Issue 203
(OBP-417)
Sunday
19th November 2006
next update week ending 2nd December 2006
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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you wish to be included on a mailing list where I will advise of any mid-week
news please let me know
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To see the pictures full size just click on the small one
This week sees some very
interesting pictures including a raft of black & white pictures from Malcolm
Hyland depicting the coaches of Wingrove & Surman of Chinnor back in the mid
'60s. I have also shown a few more pictures from this year's show at the NEC and
these certainly do make an interesting comparison of what was and what is or can
be in 2006.
First some more pictures from the NEC.
Several correspondents have mentioned now orders for major operators in our area but I will only advise on these when I have received the OK from the companies concerned. However Ken MacKenzie, Oxfordshire Other Operators Sub Editor for the PSV Circle writes "Local interest was the MAN double decker with East Lancs body which is destined to Reading Transport after doing a demo circuit.
One double deck inter city class coach on display was this Ayats Bravo for
Northern Ireland.
It features M A N running units with an AS-Tronic gearbox.
National Express have selected the Caetano Levante body as their standard for
2006-7.
The coach above features a Scania chassis as opposed to the, until now, more
usual Volvo chassis.
The coach above is destined for Arriva Midland Fox.
All the pictures I have seen so far in various publications show the front of
vehicles so here goes with some rear shots.
The Enviro 400 s above are destined for Arriva and Stagecoach Manchester
respectively.
My final choice was this picture of the Volvo stand featuring various coaches
but taken from the rear.
Photo MC.
Questions answered on a Michelin bus and Stevenage Transit
David
Stewart writes "1)
The Michelin "replica" you pictured on the M40 was one of the buses in the
parade for the Lord Mayor's Show in London on Sat.11th, so was either going to
or from (depending on when it was seen).
2) A correspondent queried Stansted Transit in Stevenage. The last day of their six local services there was Monday 30th October, this having been brought forward (at one day's notice!) from the original de-registration date of the end of November. Nothing ran on 31st but Centrebus took up one of the routes (178 Shephall) from 1st November, and may take more later. Please remember, though, that it was not a shut-down of the company, only their work in Stevenage, they also have a fairly large operation in North and West Essex."
That ex Arriva Olympian pictured for the last two weeks
David May writes "Saw this vehicle in your news pages over the past couple of weeks, and although I can’t help you with its current owner, I can fill you in on a bit of its history. 534 (as it was then known) was new to the West Riding Automobile Company in 1983. It spent most of its life working out of Selby depot, where it was a regular performer on my school bus run after we moved into the area in 1987, at that time still wearing the NBC poppy-red livery (although as I recall with the NBC logo crudely painted out).
It would have been repainted into West Riding green and cream sometime after that, and stayed to with the Company until after it was absorbed by Arriva Yorkshire.
You may also be interested to know that the last remaining ECW bodied Olympians were withdrawn by Arriva Yorkshire at the end of September this year. After having 117 in service at one point, there were only a handful left at the time of withdrawal. I also understand that this was quite an historic occasion as, unless you know different, these buses were the last vehicles in the country purchased by the then NBC to be withdrawn by their ‘original’ (I use the term loosely) operator."
Ben Morroll visits Banbury
Ben writes "Didn't have that much success picturewise down in Banbury today with the strong low sunlight, but thought these may be of interest to you."
Two Geoff Amos buses used on the Banbury-Rugby service are seen in Banbury 18th
November 2006.
The question was asked what had replaced the Dart on the 81 whilst it was at
Wycombe?
Well as can be seen above a Metrorider was on the service on Saturday 18th
November.
The
dead mileage run by Grayline to work a Banbury local service seems quite a lot
but maybe the bus comes through on a service from Bicester?
The
driver on this 500 service is concentrating hard as she pulls out of Banbury bus
station bound for Brackley.
Buses in The High, Oxford
Philip Kirk, Managing Director of Oxford Bus adds a view on the points made on last week's page. Philip says "The situation is that there are 6% LESS buses in High Street, Oxford, than there were before OTS was introduced (official county council cordon figures). Plus the buses today are much less polluting than they were eight years ago."
I think this places matters into perspective and maybe it is the cars and trucks which are adding to the pollution especially as often is such users that flout the law by driving through the centre of Oxford. Maybe the car users could make ore use of the park and ride services and do us all a favour?
A local model worth adding to your collection
Malcolm Hyland writes "This
mail comes to you in my capacity as Treasurer of The Amersham & District Motor
Bus Society.
We have a very limited stock of the 10T10 EFE model T596 on route 458 to
Uxbridge. This model was commissioned through London Bus Repaints for the Slough
& Windsor Running Day on 14th May 2006 and was a limited edition of 150 models.
Price is £27-50 plus £2-50 for postage and packaging. It is available through
Malcolm Hyland at 41, Clare Road, Prestwood, Bucks HP16 0NU. Cheques payable to
Amersham & District Motor Bus Society. E-mail queries to
malcolm@cliix.co.uk
Thank you to all those who been with me since day 1 and to those who have
contributed each week to help make this page so special.
Malcolm Crowe - Sunday 19th November 2006
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002 to date
News of the local companies – 19th November 2006
David May writes "You may also be interested to know that the last remaining ECW bodied Olympians were withdrawn by Arriva Yorkshire at the end of September this year. After having 117 in service at one point, there were only a handful left at the time of withdrawal. I also understand that this was quite an historic occasion as, unless you know different, these buses were the last vehicles in the country purchased by the then NBC to be withdrawn by their ‘original’ (I use the term loosely) operator."
Ed Maun writes "I understand that the 323 service between Aylesbury and High Wycombe is being re-branded ”Line 300” from Monday 20th November."
Gavin Francis sent this picture of an ex DAF gas bus in Green Line livery on the
797.
It was once used on the 724 until the arrival of the Citaros.
My picture taken at Cressex depot this morning shows sister bus 4491 now part of
Wycombe's allocation.
(A blue bus with a blue depot and a blue sky !!!!)
On a Saturday the 261 service is normally operated by a small bus and Gavin
Francis caught this Vario on Saturday morning at Headington.
Cressex depot on Sunday
morning the 19th with the old staff bus hidden way on the right awaiting
disposal.
Carousel has two Routemasters, mainly used on weddings, seen above at their
depot on Saturday morning.
The majority of the fleet are still stabled at Cressex Park & Ride site and
the scene above shows the fleet on Sunday morning.
The recently acquired Optare single decker has now received fleet livery. It
looks very smart.
Robert Janko writes "Oxford Bus 962 was seen on the Osney Mead Trading estate last week and I took the picture below"
Gary Michellhill writes "for
your interest, below are links to a collection of my photos of the Plaxton
Presidents, some of which are destined for OBC. I still got plenty of photos to
add. I've got more of 3883 which aren't online, shame that one has gone south,
as there was a model made of it. The link for my Plaxton President photos is
http://gnebp.fpic.co.uk/c841593.html."
NEW FOTOPIC SITE -
http://blackpool-transport.fotopic.net/ -
More Photos
Added Soon
Visit my
Websites at.
http://gnebp.fpic.co.uk -
http://gjmbc.fpic.co.uk
http://scnebp.fpic.co.uk -
http://anebp.fpic.co.uk
http://scbuk.fpic.co.uk -
http://prestonbus.fpic.co.uk
http://gjmrail.fpic.co.uk -
http://gjmrally.fpic.co.uk
http://lothian.fpic.co.uk -
http://blackpool-transport.fotopic.net
Trident 904 ex GNE 3883 is not quite ready to enter service yet as some driver training is required as the bus has a powered ramp for loading wheel chairs.
Volvo B10B 604 is expected to move to Go West midlands very soon.
Buses in the landscape and a late afternoon X90 London working climbs towards
Stokenchurch, 800ft above sea level as the sun sets in the west behind the
coach.
Wayne has written to advise that Trident ALX400 V929FMS has now found a new home with Kimes Buses working in the Peterborough area. Wayne says "I am afraid I do not have any photos but I have been told she is in fleet colour which are 2 shades off green so it seems its gone full circle since leavening Oxford Colour wise."
Wayne has some interesting web sites shown below.
http://waynesphotos.fpic.co.uk/
http://waynesgallery.fotopic.net/ Aka The Colchester
Bus Page
http://groups.google.com/group/Essex-Bus-Photos
Confirmed news from Stagecoach in Oxfordshire is that 11 brand new Solo Slimlines are due for delivery early in the New Year of 2007. I can confirm that these will be M A N powered and are for the tendered routes gained and retained in the Witney area effective 11th December 2006. As such they will be based at Witney depot.
Further details will be given on this site as they become available.
Paul
Dudfield writes "I
visited my in-laws in Witney last weekend. They have just discovered that they
can get a bus from near their home to Sainsbury's. Now I see from OCBP that the
bus will no longer serve Sainsbury's. Such is life.
The OCBP report also mentions Stagecoach service 64 (Carterton-Swindon). It
seems a shame to me that the service does not start from Witney as it would
provide a useful link. Pre-deregulation, different operators were involved which
probably prevented a through service. However now it's all Stagecoach, it ought
to be possible. It could even be linked with service X2 to run right through
from Oxford."
Interesting thoughts Paul, maybe this will
prompt someone at Stagecoach to consider your suggestions?
Robert Janko writes to enclose a picture taken last Wednesday in Park End Street.
You can see more of Robert's work on his web site quoted below. This site includes a number of local operators and is well worth a look.
http://eu-bustrain-pics.photos.gb.com
Glenn
Knight's photo of KX56 JZL 52373 Spirit of Milton Keynes taken at MK Rail
Station on 14th November 2006
Chris Lowe writes "......in case you are interested, five of the seven Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Tridents that were originally due to be delivered to Oxford, but ended up at Stagecoach Manchester are now carrying identical offside mega-adverts for "AIG - Manchester United FC". The vehicles concerned are 18310-314 and I have attached pics of 18312/313 for you below. Of this batch of vehicles 18309 is supposed to be transferred away from Stagecoach Manchester in the near future and has been fitted with CCTV systems ready. All of this batch are still currently allocated to Stagecoach Manchester's Princess Road garage."
Photos from Chris Lowe.
More of Chris Lowe's pictures can be seen at his websites whose links are shown below.
http://chrisbusphotos.fotopic.net/
http://chrislowebusphotos.fotopic.net/
A number of operators in our area are covered.
Over the past few weeks I have been rostered to operate a number of Brookes U1 peak hour reliefs and as such have been able to drive a variety of buses.
One such bus was M A N 22207 which coincidentally, in view of the pictures
above, started life at Princess Road depot, Manchester.
It is seen above after working the 0810 relief from Pullens Lane, Headington to
Harcourt Hill on Monday 13th November.
Another M A N was used for the same journey on Friday 10th November, this time 1
route branded 22947, again seen at Harcourt Hill.
One of the last batch of Tridents delivered to Oxford, 18393, has been left
unbranded and this bus was used
on the 1210 Pullens Lane to Wheatley on Tuesday 14th November and is seen here
at Morrell Hall stop prior to its U1 journey.
Whites of Abingdon
Paul Dudfield writes "The
Optare website press releases page
http://www.optare.com/News/index.htm
carries an article dated 16/11/06
about Whites becoming the first operator in Oxfordshire to have an entirely
low-floor fleet."
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
Gavin Francis took some pictures in London last week whilst on a layover. Gavin writes "Managed to get some pics in Victoria today and have sent you a few samples."
A PVL
on Rte 44 now extended to Victoria.
Transdev Scania SP 15 which I think is the highest number in service on the 148.
(There is
an item on these vehicles in the December edition of Buses now on sale. Ed.)
On display in VCS was First 33337 which was being inspected by various suits. It looks to me as though the upstairs windows have had a film coated over them to stop the etching. Not easy to show in a photo but I think you can just make it out.
Don't you just love the
destination - ask the driver !!!
On display in
VCS was First 33337 which was being inspected by various suits.
It looks to me as though the upstairs windows have had a film coated over them
to stop the etching.
Not easy to show in a photo but I think you can just make it out.
(Certainly
it is most unusual to see a "London" bus in Victoria Coach Station but this is
where TfL headquarters are located. Ed.)
Two pictures which are to hand this week are of local interest.
Weavaway started up Oxford International based at Culham
some months ago and their latest coach is seen here in New Road last week.
It is a Scania with Berkhof bodywork and looks very smart indeed.
Another local picture but not a local operator was this Trathens coach seen in
High Wycombe on Saturday 18th November.
HISTORY IN PICTURES AND WORDS
Following last week's pictures of Wingrove and Surman coaches I have received a number of pictures for inclusion this week from Malcolm Hyland who has a number of bus pictures on CD which can be purchased from his web site. This may be found at the following address:
Malcolm writes as follows:
Wingrove /
Surmans of Chinnor
I
have attached 11 photos taken by Vic Zealey in either 1972 or 1973 at Chinnor.
Vic never was one to worry too much about photographic niceties such as shadows
but if at least we have some shots. These were taken on two separate visits (at
least).
Included are
1189 PP Bedford / (I'm not sure about the body)- ought to know but it
escapes me. Help please someone?
(This is a
Plaxton Embassy style body as far as I know Ed.)
ABH 920B Bedford / Plaxton Embassy
GBH 300G BMC / Fineline
JBH 700G Bedford VAS / Plaxton Panorama 1
UBH 200J Ford Transit / Deansgate minibus conversion.
ABH 800K Bedford VAM / Duple Viceroy
ABO 564B a Bedford SB (1 or 3 if with Bedford
engine or SB8 if with Leyland Comet engine). The body by Duple with 41 seats.
The legal lettering has the company name as Jack Wingrove & Sons Ltd. Other vehicles can be seen in the background which to me adds to the intrigue - ie what were they?
I must say this takes me back to days when I drove for Jacksons in Altrincham and Godfrey Abbott in West Timperley. Both companies had similar coaches and also used *00 registration numbers. The Bedfords were never my favourites but in the petrol version were very quiet. In the early '60s petrol was just 3s 9d per gallon old money (£0.18 in today's money) and a 41 seat coach from Manchester to Blackpool cost just £20 or even less to hire.
Derek Dawson wrote to send me this extract from a 1966 Buses Illustrated
magazine which shows the Fineline coach when at the Earls Court show of 1966.
I must say that I am most impressed by the contributions which continue to grow each week. Please do write to me with further information and memories which are most welcome.
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
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
.jpg)
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.
.jpg)
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Model Buses for Sale
prices revised with immediate effect
I have a revised deal on Models for your readers...
Each of the following models are available for the following price :
Each Model = £10.00
Postage is £4.00 regardless of the number of models.
UKBUS 1014 - CREATIVE MASTER OXFORD P&R TRIDENT
UKBUS 5002 - CREATIVE MASTER OXFORD P&R CITARO
UKBUS 2012 - CREATIVE MASTER BROOKES BUS TRIDENT
CORGI ORIGINAL OMNIBUS OXFORD ESPRESS EXCALIBUR
Once again this offer is only available by emailing me direct at modelsmk@aol.com
More models are for sale on my eBay store, http://www.modelsmk.co.uk/shop
Thanks! James
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
Mike Penn's photo page with much from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire as well as Buckinghamshire
Chris Lowe's Photo page - mainly North West UK
|
A web site which has paintings of buses.
|
|
http://www.britishbuspublishing.co.uk/
The latest handbook from BBF was
on sale at Cobham and was the ever popular Stagecoach edition now in its 13th
year. As in earlier editions it includes the 2006 new bus orders. |
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