‘Scene’ in Burton-on-Trent (BoT) again on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

It is now just over a year (August 3rd. 2022) since the takeover of ‘Midland Classic’ was completed by the ‘ROTALA’ group, rebranding the company ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’.

 

On 09/08/2023 I posted a blog built around friend Peter Rose’s images of the fleet additions since that time.

 

All of course in ‘ROTALA’ blue.

 

This blog illustrates a return to BoT by both of us to look at some of what is left of the ‘Midland Classic’ fleet.

 

Will any of them ever be painted blue??

 

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.

 

YN08 MKO ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’ No. 40520.

Scania N270D / Scania Omnidekka

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

 

New to ‘Reading Transport’ No. 1102.

 

 

 

 

YN64 FWZ ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’ No. 30985.

Scania K230UB / Irizar i3

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

 

New to ‘Menzies’, Heathrow.

 

 

 

 

SN11 BNL ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’ No. 40521.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E40D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro400

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

 

New to ‘First Capital’ No. 33623.

 

 

 

 

YJ66 AOY ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’ No. 30996 

Optare MetroCity V1080MC / Optare

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

 

New to ‘Midland Classic’ No. 6.

 

 

 

JB14 MCL ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’ No. 31429, X12 Burton upon Trent Lichfield.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200

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

 

New to ‘Midland Classic’ No. 1.

 

 

 

YN05 GXL ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’ No. 30901.

Scania L94UB / Wright Solar

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

 

New to ‘Reading Transport’ No. 1012.

 

 

 

 

YN57 FWG ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’ No. 30908, the tutbury jinny.

Scania K230UB / Wright Solar

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

 

New to ‘Reading Transport’ No. 1031.

 

 

 

 

YJ16 DXT ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’ No. 30992.

Optare MetroCity V1010MC / Optare

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

 

New to ‘Midland Classic’ No. 4.

‘Scene’ in Burton-on-Trent (BoT) once more on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Friend Peter Rose recently visited the town and has forwarded these images for me to share with you.

 

As usual, they are posted with Peter’s consent and my thanks to him.

 

It is almost exactly a year since ‘Midland Classic’ (MC), the major operator in BoT, was taken over by the ‘ROTALA’ group and re-branded as ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’.

 

The takeover being dated 03/08/2022.

 

A few of the fleet at the time have moved on and some replacement buses in the blue livery of ‘Diamond Buses’ have arrived to take their place.

 

However, much of the old fleet was still in daily operation still wearing the ‘MC’ yellow and red livery albeit with ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’. vinyls

and fleet numbers.

 

MX20 HVK ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’. No. 40726.

Wright Streetdeck

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

 

A very early import after the takeover.

 

New to ‘Diamond Bus (North West) Ltd’.

 

 

 

 

BF15 KFD ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’. No. 40613

Volvo B5TL / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

New to ‘Yellow Buses’, Bournemouth No.VGW194.

 

The giving up of bus operation in Bournemouth by ‘Yellow Buses’ recently allowed the ‘ROTALA’ group to acquire a batch of good quality additions to the fleet.

 

 

 

 

BF15 KFG ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’. No. 40610

Volvo B5TL / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

New to ‘Yellow Buses’, Bournemouth  No.VGW196.

 

 

 

 

BF15 KFK ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’. No. 40611.

Volvo B5TL / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

New to ‘Yellow Buses’, Bournemouth No. VGW198.

 

 

 

 

KW14 MCL ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’. No. 31428.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200

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

 

 

 

 

SN66 WJZ ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd.’ No’. 31422.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200

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

 

New to ‘Johnsons’, Henley-in-Arden whose bus operations were taken over in 2022 by ‘ROTALA’.

 

 

 

 

YJ16 DDL ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’. No. 30972.

Optare Metrocity V1080MC / Optare

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

 

New to ‘Central Buses Group’, Birmingham who were taken over by ROTALA in 2018.

 

 

 

 

YY15 NJF ‘Diamond Bus (East Midlands) Ltd’. No. 31417.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro200

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

 

New to ‘Johnsons’, Henley-in-Arden whose bus operations were taken over in 2022 by ‘ROTALA’.

 

‘Scene’ at Showbus 2022 A Selection of Single Deckers 1 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

I have attended a number of SHOWBUS events over the years but this was the first time I had attended one at the Hertfordshire County Showgound.

 

The 50th. show and if we are to believe what we read, the last.

 

It would be a great pity if the reputation the SHOWBUS name has built up over the years were to be lost but we shall have to wait and see.

 

BV22 HDE ‘Dews Coaches’, Somersham, Cambridgeshire.

Volvo B8RLE / MCV eVORa

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

 

 

 

 

SM64 OMG ‘Stagecoach CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER OMNIBUS CO. LTD’ No. 37246, CHELTENHAM DISTRICT.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200

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

 

 

 

 

G293 KWY ‘SOVEREIGN BUS & COACH’.

Leyland Lynx MK 1

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

 

New to ‘Keighley & District’ No. 201, then a spell with ‘Stotts of Milnsbridge’.

 

Whilst in preservation it also had a spell wearing ‘Cleveland Transit’ (CT) livery representing other Lynx’s that had served in that fleet although as far as I know, this bus never operated for ‘CT’.

 

 

 

 

 

YN14 MYA ‘Readingbuses’ No. 431.

Scania K270UB / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 300GS

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

 

 

 

 

NPD 108L ‘Owner not Known’.

LEYLAND NATIONAL 1

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

 

New to ‘London Country’ No. LN8.

 

 

 

 

YJ16 DZA ‘Adventuretravel’, Cardiff.

Optare MetroCity V1010MC

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

 

‘Scene’ in Burton-on-Trent, ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ (MC) on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

All the buses pictured here carry full ‘MC’ livery and legal identification but since the take over at the start of August, are owned by ‘Diamond Buses (East Midlands) Ltd’.

 

The images were all taken on 19/08/22 and although some of the subjects may have appeared previously in my blogs, I include them again as a record of what I saw on the day.

 

Within my own system of identifying images, I normally use the ownership of the vehicle as far as I know it.

 

On this occasion, out of respect for the company that I have followed for many years I will use ‘Midland Classic’.

 

LK04 NNL ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No.103.

Volvo B7TL / Plaxton President

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

 

New to ‘Metroline London Northern’ No. VPL601.

 

Pictured outside ‘MC’s workshop at Wetmore Road.

 

 

 

 

SN11 BMU ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 63.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E40D / ‘ADL’ Enviro400

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

 

New to ‘First Capital’ No. DN3612.

 

Pictured at ‘MC’s Wetmore Road depot.

 

 

 

 

LJ04 LFV ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 46.

VDL DB250 / Wright Eclipse Gemini               

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

 

New to ‘Arriva London South’ No. DW82.

 

 

 

 

 

 

YN08 MKP ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 62.

Scania CN270UD / Scania

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

 

New to ‘Reading Transport’ No. 1103.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BV21 OPM ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 10.

Volvo B8RLE / MCV EVORA

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

YN57 FWG ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 75 ‘thetutburyjinny’.

Scania 230UB / Wright Solar

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

 

New to ‘Reading Buses’ No.1031.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KW14 MCL ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 2. X12 Burton/Lichfield

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E20D / ‘ADL’ Enviro200

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

YN64 FWX ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 26.

Scania K230UB / Irizar i3

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

 

New to ‘Menzies’, Heathrow No. P42.

 

 

 

 

 

 

YJ66 APF ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 8, airway.

Optare MetroCity V1080MC

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

YN17 ONJ ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 17.

Scania K250UB / Irizar i3

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

 

New to ‘Reading Buses’ No. 24.

 

.

‘Scene’ in Burton-on-Trent (BoT) once more 2 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

It is now about 18 months since I last went to ‘BoT’’ so it was time for a revisit.

 

For part 1 see blog posted 14/08/2020.

 

Well then, what has changed in that time?

 

The elderly Wright bodied VDL’s that were inherited from ‘ARRIVA’ seem to have gone.

 

Also, sadly the Optare Spectra seems to have gone as well.

 

The Optare Metrocity’s and the buses on the X12 to Lichfield have acquired revised liveries.

 

Two buses I knew when they were with ‘yourbus’ have joined the fleet and a new style of company fleet name has been adopted.

 

So, for the revised liveries on the Metrocity’s and the X12.

 

YJ66 AOZ ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 7. Optare V1080MC Metrocity

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

 

The location of the fleetname above the door/cab window over black makes it very strong and any accident damage to the lower panels where it would normally be is easier to replace.

 

 

 

YJ66 APF ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 8. Optare V1080MC Metrocity

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

 

 

 

 

YJ16 DXU ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 5. Optare V1080MC Metrocity

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

 

 

 

 

KW14 MCL ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 2  ‘X12 Flyer’. Alexander DennisLtd. (ADL) E200 / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200 /1 

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

 

 

 

 

JB14 MCL  ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 2  ‘X12 Flyer’. Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E200 / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200 

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

 

 

 

KW14 MCL ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 2  ‘X12 Flyer’. Alexander DennisLtd. (ADL) E200 / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200 /2 

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

 

‘Scene’ Once more in Burton-On-Trent (BoT) 2 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

One of my favourite places, it never disappoints.

 

‘Midland Classic’ (MC) has been the dominant operator in ‘BoT’ for over two years now and the company seems to go from strength to strength.

 

Much of the fleet has seen service elsewhere but ‘MC’s bright, smart livery blends the separate units into one entity.

 

YN54 OAB ‘Midland Classic’ No. 53.  Scania N94UD / East Lancs Omnidekka

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

 

 

 

 

YN54 OAC ‘Midland Classic’ No. 54.  Scania N94UD / East Lancs Omnidekka

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

 

 

 

 

YJ66 APK ‘Midland Classic’ No. 9. Optare Metrocity V1080MC

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YJ66 AOY ‘Midland Classic’ No. 6. Optare Metrocity V1080MC

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

YN05 GXG ‘Midland Classic’ No. 74. Scania L94UB / Wright Solar

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

 

New to ‘Reading Buses’ as No. 1007. More recently with ‘AOT Coaches’ Nottingham.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FX55 VKG ‘Midland Classic’ No. 83. Scania L94UB / Wright Solar

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

 

New to ‘Green Triangle’, Atherton, Lancs, (who became ‘South Lancs Transport’) as No. 26.

‘Scene’ in Lincoln, smaller operators on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

I mean no disrespect to the smaller operators pictured but when ‘Stagecoach’ is the main operator in the City all the other operators are small by comparison.

YJ15 AXF ‘P.C.Coaches’, Lincoln. Optare V1152MC  MetroCity

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

 

New as a demonstrator for Optare.

 

 

 

 

FX61 AAZ ‘P.C.Coaches’, Lincoln. Wright Streetlite W/F

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

 

 

 

 

YJ15 ARX ‘P.C.Coaches’, Lincoln. Optare 8900 SoloSR

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

 

 

 

 

 

YJ59 NMX ‘P.C.Coaches’, Lincoln. Optare M880SL Solo

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

 

New to ‘Heyfordian’ Bicester.

 

 

 

 

BU05 EEP ‘Brylaine’, Boston. BMC 1100 / BMC

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

 

A very rare bird!

 

 

 

 

MK52 XNN ‘Brylaine’, Boston. DAF SB220 / Ikarus

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

 

New to ‘Blue Bus’ Horwich, Lancs. as its No. 39.

 

 

 

 

YJ04 CCT ‘Brylaine’, Boston. Optare M920 Solo

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