‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit ‘Skills’ 2 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

The PSV Circle (of which I have been a member for some years) aims to hold an Annual General Meeting in a different location in the UK every year. (Covid permitting).

 

Usually held at a weekend, they also include visits to operators and other bus related venues for the attending members to visit and enjoy.

 

This year, the location was in my part of the world, the East Midlands.

 

‘Skills’ was the provider of our transport for the day and their base at Bulwell in Nottingham was to be our first visit of this the third day.

 

N1 SMC ‘SKILLS MOTOR COACHES’. ‘corporate hospitality’ ‘Forest Team Coach’.

Volvo B11RT / Volvo 9900

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

 

Previously registered C9 VBC and OU68 DZK.

 

The football that Nottingham Forest play in the Premiership might turn heads this season.

 

The coach they turn up in certainly will.

 

 

 

 

BV19 YJC ‘SKILLS MOTOR COACHES’.

Mercedes-Benz Tourismo

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

 

 

 

 

SIL 7565 ‘SKILLS MOTOR COACHES’.

VDL FHD2-129.365

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

 

New registered YJ13 HVC.

 

 

 

 

HXI 733 ‘SKILLS MOTOR COACHES’. 

Mercedes-Benz 0816D Vario / Plaxton Cheetah

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

 

New registered SF09 GWG to ‘Premium’, Holborn.

 

 

 

 

MCT 612 ‘MCEWENS COACHES LTD’.

Yutong TC 9

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

 

‘MCEWENS COACHES LTD’ are part of the ‘Skills group.

 

 

 

 

BK15 AHO ‘SKILLS MOTOR COACHES’.

Scania K440EB4 / Caetano Levante

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

 

Not the best image ever, but it was parked in deep shade.

 

New to ‘Silverdale’, part of the ‘Skills’ group.

 

Delivered in ‘national express’ livery for use on that companies contracts.

 

‘Scene’ at the Bus & Coach show at the NEC in 2013 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

The annual Bus & Coach show at the NEC has been cancelled for 2020 because of the Covid 19 Pandemic.

 

Regular readers/viewers of my blog will know that I would normally have published a number of blogs built round what was new in the 2020 show.

 

As I am not able to do so, I will fill the gaps created by re-running some of the highlights from previous shows.

 

Sometimes (but not always) a veteran bus from earlier years  puts in an appearance.

 

The 2013 show today, 2014 tomorrow.

 

M NP 3780 ‘MAN Truck & Bus AG’. NEOPLAN starliner

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

 

Still in my view 7 years later one of the most iconic coach designs ever.

 

I have travelled on one of these vehicles owned by ‘Hawkes’ tours of Derby and it is as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.

 

 

 

 

152 CLT ‘London Transport’ No. RM1152. AEC Routemaster / Park Royal

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

 

 

 

 

‘Wrightbus’. Volvo B5LH EuroVI Hybrid / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

 

 

 

‘Optare’.  Optare Versa ‘100% ‘electric

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

 

 

 

 

‘TLC Travel Ltd.’ Optare Solo SR

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

 

 

 

 

‘City Circle’. Mercedes-Benz 0814D / Plaxton Cheetah

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

 

Now no longer in production mainly because  Mercedes-Benz ceased production of the chassis.

 

‘Scene’ in Sheffield. Coaches on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

FIRST, I MUST APOLOGISE FOR MY LACK OF POSTINGS AT A TIME OF YEAR WHERE I AM USUALLY VERY BUSY. MY HEALTH HAS BEEN AN ISSUE BUT HOPEFULLY THINGS WILL IMPROVE.

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

 

The first three images owe their presence here to the local entertainment industry and might I think be referred to as ‘Bandbuses’.

 

IRZ 7355 ‘Rockstar Logistics Ltd’. www.crossland.ie. SETRA S431DT

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

 

 

 

 

GIG 666 ‘Sleeper Buses, Portsmouth’. SETRA S431DT /1

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

 

Note the trailer.

 

 

 

 

GIG 666 ‘Sleeper Buses, Portsmouth’. SETRA S431DT /2

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

 

Note the trailer.

 

AIG 8338 ‘Glovers of Ashbourne’. Volvo B10M / Plaxton

 

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

 

 

 

PSV 259 ‘KV & GL Slack’ Matlock, Derbys. Neoplan Tourliner

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YJ06 LDF ‘Hulleys of Baslow’ No. 6. VDL SB4000 / Marcopolo Viaggio 330

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YN11 AXD ‘Andrews’, Tideswell, Derbys. Mercedes-Benz 0816D / Plaxton Cheetah

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

‘Scene’ in Grantham part 3 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

This busy Lincolnshire town lies 20 miles or so to the South of Lincoln and sits on the ‘East Coast Main Line’ railway line.

 

Its bus services are mainly provided by ‘Centrebus’ who operate a very mixed fleet many of which have had previous owners.

 

For part 1 see blog posted 26/12/ 2018. For part 2 see blog posted 30/12/2018.

 

W40 PJC ‘Centrebus’No. 888. Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX 400

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

 

New as LX04 FYZ to ‘Stagecoach East London’ as its No. 18255.

 

 

 

 

YN05 WGC ‘Centrebus’ No. 902. Scania N94UD / East Lancs.

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

 

New to ‘Nottingham City Transport’ as its No. 679.

 

 

 

 

 

The hourly service to Lincoln is a ‘Stagecoach East Midland’ service.

 

AE07 KZF ‘Stagecoach Lincolnshire’ No. 19304. Dennis Trident 2 / Alexander Dennis Ltd.  Enviro 400

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

 

 

 

 

N335 NPN ‘Mark Bland Travel’ Volvo Olympian / Alexander ‘RH’

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

 

New to ‘Greater Manchester South’ as its No. 710.

 

Not the best image ever but it was stood in very deep shade.

 

 

 

 

W648 RCG ‘Travel Wright’. Dennis Javelin / Berkhof Axial

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

 

New to ‘Horne’, Pinner, Middlesex.

 

 

 

 

FE65 APY ‘sambuses’ Mercedes-Benz Atego / Plaxton Cheetah XL

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Scene’ with ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ (EYMS). EYC registrations. on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

At the time of publication of this blog, it has just been announced that ‘EYMS’ is to become a part of the ‘Go-Ahead’ group. 

 

I am sorry to see them go as an independent operator but I am sure from having observed all the major groups for many years that this is a good decision.

 

I wish all at ‘East Yorkshire’ well for the future.

 

I have been a follower of ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ for many years and I have always believed that the ‘EYC’ registrations indicated vehicles working for the ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’ unit. 

 

Normally painted in cream and light blue there is at least one bus that does not quite fit in !!! (see below).

 

Most of these images were taken at ‘EYMS’ depot on Anlaby Road in Hull on a PSV Circle organised visit.

 

A7 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 21 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Mercedes-Benz 516CDi / Optare Soroco

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

 

New registered LK64 ATZ.

 

 

 

 

A9 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 72 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther /1

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

 

New in 2007.

 

Seen at Plaxton’s works at Eastfield in Scarborough.

 

 

 

 

A9 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 72 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther /2

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

 

New in 2007.

 

Seen at Plaxton’s works at Eastfield in Scarborough.

 

 

 

 

A10 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 92. Volvo B9R / Caetano Levante

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

 

New as FJ11 GJZ, No. 86 to ‘Whittles Coaches’ who were at that time part of the ‘EYMS’ group.

 

 

 

 

A16 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 200 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B7TL / Alexander ALX 400

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

 

New as SK52 URW to ‘London United’ as its No. VA 300.

 

 

 

A17 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 779. Dennis Trident 2 / Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) Enviro 400 

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

 

New as SN61 DFK to ‘ADL’ as a demonstrator.

 

This is the bus mentioned earlier that doesn’t seem to fit however it is fitted with coach seats and other ‘luxury’ fitments so maybe it does. 

 

A pity it’s not in the coaching livery though, it would look magnificent !

 

 

 

 

A18 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 721 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B9TL / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

Formerly YX07 HKH with ‘EYMS’.

 

 

 

 

A20 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 20 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Mercedes-Benz 816D / Plaxton Cheetah 2

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

 

New to ‘EYMS’ as YX59 FSD.

 

 

 

EYC 73 ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 77 ‘East Yorkshire Coaches’. Volvo B9R / Plaxton Elite

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

 

New to ‘EYMS’ as YX62 FLL.

 

 

 

80 EYC ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ No. 645. Bristol FS6G Lodekka / Eastern Coach Works

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

 

New in 1961 as a convertible open topper registration 866 NHT to ‘Bristol Omnibus’ as its No. 8576.

 

Also previously registered as XSL 228A with ‘Wilts & Dorset’ amongst others.

 

Bought by ‘EYMS’ in July 2014.

 

‘Scene’ in Derby last week on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

This selection of images were all taken on the same day as the ‘Wrightbus Mini Hybrid’ single decker pictured in my last blog published on 12/01/2018.

 

‘ARRIVA Midlands’ are slowly repainting the fleet into the new light blue livery. By my reckoning the double deckers are all done, 

 

I have seen an Optare Solo and a Wright  bodied Scania K230UB appeared in the new livery on my blog dated 03/11/2017.

 

A start has been made on the Scania CN230UB OmniCity fleet.

 

YR58 SSO ‘ARRIVA Midlands’ No. 3560, ‘light blue livery’. Scania CN230UB OmniCity /1

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

 

 

 

YR58 SSO ‘ARRIVA Midlands’ No. 3560, ‘light blue livery’. Scania CN230UB OmniCity /2

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

 

 

 

YT09 ZBV ‘ARRIVA Midlands’ No. 3573, ‘light blue livery’. Scania CN230UB OmniCity

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

 

 

 

YR58 SSO ‘ARRIVA Midlands’ No. 3560, ‘light blue livery’. Scania CN230UB OmniCity /3

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

 

 

 

Oddly enough this next bus has been repainted into a shade of blue almost the same as that that is now appearing in the ‘ARRIVA’ fleet.

 

Although now in the fleet of ‘masons’ of Ashbourne, the word ‘ATKINSONS’ can just be made out above the windscreen.

 

K13 PSV ‘masons’, Ashbourne, Derbys. Mercedes-Benz 0814D / Plaxton Cheetah /1

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

 

 

 

K13 PSV ‘masons’, Ashbourne, Derbys. Mercedes-Benz 0814D / Plaxton Cheetah /2

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

 

 

 

K13 PSV ‘masons’, Ashbourne, Derbys. Mercedes-Benz 0814D / Plaxton Cheetah /3

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

 

 

 

K13 PSV ‘masons’, Ashbourne, Derbys. Mercedes-Benz 0814D / Plaxton Cheetah /4

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

 

 

 

VIL 9335 ’Little’s Travel’, Ilkeston, Derbys. Volvo B7TL / East Lancs Vyking

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

 

 

 

HSK 654 ‘Parks of Hamilton’ on ’national express’ duties. Volvo B9R / Plaxton Elite

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

 

 

 

 I was surprised to see an ‘ARRIVA Midlands’ Wright bodied VDL on service X38 in Derby Bus Station because the nearest they normally get is about a hundred yards away when they are rounding the traffic island outside the Derby Council building.

 

On investigation there was a substantial quantity of liquid coming out of the back end which was being attended too by a couple of lads from the service department.

 

All must have been well because the bus sventually departed under its own power.

 

FJ13 FYM ‘ARRIVA Midlands’ No. 3767, ‘X 38’. VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar

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

 

 

 

WP66 TPO ‘ARRIVA Midlands’ No. 9271, ‘Technical Support’. Vauxhall Movano

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

 

‘Scene’, an old ‘Skillset’ in Ripley’ on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadarunways.blogspot.co.uk’

It is the first time that Ripley, where I live has featured in one of my Blogs.

 

From a transport point of view it is quite an interesting place what with The Midland Railway Centre just down the road at Butterley and Crich Tramway Village being about five miles or so away. Both I might add readily available by bus.

 

Many less well used bus routes in Derbyshire are provided under contract by Derbyshire County Council.

 

Two such are the 143 and 144 which, generally operated by a single bus working between Ripley, Belper and Crich.

 

Initially this contract was let to ‘McEwens Coaches’ of Mansfield who became part of the ‘Skills’ group in 2013.

 

‘Skills’, are much better known as a long established and much respected coach operator.

 

The usual vehicle is,

 

 

 

 

MX07 BBZ ‘Skills Coaches’ Optare Solo M780SE /1

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

 

For an image of this bus in ‘McEwens’ livery see my blog published 9th. of April 2014.

 

New to ‘Roberts’  of Hugglescote (Leicestershire).

 

 

 

MX07 BBZ ‘Skills Coaches’ Optare Solo M780SE /2

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

 

 

 

However, another Solo that turns up from time to time is

 

MX04 VLZ ‘Skills Coaches’ Optare Solo M920

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

 

New to ‘Hampson & Furness’ (Glossop) and previously with the defunct ‘Premiere’ of Nottingham amongst others.

 

 

 

There are times when the Solo’s are not available in which case a substitute is provided generally from ‘Skills’ contract hire fleet.

 

A requirement of the contract is that buses used on tendered services must be DDA compliant with flat floors etc.

 

This has lead to some interesting vehicles being used.

 

One of which was, 

 

 

M418 UKN ‘Skills Coaches’ Volvo Olympian / Alexander RH

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

 

Formerly 95-D-222 with ‘Dublin Bus’.

 

 

 

Another of which was,

 

SN53 EUT ‘Skills Coaches’ Transbus Trident / Transbus ALX 400

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

 

Formerly with ‘London United’ as its TLA 10.

 

 

One more,

SN53 EUX ‘Skills Coaches’ Transbus Trident / Transbus ALX 400

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

 

Again, formerly with ‘London United’ as its TLA 14.

 

 

 

A very rare bus is

YD02 RJO ‘Skills Coaches’ DAF SB220 / Ikarus Polaris 489

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

 

Another ‘old’ Skill seen working a ‘Tesco Shuttle’ in the town.

 

New to ‘Aztecbird’ (Guiseley) but latterley with ‘Arriva Yorkshire’ as its No. 57.

 

 

 

VCZ 9811 ‘Skills Coaches’ Mercedes-Benz 0814D / Transbus Cheetah

on ‘Dennis Basford’s and anrailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

I do not think this coach was working on the 143/144, it was working as a feeder coach.

 

New to ‘Moore’ (Belfast), Northern Ireland.