'Scene' in Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s motto which appears on the towns coat of arms is one word ‘Aspire’ which I have always thought a clever play on words.

 

Everyone, I think ‘Aspires’ to do or be something in life. (in my case it is to be a better photographer).

 

While Chesterfield’s unique landmark by which it is known worldwide is ‘A spire’. The one that adorns the church. As I say, clever.

 

So what was there to see of a transport nature.

 

I travelled by ‘trentbarton’s (tb) ‘red arrow’ service which is usually the province of suitably painted coaches. Today there were more buses than coaches. I travelled home on the ‘Mango’ bus but the light was too poor for photography so in true ‘Blue Peter’ fashion, here is one I took earlier. 

FJ08 WHS

A Wright bodied Volvo B7RLE.

FJ55 AAZ

A Wight bodied Scania L94UB.

FJ09 XPL

Another Volvo/Wright combination wearing what was the ‘old’ fleet livery.

‘tb’s associate company TM Travel turned up with a trio of Optare Solo’s in an assortment of liveries. All of them were members of the main ‘tb’ fleet at on time.

W411 YAL

 

W413 YAL

 

 

X631 ERB

 

NH11 MTH 

The only coach to put in an appearance on the coach bays was this sparkling clean SETRA S415GT-HD of

'National Holidays' which had delivered a party of holiday makers from Hull to sample Chesterfield before taking them back to their hotel in Leicestershire.

 

The ‘pronto’  from Chesterfield to Nottingham via Mansfield service is run as a joint venture by ‘tb’ and Stagecoach and samples of both fleets visit are pictured.

 

FX09 DCE

A MAN 18.240 powered Alexander Dennis  (ADL) Enviro 300 from Stagecoach.

 

and FJ03 VVY 

another Scania L94UB/Wright bus from ‘tb’

 

 

The  ‘Stagecoach’ fleets nationwide have become standardized over the years but if you look there is usually something a bit different.

 

1975 HE

Is a Dennis Trident with Alexander’s ALX 400 bodywork which is common enough but what makes this bus different is that it carries a registration which I think is a cherished registration from the old ‘Yorkshire Traction’ (YT) company from the days before ‘YT’ joined ‘Stagecoach’.

 

YN54 VKB

A Scania 94UD with East Lancs Omnidekka bodywork which I believe was ordered by ‘YT’ again in pre ‘Stagecoach’ days.

 

FT13 NZU

Is a Dennis Trident 2 with Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 bodywork.

What makes this a bit different is that it is based at Worksop and as a consequence of that carries

‘Lincolnshire Road Car’ legal titling.

 

 

G & J Holmes of Clay Cross are a small but long lived company. On the day, they were represented by,

 

YX63 GYK 

An ADL Enviro 200 that has recently joined the fleet. Seen here loading for the lengthy run to Buxton.

 

and YN54 XXP

A Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied Mercedes-Benz Vario. A type declining in numbers. At one time both ‘TM Travel’ and ‘Stagecoach’ used them in the town. 

 

As a photographer, I am used to getting mixed reactions from bus drivers. Most of the time they ignore me or are neutral to my being there. 

 

I get far more thumbs up than thumbs down. However, I have never before received the rapturous welcome that I got from this ‘Stagecoach’ driver.

 

Thank you young man, Sir Brian would be proud of you !!