‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit At the Premises of ‘Diamond Bus (North West) Ltd’., Bolton 2. on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

The eighth blog of ten, posted over ten consecutive days. 

More tomorrow.

 

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.

 

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 being in the North West of England centred on the Holiday Inn Express, Preston.

 

Friend Peter Rose joined me for what turned out to be a sometimes wet, but very enjoyable weekend.

 

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

 

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

 

With the current driver shortage, the driver training fleet is more important than ever.

 

MX55 FFE ‘Diamond Bus (North West) Ltd’., Driver under Instruction.

Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse

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

 

New to ‘First Manchester’ No. 66895.

 

 

 

 

T845 MAK ‘Diamond Bus (North West) Ltd’. No. 60663, Training.

Volvo B10BLE / Wright Renown

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

 

New to ‘First Mainline’, Sheffield. No. 845. 

 

Acquired from ‘First Manchester’ No. 60662.

 

 

 

 

PJ02 RHA ‘Diamond Bus (North West) Ltd’., DRIVER UNDER INSTRUCTION.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer /1

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

 

In October 2019, local to me bus company, ‘yourbus’ of Heanor, Derbyshire ceased operating.

 

A substantial number of their Mercedes-Benz Citaro’s were bought by ‘Diamond Bus (North West) Ltd’. (more of which, another day).

 

In addition, this sole Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer training bus came with them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PJ02 RHA ‘Diamond Bus (North West) Ltd’.,  DRIVER UNDER INSTRUCTION.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer /2

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

 

 

 

 

PJ02 RHA ‘yourbus’, Heanor, Derbyshire,  DRIVER UNDER INSTRUCTION.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer /3

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

 

Included for comparison, showing how little it has changed.

 

 

‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit At the Premises of ‘preston bus’ 2 on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.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.

 

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 being in the North West of England centred on the Holiday Inn Express, Preston.

 

Friend Peter Rose joined me for what turned out to be a sometimes wet, but very enjoyable weekend.

 

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

 

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

 

‘Preston Bus’, which has a history going back to 1904, became part of the ‘ROTALA’ group in 2011.

 

S517 JJH ‘Diamond Bus North West Ltd’. No. 31001, Driver under Instruction.

Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointer /1 

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

 

Note the instructor’s rear view mirror.

 

New to ‘Tellings-Golden Miller’, Byfleet, Surrey.

 

It was part of the ‘Preston Bus’ fleet at the time of the takeover in 2011.

 

 

 

 

S517 JJH ‘Diamond Bus North West Ltd’. No. 31001, Driver under Instruction.

Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointer /2 

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

 

 

 

 

MX06 VNP ‘preston bus’ No. 69159.

Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse

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

 

New to ‘First Manchester’ where it carried the same fleet number.

 

The lack of any titling or branding could indicate that it has been withdrawn and awaiting diposal.

 

 

 

 

SN68 AJW ‘preston bus’ No. 20158.

Wright Streetdeck D/F

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

 

Unusual in that it is built to a shorter length than the standard model only seating 33.

 

New to ‘First Manchester’ where it carried the same fleet number.

 

 

 

 

HF13 FZR ‘preston bus’ No. 32254.

Wright Streetdeck D/F

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

 

A standard length bus to compare with the short bodied one.

 

New to ‘Yellow Buses’ No. 3016, Bournemouth.

 

One of a batch of 15 buses bought in 2022 following ‘Yellow Buses’ ceasing to operate.

 

‘Scene’ in and around Newark Bus Station 2 on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Friend Peter Rose and I were off to Newark to record the closing days of ‘Marshalls of Sutton on Trent’ operating Service 90 from Newark into Nottingham. 

 

See blog posted 16/04/2023.

 

Always being willing to support public transport, we went into Nottingham by train.

 

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

 

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

 

BU16 UWK ‘Centrebus’ No. 630.

Volvo B8RLE / MCV

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

 

New to ‘Roberts’ Hugglescote, Leicestershire who if memory serves me right used it on Park and Ride services in Leicester.

 

I have not always liked ‘Centrebus’ liveries but I think this one is the best yet.

 

 

 

 

KV53 EZC ‘Stagecoach East Midlands’ No. 34426.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer 2

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

 

It amazes me that anyone will spend money on re-painting a 20 year old bus that in all probability has only a short service life left.

 

New to ‘Stagecoach United Counties’ No. 34438.

 

 

 

 

MX14 FUM ‘Centrebus’ No. 527.

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

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

 

New to ‘National Car Parks’, Paisley, Scotland.

 

 

 

 

LX10 AUR ‘GEM MINITRAVEL.

Dennis Dart / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200

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

 

Still wearing the livery of former operator ‘Faresaver’.

 

 

 

 

YJ05 JXN ‘GEM MINI TRAVEL’.

Optare Solo M780SL 

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

 

New to ‘Sheffield Community Transport’.

 

 

 

 

SJ22 HJN ‘GEM MINI TRAVEL’.

FIAT Ducato / Bluebird Orion

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Apart from the newer buses that I would have expected to be painted in the current livery.

 

I was surprised to see a number of elderly buses that had also been painted into it.

 

AE06 GZJ ‘Stagecoach South East’ No. 18412.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. Trident / Alexander ALX400

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

 

New to ‘Viscount’.

 

 

 

AE06 GZH ‘Stagecoach South East’ No. 18411.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. Trident / Alexander ALX400

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

 

New to ‘Viscount’.

 

 

 

GX06 DWY ‘Stagecoach South East’ No. 34846

Dennis Dart /Alexander Pointer 2

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

 

New to ’Stagecoach East Kent’.

 

 

 

GN12 CMK ‘Stagecoach South East’ No. 36504.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E20D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200

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

 

New to ‘Hastings & District’.

 

 

 

GN12 CMF ‘Stagecoach South East’ No. 36503, Hastings Arrows.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E20D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200

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

 

New to ‘Hastings & District’.

 

A route branded bus is a bit of a surprise these days in a ‘Stagecoach’ fleet.

 

 

 

 

GN12 CLV ‘Stagecoach South East’ No. 36498, Hastings Arrows.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E20D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200 /1

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

 

New to ‘Hastings & District’.

 

 

 

 

 

GN12 CLV ‘Stagecoach South East’ No. 36498, Hastings Arrows.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E20D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200 /2

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

 

‘Scene’ Darting around Edinburgh on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

There was a time when the Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart SPD was the mainstay of ‘Lothian Buses’ single deck services in Edinburgh.

 

Now they are no more. 

 

However one has been secured for preservation.

 

New in service in 2002, the bus has been refurbished inside and out and painted in a new livery designed by David Cook.

 

The bus is now a promotion for ‘The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum’ at Lathalmond, near the newly appointed City of Dunfermline, Fife.

 

Friend Stuart Montgomery, one of ‘Lothian Buses’ volunteer photographers has recently sent me images which I reproduce here with his permission and my thanks.

 

SK52 OJE ‘The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum’ No. 61.

Dennis Dart SPD / Plaxton Pointer /1

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

 

 

 

 

SK52 OJE ‘The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum’ No. 61.

Dennis Dart SPD / Plaxton Pointer /2

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

 

 

 

 

SK52 OJE ‘The Scottish Vintage Bus Museum’ No. 61.

Dennis Dart SPD / Plaxton Pointer /3

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

 

 

 

 

SK52 OJE ‘Lothian Buses’ No. 61.

Dennis Dart SPD / Plaxton Pointer /1

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

 

Pictured wearing ‘Lothian Buses’ Harlequin livery which was used to advise intending passengers that the bus was low floor and thus had a step free entrance.

 

This was considered important when the fleet was a mixture of buses with steps in the entrance and step free.

 

 

 

 

SK52 OJE ‘Lothian Buses’ No. 61.

Dennis Dart SPD / Plaxton Pointer /2

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

 

When the fleet became all low floor the need to differentiate disappeared enabling the buses to gain a more normal ‘Lothian’ livery.

 

‘Scene’ at Transpire’s Peak Park Bus Gathering 2022 /1 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

For some years now, this event has been held at the ‘Peak Rail’ site at Rowsley in Derbyshire.

 

There is plenty of room for the 35 or so buses the event attracted together with the added bonus of the trains provided by ‘Peak Rail’.

 

This year being steam only.

 

A return to the traditional June date was welcome because last year the event was held in August due to the problems caused by the Covid 19 pandemic.

 

SN03 DZM ‘Hulleys of Baslow’ No. 24 ‘For the best view of the Peak District’.

Transbus Trident / Alexander ALX400

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

 

My ‘Star of the Day’.

 

New to ‘London United’ as TA314.

 

Rebuilt in 2017 for open top service with ‘Bath Bus’, Bath for tourist services in that city, numbered 380.

 

 

 

 

R717 YWC ‘Pennine Motor Services’ No. D15, Gargrave, N. Yorks.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer

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

 

New to ‘Stagecoach East London’ in 1997 with two doors as PD17.

 

Transferred to ‘Stagecoach Manchester’ in 2001.

 

Then to ‘Stagecoach in the Highlands’ in 2009 from where it passed to ‘Pennine’ in 2010 via ‘Ensign Bus’, the London bus dealer.

 

An early model of the Dart with the step entrance.

 

A very readable and interesting history of  ‘Pennine Motor Services’ can be found on the internet by Googling ‘Pennine Motor Services 1925-2014’

 

 

 

 

SFJ 904 ‘Vallances Coaches’, ‘Ethel’, Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts.

Bedford SBG / Duple Vega /1

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

 

New to ‘Greenslades Tours’ of Exeter.

 

Known to enthusiasts of the time as ‘Butterflies’.

 

Look at the shape of the radiator grill.

 

The ‘G’ in the SBG signifies ‘Gasoline’ (American for petrol) which provided the power for this model.

 

Bedford being owned by the American ‘General Motors’ group.

 

 

 

 

SFJ 904 ‘Vallances Coaches’, ‘Ethel’, Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts.

Bedford SBG / Duple Vega /1

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

 

 

 

 

 

JMY 120N ‘National Travel’ ‘SUPERNATIONAL’.

Leyland National /1

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

 

I never liked the National.

 

It was the bus to buy because you were told to or because there was little else available.

 

The bus of last resort.

 

To be fair, this particular sample has survived for 50 years so somebody must like it.

 

 

 

 

JMY 120N ‘National Travel’ ‘SUPERNATIONAL’.

Leyland National /2

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

 

 

 

 

JMY 120N ‘National Travel’ ‘SUPERNATIONAL’.

Leyland National /3

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

 

‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL’, Mansfield 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.

 

‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL’ was the provider of our transport for the day and was to be the first visit of the day.

 

The fleet, (all immaculate) were well spaced out so enabling the photographers amongst us easy access all around the vehicles.

 

7842 KR ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’ ‘Kieran’.

Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse

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

 

New registered DK09 DZF to ‘GHA Coaches’, Corwen, North Wales.

 

It was acquired from ‘Williams’, Brecon,Wales.

 

 

 

 

GX06 DXC ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’ ‘Bethany’.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. Dart SLF/ Plaxton Pointer

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

 

New to ‘Stagecoach South’ as No.  34854 but acquired from ’Boomerang Travel’, Accrington, Lancs.

 

In between times it spent some time with ‘Halton Transport’.

 

 

 

 

GXZ 144 ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’ ‘Emily Ann’.

Mercedes-Benz 0816D / Sitcar

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

 

New registered WA09 DZT to ‘London Mini’, Isleworth but it was acquired from ’Ellenvale Coach Co’, Aspatria, Cumbria.

 

 

 

 

YG59 NFN ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’.

Ford Transit

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

 

Acquired from ‘Wormall’, Grantham.

 

 

 

 

3553 FH  ‘MILLENIUM TRAVEL MANSFIELD LTD’.

Mercedes-Benz 516CDI

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

 

Acquired from ‘Exec Connect’, Salisbury.

 

‘Scene’ in Chesterfield Yet Again on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

SW64 XAR ‘Hulleys of Baslow’ No. 11.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E20D / ‘ADL’ Enviro200 /1

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

 

New to ‘Leask’, Lerwick, Shetland.

 

This bus has just arrived from Bakewell having worked an X70 service from Bakewell.

 

 

 

 

SW64 XAR ‘Hulleys of Baslow’ No. 11.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E20D / ‘ADL’ Enviro200 /2

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

 

Seen minutes later in this image working  a service 55 to Alfreton.

 

 

 

 

FJ03 VWR ‘TM Travel’ No. 623.

Scania L94UB / Wright Solar

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

 

Clearly marked as a ‘TMT’ bus but painted in full ‘notts+derby’ livery.

 

Both companies being part of the ‘Wellglade’ group together with ‘trentbarton’ to whom the bus was new.

 

 

 

 

YN57 FZA ‘TM Travel’ No. 1207.

Scania K230UB / Scania Omnilink

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

 

New to ‘Universitybus’, Hatfield, Herts.

 

 

 

 

MX54 LRK ‘Stagecoach Yorkshire Traction’ No. 22085 ‘L Driver Training’.

MAN 18.220 / Alexander Dennis Ltd. ALX300

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

 

New to ‘Greater Manchester South’.

 

 

 

 

WA56 FKO ‘Hulleys of Baslow’ No.14.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer 2

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

 

Acquired from ‘Stagecoach South West’ but new to ‘Stagecoach Devon’ as No. 35153.

 

 

 

 

600 RT ‘JOHNSON BROS’. ‘REDFERN TRAVEL Euro Escapade’.

Irizar i6s

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

 

New registered YM19 JJV.