Spottings & Jottings nr. 68 - 9th May 2013
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Editorial
May 1st came and went
with some interesting events. Oxford is always interesting because of the
annual student activities. May Morning in Oxford is a traditional
celebration of the coming of Spring and brings together Oxford's communities
to enjoy dancing, singing and revelry from around the city. May Morning is
celebrated on 1 May.
The celebrations for 2013 started at 6am on
Wednesday 1 May 2013 with the choristers of Magdalen College choir singing
Hymnus Eucharisticus from the Great Tower. (Hymnus Eucharisticus was composed
in the 17th century by a Fellow of Magdalen and has been sung every year
from the Great Tower on May Morning.)
This year Magdalen Bridge was open to pedestrians but closed to traffic from 4.30am until around 8.30am to enable everyone to enjoy the singing in comfort and safety. The bridge re-opened to traffic shortly before 8.30am.
In the interim bus services were, in the main, diverted via Abingdon Road, Donnington Bridge and the Iffley Road. This caused some delays but enabled services continued to serve passengers.
A couple of pictures below show the Oxford 400 heading south along the Abingdon road followed by a Brookes U1 service.
On April 7th George Street was closed for crane
work as seen by Frazer Peddle.
Bus Users UK - AGM held in Oxford
Last Saturday, April 28th, saw the annual general meeting of Bus Users UK. This was held at the Four Pillars Hotel on the Abingdon Road and afterwards Oxford Bus provided Hybrid 351 and Stagecoach Gold Scania 15837 to offer attendees a short tour of Oxford.
The picture below shows 15837 ready for duty earlier in the afternoon. your Editor was at the wheel!
Picture by Chris Maxfield.
May 1st also saw the introduction of the National Express A1 service between Luton Airport and London Victoria. This is the most significant change in over 30 years and was related in the special page re Luton Airport services published earlier this week.
The continuing story of developments continues below.
The continuing saga of the Luton Airport-London services.
May 1st saw the introduction of the
much heralded National Express A1 service between Luton Airport and London
Victoria using a fleet of brand new Volvo/Levante 48 seaters, featuring
wi-fi and “rear wheel steering”. In addition there are four older 12 plate
Levantes transferred from Sibson Road the full details below as provided by
Glenn de Sousa.
The service is running from Luton Airport stop 10 (that used originally by Green Line) to London Victoria, where arrival serve Sammy’s and departures are from Gate 9 in departures.
Loading observed on the day were very light and
most coaches were holding en route to Victoria at various inbound stops, as
they are not allowed unlimited space in VCS, as with all; other services.
Making a short check on the National Express web
site I find that a return ticket on the A1 returning two days later costs
£26 whereas the equivalent ticket on the
greenline service costs just
£15. Indeed a
greenline single is £10 vs
£15 on the NEx A1.
Of course since the greenline
service is a long established service and regular passengers will go where
the know, it may take some time for the NEx A1 to become established.
Pictures by Malcolm Crowe & Gavin Francis.
Pictures by Malcolm Crowe
From Glenn de Sousa
The following coaches are being used by National Express on their A1 route:
LT01 - FJ13EBG
LT02 - FJ13EBK
LT03 - FJ13EBL
LT04 - FJ13EBM
LT05 - FJ13EBN
LT06 - FJ13EBO
LT07 - FJ13EBP
LT08 - FJ13EBU
LT09 - FJ13EBV
LT10 - FJ13EBX
LT11 - FJ13EBZ
LT12 - FJ13ECA
LT13 - FJ13ECC
LT14 - FJ13ECD
LT15 - FJ13ECE
LT16 - FJ13ECF
LT17 - FJ13ECN
LT18 - FJ13ECT
LT19 - FJ12FYL
was
SR136 - transferred from National
Express’ Sipson Road depot
LT20 - FJ12FYM
was SR137 - transferred from National
Express’ Sipson Road depot
LT21 - FJ12FYN
was SR138 - transferred from National
Express’ Sipson Road depot
LT22 - FJ12FYP
was SR139 - transferred from National
Express’ Sipson Road depot
On the first day of service, today, from my
observations, National Express were carrying far less passengers than
Arriva’s 757. However, easyBus’ new London - Luton route from Baker Street
carried full loads of passengers at one point (only 9/10) probably due to
their extremely low fares.
May 1st from Mike Penn.
Here are some photos from today’s events at Luton Airport.
National Express coaches on the A1 FJ12FYP, FJ13EBM/EBO.
This picture of National Express advertising by Gavin Francis.
Arriva The Shires Plaxton Primos 2600/1 (LF 08 DZW/DZX)
on the shuttle service from Luton Airport to the Eaton Green Road car park.
easyBus LX 12 BFO just to prove that this service is still running.
Of note is the circumstances surrounding Edinburgh
Airport and an apparently similar situation in 2011 as recorded in the link
below by the BBC.
Edinburgh Airport bus service tender halted
In 2013 Lothian still operate to the airport and one wonders what the outcome of the Luton Airport situation will be.
I am sure that this matter will continue to
interest people for some time to come.
The first Saturday I've witnessed which has pitted
Arriva's 757 against National Express' A1 for the Luton Airport run was
certainly different. A1 services were arriving and leaving so often from Bay
9 that the supervisor did not know where to put them and the stop common to
both services at Buckingham Palace Road saw drivers waiting to make up time.
Passengers were using both services although the lack of leaflets may not
have helped. Large placards announced lower fares or more convenience for
the
Indeed, the destination displayed on the front of the 757 now reads "Luton
via Airport" and the writing on the side still reads "in partnership with
easyBus, National Express, Terravision and Wizz." easyBus have changed their
London terminus to Baker Street to pick up more passengers.
The thing which I find amazing is that 70 coaches per day on the A1 seems
too much.
There were passengers on some coaches but not enough to make it profitable. There is also the fact that they have had to find enough drivers as Arriva's service pattern has not been changed. Are there fewer spare private coach drivers around Luton now?
Gavin Francis and Malcolm Crowe record the present greenline service and the coaches used.
Arriva 4200 works a 757 service into victoria as
seen on Buckingham Palace road on April 29th by Gavin Francis
Arriva greenline's 4377
and 4386 at the 757 terminus in Victoria on April 29th by Gavin Francis
Arriva greenline 4382
loads at the terminus on April 29th by Gavin Francis
easyBus are
serving Luton Airport using their fleet of Renault mini buses and doing
rather well judging by the loads being carried.
Their pick up point in London is Gloucester Place
near to Baker Street. Picture by Malcolm Crowe.
Geoff Cunliffe
writes
"I have a correction for you, in that I thought the photograph I sent you of
Blackpool Brush car 631 being restored in Starr Gate depot was ‘watermarked’
but it is not. Correctly the copyright of the picture belongs to Alan Robson
and not myself. I know you regard these matters as important and maybe you
could insert an amendment in the next issue.
My fault – sorry.
Running Days
Amersham & District Motorbus Society
Nearly nine years ago and on 5 October 2003,
RLH48 takes a happy group of enthusiasts
on a run
Peter Cartwright
"Please note that programmes for the Harlow Running
Day are now available and include a number of feeder services from, inter
alia, High Wycombe, Amersham, Uxbridge, Rickmansworth, Watford, St Albans,
Hatfield, Hertford, Ware, Staines, Sunbury, Hampton Court, Kingston,
Victoria, Croydon, Bromley, Stratford, Leytonstone, Gravesend, Brentwood,
Ongar, Epping, Stevenage.
Programmes BEFORE the day are £6.50 and can be
obtained from me at 54 Guinions Road, HIGH WYCOMBE, HP13 7NX - £7 on the
day. Cheques payable to Amersham & District Motorbus Society please.
A couple of corrections to your latest newsletter.
The new wooden shed at Binders Yard is NOT a garage/workshop erected by Ward
Jones who has NOT acquired this site. My own Routemaster is also parked
there.
The new route 1 between High Wycombe and Chesham to replace Arriva's 62 and
Carousel's 4 brings back a number used by Amersham & District prior to its
acquisition by LPTB in the 1930s. The service was renumbered 362 with an A
and C suffix by London Transport in October 1934. Carousel's journeys run
via Eskdale Avenue to a terminus at Chesham Grammar School NOT via Hilltop
Estate.
The timetable for the Harlow Running Day on 5 May has now been finalised and
requires a PVR of 17 vehicles. There will be a feeder service from High
Wycombe/Amersham/Uxbridge. Programmes can now be purchased from my address-
54 Guinions Road, HIGH WYCOMBE HP13 7NX for £6.50.
The schedules for Slough on 12 May are now being finalised and programmes
should then be available at £6.50 from the address as above. Journeys on the
defunct 441B between Beaconsfield and Langley are incorporated in the
schedules together with other changes.
There are also timetable changes on Sundays from 12 May 2013 on Carousel
routes 74 (no longer serving Hedgerley) departing HW at
08.10,10.10,12.10,14.10 and 16.10 returning from Slough at
09.00,11.00,13.00,15.00 and 17.00 and A40 increased to hourly HW - Heathrow
departing HW at 07.40 to 16.40 and from Heathrow 08.40 to 17.40.
So an even earlier Sunday finish.
The 740 is withdrawn on Sundays. The Sunday service between HW and Chesham
with the introduction of route 1 from 14 April is restored to hourly between
08.30 and 17.30 from High Wycombe and all journeys are extended from the
Broadway in Chesham to the Grammar School.
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.
For non-members a charge of £3 per head is made.
Next Meeting:
Tuesday 21st May.
The speaker is Paul Lacey.
"Thames Valley the final years"
The venue is moving back to the Folly Bridge,
however this pub is now called "The White House". Cost is
free for members and £3 for non members.
Meetings are held in the upstairs function room at:
The White House (was the Folly Bridge)
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 - 9th May 2013
Spottings
Observations and pictures
Correction to caption, it's Ecclestone Bridge not
Ecclestone Place (getting my Ecclestones and Bressendons mixed up!).
Perhaps we should just call it Victoria and keep it simple...
Neil Gow
Gavin Francis has sent a number of interesting pictures.
Ian Berry's preserved former Southern Vectis Limited 310 TJI 8780 once with
Edward Thomas on May 5th seen by Gavin Francis
RT113 seen at Victoria on May 1st by Gavin
FrancisRT113 seen at Victoria on May 1st by Gavin
Francis
Evan Evans run a Wartime Tour of London and on May 9th this was run by RT8
from Ensign Bus seen by Gavin Francis in Bulleid Way.
Golden Tours Volvo Jonckheere BX13BZD in Bulleid Way on April 29th seen by
Gavin Francis
Golden Tours are taking delivery of a number of Egyptian bodied MCV Volvo 'deckers,
one of the very latest is 107 seen on May 2nd by Gavin Francis.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another one, this time part open top is 109 seen on May 5th by
Malcolm Crowe.
Richard Morgan sent some pictures from Banbury showing the current services, some of which may change in the near future.
County Connect 218 YX12CGY in Banbury on April 9th by Richard Morgan.
Heyfordian Primo KX58LJC on the B7 in Banbury on April 9th by Richard Morgan
HeyfordianE200 KX57FMD on route B10 in Banbury on April 9th by Richard
Morgan
Richard Sharman
215 operating a 13 Service
6310 showing its extra Engine Ventilation Grille
for its DAF engine
50218 "Tube Station"
5
Bikes Galore+355 on The High
RATP Selwyn's
Formerly a regular National Express coach
that past through Oxford is now used on Private Hire by RATP Selwyns
SCO 33653 with recent super rear R Sharman
TT 703 showing new ad borders R Sharman
~~~~~~
An
addition to Barnes fleet was noted today at the RAF Museum
Alex
Hazell
sent fleet
lists for Olympian Coaches and S.M Coaches are as follows;
S.M. Coaches - Buses.
IrisBus Logo/Unvi EU07XGK, EU07XGL and EU07XGM
IrisBus Agoraline EU06KHK
Dennis Dart Alexander ALX200 Y293FJN, Y296FJN,
Y346FJN, Y351FJN, LX51FFW, LX51FGU, LX51FHA, LX51FHB, LX51FHH, LX51FHJ,
LX51FHK, LX51FHL
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer mark 1 P741RYL
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer Mini Pointer Dart
V189ERG, V191ERG, V193ERG
S.M. Coaches - Coaches
Iveco Daily KV04CVH
Iveco Maxim 2 FN02VBK
Iveco Eurorider Beulas F10BUS, LV02LKD
Iveco Beulas Iris Euroride C33 SM10BUS
Olympian and S.M Coaches have two fleet
support vehicles for breakdowns etc etc
Fiat Ducato T380WQWC
Iveco Daily MX05GWG.
Olympian Coaches - Buses.
Dennis Dart Alexander ALX200 Y244FJN, Y248FJN,
Y252FJN, LX51FGV, LX51FGJ, LX51FGN, LX51FGO, LX51FHF, LX51FHG.
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer mark 1 P301AYJ, P758FOD,
R476LGH, R485LGH
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer Mini Pointer Dart
V188ERG, V194ERG, V195ERG, V196ERG, V198ERG, V199ERG, V729DNL, V749ECU,
Y862TGH, Y907TGH, Y971TGH
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer 2 S117EGK, V787FKH,
V808KAG, Y153NLK, Y161NLK, Y237NLK, Y653NLO, Y662NLO, Y664NLO, Y667NLO,
Y669NLO, Y672NLO, Y553XAG
Mercedes Benz 0814 Plaxton Beaver R450PRH
Irisbus Agoraline AU05FKC
Volvo B7 Plaxton President W461BCW
Olympian Coaches - Coaches
Scania Irizar YN04GPF, YN04GPV, YN06CKY
LDV Convoy MV03AJY
DAF SB3000 Van Hool Y304HUA, Y314HUA
Iveco Maxim 2 YN05ARX
Iveco Eurorider Beulas MKZ6312, XIB3196 (previously
S233HGU) S234HGU, S235HGU, T289CGU, LV02LLJ.
Volvo B10M Plaxton Premiere 350 N66BUS
Volvo B10M Plaxton Excalibur V282SBW, V283SBW
Volvo B12B Plaxton Panther CN05DZF.
Currently on hire from Ensignbus (dealer) are the
following;
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer SLF X962VAP, X964VAP,
X968VAP
Dennis Dart Caetano Compass T426LGP
Volvo B10M Olympian Northern Countries R257LGH
The two Dennis Trident/Plaxton President finished
in white are owned by Travel With Hunny, or TWH Bus and Coach, although one
is out of action. TWH rent some yard space of Olympian for parking their own
buses.
Derek
O’Connor
Luckett (Fareham): The company is fast running out of available space at their Head Office and have acquired the Priory Coaches yard in Gosport.
As noted, they have also taken over the contract for National Express services A3 Gatwick Airport-London Victoria, and 025 Brighton-London Victoria.
Since January of this year the company has taken some 24 new vehicles; five are Scania Irizar i6, two are integral Irizar i6, one Plaxton Cheetah and 13 for the acquired National Express duties. New coaches noted include 4976 (YN13 BWL) Irizar i6 C49FT and Scania K360EB / Irizar i6 (YN13 XYS) C53FT, both in Luckett’s standard livery.
Pulham (Bourton-on-the-Water): New here are N258 PYS (ex N311 BYA) Volvo B10M-62 / Van Hool C53F, which has come from Pearson, Aldbrough; P690 JBD Volvo Olympian / Alexander H51/36F, which has come from Fife Scottish; P110 DCW Volvo B10M-62 / Plaxton C57F from Hamilton, Bow; SN04 XWC (ex 2767 WF, FJ04 ERU) Volvo B12B Jonckheere C51F from Cockell, Bootland & Gannon, Loanhead and finally FJ05 APO Volvo B12B / Plaxton C49FT from Plan-It-Travel, Chelsfield.
The Travellers Choice (Carnforth):
A couple more re-registrations to note are of Scania / Caetano coaches that were used on National Express services, but now repainted into fleet livery.
FJ56 PCV (now 8447WX)
FJ56 PDV (now 11 BCX).
Worthing Coaches (Worthing):
As well as the new Volvo B9R / Caetano Levante noted under National Express, other new coaches are Scania K340 / Irizar Century 4974 (YR62 EAF) and Scania K340 / Irizar i6 5369 (YN13 XYT).
NAT Group (Cardiff Bay):
The first Plaxton Elite i (Interdecker) to go to an operator other than Stagecoach is also now in use YN13 GDE.
and TGM
For those of you waiting in anticipation for the Platinum buses for the 280 there will be a foretaste by Mike Penn in the next issue.
Nigel Peach
I see that the five MAN 14.220/ M.C.V. Evolution
buses (3741-5) have entered service on "The Blue One" service to Chesham.
Today (23rd April) was the first opportunity I have had to see buses on this
relaunched route. However, the first bus I saw was one of the recently
transferred DAFs. Looking at the board in the bus station, I notice that
Arriva use four buses on this route. Today two of the batch of five were off
the road, so the DAF was making up the numbers with three of the M A N s (or
should that be MEN??!!!).
I tried to work out which buses have been displaced
by these arrivals. I noticed that 3529 was rostered, but I couldn't see any
of the other three Caetano Compass bodied Darts on the list (3530/2/6), so
maybe they have gone, together with 3520 (the unusual UVG Urban Star bodied
Dart).
However, it is good to see 3821 (at least two years
older than any of those mentioned above!) still beavering away on Red Route
33 - the only survivor from Wycombe Bus days. I quite often see it out and
about on a Sunday too, so I imagine it must be a popular bus that they are
trying to hang on to for as long as possible!
Chesham interlude with Gavin Francis
3741 on the blue one and 3215 on the 353 all at Chesham on April 19th.
Luke Braham
Saturday 13th April was the last day of Line 100,
Aylesbury to Milton Keynes, ready for the service changes on the 14th April.
The buses that were used on Line 100 and Line 150, as the buses were shared,
on that day were 3274 (V274 HBH), 3277 (T491 KGB), 3387 (P194 LKJ), 3441 (R201
VPU) and 3509 (KE51 PTX). Due to Line 100 being withdrawn the Line 150 is
extended slightly via MK Stadium, Milton Keynes Hospital and Milton Keynes
Rail Station but will continue operating every hour with seven journeys on
Sunday’s which are no longer connected to Line 300 from High Wycombe.
The bus stop’s were changed ready for the changes a
day or two before they happened.
On April 13th
Arriva the Shires 3509 KE51 PTX operating Line 100
on it’s last day.
Arriva the Shires 3387 P194 LKJ operating the last
Line 100. (Apologies for quality due to rain and light)
A Volvo Olympian has joined the Arriva Aylesbury
depot from, I believe, Arriva Southern Counties and is 5940 (P613 CAY) and I
think it is here as there has been an increase in school journeys to
Cottesloe School in Wing for three journeys to four.
i also have more news about the 52-reg Tridents but
I’ll send that near the time for the next S&P.
The ex-Garston 52-reg Trident are still arriving at
Aylesbury after refurbishment and single door conversion at Bus & Coach
World, Blackburn which I believe is also were the Line 280 Enviro 400’s are
being refurbished for Sapphire 280. An updated list of the buses arrived and
of what could arrive at Aylesbury is below:
6000 – KL52 CWN
6001 – KL52 CWO (possibly)
6002 – KL52 CWP
6003 – KL52 CWR
6004 – KL52 CWT
6005 – KL52 CWU (possibly)
6006 – KL52 CWV (possibly)
6007 – KL52 CWW (possibly)
6008 – KL52 CWZ (possibly)
6009 – KL52 CXA
6010 – KL52 CXB
6011 – KL52 CXC (possibly)
6012 – KL52 CXD
6013 – KL52 CXD
Now on to the pictures:
Arriva the Shires 6004 (KL52CWT) at the depot on
28th April.
Arriva the Shires 6010 (KL52CXB) departing the
depot on 28th April.
Arriva the Shires 6012 (KL52CXD) operating Line 280
into Aylesbury on 15th April.
Arriva the Shires 6013 (KL52CXE) at the depot on
the 20th April.
6309 minus engine on May 5th by Luke
Braham
Adam Green
Mike Bennett
Picture by Mike Bennett
Further Citaros at Milton Keynes in the new
revised Platinum MK livery are BG59FCY and FCZ, joining the Citaro that
recently transferred from Aylesbury.
At Arriva the Shires, at least one ex-Garston
Plaxton Centro is at Stevenage, being YJ57BWA - I saw it on service SB1
today. I am unsure whether this is a loan or permanent as I thought that
these were heading off to work the 550.
KE55 GVY is missing the dark blue bumper at the
front. Noted today on route SB* at Stevenage Bus Station.
Two more ALX400’s at Bus and Coach World, Blackburn today (8/4) are: 6008/10 KL52 CWZ/XA, they are destined for Aylesbury.
10 Apr
I have just seen an Arriva the Shires Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 (part of the 2009 batch for Centraline 300/301 in the yard (visible from the roundabout of M25/A1(M)) of Lantern’s Recovery Service at South Mimms, along with a Metroline Plaxton President blinded for route 107 to Edgware (I think). Does anyone know if the Enviro has broken down, where and maybe when?
Arriva in pictures
Arriva 3215 on route 353 in Chesham on April
19th by Gavin Francis
Arriva 3741 branded for the blue one seen in
Chesham on April 19th with the same bus on April 15th in Wycombe both by
Gavin Francis
Arriva 3743 on the blue one but not yet branded
on April 15th by Gavin Francis
Now nearing the end of its day with Arriva,
Olympian 5149 is seen in Hemel Bus Station on April 19th by Gavin Francis
These were such handsome buses and excellent to drive, it seems a shame they
look so care worn now!
Arriva 3703 delivered new for the PR1 climbs out
of Wycombe on April 17th by Malcolm Crowe
Arriva 3745 branded the blue one seen at Cressex
depot on April 13th by Malcolm Crowe
Arriva 3863 on route 40 broken down at
Stokenchurch on April 13th by Malcolm Crowe
Arriva 4519 leaves Wycombe on the 40 on April
17th by Malcolm Crowe
Arriva 5153 unused at Cressex depot on April17th
by Malcolm Crowe
Nigel Peach
I haven't seen sister 416 for quite a while and
wonder what has happened to it. I imagine that replaced purple Dart 561 has
been withdrawn, as I've not seen it for some time.
Bernard Lewendon writes "Seen at The Eden Bus Station today (29th April) was a new arrival to Carousel.
Fleet number 105 T105DBW Dennis Trident 2 / Alexander ALX 400, 1999 (ex Oxford Bus)
Painted all over blue. Previously with Thames
Travel but now with Carousel legal lettering in the side window.
The fleet number was that of Thames Travel and it
looks like it is being retained as the bus had been newly repainted and the
fleet number then added. Perhaps it will gain "The Blue Bus" lettering in
due course.
Carousel depot in High Wycombe on April 17th by
Malcolm Crowe
Carousel 801 with red one branding leaves
Wycombe BS on April 15th by Gavin Francis
Another Carousel, this time on the A30 in Chesham
by Gavin Francis.
Finally a "blue one" of Carousel's school fleet
at Wycombe BS on April 15th by Gavin Francis.
Carousel's 753 works route 28 from Stokenchurch
to the schools in High Wycombe on May 7th seen by Gavin Francis
CSS operated in Oxford by Tom Tappin
Ex Oxford's 115 now with Tappin City Sightseeing
on April 30th seen by Gavin Francis.
Still giving good service, Volvo 56 is seen in
Oxford on April 7th by Frazer Peddle.
Stephen le Bras reports
regarding the new hybrid saloons "VSH
69921 and 69926 entered service on the 75/76 service (Maidenhead to Heathrow
Airport via Slough) on Saturday 20th April. VSH 69924 also made an
appearance at the Brooklands Spring running day and attracted a standing
load first time around on the 462 to Weybridgeeand back. Driverand back. Driver
familiarisationncontinues in the area; meanwhile 2 or 3 can be expected in
service for the first week.continues in the area; meanwhile 2 or 3 can be expected in
service for the first week.
Report on First hybrids
Entry into service of the first two hybrids took place on 20th April with just 2 buses running on the 75/76 route. This sort of level of service continued for the first week with an average of 5 buses in the second week. Older Citaros from the Slough fleet are being sent to Bracknell where they will out-shopped in a yellow livery reminiscent of the old Beeline livery.
Picture by Gavin Francis.
Clive King kindly supplied two pictures of the new Hybrids in service.
69923 on the 75 and 69929 on the 76 by Clive King
Photo from the launch event
Heyfordian L584JSA ex Stagecoach seen at
Stokenchurch on May 7th by Gavin Francis.
JE
David Percy writes to report some new coaches for the operator.
King Long model XMQ6800, BX13CYO C49 Ft.
King Long model XMQ6127 BX62BWZ C30F
King Long appear to have an involvement with JEFFS
now. David Percy advises that "JEFFS are taking part
in collecting new King
Long vehicles from Southampton docks and taking them to the parent
companies' dealership/workshops in Coventry, quite a nice easy day and nice to
drive brand new vehicles!
M & M in High Wycombe now have this ex Motts
MT03MTT, an 0815 D with Sitcar coachwork.
Mullany's
Mullany's KX10DVL on route 318 in Hemel BS on April 19th by Gavin Francis
Mark Smith
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gam-images/8707251097/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gam-images/8707250971/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gam-images/8707282281/in/photostream/
http://www.nationalexpress.com/
See elsewhere for details of the new service to Luton Airport and details of the coaches involved.
Dunn Line t/a YourBus operate this former
Premiere Nottingham 974 seen near VCS on May 1st by Gavin Francis
Parks HSK660 works National Express service 504
to Penzance seen leaving VCS on May 1st by Malcolm Crowe
Another new Caetano with Travel De Courcey
FJ13EAW MD23 ready to work service 420
to Birmingham on April 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Epsom coaches no longer work the Terravision service to Stansted and are
working reliefs for National Express on the A6.
Above we see EP04 on an A6 working from Victoria on May 9th by Gavin
Francis.
NEx Travel de Courcey MD21 FJ13EAK works a 777 service at Stansted on May
7th by Gavin Francis
NEx Bournemouth Transport's 340 FJ13DZX awaits time for an 035 service from
VCS on May 5th Malcolm Crowe
Rubbing salt in the wound !!!
NEx LT18 FJ13ECT on the A1 service to Luton seen parked up in
Bulleid Way on layover, the date May 5th.
The greenline Duty Inspector remonstrates with the driver who
has no right to park in this coach station,
especially irritating inview of the loss of the rights for the 757 to serve
Luton Airport.
New coaches
Worthing
Coaches
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT
X4808 FN62 CAO
X4809 FN62 CBV
X4810 FN62 CDX
X4813 FN62 CFX
De Courcey (Coventry)
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT
MD17 FJ13 EAA
MD18 FJ13 EAC
MD19 FJ13 EAF
MD20 FJ13 EAG
MD21 FJ13 EAK
MD22 FJ13 EAM
MD23 FJ13 EAO
MD24 FJ13 EAP
MD25 FJ13 EAW
MD26 FJ3 EAX
MD27 FJ13 EAY
MD28 FJ13 EBA
National Express Operations
Volvo B9R Caetano Levante II C48FLT
LT01 FJ13 EBG
LT02 FJ13 EBK
LT03 FJ13 EBL
LT04 FJ13 EBM
LT05 FJ13 EBN
LT06 FJ13 EBO
LT07 FJ13 EBP
LT08 FJ13 EBU
LT09 FJ13 EBV
LT10 FJ13 EBX
LT11 FJ13 EBZ
LT12 FJ13 ECA
LT13 FJ13 ECC
LT14 FJ13 ECD
LT15 FJ13 ECE
LT16 FJ13 ECF
LT17 FJ13 ECN
LT18 FJ13 ECT
In Addition to the new coaches at Luton, several more Volvo B9R / Caetano Levantes have been transferred from Sipson Road:
LT19 (FJ12 FYL) ex SR136
LT20 (FJ12 FYM) ex SR137
LT21 (FJ12 FYN) ex SR138
LT22 (FJ12 FYP) ex SR139
OXFORD Bus Company has opened a new city centre shop to cope with booming demand for its travelcard, the Key.
Since the rechargeable smart card was launched in 2010, more than 100,000 people have signed up to get one and nearly half of all the firm’s journeys are now made using it. The centre at 44/45 High Street will support the company’s existing outlet at Debenhams in Magdalen Street.
Oxford East MP Andrew Smith cut a tape at an official opening ceremony as part of a national initiative to encourage more people to switch to bus travel.
Andrew Morison, commercial manager of Oxford Bus Company, said: “More and more people are switching to the key and before too long half the journeys made on our buses will be made using it.
“When you add in the number of passengers using other smartcards, like the concessionary bus passes, the majority of transactions won’t involve cash.
“This makes a significant difference to the time it takes for people to join a bus at a stop and has a major impact on journey times.
“Our existing travel centre in Debenhams is very successful but the new facility will make it easier for commuters and city centre workers to renew
their key products before they start work.”
The facility will be open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
For more information, visit oxfordbus.co.uk
Coach 18 has now re-entered service in the same livery as that seen on coach 17. This provides multi-route coaches for the increased timetable now being operated.
An interesting variation is seen on Oxford 85 in Gloucester Green bearing a
small front fleet number on April 23rd by Malcolm Crowe
Oxford Bus have placed new branding on some of the Citaros as seen above on
838 working the 35 on May 9th by Gavin Francis.
862 was running for Thames Travel minus most branding but retaining the rear
advert.
It has now returned to the main fleet and is seen on May 8th heading down St
Aldates.
I had questioned why, when with TT, it had retained the full rear branding!!
As mentioned elsewhere Oxford's 105 has been transferred to Carousel in a plain blue livery.
At Hants & Dorset Trim (Barton Park)
April 2013
for Hedingham: T107 DBW T108DBW T117DBW :
for Thames Travel: 861 (BF57 OXF)
The above were being prepared for their new operating companies.
The 29 Scania KUB270 Enviro 300SG are nearing
completion at Alexander Dennis and the first were due to enter service on
the 7th May,
401 YR13 PLN
402 YR13 PLO
403 YR13 PLU
404 YR13 PNE
405 YR13 PLX
406 YR13 PNJ
407 YR13 PMO
408 YR13 PMU
409 YR13 PNN
410 YR13 PNO
411 YR13 PMY
The buses were ordered following a successful
tender for a Reading Borough Council contract that requires 11 buses.
The major contract serves Green Park, Madjeski Stadium and Kennet Island.
The first of the ex Lothian Buses Tridents, 557 (W557 RSG), 558 (W558 RSG) and 569 (W569 RSG) have also arrived.
Glenn de Sousa writes
"Reading Buses are to introduce their 10 ADE300NG’s on the South Reading
Contract (fasttrack routes) on the 7th May.
Red Line
From: Glenn
De Sousa
"The new high specification Alexander Dennis Enviro
200's for Redline Buses St Albans services S4 and S5 have arrived at their
depot in Aylesbury. They are fitted with free wi-fi and this has prominent
branding on the near side windows. They are in a maroon/red livery with
route branding on the cant rail. One of them is registered MX13BCK. They
will operate Monday to Saturday daytime only. Evenings and Sundays are to be
operated by Uno.
The second Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 for
Redline Buses St Albans services S4 and S5 is MX13BCF.
As Luke Braham may have said to you already, the
Optare Solo Slimline for Redline Buses is ex-Roberts, Hugglescote -
registered MX57UPE.
I have found the following information on the Solo
from Bus Lists on the Web:
New in January 2008, the seat layout is B27F, Chassis # is SABDNEAB07R192689."
Red Line Dart T427AGP working the 79 in Chesham
on April 19th by Gavin Francis
Redline L983MSC works the 643 at Stokenchurch on
May 7th by Gavin Francis
Red Rose
Pictures from Gain Francis.
Red Rose Dart VU02TPZ on a 71 working in Chesham on April 19th by Gavin
Francis
Red Rose Dart Y116HWB on route H10 in Hemel 190413 G Francis
Another Red rose in Chesham, YX08HBZ in Jubilee livery works the 73 to Penn
Street on April 19th as seen by Gavin Francis
Oxfordshire
Witney's 15613 loads in George Street for an S1
service to Carterton via Witney on April 26th by Malcolm Crowe
Gold Scania 15760 waits time at the Randolph
with an S5 service to Bicester on April 26th by Malcolm Crowe
One duty per day on the 31 is worked by an S5
based Gold Scania.
15761 is seen in St Aldates on April 25th by Malcolm Crowe
Enviro 200 36760 sports a new super rear by the
side of 36765 at Horspath on April 9th by Malcolm Crowe
Enviro 200 36763 on a route 10 working in St
Aldates on April 26th by Malcolm Crowe
SC Swindon 15767 on the 66 on April 7th seen by
Frazer Peddle
The 66 still manages
to provide variety as seen above when
Swindon's Scania 15735 branded for the 55 worked
into Gloucester Green on April 8th seen by Malcolm Crowe
In the next issue we will have a very nice article and pictures from Marcus Lapthorn on Cheltenham.
East
Glenn de Sousa writes "Quick note to say that Stagecoach in Cambridge’s order of 11 ADE 300’s will start to arrive from the middle of next week (beginning 8th April). They are due to replace the older M A N’s in the fleet. Knowing ADL though, they may start to be delivered early!"
Midlands
Andrew Simmonds writes
"Just a bit of news from Northampton is that
Stagecoach have vacated the bus station as a depot and their Rothersthorpe
Avenue garage workshop is also closed and for sale. The new site is a couple
of hundred yards down the road from their Rothersthorpe Avenue depot. The
new address is Main Road, Far Cotton, Northampton, NN4 8ES.
Consists of a open air parking area and maintenance
workshop with offices across the road in another building.
Present there was the Stratford Blue RML and the
Eastern Counties FLF as well as the normal Northampton fleet.
The move had happened by Friday 29th March. Not
sure of exact date but hadn't happened on 17th March.
The bus station is to be knocked down as part of
a redevelopment of Northampton centre. A new bus station is being converted
from the old Fish Market just down the road from the Greyfriars Bus Station.
Midlands 52300 in Gloucester Green on April 29th
by Gavin Francis.
Midlands 52434 on training duties at Horspath depot on April 26th by Malcolm
Crowe.
South
John Marsh visited Stagecoach South to see the new Enviro 300 Gold Buses in service.
Stagecoach South 27843 Sir Patrick Moore in Chichester on April 6th by John
Marsh.
Stagecoach South 27844 Carl Sagan in Chichester bus station from the rear on
April 6th by John Marsh
I like the gold fleet numbers !!!
Stagecoach South 27844 Carl Sagan GX13AOG in Chichester on April 6th seen by
John Marsh
A rather nice shot of 50224 basking in the afternoon sunshine as a hot air
balloon passes overhead on May 5th.
Oxford tube 50201 is seen loading at Thornhill on the 0624 Express service
to London Victoria on April 26th
Gavin Francis sent this picture of 50212 laying over after a fast run from
Bicester on the morning commuter service S5 on May 2nd
Due to a serious water main burst in Notting Hill Gate, the road is now closed in both directions for a seemingly indefinite period. This means that inbound Tube services route via Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street to reach the Notting Hill Gate stop but that outbound services run from Marble Arch via Marylebone Road, The Westway and the A41 to reach Shepherds Bush, running round Royal Crescent to the outbound stop by The Hilton Hotel.
The three express services in the morning peak operate via The Westway and Baker Street to reach their first stop in London at Marble Arch.
An interesting article about the new Astromega sleeper coach appeared in the Daily Mail recently.
The new sleeper 50301 pauses first across from
the Millennium Wheel and secondly in Parliament Square on April 18th.
Freestones have replaced the missing wheel trim
off the nearside tag axle, missing for many weeks almost from new.
The coach is seen in Bulleid Way on April 16th
awaiting its next working on the M16.
Interdecker 54002 leaves London on an M20
working to Glasgow on April 30th seen by Gavin Francis.
SC Megabus 50250 works the M11 from London to
Aberdeen via Manchester on May 2nd seen by Gavin Francis
Ex Carousel 419, now in full livery working an
X32 on April 21st by Gavin Francis
Until recently this Citaro was running in plain
red with Thames Travel fleet names applied to the front. Now it is full
livery
but unbranded and lacking the advertising
borders. It is working an X32 service on May 8th. Malcolm Crowe.
Six further Optare Versas have arrived, in the shape of YJ13 HHU, YJ13 HHV, YJ13 HHW, YJ13 HHX, YJ13 HHY and YJ13 HHZ.
These ones being type V1210 B49F and are different from the two noted last month (YJ13 HJO and YJ13 HMO) that were V1100 models, being to B44F layout.
Also new here are Mercedes-Benz 0816D / Plaxton Cheetahs C29F SF13 FPA and SP13 FPC.
Meanwhile Optare Solos YG02 FVV and YG02 FVY have been sold to Thames Travel. (are these for new routes?)
New for the Tappins operation are PO13 LLE and PO13 LLF Neoplan Tourliners, with Volvo B10M / Van Hools W30 OOW and W40 OOW going in part exchange.
Volvo B10M-62 / Van Hool 179 (N179 LHU) and 180 (N180 LHU) have been re-registered to NBZ 70 and NDZ 70 respectively.
YUE 338 (ex FJ57 CYY), the Volvo B12B / Jonckheere acquired from Ellison, is the new Oxford United FC team coach.
Glenn de Sousa writes
"Weavaway are expecting a further six Optare Versa’s, of a longer length than the previous. Thanks to Derek Bradfield (PSV
Circle) for informing me of the registrations which are booked as: YJ13HMU-Z., of a longer length than the previous. Thanks to Derek Bradfield (PSV
Circle) for informing me of the registrations which are booked as: YJ13HMU-Z.
Weavaway seem to have changed Tappins’ livery to
plain black with Tappins fleet names in the same style as their other
companies.
Newbury & District YJ13HMO passes John Lewis Restaurant in Newbury on April
12 th seen by John Marsh.
Newbury & District YJ13HMO in a wet bus station on April 12th by John Marsh.
New contracts for subsidised bus services in North Oxfordshire
Contracts for subsidised bus services largely serving Banbury, Bicester and the surrounding rural areas have been reviewed and retendered by Oxfordshire County Council.
Existing services will continue, and a new route will link Hornton and Horley with Banbury on Thursdays. Some enhancements have been possible to some routes, but one or two minor reductions have also been necessary and the companies running some routes will change.
The new contracts will come into effect on 2 June.
Further information on bus timetables and fares will be available from the relevant bus companies in due course.
Banbury area:
- 90: Upper Heyford
to Banbury (Thursdays). Unchanged.
- 488: Chipping Norton to Banbury (Monday to Saturday). Existing journeys broadly unchanged, with new early morning and early evening journeys introduced between Milcombe and Banbury.
504: New service from Hornton and Horley to Banbury (Thursdays only)
B1/B2: Banbury Town Services (Easington/Cherwell Heights/Bankside). Unchanged.
B5: Banbury Town Services (Bretch Hill). Unchanged.
B7: Banbury Town Services (Grimsbury/Edmunds Road). Unchanged.
B10: Banbury Town Services (Hanwell Fields). Unchanged.
S4: Banbury-Deddington-Oxford. Existing journeys broadly unchanged with additional early evening Banbury-Steeple Aston journey.
Bicester area:
- 22/23: Bicester Town Services (Langford/Bure Park/Southwold/Caversfield). Timetable adjusted to enable travel to and from Bicester Community College. New route 24 links town centre with Launton Road every 30 minutes.
25/25A: Bicester-Kirtlington-Oxford via Upper Heyford/Wendlebury. Woodstock extension on service 25 replaced by new service to Central Kidlington. Current frequency broadly maintained.
37: Finmere-Bicester. Tuesday only (Wednesday service withdrawn).
81: New journey from Deddington to Bicester on Saturday morning. Timetables on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays largely unchanged.
81A: Somerton to Bicester. Tuesday only (Wednesday service withdrawn).
94: Otmoor Villages to Bicester/Oxford. Services continue on current operating days. Timetables to be confirmed.
S5: Oxford to Ambrosden/Arncott (Fri/Sat evening diversion). Continues unchanged.
News from Malta.
From Ian Brown, Hemel.
There was a change of government in Malta following
the recent general election. The Labour Party is now in power after many
years in opposition.
Little has changed on the bus scene, apart from the
the latest move; all buses appear to have a duty number displayed in the
front windscreen. This is an an A4 photocopy-type sheet of paper with,
printed horizontally, a four or five figure number denoting the duty
number, placed there by the driver. Apparently this is so that
TfM (Transport for Malta) can monitor the progress
- or not - of diagrams. That apart, discussions are under way to seek
planning permission for a new central headquarters depot, workshop and
cleaning area for Arriva`s vehicles.
Megabus wins awards at the UK Coach Rally & Awards
Mark Atkinson of Megabus writes "As London Manager, It was an honour to represent megabus.com at one of the most prestigious events within the coaching calendar.
To be nominated for "making coaches a better choice" proves the last
ten years have been a great success story for Stagecoach and this award
recognises the commitment of the staff that helped us reach this milestone
within the industry."
Trips & Events
Gavin Francis reports on this year’s event at The
London Bus Museum.
With a forward courtesy the London Bus Museum
http://www.londonbusmuseum.com/
Have you ever wondered what happened to all those wonderful old buses that
ran in London and which you only now see in old films and books? Well, the
good news is, some of them live on! While thousands went to the scrap yard
at the end of their working lives, some have found their way into
preservation as living, moving museum pieces at London Bus Museum. Here you
will discover the largest collection of working historic London buses in the
world, a priceless heritage representing more than 100 years of public
transport evolution in the capital.
London Bus Museum is much, much more than simply a display of old buses for
enthusiasts; its aim is to present the unique engineering heritage of the
collection in its historical, social, technological and educational
background.
Here you can re-live the happy times of travelling on these knights of the
road, experience the sights, sounds and smells of a past age, evocative of
colourful liveries, elegant coachwork, fine leather and moquette upholstery.
A wonderful day out with a difference - indefinably nostalgic for those who
rode on them, as well as a world of fascination and wonder for the younger
generations, many of whom have never even been on a bus!
The displays are organised in a timeline sequence starting with the
horse-bus period of the late 19th century, into the early motor-bus era
before WW1 and the development of the familiar ’modern’ bus in the 1930s,
through the trials and tribulations of WW2, then into the era of the huge
standardised fleet in the 1950s-1960s and finishing with the emergence in
the 1970s of rear-engined buses operated by one person. Each exhibit is
placed within a diorama of a period London street scene, adding to the
historical ambiance of the museum. At special events, some of our buses
are used for rides, providing a real taste of travel from a bygone era.
Cobham Hall displays the culmination of 40 years of preservation work and is
open for viewing seven days a week, providing the opportunity to see our
vehicles and artefacts in a light, airy and modern environment
Gavin writes:
London Bus Museum 40th Spring
Gathering - Sunday 21st April 2013
This year marked a milestone for the museum as it
was the first time the event was staged at their new home at Brooklands.
Here the world’s first purpose built motor circuit was constructed in 1907
and the Brooklands Museums display a wide range of motoring and aviation
exhibits from giant racing cars to a Wellington Bomber and a Concorde.
As an added bonus directly opposite the entrance is
Mercedes-Benz World with its test track at the front so whilst going back
and forth to the car park you could watch high performance cars going
through their paces on the track.
For an entrance fee of 10 pounds Brooklands
provided a wide range of exhibits which I am sure most visitors found to be
very good value for money.
After passing through the entrance one of the first
building is The Jackson Shed built in 1930-1 by Robin Jackson to maintain
and tune racing cars. It now houses the Grand Prix Exhibition and the
McLaren Formula 1 simulator.
Some of the original track still exists. This
section is called the Members Banking and is the steepest section of the
track rising to nearly 29ft high.
Brooklands is the home of the first production
Concorde G-BBDG which was the first aircraft to ever carry 100 passengers at
twice the speed of sound. Much of Concorde’s design and manufacture took
place at Brooklands.
Mercedes Benz World is alongside the car park at
Brooklands and for most of the day there was a good sized crowd watching the
cars on the test track.
Brooklands has a 1 in 8 test hill which was
constructed in 1909 for the motor industry to conduct acceleration and
braking tests. This view from the top shows many of the non London buses on
display and in the background the blue and white outline of the Mercedes
test track.
This Wellington Bomber was recovered from Loch
Ness. To put it back in the condition it is today over 100,000 hours of
volunteer labour has been used.
Buses and Coaches on display
Most of the buses which had London Transport
backgrounds were parked on The Finishing Straight a 100 feet wide section
which lead to the Members Banking which is the steepest section of the track
at 29ft high.
Originally STL 1470 this bus was converted into a
tree lopper in 1953 and gave 10 years service in this role until withdrawn
in 1963. It was then converted into a caravan for 10 years before being
bought for preservation in 1973.
The New Bus for London was represented by LT5 which
was used on service 462 and enabled people not normally in London to sample
this purpose built London bus.
This former British Airways bus was built in 1972
by Sparshatts for use at Bangladesh Airport. It was however never delivered
and instead went to British Airways at Heathrow. In 1982 it was donated to
the B.A. Museum at R.A.F. Cosford and then to Brooklands in 2007.
Chocolate Express was probably the most well known
of The Independent operators (Pirates) and bought this Leyland LB5 with
Dodson body in 1924. It survived in service until 1934 when it became part
of London Transport although it did not run in service for them. Discovered
in 1984 on a Norfolk farm it was restored by Mike Sutcliffe and is on long
term loan to The Museum.
This ex-Southdown bus was built in 1930 by Tilling-Stevens
and has a Short Brothers body. It had made the trip from The Amberley Museum
for the day.
Until recently this rare Volvo B10L was operated by
Woottens of Chesham but it has now passed onto Seaford and District.
This bus was Brighton & Hove first Scania. Still
wearing P. C. Coaches livery it has now entered preservation.
These 2 RTs have both received extensive overhauls
over the past few years. RT2775 was one of 3 RTs which toured North America
in 1952. Unlike most RTs which changed their identity each time they passed
through Aldenham on overhaul RT2775 retained its original
chassis/combination until 1964 when the body received the chassis of 1948 RT
734. Two years ago RT4779 was displayed as just a shell at Dunsfold Airfield
but now restoration is complete.
Buses Excetera have been buying up some of the
original Alexander Dennis Transbus Enviro 200s. Their unusual features of
single rear wheels and rear door situated at the back corner meant that
whilst they were trialled in London when the orders started they were of the
conventional layout. S13ETC was originally GX56BKY and S40ETC SN54GRU.
This year RT113 celebrates 50 years in
preservation. On the 1st May 1963 it became the property of the
2RT2 Preservation Group and in doing so became the first member of the RT
family purchased for private preservation in the UK.
First in Berkshire have started to receive new
Volvo V7900H 12m buses for use in the Slough area. They are painted in a
similar livery to the Citaros already there and will be used on Heathrow
routes.
New arrivals at The Museum
At 13.00 in front of the Brooklands Clubhouse there
was a presentation by The Museum Vice President Leon Daniels who unveiled
three new arrivals.
RT 2657.
This is an early post-war AEC RT with a Park Royal
body built in 1948. At this time the bodies showed the route number in the
front roof dome known as a roof route box. Subsequently it was moved to be
alongside the other destination blinds. In 1965 it left London for the Paris
Transport Museum where it has resided ever since. Apart from a lick of paint
it has remained completely untouched and is totally original through-out. It
seems to have been locked in a time warp. Earlier this year it was donated
to The Museum.
RW 3.
This was the third of three experimental AEC
Reliances with Willowbrook bodies purchased by London Transport in 1960 to
test the concept of a separate exit door. All three entered service at Hemel
Hempstead Garage on route 322 and over the next three years moved around
other garages until being withdrawn from service in 1963 and being sold to
Chesterfield Corporation who ran them until 1977. RW 1 was scrapped but RW 2
along with RW 3 survive in preservation. The owners of RW 3 have placed it
on long term loan to The Museum.
RML 2760
RML 2760 was numerically the highest number new
Routemaster bought by London Transport. When the rest of the RML fleet was
refurbished in the 1990s this bus retained its original interior along with
its AEC engine. For many years it has been with Stagecoach East London
although for the last few years has only been used as a special events bus.
It has been decided to retire it now and Stagecoach have placed it on long
term loan to The Museum.
Stagecoach 19000
Many people will know this bus as ‘The Spirit of London’. It was bought to replace the Trident which was lost in the 7/7 bombings. It originally entered service in 2006 with fleet number 18500 but this was later changed to 19000 to put it in the Enviro 400 series. Last October it was the subject of a major arson attack but the decision was made to rebuilt it and it was displayed ready to return to service.
History
Graham Low
KWY K451 JUB29 under restoration in 2011 and
then more recently by Keith Jenkinson
Arriva DW87 on route 137 in Oxford St still with
"Cow Horns" livery on April 18th by Malcolm Crowe
Evan Evans Mercedes variety at VCS on April 23rd
by Malcolm Crowe
Binders Yard - full of interest on April 19th by
Gavin Francis
Bulleid Way can be difficult to operate,
especially with left hand drive coaches.
However on the 30th April two Catteralls tour coaches picked up a large
group of youngsters
who spilled all over the roadway.
Horseman have some new coaches and one is seen
above by Gavin Francis
Former London Buses Scania N113 K858LMK
now with Marshalls at Hemel on April 19th
by Gavin Francis.
Westbus YJ07JFN in Victoria on May 1st by Gavin
Francis
Timebus RML2442 in Binders Yardon April 19th seen
by Gavin Francis
World Cleaners L10 and L20XRY at Oxpens on May 9th seen by Gavin Francis.
These coaches are some the LK53 batch once run by National Express on the
Stansted service and World Cleaners operate out of the same location as B M
Coaches!
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
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FOR £20+ £3
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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.