Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the November, 2016 edition of Busmopolitan; and Seasons Greetings.
Arriva has removed its last double deckers from Colchester, while
First has relaunched its Stansted centred express services X10 and X30 with new vehicles. Hedingham is rapidly becoming an all DDA fleet ahead of the double deck deadline on 31st December, with all Tridents converted and more Volvo B7TLs reallocating to replace the dwindling band of Olympians. Stephenson’s holding company ETH, is due to complete its purchase of Galloway International Coaches.
In Metropolitan Essex, CT Plus continues to expand its share of the TfL local bus market, while Metroline owned Braddell Ltd has transferred its Stansted Citylink operations to a private contractor.
On the rails, the new Greater Anglia identity is now quickly appearing, while there is much activity on works for Crossrail, including the installation of ticket gates at all stations between Liverpool Street and Shenfield.
And in the air, there is now an alternative to Pegasus when flying to Turkey – Atlas Air.

ADVANCE, SOUTHEND.
Vovo B10M/Berkhof Axials R915/17 ULA have been offered on ebay.

AIRPORT BUS EXPRESS.

Scania K440/Caetano C650 BX65 WBT at Euston Road, London on 18th November on the A20 Baker Street to Stansted service. Note the Easybus branding.

ANGLIAN RAILWAYS.
This predecessor of Greater Anglia, makes a reappearance to record the following subsequent histories.
Class 86 electric Loco 86235, now with Ruse in Bulgaria has been renamed ‘Novelty’, a name it carried at one stage of its UK career. Meanwhile, sister 86246 has gone to Booth Roe, Rotherham for scrap, after having been used for spares by Europhoenix.
Finally, DBSO 9713 has also passed to Booth for scrapping, after cannibalisation by Direct Rail Services, so its other DBSOs could be overhauled.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3329 (X521 GGO) is back again from Harlow.
ADL/Enviro 200 4017 (GN58 BUA) entered service on 4th November, still in full Guildford livery.
Further ex Arriva Kent and Surrey buses from this batch are 4011/12 (GN58 BTO/P). They have no branding. Routes 1/A and 8 are the main haunts for these Enviro 200s. Service 4 (Hythe-Tollgate) has gone over to short Dennis Dart SLF operation, ex long SLF; one of the short SLFs interworks with 1/A. Route 2 (Highwoods-Horkesley Heath) now sees a mix of long and short saloons, following its frequency reduction to every 20 minutes – ex 15.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3819 (GN07 AVF) is now in Arriva colours, leaving 3818 (GN07 AVE) as the last in SxConnect livery.
Scania Omnidekka 5373 (YN06 TFZ) and Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 6130/31/32 (LF02 PLN/O, LJ03 MHV) have moved to Arriva Kent and Surrey, ending double deck operation here.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 6130, unusually on route 2; at Headgate, Colchester on 2nd November.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Accident damaged Optare Solo 1473 (YJ56 ATY) is being cannibalised, while sister 1474 (YJ56 ATZ) is now withdrawn and has gone to Southend for cannibalisation.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
Transferred from Harlow is Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3815 (GN07 AVB). 3856 (KE54 LNR) was also received, but quickly returned to Harlow.
Now withdrawn are DAF SB120/Wright Cadets 3501 (KE51 PTZ) and 3530 (LF02 PNK).

Above: One of the recent ADL/Enviro 400 MMCs – no 6502, departs Southend Travel Centre on 18/11/16. (D Arnold).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400s VLA105/6 (LJ05 BKZ, BLF) have moved from Barking (DX) to Grays (GY) in exchange for VLA162/3.

Above: A nostalgic view, taken at Cheshunt in November 2003. Leaside Travel was the coach and commercial division of Leaside Buses, the predecessor of Arriva London North, although this identity was retained for some years after Arriva took over in 1998. Ex Grey Green DAF MB/Van Hool G908 TYR was on a shuttle service for Tesco between its store at Brookend, Broxbourne and Waltham Cross. This utilised the coach between London commuter runs. The vehicle was outbased at the Ware depot of Arriva East Herts and Essex.

ATLAS AIR.

Now runs London Stansted to Istanbul.

BARKERBUS.
Mb 614D/Crest T680 LHN is ex Dolphin Motors, Norwich.
Withdrawn Mercedes 709D/Plaxton Beaver DIG 6213 has been re-registered back to its original J430 WFA.
Ayatts Bravo Y386 NVV has been sold to New Bharat, Southall.
Disused Scania K114/Irizar N685 AHL is now with Beeline of Billinghay, Lincs.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
The first of the ex London Central SOE Class Dennis Dart SLF/EL Esteems is SOE25 (LX09 AZL).
Transferred to London General are Dart SLF/MCV Evolutions ED16, 17 (AE56 OUP/S); ADL/Enviro 200s SE150 (YX61 DTV), SEN34 (YX61 FZT) – all connected with the loss of TfL W19 (see below).
TfL W19 (Walthamstow-Ilford) passed to CT Plus from 26th November.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolution ED15 approaches Ilford on 17/9/15.

C2C.
New are Class 387 EMUs 387303-06.
Sisters 387301/02 entered revenue service on 14/11/16. They had been used on a ‘media special’ 3 days earlier. 387305/6 appeared on a return test run from Bletchley to Brighton on 17/11/16. The 387/3s are fitted for 3rd rail DC operation, but this won’t be used (of course) on C2C, which is 25kv AC overhead energised.

CHELDON COACHES, GREAT WAKERING.
This is the new title of BJS Coaches.
Mercedes 0816D/Plaxton Cheetah2 YN09 AOV is ex Rodgers of Weldon, Northants. It has replaced Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah ST02 GDE.

COBALT AERO.
The third aircraft here is Airbus A319-112 5B-DCU. It was new to Mexicana in 2006 and came via Avianca.

COOKS, WESTCLIFF.
New is CO66 OKB, a Scania i6/Irizar.

CROSSRAIL/MTR/TfL RAIL.

Above: Extension to the platform at the London end of Shenfield station, on 19/11/16. There is also major sidings works going on at Ilford depot.

CT PLUS.
TfL W19 (Walthamstow-Ilford) was gained from Blue Triangle from 26/11/16.
From this date the new depot at Walthamstow Stadium (AW) opened, for the above and the new ADL/Enviro 200s entered service.

DRS.
Class 57 diesel electric loco 57002 has been named ‘Rail Express’. This had been with Freightliner until 2007, where it had been named ‘Freightliner Phoenix’.

EAST THAMES BUSES.
Former Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis VWL32/34, 43/44 (BX04 AZW/U, BKL/K respectively) , latterly with London General; have passed to Ensign.
Ensign has resold VLW 36/37/38 (BX04 BAA/U/V) to Sleafordian of Sleaford.
DAF SB120/Wright Cadet DW9 (LF52 TKT), has gone to MC Tractors, Ramsey for scrap – after parts recovery by Ensign.

EASYJET.
Further new Airbus A320-214s are G-EZPR/S/U.

EMPRESS, BETHNAL GREEN.
Neoplan Tourliner MX10 DFE has passed to Moseley, Wellington (dealer).

ENSIGNBUS.
BCI Enterprise 403 (LX66 GXE) is on loan to Reading Buses.
Bedford WYB EYE 599 is now in the Heritage Fleet, having been reapinted at Mardens. It was new to Underwood of Orsett and was used by the RAF during WW2.
Dennis Trident/EL 195 (W56 PCC) has passed to Bear Buses of Shepperton.
Scholars service 23 (Belhus-Palmers College), ceased after 17/11/16.

ESSEX LIMOS, RAYNE.
Mb Sprinter 511 YX08 EHJ is now registered S666 ESX.

EUROSTAR.
The power car from set 373207 has passed to EMR, Kingsbury for breaking, after sustaining fire damage.

Above: Class 373 373212 at St Pancras International on 18th November.

EUROWINGS.
New are Airbus A320-214s D-AEWQ/R.

FIRST ESSEX.

The new vehicles for X10 and X30 were launched at Stansted Airport on Monday, 21/11/16. They are ADL/Enviro 200 MMCs 67160-64 (YY66 OZV/W/X, PAO, PBF) for X10 and 67165-71 (YY66 PBO/U/V/X/Z, PCF/O) for X30. They are in green/silver livery, with leather seats, USB sockets and Wi-Fi. Prior to this, the X10 had temporary buses, including ADL/Enviro 200 MMC 44661; seen (above) at Stansted on 5/11/16. The X30 had previously used Volvo B9R/Plaxton Panther coaches, supplemented by some Scania/Irizars. B9R no 20804, was seen (below) at Chelmsford on 6/11/16.

Withdrawn are Volvo B9R/Plaxtons 20801-5 and Scania/Irizars 23019/20. 20802-5 have gone to First Devon and Cornwall at Cambourne.

ADL/Enviro 200MMCs 44659-62 have moved from Basildon (BN) to Chelmsford (CF) following receipt of the new X10 vehicles.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 42484 (SN03 WLW) continues as the last of its batch at Chelmsford (CF). Its sisters are all now at Hadleigh (HH).
Repaints into Refreshed livery are of Optare Solo 53117 (EO02 NEN), Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66819/27 (MX05 CEF, CFD). 53132 (EO02 NFP) is the last Solo left in ‘Barbie’ colours.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 32864 (T864 KLF) has moved from Basildon (BN) to Braintree (BE) for storage.
Long term withdrawn Scania L94/Wright Axcess Ultraflow 60206 (Y598 KNE) has gone to Alpha for scrap.
The new LIDL, on the site of the old Maldon outstation at Fullbridge, opened on 24th November.

FORDS OF ALTHORNE.
Via Ensign are ex Stagecoach Yorkshire Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s S804 BWC, T650 KPU. They were new to Stagecoach East London.

FREIGHTLINER.
Class 66 EMD diesel electric loco 66418 has been named ‘Patriot – In memory of fallen railway employees’.
On 18th November, Heavy Haul Class 66 EMD diesel electric loco 66511 was seen on an Intermodal at Colchester, while grey liveried Class 90 electric loco 90047 was stabled (“dead”) outside Colchester power box.
Class 08 diesel electric shunter 08571 was again on loan from Wabtec during November, covering 08530 at Felixstowe.

GALLEON TRAVEL, HARLOW.
Withdrawn is BMC BX06 OAM.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
The handover to Eastern Transport Holdings was due to be completed on 30th November, upon retirement of Galloway’s two directors. However, it was put back to “early in 2017”.

GBRf.

Class 66 EMD diesel electric locos 66720 and 66725 were topping and tailing a RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Train) through Shenfield on 19/11/16.

GODWARD, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRES.
On loan from Evobus is Mercedes Tourismo BP65 JNL.

GREATER ANGLIA.

EMUs 317881/83 are in the new livery.
Now with the new ‘Greater Anglia’ branding are electric locomotives 90006/07/15; DVTs 82102/03; DMUs 156417/18/19; EMUs 321307/11/18/27/36/39/46, 321423/30/46, 379010, 360104/06/07/09/15/19 and TSO 11090. 321307/11/18 retain NX livery.
82102 also now has a white front fleet number. It was pictured (above) at Norwich on 12th November.
90015 is seen (below) at the opposite end of the Great Eastern Main Line – London Liverpool Street, awaiting departure on the 1750 to Norwich on 18/11/16.

Above: 321430 with the new GA branding on National Express livery and small unit numbers. Seen at London Liverpool Street on 18/11/16.

Class 321 EMU 321311 went for Renatus refurbishment in mid November.

HALLS OF HENHAM.
The old Elsenham depot of this long defunct operator, has disappeared under new housing.

HEDINGHAM.

From Konect is Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 513 (LB02 YXE). It is at Clacton (CN).
Dennis Trident/EL 712 (T812 RFG) is back from Anglian and is stored at CN.
Ford Transit 16 seater YT12 DBZ is back on hire from JD Robertson. It is used on Toppesfield School and as a crew ferry at Sible Hedingham (HD).
The programme to upgrade the former Brighton and Hove Dennis Trident/ELs to DDA continues. 714/25/26 (T814 RFG, W825/26 NNJ) are reinstated at CN after conversion, while 723 (W823 NNJ) was dispatched to Hants and Dorset Trim on 24th November.
Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 743 (X386 NNO) moved from Sible Hedingham (HD) to Kelvedon (KN) for inspection on 4th November (pictured above). It successfully passed clearance trials. It also has gained red Hedingham fleet names.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 573 (W491 WGH) moved to KN from CN on 9th November.
It (and 581) were used on clearance trials on Plume schoolbus 3 in mid November.
Withdrawn are Volvo Olympian/NCs 70 (P612 CAY), 90 (N427 JBV) and Volvo Olympian/Alexander RL 74 (R702 DNH). 70, 74 are stored at HD. 90 is stored at CN with 93 (R273 LGH). 72 (R629 MNU), 95 (R279 LGH) remain parked up at KN.
Also parked up withdrawn at CN are Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere coaches 4 (M571 XKY), 5 (N667 THO), 7 (P530 CLJ). B10Ms 8 (R453 FWT), 9 (S290 TVW) remain in use at CN.
Harwich town service 2/A (Harwich-Parkeston), reverted to Hedingham operation from mid November, ex temporary cover by Panther Travel.

Above: Volvo Olympian/NC Countybus no 70 at the Tollesbury terminus of PL1 (Plume School, Maldon) on 7/11/16; a few days before withdrawal.

Above: Volvo Olympian/Alexander RL 74, Olympian/NC no 67 and Olympian/Alexander RH no 76 wait the afternoon schools run-out from Kelvedon depot, on 4/11/16. Savour such gatherings of Olympians while you can …………………

Above: Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 573 in its London days; as London Central PVL91 – at Ludgate Circus in August 2005.

IPSWICH BUSES.
On loan from ADL was Enviro 200 MMC demonstrator YX65 RKK. It was temporarily numbered 500.
Scania Omnidekka 60 (PJ54 YZT) now has super rear advert for IB staff recruitment.
DAF DB250LF/Optare Spectra 52 9X152 LBJ) is reinstated.

KINGS TOURS, STANWAY.
On hire from Arriva Bus and Coach at Wellingborough was Van Hool EX16H YJ16 EPX.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
From RATP Yellow Buses, Bournemouth are Dennis Trident/EL Lolynes T271/72/75/76/78 BPR.

LONDON CENTRAL.
More ex London General MEC Class Mercedes Citaros for TfL108 (Lewisham-Stratford) are MEC3, 4, 6, 30, 46 (BG09 JJU/V/Y, BD09 ZVV, BT09 GOU).
After only a short spell here; MEC21, 42 (BD09 ZRC, BT09 GOH) moved on to Carousel Buses at High Wycombe.

LONDON OVERGROUND/LOROL.
EMU 317889 is now in LOROL colours.
There was an unfortunate incident on 6th November at Hackney Central. A lit firework was thrown through an open door into a crowded Class 315 EMU. Luckily there were no injuries, but a “stampede situation” ensued. British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating.

Above: LOROL EMU 317719 at London Liverpool Street on 18/11/16. This is one of the ex Stansted Express units.

LONDON UNDERGROUND.
The first of the former D78 Stock trains converted by VivaRail to a Class 230 DMU (230001), began main line testing at the end of November. It is based at the London Midland Tyseley (TS) depot in Birmingham.

METROLINE.

Above: Volvo B5H/Wright Gemini2 VWH3030 at Hadley Green, Barnet, on 19/11/16. This is north of the official terminus of 34 at Barnet Church, as the bus had just started its duty from Potter Bar (PB) garage.

MILESTONE TRAVEL, CANVEY.
Neoplan Skyliner HL03 HCA is now N100 MSC.

MULLEYS OF IXWORTH.
Has LW51 ZHJ, an Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL, which was previously 01-D-10215
with Dublin Bus. It came via Ensign.

NEW HORIZON, FRATING.
Scania K114/Irizar S20 NHT has reverted to its original YN54 AKK registration and been sold.

P and M COACHES, WICKFORD.
Withdrawn is Mercedes 709D/Plaxton Beaver K605 ORL.

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere BIG 611 at the temporary Ipswich outstation, at the coach park on West End Road on 12/11/16. This is being used while the railway station forecourt is being remodelled.
Below: The old Stansted site, as seen on 5th November. It has passed to Grundon Waste Management. Anitas Coaches depot can be seen in the distance.

RYANAIR.
New Boeing 737-8ASs are EI-FTC/G/H/J.

Boeing 737-800 EI-DAE celebrates 14 years of service this month. It was pictured at Torp Airport, Norway in June 2004; having just landed from London Stansted. The cockpit windshield “eyebrows” have since been removed.

SELWYNS.
Former National Express coaches in the news are:
DAF SB3000/VH 90 (SEL 36) has reverted to its original ID of YJ51 EKX. The SEL 36 mark is now on Volvo B9R/Plaxton Elite 1412 (YN10 FKM). YJ51 EKM is the last DAF SB3000 operated.
Sold are DAF SB3000/VH T8s 69 (R39 GNW) – to Edwards, Bwlchgwyn and 100 (T185 AUA) – to Eagles and Crawford of Mold.
In the current fleet, DAF SB4000/VH 104 (SEL 392) and Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante 169 (FJ61 EWL) have moved internally from Runcorn to Sharston depots.

SOUTH EAST COACHES, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.
FJ58 AHO is a Scania K114/Caetano 70 seater, ex Lucketts of Fareham. From Stewarts of Woodley is Mercedes Sprinter 515/KVC YN09 HZC. The Sprinter is now OIG 2895.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Withdrawn are Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s 17151/75 (V151/75 MEV), 17180 (W187 CNO) and Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere trainer 52440 (R539 GSF).
LG15 WSZ is a Skoda Fabia estate staff car at Cambridge.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: Scania Omnicity ‘decker  53127 (LX59 CMV) at Bishopsgate on 18th November.

New Routemaster overall adverts:
LT313/60 – YouTube
LT314 – Misguided.
LT386 – Egypt.
Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s resold through Ensign are:
17911/21 (LX03 OSE/V), 17949/68/73/75 (LX53 JYN, JZL/R/U) – to Marshalls of Sutton-on-Trent.
18237 (LX04 FYD) – to Grant Palmer, Dunstable.
18241/47 (LX04 FYH/P) – to First Bus Stop, Gravesend.

STANSTED CITYLINK.

Operations have transferred from Braddell Ltd, Cricklewood to Callinan Coaches at Stanmore. A Stansted base has been established in the old Terravision premises at Taylors End. This has replaced the old Braddell arrangement where coaches were berthed and maintained at Metroline sites; Kings Cross and Perivale respectively.
Mercedes Tourismo BG65 VXA now physically carries its fleet number MBT1.

Above: Mercedes Tourismo MBT2 departs St Pancras on 18/11/16.

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
Suffolk Rider branded ADL/Enviro 200 461 (EU60 CBF) has appeared on Essex routes from Boreham depot.
Volvo Olympian/NC 809 (M409 RVU) is temporarily reinstated.
Scania/Irizar Century 203 (OW03 LFL) passed to Nigel McCree (dealer).
The purchase of Galloways of Mendlesham by Stephenson’s holding company, Eastern Transport Holdings, was due to be completed on 30/11/16.

SUFFOLK NORSE.
Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther YX10 FFU now has Suffolk Norse fleet names and stripes on Soames blue livery.

SULLIVAN BUSES, SOUTH MYMMS.
New are 9.7 metre B33D ADL/Enviro 200 MMCs AE20-27 (DS, SB, WB, LS, FS, BL, WW, DB66 SUL).
Ex Abellio London ADL/Enviro 400s LJ09 OJZ, OKB/G/T/Z – are via Ensign. They have fleet nos E40-44.

TERRAVISION.
Scania K360/Irizars YT12 YUA/C are parked at Start Hill Scania.

THOMAS COOK.
Boeing 767-31ERs G-TCCA/B are withdrawn.

TRUSTYBUS, HARLOW.
Scania Omnicity TB-RXF (YN53 RXF) is back in traffic following collision repairs.
Ex Go North East Volvo B10BLE/Wrights re-registered:
W901 RBB – to WNZ 2249.
W902 RBB – to WNZ 1127.
W905 RBB – to WNZ 1094.
W907 RBB – to WNZ 1103.
W908 RBB – to WNZ 3353. Had been allocated WNZ 1127 on paper.
X492 WGR – to WNZ 1196.
X913 WGR – to WNZ 1490.
X918 WGR – to WNZ 1196.
X924 WGR – to WNZ 1864, then back again after accident damage.
X935 WGR – to WNZ 2410.
WNZ1094/490 not have dot matrix destinatons, ex led.

VICEROY OF ESSEX, SAFFRON WALDEN.
The Saffron Walden Town Service (no 34), ceased commercially after 19th November. It had been run like this by Viceroy for many years and was replaced by a council contracted operation, still worked by Viceroy.

WHIPPET.
The first of the new Volvo B8RLE/Wrights for the U Service in Cambridge are WD105/6 (BT66 WVE/F).

With thanks to:
D Arnold, Essex Buses Yahoo, R Delahoy, N Field, A Hazell, J Sadd.