Scene’ in Derby today 11th. December 2014

The main purpose in going to Derby today was to try and get a glimpse of whatever ‘trentbarton’ were using on the ‘red arrow’ services. 

 

It is well known that they are looking to update the ‘red arrow’ fleet and have already trialled a Volvo/Plaxton Leopard and possibly a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo. 

 

Rumours speak of a Plaxton Interdeck still to come.

 

All was to no avail however as nothing resembling any of these turned up, at least whilst I was there.

 

It was a bitterly cold afternoon with some low sunshine which did not help with photography. By 3 o’clock the light was starting to go so it seemed a good time to head for home.

 

However, there were one or two items of interest.

 

YY64 GWJ

An Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200 working in ‘Centrebus’ (Cb) livery on ‘High Peak Buses‘ (HPB)  ‘transpeak’ service to Buxton. ‘HPB’ being part owned by ‘Cb’.

 

The first of four, the others being  YY64 GWK, GWL and GWM. It will be interesting to see if  they make it into the ‘transpeak’ livery.

 

YN08 MRO

 

One bus that did make it into ‘transpeak’ livery is this Scania L94UB with Wright Solar bodywork that used to work in ‘Cb’ livery for the ‘Huddersfield Bus Company’. (HBC).

‘HBC’ being another ‘Cb’ company. Prior to that employment it worked for ‘Cb’ in Leeds.

 

When ‘tb’ introduced its ‘Zoom’ route last year, its rolling stock were all Optare Solo’s. They have recently been reinforced and presumably will be replaced with Scania/Wright saloons from elsewhere in the fleet.

 

FN04 HTA shows its dramatic livery to good effect. FN04 HSZ and HSD also put in an appearance.

 

R186 TKU

 

A Volvo B10M with Plaxton bodywork which at one time worked for ‘Gordons’ of Rotherham and before that was with ‘Wootens Luxury Travel’, a Buckinghamshire based operator.

 

Now upseated to 70 it would seem to be specifically aimed at the schools market.

 

I thought that when ‘Kinchbus’ got its Mercedes-Benz Citaro’s that the previous buses used on the ‘skylink’ service would be replaced. However as can be seen here that was not the case.

 

Although fellow Plaxton Centro bodied Volvo B7RLE YN08 CWU has been stripped of its branding and transferred to the associated ‘Notts and Derby’ fleet.

 

YN08 CWU is still in service.

 

FN04 HSY

 

An older Scania/Wright combination continues in service seemingly in preference to the newer Volvo’s.

 

YN04 AGY

 

A Scania L94UB with Wright Solar bodywork working on ‘tb’s ‘ilkeston flyer’ service is a survivor of the takeover of

‘Felix Bus Services’ of Stanley by ‘tb’ in 2012.

BK10 MFX 

 

A Volvo B7RLE with Plaxton Centro bodywork working for ‘yourbus’ (yb) of Heanor.

In a fleet dominated by Mercedes-Benz Citaro’s with more expected in January, it will be interesting to see if this bus survives in ‘yb’s fleet.

 

 M132 PRA

 

A Volvo B10B with Northern Counties ‘Paladin’ bodywork working in the Notts & Derby fleet. (N&D). 

 

‘N&D ‘are a member of the ‘Wellglade’ group and as such is assosciated with ‘trentbarton’, ‘Kinchbus’, ‘Midland General Omnibus Company’ and ‘TM Travel’

 

Using mainly older buses primarily on contract work many of their buses started life in the main ‘trentbarton’ fleet.

 

This bus, nearly 20 years old being one such.

 

Every time I see one of these, I think it might be the last time but they keep on going....!

 

N404 GSX

Another ‘N&D’ veteran, this time a Volvo Olympian with Alexander Royale bodywork that started life with

‘Lothian Regional Transport’ (Edinburgh) in Scotland before coming South in 2009.

 

W467 BCW

Another veteran ‘N&D’ ‘decker. This time a Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL. One of four bought from ‘London United’ in 2010. Delivered in dual doored form, it has been recently converted to single door.