I have a photo of a Volvo B7 Wright Eclipse unregistered in the Arriva the Shires Stevenage Norton Green Road depot fleet number is 3870. This is at Stevenage Norton Green Road depot for Stevenage town services."

Apart from the Carousel pictures taken by Chris Maxfield and seen above I took a couple again this week.

The 400 sees regular use of the DAFs which once plied their way at Heathrow before the Heathrow Express was ready.

I'm glad he was turning right, I could have got flattened! A good spot to take pictures at 09:30 in the morning.

Chris from Banbury writes "Just to update you on the Metrorider seen at Heyfordian, West Wycombe, that you mentioned last week. It is 943YKN. It has been there since last Monday (23rd) at least and appears to be being used on a schools service, as it is displaying schools I.D boards in the front window. 

Magpie, High Wycombe

Seen on service 321 at Wycombe Bus Station, 1st May 2007

Following the publication last week of the fleet list, Hedley Shanks of Motts Travel writes “LIL’s engine has just expired, but we are going to repair it”

A reader who studies National Express writes "Thank you for your recent piece about operating the 737 service, which I enjoyed reading. I work for a transport planning firm, and I really appreciated the insight into the organisation that goes into operating a service like this, and the everyday problems such as traffic congestion and how contingency plans are in place. 

For a further clue, look at Page 51 of this London Service Permit Bulletin, for services A4 and A6: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/businessandpartners/LSP_Bulletin_No120.pdf 

For a few months now, when permits needed renewing or by renewing them especially, NX have been increasing the maximum length specified from 12.0m to 15.0m. They are paving the way for longer vehicles to be operated if desired, on their routes into London that need these permits."

I am told that the new 6 wheel Scanias will commence delivery around July time,

It's now Sunday and I've got 59214 again but it now has a new windscreen, the first one having got a crack in it.

Autoglass came on Saturday to fix the windscreen. It takes a few guys to do these big screens.

There is still no sign of the new coaches receiving OXF registrations. Readers have asked when this may happen but I can't answer that question at this time.

It appears that ALL the 8xx series of Volvo B10BLEs have now been refurbished. 801-821.

I have mentioned that three early dual door Volvo B10Bs have received the new livery.

Chris Maxfield got this picture of 631 for us. They look rather smart.

Stephen Le Bras reports that "Oxford 31 has been repainted and was on the X90 on Saturday.""

 
Chris Maxfield took these pictures of 30 and 32 on X90 service having gained "espress" livery.
The fleet numbers on 32 are rather large !!

I have always liked this rear branding seen on coach 60. It was working an X90 service when caught on camera by Gavin Francis - 26th April.

Red Rose

Ben writes regarding the picture of an HC1 service bus saying "with reference to the Red Rose dart's display of HC1, this is one of the regular performers from our area to Henley College, I believe it travels through Booker and Marlow. Other operators from our area to the college are Neales Coaches often with a Van Hool coach and Carousel on the 157 with an Olympian and a "London United" liveried Metrobus."

Mike Penn writes "I see from your web site that there is a problem over the registration numbers of the new Oxford coaches.  However it also appears that there may be a problem with the new Red Rose Enviro 200s as according to various web sites OV O7 FKH (which is carried by the one that I have photographed) is issued to a Mercedes E class.  We will have to wait and see what develops."

Ben Morroll took this picture last Friday of the bus mentioned by Martin Isles. It is on the W19 in Watford.

Martin Isles writes "Just enjoying this week's column, a little late having just got back from the Sinsheim event in Germany.  You might enjoy the picture of the two RELHs from Merseyside posed side by side in Speyer High Street at the end of the procession through the town.  They received a huge round of applause from the locals and a wedding couple posed in front of the coaches for pictures. Sadly the winning Routemaster from Showbus last year did not make it as there were problems in getting permits for it to travel across Germany as an over height vehicle, the Royal Blue - as runner up - did not have that problem.

Red Rose is continuing the 275 service commercially.  The morning and evening journeys will continue with the daily "shopping trip" around 9.30 from Wycombe and about 2pm from Oxford.

Red Rose's new Enviro 200s are intended for Tring Town Service.

The HC1 is a Bucks County contract service linking Naphill to Henley College via Wycombe and Marlow.  Well done to catch a bus capable of displaying HC1 on its blind!"

This Dart was on the afternoon duty yesterday, not sure about the HC1?

R H Transport 

We have been told that RH Transport have bought two DAF DB250/Optare Spectras from Ensign for use on the X15.

These have come from Go North East and originated in London with London Central.

Further details are awaited.

Richard Sharman writes "Immaculate 14516 has seen plenty of use since it arrived at Stratford depot in February. It is used to stand in for the Enviro's when they are off the road and also appeared at Chobham Rally this year."

David Catto writes "Just a quick note regarding 50045 pictured in London last Sunday. This was one of its last journeys as it left Aberdeen on Thursday (running light) en route to its new owner. Last Sundays appearance in London was due to a last minute substitution for a Skyliner unable to run due to a problem with the gears. As can be seen the bus is in citylink livery, which didn't impress Mega control, but it was all that was available at the time."

Thamesdown

Stuart Curwen has sent this nice picture of an acquired Dart saying "Thamesdown Transport has acquired a Dennis Dart SLF from Hornsby Travel of Scunthorpe it was collected on the 30th April and will be used when refurb on normal town services.

http://mrstuartcurwen436.fotopic.net

Thames Travel have adorned this Dart with a new super rear ad.

http://www.woottens.co.uk/

News of expansion of the company comes with the acquisition of Westways of High Wycombe. This company had a portfolio of Excursions, Private Hire and schools work. Michael Wootten advises that they did not take over the schoolwork.

Westways used to run a series of day trips from High Wycombe and this area. These were well supported by the older customers who enjoyed a day out in style.

Greater style than ever came last Tuesday when regular Westway clients, waiting for their coach to Bournemouth, were confronted by two Woottens 06 registered Volvos which took them in fine style to their destination.

The day trippers all said, on their return, how excellent the service was and how they looked forward to future trips with Woottens.

One of the two coaches allocated for the Bournemouth trip, waits to leave Wycombe Park & Ride last Tuesday morning.

We await more details from Woottens.

Stratford Blue - where are they now?

An elderly reader writes re old COMS days saying "Thanks for your excellent services to this vice of ours.

Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002

Mike Penn's photo page with much from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire as well as Buckinghamshire

Chris Lowe's Photo page - mainly North West UK

The Oxford Bus Museum