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  

Issue 240
(OBP-453)
Sunday
9th September 2007
next update week ending 22nd September 2007

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

If you wish to be included on a mailing list where I will advise of any mid-week news please let me know
malcolmhc@aol.com

To see the pictures full size just click on the thumbnail

A note regarding photographs which show drivers faces.
Following one complaint from a bus driver in Oxford but considering the fact that the photographs are taken of the vehicle not any person,
I will blank out the face to avoid any discomfort to the individual concerned. If you are the person involved send me an email to have this action taken.
I am sure people will realise that to ask everyone in advance of publication, whose face may appear in a picture is wholly impractical in both time and practice.
I am sorry to have to mention such a matter but we now live in a world of human rights and political correctness which must be considered.


Editorial

Work commitments prevented me from publishing this News Page as planned last Thursday. However it means a bumper edition with lots of interesting photos.

Talking about the almost weekly work in producing the page, some of you may like an insight of what goes into publishing the page. First of all I sift through the many e-mails received and copy and paste relevant items for inclusion on the next page to a working document. This grows each day and helps to provide much of what each one of you reads each week. I generally edit the comments and stories received as sometimes one could upset the operators if one published some of the often honest and well intended comments.

The next task is to assemble the photographic content and this is done by first saving any pictures received to a contributors file in a separate folder for each person sending pictures. For some contributors this can mean a very large file indeed and this process has evolved over the past NINE years since I took over the page from David Root in 1998.

When preparing the photos to be used, I need to reduce the size to a standard 1000 x 1000 pixels and ensure the title of each file includes the date taken and the photographers name. This takes quite a lot of time as I try to ensure the quality of each photo is to a high standard.

As you will realise this is why it takes some five or six hours to prepare each weeks page and this does not include breaks etc.

On the subject of the pages from before 2002 I am sorry to see that somehow the Geocities files have been withdrawn and I need to resolve this matter to ensure readers can refer to those older files. I will be looking into this problem next week but for the meantime I am sorry but you will not access News Pages from 1998 to 2002.

As I write this page the seemingly inevitable crash has occurred on the M40 once again and at this time the M40 has severe delays on both north and southbound carriageways between junctions four and five. As a result our village of Stokenchurch is seriously congested and there is no traffic coming from the London direction on the M40. (17:00)

Contributions for this week's page have been excellent and we start with some special features received over the past 10 days.

Summer wanderings by Mike Bennett 

Mike sent this report.

I have been out and about during the summer and I attach a few photos that may be of interest to you.  Although they are out of your normal area you could include some in your Cityscape section. 

I visited Coventry in August, arriving on the Travel West Midlands service 900 from the NEC, to find that a large part of the city centre was different from the Google Earth aerial view that I had been studying for possible photographic viewpoints.  I knew that the Pool Meadow bus station had been rebuilt, but the big surprise was the area around the Coventry Transport Museum (well worth a visit - especially as it is FREE).  Two large arches of aerofoil section had been thrown across the road junction in front of the museum - and a statue of Sir Frank Whittle had recently been erected beneath them.  A large proportion of the buses arriving and departing from the bus station had to go through this area, so I took quite a few photos around there.

 

My second visit was to Bath, where I was expecting to find a large building site around the area of the old bus station - well, I was not disappointed.  One photo shows the remains of the old bus station - just a pile of rubble, with an even higher pile behind that used to be a multi-storey car park.  Another photo shows the site being prepared for the new bus station, to cost around £13 million including the proposed improvements to the exit from Bath Spa railway station.  Together this will make an "integrated transport interchange".  This site is adjacent to the River Avon - the National Express coach is just crossing the bridge.  Both of these views were taken from the car park adjacent to the railway station - as was the Orange Bus articulated.  An interesting website as accessed from the following link.  Not much bus content, but you do get to see a glimpse of the proposed bus station in the "flythrough". (this is an excellent web site Ed.)

http://www.southgatebath.com

To enable all of this rebuilding to take place, a temporary bus station has been built at the Ambury, one block to the west and just behind the sandstone building that overlooks the river.  For a temporary structure that is only to be used for around two years, a quite presentable facility has been provided - as my other photo shows.  I suppose that HSE rules dictate what must be provided, even for a temporary structure, so the safety barriers are all in place, although it lacks any waiting accommodation.  It was pleasant enough on a warm August day, but just wait for a cold, wet day in January - and a late running bus home at the end of the day.

Thanks to Mike for an excellent piece and some nice links.

Robert Janko visits Oxford

Robert visited Oxford recently and sent some nice pictures which skirt on the recent closure of St Giles for the Annual Fair and the ongoing roadworks at The Plain with single way working causing some long delays to various bus services.

His first picture shows the long queue of nothing but buses towards the Plain from outside the Botanic Gardens entrance, around 8:30ish in the morning. This is a regular site at present but usually there are a few cars or vans. On this occasion there are buses and only buses. The variety in colours is of note.

Robert's second picture shows a Stagecoach Volvo B10M on route 59 from Banbury turning in Broad Street. Services were cut short during the Fair. At the same time resurfacing work had taken place on Magdalen Street East resulting in all services using Broad Street including coaches for the airports.

Robert's third picture shows one of many private coaches breeching the traffic ban at the bottom of Broad Street/George Street.

In this picture Robert suggests that the Swanbrook driver was unaware of the road closure in St Giles as he stopped outside the Oak on the Woodstock Road to turn around.

Finally Robert visited Gloucester Green and saw this Dart, not a regular performer on the 66.

East Lancs visit and Fleetwood Docks by Alistair Liddle

Whilst not in our area this contribution from Alistair is interesting as it includes buses from our area, seen through the links quoted and the first 57 reg bus on this page.

Alistair writes "In Fleetwood docks at the weekend on delivery from Ballymena were 2 new Gemini's for the Bristol, Long Ashton P & R FJ57 CZA/B. CZB is shown above, the other can be seen at:

 http://alistair268.fotopic.net/c1233049.html

They were both gone by noon on Monday, so I presume they are either with Volvo at Bristol or they have been delivered."

Visit to East Lancs open Day. 

Alistair writes "Having been to the East Lancs open day on the 1st. of July I came home and promptly lost the memory card!!! Said card has now turned up and the photographs which include Metrobus Omnidekka YN07 EXF, Transdev Olympus SO6 and enough Metroline Olympus's to make your eyes water along with Reading Olympus's and the Kinetec as well as some other odds and ends can be seen at: http://alistair268.fotopic.net/c1364954.html "

PSV Circle publishes latest issue of the fleet list for Berkshire and Oxfordshire

Ken MacKenzie writes to note that the new PSV Circle fleet list for Berkshire/Oxfordshire (G432) is now available.

Those readers wishing to buy a copy should write to: PSV Circle, 59 Palmer Avenue, Cheam SM3 8EF - Cost id £7.00 plus 50p P & P and it will also be available at the PSV Circle sales stand at Showbus 2007.

This will be a most useful reference for all those interested in the local scene.

Editors review - I have now had chance to review this book and it is indeed very useful, giving details of all known fleets in Berks and Oxon. Whilst some information is not totally up to date it allows the readers to have a comprehensive view of the local fleets and up dates can be gained by joining the PSV Circle. At £7.00 this represents value for money as it also includes a number of good photographs.

Route 64 by Marcus Lapthorn

Marcus Lapthorn writes telling us about route 64 which is operated by Stagecoach from their Witney depot. It traverses some lovely countryside and villages and makes a great day out for those so inclined.

Stagecoach Oxfordshire's route 64 passes through three counties, starting in Oxfordshire and passing through Gloucestershire, before ending in Wiltshire. On Wed 1 August 47450 is seen in Gloucestershire at Lechlade on the 1008 departure for Swindon. The bus was on time, ignore the church clock which was running fast!

Once a day one journey runs from Swindon via Coleshill to Lechlade and then on to Carterton. On Friday 7 September 47450 is seen in Oxfordshire at Coleshill negotiating the tight corner by the Radnor Arms, into a one track road!

Buses in cityscape and landscape

Bill J writes to say ".....or maybe this should be called 'Landscape with bus'. I took this while on a walk the other day, with a zoom lens, from the top of Weathercock Hill opposite Ashdown House between Lambourn and Ashbury (just in Oxfordshire - very near the borders with West Berkshire and Wiltshire). Unless you have image enhancement software you will have to take my word for it that it is a Thamesdown Dart on route 47 from Lambourn to Swindon! I hope it is suitable for your excellent site."


Picture by Bill J

John Marsh, another contributor to this section sent two interesting pictures for this week's page.


A busy scene at Rutland Water by john Marsh


A new Scania in service in Reading in the town centre by John Marsh.


Chris Carter sent this evocative picture of the seaside at Torquay.
He says "
captured a scenic shot of Stagecoach Devon's former HK/Megabus tri-axle 13627 (HIL 8410) heading along Torquay Seafront
towards Paignton whilst working an X46 Express from Exeter today as we enjoy some pleasant weather."


Mike Bennett
included one for this section of First in Bath.


My own contribution is Arriva 5157 at Headington, a picture which enhances the hill at this point.

Bus Driver of the Year 2007 - Blackpool

This year's event took place today and a driver from Arriva North West was the ultimate winner. Local operators were represented and Oxford Bus sent Volvo 817 along.


George Irvine, Driver of the Year for Stagecoach in Oxfordshire is seen driving "the Competitors" bus (in more ways the one) in the National Finals in Blackpool today.
Picture by Mike Penn.

Duxford - Show Bus 2007 is next Sunday, 16th September

Full details on their web site including updated entry lists.

http://www.showbus.co.uk/

Amersham & District Running day September 30th 2007 - a date for your diary

http://www.amershammotorbussociety.co.uk/ 

The final Amersham & District Running Day for 2007 is as follows: 

Sun 30 September 2007 - 19th Amersham Running Day based on Amersham but commemorating the 30th anniversary of the closure of HE Garage (30/09/1977) so there will be a reconstruction of certain routes in the High Wycombe area.


Malcolm Crowe - Sunday 9th September 2007

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

News of the local companies – 9th September 2007

with MK Metro

I learn that Mike Conroy from Aylesbury has transferred to MK Metro and we wish him well in his new post.

Following on from the last News Page (239), Graham Monk writes "Re your comment about the 800 / 850 renumbering from 328 / 329. I understand that the trunk route numbers in Bucks are changing to end in 00. The theory is that they are "The Chiltern Hundreds" i.e X15 is becoming 100 Aylesbury - Milton Keynes    -  ironic considering it becomes more of an express route than it has been for years.

300 Aylesbury - HW 

500 Aylesbury - Watford

and now 800 and 850 HW - Reading. As the 328 is the less frequent of the 2 routes and only applies to buses going through Twyford and not any short workings, it means more buses could be renumbered 800 if it took the former 329 number."

Following on from this theme Nigel Peach writes "Talking of route branding, most of the ex Oxford Volvo B10Bs still carry branding for the Thames Valley Line 328 & 329, despite the route numbers having changed to 850 and 800. To add to the confusion, one of them is running on the 35 to Flackwell Heath today (Sun)!"

A few photos taken today (Sunday 9th) at Cressex: 

1. Not really a contender for Buses in the Landscape, but in recent weeks one has been able to see the depot from Coronation Road since the building on the corner of Lincoln Road was demolished. However, with work on the replacement building now started, it will soon not be possible to see this view, taken in Coronation Road. (It's not a particularly good picture - no need to put it on the page!!)

 

2. DAF 4490 has gained an allover advert for Lakes Electrical. (Scania 3144 already has the same.)

 

3. All three Park and Ride buses (3701-3703) are among the line up in the "back row". Note that 3702 (far left) has not regained its wording or fleet number on the back, after accident repairs some months ago

 

4. Dart 3363 (K413 FHJ) now a trainer, was there, in front of a new Optare YK07 BGF.

 

Mike Chadwick wrote earlier in the week saying "I promise not to bombard you with daily updates for ever(!) but.....Yesterday there was one Solo (not sure which one) plus one of the 33-branded Darts.

Today, again only one Solo (2491) which IS able to display High Wycombe when going that way! Plus, initially, 3213 - however this wouldn't start for the 1235 journey, and was replaced, at least for that journey by  non low-floor 3137. The other Solo (presumably 2492 but couldn't see the number) was in the bus station, on what looked like driver familiarisation.

Your next photographic challenge, when the chance arises, is to get both Solos in shot passing each other!!"

Well there indeed is a challenge. Certainly later this week I did not see any Solos on the 40, especially on Saturday.

New Line 40 Solos enter service - or at least did.

First day in service for 2491 


As the bus was going to Thame according to the blind setting, regardless of which direction it was travelling
one wondered if there was already a malfunction with the equipment?


Steve Warwick sent this picture and I think this time 2491 was heading ion the right direction.


For comparison I also took a picture of 2481 at Luton Airport on a Sunday 321 working. Not the livery difference.


Whilst one service was on some days last week, Solo operated on Line 40, the other bus was normally 3213.


Olympian 5157 has acquired a rather different grill than original. Chris Maxfield caught up with her in Oxford recently.


Ben Morroll sent this picture of a Wycombe Dart now based at Cannock.

Luton by Matt Robinson.

I've not had an opportunity to sample the new routes and their vehicle offerings in Luton yet (Saturday hopefully), however it looks like the new 69 and 70 routes are being operated mainly by the Volvo B10BLEs, with a couple of Scanias mixed in.

Richard Oakey reported from Wycombe on Friday evening that Volvo B10B/Plaxton Verde 3844 (N624FJO) departed the bus station on the 19.20 74 working to Slough, before unfortunately striking the rear of Aylesbury-bound Scania 3151 (N701EUR). Richard was on 3844 at the time and informed me of damage to the offside front corner of 3844, such that it was unable to continue on its duty. 3151 however, was able to continue on its way.

This lunchtime (Wednesday) around 13.15, I came across Luton-based Volvo B10BLE 3264 (V264HBH) parked in Luton Airport bus station with a shattered nearside rear window. At first I thought it was an act of vandalism as I approached the bus from the front, however closer inspection revealed panel damage around the nearside corner of the bus suggesting that it had either been struck from behind or clipped something as it pulled away. Scania 3605 replaced it on route 69. Unfortunately it was 'one of those days' where I didn't have my camera, so all I can offer is this grainy image taken on my phone, but the damage around the nearside rear corner is clearly visible.

Saturday

3264 was back on the road today (Saturday) on route 31, the nearside rear corner of the bus freshly patched up and re-sprayed.
 
I had a look around today at what some of the new services in Luton had to offer:
The 31/69/70 routes (which are not interworked at all) still seem to have a random variety of Scanias (both N and R registration examples) and the V-reg Volvo B10BLEs. The Volvos, while displaying route 31 on their nearside route branding, still carry Luton Airport - Leighton Buzzard vinyls on the cove panels. As a result they still kind of fall into both categories now. Additionally a duty on the 70 is wholly worked by Leighton Buzzard outstation. Unbranded Scania 3159 has been noted in use (remembering that double deckers cannot be used due to Hitchin Road Bridge).
 
The 5 today, previously all single deck due to Leagrave Bridge which is now not part of the route, had Olympians 5087 and 5107 working on it. The frequency of the 5 is every 20 minutes, not every 10 as previously anticipated - requiring 3 vehicles. Timekeeping on the new 5 route seems to be easier than the old one.
 
New route 9A is entirely single deck operated due to passing under Leagrave Station Bridge. The previously unserved Limbury Road section is said to have been quite well patronised in the first week according to some drivers I have spoken to, and some full loads on 40-seater B6s have been reported. Indeed the vehicle of choice for the 9A appears to be the Volvo B6, although Dart 3291 was on one duty today. The 9, where duties have been kept separate from the 9A, is still double deck operated. It seems to be the permanent home of ex-COMS 5835 these days.
 
Displaced B6s from the 5/15 routes have been appearing on the re-routed 8 service to Lewsey Park/Poynters Road Tesco. The 8 now appears to be interworked with the 23 Sundon Park service on Saturdays.
 
A lot of buses at Luton have been equipped with new destination blinds (or had electronic ones re-programmed) following the service changes, those that have seem to display a lot more detail than before.

 

 

James Smith writes "Picture attached of Aylesbury Scania 3161 now stationed at Leighton Buzzard  for Route 70, Picture taken at Luton Airport"

James also runs a model company www.modelsmk.co.uk - Low cost Bus models.

Glenn Knight sent some pictures - The first picture is of L170 EKG a Scania N113 CRB from Newport Transport, Wales taken 5/9/2007, followed by  ARRIVA Shires G230 VWL 5830 in Luton on 61 resprayed 4/9/2007.

 


The new EasyBus leaflet Luton Airport - London

A sad end to the X66 by Edward Neal

Sad to see X66 was being withdrawn as it has a long history as you can see from this 1952 Eastern National Timetable !!   (That is if you can read it.?)

"Luton LMS to Bletchley LMS" 

Best wishes - You have a great Website - Edward Neal

 

Carousel Bus, High Wycombe - http://www.carouselbuses.com/

Latest recruit to this fleet is a bus which started life in Cambridge.

Centrebus - http://www.centrebus.co.uk/Herts&Beds/Herts&BedsHome.html

Glenn Knight sent two photos of Centrebus 131 - Y131 TBF, Mercedes Vario resprayed  and 181 XIL 6081 Dennis Dart from Leicester down to Luton both taken on 31/8/2007.

First

Two interesting pictures taken at Stansted last week show First in two very different lights.


The X30 to Southend always has MB midi coaches on the service.
Last week I was surprised to find one of the ex Reading Railair coaches, 20202, in service, seemingly having come from Bristol depot.


Not to be outdone by Crosville, First has repainted a Dart in Eastern National Tilling green and cream livery.

  http://www.heyfordian.travel/

 

Steve Warwick sent a picture of the new double deck coach and also an older coach recently repainted.

A rear view was provided by Richard Sharman. There appears to be some panel damage repair at the time the photo was taken.

Finally Chris Maxfield caught up with the 06 delivery which has now received the latest livery and very fancy wheel trims.

Jeffs of Helmdon


Picture by Richard Sharman

McLeans Coaches Ltd http://www.mcleanscoachesltd.com/49%20seater.htm

Chris Maxfield has been busy catching up with developments to this interesting fleet.


The Oxford United FC Team coach


A selection of the older coaches to be found on contract work in this fleet.


Newer co0aches are available for private hire and  continental work.

Motts Coaches

The second new Solo bus is used on the M1 to Reading each day and is seen here returning to Stokenchurch last week. It appears to connect with the 275 to Wycombe.

Chris Maxfield has been busy with his camera and provided some very nice pictures of this fleet. The latest livery is now appearing on more buses in the fleet and Volvo B120B 638 is the latest recipient. It is noticeable that black wheels are in vogue which is better than wrong coloured wheel appearing on some buses.


Pictures by Chris Maxfield


Ben Morroll sent another picture of Volvo B10Bs now in Birmingham. This time 607.

Curly writes to note that "814, in generic city livery, on 6. The maybe the first time a generic city liveried bus has worked a local bus other than their intended routes." (Well maybe the 6 ED.)

Curly adds "Why are some of the Large easy access buses(813-817)painted into generic city livery?" - (A company needs some "float" buses to assist with engineering requirements. Ed.)

A nice sighting came again from this correspondent "Park and ride Citaro on 9 on 8th September. The first time I've seen a Park and Ride bus on the 9."

Damon Williams writes with an interesting observation "The livery on the newly acquired Oxford  Bus Company Tridents is indeed very smart and trendy. However, I have come across a little spelling error in the list of place-names written between decks. The letter 'a' in BODLEIAN LIBRARY has been missed out, thus giving BODLEIN instead. I know this is a difficult word to spell correctly, as during my time as a member of the library staff, I have come across some very strange renditions of it!. Should we expect some red faces at the Oxford Bus company to match the new livery?."

Well Damon lets see what happens now.

R H Transport Services

Once again Chris Maxfield has been busy with his camera and a scoop is the first pictures of the recently received deckers intended for the X15.

Other pictures show several members of this interesting fleet which does not always have to Solo minded as can be seen.

Stagecoach long since vacated the depot at Chipping Norton which was once a hive of activity, especially in COMS days when repaint and various overhaul work was done here. Chris Maxfield took these pictures last week of this once proud depot now all but finished with. It is to be replaced by housing.

The buses based at this Stagecoach outstation are now housed in a yard some distance away and as Chris's picture shows look somewhat forlorn in their new surroundings.

The Leicester route drivers (x7) are to be split up and deployed on the new x88 service and general consensus was that Optare Solos will be used on this run (Three drivers asked!) 

The Brookes Buses arrived back from the summer holidays in Devon and as can be seen from the pictures taken by Chris Maxfield still had the Devonshire destinations settings available.

Some other photos of interest were sent by Chris showing route 20 workings.

Apart from that, thanks for an interesting website, keep it up."


Warwickshire's 16617 seen in Stratford with the blinds set for the X50. Wishful thinking from Richard Sharman


Neoplan 501087 seen at Marble Arch in this picture by James Smith


Richard Sharman caught Tube 50106 alongside 27542 at Oxpens on a few Sunday's ago.


Dave Rogers sent this excellent picture of ex Tube 50043 taken in Manchester on 1st September.


Chris Maxfield found the Scania decker 154 working the X39 last week. This often works the X40 to Reading from Oxford.

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

Blackburn Rovers team coach at Stansted


Quite some coach, this Irizar PB is 3.99m high and seats 34 in considerable luxury. Seen at Stansted last Friday.


Chris Maxfield sent this picture of a once proud British export looking somewhat sorry for itself.


Excel at Stansted run this ex Stagecoach MB, still full SC livery.


My second "57" plate was this Enviro 200, one three just put into service by Stansted Transit.


District Travel's  Auwaerter N316SHD YN03 AXH taken 6/9/2007 by Glenn Knight.


Chris Maxfield caught up with Charlbury Travel last week.


I thought the livery on this mini coach was rather attractive.


Richard Sharman sent this picture of an ex YTC Olympian which visited Oxford recently.

HISTORY IN PICTURES AND WORDS

If you have any pictures or historical memories and wish to submit them for this page please send them to the me at  malcolmhc@aol.com

Coming events, models and useful links

Britbus

A new casting with a local flavour has been released by Britbus as a picture from Mark Lyons shows. It is a nice model but as Mark says, a little pricey at £33.

Model News of an Oxford bus

Guy writes to send a picture of the latest offering on the model front related to Oxford.

 

A photo disc for your collection

This week I can bring details of a really super new photo disc from Vics cliix. The disc contains pictures taken in the early 1970s by Vic Zealey and copies can be obtained through Malcolm Hyland's web site http://www.cliix.co.uk.

Here are some samples of the 158 pictures on this disc.

       
The quality is good and they are all at high resolution.

Oxford Bus 125 commemorative book

In last week's issue I mentioned that Oxford Bus were publishing a book to commemorate the 125 years of public transport in Oxford. Thanks to Phil Ashworth I have had a review copy and hereunder give my thoughts on this book.

The book is well presented and includes a number of historical pictures of interest including some I had not seen before. The modern pictures have received a nice treatment reflecting the modern fleet against a background of typical Oxford architecture. The Botley Road rail bridge gets a mention and a picture of an AEC pre war decker which has done battle with said bridge and come off worse from its encounter is included.

The book, whilst rather small to reflect the 125 years in detail is nevertheless a must for all who love Oxford, historians and enthusiasts alike.

Copies of the book can be bought from the Oxford Bus Company, Cowley House, Watlington Rd, Oxford OX4 6GA. The cost is £5.95 including postage. Cheques should be made payable to "Oxford Bus Company", it is also available in person from the Oxford Bus Museum during normal opening hours. 

Robin Clare publishes Volume 15 DVD

Many of you will be aware of the various volumes on DVD of buses in the U.K. from Robin Clare.

His latest offering gives a glimpse in some locations in this area, such as Oxford, Reading and High Wycombe. I think it is well worth the £10 and it can be obtained from:

Robin Clare Transport Video
74 Polruan Place, Fishermead,
Milton Keynes MK6 2EA


The full details of DVDs available from Robin Clare may be found at his web site :- http://www.robinclare.co.uk/

Citaro models

Dave Rogers sent the following press release.

CREATIVE MASTER NORTHCORD - PRESS RELEASE 

Mercedes-Benz Citaro - ukbus 5004 Arriva Manchester  -  ukbus 5007 Oxford Bus

 

Creative Master Northcord Limited is proud to release two brand new liveries on its well known Mercedes-Benz Citaro casting. Both models have received significant, yet different, modifications to the tooling in order to represent, as close to 100% accuracy as possible, the real buses on the roads. 

ukbus 5004 represents fleet number Arriva North West’s 2851 (CX55 EAA). This Mercedes Citaro is one of three such vehicles with dedicated route branding for service 700 and with the destination set to Manchester. The model features a redesigned interior layout that includes the reduced seating capacity and luggage racks. 

Starting on 29th October 2005, Arriva North West’s service 700 runs from Manchester’s Piccadilly Railway Station to Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport. For the service, 3 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses were purchased and numbered 2851-3. They were painted in the same style and colours as the Scania OmniCity buses that already operated between John Lennon and Liverpool city centre. 

ukbus 5007 represents fleet number 830 (X13 OXF) of Oxford Bus Company. 830 entered service in December 2003, to upgrade the X3 & X13 Oxford – Abingdon services. The bus was painted in a new and distinctive livery designed by Best Impressions. 

ukbus 5007 features the smooth, curved windscreen with the destination display set behind the windscreen glass rather than the protruding destination found on the Park & Ride Citaros in the fleet. This feature is one of the standard specifications on other Citaros that the Go-Ahead Group has purchased. 

Mercedes-Benz Citaro ukbus 5004 and 5007 models are each a one-piece casting whose clean lines accentuate the square-mounted, double-glazed windows and the livery application on which all logos and lettering are clearly legible. Another main feature on both models is the extensive portrayal of handrails. The headlight / indicator units at the front and indicator / tail light units at the rear are made of individual components to look more realistic.

 

The brand new single-door Mercedes-Benz Citaro bus models will be distributed by John Ayrey Die-Casts Limited (UK), Porte Publishing Company (Japan) and Concorde Hobby Shop (HK) respectively. The ukbus 5004 and 5007 models are limited to 1700 pieces worldwide respectively. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Would readers who respond to the above please quote my site when doing so.

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

Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002

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

Links

These are three most interesting sites which I do recommend

Bus Zone Logo (2421 bytes)

Mike Penn's photo page with much from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire as well as Buckinghamshire

Chris Lowe's Photo page - mainly North West UK

John Marsh's pictures with a difference

The Oxford Bus Museum


Ray Jackson Art

A web site which has paintings of buses.
Nice present for a Christmas or Birthday wish list !!

http://www.rayjacksonart.co.uk/index.htm
 

 


Stagecoach Handbook for 2006
from British Bus Publishing

Arriva Handbook for 2006-2007
from British Bus Publishing

http://www.britishbuspublishing.co.uk/

The latest handbooks are now on sale, the ever
popular Stagecoach edition now in its 13th year.

Links

Bus Services in Buckinghamshire

Bus services in Oxfordshire

Where are the Chilterns?

Visit this informative site through the link below.

back to home page
Map showing the Chilterns Hills beginning in Oxfordshire in the Thames Valley and stretching north-east through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire to Hitchin in Hertfordshire. The highest points are over 250m. There are various water courses running from the Chilterns to the South East.

Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002

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