Editorial

Well, I apologise for the missing issue for last week but as explained in issue 69, I was taking a short break from the work of producing the page each week.

However, as a result of the break, this issue is a bumper publication with as many pictures which should back memories if you were attending Gaydon or for the on the Modelstone Bus Club tour.

Under the Red Rose heading I visited the Dinton facility on Wednesday, August 21st, and my report is to be found under the Red Rose heading.

Answer to a question in issue 69 - Why was the no 270 route in the Oxford-Aylesbury services

Tony Bungay responded with a most interesting answer to Alexander's question:

"On your last newsletter a question was posed as to why no route 270, while I cannot answer that question specifically perhaps the following may give a clue, until the mid 1990’s as many readers will know the 280 as it had become was operated by what is now more known as the Oxford Bus Company.

Back in the early 1970’s when the company carried the fleetname Oxford South Midland the Aylesbury service was 82 as shown on one of the last models from EFE of one of Oxfords first Bristol back in the early 1970’s when the company carried the fleetname Oxford South Midland the Aylesbury service was 82 as shown on one of the last models from EFE of one of Oxfords first Bristol VR’s..

I understand at that time there was a move to integrate  some city services with country routes, so the Kidlington routes numbered 2 were linked to routes in the east, thus by the mid 1970’s Aylesbury- Oxford – Kidlington route was 280/282 shared within the city to Kidlington with the 580.  some city services with country routes, so the Kidlington routes numbered 2 were linked to routes in the east, thus by the mid 1970’s Aylesbury- Oxford – Kidlington route was 280/282 shared within the city to Kidlington with the 580.

In Aylesbury at that time one of the routes I cannot remember which diverted off the main road to serve a fairly new housing estate, during1977 this was changed to become part of  Aylesbury town service 262 operated by COMS as opposed to all other town services being operated by United Counties and Red Rover.

The Aylesbury -Long Crendon – Thame Service was 260 why this number was used again I don’t know but as much of the route was shared with 280 perhaps to distinguish the two.

In 1982 the 280 was reduced to hourly in frequency from what had been half hourly and became more of a country service again,  how true this is I am uncertain, but I was told that as COMS garaged a umber of vehicles at United Counties Aylesbury Garage, by reducing the number of vehicles garaged compensated for the increase in rent asked for by United Counties!

With the split of COMS with the country services being operated in the main by what had become South Midland with COMS obviously being the city provider, the 280 in the main remained mainly with COMS, and South Midland worked the 260 and 280 short workings to Thame and if I remember correctly the two evening journeys from Oxford!

With deregulation COMS took over all the 280 Aylesbury- Oxford journeys with a number being numbered just 2 with possibly a letter suffix after the number, once again starting from or continuing to Kidlington.

This time all journeys were worked from Oxford  with a late service effectively being worked back dead to Cowley Road Garage leaving Aylesbury at 00.10!

The South Midland operations of 260 and 280 services to Thame and Town Service 262 after deregulation were worked from Bicester for a year or so before being taken over by Luton and District,

A rather lengthy reply I guess but gives a background to this route over past forty or so years and may answer why no 270."

Many thanks  to Tony for that very comprehensive answer.

Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society

We hope to see you at the following meetings on Tuesdays, starting at 7.30 p.m., at The Tree Hotel, 63 Church Way, Iffley, Oxford, OX4 4EY:

10 September   Buses and Coaches built by Northern Counties Graham Low will look at the many and varied vehicles built in Wigan from the late 1930s until 2005 (latterly badged as Plaxtons), quite a few of which are still in front-line service around the country. 

8 October   South Midland Motor Services. Paul Lacey returns to us by popular request to speak about this operator whose routes formed the basis of today's frequent Oxford-London express services. He will bring copies of his history of this company in case you wish to buy one. 

12 November   Rally Review. Simon Hewings will be showing us pictures and commenting on rallies he has attended over the years.

10 December   Chairman's Great Annual Quiz and Social Evening 

As usual the restaurant will be serving meals before the meetings

   HIGH WYCOMBE RUNNING DAY - Sunday, September 1st. 

Just a reminder that this coming Sunday Amersham & District Motorbus Co, will be holding a Running Day based on Eden Bus Station, High Wycombe with departures roughly every 7 - 8 minutes on former services operated by London Transport's High Wycombe Garage. 

The first departure is 09.12. 

A total of 11 ex LT buses will operate the services - the eldest being 70 years of age and the youngest 51.   Five of these vehicles operated out of the garage at some time during their operational life. 

Additional vehicles cannot be accommodated and there is no parking available in the bus station.

I look forward to pictures of this event ! Ed.

G738 Oxfordshire
Just published this August

I received my copy of this latest publication which follows the format of earlier current fleets for numerous areas.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a number of colour pictures including those on the cover which emphasises the fleets we follow. Additionally this book also lists virtually every PCV in the county including many not licenced as PSV Operators. All current licence plates are listed over four pages each referring to the page the specific vehicle and operator may be found.

In the detail of each vehicle listed are the make of chassis and body, fleet number if applicable, other registrations if it has been re-registered, year new and acquired with its operating depot also listed.

This book is well produced, containing a wealth of information and is a must for all of the areas enthusiasts. For the cost of £9.00 to non members. Another bonus is that books and other items are post free with a 25% discount for PSV Circle members.

Check out their web site which is comprehensive.

https://www.psvcircle.org.uk/

August 23rd to 25th at Richfield Avenue, Reading.

Shuttle buses were available between both Reading train station and the town centre to the festival site.

Shuttle Bus timetables

Reading has hosted the annual Festival and details can be found at the link below. The event was a sell out and Reading Buses masterminded the public transport arrangements.

Reading Festival through the years, all the way back to 1989 to be seen at the link below:

Reading Festival - history

For interest sake on the Wednesday, 21st eight buses were in use, Thursday 22nd up to 12 buses, Friday up to 16 buses, Saturday up to 10 buses plus three from Newbury & District plus an additional; four for the night time exodus and then Sunday up to 12 buses and Monday up to 15 buses. This is a significant operation for Reading Buses and everyone involved and passengers were pleased with the way things went. Full details could be obtained by looking at the Reading Buses Web site on www.bustimes.org 

Now some pictures from Daniel Redfern, a useful man in Reading! The pictures show a variety of events during the days of the Festival.

Ready for the Festival goers

       
Passenger focus in Reading for the 98.

   
What a team they were, first class!

Birds Eye view of loading the 98s 

Buses Festival at Gaydon - Sunday August 18th

BUSES Festival 2019 was once again held at the British Motor Museum on Sunday, August 18th 2019. There a number of modern, restored and vintage buses and coaches, trade stands, free bus rides were available for visitors.

Free bus rides ran throughout the day over local scenic routes using a range of modern and preservation vehicles attending. To complement the event, a number of indoor and outdoor traders were selling a variety of bus related items including books, DVDs and models.

This year the weather was kind and several photographers have contributed their pictures for readers to see. The name of each contributor is shown at the beginning of each set.

Theo Freeman

 
A view of various attendees at Buses Festival 2019.

Stagecoach Banbury's contribution was this nicely presented E200MMC in Midland Red livery.

Oxford Bus Museum's AEC Reliance 756 represented the old COMS and colours.

Not in any special livery but Hybrid 368 is decorated for a special cause.

This BMMO S23 portrayed the history of building its own buses. Next to it is a typical 1940-50s Birmingham City bus.

"Up from Cheltenham" this Bristol VR portrayed the Stagecoach livery of yesteryear very well.

Now, this is a beautifully turned out example of a long Routemaster and a credit to its owners.

One of the last new buses for the forerunner of Stagecoach in Manchester and nicely presented in Magic Bus livery.

Nottingham Transport are always represented at this event and here is a Scania N230UD CBG / Alexander Dennis ADL Enviro400 City gas bus newly delivered.

Many thanks to Theo for some interesting pictures.

Richard Sharman

Wycombe's Citaro 3013 arriving at Gaydon.

 
Stagecoach preservation.

 
Stagecoach Oxfordshire's contribution was this well prepared E200MMC, 37401, seen here arriving.
Then next to Midlands heritage livery E400 for Stratford Blue which was also in the Midland Red family.

Oxford's 368 arriving at Gaydon.

Richard has produced some good pictures which give a slightly different slant on the event.

Andy Churchill

   
A selection of single decks ranging from front, underfloor and rear engine.
The Greenslades takes me back to the start of my driving days when one really wanted to drive such vehicles and not the less than pleasant Bedford SBs.

A regular at many rallies and strangely an make of less than others one may see, 2489 of Birmingham City Transport
is a 1950 Crossley DD42/6 chassis with Crossley H54R bodywork to the style much loved by the City forefathers.

I remember being given a Bristol L like the one above, except with a Weymann rear entrance body, when part time driving for Melba Motors of Reddish,
then owned by North Western when 312 - EDB312 was my stead from the top garage for a trip with Manchester City supporters to Maine Road.
Until used to the gearbox, the fifth overdrive gear had me foxed !!!! Below is a link to a picture of the type I describe.
A North Western Bristol L with Weymann B35R bodywork

     
A selection from old to new including the Ellen Smith Leyland Leopard with Harrington bodywork,
Scary again to say I regularly drove this type when working for Ribble based at Manchester on journeys to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

 
37401 again and all buses at Banbury now have these graphics on the windows.

Once the mainstay of Stagecoach fleets up and down the U,K. This is a nicely preserved example of a Leyland Olympian with Alexander bodywork.

National Holidays  as was! The Leyland Tiger with Duple bodywork was very popular at the time when this coach was in service.
The Oxford tube under Thames Transit ran similar coaches at formation in 1987.

My thanks to Andy who has added to the selection available.

Tony Bungay

Arriva's Citaro 3013 from High Wycombe and showing the nr 1 destination. Looking trim in the new Arriva blue.

There was a time when the Bristol / ECW combination seemed all powerful throughout the U.K.
ECOC's VR260 is representative of the National Bus Company livery so familiar to many.

From my home area Manchester PD2/40 3706 makes an interesting comparison with an early PD2 from Todmorden but with lowbridge body.

A nice picture of a Wrights decker  in heritage Birmingham livery alongside the latest from West Midlands.

A nice line up to end this photograph piece on what there was to see at this year's Buses Festival, Gaydon.

Tony, along with the others, is a regular contributor to OCBP and he has provided some nice shots of the event.

I would like to record my appreciation for the efforts of all contributors who attended this event.

So, I suppose that's it until next year when I wonder what we will see in 12 months time?

Marcus Lapthorn's visit to the North West

Marcus recently visited the North West of the UK. He writes "On Saturday, August 11th we visited the British Commercial Vehicle Museum  at Leyland. This has recently been refurbished and the vehicles have all been restored to a very high standard."

Pictures of the visit are shown below:

       
A flavour of what can be seen at BCVM bringing back memories of what was Leyland including the tanker when deliveries were in liveried tankers
like the Hippo above and  from the earliest days to a local operator now long gone.
The GPO van is something I remember from my young days when there was continuity and phones were so different to modern times.
http://www.britishcommercialvehiclemuseum.com/  - The web site is shortly to be updated with details of what exhibits there are to see.

At my advance years I am sure we may see modern vehicles checking us all out for TV Licences.
I do remember that these vans when first used caused quite a stir everywhere.

This Lioness was new to King George V but as a van and was subsequently rebodied with this coach version by Thurgood.
http://www.old-bus-photos.co.uk/?p=36878  - Here you can read much more about the Lioness.

Many years ago, when the bus mentioned was owned by Colin Shears, I drove DM6228 around Exeter and what a drive that was. One seemed very small behind the massive upright steering wheel and had to get used to the accelerator in the middle and the foot brake on the right hand side!! The steering was very heavy and probably a nasty shock to modern drivers used to power steering!!

You can see the coach I drove in its present day state at this link:   https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leyland_Lioness_1.jpg

"On Sunday 12 August we went on the Modelstone Bus Club tour using a vehicle from the"On Sunday 12 August we went on the Modelstone Bus Club tour using a vehicle from the Manchester Museum of Transport. Our vehicle was Leyland Atlantean / Park Royal Manchester City Transport New to Manchester 3/1968 as 1001. We first visited Heaton Park tramway, where we saw Manchester & Blackpool trams."

Pictures of the day on the Modelstone Bus Club are shown below:

When new these buses, of which there were to be many, made a significant impression not only in Manchester but across the country.
Designed by Ralph Bennett, the then General Manager, who had brought his ideas from Bolton Transport.
The translucent roof upstairs was an innovation.

Before leaving the Manchester Museum, Marcus was able to see this front entrance Ashton PD2 in pristine condition.

 
For some readers this will be their first view of Go North West's new livery becoming familiar around the area.

Heaton Park tramway

 
One from Hull and the second from Manchester both dating back to the Edwardian days.
More information about this interesting place: http://hptramway.co.uk/

Bury Bus Interchange

 
Diamond Bus who have taken over the First operation in the town with one new and one old!
A comment locally from a friend is that the buses are not kept very clean !!

Transdev are operating the 183 service as the Irwell Line.

Bury Museum of Transport (linked to East Lancashire Railway)
http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/plan-your-day-out/bury-transport-museum.aspx

Some the exhibits on show including a bus from Bury and one from Bolton. Both Leylands !!!
and yet another Post Office Telephone Van.

Many thanks to Marcus for yet another interesting piece for the page.

North of the Border with Gordon Scott

Volvo tri-axle chassis arriving at Falkirk ready for bodying. I wonder if these are for Cambridge?

 
Swiss tri-axle Post Bus on test, wonder if these could be made to suit the Oxford tube?
They would be great for luggage loaded at the rear.

New West Midlands MMC 7524 leaving on delivery - August 23rd

On Bicester Park & Ride plus other comments by Newman Morgan

Newman Morgan 

It’s a long time since I’ve contributed to OCBP. I am still an avid reader and although past retirement age I’m still commuting 4 days per week from Bicester to Birmingham International, which is actually in Solihull rather than Birmingham, either by car or by Chiltern Railways and CrossCountry Trains. I admire and thank you for your continuing efforts in putting together OCBP each week. I admire and thank you for your continuing efforts in putting together OCBP each week. 

Regarding the Bicester Village P&R services as with last year’s August Bank Holiday it was Stagecoach Oxford who were predominantly supporting Hallmark this year although Reading Buses provided one vehicle for Saturday and Sunday. I didn’t see a Reading Buses vehicle today (Monday) at either the A41 Bicester P&R or the B4010 Arncott overflow P&R, nor parked up in the Coach Park within Bicester Village. overflow P&R, nor parked up in the Coach Park within Bicester Village.  

On Saturday Stagecoach provided 10067, 10068, 10069, 10070, 10071 and 10668, all of which were available for the A41 Bicester P&R service.  

Also on Saturday, available for the B4010 Arncott P&R were Reading Buses Newbury & District 784 and Hallmark’s 30169, 40517 and 40626. 30169 MX62 GXY is a Wright Streetlite in white livery that was previously with Dunn Line’s Your Bus fleet. This vehicle and its sister 30170 MX62 GOA make occasional appearances on Bicester Village P&R services. Both are single door 41 seaters. 40517 LX59 COH is one of three ex-Stagecoach London dual doored Scania Omnicity in service with Hallmark. This bus and  identical 40518 LX59 CNZ were first introduced to the BV P&R services by Wessex Bus. The third Omnicity, 40516 LX59 CSF, makes only occasional visits to Bicester P&Rs. All three are in all-over London red livery with Hallmark P&R were Reading Buses Newbury & District 784 and Hallmark’s 30169, 40517 and 40626. 30169 MX62 GXY is a Wright Streetlite in white livery that was previously with Dunn Line’s Your Bus fleet. This vehicle and its sister 30170 MX62 GOA make occasional appearances on Bicester Village P&R services. Both are single door 41 seaters. 40517 LX59 COH is one of three ex-Stagecoach London dual doored Scania Omnicity in service with Hallmark. This bus and  identical 40518 LX59 CNZ were first introduced to the BV P&R services by Wessex Bus. The third Omnicity, 40516 LX59 CSF, makes only occasional visits to Bicester P&Rs. All three are in all-over London red livery with Hallmark fleet names. The third Hallmark vehicle, 40626 BJ14 KTA is a Wright Gemini Eclipse 2 bodied Volvo. . The third Hallmark vehicle, 40626 BJ14 KTA is a Wright Gemini Eclipse 2 bodied Volvo.  

40626 and until quite recently 40625 BJ14 KTC were mainstays on BV P&R services for a  considerable period of time. Both were branded for Wessex Bus Bristol City Route 51. After moving to Hallmark 40626 was repainted from Wessex livery into an all-white livery for Royal Holloway University College, Egham, Surrey whilst 40625 soldiered on in Wessex livery and Route 51 branding. This bus has recently moved to Rotala’s Diamond Bus North West Bolton depot following, Surrey whilst 40625 soldiered on in Wessex livery and Route 51 branding. This bus has recently moved to Rotala’s Diamond Bus North West Bolton depot following Rotala’s purchase of First Manchester’s Bolton depot and services. 40625 may have gone via Diamond Bus in the West Midlands for repainting. Presumably 40626 works one of Hallmark’s student services to RHUC during the week in term time. purchase of First Manchester’s Bolton depot and services. 40625 may have gone via Diamond Bus in the West Midlands for repainting. Presumably 40626 works one of Hallmark’s student services to RHUC during the week in term time.  

Hallmark buses don’t generally carry fleet numbers although in a couple of Rotala Group fleet lists I’ve seen the ex-Wessex Buses vehicles retain the Wessex fleet number in Rotala’s national scheme. 

I made two trips to the P&R sites on Saturday, at 1pm and 6.30pm. By 6.30pm Reading’s 784 had presumably returned to Newbury but Hallmark’s Scania 40518 was parked in the Coach Park at Bicester Village. This was not seen earlier in the day. 

On Sunday I made one trip at 4pm. Stagecoach provided six Gold vehicles for the A41 P&R, 10779, 10781, 10786, 15752, 15760 and 15933. 15752 and 15760 are in S5 livery the others generic Gold livery. At the time 10786, 15760 and 15933 were parked up in the lay-by at the P&R site.  

Parked up at the Arncott P&R site were Reading Buses 783 and Hallmark’s 30169, 40517, 40518, 40626. P&R site were Reading Buses 783 and Hallmark’s 30169, 40517, 40518, 40626.  

Monday I went out at 1pm. Stagecoach Gold vehicles 10779, 10781, 10786, 15752, 15760 and 15831 were available for the A41 P&R. At the time 15760 and S3 branded 15831 were parked up in the lay-by at the P&R site.  

At the B4010 site Hallmark’s 30169, 40517, 40518 and 40626 were again parked up and their drivers enjoying another day of being paid to brush up on their suntans! There was no sign of a Reading Buses vehicle at either P&R site or at the BV Coach Park. 

As with Easter, sunny weather does not see shoppers flocking to Bicester Village! It is most  likely that the Arncott P&R service was not operated. Indeed the AA-style signposting had not been brought into use by 1.30pm today nor was it used on Saturday and Sunday.  

I’ve not seen the Bicester Village overflow Park & Ride sites mentioned previously in OCBP. The Arncott site is adjacent to the B4010 Thame to Bicester road. The entrance is off Palmer Avenue, coming from the Thame direction it is the left turn immediately after the military level crossing. The left turn just prior to the level crossing is for HMP Bullingdon. Palmer Avenue is served by the Arncott Stagecoach S5 journeys on their double run from Arncott to the prison. The P&R is a secure site and the Hallmark buses would have overnighted there. The site is 5 miles from Bicester Village and when in use normally sees 5 buses working the service. 

A second overflow P&R site is the Heritage site. This is situated at Bicester Heritage within the former RAF Bicester. The entrance is through a gate off the A4421 at Caversfield on the north side of Bicester. When in use there are temporary traffic lights set up on the A4421. This site is 4 miles from Bicester Village   and when in use sees 4 or 5 buses working the service.  

A further overflow P&R site is occasionally made available within the Bicester Avenues Garden Centre, situated on the A41 between Bicester Village and the A41 P&R site. When in use P&R buses run out of BV along the A41 to the garden centre entrance, turn left into the garden centre and use the centre’s perimeter road, stopping off at the dolly stop positioned by the BV shoppers parking area. When exiting the perimeter road buses turn left in the direction of Wendlebury, after a short distance turning right to access the roundabout opposite which is the A41 P&R site. Upon returning to Bicester Village buses travel direct along the A41. , after a short distance turning right to access the roundabout opposite which is the A41 P&R site. Upon returning to Bicester Village buses travel direct along the A41.  

The overflow park & rides don’t see as much use as they used to. Between 2013 and 2017 Bicester Village on site parking increased from around 600 parking spaces to today’s 2,700 spaces. Part of the expansion took place during the rebuilding of the Bicester Town to Oxford Railway line and the reconstruction of the Town station to become Bicester Village, and the rest took place between April 2016 and October 2017 after Tesco relocated to a much larger new store a short distance along the A41. Bicester Village acquired the Tesco site, demolished it and extended their retail experience and parking. Incidentally I understand Bicester Village made a financial contribution to platform 2 of Bicester Village Station. 

Turning to the shuttle service between Bicester North Station and Bicester Village, this service had a change of route during the summer of 2018.  

After Bicester Village Station reopened the service ran non-stop from Bicester North Station to Bicester Village Station and stood at one of the two bus stops outside Bicester Village Station, returning to Bicester North by the same routing, which was through the town centre. 

In the summer of 2018 the service was altered so that after Bicester Village Station it enters the grounds of the Retail Outlet through the gated rear entrance adjacent to Bicester Village Station. The shuttle travels through the outlet to drop off and pick up adjacent to the A41 P&R stop (overflow P&R services drop off and pick up elsewhere within the outlet site). Upon departure the shuttle goes direct to Bicester North station along the A4421. 

In addition to the regular Solo 20916 used on this service, the usual support bus these days is Hallmark’s 20516 YX09 HYZ, a short Enviro200 in all white Hallmark livery still branded for route 557 Addlestone to Sunbury. On occasion this vehicle is used as the crew shuttle and I’m minded that it is now also based in Bicester.  

The next major shopping weekend will be the 3-day Black Friday event in November. It remains to be seen whether the Arncott or Heritage overflow site will be the chosen one, or whether demand will require both sites to be used. 

Over the Easter, May Holiday and Spring Bank Holidays it was Reading Buses that assisted Hallmark with Newbury & District’s 783 to 787 in town on each occasion. Stagecoach assisted during the Black Friday weekend last year but with Hallmark now down to just 4 double decker buses - the 3 Scania Omnicity and the white Gemini Eclipse - it will be interesting to see if Reading Buses are called up to provide a couple of vehicles, at least for the Friday which is of course not a public holiday. 

The last time both overflow sites were used in addition to the A41 P&R site was during the week between Boxing Day and New Year. Operation of all three sites requires 15 vehicles, hence the significance of Reading Buses on the P&Rs during that week. They contributed 10 vehicles and Hallmark contributed 5 vehicles, all double deckers plus additionally a Solo for the BV staff P&R located within the grounds of Bicester School. 

I haven’t any pictures unfortunately. When In use or buses laying over there, the Arncott site is guarded with security and/or parking staff from the Bicester Village contractor managing parking. 

The site was and may still be MOD land and I wouldn’t want to cause a drama in the event that they were not happy with me taking pictures. Bullingdon prison is too close!!! 

Regarding the paragraph concerning re-routing of the Shuttle between Bicester North and Bicester Village, I’m having second thoughts on the date of the re-routing. I mentioned summer 2018 but the change may have taken place in summer 2017. Time flies so quickly.  

I hope the foregoing is of use, it provides some additional insight into the scope of the Bicester  Village Park & Ride services.

With many thanks to Newman and am sure many readers will find this interesting. I have a few pictures and further comments from others shown below.

Newbury & District sent four buses to Bicester on Saturday, August 24th but only one was needed and the rest returned to Reading for work on the Festival.

Gold 10781 working the Park & Ride on August 25th by Richard Sharman.

Readers can find numerous pictures in past issues on this P&R operation.

http://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/arcindex.html

Look at the menus before issue 42.

Fleet news and developments

Tony Bungay

On the subject of Versa’s I saw 2990 entering Haddenham on Friday, August 16th working Service 280, alas I was not in a position to get a picture as I had no where nearby to turn round to be able to get to a suitable location.

Tony Simpson

A series of pictures from Tony on a journey with new 1662 from Harpenden to Borehamwood.

During my  visit to Red Rose I had chance for a few pictures in Thame and one in Aylesbury Bus Station..

   
Pictures by Malcolm Crowe. 

One of the current 757 fleet seen in London on August 19th by Gavin Francis.

6527 working Southern Counties route 758 in GLCS on August 19th by Gavin Francis.

I was surprised to see a double decker on an evening 40 and include a smaller than usual picture of the event.

222 by Malcolm Crowe.

Another recent picture of 420 at Thame on August 21st by Malcolm Crowe.

There are often small items which make for interest. I notice that on August 22nd coach 71 - X90LON was working the 2025 from Oxford to Heathrow!

Jack Cooper 

On August 27th Carousel buses 878 was on loan to the Oxford Bus Company on the 300 that day. However by the following day it had returned to Carousel!

Gavin Francis

Gavin spent some time at Thornhill on August 22nd and provided a number of interesting pictures.

 
Coach 25 with a new super rear applied. GF

New Tourismo 33 with an inbound service. GF

 
Tourismo 35 heads for Heathrow.

 
Tourismo 39, with Ashmolean wrap with an X90 to London.

Tourismo 40 with similar wrap has arrived at Gloucester Green on an airport service. GF

45 is inbound from the airports and looks somewhat out of place now! GF 

 
Interdeckers 67 heading for London and 73 inbound at Thornhill. GF

Some City pictures from Gavin.

Chiltern Railways wrap 602 is seen with a 5 road service at Queens Lane on August 22nd by Gavin Francis.

 
688 and 843 working local services at Queens Lane on August 22nd by Gavin Francis.

Seen working Rail Replacement services in Oxford, Citaro 882 was caught by Richard Sharman on August 22nd.

I'm not sure if this is a loan or permanent member of the PMU fleet? BU55EVW runs out of Broad Street on August 19th, seen by Gavin Francis.

STOP PRESS - Thursday , August 29th @ 1815

Newly delivered Mercedes 516CDi - 980 RN19WSV seen on August 29th by James Freeman.
Now I believe that this bus is due to go Carousel for the J&J Contract releasing a hired vehicle?

From what I can deduce E200 598 has been replaced 597 but I'm not sure?  I also wonder what has happened to River Rapids 252 which does not seem to have been in service for many weeks now?

A double decker, 214, working the ST1 seen by Gavin Francis on August 22nd by Gavin Francis.  

An impressive picture of a new Levante 3, BV19XRT, with Edwards working the 302 to Bristol,
at Gloucester Green - Oxford, on August 19th by Gavin Francis.

I liked this wrap which is thought provoking and very distinctive. Stansted based SH216 is on Elizabeth Bridge by Gavin Francis - August 21st. 

Apart from the report on the Reading Festival above, a couple of interesting pictures have come my way.

Reading Orange 654 working an Underground replacement service at Hillingdon on August 17th by Gavin Francis.

A lucky shot for Gavin Francis was this StreetLite Thames Valley 166 working a 702 service into London on August 18th.

Reading's MMC 756 is seen nearing the end of its journey with the 702 on August 19th by Gavin Francis.

I am told that the first of the ex Nottingham 86 seaters which are being painted in Reading livery should be back within days.

On Wednesday, August 21st, I had the opportunity to visit Red Rose at Dinton, near Aylesbury. I had not been to this operator for a few months now and was interested to hear of the latest developments from Taj Kahn the owner of Red Rose, Redline and the associated Red Eagle Buses who share in a number of routes around the area. Indeed, at times during my visit with Taj to Aylesbury Bus Station, it was as if Red Rose and the associated companies had taken over in the town.

There are some additions to the fleet in the shape of five ex Metrobus Crawley Scania/East Lancs Esteem 36 seat buses, now all repainted in the metallic red and yellow livery for services in Aylesbury. They had been reseated on transfer from London to Crawley. The detail below shows their new registrations and the original details as delivered in 2006.

Some details are here:

When the buses were transferred from Metrobus in London to Crawley, they were converted to B36F and painted blue and grey. You can them as delivered and later at Crawley in the link below:

Metrobus Scanias purchased by Red Rose - August 2019

This is the current fleet list for the company with liveries to be added.

Various Red Rose pictures taken at the depot at Dinton and in Aylesbury Bus Station on August 21st by your Editor: 

Now a number of pictures taken by me in Aylesbury Bus Station and then Dinton depot.
Another visit to Aylesbury and I must take a tripod, the light is dreadful for decent hand held pictures!

Solo of Red Line MX58KYT with a route 6 to Watermead. MHC

Red Rose 50506 - E7RRT is seen with the SR1 Town Service. MHC

A recent arrival with Red Rose is this Mercedes 616CDi from Chalkwell, originally registered FJ55HWD. It certainly looks nice in the Red Rose livery.

Working the seven which is part of the latest route network by Red Rose is one of five recent acquisitions from Metrobus Crawley which are proving great performers.
Full details are provided in the fleet list above and so far no fleet numbers have been allocated.

Redline use this yellow liveried MX09HHN on service 14 to Coppice, seen at its terminus outside the bus station at Aylesbury.

The only comment is that one needs a lot of time in the town to take full advantage of the variety on offer.

This is the latest timetable for routes 10 & 11

Dinton Depot

 
Ready for service but awaiting branding E15RRT is seen at the depot.

I was surprised to see the BMC still at the depot. It is apparently very thirsty on fuel and is not in service anymore.

Two elderly Darts still in service and seen at the depot.

The ex Bournemouth deckers used on school services when two have been repainted and the other may be so finished in the future.

Red Eagle KX05KFF recently pictured on the 28 in Stokenchurch stands by the side of two, now unused, Fiats which have proved disappointing.

Of course the three companies are linked by close family ties and it not unusual to see any Red vehicle in for maintenance.

Two Red Eagle vehicles at Dinton, the Maylands one having recently been seen in high Wycombe.

Another Dart is the ex Redline one which may now be withdrawn.

This KIDS PLAYBUS  was once with Stagecoach as their 16164 in Devon. I presume Red Rose look after this bus.

I should like to record my appreciation to Taj Kahn for his hospitality and the side trip into Aylesbury.

A commendable effort has been made by the company to remember the Centenary of Banbury garage and the picture below from Theo Freeman shows heritage liveried 37401 leaving the garage for Buses Festival at Gaydon.

Phil Pointer is driving an immaculate bus early on the morning of August 19th.

Gavin Francis

Gavin spent some time at Thornhill on August 22nd and provided a couple of interesting pictures. Due to a shortage of E200s recently these two routes have seen double decks

 
36932 with the 800 and 36933 with the 900 on August 22nd.

MMC 10681 working route 8 at Queens Lane on August 22nd by Gavin Francis.

Late News: SC Cambridge has sent 10735 to Oxford with 15966 moving to Witney. These buses should be around now. (15966 was the spare for any emergencies on the Oxford tube!!!! Ed.)

Ciaran Bird 

 
Ciaran kindly contributed pictures of West's 25th livery.
Scania E400 15648 VX10FRK with the S6 on August 23rd sporting its lovely 25th Anniversary of Stagecoach West livery! 

What - no Gold? 15737 is seen working the S6 on August 21st by Gavin Francis.

One of the non London workings for tube coaches is the S5 from Bicester as seen by Gavin Francis on August 19th at Pioneer Square en route.

 
Oxford tube London bound with an Oxford bound one at Thornhill, 50271 and 50274, on August 22nd by Gavin  Francis.

50237, immediately recognisable front the front by its Red roof resplendent in livery by Richard Sharman on August 24th.
The front and rear running lights are also different on this earlier version. 

54275 seen in Beaumont Street, Oxford at its stop on the southbound M34 to Portsmouth by Gavin Francis on August 18th.

Stagecoach West Scotland Cumbernauld depot based 50252 - YJ14LHD Van Hool Astromega
 ex Stagecoach Bluebird seen on route 900 Edinburgh to Glasgow by Gordon Scott - the date August 18th.

Under the Megabus umbrella !

Recently converted to open top to meet London's emission regulations, Megasightseeing E400 19135 in Victoria Street London on August 19th by Gavin Francis

Smaller operators and London developments

Ex Badgerline Van Hool with a Rail Enthusiasts trip from the West Country to Oxford on August 24th by Richard Sharman.

Big Ben Coaches BJ59OJK picks up at Oxford Station with a Megabus GP1 service to Silverstone on August 24th by Richard Sharman.

 
Arriva still works the 38 and above we see the first two New Routemasters LT1 and LT2 in Victoria Street by Gavin Francis on August 19th.

A striking wrap on LT757 with a 390 service now terminating in Victoria taken by Gavin Francis on August 19th.

Definitely a one off, short New Routemaster ST812 with a 24 service by Gavin Francis on August 19th.

Star Travel Solo MX06ACF working the 5B in Aylesbury on August 21st by Malcolm Crowe.

 
For steam lovers! Seen on my way back into Thame after the Red Rose visit on August 21st by Malcolm Crowe.
I guess some of you may know where the engine was going or coming from?

Original Sightseeing VXE722 with a new wrap, quite dramatic, on August 19th by Gavin Francis.

Pulham's PU19HAM on Elizabeth Bridge seen by Gavin Francis - August 21st. 

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