‘Scene’ in Wolverhampton ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD. 2’ on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

A day out train and tram riding in the West Midlands took friend Peter Rose and myself into pastures new recently when the transport delights of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich were explored.

 

As we have done before, we have combined all the images we gathered on the day. 

 

The credits being joint D.Basford/P.M.Rose.

 

Most buses are named using people’s forenames which reflect the ethnic diversity of the area.

 

The choice of names are suggestions put forward by employees of ‘national express West Midlands’ together with some from the general public.

 

I think that is a nice touch because people of all ages will be happy to ride on ‘their’ bus.

 

BX61 LKD ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD’, No. 2018, national express West Midlands, 3/4, Lexi-Mai.

Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 2

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

BX61 XBW ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD’, No. 2075, national express West Midlands, Michaela Hannah.

Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

 

 

SN64 ODY ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD’, No. 846, national express West Midlands.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

 

 

 

YY14 WHP ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD’, No. 764, national express West Midlands, Simron.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

Note the shorter bodywork than the standard.

 

 

‘Scene’ at The Derbyshire Dales Bus Rally 3 on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

A new event organised by the ‘Nottingham Heritage Vehicles Charity’ (NHVC) who are based in the old TRENT garage at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.

 

Friend Peter Rose and I ventured to the ‘Peak Rail’ site at Rowsley railway station in Derbyshire where the event was held.

 

As we have done before, we have combined all the images we gathered on the day. 

 

The credits being joint D.Basford/P.M.Rose.

 

YRC 191 ‘Nottingham Heritage Vehicles Charity’.

Leyland Tiger Cub / Alexander

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Delivered to ‘Trent Motor Traction Co. Ltd’ in 1962 as part of a batch of 20 similar vehicles, 191 is fitted with a Dual Purpose (DP) body, which meant it was intended mainly for use on bus services, but fitted with more comfortable seats and a luggage boot it could be used on Express services to coastal resorts at weekends.

 

Part of the NHVC collection and used as the site control bus.

 

I was surprised to see that it has been stripped of its TRENT titling and fleet number.

 

 

 

 

N769 WRC ‘Nottingham City Transport’ No. 769.

Volvo B10M / Alexander PS Dual Purpose

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

Part of the NHVC collection.

 

 

 

 

EBC 567T ‘Paul S, Winson’, Loughborough.

Bedford YMT / Unicar Estoril (Spain) /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

I have seen this coach at Hucknall a number of times and I am assuming that it is part of the NHVC collection.

 

New to ‘Mood’, Shepshed, Leics.

 

 

 

 

EBC 567T ‘Paul S, Winson’, Loughborough.

Bedford YMT / Unicar Estoril (Spain) /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

YN05 GZB ‘Nottingham Heritage Vehicles Charity’, notts+derby.

Scania L94UB / Wright Solar

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New to ‘Felix’, Stanley, Derbys.

 

 

 

 

PRO 441W ‘Nottingham Heritage Vehicles Charity’, NATIONAL.

Leyland Leopard / Plaxton Supreme IV

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

At some stage in its career, it was registered HIL 256.

 

 

‘Scene’ at the East Midlands Airport 1 on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

A visit to the EMA at Castle Donington on the borders of Derbyshire and Leicestershire to see the freight aircraft come and go, has become one of mine and friend John Beastall (who incidentally supplied all the aircraft details) little pleasures in life.

 

I like freighters. 

 

They are often older former passenger airliners that have been converted when their passenger flying days are done.

 

That said, there are numbers of new build aircraft joining the ranks.

 

If there is a downside, it is the knowledge that much of the freight they bring into the country are goods and products that in years gone by we would have, as a nation, produced for ourselves. 

 

Anyone seeking further details of the aircraft are advised to type the second line details of type and c/n into Google and go to the ‘planespotters.net’ entry.

 

G-DHLX ‘DHL Air’.

Boeing 777-F c/n 67139

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

One of the new boys on the block being new in 2022.

 

Pictured having just landed having come from Cincinnati, USA to where it would return later in the night.

 

 

 

 

G-DHLG ‘DHL Air’.

BOEING 767-3JHF c/n 37807

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Having earlier arrived from Milan and now on its way to Cincinnati

 

New in 2009.

 

 

 

 

G-BMRB ‘DHL Air’.

Boeing 757-236SF c/n 23975

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Delivered new to ‘British Airways’ in 1987.

 

Pictured having just landed having come from Reykjavik, Iceland. It would later depart for Leipzig, Germany.

 

 

 

 

G-DHLK ‘DHL Air’.

Boeing 767-3JHF c/n 37810

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New in 2012.

 

Pictured having just landed having come from Bahrain. It would later depart for Leipzig, Germany.

 

‘DHL Partner’ livery.

 

 

 

 

G-DHLO ‘DHL Air’.

Boeing 767-316ERF c/n 40592

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New to ‘LAN Airlines’ (Chile) in 2012.

 

Pictured having just landed having come from Belfast. It would later depart for Brussels, Belgium.

 

‘Scene’ on the Highways and Byways of Switzerland, ‘Postbus’ on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Over many years, friend Peter Rose has been photographing the trains and buses of Switzerland.

 

Here are a few of his early bus images which are posted with his permission and my thanks.

 

Routes are either operated directly by PostAuto itself, or by local bus companies under contract to supply vehicles, drivers, uniforms etc  to PostAuto specification.

 

BE 412-671 ‘PostAuto Switzerland’, PostBus Ltd.

Manufacturer unknown 

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured in the typically murky, mountain Grimselpass scenery in September 2004.

 

Whilst I am not sure of the manufacturer, it would appear to have many styling points that would indicate Neoplan as being the coachbuilder.

 

 

 

 

BE 436-769 ‘PostAuto Switzerland’, PostBus Ltd.

Mercedes-Benz INTEGRO

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured in the Sustenpass in September 2004.

 

 

 

 

P 25066 ‘PostAuto Switzerland’, PostBus Ltd.

SETRA

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured in Brig.

 

 

 

 

VS 243890 ‘PostAuto Switzerland’, PostBus Ltd.

SETRA

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

Pictured in the Nufenenpass in September 2004.

 

 

 

 

Registration not known.

SAURER

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured in the Grimselpass in July 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registration not known.

Mercedes-Benz /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured in the Klausenpass in September 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registration not known.

Mercedes-Benz /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Scene’ at Swanwick, Derbyshire on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

My son Robert was heading home on the B6179 just South of Swanwick crossroads when he saw this coming the other way heading towards the A38 at Alfreton.

 

Presumably, it was to take the A38 South because it was travelling from the ‘Midland Railway-Butterley’ to the ‘Severn Valley Railway’.

 

The images reproduced here do so with his consent for which I thank him.

 

The locomotive, although non operational, has been cosmetically restored to the livery it carried in 1966 when it was the first of its class to wear it.

 

At the ‘Severn Valley Railway’ it will join a gathering of three other ‘Westerns’, D1013 Western Ranger, D1015 Western Champion and D1062 Western Courier.

 

The locomotives will be on display at the SVR’s  ‘Autumn Diesel Bash’ (their choice of words) between 28th. September and 1st. October 2023.

 

It will be the largest gathering of Westerns in over 30 years.

 

D1048 ‘British Railways’ Western Lady.

Crewe built Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive /1

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

D1048 ‘British Railways’ Western Lady.

Crewe built Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive /2

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Scene’ in Buxton once more ‘High Peak Buses’ 1 on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

‘Scene’ in Buxton once more 

‘High Peak Buses’ 1

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

Friend Peter Rose’s travels recently took him to Buxton and he has forwarded these images which are reproduced here with his permission for which I thank him.

 

HPB have their roots in previous operator ‘Eric Bowers’ of Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire. 

 

Since 2012, jointly owned by ‘Centrebus’ of Leicester and the ‘Wellglade’ group who also own ‘trentbarton’, ‘notts+derby’,’ TMTravel' and ‘Kinchbus’.

 

Green liveried liveried 'Transpeak' buses have normally been identified in the legal details as ‘Bowers Coaches’. 

 

However, I notice that many other buses are now carrying ‘Eric W. Bowers Coaches’.

 

It maybe that a mixture of details is being carried.

 

Further observation is needed to clarify the situation.

BF62 JYZ ‘High Peak’ No. 806, buxton buzz.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘Dunn’, trading as ‘yourbus’ No. 3023, Heanor, Derbyshire, who went out of business in October 2019.

 

A new livery for the operator which I think looks good.

 

 

 

 

BF62 JYZ ‘High Peak’ No. 806, buxton buzz.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

BK13 XYD ‘High Peak’ No. 807, skyline, Manchester Airport.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘Dunn’, trading as ‘yourbus’ No. 3027, Heanor, Derbyshire, who went out of business in October 2019.

 

 

 

 

BK13 XYG ‘High Peak’ No. 809.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Wearing the current ‘Centrebus’ fleet livery.

 

New to ‘Dunn’, trading as ‘yourbus’ No. 3030, Heanor, Derbyshire, who went out of business in October 2019.

 

Operating a ‘Transpeak’ service to Derby.

 

 

 

 

YJ11 EKV ‘High Peak’ No. 281.

Optare Solo M950

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

New to ‘Parksafe’, Paisley, Scotland.

 

 

 

 

YJ15  AYA ‘High Peak’ No. 285.

Optare Solo M8900SR

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘Bowers Coaches’ of Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire.

 

 

‘Scene’ since the Seventies Class 43 HST Power Cars (HST) on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

I believe that the word ‘Iconic’ has become much overused in our language, being trotted out daily in the media to mark some insignificant event.

 

I think for something to be truly iconic, it should be meaningful and lasting.

 

The HST as been just that.

 

Born out of the necessity for finding something to replace the Advanced Passenger Train which was years before its time. 

 

Now approaching their final days, the class 43’s have stood the test of time.

 

I think that it will live in the collective memory like Sir Nigel Gresley’s A4 or Sir William Stanier’s Black Five before it.

 

Friend Peter Rose and I have been photographing HSTs for many years and this short series of blogs are our joint tribute to it.

 

43002 ’First Great Western’ running as set No. 253 001, Inter-City 125, Sir Kenneth Grange.  

BREL Crewe built Diesel Electric Power Car

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

When the trains were first (no pun intended) introduced they were classed as either class 253 eight car sets for use on the Western Region of British Rail, or class 254 seven car sets for use on the Eastern Region of British Rail on the East Coast Main Line.

 

Sir Kenneth Grange was responsible for the exterior design and interior layout of the HST.

 

Pictured at Westbury, Wiltshire.

 

 

 

 

43049 ‘East Midlands Trains’.

BREL Crewe built Diesel Electric Power Car

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Operating an ‘LNER’ service, the power car being on hire.

 

Pictured at Montrose, Scotland.

 

 

 

 

43296 ’Virgin Trains’.

BREL Crewe built Diesel Electric Power Car

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Peter Rose has supplied these details.

 

‘East Coast’ was the ‘operator of last resort’ set up by the Department for Transport when ‘National Express’ gave up their franchise on the East Coast Main Line. 

 

‘Virgin East Coast’ took on the franchise and this image is a Virgin service with the stock still carrying ‘East Coast’ livery but with the power car lettered for ‘Virgin’. 

 

‘LNER’ is the current ‘operator of last resort’ having taken over from ‘Virgin’. 

 

‘Virgin’ introduced the red livery which was later lettered ‘LNER’, and indeed ‘EMR’ when they took on some sets.

 

Pictured at Dunkeld & Birnam, Scotland.

 

 

 

 

43078 ‘First Great Western’.

BREL Crewe built Diesel Electric Power Car

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured at Westbury, Wiltshire.

 

 

 

 

43357 ‘Cross Country’.

BREL Crewe built Diesel Electric Power Car

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured at Duffield, Derbyshire.

 

 

 

 

43180 ‘Grand Central’.

BREL Crewe built Diesel Electric Power Car

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Pictured at Doncaster.

 

‘Scene’ in Wolverhampton ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD. 1’ on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

A day out train and tram riding in the West Midlands took friend Peter Rose and myself into pastures new recently when the transport delights of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich were explored.

 

As we have done before, we have combined all the images we gathered on the day. 

 

The credits being joint D.Basford/P.M.Rose.

 

Most buses are named using people’s forenames which reflect the ethnic diversity of the area.

 

The choice of names are suggestions put forward by employees of ‘national express West Midlands’ together with some from the general public.

 

I think that is a nice touch because people of all ages will be happy to ride on ‘their’ bus.

 

 

53 ‘West Midlands Metro’.

CAF Urbos 100, Zaragoza, Spain

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Quite an impressive operation except when a signals failure south of Wolverhampton forced us to catch a packed bus back towards West Bromwich.

 

At the Wolverhampton terminus, the driver enjoys the sunshine whilst he walks the length of the tram before heading back into Birmingham.

 

The area adjacent to the tram terminus has a number of bus stops which were quite busy.

 

Behind he camera, a short walk and a left turn takes you to an excellent bus station which is even busier.

 

 

 

 

SN66 WCA ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD’, No. 6779, national express West Midlands PLATINUM, 8 8X Wolverhampton & Dudley, Manmeet. 

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E40D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400MMC

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

 

 

BX13 JPO ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD’, No. 5417, national express West Midlands, Miya.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E40H / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro400

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

SP13 BTE ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD’, No. 5430, national express West Midlands, Olivia Victoria.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E40H / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro400

on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

New to ‘Tayside’ who at the time were part of the ‘National Express Group’.

 

 

 

BX54 XSG ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD’, No. 4619, national express West Midlands, Lucia.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. Trident / Alexander Dennis Ltd. ALX400

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

BX61 LNH ‘WEST MIDLANDS TRAVEL LTD’, No. 4840, national express Coventry, Blueson, Peggy.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E40D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro400

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

‘Scene’ In Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts 1 New to ‘trentbarton’ on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

The ‘Wellglade’ group of which ‘trentbarton’ is a member have made the Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200MMC their single deck purchase of choice since 2016.

 

In that time, they have amassed a fleet of over 100.

 

After a gap of three years since their last intake, a further 20 are in the course of delivery.

 

These buses are made up of 18 for the threes routes which link Mansfield with Nottingham via Sutton and Hucknall.

 

The routes, rather unimaginatively called A, B and C, whilst sharing start and finish points together with Sutton and Hucknall all link different centres of habitation along the way.

 

A complex network which for many years has been worked by Optare Versas.

 

The other 2 buses carry ‘trentbarton’s mango branding which is a go anywhere livery advertising the company’s electronic discount fare card.

 

YX73 OUD ‘trentbarton’ No. 179, the threes.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200MMC /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

YX73 OUD ‘trentbarton’ No. 179, the threes.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200MMC /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

YX73 OUD ‘trentbarton’ No. 179, the threes.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200MMC /3

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

YX73 OUB ‘trentbarton’ No. 177, mango.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200MMC /1

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

YX73 OUB  ‘trentbarton’ No. 177, mango.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200MMC /2

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

 

YX73 OUB  ‘trentbarton’ No. 177, mango.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200MMC /3

on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’