Spottings & Jottings nr. 68 - 25th February 2014
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Current archives from October 2002
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Editorial
A slight delay to my planned publication date but I wanted to wait for certain interesting pictures which were on their way. Once again and as ever there have been a number of interesting developments which include a Chiltern Rail replacement service by Oxford Bus between Oxford and Bicester via Islip, numbered CR1. This service will last for 18 months and it is suggested that the ADL E40D buses on loan from southern Vectis may stay longer. You can read about this and see the timetable at the following link:
http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/bicester-oxford-replacement-bus-timetable-now-available-0
Oxford's loaned Southern Vectis E40D 1584 works service CR1 for Chiltern
Railways at Oxford Station on February 15th - Richard Sharman.
Oxford's loaned Southern Vectis E40D 1581 works service CR2 for Chiltern
Railways heading for Oxford Station along Park End St on February 24th -
Gavin Francis.
Oxford's loaned Southern Vectis E40D 1583 after working service for Chiltern
Railways at Oxford Station on February 24th - Gavin Francis.
The buses allocated to the contract is 1581-4 but I do not have a picture of 1582. The use of the advertising "cases" is most inventive and will save expensive rectification work when these buses finally move on to their home with Southern Vectis.
Ralph Adams adds "The
PVR in use is three but there is a fourth which is on constant standby. It
is based at Bicester Town station from 05:30 until 14:00 when it transfers
to Oxford station staying the final journey at 21:05.
All four of the loan buses 1581-1584 were in use
on 17th February. There is a spare bus to cover maintenance etc. - Trident
114
Most journeys had at least one bicycle on board and
one had six. According to the Chiltern Railways website, eight can be carried.
The stop at Islip is a short walk from the station
although the bus passes the station entrance. I think that if it stopped
there it could cause considerable traffic congestion, but more importantly,
if the A34 is blocked, the alternative route is via Ambrosden and the turn
is between the authorised stop and the station.
The entry to Bicester is via A41 and London Road so
avoiding Bicester Town centre.
The eyesore of Kidlington Silo is now a memory,
presumably removed in preparation for the new station.
With the four buses now on the Chiltern contract,
according to my calculations there are 99 City buses in use daily on a fleet
of 111 buses giving a spare ratio of 12.1% - quite a target to reach.
Somewhat away from our area the New Routemaster LT Hybrids continue to enter service in London and the 148 is the latest route to enjoy these new buses. Indeed some entered service early at the time of the London Underground strike in early February. On the negative side we will see the loss of Heritage route 9 in July. It is reported that the introduction of New Routemasters on the main route 9 has been detrimental to the Heritage service. The best of the Routemasters used on the 9 are expected to go to Stagecoach for Heritage route 15.
Various London United examples on the 148 include LT134, LT140 and LT146 all
taken by Gavin Francis in late February 2014.
Silver LT150 of London United seen on the 9 taken by Gavin Francis on
February 24th 2014.
LT5 now re-registered LTZ1005 working the 38 taken by Gavin Francis on
February 18th 2014.
(Of the first eight LTs LT 1-3 and 8 retain their original marks
(LT61A-CHT and LT12HHT) and they are not with Arriva at this time.)
As mentioned above the heritage route 9 is due to cease in July 2014 and the
time is limited now for a ride on these Routemasters on the 9.
RM1640 passes Hyde Park Corner on February 24th as seen by Gavin Francis.
RM 1204 passes the Royal Albert Hall on January 24th seen by Malcolm Crowe.
Flooding in the Thames Valley caused problems for bus services in our area with the Abingdon Road closed on two occasions. Diversions caused many problems for reliability but the various companies coped very well and apart from stops unable to be served due to road closures the services ran well.
Our picture shows a Thames Travel Citaro negotiating flood waters in
Chalgrove when the village was cut off for a day in February. Paul Kempster.
The Wycombe area was badly hit in respect of services heading towards the
Thames Valley as this notice shows.
Taken by Bernard Lewendon in Wycombe Bus Station.
High winds were also a problem resulting in many road closures and difficulties. This included a 10 hour closure of the M40 northbound on a Saturday morning which did nothing for the London services!
Richard
Sharman
Another tree down in Yarnton.
Oxford City Centre becomes a Low Emission Zone
The introduction of a Low Emission Zone in Oxford from January 1st has seen the significant use of new or newer buses in the city. This resulted in the withdrawal of the whole "Park & Ride" Trident fleet belonging to Oxford Bus. Some of these buses were in use for Brookes services and others in red for city services. Some are stored at Yarnton and others transferred to Carousel for school bus services.
The picture shows Trident 116 now at Carousel with advantage being taken of
the similarity of the Brookes livery and the Carousel school bus livery.
Taken by Bernard Lewendon on February 21st 2014 who says 116, The Blue Bus, is a new arrival, probably to replace
931 that recently went for scrap.
.
Headington Connect E40Ds for the 700 service seen on February 8th by Malcolm
Crowe.
Stagecoach have enjoyed the delivery of a number of new ADL E200 and E400 buses seeing the end of the old M A N fleet many of which have transferred to other SC fleets. I notice from the latest issue of Buses that 22922 (S922CFC) once with Stagecoach was sold to Dunsmore, a dealer, in Larkhill last January.
The Arriva case against Luton Airport
Of associated interest is the fact that National Express have taken over the "Sammys" facility at Victoria which serves as the arrivals station for inbound National Express, Megabus, Eurolines, ID Bus and Sindbad Coaches plus some other less frequent operators.
Coaches on the A1 service from Luton are now cleaned etc. at Sammys though I imagine servicing still takes place at Stansted. All of the fleet of Bliss Travel is now garaged elsewhere. National Express have provided a minibus as transport for their engineering staff.
Requests for information and help
Oxford & Carterton Vintage Bus
Derek
asks "I was wondering, what bus service operated from Carterton in
the late 1970s (to Witney and places)?
I think they might have used
Leyland Atlantean
or Bristol VR buses but I'm not sure. I
can't recall the colours or the bus company that serviced them.
Graham Anderson from High Wycombe
It features a London Country RT 979 (JXN 7) on
Route 326 opposite Murrays in White Hart Street with a Hillman Imp and VW
Beetle in the foreground.
It looks like this photo was taken from the top
deck of another bus turning right into White Hart Street or perhaps the
first floor of The Globe public house.
I used to travel with my mother on the 326 from
Micklefield to and from Dashwood Avenue and/or the town at least twice a
week, often getting on at The Bull public house (Now Robert Dyas) that it’s
just pulled away from in this shot.
I also worked at Davenport Vernon’s in the 70’s who
supplied many Imps locally. They are still very close to my heart as I’m the
current Chairman of The Imp Club!
If I could find a good reproduction of the photo I’d like to feature it in the Imp Club’s monthly magazine.
I wonder if any of your readers can help?
The picture in question taken by Gavin Francis
in the '70s.
Running Days
Amersham & District
Motorbus Society
http://www.amershammotorbussociety.co.uk/
Nearly ten years ago and on 5 October 2003,
RLH48 takes a happy group of enthusiasts on a run
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Other Running Days in 2012
Sunday 19 August HEMEL HEMPSTEAD based at bus
station, Waterhouse Street
Sunday 7 October AMERSHAM based at car park near railway station
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society
The Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society was formed in June 2010 and aims to
provide an informal monthly social meeting in Oxford for those with an
interest in buses. Meetings are normally held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
and normally take the form of a picture show with local and guest
speakers. A small charge is made to cover the cost of hiring the function
room and this is usually around £1 for members per meeting depending on numbers.
For non-members a charge of £2 per head is made.
Next Meeting: 18th March 2014.
Meetings are held in the upstairs function room at:
The Folly Bridge Inn
38 Abingdon Road
Oxford
OX1 4PD
Some limited parking at the back of the pub, also close to bus stops (frequent X3/X13 or 35 routes stop outside)
or a short walk from Oxford City Centre - For directions click HERE
A detailed programme of meetings can be found at the following link and we hope many of you will attend future meetings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When readers take copies of pictures from the OCBP site
Some of the contributors to this site have noticed that their pictures are appearing on e-bay sites selling such things.
Needless to say this is a theft of copyright and one which I deplore!
I would not wish to have to watermark photographs, thereby making them unsalable as such but if this practice continues I shall be left with no alternative. I am sure this would detract from the pleasure so many of you get from the OCBP.
May I please ask readers to do two things?
1/ If you see any photos on sale please let me know and where they are appearing.
2/ If you are someone who has copied and sold photos please desist as this is theft and I will have to take legal action against anyone found doing so.
The site is free to all readers and I pay a price to publish the pages which is not passed on.
Please respect those freedoms and I hope I may not have to mention this matter again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The level of contribution to this page by readers, as ever, remains excellent! Thank you all.
Malcolm Crowe - Editor - OCBP - 25th February 2014
Spottings
Observations and pictures
More on the London Underground strike
Bob Stanger writes "I
was very pleased to have seen the report and photos taken by Gavin. To add
to the story, EnsignBus had many other vehicles out particularly on route
25. I was driving RT3232 now restored to it’s original Green Line livery and
the following vehicles were also on duty. Red Cravens RT1431, RT4421,
DM2646, M1, RTL453. two of the recent Plaxton Volvo Bendy Coaches ex
Stagecoach Scotland together with two ex Stagecoach Volvo Jonckheere
coaches. Finally a restored Daimler Fleetline ex Southend Transport and an
ex Metroline Dennis Trident in EnsignBus Blue and Silver.
Route 257 was boosted by a number of other Ensign
service buses. I attach a photo of RT3232 in Aldgate Bus Station. This was
our last journey on Wednesday evening and fortuitously our shift just
allowed us to get to Aldgate, so naturally I had to take a photo of RT3232
in it’s historic home. Entering service in August 1950 in Green Line Livery
on route 721 from Romford to Aldgate an opportunity to recreate a little
piece of bus history.
No fares were taken on the extra vehicles provided by non TFL operators. I
forgot to mention that Stagecoach had some guest standard liveried vehicles
running on the 205. Attached is a snap photo I took in Bow garage where we
took RT 3232 to have it’s windscreen wiper looked at. Route 29 also had
additional vehicles some supplied by The London Bus Company. A friend of
mine was driving RT3238 another Green Line liveried vehicle. See below
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keith-v/12362505973/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidhooker/12362281043/in/pool-ensignbus
p.s. The Bendi-Coach had it’s Hanover display
programmed for 25 Holborn and 25 Stratford. The driver tells me there were
some astonished faces at the bus stop when these turned up
Clive King
writes "A frequent visit to your website region and one of
only a handful in the UK, B M Coaches' Van Hool T917 with theatre-style
seating enters Trafalgar Square with due caution on Saturday 8 February.
Clive King writes "Out of area but very interesting is one of Ensign's former Stagecoach Volvo B10M / Plaxton articulated coaches working, as intended, on c2c rail replacement at Upminster on Saturday 8 February and attracting a considerable attention from ordinary would-be c2c rail travellers let alone enthusiasts. "
Aylesbury changes by Colin Richardson
As promised - Here are details of the revised bus
routes and times as follows:
Route 9
- Bus Station via estates to Stoke
Mandeville Hospital Journeys from Hospital on Mondays to Fridays before
09:30 are given
Route 50 - Aylesbury Bus Station - Halton Camp
Different times introduced with longer running times at school opening and
closing times on schooldays only.
Route 55 - Aylesbury Bus Station - Chesham Broadway
One afternoon journey altered to provide regular two hourly service at least
to Amersham.
Boarding point changed at Amersham Hospital to stop
opposite hospital entrance for journeys to Aylesbury, to save on running
time.
Route 61 - Aylesbury Bus Station - Luton
Interchange (Close to Train
The route has been cut back in Luton from Wigmore
Estate ASDA to Interchange.
Outward timings are unaltered, Most journeys in
the middle of the day operates up to 15 minutes earlier.
This change in timings is allow for a more
regular service between Tring and Aylesbury.
Route 150 - Aylesbury Bus Station - Central
Milton Keynes Station There are no additional journeys.
However, for sometime this route has been
not running to time on many journeys.
There no are additional journeys, but all
buses every day pause for up 5 minutes in both directions at Leighton
Buzzard, High Street.
Route 300 - Aylesbury Bus Station via Stoke
Mandeville Hospital to High Wycombe Bus station This route has been diverted
via new stop in Hospital grounds now called Main Entrance stop.
One additional bus at 05.40 rest from Aylesbury
Bus Station for Stoke Mandeville Hospital early shift workers, and continues
to High Wycombe Bus Station, to where it ran out of service.
Different times are now given to school
days and non school days on journeys from Aylesbury to High Wycombe
Additional running time is given to all afternoon peak time journeys.
For the first time in sixty years the Lower Road,
Stoke Mandeville was closed close to The Bell Public House from Friday
afternoon (7th) to end of Sunday (9th)
Routes affected were 55, 300 and 321.
Each bus had to use Wendover Road and
Station Road, Stoke Mandeville.
Unfortunately, Stoke Mandeville Hospital
was only served by local route 9 and route from the hospital to Leighton
Buzzard.
No bus served the hospital on Sunday, for
the first time to my knowledge.
Electric buses - Milton Keynes
Currently (7th February) only three buses are
operating on Milton Keynes
Richard Sharman writes to report that
Rail Replacement
swung into action on February 10th required as some train lines were
flooded.
Former Charlbury Travel and now Mark One Travel's
MAN/Caetano C15 GRT and recently repainted Jeff’s Travel ESU 935 rest on
standby duties for First Great Western at Oxford Station.
Regal Busways Enviro 200 EU10OJE on Rail replacement service at Oxford on
February 16th taken by Richard Sharman.
Regal Busways RG09BUS on Rail replacement service at Oxford on February 16th
taken by Richard Sharman.
Bernard Lewendon
I have not seen the Arriva LDV in Wycombe since the
day I took the picture.
Carousel: I suspect that 419 from
Thames Travel, and pictured by you in 74, is here to replace P480 MLE as
this older bus has not been seen for some time.
There is an interesting picture of High Wycombe,
Frogmoor hanging on the wall in Morrison's Supermarket, Hughendon Road.
It shows two single decker Thames Valley buses. The
first is on the 25 to Flackwell Heath and is 570 FMO 952, a Bristol LL6B.
The second is a Leyland Tiger and as the 25 was the only single decker route
using that stop I suspect that it is soon after 4pm and it is a relief
service that was a common practice at that time of day.
The last Tiger was withdrawn in 1954. The picture
is described as circa 1955.
Well worth a visit to see as the picture is quite
large and full of atmosphere. Those were the days!
You might like to have these pictures taken Sunday 16 February, a warm and
sunny day would you believe?
At Arriva just the usual Sunday garage scene but more unusual - the sun
is shining.
The Solo is seen in Wycombe only on Sundays and is Vale Travel of Aylesbury
X311 CBT.
When I print some of the pictures I first zoom in
to get a better result but when I try with email attachments it does not
work so I have to leave you to zoom and crop as you think to improve the
final image.
http://eastnorfolkbus.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/anglianbus-fleet-update.html
Ex London General and Arriva cover bus V107 LGC
was spotted in Lanes Coaches outstation at Two waters today.
Also to note was Ex Garston KL52 CWO now based at
Hemel Hempstead (6001) was photographed at Hemel Bus Garage today on a
layover or as spare with a few other ex London Tridents parked up over the
back.
Saturday 1st February 2014
Gavin Francis writes to send various pictures of coaches in Oxford on Rail Replacement service for First Great Western who had many difficulties between Oxford and Didcot.
Rail Replacement coaches at Oxford Railway Station
ESU 635. I think this coach might have been used on
the Oxford/Bicester RR service.
I followed it out of Oxford on the A40 and it turned off at Wheatley to go
up the m40 towards Bicester.
T99 PVC
is a Dennis R Type/Plaxton coach in the fleet of Pewsey Vale Coaches,
Pewsey, Wiltshire.
It was new to Hodgson, Barnard Castle, County
Durham as NX54 AAK in September 2004.
It joined Pewsey Vale in March 2008 and was given
its current mark in March 2011.
R919HTW -
Pewsey Vale Coaches, Pewsey, Volvo R919HTW
TK Travel of Aldermaston's
M7TKT Volvo B10M/Berkhof Axial.
Various other coaches in use on the Rail
Replacement services as shown by Gavin Francis.
and TGM
Luke Braham
Neither 3930 or 3931 have free Wi-Fi or leather seats! This is in spite of what the destination screens may have proclaimed.
Both 5454 and 5455 have been confirmed by my contact at Arriva Aylesbury as being non LEZ so are unlikely to see service in Oxford until they comply. Due to this Arriva have to find other uses for them and 5454 was used on the 500 today (25/01/14).
Another arrival at Hemel Hempstead from Garston is 3273 V273HBH. It was seen on the 500 today (25/01/14) with route 321 branding.
Another Alexander ALX400 to arrive at Aylesbury is 6286 Y486UGC.
We also have a broken Sapphire. 5435 which is
parked in the depot with a front panel missing. I’ve got some other pictures
to send you from the depot but I’ll send them later as I’m going out in a
minute.
3215 R215GMJ is also parked in the Aylesbury depot with the flap below the drivers cab up.
4490 T490KGB arrived at the Aylesbury depot on February 17th from High Wycombe. This will be used to operate the duplicate’s of the 300 behind the normal service bus on schooldays, once in each direction as Aylesbury are now going to run it. It looks like Arriva have not seen fit to use a double decker on that run after all. It is seen in the photo shortly after arrival.
5440 SN58 EOO was also off the road last weekend
and was at Milton Keynes for repairs to an electrical fault. It was back in
service at Aylesbury by the 30th January.
Yesterday (1/2/14), while I was observing
operations in Aylesbury, I came across three of Hemel Hempstead's 63-plate
Wright Eclipse 2s on the 500. This has happened before as shown in S&J 57.
The first one to arrive was 3972 LT63UNS which I missed entering the bus
station. This then formed the 09:12 departure form Aylesbury.
The next one to arrive was 3973 LT63UNU which departed with the 09:42 departure from Aylesbury.
Finally, 3967 LT63UNL arrived in Aylesbury and then
operated the 10:12 departure.
It seems that Arriva in Hemel still haven't realised that they have branding for route 2. This now means I have pictures of six of the eight at Hemel on the 500 all taken in Aylesbury!!
On Sunday the 9th February both 0442 Y42HBT and 0447 Y47HBT were branded for Aylesbury’s Pink Route 8. The route was officially launched on the 13th February despite having been operated since September last year.
Hemel Hempstead’s 4523 KE03OUK and 4524 KE03OUL are to transfer to Milton
Keynes towards the end of March.
Stevenage’s 3552 KX09GYB has been repainted into
inter-urban livery and has not regained route 300 and 301 branding since
repaint.
New at Hemel Hempstead is ex-Arriva London 6290 Y523UGC.
5149 S149KNK and 5152 S152KNK are still in service at Hemel Hempstead.
Today in Aylesbury I saw three Arriva the Shires buses working routes that
they shouldn’t have for various reasons such as branding and Oxfords LEZ.
These three were all seen within a 5 minute period.
Hemel Hempstead’s 3579 KX12 HAE was seen operating
route 500 with route 300 and 301 branding.
Arriva the Shires 5455 SN58 EOB is again operating Sapphire route 280 today
(22/02/14) despite not being LEZ.
Arriva the Shires 6306 Y506 UGC has retuned to
service after having repairs at Milton Keynes after an accident in September
last year.
Aylesbury’s 5455 SN58 EOB is seen operating
Sapphire route 280 despite not being LEZ compliant for Oxford.
Aylesbury’s 6286 Y486 UGC is seen operating Blue
Route 2 which is normally operated by a Dennis Dart.
(Sorry about the disappearance of the destination)
I’ve got two pictures of 5438 with revised destination been trying to get a
better one. I’ll send you them both in another email to avoid them from not
sending like last time.
Arriva the Shires 5438 has been set up to show the rear display on the front
destination display. Hence that nothing is being shown on the rear
destination display. This also
means that the route number on the front is on the wrong side.
I found out about the to Enviro400s two days ago but was hoping to get more information from my contact at the Aylesbury depot today but I didn't see him. From my understanding though 5454/5 are staying but will be used on other routes. I’ll update you when I know more and when they arrive.
LOTS note
the these new buses will be 5459 and 5460. No delivery date advised as yet.
Ed.
Adam Green
3969 on the 2 to Woodhall Farm Via Town Centre & Grovehill
3971 on the 353 to Slough Via Gerrards Cross
3970 on the 301 to Stevenage via Welwyn Garden City
Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointer 3208 (R208 GMJ) to A H Hardwick, Barnsley
(dealer)
Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties 5147 (S147 KNK), 5161 (S161 KNK) to A H
Hardwick, Barnsley
3220 (S317 JUA) Garston to Stevenage (w)
3221 (S318 JUA) Garston to Stevenage (w)
3235 (V235 HBH) Hemel Hempstead to Luton
3237 (V237 HBH) Hemel Hempstead to Luton
3258 (V258 HBH) Garston (w) to Stevenage (w)
3263 (V261 HBH) Luton to Aylesbury
3275 (V275 HBH) Milton Keynes (w) to Garston
3746 (AE56 MDX) Garston (u) to High Wycombe
3835 (KE53 NFF) Hemel Hempstead to Garston
3837 (KE53 NEU) Hemel Hempstead to Garston
4364 (W364 XKX) withdrawn at Stevenage
4384 (YJ58 FJA) Hemel Hempstead to Luton (u)
5157 (S157 KNK) withdrawn at Aylesbury (w)
5158 (S158 KNK) withdrawn at Aylesbury (w)
5421 (W421 XKX) Hemel Hempstead to Luton
5431 (W431 XKX) Aylesbury to Luton
Chris Lowe
Arriva pictureview.
Solo 2496 works a 31 service out of Wycombe Bus
Station on January 31st as seen by Gavin Francis.
Arriva's 3743 on route 40 in Stokenchurch on February 1st taken by Gavin
Francis.
The blue and gold of it, two E400s at Oxford
Rail Station taken by Gavin Francis.
The latest acquisition, 3746 on the blue one, taken by Malcolm Crowe on
January 31st.
Ex Wycombe Bus, Oxford registered N521MJO, 3821, is seen withdrawn at
Cressex depot on February 1st by Malcolm Crowe.
Arriva's 3837 in front of a Carousel Olympian with not much longer to be
seen Wycombe. Malcolm Crowe on January 31st.
Aylesbury depot's 6004 works a 300 service on February 24th taken by Malcolm
Crowe.
Gavin Francis reminds us of the
last time Carousel operated Tridents in bulk.
Carousel's 402 - a Trident which came from Metrobus, leaving Wycombe BS on a
Line 1 service on April 22nd 2008 - Gavin Francis.
403 before being repainted and entering service on service routes but in use
as a school bus in blue and yellow.
Gavin Francis took this picture on June 15th 2006.
LOTS advise that the company has acquired Tridents 102/3/4, 111/2/3/6/8/9 and 120. These are 1999 buses which were purchased to operate Oxford's Park & Ride services.
Carousel are now operating ex Oxford Trident 102,
normally on the 36, taken by Gavin Francis on January 31st.
It was once again on the 36 on February 24th!
As a result all of the current double deck comprising Leyland Olympians (923-927), Volvo Olympians 928-931 and Volvo B7TLs 918-922 are to be withdrawn. I do remember being told that the B7TLs were very thirsty fuel wise. On the other hand Tridents have proved difficult on the hills around Wycombe!
One of the soon to be departed Olympians, 928, seen by Gavin Francis on
January 31st.
Special liveried 416 is also seen on the 36 by Gavin Francis on January
31st.
Carousel 871 - CB51BUS - on the A40 on January 31st by Gavin Francis.
The Ashmolean gets exposure in Wycombe as 102 enters the bus station on
January 31st by Malcolm Crowe.
Carousel 116 looking rather smart in its new garb on February 24th and taken
by Malcolm Crowe.
First with increased presence at Wycombe with
the existing X74 and now the X9 which had an increased frequency.
Taken on February 1st by Malcolm Crowe.
First 44561 works an X9 service into Wycombe on
January 31st taken by Malcolm Crowe.
I like the "change given" proclamation !!
Bernard Lewendon
Not the best place to breakdown!!
Later on the same day, possibly as its replacement, an electric Volvo made what must have been a very rare, probably a first, visit to Wycombe. It was 69926."
Five further Volvo 7900H hybrid
single decks have arrive at Slough garage for the “7 series” of routes.
69930 BJ63UHZ
69931 BJ63UJV
69932 BJ63UJW
69933 BJ63UJX
69934 BJ63UJZ
A Heyfordian tri-axle passes the Royal Albert Hall on January 24th taken by
Malcolm Crowe.
Solo YJ11EJN works it regular route 118 to Brill taken by Malcolm Crowe on
February 8th.
Luke Braham
writes
"I went to the Motts Travel depot yesterday afternoon to take some pictures
of the bus and coaches. A surprise for me was to see Motts Travel MT09 MTT
in the depot still in its Union Jack livery and 16-seater and studio
interior for Channel 4’s Coach Trip program.
Unfortunately, I didn’t take any shots of the yard
or general shots but have two shots that you may be interested in. I have
included these in the attachments.
I’ll get some next time as I’m planning to go back
next month when the new Setras arrive. I have to sort this out with Hedley
nearer the time.
MT09 MTT still caries its Coach Jack adjustments while the production team decide if they are going to film another series. Motts are being paid to keep the coach off the road and parked up in the depot by the production company.
Motts Travel currently have five coaches for sale from there fleet. They are B10 MMT, M616 ORJ, M573 DSJ, GT05 MTT and UK06 MTT.
UK/GB13 CRU are both at Evobus having a one year expectation to check that everything is working as it should be."
http://www.nationalexpress.com/
A
broken down Levante, FJ07DVY being recovered at Victoria Coach Station seen
by Gavin Francis.
The coach was Bournemouth Transport's 321.
One of South Gloucester's latest acquisitions seen leaving VCS by Gavin
Francis. -
FJ56OBR is ex Stagecoach 59205.
Jevon Smith
Parks older tri-axles are being re-registered
from the HSK plates. SW09URZ has just arrived in Sammys
from the west country on February 20th when seen by Malcolm Crowe.
Parks YY63WCJ seen in Gloucester Green on the
southbound night service 421 on January 29th taken by Gavin Francis.
Of note are Bruce Coaches who have the under mentioned new Scania /Caetano
Levante tri-axles.
FN63PWK
FN63PWL
FN63PWO
FN63PWU
FN63PWX
FN63PWY
Bruce's FN63PWK ready to work a 592 service
from VCS on February 18th taken by Gavin Francis.
New vehicles
Ambassador Travel 210 BF63ZSK
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Ambassador Travel 211 BF63ZSL
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Ambassador Travel 212 BF63ZSN
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Travelstar (Walsall)
BF63ZSR Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Lucketts (Fareham) X4823 BF63ZTC
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Lucketts (Fareham)
X4824 BF63ZTD Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Operations
Allocation changes:
SH23 (FJ57KHK) withdrawn
at Start Hill
SH52 (FJ57KJU)
withdrawn at Start Hill
SR110 (FJ60HXS) withdrawn at Sipson
Rd
SR169 (FJ11GLZ) allocated
to Sipson Rd
SH170 (FJ11MJE) allocated to
Start Hill
SH172 (FJ11MLK) allocated to
Start Hill
SH174 (FJ11MLN) allocated to
Start Hill
The lettering on this coach is to a modified
colour scheme which looks rather attractive. Taken by Gavin Francis on
February 24th.
South Gloucester's L555SGB at Gloucester Green Oxford on February 9th whilst
working the 302 Bristol service. Taken by Gavin Francis.
South Gloucester's L66SGB works the 302 Bristol service taken by Gavin
Francis on February 24th at Gloucester Green.
South Gloucester's LK53KVY which was National Express's CY83 seen at
Victoria on February 18th by Gavin Francis.
Whittles of Kidderminster's 22 YX07HJJ which came from EYMS where it was
fleet number 66 VCS.
Seen at Elizabeth Street, Victoria on February 8th by Gavin Francis.
John Shaw's FN63PXB is a modified Levante seen at
VCS on February 15th by Malcolm Crowe.
This coach has a numbered of features such as a
monitor view of the coach seen in the picture on the right.
It has improved seating and is mounted on a Volvo
B11R chassis.
This picture compares the front end with an older model, note the change of
rear view mirrors.
Also the roof line is changed giving a different
view. So far this is a unique vehicle.
Things are not going too well on the 737 and
above we see J D Coaches operating the 09:20 departure only leaving at
10:50.
BU04EYZ is seen on February 16th by Malcolm
Crowe.
Dartline Coaches WA05WNE was operating a 501 Dupe
on February 20th seen by Malcolm Crowe.
Oxford's pair of coaches
in overall adverts for places to visit in Oxford.
As Gavin Francis says,
" not too many days left for these two
now".
Jack Lithgo
John Hammond
http://usedcoachsales.co.uk/coach.ihtml?coach=1207
New coaches
Here is an interesting link provided by Ralph Adams.
Oxford's 52 lays over on the X90 on Elizabeth Bridge on February 19th taken
by Gavin Francis.
15 metre Volvo nr 63 on an X90 working turns the corner by The Bag O'
Nails at Victoria on February 24th taken by Gavin Francis.
From a different angle we see 15 metre Volvo 61 returning to Oxford but
showing the Airline scroll instead of the X90!!
The date is February !9th and it's taken by Malcolm Crowe.
62 shows the scroll difference with the X90 on the "wrong side" in Castle St
on February 8th taken by Malcolm Crowe.
Coach 46 renumbered departing from Gloucester Green on February 8th taken by
Malcolm Crowe.
Coach 42 renumbered from 13 and seen at Gloucester Green on February 8th by
Malcolm Crowe.
Ex Thames Travel E40H, 300 is seen operating an 8 road service on a very
sunny morning on February 16th by Malcolm Crowe.
Wrights Hybrid 356 is seen in Castle Street on a 5 road service on February
8th by Malcolm Crowe.
Wrights Hybrid 359 is seen heading up New Road on February 16th by Malcolm
Crowe.
Oxford's Citaro 865 on a 4 road working on February 8th taken by Malcolm
Crowe.
Loaned E40-D 1579 is seen working an 8 road service on February 8th by
Malcolm Crowe.
It would be nice to have some pictures of Oxford Chiltern Rail service at either Bicester or Islip.
Red Line
Luke Braham
Oxfordshire
| vehicles in reserve | |||
| 22926 | S926 CFC | MAN ALX300 (to go to Yorkshire) | NO |
| 22935 | S935 CFC | MAN ALX300 | NO |
| 33650 | R150 CRW | Dennis Dart SLF | BY |
| 33652 | R152 CRW | Dennis Dart SLF | NO |
| 33654 | R154 CRW | Dennis Dart SLF | NO |
| 22768 | OU58 GKK | MAN E300 - pending service changes | OX |
| 22769 | OU09 BZO | MAN E300 - pending service changes | OX |
| 22770 | OU09 BZP | MAN E300 - pending service changes | OX |
| 22771 | OU58 GKO | MAN E300 - pending service changes | OX |
| vehicles awaiting disposal | |||
| 42624 | R624 CTX | Mercedes Vario (Staff Transport) | OX |
| fleet movements last period | ||
| 22925 | S925 CFC | MAN ALX300 - Reserve to Yorkshire |
| 22933 | S933 CFC | MAN ALX300 - Reserve to Yorkshire |
| 22934 | S934 CFC | MAN ALX300 - Reserve to Yorkshire |
| 22940 | S940CFC | MAN ALX300 - Reserve to Yorkshire |
| 22052 | KX53VNH | MAN ALX300 - Reserve to West |
| Gloucester | ||
Looking very smart, 15434 works an S3 service in
George Street on February 8th by Malcolm Crowe.
Witney's 15611 laods an S1 service in George St on February 8th taken by
Malcolm Crowe.
Stagecoach's 36933 is seen starting its trip to Greater Leys, passing Carfax
Tower on February 8th taken by Malcolm Crowe.
E20D 36983 ends its run at High Street on February 8th by Malcolm Crowe.
Somewhat off route this Scania 15731. branded for the 55 from Swindon to
Chippenham is seen working a 66 service
at Gloucester Green on January 23rd no doubt caused by traffic delays in
Swindon. Taken by Gavin Francis.
East
East's 53307 exchanged with one of the ex Virgin X99 service. This and
one other made a double exchange with Aberdeen. taken on February 8th by
Malcolm Crowe.
Richard Morgan spent a few hours in London on Saturday, 22nd February and chanced to see another old Tube 50036 passing him in Victoria.
Richard Griffin
This vehicle, over a year younger than its Tube brethren, was one which a decade ago I could identify from a distance at night while driving OBC coaches, because its front Hanover flip-dot display contained fluorescent yellow dots whereas all the other 1st-generation Tube deckers' were non-fluorescent."
An up to date item to report is that the experiment of coloured displays on three Astromegas, 50211, 50213 and 50222 has been completed and these coaches have reverted to the normal display.
50211 is seen at Queen's Lane before reverting to normal standard. February
8th by Malcolm Crowe.
Another change to destination displays is that now services departing either
end of the route show "Now Boarding for London" etc.
The photos above show the layouts. This change was introduced in early
February 2014.
50216 loads for London at the Oxford Brookes stop on February 16th taken by
Malcolm Crowe.
50217 heads along Bayswater on February 11th taken by Malcolm Crowe.
Megabus 54209 lays-over before taking the
morning M20 service to Glasgow on February 18th taken by Gavin Francis.
I am told that the following have been withdrawn. Dennis Tridents 101, 105, 106 and 109. Can someone clarify this please?
New
coaches for megabus.com
in the USA
Stagecoach is investing $10.5million (£6.3million) in 15 new Van Hool TD925
Astromega double-deck coaches for its megabus.com network in North America.
Dale Moser, president of megabus.com, says: “megabus.com has transformed
inter-city bus travel in North America. We believe there is a huge
opportunity to encourage people to leave their car keys at home and take the
bus to get to work, make a business trip, travel with friends or go on a
vacation.
“These new state-of-the-art coaches are part of our exciting expansion plans
for 2014 and will help bring safe, high-quality and affordable travel to
more people in North America.”
The investment comes as independent research calculates that travellers in
the United States saved $1.1billion (£660million) last year by taking
megabus.com and other discount inter-city bus operators rather than
travelling by train or plane. The research by the DePaul University Chaddick
Institute for Metropolitan Development in Chicago found bus passengers saved
52 per cent compared with trips by rail on the same route, while they paid
79 per cent less than people who chose to fly to their destination.
SECOND WAVE OF NEW BUSES HITS THE STREETS OF NORTHAMPTON
•
Second wave of single deck buses being used on routes 8 & 12
•
These form part of a £5.6 million investment in 37 new buses for
Northampton
•
New route 4 announced
Stagecoach
Midlands has announced that a second wave of new buses will be launched
today (31st January 2014) following its announcement that it has
invested £5.6 million in 37 new single deck, low emission buses for major
bus routes in Northampton.
The batch of 14
new buses will be used on major bus routes including:
8
between Rectory Farm, Blackthorn, Weston Favell Centre, Northampton College,
the town centre, Towcester, Silverstone, Brackley and Bicester
12
between Camp Hill, Briar Hill, the town centre, rail station, St James and
Kings Heath
These join the
14 new buses which were launch at the beginning of January on routes 5, 10
and 15 to Southfields, Duston, St Giles, West Hunsbury, Kettering Road,
Parklands, Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe and Acre Lane.
The remaining
nine buses will arrive in the next two weeks and Stagecoach hope to have all
37 buses in service by mid February.
The investment
demonstrates Stagecoach Midlands’ continued commitment to providing quality
bus services to the residents of Northampton.
The new buses
were launched by Councillor David Mackintosh, Leader of Northampton Borough
Council
Councillor
David Mackintosh said “I am delighted to have been able to launch these new
buses which are so vital to the residents of Northampton. This is an
impressive investment by Stagecoach and compliments the investment made by
Northampton Borough Council in the new North Gate bus interchange which will
opens on the 2nd March. The improved accessibility that the new
buses will offer will benefit many passengers”
Steve Burd,
Managing Director of Stagecoach Midlands said “We believe in continually
invest in our services to provide an improved quality service to our
customers and to encourage more people to leave their cars at home for at
least some journeys. We are working in partnership with both Northampton
Borough Council and the County Council to make public transport an even more
attractive means of travel”
Stagecoach has
also announced that it is launching a new route 4 service on the 17th
February between Sunnyside and the town centre. The route will provide a 20
minute frequency, running via Broughton Green, Eastern Avenue North,
Kingsland Avenue, Kingsthorpe Road, Kingsthorpe Grove and into town along
Kettering Road. The route is being introduced following requests fro
passengers
37053 YY63 YPV
37054 YY63 YPW
37055 YY63 YPX
37056 YY63 YPZ
37057 YY63 YRA
37058 YY63 YRC
37059 YX63 LKP
37060 YY63 YRE
37061 YY63 YRF
37062 YY63 YRG
37063 YY63 YRJ
37064 YY63 YRL
37065 YY63 YRM
37066 YY63 YRN
37067 YY63 YRO
37038 to 37041 for route 5:
37043 to 37045 for route 10:
37046, 37047 for route 15:
37052 to 37057 for route 8:
37058 to 37062 for route 12
Services 353 and 354 serving Hemel, Chesham and Slough - From 30th March
2014
Trevor Wilson
These services will, however, continue to run but
will be provided by other bus companies.
For details of the
timetables from 30th March please visit
travelinesoutheast.org.uk where the new
timetables will be posted in advance of the changeover date
Trips & Events
History
New Routemaster LT 12 on the 24 is framed by construction cranes by
Victoria.
The date was February 18th taken by Gavin Francis.
Metroline VW1407 LK13BHY on Route 52 at Victoria
with Thai wrap taken on February 18th by Gavin Francis.
Naughton YN54DDK ex Arriva TGM is seen at Oxpens
on February 19th taken by Gavin Francis.
I see that K and H Doyle Coaches has closed down
and on February 15th we passed Tridents T184 and 183CLO eastbound on M40.
Two new Routemasters on delivery eastbound in the
M40 on February 11th, taken by Malcolm Crowe.
I think they were LT120 and 143.
A picture from Australia by Les Burton - taken on
a very rainy day in Queensland.
Links & Publications
Mike Penn's interesting web site for pictures
You might be interested to know that I have now uploaded 268 photos taken in
Beds, Bucks and Herts in the year 2000 to my website -
http://166emj.piwigo.com/index?/category/50-beds_bucks_and_herts_photographs_2000
One of the
major events of the year was the purchase by Arriva the Shires of the City
of Oxford operation in High Wycombe on December 13th. Two days later, as can
be seen from the photographs, vehicles had received Arriva The Shires fleet
names and legal lettering but retained their Oxford fleet numbers.
The other
major event was the enforced sale of the Lutonian operation by Arriva the
Shires.
Both Arriva
The Shires and Arriva East Herts & Essex continued to repaint vehicles into
Arriva livery though there were still many in previous liveries.
Elsewhere in
the region M K Metro continued their policy of purchasing various
interesting secondhand vehicles. Some of these came from Border Buses – the
company in Lancashire that M K Metro had bought.
Buffalo
Travel continued to run but Seamarks were taken over by Dunn-Line early in
the year.
Many other
independents are also represented.
Mike Penn
Todays buses - Oxfordshire
This review covers the
September 2010 video by Robin Clare
Transport. The issue costs £10 and is well worth this small cost for
over one hour of buses and coaches in our area.
THE FINAL
VOLUME IS
SO
RETAIL
PRICE £25
ORDER NOW
FOR £20+ £3
p&p
This final installment of the
4-volume 800-page history of the Thames Valley Traction Co. Ltd. brings the
story to its conclusion on the last day of 1971.
All route developments and changes
to the fleet are fully detailed, along with special appendices for the
service vehicle fleet, garages and out-stations, a route map, garage
allocations and working arrangements.
Profusely illustrated with 548
monochrome half-tone illustrations and a full-colour section of 45 photos,
this provides a very comprehensive history of this interesting decade,
including the numerous secondhand vehicles acquired during those years.
Demand will be high, so
order now from: Paul Lacey, 17
Sparrow Close
Woosehill, Wokingham, Berkshire,
RG41 3HT
If you are local and wish to
collect please call me on 0118 979 4097
A Guy Arab on the Oxford service and seen at Gloucester Green.
One of the constituent companies was Denham's.
Apart from the archaic Leylands, the company ran some AEC Regals after the
war.
These were rebodied with ECOC/ECW bodies purchased from North Western Road
Car, Stockport via dealers.
They had been new in 1936 on Bristol Jo5G chassis which were rebodied with
Brush bodies in 1946 to a similar design.
Your Editor must have travelled on one of these buses, when in NWRCC
service, as a small boy.
They would have doubtless run on service to Highclere, now well known as the
house is featured in Downton Abbey.
17 Sparrow Close
Woosehill
Wokingham
Berkshire RG41 3HT.