Most of my regular readers will know that from time to time, I publish blogs that illustrate a series of articles about days out by bus.
These are written for a local community magazine that is circulated locally around the part of Derbyshire where I live.
It is called ‘all Things Local’, which is published bi-monthly and generally runs to about 10,000 copies per print run.
All these days out involve a degree of research which generally starts with maps and timetables and eventually requires a day out for me (and sometimes my wife Barbara) to make sure that all goes well.
I have recently researched a day out that took me from home to Derby, onto Loughborough, then Melton Mowbray and back via Nottingham.
Some of what I saw along the way were.
‘trentbarton’ have recently put 8 Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) Enviro 200MMC’s on its ‘the mickleover‘ service (see blog published 09/12/2016).
However, this was the first time I had seen this particular vehicle.
YX66 WLR ‘trentbarton’ No. 105 Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200MMC
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Similarly, Heanor based ‘yourbus’ have put a batch of ‘ADL’ Enviro 200’s into service.
These being to Euro 5 specification with the old style of bodywork. (See blog published 24/11/2016).
This again was the first time I had seen this particuler vehicle.
SN66 WLL ‘yourbus’ No. 1404 Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
My journey to Loughborough, courtesy of ‘Kinchbus’ was on,
BX64 WJD ‘Kinchbus’ No. 913 Mercedes-Benz Citaro
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Loughborough usually produces something from the always immaculate fleet of Paul S. Winson (PSW) and today was no exception.
Originally T420 XVO, with ‘Nottingham City Transport’ then YNR 778 with ‘PSW’ it eventually became T8 PSW.
T8 PSW ‘Paul S. Winson’ No. 115 Dennis Trident / East Lancs Lolyne
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Also seen in Loughborough was, this former ‘trentbarton’ bus which also had a spell with the associated ‘TM Travel’ company.
FE02 KFJ ‘Kinchbus’ No. 460 Optare Solo
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Market day generally brings this into town,
YX60 DZW ‘Soar Valley Bus’ FIAT / Bluebird Orion
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
My transport to Melton Mowbray was provided by ‘Centrebus’ on this bus which was bought from the previously mentioned ‘PSW’ in 2015.
FN09 FSO ‘Centrebus’ No. 511 Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Melton Mowbray, is an interesting town in bus terms and will appear in a blog of its own in the future.
The only route operated by ‘Arriva’ is No. 5A and it goes to Leicester. I saw three departures which were all operated by ‘ADL’ Enviro 400MMC’s.
YX16 OKB ‘Arriva Midlands’ No. 4524 Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400MMC
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Working route 8 from Loughborough to Grantham was,
YH63 CXC ‘Centrebus’ No. 670 VDL SB180 / MCV Evolution
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
Formerly registered J718 KBC when new to ‘Pailton’, Warwickshire in 1992 and a real ‘blast from the past’ was,
B3 CEC ‘Viking Travel’ Dennis Javelin / Plaxton Paramount
on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’
At this point, rain set in so it was home via Nottingham.