Editorial

This issue sees relaxation of restrictions and more is discussed under the Covid-19 heading. What it does seem to mean is that the total number of passengers carried on anyone bus will be significantly reduced so the social distancing may be maintained.

What has happened is that contributors have been able to get our more and pictures of current operations are beginning to filter through. One supporter noted that he was one of four photographers at his chosen location over this past week!

Andy Churchill

Barton Park Shuttle

Operated by a blue liveried Optare Versa with a permanent destination board ‘ Barton Park Shuttle ‘ in yellow as seen on May 19th.

Anyone got a picture of this?

One rather nice picture came from Jack Cooper by Peachcroft, Abingdon which highlights the lovely weather of the past week.

 



Things are gradually moving towards a more normal situation now that we are not so restricted as earlier. Some bus companies are going to increase services to allow for the fact that numbers in future will be very limited. It is suggested that a double decker will only carry 20 passengers until Covid-19 is under much greater control. In an item from Paul Bateson in Canada he shows how the buses in the province of Ontario, specially in Bampton, are now limited to the number of passengers that may be carried, Doubtless during the coming weeks pictures will emerge of the handling of this matter in the U.K.

You can follow the latest updates on travel at this link:

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/help-and-contact/national/travelling-safely-faqs

The new arrangements including limiting the numbers using each bus as indicated below:

Advisory bus capacities are now:- 

Double deck = 20 

Single deck = 11 

Midi single deck = 10 

Mini Bus (Solo) = 7 

No Standee pax. 

In addition scrolls will be changed to show: Route No. - Sorry Bus Full - Social Distancing

I understand that these limitations are being applied by other operators.

https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/covid-19/guidance/

Jim Wright sends more pictures of the roadworks in Oxford.

 
Magdalen St. East & West all resurfaced & lined but still closed on May 17th.

Further roadworks heading towards St. Giles direction,


Magdalen St East opened at 0815,all traffic including cars, diverting thru George St. as inbound junction to Beaumont St. closed 18-5-20.What will tomorrow bring?  



An interesting collection of pictures from the past for this week's issue which I hope readers will enjoy.

Malcolm Crowe


Remembering recent issues on Motts, here is the ex Playbus now with Arriva as their 5108 working the 340 in Stokenchurch on August 30th 2002.


Here we have Motts L922LJO with a 280 working in Magdalen Street East during April 1994, whe almost new.


London Country North - Green Line NTL2 with a 290 London service leaving Stokenchurch on September 15th 1989.

 
The 757 service to Cambridge was worked by National Express in 2002 and above are D315 in Jetlink livery at Stokenchurch on August 26th 2002
and then leaving High Wycombe bus station another Jetlink, this time 823 again heading for Cambridge on August 4th 2002.


Going back to Thames Travel we see Mercedes BX02CMF in Watlington with a Wallingford service on August 10th 2002.


Gloucester Green, Oxford during 1989 with various operators in service.


COMS Olympian 202 is seen with a 35 road service suitably adorned with overall advertising livery which was painted in house at Oxford
a far cry from today's vinyls!! The date is 1989.


COMS Metroliner 903 is seen with a 190 service in London's VCS again in 1989.


Ex Northern General Atlantean/ECW 985 is seen at Carfax with a 10 road service in 1989 shortly after joining COMS.


By 1993 we had moved to X services and here is 151 leaving with an X70 Heathrow service from Gloucester Green on December 26th 1993.


Here is F846TLU fleet number 424 working an X40 Citylink from Gloucester Green on November 6th 1993.


Thames Transit had arrived in Oxford some 6 years earlier and here one of the Transit's is seen alongside new Darts for
the Blackbird Flyer on November 6th 1993.


Almost new Berks & Bucks 759 F634UBL working the X25 at Heathrow in October 1989.

F634UBL Leyland TRCL10/3ARZA TR00602 Plaxton 8912LCB0848 C53F 7/1989 Berks & Bucks 759

John Horsman

On my daily exercise recently, I came across this vehicle near Kings Ash, Wendover. Clearly not going anywhere soon! 


E28UNE, Leyland Tiger, one time of Motts Travel.

Michael Wadman/Keith Newton

A few more shots for your local history feature. These photos of Chiltern Queens were all taken by my friend Keith Newton in the ‘seventies and early ‘eighties, and with a few exceptions which I’ve noted I’ve no idea of the locations, so if anyone recognises where they are (and I know that in some instances there’s not much to go on!) perhaps they could write in and we can turn it into a sort of competition. But no prizes, alas.

See my flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelwadman/


478 FCG – former Aldershot & District AEC Reliance / Park Royal in 1980


EUD 256K – AEC Reliance / Plaxton, on service B. I gather this bus is preserved at the Oxford Bus Museum?


NBW 407 – an older AEC Reliance / Plaxton, leaving Watlington on service B


OJO 835M – Leyland Leopard / Plaxton, on service A


OJO 835M again, crossing the river at Wallingford on service B


RCG 618 – former Aldershot & District AEC Reliance / Weymann in 1979


RCG 618 again, in 1980 


TJO 54K – former City of Oxford AEC Reliance / Marshall, on service A 


TJO 54K again, crossing the river at Wallingford on service B 


TYD 122G – AEC Reliance / Willowbrook, new to Hutchings & Cornelius of South Petherton 


TYD 122G again. This is another bus that has been preserved although I don’t know it’s current owner or location.
 


YNX478 – AEC Reliance, chassis new to Black &
White of Harvington, fitted with the Duple Midland body off the Dennis Pelican.
Another one that’s preserved, reportedly with an owner in Upton-upon-Severn.

So, very many thanks to Keith Newton and to Michael Wadman for sending these delightful pictures, which show off Chiltern Queens in a very good light and also the rural countryside they worked in.

Nick Ross


The Arriva 74 in a gloomy Beaconsfield High Street, with aged vehicle! on April 27th 2006. (cannot make out registration or type)

Mike Penn wrote following a 2006 OCBP saying "You asked about the history of Arriva 3365 (L415 NHJ), so here goes!"

"L415 NHJ was new to County Bus & Coach as fleet number DWL415 in January 1994 and was based at Ware.  It was a one off purchase; there were no other Lxxx NHJ registered vehicles.  I am unsure of the reason for this; I had it in my mind that it was bought to replace another vehicle lost in a fire but I have been unable to find any reference to that now.  Also it had a Wright body whereas the previous two batches of Darts had Plaxton bodies.  County were sold by West Midlands Travel to the Cowie Group at the end of February 1996 and in July DWL415 was repainted in the new Cowie livery style, possible the first in the fleet to be so treated. 

I am attaching a photograph of it passing Watford garage on the 724 route to Heathrow Airport taken on August 15th 1996.  At this time it still hadn't had fleet names or numbers affixed.  County Bus & Coach became Arriva East Herts & Essex in April 1998 and in November of that year DWL415 was repainted into the new Arriva livery, its second repaint in less than five years.  It became 3365 in the January 1999 renumbering and in February 2002 it was transferred to Arriva The Shires being based initially at Hitchin.  It moved to High Wycombe in October 2002." 

So it just goes to show how useful OCBP can BE, even to me!!!!

Alexander

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for your latest update. It was A pleasure to read as always. I especially enjoyed seeing the historical pictures. With regards to the 42 service, which Tappins had 1 early morning journey on, the service was otherwise operated by City of Oxford. 

I seem to be receiving a larger number of pictures pertaining to outside the U.K. I have therefore decided to include such contributions in this special section.

Paul Batson has provided some interesting pictures from Brampton, Ontario and these fleet can be followed by purchasing the book below.

He writes  "As it was a sunny afternoon I decided to take a walk in a clockwise direction around the perimeter of the Bramalea Transit Centre and the Civic Centre.  One or two people around but no problem with physical distancing.  Sun angles are quite good in the afternoon and I managed a total of 30 pictures in the 90 minutes or so spent outside.  In the case of the views on Team Canada Drive, there is a large flower pot that I can sit on and snap away to my heart’s content."


Brampton Transit 0411 layover at Central Park Drive on May 19th by Paul Bateson.


Brampton Transit 0622 - Central Park Drive on May 20th by Paul Bateson.

   
Brampton Transit 0815 layover Central Park Drive with interior pictures to show the Covid-19 limitations on May 20th by Paul Bateson.


GO Transit 2601 passing Team Canada Drive on May 20th by Paul Bateson. 

Urban Transit Fleets in Canada


click on the logo above to visit the web site.

Paul Bateson, who provides pictures both past and present, has asked me to let readers know about a recent publication which he is involved with. Having studied this book I must say that it is very comprehensive indeed. It takes readers on a visit to Urban Transit Fleets in Canada, with 64 pictures in colour of the vehicles, providing the reader with an excellent idea of the fleets involved. There is also much more information on the operations, buses and of course fleet lists. Especially useful if anyone is intending a visit to Canada. You will also find the many  pages on heritage operations, including tramways extremely useful.

         
A better idea of what the book is like.

If you have Adobe Acrobat open this link to order: Order Form_2019 SSG_MEB.pdf

Isn't it surprising how much detail there is worldwide about buses and transport for people who follow this subject.

https://transitheritage.ca/shop/ 

 

 New book just published which shows British Buses Abroad Illustrated. A City of Oxford double deck is also included!!

This publication covers most countries in the world and probably wherever you go will be a precursor to what you may find.
It has been thoughtfully edited with many interesting pictures, two full colour to each of the 114 illustrated pages.
The quality of this reasonably priced book is £12.50 inc. p&p in the U.K.

For your copy follow this link: https://busesworldwide.org/wp/?page_id=48591 

So more from overseas next issue including Singapore.

 

North of the Border with Gordon Scott - our man in Drum Brae!

Thank you for latest OCBP 104 great reading from past Bus news. Interesting reading and pictures and enjoyed article on Buses you have driven.

May 14th

Another couple of shots from today in a very quiet Princess Street Edinburgh showing Edinburgh Tram and a couple of Buses. 

 
Other shot shows quiet Princess Street normally with
plenty of Buses and shoppers but not in these Covid 19 times with one rear view of a Lothian Bus.


Lothian 1082CE - SJ19 OWX Volvo B8L Alexander
Dennis Enviro 400 XLB on Longstone depot route 33.


Stagecoach East Scotland Fife 26352 - YX20 OFV
Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 MMC on route X55.


Parks HSK 654 - Volvo B11R Plaxton Panorama
on Citylink 900 Edinburgh to Glasgow taken at Frederick Street turning onto Princess Street.

May 19th

Taken today Lothian route 21 diverted on Drum Brae Edinburgh.


Lothian 1109CE - SJ19OYL Volvo B8L Alexander Dennis Enviro
400 XLB seen climbing Drum Brae.

Had to go to St Johns Hospital Livingston this afternoon.


Lothian Country 581LS - SJ67MGE Volvo B5LH Wright
Gemini on route X27 operated by Lothian Longstone depot 581LS Bus seen at Livingston Hospital.

May 20th

Taken today on a good sunny day three more shots of Lothian Route 21 diverted due to Road Works on normal Corstorphine Road Edinburgh.


Lothian Volvo B8L Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 XLB Route 21. 1104CE - SJ19OXZ  seen climbing Drum Brae Edinburgh with River Forth and Fife in the background.


1115CE - SJ19 OYT seen at Drum Brae  before descent of Drum Brae Edinburgh with Pentland Hills in the background.


1073CE - SJ19 OWH Seen at the top of Drum Brae Edinburgh. 

As ever, many thanks to Gordon for his contributions. I must ask how does Lothian and other Scottish operators manage to produce such a superb turnout for their vehicles????

Fleet news and developments

Head Office advises

The following Midlands Vehicles are going on Loan to Milton Keynes to operate enhanced service from 1 June, the 4 x E400 from Wigston (4422,4423,4424,4425) will be returned

CANNOCK

3900-MD

FJ58HYH

Single Decker Bus

VOLVO

B7RLE

CANNOCK

3901-MD

FJ58HYK

Single Decker Bus

VOLVO

B7RLE

CANNOCK

3902-MD

FJ58HYL

Single Decker Bus

VOLVO

B7RLE

CANNOCK

3903-MD

FJ58HYM

Single Decker Bus

VOLVO

B7RLE

CANNOCK

3904-MD

FJ58HYN

Single Decker Bus

VOLVO

B7RLE

CANNOCK

3905-MD

FJ58HYO

Single Decker Bus

VOLVO

B7RLE

CANNOCK

3906-MD

FJ58HYP

Single Decker Bus

VOLVO

B7RLE

WIGSTON

4200-MD

FJ08LVL

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4201-MD

FJ08LVM

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4202-MD

FJ08LVN

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4203-MD

FJ08LVO

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4204-MD

FJ08LVP

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4205-MD

FJ08LVR

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4206-MD

FJ08LVS

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4207-MD

FJ08LVT

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4208-MD

FJ58KXF

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4209-MD

FJ58KXG

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4210-MD

FJ58KXH

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

WIGSTON

4217-MD

FJ58KXR

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

HINCKLEY CBH

4211-MD

FJ58KXK

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

HINCKLEY CBH

4212-MD

FJ58KXL

Double Decker Bus

VOLVO

B9TL

The following from Milton Keynes are going to be Parked up at Cannock

MILTON KEYNES

3614-TS

KE55CVJ

Single Decker Bus

SCANIA

L94

MILTON KEYNES

3616-TS

KE55CVL

Single Decker Bus

SCANIA

L94

MILTON KEYNES

3618-TS

KE55GXR

Single Decker Bus

SCANIA

L94

MILTON KEYNES

3619-TS

KE55CVA

Single Decker Bus

SCANIA

L94

MILTON KEYNES

3622-TS

YN55PZZ

Single Decker Bus

SCANIA

L94

MILTON KEYNES

3623-TS

YN06JXJ

Single Decker Bus

SCANIA

L94

MILTON KEYNES

3624-TS

YN06JXK

Single Decker Bus

SCANIA

L94

What has not been advised is that 6049 has turned up at Wycombe and is in service.

 
Arriva-TS-6049 seen in BOOKERHILL Road on May 18th by Gavin Francis.
Note the inevitable paper sticker!
The second picture is of the same bus in London service on April 14th 2014. 

Charlie Blagg - Luton Dunstable Bus & Rail Page

A few bits from Arriva Milton Keynes: 

The Scania L94UB Wright Solars at MK are now moving out and will be joining the fleet up north at Cannock. In exchange, they are expecting Volvo B7RLEs from Cannock and B9TLs from Wigston. The latter will mean Milton Keynes finally receives a permanent double decker allocation, with the current ADL Enviro 400s (4422-4425) on loan set to move back to Wigston in exchange the coming weeks. I’m informed that MK should receive 14 B9TLs and 7 B7RLEs in total – though it has been suggested it may be 7 B9TLs and 14 B7RLEs as there are 14 of the FJ58 batch. 

So far, the following moves have taken place today: 

Solars: 3616 & 3618 to Cannock

B7RLEs: 3902 to MK

B9TLs: 4202, 4204, 4205 & 4209 to MK

22/5

Solars: 3614, 3622 and 3623 (two others yesterday I missed off were 3619 and 3624)

B9TLs: 4200, 4201, 4211 and 4217

 B7RLEs: another one arrived yesterday in addition to 3902, just not sure which one just yet. 

The B9TLs should enter service at Milton Keynes from the 1st June, when Arriva expect to ramp up the timetables as lockdown restrictions are further lifted. 

All info is credit to Luke Garley and Andy Allen from Arriva Midlands.

Gavin Francis

Gavin has provided  an interesting picture during a visit to Wycombe.


StreetLite 2326 with a 48 working in Lane End on May 18th.

Nigel Peach

Now that lockdown has been relaxed a bit, I have been able to venture out a bit more.

 Yesterday I decided to go via Cressex and took some pictures of buses there, mainly SORN. Mainly self explanatory, the double decker is I think 6049 which was being moved out of the workshop - it's one of Aylesbury's, presumably there for MOT. (Maybe not as it worked the 32 on the 18th!)    


6049

 
Citaro 3039 and a number of other buses. Then 3700 looking a little the worse for wear!


Behind Trainer 9555 is our friend 2159! 

Interesting that DAF 2732 (03 plate) is working away - I saw it in Wycombe, whereas a number of the much newer Citaros are SORN.

When I also passed by the depot today, May 22nd everything seemed still in the same place!

SOUTHERN COUNTIES

Philip Gates


Lock down at Arriva Gillingham Kent Depot. Evidently all the DD's have been SORN'd as well as some of the SD's.  


Gavin Francis recorded that there were the three coaches for the 102 in the yard - May 18th.

Phil Southall

https://www.oxfordbus.co.uk/bus-kids/colourmein/

364 is the vehicle for our latest 'Brand the Bus' competition. the base colour is white and it will have its vinyls applied before returning to service! It is going to be branded on Saturday, May 23rd.

Peverel

Today, on my constitutional from Lock-down, I managed the attached heading South on the A34 near Kidlington. Heading to the Depot no doubt, and did you mention in the pages that this one is due to receive an advert or am I confusing this with another? Certainly seems ready for an ad.

Peverel's questions are answered above by Phil Southall.


364     V14OXF     YV3T1R921DA159646    AH180 D/D 73     08.01.2013 E6 Y Y HYBRID    CITY
Seen on the A34 on May 15th by Peverel.

Mike Stone

Bicester Village Shuttle

Registered by City of Oxford from June 20th in last weeks Notices and Proceedings - presumably depending on the Village reopening.

Andy Churchill

Sent on loan to Brighton and Hove is Volvo B11R/Plaxton Panther C44FLT 23 (CF14OXF) and arrived in Brighton on 23/3/20 for six months and will be used on Rail Replacement duties.

It certainly seems that most city routes are being operated by Wright StreetDecks and some E400MMCs Such as 601/2/9/14 and Citaros 869/870/883 and all the Hybrids are in Covid reserve along with the remaining E400MMCs and Citaro’s and Mercedes Coaches 30-40 were all available for service but in the end only just two are needed each day .

Richard Sharman

Former Oxford Bus Company Volvo B10M/ Plaxton Excalibur 69 which was new as R5OXF and served on the Espress and Airline services has just been acquired by Wyvern Omnibus, Worcestershire. It has once again reverted to the registration it had when it left Oxford, R810NUD. On withdrawal it was transferred to Go South Coast and used on the Isle of Wight, it has also been at York Pullman and more recently Diamond Coaches, Northamptonshire.

Jack Cooper


658 with a 35 road service near Abingdon on May 19th.


658 with an X13 service near Abingdon on May 18th.

 
674 with a n X13 service by Lodge Hill on May 18th.

 
682 with an X13 service by Peachcroft on May 18th and 683 on May 20th by Lodge Hill.


687 with a 35 road service on Lodge Hill on May 19th.

Ciaran Bird

Ciaran's pictures mainly taken in Kidlington on May 15th.


661 on a 2B service.


674 on a 2A road working. 

Jack Cooper

Pictures taken by Peachcroft and Lodge Hill.


208 with an X2 service on May 18th.


230 with an X33 working on May 20th.


StreetDeck 621 is working the X2 on May 20th.

Nick Ross


Grant Palmer's Dart 206 NA52AWJ, resting at Leighton Buzzard station on local service 34 on May 15th 2020 

Ciaran Bird

These pictures were taken at Kidlington on May 15th,

 
10070 is working the 700 in Kidlington with 10437 working the 7 at the same point.

 
10675 is working a 2A approaching Sainsbury's with 10677 running an S5 at the same point.


15758, fully branded for the S5 is seen working the 2A in Kidlington.


Solo SR 47831 is seen in Woodstock on May 14th with a 233 service to Burford.

Jack Cooper


Gold 10786 is seen on Lodge Hill with an S8 service on May 18th.

Jim Wright


10437 at Wootton turning circle terminus on May 14th with a route 7 service. 

Andrew Tyldsley

A photo from Wednesday night in Newcastle upon Tyne (13/05/20) is Stagecoach ADL Enviro 400MMC 11282/SN69 ZPK turning from Pilgrim Street onto Market Street - the whole of the area east of Pilgrim Street is being redeveloped over the next few years by owners the Reuben Bros, who I’m told have also expressed an interest in a football club. I don’t like the branding along the bottom of the upper deck windows.

 

I'm wondering if you might be able to add this advert to your page over the coming weeks please?span> We are hoping to grow membership of MTN in the coming months.

A new Thames Valley book from Paul Lacey

 

Celebrating the centenary since the formation of the Thames Valley Traction Co. Ltd. on 10th July 1920 in a selection of photos from the foremost collection on that operator and its subsidiaries Newbury & District and South Midland and its many competitors./p>

The pages take the reader over the wide area of operations by the ‘Valley during the years 1920 to 1971, and also the variety of vehicles employed from the solid-tyred Thornycroft J-types through to the
final intakes of Bristol chassis, including the various second-hand purchases during the 1959-1971 period, all of which added greater variety and interest.

Within its 144 A4 perfect bound pages are 330 monochrome photos and 100 in colour, previously un-published, each with a fully-detailed caption.

Send your cheque for £23 for this post-free offer to:
Paul Lacey, 17 Sparrow Close, Woosehill, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 3HT
If you prefer to collect your copy please call me on 0118 979 4097 to set up a mutually-convenient time.

Also still available:

Thames Valley, 1920-1930 (cover price £15) £13
Thames Valley, 1931-1945 (£25) £13
Thames Valley, 1946-1960 (£25) £13

Please mention The Oxford Chiltern Bus Page when  ordering.

 

    https://thetransportlibrary.co.uk/

    When I had occasion to need some photographs recently I was delighted to find just what I needed on The Transport Library Web Site. The collection is significant and if you do use the site please mention the Oxford Chiltern Bus Page.

    Robin who runs the site wrote to me:

    "I was recently put in touch with a local transport photographic image company called Kezlan Images. They run two sites – the Transport Library and The Transport Treasury. Together they provide over 200,000 images to purchase with both Road and Rail transport from the UK and overseas. I was drawn mainly to the Transport Library as this site has a larger volume of Bus images. In particular they offer the images from J S Cockshott, Geoffrey Morant and also several photographers who left their collection to the Omnibus Society. Started in 2012 the Transport Library started as a way of marketing Russell Fell’s large collection of London Country and London Transport Images. This collection alone numbers around 25,000 and contains a great many shots from the local area. From there though they have picked up other collections plus run a service for individuals and societies to market images on their behalf in exchange for royalty payments. The site is well worth a look as there are images from a wide variety of operators from across the country, so there should be something for everyone. Kezlan Images also buy transport photographic collections, and have started to move into publishing through the Transport Treasury brand. Currently the books they have produced are based on rail subjects, but they hope to move into road matters in the near future." 

    I would note that prices are most reasonable for the photographs, especially if one take the Digital images.

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