Issue nr 352
Sunday, June 18th 2025
Past Issues : https://www.oxford-chiltern-bus-page.co.uk/
From the Editor
An interesting week a nd a difficullt time for the industry.
eVoSeti double decks provide interest as new buses for Pulhams and Thames Travel
In this issue
ADL set to close Falkirk
Edwards future plans by Simon Ingham
Derby Day report
Grahame Wareham's memories of 352
Keith Briant reports from Nuneaton
Wythall in May
Tony Bungay from Aylesbury and Leighton Buzzard
RML 2634
Readers Write
Fleet News & Developments
Andrew Webb from London
David Ive was in Amesbury
Jack Cooper pictures in South Wales
Alexander Dennis plans Falkirk closure and Larbert suspension
Alexander Dennis has proposed closure of its manufacturing site in Falkirk and the consolidation of UK bodybuilding activities at the Scarborough plant. Production lines at Larbert would also be “suspended” after completion of current contracts under the plans.
Those changes form part of what the NFI Group subsidiary says is “a detailed business review” and are “intended to adjust the business to changing market dynamics.” If adopted, they will lower costs, deliver clearer responsibilities, and increase efficiencies by removing duplicate functions and activities, the business continues.
A realignment of UK manufacturing by Alexander Dennis was hinted at in NFI Group’s Q1 2025 financial results, which noted expectations “for further cost reduction activities in the near-term” at the UK business.
A consultation on the plans puts up to 400 jobs at risk, which is around 22% of the Alexander Dennis workforce. The business says that alongside its new manufacturing strategy, it will change the structure and management of key customer support teams “to drive a clearer focus on quality and reliability, delivery to targets, and communications.”
A sad time as Falkirk has been part of the UK bus industry for many years.
Future plans by Simon Ingham
We are enjoying our centenary
year with our Open Day fast approaching on 3rd Aug 2025 - its an event for
everyone with various forms of entertainment happening during the course of the
day, besides showcasing modern and historic vehicles.
We
attended rhe Barry Festival of Transport last weekend, showcasing our preserved
Maudslay in the old Edwards Bros of Beddau colours for fhe first time. She has a
rich history though we always welcome any detail and pictures that enthusiasts
may have on the vehicle - send through to
Simon.ingham@edwardscoaches.co.uk.
We have various items of merchandise available for sale on our
website, including the Amberley Publishing book: "Edwards Coaches: A Hundred
Years" and the recently announced model of our 8.9m Alexander Dennis Enviro 200
MMC, YW68PCX.
Pre-orders now open. The
limited edition models courtesy of Omnidekka Models are £60 each, excluding
postage. Further details can be found on Edwards Social Media channels and at
edwardscoaches.co.uk.
We are imminently beginning a
trial of ywo repowered buses on behalf of Transport for Wales. Ex Warrington
Transport YJ62 FKY Optare Versa repowered by Magtec is the first.
Exciting news to follow soon on a special liveried and registered National Express Levante 3A, cementing the strong partnership between National Express and Edwards on our centenary year.
Pictures from Jack Cooper
Taken June 8th on Garry Island.
Derby Day,
June
7th 2025
Gavin Francis writes "The Derby no longer holds the attraction it did many years ago. I can remember going to Epsom in the 1980s when there were open top buses as far as the eye could see. They came from all corners of the country but now it is down to a trickle mainly from relatively local based operators."
Nigel Eadon-Clark was there to record the few arrivals.
Of interest was the use of an ex Oxford Bus Hybrid now at Brighton
Now and then !
Grahame Wareham
with his memories for O&CBP Issue 352
L352 MWL986 1948 AEC Regent III with NCB L27/26R
low-bridge body, renumbered L128 in 1952. Withdrawn May 1961 and sold to PVD
(dealer) Dunchurch. It was resold to Bedlington & District the same month and
lasted until October 1965 when an accident forced its withdrawal. It was sold to
Hancock & Turner(dealer) Lynemouth for scrap in October 1966.
352 CFC352C 1965 AEC Renown 3B3RA with Park Royal
H37/28F low-height forward entrance body. 352 was allocated to Thame depot from
new transferring to Aylesbury upon Thame's closure.It was converted to OMO in
1970 bur unfortunately was beset with mechanical issues prompting its temporary
withdrawal until being recertified in 1972. It was transferred to Oxford depot
in 1975 and was withdrawn in October 1978 being sold for scrap to Beckett
Carlton Barnsley in November 1978.
352 R2OXF 2013 Volvo B5LH with Wright Eclipse
Gemini 2 low-height H45/27F body. The were a new generation of parallel hybrid
diesel electric buses which could by run on battery power for operation at very
low speed in the City. The ZF I shift gearbox featured a servo unit which
automatically changed a manual selector shaft in sequence from the ZF ECU
matched to the Volvo engine ECU. The small Volvo 5.2 litre engine was derived of
that fitted to their small truck range. Delivered in City two tone red 351
operated on City2 & 5 routes initially before being re-liveried as a City13
route bus in 2023 and later City 35. It was withdrawn in 2024 and cascaded to Go
North West as part of the Transport for Greater Manchester initiative but
actually got transferred to Stagecoach Manchester under the TFGM re-allocation
of operating centres and received Stagecoach Manchester fleet number 13177 still
retaining its OBC ultramarine blue livery.
Keith Briant jottings from Nuneaton TV
Another selection from my
patch taken this week. Managed to get some slightly more interesting standard
vehicles! I won't be offended if you edit my captions as they can be a bit long,
but want to create as much interest as possible!
Stagecoach Midlands 26225
(SK67 XDU) a former Gold specification Enviro200
is seen on the outskirts of
Nuneaton on The Long Shoot just before the border with Leicestershire.
This was
one of a batch of 25 buses new to Nuneaton depot in 2018 primarily for the trunk
service 148 Coventry - Nuneaton - Hinckley - Leicester service and its
predecessor routes. They are currently being replaced by the Yutong electrics
and only 8 remain in Nuneaton, but not for long. 4 have been transferred to
Stagecoach West Scotland and the remainder are in the process of being
transferred to Stagecoach South. When the transfer is complete, this will
eliminate both the distance and gold liveries from Nuneaton depot.
Stagecoach Midlands 27219
(SK15 HBZ) a another Enviro200 bult to Gold specification
awaiting departure
from Nuneaton bus station on town service 5A to the Camp Hill Estate.
This was
one of a batch of 14 buses transferred from Stagecoach West Scotland in 2023 and
split between Nuneaton and Leamington Spa depots.
36337 (LX58 CDU) is a 28
seat Enviro200 and is one of only 2 in the Stagecoach Midlands fleet
(the other
is 36331). Both are based at Nuneaton and are harder to track down,
They can
usually be found on either the lightly loaded town services, the Tamworth and Atherstone area routes or Hinckley town service 11. They were both new to
Stagecoach London and were transferred from Stagecoach West Scotland in 2024. It
is seen here resting in Nuneaton bus station during a break on Nuneaton town
service 10 to Stockingford.
Arriva Midlands 3104 (YX17
NLE) now looks like a standard Enviro200 MMC,
but when new was part of a batch
of 4 built to dual door specification and used on the East Midlands Airport
contract.
All are now allocated to Barwell (Hinckley) depot and are regular
performers on the 158 Nuneaton - Hinckley - Leicester service, operated under a
partnership agreement alongside the similar Stagecoach Midlands service 148.
Arriva Midlands 1520 (KX13 DHO) an Optare Solo SR seen in Nuneaton bus station
loading for service 7 to Hinckley and Burbage.
Thus was transferred from Arriva
Kent Thameside in 2023 and is now allocated to Hinckley. It has retained its
former Arriva South fleet number instead of being renumbered into the 25xx
series alongside other similar vehicles in the Midlands fleet.
The following were
photographed today on West Coast Main Line rail replacement work and were parked
in Nuneaton bus station awaiting their next duties.
The rail replacement is not because of a west coast mainline closure. It's for
Cross Country Trains as the line is closed between Nuneaton and Birmingham New
Street for engineering works.
Regional Travel of Shrewsbury have a small but interesting fleet of largely former London vehicles which are regarded as semi-preserved. They perform private hire, rail replacement, buses for TV work and operate the Shewsbury and Ironbridge bus tour.
An immaculate former Arriva London DLA273 (Y473 UGC), a Dennis Trident
with Alexander ALX400 bodywork is seen here.
This bus has featured in a number
of TV ads, including McDonalds. Their fleet list is worth a look.
https://www.regionaltransport.co.uk/rt_007.htm
Transpora 2607 (YK73 PKA)
is far from its Blackpool base. An 85 seat Enviro400 MMC.
Diamond Bus Wright StreetDeck 40825 (MX21 AUV)
is a Tividale allocated bus transferred to the midlands from their north west operation last year after being displaced by Bee Network changes in Manchester. The driver kindly invited me on board. The bus had a water leak and the driver was waiting for a replacement.
Spring Bank Holiday
Sunday/Monday May 25/26th
The main event features visiting buses, frequent bus rides and visiting sales stands. All the usual museum facilities, plus...
Route 150 Running Day
Monday May 26th
Frequent services running from the museum to Henley-in-Arden on the old Midland Red 150 route from Birmingham to Stratford. A great trip through the countryside and an opportunity to drop off at the famous Henley ice cream shop and the newly restored and re-purposed Station with onsite microbrewery and lounge, plus...
Photos by Andy Millwood
BMMO in Henley-in-Arden
Walsall bus at Maypole
West Bromwich Daimler also at Maypole
Southport Titan
Birmingham Guy
A line-up with a modern bus at Selfridges
BMMO coach
BMMO S9 in Henley-in-Arden
Red & White Bristol MW
Barton Leyland
More variety.
Tony Bungay from Aylesbury and Leighton
Buzzard.
As the title says a couple of
photos from around Aylesbury and Leighton Buzzard.
Seen in Aylesbury yesterday
13/6/25, was this former Arriva London Wright Gemini DW 439
being used by Red
Rose on their Aylesbury local 9.
Also on the 9 service is Red
Rose Dennis Dart/East Lancs Y358 LCK, still looking in good condition despite
it's advancing age
As reported Leighton Buzzard
local services are now operated by Centrebus, One of the services seen here in
West Street Leighton Buzzard being operated by new Enviro 200mmc 5017. These
services usually use the High Street, but being market day have to use West
Street instead. The remaining Arriva services now no longer serve the High
Street at all.
In Leighton Buzzard Town Centre is Red Rose Enviro 200
E14 RRT,
working a return to Aylesbury journey on the recently introduced 150
service.
The service operates the route that the former Arriva 150 service did
at one time on a lower freqency, other than Leighton Buzzard not Milton Keynes
as the ultimate destination.
I was only passenger to board in the town on this journey, 2 more boarded at the Railway Station, 2 more on the way through Linslade and one joining back on the main road out the town, with one further nearer Aylesbury.
RML 2634
Nigel Eadon-Clarke
was
in London on Thursday 12th June and came across RML 2634 at
London Bridge City Park wrapped for Kith & Kin. The park is located
alongside Tower Bridge and there
was a queue waiting to take a look at the
clothes that were on offer inside.
Pictures
taken at the park.
This bus is of local interest as for many years
it was part of the This Bus fleet based at Binders Yard, Cryers Hill as my 2
pictures taken on 19th July 2014 and 14th March 2021
show.
Insert 2 pictures taken in Binders Yard
RML
2634 was one of the last Routemasters in regular London service and is shown
on Rte 98 on 27th February 2004 on Edgware Road shortly before
the route was converted to one person operation.
Picture
on Edgware Road
Matt Cooper with comments and questions
Following on from Grahame's picture of the Oxford Citaro last week I came across this example still in use with Uno, MB 301 (BX56 VSJ) . From a batch of five new in 2006 built to dual door configuration they feature a large standee area and are great for shifting crowds of students, their intended purpose! They have served at Hatfield, Northampton and now Cranfield university operations and although the paintwork looked a little tired and battle scarred overall it wasn't bad for a 19 year old vehicle.
It was laying over at MK Central on
11th June.
In contrast to the last picture Stagecoach Rugby depot have recently launched a batch of Youtong electric vehicles which appear to be allocated to significant cross-town route 4 (Bilston to Brownsover) They are part of a batch of 27 ordered in conjunction with Warwickshire County Council. Little detail regarding their positive environmental credentials or any 'snazzy' brand names are used and I'm assuming they were ordered (and painted) before the new corporate livery was launched.
Smart looking vehicles though! 73110
(YE74 VGU) had just picked up at Rugby railway station on Monday 16th June.
My duties that day
took me to Crewe where a railway heritage centre is located adjacent to the
station. Several locos were heading that way from the south, the clue being
photographers located at every station platform, bridge, any good vantage
point and even one chap stood on some sort of ladder/A frame construction in
a field! The locos included Tornado, the steam train built recently from
scratch. Unfortunately I could not get a picture of it however it got me
thinking what if money was no object and you could build a bus from a past
era from scratch?! I have two in mind, both quite recent! Single deck would
be a Bee Line/Wycombe Bus Leyland Lynx and double deck a Northampton
Transport Alexander-bodied Volvo Citybus, they were great machines to drive!
Anyway, just something to ponder over!
Finally I am hoping
you and the OCBP readers might be able to assist me in my latest book
project with Amberley Publishing. It is looking at the bus/transport on
offer along The Ridgeway path. That is used as a 'base' and the photos will
feature nearby cities, towns and villages with a bus and coach theme. This
covers the OCBP area and if you or any readers have any photos for inclusion
in the book I would be most grateful for these. They will of course be
suitable credited in the text and a copy of the finished product can be
provided. My collection is a bit 'light' in South Oxfordshire, Lewknor Turn,
Thame and around Ivinghoe itself so any help with these in particular would
be super. It also gets me out and about over the next few months to take in
an area I know and love, get some exercise and do some good old fashioned 'gricing'!
I ll keep you posted on its progress.
Raymond Gingell
Through the Cookham area the Bus Stop signs still have Arriva even now.
Tony Bungay
Be interesting to see how long they will remain, the one
in Ickford has probably been there for over 10 years since Arriva last run a
service through there!
Brian Butler
On passing through Stoke Mandeville station yesterday I was surprised and
impressed to see copies of Carousel's South Buckinghamshire timetable
booklet in the rack for rail users to collect. This prompted a couple of
thoughts:-
-
As Stoke Mandeville is outside Carousel's current operating area well
done to them for spreading their publicity so widely.
-
Seeing a timetable booklet in this area is a rarity as our local
operators - Red Rose/Line/Eagle - sadly do not produce such publicity.
Fleet News and developments
Nick Ross
Arriva's Evora 3974 storms
East down the A505 Leighton Bypass near Stanbridgeford with the 1005 X2
from M' Keynes to Luton Airport,
the X2 is the new route number for the former
F77 that used to fly down the A505. Taken on June 13th 2025
Nick Ross
Leighton Buzz branded Enviro 5017 / YY25 HYT ON Centrebus's first day of
operation
on local Leighton services at Leighton Buzzard railway station on June
1st 2025
Grahame Wareham writes "Pulhams
have at least one of their pair of MCV EvoSeti's. The others for Thames
have also been delivered to the dealer.
Grahame Wareham writes
"With reference to the two Optare Versa's at Carousel 80431 & 80432, I
photographed both of them in service on Thursday at the Wycombe Coachway
and Eden Bus Station whilst I was there for a short while. Wycombe Bus
Station must be one of the busiest I've witnessed for sometime but I'm
not sure I would want to reverse a bus off the stand without a banksman!
Compared with Thames Travel at Didcot which also see's a busy schedule
the bus station layout there seems a lot safer. I'm not in favour of
having to reverse loaded buses blind out of parking bays in this day
and age!
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Jack Cooper
80026 in Gloucester Green on a wet June 3rd.
~
80494 seen in Oxford with a surprise
destination for the 35 on June 13th.
80672 with an X2 service in Westgate.
80721 with an appropriate screen on June
7th.
Charles Powell has provided pictures of new arrivals for this operator.
EvoSeti GL25BUS on arrival at Bourton on
June 13th.
Mercedes MB25BUS at Bourton on June 13th.
Yet another fairly recent E200MMC YX24PFY seen at
Bourton on June 12th.
~
UK19PUL turns into Westgate on June 10th.
Jack Cooper
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Current variety at Didcot on June 6th.
Paul Coley
This lunchtime’s, Friday 13th, Red Rose offering on the 9 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Appears straight from Arriva London service but with a dot matrix from something else, along with a paper route number sticker.
~
Last of the EVs has arrived, SCO 80052 with
a 1 working o/n June 5th.
London operations
Andrew Webb
RML2634 was parked in Covent Garden on 13 and 14 June
fitted out as a boutique for Kith and Kin.
Go Ahead's LT852 carries this advert for the new
Smurfs movie which starts in cinemas on July 10.
It is seen at London
Bridge on 14 June.
Later the same day Transport UK's LT463 is coy about its destination as it
passes
Warren Street station bound for Pimlico whilst advertising Stella Artois.
David Ive observations from Amesbury
On a recent trip back to Devon from Bucks, we had a short "pit stop" in Amesbury, Wiltshire, where I managed to get images of buses in different liveries, as attached.
Recently delivered Salisbury Reds 1809 and Stagecoach South 10685.
The latter
still wears Stagecoach In Oxfordshire, having previously operated in Oxford.
Salisbury Reds 1678 in "Activ8" livery for the Salisbury to Andover route.
Salisbury Reds 1578 on the Swindon to Salisbury route X5.
From Cardiff
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From Barry Island
From Wells
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