Dennis Basford's Rails, Roads and Runways: November 2018

Friday, 30 November 2018

‘Scene’ at Showbus 2018, West Midlands on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Not the most obvious or exciting bus to start a blog with BUT.

The future for public transport in the West Midlands seems to be that whoever operates services within the authorities boundarys will be obliged to wear a common ‘West Midlands’ livery.

This is the first bus I have seen in the new livery and I expect it to be the first of many.

BX62 FAK ‘Diamond’ No. 30925 ’West Midlands Bus’ 42 43. Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban

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

New to ‘Flights Hallmark’.

‘national express West Midlands’ (neWM) have recently repainted several double deckers in the liveries of former operators who became part of ‘West Midlands PTE’ the forerunners to ‘neWM’.

BX54 DDJ ‘national express West Midlands’ No. 4601 ‘Walsall Corporation’. transbus Trident / transbus ALX 400

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

BJ03 EVC ‘national express West Midlands’ No. 4453 ‘national express Coventry’. transbus Trident / transbus ALX 400

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

BL53 EDF ‘national express West Midlands’ No. 4535. transbus Trident / transbus ALX 400

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

I could not see any indication of the operator on the bus apart from the destination blind but the livery worn is that of the former ‘Wolverhampton Corporation Transport’.

D957 NDA ‘West Midlands Travel’ No. 2957 ‘Timesaver’. MCW Metrobus Mk. 2

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

A764 WVP ‘West Midlands PTE’ No. 2957 ‘travelcard’. MCW Metrobus Mk. 2

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

It also had a spell with ‘Sharpe’ of Nottingham.

WDA 835T ‘West Midlands PTE’ No. 6835. MCW Metrobus Mk.1

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

V177 MOA ‘Travel West Midlands’ No. 1707. Mercedes-Benz 0405N

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

This bus was voted Best in Show by the visitors to the Buses Festival at Gaydon two weeks previously.

G266 EOG ‘West Midlands Travel’ No. 1266. Leyland Lynx

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

Monday, 26 November 2018

‘Scene’ in Llandudno 1 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

When I first visited Llandudno in the 1960’s, the local bus services were in the hands of ‘Llandudno Urban District Council’.

They operated a fleet of Guys and Commers on trips round the town and around the Great Orme.

The buses were always beautifully presented and several have made it into preservation.

JC 4557 ‘Llandudno Urban District Council’. Commer PN3 / Waveney /1

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

New in 1937 which means that it 80 years old and seen at Showbus 2014.

Note the roof which is removable in the better weather.

JC 4557 ‘Llandudno Urban District Council’. Commer PN3 / Waveney /2

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

Seen at Showbus 2017.

Now fast forward 50 years and it is no surprise to see that trips round the town and around the Great Orme are still operating.

These days they are in the hands of local operator ‘Alpine Travel’.

The ‘hardware’ has moved on since the 1960’s and today we are treated to this magnificent vehicle which again has a convertible open top roof.

This one instead of having to be removed can be slid back in sections.

LR16 XZK ‘Alpine Travel’. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516CDi / EVM Cabrio /1

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

LR16 XZK ‘Alpine Travel’. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516CDi / EVM Cabrio /2

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

LR16 XZK ‘Alpine Travel’. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516 CDi / EVM Cabrio /3

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

Saturday, 24 November 2018

‘Scene’ in Sheffield. Stagecoach SUPERTRAM Train on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

Sheffield’s second generation tramway system (the first closed in October 1960) commenced operation in March 1994.

Since 1997 it has been operated by ‘Stagecoach’ as the ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’.

In October 2018 an extension to Rotherham Parkgate was opened running over ‘Network Rail’ tracks.

This required new rolling stock engineered to a higher standard than the existing fleet to operate on the extension but also to be used on the existing network.

Vossloh of Valencia in Spain have supplied 7 ‘CityLink Tram Trains’ which are listed under the British Railway system as Class 399. Numbered 399201-399207.

The map shows the existing system with the extension to Rotherham seen diverging just beyond Meadowhall South/Tinsley station.

This line starts at the ‘Cathedral’ stop in Sheffield City Centre.

‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ Network Map at November 1st. 2018

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

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 206. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train) /1

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

This image by Peter M. Rose and reproduced with his permission.

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 206. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train) /2

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

Leaving Meadowhall South/Tinsley station for Rotherham Parkgate with Siemens-Duewag Tram No. 113 about to leave for the City centre and then onto Middlewood passing close by Sheffield Wedneday FC’s ground at Hillsborough in the process.

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 201. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train)

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

Pictured leaving Meadowhall South/Tinsley station.

The new extension diverges to the right where the silver fence ends before diving under the Tinsley viaduct of the M1 Motorway.

‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ power supply at Rotherham Parkgate

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

The end of the line with the complex wiring required to get the 750 volts dc. to the overhead power cables.

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 206. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train) /3

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

The drivers driving position showing the excellent view that he or she has.

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 206. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train) /4

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

The 3 car double articulated Tram Train is light and airy being well provided with handrails and hanging straps.

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 206. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train) /5

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

Seating is adequate with a mixture of fixed and tip ups in the low floor areas.

A bit hard perhaps for my ageing bones.

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 206. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train) /6

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

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 206. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train) /7

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

The low floor sections line up with the platform edges.

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 206. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train) /8

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

It’s a bit surreal to stand on the articulated ‘turntable’ and see the coaches move around you.

Class 399 ‘Stagecoach SUPERTRAM’ No. 206. Vossloh CityLink (Tram Train) /9

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

The articulated cars are connected by these flexible connections that move with the train.

It’s a bit like watching someone play a giant piano accordion but without the music.

Fascinating to watch.

Wednesday, 21 November 2018

‘Scene’ at Euro Bus Expo 2018 (the very last one) on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

In my last published ‘blog’, I was experiencing problems which seemed to be something to do with ‘Flickr’ who host the images that appear in the blog.

Fortunately, the problems have been resolved by my son Andrew and in no way reflect on ‘Flickr’ to whom I apologise unreservedly.

In my recent coverage of the above event, I published these images without the full identity.

This has now come to light so I republish them with the complete identification.

HF68 DFZ ‘Go South Coast’ No. 1235 ‘blue star’. Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E40D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 400City (note the dual doors) /1

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

HF68 DFZ ‘Go South Coast’ No. 1235 ‘blue star’. Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E40D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 400City (note the dual doors) /2

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

HF68 DFZ ‘Go South Coast’ No. 1235 ‘blue star’. Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E40D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 400City (note the dual doors) /3

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

HF68 DFZ ‘Go South Coast’ No. 1235 ‘blue star’. Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E40D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 400City (note the dual doors) /4

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

Monday, 12 November 2018

‘Scene’ when ‘UNO’ were in the pink (and purple) at ‘Showbus 2018’ on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

DUE TO A TECHNICAL ‘GLITCH’ AT ‘Flickr’ WHO HOST THE IMAGES FOR MY BLOG. I AM FOR THE MOMENT UNABLE TO UPLOAD FRESH CONTENT.

I AM ASSURED THAT ‘Flickr’ ENGINEERS ARE WORKING TO SORT OUT THE PROBLEMS AND UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY DO I WOULD ASK READERS TO BE PATIENT AND TO KEEP LOOKING. THANK YOU. DENNIS.

‘UNO’ was originally known as ‘UniversityBus’ and was operated by the University of Hertfordshire who set up the operation in 1992 to operate for staff, students and the general public.

Since then it has expanded considerably to operate widely across Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Greater London.

YX67 VFR ‘Uno’ Northampton No. 287 ‘Foxglove 18 park & ride’. Alexander Dennis Ltd. (ADL) E40D / ‘ADL’ Enviro 400MMC on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

LF18 AWP ‘Uno’ Hatfield No. 365 ‘dragonfly’. Volvo B8RLE / MCV eVoRa

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

Saturday, 10 November 2018

‘Scene’ at the RAF Museum at Hendon. WW1 on Dennis Basford’s railsroadsrunways.blogspot.co.uk’

I have been to the RAF Museum a number of times in the past. This year with it being the 100th. anniversary of the formation of the RAF and that some millions of pounds have been spent on refurbishing it for the occasion, I thought it worth a further visit.

Entry is free and to anyone interested, a full day can be easily spent there.

With 2018 also being the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War as it came to be known, I will take a look at the aircraft relating to it.

Some of the aircraft may have been built for the ‘Royal Flying Corps’ and then gone on to serve with the ‘RAF’ after April 1st. 1918 so I have used ‘Royal Air Force’ as the owner/operator.

E449 ‘Royal Air Force’. Avro 504K.

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

The ‘K’ model was a specialised trainer that was developed from the night fighter version of the Avro 504.

This aircraft is a composite made up from two different aircraft, G-EBJE and G-EBKN.

F1010 ‘Royal Air Force’, ‘C Hyderabad No. 12A’. De Havilland DH9A

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

This particular light bomber was built by Westland Aircraft at Yeovil in June 1918.

F938 ‘Royal Air Force’. Royal Aircraft Factory SE5A

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

This formidable fighter was produced at such a rate that 5,125 were built in a period 0f 18 months.

F6314 ‘Royal Air Force’ ‘B’. Sopwith Camel

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

Probably the most famous British fighter of the time.

Believed to have been built by ‘Boulton & Paul’ of Norwich in 1918. The company went on to build 1,575 of the total Camel production of 5,490.

A6526 ‘Royal Flying Corps’. Royal Aircraft Factory FE2B

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

A two seat fighter that developed into being a night bomber dating from 2015.

2345 ‘Royal Air Force’. Vickers F.B.5 ’Gunbus’

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

A replica built in the 1960’s by apprentices at the ‘British Aircraft Corporation’ registered G-ATVP.

The original 2345 is believed to have been built for the ‘Royal Naval Air Service’ in 1915.

C3988 ‘Royal Air Force’. Sopwith Dolphin 5F.1

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

The first multi-gun (4 machine guns) fighter.

3066 ‘Royal Air Force’. Caudron G.3

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

Although the G.3 was a French design, this particular aircraft was built by British Caudron.

D.7343/17 ‘German Air Force’. Albatros D.Va (Replica)

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

Although a replica, the engine is original being a Mercedes D111a.

8417/18 ‘German Air Force’. Fokker D.VII

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

Possibly the best fighter to come out of WW1.

It was so much feared/respected that one of the specific terms of the ‘Conditions of the Armistice’ that ended the war was that all examples should be handed over to the Allies.