‘Scene’ this week in Derby and Burton on Trent

It is a while since I have visited either place so with a free day, what better?

 

‘Skills’ of Nottingham have recently taken over some of the ‘yourbus’ ‘National Express’ (NE) work at very short notice. 

 

Some coaches have come from ‘Parks of Hamilton’ whilst a number have come from ‘NE’ reserve stock.

 

MIG 9440 formerly (FJ07 DVP) is one of five from this latter source.

 

A Scania K340EB6 with Caetano Levante bodywork  is seen leaving for London on service 440.

 

These 6 wheel vehicles accommodate 61 passengers.

 

YN08 CWU

A Volvo B7RLE with Plaxton Centro bodywork working for ‘Wellglade’ group member ‘Notts & Derby’ in ‘unibus’ livery.

It has been cascaded from fellow ‘Wellglade’ group member ‘Kinchbus’ where it had previously worked on the ‘skylink’ service.

 

This was the first time I had seen this bus since its repaint.

 

YJ11 OHK

An Optare Solo of ‘Arriva Midlands’.

 

in what I at first thought was a route branded livery but closer inspection shows it to be a Co-op advert !

 

HSK 659

 

A Volvo B9R with Plaxton Elite bodywork. 

 

Operated by ‘Parks of Hamilton’ on ‘NE’ contracts. 

On its way to Torquay and Brixham.

 

YRC 182

 

A Volvo B10M with Plaxton Interurban bodywork working on ’tb’s ‘red arrow’ service to Chesterfield.

 

I have photographed this bus many times before and I make no apologies for doing so again because in the ‘red arrow’ fleet it is my favourite (and the oldest). 

 

I feel that with new Volvo/Plaxton coaches soon for delivery, this MUST be a casualty so it might be the last time I see it.......

 

 

YJ56 KAO

 

A VDL SB120 with Plaxton Centro bodywork operated by ‘Wellglade’ group member ‘Notts & Derby’.

 

Nothing unusual about this you may think except that it is operating in Burton on Trent for ‘Midland Classic’ (MC) (see the small sticker in the windscreen). 

 

Rumour has it that it is on loan to cover a temporary vehicle shortage at ‘MC’.

 

 

JB14 MCL

 

An Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E200 of ‘MC’ waits its next duty.

 

I think that the registration owes something to the company’s owner Mr. James Boddice.

 

 

YY64 YKC

 

Another ‘ADL’ product this Enviro 200 former demonstrator might have suffered some damage whilst with ‘MC’ as it was allover white when it arrived.

 

 

YJ07 VSC

 

An Optare Tempo of ‘trentbarton’ (tb) on the jointly operated (with Arriva) X38 Burton-Derby express service.

 

If the rumours are correct then the ‘tb’ share in this route could see the Tempo’s replaced by former ‘red arrow’ 10 plate Scania/Irizar coaches. We shall see!

 

I had really gone to Burton to see the former London United East Lancs bodied Scania’s but non of them put in an appearance so I had to make do with this and what a bus to make do with !

JB10 MCL

 

A Scania N230UD with Optare Olympus bodywork of ‘MC’. I have said it before but this really is a superb vehicle.

 

This bus appeared at the ‘Showbus’ rally at Duxford last year.