The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  

Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002

Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002

Please note that any comments made in this news page are those of the Editors' and in no way constitute 
any official points of view from the bus companies mentioned,  or indeed any other official body. 
As a news page we reserve the right to make valid comments as seen from an editorial point of view.

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malcolmhc@aol.com

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Editorial

My long awaited South West trip took place last week and will be the subject of a special edition of this page. I have just been catching up with the outstanding items for last week's page and this latest edition.

I certainly enjoyed my trip and travelled on a total of 22 different buses/services with only two hiccups when Western Greyhound left 4 minutes early from Plymouth and my First service to St just arrived a minute late for the connecting 300 to Land's End. The total cost for over 600 miles round trip was zero plus the cost of my three nights Bed & Breakfasts. The joys of being a "wrinkly" or as some drivers call us "twoearlys - twirlys".

Flooding on a major scale took place in Oxfordshire on Tuesday, 3rd June when a reported one months rainfall fell in less than a day. This caused serious problems for operators in the Oxford area. A picture from Richard Sharman shows an R H Vario negotiating flood waters in Yarnton.

R H Transport's 202 seen in Cassington Road, Yarnton last Tuesday - picture by Richard Sharman.

The recent days have seen both major companies in Oxford talking to the press about fare increases following the dramatic increase in the cost of diesel. Indeed Thames Travel already have posters in their buses announcing fare rises but interestingly they say that the cost of some period tickets will be frozen.

Reports have reached me of another bus fire in the Wycombe area but so far I have been unable to find out which bus was involved and Chris at Banbury sent this link to the details for Fire website.

http://www.bucksfire.gov.uk/BucksFire/News/BusfirethismorninginLaneEnd.htm

Referring to my Land's End trip I leave on Monday morning, 2nd June, on Motts M1 service to Reading, thence via Newbury, Andover and Dorchester to my first night stop at Lyme Regis. I then take the First X53 Jurassic Coast service to Exeter and onwards via Plymouth and St Austell to my second night stop in Fowey. On Wednesday I travel, mainly by first to Land's End and back to my third and final night stop at Penzance. On Thursday morning I take National Express ser vice 504 to Reading Calcot and thence by Reading Buses and Thames Travel to Oxford to catch the 18:30 737 service back to Stokenchurch. The trip will form the basis for a major article on these pages and apart from the hotels and food the trip will cost nothing, I hope !!

This issue also records the entry into service of new buses for Heyfordian and their recently gained tendered services in the Wallingford area.

Indeed it quite a massive issue and has taken many hours to put together. I do apologise if I've left anything out and hope my contributors will understand.

This issue has a total of 158 pictures, an all time record, phew!!!!

A brand new bus company top launch in the Chilterns - Tiger Line takes to the road 

Woottens will launch its first local bus service on Monday 28th July 2008. Using the new brand 'Tiger Line', service T1 will link Aylesbury to Hemel Hempstead via Stoke Mandeville, Wendover, Great Missenden, Chesham and Bovingdon. The new Tiger Line livery will be applied to a number of vehicles, including six ex-Strathtay East Lancs Myllennium Hyline bodied Leyland Tigers from the existing Woottens fleet (W57-62). A detailed press release is attached and further information is now available online at www.woottens.co.uk

Two of the buses involved are further re-registrations of Leyland Tiger/East Lancs Myllennium Hyline. Fleet number W58 - A127ESG becomes A12WTN and sister W62 A234USR changes to A15WTN.

Tigers line up - picture by Woottens of Chesham

The Launch of Tiger Line 

Woottens, Buckinghamshire’s premier coach operator, announced today the launch of a new local bus division called Tiger Line. 

The Tiger Line brand will be applied to a number of vehicles, which will be involved in the provision of new local bus services. 

In conjunction with the launch of Tiger Line the launch of Tiger Line’s first local bus service was announced. 

Tiger Line T1 will be launched on Monday the 28^th July 2008 and will link Aylesbury to Hemel Hempstead via Stoke Mandeville, Wendover, Great Missenden, Chesham and Bovingdon. 

Utilising a fleet of dual purpose coaches/buses and a team of dedicated drivers, the service is designed to meet the needs of local people travelling across North East Bucks. T1 will also provide new links in areas where public transport has been absent for many years. 

Operating approx hourly Monday to Friday with a limited service on Saturday, when T1 will operate a timetable designed to serve the popular shopping attraction of Bovingdon Market. 

Tiger Line T1 will encompass the traditional values established by Woottens of quality, reliability and value for money. 

T1 will offer value for money fares and easy to understand fare scales. 

The vehicles will offer new levels of comfort, with improved leg room, coach style seats, seatbelts, panoramic windows and natural ventilation. 

Working in conjunction with Buckinghamshire County Council it is intended that Tiger Line T1 will be included in the county’s new real time passenger information system, providing both web based and SMS information. 

Commenting on the launch of Tiger Line, Michael Wootten, Operations Director said “we have been reviewing the bus market in North East Bucks/South West Herts for a while now and have identified a niche for a quality operator providing new links.  The launch of Tiger Line T1 is an exciting venture for all of us and will complement our existing successful coach operation.  We hope the people of the area enjoy this new & high quality service.”

Extra Tiger Line pictures are now available online at - http://www.coach4hire.co.uk/Myllennium.htm and the timetable at http://www.coach4hire.co.uk/tiger_line.htm

This appears to me to be a very professional and well thought out operation and sets a high standards for a new service. The OCBP wishes all concerned well in this exciting new venture.

On the subject of photography in public places

I received a further response to recent pieces on this page.

John Fitzallen writes "I was taking pictures in a bus station in the area covered by the OCBP and was surprised by the vehemence of two drivers who said I could be locked up for taking pictures in that location. They weren't seemingly personally objecting but rather, like the CSOs mentioned earlier, being little Hitlers and enforcing the imagined law. Whilst I am not an elderly person I am also not in my first flush of youth and was presentably dressed in a suit as it happens. I was not in a bus operating area and was just standing in a queue waiting for my bus.

What is the world coming to one is moved to ask? I thought England was a free country, obviously not. We become more as one imagined Russia to be before the end of the old regime.

On the same occasion there were some youths swearing and generally being totally objectionable and yet nothing was said to them. I wonder why?"

Rover Bus and a correction from Paul 

I think that you may have misread N&P - the 52/62 operates between Amersham and Hemel (being the old Rover service). The 362 is mentioned, firstly as a timetable amendment from 16 April, then cancellation from 6 July. It does not mention a replacement (unless I have read it wrong!!). Obviously, Carousel competes with Arriva on this service, but Arriva have no evening or Sunday service (this being provided by Carousel under contract to Bucks County Council0. From my own recent observations in Amersham during the past few months, loadings on both seem operators' services seem poor, but Carousel seem to have the upper hand and generally use newer vehicles. So, is this Arriva giving up the battle?

There is more about route 362 under the Arriva heading in this issue.

Quainton Bus Rally by Adam Floyd

2. This ex Guide Friday Atlantean is a frequent rally attender; it has worn several different liveries and is currently in this scheme for the Wycombe Wanderers Football Club.

Stagecoach East's well-known FLF was the only 'in service' vehicle present.

The Three Counties Museum uses ex London Country BN45 as an exhibition vehicle.

Ex Eastern National Bristol MW 392, just back from a 500-mile tour of former National Express routes, hence the NatEx window sticker.

Another variation of MW coach, one of the last batch of Royal Blue vehicles.

The third of the MWs present was Crosville coach CMG434.

Other buses attending were Three Counties Museum RF457 and one of the narrow Western National/Greenslades LH coaches, repatriated from Jersey and restored to National white.

The rally usually attracts at least one RT, the only example this year being roof box RT1784.

Thought to be a first-timer at this event was RCL2233

Regular Quainton Rally attendee was ex Leicester Metro-Scania 225, restored to its original livery. Also representing the London country area RFs was RF673 plus RM848, one of the Routemasters bought back by TfL and refurbished by Marshall, preserved in London United livery.

Many thanks to Adam for that comprehensive report.

Uxbridge Running Day from Steve Bunce

Steve sent a couple more pictures from this well attended event.

Mystery Leyland PD2 at Chelsea Flower Show

Peter writes to say that the mystery bus PSK 389 at the Flower Show was originally Brighton no 10, 5010 CD.

Some more pictures from Roger Spence

A few issues back you printed a request for photos of Star Travel's Optare Solo MX57UPG in the new 'Orange Route 3' colours.  I've seen it regularly around Aylesbury but never when I had my camera.  I did eventually manage a quick shot of it at Haydon Hill on 20 May:-

Sorry, it's not a particularly good picture, but you can get the impression of the livery.  Unlike the other Bucks CC 'Rainbow Routes' liveries, this one includes several references to the operator in the form of stars.

Route 3 replaces Star Travel's old route 36, and now has a 20 minute service.  Duties are shared with Mercedes MB811D N779EUA, originally with Yorkshire Woollen, which also carries the new colours:-

On the subject of Solos, Garston garage operate five in red livery, primarily for use in and around Golders Green.  On 3 May, 2468 (YJ06YRP) and 2469 (YJ06YRR) were at Golders Green awaiting turns on the H2 and H3:-

2470 (YJ06YRS), also at Golders Green.

2471 (YJ06YRT) was resting at Garston.

And finally, 2472 (YJ06YRU) at Golders Green.

We now return to Aylesbury.

Aylesbury Depot, 5 May. Vario 2244 (R764DUB) carries branding for Leighton Buzzard local routes 32,33,34 and 35.


Whilst sister 2371 (R941VPU) has arrived from Harlow - and looks as though it's being stripped of parts.


Low bridge accident victim Olympian 5113 (G283UMJ) is also still there, though visibly less intact.


Also carrying Eden vinyls was Volvo Olympian 5144 (N35JPP), though the vinyls were actually starting to look a little worn.
I wonder how long before they're removed?

Red Rose now operate some of the newest vehicles in Hemel.  Their plain white Enviro 200 OU08EHO was at the bus station on 14 May,
 with one of the 07 batch in full red livery behind.


Also at Hemel - an unusual working on 19 May was Stevenage's long Dart, 3807 (KC03PGF) on the 300.


20 May - Trident 5425 (W425XKX) and Northern Counties Paladin Dart 3399 (L119YVK) at Hertford.


Quite by chance, when on holiday in North Wales back in April, I had photographed sister vehicle L120YVK, in service with Arriva North West & Wales. 
Picture taken at Conwy, 9 April 2008.
Both vehicles were new to Kentish Bus.

Keep up the excellent work with the site!

Regards, Roger Spence.

Thank you for the excellent report Roger which is much appreciated. 

From John Hammond 

Taken at Thornhill. 22nd May 2008.

RH Transports DAF MB230 / Caetano Algarve H524YTU at Thornhill after doing a crew change.

Eastbourne follow-up by Scott McAvoy-Hunnisett

I was reading the 31st May addition of The Oxford-Chiltern Bus Page and noticed the article of the "Magnificent Motors" even on the Bank Holiday weekend of the 3rd & 4th May. I was surprised to see the picture of the AEC Regal No.11, as that photo was taken after it had broken down at the bus stop and the Lion had to take over the duties whilst the Regal limped back to Birch Road Bus Garage (The driver keeping his foot on the accelerator, and stopping the vehicle with the handbrake, to avoid a further breakdown!)

I would like to include my photos of the occasion, with photos from the evening of the 3rd when AEC Regent V No.69 (KHC 369) was taken up to the Foot of Beachy Head for a private photo shoot, which I was involved with.

Other photos include that of the Eastbourne Leyland Lion, owned not by the Eastbourne Lion Preservation Group but the founder of the society Dr. Peter Bryden.

Also included are photos of the Eastbourne MAN 14.220s on the free service (which was brought along to sub for the Regal).

Also included are photos of Eastbourne Leyland PD2/12 No.72 (BJK672D), owned by Southdown Historic Vehicles Ltd.

I forgot to add I was the conductor in the photo of the Regal, and was the conductor for both days on the Eastbourne Lion.

David Nutton visits the Thames Valley

I hope your Lands End trip went well and very much look forward to seeing your report on how it went. 

Although I live near Southampton I do get up into your area now and again and am an eager reader of your excellent web site. 

I thought the attached pictures may be of interest. One shows a new Heyfordian Dart E200 in Wallingford which place used to be exclusively Thames Travel I believe but Heyfordian now have a few journeys in the town.

The second picture is a Thames Travel Scania DD. I have read this is only on loan to them. It was with Unilink Southampton until fairly recently. The picture was taken at Sainsbury's in Didcot.

That Thames Travel decker and more from a reader on its origins.

Mark Eason writes "Thank you for another informative page. I have just noticed the new bus acquired by TT and can shed a little info on it’s history for you.

The bus was initially new to Lucketts, Fareham (www.lucketts.co.uk). I believe this was a lease agreement of one year whilst the company waited for another vehicle to be delivered, built to specification. The vehicle, and it’s successor, YN56 FGG, have both been used to operate the Chichester- Bognor shuttle service between the campuses of Chichester University. The successor vehicle was built with coach seating and seatbelts in order to meet the safety requirements of the university- this is why it had to be built to specification. It’s also in a slightly different colour scheme! http://solentbusfleets.fotopic.net/p43459264.html

After YN55NDY (Noddy bus!) left Lucketts, it operated with Uni-Link, Southampton for a while. I have located a photo of it in service here;

http://solentbusfleets.fotopic.net/p35448372.html

However, the Uni-Link service has recently changed hands, I believe to Go- Ahead, who also own Blue Star and Marchwood Motorways, other local companies. As a result of this change of hands, some vehicles have left the fleet, presumably to make better use of the vehicles already stationed in the area with appropriate “top ups” from other go- ahead fleets. YN55NDY has therefore left the fleet and now resurfaced with TT! It’s amazing how they get around.

A Google search reveals the other “new” TT vehicle was previously with Townlynx, Chester. http://roy497.fotopic.net/p45625391.html

I hope this information is helpful. Please note none of the pictures are mine, I have just located them on the net."

Indeed amazing how one can trace vehicles and where they turn up. I much appreciate the research done by Mark.

Glenn Knight's recent travels 

Glenn has once again been busy, out and about and brings some interesting observations and pictures.

20th May 2008

Arriva's Solo 2492 YK07BGF was on the 321 at 19:57 in Luton Church Street on the n/side it has "go on get out there" but no branding. This and 2493 were brought for the Line 40 service in High Wycombe.

Visited Stevenage & London today (26/05/08)

UNO Bus 310 (BV57VHJ) was on SB9 Symonds Green, 308 (BV57VHG) was on SB8 Lister Hospital. I took an interior shot of 310 where one seat is higher than the other.

On a trip to Victoria I saw an unusual working on the 757 with DAF 4057 (M947LYR) on the 18:50 757 London - Luton.

On 27/05/2008 some rare vehicles were operating service 300/301 Stevenage - Hemel Hempstead: 3442 (R202VPU), (pictured below) - 4063 (M943LYR), 3457 (W457XKX) freshly repainted and 3807 (KC03PGF) SV and 3234 (V234HBH) HH.

3445 on the 500 in Watford on 30th May.

30/05/2008 Dennis Dart 3281 (V281HBH) worked the 06.23 Aylesbury to Luton.

I saw in Arriva Hemel garage 3820 (H370XGC) for disposal with no interior seats/lights/no rear body.

Lanes coaches D156HML today 30/05/2008 plus FRA256V, H251GEV, K376 RTY, J371 HVX & 9683 ML Ex-Seamarks, Luton.

Arriva Dart 3361 K411FHJ is now in use in plain blue as a crew rest room at Watford and ex Centrebus 574 (W574XRO) is now in Uno colours but with an overall advert on all but the front.

UNO 307 (BV57VHF) in Watford

Arriva 3153 at Hemel having been prepared for MOT. 

Glenn visited Wycombe and noted 3332 (M783PRS) which was at Stevenage but is now at Wycombe, and also 5836 (WLT916) a Leyland Olympian is also at Wycombe ex-Aylesbury.

I visited D-Way Travel on 04/05/2008 with seven MAN SR280`s in service that work round the continent.

From Terry Wong Min on a trip to Scotland

This should wet he appetite for anyone planning a trip north of the border this summer.

Here we go, I sourced some snippets from the week long Scotland trip last week.  I did cover the North East of England but it's a tough decision what to send.  Anyways, I will advise on town/city order. So much to add but here are a few bits. 

Aberdeen, a place I have never got to grips on taking photos and this time I wish I could spend more time.  Seems Stagecoach and First have some new vehicles to add to their fleet.  53306 Royal Deeside livery entering the new bus station at Aberdeen.

Turning right is a struggle here at the set of lights along this very busy road.  I mention First Aberdeen having some new vehicles, well 69303 on route 23 leaves Kings Street.  First Aberdeen is going through a formation of change with the current King Street under reconstruction with a state of the art modern garage being constructed.

I enclose a picture with permission from First of the current site.  A lot of the granite is being reused to keep with the eco-friendly world we live in and this stone is very expensive so waste is not the case!

Ardrossan is home to many of the Megabus and Green Bus former buses and now are used on Ayrshire schools.  Seen heading back to the depot 13636 in this bright School Bus livery.

Largs:  You cannot forget McGills with their successful 901 from Largs to Glasgow, it seems competition is near with First running a similar service to compete with McGills. The Citaro is heading along the coast up towards Wemyss Bay on a bright evening.

Kilmarnock seems to have changed again over the last twelve months of my visit.  The last visit was trying to catch up with the arrival of the Neoplans from Megabus duties (which I am sure some remember I posted on here).  More has changed with Optare Veras, Titans relegated to school duties.  I enclose a Titan at the Kilmarnock depot which I was kindly allowed access.  It is left in the corner with other school buses after the morning run.

Part of the trip involved visiting Lathalmond, it's a rally which I always feel in a way like the Cobham of Scotland!  I hope no offence is intended but the site has so much variety of past and present Scottish vehicles. Posing on the turning circle is preserved B100PKS, a friend Gary at the wheel posing in the sun.

Perth and Dundee needed to be visited as with Ayrshire the last year has seen a change for me.  Goldline a venture Stagecoach has launched started here first and Route 7 was upgraded with these new E300's  27525 stands on Park Street.

E300 seem to be plentiful in Perth & Kinross and Dundee area as the 333 has a "Hospital link" from Perth Infirmary to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, an hourly service as it enters the bus stops in South Street.  Dundee has them also taken at the Forfar end of Route 20 (Dundee-Forfar) 22565 arrives and heads for the depot.

I can't forget the other operator in Dundee and that is Travel Dundee, it's not long to go like it's sister Travel West Midlands due for a rebranding..  Former Travel West Midlands P521EJW (also gaining LEDs) enters Dundee City Centre.

Brief visit to Edinburgh (very brief) and I thought I would check out X48 which links to the Park and Ride at Sheriffhall I am sure you may be aware to help on the peak hours a bendy bus and a Trident.  It wasn't there when I arrived but I illustrate a dart which once ran on one of Lothians other high frequency routes.

Just outside Edinburgh over the Forth into Fife again Stagecoach have invested in some new vehicles 24004 is at the busy Ferrytoll terminus at Inverkeithing.

It's quite a variety up in Scotland I would post more but I am sure over the coming months you will see them online on my site.  When I get the time!

Thanks to Terry for a very interesting piece.

Regular features

Travel on a Concessionary Pass 2008

From Graham Monk

Graham travels quite extensively on his pass and I met him when he boarded my 737 service from High Wycombe to Oxford a few Saturdays ago. He wrote to tell me of his journey on that day which I hope readers find interesting. Graham collects timetables as we can see from his report and as he works for Chiltern Trains he can also use rail services.

I hope the driving conditions aren't too bad today with all the rain. It was great to meet you yesterday. The rest of the day went fairly well.

We arrived at Swindon bang on time and an Enviro 400 was waiting to go to Trowbridge on the Trans Wilts route and as the front seat upstairs was empty it just had to be done. What a scenic route it is. It did mean that although I popped into the Stagecoach office and got a new Hungerford Timetable there wasn't time to get to the Thamesdown office, still that gives me an excuse for another visit soon. 

From Trowbridge I decided to catch a bus to either Bath or Chippenham then a train to Gloucester. The bus to Bath came in but was a Wright bodied 08 reg single decker and was full and as the bus from Chippenham going onto Frome was a double decker I decided to wait for a bus to Chippenham but when it arrived it too was an 08 reg single decker so I boarded and it also filled up on the journey. We passed another double decker en route so I must have chosen the only single decker rostered. I picked up a new Malmesbury timetable in Chippenham Tourist Office. Knowing Cheltenham station is quite a way from the town centre, I changed at Gloucester as the bus station is very close to the railway station. I picked up a Stagecoach Hereford timetable and caught a 94 to Cheltenham, walked to the model shop and they had only one of the three models I wanted. 

I caught a train back to Reading then the 1845 Arriva 850 back to Wycombe. It was one of Arriva's Eclipses but it was not in the best of health and the engine cut out several times on the way back. As we arrived at Henley one of the terminating buses from Wycombe was at the stop so our driver hooted furiously at the other driver and it was obvious that he was trying to get the other driver's attention but all he got was a rude gesture out of the window and the bus drove off. Our driver could have been hooting for any number of reasons! The actual reason that the bus was faulty or he could have wanted assistance with a troublesome passenger or he might have wanted some change so I thought it was really bad the way his colleague didn't stop to see what the problem was. 

So all in all a good day with superb weather, but I didn't get much of what I expected to but instead got a few timetables that I wasn't expecting.

Buses in the Landscape

Russell Young writes "Thought you might like this for the scenery section. Taken from the footbridge over the railway at Sydenham Station, near Belfast City Airport on Wednesday evening. Weather pretty grim."

And one from me as a foretaste of my upcoming report on my South West trip. Imagine my surprise when I found a Brookes Trident working the X46 between Exeter and Paignton. On my way home on National Express service 504 I found we were gaining on a Brookes Trident on the X46 heading towards Exeter. However it took the next exit on its way to Exeter City Centre before we could overtake. It is seen ahead of us on the A38 early on Thursday afternoon

Ian Kirby took this excellent view of Devonshire moorland.

Stagecoach at Reculver, a place mentioned in the film The Dam Buster - picture by Chris Duncombe

Matt Robinson writes saying "Here are a few Arriva photos which I took yesterday."

 
Scania 3199 at Edlesborough Church on Luton's morning working of the 61.

"Unusually there were a large number of double decker buses on the 61 yesterday (31st May), a route usually the haunt of Darts, Lances and Scanias. 5126, 5097, 5100, 5101 and 5144 were all noted doing a turn.
 
Mix-96 liveried Olympian 5101 (G651UPP) has now gained a roller blind destination display replacing the old dot matrix unit (presumably from one of the previous generation ECW Olympians) it carried before. Other Aylesbury based Olympians 5126 (H196GRO) and 5830 (G230VWL) have also been noted with new roller blind displays depicting the numbers on the right rather than the left.
Stevenage Scania 3197 (R197RBM) now has an LED destination display.
 
At Luton Leyland Olympian 5105 (G655UPP) remains long term off the road following an accident with a Land Rover on Leagrave High Street some weeks ago. Scania 3170 (N32 KGS) is also long term off the road for mechanical attention."
 
Richard Oakey reports that Scania 3143 (N693EUR) has moved from Stevenage to Aylesbury, and was working the 61 earlier in the week.
 
James from Aylesbury report that a bus has been transferred from Wycombe to us to become a Meal Bus for the Leighton Buzzard outstation, it is ex Oxford/Wycombe Bus Dart 3833.

Only Picture I have for you this week is MK metro Dart 423 about to be towed from Milton Keynes back to Aylesbury Depot.
It's one of the buses we are housing at Aylesbury while we cover some of their work.

Glenn Knight visited Wycombe and noted the following. "The buses used on Carousel Line 4 - High Wycombe to Amersham/Chesham C2WYC & C3WYC, the steering wheel has RENAULT but the glass says OPTARE, does anyone have any ideas why?"

Gavin Francis sent a few pictures of this fleet's buses.

The Tridents are regular performers in the Wycombe area and T411 is seen above on 22nd May.

Leyland L556 still sports Thames Valley livery which is most pleasing. Picture taken on 22 May by Gavin Francis

A bus once with London United and then Carousel is M1272. This bus is now with AtBus and is seen in the last picture at binders Yard.
All pictures by Gavin Francis.

Here is an ex O/SM Leyland Olympian taken in our yard, one of seven Olympians on fleet strength 
(One will never work again, it is our engineless seat store),  VJO204X (ex p+r?), and C649LRL behind it.

Please find attached an image of Jeffs of Helmdon's new vehicle, YN08NWV, sadly, I didn't get the chance to get a shot in 'dealer' white!!
It is a Volvo B12M/Plaxton Panther (I think it is C49T), and is ex dealer stock.
I understand that Iveco/Beaulas Y806YBC and ??? were traded in as a part ex deal.

A reader asks the following "According to `Intachange` a brochure given away to the travelling public in public libraries in Hertfordshire, the VT98 service operated by NatExp Sipson-based vehicles in Virgin Trains livery between Heathrow and Watford Junction Station has been withdrawn. Could this have been because of competition from Arriva the Shires Green Line service Hertford-St Albans-Watford Junction-Heathrow? Stagecoach Bedford depot run a Virgin-liveried service between Milton Keynes Railway Station and Luton. Any info on that?"

Two interesting pictures from Gavin Francis of coaches on services from Victoria.

Glenn Knight sent this picture of a South Gloucestershire coach on National Express service.

A working seldom seen by most people is the 421 service between Blackpool and London.
This is normally operated by a Trathens Neoplan and operates through Gloucester Green in the wee small hours.
The southbound service is seen above in a picture by Gavin Francis taken around 5 am.

Ant writes "Thought you would be interested in these pics of eight Oxford B10B/Verde's that are currently sat in Solent Blue Lines Eastleigh Barton Park compound, believed to be on loan for the IOW Festival although it is unclear if they will be used on the actual Festival services or whether they'll go on normal service work to release GSC deckers for the work instead. Fifteen were mentioned but definitely only eight were present as of half seven this evening; either not yet delivered or possibly already taken over to the Island. 

Stephen Le Bras writes "It may have been a Bank Holiday with the Reading 17 timetabled buses running every 15 minutes but I found that there were no Omnicity 'deckers to be seen between 11am and 12.30. Spectra 724 did make an appearance with the usual mix of mauve and generic Omnidekkas.

From a very damp correspondent"

Martin Isles writes "Just a couple of Red Rose updates for you.  The Solo which was on latest page in white (MX03EJY) was not a fire victim reborn.  It ha been prepared for return to Mistral.  RR03BUS, the other Solo is expected to  follow shortly as the two buses have not proved popular acquisitions. They will hopefully be replaced with more Enviro200s.  A recent acquisition is former Stagecoach Selkent MB2 (R502YWC) another Beaver 2 bodied O814D.  It was last with Lewis of Greenwich.  It has been acquired as new school contracts in Henley start in June.  Incidentally former Golden Jubilee MPD Dart RR02BUS which looked as though it might have been salvageable from the November fire has been written off."

Richard Sharman writes "The nice little On Break destination was of my doing!. I've just reprogrammed all our Mobitec blinds to Scroll and took the opportunity to add this as you know what its like when your trying to have a break!"

Steve Loveridge writes " Regarding your list published in the latest newsletter, the Stagecoach East vehicles will all be allocated to Northampton to operate service 9/9A.

Seven of the R---YUD batch which are at present branded for the 9/9A are going to Stagecoach South. These must be the most widely travelled low floor buses owned by Stagecoach, unless someone knows otherwise.

Marcus Lapthorn writes "The new Stagecoach Swindon buses for the 66 route from Swindon to Oxford are now being delivered. Three are already in Swindon and are being prepared for service, with logos being applied and equipment fitted for fare collections etc. Drivers will soon commence their familiarisation training and then the buses will be 'drip - fed' into service as they become available and drivers are trained. These buses are 12.8 metres long. The current scheduling calls for 3 buses on the 66 route and 4 buses on the 51 route from Swindon to Cheltenham. There are at present 9 Volvo B10M's available to maintain these services, which allows for maintenance cover and extra journeys in peak hours on these 2 routes. There will only be 7 new MAN's, so it would seem that older buses are going to still be seen on these routes. The new buses are 47 seaters plus 2 'pop-up' seats. 

Dave Rogers writes "Seen in Chippenham today, one of the new 12.8mtr MAN's for Swindon. I was told that they will not now be used on the 66, possibly due to their length being a problem in Gloucester Green."

Mike Bennett writes "I was in Swindon on Thursday 29^th May and I managed to photograph one of the new MAN / Enviro300s as it was about to enter the depot yard after a short run out.  Tim Hall has just told me that he thinks it will be numbered 22621.  I could see no markings on it.  Three MANs have now been delivered, but you may not see them on route 66 for a while as there is an issue with their overall length of 12.8m and reversing off the bay in Gloucester Green." 

Terry Wong Min writes "Further to the email I sent I saw one of the Oxford Olympians transferred up to Scotland 16526 -R426XFC. The picture was taken at Peterhead by a friend of mine, Lex in Preston."