‘Scene’ on Wetmore Road, Burton on Trent (BoT) Again on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Wetmore Road, for those who don’t know, is where the fleet of 

‘Midland Classic of Burton’ (‘MC’) is garaged.

 

Over the weekend of 28/29th August 2021 ‘MC’ held a ‘Heritage Weekend’ to celebrate two anniversaries.

 

On the Saturday to celebrate 15 years of ‘mc’ operating in Burton.

 

On the Sunday to celebrate the 95th. anniversary of John Stevenson setting up in business to run buses between Burton and Uttoxeter via Tutbury.

 

A route that ‘mc’ still operates today.

 

An interesting ‘tableau’ mounted outside the offices at Wetmore Road is made up from a model bus and a piece of railway track.

 

The model bus is of one of London Transport’s ‘LT’ class double deckers more commonly known as the New Routemaster but painted in ‘mc’ livery.

 

‘mc’ have and still do operate former ‘LT’ deckers so it must be quite conceivable that when the buses are retired from London some might well come to Burton.

 

Time will tell!

 

The railway track is a piece of rail from the ‘Burton & Ashby Light Railway’ which ran between the towns of Burton on Trent and Ashby de la Zouch from 1906.

 

Taken over by the ‘Midland Railway’ in 1923, it became part of the ‘LMS’ in 1923 until its closure in 1927.

 

Another relic of the line, car No. 14, was exported to Detroit, USA from where it was repatriated in 2014.

 

It currently resides at the ‘Statfold Barn Railway’ which is not all that far away from its old haunts.

 

 

‘Midland Classic of Burton’

LT New Routemaster / Wright /1

 

 

 

‘Midland Classic of Burton’

LT New Routemaster / Wright /2

 

 

 

‘Midland Classic of Burton’

LT New Routemaster / Wright /3

 

 

 

JB10 MCL ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 51.

Scania N230UD / Optare Olympus

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

BV55 UCU ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 56.

Scania N94UD / East Lancs Omnidekka

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

 

New to ‘Blue Triangle’ but purchased from ‘Go Ahead London’ where it was number SO2.

 

 

 

 

LK04 NNE ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 101.

Volvo B7TL / Plaxton President

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

 

New ‘Metroline London Northern’ As No. VPL 596.

 

The dual doorway configuration harks back to its day in London.

 

 

 

 

YN08 MKP ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 62

Scania CN270UD4 / Scania

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

 

New to ‘Reading Transport’ No. 1103.

 

 

 

 

SN11 BNL  ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 69.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) Trident / ‘ADL’ Enviro 400

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

 

New to ‘First Capital’ as No. DN33623.

 

‘Scene’ in Burton-on-Trent (BoT) once more 1 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.

 

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, last first. The revised fleet name.

 

‘Midland Classic of Burton’ revised fleet name

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

 

Smart, sharp and I think the black and red show up well against the yellow background. 

 

The white ‘of Burton’ seems to get a bit lost against the yellow but it looks stronger on the revised liveries on the Metrocities’s and the X12’s.

 

Maybe the ‘of Burton’ could have given the town’s name ‘of Burton on Trent’ or as appears on the X12’s ‘Burton upon Trent’.

 

After all, the company operates well beyond the boundaries of the town.

 

Anyway, I like it, what do you think!

 

 

 

 

For a fleet with around around 20 double deck buses, there is a surprising variety in that number.

 

Wright Gemini bodied Volvo VDL 250DB’s, Dennis Tridents with Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400 bodies, Scania N94UD’s and N270UD’s with Optare, East Lancs and Scania bodies and a solitary Routemaster.

 

In the preserved fleet there is a Leyland Olympian with Alexander bodywork and a MCW Metrobus.

 

YN08 MKP ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 62. Scania N270UD OmniCity / Scania

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

 

It has appeared before in one of my bus blogs but I make no apology for including this magnificent vehicle again.

 

New to ‘Reading Transport’ as No. 1103.

 

 

 

 

LJ04 LFV ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 46. DAF DB250LF / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

New to ‘ARRIVA London South’ as No. DW82.

 

 

 

 

LK57 AXJ ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 92. Dennis Trident / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400

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

 

New to ‘Metroline’ as No. TE831.

 

 

 

 

LJ04 LGA ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 47. DAF DB250LF / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

New to ‘ARRIVA London South’ as No. DW87.

 

 

 

 

SN11 BNE ‘Midland Classic of Burton’ No. 68. Dennis Trident / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400

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

 

Is the lady in the facemask waiting to catch it or admiring the superb finish on the paintwork?

 

New to ‘First Capital’ as No. DN33619.

 

‘Scene’ in Reading Part 4 on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

This is the fourth blog devoted to bus activity in Reading. The earlier blogs were published on 20/02/16, 30/04/16 & 09/07/16.

 

YN08 HYW ‘Reading Buses’ 859 Scania N230UD / Optare Olympus on

‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

One of five buses branded for route 33 which serves The Tilehust Triangle, Turnhams Farm, Little Heath Road before terminating at Chapel Hill.

 

SN61 BDE ‘Reading Buses’ 229 Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 400H

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

One of a batch of 14 buses branded for ‘purple 17’. A route that starts on the Wokingham Road, then runs into the town centre. Then working along the Oxford Road into Tilehurst terminating at Tilehurst Water Tower.

 

YX64 VLV ‘Reading Buses’ 65 an Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 200.

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

One of three branded for Park & Ride services from Winnersh Triangle on route 500.

 

 

KE07 EWB ‘Arriva the Shires’ 3871 Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

 After the glorious technicolour of ‘Reading Buses’. I find ‘Arriva’s livery a bit ordinary.

KX59 GNU ‘Reading Buses’ 1210 Dennis Trident / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk'

 

 

One of a pair of buses bought second hand branded as ‘Lion’ which is numbered 4/X4. Serving Winnersh Wokingham and terminating in Bracknell.

 

New to ‘Portsmouth University’ before passing to ‘Dawson Rentals’.

 

 

TF56 OXF Thames Travel 855 Mercedes-Benz Citaro

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

Working service X39 to Oxford where at one time it was part o the ‘Oxford Bus Company’ fleet.

 

 

YN08 MMO ‘Reading Buses’ 1113 Scania CN270UD Omnideka

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

Wearing ‘Reading Buses’ ‘Generic’ livery which is what they paint their none route branded buses in. Effectively then these buses become fleet ‘spares’ and are able to operate anywhere on any route.

RX12 HNV ‘Horsemen of Royal Berkshire’ Mercedes-Benz Vario / Plaxton Cheetah

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

 

YN57 FWG ‘Reading Buses’ 1031 Scania 230UB / Wright Solar

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

Although Reading has a substantial gas powered bus fleet (see blog dated 30/04/16) there is still the odd diesel in the fleet.

 

Again painted in the Generic ‘go anywhere’ livery.

 

 

 

RE63 EOH ‘Reading Buses 163 Wright Streetlite DF

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

The only one of its type branded in the Pink 27/29 livery.

 

Branded for the pink routes which is a series of 6 routes, the 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 and 29 which serve a large area around Caversham, Caversham Heights, Caversham Park and Emmer Green to the North of the town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

I passed through Reading on the way to somewhere else so I just had to look at the bus scene there.

 

I arrived by train to find the area outside the station to be the centre of bus activity.

 

The Reading/Heathrow ‘railair’ service leaves from directly outside Reading railway station.

 

This was waiting for its next trip.

 

YX11 HPO ‘First Berkshire’ 20806 Volvo B9R / Plaxton Panther 2 on

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

 

YX11 HPO ‘First Berkshire’ 20806 Volvo B9R / Plaxton Panther 2 on

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

 

 

CU04 AYP ‘First Berkshire’ 20550 Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther on

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

 

Used as a ‘spare bus’ on the Reading/Heathrow ‘railair’ service it waits directly outside Reading railway station.

 

It has seen some use within the ‘First’ empire having been new to ‘First Cymru’ for ‘National Express’ work and later with ‘First Hampshire’.

 

’Reading Transport’ (RT) is well known for its positive views on the provision of public transport and indeed has been recognised nationally by winning awards for its efforts.

 

Usually at the forefront of technology, there is much to see and admire.

 

 

SN60 EDC ‘Reading Buses’ 204 Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400H on

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

 

Branded for route ‘yellow 26’ which serves Southcote, Ford’s Farm, Beansheaf and Calcot from outside the railway station.

 

YY64 VRP ‘Reading Buses’ 755 Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 400 MMC on

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

 

Branded for route ‘claret 21’ which serves Christchurch Green, The University of Reading and Lower Earley from outside the railway station.

YY15 OYK ‘Reading Buses’ 768 Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400 MMC on

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

 

Branded for ‘emerald’ routes 5, 6 & 6A which serves (5) Corbridge Road and Northumberland Avenue and (6, 6A) Basingstoke Road, Tesco and Whitley Wood from outside the railway station.

 

 

 

LR52 KVZ ‘Reading Buses’ 522 Dennis Trident / Plaxton President on

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

 

Branded for ‘Schools Silver Star’ it previously worked in London for ‘Metroline’ as its

TP 358.

 

Strangely described on ‘Reading Transport’s own fleet list as being bodied by Alexander !!

 

 

YX64 VRU ‘Reading Buses’ 758 Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 400 MMC on

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

 

Painted in a grey livery which is described on ‘Reading Transport’s own fleet list as ‘Generic’ which I take to mean unbranded. 

 

Effectively making them ‘spare buses’ and able to work as such on any route requiring their services.

 

YN07 LFG ‘Reading Buses’ 840 Scania N230UD / Optare Olympus on

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

 

Branded ‘Sky Blue’ for routes 15 & 16 which serve (15) Dee Park and Tilehurst Triangle and (16) Oxford Road, Overdown Road and Purley.

 

 

YN08 MKV ‘Reading Buses’ 1105 Scania CN270UD OmniCity on

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

 

 

 

Branded for the pink routes which is a series of 6 routes. The 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 and 29 which serve a large area around Caversham, Caversham Heights, Caversham Park and Emmer Green to the North of the town.

 

 

 

YN08 MKZ ‘Reading Buses’ 1107 Scania CN270UD OmniCity on

 

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

 

Nominally branded for the pink routes (see the lower front panel) which is a series of 4 routes. The 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 and 29 which serve a large area around Caversham, Caversham Heights, Caversham Park and Emmer Green to the North of the City.

 

Carrying additional branding for Reading College.

 

 

BF62 JZK ‘Stewarts Coaches of Mortimer’ Mercedes-Benz Citaro on

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

 

Working on the shuttle from ‘Thames Valley Park’ which is a high tech business park on the Eastern side of the town.

‘Scene’ on the Isle of Wight (IoW)

A flying visit (literally as I went by Hovercraft from Southsea) allowed me to sample yet again the delights that the island has to offer.

 

Ryde is a genuine passenger interchange where the Hovercraft meets up with the trains, buses and the passenger and vehicle ferries that work to Portsmouth from Ryde pier head.

 

The current Hovercraft fleet consists of AP1-88 units built by The British Hovercraft Corporation.

 

It is surprising to note that the ‘Hovercraft’ service to the ‘IoW’ was 50 years old in 2015.

 

A Hovercraft at rest with the air cushion effect engines switched off.

 

Hovercraft with the cushion effect engines running just prior to takeoff showing the ‘puffed up’ effect that is produced and which carries the machine across the water.

The service is normally maintained with two ‘craft’ in service however on the day we travelled, the second machine was having work done on one of the engines.

 

The ‘Mainline’ railway on the island which runs down the Eastern side of the island as far as Shanklin is operated by ‘South West Trains’ who are a part of the ‘Stagecoach’ group.

 

The islands railways have a fascinating history dating back to the 1860’s and is well worth further investigation.

 

Todays services are operated with former London Transport Underground units made up of 1938 built stock.

 

Ryde Bus Station is of drive in, reverse out layout boasting 8 stands and a couple of lay over bays. 

 

It is operated by the islands long standing operator ‘Southern Vectis’ (SV) who are a part of the ‘Go-Ahead’ group.

 

‘SV’ is a predominantly double deck fleet which is presumably to cope with the large numbers of people who holiday on the island.

 

Painted mainly in a traditional green livery the buses are always attractive and well turned out.

 

HW63 FHH

 

A Dennis Trident 2 with Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) Enviro 400 bodywork has just arrived from Newport.

 

HW58 ARZ

A Scania CN270UD OmniCity departing for Bembridge.

 

HW62 CJE

 

An Optare Solo SR operated by ‘SV’ in its ‘Vectis blue’ livery. 

 

These and a similarly liveried batch of ‘ADL’ Enviro 400’s specifically ordered for schools services are used for normal services when not required for delivering children.

 

VDL 744

A Scania CN270UD OmniCity of ‘SV’ that suffered fire damage and as a result was converted to open top becoming O76F. Formerly HW58 ASX.

 

K743 ODL

 

A Leyland Olympian with a Northern Counties part open top body that at one time was part of the normal ‘SV’ fleet.

 

HW58 ATF

 

Another Scania 270UD Omnicity leaving Ryde on its way to Shanklin.

 

One of our favourite walks is along the seafront from Sandown to Shanklin. I have been aware of the timber structures that have been erected to prevent rock falls from damaging the footway or the people on it.

It was only when I looked more closely at the timber structure that the layout of the bolt holes show that at one time the timber was used as sleepers on the parts of the ‘IoW’ that no longer exist.