‘Scene’ in Newcastle on Tyne 1 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

In September 2021 (23rd. & 26th.), I posted 2 blogs using friend Peter Rose’s excellent images taken in Newcastle.

 

Rather than duplicate his work, I have illustrated liveries that have not appeared here before.

 

Newcastle Haymarket and Eldon Square Bus Stations are almost side by side. 

 

With buses in numbers coming (and going) in both directions from both places it is very busy.

 

NK67 EBG ‘Go-North East’ No. 6313, X lines.

Volvo B5TL / Wright Gemini 3

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

 

 

 

 

NK12 GCY ‘Go-North East’ No. 6047, RedKite RANGER.

Volvo B9TL / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

YN54 AOR ‘Go-North East’ No. 6165.

Scania N94UD / East Lancs Omnidekka

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

 

New to ‘Brighton & Hove’ No. 640.

 

Both ‘Go-North East’ and ‘Brighton & Hove’ are part of the ‘Go-Ahead’ group.

 

 

 

NK62 FHE ‘Go-North East’ No. 6078, explore Hadrians Wall.

Volvo B9TL / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

 

‘Scene’ yet again in Derby on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

Before I deal with todays blog, I would like to add to the blog I posted yesterday (30/09/2106).

 

I wrongly identified FJ10 OXP as being part of ‘TM Travel’s fleet. It is in fact part of fellow ‘Wellglade’ group member ‘notts+derby’s fleet.

 

I was advised of this by Mr. Oliver Spencer to whom I offer my sincere thanks. Your getting in touch was much appreciated.

 

I have changed my blog and 'flickr' page accordingly.

 

 

 

Whilst I was in Derby yesterday I saw a ‘midland classic’ (mc) double decker parked up in Derby bus station.

 

I was intrigued because as far as I knew, ‘mc’ do not as yet operate into Derby. By the time I was able to get near to it with my camera, it had gone.

 

I was in Derby today and an ‘mc’ decker was parked where the one yesterday had been parked.

 

Today, it waited for me.

 

‘mc’ have gained a contract from Boots to operate from Derby to their facility in Burton on Trent 4 times daily every day of the week under service number X39.

 

The friendly driver today, Richard advised that the service commenced in September.

 

 

 

 

 

YN52 OAA ‘midland classic’ No.52 Scania 94UD / East Lancs Omnidekka

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

 

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

It is a while since I last visited but I was passing through on my way to Sutton Coldfield (see Blogs dated 12th. February 2016 and 27th. March 2016) and it was too good a chance to miss.

 

My first impression was that ‘Blue Diamond’ have been replaced on the local services by ‘Midland Classic’ who seem to be quite busy in the town. 

 

‘Central Buses’ from Birmingham also made a strong appearance.

 

Arriva Midlands however continue to be the major operator.

 

Lichfield’s place on the tourist map because of its Cathedral always guarantees the odd coach or two.

 

X94 USC ‘Midland Classic’ Scania L94UB/Wright Solar Urban.

 

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

 

Formerly employed by ‘Nottingham City Transport’.

 

YX63 ZXK ‘Central Buses’ Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200.

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

 

The operator has cleverly worked the 55 route number (which serves Tamworth) into the ‘Expre55’ branding.

 

There were a couple of ‘National Holiday’s Setra’s in town but their positioning in the sunshine made the conditions a lot less than ideal.                                           

 

NH15 HCH ‘National Holidays’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo.

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

 

KSK 984 ‘Park’s of Hamilton’ working for ‘National Express’ Volvo B9R/Plaxton Elite.

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

 

YJ59 PKE ‘Central Buses’ Optare Solo.

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

 

It once worked for ‘Cumfybus’ on Merseyside.

 

YN54 OAC‘Midland Classic’ Scania N94UD/East Lancs Omnidekka.

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

 

Formerly in the fleet of ‘London United’

 

YN08 HZV ‘Arriva Midlands North’ 3508 Scania Omnicity.

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

 

 X781 NWX ‘Arriva Midlands North’ 2738 DAF SB120/Wright Cadet.

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

 

Which at one time worked for ‘Selwyns of Runcorn’ on Merseyside.

 

FJ06 ZTG ‘Arriva Midlands’ 3721 VDL SB200/Wright Commander.

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

‘Scene’ in Bournemouth, ‘Wilts & Dorset’ (WD)

 

My wife (Barbara) and I have been holidaying in Bournemouth for over 35 years. During that time I have watched with much interest the comings and goings in the bus fleets locally.

 

For most of that time, competition for ‘Bournemouth Corporation Transport’ has come from ‘Wilts & Dorset’ (WD).

 

With a history going back to 1915 ‘WD’ was at one time part of the ‘National Bus Company’ and these days is part of ‘Go South Coast’ which is a subsidiary of the ‘Go Ahead’ group. 

 

In 2012 ‘WD’ adopted ‘More’ branding for its Bournemouth and Poole area operations whilst adopting ‘Salisbury Reds’ for its Salisbury area services.

 

Bournemouth and Salisbury are linked hourly by service X3. 

 

HJ63 JKE

 

A Dennis Trident 2 with Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) Enviro 400 bodywork which is based at Ringwood.

 

HJ63 JJV

Another Dennis Trident 2 with Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) Enviro 400 bodywork which is based at Ringwood.

 

An earlier generation of double deck bus is represented by

 

YN03 DFL

 

A Scania N94UD Omnidekka with East Lancs bodywork seen in the ‘More’ livery.

 

HF05 GGJ

 

A Volvo B7TL with East Lancs Myllennium bodywork seen in the blue ‘New Forest Tour’ promotional livery.

 

The lugs along the roofline are for removing the roof to allow the buses in this batch to operate as open toppers.

 

HF05 GGY

 A Volvo B7TL with East Lancs Myllennium bodywork seen in the old ‘W&D’ livery.

 

HF05 GGP

 

A Volvo B7TL with East Lancs Myllennium bodywork seen in the green ‘New Forest Tour’ promotional livery.

 

 

Apart from their own services, ‘W&D’ operate services on behalf of ‘Bournemouth University’ (BU) in ‘BU’ livery.

 

HF59 FAK

 

A Dennis Trident 2 with ‘Alexander Dennis Ltd,’ Enviro 400 bodywork in the ‘Bournemouth University branded livery’.

 

HF58 GZL

A Scania N230UD OmniCity with East Lancs bodywork in the ‘Bournemouth University branded livery’.

‘W&D’s service 50 the ‘Purbeck Breezer’ operates between Bournemouth and Swanage via the Sandbanks chain ferry and is one of the ‘Must Do’ journeys in the UK. 

 

To be held up on a double deck bus by a cross channel ferry as it sails out of Poole harbour is an experience not to be missed !

 

Operated with a fleet of Scania 230UD’s with Optare Visionaire bodies which can work in open or closed top layout depending on the weather.

 

The Swanage terminus and ‘W&D’s depot is located in the old railway yard and is at the side of the preserved ‘Swanage Railway’ of today.

 

HF59 DMO (This image was taken in Swanage with the station building behind the bus).

 

HF09 FVV

The bread and butter routes are the m1 and m2 which operate from Poole to Bournemouth and then on to the Castlepoint shopping complex (m1) and Southborne (m2).

Operating with buses up to every few minutes across the day and night.

The majority of the buses in use are Volvo B7RLE’s wit Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodies but there are also Scania CN230UB’s OmnCity’s in regular service.

 

 

HF12 GWM

 

A Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban 2.

 

 

HF12 GVR

 

Another Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban 2.

 

 

The livery is quite stylised however at least one of the B7RLE’s wears a silver variation on the standard livery in celebration of 10 years of the m1 and m2.

 

HF58 HTO 

 

A Scania CN230UB OmniCities.

 

   HF58 HTP

MX57 CAV

 

An Optare Solo.

 

 

 

‘Scene’ today (03/12/15). Double Deckers in Burton on Trent (BoT) I make no apology for going to ‘BoT’ again because in bus terms, it is one of the most interesting towns in the Midlands. The major interest is mainly provided by local operator ‘Midland Classic’ (MC) although ‘Arriva Midlands’ and ‘trentbarton’ are also active there. The purpose in todays visit was to catch up with a small batch of DAF SB250’s with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodies that have joined ‘MC’ from ‘Arriva London’. The batch are, Registration ‘MC’ No. LJ03 MWA 42 LJ53 BFP 43 LJ53 BGK 44 and LJ53 BGO 45 The retention of the double set of doors is interesting. LJ53 BFP

I make no apology for going to ‘BoT’ again because in bus terms, it is one of the most interesting towns in the Midlands.

 

The major interest is mainly provided by local operator ‘Midland Classic’ (MC) although ‘Arriva Midlands’ and ‘trentbarton’ are also active there.

 

The purpose of todays visit was to catch up with a small batch of DAF DB250’s with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodies that have recently joined ‘MC’ from ‘Arriva London’.

 

The batch are, 

 

Registration ‘MC’ No.

 

LJ03 MWA      42

LJ53 BFP        43

LJ53 BGK       44

and

LJ53 BGO       45

 

The retention of the double set of doors is interesting.

 

LJ53 BFP

 

LJ53 BGK

 

Interestingly, a current ‘Arriva Midlands’ DAF DB250 with Wright Gemini bodywork put in an appearance.

FJ58 KXR

 

 

Whist I was waiting to get further images of the ‘new’ buses I was treated to a couple of an earlier delivery of former London buses.

 

Some time ago, Scania N94UD’s with East Lancs Omnidekka bodies.

 

Registration ‘MC’ No.

  YN54 OAC    52

  YN54 OAB    53

  YN54 OAC    54

  YN54 OAG    55

 

were acquired from ‘London United’ and appear not to have previously appeared in my blog.

 

YN54 OAC

 

YN54 OAA

 

 

As sometimes happens, you wait for one bus to turn up and three arrive. 

 

So it was today because in the midst of all the action. A third and again different decker put in an appearance.

 

This has appeared in my blog before and it is such a magnificent vehicle that here it is again.

 

JB10 MCL

 

A Scania N230UD with Optare Olympus bodywork.

 

Previously registered D10 SLT when it worked for ‘South Lancs Travel’.

 

 

 

 

‘Scene’ in Rochdale

A day out in the Greater Manchester (GM) area with members of my local U3A group recently enabled me to get a good cross section of images.

 

I live in Derbyshire and am able to buy the ‘GM’ ‘Wayfarer’ ticket on the train. The Wayfarer being a go anywhere on any transport mode day ticket. The nearest railway station for me being at at the Southern end of the ‘GM’ area is at Grindleford. 

 

The ‘Wayfarer’ ticket is excellent value for money at £12 for adults and £6 for child and seniors concessions.

 

A look at any of the many maps that GMPTE have online will give a flavour of what is available.

 

Our main transport around ‘Greater Manchester’ was provided by the tram. For more details of the trams see my blog regarding the ‘Scene’ in Eccles published 28th. of September.

 

Rochdale has a new ‘Interchange’ (I must not call it a bus station) which is right across the road from the tram stop (sorry, Light Rail Vehicle terminus).

 

The interchange was opened in 2013 and as these places go is very good. There seems to be plenty of space for the buses and the passengers seem well looked after. I wish I could say the same for some other recent bus stations (Sorry interchanges) that I have recently visited.

 

MX58 EAC

A Volvo B9TL with Wright Gemini Eclipse bodywork part of the ‘First Greater Manchester’ (FGM) fleet. 

 

Painted in the traditional colours of Rochdale Corporation Transport (RCT). I say traditional but my memory of ‘RCT’ is of a much lighter colour than the cream used here, almost white.

 

However, I am sure someone at ‘FGM’ checked and it is good that they made the effort.

 

As with other ‘First’ group fleets, ‘Barbie’ is lingering on and some of the older buses in the fleets might never make it into the new colours before they are withdrawn.

 

ML02 OFX

An Optare Solo M920

 

T902 KLF

A Volvo Olympian with Northern Counties Palatine bodywork which at one time worked for ‘First’ in South Yorkshire.

 

By coincidence, I recently photographed this bus in Bolton and it also appears on my ‘Bolton Buses 1’ blog dated the 1st of August 2014.

 

W308 JND

A Mercedes-Benz Citaro.

 

The ‘FGM’ new livery was also on display

 

MX58 DWM

A Volvo B9TL with Wright Gemini Eclipse bodywork.

 

MX54 GZE

Another Optare Solo this time a 950.

 

At one time this bus worked on the ‘Metroshuttle’ Free to all service in and around the centre of Manchester.

 

BT13 YVX

 

A Volvo B7RLE with Wright Eclipse 2 bodywork working for ‘First Halifax’. 

 

It seems a bit odd that a Halifax in Yorkshire based bus is working a service from Rochdale to Burnley both in Lancashire. However the blind does say via Todmorden which is in Yorkshire.

 

As with other centres in Lancashire ‘Rossendale Transport’ (RT) puts in an appearance.

 

X464 UKS.

 

A Dennis Dart with Alexander ALX 200 bodywork. On its way to Bury, it is painted in the old ‘RT’ livery that dates from the mid 1990’s. This bus has been withdrawn since this image was taken.

 

In the same livery is YJ05 JWG. An Optare Solo Slimline model M880.

 

YN06 NXU

A Scania N94UD with Wright Solar bodywork that was previously in the fleet of ‘Reading Transport’.

 

‘RT’ are currently going through a re branding exercise using the name ‘Rosso’ and this image illustrates the single deck version of the new livery.

 

An excellent article about ‘RT’ by David Barrow appeared in ‘Buses’ magazine for June 2014 on page 38.

 

LK51 XGX

 

A Volvo B7TL with Plaxton President bodywork which originally worked in London for  ‘Metroline’ and was supplied to ‘RT’ by ‘Ensignbus’. 

 

The double deck version of the livery looks good on what is a relatively old vehicle.

 

S866 DGX

A Volvo Olympian with Northern Counties Palatine 1 bodywork.

 

Seeing out its days in ‘RT’ service having been previously operated by and in the livery of ‘Metrobus’ of Orpington in Kent who are part of the ‘Go-Ahead Group’.

 

MX07 JNK

An Optare Solo M920 of ‘Stotts of Oldham’ working on the Free to all Town Centre service.

 

It previously worked in Lancashire for ‘Vale of Manchester’ who were taken over by ‘JPT Bus Company’ who in turn became part of ‘Stagecoach’ group earlier in 2014.

 

 

YJ59 NPV

An Optare Solo M880SL carrying legal titling for ‘Yorkshire Tiger’ (YT).

 

‘YT’ appears to be the operating name of the ‘Centrebus’ (Cb) and ‘Huddersfield Bus Company’ (HBC) operations in West Yorkshire. ‘HBC’ being part of ‘Cb’.

All of which explains the ‘Cb’ livery on the vehicle. They just have not got round to repainting it yet.

 

 

YX11 GAA

An Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL). Dart with ‘ADL’ Enviro 200 bodywork operated by ‘Manchester Community Transport’ under the ‘MCT’ name.