Issue nr 297
Thursday April 18th, 2024

Past Issues : https://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/ 

From the Editor

Interesting developments in Oxford with ever increasing numbers of Electroliners entering service. Also reports of recent events including this year's LBM Brooklands.

There are various visits and shows that readers have been to with plenty of pictures.

There much to read and again some items are held over to the next issue.

In this issue

LBM Spring Gathering in pictures

My travels around by Andrew Simmonds

Martin Dowling introduces us to Priscilla

Oxford - A moment in time with Richard Sharman on April 17th

Readers Write

Buses in the Landscape

Coach visitors to Oxford

Fleet News & Developments

Oxford's diesel converted Hybrids start moving the Plymouth

Manchester's ex Oxford Hybrids in service

Stagecoach Oxford Hybrids still giving good service in Manchester

Grahame Wareham takes us back 55 years

Visits to Durham and Glasgow

Spring Gathering 2024 ~ April 14th with pictures from Jack Cooper

The South-East's biggest and best bus show ~ fun and entertainment for families and enthusiasts.  Pictures of this season's traditional curtain-opener!

 

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Jack has provided an excellent review on the vehicles present. Ed.

Other contributors

Andrew Webb

The annual London Bus Museum Spring Gathering at Brooklands Museum took place on 14 April. 

Both local operators sent vehicles to the event for static display. 


Stagecoach's Enviro 400EV 80004 proved a very popular attraction to visitors.


Go Ahead sent this recently acquired Citaro which has been turned out in an updated livery for route one.

 As these buses are not compliant with London emissions regulations they will not see use on the services to Uxbridge and Heathrow.
 


Evoking memories an earlier generation of buses which served the Chilterns were consecutively numbered National Bus SNB448 and SNB449. 

Peter Edgar

 
A couple of classic vehicles that attended the London Bus Museum at Brooklands last Sunday. 

My travels around by Andrew Simmonds

Arriva in Tamworth on April 13th

A bit out of area - Arriva buses in Tamworth plus one Stagecoach. The old Midland Red garage still in use by Arriva and a Citaro in Midland Red livery.



     
     
   

Wales

Llew Jones Coaches to run TrawsCymru T22 with battery-electrics - routeone (route-one.net)

New electric buses serving route T22 between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Caernarfon seen in March 2024 seen in BF.

Llew Jones Coaches – Bus Times

CK73 ATF T22 08:15 Yutong E12
TrawsCymru Red
CE72 YRO USB power Flickr
CK73 ATN 13 Apr Yutong E12
TrawsCymru Red
CE72 YRN USB power Flickr
CK73 ATU 12 Apr Yutong E12
TrawsCymru Red
CE72 YRK USB power Flickr
CK73 ATV T22 09:15 Yutong E12
TrawsCymru Red
CE72 YRP USB power Flickr

     

A very interesting piece from Andy. Ed. 

Martin Dowling introduces us to Priscilla

This is well out of our area but hopefully will be of interest to your readers.  The 1994 film Priscilla Queen of the Desert was a low budget production filmed in Australia which has since become something of a classic.  Priscilla is the star of the film and is a 1970s Hino RC320 bus. 

It was originally bought by a Sydney travel company and used for tours.  At the end of its working life a couple bought it and leased it to the production company for their film.  The couple subsequently divorced and the bus disappeared from view. 

When the film started to become better known, several buses surfaced claiming to be Priscilla, but no-one was certain which, if any, was the real one.  Several people including some from the National Motor Museum were looking out in the hope of finding her. 

In 2019 a man from a small settlement called Ewingar in NSW called to say that he thought he might have the bus which was on some land he had bought.  The museum was sceptical but went to have a look.  The registration, destination blind and other details looked correct.  During the film Priscilla was painted pink.  Because of the low budget and filming being out of sequence only one side was repainted so the other could be shot with the original silver.  The bus was later repainted, but the museum found traces of pink paint that had not been entirely removed and are certain that after 30 years they now have found Priscilla. 

 
The bus has been transported to Queensland where it will be restored.
 

The full story and more photos are here

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/apr/11/the-30-year-hunt-to-find-the-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-bus-my-jaw-was-on-the-ground

Oxford - A moment in time with Richard Sharman on April 17th

For the first time since National Bus Company days, Oxford Bus Company has released a timetable booklet, rather than individual leaflets for each service. The booklet is very well designed and should be well received by passengers looking for details on services operating on the SmartZone network.


One would assume services that are not part of the SmartZone network will continue to be separate.


CSS 192 is seen catching the sun whilst operating a late evening tour as it departs the St. Giles stop.


Two Cotswolds operators pass in Oxford city centre, with the EVM-converted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter being a recent addition to the Bakers fleet.
Bakers was, of course, originally based at Enstone Airfield before moving across the border to Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire some years ago now.


Former Nottingham City Transport ADL Enviro200 YX13 BNV looks smart
as it turns at Frideswide Square into Park End Street for home on the X20. 

 
Network Rail work continues on the Botley Road bridge, with some progress being made.
One thing is for sure, passengers will be relieved when it is all over, in October if it all goes to plan!.


Electroliner 190 is seen making its way out of the city as its returns back to the depot for an overnight charge.


BrookesBus City 100-liveried 608 puts in a relatively rare turn in on the 300 service.


6 day old Electroliner 742 looks like it could be getting a quick recharge by wind power
as it layovers at the temporary bus turning area next to Botley Road bridge.


ADL Enviro400MMC 11760 is seen departing the bus turning area on Botley Road for Eynsham on the E1 service.


743 is seen operating its final trip of the day on its first day on the road, 17th of April 24.


741 is seen heading for the George Street stop on the 300 service as it catches the evening sun, showing off its bright livery.


744 is seen operating service 300 on George Street during its third day in revenue earning service.


On loan to Oxford from Swindon depot is Scania 15858, seen heading for Bicester on the S5.

These observations are most useful. Ed. 

Andrew Dyer or Grumpy of Auckland!!

Greetings from NZ where the clocks have just gone back and it’s starting to feel rather autumnal.   April 12th 2024

Thanks for another great issue and I was interested to see that Oxfordshire County Council is going to run some of their own services.  

My local interest meant that I homed in on new route 107 from Oddington to Bicester and it made me realise that someone at OCC has just planned this from a map rather than understanding the local area.  

There is a timing point at “Boarstall, Panshill Farm” which would make most people think that the bus serves Boarstall village which it does not. Panshill Farm is about 100 yards over the county boundary into Boarstall parish, but Boarstall village is about two miles further away! So, whilst technically correct that the stop is in Boarstall Parish it’s just confusing to describe it as such. 

It’s a bit like in the old days before 1974 reorganisation, getting COMS to describe Abingdon Road as Berkshire, not Oxford, which technically it was! 

There’s nothing like driving a route and using local knowledge! 

Tony Bungay

Regarding the Arriva section of last weeks news page, i think a minor glitch occurred, in as much that you credited me with somebody else's post, while i certainly echoed similar thoughts, it was not me who provided the vehicle numbers

Tony Bungay  was Gary Seamarks - my error in the last issue

Looking at the revisions at Arriva Aylesbury, and more reductions, makes sad reading looks like the PVR on a weekday will be X5 =5, X7 =6 and X9 =5 total 16 buses. with the possibility of working both the Wycombe and Hemel from the other end, in theory only leaves a 6 vehicle allocation to Aylesbury for the Oxford that cannot be easily covered from elsewhere, it looks like either a relocation could be happening or worse....  its also worth remembering that in the days of Aylesbury Bus both Red Rover and Motts service work was acquired into the depot, I seem to think at one time Aylesbury's allocation was about 65 buses.  

Nick Ross


At the end of Mill Lane near Wing, Arriva Enviro 400 4400 heads North with the X4 0815 Aylesbury - M.Keynes on April 8th 2024   

      Coach visitors to Oxfordshire     

David Beynon

 
Visitors at The Kassam on April 13th, which are the same pair as were here on Boxing Day last year. 

     Fleet News and developments   

 

Michael Penn


Two recent arrivals with Arriva The Shires at Luton are Enviro 200 2151 (CX 08 DJJ), new to Arriva Cymru


Scania OmniLink 3505 (YN 08 HZS), new to Arriva Midlands North. 

The latter is the only  one of this model with Arriva The Shires although they did have similar 3506 (YN 08 HZT) at Aylesbury for a short time a year or so ago.

Nigel Peach

Two pictures attached from Cressex on 11th April. 


Citaros 3007 and 3029. Behind them are 4212 (out of service since 1st March) and withdrawn 4749.


ADL Enviro 400  5457 in the workshop. 

Tony Bungay

Making this slightly more topical, on UK Rail Forum Buses and Coaches, a posting from Arriva Matt, who I think posts from time to time on your webpage, and indeed probably has sent you this info.

New Electric buses at Leicester have released Volvo B9/East Lancs Olympus vehicles for Milton Keynes, at the same time 2 Enviro 400 vehicles will go the other way. One assumes therefore that 4400 maybe heading back to the part of the world it come from. 

Former Derby and Aylesbury Enviro 400   4400, now based at Milton Keynes since the reallocation of formally Service 150 now X4, seen in Aylesbury yesterday 13/4/24 on an X4 journey, which has certain journeys worked by Enviro 400 vehicles.

Also enclosed as a reminder to readers, is a photo of 4400 wearing 38 branding when received at Aylesbury from Derby, as shown in the news page at the time, both 4400 and 4401 wore this branding working the 280 service! 

 



I asked Luke about several buses which seem no long around. Ed.

Luke Marion

599 is still around. 

305, 313 and 317 have now been cascaded to Plymouth City Bus. 

Malcolm Crowe


877 displays its rear branding and I wonder if Chiltern Hundreds is not to continue? April 6th.


Variety at Carousel with amongst others 975 here as a loan from Oxford on April 6th.


The overflo/w yard on April 13th with 2204 (534) which has now re-entered service after a long break.


890 seen on April 13th which did not at the time carry route one branding.

Jack Cooper

     
After a spell working 6 road (8 nand 9 April) the Electrics are this week back working 11X services.


663 is seen working a late X3 service on April 14th.

 
735 and 748 in service on April 8th and 13th.The destination has come out well on 748.

 
308 is seen in service on April 9th.

James Freeman

 
607 and 608 working the 3A in Watlington Rd, Cowley on April 14th. 

Paul Hawkins who has been in Manchester seeing the ex Oxford buses.

   
Ex Oxford Hybrids now is service with SC Manchester !

pignbob

 
313 passes 305 on April 12th.

 
Seen on April 15th 514 now appears to be allocated to the 3X but 599 is still at Oxford.

     
742 and 743 have entered service in the past few days as seen above on April 12th and 17th.

   
744 had also entered service by April 15th. 

Jack Cooper


196 is seen by St Giles working sightseeing duties on April 8th.

pignbob

 
CSS 194 seen in Oxford on April 11th.

Charles Powell 

 
GL54PUL which was taken to Ensign on April 12th for work to be carried out.
 

I have heard that the ST2 has moved to Oxford depot with 520 and 521 losing their TT branding. Ed

Hazel Richardson


248 seen working a 1A in Chesham on April 17th.

248 is currently allocated to Wycombe. Ed

Jack Cooper

     
224, 513, 923 and 929 seen in Oxford in recent days.

Lewis Anthony


942 on the X34 at Vodafone HQ, Newbury on April 11th.


928 seen in Wootton working the 44 on April 16th.


941 seen leaving Didcot Parkway with a 33A on April 16th. 

Jack Cooper

     
Double deck variety, 10070, 10669 and 15837


10779 recently repainted seen working the 2 on April 8th.


27719 with an S4 service on April 8th.
 

Richard Sharman 


The 2A seems to have a fairly regular Enviro200 working at the moment, or Oxford are short of deckers. 36926 is seen operating an evening peak journey.

It effectively means any passengers still wishing to travel to or from Woodstock face a long walk to or from Bladon after 2000hrs. 

Details of the changes and the reason are listed here:  

Matty James Downes


Look what I’ve just found hiding at the back of Oldham. No idea what it’s doing here but definitely a strange looker!
April 15th.

Paul Hawkins who has been in Manchester seeing the ex SC Oxford buses.

 
Ex SC Oxford Hybrids still in service in Manchester.

Other SC buses.

 
Changing liveries.

   
Now working Tranche 2 services under SC much variety.

     
24 plates and one ex First bus. 

Jack Cooper


The X5 no longer sees coaches and above 19892 is seen in George Street on April 8th.

Andrew Webb


On April 11th Stagecoach Oxford 50454 is seen at Victoria, still in unbranded Scottish Citylink livery.


The following day, also at Victoria, another former Scottish, 50447 shows off its new identity in spring sunshine. 

In the background is a set of roadworks which reduced the approach to Victoria from 3 to 1 lane and made for a very tight 'chicane' through the traffic lights.

Jack Cooper


50447 seen inb St Aldates having come from London via High Wycombe on April 9th.

     London operations    

Andrew Webb

Stagecoach's LT374 is one of several buses treated to this wrap advertising the BBC's 'Miss Me?' podcast featuring  Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver. 


On 11 April it is seen approaching Tottenham Court Road at the start of another journey on route 55 to Walthamstow.
 


Grahame Wareham

I thought I would send you these two images, one of 55 years ago and the other I took today in Godstow Road, Wolvercote. 


The b&w picture shows COMS 968 968CWL, a Weymann bodied AEC Regent V on a 4 to Wolvercote nearing the end of its journey to Home Close on 29th. March 1969


Yesterday's picture is Wright Electroliner Kite 494 BJ73WXG on a 6 to Wolvercote in the same place approaching the traffic lights which were introduced on the bridge in 2004.
The terminus is now in Watermark Way, a new housing complex built on the site of the former Wolvercote Paper Mill.

It's amazing to think that today's single decker is almost one and a half times heavier than the 1958 double decker which has almost double the seating capacity. The bridge was built in 1897 and is of showing signs of fatigue, hence the single line traffic control until it gets rebuilt, which is planned. 

I will have a look at trying to continue this before and after theme from my archives. 

A snapshot in time. Ed. 

James Allum in Durham

Durham recently of an Ex Arriva Manchester vehicle plying its trade for Arriva Durham recently.

   
This vehicle has now joined the Darlington fleet since, it is CX58EVR 1353

I spent my early years in Sale and Altrincham. These pictures evoke many memories. Ed.

Paul Hawkins in Glasgow


First 34396 seen working service X3 on March 31st.


McGills SN66WGV with an X36 on March 31st.


Ulsterbus 1100 XUI2900 with a 923 to Belfast on March 31st.