'Scene' around Torbay

A few days in the Torbay area produced a crop of transport images.

 

PSV 592

A Neoplan Euroliner operated by KV & GL Slack of Matlock in Derbyshire. This is a cherished registration that has been used before. In the past it has appeared on a Van Hool Alize bodied DAF and also a Iveco Beulas EuroRider 35.

 

A20 EFA

Another Neoplan, this time a Starliner in the service of Applegates Coaches of Gloucestershire.

 

No. 4588

Great Western Railway 2-6-2T seen at the Paignton terminus of the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway.

 

Torbay is very much ‘Stagecoach’ territory and as elsewhere in the country they have introduced the upmarket ‘Stagecoach Gold’ brand to the area.

 

Externally distinguished by the gold and dark blue colour scheme. The interior has matching dark blue leather seats of a standard that is better than those normally fitted in their double deckers.

 

There are currently two routes in operation both commencing in Torquay. Then running via Paignton to Totnes where they divide with one then serving Dartmouth and the other going on to Plymouth.

 

The last time I was in the area 2 years ago, ‘First’ ran the Plymouth service as the X81 but with the introduction of the competing ‘Stagecoach’ service simply gave up.

 

YN63 BWZ is seen in Paignton bus station.

A Scania 230UD with Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) bodywork.

 

 

 

The rest of the operation is in the hands of ‘Stagecoach’ standard types

 

WA61 KLX

Being another Scania 230UD with 'ADL' Enviro 400 bodywork. This bus is branded for the Newton Abbot to Brixham service.

 

50 years ago, much of this route was operated by Devon General’s open top MCW bodied Leyland Atlanteans which carried the names of famous English ‘Sea Dogs’

 

S467 BWC

Now approaching the veteran stage is this Dennis Dart SLF with ‘ADL’s ALX 300 bodywork.

In the background is the clock tower roundabout adjacent to Torquay’s harbour.

 

The clock tower is an historic feature dating back to 1902 and was erected as a memorial to the life and work of Richard Mallock. He lived at nearby Cockington Court in the village of Cockington.

 

I was a bit surprised that in a land where the Enviro 400 is plentiful that all the departures on the sometimes severe X46 to Exeter that I saw. Were operated by older Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Tridents. 

 

MX05 WHZ  

 KN04 XJG

As in most towns and cities these days, the Optare Solo can be found in some numbers. Paignton bus station was no exception.

 

WA04 TYB

 

L15 PPN

At one time with ‘Lippen Coaches’ in Southwest Scotland. It now operates for ‘Local link’ in Torbay

WK06 HZZ

Again with ‘Local link’