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Andrew Tyldsley sent some interesting pictures of ex Thames Travel Solos now in the North East.

Go N East 693 ex TT at Seaham r X6 on February 18th taken by Andrew Tyldsley

Go N East 694 ex TT at Seaham r X6 on February 18th taken by Andrew Tyldsley

Go N East 698 ex TT at Seaham working route 238 on February 18th taken by Andrew Tyldsley

Go N East 700 ex TT at Seaham working route 238 on February 18th taken by Andrew Tyldsley

Go N East 709 ex TT 722 taken on February 22nd by Andrew Tyldsley

Along with other buses, ex Oxford 818 is seen at the works on March 2nd in this picture by Andrew Tyldsley.

So far not much to report from Swindon with respect to. renumbering or putting the Go-Ahead mark on this acquisition. 

I am waiting until matters have settled regarding the allocation of the ex London Citaros, we are told that of the eight so far purchased, 877-883, 882 and 883 are to remain with Oxford City and 877-881 will end up with Carousel. However sightings around the group show that these buses have appeared on all three "Oxford" company services at various times but 882 and 883 are listed as Oxford vehicles, interestingly as B21D when in fact the centre doors have been removed and they are definitely not "D"!!! Indeed on checking 881 at Carousel they are B35+5F and the conversion has been very well done.

The first use of an ex London Citaro would appear to have taken place last Wednesday, March 15th, as the picture below shows. I am told that all six should go into service on Monday, March 20th.

878 leaves Wycombe Bus Station on a 740 working on March 15th in this picture provided by Nick Cherry.

872 poses beside 880 on March 18th showing the difference in style from 2003 to 2009. Picture by Malcolm Crowe.

The removal of the centre door and replacement by seats now gives 35 seats plus 5 tip-up ones. This is in 881 on March 18th by Malcolm Crowe.

This is the bus involved in an accident when it ended up in a house in Holmer Green last December.
It is now back on the road, looking pristine. Seen in Wycombe Bus Station on March 15th by Nick Cherry.

402 on the 40 short at Stokenchurch on March 2nd seen by Gavin Francis. A problem when a route branded bus strays off route!!

421 on a full route 40 working heading for Thame and seen near Lewknor on March 2nd by Malcolm Crowe.

For quite a long period this bus and its sister orange one worked the 40 to Thame. Now off that route, 424 is seen on a 27 working
though they are more usually seen on the 39 for which they are branded. The date is February 25th and taken by Malcolm Crowe.

Recently returned from Oxford City , previously with Thames Travel and new to Carousel, 875 is seen on an A40 working
in Wycombe Bus Station on February 25th by Malcolm Crowe.

Developments.

Carousel who recently introduced X80 hourly to Reading are now increasing the service to half hourly as far as Henley, then doing a local route 151 on Saturdays only (worked by Whites Mondays to Fridays). Previously this was exclusively Arriva on a half hourly service.

By now you will have seen that recent strike has been fully covered on its own page. For the enthusiast the event on two days was full of unusual workings and hired in vehicles.

Of course there are many other items of interest, including the latest new arrivals, the recently acquired Citaros and the introduction of further colour router branding.

James Freeman reports that 940 SL15ZGP has gone to Stagecoach Newcastle at Walkergate. One presumes it will retain the original temporary fleet number mentioned in the last issue? This was recorded as 80028.

Regarding new deliveries I am advised that 662 has now acquired full Park & Ride branding.

662, or was it 682, on the 300 devoid of branding seen on March 1sty by Gavin Francis.

673 and 674 pass in High St, Oxford showing front and back of these fine new buses on February 15th by Gavin Francis.

Relating to the London Citaros it is confirmed in the latest fleet list that 882 and 883 are to stay with Oxford.

 
883 on the 8 at Carfax Corner on March 8th with a rear view included by Gavin Francis.

 
301 on the 4A High St in new 4 road livery on March 15th taken by Gavin Francis.

 
302 on the 4A again on March 26th taken by Gavin Francis.

303 on the 4 in High St in new 4 road livery seen on March 26th taken by Gavin Francis.

 
305 on its branded 35 road in St Aldates on March 8th by Gavin Francis.

Unusually on 5 road, 312 turns at Carfax Corner on March 8th by Gavin Francis.

Other views

Coach 8 on the X90 waits time in Bulleid Way Lon March 1st by Gavin Francis.

Soon to be just a memory, 22 is seen en-route to Birmingham Airport on March 12th by Gavin Francis.

A day later and we see 43 on Elizabeth Bridge in London - March 13th by Gavin Francis.
The X90 is to run a later departure from London on the X90 at 0300.

681 on the 300 - last of the line - February 14th by Gavin Francis.

879 on an X3 working in Park End St on February 6th by James Freeman

Once regulars on the 5, 363 is seen on a 4A in Park End St on January 30th by James Freeman. 

Thames Travel kept services going on the strike days, using some unusual buses but it seems that inter working of Oxford buses happens on other occasions.

824 on loan to Thames Travel is seen on a 25A working complete with a hire label!! March 7th by Gavin Francis.
Many years ago hire labels were the norm and no company would run buses, other than those with its legal lettering, without such notice.

207 and with 824 now on the 8 in Queen St on March 8th by Gavin Francis

A route which has seen a number of operators sees 507 working the 17 on March 14th by Gavin Francis.

Somewhat off its branded route, 865 is seen on a 25A working in Oxford on February 14th by Gavin Francis. 

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