‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit ‘Drakelow Business Park’ 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.

 

The fifth and final visit of the day and of the weekend was to the ‘Drakelow Business Park’ to the South of Burton on Trent.

 

Most of the coaches I saw with DE-LUXE carried the names of British Battleships.

 

XJZ 222 ‘DE-LUXE COACH SERVICES’, Burton on Trent, ‘FURIOUS’.

Volvo B12B / Jonkheere

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

 

New registered FX58 SXD but acquired from ‘Last Passive’, Eire where it was registered 09-D-2777.

 

 

 

 

L5 NHA ‘DE-LUXE COACH SERVICES’, Burton on Trent, ‘INVINCIBLE’.

VOLVO B10M / Berkhof

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

 

New to ‘Abridge’, Hadleigh.

 

 

 

 

222 KTO ‘DE-LUXE COACH SERVICES’, Burton on Trent, 

‘ST. VINCENT’.

Volvo B7R / Sunsundegui Sideral on 

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

 

Formerly registered OCZ 1119 with ’Cropley Coaches,’ Fosdyke, Lincs. from where it was purchased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

VCZ 221 ‘DE-LUXE COACH SERVICES’, Burton on Trent, ‘RODNEY’.

Toyota Optimo / Caetano

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

 

New registered W59 SJH to ‘Horseman Coaches Ltd.’ Reading, Berks. but acquired from ‘Transport Direct’, Bramshall, Staffs.

 

 

 

 

DLX 21E ‘DE-LUXE COACH SERVICES’, Burton on Trent, ‘BENBOW’. 

Ford Transit 

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

 

 

 

 

222 GDY ‘DE-LUXE COACH SERVICES’, Burton on Trent.

Volvo B12BT / Plaxton elite

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

 

With the front panel that carries the registration plate missing, I had to rely on the rear registration plate for the details of the owner.

 

Previously registered YN09 HRF and LD55 RFC.

 

Acquired from ‘Cropper’, Guiseley, West Yorks.

 

 

 

 

N222 UPD ‘DE-LUXE COACH SERVICES’, Burton on Trent.

Manufacturer unknown / 1

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

 

 

 

 

N222 UPD ‘DE-LUXE COACH SERVICES’, Burton on Trent.

Manufacturer unknown / 2

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

 

 

 

 

‘Scene’ in Sutton Coldfield, smaller operators on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

I mean no disrespect to the smaller operators pictured but when 

‘National Express West Midlands’ is the main operator then all the other operators are small by comparison.

 

YJ59 BCU ‘Claribels’. VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar 2

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

 

 

 

 

YJ58 FDV ‘Claribels’. VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar

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

 

 

 

 

YJ56 KCV ‘Claribels’. VDL SB200 / Plaxton Centro

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

 

 

 

 

YX17 NYW ‘Claribels’. Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E20D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200

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

 

 

 

 

BV63 OES ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 30164. Wright Streetlite D/F

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

 

 

 

 

BU08 DBV ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 30852. Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclpse Urban

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

 

 

 

 

BU12 LJV ‘Diamond Bus’ No. 21107. Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) Enviro 200 / ‘ADL’ Enviro 200

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

 

New to ‘Central Group’ Perry Barr trading as ‘Central Connect’ who were taken over by ‘Diamond Bus’ a member of the ‘Rotala’ group.

 

Still wearing most of its ‘Central Connect’ livery.

 

 

 

 

BX09 OYY ‘West Midlands Fire Service’. Volvo B7R / Plaxton Profile

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

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

 

I was on a PSV Circle organised visit round a selection of operators in East Yorkshire.

 

The ‘Stagecoach’ depot was quiet with most of what was on show seen here.

 

T461 BNL ‘Stagecoach East Midland’ No. 22461 ‘driver training’. MAN 18.220LF / Alexander ALX 300

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

 

New to ‘Busways’ as its No. 461.

 

 

 

T162 MVM ‘Stagecoach East Midland’ No. 22162 ‘driver training’. MAN 18.220LF / Alexander ALX 300

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

 

New to ‘Greater Manchester South’ as its No. 162.

 

 

 

KX58 NBJ ‘Lincolnshire Road Car Co.’ No. 53601 ’megabusplus.com’. Volvo B9R / Plaxton Panther

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

 

The ‘blurb’ on the coach side indicates that the service runs from Hull by road to 

‘East Midlands Parkway’ railway station where  passengers transfer to train for the onward journey to London.

 

 

 

YN64 AOZ ‘Stagecoach East Midland’ No. 15179 ‘interconnect’. Scania N230UD / Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) Enviro 400 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ 

 

Based in Grimsby and more used to working in Lincolnshire. It had been on loan to Hull depot and was waiting to be returned later in the day.

 

 

 

YX67 VHE ‘Stagecoach East Midland’ No. 26173 ‘Humber Fast Cat, Moggy’. ADL E20D / ADL Enviro 200MMC

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

 

The ‘Humber Fast Cat’ service is run jointly with ‘East Yorkshire Motor Services’ linking Scunthorpe with Hull.

 

For previous ‘Fast Cat’ images see blog published 26/08/2017.

 

 

 

 

SV54 BYZ ‘Stagecoach East Midland’ No. 53208 ‘Love your X’. Volvo B7R / Plaxton Prima

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

 

New to ‘Stagecoach Bluebird’.

 

 

 

MK02 EGV ‘Stagecoach East Midland’ No. 17727. Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX 400

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

 

New to ‘Greater Manchester South’ as its No. 1627.

 

It has a slightly abandoned look about it. Window missing, access door open. Not long for this world perhaps ?

 

‘Scene’ in the Southwest. ‘The X46, Torquay to Exeter’ on ‘Dennis Basfords railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

Whilst holidaying in Devon over the last 50 years or so, I have made the Torquay to Exeter journey and return many times by both train and bus.

 

In recent years I have generally travelled on ‘Stagecoach Southwest’ (SS) service X46.

 

At one time it ran up to 10 journeys per day but I was surprised on my most recent visit to see that this has been reduced from 10 to 4 journeys per day.

 

A number of reasons for so doing are listed by ‘SS’ including long term disruption due to roadworks during the construction of The South Devon Highway which seemed to go on for years (my italics) and rail competition.

 

(I know about the roadworks which I suffered several times, they were horrendous)

 

The gaps in the timetable have been taken up by local (Exeter) operator ‘CM Coaches’.

 

The vehicles used by ‘SS’ have been upgraded to ‘Gold’ standard but the use of the X suffix to the X46 has been dropped.

 

Going forward, it will be interesting to see.

 

If ‘CM Coaches’ continue to compete.

 

If ‘SS’ continue to dedicate ‘Gold’ standard vehicles to the service.

 

 

YN63 BXA ‘Stagecoach Southwest’ No. 15932 ’Gold’ Scania N230UD / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400

on ‘Dennis Basfords railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

 

FN52 HRO ‘CM Coaches’ Volvo B7R / Jonkheere

on ‘Dennis Basfords railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

New to ‘Jackson’, Ingleby, Arncliffe. and previously with ‘Carmel Coaches’.

 

‘Scene’ in Scotland, ‘West Coast Motors’ (WCM) and ‘Stagecoach’ (S/C) on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

‘WCM’ has become one of the largest independant operators on the West Coast of Scotland with over 200 buses and coaches being operated.

 

Oban is only one of many locations where their operations can be observed.

 

I was only there briefly so here is what I saw.

 

Other blogs looking at different elements of ‘WCM’ were published on 29th. June and 24th. July 2016.

 

 

 

Seen in the joint ‘WCM’/Scottish ‘citylink’ livery.

YT11 LVM ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 11112 Scania K360EB6 / Irizar i6

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

 

 

 

SN11 BVA ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 11106 Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 300

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

 

 

 

A treasured registration that has appeared on earlier buses in the fleet.

 

L700 WCM ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 10406 Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointer

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

 

 

 

YJ16 DZM ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 11603 Optare Solo SR

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

 

 

 

YJ15 AXW ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 11508 Optare Solo SR

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

 

 

 

New to ‘WCM’ as YJ07 EHC.

 

P600 WCM ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 10712 Optare Solo M710

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

 

 

 

 

Considering that Scotland is the home of ‘Stagecoach’, there wasn’t a lot to be seen.

 

Based and seen in Fort William. 

SV58 BNB ‘Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 19377 ‘the fort link’ Dennis Trident 2 / Alexander Enviro 400

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

 

 

 

 Based in and seen leaving Fort William.

SV55 FKB ‘Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 53227 Volvo B7R / Plaxton Profile Interurban

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen in Kyle of Lochalsh but based on the Isle of Skye.

 

S860 VAT ‘Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 52510 Volvo B10M-62 / Plaxton Premiere 350

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based and seen in Inverness.

 

Look closely and you will see the fleet number alongside the word ‘Stagecoach’ on the cove panel. Something I have not seen before.

SV61 CXZ ‘Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 28602 Scania K230UB / ALexander Enviro 300

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

 

 

 

 

Based and seen in Inverness.

 

SP55 CXL Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 47232 Optare Solo 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Scene’ Coaching in London recently part 2

It is now some time since I was in the Capital but such is the volume of bus traffic and such is the quality of the vehicles appearing that it would be a shame to leave these out.

 

One of my local operators here in the East Midlands is ‘Little’s of Ilkeston’ and it is with one of their coaches that we start.

 

PB09 LTL

A Scania K340EB4 with Irizar PB coachwork.

 

KX56 OVF

A Volvo B7R with Plaxton Profile bodywork working for London operator ‘Corbel’.

 

BN63 NYU

A Chinese built King Long XMQ6129Y working for ‘Excalibur Coaches’ who are another London based operator.

 

This coach appeared on the King Long stand at the Bus & Coach Live 2013 show at the NEC.

 

B2 EBT

A Volvo B12M with Plaxton Paragon bodywork with a cherished registration that identifies it as a member of the

‘Eddie Brown Travel’ fleet.

 

BL14 LSX

A Sunsundegui bodied Volvo working for’ Terravision’ on route A50 which takes in both Stansted Airport and London Victoria.

 

I have only seen one other of this body type which is called the SC7 and that was at the NEC last year and I commented then on its very close similarity to the Caetano Levante.

 

TUI 1646

A Dennis Javelin with Caetano Algarve 2 bodywork. Formerly registered N786 SJU.

 

Working for ‘Britannia Holidays’ who operate from the Hitchin in Hertfordshire.

 

9 HDX

This Volvo B12B/JonkheereSHV combination has to be one of the most elegant vehicles on the road.

 

Working for ‘The Travellers Choice’ who are based at Carnforth in Lancashire. 

 

An operator with a history going back over 140 years !

 

WAF CO 444

A SETRA S 415HD working for German operator ‘Engel Touristik’.

 

GB04 EBL

 

A Scania K114B4 with Irizar Century bodywork in the fleet of ‘Lucketts Travel’ of Fareham in Hampshire.

 

FDY 383

A Volvo B12B with a Volvo built body that was new to ‘Rambler Coaches Ltd.’ of Hastings in 2008 as CR08 RAM. 

 

It was reregistered to its current mark in early 2015.

 

YJ11 AMV

A Mercedes-Benz 0816D fitted with Sitcar ‘Beluga’ bodywork working for ‘Alba Coaches’.

 

I have commented before that I think the name ‘Beluga’ which is a species of whale is an unfortunate choice for what is quite a dainty coach.

 

' Scene’ on the West Coast of Scotland part 3.

Earlier this year, I had a short break staying at the Alexandra Hotel in Oban. The tour company was ‘Highland Heritage’ (HH) with whom I have no connection other than as a satisfied customer.

 

On this particular day we went to Fort William .

 

K300 WCM

A DAF SB4000 with Van Hool Alizee T9 bodywork. Formerly YD03 PFA. it was operating a ‘citylink’ service to Oban.

 

SV09 EGZ

A Volvo B7R with Plaxton ‘s Profile bodywork although in Scottish ‘citylink’ livery is a ‘Stagecoach’ vehicle based at Inverness.

 

SV09 EGJ 

Although carrying a similar registration and livery, this is a Volvo B12B with Plaxton Panther bodywork again of ‘Stagecoach’ but based in Glasgow.

 

S269 KHG

A Volvo B10M with Jonckheere Modulo bodywork. The legal titling shows the bus as being with ‘Highland Country Buses’ trading as ‘Stagecoach in the Highlands’. At one time it worked for ‘Stagecoach Bluebird’. 

 

SV55 KVB

 

A Volvo B7R with Plaxton Profile Interurban bodywork again working for ‘Stagecoach in the Highlands’. 

 

R947 XVM

A Volvo B10M with Alexander PS bodywork. It’s a long time since I saw one of these in ‘Stagecoach’ service, I thought that they had all gone.

 

SV58 BMU 

A Dennis Trident 2 with Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) Enviro 400 bodywork working for ‘Stagecoach in the Highlands’ based in Fort William and carrying branding for ‘the fort link’.

 

Fort William is at the end of the the railway line from London via Glasgow that is traversed by the ‘Caledonian Sleeper’ every night of the week except Saturday. 

 

Apart from the loco, the train that I saw was made up of  2 sleeping coaches, a comfortable day coach and what is best described as a catering car that supplies food and drink etc.

 

Hauling it was 67 011.

 

The Class 67 is  a Bo-Bo diesel electric loco that was built by Alstom at Valencia in Spain. One of 30 loco’s in the class,

 

They were built to operate on high speed mail and passenger trains. 

 

Unfortunately, the mail work dried up at about the time the loco’s were delivered and they have had to be utilized on other duties such as the Caledonian Sleeper. 

 

Others have undertaken ‘Thunderbird’ duties around the railway system which involves having loco’s stationed at strategic points from where they can be despatched to recover broken down trains. One such location where I have seen them is at Doncaster.

 

 

 

Also between duties at Fort William was Class 156 156457. This had operated the service from Glasgow.

 

The Class 156’s were built in Birmingham by Metro Cammell (now Alstom) as part of the plan to replace earlier ‘Heritage’ DMU’s and further reduce the levels of loco haulage of passenger services.