Visitors

Saturday 30 June 2012

Bus News In Breif

A few highlights of some movements for the local bus & coach operators i take a interest in:

Decker Bus, Whittlesea:
Now in use here is A 3rd ex Arriva Merseyside Volvo Olympian VIL8682 (N298CKB). Iveco Eurorider CN53FYV (ex Veolia Wales) was displayed for the first time at the UK Coach Rally. Scania Irizar YN51(rest of the reg is forgotten, but was 74002 with Veolia Wales) is now being worked on for a return to use. Scania N113DRBs 8092NK and 4388WX have been exported to Zimbabwe. Id expect their 'cherished' registrations to be applied to the Iveco & Irizar (once its ready).

Embling, Guyhirn
In use here is a Volvo Olympian/East Lancs P350ROO, formerly operated by Griffin Bus, Tonbridge. Dennis Javelin R410/Plaxton Paragon ECL730 now wears full Emblings Livery with Judds fleetnames. A Dennis Trident/ALX400 (ex Metroline) has been sighted at the depot but im not sure yet which one it is, apart from "Its a T-reg"

Towler, Emneth
In use here is a Leyland Olympian/Northern Counties K-RHH, which iv seen twice but not been able to get a full reg from, it still wears base East Yorkshire livery from where it came from.

Norfolk Green (Go West0; Kings Lynn
The two new ADL Integral Enviro 400s for NG are (21) SN12EHM and (22) SN12EHO, both been seen recently at Plaxtons dealership near Scarborough, in a new much more modern looking livery

Stagecoach Peterborough
4 new ADL Enviro 400 integrals okay in use here to boost the Citi 6, but are turning up anywhere except the Citi 6, fleet numbers 10010-10014 inclusive.

Stagecoach Cambridge
Several new Scania Enviro 400s and Volvo B7RLE Wright Urbans for the Busway are due for delivery very soon, and have been given the fleet numbers & Registrations as follows
Scania Enviro 400s: 15812-AE12GCK; 15813-AE12CKJ &15814-AE12CKK 
Volvo B7RLE: 21231-AE12CJJ, 21232-AE12CJO, 21233-AE12CJU, 21234-AE12CJV & 21235-AE12CJX

Former Nedexco Volvo`s now working for Visbeen

Good morning All, been a while hasn`t it!!

Last night i saw 5 former Nedexco Volvo FH`s parked up in a compound off Algores Way in Wisbech, not all was readable from the road, but some of them were:

BS-LS-21; BS-JH-65, BS-LH-67, and BS-RR-69.

These are now operated by Bolle Transport, based in Middelharnis, Holland, and are sub-contractor to Visbeen, one of Hollands largest road hauliers. The 5 vehicles noted last night carry Bolle brandings on the front with small Visbeen brandings on the doorsides

BS-RR-69 on Anglores Way, Wisbech 30/06/12


Former Nedexco Volvos have also been noted in service with another Big Operator from Holland, FTT Group.

Nedexco ceased trading back in September 2011.

Sunday 4 March 2012

Decker Bus & Galloways Fleet News

Decker Bus, Whittlesea have recently had a bit of a fleet reshuffle, recent acquisitons have been 2 Volvo Olympian`s from Arriva Merseyside (Via Used Bus & Coach sales, Runcorn) N293/5CKB.

N293CKB at Whittlesea Station

Leaving the fleet have been open-top Leyland Olympian JSX538T which was sold to the Runcorn dealer, and all 3 Northern Counties bodied Volvo DF10M Citybuses acquired from Excel, Stansted 2 years ago G625/6/7BPH have left as well. 625 has become a 'Office' at Fox Marina, March and 627 is now in service with Godwin T/A Inter-Recruit, Parnwell. (Photo below)

Galloway, Mendelsham news now, here on loan until the end of the summer season is former Eddie Brown Volvo B12B Plaxton Panther BT05EBT, and brought from Paul Winson, Loughborough is Dennis Dart/Pointer R80PSW. Brand new here too is a Volvo B9R with Volvos own 9700 bodywork, but i dont yet have the registration for this, but it will be on a 12 plate. Lastly, due at the end of June are two new Volvo B9R Ceatano Levante`s for National Express work.

Thursday 1 March 2012

Enviro 400s for Norfolk Green

Today came the long awaited official announcement from Norfolk Green that they have placed an order for some Enviro 400 Double-Deckers to run on their Hunsanton Line services.

The company now run the biggest independant fleet of low-floor Optare Spectra double decks split between the Hunstanton line 10/11 route and the Kings Lynn - Spalding 505 route, supplimented by 2 ex East London ALX400 Tridents

Before the New Enviro 400s arrive, the company will take on a Demonstrator version on the route for driver training/famaliarisation on the 3 routes.

The 10 and 11 are very senic routes from the top of a Double-Deck bus, and these Enviro 400s will be great additions to a fast growing fleet.

Thanks goes to J508GCD for the original news.

Friday 13 January 2012

Mega Lucky Friday The Thirteenth

Today i was heading out towards Watford Gap for some lorry/coach photographing, but decided to make a stop off at Van Hool in Wellingborough, as it was more-or-less on the way, kind of.....

We was lucky enough to be granted permission to have a wander round and photograph the vehicles in, and we was greeting by 9 brand new T927 Astromgea`s for Stagecoach Cwmbran (South Wales/Red & White)

CN61FAA/FAJ/FAK/FAM/FAO/FAU/FBA

Plus one not yet registered, and one inside the shed having livery applied.

Also there was a new VDL/T915 Alicon for Bibby, Ingleton named 'Dales Nemesis', a Volvo B9R T915 Alicon for Aberfeldy Motor Services Fleet Number 47, and a T917 Altano [Glass Roof] Coach for Leon, Stafford given Fleet Number 201.

4 Plain White Coaches were also present, one T916 Tri-Axle one normal T9 Tri-Axle and 2 T917 Astron Tri-Axle, suspect that all these are destined for National Express, but this is unconfirmed.



Thanks to the guys at Van Hool for letting us round today. I can only hope your Friday the 13th was just as luck as ours was!!

PS- The good luck continued, two Nice Volvo B9R Plaxton Two`s were seen on the M1, and some great new Stobart numbers at Crick, not forgetting wall to wall sunshine. A very grand day out.

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Fresh Linc New DAFs

Spalding based Chilled & Frozen haulier Fresh Linc Distribution have been taking on a batch of 20 brand new DAF XF105 Tractor Units, booted up with 460 horses.

These vehicles make the hauliers first new deliveries in a year, and are operating out of Spalding Depot, replacing 4/5 Year old Scania R440 Tractor units, which have been returned to the dealer for sale on the second hand market.

08- Registered MAN TG-Xs formerly operated by the haulier have already left, with the majority of them being snapped up by March based QV Foods (Formerly MBM Produce).

More DAF XFs are expected to arrive soon, but it remains to be seen if these will be 61 registered or held back until the 12 series comes out in March.

Photos below show one of the neww DAF XFs and one of the older Scanias the DAF is expected to be replacing. Both remain the copyright of Robert Brooks.

Saturday 7 January 2012

Cambridge City Sightseeing

Stagecoach Cambridge is upgrading its City Sightseeing (What there is to see in Cambridge of interest however is beyond me) fleet from 5 Volvo Olympian to Dennis Trident ALX400 (Low Floor) buses.

The first two of these to go topless was 17078/9 - T678/9KPU which were originally the spare general use busses, but were recently deemed surplus following cuts over the summer, and it was decided to cut them. The conversions were done at Lincoln Depot.

Following Stagecoach re-entering the London Bus market, 4 more ALX400 Tridents have been cascaded over to Cambridge:
17099-V473KJN
17274-X376NNO
17275-X377NNO
17276-X276NNO

The 3 X-Reg ones are up with Newcastle for conversion, and 17099 remains at Cambridge, having arrived as a former driver trainer with Selkent, and was very recently given an MOT, but however its future plans are unknown, as the City Sightseeing only has a PVR of 4 buses, having 6 would seem a bit excessive.

Photo of 17099 sat at Cowley Road following its MOT can be seen here: Photo Copyrighted to The Ginger Ninja. Its also to him i thank for some additional information for this post.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Fowler-Welch New Vehicles

Nationwide Chilled and Frozen Haulier Fowler-Welch are taking delivery of a batch of brand new Mercedes Axor 6x2 tractor units.

At least 5 were seen at SB Components in Wisbech this morning, but sadly without registrations.

This comes as a change for the haulier who in recent years have been reliant mostly on the Volvo FH tractor unit, with occasional DAF XF and Scania 'R' series trucks in support.

Also taking a surprise order of Mercedes at the moment is the Stobart Group, with a recent intake of 10 Mercedes Atego Rigid fridge lorries, operated on behalf of Tesco. I saw PE61VNU on my way home from work today. These are mostly to be based out of Goole, but can be seen practically anywhere across the Midlands and Anglia area.

Sunday 4 December 2011

Decker Bus Update II

Yesterday the now infamous Decker Bus Volvo FM12 Wrecker brought up former Veolia Wales Iveco Eurorider/ Plaxton Paragon 76020 - CN53FVY from Newport to Whittlesea

Intended as a direct replacement for elderly Bova Futura TIB4556, it will have a wheelchair lift installed in it, as well as all the other essentials.

Im already looking forward to seeing this vehicle back out on the road.

Photo is Copyright to Steve Thomas.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/st-bus-photos/5982752396/

Friday 2 December 2011

KLFM/Norfolk Green Christmas Charity Appeal in Wisbech

Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd December has seen Norfolk Greens specialy atired Optare Solo 624 - YJ59GGO visit Tesco in Wisbech and ASDA in Wisbech, used to promote the cause.

KLFM is a Kings Lynn based radio station playing not very good music for those unfortunate enough to be in its broardcasting range across Norfolk, and have teamed up with Norfolk Green to raise money & recieve donations of Christmas toys for (alledged) less fortunate children.

Future Dates are as follows:
Monday 5 December Tesco Hardwick
Tuesday 6 December Tesco Downham Market
Wednesday 7 December Tesco Dereham
Thursday 8 December Asda King's Lynn

Wisbech Tesco 01/12/11

Wisbech ASDA 02/12/11

In other Norfolk Green News, Former Stagecoach East London ALX400 Tridents LV52HHP (10) and  LV52HHR (11) are now in use, and i was able to photograph them both on the 18th November:
LV52HHP on  the A149 at Castle Rising 18/11/11

Monday 21 November 2011

New Vehicles for Tesco RDC Peterborough

The Tesco Regional Distrobution Centre in Parnwell, Peterborough is taking a new batch of Mercedes Axor 1844 4x2 Tractor units, presumably to replace similar 55 and 56 registered vehicles

So far i have seen two of these, YR61YNK and YR61YNP

The Peterborough RDC covers Tesco stores in South Lincolnshire and most of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and parts of Suffolk.

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Decker Bus Again!

Evening All!


Yes i am still here, but finding it difficult at the moment to write up many blogs, im also quite behind on updating my fleet pages, so please bare with me for a while and il eventully find some time to properly update.

Iv got blogs to write about on another trip to London, various fleet movements and some interesting lorry spots, and also if i can tone it down a bit, a rant about charities.

Today however, im just doing a small write up on a acquasition by Whittlesea based Decker Bus, P725BPR was a Veolia Wales DAF/Ikarus but has been out of service for sometime, and was collected from Newport today with their Volvo FM12/Wrecker  W601HBJ, which i got a photo of on my phone as i was leaving work:

At the moment im unsure what function it will play in their fleet.

Sunday 23 October 2011

East Coast Mainline Diversions

Yesterday i took a trip out to Deeping Saint Nicholas to get photos of trains being diverted away from the ECML owing to Engineering work between Grantham and Retford, trains were running via Spalding, Sleaford, Lincoln and Gainsborough to rejoin the ECML at Doncaster.

Some East Coast trains were dragged using EWS 67s and others were stepped up to be HST sets.

The first one across the line was East Coasts 1S17 London Kings Cross to Edinburgh, which was formed of 43296 and 43277.
After that, we had about an hour for the next one, which saw us drive around aimlessley for a bit looking for a shop, which took us into Spalding, and came across the only Sainsbury in the world that was closed for refurbishment. Thankfully the petrol station shop had a mute selection of grub available so we headed back, and stopped off at a different crossing this time which was in the middle of a field, and gave a good photo across the fields og 1G22, London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley which had 43257 with 43295. Bit of a shame the sun had moved around further than i had imagined.

Unfortunatly the first eastbound (or northbound, whichever was you want to look at it) we missed, as i had missed the message in the time it took us to walk back to the car and drive back into Deeping Saint Nicholas, we arrived back at the first crossing intime to see 67025 take a mkIV set through.

Another 40mins later we got our 3rd HST set, which was 1S21 London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley, cant make out the number on the front power car but looks like 43239, and 43317 on the back.

Just as 1S21 went by, from the otherway came 66085 and 66005 on an RHTT duty from Peterborough to Lincoln and back Not sure of the headcode of this one, however.



The first west/southbound drag came just before 1600, with 67022 dragging 1A31 Leeds to London Kings Cross and newly painted 91128 and a old GNER liveried set of MkIVs, which made for a nice shot across the fields in the sunlight.
After this one, things started to get a bit busier, we got our first Grand Central divert, formed of 43484 and 43480 on 1N24 London Kings Cross to Sunderland.

5mins after this one, another East Coast HST set came, with 1E13 Inverness to London Kings Cross. After the Highlands of Avimore, the scenry around the South Lincolnshire Fen must be a bit of a come down!! 43311 and 43314 provided the traction.

The first Southbound Grand Central set was following on from 1E13, and was 43423 and 43467 forming 1A65 Sunderland to London Kings Cross.
 After this we walked back to where we started, and got 43308 with Midland 43074 forming 1S23 London Kings Cross to Edinburgh, followed by Grand Central`s Class 180105 on 1D73 London Kings Cross to Bradford Interchange.


In the quickly fading light, i managed to photo the 2nd Northbound drag, again with 67022 but attached this time to still GNER Blue 91126 working 1D21 London Kings Cross to Leeds.
The last train we saw there was 1N25 London Kings Cross to Newcastle Central, which was worked by 43290 and 43237, and the former East Midland Train Mk3 stock.

As we did leave, we stopped again pretty sharpish to grab a photo of the sunset:
I hope you`ve enjoyed reading this, i know most enthusaists would show a day out by simply sticking their photos on Flickr and leaving it at that, as i have done many times, but i think this is a different and prehaps a better way to showcase a day out.

Thanks to the Gen providers on East Coast Rail News for keeping us up to speed yesterday.

Friday 21 October 2011

Greys of Ely

I called into Greys of Ely on the 18th October at about 1700 after  dropping Dad off to catch a train home at Ely Station, to try and photo some more of their Leyland Olympian and Dennis Condor Tri-Axle school buses.

The kind staff allowed me permission to have a walk around and photo their vehicles, one of the Dennis Tri-axles was inside along with Leyland Olympian H806BKK, which when i was last here had only been delivered from Stagecoach East Kent for a few days and was still in Stagecoach Livery. Outisde the Shed were Grey`s two Tri-Axle Volvo B12B Johnckheere SHVs, as imposing as ever.

What i didnt expect to see, as i had forgotten they had it, was their new Volvo B9R Plaxton Panther II, G15ELY which was waiting to be cleaned. Also what appared to be a recent additon was ex Stagecoach Manchester Tri-Axle Dennis Dragon M687TDB, which was just being driven out as id photographed it.

Some other fleet news is that Volvo B7R Plaxton Profile G18ELY has been sold to an operator in the Shetlands, and a `new` coach is due in November. I hope to find out what this is in due course.




Thanks indeed to the crew at Greys of Ely for allowing me permission to photograph their vehicles in the depot.

Sunday 16 October 2011

Bury St Edmunds, 12th October

Better late than never.

Bury St Edmunds then. The only place in the world where the town council gets its name back to front. (Saint Edmundsbury), and it also seems that First Group forgotten they got some buses there.

With thanks to Adam Dowling, we had a afternoon at the Bus Station to photo the extra services that are put in for the Market Day. Unfortunatly it would appear that some of the routes that used to run have been cut off with budget cuts, and/or taken over by the other local operators.

What was unexpected, was Headingham Volvo B7RLE 340 - EU05CLJ on route X16 to Chappel.

Also making a surprise visit was Euroview`s (Dereham) Scania Irizar PB YN08DGV, but where it was going was unclear. Infact judging by the fact the Driver and Second (Wo)man are not looking where theyre going, im not even sure they know.

Stephensons, Rochford, who picked up the shattered remains of Burtons Coaches (Haverhill) run quite a few services out of Bury, using a mixture of Leyland and Volvo Olympians (Market Specials or maybe daily single journeys?) alongside a pair of Enviro 200s YX11CTO/U which seemed to be mostly on local routes. Chambers of Burres are still using a mixture of Volvo Olympians on their service to Sudbury, and a few others (again, i assume Market specials, but may just be daily single journeys)

Ambassador, Great Yarmouth and Chenery, Dickleborough both run National Express services through Bury St Edmunds on the 496 and 497 Cromer/Great Yarmouth to London and back, using mostly Volvo B9R Ceatano Levantes (Chenery) and similar Scania examples, although spare vehicles do show up often. Ambassadors 206 - FJ09DXA seen here approaching the Bus Station

More photos from Bury St Edmunds can be seen here.

Lastly, i highly recomend Bury Fish and Chip shop (That is its actual name) a short walk from the bus station (turn right out the bus station building, over the mini roundabout then a few yards on the right hand side) I had the best ever Haddock and Chips there, not the cheapest by any means, but you really do get what you pay for. Situated on the main road to the bus station you can even sit back, have some top quality food and see what your missing! :)

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Wincanton Group Fleetlist

Morning All!

A few of the vehicles listed in the Wincanton fleet list now have photos of the specific vehicle attached to them. All you have to do is click on the vehicle listed, and it will take you to a photo of it which is on my Flickr Photostream.

Obviously not all of them will have a photo attached, but i will try to get as many paired to a photo, in time. I will also be doing the same to the Glazewing one shortly as well.

All the best;
Rob.

Thursday 6 October 2011

Decker Bus Update

Decker Bus of Whittlesey today took delivery of C59HOM, a Volvo B10M with Alexander P bodywork, which looks to have been previously operated by Sussex Coaches, Ayling, but has been of the radar for a while

Im advised this is to be their new `project`, hopefully more will be known soon!

Centrebus (Midlands) Update

Centerbus recently took charge of operations from Paul James, Coalville after being unloaded by Veolia, and have now relesed details of the new fleetnumbers for the transfered buses, all of which are based at the Saxby depot, just outside Melton Mowbray.

Im advised that the Coach Tour side of Paul James has been transfered to locally based Roberts, Hugglescote.

The below is provided to me courtsey of TAL124.

235 YJ07 EFY Optare Solo M710 SABCNEAB07R192048 Optare B22F 3.07
236 YJ07 EFZ Optare Solo M710 SABCNEAB07R192049 Optare B22F 3.07
237 YJ07 VRV Optare Solo M710 SABCNEAB07R192805 Optare B22F 5.07
238 YJ07 VRW Optare Solo M710 SABCNEAB07R192806 Optare B22F 5.07
239 YC51 HAA Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000000738 Optare B33F 11.01
240 PJZ 9450 (MX03 EJY) Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000000918 Optare B33F 3.03
241 W654 PUT W 20 PJC Optare Solo M920 VN6402 Optare B34F 4.00
242 S 20 PJC YG52 DHA Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000000882 Optare B33F 9.02
243 W 30 PJC Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000000658 Optare B34F 8.01
244 W 40 PJC Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000000661 Optare B34F 11.01
245 W 50 PJC Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000000662 Optare B34F 11.01
246 W 60 PJC Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000000741 Optare B34F 11.01
247 CE52 UWX Optare Solo M850 SAB19000000000967 Optare B27F 10.02
248 CE52 UWY Optare Solo M850 SAB19000000000968 Optare B27F 10.02
249 YJ06 YPT Optare Solo M990 SABDNDAF06L192429 Optare B37F 7.06
250 MX05 ELO Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000001355 Optare B33F 3.05
251 YJ56 AUN Optare Solo M990 SABGWFAE06L192482 Optare B36F 9.06
252 YJ56 AUO Optare Solo M990 SABGWFAE06L192483 Optare B36F 9.06
253 YJ56 WVO Optare Solo M990 SABGWFAE06L192533 Optare B36F 11.06
254 YJ06 YRX Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000001906 Optare B33F 6.06
255 YN03 ZXB Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000001184 Optare B33F 5.03
256 YN03 ZXC Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000001185 Optare B33F 5.03
257 YN03 ZXD Optare Solo M920 SAB19000000001186 Optare B33F 5.03
398 YJ60 LPY Optare Solo M950 SABFW3AF0AL193717 Optare B33F 10.10
399 YJ60 LPZ Optare Solo M950 SABFW3AF0AL193718 Optare B33F 10.10
430 YU04 XHY Mercedes Benz O814D WDB6703742N113180 Plaxton 048.5MXV5415 B29F 8.04
551 FM52 GKV Dennis Dart SLF SFD6BACR32GW86797 Transbus 2023/8 B29F 1.03
571 LX51 FGP Dennis Dart SLF SFD212BR11GW65835 Alexander 0070/61 B34F 9.01

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Arriva 150 goes on hire to NXEA

Today Arriva Trains Wales sent a Class 150 DMU 150280 on hire to National Express East Anglia, to try and help reduce the unit shortage they have seemingly had since they picked up the remains left by the heroic failure of `One` Railway.

The Unit is seen here approaching March at 1449hrs today forming 5Z30 Cardiff Canton TMD to Norwich Crown Point:
150280 passing Tufts Occupational Crossing

Bypass Lorry Spotting 4th October

Evening All


A Quick write up on a half hour spotting session on the A47 Wisbech Bypass this afternoon;

I had one of those rare things, a free time between coming home from town and going to March to photograph a 150 which i decided to fill with some lorry photting on my usual perch on the A47 Wisbech Bypass, and thankfully i did, as i got myself about 20 new spots, including 4 vehicles from my 2 favourite hauliers, one of which, was a very nice surprise indeed.

From Stobart Group: Volvo FH PX11EYM and MAN TG-X PX09DWE, which must be on borrowed time now owing to the fact the vast majority of the 58 plate MANs have now been withdrawn.
6138 - PX09DWE

Other sightings included local fleets such as M.S Wayman, 3 DAF XFs from Jack Richards, a few Freshlinc and Turners, and 3 Renault Premiums from Browns.

Photos from the session will soon be uploaded to my Flickr Photo Stream

Sunday 25 September 2011

London, 24/09/2011

Yesterday i had a trip to London with Adam and Jamie to see what was about, basically. New buses on the 73 and new and old buses on the 453, both of which were recently relieved of Bendy Buses.

I have no real idea how to write up about a trip to the Capital of England, but im going to try my best so please bare with me...!!!!

My day didnt start of smoothly. The night before there was overhead wire problems at Littleport (circa 1745hrs) but not a problem i thought, as engineers had all night to restore the service.....yeah right!! I got to Downham Market at about 0640hrs and 365511 sat in the uproad platform, and i thought at first that he was there to form the 0709 to London (which i was going for) but at 0645 it cleared off southbound.

At 0710 (one late) my train rolled up which was 365507, i joined it and took my seat ready to go. But we didnt go. Our driver announced that we were going to be waiting here for a while owing to wire problems, so i knew then we would be in for a long old slog. Credit to our driver he did keep us informed as to what was going on, but few of my fellow passengers agreed, argueing that we should be kept up to date the whole time, but how is this possiable when the only thing that changes is the fact we`re still sat here and are going to be for a while? I mean, new information isint coming in all the time is it!

We eventually set off at 0756hrs as far as Littleport, when it became clear that the reason for our prolonged stay at Downham Market was due to the fact the unit id previously seen at Downham Market was acting as a `rescue` train to propell out the unit which had caused the previous nights OHLE problems. They must have encountered further problems in getting the crippled train moving, but eventually they did, and we was only sat at Littleport for 15mins, leaving at 0830hrs for a near perfect run from then on to London Kings Cross. We joined up to 365541 at Cambridge to form an 8 car set to London, where we arrived some 80mins late.

I met Jamie and Adam just outside Kings Cross about 15mins after my arrival, as owing to my delays they hopped an earlier train down to London, which gave me some time to photo the new VDL Gemini II`s on the Route 73:
 
DW433 - LJ11AEA



After a few more photos, we took the Victoria Line to, unsurprisingly, Victoria with set 11037/38, to photo some National Express ops and whatever else was kind enough to show up. We caught Abellio`s Plastic Pig 8554 - YX11AEC to Victoria Coach Station, where, quite thoughtfully the first coach we saw was one of Galloway`s  new Volvo B9R Ceatano Levante:
FJ61EVN, Buckingham Palace Road.


The only other new Levante seen were FJ61EWA with Luckett, Fareham:

FJ61EWA, Buckingham Palace Road
After 40odd mins at VCS, we took Go-Aheads life expirerd Volvo B7TL Plaxton President PVL124 - W524WGH back to Victoria, and took the 1146 Victoria - Eastbourne/Ore service formed of 377451/438 and 468 to East Croydon, and hopped on Tram 2550 to the Church Street stop where we caught Arriva`s VDL Gemini DW40 - LJ53NHG to West Croydon Bus Station, where we stayed for a little bit to get some photos of the local bus scene, which dont seem to have caught up with Central London for the average age of its buses, loads of S reg DLA Class and loads of Arriva Darts.
DLA62 - S262JUA
There were plenty of these funny things about the place, DWS4 - LJ53NHC
After that, it was time to take me trip on my first ADL Trident Optare Olympus, which we took DOE11 - LX58CXA on the route 154 to Moreden, however owing to our late running, we were turned short at St Hellier, and told to join the bus in front which was DOE9, but as we were one of the last off, we decided to join the bus behind, which was E61 - LX07BYG, a ADL Enviro 400 which took us the rest of the way to Moreden.
More odd things, this time a Optare Esteem bodied Enviro 400 in Morden.
So, from Morden we took the Northern Line back into Central London. We decided to go to Embankment, to photo what coaches would be parked up there:
61 - BD60XSZ Mercedes Tourismo
OIB3514 Volvo B10M Ceatano Enigma Amber, Rayleigh
SIL7029 Setra S315GT-HD Skill, Bulwell
YS03ZKZ Scania Irizar Inter-Century Greyshell, Cannock
JE52/06LJE both Bova Futura`s L.J Edward, Hailsham
WA54KTT Bova Futura Barnes, Swindon
MX10DFE Neoplan Tourliner SeaView, Poole
3093RU Volvo B12B Ceatano Enigma Baker, Moreton in Marsh
JAZ8291 Vovo B10M Johnckheere Deuaville Standcom, Foxton
NJI9242 Setra S315GTHD Belle, Lowestoft
RUI9414 Scania Irizar Century Standcom, Foxton
73-XEA745 & 74-405MDV both MAN Noge Catalan Star`s Bowen Group, Tamworth
K50HAM Neoplan Euroliner Jans, Soham
FG10WEN Mercedes Tourismo Owen, Ostwerty
Y664HWY Bova Futura Cook, Westcliffe On Sea
J300TRU Neoplan Tourliner Trueman, Ash Vale
YIL1840 Bova Futura Howells, Deri
BV08ZVZ Setra S416GTHD Florida, Halstead
FN52HRR Volvo B12B Johnckheere Mistral Lehane, Sturry
PPY238 Setra S??? Chenery, Dickleborough
N909DWJ Scania Irizar Unknown Operator
EB04LYN Scania VanHool T9 Alizee Lynns, Eastbourne
GT06LCT Scania Inter-Century Turner, Little Maplestead
BHZ1880 Volvo B7R Sunsundegui Sideral, Cropley, Fosdyke
BV10ZKC Mercedes Tourismo Clark, Lower Sydenham
YN09AOX Volvo B9R Plaxton Panther Anderson, Bermondsey
W10HOL Setra S315GTHD Welsh`s, Pontefract

We then walked upto Parliment Square, to photo the new buses working on the route 453, which turned out to be a mixture of ADL Trident Enviro 400 and older Volvo B7TL Plaxton President.
E175 - SN61BHF, Parliment Square
E165 - SN61BGO at Trafalgar Square
After a photting session around Parliment Square & Trafalgar Square, we decided to travel on a damned Routemaster on the 15 to Tower Hill, and i can safely say i wont choose to make that mistake again, ride comfort was appaling!! (Avoid RML1933 - ALD933B at all costs)

After noting none of the Hydrogen buses on the RV1, we took Docklands unit 76 (forgot to note its twin) to Poplar and then sets 61 & 99 to Westferry, followed by 148 & 102 to Canary Wharf to see what Ensign were using on DLR Replacements to Stratford, we travelled on ex Stagecoach Trident/ALX400 103 - V479KJN to Stratford, followed by ex Go-Ahead Trident/President 107 - X601EGK back to Devons Road, then finished with ex Metroline ALX400/Trident 109 - T87KLD, after establishing nothing out the ordinary was on the route (T87KLD was winner though for me).

New Go-Ahead Plastic Pig SE143 - YX61BXL stands at Canary Wharf
After Stratford we caught 321327 into Liverpool Street where, as it was going dark, we decided to head back to the Embankment, so caught First Group Trident 33354 - LK53FDA to St Pauls, where i spotted TP15 waiting at the lights to head the same way as us, so caught that from St Pauls to Aldwych where it was a short walk down the hill to Temple, where we found Swans, Chaderton Mercedes Tourismo BF60OFT parked up:
BF60OFT, Temple Place

Even though these have been around for well over a year now, they still make for a nice change from all the boring NX Levantes. Here is Kings Ferry`s FJ10EZH on the Embankment.

We finished things off by catching the District Line back into Victoria from Embankment to have a last look at Victoria Coach Station, and got a shock by seeing Barnsley Allocated ADL Trident Enviro 400 19557 - YN59EAF deputising for the usual coach on a Megabus to Huddersfield, but unfortunatly my photo came out terriable so i wont be putting it up on here.

The journey back to Downham Market was fault free, the 2045 from Kings Cross was formed of 365520 & 365503, with 503 being detached at Cambridge, and i arrived back at Downham 2 mins late. All thats left to say is thanks to Adam & Jamie for a good day out!

Thursday 22 September 2011

2 hours in Ely 21/09/11

Yesterday (Wednesday 21st Septemebr 2011) i had to take my car to Ely for its annual service, which gave me time to photo some trucks and buses going past on the main A142 through the 3rd smallest city in the UK (corrections on this welcomed, working from memory there)

At the times i was there, 1440-1630, i was hoping to photograph some school services, as with A&P Travel being based around the corner, and Freedom Travel/Fen-Cabs just around the other corner, i stood a good chance. Both these operators have some very interesting stuff, (A&P prehaps to much so).

First coach seen however was not from either of those operators, but was a DAF VanHool T8 of `Discover Cambridge` (a company not seen by me before). I think, going by the livery it mght be ex, or still with Youngs, Haddenham, but no link is yet to be found.



The wait was eventually worth it, as with 20mins to go before the car was ready, this Volvo B10M/NC Palentine M550SPY turned up. One of a few vehicles they seemed to have applied fleet names to:

And then, thankfully, this lump of a D10M Citybus was kind enough to show itself, In a former life, it was new to Nottingham City! (C308NRC, with A&P)

Now, thats the buses dealt with, be dammed if im going to upload all 50odd of the truck pics, so iv chosen my favourites:

Turners DAF CF AY59AYM

Lynn Star Iveco Stralis BT10VMP

Three Distrobution DAF XF105 AE59CGY

DHL Volvo FH460 PO60AKG

Turners Volvo FM12 440 KX06OOF

And spot of the day H. C WIlson Heavy Haulage new Scania R620 6x4 R80HCW.