‘Scene’ in K & H Doyle of Alfreton’s fleet part 2

It is now one year since ‘Doyle’s shut down. I do not know why they did. What I do know is that for a period of 25 years or so, they brought extra colour and interest to the East Midlands transport scene.

 

Time then before memories fade for a retrospective of the company.

 

The early buses in the fleet were a beige colour and some never made it into fleet livery. In addition one or two appeared in advertising liveries. (See blog dated 14/01/2015)

 

After that, there were two distinct liveries adorning the fleet. The lime green and purple and the overall green. 

 

My son Andrew likened the lime green and purple livery to 

 

     “Looking like a fading bruise”.

 

I was fortunate to meet Mr. Doyle on a number of occasions. The first time was on a ‘Transpire’ (The Chesterfield Bus Society) visit to his premises in Alfreton. It was an evening visit and he was kind enough to conduct us around and then to give us the run of the place to take whatever pictures we wanted. Some of them appear here.

 

I will deal with the other liveries in additional blogs.

 

I believe this to be P568 PRE.

An LDV Convoy dating from 1996/7 seating 8. By the time of this image it appeared to be on its way out. 

Seen at Lydford Road depot (LR)

 

N996 KUS

 

A Mercedes-Benz 709D (MB) with UVG bodywork. At one time it had worked for ‘Arriva’ in Wales.

 

M457 UUR

Another ‘MB’ an 811D which came from Lancashire United. seen on Ripley Market Place.

 

L953 MBH

Another ’MB’ 811D this time with Plaxton bodywork seen in Belper. At one time it worked for ‘Sovereign Buses’. After service with Doyle’s it was sold to a ‘theme park’ at Doncaster.

 

M460 EDH

A ‘MB’ 811D with Marshall bodywork was also sold to a ‘theme park’ at Doncaster. Seen on Ripley market place. It was previously with ‘Arriva Midlands North’.

 

S287 UAL

A ‘MB’ 814D with Plaxton Beaver 2 bodywork.

It was built for ‘Trent Buses’ (TB) and fitted with Dual Purpose seats. One of 7 so built the other 18 being bus seated. The thinking was that they could be used on long, thinner routes where a bit more comfort was desirable.

 

This particular bus worked for 'TB for some time on the ‘Ilkeston Flyer’ service and another, R275 RAU worked on the X38 service from Derby to Burton-on-Trent.

 

Seen in Alfreton.

 

M273 URC

A ’MB’ 811D with Wright Nimbus bodywork was earlier with ‘TB’ and its  fellow 'Wellglade' member ‘Notts & Derby’.

 

Again seen in Alfreton.

 

MX53 FDZ

An Optare Solo Seen at the Alfreton depot was at one time with ‘PaulsTravel’ / ‘Easyrider’ (Huddersfield). After its service with Doyle’s it moved to ‘Ace Travel’ in Liverpool.

Seen at 'LR'

YN53 SVJ

Another Solo Seen in Derby. At one time it worked in Perth for ‘Stagecoach’.

Seen in Derby.