Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the October 2016 edition of Busmopolitan.

A new railway franchise has started, with Abellio awarded a long term 10 years tenure, after having run this short term since 2012. This has coincided with major weekend engineering works on the southern end of the Great Eastern Main Line during October; pictures of some of the resultant replacement road services featuring below.
There have been lots of changes at Arriva Kent Thameside. The red TfL buses have all transferred to Arriva London. The provincial side, has seen the end of scheduled double deck operation at Colchester, and the departure of long Optare Versas from Southend and Darts from Harlow.
Staying in Southend, the pier railway has reopened, after its enforced “holiday” over the summer.

24/7, STANSTED.
New are Vauxhall Vivaro 8 seaters EU66 DSO, DTV/X, DUA.
Acquired is Renault Master 8 seater PO11 CBF.

ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA (now GREATER ANGLIA).

The renewed franchise started on 16th October. It has been renamed Greater Anglia. This is a separate company which has been established. The new title appeared on digital and printed publicity immediately, and the old style names were removed from stations. Rolling stock began to be rebranded from the end of the month. Class 90 electric locomotive 90002 heads a Norwich- London service into Ipswich on 28/10/16 (above).
It runs until 2025 and has several commitments; the most significant being the introduction of new trains, by 2019. It is also hoped ‘Norwich in 90’ will become a reality. (London Liverpool Street to Norwich, non-stop in an hour and a half).
Chelmsford station ticket office has been formally re-opened by Chairman of Essex County Council, Councillor John Aldridge, following a £5 million improvement project for the station concourse area.
Class 321 EMU 321303 is back in service following ‘Renatus’ refurbishment.
Class 90 electric loco 90002, DVT 82107 and their MkIII carriage set have the new ‘GA’ branding.
90034 has returned to DB Schenker, off hire.
EMUs 317513/14 are now in the new livery.
The Class 360 EMUs now all have grey upholstery, ex purple. This is to do with a ‘Refrsh’ project.
Calss 08 diesel electric shunter 08754 is resident at Norwich Crown Point depot.

AIRPORT BUS EXPRESS.
A new depot has opened at Start Hill, Stansted, at premises previously occupied by Enterprise Car Rental.

APT, RAYLEIGH.
Scania K114/Irizar SN03 CLZ has pased to Yelloway of Chadderton, Manchester.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (GRAYS).
Has transferred to Arriva London North.
All buses have been renumbered into the London alpha-numerical series and received ‘GY’ garage codes. VDL300/Wright Gemini2 DW209 is pictured (below) at Newbury Park on 10th October.

Additionally, Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer PDL138 (SN06 BPF), which had been on loan to TGM at Heathrow, has also passed to Arriva London North.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (NETWORK COLCHESTER).

From Arriva Kent and Surrey at Guildford are ADL/Enviro 200s 4015/16/17 (GN58 BTY/Z, BUA).
Sapphire liveried VDL200/Wright Pulsar 3762 (YJ08 DZN) was here from Arriva KT Northfleet, but it quickly moved onto Stevenage. It appeared on route 1/A during its brief stay, and was seen entering Maldon Road on 18th October. Upon arrival in Hertfordshire, it was branded for routes 100/101 (Stevenage-Hitchin-Luton).
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 1560 (EU56 FTO) briefly appeared here from Harlow, en route to loan at Northfleet.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3412 (SN54 HWZ) has moved to Arriva Kent and Surrey at Guildford.
Withdrawn is Dennis Trident/EL 5445 (T406 SMV). 5445 went to Southend for storage, and its last active day was 14th October.
Due to transfer to Arriva Kent and Surrey at Maidstone, are Scania Omnidekkas 5372/3 (AY55 DKA, YN06 TFZ), Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 6130/1/12 (LF02 PLN/O, LJ03 MHV). 5372 sustained collision damage, and left Colchester before the others – for repairs. These movements are connected with the traffic changes, detailed below.
From 30/10/16, service 133 ceased to run (as limited stop) between Colchester and Braintree, apart from early morning/late night positioning journeys. 133 has reverted to being an “all stops” Braintree to Stansted Airport. Alternative facilities are available on First Essex/Regal service 70 and National Express route 250. From the same date, a daytime Sunday service was re-introduced on 1/A (Ambrose Avenue-Greenstead) and 8 (Highwoods-Monkwick) – run commercially.
From 31th October, service 2 (Horkesley Heath-Highwoods) in Colchester was revised (at its eastern end), to run around Eastwood Drive again, and terminate at Highwoods Tesco; the section to/from Gavin Way being axed. The peak hour extensions to/from Boxted additionally ceased.
The “Chicken Run” staff services for Grampian Country Foods at Witham ended from 22/10/16, (they were officially de-registered from October 30th). These were latterly three registered routes, serving Colchester, Harwich and Ipswich, and numbered 801/2/3. It is understood Grampian wanted more flexible transport solutions to tie in with its varying shift times. These services had originally started in 1997, (as Harwich to Witham) with Tony Glew as initial provider. After 3 months, Fargo took over, and ran the contract until Arriva/TGM won it in 2008. During the summer of 2016, certain runs were short term subbed to Panther Travel. Beestons has now taken over.

Above: When with Arriva Kent and Surrey; ADL/Enviro 200 4017 at Guildford, Friary Bus Station, on 30/4/16.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (NETWORK HARLOW).
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 1560 (EU56 FTO) has gone on loan to Arriva KT at Northfleet – via a brief stay at Colchester (qv). This was the last Dart at Harlow.
Optare Solo 2462 (KE55 FDF) is back in use, after store at Southend. It has received a new engine.
Solo 1465 (KE55 KTJ) has gone to Hardwick, Carlton, for scrap.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
Following receipt of the new ADL/Enviro 400 MMCs,(which were officially launched on 7th October) – route 1 has gone over completely to double deck operation, ex “long” Optare Versa saloons. The Versas have moved onto services 7 and 8 in the main, and they will lose their ‘One’ branding. The ‘Wave’ branded “short” Versas 4200-12 off the 9, have moved to Arriva Kent and Surrey at Guildford; (4204/7/11/12 went via Maidstone).
DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3838 (GK52 YVC) has transferred to Hemel Hempstead, while Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3824 (GN07 AVM) is now at Stevenage.
DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3509 (KE51 PUV) has returned from Arriva Kent and Surrey at Guildford, while 3503/8 (KE51 PUF/U) are on loan (to Northfleet). 3500 (KE51 PTY) is now withdrawn, and others will follow suit. These buses have spent their entire careers with Arriva Southend; initially as red TfL vehicles from Grays, before relocation to Southend in 2010.

Above: DAF SB120 no 3503 at London Road, Hadleigh in December 2014.

Above: 3503 at Gravesend on 4/10/16.  (D Rhodes).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (WARE).
On loan to Northfleet depot are DAF DB250LF/Alexander ALX400s 6007/11.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Grays depot has transferred from Arriva Kent Thameside (qv).
TfL346 (Upminster-Cranham) has passed to Go-Ahead Blue Triangle (qv).

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 1625 at Upminster Rail Station in September 2007. At the time of the photo,  Arriva Southend was still the licensed operator of TfL346 and the bus was on loan from Arriva Kent Thameside at Dartford.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Acquired are:
Ayatts Bravo double deck coach SIL 4458 – from Astra of Andoversford, Gloucestershire.
Volvo B12T/Van Holl double deck coach CRZ 3806 – from Carr, Pluckley, Kent. This was new to Berrys of Taunton as N754 CYA.
Duple Helstair 425s NIL 1095, SIB 3277 – from Francis of Nettlestone, Isle of Wight.
Scania K113/Irizar N685 AHL – from Oakley of Plymouth. Scania K113/Irizar R866 SDT, from L and R Travel of Basildon.

BEESTONS.
Has taken over the Grampian Country Foods Witham works contract from Arriva.
They started from 23rd October. The route is numbered T1 (Witham-Ipswich), and usually uses a Scania Omnidekka.
Optare Metrocity demonstrator YJ65 EPU was on loan in late October.
Optare Solo M920s KX54 NLD/E have passed to United Coaches, Newarthill, Scotland.

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.

On loan for rail work, were Coach Innovations of Kidderminster Van Hool T920 Altano SH09 ASH (above), and Red Route of Northfleet Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President X653 LLX (below).

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Commenced operation of ex Arriva London North TfL346 (Upminster rail station-Cranham) from 1st October. ADL/Enviro200s SE232-4 are allocated. These were displaced from TfL W19 (Ilford-Walthamstow), which will move to CT Plus in November.
There were extensive vehicle movements later in October, due to the conversion of Dockland TfL D8 to double deck. (See below).
In from Metrobus are Dennis Dart SLF/EL Esteems 230-32 (PO56 JFE/F/G). Received from Docklands are ADL/Enviro 200s SE147/48/50 (YX61 BXP, DTO/V) – displaced from TfL D8, (SE147 quickly went on to London General North); plus Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WVL113-17 (LX03 EEB/F/G/H/J), WVL249/50 (LX06 EAO/P) and Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s WVL413-21 (LX11 CWU-Z, CXA-D). The WVLs continue to mostly appear on TfL D7 and their move has made use of spare capacity at River Road depot.
ADL/Enviro 200s SE38-46 (LX10 AUR/T-W/Y, AVB-D) have been returned to Docklands Buses.
Solitary VDL SB180/MCV MDL1 (YJ60 DDE) has moved to Docklands.

BOMBARDIER.
Cuurent resident Class 08 diesel electric shunters at Ilford depot are 08573/700.

CHAMBERS.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 570 (W487 WGH) has lost its fleet names and route branding.

C2C.
New Class 387 EMUs 387301/2 were delivered to East Ham (EM) depot in late October, for staff training purposes.

COOKS OF WESTCLIFF.
From APT of Rayleigh is Bova Futura MH06 YZM.
Bova Futuras WWC 820, R902 TCH are now with Dolphin of Norwich.

CT PLUS.
New are ADL/Enviro E20Ds 1221-35 (YX66 WFS-W/Y/Z, WGA/C-G/J/K). They are for the forthcoming TfL W19 (Walthamstow-Ilford) contract, from the new depot at Walthamstow Stadium – coded AW.
ADL/Enviro 40H Citybus 2510 (SN16 OHZ) suffered severe rear end damage, in an engine fire at Bishopsgate on 3/10/16. It was on a northbound TfL26 (Waterloo-Hackney Wick) journey. It has been withdrawn.

DBS.
Class 66 EMD diesel electric locomotive 66089 was at Marks Tey sand yard on 3/10/16. 66199 was at Dagenham Dock on 29/10/16.
Resident Class 08 at Dagenham Dock is currently 08934.
It has been announced that there are to be 863 redundancies across the company, in a major restructure, caused by changes in the UK freight market. These will affect various operational grades.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.

Above: ADL/Enviro SE142 (right) at Crossharbour on 30/5/15.

TfL D8 (Stratford-Crossharbour) has been converted to double deck, using ex Metrobus 59 reg Scania Omnicity double deckers, which had previously been at Croydon for TfL64 (Thornton Heath-New Addington). This had been lost on re-tender to Arriva London South. They retain Metrobus fleet names. They are 958-73 (YT59 DYA-D/F/G/H/N/J/M/O/P/S/U/Y/W.
960 is seen (below) at Crossharbour on 29th October. As a result, there were extensive vehicle reallocations between Docklands and Blue Triangle.

Received from Blue Triangle are VDL SB180/MCV MDL1; ADL/Enviro 200s SE38-46.
SE142-45 have moved to London Central.
SE147/48/50; Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemimis WVL113-7, 249/50, B9TL/Gemini2s WVL413-21 have gone to Blue Triangle.
SE146 (YX61 BXO) went to London General North. SE149 (YX61 DTU) to London Central at New Cross.

DONS OF GREAT DUNMOW.
Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Premiere 320 DUI 672 is now named ‘Skippy’.

DRS.
Class 68 diesel electric locomotives 68004/28 are on loan to Greater Anglia for ‘Thunderbird’ duties.

EAST ANGLIAN RAILWAY MUSEUM, CHAPPEL.
AM6/Class 306 EMU 306017, which had been on loan since June 2011, has returned to the National Railway Museum at York.

EAST THAMES BUSES.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis VWL28, 30 (LF52 THX, TJO); VWL36-38, 41 (BX04 BAA/U/V, BBJ) – latterly with London General, have passed to Ensign.

ENSIGNBUS.
The last operational Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200, 780 (LX51 FGK) – has passed to Movie Mobil Ltd, Kenley, Surrey, having been returned off loan to EOS London.
Being used for spares are ex Plymouth Citybus Volvo B7TL/EL PL51 LFE and ex Stagecoach East London Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 LX03 OSJ.

EOS LONDON, RAINHAM.
Borrowed ex GHA Optare Solos YJ59 GHB/G have returned to Ensign, and been replaced by a pair of ex GHA (new to Menzies, Heathrow) Scania Omnicities – YR10 AZO/V.
Plaxton Primo 661 (BU08 ACV) is now in EOS orange/black, ex Swallow coaches white/blue colours.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President LK03 CEU has passed to Ensign.
There is now an outbase at North Weald Airfield, for those stage routes in this area.

EUROSTAR.
New are Class 374 ‘E320’ EMUs 4021+4022.
Some of the original Class 373 EMUs are being withdrawn for scrapping. These launched Eurostar in 1991. 3005 + 3006 have gone to EMR, Kingsbury for breaking.

EUROWINGS.
Further new Airbus A320-214s are D-AEWO/P.

FIRST ESSEX.
Following the end of the summer season, Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32087 (KP51 WBZ), moved over from Clacton (CN) to Chelmsford (CF) and then Colchester (CR). Sister 32086 remains parked up at CN. 32068 (KP51 VZS) has relocated from CN to CR.
Fire damaged Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33045 (LN51 DVK) has gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap.
Fire damaged Volvo B7RLE 66809 (MX05 CDE) is being cannibalised.
The staff building at the former Clacton bus station has closed. It is pictured (below) on 26th October.

Former Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66980/82 (KX05 MHJ/L) , now with First Eastern Counties, have received Norwich Yellow Line livery.

FORDS.
Former Hong Kong tri-axle Leyland Olympian/Alexander RH L808 SNO is now with Howards of Sankey.

FLYBE.
Has confirmed that it will continue its London City-Cardiff ‘Airbridge’ service. Originally started to cover closures of the Severn Road Crossing, it was due to finish on 21st October.
New is DHC-8 402 G-PRPH.

FREIGHTLINER.
Current resident Class 08 shunters at Felxstowe are 08530/624.

Class 86 electric locomotives 86613 + 86639 were stabled (above) at Ipswich on 28/10/16.

Above: One of the ex Heavy Haul Class 66s, Intermodal 66547 heads “down” through Kelvedon on 3/10/16.

GBRf.
Class 92 electric locomotive 92032 was stabled at Dagenham Dock on 29th October.

GOLDEN BOY, HODDESDON.
Mercedes Sprinters sod are:
XO12 BOY – to Welham Travel, Welwyn Garden City; FF62 BOY – to Reay, Wigton, while DD62 BOY has also left the fleet.

GRAHAM’S, KELVEDON. Scania K114/Irizar YN03 DDE is now with Glenferry, Little Island, Eire.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Volvo B7TL 576 at Maldon Road, Colchester, on 5/10/16.

Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 581 (W956 WGH), was moved from Clacton (CN) to Kelvedon (KN) on 3rd October. 574 (W506 WGH) followed on 5th October. From the 6th, routes 91/92/95/A became scheduled completely for low floor, but Volvo Olympian 71 (R626 MNU) continued to appear regularly for the rest of the month.
B7TL/President 578 (W519 WGH) appeared at KN from CN on 21st October. 575 returned to Clacton (CN). 576 left KN in mid October, but returned by the end of the month. By 31st October, B7TLs 574/76/78/81 were all available for service at KN.
Withdrawn Volvo Olympian/NCs 72 (R629 MNU), 95 (R279 LGH) have been stripped of parts at KN. Withdrawn Olympian/NC 93 (R273 LGH) and Dennis Trident/ELs 714/29 (T814 RFG, W829 NNJ) remain parked up at Clacton (CN).
Dennis Trident/EL 701 (T801 RFG) has been converted to DDA specification at Hants and Dorset Trim, ex loan to Chambers.
Ford Transit 16 seater YT12 DBZ has returned to Robertson Van Hire, off loan.

IPSWICH BUSES.
There was 24 hour strike planned for 10th October, over starter pay rates for new driving staff. Established drivers get £11.00 per hour, but new drivers only receive £8.81 and UNITE Union wants £10.00 for its members. The lower rate affects one-third of the platform staff. An emergency timetable was plannned for the day, but fortunately the dispute was settled amicably on 7th October.
However, the interim timetable remained, as arrangements were already in place. Thus, on 10/10/16, buses carried yellow/black boards in their windscreens, denoting the temporary arrangement.
Dennis Lance/EL 162 (L162 ADX) has passed to Easton and Otley College.
Ex Carters Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 6 (LG02 FCE) has gone to PSV Recycling, Hadleigh, for scrap.
MAN/MCV 260 (AY60 BVD) now has ‘Ipswich Buses’ fleet names on Carters livery. It is pictured (below) at Ipswich Old Cattle Market on 17/9/16.

(Photo by D Rhodes).

JOHN JAMES LUXURY TRAVEL, DAGENHAM.

YX16 NWW is a nearly new Volvo B8R/Plaxton Panther. Seen above on railway replacement at Witham on 9/10/16.
RO10 LRV is a Mercedes Sprinter minicoach.
Neoplan Skyliner YN03 AWH has been exported via Plaxton, Anston (dealer).

JR EXECUTIVE TRAVEL, COPDOCK.
VH T917 tri-axle HOW 3R is ex Howard of Great Sankey, Cheshire.

KELLYS OF ESSEX, NAZEING.

A new Harlow-London commuter service has started. Setra S315 IJZ 474 illustrates the branding (above) at Witham on 15th October.
BJ63 ZNE is a Ford Transit LWB hi cube ancillary van.

L and R TRAVEL, BASILDON.

Another “classic” used coach is L975 OWY, an ex Chariots/Flavin of Stanford Le Hope Plaxton Excalibur bodied Volvo B10M, which has been re-registered A19 LNR. It was seen (above) on rail replacement at Witham on 29/10/16. Neoplan Tourliner YN07 EBO is now A20 LNR. Leyland National Greenaway HLZ 4439 has passed to Alder and Ward (Malcolms Bus Service), Clacton.
Scania K113/Irizar R866 SDT is sold.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
Setra S416 KE08 YFX is now 46 AEW.

LONDON CENTRAL.
Two TfL contracts have been retained, starting 1st October.
42 goes over to double deckers, using new Euro VI hybrids; replacing LDP Class Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers. Extended southwards from Denmark Hill to East Dulwich. Route is thus now Liverpool Street-East Dulwich. New MHV Class Volvo B5LH/MCV EvoSetis are used.
108 (Lewisham-Stratford) gets an allocation of ex London General MEC Class Mercedes Citaros (Euro 5 engined). MEC 1 and 2 were the first, with MEC20 (BD09 ZRA0 following. These are being refurbished by Hants and Dorset Trim, upseated to 33 and repainted. Examples have already been trialed on the service, since November 2015. The 108 is re-routed between Poplar and Stratford via Violet Road,, Carpenters Road and Stratford City Bus Staion to terminate at Stratford International Station. This replaces the old route via High Street and Great Eastern Road to Stratford Bus Station. The double deck TfL 108 Lewisham-North Greenwich short workings are provided by Euro 5 engined PVL Class Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents off TfL321 (New Cross-Foots Cray, Sidcup). Vehicles replaced by the 108 changes are the DW/DWL Class DAF SB120/Wright Cadets, ED Class Dart SLF/MCV Evolutions and LDP Class Dart SLF/Pointers – indeed LDPs 194 and 206 moved to Bexleyheath (BX). SE Class ADL/Enviro 200s of TfL286 (Greenwich-Sidcup) still appear though.

Above: Mb Citaro MEC42 at Lewisham on 29/10/16.

LONDON OVERGROUND/LOROL.
EMU 317888 is now in LOROL livery.

LONDON UNDERGROUND LIMITED.
From October 7th, the Jubilee Line joined the Night-Tube network at weekends. The Stratford-Canary Wharf section runs in the area covered by ‘Busmopolitan’.
The same date saw the turnback at Mansion House (on the District and Circle Lines), closed. It was removed over the next two days. Its counterpart at Tower Hill is due to follow suit.
The D78 Stock has received a temporary reprieve, while S Stock is returned to Bombardier for Automatic Train Control (ATC) modifications. 10 D Stock trains (20 3 car units) are involved. They are single ended 7007/12/16/18/30/32/34/37/46/57/70/75/95/115 and double ended 7502/12/26/30/32/34.
Driving car 7508 has passed to LT Museum, for spares only.

Above: D78 7046 forms the rear of a Wimbledon-Barking service at Embankment on 28/9/15.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPERATIONS.
A Scania K410/Caetano Boa Vista double deck tri-axle coach appeared at Start Hill Scania, during early October. It is one of 6 destined for the A1 London-Luton Airport service. The vehicles are essentially double deck Caetano Levantes and are similar to 12 recently supplied to Ulsterbus.

NEW HORIZON, FRATING.
Scania Omniexpress YP10 VZB is now with Coopers of Killamarsh.

OLYMPUS, HARLOW.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur V283 SBW has passed to Bradshaw of Heywood, Manchester.
Iveco CC100E/Indicar YN05 ARX is now with Ace Travel of Beeding, West Sussex.

ORIGINAL LONDON SIGHTEEING TOUR.
Leyland Olympian/Alexander RHs J327-31 BSH, latterly with London United – have passed to Ensign.

P and M COACHES, WICKFORD.
Acquired from Ceefa of Pitsea is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere N559 SJF.
Sold is Leyland Olympian/Alexander RH J849 TSC.
Volvo B10M/Berkhof Axial R914 ULA has fleet livery on its rear only. The rest of the coach is in “as acquired” condition of white with red/blue side stripes. The picture (below), shows it with previous operator Hunters Ride of South Mymms, in August 2005.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer BIG 9856 returned, off loan from Regal, before going back on loan.
ADL/Enviro 200 AB62 PAN has been named ‘George’, while DAF DB250LF/EL DC52 PAN is ‘Louise’.
Vauxhall Zafira crew ferry AB02 PAN has been re-registered back to LR02 NCC.
AB02 PAN is now on DAF DB250LF/EL FD02 UKR. Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere N611 APU is now BIG 9807.
DAF DB250LF DC52 PAN and Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther AB53 PAN have been retrimmed. DAF DB250LF AB02 PAN is undergoing major refurbishment at Matching Tye.
Volvo B12T/Plaxton Panther AB07 PAN is “warm stored” at Colchester outbase.
The Witham rail standby ceased after 14/10/16. Witham outstation is still used for vehicle parking, however. Matching Tye workshop is also now used operationally, while maintenance facilities have been established at Parkeston depot.
Previously sold Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur J734 CWT, has been offered on ebay.
The old Stansted parking site, has been converted into a fenced compound by Stansted Airport Ltd.

Above: DAF DB250LF/EL DC52 PAN at Witham outstation on 23/10/16.

RICHMOND, BARLEY.
WJ66 KCC is a new Van Hool TX27.

RYANAIR.
Withdrawn are Boeing 737-800s EI-EFS/W.
EFS has passed to Ukraine International Airlines.

SOLITAIRE TRAVEL, ROCHFORD.
Volvo B10M/Berkhof Axial R944 SJM is withdrawn.

SOUTHEND PIER RAILWAY.
From 4th October, the running of trains resumed, initially on test. Full public service returned from October 5th.
The line had been closed since June, due to concerns about the safety of its supporting structure.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Ex Bedford Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer 32422 (KV53 EYY) is now stored as Reserve at Cambridge.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
Received from Selkent are ADL/Enviro 200s 36280/82 (LX11 AWW/Y). They are at Barking (BK).
Now driver trainers are Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s 17363/4/8/95/7/9, 17409/26/27/34, Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers 34353/5/7/8/62. Tridents 17993-97 (LX53 KCA/C/E/F/G) are now back at Romford (NS) ex Reserve. Previously withdrawn Trident 17809 (LX03 BXD) has been scrapped by the company.
The two Tridents stored at the old Stagecoach Swindon depot, had gone by early October.
Scania Omnicity ‘decker 15076 has moved from WH to BW.
Tridents resold through Ensign are:
17910/26 (LX03 OSD, OTB) – to Marshalls of Sutton on Trent; 17917 (LX03 OSN) – to Laguna Travel of Bournemouth; 18236/48 (LX04 FYC/R) – to First Bus Stop of Gravesend.
Trident 17913 (LX03 OSJ) is being cannibalised by Ensign (qv).
Overall adverts:
New Routemasters
LT239 (LTZ 1239) – Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
LT248 (LTZ 1248) – School of Rock.
LT380 (LTZ 1380) – Spotify.
Back into fleet livery are New Routemasters LT268, 374/97, 400 (LTZ 1268/374/97/400).

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
Ex Bury St Edmunds ‘Breeze’ Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 436 (LX51 FGF) is regarded as Reserve.
Withdrawn is Scania/Irizar coach 203 (OW03 LFL) – which had operated from Haverhill.
Volvo B10B/Alexander PS 233 (M233 TBV) and Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH 827 (N827 FKK) are now in the Galloway of Mendlesham fleet. The Olympian had previously been on long-term loan.
The Haverhill based ex Blackwater Link ADL/Enviro 200s 431-34 (EU10 NVP/R/S/T) are in practice, not all used at Bury St Edmunds at any one time, with long and Short Dart SLF/Pointers often appearing. Also, the ‘Breeze’ name no longer appears on buses, but is still used on digital and printed publicity. Note that on Sundays and public holidays, the Bury St Edmunds town services are operated by Coach Services of Thetford under Suffolk County Council contract, using the old First Eastern Counties service numbers of 80, 81, 82, 83. ADL/Enviro 200s appear on these.

SUFFOLK NORSE.
Ex Soames Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther KX09 GMO, has received Suffolk Norse livery.

SULLIVAN BUSES.
TfL W9 (Chase Farm Hospital-Southgate) has been gained from Metroline on retender, while TfL298 (Potters Bar-Arnos Grove) is retained. Both start on 4/2/17.

SWISS GLOBAL AIRLINES.
New is Bombardier CS 100 HB-JBC.

TALISMAN COACHLINES, GREAT BROMLEY.
Open top Bristol KSW/ECW WNO 480 is sold. It went to the premises of Xeliabus at Eastleigh, and was then offered on ebay.
Van Hool TD824 DSK 107 is withdrawn, and has been re-registered D108 ELO.

TERRAVISION.
Some of the Scania/Irizars are reported as parked up at Scania, Purfleet, while others collected at a site in Barking. Those that were at Taylors End, Stansted – had gone by late October. Scania/Irizar K380EB6 tri-axle YN08 MLZ was offered via Auction through Gordon Brothers at the end of October.
Recorded as sold are:
Scania K360/Irizar tri-axles YN08 MLZ, YT10 WLA-D.
Scania K360/Irizar 4x2s YT12 YUA-E.
King Long XMQ6127 BK63 ZTC.
Scania K360/Irizar tri-axles YN64 AMO/U/V/X.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
Toyota Optima M933 CHU has passed to a dealer in Romford.
LDV Convoy minicoach BX06 XZA and Mercedes 0814D/Robin Hood L111 ANT are also sold.

TOWER TRANSIT.
Overall adverts:
Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 VN36161 (BJ11 EBA) – Zillertal.
ADL/Enviro 40H DNH39116 (SN12 ARX) – Zillertal.
ADL/Enviro 40Hs DNH39115/25 (SN12 ARU, ATO) – India.
ADL/Enviro E40H DNH39127 (SN12 ATV) – Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Back to red – ADL/Enviro 40D DN33781 (SN12 AVX).

TRUSTYBUS.
Scania Omnilink/EL YR52 VFL now has a led destination, ex roller blind.
Accident damaged Volvo B10BLE/Wright WNZ 1864 is withdrawn.
DAF DB250LF/Alexander ALX400 X427 FGP is now with Barnes of Dagenham.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton pointer KP54 BYL has passed to Seaford and District.

TURNERS OF ESSEX, WICKHAM ST PAUL.
Optare Solo S627 JRU, acquired from Panther Travel by a Turners employee, has suffered a major engine failure and is now parked up at the depot.

WHIPPET.
From Tower Transit are Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WD429/31 (LK54 FLG/A respectively). LK04 HXP is WD445; LK04 HYV is WD444.
Ex Johnsons of Hodathorpe is Volvo B9R/Caetano FJ60 EGE.
National Express Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante L80 SGB has returned to South Gloucester Bus and Coach at Patchway. B9R/Levantes FJ60 HXS/Y, FJ60 KVS have fleet nos NX14-16.

With thanks to: L Bourne; R Delahoy; EBN; A Hazell; J Lidstone; J Sadd.