Issue 269
(OBP-481)
Monday 30th June 2008
(next update week ending 12th
July 2008)
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
Editorial
This weekend has been filled with two major projects, one is the preparation of this issue of OCBP and the second is the preparation of Day 2 of my trip to Land's End. This week's page has 119 pictures and the Day 2 page 125. This has meant a great deal of work and I am very appreciative to those who have contributed to the latest issue of the OCBP.
The weather has been kind, unusually so for Wimbledon, from where we have a number of pictures of buses in use. This has also meant a nice level of good pictures for the page.
I hope you all enjoy this issue.
Sim Bowman has written regarding his web site and I thought this would prove useful to anyone wanting to visit our area and intending to stay overnight in the Chilterns.
Accommodation in the Chilterns
http://www.chilterns-stay.co.uk
Spring
is in the air! Visit the Chilterns and then, why not stay for a while? If your
looking for a country cottage, a pub, an inn or hotel in the UK within easy
reach of London, then we think you may have found the answer. Lying only a few
miles north-west of London, the Chilterns are a designated
Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty lying within the counties of
Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and the
Thames Valley and there are literally hundreds of places to stay and things to
do in the Chilterns to choose from.
The Chilterns remain an unspoilt area of gently rolling chalk hills, perfect
walking country with beautiful beech woods full of wildlife, quiet valleys and
charming brick and flint villages with welcoming pubs, inns and hotels.
The
Ridgeway, an official National Trail, runs from one
end to the other and with a myriad of other footpaths the Chilterns offer easily
accessible walking in beautiful countryside and only half an hour from north
London!
So, if you're looking for holiday accommodation, a short stay or maybe just
something to do for the day in the Chilterns - we can help! The Let's Stay
Chilterns holiday accommodation and tourist guide features everything
from self catering and VB inspected Chilterns holiday cottages, budget and
luxury Chilterns hotels, Chilterns bed and breakfast accommodation, guest
houses, Chilterns camping and caravanning sites, Chilterns pubs and inns, pet
friendly places, properties with facilities for wheelchair users, restaurants,
attractions, things to do in the Chilterns and much more.
For more information on the Chiltern Hills please see our new
Chilterns
Guide.
For more images of the Chilterns and other areas click
here.
Altogether a very useful site.
From Peter Horrex on new Metroline saloons
A slight amendment to your latest issue (268) on the Oxford & Chilterns bus page, regarding the Enviro 200's in use at Potters Bar for routes 84 and 242. Glenn Knight provided a photo a fleet list, but only listed nine of the eleven vehicles received.
The two missing ones are: LK08DWM - DEL 857 and LK08DWN - DEL 858. Ten are required for the weekday service, with one engineering spare.
I attach a scenic photo of DEL850 at Northaw on route 242 on 18 June which was my charge for the 0643 ex Potters Bar, returning as the 0725 from Waltham Cross, extended to Dame Alice Owen's school in Potters Bar. Hope that this is of interest.
My Blog:
http://busdriver.typepad.com/
Visit my web sites:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishbuses/sets/
http://britishbusscene.fotopic.net/
My Video Clips:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BristolRE
http://www.4shared.com/dir/5562952/a709075a/sharing.html
Thanks to Peter for that update.
London buses in pictures from Gavin Francis
Gavin has been out an about in Watford and central London and has sent some interesting pictures which I include below.
Watford & Central London
Metroline Volvo in Narnia livery
Transdev Trident in unrelieved red.
A Metroline Solo in Watford.
New buses for Arriva with T1 at Golders Green.
High Wycombe and the closure of Bridge St again
Last Sunday once again Bridge Street, which is the road running past the Eden Bus Station, was closed to allow the removal of more building equipment from the Eden site. I managed a couple of pictures which include our National Express Levantes.
Sunday the
22nd and the time is nearing 07:45. The two Levantes, 59214 and 59213 will
depart for Stansted and Oxford respectively.
59214 is seen taking a revised route to avoid the Bridge Street closure.
Wimbledon 2008 from Terry Wong Min
Terry writes "Mainly from the Wimbledon Station to Wimbledon Tennis shuttle. I hope you enjoy taken during my lunch break and after work down the road."
An interesting selection with two
PVLs in the Contract Hire fleet plus an open top NV with some RMs to make up the
variety.
This has to be unusual as this bus
is nominally in the training fleet.
Gavin Francis also sent a
picture of an open topper in Buckingham Palace Road on the Wimbledon shuttle.
Four Capital's visit by Terry Wong Min
Some pictures from another few days off. Some would say do I do any work. Of course. Take pictures! A couple of revisits and new places on the cards.
So Day one. Dublin a place I visited only a few weeks ago was back on the cards again. Not really to focus on Dublin Bus but to meet up with a company with some former London vehicles.
Heading back to town later I later headed to Heuston Station with the Phoenix Park shuttle with a couple of these ex London Central MD's. MD10 is pictured at the station.
Returning back to the city later that evening to Belfast by the Enterprise train. A nice journey into a new place which has always fascinated me.
So the morning came and I thought I would see what the city has. It has plenty of photo opportunity and a city which is clearly in regeneration project if you take one of tours around the Docks area etc. Anyways a couple of pictures of what runs in the place! A few London metros survive and a couple have been -registered, M346 is pictured here.
So I return home and day three it was on the train. No rest for the wicked as you can see look at the time I have to get my train up to town, where next?
Surely not Scotland? Why of course! I saved Edinburgh for a special visit. I was on the hunt of one of six new Solos for MacTours not an easy bus to photo.
Also a couple pictures of some odd workings and the former London Scania bendy bus demonstrator at Ingliston.
So back home on Friday and some pictures from the Bow Cent. Day.... The weather was so kind to us a great day thanks to all concerned!
I forgot to add this to the collection. Around 40+ Geminis have been ordered to replace the remaining Leyland Olympians in the Lothian fleet.
From John Marsh on The Delaine, Bourne, Lincolnshire
John writes "Thought you might like this, the new bus should have been here for March but when it wasn't they changed the registration. It will be stored until Sept 1st.
Delaine 133 (ANA9Y) picks up in Manthorpe on the morning of 24th June 2008, its final school run, thus bringing to an end almost 60 years of continuous operation of Leylands by Delaine.
133 will now head back to Greater Manchester for preservation in Delaine livery.
Correction
Kevin Delaine-Smith tells me that they have operated Leylands for 78 years (not 58) as I said before and they have been operating ex Greater Manchester buses for almost 21 years."
Surely the first "58" reg picture on web sites.
Matt Cooper recounts more of his travels around our area with pictures
Matt writes
"Attached are some other pics from my recent travels. I will start taking them
in larger format as I have yet to get my head around doing that on our new lap
top!
I was most impressed with Stagecoach Oxford's new Scania double decks. Took a
trip from Oxford to Bicester on one and seemed well received by all on the bus."
My travels that day took me from Bicester to Aylesbury on service 16 aboard long serving Aylesbury Scania 3175. A very pleasant route through the countryside.
In Aylesbury I was interested to see MK Metro Solo 7 on local route 4 using the
temporary stop on Walton Street. This brought flashbacks of early 1993 when
this street was used by all services when the bus station was under conversion
to what exists today and opened on 23rd September 1993. Although somewhat
chaotic at the moment, at least the bus station is open during the works
happening at the moment.
Whilst Solo 7 was earning its keep in Aylesbury, Mini SLF Dart 3487 branded for
'red route 9' was in use on the MK-Buckingham 100 service which at the moment is
being operated from Aylesbury Depot.
That's all for now! A flurry of recent trips which I am pleased about as I have just taken a job with Diamond Bus at their Redditch depot so will be leaving the area very soon for pastures new. Will make sure I keep paying visits to the area!
Regular features
Nigel Peach writes "I found Day 1 of your travels very interesting to read indeed. You have a great way of painting the picture, adding incidental details which, together with your amusing observations makes it compelling reading! It was also of particular interest to me as my grandparents lived near Salisbury, so when I was a child we travelled down there five or six times a year, usually via Reading, Thatcham, Newbury, then bypassing Andover by turning off just before Enham Alamein, so the memories came flooding back. I'd forgotten that sharp bend by the cottages at Hurstbourne Tarrant! I also spent many happy days around Salisbury bus station in Endless Street."
Day 2 is almost finished with over 100 pictures taken between Lyme Regis and Fowey.
Travels with a Concessionary Pass by Mike Bennett
Wednesday 25th was another day when my wife wanted to be busy doing her patchwork; and for the whole day this time. So it was a chance for me to make one of the longer distance bus trips that I had been planning for some time.
I dropped her off in Watchfield, and caught the 1008 service 66 into Oxford - again one of the new Stagecoach MAN / Enviro300s, no 22626. Arrival at Gloucester Green at 1100 gave me plenty of time to check the seat availability on the 1140 departure of the National Express service 737 - 31 seats left, which was good as I had to be on standby, as I was using my concessionary pass. Luckily I had checked with your editor whether it would be free to High Wycombe, my destination for the day. It is, even as far as Hatfield on this service.
There were a lot of young people with back packs and slabs of lager waiting for coaches, and it was not until two arrived with temporary labels saying "Glastonbury Festival", that I realized they were not waiting for the 737. They all piled onto the two coaches and departed - rather early I thought for a festival that did not kick off until Friday.
Our 737 was operated by Stagecoach 59212, and the driver told me that Malcolm was already on the road for Stansted Airport. Following a good departure, by the time we had cleared Headington roundabout we were 15 minutes down, due mainly to even more roadworks, and the inevitable traffic. We arrived in High Wycombe still 15 minutes down.
As this was my first visit since before Arriva took over from Wycombe Bus, I had no idea where we were in relation to the previous bus station, so it took a while to get orientated. I had checked on Google Earth the night before the trip but that did not help at all - the aerial views still show the old bus station, with no sign of the new one being built.
The time by now was 1245, and this meant that the sun was in a good position for photos in and around the Eden Bus Station. So I took a lot - some of which are attached. It was good to see bus bodywork by different manufacturers to those I am used to seeing around Swindon. I had to check in my handbooks to find what some of them were. East Lancs European for instance, and several Plaxton models that weren't Pointers - the Verde, the Prestige, and of course the Primo. And then there were the Northern Counties Paladins and Palatines.
After lunch in the excellent cafe in the bus station, (I can recommend the "Big Ben"), I walked through the Eden Shopping Centre and found the roundabout at the rear. This is also a good location for photos. I also ventured further and I found the old market hall, and another good location near the church.
I had a look in Jessops to see which model of camera I might buy next - my Nikon D70 is now 4 years old and getting outdated. I remember when film cameras would still be viable many years after purchase - my Olympus OM1 was 25 years old when I went digital and it was still producing excellent photos.
It was now approaching 1600 so I made my way back to the bus station in plenty of time to catch the 1635 service 737 back to Oxford. It eventually arrived and was running 15 minutes late by the time we left.
I was delighted, however, to find that the driver was your editor Malcolm, and this was the first time that I had met him properly. I had a long chat with him when we got back to Gloucester Green, as he had finished his duty for the day and I had missed my connection at 1745 back to Watchfield, so I had plenty of time to spare. Malcolm dutifully posed for a photo at the wheel of 59211, and it may be shown here if he approves it.
Doing what he likes best - MC at the wheel.
I caught the 1845 service 66 and got back to Watchfield by 1940, this time on Stagecoach Swindon 22623.
Picture by M Crowe
My wife was still busy, but now helping someone to make a Lincoln Green Robin Hood jacket - don't ask !
Many thanks to Michael for a very nice piece.
Buses in the Landscape
Keith Shayshutt contributes some very nice pictures. He writes "Thoroughly enjoyed Part 1 of your epic bus journey and am looking forward to reading Part 2. Here are some submissions for Buses in the Landscape. You have:
Wilts & Dorset outstation at Hindon where the 4 buses are
actually carved into a cutting in the landscape. Taken on Sunday 8 June 2008.
A Caelloi bus on the Pwllheli to Porthmadog route 3 climbing out of Criccieth on
31 May 2008.
A Johns Vario on the Blaenau Ffestiniog town service at Tanygrisiau just about
to cross the Ffestiniog railway line on 31 May 2008.
A Western Greyhound Vario climbing out of the village of Gwithian, Cornwall on
one the ex Sunset routes on 12 June 2008.
Finally one from your Editor which I did rather like.
Wycombe from Frogmoor, once
the terminus of many local bus services.
Colin writes "This was another sunny day ! Lots of routes to ride, stalls to browse, and retired LT buses everywhere you look in the town ! It was also noticeable just how full the buses were on every run, a measure of just how popular these events have become. It is also great when riding the buses to watch passers by stop and pay a nostalgic glance at ' that's the bus I used to go to school on ' !!! I took a ride on the immaculate RF406 (see photo) to 'The Boot' at Sarratt, and it was nice to see AN264 (see photo) looking very much part of the scene at the bus station....."
I was on duty that day and managed one good picture on my return service from Stansted to Oxford. I was a few minutes early so no inconvenienced passengers!
The bus was displaying blinds for the next week's event at Bow.
Record buses and coaches display at south-west's largest festival of steam and
petrol at Kemble airfield, near Cirencester,
from Friday 1st August to Sunday 3rd August 2008.
The 34th Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza (often referred to as the Kemble Show, because of its location) will be the largest ever, with a record entry of over 800 vintage and classic cars.
Originally conceived for steam enthusiasts, the show has grown to include a huge array of buses, coaches, motorcycles, military vehicles, classic cars, tractors, aircraft, commercial vehicles, traction engines and historic caravans. It is an air show, country fayre and transport rally all rolled into one superb extravaganza. With non-stop live action for three days and special attractions for children, the Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is one of the UK's best family shows. It takes place at Kemble airfield, near Cirencester, from Friday 1st August to Sunday 3rd August 2008.
Widely regarded as a show within a show, the bus section has grown from humble beginnings to one of the biggest Bus & Coach Gatherings in the UK. Attracting exhibits from the length of the land as well as from foreign climes, the line up of vehicles is as colourful as it is impressive.
There will be buses and coaches from 1938 to the present day on display, including the world’s largest gathering of Bedford OB coaches. At the 2007 event the World Record for the number of these remarkable vehicles gathered in preservation in one place was set, and is planned that 2008 will see this record being smashed.
The Bedford OB bus were introduced in 1939 and production resumed after World War II until 1950. More than 12,000 were built and Bedford OB buses were a common sight on Britain's roads in the 1950s and '60s. The company's advertising slogan was: 'You see them everywhere!'
Buses and coaches from many manufacturers will be displayed, with the vast majority built in Bristol. 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of when the first Bristol bus entered service and there will be special displays to mark this event.
John Hitchings of the bus and coach section of Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza says: "Everybody enjoys seeing old buses and coaches because we each remember special journeys made on them. A ride on a vintage bus is a trip heavy with nostalgia."
There will be a vintage bus service to and from Kemble railway station operating during the show and buses will be available across the showground to the Bristol Aero collection. For the bus schedule, please refer to the website
www.steamextravaganza.comTicket Prices:
Adult: Friday £5, Saturday or Sunday £8, Weekender: £12
Children Friday £3, Saturday or Sunday £4, Weekender: £6 (aged 6 – 16years)
Concessions: Friday: £4, Saturday or Sunday: £6, Weekender: £8
(Inc: OAP’s, Disabled, NUS, unemployed)
Family Day Ticket: £20 (2 x adults, 2 x children)
Family Weekender Ticket: £30 (2 x adults, 2 x children)
Under 5’s free of charge
Advance tickets available from Local Tourist Information Centres including: Stroud, Cirencester, Chippenham, Swindon, Malmesbury, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tetbury.
Gates open at 10am everyday
All profits donated to the Cobalt Appeal Fund, Diabetes UK & The County Air Ambulance.
Amersham & District Running Days for 2008 are:
20th Amersham Running Day Sunday 5 October based on car park adjoining Amersham MET Station. This has become a very popular event and no doubt it will still attract many after 20 years when again there will be some alteration to routes operated.
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
Another Q type shelter, this time in Hertfordshire by Malcolm Crowe
I caught site of this shelter on a Stansted working and managed a photo on my return.
Thames Valley question from Ed Maun
I have a question for the historians.
I have come across a photo of one of Thames Valley’s Bristol FLF double deck coaches with destination blinds set for route D to Oxford. This is the one time South Midland express coach service from London to Oxford via High Wycombe.
Does anyone know if these vehicles were ever used on these services or is this a publicity photo?
I have no idea where the photo was taken but it probably dates from the middle 1960’s as the FLF is in the maroon and cream livery which was adopted for these vehicles about that time.
Photo request
Does anyone have a picture of COMS Bristol VR 515 when in service?
Steve Warwick reveals a new addition to the preserved ranks in Buckinghamshire.
Look what two of your irregular correspondents have bought.............. coming to Bucks soon!
My good friend Malcolm Hyland & myself have invested in a 1971 Bristol RELL bus, she is ex Hants & Dorset
Hopefully to be restored to her former glory in the very near future, in green with a cream roof.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to all my contributors who help to make this page what it is.
Malcolm Crowe - Monday 30th June 2008
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002 to date
News of the local companies – 30th June 2008
From Ian Brown in Hemel:
An Arriva Hemel-based driver told me that the Herts CC funded 52 Hemel-Bovingdon-HM Prison The Mount-Chesham-Amersham is to lose its funding and become a commercial route from 7th July. It will extend on from Amersham to Wycombe as the 362 (the number of the existing service between Chesham and Wycombe). The Chesham-Wycombe sector is a Carousel diagram, too. At the tiny hamlet of Whelpley Hill, off the main B4505 between Bovingdon and Chesham, the bus goes down a narrow lane and does an about turn by reversing at a T junction. As far as I'm aware, the only other bus route between HH and Wycombe is by Nat Exp Oxford-Stansted. Arriva are recruiting a dedicated team from their drivers to operate this service.
From Stephen Le Bras
Sat 21 June and not
the first time an Arriva Versa on the 74, number 2402 at 6.45pm in SloughFrom Glenn Knight
On 27th June DAF Cadet 4524, KE03OUL made a appearance on the 17:00 758 Hemel Hempstead to London
The Union and TFL have came to a agreement that when SCANIA Solars 3601-15/16/19 are used on 757 Luton to London there has to be a maximum capacity of only 14 seated due to volume of luggage and limited space.
Leyland Olympian 5170, B605UUM has gone to the bus graveyard following the discovery of electrical wiring which is beyond repair.
Mercedes 2132, N912ETM has been transferred to another depot within Shires/Southern Counties areas. 260608
Pictured in Luton 5165, EWW556Y seen with NON LEZ COMPLIANT VEHICLE sticker so
cannot enter London Emission Zone.
At Bedford this morning on the pits was Volvo Plaxton YN08OWK demonstrator for X5. Finally Luton Bus Station has gone .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arriva 3377, a Dennis Lance with Wrights bodywork based at Aylesbury and seen
here at Luton Airport. M Crowe.
Excel, Stansted
The delivery of the two coaches for the Ipswich-Stansted service is now complete with the arrival of YN08MPE. However the livery is not the same on both vehicles.
Nigel Peach writes "I had thought that the Metrobuses had all but finished on other than schools work, but the Bourne End route (Line 1) seems now to be almost exclusively worked by three of them these last few weeks - KYV703/737/758X. I am also puzzled that I haven't seen any of their three Tridents around for some weeks. Is it just that they have eluded me, or have they been moved to different routes? I'm sure your readers will be able to answer that question!"
Stephen Le Bras writes
"Notes for Sat 21 June - add 53054 repainted red to the one already reported. Also Citaro 64047 (LK08FMG) was spotted on the 62/77 this morning."
Geoff Amos
Geoff Amos run a number of services out of Banbury as seen in this picture from
Chris Maxfield.
Grayline's latest bus is this Optare Excel now in service in
Banbury and pictured by Chris Maxfield.
Scania ESU940 has been repainted. Picture by Richard Sharman.
http://www.nationalexpress.com/
Richard Sharman caught up with
this Levante on the 539 operated by Bruce Coaches, seen in Gloucester Green,
Oxford.
Gavin Francis caught this Iveco-Plaxton on a 450 working in Golders Green
last week.
Excelsior 612 on a 304 working in Oxford by Gavin Francis.
East Yorkshire have workings on NEx diagrams and their Levantes are unusual in
that they have Yorkshire registrations.
Chapel End Coaches were working a Glastonbury special last week and are seen
departing GG on a G15 working.
Veolia's 74030 is on a Glastonbury G8 working out of VCS, London. Picture by
Gavin Francis.
Unusually the 370 service from Southall to Birmingham via High Wycombe was in
the hands of this Van Hool from Dhillon last week.
Very occasionally a NEx service will be rerouted to cover for a missing service.
This happened a week last Saturday when the 737 (59213) covered for a missing
777 service at Stevenage. M Crowe.
Several readers have noticed a Volvo/Plaxton Verde (635) with Q buster lettering displayed in a large format on the side. No photographs have been forthcoming however.
A study in backs at Gloucester Green. The oldest operational coach now in
service is nr 26 seen above. M Crowe.
Red Rose
Gavin Francis visited Watford and took pictures of some Red Rose buses on
local services.
Stagecoach Swindon
New M A N s 22623 and 22626 (no fleet numbers) working route 66 last week. M
Crowe.
Over the last few weeks Stagecoach have drafted in buses from all around the group for Rail Replacement services in the Nottingham/Skegness area. Three of our buses went to assist, being 16523, 126524 and 20012. Chris Maxfield sent a number of pictures.
Other group buses also involved, including ones from Oxford, are seen below.
27 branded Trident 18398 is seen on a 100 working in this picture from Chris
Maxfield.
Richard Sharman caught up with 33942 on a 66 working shortly before all
duties were turned over to new M A N s.
What happened to the Solo, an Alexander PS on the X88 in this picture from Gavin
Francis.
Steve Annells writes
uno Bus Hatfield
Gavin Francis sent this picture of an ex Centrebus Dart now in Uno livery at Watford.
Bus recovery Cardiff style by Simon Beasley. Not many companies
now have their own tow trucks.
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.
New Trident model with an Oxford flavour
ukbus 1036 Alexander Dennis ALX400-bodied Trident
Stagecoach in Oxfordshire
Creative Master Northcord is proud to release a brand new livery on its well-known casting – the Alexander Dennis ALX400-bodied Trident. This is ukbus 1036 carrying standard Stagecoach livery but with special route branding livery.
This model represents Stagecoach in Oxfordshire 18394 (KX55 TLN). This is the second Stagecoach in Oxfordshire ADL ALX400-bodied Trident model that CMNL produced. The previous one is ukbus 1026 with Brookes bus colours.
Stagecoach in Oxfordshire 18394 is one of a fleet of seven Tridents introduced onto route 27 in March 2006 to replace Volvo B10M single deckers. Route 27 operates between Oxford and Bicester up to every 15 minutes at busy times with three main route variants around Bicester – 27A to Glory Farm and Launton, 27B to Glory Farm and Langford and 27C to Ambrosden and Arncott.
18394 is one of three vehicles which carry supplementary branding for the Bicester Duo ticket which was introduced during 2007. The ticket allows two people to travel from Bicester to Oxford for the price of one.
The replica features excellent detailing, inside and out, including an opening engine door, engine detail and the representation of LED lights at the rear. This is a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the windows and livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. The model has no unnecessary metal poles to hold it together.
It will be a good opportunity to make a twin Stagecoach in Oxfordshire bus model set with ukbus 1036 and ukbus 1025 representing the common street scene in Oxford.
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.
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
.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 nine 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
John Marsh's pictures with a difference
|
A web site which has paintings of buses.
|
|
Arriva Handbook for 2007-2008 http://www.britishbuspublishing.co.uk/
The latest handbooks are now
on sale, the ever |
Links
Bus Services in Buckinghamshire
Bus services in Hertfordshire
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
