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 238
(OBP-451)
Thurs
day 23rd August 2007
next update week ending 31st August 2007

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 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

A little later than intended, this week's page has, I hope, got a lot to interest all my readers. I am delighted that Gavin Francis was able to spend sometime in Oxford and his contributions are included. Once again my regular correspondents in the Arriva area, Glenn Knight and Matt Robinson have sent many contributions and Terry Wong Min has been a great traveller, not only being on hand at High Wycombe when I passed through on a 737 service but also he has been to Exeter from where he has sent several most interesting pictures. The Tri-axle Levantes of National Express are entering service in increasing numbers and within the same batch of registration are some standard length models in use on services to Bournemouth and Poole.

I never cease to be amazed at the levels of contribution and for those who have sent in reports and pictures but do not find them used this week, I had to draw the line at a certain point as the page would have too long.

Again I must record my appreciation to all those of you who have made contributions both large and small. Thank you.

Leighton Buzzard by Peter Edgar

Peter Edgar sent in a report on a gathering in Leighton Buzzard which was well attended by London examples. The pictures sent are shown below.

More on the roadworks at St Clements and The Plain

Gavin took some more pictures of the roadworks at St Clements and The Plain. He noted how difficult it was to get shots of the works and buses turning into Cowley Road. I include a couple of interesting shots taken.

I look forward to further photographs of diverted buses over the next few weeks.

Out of our area - the Editor goes south

Last week my wife and I visited our daughter in Bournemouth and on this annual pilgrimage I visited Poole and was able to catch a number of interesting buses and coaches. These are shown below and include a Citaro which once worked in Oxford, a coach which not so long ago was busy on the London route and an ex Oxford Volvo B10B which is now with Damory. For those who love the Bristol VR there is still time for you to experience a VR on an interurban run as Wilts & Dorset were using one on the Poole-Bournemouth service 16.

The afternoon saw a family outing on the open top 150 service to Swanage. This service runs through some attractive residential areas of Bournemouth before passing Compton Acres and then down to Sandbanks and the ferry to Swanage. The buses used are mainly NCME Palatine II bodied DAF DB250s all of which came from Walls of Manchester in 1997, some 10 years ago. When purchased they were only two years old and represented an excellent buy for the then privately owned Wilts and Dorset company. They are still in very good condition and give a pleasant ride. They have a ferry lift so that they can board the Sandbanks ferry which at low tide has a steep entry and exit profile. I was told by our driver that the new Volvo B7TL deckers, which are also open top, are unable to board the ferry so are not used on this route.


Buses in the Landscape/Seascape and DAF 3152 disembarks from the ferry and will head of to Bournemouth.


As 3152 leaves Sandbanks, we can see 3150 waiting to board. There was even time to nip off and buy an ice cream whilst we waited.

Our return journey provided a surprise, as the 150 service can run quite late. In order to resolve this, our driver went to the parking lot to get another bus which turned out to be one of the Wilts & Dorset special Optare Spectra DAFs, also new in 1995. The seating covering is matched to the older livery and again the bus in question, 3143, was very smart having just had a repaint into the latest livery.


The difference was that we no longer had an open topper but the weather wasn't that kind so nothing was lost.
Here we are waiting to board the return ferry at Sandbanks.

I certainly enjoyed my day out which was topped off with excellent fish & chips in Westbourne at the famous Chez Fred's. Whilst we waited for a table I caught up with another NEx Levante on the Gatwick via Heathrow service.

Mobile telephones and Arriva in High Wycombe - passengers encouraged to report drivers using their phones whilst driving !

The latest edition of Midweek from the Bucks Free Press is very full of stories about drivers on the local Arriva services using mobile phones whilst driving. Passengers report to the Midweek of stories of drivers even texting whilst driving. The headline read SHOP A BUS DRIVER.

Arriva responded to the claims that drivers were not allowed to use their phones whilst driving but they did take advantage of the ability to contact drivers by mobile phone as their buses did not have any radio system. Such a system is still legal to use providing it is not linked to a mobile phone system. It is also stated in the article that the use of mobile phones is allowed in the event of an emergency, such as an attack on the driver, whilst the bus is on the move. (I'm not sure that this is legal - to use a phone one MUST stop. Ed.)

Whilst we can appreciate the concern of the public about drivers using their phones whilst driving, one cannot help but feel saddened at further encouragement for the public to report drivers for varying matters. I suppose it is a reflection on the age we live in.

MK Metro and that National Express Commuter service.

Nathan writes "National Express are running Service MK1 Mondays-Fridays (started 30/07/2007). Leave Milton Keynes 0600, arrives Canary Wharf West India Bank 0805. Returns 1740, arriving 1945."

We know that the service is run by MK Metro/Arriva using 07 registered Levantes but so far we have not received any pictures. 

Reading update

My won contribution to this fleet show 828, MRD1, on a 24 working. The picture shows off the coloured route number very nicely.

 

Was there a coach depot in Kennington?

A reader writes "There is a property at 148 Kennington Road, Kennington and I understand that there used to be a coach station on the site of where this property and the two on either side now are. 

Are you able to let us know which coach or bus company actually owned the site and whether that company is still in existence?"

I hope someone can answer this question. Any pictures would also be appreciated.

Megabus moves to Victoria Coach Station

No-frills inter-city bus brand Megabus is to transfer its London terminus from the Greenline interchange in Bulleid Way to Victoria Coach Station.

The switch will take place on 1 October 2007 and coincides with an expansion of Megabus services, which are run by transport group Stagecoach. Chester and Newport will be added to the network and a new service will link Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth and Winchester in the south of England with Oxford, Leamington Spa, Coventry and Birmingham in the Midlands. There will also be a new link between Birmingham and Preston, Glasgow and other locations in Scotland, as well as a later departure from London in the evening and an earlier departure to London in the morning. Passengers will also be able to travel on three additional daily journeys between Cardiff and London, one additional daily journey between Bristol and London and two additional daily journeys between Preston and London.

At Victoria Coach Station Megabus will have its own stands as well as office accommodation, giving control staff online access to provide up-to-the-minute boarding information for drivers. Stagecoach says customers will benefit from significantly better infrastructure and facilities, including a new Mobility Assistance Lounge, refreshments, seating, toilets, retail outlets and electronic information screens. Passengers will also be able to buy tickets from the Victoria Coach Station ticket office for travel up to ten minutes before departure.

Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group chief executive, said: “The new base for our London services at Victoria Coach Station is excellent news for our passengers and our growing operation. It will give customers access to a range of improved facilities, as well as the opportunity to book last minute trips direct at the ticket office. The convenient departure stands and office accommodation will also assist in the smooth running of the operation for our customer service team.”

Malcolm Wildridge, general manager at Victoria Coach Station, said: ”Last year around nine million passengers travelled through Victoria Coach Station. We are pleased that megabus.com customers will soon be able to benefit from the various facilities we offer, which includes toilets, a hotel booking service and mobility assistance for elderly or disabled passengers who might need additional help.”

Around two million passengers a year travel on the Megabus network in the UK to around 40 locations. Earlier this month, Stagecoach expanded its Megabus operation in the United States with the launch of a new West Coast hub in Los Angeles. Combined with the Midwest hub in Chicago, the network in the United States now covers 20 key locations. Nearly 500,000 passengers have travelled with Megabus in the US since it was launched in April 2006.

Letter from Australia

David writes from down under to say "Your site came up as the result of  Google on "driving a crash gearbox":  a futile search as it turned out, but arising from the trouble I'm having getting used to my newly restored Leyland TD4. The clutch brake works so well it actually makes life hard, so I don't use the clutch which I don't like much....  Any TD drivers whom you know to provide useful tips?

I can relate to your experiences with Bristol 311: I drove Dennis Lolines for the A & DT Co. in the 60s and the Loline Is had exactly the same shift into 5th, although the box was made by Dennis. Later Lolines had 1st and reverse over on the left of the gate, and 2 -3 -4 -5 were a normal H-pattern which made life easy as one only ever used 1st on the Farnham Road hill out of Guildford. I was in UK in 2005-6 for 6 mths and had the thrill of meeting the ADBIG people and having a drive of a Guildford Loline III, Bill Tutty's 503. Quite a day.

I attach something different: a Sydney Albion CX19 descending the Spit Road Hill in 1969, all sinews straining to keep the speed down with another 500 metres of this gradient to go. Albions were kept on these runs long after their use-by date because nothing much else could handle it until enough Leyland OPSU1s entered service to take over. They almost all lasted 23 years in service and then many went on to a few more years with independents."

I never cease to be amazed by the Internet. One has to wonder that searching for "crash gearbox" should bring up my web site.

Reading Bus Station that was or is by Glenn Knight

Glenn Writes to say "Even though the day was rubbish I went to Reading on service 328 from High Wycombe and got three lovely shots of the disused Reading Bus Station. Currently there are the old boards with where the bus goes and service number such as Leighton Buzzard/Milton Keynes X14 / X15, Milton Keynes Sunday 325, High Wycombe 330."

 

Gareth Evans has a question about an Oxford registered coach

Gareth wrote saying "Thought you may be interested in this coach, F986OJO, which I believe originates from Oxfordshire. I photographed the vehicle at Pat’s Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham on Friday. I was informed it is due to be sold in the coming weeks.

Hope it’s of interest & please keep up the good work!"

Classique Coaches by Nigel Peach

Nigel Peach has just returned from a Scottish holiday in the Highlands and Islands. He sent this lovely picture of a real old lady - Janice.


Classique Tours' GDM 894 ("Janice") pictured on the island of Harris is a 1950 Leyland Tiger PS2 with Harrington bodywork.
From what I can establish, this originated with Wakley of Northop.
The National petrol sign in the background also suggests a bygone age, but in fact,
many of the few (if that's not a contradiction!) petrol stations on the islands are National.

Readers may like to peruse the following link :- http://www.classiquetours.co.uk/tay.html

Buses in cityscape and landscape


An excellent picture of London's Trafalgar Square by Gavin Francis.



Nigel Peach sent this picture saying
"
This view of a Stagecoach Bluebird Mercedes on route 501 to Aberdeen is on the A939 between Tomintoul and Cock Bridge.
This road always gets a mention on the travel reports in the winter for being blocked by snow. It's easy to see why!"


John Marsh sent this excellent picture taken in Peterborough of an SC Olympian Trident crossing the River Nene.

Model News

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

Amersham & District Running day September 30th 2007 - a date for your diary

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

The final Amersham & District Running Day for 2007 is as follows: 

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.

Tail piece for Gavin

Gavin Francis realised when looking at the number plate on an Oxford Citaro that it was a little more personal than he had believed.

Never mind Gain, none of us is getting any younger !!!


Malcolm Crowe - Thursday 23rd August 2007

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

News of the local companies – 23rd August 2007

with MK Metro

Matt Robinson sent his weekly missive saying "Another very quiet week at this end of the Chilterns, however I have more news regarding the Aylesbury route/timetable changes taking place in mid-September.

It would seem that long-established Aylesbury-Tring-Dunstable-Luton route 61 is being extended to Luton Airport (via the old Vauxhall Works rather than Crawley Green Road as per the 69/70). The timetable will see some minor alterations also, including some more 'through' journeys at times when journeys previously terminated in Dunstable. For the first time since the early Shires' days there will be a service bus departing the airport after 9pm.

The new timetable can be viewed here - interestingly it currently shows existing 61 journeys against the new times:

http://www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk/se/XSLT_TTB_REQUEST?language=en&command=direct&net=set&line=01061&sup=A&project=y07&contentFilter=TIMINGPOINTS&outputFormat=0&itdLPxx_displayHeader=false

Also here are a couple of pictures I managed to take this week - two of the three remaining ECW-bodied Gardner engined Leyland Olympians still at Luton. 5381 (MUH281X) and 5170 (B605UUM). The third is former Wycombe example 5165 (EWW544Y), previously registered 544WRA. 5165 has been out on the odd staff shuttle journey in the last couple of weeks, but I haven't seen it in service since the coolant leak in Dunstable a couple of weeks ago."

 

Service changes in High Wycombe by Peter Cartwright

Peter writes "The new Versas for routes 38/39 are due for imminent delivery as are the 2 new Optare Solos for the 40. The Versas are to be in an orange livery - as the 38/39 are to be orange routes.

From 2 September there are a number of changes to Arriva routes.

30 withdrawn entirely.
31 Timetable change and 663 journeys incorporated in schedule
32 Extended to Lane End every 30 minutes Mon-Sat daytime. T/T changes
33/34 Some T/T changes and 34 will travel in opposite direction around St Hugh's Ave/Roebuck Avenue loop (as39)
37 Renumbered from 317 and increased in frequency to every 20 mins Mon-Fri between HW & Bourne End
41 NEW ROUTE Earlybird.  Cressex (Lincoln Road) 04.41, 05.15 - Stanley Hill, Amersham 05.35 - Amersham Stn 05.40 - Old Amersham Bdy 05.41 - Holmer Green Bat & Ball 05.46,Cosy Corner 05.48, Hazlemere X Rds 05.50, Terriers X Rds 04.50, 5.52, Arnison Ave/ Happy Wanderer 04.51, 05.53,Bowerdean X Rds 04.52, 05.54, HW Oxford St/Frogmoor 04.56, 05.58, Hughenden Rd (Beaconsfield Arms 04.58, 06.00, The Pastures, Church 05.00. 06.02, West Wycombe Rd/Plomer Hill 05.02. 06.04 , Sands (Hour Glass) 05.03. 06.05, Lane End/Village Pond 05.05. 06.07,Turnpike Corner  05.10, 06.12, Cressex (Lincoln Road) 05.12, 06.15

BUSES STOP AT ABOVE POINTS ONLY AND TIMES SHOWN ARE MON-FRI. There are 2 departures on Saturdays and both are exactly 45 minutes later than Mon - Fr times shown above.

42 NEW ROUTE Earlybird. Cressex (Lincoln Road) 04.41. 05.31, Flackwell Heath (Rugwood Road) 04.47, 05.37, Flackwell Heath (Green Dragon) 04.52, 05.42, Bourne End (Telephone Exchange) 04.54, 05.44, Wooburn Green (Red Lion) 04.57. 05.47, Loudwater Turn 05.01. 05.51, Micklefield Rd/Guinions Road 05.04. 05.53, Hicks Farm Rise, garage 05.06. 05.56, Wingate Avenue/Hillary Road 05.09. 05.59 Bowerdean X Rds 05.11. 06.01, London Rd/Cricket Ground 05.12. 06.02, HW Eden Bus Stn 05.15. 06.05, Desborough Ave/Desborough Rd 05.17. 05.21, Cressex (Lincoln Road) 05.21.06.11

BUSES STOP AT ABOVE POINTS ONLY AND TIMES SHOWN ARE MON - FRI. On Sats there is no 04.41 but departures at 05.31 and 06.18 from Lincoln Road.

These routes - primarily for bus staff are livened up for the general public and are similar to those operated by Garston Garage.

45/48 Routes 345 & 348 renumbered. T/T change and 45 extended Mon-Sat from Eden Bus Stn to Flackwell Heath, Green Dragon via Daws Hill Lane.

74 T/T change

305 T/T change and 3 Mon-Fri daytime journeys re-routed at Loudwater to double run to Flackwell Heath via Treadaway Hill!

317 renumbered 37 - see above.

328/329 renumbered 800 and 850 respectively. Service between HW & Marlow increased to every 15 minutes Mon-Fri daytime. One journey starts from Penn on Schooldays and terminates at Marlow and reverse in afternoon (replacing 631).

345/348 renumbered - see 45/48

362 T/T change

800/850 renumbered from 328/329 - see above.

T/T changes do help to stagger departures from Eden Bus Stn and also help to give better headways on certain common stretches and also more journey times on some routes at certain times.

Route 100 Cressex Park & Ride is also to be rerouted once the new Cressex Link is opened."

Terry Wong Min writes "I have a few pictures of some my travels.  Quite a surprise I bump into yourself in High Wycombe last Sunday."


5431, 5145, 3500 all at Northwood on rail replacement for Metropolitan Line.


NV108 at Amersham


Terry's picture of a Wycombe Volvo B7BLE

 
And a coach with some person, never seen him before but he was smiling!!!

Glenn Knight writes "With the impending closure of the bus station I am sending a couple of posters Luton bus station farewell & 1976/1998 floor plan."

 

Glenn goes on to say "N45 JPP 5145 was on 66 to Buckingham & G230 VWL 5830 has had full respray in Leighton Buzzard today 23.08.2007 photos are attached."

 

When I stopped in Aylesbury on Saturday I saw Volvo Olympian 5145 (N45 JPP) laying over in the bus station. It has gained the interurban livery which is currently unbranded.


Gavin sent this very detailed picture of 3833 in Wycombe.


Was this once based at High Wycombe? - picture by Ben Morroll.


This Lynx started life in high Wycombe - picture by Chris Maxfield

Heyfordian

Chris Farmer writes to say "....driving past Catteralls yard near Southam last night (Sat 12th Aug) I noticed that parked on the forecourt was either a Jonckheere Volvo Decker or  Neoplan, in Heyfordian Coaches Livery, minus the decals. A new arrival to their fleet ???? I was unable to stop or turn round at the time to take a closer inspection hence my "either or" description as to which one it was !

Catteralls already have a few deckers, one of which was definitely an ex Kings Ferry but which has never been painted into their colours. As for this arrival, I am sorry I can't provide any further details as yet but will try and get up that way again this week to see if I can get a picture for the next news pages."

Further tri-axle Levantes continue to enter service and I am able to bring some pictures to you courtesy Gavin Francis.


Gavin also took this shot of one of the Veoila Levantes with the new "green" message.


Terry Wong Min sent this picture of a Volvo Tri-axle newly delivered on the 501 service.

A lot of Oxford news and pictures this week starting with Mark Lyons "I attach a couple of pictures of ex COMS buses now with Go West Midlands - as ever feel free to sue them on the web site, should you wish."


In fact the NGR registered one has never been an Oxford bus, it was always Go-North East.

Then Mike Penn  wrote saying "A photo for you. I was surprised to see Oxford re-registered coach 17 (V281 SBW) in London on Friday of last week (10th).  Here it is rounding Hyde Park Corner."

Mike, like so many thought 17 was to be the new training vehicle. In fact this honour now goes to coach 16. 

Anthony Person writes "Just thought you might be able to solve a little mystery that has cropped up in my part of the world involving some of the ex-oxford Excaliburs. The regestration R809NUD appears, from photos to have been on two separate vehicles. Solent Blue Line have had the vehicle on loan to perform their Solent Shuttle service for some time, http://southeastfleets.fotopic.net/p28876886.html, where it carried an Oxford Airline livery but with Solent Shuttle brandings. However at the Isle of Wight festival R809NUD appeared wearing half of a Airline livery,  http://antssouthernvectispics.fotopic.net/p42272093.html and looking a bit more beaten about! Is this is the same coach or have the coaches managed to change registration at some point? Hope you can help and find this interesting!

Also, I hope to see the two Excaliburs from Oxford that have been promised to Damory soon, hopefully carrying the Damory livery. (R401DWL, R402DWL)." 

Keep up the good work on the page, it is very enjoyable to read as I stated in my last email."

Tim wrote regarding an incident in Oxford's High saying "A friend pointed me in your direction and mentioned you might like some photos of today's bus crash on the High in Oxford for your newsletter. They're not terribly good as it was quite dark and raining, but I have put the ones I have online at: 

An Oxford Bus incident 

Please feel free to use any/all as you see fit - I would be pleased to have them made use of.

I am always in a dilemma when putting reference to accidents but they do happen and Tim has sent a good standard of pictures for reference.

Richard Griffin sent some interesting pictures from London which I am pleased to publish.

Gavin Francis was busy last week and sent some excellent pictures of OBC buses and coaches going about their everyday work.


Pictures by Gavin Francis.

The company web site has been update regarding fleet details etc and these may be found at the following link.  http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/company4.shtml

Red Rose, Aylesbury


Pictures by Gavin Francis
.

Some very interesting reports and pictures have landed on my desk this week starting with one from Glenn Knight who writes "I have some photos of the Volvos at Stagecoach Bedford depot for schools.

School conversion Volvo B10M`s are as follows. 

52124 K154 DNV

52155 L155 JNH

52160 L160 JNH

52161 L161 JNH

52162 L162 JNH

52368 P168 KBD

52369 P169 KBD

52370 P170 KBD

52372 P172 KBD

52482 R182 DNH

52483 R183 DNH

52484 R184 DNH


What will the X5 do without these coaches?


Glenn Knight's picture of the Olympian decker currently in use on the X5


Glenn Knight's picture of the ex UCOC depot.

The next report comes from Marcus Lapthorn who writes "New low floor buses are on order for the Oxford to Swindon 66 route. They hope to phase them into service from around Easter 2008."

In recent weeks many different types of bus have been used on the 66 including a very new Enviro 300.

Andrew Simmonds wrote re the X6 saying "Excellent website and enjoy looking at you updated pages for all the latest news.

From 2nd September, the X6 Northants to Oxford is being withdrawn and replaced by service X88 which essentially is the 88 extended from Brackley to Bicester but not running via Whittlebury every two hours. (Essentially at the same times as the X6). The normal 88 now runs Northampton to Silverstone via Whittlebury every two hours.

The Brackley Town service loop of the 88 is replaced by a new Langston and Tasker service 288."

Next we have some pictures from Gavin Francis taken last week in Oxford.


Unusual route workings and buses on the Botley Road again after the floods.


Stratford Blue, Stagecoach style in Gloucester Green by Gavin Francis.

And now some pictures of buses which once graced the streets of Oxford and were caught on camera in Devon by Terry Wong Min.

   


Terry also caught up with two of our Brookes Tridents now nearing the end of their summer sojourn in Devon.


Somehow more like a magazine advert than a bus picture - very neat composure by John Marsh in Peterborough.

Gavin Francis has been busy and took some TT buses in Oxford last week.


Picture by Gavin Francis


Picture by Gavin Francis.

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


Now you may see this coach on the M40, I have. Chris Maxfield took this at their depot in Leyland.


Not the most asymmetric coach ion the world. Picture by Gavin Francis.


Well, what can one say. I've heard all about Essex !!!!! - Picture by Gavin Francis in Oxford.

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

Coming events, models and useful links

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.

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. 

Robin Clare publishes Volume 15 DVD

Many of you will be aware of the various volumes on DVD of buses in the U.K. from Robin Clare.

His latest offering gives a glimpse in some locations in this area, such as Oxford, Reading and High Wycombe. I think it is well worth the £10 and it can be obtained from:

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. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

Where are the Chilterns?

Visit this informative site through the link below.

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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