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  

Issue 250
(OBP-463)
Monday 10th December
2007
next update week ending 21st December 2007

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

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News Archive Pages from the "Oxford Bus Page"

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/6995/archiveindex/arcindex.html
I regret that the server used to store the pictures for many of these pages is no longer available.
I hope to restore the pictures at some time in the future.

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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 bus driver 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.


Editorial

This week's page will be a bit short and sweet. Contributions have been lighter than usual and the weather has added to problems in getting any decent pictures with today being the first sunny day for some time now.

Pegasus again by Ken Gladstone

Ken Gladstone from the PSV Circle writes ".....hope all is well with you and thanks for keeping me up to date with you pages. 

One thing that maybe of interest is the Pegasus fleet, although allocated to First Bracknell in fact OC at a place called Merrow which is east of Guildford and when I dropped by at lunchtime on Thursday I found 12 of the fleet were in the yard. It is a Surrey County Council yard and full details can be found on their website which I found interesting." 

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/sccwebsite/sccwspages.nsf/LookupWebPagesByTITLE_RTF/Transport+to+school+or+college?opendocument

Terry Wong Min reports from London

"Thought I would throw this picture in for your regular updates on the Oxford & Chiltern Page.  So a new camera on this very day, Ensign X80 special day and I was informed a few days ago that Arriva Southern Counties in the Kent area have four "vinyl wrapped Xmas style" (if the wording sounds appropriate) vehicles.  2 are allocated to services in the Bluewater area (as one is demonstrated) and the others are at Tunbridge Wells and Gillingham respectively.  I gather the intention was for all four to be on routes around the Bluewater but hasn't happened.  Something different to look at and rather stands out!


Wrapped for Christmas by Terry Wong Min

Also enclose TD895 (HLJ44) from Ensignbus which had just come off the Dartford Bridge, weather was kind to us considering the numerous events across the country the weather has been the enemy in letting events down.  On a first working on Crossways Boulevard (near Stone) heading towards Greenhithe Station in the winter sun."


TD895 by Terry Wong Min

Windsor Park & Ride by Stephen Le Bras

This past week has seen the most recent attempt to produce a Park and Ride scheme based on land released by Eton College fail miserably. The residents did not want to see their roads clogged up or even closed. However, something has to be done, otherwise events such as the rowing scheduled to take place in the 2012 Olympics will cause everything to clog up locally.

It is at least 30 years since a proper scheme based on the land near the M4 was mooted but no one wants it in their backyard and politicians steer away from controversy. 

Basically P&R failed through the inability of local residents to accept their roads being closed or clogged with visitors' cars. I can understand their concern but someone is eventually going to have "bite the bullet" and Eton College holds all the cards. 

I did go up to Victoria but it was rather cold and I headed off towards Lakeside for the Ensign X 80 running day. (see picture by Terry Wong Min above.)

1979 Bedford Plaxton for sale 

Stephen Le Bras writes "Anyone want to buy a Bedford/Plaxton coach- built 1979 and owned by White Bus of Winkfield near Windsor- which carried some dozen or so people down to Medstead and Milland today on a farewell tour to the coach. Two careful owners (it used to be with  Imperial) and now being replaced after 28 years loyal service. Any interested parties should contact Mr Doug Jeatt or Geoff Lovejoy at Windsor."

Buses in the Landscape

This section continues to draw support from a few readers and I like this week's contributions as they enable us to saviour summer memories on these dull days of December. However the third picture by Terry Partridge was taken only a week ago proving its not all rain and wind.

John Marsh  writes "I was in Cornwall in October and thought you might like two pictures from that south west most county for readers."


A Bus and boats in Looe last October by john Marsh.


Home of the Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge hosts this Western Greyhound Vario on a local route. John Marsh.
Your Editor remember fondly a trip on the Padstow portion of the Atlantic Coast Express in the early '50s pulled by a T9 - 30717. Ah bliss.

Terry Partridge reports "5th December - Inner Hope, South Devon this morning -- in between torrential showers ! Bristol SUL 1202 336EDV on a test drive before visiting the South Devon Railway for a trip on the train !"

Changes to service in East Oxfordshire from 9th December

Follow the link below to get the full picture.

http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wps/portal/publicsite/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKL94039HcCSZnFO8WHOepHogtZIoR8PfJzU_WDgFKR5kAhY3Mf_aic1PTE5Er9YH1v_QD9gtzQiHJvR0cAhVVPFg!!/delta/base64xml/L0lJSk03dWlDU1lBIS9JTGpBQU15QUJFUkVSRUlrLzRGR2dkWW5LSjBGUm9YZnJDRUEhLzdfTV8zN0wvMjQ!?WCM_PORTLET=PC_7_M_37L_WCM&WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=http://apps.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Internet/Council+services/Roads+and+transport/Public+transport/Bus+services/RT+-+PT+-+Bus+Service+Review 

I look forward to pictures of the new operators in action at the earliest possible date.

You can now see an Oxford Tube running the 31 TO Wantage at 0625 each weekday morning.


Malcolm Crowe - Monday 10th December 2007

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

News of the local companies – 10th December 2007

 

In response to the comment last week by Nigel Peach who asked about Wycombe Varios 2196-8 - R196-8DNM, Pete Cannon responded saying "I've been on the Berks Bucks web and yes, all Wycombe Varios have gone with 2196 R196DNM is based at Aylesbury and 2197 & 2198 are with the MK division of ARRIVA and in MK colours"

I would much appreciate pictures of these bus now, especially those with MK Metro. Ed.

Gavin Francis has caught up with two trainers recently as Wycombe. one is interesting in that it is an 04 registered Dart and yesterday I saw this bus in Hemel Hempstead.

 

Matt Robinson sends news saying "Just a few snippets from Arriva at Luton:

Volvo B6 3121 (M721OMJ) has been relicensed and returned to service after a period in store. It's mainly been on route 8 this week.
 
Leyland Olympians 5093 (F643LMJ) and 5381 (MUH281X) remain long-term off the road receiving mechanical attention following breakdowns (and a ride home on the Sovereign tow truck) in the last couple of weeks.

Olympian 5086 (F636LMJ) is also currently out of service at Luton depot - noted parked up with a shattered windscreen a few days ago.
 
The repair project on fire damaged B10BLE 3267 (V267HBH) appears to have stalled at the point where the damaged parts had been removed. The bus remains parked up in the depot untouched in the last couple of weeks.
 
Similar B10BLE 3263 (V263HBH) has had its route branding along the cove panels revised (to reflect the 69/70 routes) and the large '31' on the nearside removed. One other unconfirmed B10BLE has also had similar work carried out.
 
Dennis Dart MPD 3290 (V290HBH) now has an LED destination display - several of these Darts are now suffering from failures of their original roller blind equipment all at once while Volvo Olympian 5138 (N38JPP) is unable to display any numbers in the central numeral track, so it's normally showing 2_4. I mention this as LED displays seem to be installed in instances of faulty rollers rather than attempting to repair the original equipment. Watch this space!
 
Olympian 5087 appeared on Farley Hill route 1 for most of Friday afternoon, extremely rare to see a 'decker used on Farley Hill routes. easyBus liveried coach 4363 (W363XKX) has also been noted making a couple of appearances on Cardinal Newman School journeys in the mornings - although each time it was back on the 757 by lunchtime."

Matt also sent some pictures taken in Welwyn.


Joining the Arriva fleet from Sovereign fleet, Volvo B10BLE 3303 is seen on the 300 at Welwyn. This bus is out of Stevenage depot.


Mostly confined to local routes from Ware, this is Dart SLF 3435.


The Citaros of Green Line continue to service the Heathrow service. 3907 is seen at Welwyn.

Matt adds a late report saying "Richard Oakey has just reported from Slough that a Wycombe-based Red Route Dart has had an accident on the 74 today. This happened around lunchtime between the Three Tuns turning and Slough Bus Station. He wasn't sure which bus it was but it was one with an LED display. The front windscreen was totally smashed.
 
An odd working also noted by Richard today was dumpy Dart 3492 working the 300.
"

Now I must say I like Matt's description of an MPD Dart being a "dumpy Dart". What a lovely picture that conjures up!

Gavin Francis also reported today that "in Wycombe this morning and noticed that red 3482 (A dumpy Dart) has lost its LED display and is back to roller blinds. Presumably this is to cover when it is on the U9 because of TfL ban on LEDs.

Sister (dumpy Dart) 3492 was unusually on the 300 Aylesbury-Wycombe route."

Glenn Knight sent useful details of Christmas services by Arriva in the Luton area.

Luton & Dunstable area Christmas Holiday Services.

The following is a summary of the service level operating over the Christmas and New Year holiday period on local Arriva bus services. On Green Line 757 a different pattern applies, with a "weekend" service running every day from 23 December to 1st January except Christmas Day itself (no service from 2330hrs Christmas Eve until 0330hrs on Boxing Day morning). For full details, and times of last buses on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, please refer to the two special leaflets (red for local bus, green for Green Line).
Sunday 23/12/07, normal Sunday service.
Monday 24/12/07, a Saturday service with an early finish with no buses after about 1900hrs.
Christmas Day, 25/12/07, no service.
Boxing Day, 26/12/07, no service.
Thursday 27/12/07, a Saturday service.
Friday 28/12/07, a Saturday service.
Saturday 29/12/07, a normal Saturday service.
Sunday 30/12/07, a normal Sunday service.
Monday 31/12/07, a Saturday service with an early finish with no buses after about 1900hrs.
New Year's Day, 1/1/08, no service.
Wednesday 2/1/08, normal service resumes.
SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM ARRIVA.
 

Green Line 757 at Christmas & New Year.

During the Christmas and New Year holiday period there will be a regular service operating on Green Line 757 between London Victoria and Luton Airport.
Apart from Christmas Day itself, when there will be no service, a full 24hour service will operate as follows.
FROM SATURDAY 22nd DECEMBER 2007 UNTIL TUESDAY 1st JANUARY 2008 INCLUSIVE Green Line 757 will operate the "Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays" timetable, EXCEPT on Christmas Day, 25/12/07.
On Christmas Eve, Monday 24th December, the last coaches will run at 2320hrs from Luton Airport, and at 2330hrs from London Victoria.
On Boxing Day, Wednesday 26th December, the first coaches will run at 0300 from London Victoria, and at 0430 from Luton Airport. However please note that the 0330 from Victoria will run direct to Luton Airport and will not serve Luton Town Centre. The first trip via Luton Bus Station will be the 0430 on Boxing Day.
The normal service resumes on Wednesday 2nd January 2008.
SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM ARRIVA AND GREEN LINE TO ALL OUR PASSENGERS

 

M K Metro

Chris writes to advise of a most interesting web site. As you will see they have a Wright's bodied Mercedes. Chris says "Saw this incident on the Bucks County Fire and Rescue Service Public Log site. No other details listed as yet. 

Monday 3 December, 12.48pm: Bus fire, MK Metro depot, Chesney Wold, Bleak Hall, Milton Keynes. One appliance and crew from Great Holm (call sign GHO1) attended."

 http://www.bucksfire.gov.uk/BucksFire/IncidentsofInterestDecember2007.htm

Having checked similar sites for other brigades in the UK, I did not find one as good as that for Buckinghamshire.

Centrebus

Glenn Knight writes "I have attached a photo of Centrebus S502 APP 502 in the new livery on 88 to Hitchin 28/11/2007."

Matt Robinson wrote saying "Last week Dennis Dart M214EGF was badly damaged at the front end after colliding with one of the J-reg Darts (unconfirmed as to which bus) while being moved around the depot.
 
****

I took a ride out to Welwyn Garden City on the 366 today (I think that was my first trip on the route for at least 5 years). The route has changed in that time to now serve Harpenden Centre. Indeed the majority of passengers on both inbound and outbound journeys were those who were travelling between the outskirts of Harpenden and Harpenden High Street/Rail Station. 
 
The weather was absolutely awful unless you like a steady downpour of rain for most of the day - but I did get these few photos.

 

Grant Palmer

Glenn Knight writes "I have attached a photo of the new MAN Centro with Grant Palmer."

Gavin Francis sent a few pictures of Levantes in service with National Express in London.


The flags on the Grosvenor Hotel - Victoria make a nice setting for SC21.

One thing that confuses me with these new Levantes is the lack of discrimination between the new Tri-Axles and the four wheel versions which are all SC. Why have they not carried on with NXSC for the smaller versions?


One of the MK Metro based Levantes at Victoria in a picture taken by Gavin Francis.


The new bus station at Thornhill will be ready early in the New Year. 25 is seen loading at the present stop for the X90.

 

A number of changes to requirements result from the changes to service in the Wantage Didcot area effective 9th December. Some changes to the fleet occur as a result. Reserve Darts 32627 and 32628 are moving to Stagecoach South and two Volvo B10Ms will move to the reserve fleet, probably 20012 (once the yellow Bus Points liveried Paladin and Alexander PS 20822 which has a different type of destination display to the remaining PS types.


To help with all the roadside publicity changes this Mercedes visited Oxford over the weekend. It is 40139.


It s unusual to see a Brookes bus on another route in term time but the 17th November saw 18056 on route 3.

Tappins of Didcot (Heyfordian)

Derek Kearvell sent pictures saying "Tappins Olympian 2185 NU and Van Hool N173LHU in the latest colour scheme"

Last week it was noted that an Enviro 300 had been seen on a Thames Travel route. It is now confirmed that FIVE Enviro 200's have arrived.

Stephen Le Bras writes "Fri 30/11-I visited Reading today and noted a 57 reg short Enviro 200 on the X40- OU57 FGX."

Rob Williams also writes "Thames Travel had a new Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Dart OU57FGZ (if I remember correctly) out on the X40 this morning. It is not an Enviro 300 as suggested on your news page as it is a similar length to their existing short Darts and those in use by Heyfordian.

I also noted one running out of service from Reading at 2025 last night, but didn't catch the reg to see if it was a different one."

Rob then later wrote "At least four Enviro 200 Darts OU57 FGX/GY/GZ/HA. It is possible that there are a further two to make a total of six."

(Well we now know that there are five and fleet numbers 157 and 357 have been seen.

A further batch of M A N 14.220/MCV Evolutions are due very shortly. At least five 51 registered Darts will now or have already left the fleet.

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

?

HISTORY IN PICTURES AND WORDS

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


Paul Davis of High Wycombe wrote
"Back in 1984 I was dabbling with 1000asa film (LONG before digital!)
I took this experimental shot of an AV National in Desborough Road High Wycombe 27Dec84."

Coming events, models and useful links

PSV Circle publishes latest issue of the fleet list for Berkshire and Oxfordshire

Ken MacKenzie writes to note that the new PSV Circle fleet list for Berkshire/Oxfordshire (G432) is now available.

Those readers wishing to buy a copy should write to: PSV Circle, 59 Palmer Avenue, Cheam SM3 8EF - Cost id £7.00 plus 50p P & P and it will also be available at the PSV Circle sales stand at Showbus 2007.

This will be a most useful reference for all those interested in the local scene.

Editors review - I have now had chance to review this book and it is indeed very useful, giving details of all known fleets in Berks and Oxon. Whilst some information is not totally up to date it allows the readers to have a comprehensive view of the local fleets and up dates can be gained by joining the PSV Circle. At £7.00 this represents value for money as it also includes a number of good photographs.

Britbus

A new casting with a local flavour has been released by Britbus as a picture from Mark Lyons shows. It is a nice model but as Mark says, a little pricey at £33.

Model News of an Oxford bus

Guy writes to send a picture of the latest offering on the model front related to Oxford.

 

A photo disc for your collection

This week I can bring details of a really super new photo disc from Vics cliix. The disc contains pictures taken in the early 1970s by Vic Zealey and copies can be obtained through Malcolm Hyland's web site http://www.cliix.co.uk.

Here are some samples of the 158 pictures on this disc.

       
The quality is good and they are all at high resolution.

Oxford Bus 125 commemorative book

In last week's issue I mentioned that Oxford Bus were publishing a book to commemorate the 125 years of public transport in Oxford. Thanks to Phil Ashworth I have had a review copy and hereunder give my thoughts on this book.

The book is well presented and includes a number of historical pictures of interest including some I had not seen before. The modern pictures have received a nice treatment reflecting the modern fleet against a background of typical Oxford architecture. The Botley Road rail bridge gets a mention and a picture of an AEC pre war decker which has done battle with said bridge and come off worse from its encounter is included.

The book, whilst rather small to reflect the 125 years in detail is nevertheless a must for all who love Oxford, historians and enthusiasts alike.

Copies of the book can be bought from the Oxford Bus Company, Cowley House, Watlington Rd, Oxford OX4 6GA. The cost is £5.95 including postage. Cheques should be made payable to "Oxford Bus Company", it is also available in person from the Oxford Bus Museum during normal opening hours. 

New DVD by Robin Clare - http://www.robinclare.co.uk

Robin sent me a copy of his latest DVD to review. "Today's buses - Oxfordshire" is the compelling title which includes Henley, Wallingford and Didcot before the viewer is taken onto Wantage, Witney, Banbury and finally Bicester. Each of these locations is covered in2 to 5 minutes and each shows the current selection of buses and coaches to be found. Finally over 37 minutes is devoted to Oxford with filming in a variety of locations in the city.

On another subject the road sense and behaviour of cyclists in Oxford has to be seen to be believed!!!!

The quality of the DVD is excellent and one can really see clearly the details of each vehicle, something which older video always seemed unable to do. All the latest developments are shown in this September 2007 DVD, including workings from Broad Street during the St Giles Fair weekend.

The DVD provides a unique record of events in Oxfordshire during this period and at £10 is not a very large outlay.

Robin Clare Transport Video
74 Polruan Place, Fishermead,
Milton Keynes MK6 2EA

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

Citaro models

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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Would readers who respond to the above please quote my site when doing so.

If you wish to be included on a mailing list where I will advise of any mid week news & when each News Page is posted
please let me know on malcolmhc@aol.com

Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002

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

Links

These are nine most interesting sites which I do recommend

Bus Zone Logo (2421 bytes)

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

Chris Lowe's Photo page - mainly North West UK

John Marsh's pictures with a difference

The Oxford Bus Museum


Ray Jackson Art

A web site which has paintings of buses.
Nice present for a Christmas or Birthday wish list !!

http://www.rayjacksonart.co.uk/index.htm
 

 


Stagecoach Handbook for 2006
from British Bus Publishing

Arriva Handbook for 2006-2007
from British Bus Publishing

http://www.britishbuspublishing.co.uk/

The latest handbooks are now on sale, the ever
popular Stagecoach edition now in its 13th year.

Links

Bus Services in Buckinghamshire

Bus services in Oxfordshire

Bus services in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire Logo/link

Where are the Chilterns?

Visit this informative site through the link below.

back to home page
Map showing the Chilterns Hills beginning in Oxfordshire in the Thames Valley and stretching north-east through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire to Hitchin in Hertfordshire. The highest points are over 250m. There are various water courses running from the Chilterns to the South East.

Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002

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