Wednesday 31 August 2016

‘Scene’ ‘North of the Border 5 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

A recent short break in Scotland produced a variety of images. Some, I thought were a bit special.

 

So this is the fifth in a short series. Let me know if you like them.

 

The previous blogs were published on 18/06, 29/06, 24/07 and 04/08 all 2016.

 

For lack of space, this was parked on the boat slipway at the Kyle of Lochalsh.

 

BJ15 AVZ ‘Edwards of Llantwit Fardre’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo

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

 

BJ15 AVZ ‘Edwards of Llantwit Fardre’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

BJ15 AVZ ‘Edwards of Llantwit Fardre’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo /2

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

 

BJ15 AVZ ‘Edwards of Llantwit Fardre’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo /2 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

BJ15 AVZ ‘Edwards of Llantwit Fardre’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo /3

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

 

BJ15 AVZ ‘Edwards of Llantwit Fardre’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo /3 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

BJ15 AVZ ‘Edwards of Llantwit Fardre’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo /4

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

 

BJ15 AVZ ‘Edwards of Llantwit Fardre’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo /4 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Saturday 27 August 2016

‘Scene’ working for ‘Arriva’ in North Wales on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

‘Sapphire’ is the standard on service 12 between Llandudno and Rhyl.

 

CX14 BXE ‘Arriva Wales’ 4542 ADL E40D / ADL Enviro400

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


CX14 BXE ‘Arriva Wales’ 4542 ADL E40D / ADL Enviro400 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 



CX14 BXD ‘Arriva Wales’ 4541 ADL E40D / ADL Enviro400

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


CX14 BXD ‘Arriva Wales’ 4541 ADL E40D / ADL Enviro400 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

The seats on the ‘sapphire’ standard buses are generally excellent however the 5 that make up the back row on the upper deck appear a bit basic.

 

'Arriva' Sapphire Seats on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

CX61 CCZ ‘Arriva Wales’ 4480 VDL DB300 / Wright Gemini 2

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


CX61 CCZ ‘Arriva Wales’ 4480 VDL DB300 / Wright Gemini 2 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

Fitted with leather semi coach seats, classified as ‘Dual Purpose’ and branded for the ‘CYMRU coastliner’ service.




CX07 CUH ‘Arriva Wales’ 2654 VDL SB200CS / Wright Pulsar 

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


CX07 CUH ‘Arriva Wales’ 2654 VDL SB200CS / Wright Pulsar  on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

UWearing the Route 51‘MAX’ branding for the route from Denbigh to Rhyl.

 

The driver got into the spirit of things by positioning his bus exactly where I wanted it. If you read this sir, Thank You!




X242 PGT ‘Arriva Wales’ 911 Dennis Dart MPD / Plaxton Pointer 2

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





X242 PGT ‘Arriva Wales’ 911 Dennis Dart MPD / Plaxton Pointer 2 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

Seen on its way to Conwy from Llandudno. This veteran began life as ‘Arriva London’ PDL43 coming to North Wales in 2011.




CX09 BHA  ‘Arriva Wales’ 697 Optare Solo 

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


CX09 BHA  ‘Arriva Wales’ 697 Optare Solo  on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 


CN65 DHF ‘Arriva Wales’ 2157 ADL Enviro200 / ADL Enviro 200 

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


CN65 DHF ‘Arriva Wales’ 2157 ADL Enviro200 / ADL Enviro200  on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 



CN65 DHF ‘Arriva Wales’ 2157 ADL Enviro200 / ADL Enviro 200 /2 

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



CN65 DHF ‘Arriva Wales’ 2157 ADL Enviro200 / ADL Enviro200  on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Seen working on the ‘Llandudno Circular’.



‘Arriva’ have consistently bought Wright bodied VDL’s for some years and the buses fall into distinct batches.

 

CX04 AYA ‘Arriva Wales’ 2483 VDL SB120CS / Wright Cadet

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


CX04 AYA ‘Arriva Wales’ 2483 VDL SB120CS / Wright Cadet on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 


CX07 CPZ ‘Arriva Wales’ 2630 VDL SB120CS / Wright Cadet

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


CX07 CPZ ‘Arriva Wales’ 2630 VDL SB120CS / Wright Cadet on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 


CX58 EXC ‘Arriva Wales’ 2912 VDL SB200CS / Wright Pulsar

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


CX58 EXC ‘Arriva Wales’ 2912 VDL SB200CS / Wright Pulsar on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’



 

CX14 BXU ‘Arriva Wales’ 3179 VDL SB200CS / Wright Pulsar 2

 

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


CX14 BXU ‘Arriva Wales’ 3179 VDL SB200CS / Wright Pulsar 2 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 



Arriva North Wales Cymru Coastliner branding 

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



Arriva North Wales Cymru Coastliner branding  on ‘Dennis Basford’s railroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

It is interesting to note that the ‘CYMRU coastliner’ branding is only carried low down behind the rear axle.

 

At least the intending passenger will know what the bus was that he/she has just missed !




 

 

 

Tuesday 23 August 2016

‘Scene’ in service with ‘notts+derby’ on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

‘notts+derby’s owners, the ‘Wellglade’ group were substantial users of the Dennis Dart fitted with Plaxton Pointer bodywork.

 

Over 50 from all sources eventually served the group however one bus has always been unique as far as I am aware and that is a Transbus built Mini Pointer Dart that I think originally came via the National Health Service by whom it was used on shuttles between hospitals in Derby. 

 

That being FP04 CFE.

 

I was in Derby recently when it turned up.

 

 

 

FP04 CFE ‘notts+derby’ 950 Transbus Dart / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart

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

 

FP04 CFE ‘notts+derby’ 950 Transbus Dart / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

FP04 CFE ‘notts+derby’ 950 Transbus Dart / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart /2

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

 

FP04 CFE ‘notts+derby’ 950 Transbus Dart / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart /2 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’ FP04 CFE 950

FP04 CFE ‘notts+derby’ 950 Transbus Dart / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart /3

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

 

FP04 CFE ‘notts+derby’ 950 Transbus Dart / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart /3 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

FP04 CFE ‘notts+derby’ 950 Transbus Dart / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart /4

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

 

FP04 CFE ‘notts+derby’ 950 Transbus Dart / Plaxton Mini Pointer Dart /4 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Saturday 20 August 2016

‘Scene’ in Reading Part 4 on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

This is the fourth blog devoted to bus activity in Reading. The earlier blogs were published on 20/02/16, 30/04/16 & 09/07/16.

 

YN08 HYW ‘Reading Buses’ 859 Scania N230UD / Optare Olympus on

‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

YN08 HYW ‘Reading Buses’ 859 Scania N230UD / Optare Olympus on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

One of five buses branded for route 33 which serves The Tilehust Triangle, Turnhams Farm, Little Heath Road before terminating at Chapel Hill.

 


SN61 BDE ‘Reading Buses’ 229 Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 400H

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

SN61 BDE ‘Reading Buses’ 229 Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 400H on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

One of a batch of 14 buses branded for ‘purple 17’. A route that starts on the Wokingham Road, then runs into the town centre. Then working along the Oxford Road into Tilehurst terminating at Tilehurst Water Tower.

 


YX64 VLV ‘Reading Buses’ 65 an Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 200.

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

YX64 VLV ‘Reading Buses’ 65 an Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 200. on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk YX64 VLV

 

One of three branded for Park & Ride services from Winnersh Triangle on route 500.

 

 

KE07 EWB ‘Arriva the Shires’ 3871 Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

KE07 EWB ‘Arriva the Shires’ 3871 Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 After the glorious technicolour of ‘Reading Buses’. I find ‘Arriva’s livery a bit ordinary.



KX59 GNU ‘Reading Buses’ 1210 Dennis Trident / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk'

 

KX59 GNU ‘Reading Buses’ 1210 Dennis Trident / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400 on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

One of a pair of buses bought second hand branded as ‘Lion’ which is numbered 4/X4. Serving Winnersh Wokingham and terminating in Bracknell.

 

New to ‘Portsmouth University’ before passing to ‘Dawson Rentals’.

 

 

TF56 OXF Thames Travel 855 Mercedes-Benz Citaro

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

TF56 OXF

 

Working service X39 to Oxford where at one time it was part o the ‘Oxford Bus Company’ fleet.

 

 

YN08 MMO ‘Reading Buses’ 1113 Scania CN270UD Omnideka

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

YN08 MMO ‘Reading Buses’ 1113 Scania CN270UD OmniCity on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

Wearing ‘Reading Buses’ ‘Generic’ livery which is what they paint their none route branded buses in. Effectively then these buses become fleet ‘spares’ and are able to operate anywhere on any route.



RX12 HNV ‘Horsemen of Royal Berkshire’ Mercedes-Benz Vario / Plaxton Cheetah

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk



RX12 HNV ‘Horsemen of Royal Berkshire’ Mercedes-Benz Vario / Plaxton Cheetah on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

 

 

YN57 FWG ‘Reading Buses’ 1031 Scania 230UB / Wright Solar

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

YN57 FWG ‘Reading Buses’ 1031 Scania 230UB / Wright Solar on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

Although Reading has a substantial gas powered bus fleet (see blog dated 30/04/16) there is still the odd diesel in the fleet.

 

Again painted in the Generic ‘go anywhere’ livery.

 

 

 

RE63 EOH ‘Reading Buses 163 Wright Streetlite DF

on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

RE63 EOH ‘Reading Buses 163 Wright Streetlite DF on ‘Dennis Basfords’ railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

The only one of its type branded in the Pink 27/29 livery.

 

Branded for the pink routes which is a series of 6 routes, the 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 and 29 which serve a large area around Caversham, Caversham Heights, Caversham Park and Emmer Green to the North of the town.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 16 August 2016

‘Scene’ in Nottingham yesterday 15/08/16 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsunways.blogspot.co.uk’

My trips into Nottingham are usually productive and yesterday was no exception.

 

‘Nottingham City Transport’ (NCT) have recently repainted one of its East Lancs bodied Scania N94UD Omnidekkas into the traditional green livery that adorned its buses 50 years ago.

 

The purpose is to mark the 50 years that have passed since the trolleybus ceased to operate in Nottingham.

 

YN05 WFE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 676 Scania N94UD / East Lancs

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

 

YN05 WFE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 676 Scania N94UD / East Lancs on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

YN05 WFE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 676 Scania N94UD / East Lancs /2

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

 

YN05 WFE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 676 Scania N94UD / East Lancs /2 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

YN05 WFE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 676 Scania N94UD / East Lancs /3

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

 

YN05 WFE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 676 Scania N94UD / East Lancs /3 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

YN05 WFE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 676 Scania N94UD / East Lancs /4

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

 

YN05 WFE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 676 Scania N94UD / East Lancs /4 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

Having gone primarily to capture images of the Scania, I was surprised to see a livery on an 'NCT ADL Enviro 200 that I hadn’t seen before.

 

Branded as the ‘Sky Blue Line’ on services 46 and 47.




YX63 LJE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 387 ADL Enviro 200

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

 

YX63 LJE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 387 ADL Enviro 200 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

YX63 LJE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 387 ADL Enviro 200 /2

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

 

YX63 LJE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 387 ADL Enviro 200 /2 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

YX63 LJE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 387 ADL Enviro 200 /3

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

 

YX63 LJE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 387 ADL Enviro 200 /3 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

YX63 LJE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 387 ADL Enviro 200 /4

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

 

YX63 LJE ‘Nottingham City Transport’ 387 ADL Enviro 200 /4 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Sunday 14 August 2016

‘Scene’ Coaching in Oxford 2 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

Apart from the scheduled long distance services that use Oxford’s Gloucester Greeen Coach Station. (See blog published 23 May 2016) 

 

There are always other coaches visiting the city with a constant stream of day trippers.

 

These can usually be found dropping off and collecting passengers near the Ashmolean Museum which in itself is one of the main attractions in the city.

 

 

MX13 XGV ‘Arvonia’ Neoplan N5217SHDC Starliner.

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



MX13 XGV ‘Arvonia’ Neoplan N5217SHDC Starliner. on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

Surely, the ‘King of Coaches’.

 

 


YN54 DCE Mercedes-Benz 0814D Vario / Plaxton Beaver.

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


YN54 DCE Mercedes-Benz 0814D Vario / Plaxton Beaver. on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

The owner of which is unknown but seemingly on a schools service..

 

An internet search produces 2 different vehicles carrying theis registration, the other being an Irizar Century bodied Scania.

 

Strange !

 



BX13 BZD ‘Golden Tours’ Volvo B11R / Jonkheere SHV. 

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


BX13 BZD ‘Golden Tours’ Volvo B11R / Jonkheere SHV.  on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

I like it when companies go to the trouble to have a proper livery.

 

With the cost of a livery application running into four figures, I think it says something positive about the company.

 

 

MW62 CZB  ‘Royale European’ Neoplan N2216/3SHDC Tourliner.

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


MW62 CZB  ‘Royale European’ Neoplan N2216/3SHDC Tourliner. on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

What a livery and look how clean it is. 

 

This company is based at Heston in London and at 4-00pm when the image was captured, it must be taking passengers home. 

 

Which suggests that the coach has been cleaned since it arrived in Oxford.

 

Superb !

 

 

 

LSV 749   ‘Tourist Coaches’ 7176 Scania K1141B4 / Irizar Century.

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


LSV 749   ‘Tourist Coaches’ 7176 Scania K1141B4 / Irizar Century. on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Tourist Coaches’ are part of the ‘Go-Ahead South Coast’ group. This 2004 vintage coach was previously registered YN04 GHG.




FJ56 KUC   ‘Group Travel Limited’ Volvo B12B / Volvo 9700. 

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


FJ56 KUC   ‘Group Travel Limited’ Volvo B12B / Volvo 9700.  on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

 

 

MUI 9693   ‘Empress of London’ Volvo B10M-62 / Plaxton C53F.

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

 

MUI 9693

Another excellent livery. 

 

Simple, understated and elegant.

 

New to ‘Wallace Arnold’ as R434 FWT in 1988. Sold to ‘Empress’ in 2003 who re registered it then.

 

 

Whilst I have gone on a bit about liveries. I equally recognise that for whatever reasons (and there are many, short term lease being one) it can be necessary to keep the livery (and its cost) to a minimum.

 

That being so I think it important that the vehicle is well presented as is the case with these three.

 



E14 OWN ‘Owen Coaches’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo.

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


E14 OWN ‘Owen Coaches’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo. on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

‘Owen’s also use the ‘Travelmaster Holidays’ branding on its coaches.

 

This particular registration is a ‘treasured’ registration that has appeared on previous vehicles in the fleet.

 

 


PO12 JNK   Volvo B9R / Jonkheere SHV. 

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


PO12 JNK   Volvo B9R / Jonkheere SHV.  on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

At one time it worked for ‘The Travellers Choice’ of Carnforth in their full livery but I suspect that being ‘naked’ that it is now working for another company.

 

 


BJ15 BDF ‘Hawkes Coaches’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo’ 

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


BJ15 BDF ‘Hawkes Coaches’ Mercedes-Benz Tourismo’  on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

 

My transport for the day.

 

I can understand why the Tourismo is doing well for sales. It is a smooth and comfortable vehicle and on what was a cold day, the heater is very effective!

 

Again, look how clean it is for a return journey.