Spottings & Jottings
Issue nr 63 - October 25th 2012
Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Current archives from October 2002
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malcolmhc@aol.com
Editorial
The year seems to fly by and we are already only two months from Christmas. The weather is now forecast to be much colder in the coming days and maybe it is time to get on with some indoor activities.
One of the main reports in this issue is that of the operators taking on the old R H routes following the going into administration of that company.
I hope readers enjoyed Gavin's record of the Olympics and I look forward to any other pictures from readers.
An interesting picture from Alex Horwood which certainly
shows the impact Thames Travel are making on Oxford.
Of interest is the number of buses advertising Skyfall premiered last night.
One such bus is this Arriva E400 on the 280.
Thames Valley history final part
The latest book on Thames Valley is now available from Paul Lacey at a special price to readers of £20.00 + £3 post and packing. Just quote the OCBP when ordering. More details at the bottom of this page.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society
The Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society was formed in June 2010 and aims to
provide an informal monthly social meeting in Oxford for those with an
interest in buses. Meetings are normally held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
and normally take the form of a picture show with local and guest
speakers.
Next Meeting:
Tuesday 20th November featuring Thomas W.W. Knowles giving a
talk
on how growing up in the Potteries
lead to a career with P.M.T.
Meetings are held in the upstairs function room at:
The Folly Bridge Inn
38 Abingdon Road
Oxford
OX1 4PD
Some limited parking at the back of the pub, also close to bus stops (frequent X3/X13 or 35 routes stop outside)
or a short walk from Oxford City Centre - For directions click HERE
Members get free access, non members can attend for £2 per person.
A detailed programme of meetings can be found at the following link and we hope many of you will attend future meetings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When readers take copies of pictures from the OCBP site
Some of the contributors to this site have noticed that their pictures are appearing on e-bay sites selling such things.
Needless to say this is a theft of copyright and one which I deplore!
I would not wish to have to watermark photographs, thereby making them unsalable as such but if this practice continues I shall be left with no alternative. I am sure this would detract from the pleasure so many of you get from the OCBP.
May I please ask readers to do two things?
1/ If you see any photos on sale please let me know and where they are appearing.
2/ If you are someone who has copied and sold photos please desist as this is theft and I will have to take legal action against anyone found doing so.
The site is free to all readers and I pay a price to publish the pages which is not passed on.
Please respect those freedoms and I hope I may not have to mention this matter again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The level of contribution to this page by readers, as ever, remains excellent! Thank you all.
Malcolm Crowe - Editor - OCBP - October 25th 2012
Spottings
Observations and pictures
Bernard Lewendon
I am sure mot
of your readers realise just how much work you have to put in, just for
them, and we very much appreciate it and say a big "Thank you".
I have
previously mentioned a coach at Arriva, High Wycombe. That was T58 AUA. I
have since found that to be owned by M & M Coaches who use some of the
Arriva yard as a storage space.
Also you
mentioned that Wycombe have received 6300 - 6305. Actually five only, 6300 -
6304. The later ones went to Aylesbury and some are occasionally being used
into Wycombe on the Line 300.
Alex Horwood
P5240318: Park & Ride trident 117 shortly before COMS service ceased on the
X2
Apologies for the poor quality but it is now somewhat unique and I thought
it worth publishing. Ed.
P9060341 - 344: Thames Travel Mercedes 854 stands at St. Aldates on the 106
12/09/2012
P9060346: Thames Travel Mercedes 853 on St. Aldates on the X2 12/09/2012
P9100361: Thames Travel Mercedes 852 at Didcot parkway on the X2.
P9290366: Thames Travel Mercedes 851 at Didcot parkway on the X2.
PA030388: One of Thames Travel's latest acquisitions wright bodied dart 521
at Didcot parkway 10/10/2012 described on S&J 62 as CB54
John Wood, Wendover, Bucks writes
"The following were observed operating the former R.H. Transport routes on
Friday 5th Oct."
Stagecoach in Oxfordshire
Route 233 was
a "gold" E400 all day.
Stagecoach in Swindon
67 - Not known
Oxford Bus Co
700 (PM Peak)
- E400 P & R 302, 305, 308.
One can see the special destination display
saying "Emergency Service".
In
Hemel on 19th October was this ex East Yorks MPD now with Z & S.
Fresh from its use at The Olympics this Citaro now at Garston.
This
bus left a whole trial of diesel from the start of Stansted right through to
the parking area. Needed to get out this truck to pressure wash the whole
area to get rid of it.
and TGM
I have noted a brand new Citaro on the 280 on a Sunday and these have also appeared on the 300.
Pete
Adam Green
writes "3232 Had a Engine Fire on Wednesday Evening at 18.30 smoke
was going everywhere
http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/local/bus-blaze-in-hemel-hempstead-1-4359594
We have a Ex London Wrightbus Cadet at 4533-LJ51DFF
3296 & 5145 was on the 500 on Thursday Night one
heading to Watford and one going to Aylesbury
Arriva 6310 on the 61 at LTN Airport on 171012 by G Francis.
Arriva and withdrawn Olympians at Cressex 121012 M Crowe.
Arriva Cressex and the back line 121012 M Crowe.
The three 2006 Iris Agoralines 471-3 (C1-3WYC) have been reregistered OU55PUO/V and RX06WYU. The cherished plates have, as recorded previously been transferred to three Optare Tempos 801-3.
It seems that due to the temporary loan of two of the Tempos
to Thames Travel, two of the Agoralines are back in service.
Dave Oliver reports
"The Iris Bus Agoralines
are parked in the yard and have been reregistered. They are awaiting
disposal. 472 (AL2) has been away at Iveco for some engine work.
The old DPL480 P480MLE looks as if it is heading
to Thames Travel and 930 G530VBB is there at this time.
What was MB52 is no longer in the fleet and MB53
is at Evobus at this time.
Hot off the
press. MB53 is back in the fleet however both Citaros are still in
workshop.
Optare Tempos 804 and 808 will be heading for Thames Travel tomorrow, I would think on loan.
First 66964 LTN AIR - Station 171012 G Francis.
First Essex 20801 r X30 STN 171012 G Francis
The name and livery echo that used in Ireland.
Several coaches have been received from the Tappins fleet.
Heyfordian B17TCL Wycombe depot 121012 S Warwick.
Heyfordian T4GLF 151012 S Warwick.
Flights 491NFC r 777 Stansted 171012 G Francis.
NEx Epsom FJ61EYL STN 171012 G Francis.
NEx Selwyn's FJ61EWH r 550 with detail on side
VCS 181012 G Francis.
NEx SH10 Stansted new super rear much improved
on the one on the coach on the left. 201012 G Francis.
NEx SGBC on loan to SCO - FJ61GJE on route 737.
121012 R Sharman.
The company web site reports as follows:
30 September 2012
Vehicles sold:
29-34 ALS Coaches, Merseyside
37 Stephensons, Essex
Vehicle transferred out:
850 To Thames Travel (same fleet number)
1 September 2012
Vehicle transferred in:
900 SN60 BXW Alexander Dennis E400H Alexander
Dennis H45/31F new 10/10. Ex Thames Travel (same fleet number).
Vehicles transferred out:
851-854 To Thames Travel (same fleet numbers)
These changes are as a result of the transfer of
service X2 (Oxford to Didcot) to Thames Travel.
Check this link for the latest fleet list.
http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/content/doc/cms/OBC%20fleetlist-300912.pdf
A nice shot of the rear of the ex Thames Travel Hybrid seen on route 5 by
Richard Sharman.
A line of departing Oxford Bus vehicles leading outside Queens College,
Oxford by Richard Sharman.
Trident 104 leaves Queen's Lane with a near full load seen by Richard
Sharman.
Red Rose
Red Rose OU08EHO on route 275 at The High in
Oxford. Note that this is the one journey in the early evening which runs
via Stokenchurch.
All the others run via Chinnor and Bledlow Ridge.
171012 R Sharman
R H Buses
Bob Morley writes
"Attached is a picture I took that may be useable in the newsletter.
Picture Shows:
RH Optare Solo 406 In Swindon Bus Station on Wednesday, August 22 awaiting
to depart on the service to Carterton.
Service 64 previously Stagecoach operated and now again with this company
following the collapse of the RH Transport Services.
Pic: Bob Morley
A link of interest sent by Ralph Adams.
http://www.jpssurveyors.co.uk/machinery-business-assets/rh-transport-services-in-administration.aspx
Marcus Lapthorn
Stagecoach West Gold bus 15767 at Southmoor on route 66 to
Swindon.
Pic 804 shows 47454 at Clanfield on route 19 to Witney.
Pic 805 shows 47450 at Clanfield on route 19 to Carterton.
Stagecoach Northampton's route branded 33454 at Southmoor on route X15 to Witney.
It would have been better if this colourful bus
had the destination blind set to blank!
Oxfordshire
As is now known Stagecoach took over a number of R H routes from October 8th and your Editor spent some days working on the 700 route. A variety of pictures show the impact of Stagecoach taking over.
Pictures of the various loan buses just arrived at Horspath on October 7th.
47551 awaits service and then 47037 being prepared followed by 33454 with
full 7 branding.
33455 is seen ready for service with Oxford.
Pictures of the 700 service during the first two weeks.
22771 on the first day and seen at Headington.
Two 700s seen at Water Eaton in company with an Oxford Hybrid on the 500.
October 8th 2012.
The early morning and evening rush hour services extend through to
Kidlington and 22941 and 22933 are seen at Water Eaton.
091012 M Crowe.
The S5 also serves Water Eaton in the peaks - SC 15755 r S5 22763 r 700 and
OX 311 r 500 Water Eaton at 1658 on 1910112 M Crowe.
Water Eaton is the Oxford pick up point for the Megabus service between Portsmouth and Leeds.
SC Megabus 54004 and SCO 22933 on 700 seen at Water Eaton on 091012 -
M Crowe.
SC Megabus 52617 at 0758 at Water Eaton loading on 1910112 - M Crowe
The 700 service is now settling into its stride but will be retendered in early 2013.
SCO 22934 r 700 Kidlington 1810112 M Crowe
SCO 22934 r 700 JRH 191012 M Crowe.
A surprise to your Editor was the use of this Swindon Dart on the 700.
SCO loan 33970 r 700 Churchill 1640 171012 M Crowe.
On the 19th Hybrid 12016 was used on the afternoon part of the extra bus used in the peaks. This followed two days of very heavy and delaying traffic on the route.
The return from loan to South during the Olympics of an umber of E300s meant
that these buses are now appearing
on the 8/9 and 10 routes plus the X30/31 and 700 services.
SC 33454 r X15 121012 R Sharman.
SC 33455 at Horspath 071012 R Sharman
SC 33947 r X9 121012 R Sharman
SC 33970 rear at Horspath 071012 R Sharman
SC 47037 r 11 Oxford 121012 R Sharman
SC 47549 r X8 121012 R Sharman
SC 47551 r X8 121012 R Sharman
Day of SC working the 700 and two of the buses in use on the first services.
Both are seen leaving the Churchill Hospital.
The number 3 now goes to the Rail Station in Oxford.
It is not always easy to achieve a perfect allocation and above we see Gold
Buses on the 3.
Two Gold buses on the S5 and S3 by Richard Sharman.
SCM 18399 r 50 Chipping Norton osf 121012 R Sharman.
SCM 28628 r8 Bicester 071012 R Sharman.
Sporting a revised wrap ad for GAP, 22279 is seen in Oxford's High. R
Sharman.
Severe traffic congestion resulted from a Static
Protest in Buckingham Palace Road on October 14th.
This was not helped by unannounced roadworks on
the junction which caused long delays.
The new Astromegas are now entering service and look impressive.
SC Megabus 50247 Bulleid Way 081012 M Atkinson
Thamesdown
Stuart Curwen
Alex Horwood
TT 1927 was 1909 r 115 171012 R Sharman
Vectis PVL 100 SOUTHERN VECTIS DEPOT RYDE 010612
G Francis
Gavin Francis advises that this bus was seen during our trip to the Isle of Wight last summer and was once PVL100 with Go Ahead London.
Ex Carousel DAF 481 (R981FNW) is now withdrawn.
Weavaway-Tappins
YN61AXJ Iveco/Plaxton Panther C61F
Other coaches received are:
W60OOW Neoplan Skyliner CH67/20Ct
Wilf Lewis writes
"Following the sale of Tappins Coaches by
Heyfordian to Weavaway, a batch of Tappins Volvo B10M - Van Hool T9's were
transferred to the Heyfordian fleet.
This example, photographed at Bicester, was one of
the first to be re-liveried in Heyfordian's current livery.
Vehicle Details;- Bus Lists On The Web
Chassis Type;-
Volvo B10M
Chassis No:- YV31MA614XA050436
Body Type:-
Van Hool T9
Body No:-
VH 33530
Seating:-
C49Ft
Regn No:-
B18 TCL
Regn New;-
06 / 1999
Regn When New:- T992 JNW
Delivered New To:- Frazer, Accrington
Vale
Vale Transport Y803TGH, once with Red rose see
below, at Stokenchurch r 48 211012 G Francis
RED ROSE Y803TGH HIGH WYCOMBE BUS STATION 270611
G Francis
Z & S
30 - 31 Hemel. This route is now with Red Eagle from 22 October
Roger French to leave Brighton & Hove
Roger French, 58, MD of Go-Ahead-owned Brighton and
Hove is to retire next March.
Roger, who moved to Brighton in 1982, said:
“After 30 years I have decided it’s now time to
relax and enjoy my retirement.
“Of course, I shall miss working with all my
fantastic work colleagues in the bus company as well as the many people I’ve
worked with over the years, and I will always be grateful to everyone
for the help and encouragement they have given me.”
Go-Ahead CEO David Brown says:
“We will miss Roger, his extensive experience and
unique approach immensely. Roger has been amazing in the innovative way he
has grown the business. He has been instrumental in giving the city the
excellent bus network it has today.. He deservedly received an OBE for
services to public transport seven years ago.”
Go-Ahead will start the search for a replacement for
Roger “shortly.”
Blackpool by Geoff Cunliffe
September, 2012:-
Following yet more constant passenger criticism about the frequency,
overloading and general experience of travelling on the new trams, it has
been leaked that the Bombardier staff seconded to Starr Gate are appalled at
the way the service is being run! Oh dear.
27th. September, 2012:-
Has someone been listening? It was announced in tonight’s Blackpool evening
paper that as the new trams have been carrying exceptional loads this month
(plus a load of people who get free rides because the conductors cannot
reach them!), modified Balloons will be running over the October half-term
week. The Balloons are the ones with extended plug-type doors which work
with the new-style loading platforms and thus conform to the DDA. Single
deck Brush car 631 and Balloon 717 have been seen out on driver training.
This could bring seven additional cars to the tracks although 711 and 720
are not expected to be used due to work outstanding on them. Photo of 6312
by courtesy of the Buses Train Traction Engines and Tram Blog at
http://busestractionengines.blogspot.co.uk/
reproduced with permission.
The modified Balloons last saw service on 28th. July when a car
accident blocked the Bombardier trams in their new Starr Gate depot. The
Balloons were used to provide an emergency service until the car was removed
and the tracks were opened again to the depot.
29th. September, 2012:-
A new Flexity was attacked by vandals whilst in service between Lindel Road
and Heathfield Road in Fleetwood just after 6pm when a large lump of asphalt
was lobbed in through a window, shattering it in to scores of pieces.
Luckily nobody was injured in the attack which took place in an area of
Fleetwood with a long history of vandalism.
1st.
October, 2012:-
Surprise as Bolton 66 car
operated an evening enthusiast tour from Rigby Road to Fleetwood. The tour
had been organised by the trams owners and has seen a now rare appearance of
the tram in Fleetwood. The tram was quite full as it went departed Rigby
Road with enthusiasts all cherishing the thought of getting to the northern
terminus. 66 isn't the only heritage tram to operate to Fleetwood this year;
the following trams have made it: 40, 631, 717 and 723 plus various modified
Balloons.
Also today Balloon 717 went as far south as Starr Gate on a driver training
run. It is hoped that next season, there will be more sightings of heritage
cars at the southern extremity of the system.
3rd.
October, 2012:-
It has been announced in tonight’s evening paper that Centenary class car
646, which has been an overall advertisement for Paul Gaunt’s furniture shop
in Squires Gate Lane for many years, has been attacked by vandals.
Initially, after the “old” system closed down, 646 was stored in the depot,
but as space became a premium, it was moved to the car park of his retail
premises. There has been an attempt to torch it, and now eleven windows have
been smashed. Of course they can be replaced - at a cost - but that’s not
the point.
Also in tonight’s paper, there is a disturbing report that tram drivers are
experiencing about three incidents a day which have the potential to be life
threatening, especially in the area between North and South Piers. Several
photographs back up the story showing joggers, cyclists and disability
scooters totally ignoring approaching trams.
Mind you driving through Oxford must be a bit like this with the cyclists
who seem to be a law unto themselves, especially when they are where they
shouldn’t be like Queen Street.
Today saw the introduction of the autumn tram timetable and it contains some
peculiarities in that Friday & Saturday evenings see up to eighteen short
workings from Starr Gate to Little Bispham. They all seem to be operated by
the new Flexities. Now why Little Bispham? True it saves reversing the cars
as you can just run them round the turning loop. But they reverse them at
Starr Gate, and Bispham has been rebuilt (twice) to accommodate the
reversing of short workings, previously a common event. There must be some
reason but it isn’t terribly obvious.
4th.
October, 2012:-
Whilst Coronation car 304 should have been moved to Beamish by now, the
arrival of a circus in the temporary storage yard which is currently
accommodating the fleet of the Lancastrian Transport Trust has meant that
the car cannot be accessed and moved for the moment. It was eventually moved
on 11th. October.
6th.
October, 2012:-
Straying, unusually, in to bus world, today saw the withdrawal of the last
local Leyland Olympian except for the City Sightseeing open toppers. The
week started with four of the six 1989 East Lancs bodied Olympians in use
but only 373 lasted the week as the others suffered faults which were not
worth repairing. Last was 373 which worked the 9 route to Cleveleys.
Information from the Fylde Bus Blog, reproduced with permission.
At one time, Leyland boasted that 98% of British municipalities operated
Leylands. How things have changed.
7th.
October, 2012:-
Car 719, formerly in overall advertisement livery for the Pleasure Beach,
has received what seems to be called the standard A-livery like 700, i.e.
white with burgundy ends and vinyls. It has been spotted in the new Starr
Gate depot where, it appears, it is being fitted with the wide, plug-type
doors enabling it to operate in normal service. 700 has previously been
fitted with these new style doors.
13th. October, 2012:-
Tonight’s evening paper, on its nostalgia page, carries an evocative
photograph of the old Bispham tram depot, which provided many of the cars
for the North Station route.
Brush car 292 is shown running in in June 1960. The entrance to the site now
gives access to a Sainsbury’s Supermarket.
Trips & Events
Transports de les Illes Balears (Buses on
Mallorca)
Lewis Nagle
Picture
Details as follows (may not appear in the same order as I uploaded them).
1.
Volvo B7R(LE?) / Sunsundegui Astral LE 10.75m (blue). The bus is used for
routes that use the motorway (per Autovià) but are only every 3 hours or so
(like the 111 it is shown on). It is blue because I think it has come from
another company but I may not be right. These are my favourite buses from
the TIB fleet.
2.
Iveco Wing. I do not know how old these buses are, just that they are used
for almost underused routes like the 103 (which really isn’t necessary
anyway). Sometimes used for Market Routes.
3.
Volvo B7R(LE?) / Sunsundegui Astral LE 12.5m. This bus is used for more
local routes in the area but used a lot like the 104 it is shown on. Bought
to drive alongside Hispano Habits from 2002-2005. Shown in the nice typical
TIB livery.
4.
Volvo B12M / Sunsundegui Astral Articulated 18.75m. The bus was brand new to
TIB a few years ago to help with the increasingly overcrowding trunk route
102. The bus is ABSOLUTELY HUGE!! The photo shows the amount of people that
want to use it which is almost like London-size!
5.
Volvo B12M / Sunsundegui Astral Articulated 18.75m (rear). Same bus as
before, but showing two doors in the rear cabin for wheelchair access right
at the back, a feature added only in the last 6-12 months.
6.
Volvo B7R(LE?) / Hispano Habit 12m. The bus was bought about 2002-2005 and
serves the local routes. They have now bought newer Sunsundeguis of the same
length to increase frequency, but these are the only buses that resemble any
of the ones in Britain as the rest are more like dual-door coaches!
7.
Volvo B7R(LE?) / Sunsundegui Astral 12.5m (shown at Plaça d’Espanya). See
info for No. 3. Oddly seen on L102.
Steve Doel
GJZ 9571 stated life in closed top form with
Edinburgh /Lothian before coming to Oxford as an open top bus. Later it
served with Devonian Motor Services (McAllister) in Paignton then Xelabus on
their Southsea seafront service. Jonathan bought it a few weeks ago
GJZ drives beautifully with a 680 engine and nice
pneumocyclic gearbox."
All pictures from Steve Doel.
Beat the Street
who operate an extensive fleet of single, superhigh and double decker purpose-built sleeper coaches exclusive to the entertainment industry.
Interiors for all the buses are individually designed by us, and built using rose and maple wood throughout. They encompass top line US-style luxury design features and offer the quality and comfort expected by touring artists from around the world.
The entire fleet is finished to the highest standard on the exterior, as they feel the presentation of their fleet is as important as the interior to support the profile of a touring artist.
Their aim is to make any band or crew member feel as comfortable as possible whilst touring. To achieve this they use the highest quality materials for the interior and upholstery, fit state of the art entertainment systems and use top quality bed linen.
All the different types of vehicles we have available are displayed on the following pages; including layout plans and photographs of both the interiors and exterior.
Take a look guys, you'll enjoy this site.
Links & Publications
Mike Penn's interesting web site for pictures
You might be interested to know that I have now uploaded 268 photos taken in
Beds, Bucks and Herts in the year 2000 to my website -
http://166emj.piwigo.com/index?/category/50-beds_bucks_and_herts_photographs_2000
One of the
major events of the year was the purchase by Arriva the Shires of the City
of Oxford operation in High Wycombe on December 13th. Two days later, as can
be seen from the photographs, vehicles had received Arriva The Shires fleet
names and legal lettering but retained their Oxford fleet numbers.
The other
major event was the enforced sale of the Lutonian operation by Arriva the
Shires.
Both Arriva
The Shires and Arriva East Herts & Essex continued to repaint vehicles into
Arriva livery though there were still many in previous liveries.
Elsewhere in
the region M K Metro continued their policy of purchasing various
interesting secondhand vehicles. Some of these came from Border Buses – the
company in Lancashire that M K Metro had bought.
Buffalo
Travel continued to run but Seamarks were taken over by Dunn-Line early in
the year.
Many other
independents are also represented.
Mike Penn
Todays buses - Oxfordshire
This review covers the
September 2010 video by Robin Clare
Transport. The issue costs £10 and is well worth this small cost for
over one hour of buses and coaches in our area.
THE FINAL
VOLUME IS
SO
RETAIL
PRICE £25
ORDER NOW
FOR £20+ £3
p&p
This final installment of the
4-volume 800-page history of the Thames Valley Traction Co. Ltd. brings the
story to its conclusion on the last day of 1971.
All route developments and changes
to the fleet are fully detailed, along with special appendices for the
service vehicle fleet, garages and out-stations, a route map, garage
allocations and working arrangements.
Profusely illustrated with 548
monochrome half-tone illustrations and a full-colour section of 45 photos,
this provides a very comprehensive history of this interesting decade,
including the numerous secondhand vehicles acquired during those years.
Demand will be high, so
order now from: Paul Lacey, 17
Sparrow Close
Woosehill, Wokingham, Berkshire,
RG41 3HT
If you are local and wish to
collect please call me on 0118 979 4097
A Guy Arab on the Oxford service and seen at Gloucester Green.
One of the constituent companies was Denham's.
Apart from the archaic Leylands, the company ran some AEC Regals after the
war.
These were rebodied with ECOC/ECW bodies purchased from North Western Road
Car, Stockport via dealers.
They had been new in 1936 on Bristol Jo5G chassis which were rebodied with
Brush bodies in 1946 to a similar design.
Your Editor must have travelled on one of these buses, when in NWRCC
service, as a small boy.
They would have doubtless run on service to Highclere, now well known as the
house is featured in Downton Abbey.
17 Sparrow Close
Woosehill
Wokingham
Berkshire RG41 3HT.