‘Scene’ In and Around West Bromwich Bus Station ‘Diamond Bus West Midlands’ 1 on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

A day out train and tram riding in the West Midlands took friend Peter Rose and myself into pastures new recently when the transport delights of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich were explored.

 

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.

 

The bus station in West Bromwich is located across the road from a tram stop on the ‘West Midlands Metro’ (Tramway) and is easily accessible from either Birmingham or Wolverhampton.

 

In 2016 ‘West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive’ which had controlled transport in the area since 1969 was dissolved following the establishment of the ‘West Midlands Combined Authority’.

 

In the fullness of time, their transport arm was established under the name of ‘Transport for West Midlands’.

 

This body introduced its own livery using two shades of red with a cream highlight.

 

The plan, as I understood it, was to re-paint all the buses into this new livery no matter who the operator might be although allowing different operators to use their own fleet names.

 

Whilst there are many buses working in this livery, there are also many others working in other liveries.

 

BX52 FDC ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 30526, 42 43, West Bromwich | Great Bridge | Tipton.

Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse /1

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

 

New to ‘Flights Hallmark’ who are a part of ‘Diamond Bus’.

 

 

 

BX52 FDC ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 30526, 42 43, West Bromwich | Great Bridge | Tipton.

Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse /2

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

 

 

 

 

YJ14 CCE ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 32136, West Midlands Bus.

VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar

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

 

New to ‘Claribel Coaches’ whose bus operations became part of ‘Diamond Bus’ in 2022.

 

 

 

 

BX62 FEU ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 30525, West Midlands Bus.

Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban 2

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

 

New to ‘Flights Hallmark’ who are a part of ‘Diamond Bus’.

 

 

 

SK17 HHL ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 32238, West Midlands Bus.

Wright Streetlite D/F

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

 

New to ‘Wright’s as a demonstrator.

 

‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit. At the Various Premises of R.S. Tyrer Ltd., Farnworth, Bolton 8 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.

 

‘Tyrers’ has a history stretching back to 1972 when Bob Tyrer at the age of 58 started his own business with a single, Leyland engined, Plaxton bodied Bedford coach.

 

Today, the company operates over 100 vehicles out of three separate bases in the area.

 

‘Tyrers’ provided the transport for our second morning until lunchtime, which was taken in Manchester.

 

TYR 15R ‘Tyrers Coaches Ltd,’.

VDL FHD2-129 / VDL

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

 

New registered YK15 OJR.

 

 

 

 

TYR 34R ‘Tyrers Coaches Ltd,’.

Mercedes-Benz 516CDI / Ferqui 

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

 

 

 

 

YN56 FAM ‘Tyrers Coaches Ltd,’.

Scania CN230UB / OmniCity /1

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

 

New to ‘Reading Transport’ No. 10 but acquired from ‘Nottingham City Transport'.

 

 

 

YN56 FAM ‘Tyrers Coaches Ltd,’.

Scania CN230UB / OmniCity /2

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

 

 

 

 

YJ07 JWE ‘Tyrers Coaches Ltd,’.

VDL SB200 / Plaxton Centro

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

 

The VOR notice behind the windscreen does not bode well.

 

New to ‘Fishwick’, Leyland, Lancs.

 

At one time, ‘Fishwick’ buying anything other than a Leyland would have been unthinkable.

 

Acquired from ‘Pulham’, Bourton-on-the-Water.

 

‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit At the Premises of ‘ATLANTIC TRAVEL (GB) Ltd’., Bolton 3 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.

 

This was to be the last visit on the Saturday.

 

‘ATLANTIC TRAVEL (GB) Ltd’., has a history dating back to 2007 and in that time have gathered together a very well kept fleet.

 

Coincidentally, their depot is located next door to that of ‘Diamond Bus (North West) Ltd’.

 

YX71 OHE ‘ATLANTIC TRAVEL (GB) Ltd’.

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

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

 

 

 

 

YX71 OHC ‘ATLANTIC TRAVEL (GB) Ltd’.

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

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

 

 

 

 

BF23 CMU ‘ATLANTIC TRAVEL (GB) Ltd’.

Mercedes-Benz Tourismo

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

 

The newest member of the fleet.

 

 

 

 

 

SN16 BRV ‘ATLANTIC TRAVEL (GB) Ltd’.

Mercedes-Benz 1023L / UNVI Voyager GT

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

 

One of a number of designs produced by a variety of manufacturers to replace the Mercedes-Benz 814D/Plaxton Cheetah combination.

 

The Cheetah going out of production due to M-B ceasing production of the chassis.

 

New to ‘DCL Travel’, Graham Park, Greater London.

 

 

 

 

FJ56 OBY ‘ATLANTIC TRAVEL (GB) Ltd’.

Scania K340EB4 / Caetano Levante1

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

 

The VOR (Vehicle Off Road) notice behind the windscreen and lack of identifying vinyls makes me think that it might not be around for much longer.

 

New to ‘Thames Transit’ for use on ‘national express’ contracts but acquired from ‘Avacab’, Leyland, Lancs.

 

 

 

 

YJ58 FFG ‘ATLANTIC TRAVEL (GB) Ltd’.

VDL SB200 / Plaxton Centro

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

 

New to ‘Arriva’, Gomersal, West Yorkshire.

 

 

‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit In Bolton Town Centre 4 ‘Other Operators on Dennis Basford’srailsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Hands up those of you that spotted yesterdays mistake ???

I accidentally posted 2 blogs on the same day.

 

Prior to posting the images of ‘Tyrers’ Volvo B9TL/ Optare Olympus, I had already posted the first of a series of blogs featuring the West Midlands. 

 

This included only the second Wright Hydroliner to appear in any of my blogs.

 

So it’s worth having a look at!!

 

The sixth 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.

 

An hour lunch break was taken in Bolton where, inevitably, interest centred on the bus station.

 

The arrival of a large group of mainly men, mainly wearing Hi-Viz vests, many armed with cameras and jostling to take pictures provoked a lot of good natured banter with the local population.

 

I was asked twice by passers-by if the King was coming!

 

YX69 NTK ‘The Blackburn Bus Company’ (BBC) No. 507.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200MMC /1

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

 

One of a batch of 13 buses all carrying the same branding.

 

New to ‘Lancashire United’ No. 507. THE 1, Blackburn to Darwen to Bolton.

 

‘BBC’ is part of the ‘Transdev’ group.

 

 

 

 

YX69 NTK ‘The Blackburn Bus Company’ (BBC) No. 507.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. E20D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200MMC /2

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

 

 

 

 

YJ62 FSE ‘VISION BUS LTD’.

Optare Versa V1110

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

 

New to ‘de Courcey’, Coventry No. 577.

 

 

 

 

BD64 NCC ‘Diamond Bus North West’ No. 33017.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro

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

 

New to ‘Dunn’ trading as ‘yourbus’ No. 3108, Heanor, Derbyshire.

 

A company local to me in the East Midlands that went out of business in October 2019.

 

 

 

 

LJ13 GLK ‘VISION BUS LTD’.

Wright Streetlite D/F

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

 

New to ‘London General’ No. WS32.

 

 

 

 

CX58 EVC ‘Arriva North West’ No. 2682.

VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar

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

 

New to ‘Arriva Liverpool’.

 

The livery is referred to as ‘Arriva 2009’.

 

 

 

 

CX58 EVF ‘Arriva North West’ No. 2684, SAPPHIRE.

VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar

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

 

The ‘SAPPHIRE’ livery was introduced at the time ’Stagecoach’ introduced its ‘gold’ livery.

 

The purpose in both cases was to indicate to the travelling public that buses so identified were built to a superior specification to ‘ordinary’ buses.

 

The ‘SAPPHIRE’ livery now seems to be being phased out.

 

‘Arriva’ buses local to me in Derby are being painted in the current light blue with no reference to ‘SAPPHIRE’.

 

Still, interesting, while it lasted.

 

 

 

 

MX12 KWU ‘Arriva North West’ No. 3126.

VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar

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

 

New to the ‘TGM Group’ (Telling Golden Miller) who became part of ‘Arriva’ in 2007.

 

Painted in the current ‘Arriva’ standard pale blue livery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Scene’ in Loughborough 3 ‘Centrebus’ on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Just over 10 miles north of Leicester, Loughborough is an interesting town from a transport point of view being on the Midland Main Line and the Grand Union Canal.

 

In addition, there is a frequent and varied range of bus connections supplied on the day I was there by five different operators. 

 

‘Centrebus’, founded in 2001, are headquartered in Leicester but operate across widely across the midland counties.

 

A revised livery has recently been introduced.This introduces more blue and reduces the amount of white.The main colour still being orange.

 

Both liveries appear in this blog.

 

Images in this and all my other blogs can be viewed in a larger format on my Flickr page by double clicking on the image seen here.

 

YJ14 BGU ‘Centrebus’ No. 330.

Optare Solo M900SR /1

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

 

New to ‘Richmond’ as NHS1.

 

 

 

 

YJ14 BGU ‘Centrebus’ No. 330.

Optare Solo M900SR /2

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

 

 

 

 

YJ57 XWG ‘Centrebus’ No. 769.

Optare Versa V1110

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

 

New to ‘Burnley & Pendle’ as No. 269.

 

 

 

 

 

YJ16 DXY ‘Centrebus’ No. 314.

Optare Solo M8900SR

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

 

New to ‘Centrebus East’.

 

 

 

 

KB10 BUS ‘Centrebus’ No. 758.

VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar 2

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

 

New to ‘Kimes’, Folkingham, Lincolnshire as No. 510.

 

It came into ‘Centrebus’ ownership when they took over ‘Kimes’ in 2011.

 

 

 

 

YJ57 BCU ‘Centrebus’ No. 743.

VDL SB200 / Plaxton Centro

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

 

New to ‘Arriva’, Gomersal, West Yorks.

 

 

 

 

YX61 DOU ‘Centrebus’ No. 578.

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

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

 

New to ‘Alexander Dennis Ltd.,’ Falkirk where it worked as a demonstrator.

 

In that capacity, it spent time with, amongst others, ‘Faresaver’, Chippenham, Wilts., ‘Waverley Travel’ in Edinburgh and ‘Newport Transport’.

 

‘Scene’ in Leicester, ‘Arriva Midlands’ 2 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

I had not been to Leicester for some years but I had read that the rebuilding of St. Margaret’s Bus Station had been completed so I thought another visit was due.

 

The new bus station has been rebuilt virtually following the original’s footprint.

 

The building is new and it would appear to be equipped with all the facilities  I would expect.

 

The only major change, as far as I could see, is that buses can now leave the bus station directly onto the A594 Burleys Way.

 

A significant saving of both time and fuel.

 

Friend Peter Rose joined me for the day and whilst we were attracted initially by the new St. Margaret’s, we spent most of our time at the nearby Haymarket Bus Station.

 

All the images pictured in this blog are pictured on Haymarket.

 

YJ69 AAV ‘Arriva Midlands’ No. 7102. X6.

Temsa Safari HD12

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

 

The X6 service runs from Leicester to Coventry.

 

New to ‘Arriva The Shires

 

 

 

TUI 7934 ‘Arriva Midlands’ No. 3803, arriva sapphire.

VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar

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

 

New registered MX13 AKG to ‘Arriva Merseyside’ as No. 3157.

 

 

 

 

 

YX17 NYM ‘Arriva Midlands’ No. 3142.

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

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

 

The nearside, lower panelling seems to have taken a battering.

 

New to ‘Arriva Kent & Surrey’.

 

 

 

 

YJ09 OUB ‘Arriva Midlands’ No. 2530.

Optare Solo M950

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

 

 

 

 

YX17 NLA ‘Arriva Midlands’ No. 3101.

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

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

 

 

 

 

MX61 AWY ‘Arriva Midlands’ No. 3810.

VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar

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

 

New to ‘Arriva Merseyside’ as No. 3067.

 

 

 

 

BF67 WGU ‘Arriva Midlands’ No. 1014.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 45

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

 

New to ‘Arriva Kent Thameside’.

 

Employed as a crew ferry.

 

 

 

 

YJ61 MJE ‘Arriva Midlands’ No. 2942.

Optare Versa M1110

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

 

New to ‘Arriva Midlands North’.

 

‘Scene’ in Leeds, ‘ARRIVA’ on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

The ‘Arriva’ group like many other operators have brightened up their livery in recent times.

 

The original livery pictured in the first image seems almost archaic when compared to todays offering.

 

YJ62 JHH ‘ARRIVA Yorkshire’ No. 1474.

VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar

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

 

 

 

 

SN15 LNV ‘ARRIVA Yorkshire’ No. 1933 ‘arriva sapphire’ ‘229’.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E40D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro400 /1

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

 

 

 

 

 

SN15 LNV ‘ARRIVA Yorkshire’ No. 1933 ‘arriva sapphire’ ‘229’.

Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E40D / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro400 /2

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

 

 

 

 

SN69 ZXL ‘ARRIVA Yorkshire’ No. 1577 ‘arriva sapphire’ ‘110’.

Wright Streetdeck Micro Hybrid

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

 

 

 

 

SN15 LLU ‘ARRIVA Yorkshire’ No. 1926 ‘MAX from arriva’ 202/203’.

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

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

 

 

 

 

SN15 LNT ‘ARRIVA Yorkshire’ No. 1931 ‘arriva sapphire’.

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

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

 

 

 

 

YJ14 BWW ‘ARRIVA Yorkshire’ No. 792 ‘arriva sapphire’ ‘167/168’.

Optare Versa V1170

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

 

New to ‘White Rose’