Editorial
Many Oxford local readers will be aware, that on Thursday October 25th, following comprehensive news coverage of the story, Oxford Bus Hybrid 307 caught fire whilst working a 35 road service through Kennington. All the passengers were safely evacuated and from pictures published in the Oxford Mail the vehicle was seriously damaged. The paper also noted that this was the third bus fire in the past half year, with an Oxford tube and a Stagecoach Hybrid both also catching fire. However in those cases both vehicles have or will return to service.
In other news, maybe, there is a small price war starting in Oxford on the service to London. Following the price announcement last week on the X90, it has been announced that the Oxford tube will reduce prices and these can be seen at the following link:
This means that there is a significant fare reduction from both companies in the coming months for customers using either service to London. One wonders if this will result in an increase in passenger numbers?
Of course one of the driving elements is the suggested loss of some traffic to the new Chiltern Trains services to London, with another dynamic being the inevitable traffic delays on both the M40 and the A40 from Hillingdon into central London.
Well, by the time you read this, the clocks in the UK will have gone back to GMT. An extra hour in bed on Sunday morning! There is much talk about this bi-annual event coming to an end. Of course one reason for this was to help children going to and from school to be in daylight. I wonder how many readers remember back to the second world war when we had double summer time with the clocks going forward two hours which was said to help the farmers by extending their working day!
Mumbai double deck bus on February 15th 2016 by Daniel Doyle. I think it must
have some ancestry from Leyland.
Today, Saturday, as I write this Editorial, I found it very chilly earlier this morning and appreciated, seeing the layer of ice in car windows, why the gritters were out in High Wycombe yesterday! Some of the hills around the town are extremely steep and when the snow falls access is often restricted.
Another small note out of our area is that First Manchester is closing its Rusholme depot which was where Finglands Coaches ran from and dates back to the '20s and '30s. Indeed Finglands at that time ran a coach service from Manchester to London.
ADL to build new Enviro500 fleet for Berlin
An example of the new tri-axle ADL E500's in Berlin. Pictures by ADL.
Another Volvo Olympian used was P353ROO, seen here at Horton-cum-Studley and
taken by David Gray. "353" was new to Harris Bus of West Thurrock in July
1997.
Leyland Olympian F845ENV, at Carterton, was new to Isle of Man Road
Transport (BMN88G) in 1988 with picture by David Gray.
OLN65P at the depot seen by David Gray - This is a Bedford with Caetano bodywork and is preserved.
The original itinerary gave a mileage of 143 and even allowing the revised
schedules over 100 miles of Olympian travelling was achieved. P353 ROO and
R358 XVX were new to Harris Bus for London Transport work. They also spent
15 years with Marshall, Sutton-on-Trent, whose livery they retain.
Fleet No | Registration | Chassis | Model | Body | |
WALTERS LIMOUSINES | |||||
007 | T546 XBX | Io | 391E.12.35 | Bs | |
012 | HDZ 102 | Ka | S215H | Ka | |
027 | BUI 2782 | Au | N122/3 | Au | |
035 | F845 ENV | Ld | ONCL10/2RZ | Ld | |
043 | F904 RWP | Ds | Jv | Pn | |
046 | W 4 ENG | Sca | K124IB6 | Ir | |
048 | B 17 MKT | Io | CC95.18 | Ind | |
52 | W771 AAY | MAN | 18.310 | Noge | |
055 | GK 02 WCY | Rt | Mtr | Roh | |
BIG 8732 | Au | N122/3L | Au | ||
FIL 2688 | Sca | L941B | Ir | ||
IIG 3843 | Au | N516/3 | Au | ||
JIG 8027 | Ds | Jv | Bf | ||
LAZ 4408 | Sca | L94IB | Ir | ||
SHZ 5751 | Io | CC95.9E18F | Ind | ||
VEZ 4460 | MB | O404 | HC | ||
VJI 3482 | Ds | Jv | Au | ||
WNZ 5493 | MB | O814D | ACI | ||
XIB 3914 | Io | 391.12.35 | Bs | ||
YSU 895 | Sca | K1241B4 | Ir | ||
ABV 665V | An | NS3N | Wk | ||
B 10 MBD | Ds | Cr | DMc | ||
D 7 CCW | Ka | S250 | Ka | ||
D296 RKW | Ld | TRC | Du | ||
F359 WSC | Ld | ONCL10/2RZ | Ar | ||
G617 BPH | Vo | B10M-50 | EL | ||
H809 AGX | Ld | ON2R50C13Z4 | Ld | ||
H179 EJF | Ds | Jv | Co | ||
H552 VAT | Ld | ON2R56C13Z4 | NC | ||
L150 HUD | Vo | B10M-62 | Pn | ||
L952 MSC | Vo | YN2RC16Z4 | Ar | ||
M812 FUM | Ba | FHD12-340 | Ba | ||
M562 SRE | MB | 709D | Ml | ||
N 22 DTS | Vo | B10M-66 | Pn | ||
HDZ 101 | Ka | S250 | Ka | ||
P353 ROO | Vo | OLY-56 | EL | ||
R625 GKO | Ka | S250 | Ka | ||
R626 GKO | Ka | S250 | Ka | ||
R 14 SCC | Sca | K124IB4 | Bf | ||
R500 SPK | DAF | SB3000 | Pn | ||
R663 TKU | Vo | B10M-62 | Pn | ||
R358 XVX | Vo | OLY-56 | EL | ||
S 962 NVY | MB | O1120L | Fer | ||
T 43 BBW | MAN | 24.350 | Je | ||
T465 HNH | MB | O814D | Pn | ||
T641 JWB | MB | O814D | Pn | ||
T406 OWA | Sca | L941B | Ir | ||
V335 XDO | MB | O814D | ACI | ||
MSV 557 | MB | 01120L | Fer | ||
W103 ASB | MB | O814D | Pn | ||
W202 CDN | DAF | SB3000 | VH | ||
X569 KTG | MB | O1120L | Fer | ||
Y661 NAY | MAN | 18.310 HOCLR | Mpo | ||
LX 03 OSC | Tbs | Tt | Transbus | ||
LX 05 BWN | Au | N122/3 | Au | ||
MX 05 BWO | Au | N122/3L | Au | ||
PX 51 LRF | Rt | Mtr | Walsall Joinery Works | ||
YR 52 MDF | MB | O814D | Pn | ||
YR 52 ZKM | Au | N122/3 | Au | ||
SV 54 ELX | Au | N122/3L | Au | ||
SF 55 HGO | MB | 413CDI | Essbee | ||
WX 57 DPE | MB | ? Minicoach | |||
Wallingford Coaches (part of Walters Limousines?) | |||||
YN 08 HZH | Sca | K340 | Ir | ||
J COATES (HGV SERVICES) LTD | |||||
YK 54 GZF | BMC | 1100FE | BMC | ||
BD 12 FBG | Ford | Transit | |||
ABELLIO LONDON LIMITED stored | |||||
9547 | SN 12 AOU | ||||
9548 | SN 12 AOV | ||||
9549 | SN 12 AOW | ||||
9551 | SN 12 AOY | ||||
9553 | SN 12 APF | ||||
9555 | SN 12 APO | ||||
9556 | SN 12 APU | ||||
9557 | SN 12 APV | ||||
9558 | SN 12 APX | ||||
MOBILE HOME? | |||||
YS 02 UCJ | Optare | Alero | |||
PRESERVED | |||||
EUF 738L | Bedford | VAL70 | Pn | ||
OLN 65P | Bedford | J2SZ2 | Caetano | ||
LONDON UNITED | stored | ||||
DPS30724 | SN 55 DVT | ||||
DPS30726 | SN 55 DVV | ||||
DPS30727 | SN 55 DVW | ||||
Front panel only from M908 OVR (Ds Jv/Au) | |||||
Front bumper only from T186 CLO Ds Tt/Ar | |||||
All of the vehicles were photographed at the depot with the exception of P353 ROO (at Horton-cum-Studley) and F845 ENV (seen at Carterton). Photo 1513 was ABV 665A (ex 335 KPL) an Albion Nimbus/Willowbrook B--F. I've just noticed that the PSV news-sheet that gave details of the vehicle quoted it as a V-registration rather than an A which I quoted. There was no evidence of any registration being carried incidentally The London United vehicles were reported by PSVC as "gone 7/18" but I'm unsure whether they may have been stored elsewhere or moved directly to the yard.
Ex Oxford tube 50043 and City of Oxford 150 seen at the depot by David
Gray.
The Albion Nimbus mentioned in the text and seen on October 20th by David Gray.
One other bit of information which is that Leyland Olympians TIL 6571-3 are believed to have been sold by Walters to JD Travel which I think has an operating base at Culham. I'm not sure what school services they operate but it may be something your local correspondents may find of interest.
From Graham Mildenhall
This seems a delightful bus shelter and maybe worth taking somewhere else?
Was out on Saturday with the dog walking along Camp Road
in Upper Heyford and was looking at the steady demolition of the old RAF base
and its buildings. Looks like next in line to be demolished is the long standing
bus shelter (and timing point) which is now fenced off and carries a notice that
it is no longer in use and for prospective passengers to use alternative new
stops. Nice sunny day and thought I would take a picture for old time's sake
then realised that a Thames Travel Citaro on the 250 was waiting at the
temporary traffic lights beyond the shelter - too good an opportunity to miss,
the result is attached which you may like to use at some point.
From Paul Hubbert
"photo from Bergen in Norway, from a holiday two years ago."
- This really is quite a vehicle! Ed.
Birmingham Guy Arab 2547 stands next to a delightful
BMMO SON 2418, GHA337 pictured by Gary Seamarks.
West Midlands Daimler Fleetline 6600 looking great in
the twilight.
Wartime Coventry Daimler CWA6 with Roe bodywork, 366
EKV966.
BMMO own S15, 5056 - 5056HA resplendent in dual
purpose livery.
Midland Red 5656 - BHA656C one of the last motorway
coaches CM6T which ended its service in white National Express colours.
Midland Red S23 5956 - UHA956H in the final National Bus Company livery.
Not a Midland Red bus but a nice Bristol L5G from Crosville KG126 - KFM775 new
in 1950.
Fleet News
No special news from Arriva for this issue.
Scania L94UB with Wright Solar body - 3616 working the 30 Downley Circular on
October 23rd by Gavin Francis.
Citaro 3925 working the 1 to Chesham Pond Park on October 23rd by Gavin Francis.
First Solent's 47584 SN14ECA was a surprise on the X74 on October 23rd by Gavin Francis.
Glasgow
Multi use Solo 709 with the 1 on October 23rd by Gavin Francis.
Chiltern Hundreds Solo 712 with a 103 working on October 23rd by Gavin Francis.
Recently painted 857 now with Carousel and with a 1A working on October 23rd by
Gavin Francis.
Still devoid of branding, Citaro 878 is seen with a 36 working on October 23rd
by Gavin Francis.
As will be seen later both 869 and 870 seen in the last issue are currently with Thames Travel having spent a week or so here.
I am advised that eleven new coaches are on order, these being Tourismos. Also I understand that there are to be three new style Caetano tri-axles for the National Express 737 service.
For the record the coach fleet and suggested PVR is:
Purpose | PVR | |||||||
3 axle |
2 axle |
|||||||
Airline |
16 |
3 |
13 |
|
||||
Multi |
7 |
1 |
6 |
LHR |
8 |
|||
OX White |
2 |
2 |
LGW |
6 |
||||
X90 |
13 |
11 |
2 |
71 |
X90 |
11 |
12 | |
NE 737 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
NE737 | 4 | |||
43 |
17 |
26 |
29 |
|||||
Certainly a lot happening in the near future!
I am advised, only this morning, that the
Tourismos are tri-axles, 9 will be branded for airline and 2 in the generic
white livery to be used across all services.
They are expected to be delivered in February
2019.
No further news is to hand regarding fire damaged 307, again when such information does become available you will read about it in these pages.
The current revised X90 needs 11 plus probably 2 spares. It is calculated, there will be four less coaches on the PVR on X90 from today.
Tri-axle 72 with an X90 service turns at Carfax Corner on October 27th by Gavin
Francis.
Scania 203, now devoid of branding and recently at Carousel, is seen working a
400 service, turns at Carfax Corner on October 27th by Gavin Francis.
Hybrids 313 and 316 are seen working Kidlington services near Debenhams on
October 27th by Gavin Francis.
Yellow 683 is seen working the 3 service in Norfolk
Street on October 27th by
Gavin Francis.
Orange 690 is seen working a number 8 service in
Norfolk Street on October 27th by
Gavin Francis.
BROOKESbus 373 with a U1 working in Norfolk Street on October 27th by Gavin Francis.
PICKMEUP branded Citaro 838 is seen working a Wolvercote 6 road service seen at
Debenhams on October 27th by Gavin Francis.
PICKMEUP 974 is seen in St Aldates on October
27th by Gavin Francis.
From Phil Southall
Watch this space on the open toppers. I plan to renumber the 2xxx buses into the main OBC series and re-register all of the City Sightseeing fleet with Irish Plates in due course but the plan is still coming together. 201 to 205 will stay as they are and upgraded to Euro 6 engines with 2055, 2056, 2903, 2906 and 2907 retained, renumbered and re-registered once converted to electric. The other open tops are likely to be sold but this is not definite yet.
Scania 223 branded for river rapids with an X39 working in Castle St on October 27th by Gavin Francis.
connector 623 seen with an X2 service in St Aldates
on October 27th by Gavin Francis.
James Freeman sent this quick snap of 621 with a T1 working on October 24th.
This maybe the first time one of these new buses has worked at T1.
Float Citaro 869 is seen with a 250 service in St
Giles on October 27th by Gavin Francis.
Arriva VLA40 at WATERLOO STATION is now with
Heyfordian but seen here on February 28th 2012 by Gavin Francis.
Clarkes of London branded in National Express/oui
livery BF67WJY with a 6619 service to Amsterdam in VCS on October 25th by Gavin
Francis.
New Style Caetano with Scania chassis with an A7
working to Stansted
on October 25th by Gavin Francis.
New MMCs for Dundee are seen above on test runs caught in the lens of Gordon
Scott.
Motts GT12MTT seen in Oxford on October 27th by Gavin
Francis.
Reading's 1209 with a 702 service in Bulleid Way
on October 25th by Gavin Francis.
A nice picture of SF54KHV with a 306 working in High Wycombe
on October 23rd by Gavin Francis.
E200 YX10FFB is seen in Ivinghoe with a 61 working on October 22nd by Gavin
Francis.
in Oxfordshire
Unusually Hybrid 12004 is seen with a 14 service in St Giles
on October 25th by Gavin
Francis.
MMC 10671 is seen with a 3 service to Rose Hill
on October 25th by Gavin Francis.
Midlands
Trident 18155 at Northampton has received an all over advertising wrap for Hits Radio.
West
Further Gold-spec MAN/Enviro 300s out of service here and transferred to the Reserve Fleet are 22746 and 22754 from Stroud.
POPPY BUS - Abellio's LT780 with a 211 near VCS on
October 25th by Gavin Francis.