Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the August 2017 edition of Busmopolitan.
As per usual, the end of August saw the usual reshuffle of Essex County Council local bus contracts. Significant was the large reduction in work carried out by Regal, and also the complete withdrawal of some services, including 2 evening and one Sunday “trunk routes”. Some other (deep rural) routes have gone from conventional bus to community bus/flexible timetable.
There have additionally been some interesting Transport for London contract changes during this month.

ACME TRANSPORT, STANSTED.
Tendered ECC bus work ceased after 26/8/17. 7/A (Bishops Stortford-Stansted Airport), 306 (Bishops Stortford-Wicken Bonhunt) passed to Trustybus and 322 (Harlow-Saffron Walden) to Regal. School contracts etc continue.

Above: Acme Bus Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer KN52 NFV departs Stansted Airport on route 7 on 14/3/16. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
OU16 BEY, BJO are Peugeot 208 5 door hatchback ferry cars. They have replaced the LDV Convoys.
Last TGM liveried bus, Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3314 (S312 JUA) was collected from Southend, by Hardwick of Carlton, for scrap.
The former bus turning circle on Boxted Road, at the entrance to the old Severalls Hospital, has been severed, to provide an access road to a new housing development.
This had once been the northern terminus of Colchester Corporation/Colchester Borough Transport route 8 from Monkwick. A derelict bus shelter remained in mid August, but was soon dismantled. A peak hour Arriva 8B service had served Boxted Road until quite recently, but now the only bus is the 80/A provided by Panther Travel on Essex CC contract. The main service 8 these days, terminates at Highwoods.

Above: The old Severalls bus terminus, as seen on 13/8/17. (John Podgorski).

(John Podgorski).

DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3520 (LJ03 MZL) caused problems on 14/8/17, when it failed at the exit of Colchester Bus Station in the evening rush hour.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
The following Essex CC contracts were gained from Regal, from 27/8/17:
Harlow town services on Sundays and Public Holidays.
1/B (Harlow-Sumners); 2/3 (Harlow-Staple Tye); 4 (Harlow-Latton Bush); 6 (Harlow-Little Parndon); 8 (Harlow-Old Harlow); 10 (Harlow-Church Langley). Plus 418B (Harlow-Loughton).
There were also revisions to the existing evening Essex CC local contracts. Withdrawn were:
1B (Harlow-Sumners); 3A (Harlow-Staple Tye); 6A (Harlow-Little Parndon), 8A (Harlow-Old Harlow).
On loan during August were: Optare Versa 2454 (YJ58 PFV) from Ware; Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3285 (Y385 HKE) from Stevenage; Volvo B10BLE/WrightS 3312/13 (PN02 HVL/M) from Stevenage; DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3528 (LF02 PNE) from Southend; VDL SB200/Wright 3780 (KX09 KDV) from Stevenage.
Optare Solo 1473 (YJ56 ATY) has passed to Hardwick, Carlton, for scrap.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Further New Routemasters transferred into Ash Grove (AE) (for TfL48) from Arriva London South at Brixton are LT318-20/23/24/40/50.
ADL/Enviro 200 EN9 didn’t stay at Enfield (E) long, and then left the area, going to the ex TGM outpost at Heathrow (HE).
Grays (GY) has received VDL SB300LF/Wright Geminis DW225/41 from Tottenham (AR). Barking (DX) has DW248 from AR.
Overall adverts: LT4 to Heineken; LT498 for Rimmel.
LT346, 467 are back to red ex overall adverts.

ARROW TAXIS, MALDON.
New are Mb Sprinter/EVM low floor minibuses AV17 UVL/M.
They are for existing Dengie Link 99 and newly gained Essex CC routes 11,12,13 (Gosfield-Halstead-Sudbury), the latter from from Regal on re-tender. These are now part of the DART demand responsive network and renumbered to service 315.
Dengie Link D4 (Tillingham-Burnham) (except school journeys) has come from Stephensons and is also now a DART route.
Additionally won is ex Regal 31A (Chelmsford-Maldon) – M to F, but no longer Sats.

Above: Regal Optare Solo no 206 at Chelmsford on 31A on 6/5/17, when a Saturday service was still run. (John Podgorski).

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Duple 425 SIB 3277 is delicensed. Offered for sale are Mb 0404/Hispano YSV 645, Neoplan Skyliner KP04 GKY and Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere M888 ALP.

BEESTONS.
New is Volvo B8R/Plaxton Panther YX17 OHR.

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.
On hire in August were: Maymist of Barking Volvo B12B/Caetano FH05 URP; Red Route of Northfleet Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther FJ55 XBC, and Waymour of Reigate AEC PRV Routemaster RM1063 (63 CLT).

Above; One of the ex NX West Midlands Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents now with Blueline; V45 MOA at Newbury Park on 27/8/17, on GA RRP to/from Billericay. (John Podgorski).

BLUE TRIANGLE.
From 26/8/17, TfL5 (Canning Town-Romford), TfL15 (Blackwall-Trafalgar Square), N15 (Romford-Trafalgar Square), 115 (Stepney-East Ham) were gained from Stagecoach East London. 5 and 115 have mostly new hybrid double deckers, while 15/N15 are using the existing, ex Stagecoach LT Class New Routemasters. This has seen a major allocation increase at River Road (RR) depot. Brand new buses for 5 and 115 are ADL/Enviro 40H MMCs EH131-61. New Routemasters LT391-416 have transferred from Stagecoach. The balance was initially made up by existing WVN Class Volvo/Wright Geminis.
The LTs on East London Transit are now receiving ELT Livery. LT942 was one of the first. Many of the displaced WVLs, now mostly on TfL101 (Galleons Reach-Wanstead) – also retained ELT colours during August.
Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolutions ED18, 25 have come from London Central.

CARTERS HERITAGE BUSES, GREAT BROMLEY.
Ex Metroline Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 LK05 GFV is via Ensign.

CITYMAPPER.

(Citymapper).

This travel app company, working with Transit Systems, has another “pop up” inner London bus route in the pipeline.
Proposed to run between Barnsbury and Shoreditch as a nightbus, it would utilise green coloured “big buses”. In fact Impact of Perivale ADL/Enviro 200s YX11 AEA/B/F/K/T plus one other are now green, and were seen at Transit’s Atlas Road depot on 2/8/17. AEK, AEA, AET have fleet nos CME1, CME2, CME3. The E200s came via DawsonRentals.

CENTREBUS (STEVENAGE).
This runs some of the former Harlow operations, which had been acquired from the old Trustybus.
Optare Solo 389 (Y39 HBT) is withdrawn.
VDL200/Centro 606 (FJ56 YBW) has returned from Grantham.
Ex Trustybus Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers 542 (LN03 AYM), 544 (EU04 BZY) have moved from Luton to Grantham.

COLAS RAIL.
On 1/8/17, 70802 was on 6L43 Oxwellmains-Thurrock cement tanks. Again on 10/8 and 22/8.
16/8/17: 37254 + 37057 seen Witham, northbound @ 1512.
24/8/17: 56313 at Foxton exchange sidings on 0Z56 route learning.
30/8/17: 66850 at Cambridge on 6L37.

Above: Foxton exchange sidings on 28/11/15. These served the now mothballed Barrington cement works. (John Podgorski).

COLCHESTER BUS STATION.

(John Podgorski).

The remaining buildings of the old bus station (off Queen Street) were demolished during early August. These dated from 1961, when the previous bus station on St Johns Street had been replaced. Queen Street had closed completely in 2012 (having become a smaller “temporary” facility from 2006), but the buildings saw further uses- including a community cafe and a staff room for Arriva Colchester. The majority of the Queen Street site was redeveloped as the VAF arts gallery from 2006.

COMMUNITY LINK.
From 29/8/17, the following new services began:
SB11 (Matching Green-Epping Tesco) – M to Thu, one return journey.
SB12 (Harlow-Toot Hill) – Wed and Thu only, with one return journey.
From the same date, SB46 (Matching Green-Epping rail station) was withdrawn, replaced by SB11 and SB12.

CROSS COUNTRY.
Stansted Airport to Ely shuttle 14-21/8/17, due to Freightliner derailment at Ely.

DBS.
On 1/8/17, 66061 at Bow Olympic. 66125 on 4L07 Burton-Felixstowe. 66129 was on 6L26 Acton-Dagenham. 66128 on Wakefield-Felixstowe.
2/8/17: 66012 on Bow Plasmor blocks-Langley Junction. 66082 at Bow Olympic. 66128 on Wakefield-FLX. 66136 on 4L07 Burton-FLX.
6/8/17: 66162 on Mountsorrel-Chesterton. 66221 on Westerfield engineers.
7/8/17: 59005 at Bow Midland. 66121 on 4L07 Burton-FLX.
8/8/17: 66047 at Bow Midland. 66085 on 4L07 Burton-FLX.
9/8/17: 66047 at Bow Olympic. 66121 on 4L07.
10/8/17: 66041/47 at Bow Olympic.
11/8/17: 66133 at Bow Olympic.
12/8/17: New liveried 66020 working with Peppercorn A1 steam loco 60163 ‘Tornado’ on 1Z13 Liverpool Street-Colchester-Walton excursion and Walton-Colchester Town shuttles.
14/8/17: 66133 at Bow Olympic.
15/8/17: 66017 on 4L08 Wakefield-Thames Gateway. 66082 at Bow Olympic.
16/8/17: 66011 at Bow Olympic.
21/8/17: 66009 on 4L07 Burton-FLX. 66161 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX.
22/8/17: 66118 on Broxbourne-Mountsorrel La Farge. 66161 on Wakefield-FLX. 66167 on 4L07 Burton-FLX.
23/8/17: 66097 and 66147 at Bow Olympic. 66199 on 4L07 Burton-FLX.
24/8/17: 66097 at Bow Olympic. 66161 on Wakefield-FLX. 66167 on 4L07 Burton-FLX.
28/8/17: 66118 on Mounsorrel-Broxbourne.
29/8/17: 66135 at Bow Midland. 66175 on 4L07 Burton-FLX.
30/8/17: 66023 on Marks Tey-Crawley sand. 66094 at Bow Olympic. 65165 on 4L07 Burton-FLX.
31/8/17: 66023 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich. 66044 at Bow Midland.

Above: 66020 at Frinton on Sea on 12/8/17, heading the Walton-Colchester ‘Pier’ excursion train, with ‘Tornado’ on the rear. (Simon Austin).

DE VERE TRAVEL, SIBLE HEDINGHAM.
RE17 EZL is a Mb 516/EVW low floor minibus.

DRAGON OVENS, BURES.
This occupies the old Chambers depot. In the yard is a red open top MCW Metrobus, ex Teracotta Lounge.

(John Podgorski).

EAST THAMES BUSES.
DAF SB120/Wright Cadets BX04 BXL, FJ54 ZVA – latterly with Go-Ahead London Central, have been resold by Ensign to Shelton Motors, Ely – for scrap.

ENSIGNBUS.

Above: Demonstrator liveried BCI Excellence no 150, on depot in August 2017. This appears on a variety of duties, when not on demonstration. (Chris Carmen).

BCI Excellence 144 (LX17 DZE) is on loan to Borderbus at Beccles. Seen in Loddon on 5/8/17, by Simon Austin.

EOS LONDON.
Ex Abellio London is Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointer 742 (KP02 PWV). It was new to Armchair and retains dual doors.
Scania Omnicity 701 is now orange/black on its lower panels, with the remainder staying silver.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers KX06 LXG/H have gone, off loan.

EUROSTAR.
373231/32 are “stopped” at Temple Mills depot.
373101 has passed to the National College of High Speed Rail at Doncaster, while 373101 has gone to the same college’s Doncaster site.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 30888 was previously with First Essex at Braintree. Now it’s with First Eastern Counties and in Lowestoft Corporation heritage livery. It was seen departing Lowestoft (Gordon Road) Bus Station on 5/8/17. The local municipal (by then called Waveney District Council Transport), sold out to Eastern Counties in 1977.
(Simon Austin).
Below: ADL/Enviro 200 44517 was new to First Essex at Harwich depot. It later passed to First Eastern Counties at Norwich, and was branded for Route 40. Now it is at Lowestoft, and was pictured heading out of the town centre on 5/8/17, on a local service. Note it retains its (now) debranded ‘Charcoal Line’ colours from Norwich. (Simon Austin).


Above: Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32478, freshly repainted, at Wivenhoe Rail Station on 7/8/17. (Simon Austin).
Below: Refreshed Scania L94UB/Wright 65688 at Frinton on 12/8/17. (Simon Austin).

From First Borders are Scania L94UB/Wright Solars 65742/43/45/46/50 (SN55 JVG/H/K/L/A respectively). They are at Colchester (CR).
Into Refreshed livery are Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32478 (AU53 HJO), Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointers 43845/46 (SN55 CXH/F) and Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65688 (YS03 ZKH).
Route 62/A branded Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2s 37138/39 (SN57 HCX/Y) entered service at CR in early August.
62/A branded Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s seen “off route”: 37134 on 75 on 2/8/17; 37136 on 61 on 3/8/17. 37133 on 88 on 9/8/17. 37139 on 88 on 10/8/17. 37136 on 65 on 11/8/17. 37139 on 75 on 14/8/17. 37134 on 88, 37135 on 65 on 15/8/17.

(Simon Austin).

Loaned from CR to Clacton (CN) as airshow extras on 24-25/8/17, were B7TL/ALX400 32475 (AU53 HJJ) and Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33195 (LT52 XAF). 32475 actually stayed at CN longer. Scania L94UB/Solar 65668 (SN51 UXX) was loaned from CN to CR in exchange.
Driver trainer Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 60808 (S659 RNA) replaced Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon 20515 (WV02 EUR) on loan from First Eastern Counties during August, but had been returned later in the month.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65683 (YR52 VEU) was at Truck East, Witham during August, but then went to store at CN depot.

(Simon Austin).

Withdrawn are Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer crew ferry 43480 (R680 DPW), Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 43802 (AO02 ODN) and Optare Solo crew ferry 53008 (W808 PAF).
Dart SLF 43480 and Optare Solo 53008 have gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap. They had latterly been a crew ferries at Chelmsford (CF) and were the last ex service buses used for this.
From 28/8/17, the following Essex CC contracts were gained:
32 (Chelmsford-Ongar) – M-Sat – from Stephensons.
46 (Chelmsford-Ongar) – M-Sat – from NIBS.
71C (Chelmsford-Colchester) – Suns/hols – from Regal. Worked by CF depot.
88A (Colchester-Halstead) – Suns/hols – from Regal. Was 88 with Regal.
565 (Brentwood-Bulphan) – M-Sat – from Regal.
Meanwhile, in Colchester – 66A (Old Heath-Colchester via Barnhall) ceased after 26/8/17. There are alternative facilities on the parallel 66, 66B. However, Abbots Road, Barnhall and Roberts Road are no longer served. This is the first time in living memory that Barnhall Estate has not had a bus service.
From 29/8/17, an additional commercial evening journey was added to 75,  the 1915  (Colchester-Maldon), to compensate for the loss of the Essex CC Regal contracted runs from that date.
The first 88A was worked by Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32068 (KP51 VZS), while the first day of 71C had Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66795 (MX05 CBU).

The old Queen Street depot at Colchester continues to find further uses. In mid August there was a ‘Street Photography’ exhibition there.

(John Podgorski).

Ancillary vehicles: Renault Trafic crew ferries 90637/38 (NX16 VCT, VGD) have left the fleet. They were replaced by Ford Tourneo MM66 LSU and Vauxhall Movano NX16 VEB. More permanent replacements are Vauxhall Movanos 90666 (FM17 YNS), 90671 (FA17 EVN). All of these are/were at Colchester.
SW17 HPE is a Nissan Kubistar publicity van at Chelmsford.

FLAGFINDERS.

(John Podgorski).
Bova Futura GB54 FLG is in a revised white/blue livery – similar to that on the buses. It was pictured on GA rail replacement at Newbury Park, on 27/8/17.

Another ex Go-Ahead London General Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini, via Ensign is LB02 YXK.

FLYBE.
DHC-8 402 G-JECH is withdrawn. It has returned to its lessor World Wide Aircraft Ferrying as C-FWUC.

Above: Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 G- JECG at Aberdeen on 2/8/17, awaiting departure for London Southend. (Lee Pardoe).

FRAGERS LTD (GAME BUS), ARDLEIGH.
Ex Go-Ahead London General Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini LX03 EXV, is via Ensign. It is now a mobile exhibition unit.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: Shanks 66522 at Ipswich on 17/8/17. (John Podgorski).

66507/13/16/22/23/25/31/32/36/45/48/53/58/69/98, 66953/55 – further Heavy Haul to Intermodal.
66522 is the Shanks two tone green liveried loco.
66585 on Ipswich-Lindsay tanks on 1/8/17.
4/8/17: 66537 on 4L30 Bristol-London Gateway.
9/8/17: 66416 on 4L92 Dutton-FLX. 66522 on 4L86 Trafford-FLX. 66953 on 4L90 Crewe-FLX. 66548 on 4L71 Ditton-FLX.66545 on 4L60 Garston-FLX. 66569 on 4L95 Ditton-FLX.
10/8/17: 66523 + 66560 light engine Whitemoor-Ipswich. 66532 4E63 FLX-Doncaster.
11/8/17: 66606 at Bow Olympic. 86607 + 86622 on Trafford Park-FLX.
13/8/17: 66525 on Shenfield ‘Thunderbird’; last day of this duty.
14-21/8/17: Due to derailment of Freighliner at Ely, many services to Felixstowe diverted via Huntingdon or London.
15/8/17: 86637 + 86608 on 4L90 Basford Hall-FLX.
17/8/17: 66552 on Leeds-FLX.
29/8/17: 66418 on Ipswich-Lindsey tanks.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
Suffolk CC route 387 (Stowmarket-Stowupland) was withdrawn without replacement at the end of August.

GBRF.
1/8/17: 66713 on 4Z81. 66747 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster.66765 on 4L02/4M02 Felixstowe-Hams Hall and return. 66767 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66779 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice.
2/8/17: 66766 at Bow Midland. 66434 = 66763 on Parkeston-Whitemoor.
3/8/17: 66779 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66754 at Bow Midland. 66755 on Harwich-North Walsham tanks.
4/8/17: 66730 on 6L19 Bardon Hill-Chelmsford.
6/8/17: 66701 on Westerfield engineers. 66749 on 4L20 FLX-Hams Hall. And a cavalcade of 66754 + 66775 + 66709 + 66739 + 66776 on 6P39 Peterborough-Harwich Carless oil refinery with 11 tanks.
8/8/17: 66739 on North Walsham-Harwich tanks.
9/8/17: 66702 on 4L18 Trafford Park-FLX. 66765 + 66758 on 4Z81 Masborough-FLX.
10/8/17: 66709 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX. 66749 on 4Z27 Masborough-FLX.
12/8/17: 66719 at Bow Midland.
14/8/17: 66755 on North Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66772 on 4Z81 Masborough-FLX; diverted via Huntingdon due to Freightliner derailment at Ely.
14-21/8/17: Many services diverted via Huntingdon or London due to Ely derailment.
15/8/17: 66713 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66746 on 4L22 Hams Hall-Felixstowe. 66756 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 6670 on FLX intermodal. 66765 on FLX-Maasborough.
16/8/17: 66719 at Bow Olympic. 66735 on “virtual” 4L29 Peterborough-FLX. 66760 on 4Z33 FLX-Masborough.
17/8/17: 66718 on 4L18 Trafford Park-FLX. 66735 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66746 on 4L22 Hams Hall-FLX. 66752 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66755 on Harwich-North Walsham tanks. 66765 on 4Z81 Masborough-FLX.
19/8/17: 66760 on 4Z27 Masborough-FLX.
20/8/17: 66709/79 on 6T60 West Ham-Whitemoor engineering. 66727 + 66710 + 66772 on 6P39 Peterborough-Parkeston Quay oil tanks – with 2 wagons.
21/8/17: 66719 at Bow Midland. 66760 on 4Z26 FLX-Masborough and 4Z27 return. 66769 on 4Z81 Masborough-FLX.
22/8/17: 66754 on 4M06 FLX-Hams Hall.
23/8/17: 66719 at Bow Midland. 66727 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
25/8/17: 66766 on 4Z81.
26/8/17; 66709 on 4L02 with 66746 dead in tow. 77766 on 4Z80.
29/8/17: 66704 on 4Z8166735 on Harwich-North Walsham tanks.
30/8/17: 66712 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX. 66723 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.66766 on 4Z27 Masborough-FLX. 66767 at Bow Midland.

GODWARD, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.

(John Podgorski).

New is Irizar i6 AC17 PGC. It was seen (above) on 27/8/17 at Newbury Park, on GA RRP to/from Ingatestone. Also new is Irizar i6 CC17 PGC.
GY52 YKC is a Nissan X-Trail crew ferry.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: 321436 at Shenfield on 2/8/17. Note the fresh ballast, from the recent Crossrail works. (Daniel Pretty).

Below: Ex GN Class 317342 leads 317341 at Kelvedon, London bound on 10/8/17. (John Podgorski).

Into the new livery are Turbostar DMU 170203 and ex GN EMUs 317345/46/47. 321309 has received Renatus colours.
On 6/8/17, 3x Class 360s (360104 + 111 + 115) were used on an ECS test “timing trials” run (3P90) from Liverpool Street to Norwich. This was in advance of the new Stadler trains entering service from 2019. The Desiro 360s are considered to be closest in spec to the new stock. On 20/8/17, 360102 + 109 appeared on the same run.
321401 is ex GN.
321312 is re-tractioned.
321302/05/11 at Doncaster for refurb. 321309 refurbished at Doncaster and re-tractioned at Wolverton. Test bed 321448 back at Doncaster for modifications.
On 9/8/17, 90008 made a rare appearance light engine at Chelmsford, to assist 90004 and its train, after the DVT failed.
Peppercorn Class A1 steam locomotive 60163 ‘Tornado’ ran a LST-Walton excursion (1Z13), plus Walton-Colchester Town shuttles on 12/8/17, with DBS Class 66 EMD diesel electric loco 66020 as back up.
On 22/8/17, 321339 was unusually paired with MTR 315831 on 5L17 Hornsey-Ilford ECS.

Above: ‘Tornado’ arrives at Frinton on Sea from Walton on the Naze on 12/8/17. DBS diesel 66020 was hauling this train, with the ‘A1’ on the rear. This ‘top and tail’ consist shuttled between Colchester and the coast all day, before reversal at Colchester Town meant ‘Tornado’ could lead back to London in the late evening. (Simon Austin).
Below: ‘Tornado’ in full flight at Hythe, Colchester. (John Podgorski).

HAWK EXPRESS CABS, IPSWICH.
Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbus LN51 DUA has gone for scrap.

HEDINGHAM.

(John Podgorski).

D1 (Maldon-Bradwell on Sea), D2 (Maldon-Southminster) have been gained from Stephensons, along with Stephenson’s remaining workings on 91 (Witham-Tollesbury) and 95 (Maldon-Tollesbury). The picture at Tollesbury Square on 24/4/17 (above), shows Hedingham Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 578 having just arrived on the day’s last 92 from Colchester with Stephensons ADL/Enviro 200 no 479 awaiting departure for Witham. D1 on Saturdays is subbed to Arrow Taxis initially. Saturday 92s are now worked from Kelvedon (KN) rather than Clacton (CN).
345 (Fuller Street-Witham) and the one weekday plus all Saturday journeys on 95 (Tollesbury-Maldon) have come from Regal. Short ADL/E200 292 (EU59 AFF) worked the first Hedingham 345 journey on 30/8/17.

(John Podgorski).

Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 289 (EJ02 KYY), is in the new livery. 289 and SLF/MPD 291 (EU06 KCX) moved from Clacton (CN) and Sible Hedingham (HD) respectively to Kelvedon (KN) for the new D routes. These buses are now both attached to HD depot for heavy maintenance. Long SLF/Pointer 258 (EU56 FLN) is now at HD ex CN. SLF/MPD 289 is at HD ex CN (see above). Short ADL/Enviro 200s 292/93 (EU59 AFF/J) have gone from HD to CN.
Anglian Bus Scania Omnidekka 556 (YN55 PZF) was at Sible Hedingham (HD), during August and also at Truck East, Witham – (Scania agent).
Vauxhall Combo van W761 TRE is on loan from HD to KN for route learning.

(John Podgorski).

IPSWICH BUSES.
The last leyland Atlantean, open top Roe bodied 9 (MRT 9P) was withdrawn at the end of August, for further use as a non pcv tree lopper.

KLARNERS, COLCHESTER.
New is Yutong Tc9 YF17 LTV.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.

Above: MAN14/EL Millenyum FY52 PMU is now with Semmence of Wymondham. It was pictured at Castle Meadow, Norwich on 7/8/17. (Roger Pope).

LONDON OVERGROUND.
Now in LOROL colours are EMUs 317890/92.

MTR CROSSRAIL.

New are 345009/10.
‘345s now in service are 345005/7/8/10. 345005 was the first in peak hour service, on the 1650 Liverpool Street-Gidea Park on 24/8/17. They have ‘Elizabeth Line’ branding.
The first Class 315s to be withdrawn are 315840/48. They were last used on 25th July.
315831 was paired with GA 321339 on the 5L17 Hornsey-Ilford ECS on 22/8/17.

Top: 315840, forming the rear of a Liverpool Street to Shenfield service, calls at Brentwood on 20/6/15. (John Podgorski).
Above: 315848, also at Brentwood. It is departing on the rear of a Shenfield to London Liverpool Street working, on 16/5/15. (John Podgorski).

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPS.
Volvo B11R/Caetano Levante tri-axle BX16 CMZ, has a super rear advert for VUER.

NEW HORIZON, FRATING. Sold are Mb 0814D/Euros AE56 SPU/V. SPU went to Johnson, Randon, Eire, while SPV passed to O’Sullivan, Bally dehob, Eire.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
ECC 46 (Chelmsford-Ongar) has passed to First Essex on re-tender, while 46A-G are now Community Link operated.

Above: Wright Streetlite no 11 turns from Victoria Road South into Duke Street, Chelmsford, on a 46 journey on 8/5/17. (Dale Bell).

Service 269 has been revised to run Grays-Brentwood and no longer continues to Blackmore.

P and R TRAVEL, MATCHING TYE.
Mb 0815D/Sitcar WJ02 KDV is ex HOuston, Lockerbie.

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: Work on the upgrade at Greater Anglia Northumberland Park railway station is progressing. In this view, taken on 20/8/17, the former level crossing can be seen cordoned off on the left, while the station complex is to the right. Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer DC56 PAN awaits its next shuttle to the other side of the station. (Alex Hazell).

(Mark Stokes).

ADL/Enviro 200 MMC demonstrator YX17 NNM arrived on 23rd August. It entered traffic the following day on the 80/81 group of routes, and was pictured (above) at Dedham.
It left on 31st August.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 DC61 PAN at Parkeston Village on 11/11/16, when covering route 2 for Hedingham. (Chris Sampson).

The newly contracted Harwich/Dovercourt town service 2 started from 29th August. Previously, Panther had covered this route on various occasions, on behalf of Hedingham, with Panther taking over the previous contract completely from Hedingham early in June.
ADL/Enviro 200s DC61 PAN, AB62 PAN, Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer DC02 PAN have appeared with rear advertising for the forthcoming X15 Harwich-Colchester “Fast” service.
Plaxton Primo DC04 PAN entered service from Parkeston on the Harwich/Dovercourt town service in early August. The other Primos will not be used by Panther.
Acquired from Stephensons of Essex (at Haverhill) is Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer KV51 KZK. It entered service at Northumberland Park in (basic) fleet livery and converted to LEZ, in late August. SLF/Mini Pointer BIG 9856 has returned off loan from Regal.
ADL/Enviro 400/Olympus PN08 SVZ is now VB08 PAN. Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther AB53 PAN has had its wc removed and upseated from 53 to 57.
Delicensed due to accident damage is Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer BIG 7006.
Offered for sale are Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount BIG 8856 and All Leyland Olympian BIG 9249. Dart SLF/Pointer S303 JUA, Dart/Alexander Dash BIG 8843, Dennis Javelin/UVG BIG 8796 and Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere BIG 9807 remain on offer.
Ipswich outbase has temporarily re-opened for rail standby work.

Above: Panther Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer DC02 PAN at Dedham terminus on 7/8/17. It had arrived as an 81A from Colchester via Langham and departed as an 80A. (John Podgorski, with thanks to Alex Hazell).

PEGASUS AIR.
New is Airbus A320-251 TC-NBK – named ‘Alya’.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Contracted local bus operations have mostly ceased. The only gains have been 71/72 (Brentwood-Blackmore) from Stephensons; 104/106 (Basildon-Langdon Hills) from NIBS and 322 (Harlow-Saffron Walden) from Acme Bus. The business is now focused on coaching, rail replacement, school contracts and limited commercial/contracted bus routes.
Most of the council bus services were reallocated to other operators, from 27-28/8/17.
1A (Basildon-Pitsea) – Sats only – to NIBS.
4 (Little Parndon-Harlow) – Suns/hols – to Arriva.
5 (Maldon-East Hanningfield) – Thurs only. Withdrawn.
9 (Great Bardfield-Braintree) – Sats only – to Stephensons.
10 (Harlow-Church Langley) – Suns/hols – to Arriva.
11 (Harlow-Little Parndon) – Suns/hols – withdrawn. Replaced by Arriva 4.
11A (Southend (Sutton Cemetery)-Chelmsford) – Suns/hols. Withdrawn.
11, 12, 13 (Gosfield-Halstead-Sudbury) have passed to Arrow Taxis, Maldon, as part of the DART network.
12 (Old Harlow-Staple Tye) – Suns/hols – withdrawn. Replaced by Arriva 2, 3 and 10.
31A (Chelmsford-Maldon) – to Arrow Taxis. Saturday service withdrawn.
45 (Oxney Green-Chelmsford-Moulsham Lodge) – M-S eves – to First Essex.
47, 146, 147 (Ongar-Harlow) – to Community Link.
71C (Colchester-Chelmsford) – Suns/hols – to First Essex.
88 (Colchester-Halstead) – Suns/hols – to First Essex as 88A.
89 (Great Yeldham-Braintree) – M-F am peak only. Withdrawn. Rest of 89 with Hedingham anyway.
95 (Maldon-Tollesbury) – Sats – to Hedingham.
146 (Hatfield Heath-Ongar) – to Community link.
211/212 (Waltham Cross-Breach Barns) – to Community Link.
213/214 (Epping-Waltham Cross) – to EOS as service 13.
240/250 (Debden-Waltham Cross – Suns/hols – to EOS as 66A.
250 (Debden-Waltham Cross).
251 (Waltham Cross-Upshire).
322 (Old Harlow-Saffron Walden) – schooldays.
341 (Fuller Street-Witham) – Thur. Withdrawn.
343 (Braintree-Fairstead) – Sats. Withdrawn.
344 (Black Notley-Chelmsford) – Fri. Withdrawn.
345 (Fuller Street-Witham) – Wed – to Hedingham.
380/1/2/4 (Ongar-Harlow) – to Community Link and now all numbered 381.
501 (Fyfield-Epping) – schooldays. Withdrawn.
503 (High Ongar- Epping) – schooldays. Withdrawn.
504 (Tysea Hill-Epping) – schooldays. Withdrawn.
552/553 (Ramsden Heath-Basildon) – to NIBS.
565 (Brentwood-Bulphan) – to First Essex.
Evening 70 (Colchester-Braintree), 75 (Colchester-Maldon), withdrawn without replacement. “Those affected advised to contact their parish council”.
52 (Pleshey-West Hanningfield) has been retained by Regal and renumbered 10A.
The last day of the Sunday contracts was on 20/8/17. The final 71C journey was worked by Optare Tempo PO3 (YJ56 WVY). The last 88 duty was operated by MAN NL270LF/Wright 801 (RG09 BUS).
The other contracts finished on 26/8/17, except for the market day routes which ceased after their particular day of operation.

Above: Regal Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer KP02 PUH on a Sudbury bound 12 in Halstead on 23/6/17; covering for a defective Optare Solo. (Simon Austin).

Above: Explorer Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah YN06 RVP “dressed” for 345, but seen in Chelmsford on 26/7/17. It was on 344 on 5/8/17, and also reported on commercial service 3 (Southend-Chelmsford). (Dale Bell).

Above: MAN NL270LF/Wright no 801 on the penultimate Regal service 88 journey; the 2048 from Colchester, on 20/8/17. (John Podgorski).
Below: Optare Tempo PO3 on the very last Regal 71C journey; the 2210 from Colchester on 20/8/17, and seen at Crouch Street. (John Podgorski).

Long disused Optare Solo 204 (YJ58 CDE) has gone for scrap, having been heavily cannibalised. It retained the old maroon/cream livery.

RICHMOND AVENUE SCHOOL, SHOEBURY.
Hs ex Arriva Southern Counties DAF DB250LF/Alexander ALX400 Y466 UGC.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Bova Futura WA08 AOX has passed to Moseley, Wellington (dealer).

SBC LEISURE, WICKFORD.
New is Irizar i6 tri-axle HM17 SBC – in maroon livery.

SOUTH EAST COACHES, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.
An ancillary vehicle is NH57 YVS, a Ford Transit SWB van.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 no 17998 on route 5 at Dagenham on 6/5/17. (John Podgorski).

The following TfL contracts were lost to Go-Ahead Blue Triangle from 26/8/17.
5 (Canning Town-Romford), 15 (Blackwall-Trafalgar Square), N15 (Romford-Trafalgar Square), 115 (East Ham-Stepney). The LTs off 15, N15 have transferred to Blue Triangle.

Above: New Routemaster LT270 arrives at Blackwall DLR Station on 30/5/15. (John Podgorski).

On 27-28/8/17, for the Notting Hill Carnival, a limited stop 205X route was operated between Whitechapel and Paddington.

Optare Versas 25307/9 (LX58 CHN/V) have passed to Go-coach, Otford.
Further Scania Omnicities with Sullivan Buses are 15142-45 (LX59 CNK/N/O/U).

STEPHENSONS.
From 7/8/17, commercial Sunday service 6 (Southend-Southchurch) ceased.
From 27/8/17:
Gained from NIBS – 12 (Billericay-Wickford).
ECC 7 and 8 (Rayleigh-Shoebury) – M to Sat evenings – to Arriva; 32 (Chelmsford-Ongar) lost to First Essex. 71/72 (Stondon Massey-Warley) went to Regal Busways. D1 (Maldon-Bradwell on Sea) and D2 (Maldon-Southminster) passed to Hedingham, with D4 (Tillingham-Burnham) (schools) retained as service 104 but the rest of D4 to Arrow. D6 (Southminster-Althorne) is withdrawn. The Saturdays only Clavering section of 59/60 (Audley End-Haverhill) withdrawn.
As a result of the above changes, there have been reallocations of some duties between Boreham and Braintree, affecting routes Boreham now runs 9/A, 16 ond one duty on 38A while Braintree now has 21, 30 and 38/A. The outstation at Fourways Coaches, Highwood has also ceased. This ran 71/72. Additionally, all Optare Solos are now concentrated at Haverhill depot.

Above: Optare Solo no 322 on a D2 at Purleigh on 1/9/16. (John Podgorski).
Below: 322 on a 71 at Brentwood on 9/2/13. (John Podgorski).

Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 603 (EU13 EBK) unusually appeared on 61 (Southend Travel Centre-Garons Park) on 24/8/17. Following the vend of developer funding of the 61, Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 417 (EU07 FRN) has lost its ‘Fossetts Park Clipper’ branding.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 410 (KV51 KZK) has been sold to Panther Travel.
Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 435 (LX51 FGE) has passed to a private buyer, while 437 (LX51 FGG) is now with A2B Bus & Coach Ltd, Cambridge.
Former fleet member Leyland Olympian/NC 859 (H159 BKH) was still extant at the premises of PVS (breaker), Carlton in August. After sale by Stephensons, it passed to JP Travel of Middleton which was acquired by Stagecoach Manchester soon after. 859 passed to PVS early in 2016.

SWISS.
Another Avor RJ100 withdrawn is HB-IYZ. It has gone to Prestwick, Scotland for storage.

TENDRING CVS.
New is Mb Sprinter AV17 UBP, in Hospital Hopper livery.

TOWER TRANSIT.
New are Van Hool A330FC electric buses BH63101/2 (LJ67 HTF/G). They have initially been put into store at Lea Interchange (LI).
Atlas Road (AT) site has been vacated, with its residual functions moved to Westbourne Park (X). The premises are For Sale/To Let.

TRUSTYBUS.

Above: An earlier generation of bus that served The Pinnacles. London Country Bristol LH/ECW BN61, now preserved at part of London’s Transport Museum Collection and seen at Acton depot on 23/4/17.  It is in the company of RT, RTW and STL London buses.(‘Bradley the Bus’).

The following service changes were effective from 27/8/17:
Essex CC 5 (Harlow-Pinnacles) – M to Sat – withdrawn. Replaced by new route 14.
New Essex CC contract 5 (Harlow-Sumners Farm).
7/A (Bishops Stortford-Stansted Airport) – gained from Acme Bus.
306 (Bishops Stortford-Wicken Bonhunt) – gained from Acme Bus.
The Sun/hol service on 418/B (Harlow-Loughton) ceased. A Sun/hol service was introduced on 420 (Harlow-Epping). Also revisions to 420 and 424 (Harlow-Hertford).

Above: Volvo B10BLE/Wright WNZ 1589 enters Harlow Bus Station on a 418B working on 15/7/17. (John Podgorski).

Further Scania Omnicities acquired through Ensign, are YN04 GMG, GNU, YN05 WKC.
ADL/Enviro 300 EDL35 (LY58 PFX) remains stored, having been withdrawn in 2016 due to electrical failure. Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse YK53 GXJ is delicensed due to engine failure. It is intended to repair both.

TURNERS OF ESSEX, WICKHAM ST PAUL.
Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL H817 CBP has passed to a preservationist.
Volvo B6/Plaxton Pointer M832 CVG, has been offered for sale.

VICEROY, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur R154 SSN is now with Bishop, Barroway Drove.

YOUNGS, HADDENHAM.
Scania K112/Jonckherre UIL 2090 has been re-registered to A577 GAP.

With thanks to: Anglia Gen, M Allen, S Austin, D Bell, ‘Bradley the Bus’, C Carmen, P Layzell, K Nason, L Pardoe, M Penn, R Pope, D Pretty, J Sadd, C Sampson.