From the Editor

A different week with some regular contributors absent but still much to interest readers.

A first in this issue is from overseas with The Ukraine.

Our local operators are busy with approaching changes.

In this issue

Chiltern Trains Rail Replacement by Derek Taylor

Overseas covering The Ukraine

Times of Old

Grahame Wareham remembers COMS 335

1994 OXFORD miscellany from David Bell

Arriva and the loop by Thomas Walker-Werth

Gary Seamarks reporting from Luton

Readers Write

Fleet News & Developments 

Gordon Scott with a Scottish interlude

Chiltern Trains Rail Replacement by Derek Taylor

Some of the vehicles on the Stagecoach RR from AVP to the Bicester stations on Saturday 8th Feb. The two Country Lion vehicles were very smart new I think according to the drivers last October. The Stagecoach bus was from Aldershot garage. A repeat operation Sunday the 16th February.

   
     

Thomas Walker-Werth

Apologies for not sending anything last week! Work took me to Ukraine, which involved a long and complicated travel program due to the lack of air travel and the present security situation. For the same reason, there wasn't a huge amount of opportunity to enjoy transport, but I did get some photos in Lviv and Kyiv. In both cities, secondhand buses from European cities have begun appearing, including Citaros from Berlin and Meißen in Germany, Van Hool A330s from Frankfurt, and VDL Ambassadors from Connexxion in the Netherlands. I actually can't work out where the blue and white bendy Citaro in Lviv came from, so help is welcome there! I also include trolleybuses from both cities, including a dewirement in Kyiv just after I arrived. Photos are on my site here, although captioning is still underway. 

UKRAINE

Kyiv

   
 

Lviv 

     
     

A fascinating glimpse into another world for many of us. The appearance of Citaros is interesting. Thefyll file can be accessed at the link below. Ed. 

https://mktom.smugmug.com/2025/January-2025/Overseas-January-2025-Poland

Grahame Wareham remembers COMS 335

H335 MWL969 1948 AEC Regent II with Weymann H30/26R body. Renumbered H869 in 1952 and withdrawn in January 1960 passing to PVD (dealer) Dunchurch.. Auster Aircraft, Rearsby May 1960 as non-psv; later sold to Yeates Loughborough in May 1966 and presumably sold for scrap. 

335  335RJO  1963 AEC Renown 3B3RA with Park Royal H38/27R forward entrance body. Withdrawn in October 1973 and sold to W.North (dealer) Sherburn in Elmet passing to Hornsby. Ashby in November 1973, joining former 332 and replacing ex. COMS AEC Regent V 963AJO. It lasted there until 1979 when it was sold back to W.North's for scrap. 

   
 

 

1994 OXFORD miscellany by David Bell

David has provided a glimpse into Oxford over 30 years ago which makes for interesting comparisons with 2025.Ed.

"I was editing some of my scanned slides when I cam across some that I'd taken in Oxford which I thought you'd like to see. I think they were taken in July 1994. You will probably recognize the locations. Many were taken at the eastern side of Magdalen Bridge."

     
     
   
     

 

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Many things have changed even though it onl;y seems like yesterday. Ed. 

Thomas Walker-Werth

I went out for the newly branded yellow Solos on the Loop in MK today. Only one was out, which I photographed leaving Shenley Wood on a clockwise service. Previously, Shenley Wood was served by the 2 and then the 28 until the end of subsidised city services in 2021. Most recently, it was briefly served by the extremely short-lived Britannia route 440.

 
PVR of 4, just only one branded Solo.

Gary Seamarks reporting from Luton 

Few from Luton on Fri 14th Feb, the GP Scania same day at Flitwick Interchange. 

     

   

The Uno X10 that the deckers are on looks very busy, at least 60 alighted one lunchtime arrival from Hatfield.  

I've been hearing that the ScBedford Scanias are struggling with fuel capacity for a day on the MK1, but noticed of Bustimes they manage 3 return trips on X5, assume MK1 is more punishment with more frequent stopping and traffic issues.

 Also believe that Grant Palmers last Dart SLF has been laid up with terminal failure.  

Peter Cartwright

Having studied the changes being introduced by Carousel Buses from 23 February, it is noticeable how the PVR ( peak vehicle requirement) is increased on all days of week.Working on the schedules I calculate that Monday to Friday schooldays will need 74 and non schooldays 69 plus 3 minibuses for works contracts plus Pick Me Up minibuses. This excludes any duplicates needed. On Saturdays this reduces to 54 and on Sundays 32 and not long ago it was single figures on this day.When Arriva took over Wycombe Bus they needed accommodation for up to 80 vehicles including spares but at the end in July 2024 the PVR had dropped to mid 20sThis highlights how Carousel has expanded since its takeover by Go Ahead and of course, its PVR will increase again in April with the takeover of services in the Maidenhead area. Will they also expand in Chesham I wonder?I can see some adjustment to running times being necessary on extended route 34 as 4 minutes between Olympic Way and St Hugh's Ave, Brow of Hill will, I am sure, be insufficient to get through 3 sets of traffic lights, a railway bridge and busy roads with humps restricted to 20mph.There is one corridor which I am surprised remains unserved on Sundays and that is Boundary Road in Wooburn. Perhaps that area is under review? Also needed are stops in Penn between the Pond and Knotty Green.But nevertheless a most welcome change for the better and the total opposite of Arriva's policy of cut, cut and cut again.