Spottings & Jottings nr. 75 - 20th January 2014.
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Current archives from October 2002
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Editorial
A Happy New Year 2014 to all my readers.
Your contributions over the past year of 2013 have
been exceptional and I should note five of you who have been outstanding in
providing so many of the pictures used in each issue.
Gavin Francis
is a major contributor with a seemingly endless supply of pictures, many of
which are of some significance as will be seen in this issue. Gavin also has
an excellent library and, as also seen in this issue, has easy access to
past use of current vehicles seen.
Luke Braham
has been providing many interesting pictures, especially from the Aylesbury
area.
Richard Sharman
seems, so often, to be in a good place from some very interesting pictures.
Marcus Lapthorn
catches some interesting vehicles and for this issue braved the very wet
weather on January 1st in Winchester.
Finally
Clive King, Often seems to be in the right place at the right time.
He also ventured out to Winchester on a very wet
New Year’s Day.
What a busy time it has been in Oxford since the
New Year. The loan buses from the South Coast have entered service with
Oxford Bus enabling the company to meet the new emission requirements which
came into force on January 1st in Oxford.
This has produced a large number of 63 plate
vehicles servicing the city and it is interesting to quote comments from
Ralph Adams who notes that
Stagecoach in Oxfordshire now operates the most modern fleet in the group
with an average age of just under 4 years!
Ralph writes “A short while ago you thought that Stagecoach in Oxfordshire
might have the youngest fleet in the group. According to my calculations,
this is correct for active vehicles with an average age of 3 years 11
months. A full list (according to my records) is:
Oxfordshire |
3years11 |
||
Western |
5years7 |
||
Midlands |
6years0 |
||
South Lancs |
6years3 |
||
Yorkshire |
6years3 |
||
Manchester |
6years4 |
||
West (Glos) |
6years6 |
||
London |
6years7 |
||
Cymru |
6years7 |
||
South
|
6years7 |
||
Busways |
6years8 |
||
South West |
7years3 |
||
East |
7years4 |
||
East Kent |
7years4 |
||
East Scotland |
7years7 |
||
Norfolk Green |
7years8 |
||
Highland |
8years4 |
||
East Midlands |
8years6 |
||
Cumbria |
8years9 |
||
Bluebird |
9years3 |
||
Transit |
10years4 |
Well, quite an accolade and thanks to Ralph for his
work on this matter.
An Oxford Tube crosses Lake Wheatley on January
7th 2014 - photo by Gavin Francis.
The recent heavy rains resulted in significant road
closures due to flooding in the upper Thames Valley area.
Due credit must be given to all those at the various bus companies who kept services running under extremely difficult conditions.
Oxford was badly hit with the closures of Abingdon
Road and Botley Road.
By the 6th January the Abingdon Road was beginning to flood off the
allotments as seen in the picture above.
The road was to close on the 7th for a whole week!
This resulted in buses which would normally use
Botley Road having to route into and out of the city via Woodstock Road, A34
to Seacourt thereafter resuming normal route.
OX 211 on the U1 diverted via St Giles and the Woodstock Rd, seen on January
10th by Gavin Francis.
Buses using the Abingdon road routed via the Iffley
Road and the Eastern By-pass.
OX 218 on the 300 diverted by High St due to the closure of Abingdon Rd on
January 7th seen by Gavin Francis.
The main High Street road through the city centre
was opened to all traffic causing major delays during rush hour periods
which can be illustrated by time taken to get from St Aldates to Gloucester
Green – ONE HOUR and FORTY FIVE MINUTES !!!!! = during the afternoon peak on
Wednesday 8th January.
High Street was opened to all traffic to ease
congestion elsewhere as seen on January 14th by Richard Sharman.
Routes affected by the floods were as follows:
Oxford Bus.
3, 4, 5, 13, X13, 23, 300, 400, U1.
Stagecoach.
3, 31, 34, S1, X30.
Thames Travel.
X1, X2, X32, X33, X39, X40.
Trains were also badly affected requiring coaches
to provide services.
Luckett's provided many coaches for the rail services as seen on
A selection of pictures from various contributors
show the temporary changes.
Botley Rd under the station bridge at the closure point
Buses on Diversion from their normal route on Botley Road - an X30 heads
towards Woodstock Road and a 66 is seen on the left of the picture
taken on January 9th by Richard Sharman.
OX 204 on Diversion - working a U1 service having come down the Woodstock
Road is seen on St Giles
OX 829 on diversion in St Giles on the 4B
A Red Rose 63 service also affec ted by the Botley Road closure V238FJN
comes off the Woodstock Road diversion
A 31 service heads north out of Oxford towards the Woodstock Rd as we see
Scania 15437
The Abingdon services were most affected in not being able to use either
their normal Abingdon Rd route but also the Botley Road.
Many of course used the Iffley Road and the eastern by-pass.
The 400 services terminated at the rail station whilst the Botley Road was
closed.
Hybrid 311 is seen at Oxford Station taken by Gavin Francis on January 8th.
Hybrid 366 on the 5 seen terminating at Speedwell St instead of following
its normal route to the rail station which was heavily congested with rail
replacement services
T
The 4 group services were routed via the Woodstock Road and Citaro 836 is
seen in George Street on January 10th by Gavin Francis.
SC Swindon's 15765 on the 66 diverted via St Giles- Woodstock Rd
SCO 15609 r S1 diverted to terminate at Gloucester Green then taking the
outbound via St Giles
SCO 15618 on the S1 diverted via Woodstock Rd and St Giles
As always services between Oxford and London were heavily supported by those celebrating this event. This year there was a very spectacular fire work display over the River Thames at Westminster and to cater for those returning from London a 15 minute service was operated on the Oxford Tube between London and Oxford. This started at 0035 and until 0435 every coach was full. Indeed the previous day coaches to London from 1400 until 2000 were also leaving Oxford "SORRY COACH FULL"
The witching hour saw eight Tubes waiting in Bulleid Way for their return to
Oxford. Picture taken by Rob Hough.
The queue for return services after 0030 stretched all the way along the
side of Green Line and coaches were loaded quickly to speed merrymakers on
the way home.
Picture taken by Rob Hough.
Congratulations were forthcoming for all staff involved!
Running Days in 2014
Amersham & District Motorbus Society
Nearly ten years ago and on 5 October 2003,
RLH48 takes a happy group of enthusiasts on a run
Sunday 30 March
1st WATFORD
Sunday 4 May
- 2nd HARLOW Running Day
based at Harlow bus station
Sunday 1 June
- 10th SLOUGH Running Day
based at Slough bus station, Brunel Way
Sunday 17 August - 9th HEMEL
HEMPSTEAD Running Day based at Hemel bus station.
Sunday 5 October - The 26th AMERSHAM
Running Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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:
21st January – Slides
from the Clive King collection. By Clive King
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 - 20th January 2014
Spottings
Discussion
Vikki Lee wrote saying
“You probably saw the message recently from a Go-South observer that the
loaned vehicles were going to be numbered 601-614 whilst at Oxford. It seems
the plan has changed, which is a shame as they would have been nice numbered
in our own system.
The branding on the 700s is a bit minimalistic by
today's standards around the country, and leads one to wonder how long these
vehicles will remain branded and on this route, perhaps even in Oxford as
they are non-standard. Living in Kiddy, I note the regular amount of fresh
air these vehicles carry around. I always thought a single deck was more
than adequate for this route but we'll see. I'm certainly not complaining -
these are a lot easier for me to photograph than four certain branded E20s
which are proving elusive. Working long hours at present, so unable to make
time to actually chase them down.
One final observation from me for 2013, was the
noting on Monday last of OBC Scania 213 in St Aldates on the X39? With full
Thames Travel fleet names on it. Presumably a lone to cover their ex-OBC
Tridents - pity it was too dark to get a photo. I wonder how many of ours
are being loaned in this way, and for how long. Funny really, I usually ride
that one to work in the mornings.”
(As readers can see there are two Scanias on loan to Thames Travel - 212 and 213. Ed.)
Observations and pictures
From Gavin Francis
Went up into the village this morning and came
across this RM parked there. It is owned by Daves Buses and Dave himself was
driving it. He was on his way to do a job in Oxford. He registered address
is Hazlemere. He also owns RML 2508 and RML 883.
His website is
Davesbuses RM848 at Stokenchurch on December
22nd by Gavin Francis.
New coach for Epsom’s - BX63BCE Epsom Coaches at
Victoria BPR on December 20th by Gavin Francis.
Something to note is that although eastbound stop at
Green Road proclaims that the NEx 737 stops there, it doesn't!!!
We know of some very unhappy passengers!!!
Graham Low
I attach two further views
of Salisbury Reds, which you may prefer to my earlier view. One of them is
at Bonn Square on the 3, on the only day I have seen one on the 3, so far. I
too saw a Southern Vectis green ADL E400 out on the 8 today. I also
noted one of the red ones has a prominent "Brookesbus" fleet name on the
front rather than "City" - but I missed its number.
Reds and greens are about in some numbers today (20.1.14) in Oxford. All the
reds I saw had Brookes fleet names (as I mentioned to you a
few days ago) on the front and side advertisements as shown. Some of the
greens have side advertisements as as shown.
1575 with Brookes branding, 1579 on a number 5
and 1582 devoid of any branding, all at Queens Lane on January 20th by
Graham Low.
I had a good trip on the Tube yesterday and also rode on a New Routemaster on the 11, which I must say was very smooth and quiet. I also went on an Arriva DW: like all of this type that I have ridden on, it vibrated excessively, particularly when stationary, and there was quite a lot of body rattle as a result - not impressive for a 3 year old bus.
and TGM
Arriva 5003 back at Campbell Park after the
launch event on January 9th by Clive King.
Arriva 5004 - an offside opposite the railway
station after dignitaries have been set down to catch their trains
on January 9th by Clive King.
New vehicles-
Eight new electric 9.6m Wrightbus E-Tric wheel-forward B37F StreetLite WFEV
single deck - buses are being delivered, to work on route 7 from Wolverton
to Bletchley.
They are
scheduled to start service in January, but this will be dependent on
adjusting road humps along the route.
5001 KP63 TDU
5002 KP63 TDV
5003 KP63 TDX
5004 KP63 TDZ
5005 KP63 TEJ
5006 KP63 TEO
5007 KP63 TEU
5008 KP63 TEV
Acquired
vehicles
3746 (AE56 MDX) MAN 12.220 / MCV Evolution (from TGM Group)
Vehicle
disposals
Dennis Dart SLF
/ East Lancs 3171 (P671 OPP) to ASM, Aylesbury (for scrap)
Volvo B6LE /
Wright Crusader 3260 (V260 HBH) written off following fire damage
Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointer 3822 (N522 MJO) to A. H. Hardwick (dealer)
Allocation
changes
3208 (R208 GMJ)
withdrawn at Aylesbury
3234 (V234 HBH)
Hemel to Milton Keynes
3236 (V236 HBH)
Hemel to Milton Keynes
3239 (V239 HBH)
Hemel to Aylesbury
3269 (T493 KGB)
withdrawn at Aylesbury
3526 (HX51 LSO)
withdrawn at Milton Keynes
3909 (BU06 HSO)
Aylesbury to Garston
4364 (W364 XKX)
Hemel to Stevenage
4376 (YJ58 FJV)
Luton to Hemel Hempstead
5162 (S651 KJU)
withdrawn at High Wycombe
Gavin Francis report
The 757 Levantes are now being repainted with
dark green rears.
Arriva 4200 loads on stand in Buckingham Palace
Road on December 19th seen by Gavin Francis. Note the orange rear has gone.
Luke Braham report
I thought you might like to know that High
Wycombe’s recently transferred 2060 sister 2061 YX04 GBF has been parked in
the Aylesbury depot since the 1st September.
5157 S157 KNK was withdrawn at the beginning of
December having been involved in an accident with a tractor and 5158 S158
KNK was withdrawn at the same time. They are both now parked in the
Aylesbury depot.
3263 V263 HBH has joined the Aylesbury depot in
return for Mix96 liveried 5431 W431 XKX which has gone to Luton.
Luton based 3891 KX11 PUO was seen by myself on the
70 in Milton Keynes this morning and it has an all over adverts for The
Casino in Milton Keynes.
Milton Keynes have recently started to use Wright
Cadets on the 32 instead of Optare Solos. Shown by 3733 YJ07 JVV.
A big surprise for me while I was bus spotting in
Aylesbury this morning with the arrival of three of Hemel’s route 2 brand
Wright Eclipse 2s on the 500. They were 3970/1/4 LT63 UNP/R/V.
Sorry that 3971 doesn't have a destination showed
took five pictures of it but none showed up.
Also new at Aylesbury are 6228 X428 FGP and 6249
Y489 UGC. They are both ex-London.
4530 LJ51 DFC is seen in ‘Death Row’ at High
Wycombe depot.
Taxi P744 SHX is withdrawn and parked in ‘Death
Row’ with the other taxi, R498 EGY, still in use as staff shuttle.
A new arrival for Wycombe is Alexander ALX400 6283
Y483 UGC.
5162 and 3214 are still parked in ‘Death Row’ at
Wycombe.
Sapphire spare 5455 must be LEZ now as it was on
the 280 yesterday and I’ve seen a photo of 5454 on the 280 on the 2nd. 3930
has operated the 280 at least three times since the LEZ came into place. On
the 2nd, 6th and yesterday (7th). I caught it on the 6th.
Arriva 3931 on the 280 in Wheatley on January 9th
by Malcolm Crowe. Does this bus have WiFi?
Today (19th January) the trial of the Milton Keynes electric Wright
StreetLites began. 5001 and 5003 were being used on the first day of service
as 5002 is not charging and the others have not arrived from Northern
Ireland yet due to the recent poor weather. Details of all eight of the
buses is shown below:
5001
|
KP63 TDU |
Wt Streetlite SA9DSRXXX13141194 |
Wt AH533 |
B37F |
5002
|
KP63 TDV |
Wt Streetlite SA9DSRXXX13141195 |
Wt AH534 |
B37F |
5003
|
KP63 TDX |
Wt Streetlite SA9DSRXXX13141196 |
Wt AH535 |
B37F |
5004
|
KP63 TDZ |
Wt Streetlite SA9DSRXXX13141197 |
Wt AH536 |
B37F |
5005
|
KP63 TEJ |
Wt Streetlite SA9DSRXXX13141198 |
Wt AH537 |
B37F |
5006
|
KP63 TEO |
Wt Streetlite SA9DSRXXX13141199 |
Wt AH538 |
B37F |
5007
|
KP63 TEU |
Wt Streetlite SA9DSRXXX13141200 |
Wt AH539 |
B37F |
5008
|
KP63 TEV |
Wt Streetlite SA9DSRXXX13141201 |
Wt AH540 |
B37F |
Arriva the Shires 5001
KP63 TDU is seen loading in Central Milton Keynes for Wolverton on route 7.
The charging plate can just be seen on the bottom of the bus.
Taken by Luke Braham on January 19th.
Arriva the Shires 5003 KP63 TDX is seen in
Central Milton Keynes just before going onto Bletchley on route 7,
Optare Solos 2491 and 2510 were also used on the
first day of service for the StreetLites as others haven’t arrived or in
5002’s case was not charging.
Ex-Wycombe Arriva the Shires 2491 YK07 BGE is
seen unloading in Central Milton Keynes on route 7,
Arriva the Shires 2510 YJ09 OTZ is seen
unloading in Central Milton Keynes on route 7,
There are only two charging points along route 7
for the buses to use to charge and they are charged over night in the depot.
One charging point is at Wolverton and the other I presume is at Milton
Keynes Rail Station. In the picture of 5001 you can just see the charging
plate on the bottom of the bus.
My Dad says they sound like washing machines on
wheels!
Bernard Lewendon report
Thank you for your email about the FX4 taxis at
Arriva Wycombe. I think this is the situation.
There is a need for two vehicles to provide ferry
services between the garage and the bus station.
Arriva 2060 YX04 GBE WYC on crew shuttle 231213 by Bernard Lewendon.
The LDV that I photographed was probably on a visit.
In the Bucks Free Press there is a report of an
accident at Stokenchurch on 28 December.
Colin Richardson report
Arriva Route 280 - Aylesbury - Oxford
For the first time in many years, Arriva operated
their only Route on New Year's Day in Buckinghamshire, with a Sunday
Service, but with an early finish.
Additional Information
Services 500 and X5 are being altered with small
amount of changes on 5 January 2014
Service 9, 50, 55, 61, 150 & 300 will change on 2
February 2014 - full details to follow later.
Clive King report
The launch of the electric bus route took place on Thursday 9 January from
Campbell Park, Milton Keynes.
Three StreetLites were present and all departed
with heavy loads on demonstration runs.
JPT S148KNK on route 118 in Manchester seen on
December 13th by Chris Lowe.
JPT S156KNK on the 112 in Manchester on December
13th by Chris Lowe.
Darts 3187,3220, 3222, 3223 and 3224 are all at Ware depot delicensed and not to be used again in service. They were all based at Watford Depot they were transferred there just after the New year.
Also 2492 YK07 BGF & 2508 YJ58 VCG have both been transferred to Milton Keynes depot from Watford.
Arriva Pictureview.
Arriva 3866 on the 40 at Stokenchurch on
December 30th taken by Gavin Francis.
Arriva 4364, an unusual performer on the 797
these days, seen in Buckingham Palace Road by Gavin Francis on January 18th.
Arriva 5439 on the 280 at Queens Lane, showing
the difference now in the front and rear destination displays.
Caught in the lens of Gavin Francis on January 17th.
Arriva 4368 visited Cressex depot on January 2nd
snapped by Malcolm Crowe.
Graham Low writes to send pictures of ADL E40H SN63 VTY at Didcot parkway today on its first day in service on this peak hour’s only shuttle service.
Milton Park SN63VTY seen at Didcot Parkway on
January 13th by Graham Low.
Motts ET12MTT turns off St Giles, Oxford on
January 18th by Gavin Francis.
Motts MT11MTT turns off St Giles, Oxford on
January 18th by Gavin Francis.
New vehicles
Go
North East 7111 BF63ZRY Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Go North East
7112 BF63ZRZ Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
(This pair are based at Chester le Street)
Luckett’s, Fareham X4821 BF63ZSD Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Luckett’s, Fareham X4822 BF63ZSE Volvo B9R
Caetano Levante C48FLT
Chalfont BF63ZSG Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Chalfont BF63ZSJ Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Wilts &
Dorset 7052 BF63ZSO Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
Wilts & Dorset
7053 BF63ZSP Volvo B9R Caetano Levante C48FLT
(This pair are based at Salisbury)
The Travellers Choice FN63PXB
Volvo B11R Caetano Levante
Parks
of Hamilton Volvo B13R(T) / Plaxton Elite C61FLT
YY63WCJ
YY63WCK
YY63WCL
YY63WCM
YY63WCN
YY63WCO
YY63WCP
NEx Parks YY63WCL seen at Victoria including an interior view on January
11th by Malcolm Crowe.
Operations:
The full details are now to hand for the batch of Volvo B9R / Caetano
Levante coaches recently transferred from the Rotala group.
SH162 FJ11GJO
SH163 FJ11GJU
SR164 FJ11GKP
SH165 FJ11GKU
SH166 FJ11GKV
SH167 FJ11GKX
SH168 FJ11GLK
169 FJ11GLZ
170 FJ11MLE
SR 171 FJ11MLF
172 FJ11 MLK
SR 173 FJ11 MLL
174 FJ11 MLN
SH175 FJ11 MLO
National Express SH165 FJ11GKU - ex Rotala 1104 on the 737 in High St,
Oxford on January 7th by Gavin Francis.
Richard Sharman provides a
picture of Bruce’s Coaches new Tri-Axle Levante at Gloucester Green, loading
up for a late evening departure on the 539 to Bournemouth.
National Express SH174 FJ11MLN - ex Rotala on the 737 in High St, Oxford on
January 9th by Richard Sharman.
NEx Bruce FN63PWZ on the 539 leaves Gloucester Green bound for Edinburgh on
December 29th by Gavin Francis.
Quite a surprise in VCS was this Irizar PB once owned by National Express.
It is now with South Gloucester and was working the 040 servic e.
YN55NDZ was seen by Gavin Francis on January 14th last.
NEx NXL32 YN55NDZ is seen at Hemel Hempstead on October 23rd 2006 by Gavin
Francis.
The older Park's tri-axles are now being re-registered as seen by SW09URH
above and taken by Gavin Francis on January 18th,
NEx Selwyns YJ05PXF on the 540 to Manchester seen leaving VCS on December
27th by Gavin Francis.
Beeline of Eastbourne run this Neoplan RY56RZH which is seen at Oxpens on
January 11th by Gavin Francis. The coach had we believe been with Weavaway.
Before that and its heyday the Neoplan was with Parks and is seen here
leaving VCS on May 5th 2008 by Gavin Francis.
These coaches were withdrawn for NEx services following the accident on the
M4/M25 slip road.
Yeomans FJ08KNX was in VCS om January 8th when caught on camera by Gavin
Francis.
Another example is this one Whittles operating
service 444 in VCS arrivals on January 11th by Malcolm Crowe.
Latest fleet list is interesting.
http://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_page_media/72/OBC%20fleetlistJan2014.pdf
Oxford Bus are placing the brand new E400s in service which are on loan from
Wilts and Dorset and Southern Vectis.
The red ones only give a clue as to their ownership
by a small City on the front. However the green ones have an interesting use
of their dedicated advertising spaces as can be seen from the pictures.
I am a little surprised that the rear panel is not
also used, especially as people often approach the bus from the back and
with the kaleidoscope of colours on our local buses.
OX 1574 on the 4A loads in ST Aldates on a very wet afternoon. It's January
6th and behind the camera is Malcolm Crowe.
OX 1575 on the U1 with Brookes branding
seen at Queens Lane on January 20th by Graham Low.
OX 1579 on the 5 with City branding at Queens
Lane on January 20th by Graham Low.
OX 1582 on the 4A at Queens Lane
on January 20th by Graham Low.
OX 1578 on the U5 in Speedwell St on January
20th by Gavin Francis.
OX 1580 on the 2B at St Giles, also showing in
detail the new branding - January 17th by Gavin Francis.
OX 1583 on the 8 by Carfax on one its very first
days in service. - January 17th by Gavin Francis.
OX 1584 on the 2A at St Giles - January 17th by
Gavin Francis.
Richard Sharman
notes that they are only the second ever batch of vehicles to operate with off-side
electronic destinations are the current loan E400's from Go South
Coast.....the first being the two loan Citaros from W&D at COMS, working in
the city some years ago now.
Roland C made a most welcome contribution today with the picture below. Maybe it should be entitled "Where have all the Tridents gone?"
OBC Tridents at Yarnton from A44 railway bridge
on January 20th Nr 120 is in the near foreground - 200114 Roland C
I am told that the withdrawn 07 plate Volvo coaches are all at Wallingford's Thames Travel depot.
Gavin Francis writes
"Have you seen this scroll on new COMS coaches?
Luke Braham
reports that COMS Interdecker 64 UK63 OXF was at Volvo Bus and Coach in
Didcot on the 2nd January. It was still there on the 3rd.
OX 831 having a spot of bother in St Aldates on
January 17th seen by Gavin Francis.
Steve Gee
writes
“I emailed you a little while back regarding ex Oxford Airline/espress
Scania coach OW03OFP, which I had seen at Catteralls yard near Southam.
Since then they have also acquired sister vehicle
OW03OFS. I attach photo's of them both taken in the last week parked on the
Southam by-pass between duties.
Both are currently in all over white livery. If
they are given Catteralls' livery or are sign- written I will attempt to
up-take photos again.”
Go South Coast Wilts and Dorset
Richard Sharman
notes that the New E400's for Salisbury Reds are starting to enter service
on the X5, although Omnidekkas also still appear.
GO South Wilts &
Dorset 1543 a new E400 for Salisbury Reds which recently entered service on
the X5
seen leaving Swindon for Salisbury on the X5 -
December 28th by Richard Sharman.
Red Rose
This company now uses an E200 on their 275 service
to comply with the new emission rules in Oxford.
Oxfordshire
Your Editor started back to work after a bad time over Christmas with a cough developing into full blown 'flu, or as some would say "man 'flu". On day two the Depot Controller being short of city drivers suggested I might like a change and help him out on the S5 route.
The picture above shows my steed for the day at the Glory Farm terminus. I
quite enjoyed the change.
On my way from Horspath after my lunch break one Luke Braham caught me in
George Street.
Richard Sharman
sends pictures.
The X5 Panther looks rather small in comparison to the new COMS Elite i
MAN Solo 47451 sits on lay over at Swindon Bus Station having just worked in
from Carterton on the 64.
A recent super rear added to 36765 , seen at
Horspath on January 5th by Luke Braham.
SCO 10069 on the 8 in Castle St OXF on December
27th by Gavin Francis.
E200 36931 on route 2A loads outside Debenhams on
January 17th as seen by Gavin Francis.
Hybrid 12017 on the 2 loads outside Debenhams on
January 11th by Gavin Francis.
Here we see 53307 on the X5 departing from Oxford on January 15th by which
time at least 53306 was also in use on the route.
Picture by Malcolm Crowe.
NAT Group (Cardiff Bay):
Pub quiz - what do these two Astromegas have in common?
Neoplan Skyliner H2 KFJ has reverted to its
original registration OX04 BZP and has passed to MAN Bus & Coach, Avonmouth.
This coach was new as
50124 - T55UBE.
See
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidthedogsdad/7657267590/in/photostream/
Not everything always goes to plan as we can see
above with Astromega 50226 being rescued off the Eastern By-pass on December
11th - Dave Allen.
Southbound to Plymouth.
Mention is made in Buses that drivers from SC
South are being trained on the Interdeckers and here is our first picture of
one operating the M34.
Taken by Gavin Francis on January 18th. I wonder
if this is the first time the M34 has operated with an Interdecker.
Gavin commented that a lot of people got off in
Oxford!
Now recording 1.5 million kms the oldest
Astromegas with Megabus UK are four dating from 2009.
Above 50229 makes ready to operate an M11
service to Aberdeen on January 9th as seen by Gavin Francis.
One of the Welsh batch based at Cwmbran, 50234
makes ready to park-up in Green Line prior to its next departure, on January
9th as seen by Gavin Francis.
Megabus Gold 50310 leaves London on the morning
departure to Plymouth of the G6 on January 8th pictured b y Gavin Francis.
On January 14th the M34 was operated by 53461, one the Volvos used on
European services until replaced by the Van Hool Interdeckers. Picture by
Richard Sharman.
Megabus 50304 Parked up at Membury Services on the M4 in December last year
by Adam Green.
Richard Sharman
writes “Bringing a splash of colour to
Swindon Bus Station is Thames Travel's 701, seen operating the Saturday Only
X47 Service from Wantage, this is the most Westerly point to be served by
Thames Travel and brings Go-Ahead into Swindon along with Salisbury Reds who
use new E400's on the X5 from Salisbury.”
Solo 701 arrives for
loading at the bus station in Swindon on a Saturday only service on route
X47.
The date is the December 28th 2014 and the
picture by Richard Sharman.
TT 701 on route X32
in St Aldates on January 8th by Gavin Francis.
TT 706 on route 94 in St Giles on January 17th by
Gavin
TT 721 on the T2 in St Aldates on January 17th
taken by Gavin Francis.
Oxford Bus Company has
announced it is scrapping its 4C service – which connects Wood Farm and the
city with Dean Court, near Cumnor.
The 4B route, which serves other parts of Cumnor,
will be improved, but residents of Dean Court say the 4C – their only bus
service – is a lifeline.
News that the route will be axed from Sunday,
January 26, has been greeted with dismay in the area, with some residents
saying they will be forced to take taxis.
Oxford Bus Company runs the 4 service from Wood
Farm to Abingdon, the 4A to Elms Rise, the 4B to Cumnor and the 4C to Dean
Court.
Under the proposed changes, the 4B will run every
20 minutes to Cumnor and the 4C will be axed.
Several services, including the S1 to Witney, run
near Dean Court, but elderly residents said they would struggle to get to
the bus stop.
Oxford Bus Company operations director
Phil Southall said the service
was under-used and a more regular 4B service to Cumnor should help.
He said:
“While the service as a whole is popular, passenger numbers on the hourly
service to Dean Court itself are often very light.
“The new timetable offers more journeys to choose
from just a short walk away, well within the 400-metre walking distance
recommended by the Government for accessibility to a bus service.”
First places £70m bus order
Wrightbus, ADL and Optare are sharing £70m in orders from First for 425
buses, to be delivered in the 2014/5 financial year.
Significantly, it includes 274 Wrightbus StreetLite
Micro Hybrids - a new product which saves around 10% of fuel costs, but at a
premium of only £6,000-9,000 per bus, compared with around a typical 40%
premium for a ‘full’ hybrid.
It is the first order that Wrightbus has won for
its Micro Hybrid.
“Investment in our bus division continues apace,”
says Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First
UK Bus. “This order underlines our
commitment to growing our business and encouraging more people to use our
services, and use them more often.”
Wrightbus’ order is for 301 StreetLites (including
27 conventional diesel versions); ADL has won an order for 97 vehicles;
Optare will deliver 21 and Volvo will supply six Plaxton-bodied coaches.
All buses will be Euro 5 with Wi-Fi and E-Leather
seats. The rest of the order comprises: ADL (Enviro200 x 37; Enviro400 x 60)
and Optare (Solo x 15; Versa x 6).
Trips & Events
Winchester - New Year's Day 2014
Marcus Lapthorn
braved the weather writing
“I attended the very last Winchester running day which was the 40th
anniversary of the closure of King Alfred Motor Services. I understand that
the bus station venue for this running day has been sold for redevelopment.
I also believe that whilst the 1st January event has now finished, I suspect
that the organisers will endeavour to hold the event in or near to
Winchester at a different time of the year perhaps.
Winchester Bus Station and Hants and Dorset 1523 DEL893C has just arrived.
The weather conditions yesterday were truly
horrendous and this resulted in fewer buses attending and of course fewer
passengers too. Photography was difficult due to the driving rain beating
right on to the camera lens. So I apologise for lower quality pictures than
I normally produce! I made a good decision by wearing wellington boots, as
the bus station area was a site of standing water in some parts.
Notwithstanding the weather I thoroughly enjoyed the very last New Year
‘Friends of King Arthur’ running day.
Photo 5 is of FNV 557 which is a 1949 Leyland Tiger
PS2 with Whitson C33F body. This is one of only two Whitson bodied coaches
in active preservation. It was new to Church of Pytchley in
Northamptonshire, which used to trade as Royal Blue.
Photos 10 and 18 are of CCX 777 which is a 1945
Daimler CWA6 with Duple UL27/28R body. It was new to Huddersfield
Corporation in 1945 as no. 217. It was then sold to West Bridgford UDC as
it’s no 24 in 1955 and withdrawn in 1967. I made sure that I obtained a ride
on this wonderful old bus and we took the former Hants & Dorset route 67
between Winchester and New Cheriton. This is a 25 minute journey in
each direction and we had a full load of passengers, who enjoyed a very
spirited run in this old lady.
Photo 12 of YFO 127 was taken at Kings Somborne on
the former Empress Coaches route from Winchester. This is a 1957 Albion
Victor with Reading B30F body and was new to Guernsey Railways as its no.
77. It was one of 39 Victors in the fleet. The present owner, Peter Davies,
bought it at auction in 1980 for £75! In fact Peter (and friends) bought
SIX
at auction by alerting friends that these wonderful buses
were coming up for sale. Only 24 of us were allowed to ride in this lovely
vehicle, as Peter Davies was mindful of the hills that this low powered bus
would have to navigate on its journey in the rain. On the flat and in good
road conditions the bus has a top speed of 40 mph. When in Guernsey however
Peter once had a total of 56 passengers in the bus, with children having to
sit on adults laps! Guernsey Railways ordered these Albion Victors from a
Wiltshire body builder, Heavers of Durrington. Heavers apparently were
overwhelmed with work and the aluminium body was actually built by Reading
at their Hilsea, Portsmouth works. Peter Davies has actually bought and sold
this vehicle no less than five times! The Victor ran very well and Peter
gave us an exhibition class in how to change gears smoothly! The 25 minute
ride in each direction was most enjoyable, even though the bus
understandably struggled on the many hills.
So all in all a great wet day out in two wonderful
old vehicles. Thanks to Friends of King Alfred, Peter Davies and Quantock
Heritage who own the Daimler.
Clive King
also visited the event and sent some very good pictures saying
“It
was very wet and windy nearly all day in Winchester but almost full service
was provided and those visitors who persisted would have had a damp but
otherwise enjoyable day.
The Dennis 30cwt has changed since last year. The
blind box surround was cream and is now green.
The PS2 / Whitson of the other Royal Blue spent the
day in the yard due to the failure of its offside wiper which denied us the
pleasure of a spirited tour in hands of Mr Burdett.
The City Services KSW stands at the Springvale
terminus courtesy of Messrs.' Walker and Curtis.
The lightweight and surprisingly fast Tiger Cub
does its 'U' turn under the watchful eye of King Alfred.
A visor-less FLF emerges from the
soon-to-be-demolished Bus Station.
The false Merton Daimler proved very popular and
has an amazingly straight waist-rail for a genuine utility.
This year's star attraction pulls away after a long
period of absence during the middle of the day.
I said that very wet and windy weather affected
most of the day but those who persisted enjoyed a nearly full service with
only one bus missing but its journeys were covered.
Salisbury event on November 5th by Carl Berry
Salisbury Bus Stn farewell 050114 by Carl Berry.
Salisbury Bus Stn farewell GLJ681N 3645 Hants
and Dorset 050114 by Carl Berry.
Salisbury Bus Stn farewell Silver Star 1013MW
050114 by Carl Berry
Hong Kong visit
Paul Hawkins
writes “I have recently been in Hong Kong
and if you want something different on you excellent website can
be
cheeky and give you a link to my photos taken there?
http://blackhandgang.smugmug.com/Buses/Hong-Kong-
I realise they don’t really fit in with the
Oxford/Chilterns but was thinking some readers may be interested as they are
90% British buses in use
History
Blast from the past - Oxfordshire in the 1990s
Michael Wadman
writes
”A
few photos that may be of interest to you. Whites Coaches of Culham are now
of the main independent operators in Oxfordshire, but I think that this was
their first foray into local bus operation: MB L608D / Alexander C662 XDF,
new to Cheltenham & Gloucester, in Reading on service 136 to Stoke Row on
28th June 1997. I rode as far as the Unicorn at Peppard where there was just
time for a quick pint before returning on Chiltern Queens service E, MB
L608D / Alexander, former Yorkshire
Traction D506 NWG.
Weavaway of Newbury are another large independent bus operator nowadays, but
I think that this was their first bus service, when they took over the
Summer Sunday only “Ridgeway Explorer” X48 for the 1999 season.
The first photo is of former City of Oxford MS Leyland Leopard / Duple
BBW 22V in Wantage on 9th May that year, still in NBC livery, but by 24th
October it carried this fictitious humorous livery, seen en route in East
Ilsley and after arrival in Reading.”
1950 AEC Regent
My name is
Patrick Donaldson I am the proud
owner of the referenced bus.
I am in Kansas city, Missouri, USA.
I have had this bus since 1989 September.
I am in need of a repair manual.
I have an air leak that prevents shifting
the pre-select transmission.
Can you help in anyway?
Marcus Lapthorn
writes “I
recently came across three RM’s stored on a farm at Garford, Oxfordshire.
They are:
RM 441, LDS 341 A, ex Black Prince, Leeds
AST 415 A, ex Reading Mainline
XYJ 440 ex Reading Mainline
Gavin Francis
responds
“Have checked out these 3 RMs and they are all owned by N. Walker of
Garford.
RM 441 was owned by Black Prince and was one of the
RMs brought by by London Buses to run on the 13.
RM 45 (AST415A). Was owned by Strathtay Scotland
and also Reading mainline before being again bought back by London Buses for
use on the 13.
RM 838 (XYJ 440). Another Reading Mainline Bus.
Again bought back by London Buses but this time used by London Central,
First and Arriva. Indeed in was used on the last day of Routemaster
operation in London in December 2005.
A few RMs were bought for the Oxford Tour but I think only one saw service.
RM 1568 (BNK324A).
Roland Clausen-Thue,
in response to another question by Marcus writes
“A very late reply to Marcus Lapthorn’s query in No.71 about the Swindon
Safety Bus, Olympian/ECW G298UYK.
Towards the end of its London United days it was
one of a small batch that for a year or two were regulars on one of my local
routes, the 116 from Hounslow to Ashford Hospital, a brief spell of
double-deck operation on a normally single-deck route.
A rather unusual picture of sunrise over
Stagecoach's Horspath depot. Taken on January 5th by Malcolm Crowe.
The Romanians arrive at VCS, London - January
11th 2014 by Malcolm Crowe.
I showed pictures of LT62 on it's first day in
service, when by the Sunday it had been involved in a very heavy accident.
The bus has been replaced by the one above LT119 seen in BPR on January 11th
by Malcolm Crowe.
Another interesting bus is this Routemaster, until recently in Harrods
livery, it now sports a back to red livery for a new London tour.
Premium Tours operate RM1979 seen on January 11th by Malcolm Crowe.
Bakers Dolphin Gold HD08GLD seen at Oxpens on January 11th by Gavin Francis
who was shown round by its proud driver.
A new Setra for Epsom Coaches BX63BCE seen at Victoria on December 20th by
Gavin Francis.
Big Bus AN335 Parked up near Queensway on December 19th by Adam Green.
Down under in New Zealand - An Auckland Red Route ADL in
front of supposedly the worlds largest Father Christmas during November 2013
by John Marsh.
Links & Publications
Fleet books by Steven Knight
Excellent and well priced fleet books from this publisher - see his web site.
http://www.stevenknightmedia.com/publications-and-collectables.html
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.