‘Scene’, Working for ‘Centrebus’ (Cb) on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

An interesting bus that crossed my path recently was AN09 BUS, ‘Centrebus’ No. 759.

 

A VDL SB200 with Wright Pulsar 2 bodywork, it was new to ‘Kimes’ of Folkingham’ as its No. 59.

 

This company became part of the ‘Cb’ group in 2011.

 

The slightly different to normal livery application where the white front panel extends further back across the bodyside is overlaid with ‘five counties’ branding.

 

The counties being Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland with the lengthy service 19 running from Nottingham to Peterborough. 

 

 

AN09 BUS ‘Centrebus’ No. 759 VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar 2

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

 

 

 

AN09 BUS ‘Centrebus’ No. 759 VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar 2 /1

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

 

 

 

AN09 BUS ‘Centrebus’ No. 759 VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar 2 /2

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

 

 

 

AN09 BUS ‘Centrebus’ No. 759 VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar 2/3

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

 

‘Scene’ in the SouthWest. Exeter 1 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

The City of Exeter is one of my many favourite places. A small City (as cities go), near the sea, compact, clean and busy. 

 

A ‘Stagecoach South West’ (SSW) stronghold but there are some intruders.

 

It used to have a good bus station and parking area that at the end of March 2017 unfortunately closed for re-developement.

 

We shall have to wait and see what sort of facility replaces it.

 

 

 

WA05 MGY ‘Stagecoach South West’ No. 18307 ‘part open top’ Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX 400

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

 

Very recently converted to open top, (the bare metal panelling has not yet been repainted) and due to be repainted into a yellow/orange livery.

 

For a colour image of the new livery, see ‘Buses’ magazine page 9 of the May 2017 issue.

 

 

 

YN65 XDT ‘Stagecoach South West’ No. 15254 ‘Gold 57’ Scania N230UD / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400

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

 

Alexander Dennis Ltd. have continued to develop the Enviro 400 body which is now over 10 years old. 

 

We have seen the ‘MMC’ and the ‘City’ but I do not think that for sheer elegance of design that the original has ever been bettered. Particularly when carrying a stylish (and clean) livery.

 

 

SN66 VVE ‘Stagecoach South West’ No. 10694 Alexander Dennis E40D / Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC

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

 

 

 

KX60 DVP ‘Turner’s Tours (Chumleigh)’ Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 200

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

 

I thought at first that this was a livery but closer inspection shows it to be simply road dirt. 

 

You have to feel sympathy for the passengers trying to see out of the windows.

 

New to Powell & Watson, Thurmaston, Leicestershire.

 

 

 

HX08 DHK ‘First Hampshire & Dorset’ No. 37582 ‘Jurassic Coaster’ Volvo B9TL / Wright Gemini Eclipse

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

 

The ‘Jurassic Coaster’ service which links Exeter to Poole has been much reduced in recent times which is a shame because it is a magnificent run. One of the must do journeys.

 

 

 

 

YJ59 NNK ‘Country Bus’ No. 317 Optare Solo M780

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

 

New to ‘Hatch Green Coaches’ of Hatch Green, Taunton.

 

 

 

P804 XTA ‘Stagecoach South West’ No. 52344 Volvo B10M / Plaxton Interurban

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

 

 

Delvered new to ‘Devon General’ (a constituent of ‘Stagecoach South West’) and now part of the training fleet.

 

 

YY14 WGX ‘Stagecoach South West’ No. 37141 ‘ex-citi’ Dennis Dart SLF 4 / Alexander Enviro 200

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

 

YN14 OWR ‘Stagecoach South West’ No. 15963 ‘Gold’ Scania N230UD / Alexander Dennis Ltd. Enviro 400

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Scene’ at the Midland Railway Trust (MRT) at Butterley on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

On the 24th. of December 2016, I published a blog about a ‘British Railways’ (BR) former ‘Great Western Railway’ 0-6-2T locomotive No. 5619 which at that time was employed on ‘Santa Specials’ in ‘BR’ green livery and carrying the later version of ‘BR’ logo.

 

Over the winter of 2016/2017, No. 5619 has been repainted into ‘BR’ black livery and now wears the earlier ‘BR’ logo which was known to enthusiasts as ‘The Cycling Lion’.

 

No. 5619 a member of the 56XX Class which was built between 1924 and 1928 specificaly for use on the valley lines of South Wales, primarily hauling coal.

 

 

5619 ‘British Railways’ 0-6-2T Black Class 56XX

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

 

 

 

5619 ‘British Railways’ 0-6-2T Black Class 56XX /1

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

 

‘Scene’, going ‘spare’ with ‘Nottingham City Transport’ (NCT) on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

I have seen this style of painting on an ‘NCT’ single decker before but this was the first time I had seen it on a double decker.

 

According to ‘NCT’s website, this is the new spare bus livery being known as ‘Silver Spare’.

 

It is interesting to compare this livery with the ‘Navy Line’ double decker pictured in my blog of 31/03/17 where the relationship between the two colours is reversed.

 

 

YT59 OZS ‘Nottingham City Transport’ No. 976 ‘Silver Spare’ Scania N270UD / Optare /1

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

 

 

 

 

YT59 OZS ‘Nottingham City Transport’ No. 976 ‘Silver Spare’ Scania N270UD / Optare /2

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

 

 

 

YT59 OZS ‘Nottingham City Transport’ No. 976 ‘Silver Spare’ Scania N270UD / Optare /3

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

 

 

 

YT59 OZS ‘Nottingham City Transport’ No. 976 ‘Silver Spare’ Scania N270UD / Optare /4

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

 

‘Scene’ on ‘trentbartons’ service i4 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

‘trentbarton’s service i4 links Derby to Nottingham via Sandiacre, Stapleford and the QMC.

 

For the last five years or so it has been the preserve of a batch of Optare Tempo’s reinforced more recently with Wright bodied Scanias.

 

Because of ongoing problems with the Tempo’s, Optare have supplied a MetroCity demonstrator to help out whilst the Tempo’s go back to Optare for rectification work.

 

The bus having previously worked for ‘Perryman’s of Berwick, ‘Midland Classic’ of Burton on Trent, ‘Safeguard’ of Guildford and presumably other operators.

 

It would seem to be a longish job because the MetroCity has been painted into the full i4 livery.

 

 

 

YJ16 DAA ‘trentbarton’ No. 99 ‘i4’ Optare MetroCity V1080MC /1

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

 

 

 

YJ16 DAA ‘trentbarton’ No. 99 ‘i4’ Optare MetroCity V1080MC /2

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

 

 

 

YJ16 DAA ‘trentbarton’ No. 99 ‘i4’ Optare MetroCity V1080MC /3

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

 

 

 

YJ16 DAA ‘trentbarton’ No. 99 ‘i4’ Optare MetroCity V1080MC /4

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

 

 

 

 

 

For completeness sake, I have included images of the Optare Tempo and the Scania/ Wright.

 

YJ12 GWF ‘trentbarton’ No. 327 ‘i4’ Optare Tempo X1200SR

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

 

 

 

FJ03 VWB ‘trentbarton’ No. 613 ‘i4’ Scania L94UB / Wright Solar

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

 

‘Scene’ at ‘Transpire’s Peak Park Preserved Bus Gathering 2016 Part 3 on Dennis Basford’s ‘railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

I do not attend many bus rallies because I find more than enough in the current scene to keep me busy. 

 

However once a year ‘Transpire’ the Chesterfield based enthusiasts group holds its own event which for the last few years has been held at the ‘Peak Rail’ site at Rowsley in Derbyshire.

 

I have been a member for many years and have rarely missed so as usual, last year I went along and of course the camera went with me.

 

 

 Part 3 The North West Connection.

 

For parts 1 and 2 see blogs dated 23rd. June 2016 and 11th. September 2016.

 

UHG 353Y ‘Blackpool Transport’ (BT) No. 353 Leyland Atlantean / East Lancs

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

 

Owned by the Chesterfield 123 Preservation Group. 

 

It was new to ‘BT’ in 1982 being withdrawn in 2008.

 

 

 

LED 71P ‘Warrington Borough Transport’ No. 71 Bristol RESL6G / East Lancs

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

 

New in 1975. It normally is kept at ‘North West Museum of Road Transport at St. Helens.

 

 

 

DKC 301L ‘Merseybus’ No. 1301 Leyland Atlantean / Alexander

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

 

 

 

A763 NNA ‘GM Buses’ No. 8763 Leyland Atlantean / Northern Counties

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

 

The layout of the destination blinds on Manchester buses was distinctive.

 

Withdrawn in 2003 and preserved at the Wigan Transport Trust.

 

 

EED 5 ‘Warrington Corporation’ No.27 Leyland Titan PD1 / Alexander (built to a Leyland design).

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

 

 

 

TNA 520 ‘Manchester Corporation’ No. 3520 Leyland Titan PD2 / H V Burlingham

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

 

 

The layout of the destination blinds on Manchester buses was distinctive.

 

 

 

AEK 514 ‘Wigan Corporation No. 101 Leyland Royal Tiger / Northern Counties

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

 

 

 

CDB 224 ‘North Western Road Car Company’ No. 224 Leyland PD2 / Leyland

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

 

New 1948. Preserved at the Greater Manchester Museum of Transport.

 

 

When the ‘South East Lancs North East Cheshire’  (SELNEC) authority came into being after the Transport Act of 1968. It essentially took over the buses of Greater Manchester and many of the surrounding town and company operators.

 

After inheriting a wide diversity of vehicles, SELNEC sought to establish its own style by introducing a ‘Standard’ bus body designed to its own specifications.

 

This body style known as the ‘Manchester Standard’ was the outcome.

 

New in 1971 to SELNEC passing to Greater Manchester PTE in 1974. Withdrawn and preserved in 1984. 

RNA 236J ‘SELNEC’ No. 2236 Daimler Fleetline / Park Royal 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Scene’ in Derby once again part 2 on ‘Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Last week I published a blog that did not contain all the details of the vehicle concerned. 

 

I appealed for help promising that the person who supplied the original registration number of the vehicle concerned a public thank you.

 

‘Shieldsman’ put forward the correct original user and body type but ‘RailwayManiac’ to whom I offer my sincere thanks advised the original registration which is PG04 WHB. Thank you again.

 

So here is the updated version of the blog. 

 

On Sunday 26th. of March 2016, ’Littles of Ilkeston’ took over the Derby based services 9 & 9A from ‘notts&derby’.

 

This former ‘London United’ bus turned up on the Tuesday following.

 

 

Formerly PG04 WHB with ‘London United’ as its VE10.

 

VIL 9336 ‘Littles of Ilkeston’ Volvo B7TL / East Lancs Millennium Vyking /1

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

 

 

VIL 9336 ‘Littles of Ilkeston’ Volvo B7TL / East Lancs Millennium Vyking /2

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

 

 

VIL 9336 ‘Littles of Ilkeston’ Volvo B7TL / East Lancs Millennium Vyking /3

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

 

 

VIL 9336 ‘Littles of Ilkeston’ Volvo B7TL / East Lancs Millennium Vyking /4

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

‘Scene’ in Scotland, ‘West Coast Motors’ (WCM) and ‘Stagecoach’ (S/C) on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk

 

‘WCM’ has become one of the largest independant operators on the West Coast of Scotland with over 200 buses and coaches being operated.

 

Oban is only one of many locations where their operations can be observed.

 

I was only there briefly so here is what I saw.

 

Other blogs looking at different elements of ‘WCM’ were published on 29th. June and 24th. July 2016.

 

 

 

Seen in the joint ‘WCM’/Scottish ‘citylink’ livery.

YT11 LVM ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 11112 Scania K360EB6 / Irizar i6

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

 

 

 

SN11 BVA ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 11106 Alexander Dennis Ltd Enviro 300

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

 

 

 

A treasured registration that has appeared on earlier buses in the fleet.

 

L700 WCM ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 10406 Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointer

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

 

 

 

YJ16 DZM ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 11603 Optare Solo SR

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

 

 

 

YJ15 AXW ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 11508 Optare Solo SR

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

 

 

 

New to ‘WCM’ as YJ07 EHC.

 

P600 WCM ‘West Coast Motors’ No. 10712 Optare Solo M710

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

 

 

 

 

Considering that Scotland is the home of ‘Stagecoach’, there wasn’t a lot to be seen.

 

Based and seen in Fort William. 

SV58 BNB ‘Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 19377 ‘the fort link’ Dennis Trident 2 / Alexander Enviro 400

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

 

 

 

 Based in and seen leaving Fort William.

SV55 FKB ‘Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 53227 Volvo B7R / Plaxton Profile Interurban

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen in Kyle of Lochalsh but based on the Isle of Skye.

 

S860 VAT ‘Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 52510 Volvo B10M-62 / Plaxton Premiere 350

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based and seen in Inverness.

 

Look closely and you will see the fleet number alongside the word ‘Stagecoach’ on the cove panel. Something I have not seen before.

SV61 CXZ ‘Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 28602 Scania K230UB / ALexander Enviro 300

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

 

 

 

 

Based and seen in Inverness.

 

SP55 CXL Stagecoach The Highlands’ No. 47232 Optare Solo 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Scene’ in Derby once again on ‘Dennis Basford’d railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

I do not normally post images in a blog without knowing the full details of the subject involved.

 

However, in this case I am going to do so because I consider the subject matter sufficiently interesting to warrant doing it.

 

I have spent a considerable amount of time researching the origins of this bus without success. 

 

Should anyone out there be able to tell me what the original registration was, you will be rewarded with a public thank you on my next blog.

 

 

 

On Sunday 26th. of March 2017, ’Littles of Ilkeston’ took over the Derby based services 9 & 9A from ‘notts&derby’.

 

This former London area bus turned up to work it on the following Tuesday.

 

 

VIL 9336 ‘Littles of Ilkeston’ chassis not known / East Lancs

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

 

 

VIL 9336 ‘Littles of Ilkeston’ chassis not known / East Lancs /1

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

 

 

VIL 9336 ‘Littles of Ilkeston’ chassis not known / East Lancs /2

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

 

 

VIL 9336 ‘Littles of Ilkeston’ chassis not known / East Lancs /3

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