Edited by John Podgorski, BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the May 2018 edition of Busmopolitan.
The Colchester Park and Ride had a major revamp at the start of May, with increased hours of operation and more stops.
Meanwhile, it was announced by First that they would be closing their depot at Clacton and outstation at Braintree at the end of July. Hedingham has been a winner here, as it is taking on virtually all the local routes around Clacton, plus an Essex CC evening contract previously with First Braintree. Hedingham also started a new service in Clacton from 26th May – and the Chambers network underwent major revisions in the following week.
Stephensons commemorated two of its key employees – who passed away recently – in a ceremony at a local museum on 2nd May. More details below.

24/7, STANSTED.
New are Vauxhall Vivaro 8 seater LJ18 DFC/D, DKD/E, DLU/X.

AIR MOLDOVA.
New is Airbus A319-132 YR-URS.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
From 6/5/18, the Colchester Park and Ride was revised to operate longer, between 0530 and 2100. And there are additional stops – at North Station and Middleborough.

Above: P and R ADL/Enviro 200 4072 at High Street, Colchester on 5/5/18. (Simon Austin).

DAF SB120/Wright Cadet driver Trainer LJ51 DDX was on loan in late May.
Odd sightings:
15/5/18: P&R ADL/E200 4071 (SK15 GXR) on Braintree Freeport.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Ex Southend Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3815 9GN07 AVB0 is back here. Ex the kent fleets id Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 1614 (GN04 UDH).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
No longer provides Greater Anglia rail replacement.
An arrival is DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3960 (GN04 UFX).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
VDL300/Wright Gemini2 DW225 has the new Arriva logos. DW275 has been repainted Both are Grays (GY) buses.
The old Lea Valley (LV) bendybus depot has disappeared under new industrial units.

Above: The site of the old LV depot, as seen on 19/5/18. (John Podgorski).

BA CITYFLYER.
New is G-LCYZ, an Embraer 190-100SR.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Neoplan Skyliner CN05 APX is now in fleet livery, ex Howards Travel cream.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers EU53 PYB/F/H/D/O, SN56 AYD – all latterly with London General, have passed to Ensign. EU53 PYD/F/O and SN56 AYD then went to Shelton Motors at Ely – for scrap.

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.

On 25/5/18, Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer SN03 WMP was borrowed from Hire Your Transport (Rochford outstation) and used on schools service 888 (Laindon-Brentwood). This was because Blueline’s regular Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President V427 MOA was under repair at MC Truck & Bus (Volvo agent), Witham. Also, Blueline’s regular subcontractor Marc1 Travel of Billericay did not have a vehicle available. SN03 WMP is pictured (above) at Laindon, Telephone Exchange. (James Sadd).

AEC PRV Routemaster open topper RML891 (HSL 660) has passed to Business B t/a The Expeditional, South Woodford.

CHAMBERS.

(Simon Austin).

The Scania Omnidekkas are being renumbered from 15xx into an 8xx series. 805 ex 1505 (YN55 PZG) was the first. Pictured (above) at Colchester on 9/5/18. 1501/2/3 (YN55 PZC/D/E) are now 801/2/3; Anglian liveried 1504 (YN55 PZF) to 804.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 570 (W487 WGH) was loaned to Hedingham 20-23/5/18 (qv).
There were major revisions to all regular stage services – 84 (Sudbury-Nayland-Colchester), 374 (Bury St Edmunds-Clare), 753 (Sudbury-Bury St Edmunds), 754 (Sudbury-Colchester); from 29/5/18. As a result, several Scania Omnidekkas have received ‘GO Anywhere’ branding, including 801/3/9.
Unusual sighting:
16/5/18: Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 10 (S291 TVW) on 89X.

Above: GO Anywhere branded Omnidekka 803 at St Johns Street, Colchester on 26/5/18. This also has bodyside branding. (Simon Austin).

CHELMSFORD TAXIBUS.
Ford Transit 11 seater 133 (EF06 AOO) is sold.

COLAS RAIL.

Above: Typical of the traction on the 6L44 Oxwellmains-West Thurrock cement train is 60095. It was seen at St James’ Bridge, Doncaster on 3/5/18. The 6L44 is normally routed along the Midland Main Line. (John Podgorski).

8/5/18: 66846 on 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor.
9/5/18: 70815 on 6L37.
14/5/18: 70804 on 6L37.
15/5/18: 37175 and DBSO 9714 at Cambridge.
16/5/18: 37175 at Colchester with NR test train.
22/5/18: 60095 on 6L44 Oxwellmains-West Thurock cement. 66846 on 6L37. NR97301 at Cambridge on 3Q65 from Derby.
23/5/18: 70803 on 6O36 Whitemoor-Hoo Junct.
28/5/18: 70814 on 6L37.

COACH STOP, RETTENDON.
Sold is Volvo B10M/VH F287 SYE ex F866 XJX.

COLCHESTER ARTS CENTRE.
Unfortunately, AEC PRV Routemaster RML2296 (CUV 296C) is currently derelict in the old First garage at Queen Street, Colchester. See more in First section below.

CROSS COUNTRY.

Above: In dreadful weather Turbostar DMU 170398 hurries through Manea, deep in the Cambridgeshire Fens, on a Birmingham New Street-Stansted Airport working on 12/5/18. Note the still operational semaphore signal. (John Podgorski).

CT PLUS.
Withdrawn is Optare Solo OS4 (YJ10 EYF).

DANS LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY.
Mb/Ferqui midi LN15 RYK is on hire, pending delivery of a new Mb Turas midicoach. Long standing fleet members Volvo B10M/Berkhos P876/77 FMO are now sold.

DBS.
1/5/18: 66059 on Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill aggregates.
3/5/18: 66101 at Bow Midland.
4/5/18: 66093 on Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill. 66101 at Bow Olympic.
5/5/18: 66137 on 6G02 Whitemoor-Royston engineers.
7/5/18: 66031 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich – on sand.
9/5/18: 66186 at Bow Olympic.
10/5/18: 66101 on Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill. 66186 at Bow Olympic on 6M48 to Calvert.
11/5/18; 66186 at Bow Olympic.
14/5/18; 66181 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich. 66192 at Bow Olympic.
15/5/18: 66192 at Bow Olympic on 6M49 to Calvert.
16/5/18: 66192 at Bow Olympic.
18/5/18: 66192 at Bow Olympic.
21/5/18: 66121 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich. 66192 at Bow Olympic.
22/5/18: 59103 on 6L21 Whatley-Dagenham. 66027 on 4L56 Trafford Park-London Gateway. 66128 on 4L40 Cowley-Purfleet. 66192 at Bow Olympic.
23/5/18; 66094 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX. 66161 at Bow Olympic.
24/5/18: 66161 at Bow Olympic.
29/5/18: 66035 at Bow Olympic.
30/5/18: 66035 at Bow Olympic.
31/5/18: 66035 at Bow Olympic. 66059 on Mountsorrel to Harlow Mill.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
ADL/Enviro 200 SE108 is from London General.
ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolutions LX07 BYJ/M/S are now with National Driving Centre, Croydon – via Ensign.

DONS OF DUNMOW.

Above: New is Irizar i6 tri-axle DH18 DON. It was seen at Irizar, Worksop on 10/5/18 – when “fresh out of the box”. (Shaun Kinsella Ilot).

DRS.
3/5/18: 57002 on West Ealing Plasser-Norwich light engine through Colchester @ 1906.
10/5/18: 57301 on Wolverton-Ilford towing GN 365525.
15/5/18: 57305 + 37405 “up” through Manningtree on 0M37 Norwich-Crewe.
24/5/18: 37038 on Tilbury-Norwich light engine via Stratford.
28/5/18: 37038 at Cambridge on 5Z29 Bounds Green-Norwich ECS with GA DVT 82121 + MkIII rake.
30/5/18; 57303 on 0Z57 Wembley-Ilford.

EASYJET.
New are Airbus A319-111 G-EZEH, A320-214s G-EZRT/X, A321-211 G-POWD.

EASYJET EUROPE.
New are Airbus A321-214s OE-ICB/C, IJY/Z, INH/I, IZC/D/W, LKN/O/P/Q.

ENSIGNBUS.
Temporary additions are ex Metrobus Scania Omnidekkas YN53 RYB/V/W, for rail work. This was e-rail on GTR associated with problems with the new timetable.
Route 12 (Aveley “The Village-Ockendon Station) ceased after 25/5/18.
From 29/5/18, new service 32 (Aveley-Ockendon-Grays) started. It is limited stop and runs M-F peak hours only. It replaces route 12.
Also from 29/5/18, X21 (Lakeside-Ongar) was revised to run between Lakeside and Brentwood and had its daytime frequency increased. Likewise, X81 (Grays-Hutton) was also increased to run as Lakeside-Hutton off peak. Both X21 and X81 are M-F only.
AEC Regent III/Saubers RT4846 (NXP 971) has been converted into a “double” of pre-war RT8 (FXT 183) for film work.

EOS LONDON.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 EOS 711 at High Street, Brentwood on 12/5/18. It is on ex Ensign council contracted route 61. (Simon Austin).

Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano 761 (LK03 NLE) is withdrawn.
Plaxton Primo 661 (BU08 ACV) is sold.

EUROSTAR.
373205/6 are in the revised livery.

EUROWINGS.
New are Boeing 737-86J D-ABAG, and Airbus A321-211s OE-LCG/J, LOC/F.

FELIXSTOWE TRAVEL.
Citroen Berlingo ancillary van BN61 LDD is now sign written.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above; One of the former First Berks/Green Line Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s, 37985, departs Chelmsford on 8/5/18 – on a southbound X30. X30 is now diverted away from Duke Street railway bridge, due the appearance of double deckers. (Simon Austin).

Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers 42930/31 (SN05 EAM/O), Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 43847 (SN55 CXJ) are now in Refreshed livery. Volvo 7900H 69908 (BV13 ZBN) now has the new Route 100 green/blue colours.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37010 (WX55 VHV) has returned to Colchester (CR), ex loan to Hadleigh (HH).
Optare Solo 53125 (EO02 NFG) is now with A2B of Peterborough. Solos 53128/29/33/37 (EO02 NFK/L/R/X) have gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap.
Odd sightings: 2/5/18: Dart SLF/Caetano 41513 (LK03 FGF) on 73; X30 ADL/E200 MMCs 67169/70 (YY66 PBZ, PCF) on 71. 4/5/18: Dart SLF/Caetano 41514 (LK03 FGG) on 71A, Solo 53209 (CN07 KZM) on 73. 8/5/18; ADL/E200 44537 (YX13 AEF) on 31X, X30 66165 (YY66 PBO) on 36. 12/5/18: X30 66170 on 42. 14/5/18: 62 B9TL/Gemini2 37138 (SN57 HCX) on 17 bus 2 + 65. SLF/Midi Pointer 42968 on 71, X30 66170 on 71. 15/5/18: X30 67165/69 on 42.
16/5/18: Route 62 B9TL/Gemini2 37138 (SN57 HCX) on 75. 17/5/18: SLF/Caetano 41493 (LK03 LLX) on 73. 18/5/18: SLF/Caetano 41494 on 73, SLF/Midi Pointer 42900 on 31X, Solo 53139 on 73. 20/5/18 (Sunday): B7TL/Gemini 32628 (KP54 KAU) on 64A, Route 62 B9TL/Gemini2 37135 (SN57 HCP) on 65,B7TL/Gemini 37009 (WX55 VHU) on 65, B7TL/Gemini 37017 on 1A. (These were due to the fitment of new ticket machines causing a temporary vehicle shortage). 26/5/18: Route 62 B9TL 37139 (SN57 HCY) on 70. 27/5/18 (Sunday): Route 62 B9TL 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 1A.

Above: Another relatively unusual working is of a Scania L94UB/Wright Solar on 62A. 65678 heads down The Avenue, Wivenhoe on 9/5/18. The 62s are normally double deck. (Simon Austin).

At the old Harwich depot (closed June 2015), the ‘For Sale’ signs have been removed.
There is now a caravan in the side yard.
The old Colchester garage on Queen Street has a “Notice of Possession” affixed to the front door. Colchester Borough Council has appointed the County Court for this. It is due to problems with trespass, vagrancy and vandalism.

FIRST LONDON.
The one time depot at Ponders End (PD) has disappeared under new industrial units. This was originally with Eastern National and then Thamesway.

Above: The site of the old Ponders End garage, at Mollison Road, on 19/5/18. (John Podgorski).

FREIGHTLINER.
2/5/18: 66616 on 6M92 West Thurrock-Tunstead.
5/5/18: 66532 on 6Y70 Whitemoor-Ashwell and Morden engineers.
8/5/18: 66956 dragged DVT failed 1430 Liverpool St-Norwich through Kelvedon @ 1635. Terminated at Colchester, where ’90 ran round to continue to Norwich. 66620 on Bow-Tunstead boxes.
14/5/18: 66536 on 4L31 Bristol-London Gateway.
16/5/18: 86627/39 with dead 70010 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford Park.
18/5/18: 86639/27 on 4L91.
22/5/18; 66596 on Ipswich-Lindsay tanks. 66616 at Chesterton Junction.
23/5/18: 66567 failed at Bentley on 4M88 towards FLX; rescued by 66510.
27/5/18: 66552 tnt 66955 on Marks Tey-Whitemoor enginers.
29/5/18: 66955 on Ipswich-Lidsay tanks. 86622/38 on 4M87.

GBRf.
1/5/18: 66762 on 6M14 Harlow Mill-Bardon aggregates. 66767 on North Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66774 at Bow Midland.
3/5/18: 66767 on Ipswich-N Walsham light engine. 66774 at Bow Midland.
4/5/18: 66723 on 4Z33. 66726 on 4Z26. 66762 at Bow Midland. 66765 on 4M29.
6/5/18: 66742/47 on engineering trains at Trimley.
9/5/18: 66724 on Ipswich-N Walsham light loco. 66747 at Bow Midland. 66773 on 6M14 Harlow Mill-Bardon.
10/5/18: 66724 on 6P41 Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
11/5/18; 66721 on 4L22 Hams Hall-FLX. 66766 on 4Z26 FLX-Masboro. 66774 at Bow Midland.
12/5/18: 66721 on 4L21 Hams Hall-Parkeston.
14/5/18: 66777 on Harwich-North Walsham tanks.
17/5/18: 66777 on IPS-N Walsham light engine.
18/5/18: 66721 on 4l02 Hams Hall-FLX. 66756 at Bow Midland. 66770 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
19/5/18: 66767/31 on 6T66 Dagenham East-Whitemoor long welded rail empties.
20/5/18: 66720/21/23 on 0L39 PBO-Harwich Refinery.66755 on 6T60 engineers at Trimley. 66756/50 on 6T61 Trimley-Whitemoor engineers. 66764/61 top and tailing 6T76 Whitemoor-Prittlewell via West Anglia Main Line.
21/5/18: 66721/20 on 0L33 IPS-FLX light engine; 66720 then on 4M29. 66723 on 6P41 IPS-N Walsham tanks.
22/5/18: 66714 at Bow Midland.
23/5/18: 66720 on 4M29. 66723 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
25/5/18: 66707 on 4L02.
26/5/18: Ex DBS 66008 tnt ‘Evening Star’ 66779 on 6T62 Whitemoor-Trimley emgineers. 66709 on 6T60 Whitemoor-Felixstowe Beach. ‘Rainbow’ 66720 on 4L29. 66721 on 4M23. 66764 on 6T61 Whitemoor-FLX ballast.
28/5/18: 66755 on 6T63 Shenfield-Whitemoor engineers.
29/5/18: 66706/7 on 0L33. 66727 at Bow Midland.
30/5/18: 66723 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66753 at Bow Midland.

GREAT NORTHERN.
4/5/18: 365516/17 at Ilford depot.
10/5/18: 365525 at Ilford.
17/5/18: 365507/15 5Q43 Hornsey to Ely towed by 37800.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: The new railway station at Meridian Waters (Edmonton) is taking shape, and will replace Angel Road. Picture taken on 19/5/18. (John Podgorski).

Below: The facilities at Angel Road are very basic. 317660 leads through, London bound on 19/5/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: At Northumberland Park, the third track was being laid on 19/5/18. (John Podgorski).

The first of the new Stadler Flirt trains has been completed. It was “launched” on 3/5/18 to GA representatives.
DMU 170271 and EMU 317511 are now in the new GA colours.
To Renatus livery is EMU 321310.
Turbostar DMU 170202 is still running as a two car. Has been since approx January. Missing car is defective at Norwich Crown Point depot.
1/5/18: 90004 failed at Liverpool Street on 1P04 and was rescued by 90011. 90010 dragged Crewe-Norwich by DRS 57002. 321428/333/351 on 1P23 Norwich-London. 321351/359 did 1P24 return.
7/5/18: 90002 + 82102 set running in reverse.
9/5/18: 321342/435 to Norwich.
14/5/18: 90006 on Norwich-Ilford ECS. 321305 + 419, 321350/55, 321431 at Norwich.
15/3/18: 317501/13 on 1Y34 1818 LST-Ipswich. 321302/52 on 1P48 LST-Norwich. 321350/55 at Norwich.
16/5/18: 90001 hauling MkIII carriages 12137/18 on Norwich-Ilford ECS.
23/5/18: 156418 on Ipswich-Felixstowe – usually ‘153.
24/5/18: 90006 with single MkIII carriage 12120 on 5L38 Bounds Green-Norwich ECS.
29/5/18: 90003 on 1P34 ran round at Ipswich to run “head end” to Norwich in front of failed DVT.

Above: Turbostar DMU 170207 approaches Ely on 12/5/17 – on a Peterborough to Ipswich service. (John Podgorski).

Above: One time Anglia Railways DBSO 9703, now with Network Rail, at Kings Cross, London on 3/5/18. It is on a test train, operated by Colas on behalf of NR. Colas gained this contract from DBS in 2015. (John Podgorski).

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Scania Omnicity 550 in its Anglian Bus days, at Lowestoft on 11/8/17. (Roger Pope).

Another ex Konect, former Anglian Scania Omnicity double decker is 550 (AO57 EZM). It was renumbered 850 and entered service at CN during May.
From Stagecoach Chesterfield are Optare Solo M850s 910/11 (SF04 SKD/E). They are for Clacton and have received fleet livery.
Dennis Trident/EL 721 (W821 NNJ) has moved from Clacton (CN) to Sible Hedingham (HD). It has replaced mechanically challenged Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 510 (LB02 YWX). 510 has a failed gearbox. Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 563 (V307 LGC) was VOR with extensive tree strike damage. 570 (W487 WGH) was borrowed from Chambers to cover, between 20 and 23/5/18. 563 was repaired by 25th May, when it returned to KN. It now has more fixed windows on the n/s upper deck. B7TL/President 577 (W518 WGH) was briefly used for driver training. Trident/EL 717 (T817 RFG) was VOR at CN awaiting repairs at the start of May. Sister 714 (T814 RFG) is withdrawn.

Above: 570 at Mundon Road, Maldon on 21/5/18. (John Podgorski).

Also in early May, there were some Scania Omnidekka swaps at Kelvedon (KN). 1518 (YN06 JYC) from Clacton, on 3/5, with 1515 (YN55 PZU) going back to CN. 1513 (YN55 PZW) back to CN on 4/5. 1517 (YN06 JYB) is back in use at CN, ex VOR for several weeks. 1518 moved KN-CN on 30/5/18. 814 (YN55 PZV) came to KN in exchange.
The Omnidekkas and Omnicities are being renumbered from 15xx into an 8xx series. 814 ex 1514 (YN55 PZU) was the first. Then 1512 to 812, 1513 to 813, 1519 to 819 (YN06 JYD), 1552 to 852 (AU57 HCD).

Above: Omnicity 852 at Walton on the Naze on 25/5/18. (Jeff Falco).

Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointers 290/91 (EX02 RYR, EU06 KCX) were used on route learning in late May for the forthcoming transfer of 89X (Sudbury-Braintree) and ST1 (Chappel-Stanway School) from Chambers.
Odd sightings: 14/5/18: Trident 738 (T108 DBW) on ST3 (Stanway School-Marks Tey-Copford-Easthorpe-Hardys Green-Birch) pm.

Above: Volvo B7RLE/Wright 470 (EU05 CLJ) unusually on route 83. Colchester bus station, 4/5/18. This is normally ADL/Enviro 200 or Dart SLF operated. (Simon Austin).

A new commercial service started in Clacton from 26/5/18. Route 1 (Pier Avenue-St Osyth Beach). It runs M-Sat, including bank holidays on a 60 minute frequency in the daytime only, and will do so until September. Its predecessors were summer only services 19 and before that 100. These had been largely run by First and Eastern National, although the now ceased Colchester Coaches was a provider in the early 2000s.
HY2 (Kelvedon-Feering-Coggeshall Honywood School) ceased after 25/5/18. It will be replaced by a revised HY1 from Silver End after half term.

Above: Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 LH738 at Feering on 20/2/18; returning to Kelvedon off a morning HY2. (John Podgorski)

HIRE YOUR TRANSPORT.
During May, Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur T215 UCH was at Rochford outstation. It was later replaced by Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer SN03 WMP, and at the end of the month, Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon AO02 RBZ. The two former returned to the main base at Tadworth, Surrey. SN03 WMP was also loaned to Blueline, Rochford on 25/5/18.

JET2.COM.
New are Boeing 737-808s G-DRTC/D.

JOHNS TOURS, STOWMARKET.
Founder John Cresswell passed away on 30/5/18, aged 77. He passed his PSV test in 1961, with Mulleys of Ixworth, and subsequently worked for Mulleys subsidiary Combs of Stowmarket, than later Squirrells of Hitcham – before establishing Johns Tours in 1990. John retired in 2013, with his son taking over the business.

KELLYS OF ESSEX, NAZEING.
Another acquired Mb Tourismo is BP62 PHF.

L&R TRANSPORT, BASILDON.
GK55 NFY is a used Ford Transit 16 seater.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.

Above: One of the recent BYD electric buses for TfL153. LJ16 EZS at Northumberland Park depot on 19/5/18. (John Podgorski).

ADL/Enviro 20Ds SEN13-19 (YX11 FYS-W/Y/Z) have left Northumberland Park, following the loss of TfL299 (Muswell Hill-Cockfosters) to Sullivans. They have initially gone to Hants and Dorset Trim at Waterlooville for refurbishment, and will then be posted to London General at Morden Wharf. SEN10, meanwhile, has come from London General.

LONDON OVERGROUND.
The first of the new Class 710 EMUs have been outshopped from Bombardier at Derby.

LONDON UNDERGROUND LIMITED.

Above: Nothumberland Park Victoria Line depot, seen from the Greater Anglia railway station on 19/5/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: The portal of the Central Line tunnels south of Newbury Park, on 28/5/18. The strip of land in the middle is the trackbed of the former link to Ilford, which was a relic of the LNER but lasted into British Railways days. (John Podgorski).

MTR TfL RAIL.
New Aventra EMU deliveries have reached 345042.
345021/25 are at Abbey Wood for staff training.
A Paddington-Hayes service began from 20/5/18. 7 x 345s are allocated. This replaces some GWR workings. From the same date, the Heathrow Connect services and Class 360 EMUs were taken over.

Above: 345011 at Shenfield on 19/5/18. (John Podgorski).

MYALLS OF BASSINGBOURN.
New is VDL Futura FDD2 double deck coach AD18 WVW.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPS.
Scania/Levante BK14 LFX has revised rear branding for ‘On the case at Stansted’, also advising that Kings Cross, Farringdon and South Hackney are now additionally served.
Scania/Levante tri-axle BD65 JFO has a super rear advert for Amazon Pay on NX.
The Kings Ferry was working on ‘A’ service duplicates over the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend.

NEW HORIZON, FRATING.

Above: Newly arrived YR58 RVC with S23 NHT at Lufkins Farm depot on 5/5/18. (John Podgorski).

Acquired is Scania/Irizar YR58 RVC. Similar YN04 GGV passed to Irizar, Worksop (dealer) in part exchange.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Some school buses are now outbased at Hutton (Brentwood Coaches).

Above: Optare Solo 808 (MX08 UZK) arrives at Basildon Bus Station on 8/5/18. It is working ex Amber service 21. (Simon Austin).
Below: Wright Streetlite WF no 11 (MX11 CZR) at High Street, Brentwood on 12/5/18. It is on ex Amber route 269. (Simon Austin).

PANTHER TRAVEL.

(Chris Sampson).
Odd sightings: 4/5/18: Volvo B7TL/ALX400 BIG 7758 on 2 (Harwich/Dovercourt town service) – usually ADL/Enviro 200 or Dennis Dart SLF saloon. 17/5/18: DAF DB250LF/EL DC52 PAN on X15 – in place of regular ADL/E400 VB08 PAN.

Above: Ex TGM Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer BIG 7006 ex S303 JUA is now in Panther fleet colours. It was pictured at Colchester outstation on 20/5/18. (John Podgorski).

PRIMERA AIR.
Further transatlantic flights started from Stansted, serve Boston, Washington DC and Toronto. A total of 8 new Airbus A321NEOs have been bought for these services.

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.
The headshunt at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich has been fenced off, in connection with a flood defence project on the adjacent River Orwell.
The site of the old goods yard at Maldon East has disappeared under a new ALDI supermarket.

REGAL BUSWAYS:
Neoplan Tourliner MX10 DFK is now with Hough of Oxford t/a M&M Staffing. It is for rail work. It has been re-registered MM10 BUS. The registered address of its new operator is given as Brighton, but the OC is in Essex, at an old Regal site.

ROG.
56303 on 6M06/07 Wembley-Barrington during May.
30/5/18: 50008 at Stratford @ 1234 on light engine route learning – Ilford to Wembley.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Sold is Ford Transit 14 seater FJ51 XOK.

RYANAIR.

Above: Boeing 737-800 EI-GDV arrives at Stansted from Limoges on FR8777 on 26/5/18. (John Podgorski).

More new Boeing 737-800s are EI-GJT/V-Z, GSA/B.

SOUTHEND PIER RAILWAY.

(Lyn Tait Emporium).

Car 21 has survived at the Lynn Tait Souvenir Emporium at Old Leigh for over 20 years, but the emporium has now closed. A sister, unrestored vehicle (8) exists at Mangapps Farm Museum, and their is another original car (22) at the Southend Pier Museum. These were the AC Cars built electric (3rd rail) vehicles which served between 1849 and 1978.

Above: Car 7 at the landward end of Southend Pier in its service days. No 1 signal box is to the left. (RMWeb.co.uk).

Below: Car 22 leads a journey to Southend Pier head. The railway was double tracked throughout at that time. (RMWeb.co.uk).

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
New for Cambridge City Sightseeing are new VolvO B5L/Wright Gemini3 semi open toppers 13808-13 (BV18 YBA-F). They will replace Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s.
Ex Stagecoach in Norfolk Dennis Trident/EL 18278 (PX55 AHF) was at Cowley Road, Cambridge depot – in withdrawn condition, at the end of May.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: ADL/Enviro 40D 19870 at Beckton bus station on 5/5/18. (Daniel Acott).

TfL474 (Canning Town-Manor Park) was gained from Go-Ahead Docklands Buses on 5/5/18.
Some Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s were reinstated at West Ham (WH) as a result. However, a visit to Romford and Ilford on 28/5/18, saw no Tridents about at all.

From Selkent are Trident/ALX400s 18485 (LX55 BFA), 18494 (LX06 AGZ) – now at West Ham.
To overall adverts for Top Shop are New Routemasters LT239, 381.
ADL/Enviro 40F 19825 (LX11 BLF0 has reverted to red, ex overall advert.

STEPHENSONS.

Above: Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus 508 (YT59 NZN) at Southend Travel Centre on 8/5/18. It was new to Network Colchester. (Simon Austin).

Two buses have been named after employees who have passed away. Scania N230UD/Olympus 501 (EU58 BHX) is Lyn Watson – former Finance Director, while Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 610 (CX14 EMS) is Chris McCormick MBE – former Service Delivery Manager. They were christened at the Museum of Power, Langford on 2/5/18.
Odd sightings:
22/5/18: Scania Omnidekka 637 (YN55 NJE) on 90.

SULLIVAN, SOUTH MIMMS.
Withdrawn is Trident/ALX400 TAL123 (X343 HLL).

TALISMAN, GREAT BROMLEY.
Gold Leyland Titan OHV 747Y has passed to the Bromley Bus Preservation Group. It was collected on 11/5/18.
Another ancillary car is Rover 75 saloon W2 SET.

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.
Temsa MD9/Opalin YJ08 EFT is a recent addition, ex Wiffin of Redhill.
Mb 0814D/ECH AE54 FEG has passed to Parnell, Honiton (dealer).

Above: Former MTL, ex Decker Bus of Whittlesey Volvo Olympian/NC Palatine II VIL 8682 ex N291 CKB, on GA RRP at Manningtree on 20/5/18. (John Podgorski).

THOMAS COOK.
New are Airbus A320-214 LY-NVZ; A321-231 LY-VEA; A321-211s LY-VEC/D; A319-112 LY-VET.

THORNS OF RAYLEIGH.
Arrivals are Volvo B10M/Plaxton Paramount J3 KCT – from Coach Stop, Rettendon, and Volvo B10M/VHs L19, 20 PCC – from Flavin, Stanford Le Hope.
Scania K124/VH CAZ 7446 ex S555 YMJ has passed to Candy, Cobham.

TITAN AIRWAYS.
Has Airbus A321-211 G-POWV.

TOWER TRANSIT.
Withdrawn are Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis VNW32366/67/79/84-86/90-93/97/98, 32403/5/8/9/11/12/15/16/19/24/25/30 (due to TfL contract changes) and Volvo hydrogen buses WL44700/1.
ADL/Enviro 40Ds SN12 AVR/T are now with City Direct, Galway, Eire – via Ensign.

TREKKERS OF HARLOW.
From Gale of Harlow is Duple 425 LBZ 4329.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
Ex Bluestar is DAART slf/pOINTER SN03 ECA.
From Golden Touyrs is part open top Trident/ALX400 X336 NNO.
Withdrawn are Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolutions AE56 OUP/S.

TUI.
New are Boeing 737-86Q C-FEAK and 737-8K5s G-TAWC/D/N/O.

VICEROY, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere RUI 9515 has reverted to its original NK51 ZSU mark, and been sold to Curtin of Ballyneety, Eire.
Short ADL/Enviro 200 KX57 FMF is now with A2B, Cambridge.

WCR.
25/5/18: 47580/746 top and tailing 5Z24 Southall-Norwich ECS partly via GAML; stock was 99723, 5032, 4994, 1861, 99352 ‘Amethyst’, 99348 ‘Topaz’, 99347, 99316, 99125 ‘Jessica’, 99121 ‘Julia’. This is for the 1Z56 Norwich-Carlisle steam special.

With thanks to: D Acott, Anglia Gen, S Austin, EBN, Ensignbus, Essex Buses Yahoo, J Falco, A Hazell, Hedingham, S Kinsella-Ilot, J Lidstone, LOTS, Lynn Tait Emporium, RM, R Pope, RMWEB.co.uk, J Sadd, C Sampson, D Tredwell.