General observations

From Gordon Scott in Edinburgh

Gordon provides a regular sources of information from north of the border, which is especially useful to us since a major bus supplier, Alexander Dennis, is located in Falkirk, midway between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Gordon writes regarding two shots taken on January 18th at Riccerton University grounds Edinburgh of New Lothian Volvo B5TL Wright Gemini 3 on route 34 branded for route 22 boards fitted, 453 also seen at Hermiston Park & Ride.

   
448 - SJ66 LPF and 453 - SJ66 LPP. One has to admit that the livery is both traditional and modern presenting a clean and attractive result.
Pictures by Gordon Scott.

Lothian 405 BN64 CPK Volvo B5TL  Wright Gemini 3 has been repainted into new style livery of new type 441 to 465 just delivered. Shot taken at Hermiston Gate Park & Ride Edinburgh on route 25 to Heriot Watt University Edinburgh.

Stagecoach Enviro 400 MMC 10818 SM66 VCA for Merseyside seen out on a test run at Falkirk on February 3rd by Gordon Scott.

Gordon writes "Also seen on February 3rd were the first three from the second order for Blackpool Enviro City MMC in the yard but I could not get shots, noted SN17MFJ and SN17MFK and third one in the yard I could not identify it."

He adds following a request from me regarding three ex Megabus Astromegas "I was speaking to my friend at O.S. Scottish trip yesterday he drives with Shiells who share routes and buses with West Coast Motors and my friend hopes to maybe use one as they are going to Isle of Mull for use there. They are being painted at Glasgow Ferrymill contractor."

I look forward to pictures of these three which are detailed below. Ed.

West Coast Motors recently acquired:

SV59CGG VH TD927 YE2927SD358D53422 VH 53422 CH63/24DT Sep-09 Western Buses (SW) 50227 Dec-16
SV59CGK VH TD927 YE2927SD358D53423 VH 53423 CH63/24DT Sep-09 Western Buses (SW) 50228 Dec-16
SV10DDK VH TD927 YE2927SD358D53825 VH 53825 CH63/24DT May-10 Western Buses (SW) 50231 Dec-16

Gordon visited ADL on February 15th an sent some nice and interesting pictures explained in the captions to each one.

A first - 17 plate - Stagecoach Enviro 400 MMC, SN17MHX. Not sure if this is for Glenvale? Taken on February 15th by Gordon Scott.

A big surprise was this Enviro 500 for Switzerland. I seem to remember this yellow livery on an FBW coach taking us part way on a 1956 school trip to Saalfelden. Seems the Swiss like to be traditional!

See this link for the type of bus I mention: https://myntransportblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/03711.jpg

   
Also out on a road test Enviro 500 MMC low height for Switzerland. Taken on February 15th by Gordon Scott.
The use of three doors, especially the wide rear door, I wonder if this could be a coach with easy access for a rear luggage area?
Indeed, judging by the livery, it is for the Swiss Postal Service.

From Gavin Francis

Gavin reported "Binders Yard - looked in at this bus yard on January 25th which normally has about six RMLs in but surprisingly also found they had WVL 149. This bus has worn many liveries in its time and some pictures are attached."

 
Binders Yard - RM gathering and the WVL mentioned above in the second picture.

"In Ward Jones's yard on January 9th was former Devon General 584 - VDV123S and WA54LVN in a pink promotional livery. This bus was new as a playbus to South Somerset council so presumably never been a service bus.  Finally there was ex Carousel 112 now with Ward Jones."

 
Scania Omnidekka WA54LVN which was new to South Somerset council as a playbus. 

New Bakers coach in St Giles - OB66MTB on January 27th by Gavin Francis.