Coaches 'Scene' in the Southwest

A few days holiday based in Weymouth allowed me to have a look at what goes on in that part of the world. The buses of the Southwest will feature in a later ‘blog’.

 

Many coaches in this part of the world are like me and just visiting. We start however with one that ‘lives’ there.

 

JSK 262

A Volvo B10M-62 with Plaxton Paragon bodywork was new to ‘Plymouth citycoach’ as Y314 NYD in 2001 and gained its dateless registration in 2011.

 

‘Plymouth Citybus’ of which ‘citycoach’ is a part has a history dating back a hundred years and for most of them it was owned by Plymouth Corporation. These days however it is part of the ‘Go-Ahead’ group having been purchased by them in 2009.

 

SJ08 WAC

 

A Volvo 9700 of ‘Platinum Express’, a Wolverhampton based operator.

 

At one time it was 08-G-805 operated by ‘Callinan Coaches’ of Claregalway, County Galway in Southern Ireland. At that time it carried a ‘Eurolines’/‘National Express’ joint livery.

 

 

YT13 AMU

A Scania K380EBF with Irizar i6 bodywork of ‘Solus Coaches’. ‘Solus’ are a Tamworth, Staffordshire based operator.

 

With a history going back only as far as 2001, they have come along way in a short time with a current fleet of over 30 vehicles.

 

2011 saw them take over ‘Protours’ of Swadlincote and revert the company back to its original name of ‘Viking Coaches’. A widely known and respected name in the East Midlands with a history dating back almost 90 years.

 

YJ06 LCY

A VDL SB4000 with Van Hool Alizee bodywork. It has been with ‘Mid Wales Travel’ of Penrhyncoch since new in October 2006.

 

NH06 GEH

A Volvo B12M with Plaxton Panther bodywork operated by ‘National Holidays’ who these days are part of the ‘Shearings’ group.

FJ10 DPX

A Volvo B12B with Jonkheere bodywork new to and operated by ‘Brent Thomas Coaches Ltd.’ of Tonypandy in South Wales.

 

HSK 654

A Volvo B9R with Plaxton Elite bodywork operated by ‘Parks of Hamilton’ on ‘National Express’ work.

 

Seen in the rather bleak confines of Bridport bus station the dateless registration has been used before most recently on another Volvo/Plaxton product a B12M/Panther.

 

 

 

 

GIL 8494

 

Another VDL SB4000 with Van Hool Alizee bodywork working for ‘Pencoed Travel’ of Pencoed in South Wales. 

 

Before gaining its dateless registration it was YJ54 CHG and was new to ‘Bradshaw’ of St. Annes on Sea.

 

WA14 EJK

 

A Mercedes Benz Vario with Plaxton Cheetah bodywork working for ‘Sewards Coaches’ of Axminster in Devon.

 

 

R555 JVA

A Volvo B10M with Plaxton Premiere bodywork. currently working for Somerset based operator ‘Chivers’ (JVA Sunseeker Tours) of Midsomer Norton.

 

It has an interesting history being new to ‘The Londoners’ as R986 MGP in 1996. Moving to ‘Hearn’ of Harrow weald in 2001 as R1 HRN before finally moving to ‘Chivers’ in 2007 and being given its current registration in 2008.

 

It is surprising to me that whilst being given a new identity in 2008, they didn’t go the whole hog and give it a dateless registration.

 

HY53 DVO

A Neoplan N316SHD Euroliner of ‘South Coast Travel’ (SCT) seated to carry 70 passengers (presumably children). ‘SCT’ are based in Bournemouth.

‘Scene’ on the Island of Mull

I have found that some but not all of my earlier 'Blogs' whilst having retained the text have lost some images. I do not know why so I have decided to repeat the 'Blogs' in a slightly revised form which hopefully will retain the the content in its entirety.

I recently had a short break staying at the Alexandra Hotel in Oban. The tour company was ‘Highland Heritage’ (HH) with whom I have no connection other than as a satisfied customer. 

 

It perhaps seems odd that a blog titled Rails, Roads and Runways is starting an article with a ship.

 

However the raised bow identifies it as a vehicle ferry and I suspect that the buses shown in the article all arrived on it at one time or another. (As did I).

 

‘Caledonian Macbrayne’s ferry MV ‘Isle of Mull’ was built for the service which runs several times a day from Oban to Craignure (Mull).

 

Built in 1987 by Ferguson Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow on the River Clyde. The 4,719 ton vessel has room for up to 70 cars and 962 passengers.

 

Operating it requires a crew of 28.

'West Coast Motors' (WCM) is a company which started in 1923 in Campbeltown where they are still based. Operating across Argyll and Bute and as far away as Glasgow, the company has a fleet of approximately 200 vehicles. 

 

Expansion has come naturally and by take overs. one of the most recent being of ‘Fairline Coaches’ of Glasgow in November 2013.

 

L200 WCM

Which was YJ05 PYO earlier in its career. A VDL SB4000 with Van Hool Alizee T9 bodywork.

 

Operated by ‘WCM' waiting at Craignure (Mull) ferry terminal.

FX03 GKV

 

A Mercedes-Benz (M-B) 1223L with Spanish built Ferqui bodywork.

 

Previously operated by ‘Bowman’s of Craignure’ on Mull who were taken over by ‘WCM’ in June 2013.

 

The M-B 1223L sometimes called the ‘Atego’ which I believe is a truck chassis. Also seen at the ferry terminal.

 

SP05 CXX

A VDL Bova shown to illustrate the queue formed for its services. It had already gone down considerably at this point.

 

This vehicle is another that came from ‘Bowman’s.

 

It must have seemed galling to the queueing masses because this empty double decker was sat 30 feet away. There was a festival taking place on the island over next 2 days and maybe ‘WCM’ had not appreciated how many passengers they were going to get on that particular crossing.

 

 

YT11 LSE

 

A Scania 230UD Omnidekka.

 

It’s funny how some buses seem to follow you around. As soon as I saw the registration, I knew I had seen it before. Pictured below it is seen in all white working for ‘Nottingham City Transport’ in September 2013.

 

It would appear to have been a ‘Scania’ demonstrator because before coming to Nottingham it worked for both ‘Newport Bus’ and ‘Brighton and Hove’ in the white livery.

 

The front of the bus is pure ‘WCM’. The back however is a superb illustration of the many coloured properties on the seafront in the town of Tobermory, the biggest on the island.

 

Branded as the ‘Tobermory Topper’.

 

 

 

 

YN55 RDV

 

A Scania N94UD with East Lancs part open top bodywork. Maybe it should be branded as the

‘Tobermory Open Topper’......!

 

It previously worked in and around Minehead for ‘Quantock Motor Services’ of Wiveliscombe in Somerset.

 

 

‘WCM’ have a small depot in Craignure just up the road from the ferry terminal and when I asked one of the drivers if I was OK to walk round and take a few pictures, he was most obliging.

 

 

SSU 727 (Previously YN54 DDA).

A ‘M-B’ 814D Vario with Plaxton Cheetah bodywork.

 

SP04 EUZ

A Bova Futura which again came with the ‘Bowmans’ business.

 

YX04 FYF

Another M-B 1223L/ Ferqui combination which once more came from ‘Bowmans’.

 

SH53 GHB

Mull can be "a wild and lonely place”. (A quote from Private Frazer in ‘Dad’s Army’ ) and support in case of a breakdown is essential.

Here it is....!

 

‘Scene’ on the 38 ‘Sapphire’ service in Derby

For various reasons, (holidays, work etc.) I have not been able to get into Derby recently so I thought it about time that I had a look at the new ‘Sapphire’ specification buses that‘ Arriva’ have introduced on the 38 to Sinfin.

 

They are 7 Alexander Dennis Ltd. E400’s numbered 4400 to 4406 registered 

YY14 LHD, E, F, G, H, J and K. 

 

In view of the YY prefix I wonder if the crews or local enthusiasts will nickname them ‘Delilah’.

 

The ‘Sapphire’ standard is new to Derby but has been used elsewhere for some time. I photographed some in Oxford 6 months ago. The advertising ‘copy’ seeks to be

 

                                        “making your everyday journey sparkle”

 

Similar in concept to ‘Stagecoach Gold’ standard which employs an entirely different livery to their norm. 

 

I think that the ‘Sapphire’ livery is a clever blending of colours that with the lighter coloured text looks good and fits in well with the ‘Arriva’ fleet standard.

 

 

 

 

Inside it is clean, light and functional with plenty of hand rails and bell pushes. The seats are comfortable although personally I prefer moquette to the leather type seats provided. I find moquette warmer and you don’t slide around as much.

 

Apart from the spoken announcements at each stop, there is this monitor positioned at the stair head on which ‘Arriva’ gets its message across.

The high seat backs would at one time have given these vehicles at least ‘Dual Purpose’ if not quite Coach status.

All in all, a worthwhile exercise in raising the standard of bus comfort and information. 

I am sure that the management at ‘Arriva’ are pleased with the way that ‘Sapphire’ their ‘gem’ of an idea has ‘sparkled’ to fruition.

 

‘Scene’ today in Ripley in Derbyshire

It is not everyday that a quiet suburban residential road plays host to one of Leyland Motors finest but today it happened when former ‘Hedingham Omnibuses’ No. L84, a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard registered RGV 284N came to town.

 

Recently purchased by Michael Rogan a local enthusiast, it has joined the small fleet owned by Michael and friend

Dan Baggaley. 

 

Between them they also own a former 'Trent' Bristol RE with an ECW bus body. There is also a Van Hool Alizee bodied coach somewhere in the mix. But more of them anon.

 

Today was RGV 284N’s time in the spotlight.

 

 

 

 

Its previous owners from whom it was collected less than a week ago had obviously looked after it.  The interior is immaculate having been re-trimmed three years ago.

 

Michael is to be congratulated on buying a bus which sounds just as good as it looks. It is a worthy addition to the ranks of preserved buses in the East Midlands. 

 

'Hedingham Omnibuses' are based in Essex. Now working from five depots they have a history dating back to1960. In 2012 the company became part of the 'Go-Ahead' group.

Currently employing approximately 150 people they have a fleet of 80 or so vehicles.

'Scene' in Bakewell 1

When I first knew Bakewell, which is over 60 years ago. It was a typical country market town. Its primary function was trading in livestock at its large market together with produce, farm equipment and everything else that goes to support a basically farming community.

 

None of that has changed. The markets are still very busy particularly on Mondays. What has changed is that Bakewell has re invented itself and is now very much on the tourist trail and holidays map.

 

Situated on the river Wye and lying to the South of Manchester and Buxton. To the North of Derby and Matlock and to the West of Sheffield. Bakewell is ideally placed and the level of its bus services reflects that.

 

North-South links to Derby and Manchester are provided by ‘High Peak Buses’ (HPB) ‘transpeak’ services

 

Historically a Trent Motor Traction route that passed to today’s ‘trentbarton’ (tb) and when ‘tb’ joined forces with ‘Centrebus’ (Cb) to form ‘HPB’ in 2012 it passed to them

 

YN08 MRO

A Scania 230UB with Wright Solar bodywork. It came from another ‘Cb’ fleet. That of the Huddersfield Bus Company and before that was with ‘Cb’ in Leeds.

YN07 EXP 

A Scania CN230UB OmniCity that previously worked for “Cb’ in Leicester in its original white livery.

YN08 OAJ

 

Another Scania 230UB with Wright Solar bodywork. As with YN08 (above) it worked for ‘Cb’ in  Leeds.

 

X233 WRA

An Optare Excel that worked for and still wears the basic livery of ‘tb’ although it is working for ‘HPB’.

 

Although an elderly bus, I have travelled on it and it seems to have worn quite well despite the hammering it gets up and down the A6.

 

Locally based operator ‘Hulleys of Baslow’ are major operators in the town. It is 100 years this year since Henry Hulley bought his first ‘public transport’ a Ford model T taxi. The first bus followed in 1921 to operate from Bakewell to Chesterfied and as they say the rest is history.

 

There have been changes of ownership along the way but the smart blue and cream buses still carry his name.

 

LX51 FJA

A Dennis Trident with Alexander ALX 400 bodywork formerly of ‘Stagecoach in London’.

 

This particular bus has appeared before on my ‘blog’. I make no apology for including it again because it is such a superb vehicle.

 

 

MX11 CZM

An ‘Alexander Dennis Ltd’ Dart SLF (ADL) with ‘ADL’s Enviro 200 body waits at the Rutland Square bus stands.

 

AE55 EHL

A MAN 14.220 with an MCV Evolution body.

PL06 TGE

 

Another MCV Evolution body sits on a Dennis Dart SLF chassis. 

 

It was one of 3 similar which came from North West Bus Rentals. The other 2 being registered PL06 TGF and PL06 TFZ.

 

MX09 AOF

An Optare Solo fitted with the ‘slimline’ version of the body to be better able to cope with Derbyshire’s narrow lanes. It recently had to be fitted with a new engine.

 

YJ62 JZT

A VDL SB200 with Wright Pulsar bodywork which previously worked for ‘Wrays of Wigton’ in Cumbria.

 

In the lower image the contact details for ‘Wrays’ are clearly visible above Wright's ‘W’.