Issue 140
(OBP-355)
Monday 8th
August
2005
amended and updated 11th August 2005
next update week ending
19th August 2005
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002
Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
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news please let me know
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A number of interesting items are covered this week from a wide area of our coverage plus a few surprise pictures.
Having mentioned Carole Morgan's 21st birthday last week I have received a few pictures from her father which show her interest in buses, even as a little girl. Seems she caught the bus enthusiast bug when, as a little girl, Richard took her with him bus outings.
Alexander - "a very special customer"
Another young enthusiast was on my coach to London and back last week and it is nice to see Stagecoach encouraging enthusiasts by letting this young person have an Oxford Tube drivers badge with his name on.
Alexander is described as a very important customer and he certainly knows his buses. He asks lots of questions, which whilst making me delve into my memory and still not having the answer, he then comes up with the answer which seemingly he knew all along. For an 8 year old he knows a great deal about buses in Oxford including their routes and types operated. He and his father joined me today on a 31/X31 Wantage working with Megabus 50058. It is great to see the youngsters coming along and I am sure our hobby will bring him lots of interest in the years to come.
Carole Morgan - of City Sightseeing in Oxford
Richard Morgan, also a driver on city Sightseeing took some pictures of his young daughter in her early days of enthusiasm for buses. It is great to see the younger generation coming along to continue our hobby in the years to come. Last week I featured Carole on her 21 birthday and we also have some pictures of her with a Tappins coach which she hired to take her friends on a birthday outing.
Carole with Tappins 419 last
Sunday
Carole with her Dad Richard and a City Sightseeing Atlantean
Carole as a youngster at the wheel
Gloucester Green - a report from the last week
Last week saw increased police activity at Gloucester Green with uniformed officers on duty at the Green all day.
Also contractors were busy once again repairing the surface which is only one year old.
Bay 1 had to be used for Airline
departures last week.
This was because contractors had possession of bays 6 and 7.
The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza ! - Report by Mr Cooke
Mr Cooke writes to say "Not exactly within your normal geography, but not that far from Oxford, I could not resist attending this event ! Held over last weekend at Kemble Airfield just about every form of vintage road transport could be found. From Bicycles to tractors to Cars and of course Buses ! This former RAF airfield is a lovely setting for any event, and with so much space and the Sun shinning it made for a great day out !
On the bus side the theme was Bristol Buses and half cabs, but a good mixture was to be found ! Rides could be had on Bristol LSX5G the prototype under floor engine bus, restored over 30 years ! Seen here passing the excellent preserved Bristol Britannia, now in full RAF scheme.
My favourite half cab was this superb AEC Regal."
A reader's view on buses in Oxford - a reply by Stephen Le Bras
Mr Le Bras writes "I
can't agree with your correspondent's view that anyone anywhere would want a
continental style single decker with plenty of space for passengers to stand.
Double deckers have style- you can see over hedges and walls. Long live
the'decker!
As for bus stations on the outskirts of town/city, passengers want to shop and
shops should be... in the centre of town/city.
It is a fallacy that people are run over by rampaging buses- in Oxford-and
Cambridge- it is the bikes that are likely to get you first."
Didcot and Milton Park by Steve Annells
Steve Annells writes "A
frequent addition to the Courtney Coaches-run Milton Park Shuttle to augment the
route-branded Optare Solo YE52KPP is the very smart DAF SB220 / East Lancs
Myllennium KXA54NLA in all silver-grey, but this last week I've also noted
Scania L113 CRL / East Lancs R672NFR in white/purple 'Borough Bus' livery. Both
are very unusual types for this area.
For the record, R672NFR was in use again this morning! (8/8/2005)"
Chiltern Rail again
- an update by Trevor Wilson
I am aware that the problems at Gerrards Cross on the line to Marylebone have generated some interest bus replacement vehicles and also some passengers have transferred to coach and car, at least for the time being. Trevor Wilson writes with some interesting news saying:-
18.30 Saturday 6th August 2005. Chiltern Railways rail replacement coaches at Gerrards Cross.
Trevor goes on say "I have read the Bucks Free Press article this week. This is also an active topic on the Chalfont St Peter forum - pages
http://www.chalfontstpeter.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1505&KW=tesco and
http://www.chalfontstpeter.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1302&PN=1&TPN=29
But Network Rail is the source of the BPF article - see the official statement:
The report was issued by Jacksons to Network Rail et al at the start of last week (1st August) - so various parties inc the HSE have been reviewing it this week. I am not yet aware of the outcome of the HSE and Network Rail deliberations.
A likely start date for rail services is Monday 15th August and pictures of the current status of the work at Gerrards Cross are included below."
A quote from the Chiltern Rail web site says:-
· If the tunnel can be proven to be safe, Network Rail will complete the necessary track work to allow services to be reinstated in the week commencing 15 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now on to this week's
News and photos. Thank you to everyone who has contributed this week.
Malcolm Crowe - Monday 8th August 2005
Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002 to date
News of the local companies – 8th August 2005
Nigel Peach writes "I commented about having not seen Northern Counties Olympian 5134 (G131 YWC) for a long time. Inevitably it's reappeared!
Likewise ex Oxford Volvo B10M 3854, which I said last week has been out of action for about six months, is no longer in the bus station, but I saw from that day's listing, it was running on the 326!
We go on holiday on Sunday for two weeks. If past years are anything to go by, then stand by for all sorts of things happening while we're away!!!
Look forward to catching up when we return!
Arriva in Thame by your Editor.
Arriva Dart MPD 3484 passes Thame Market last Tuesday on its way from Princes Risborough.
Olympian 5124 on a short working
to Worminghall leaves Thame last Tuesday
Arriva 5157 arrives from Aylesbury en route to Oxford.
Arriva 5158 waits time in Thame centre en route to Aylesbury last Tuesday.
I found there was a certain "old fashioned" air about Thame on a summer market day, an atmosphere I had not found for many a long year and well worth a visit.
Chris Maxfield sent a nice picture of a
Bakers coach taken at Harcourt Hill last week.
Mike Chadwick writes "...you mention that the Carousel Citaros "appear on other routes from time to time". In fact, the 1740 HW-Lane End 339 appears to be a regular Citaro working."
. MB51 was operating the 339 a week last Tuesday afternoon.
Nigel Preston sent a phone picture of two Oxford coaches.
Not of high resolution but at least a record.
Bus Monkey
reports
Mon
1st
-----------
616 on 15
Tue 2nd
------------
616 on 5
Curly asked what about the ex Oxford Olympians and where are they now. He records the following for confirmation.
208 is with Thames travel and operates the 105
218 is with Charlton services
220 and 221 are with Worth's and 1 operated the last 70
22 is with Jeffs {l think}
223 and 224 are with Helmdon
Where are 214 and Titan 975?
He goes on to report that
214's final duty was a 13B
221's final duty was a 601
22's final duty was a 22, 35 or 602
223's final duty was a 2A
224's final duty was a 22 or 601
975's final duty was 300
Curly also adds that for details of the St Giles Fayre diversions you can view http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/\new/News%20Stories/News%20Story-StGilesFairDiversions2003.htm
Curly reports that on 03 Aug
A Volvo on the 8A With blinds on Barton and side and rear said it was the 8 ??
101 and 102 were on Park & Ride 300/400
04 Aug
102 was on 4A . It Might have worked the 4 and 4C sometime in the Day
641 on 2 in George St
101 on 400
Ian Pinnell has also been busy with a phone with a camera saying "Hello there Malcolm. I attach a picture of Trident 102, followed by 607 on the Barton Estate (Monday 8th August 2005) Its been a while I think since OBC had a Trident on the Barton Estate.
Apologies for the dodgy camera work and poor picture quality, but this was taken
from my mobile phone!"
Chris Maxfield also sent some pictures and included a fine shot of a Citaro on 5 road. Is this a first?
Alex Evans was busy on a trip to Gatwick with a friend sending me a couple of nice pictures of an Airline coach en route Gatwick.
Ken McKenzie sent the latest fleet list and asks if there are any additions?
HEYFORDIAN Travel Limited, Murdock Road, BICESTER, OX26 4PP.
ESU 940 Scania K112CRS 1806142 Jonkheere 18844 C51FT 3/84 Goodwin, Stockport (GM) 1/94 (ex A 60 JLW by 2/88)
FIL 7662 Leyland ONLXB/1R ON47 ECW 24978 H45/32F 8/81 Hoar & Savage, Tilsworth (BD) 6/00 (ex JTY 373X by 1/03)
FIL 8317 Leyland ONLXB/1R ON49 ECW 24980 H45/32F 8/81 Hoar & Savage, Tilsworth (BD) 6/00 (ex JTY 375X by 1/05)
FIL 8441 Leyland ONLXB/1R ON128 ECW 25003 H45/32F 11/81 Hoar & Savage, Tilsworth (BD) 9/00 (ex JTY 398X by 1/03)
FIL 9664 Leyland ONLXB/1R ON800 ECW 25536 H45/32F 5/83 Arriva Durham County (DM) 7227 1/02 (ex 1430 PP by 3/05, AEF 227Y by 1/03)
LDZ 2502 Scania K112CRS 1810746 Jonkheere 20279 C51FT 2/87 Gillespie, Kelty (SE) 3/92 (ex D313 VVV 3/92)
LDZ 2503 Scania K112CRS 1809052 Jonkheere 20278 C51FT 2/87 Buddens, Romsey (HA) 4/92 (ex D312 VVV 4/92)
SJI 4428 Scania K112CRS 1807035 Jonkheere 19293 C51FT 2/85 Constable, Long Melford (SK) 3/95 (ex B989 MAB 9/94, RDU 4 9/88, B505 CBD 2/88)
VSF 438 Toyota HDB30R 0001092 Caetano 051051 C14FT 5/92 Hitchcox, Kidlington (OX) 9/98 (ex 1636 VB by 9/04, J 27 OPC by 3/01)
XCT 550 Scania K112CRS 1807034 Jonckheere 19292 C51FT 2/85 Cross Gates, Cross Gates (CS) 4/92 (ex B984 MAB c8/89, HYY 3 11/88, B504 CBD 2/88)
YAY 537 Volvo B10M-60 021524 Van Hool 14036 C49FT 5/89 Durham City, Brandon (DM) 4/96 (ex F483 OFT 4/96)
8216 FN Leyland ONLXB/1R ON1883 ECW 26139 H45/32F 5/85 Arriva Durham County (DM) 7253 9/01 (ex B253 PHN by 10/02)
9682 FH Scania K112CRS 1806431 Jonckheere 19244 C53F 3/85 NEW 3/85 (ex 1264 LG by 3/05, B157 YBW 10/88)
6595 KV Scania K112CRS 1806423 Jonckheere 19242 C53F 3/85 NEW 3/85 (ex 5089 LG by 3/05, B156 YBW 10/88)
8779 KV Volvo B10M-60 023956 Jonckheere 21990 C51FT 8/90 Heather, Ruckinge (KT) by 3/05 (ex H 10 HJC by 3/05, H 48 VNH)
7396 LJ Volvo B10M-60 031704 Jonckheere 23062 C53FT 5/93 Turner, Bristol (GL) 3/99 (ex K906 RGE by5/02)
8252 MX DAF SB3000DKV601 318899 Plaxton 8912DHB1479 C53F 4/89 City of Oxford (OX) 135 5/98 (ex F135 LJO 6/98)
9467 MU Scania K112CRS 1806420 Jonckheere 19120 C55F 9/85 Cresswell, Moira (DE) 1/91 (ex 6960 TU by 3/04, C 47 CKR 7/91)
2185 NU Leyland ONLXB/1R ON1725 ECW 26132 H45/32F 3/85 Arriva Durham County (DM) 7246 9/01 (ex B246 NVN by 5/03)
2622 NU Toyota HB31R 0003099 Caetano 051003 C21F 5/90 NEW 5/90 (ex G152 ELJ by 4/94)
4078 NU Auwarter N122/3 91 170 39 Auwarter ? CH57/22CT 6/91 Mayo, Caterham (SR) 8/95 (ex H297 GKN 9/95)
7958 NU Leyland ONLXB/1R ON1724 ECW 26131 H45/32F 3/85 Arriva Durham County (DM) 7245 9/01 (ex B245 NVN by 3/05)
2482 NX Volvo B10M-61 017093 Van Hool 13099 C49FT 4/88 Lewis, Greenwich (LN) by 10/00 (ex E418 JKS 10/00, 90 RYD by 3/00, E418 JKS 2/98, 439 BUS 12/96, E743 TCS 11/93)
7209 RU Leyland ONLXB/1R ON10108 ECW 26365 CH42/30F 5/86 Arriva Durham County (DM) 7266 9/01 (ex C266 XEF by 10/02)
7298 RU Leyland ONLXB/1R ON10098 ECW 26364 CH42/30F 5/86 Arriva Durham County (DM) 7265 9/01 (ex C265 XEF by 10/02)
2779 UE DAF SB3000DKV601 325390 Plaxton 8912DHB1482 C53F 4/89 City of Oxford (OX) 139 by 5/98 (ex 4128 AP by 5/02, F139 LJO 6/98)
8548 VF Leyland ONLXB/1R ON1913 ECW 26141 H45/32F 6/85 Arriva Durham County (DM) 7255 9/01 (ex B255 RAJ by 1/04)
1435 VZ Toyota HZB50R 9000023 Caetano 351040 C18F 3/94 NEW 3/94 (ex 2462 FD by 11/02, L535 XUT 9/96)
4827 WD Scania K112CRS 1806139 Jonckheere 18843 C51FT 3/84 BTS, Borehamwood (HT) 4/94 (ex A545 TMJ 5/91, ESU 930 4/90, A 59 JLW 4/87)
868 AVO Scania K112CRS 1806320 Jonckheere 18998 C49FT 5/84 O’Sullivan, Huyton (MY) 12/92 (ex A 52 JLW by 7/91)
481 HYE Optare MR03 VN1322 Optare 1322 B28F 4/93 London General (LN) MRL228 10/99 (ex K428 HWY 11/99)
943 YKN Optare MR03 VN1328 Optare 1328 B28F 3/93 London General (LN) MRL234 10/99 (ex K434 HWY 11/99)
B739 GCN Leyland ONCL10/1RV ON1831 ECW 26007 H45/32F 4/85 Go Coastline (TW) 3739 10/03
L 26 CAY MAN 11.190 4691398G086014 Caetano 359010 C33FT 3/94 NEW 3/94 (ex 9467 MU 1/04, L 26 CAY 9/96)
L409 GPY Volvo B6-50 05246 Plaxton 9310.2VWN1953 B40F 2/94 Go Gateshead (TW) 8409 4/05
L579 JSA Volvo B10M-60 032080 Plaxton 9312VCM1435 C51F 8/93 Bluebird (SN) 52169 5/05 (ex GSU 950, L579 JSA)
L584 JSA Volvo B10M-60 032110 Plaxton 9312VCM1440 C51F 9/93 Bluebird (SN) 52174 5/05 (ex WLT 526, L584 JSA)
L585 JSA Volvo B10M-60 032111 Plaxton 9312VCM1441 C51F 9/93 Bluebird (SN) 52175 3/05 (ex NSU 132, L585 JSA)
L587 JSA Volvo B10M-62 032113 Plaxton 9312VCM1443 C51F 9/93 Bluebird (SN) 52177 3/05 (ex ESU 435, L587 JSA)
L740 YGE Volvo B10M-62 040934 Jonckheere 23382 C49FT 3/94 Park, Hamilton (SW) 12/95
L743 YGE Volvo B10M-62 041036 Jonckheere 23388 C53FT 3/94 Park, Hamilton (SW) 12/95
L745 YGE Volvo B10M-62 041079 Jonckheere 23393 C49FT 3/94 Park, Hamilton (SW) 2/96
L752 YGE Volvo B10M-62 041058 Jonckheere 23391 C53F 4/94 Durham City, Brandon (DM) ???? 8/02
M993 HHS Volvo B10M-62 042256 Jonckheere 23558 C53F 2/95 Compass Royston, Stockton (CD) 12/02 (ex KSK 986 11/95)
M833 HNS Volvo B10M-62 041705 Van Hool 31862 C49FT 2/95 Wickson, Walsall Wood (WM) 9/02 (ex WT 3667 9/02, M833 HNS 12/98, LSK 504 10/97)
M634 KVU Volvo B10M-62 042181 Van Hool 32207 C46FT 2/95 Shearings (GM) 634 4/03
M639 KVU Volvo B10M-62 042219 Van Hool 32212 C46FT 3/95 Shearings (GM) 639 4/03
N605 JGP Mercedes-Benz 811D 670303-2N-038488 Crystals 1424 B29F 11/95 Crystals, Dartford (KT) by 4/02
N802 NHS Volvo B10M-62 044265 Jonckheere 23796 C53F 2/96 Jeffs, Hemdon (NO) 2/02
N803 NHS Volvo B10M-62 044266 Jonckheere 23797 C53F 2/96 Jeffs, Hemdon (NO) 2/02
N808 NHS Volvo B10M-62 044271 Jonckheere 23802 C53F 2/96 Jeffs, Hemdon (NO) 2/02
N809 NHS Volvo B10M-62 044272 Jonckheere 23803 C49FT 3/96 Johnson, Hodthorpe (DE) 5/98
N722 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044371 Jonckheere 23991 C46FT 2/96 Shearings (GM) 722 9/04
N724 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044373 Jonckheere 23993 C46FT 2/96 Shearings (GM) 724 9/04
N726 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044460 Jonckheere 23995 C46FT 2/96 Shearings (GM) 726 9/04
N727 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044461 Jonckheere 23996 C46FT 2/96 Shearings (GM) 727 9/04
N728 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044462 Jonckheere 23997 C46FT 2/96 Shearings (GM) 728 9/04
N731 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044489 Jonckheere 24000 C46FT 3/96 Shearings (GM) 731 8/04
N732 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044490 Jonckheere 24001 C46FT 3/96 Shearings (GM) 732 8/04
N733 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044491 Jonckheere 24002 C46FT 3/96 Shearings (GM) 733 8/04
N734 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044492 Jonckheere 24003 C46FT 3/96 Shearings (GM) 734 8/04
N735 UVR Volvo B10M-62 044493 Jonckheere 24004 C53F 3/96 Shearings (GM) 735 8/04
R415 EOS Volvo B10M-62 060587 Van Hool 33085 C53F 3/98 Park, Hamilton (SW) 8/02 (ex LSK 502 10/00)
R998 KKO Auwarter N122/3 301222WSP26892 Auwarter 1222455 CH57/20DT 3/98 Holmeswood, Holmswood (LA) 4/04
T723 UOS Volvo B10M-62 061035 Jonckheere 25006 C53F 3/99 Winson, Loughborough (LE) 3/03 (ex LSK 830 11/01)
T725 UOS Volvo B10M-62 061044 Jonckheere 25008 C53F 3/99 Park, Hamilton (SW) 4/03 (ex LSK 832 11/01)
YN 53 YGZ Optare M850 19000000001292 Optare ? B29F by1/04 NEW by 1/04
August 1st 2005
Ken MacKenzie, Oxfordshire Small Operators Sub Editor writes "Malcolm, as promised a fleet list for Heyfordian as I see it on August 1st 2005.
Not 100% certain it's correct but it's the best I can assess. Any errors or amendments would be gratefully received by your readers.
If they can e-mail me on ken@2gladstone.freeserve.co.uk I will amend and perhaps we can re-issue on a six month cycle.
McLeans of Witney
Chris Maxfield sent a number of pictures from McLeans coaches
Matt Cooper says "Hello! It's been a little while since I've been in touch, hope that you are well. Not much to report from MK at the moment. We are due a batch of new Wright bodied Scanias very soon, six in total, to be delivered over the next few months, hopefully the first will be with us at the end of August. I have been scanning pics, and loading my digital bus photos onto a new fotopic site which can be found at
www.matt-cooper.fotopic.net which has some recent shots of buses in the area plus some older scanned images of Oxford during my summer there and some of my collection of Wycombe Bus vehicles, including some of the D-UTF batch featured in the last news page. During my time at the Vale School in Aylesbury (1993-1995) I frequently travelled on this batch, which never seemed suited to Wycombe's hills! They were good performers on the marathon X15 route however!Motts of Aylesbury
Gavin Francis took this
picture of a Motts Metrobus F763EKM working a Football Special last Saturday.
Gavin suggest that Wycombe, when meeting Oxford next Saturday should have a
winning score line.
Stephen Le Bras writes "Having checked a few more of the NXLs on the 420, I can report that NXL16- WJC and 18 is WJF. I rather think that 19 is actually WJG- my notes from my spotters' pad last week made it look like WJL."
The new Scanias as we have seen have a kind of after thought destination box
on the front dome. Here it is in close up.
Quite a lot of interesting items this week.
The Grove bridge closure is still in effect and I thought it might be interesting to show a couple of pictures of the Megabus ex Tube M A N coaches working to Wantage and Grove as a terminus. The first two are taken in Oxford and Abingdon respectively.
50058 is seen working the 0625 31 service to
Wantage last Monday.
In the early morning one can find a number of unusual working and here we see
34470 on an Abingdon-Harwell working
followed by 50058 waiting time before proceeding to Wantage.
Chris Maxfield writes re the pictures below, "a few from Banbury, 42379 along with 42380 are the Varios transferred from Witney pending delivery of the Solos".
Chris Maxfield visited Banbury and took
some interesting pictures.
The first is of 42379 on a 488 working to Chipping Norton, followed by 31852 on
a B5 working.
Chris's last picture is of 31365 on the branded 500 trunk route from Banbury to
Brackley.
Ian Pinnell took this shot of a Witney
Trident working the 20 service from Gloucester Green.
These Tridents, with 100 route branding can often be found on the 20.
Chris Maxfield caught ex Witney Olympian
16514 displaying its branding for the X1.
One could be forgiven for thinking this was in Devon - cream teas etc !!!!
A nice picture of 34470 again, this time by Gavin Francis, who found it
on the 1 on 4th August.
Bus Monkey writes with the following observation.
Wed 3rd
------------
20228 on 1
I will continue the Stagecoach contributions next week as time is running out this evening.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you wish to be included on a mailing list where
I will advise of any mid week news & when
each News Page is posted
please let me know on malcolmhc@aol.com
PHOTO CORNER
If you have a digital camera and wish to submit photos for
this page please send them to the me at
malcolmhc@aol.com
?
I welcome
your photos for inclusion on this page. Please send them to me
at
malcolmhc@aol.com
These are three most interesting sites which I do recommend
Mike Penn's photo page with much from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire as well as Buckinghamshire
Chris Lowe's Photo page - mainly North West UK
Links
Bus Services in Buckinghamshire
Where are the Chilterns?
Visit this informative site through the link below.
Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002