‘Scene’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit. At the Premises of ‘Vision Buses Ltd’. (VB) 3, Blackrod, Bolton 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.

 

YX61 FYN ‘Vision Buses Ltd’.

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

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

 

Within the past few months, ‘VB’ have taken delivery of a batch of these buses from ‘Tower Transit’, London.

 

They are registered YX61 FYB,C,D,E,F,G,H,J,K,L,M,N,O and P.

 

Numbered (with ‘Tower Transit’).

DML44279,44280,81,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91, and 92.

 

 

 

 

YX61 FYM ‘Vision Buses Ltd’.

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

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

 

 

 

 

YJ59 NNC ‘Vision Buses Ltd’.

Optare Solo M950

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

 

New to ‘Star Travel’ Ossett, West Yorkshire No. ST8 but acquired from ‘Selwyns’ No. 286.

 

 

 

 

MX12 JXU ‘Vision Buses Ltd’.

Wright Streetlite W/F

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

 

New to ‘Enterprise’, Peterborough but acquired from ‘Roberts’, Hugglescote, Leicestershire.

 

 

 

 

LJ13 GKO  ‘Vision Buses Ltd’.

Wright Streetlite D/F

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

 

New to and acquired from ‘London General’ No. WS24

 

 

 

 

LK07 ELJ ‘Vision Buses Ltd’.

Dennis Dart / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200

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

 

New to and acquired from ‘Metroline’ No. DES801.

 

 

 

 

YX21 RSU ‘Vision Buses Ltd’.

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

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

 

 

 

 

YX20 ODA ‘Vision Buses Ltd’.

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

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

 

‘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’ on a PSV Circle Organised Visit At the Premises of ‘Redline Travel’, Penwortham, Preston 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 small selection were on site at ‘Redlines’ premises  but belong to an independent but seemingly associated company.

 

SF04 ZXG ‘Saunders of Preston’.

Mercedes-Benz 0814D / Plaxton Beaver 2

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

 

New to ‘Brennan’, Sauchie, Scotland.

 

 

 

 

W5 SAU ‘Saunders of Preston’.

Wright Streetlite W/F

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

 

 

 

 

YJ58 CFG ‘Saunders of Preston’.

Optare Tempo X1200

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

 

New to Optare as a demonstrator.

 

 

 

 

PK60 SZD ‘Motor Services’.

Scania R440 Recovery vehicle

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

 

At one time it worked for the ‘Eddie Stobart’ group.

 

 

 

 

 

KX58 NCA Owner Not Known.

Volvo B9R / Plaxton Panther

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

 

New to ‘Stagecoach United Counties’ No. 53609 but more recently with ‘Stagecoach Bluebird’.

 

‘Scene’ out and about, ‘Bits & Pieces 3’ on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Most of my blogs have some sort of theme or purpose. 

 

There are, however, times when something just happens to turn up that does not fit any category. 

 

Collectively they are just ‘Bits & Pieces’. 

 

Individually they can be interesting.

 

See if there is anything out of these that you like.

 

MX20 HVF ‘DIAMOND BUS NORTH WEST LIMITED’ No. 20173.

Wright Streetlite W/F /1

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

 

Pictured at RHS Bridgewater, Manchester.

 

 

 

 

 

MX20 HVF ‘DIAMOND BUS NORTH WEST LIMITED’ No. 20173, ROTALA.

Wright Streetlite W/F /2

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

 

 

 

 

SN67 XBK ‘Littles Travel’ Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

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

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

 

New to ‘CT Plus’.

 

Part of the ‘HCT’ group which ceased operating in 2022.

Still wearing its ‘CT Plus’ livery.

 

Pictured leaving Sutton-in-Ashfield Bus Station, Notts.

 

 

 

 

SN67 XBK ‘Littles Travel,’ Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

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

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

 

 

 

 

K11 PSV ‘Freeway Coaches’, Pinxton, Notts.

Volvo B12B / Sunsundegui Sideral

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

 

New registered FJ57 CZK to ‘Hills’, Wolverhampton.

 

Pictured at RHS Bridgewater, Manchester.

 

 

 

 

SN64 CUJ ‘Littles Travel’, Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

Wright Streetlite WF

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

 

New to ‘London General’ No. WS38.

 

Pictured in Ripley, Derbyshire.

 

 

 

 

BIB 7670 ‘Bibby’s of Ingleton Ltd.’.

DAF SB4000 / Van Hool Alizee

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

 

This image courtesy of friend Stephen Walters and posted with his permission and my thanks.

 

 

 

 

BIB 7667 ‘Bibby’s of Ingleton Ltd’.

DAF SB4000 / Van Hool Alizee

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

 

This image courtesy of friend Stephen Walters and posted with his permission and my thanks.

 

‘Scene’ in retrospect, ‘yourbus’ part 3 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

More tomorrow. 

 

Almost at the same time that the Streetlites arrived a batch of 14 Mercedes-Benz Citaro’s joined the fleet.

 

BF62 JZG ‘yourbus’ No. 3014 ‘y5’. Mercedes-Benz Citaro

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

 

Pictured in Derby Bus Station.

 

 

 

 

BF62 JYS ‘yourbus’ No. 3016 ‘citylink’. Mercedes-Benz Citaro 

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

 

‘yb’ started a ‘citylink’ service from Derby to Nottingham in direct competition on a section of ‘trentbarton’s (tb) long established ‘red arrow’ service.

 

They matched the route and frequency which was 6 buses an hour. They even ran from adjacent stands in Derby Bus Station.

 

At the time, I thought that the low floored Citaro’s would do well against the high floored coaches that ‘tb’ then and still use.

 

It was not to be and eighteen months later the service was withdrawn.

 

‘yb’ also chose to compete directly with ‘tb’ on service H1 running between Derby and Heanor. In a short space of time it went from 3 buses an hour to 8. I doubt if anyone made any money.

 

The service was still running at the time of the shut down.

 

There were further ventures competing with ‘tb’ on sections of routes from Derby to Ripley and Eastwood. Neither of which lasted.

 

 

 

 

BD64 NBO ‘yourbus’ No. 3101. Mercedes-Benz Citaro

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

 

A surprise to me at the 2014 ‘Coach & Bus’ show at the NEC was the appearance of the new model Mercedes-Benz Citaro painted in a new livery that to me at least owed a lot to the livery then worn by the ‘Lothian Buses’ fleet in Edinburgh.

 

Nonetheless, it was big improvement over what had gone before.

 

 

 

 

BD64 NBZ ‘yourbus’ No. 3105. Mercedes-Benz Citaro

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

 

Pictured in Derby Bus Station.

 

 

 

 

BF62 JYU ‘yourbus’ No. 3018. Mercedes-Benz Citaro

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

 

Gradually, the rest of the fleet gained the new colours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MX62 GVV ‘yourbus’ No. 1204. Wright Streetlite W/F /1

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

 

Pictured in Derby Bus Station.

 

 

 

 

MX62 GVV ‘yourbus’ No. 1204. Wright Streetlite W/F /2

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

 

Pictured in Derby Bus Station.

 

 

 

‘Scene’ in retrospect, ‘yourbus’ part 2 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

The first delivery of new buses saw both Wright Streetlite D/F and Wright Streetlite W/F enter service. Six D/F’s and five W/F’s if I remember rightly.

 

Most made it into fleet livery but some stayed in dealer white until returned off lease 5 years later.

 

More tomorrow.

 

MX62 GXE ‘yourbus’ No. 1302. Wright Streetlite D/F

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

 

Pictured in Eastwood, Notts.

 

 

 

 

MX62 GWC ‘yourbus’ No. 1306. Wright Streetlite D/F

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

 

Pictured in Derby Bus Station.

 

 

 

 

MX62 GVZ ‘yourbus’ No. 1201. Wright Streetlite W/F

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

 

Pictured in Belper, Derbyshire.

 

 

 

 

MX62 GVL ‘yourbus’ No. 1201. Wright Streetlite W/F

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

 

A couple of the Streetlite W/F’s received branding for routes 110 and 111. The branding was to show the rural nature of the two routes that linked Matlock to Ashbourne.

 

The 111 is a route that my wife and I use regularly on our visits to Carsington Water.

 

There were often only a handful of passengers on the service.

 

Pictured in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

 

 

 

 

BK10 MFX ‘yourbus’ No. 3601. Volvo B7RLE /Plaxton Centro

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

 

New to ‘Veolia England’ it came to ‘yourbus’ from ‘Premiere’, a Nottingham based operator who ceased operating 2013.

 

They had been using it on a contract for Nottingham University which went to ‘yb’  when ‘Premiere’ folded.

 

When the contract finished, the bus stayed with ‘yb’.

 

Pictured in Derby Bus Station.

‘Scene’ out of service on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Something of a quick bonus blog following on from the introduction by ‘yourbus’ of Heanor of short bodied Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E20D’s with ‘ADL’ Enviro 200 bodies. (See blog dated 13/02/18).

 

This has seen the withdrawal of both wheel forward and door forward Wright Streetlites.

 

A move that has caused some surprise seeing that both types had been repainted into the latest fleet livery towards the end of 2017.

 

So here is a quick recap of how they looked.

 

 

MX62 GVV ‘yourbus’ No. 1204 Wright Streetlite W/F 

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

 

 

 

MX62 GOA ‘yourbus’ No. 1301 ‘dark red/white 2017’ livery Wright Streetlite DF 

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