‘Scene’ Coaching in London

Whilst in the Capital recently, I took the time to record some of the coaching activity of which there is plenty.

 

FJ60 HYL

 

A Volvo B9R with Caetano ‘Levante’ bodywork working for ‘Green Line’.

 

It previously worked in full ‘National Express’ (NE) livery for ‘NE’ contractor ‘Tellings Golden Miller’.

 

CC64 BMC

This immaculate Van Hool Alicron bodied vehicle belongs to’ BM Coaches’ of Hayes in Middlesex.

 

BS 085 DR 

This bit of exotica is a French registered Iveco Irisbus produced coach called the ‘Magelys PRO’. 

 

The manufacturers ‘blurb’ claims that it has 30% more glass and consequently better all round vision for the passenger than other coaches.

 

BS63 HDV

A Volvo B9TL with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodywork. Working for ‘First Berkshire’ in ‘greenline’ livery.

 

Based at Bracknell and working the 702 from there.

 

T60 UBE

 

A Van Hool TDX21 Astromega. One of 26 purchased in 2014 for the ‘Stagecoach’ group ‘Oxford Tube’ services from the city of that name into London.

 

These Euro 6 engined vehicles replaced a similar number of the similar (TD927) type some of which have been cascaded to ‘Stagecoach Western’ in Scotland.

 

CX 556 RE

Another French registered vehicle, this time a Van Hool Alicron operated by a company called ‘Bihan’ although it could be 13HAN which doesn’t seem likely.

 

C18 BUS

A Mercedes-Benz engined Neoplan N516SHD Starliner with Ayats Apollo bodywork working for ‘Coniston Coaches’ who work out of Stourport-on-Severn.

 

BJ-SF-13

 

This time Dutch registered. This is a Volvo chassis fitted with Berkhof Axial bodywork working for ‘Ruijs Reizen’ who are based in Oss in Southern Holland.

 

YJ55 WSV

 

A VDL SB4000 with Van Hool Alizee bodywork working for ‘Arriva The Shires’ and wearing ‘greenline’ livery.

 

CC60 CRC

A Mercedes-Benz chassis fitted with an unusual body the Beulas Stela working for ‘Chambers Coaches’ of Stevenage.

‘Scene’ in Dorchester

A few days holiday based in Weymouth allowed me to have a look at what goes on in that part of the world. The Coaches and Buses of the Southwest have featured in earlier ‘blogs’.

 

A visit to Dorchester market gave me a few minutes to sample the local bus interest.

 

The Optare Solo is inevitable these days wherever you go. The two here although they are seen in different liveries both work for the same operator

 

PM04  MKP

 

Working for ‘Damory’ who are a subsidiary of ‘Wilts & Dorset’ who in turn are owned by the ‘Go-Ahead’ group.

 

It started its career with ‘Green Triangle’ (GT) of Atherton in Greater Manchester. GT joined with other operators to become ‘South Lancs Travel’ with whom the bus was registered K3 SLT.

 

MX57 CAU

 

Current ownership is the same as PM04 MKP. It was new to ‘Britannia Parking’ in Bournemouth before moving to ‘Evans’ (Eazi Bus) of Bromborough on Merseyside before joining ‘W & D‘ in 2011. 

 

MX06 VPL

 

A Volvo B7RLE with Wright Eclipse bodywork. Operated by ‘First Hampshire & Dorset’ working on the frequent No.10 Weymouth service.

 

YJ12 GWV

An Optare hybrid in the service of ‘Dorset County Council’ although operated on their behalf by ‘Go-Ahead South Coast’ who’s fleet number it carries (3820).

 

JBT 3S

 

A Neoplan N516HD Starliner of ‘Johnson Brothers Tours’ (hence the registration) of Worksop in Nottinghamshire. A superb vehicle.

 

BK63 ZSW

 

A King Long XMQ6127 operated by ‘Baker’s of Biddulph’. One of a batch of 3 with Bakers. The others being  ZSZ and ZSX with ZSZ being the XMQ6120 model (it seats 4 more passengers).

 

Other ‘Bakers’ buses can be seen in my Blog of 20 July 2014 titled ‘Scene’ in Hanley Bus Station, The independent operators.

 

 

PN57 CVU

A MAN 18.400 with Beulas Cygnus bodywork. Now operated by ‘Slacks Holidays’ of Matlock in Derbyshire, at one it time worked for ‘Sea View Coaches’ of Poole.

 

The Cygnus is unusual because the driver has a full size offside door to his right which mirrors the normal main passenger access door on the nearside.

 

'Scene' in Norfolk

Recently, whilst in Norfolk to visit Thursford  for the collection and Kings Lynn (see blogs dated 20th. & 23rd. December 2013). I was able to capture a few coach images.

 

YJ10 DJZ

A DAF powered Van Hool T916 Astron of ‘Brookline Coaches’. ‘Brookline’ are an operator with a long history dating back to 1938 and are based in West Malling, Kent. The full side decoration is particularly impressive. 

 

The coach previously operated with ‘Centurion Tours’. 

 

MX10 DFZ

A Neoplan N2216SHD Tourliner of ‘Buckleys’ of Doncaster seen turning into Kings Lynn’s bus station.

 

At one time Neoplan were better known for their more exotic coach designs such as the ‘Starliner’. However the more restrained styling of the Tourliner has seen them being sold in increasing numbers.

 

Having spent a week touring Germany a year or so ago in a similar vehicle, I know first hand what comfortable and well appointed vehicles these are.

 

PN06 KJZ

A Volvo B12B with Plaxton Paragon bodywork working for ‘Coach Services Ltd’ of Thetford.

 

Seen laying over in Kings Lynn bus station between journeys on service 40 from Thetford. It previously worked for ‘Alfa Coaches’

 

This lengthy route operates several times a day during the week but only once on Saturdays arriving in Kings Lynn at 10-51am and not returning until 13-30pm. Presumably full of heavily laden shoppers. 

 

It was a very ‘dirty’ day as these images show but the driver spent s lot of his time cleaning his windows and an excellent job he made of them.

 

Although seen in Norfolk both of these two coaches are normally resident in Derbyshire. Both operators have long histories and they seem to fare well in todays uncertain climate.

 

TIB 2057

This Van Hool Alizee bodied Volvo belongs to ‘Coopers Tours’ of Killamarsh which lies to the North East of Chesterfield.

 

PN10 AHA

This MAN 18.400  with Beulas Cygnus bodywork is in the service of ‘Slacks’ Tours of Matlock.