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 230
(OBP-441)
Sunday 10th June 2007
next update week ending 23rd June 2007

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.

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 driver of a bus 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

A change in  working patterns for a few weeks means that I can publish this week's update on Sunday. I have had some excellent contributions for the page and hope everyone enjoys it?

Plans revealed to improve traffic flows in Headington

The Oxford Times this week carries a front page story about work to improve traffic flows on the London Road at Headington. A new Pelican Crossing is to be located near Headley Way, just before the traffic lights on the city side of London Road. However there are no plans to restrict traffic turning right out of Gipsy Lane towards London and the east. This is one significant reason for the long traffic delays in the afternoon peak for traffic leaving Oxford. However there are plans for an outbound bus lane between Headley Way and Osler Road which may help. Well, that is if the cars don't hang over the lane thus impeding bus traffic.

You can read the full story at the following link :- http://www.theoxfordtimes.net/search/display.var.1454320.0.london_road_to_get_3m_upgrade.php

Cyclist upset by bus bike ban

The following link makes interesting reading - http://www.theoxfordtimes.net/display.var.1460134.0.cyclist_upset_by_bus_bike_ban.php

DipTAC displays for destinations and their application - further reader responses

I notice that some of the recent deliveries for new services are still using the "wrong" layout.

Rob Williams was noticing that the use of colour screens at Reading produces some even ore bizarre effect and he has promised some pictures for the next issue to illustrate his point.

A correction to last week's picture of a Routemaster

Apologies to all but the picture of a blue Routemaster was one by Richard Sharman and this bus had appeared in Oxford on the previous week. Several readers had reported sighting this bus.

Gavin Francis sent an interesting picture of the same bus in its London days however looking somewhat the worse for wear when seen operating the 159.at Rockingham Speedway Corby 23/05/07."

Gavin Francis visits Wallingford where Thames Travel was much in evidence

All pictures are by Gavin Francis.

Gavin spent Friday afternoon in Wallingford where he was fascinated by the amount of bus movements in a seemingly small town. The new X39-X40 services by Thames Travel were much in evidence. However the repainted "pink lady" failed to show whilst he was there.

 

   

 

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Chris Maxfield took this picture of Solo 253 on the last day of Thames Travel operating this route.

Thames Travel have produced an excellent new timetable for the revised services which relates to ALL buses being air conditioned by the Spring of 2008.

They also mention that it is hoped to introduce SMS Texting in September 2007 for all passengers on the X39/X40/X41 services, a significant facility for a smaller operator.

I hope to have pictures of the decker in the new livery by the next issue.

Matt Robinson visits Wycombe and tries Line 40 plus pictures from Leighton Buzzard and Hemel

Most pictures are by Matt Robinson but I've included a few pictures by Gavin or myself where relevant.

Matt writes "My trip out today (Saturday) incorporated a ride on the new Line 40 route, plus a few extra notes and pictures from the day.



3210 taken by Matt Robinson in Thame.


3827 taken by Gavin Francis last Friday

 
First picture by Gavin Francis and second by me on 9th June 2007.

The lunchtime working on Line 40 which I travelled on was operated by ex-Watford Dart 3210 (sister 3213 was working the opposite duty). The bus was about half full leaving Wycombe, and after Stokenchurch there were only two other passengers on board who travelled to Chinnor. Another two passengers travelled Chinnor to Thame. So in short it was a fairly quiet journey, the driver seemed to have loads of time and certainly took it easy along the route. From my experiences the R-reg Darts aren't the fastest of buses anyway.

While in Wycombe I also had a play with taking pictures of the LED destination displays with Dart 3482. I tried different angles, zoom settings etc. but I couldn't get anything to show up at all. I know if I bought a camera with a faster shutter speed it would probably be ok. However my experience so far is that some come out on photos, and some don't. Even the one of 3210 didn't come out properly, but I promise you it was working Line 40 !!  (Everyone has these problems Ed.)

Volvo Olympian 5144 has moved from High Wycombe to Aylesbury. It was working on the 61 during the week and was Oxford-bound on the 280 when I saw it in Thame this afternoon. I found the engine access cover to 5144 rather amusing, so I've included that photo. I've never seen a bus with a set of kitchen cupboard doors on the back of it before !!

 

Hemel-based Volvo Olympian 5136, as well as sister 5141 were both working the 500. 5136 was on 321s into Luton one day last week so I'm unsure now where the buses are actually meant to be based?

Traditionally the vehicle split on the 500 has been Hemel x4 and Aylesbury x3. Scania 3156, still with 500 branding was on this route also. This meant there was just one DAF SB220, 3443, working on the 500 today. Similar 3444, another Hemel bus meant for the 500, was noted by Aaron last week on 321s also; but with no destinations showing.

Olympian 5099 was on Leighton Buzzard town duties today. As it has its original electronic destination display fitted it still shows route numbers 324 & 325 instead of the 34 & 35 that they were changed to some time ago. 5100 was parked in the High Street also, showing NOT IN SERVICE. I later saw an Arriva driver sitting in the lower saloon on a break, having just handed 5099 over. I wonder if they're using a bus as a crew restroom?



Notable workings today included Luton's route 12 branded Scania 3191 working 27s. Dart 3287 was on 31s this morning, the driver told me he had to take it as Scania 3195 had a problem. 3195 was still in the front yard at the depot at 10.00am. (I'd actually photographed 3195 the day before on 31s)."

The Centrebus photo in St. Albans was taken over my shoulder while messing about with my camera waiting for the 321.

Wycombe - Newlands Bus Station and what's there now by your Editor

I needed to catch the shops in Wycombe yesterday and was surprised by developments beneath the Newlands car park where the olds bus station used to be. Various structures are taking shape though there is still a long way to go in the redevelopment.


This is where the buses would come in from the right of picture and proceed towards the entrance to the bus station.


This is the old entrance where the fuelling bays were and the stops for the 33.

Buses in cityscape and landscape

Again contributions continue to arrive on my desk and I have used these below plus one from my lens.


Buses in the landscape - A Dart crosses the Thames at Richmond - photo by John Bristow taken 27th May 2007.


Buses in the landscape - taken from deck of DFDS "Queen of Scandinavia" at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 3rd June 2007 by John Marsh.


Brookes Bus on holiday
Paul Dudfield's shot of 18195 by the sea. 29th May 2007.


Climbing the Chilterns.
Buses in the landscape -
An early evening service to London by the Oxford Tube climbs out of Lewknor on 9th June 2007 - M Crowe.

Amersham & District Running days 2007 - dates for your diary

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

Amersham & District Running Days for 2007 are as follows: 

Sun 24 June 2007 - 2nd Hemel Hempstead Running Day based on Hemel Hempstead Bus Station                        

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 10th June 2007

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

News of the local companies – 10th June 2007

Quite a few reports this week plus a number of pictures.

Matt Robinson writes "I see DAF 4361 W361XKX is the latest coach to be painted in the Easybus livery, I saw it on the 757s yesterday. I think 4364 will also be done like this. Here's a picture of it taken today in the old style Green Line livery. With all of the recent coach repaints coaches left in this style of livery are now extremely rare. 

It looks like the Volvo B6s displaced from Stevenage by the new Wright Volvos may have left the fleet. I'd been informed that at least six were at Thurmaston (the place that refurbished the Alexander Olympians a few years back) about a week or so ago.

For info there were eight NCME B6s in service there prior to the 5 new Volvos entering service (3105/6/8/9/11-14)

They appear to be entering service with Arriva Midlands now. 3109 (L309HPP) is the first.

Whilst on the subject, I understand that 3107 left Stevenage some time ago and spent some time in store at Cressex. Do you have any idea why it was in store there or what happened to it?"

A correction on a Wycombe Olympian by Mark Munday

Mark Munday writes "Have just read your last news letter and would like to correct the comment made about 5130 hitting a bridge. This hit a tree while on route 329 towards Reading, as it was going through Binfield Heath a few weeks ago. The route had been cleared for double deckers to by used but the tree that did all the damage was moving in the ground towards the roadway. It has been removed by the local council now."


Wycombe based Olympian 5130 came to grief on a low obstruction and awaits its fait in Cressex depot.  Picture by Nigel Peach.

Glenn Knight has been busy with his camera

Glenn sent in some nice pictures this week. He adds "I made a mistake last week the bus went under the low bridge was 5086 F636 LMJ not G646 LMJ."


Arriva 4054 R454SKX in easybus livery at Luton Airport 9th June 2007 taken by Glenn Knight.


Arriva 4054 R454SKX in easybus livery at Luton Airport near side detail - 9th June 2007 taken by Glenn Knight.
Note the multitude of operators represented.


Arriva 4063 M943LYR on route 46 normally a Vario working
9th June 2007 taken by Glenn Knight.

More Arriva photos


Arriva 3604 Bullied Way Green Line r757 060607 Gavin Francis

  
Arriva's 4060 once based at Hemel for the 758 (14th July 2005)  is now branded for the 797 from Stevenage.
Pictures by Gavin Francis.

James writes "sorry, Just been reading last weeks page and noticed this..

I see that Dennis Lance 3376 (M266VPU) isn't on the latest fleet listings. It was at Aylesbury along with sister vehicles 3377 & 3378 which are still there, so was just wondering if anybody knew what had happened to it?

3376 is the one of the three Lance's that caught fire at Cow Roast, Herts a fair while back"

James adds "I've attached a couple of pictures for your site, Hope they are of use." Thanks James, the first is but the second is one I already have this week.


One is of 5431/W431XKX. A trident in an all over advert for Mix 96.


Heyfordian's new Enviro 200 from the rear by Richard Sharman.


Steve Warwick advised that this coach is now on loan to Wycombe from the related Tappins fleet.

Richard Sharman visited Oxford and caught the new mini Solo passing Carfax.


It really is tiny isn't it? - Picture by Richard Sharman.


This is the second of the two Solos which recently joined the Motts fleet. It is larger and has a tacho and seat belts.
It is specifically for the M1 from Stokenchurch and for a school service in Stokenchurch.
Picture by Gavin Francis.


Gavin Francis took this picture of LSK819 at VCS waiting departure on service 540 last week.

I am advised that the following Tridents will be transferred to Oxford. Andrew Tyldsley writes "The outstanding Tridents for transfer to Oxford are our fleet numbers 3881/2/4, 3892-3895 (registrations can be found in the fleet section of our website www.simplygo.com if you don't have them already). 

The first of the 8 Citaro are now expected late next week, so I would expect the Tridents to have left the North East by early July."

Now 904, the first one working so far, has been reregistered R4 OXF. I suspect that the remaining Tridents will be 902-909 and will taken the registrations R2-9 OXF on entering service. This follows as R1OXF is on a Scania coach.

Dave Presdee writes "On 6th June 2007 at about 1810, I was driving home through Brading on the ISLE OF WIGHT when I saw a coach belonging to your company pass me going the opposite way. It was in OXFORD espress livery and I think the registration No. began with R401. I could not see the fleet number as I had to pull right over to let it through. I wonder if you could throw some light on as to which coach it was and what it was doing on the Island.

(Well David, see the picture below. Ed.)

I am showing interest in this as I used to live in Blackbird Leys and moved to the Island at the end of march. Then seeing a coach from the city where I used to live was Quite a shock."

Derek Doling wrote "Thought you might like a picture of one the Oxford coaches currently on the IOW for the festival taken at Newport depot undergoing servicing."


Derek Doling was on hand in the Isle of Wight to catch up with reregistered OBC nr 11 on loan to Southern Vectis for the Festival.

Derek adds "Also, now on the island for the same purpose but seen in Eastleigh upon delivery, new Dennis Enviro demonstrator SK07 DYB."


Richard Sharman caught 633 fresh out of the paint shop last week. It looks splendid.

Edgar Tiburcio sent two nice pictures.


The first is of coach 89 when new taken at Heathrow's Terminal 4 on a rainy day in early May.


The second is of one of the Jonckheeres at Gatwick, again when new. Coach 29 is now in the X90 fleet.

Where are they now?

 
Chris Maxfield took these two pictures in Birmingham where the Darts have been reregistered.

Pearces of Berinsfield


Steve Warwick caught up last week with this latest coach for the company.
It looks immaculate.

RH Transport

 
This bus is working the revised X15 until September when the Spectra deckers are due to enter service.
First picture by Richard Sharman and second by Chris Maxfield.

Contributor writes "Malcolm, a first for Witney Garage is the short term loan of a BrookesBus Trident from Oxford to cover a vehicle shortage. My picture shows 18197 arriving in George Street on service 100 at 0813 on Friday 8th June."


Gavin Francis took this picture of 18056 on the 20A. This bus has not gone to Devon this year.


Devon interlude for 18195 - picture by Paul Dudfield

Volvo B10M/Alexander PS 20543 is presently being prepared for repaint.

Paul Dudfield writes "Jonckheere bodied Volvo 52029 is now in Devon for use as a training vehicle. It arrived bearing a Megabus sticker and carrying registration LSK 545 but has now been reunited with its original mark M106 XBW. As this is an Oxford mark I assume that the vehicle was once an Oxford Tube coach.

I have been trying get a photograph of it for you but it has proved rather elusive. The enclosed picture shows it parked in the middle of Exeter Coach Station. Stagecoach Devon are very enthusiast-friendly but have made it clear that they want us to stick to the pedestrian areas so this is the best I could get even with a zoom lens."


Paul Dudfield

Tourex and The School Bus Company

Richard Sharman visited this company and sent several interesting photos.

 
An ex Worths coach plus a Tiger in the latest company livery.

 
Two buses being cannibalised with the company. The coach is ex Worths.


Three ex MOD Leyland Tigers out of the seven in service with the company.

Walters Limousines

Walters are working feeder services from Ibstone and Radnage now that the revised schedules have started.


The Alero seen arriving in Stokenchurch from Radnage last Friday. Picture by Gavin Francis.

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


A nice line up of new Setras in VCS by Gavin Francis last week.


Richard Sharman took this picture of one of Horseman's new Volvos on a job in Oxford last week.


Interesting - its a 16 seater and more details can be found on this link
http://www.a1stretch.co.uk/

I found it quite interesting. Needless to say the picture was taken in Stokenchurch.


Once with Reading Bus, Chris Maxfield found this bus in Scotland last month.

HISTORY IN PICTURES AND WORDS

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.

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

New casting from 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.

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. 

DVD s by Robin Clare

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

Latest Citaro models revealed

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. 

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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

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