|
|
Issue 211 |
|
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
The weather during the past week
has been really awful with strong winds and a lot of rain. Driving on the M40
has been truly difficult and there have also been a number of accidents and
problems with the closure of the West Way A40 in an easterly direction on
Thursday making operations very difficult. It appears that a lamp standard came
down closing the eastbound carriageway from about 06:00 until at least 13:00.
This meant that coach services from Oxford to London were diverted on a variety
of routes. Indeed at the peak of the problems traffic was almost stationary back
to Hillingdon from the West Way, a distance of 9.4 miles with a normal running
time of about 20 minutes.
The Oxford Tube express services, which do not stop at Hillingdon, Shepherd's Bush or Notting Hill Gate leaving Oxford at 06:00, 06:24 and 07:00, routed either via the Hayes By-Pass or M25 to the M4 and then direct to Hyde Park /corner to regain their normal line of route. Surprisingly running time on the 06:00 from Oxford using this route resulted in a 7 minute late arrival and the M4 bus lane made the journey rather quick.
A further problem on Thursday afternoon was that a truck left the M40, between junctions 7 and 6 London bound, resulting in a further lengthy tailback between 15:00 and 19:00 whilst a crane recovered the truck. An additional problem was created by a "white van man" who managed to run into the back of the cone laying lorry which has large flashing sings on the back. The lorry was cordoning off the two inside lanes. One only has to wonder !!!!!!!
Considerable flooding has taken place in many areas and driving past Wheatley on the A40 one appears for a short time to be running through a large lake. There is a stretch of water on both sides of the road.
Paper buses
Jeff Clayton wrote following my comments on the
"paper buses" - see last week's page. Jeff writes
"As
a regular reader of your website, my thanks for your continued providing
interesting and useful information about bus movements in Oxfordshire and
surrounding areas.
On this occasion, I have something to supplement your latest issue that may be
of interest.
I am one of the moderators for
Own The World
. Think of fantasy football, then apply the concept to bus companies - and throw
in over 1,200 paper buses authentically replicated by our member base.
Our aim is simply this: "A free online forum for bus and coach enthusiasts to
present suggestions on public transport management. Creativity and innovation
will set a standard in route planning, strategy and design ideas."
As you might expect, our enthusiast contingent is made up mainly of males
between the ages of 16 and 30. We've just celebrated two years online, currently
have 37 active game players, and are looking to grow ever more in 2007.
We carried out some site maintenance over the holiday period, and the last phase
will shortly be completed with finalising various hyperlinks and the relaunch of
our Links section on the front page. Would you be interested in having your
website included in exchange for a few words about OTW?
Please also find attached a development net for a DAF SB220/Plaxton Prestige in
a slightly reworked version of Carousel's livery.
With our compliments. Kind regards Jeff Clayton" http://www.OwnTheWorld.co.uk
I wonder how many readers will find this of interest. Let me know your thoughts if you have the opportunity to look at the site.
A request from a Portuguese reader about Carris AEC's in the U.K.
We heard from Ricardo in Portugal a few weeks ago and he now writes about buses from Lisbon now in the U. K. I wonder if readers can help?
Ricardo writes
"I
am going to speed a few days in the UK in a few weeks, and I know that some AECs
from Lisbon are spread all over England. While I was searching in the internet
for AECs, I found this webpage, with a few buses from Lisbon:"
http://www.skylineaviation.co.uk/buses/halfcabs.html
These two (at least is what my Route66 says) are near
London. Do you know if they are in some kind of museum, where anyone can visit
the buses, or are they stored?
Another question, do you know any forum or mailing list to discuss British
buses?
A big thanks for your help, Best Regards, Ricardo Figueiredo "
A note from Steve Bunce regarding Arriva and an Olympian
Steve writes "Thanks for publishing the photos I sent this week and the kind words you added. I was in a bit of a rush to get them off to you before the news page deadline, so had not filed them away so-to-speak. Now that I have the time, I notice that I have seen this vehicle before - back in July 2004 acting as a mobile crew room at Edgware Station for the Arriva drivers. I thought the number was familiar and now I know why.
The bus looked pretty well turned-out in 2004, with a decent paint-job and the silvered windows. Photo attached. Steve Bunce"
The same bus today, seen at Binder's Yard. Steve Bunce
Brian Bell visits Winchester
I thought readers might like to share this account of a trip to Winchester by Brian Bell on New Year's Day. To illustrate his journey I would like to show a picture from Matt Bullock of one the buses Brian travelled on. This picture was taken in the Potteries some years ago.
Having worked all night trying to control our night buses amongst the crowds at Tottenham Court Road, I headed down to Basingstoke early on New Years Day. Thinking the first train from Waterloo (a Sunday service) would probably just miss the FLF on the 108 from Basingstoke, I went via Reading (a Saturday service). This got us to Basingstoke Bus Stn (Lay By) in plenty of time for the 0850 departure. The FLF, GLJ748D, was there in plenty of time, but they then announced that the departure would be retarded by 5 mins to ensure the connection from Waterloo made, worthwhile as 11 people joined at the Station. I was not paying attention, and did not realise we were actually heading for Andover instead of Winchester until the driver stopped to ask directions. After turning round, we cut across to the correct route in the outskirts of Basingstoke. This meant we were 14 mins late at Popham, where amazingly a passenger boarded. We were still 13 mins late into Winchester. I was amazed to see Solent Blue Line open top VR on the 1000 1 to Southampton, and indeed there were actually 2 on the route all day.
My next trip was on the 1020 FORCES LEAVE EXPRESS operated by the Silver Star Atlantean 1013 MW. This was direct to Stockbridge, then via Danebury Hill Fort to Middle Wallop. We had photos here, although I was concerned about it being outside a military establishment !! Returned at 1105 as far as Stockbridge. On the way somewhere near the Hill Fort, there is a lane going off on the left, looking down the lane it looked like there was a green LD or FLF of similar just parked there. Any ideas ? I understand the Silver Star Atlantean later broke down.
From Stockbridge changed onto the 1125 EMPRESS MOTORS service to Winchester via Kings Somborne, operated by Blue Bus RELL TRY118H. Next was this years 'new' King Alfred route 12 to Easton and Alvington and back in King Alfred petrol Bedford coach 326 CAA. We returned via Itchen Abbas instead of Easton. This is a very pleasant addition to the running day services (a similar route was operated by an OB at least 2 years ago, if not last year as well).
Now was time for the 1330 OPEN TOP TOUR aboard King Alfred Atlantean HOR 590E. Although the morning had been glorious sunshine, it was now beginning to cloud over, but was still rather pleasant on this very full tour. Shame it could not have operated every 30 mins rather than hourly in the lovely weather. The route covered several sections of road I have not been down before, whether every trip went the same way I do not know. We went up the Romsey Road, Chilbolton Avenue, Bereweeke Road, Andover Road, Coach Station and Hyde Street back to the Guild Hall - an 18 mins trip. Then had a chance for a ride on the Huddersfield wartime Daimler CCX 777 on its 15 min circular trip via Bar End, By Pass and Winnell Industrial area.
Next trip was a rounder on the Twyford circular 93 at 1445 aboard Damory Coaches VR UDL 673S. I had assumed the route would be different this year, in order to serve the stop at Hockley Mill, but it is in fact exactly the same point the other buses serve at Hockley Cottages. Back in Winchester it had just started to rain and Stagecoach's VR JOU 160P on the 1530 97 to South Wonston was probably a lot busier than it would otherwise have been. Came back as far as City Road, from where there was time to squeeze in a Weeke Estate and back on the 13 in pouring rain. This was King Alfred Renown 595 LCG, and it was a super trip, as the ordinary locals outnumbered the enthusiasts by quite a wide margin on this 30 min headway service. Indeed most of the King Alfred services ran on clock face headways this year, the 13 being the most frequent.
Had planned to catch the 1700 open top VR on the Solent Blue Line 1 to Southampton, but the weather was still too wet to contemplate that. Therefore it was the 1705 14 to Aldershot, provided by Aldershot & District Dennis Loline AAA 503C. This had 29 passengers, and went slightly off the usual route to set some of them down. After Farnham ran to Badshot Lea, then to Aldershot along Church Road to regain the proper route. From Aldershot the bus became the 20 at 1830 (actually left 10 mins early) to Guildford via Ash. Again this deviated to serve North Town and the estate beyond, to set down some known individuals. Arrival in Guildford was at 1853, or 7 mins early. Time for a meal in the nearby Weatherspoons !!
St Albans Running Day in pictures by Glenn Knight
Yesterday and today were two Running Days at St Albans and Glenn Knight has kindly sent pictures of some of the vehicles involved.
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.
A shorter page than usual this week which in one way makes a welcome respite
from the many hours needed when we have a lot to report. Thanks to those who
contributed this week.
Malcolm Crowe - Sunday 14th January 2007
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002 to date
News of the local companies – 14th January 2007
Arriva MK Metro and those green buses - answered by Mike Penn
Mike Penn answers my questions from last week's page about The Green Buses in Milton Keynes saying
"Green Travel was an operation set up by MK Metro in early 1994 to run the services previously operated by LQT of Dunstable. LQT of course was later absorbed by Centrebus. Five vehicles were painted in Green Travel livery in February/March 1994. These were Dennis Dart 426 (K379 RTY) and Mercedes Benz Varios 107/8 (R107/8 DNV), 130 (R824 MJU) and 131 (R827 WBC). 130/1 had just been acquired from Trent. Although the Green Travel licence was granted in May 2004 vehicles did not actually carry Green Travel discs until August 2004. A sixth vehicle was added in 2006, this being ex Trent Vario 124 (R828 WBC). I believe this operation has now been wound up with vehicles being transferred to the main fleet. It is planned that the vehicles will be repainted into fleet livery (not Arriva!), but curiously the first one done (and the only one as far as I know) was 124 - the one most recently painted into Green travel livery.
.jpg)
Nigel Eggleton also confirmed matters relating to the green buses saying he believed it was set up by Status to run low cost country routes.
Neil Gow writes
"The Olympian you included in a recent page is now numbered 5172 in Arriva the Shires fleet and is based at Aylesbury. I was passing through Aylesbury late last year on the way to see if anything's changed at Milton Keynes (it hasn't, other than an ex dealer stock low floor DAF SB220 on Park and Ride that never stopped long enough to get a picture of it), so watched out for the 54 which seems to be the best bet for old Olympians. It was - 5123 and "new" 5172 were on it. Tried to get digital pictures at Wendover clock (nice scenic location) but the combination of weather and expiring battery conspired to produce only blurred shots. So here is a picture of 5172 taken at Cannock on 16th September this year in its previous life as Midland Red North 4569. A real shame I couldn't send you both for a "then and now" but maybe one of your other correspondents has the "now" shot?"
http://www.busweb.co.uk/aecbus/pictures/4569_800res.jpg
...and here's that DAF which never stopped long enough for Neil but Chris
Maxfield caught it on his visit of the 3rd January
Barry Woods has agreed to my using his picture of an ex Arriva Mercedes which is seen arriving in Frome, still wearing Faresaver colours, is Shaftesbury & Districts former Arriva The Shires Mercedes N918NTM
Photo
courtesy Barry Woods
Arriva
3119 - M719 OMJ a Volvo B6 on loan to M.K. METRO on service X1 photo
taken at MK Rail Station 12.28 on the 12.01.2007.
Photo and comments by Glenn Knight.
Peter Cabin writes
"I saw 3482 W482 YGS today, Saturday. It is still in London red but it has received an electric destination blind and was working on service 342."Now that's upsetting as I missed a picture in Stokenchurch !!!!!
Sunday has been a really nice day with lots of sunshine. Here Vario 2197 works
the 10:18 342 service to High Wycombe on 14 January 2007.
Late news from Nigel Peach is "I noticed yesterday (Sat 13th) that recently reported fire victim Scania 3169 (N31 KGS) has been moved from the far corner of the depot and is now parked in the "top row" (which often seems to contain withdrawn or long term "off the road" vehicles). Picture attached.
The second picture shows the same bus together with Volvo B6 3128 (M728 OMJ), a recent addition to Wycombe (from Stevenage according to my book). The only time I've previously seen it around, it was broken down in Wycombe Marsh! The third bus is 5108 (F506 OYW) the ex Playbus, then Motts Olympian. I don't think this bus has moved for some weeks now. I wonder if it has been withdrawn?"
See the paper buses link and story above for card models of Carousel buses.
Centrebus
Glenn Knight writes "The photo below is of Centrebus R248 XDA on 17A with bad paint damaged due to the Fire photo taken at Church Street Luton 12.01.2007."
I am advised by my contact in the south west that the Skyliners of Trathens are now in service again.
This picture shows the VDL Bovas used by Bruce on the 539 Bournemouth- Edinburgh
service each day via Oxford.
Taken on 8th January 2007.
The
2005 batch of Scania-Irizar PBs are often used on the 737 Stansted service from
Oxford.
However some still require their destination screens to be updated as NXL26
shows, still claiming to be a 757 !!!!
Photo taken on 8th January 2007.
Various operators work under contract to National Express one of whom is
Tellings Golden Miller.
Here on their latest coaches a Plaxton Paragon new in 2005, YN55WSU works
a 310 Bradford service on 8th January last.
Andy Burbidge writes "With reference to the picture of First 20461 (X191HFB) in Milton Keynes, this has obviously been loaned back to Northampton for another short while. It will probably be one of the last photo's of this in use on National Express work as well, as I have been informed that it is due to arrive at Rotherham to be refurbished, ready for the new York - Leeds Bradford Airport service which is due to commence in mid-late February (20462-20464 X192-194HFB are already there undergoing refurbishment and repaint)."
Reports are circulating the some further coaches have moved to the Birmingham based Go-West midlands operation.
Coaches noted are Volvos 67 and 70 but another source suggests that at least 67 is only there for mechanical attention. Internally these coaches were not refurbished like the "espress" models. Instead they only had their seating reduced to allow the fitment of a toilet compartment.
Richard Sharman sent some pictures of OBC Volvos now with Diamond GWM.
Richard Sharman sent a note about an annual ticket for sale on e-bay at the following link
Alexander reports that Citaro 825 was noted on a 2B working at Queen Street on 13th January.
It is not unusual to see 100
route branded Tridents on the 20 as Witney depot have some workings on this
route.
18131 seen last Monday 8th January leaving Gloucester Green.
Ironically seen on the same day around the same time, Volvo 20010 was working a
100 service.
The Slimline Solo allocated to
Oxford can normally be seen on the 17 to Jericho.
Here it is seen in George Street last Monday.
We don't often have pictures of buses in the depot environment and this week I include two pictures of work in hand at Horspath depot.
The batch of Darts
which came from Coventry branded workings are now being overhauled and retrimmed
for their work on route 10.
They are also receiving new destination screen which look very smart.
Here we see 33653 early last week being readied for anew coat of paint.
Another vehicle be readied for a new coat of paint is a Volvo/Jonckheere KSU 462
once the mainstay of the Flightlink 230 route
from Newcastle to Gatwick but more recently in use on National Express routes
from Rugby.
In looking at a web site devoted to the South West I came across these pictures of ex Oxford Darts now at work in Devon. They are having a very nice refurbishment before re-entering service.
33823 - Pictures by Exeter Busman.
338704 has yet to be so attended to as this
picture by Adam Keen shows.
Looking as if in the middle of nowhere, three of
the Oxford fleet await attention at Horspath depot last week.
Trident 18397 and M A N 22946 plus an unidentified Bicester branded Trident.
Probably a first occurred last Monday, 8th January, when Bicester branded Trident 18396 worked the 07:20 X30 Wantage-Oxford service rostered to be operated by an Oxford Tube Neoplan.
Gavin Francis writes
" I took this picture of 606 in New Road. The driver told me it was the start today of a contract for the council between New Road and Unipart House."
Latest
news from Michael at Woottens is as follows:
Additional
Volvo B10Ms acquired are ex Horseman Jonckheere Deauville 45 L904NWW C57F and
former Ulsterbus Plaxton Premiere DAZ1562 C70F.
Another
Leyland Lynx acquired from Oxford Bus Company is C63HOM, which is being prepared
for service. This Lynx joins sister vehicles C64/6 HOM, which have been in use
here for some time. Also still in service is former Oxford Leyland Leopard /
Willowbrook Warrior ABW310X (VUD33X), which also worked as a driver trainer with
Oxford Bus before joining the Woottens fleet in January 2002.
Recent re-registrations are Bristol VRT / ECW HSV673 to JWV272W, Volvo B10M /
Plaxton Premiere R551TKV to HSV673 and Volvo B10M DAZ1562 to L553NUD.
Former Taylors Bristol VRT \ ECW JWV272W has been restored in Southdown livery
and is to be retained as a special events vehicle.
Various recent photographs attached. Many more can be found at
Worth's Coaches.
Malcolm Hyland sent this fleet list which has one query which readers may be able to help with.
|
Worths as at 2nd January 2007 |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
774 YPG |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C49FT |
88 |
F318 GWL. |
|
BU53 ZWZ |
Mercedes Benz |
0530 |
Mercedes Benz |
B42F |
04 |
|
|
CUD 220Y |
Leyland |
Olympian |
ECW |
H47/28D |
83 |
Ex City of Oxford 02. |
|
DCZ 2322 |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C57F |
90 |
Ex Toop, Dorchester 93.H443 JLJ. |
|
FX51 BPE |
Mercedes Benz |
1223L |
Ferqui |
C35F |
01 |
Ex Bicknell, Godalming 06. |
|
G637 BPH |
Volvo |
B10M |
Northern Counties |
H45/31F |
89 |
Ex Arriva West Yorkshire 06. |
|
IUI 6722 |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C57F |
89 |
Ex Independent, Horsforth 94.F464 WFX. |
|
KAZ 2755 |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C57F |
89 |
F322 MFC. |
|
L150 HUD |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C53F |
93 |
Ex City of Oxford 01. |
|
L151 HUD |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C53F |
93 |
Ex City of Oxford 01. |
|
L154 HUD |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C53F |
93 |
Ex City of Oxford 01. |
|
P455 KFC |
Volvo |
B10M |
Berkhof |
C51FT |
97 |
P7 WMS. |
|
R8 WMS |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C53F |
98 |
|
|
S2 WMS |
Dennis |
Dart |
Plaxton |
B39F |
99 |
|
|
S6 WMS |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C53F |
98 |
|
|
SIL 6722 |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C53F |
86 |
Ex Wallace Arnold 91.C121 CWR.551 DJB. |
|
SKG 406Y |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C53F |
83 |
Ex John, Llanharry 90. |
|
TW53 WMS |
Volvo |
B12M |
Jonckheere |
C53F |
04 |
|
|
V9 WMS |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C53F |
99 |
|
|
W5 WMS |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C53F |
00 |
|
|
WJI 2322 |
Volvo |
B10M |
Jonckheere |
C53F |
90 |
Ex Harris, Catshill 95.G144 MNH. |
|
WM55 BUS |
Volvo |
B12B ? |
Caetano |
C53F |
06 |
|
|
WM55 BUS |
Volvo |
B12M ? |
Plaxton |
C55F |
06 |
|
|
XSK 144 |
Volvo |
B10M |
Plaxton |
C57F |
88 |
F396 HFC. |
|
Y4 WMS |
Dennis |
Dart |
Plaxton |
B29F |
01 |
|
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
From time to time we include interesting
buses from outside our area.
Gavin Francis's picture shows a new Dart - Enviro 200, one of six now at work on
the C1.
More Go West Midlands pictures from Richard Sharman taken 140107.
HISTORY IN PICTURES AND WORDS
Pilot Coaches
Last week I showed a picture of a Royal Tiger and comments that this coach had been rebodied. Matt Bullock sent a picture of this coach at the end of its working life. It had been owned by Berresford's of Cheddelton and is seen below in their "field" store of old buses.
PBH 18 Ld PSU1/9 511332 Thurgood C39C new c5/51.
Photo shown -
no copyright details on the back, but could be ATPH.
2048LG seen in company with several other interesting buses.
|
ID |
REG_NO |
OWNER |
T_A |
TOWN |
FL_NO |
DIQ |
DATE_IN |
RE_REG |
DRQ |
R_R_DATE |
MODS_NOTES |
|
10138 |
2048LG |
Harrison |
|
Morecambe |
|
|
12/1962 |
|
|
|
ex PBH 18 to 30ft L Gleave |
|
10140 |
2048LG |
Progress |
|
Chorley |
|
|
2/1965 |
|
|
|
ex PBH 18 to 30ft L Gleave |
|
10139 |
2048LG |
Seville, A |
|
Mossley |
|
|
5/1967 |
|
|
|
ex PBH 18 to 30ft L Gleave |
|
10141 |
2048LG |
Byrne |
|
Leek |
|
|
7/1967 |
|
|
|
ex PBH 18 to 30ft L Gleave |
Matt Bullock writes "Seeing the piece last week about 2048 LG jogged my memory for some reason and prompted me to search through my photographs and two are attached. Both were taken at the yard of Berresford of Cheddleton in 1987; Berresford hoarded many of its own old vehicles to the rear of the site and it was a real Aladdin's cave.
One photo shows 1013 MW, which was rescued from the scrap yard and restored as Silver Star, Porton Down, no 42, and features on Simon Oliver's site of King Alfred Running Day photos featured last week. It's a 1962 Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 with Weymann low height bodywork and passed from Silver Star to Wilts and Dorset in June 1963and was acquired by Berresford from Super Coaches of Upminster in 1967.
The other photo's subject is EDB 541, an all-Leyland Titan PD2/1 new to Stockport in 1951 and one of a pair acquired by Berresford in 1970; both were on site scrapped in 1987. Seen in the background is the reason for sending these, though why reading about it last week jogged my memory I do not know! - a rear view of 2048 LG, the rebodied Royal Tiger mentioned last month and operated by Byrne, Leek, a Berresford subsidiary company, from 1967. Sadly I don't have a better view of this coach. Another ex-Silver Star bus is seen alongside the Titan, with its distinctive destination display.
Berresford ceased trading I think in 1987 and were taken over by Potteries who cleared the site of theses vehicles and sold off the land. 1013 MW was obviously one of the lucky ones."
House of Watlington
Several replies regarding this company were received over the last week.
Graham Gough writes "I grew up at Watlington during the fifties and sixties: the House's colour scheme was certainly orange and maroon, as Ed states. The bodies were orange, the flashes or stripes along the sides were maroon, as were the mudguards. The opinion that orange and black belongs to Tappins was expressed a few issues back, and perhaps that is the source of the uncertainty. Sad to hear that EBW806 may now have gone.
Steve Foster writes "With regard to when House of Watlington ceased trading, my records show that a number of their newer coaches found new owners in September 1987. This would suggest an approximate closing down date, but I could be wrong.
Regarding your questions about coaches, I'm afraid I've no info on the subsequent history of MNM32V, the ex British Airways Leopard.
A question for Thames Valley historians from Peter Cartwright
Peter Cartwright asks "I wonder if any reader of your website can help?
Sometime between May and October 1959 Thames Valley extended their Windsor - Maidenhead - High Wycombe services 20/20a to Aylesbury replacing route 30.
Sometime between 14 October 1965 and February 1966 they were withdrawn between Aylesbury and High Wycombe, being replaced over that section by services 21 and 21a which still had a few projections east of Wycombe.
Can anyone please advise the EXACT dates when these alterations took effect.
I can well remember the problems caused by extreme late running on the through route as at that time Maidenhead depot operated quite a number of journeys from Windsor as far as Wycombe. On the Aylesbury through journeys there was a crew change at the Rex Cinema stop in Oxford Street, High Wycombe at 22 and 52 minutes past the hour. The Maidenhead crews then operated the next departure from Wycombe to Windsor leaving at 30 and 00, initially this was from the Frogmoor bus park - later to become the Bus Station. Through passengers from the Aylesbury section were privileged to be taken to this bus park as all other services operated empty there. The Maidenhead crew often missed out on their tea break!
In those days before the M40, all through traffic came through Wycombe town centre and at holiday times in particular there would be a static queue as far as Loudwater and, on one occasion I can remember traffic stationary from the Mother Redcap on White Hill, Wooburn Moor. All services were consequently severely disrupted.
It was traffic congestion that forced the withdrawal of the through service compounded by a severe staff shortage - particularly at Maidenhead depot which had to bring in emergency cuts as well on most of its services.
As a boy I can recall the introduction of the Bristol Lodekka and often Nos. 758 and 759 would initially be on route 30. On a Saturday after the 14.10 and 14,40 departures to Aylesbury from High Wycombe High Street would be back projected to start from Wycombe Marsh Post Office at 14.02 and 14.32 respectively. This was not shown in the timetable. On Saturday afternoons in the mid-fifties buses would arrive at the Marsh full up especially when Wycombe Wanderers were playing a home match. A bus could come out of the Marsh garage empty and leave the Post Office stop with a full load in those days.
Picture via Derek Doling
My first impressions of this new bus were very favourable. Upstairs there was no sunken gangway and you had a good view. Even the new vinyl green seats seemed the latest in comfort - for a while at least. What I did NOT like was the row of 5 seats downstairs at the front which faced everyone else. You could not see where you were going.
In 1955/56 the adult single fare from the Marsh Post Office to Wycombe was 3d - half for children under 14. I can remember the public outcry when at the time of Suez a surcharge was imposed - an extra halfpenny! This never was removed afterwards and fares gradually crept up and more and more people chose their own transport and bus patronage began a steady decline. I wish I had kept the detailed loadings I took in those days from my grandparents front room on the London Road - they and the bus numbers I took from there would make very interesting reading today.
I hope someone can help?"
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 and useful links
New casting from 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.
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.
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
.jpg)
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.
.jpg)
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 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.
|
|
Arriva Handbook for 2006-2007 http://www.britishbuspublishing.co.uk/
The latest handbooks are now
on sale, the ever |
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
