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

Welcome to the June 2018 edition of Busmopolitan.
Out of the Busmopolitan area, but of great significance, is the sale of East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) to Go -Ahead. This was formally announced on 18/6/18.
EYMS was one of two remaining independant former NBC companies. Trent Barton is the only one left which is still descended from its original management buyout. All other ex NBC subsidaries are part of the big groups. EYMS does run into the Busmopolitan “patch” on National Express 484 workings from London to Clacton and Walton, and their tour coaches may also be seen visiting the area.

Above: EYMS Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante 81 at Chelmsford on 24/7/15. (John Podgorski).

Above: Volvo B8R/Plaxton Elite 90, at Boreham Services on 28/5/18. (John Podgorski).

On 26/6/18, there was a fatal collision between a bus and a lorry, just to the north of the Busmopolitan area. First Eastern Counties ADL/Enviro 400 33804 (YX63 LJJ), on the 0700 eastbound XL Peterborough to Norwich service collided with a Scania artic of Bretts Transport on the A47 at Guyhirn at 0730. The bus driver and 1 passenger were killed, with 17 other bus passengers injured. Our thoughts go out to all involved.

AIRPORT BUS EXPRESS.

Above: Scania K410/Caetano C650 BX65 WBM, with map branding on rear, at Start Hill, Stansted depot on 23/6/18. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (NETWORK COLCHESTER).
Odd sightings:
22/6/18: ADL/Enviro 200 4015 (GN 58 BTY) on 77/A – usually long SLF/Pointer.
25/6/18: ADL/E200 4017 (GN58 BUA) on 4, SLF/Pointer 3421 (AY54 FPZ) on 4 – usually short SLF. 27/8/18: ADL/E400 4018 (GN58 BUE) on 77.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (NETWORK HARLOW).
Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3815 is from Southend.
Mb Sprinter 1011 was briefly here.
Mb Sprinter 1015 (BF67 WGN) is also now here, on loan. It had been delivered to Stevenage, then moved in quick succession to Hemel Hempstead and then Ware. Minibus operation in Hemel, ceased after 30/6/18, by the way, having only been introduced some 7 months earlier.

Above: Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Solar 3820 was originally at Northfleet, and subsequently Southend before reaching Harlow. It retained its MAX livery from its last posting, when pictured at Epping station, on 4/6/18. (Daniel Acott).

ARROW TAXIS, MALDON.
Iveco 45C15/Stanford welfare bus GN59 FFO has passed to Ben Weaver, Sheffield (dealer).

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Bedford VAL70/Plaxton Panorama Elite VBD 310H is back in use – as a heritage vehicle.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
All of the WVLs now with Metrobus have now been converted and repainted for use on route X26 (Croydon-Heathrow).
ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolution ED15 (AE56 OUO) has passed to Ensign; ED21 (LX07 BYM) was resold by Ensign to National Driving School, Croydon.
The old depot at Ferry Lane, Rainham has been demolished.

Above: Ferry Lane site on 30/6/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: East London Transit liveried New Routemaster LT930 approaches Barking along Ripple Road on 30/6/18. These buses also often appear on TfL15 and 115. (John Podgorski).

C2C.

Above: The level crossing at East Tilbury in the early hours of 21/6/18. This is on the Grays to Pitsea ‘Tilbury Loop’ line and the railway station is off the left of this picture, with the old crossing keeper’s cottage visible to the right. Linford is beyond the crossing. (Daniel Disbury).

CHAMBERS.

(Jack Lomas).

From 4/6/18, there were revisions to registered school routes 752, 755, 756. There was also an exchange of some work with Hedingham. The Stour Valley Academy, Clare contract, Stanway School ST1 (Chappel-Stanway) and 89X (Sudbury-Halstead-Braintree) went to Hedingham. ST2 (Wormingford-Stanway School) came from Hedingham, along with Dennis Trident/EL 701 (T801 RFG). 701 was operated ‘on hire’. ST2 went back to Hedingham from 11/6/18, but to Kelvedon, rather than its previous base of Clacton. 701 was returned to Hedingham at Clacton on 9/6/18. Ex London General Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 526 (LX06 EAJ) is now here.
Scania Omnidekka 801 (YN55 PZC) was loaned to Hedingham (Sible Hedingham), for the Stour Valley Academy contract. It was swapped with 800 (YN53 RYP) in late June.
Scania Omnidekkas 805/7 (YN55 PZG/J) were loaned to Hedingham (Kelvedon) in early June, mainly for 89X/ST1. 805 was used initially, then swapped with 807.
807 came back in mid June, in exchange for 809 (YN55 PZM).
All of the Omnidekkas had been renumbered by the end of June.

Above: Scania Omnidekka 802 at High Street, Halstead on an afternoon 89X on 14/5/18. (Simon Austin).

COACH STOP, RETTENDON.
Mb 0404/Hispano Y368 UOM is ex Gainsbury of Upminster.
Volvo B10M/Jonckherre Deauville VIL 8246 is reinstated.

COLAS.
It has been announced that the 10 Class 60s are to be sold to GBRf.
4/6/18: 66848 on 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor.
7/6/18: 66849 on 6O36 Whitemoor-Hoo Junct.
8/6/18: 70815 on 6O36.
12/6/18: 70814 on Hoo-Whitemoor.
14/10/18: 70810 on 6L37 and 6O36 return.
15/6/18: 37175 + DBSO 9701 and NR test train, stabled outside Marks Tey yard @ 0803. 70808 on 6O36.
18/6/18: 37099 tnt 37254 on 1Q90 Derby-Ferme Park via Cambridge and Broxbourne. 70804 on Bridgend-Dagenham car transporters. 70810 on 6L37.
19/6/18: 37099/37254 on Ferme Park-C2C lines and return.
20/6/18: 37099/37254 at Stratford on 1Q97.
21/6/18: 37099/37254 at Cambridge on 1Q98.
29/6/18: 66846 on 6L37.

COOKS OF WESTCLIFF.

(James Sadd).

From Graham’s of Kelvedon is Irizar i6 YN66 WVG. It was pictured at Rochford depot on 27/6/18.

CT PLUS.
ADL/Enviro 200s DA2, 3, 4 (YX62 DHC/D/Y) have transferred to CT Plus Yorkshire.

Above: ADL/Enviro 40H City 2531 begins its northbound journey from Waterloo, on 30/6/18. The VW Sharan can to the left is a phv with Addison Lee, rather than an “authentic” London ‘Black Taxi Cab’. (John Podgorski).

DANS LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY.
Mb Atego 1224L LN15 RYK is from Brown of Dalkeith, Scotland.
Yutong Tc9 YJ64 HDU is ex Wheelers of North Baddersley.

DBS.
4/6/18: 66035 at Bow Olympic. 66150 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich – on sand.
6/6/18: 66085 at Bow Olympic.
7/6/18: 66074 on Mountsorrel-Chesterton Junct.
8/6/18: 66175 at Bow Olympic.
11/6/18: 59002 at Bow Midland.
12/6/18: 66009 at Bow Olympic.
13/6/18: 66009 at Bow Olympic.
14/6/18: 66009 at Bow Olympic.
15/6/18: 66185 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX. 66197 at Bow Olympic.
18/6/18: 66047 on Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill. 66103 at Bow Olympic.
19/6/18: 66103 at Bow Olympic.
20/6/18: 66080 at Bow Olympic.
21/6/18: 66183 on 4M02 FLX-Hams Hall – GBRf working, replaced failed 66729.
22/6/18: 66055 on 6M48 Bow-Calvert. 66089 on 4M53 West Thurrock-Humberstone Road, Leicester. 66105 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX.
25/6/18: 59206 at Bow Midland. 66055 at Bow Olympic. 66145 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich – on sand.
26/6/18: 66003 on 6L38 Mounsorrel-Broxbourne stone. 66008 on 4O81 London Gateway-Dollands Moor. 66057 on 6V57 Harlow Mill-Acton stone.
30/6/18: 66055 ‘Alain Thauvette’ and 90040 stabled at Dagenham Dock.

DONS OF DUNMOW.

Above: Van Hool TX Alicron DH10 DON with the London Eye on 24/6/18. (Shaun Kinsella Ilot).

DRS.
5/6/18: 57002 + 37405 + DVT 82152 on 5Z37 Crewe-Norwich via GEML. 57303 + 365529 on Ely-Hornsey. 37405 on 5V91 Norwich-Ilford.
24/6/18: 57314 TNT 57313 on 5Z37 Norwich-Swindon via GEML and NLL.
26/6/18: 37409 “up” through Shenfield, heading for Bounds Green with GA DVT 82112 – at lunchtime.
27/6/18: 57303 on 5Q70 Ely-Northampton via Cambridge, towing GN 365507/15.

EASYJET EUROPE.
New are Airbus A320-214s OE-ICG/J/K, ING, IZO/S.

EMIRATES.
From 8/6/18, a new Dubai-London Stansted service commenced. New 3 class Boeing 777-200s are used. Emirates aircraft have been seen at Stansted previously, but on charters or freight.

Above: Emirates B777 A6-EWY at Stansted on 24/7/16. (John Podgorski).

ENSIGNBUS.
Now has ex Go-Ahead London Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 102/3 (LX53 BAA, BBF). They have been converted to single door and fitted with led displays.
Dennis Trident/EL 196 (PX 55 AHG) has passed to Axe Valley Motors of Seaton, Devon. This was the last Trident operated by Ensign.

Above: Ex Stephensons of Easingwold ADL/Enviro 200 719, at Brentwood rail station on 2/6/18, on route 21. (Daniel Disbury).

Above: Dual door ADL/Enviro 200 790 unusually appeared on route 81 on 14/6/18. It’s normally used on cruise ship shuttles at Tilbury. Pictured at Brentwood rail station. (Daniel Disbury).

Above: Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 127 at Clacton on Sea on 18/6/18, on a Greater Anglia e rail. (Daniel Disbury).

Buses stored as Sales Stock at 30/6/18, were ex Abellio London ADL/Enviro 200 LJ56 VSY, Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis BX54 DHU/Y; ex Arriva London North Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 LJ03 MYC; ex Arriva London South Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 LJ53 BDF; ex the Bus Club, Merton AEC PRV Routemaster JJD 445D; ex Metroline ADL/Enviro 200s LK07 BEJ, YX09 AFE, FLJ/L; ex RATP London United Scania Omnidekka YN55 NKX; ex RATP Yellow Buses, Bournemouth ADL/Enviro 200 OU08 AYF.
“New” ancillary vehicles are Ford Fiesta van 809 (NJ57 GZC); Peugeot Partner van 802 (WG14 FMZ).
A Ford Focus bearing the registration R834 MFR (off a Metrobus Volvo Olympian/EL) and Land Rover Discovery 492 CLT (reg off a Routemaster), were noted in the Ensign staff car park on 30/6/18.

EOS LONDON.
New commercial service S1 (Harlow-Stratford) began on 4/6/18.

ESSEX CC – COMMUNITY LINK.
New is Mb Sprinter LX18 BYO. It is at Harlow for service 381 to Toot Hill.

EUROSTAR.

Above: ‘Valero’ 374028 arrives at London St Pancras International on the 1539 from Paris, on 15/6/18. (John Podgorski).

EUROWINGS.
Airbus A319-112 D-AGBN has returned to use, ex storage.

FELIX, LONG MELFORD.
Rare Bedford CF/Plaxton Mini Supreme 591 HNM has passed to a preservationist.

FIRST ESSEX.

(John Podgorski).
Colchester based Wright Streetlites 63329/30/33/34/35/40/42/43/44 (SK65 PXL/M/P/R/S, SM65 EEY, EFA-C) are branded for Contactless Payment. Other buses have window stickers. 66334 is seen (above) at Stanwell Street on 13/6/18. This branding is appearing across the fleet, with Hadleigh (HH) Streetlites 47525-29 (SN64 CNA/C/E/F/J), 47644/45/48 (SN15 AFA/E/K), 63161 (SN64 CHX), 63166 (SN64 CJJ), 63170 (SN64 CJX); Basildon (BN) Streelites 47650/53 (SN15 AEM/T) and Chelmsford Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66796 (MX05 CBV), 66802/11/12/15/17 (MX05 CCK, CDK/N/V/Z) also noted.
Now in Refreshed livery is Dart SLF/Pointer 42933 (SN05 DZO).

Above: 65676 being collected from Clacton on 1/6/18. (Wayne Bell).

Gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap are Scania L94UB/Wright Solars 65665 (SN51 UXX), 65666/66/69 (SN51 UXX/Y, UYB), 65676 (SN51 UYK). They were collected from Clacton – 65676 on 1st June, although some remained there at the end of June. 65667 (SN51 UXZ) has gone for preservation – to the Great Yeldham Collection. 65670/74 (SN51 UYC/H) also set aside for preservation. 65681 (YR52 VEL) is back in service at CR, ex fire damage repairs. Optare Solos gone to Alpha, also for scrap are 53114/17/17/21/23 (EO02 NDZ, NEJ/N, NFC, NEE), 53127/31-34/36 (EO02 NFJ/N/P/R/T/V). Volvo B10BLE/Wright 62197 (X689 ADK) has likewise gone to Alpha to meet its maker.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33080 (LN51 GMG) is back in use at Colchester, ex long term VOR (since 10/17). 33184 (LR02 LZD) has lost its super rear advert for CO OP Funeralcare.
All of the withdrawn Optare Solos had gone from Braintree by early June.
Odd workings: 13/6/18: Volvo B7TL/ALX400 32475 (AU53 HJJ) on 174; Route 62 Volvo B9TL/Gemini2 37135 on 64. 14/6/18: 37135 on 75. 16/6/18: Route 62 37139 (SN57 HCY) on 88A. 18/6/18: SLF/Caetano 41494 on 70, X30 ADL/E200 MMCs 66168/70 on 31X. 29/6/18; Route 62 B9TL/Gemini 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 88. 30/6/18: Route 62 B9TL/Gemini2 37133 (SN57 HDH) on 102.

(John Podgorski).

Ancillary fleet: Vauxhall Movano FP18 LCY is a crew ferry at Chelmsford.
It has replaced Ford Tourneo NA64 CDV.

FLAGFINDERS.
Neoplan Transliner XIL 1254 has been repainted plain silver.

Above: Recently acquired and repainted VDL Bova SO15 UBS, on Lexden Road, Colchester on 12/6/18. (John Podgorski).

FORDS OF ALTHORNE.
New is Scania Touring tri-axle YH18 SXX.

FREIGHTLINER.
4/6/18: 66607 on 6L34 Tunstead-Bow.
6/6/18: 66621 on Bow-Tunstead.
8/6/18: 86608/9 on “down” intermodal. 86610/13 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford Park.10/6/18: 66563 tnt 66533 on Stowmarket DGL-Whitemoor and 0A85 Whitemoor-IPS.
16/6/18: 66533 tnt 66508 on Manningtree-Whitemoor engineers.
19/6/18: 66419 on 6M61 Chesterton Junct-Tunstead.
20/6/18: 66563 on 4V31 Bristol-FLX. 66622 on Bow-Guide Bridge.
22/6/18: 66603 on 6L44 Tunstead-West Thurrock.
23/6/18: 86604/610 on Coatbridge-FLX.
26/6/18: 66548 on 4S83 London Gateway-Coatbridge. 66559 on 4M46 Lawley Street-London Gateway.
28/6/18: 66528 on 4L97 failed at Marks Tey and delayed following “down” services for 40 minutes. 86605/10 + dead 66418 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford Park.

GBRf.
It has been announced that 16 Class 56s are to be acquired from UK Rail Leasing.

Above: An unidentified GBRf Class 73 on sandite duty at London Victoria on 4/11/17. (John Podgorski).

2/6/18: EDs 73962/65 + PLPR to Cambridge from Dollands Moor, en route to Derby RTC as 1Q80. 66707 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66709 on 4L20 Hams Hall-Parkeston. 66737 on 6T60 Whitemoor-Trimley engineers.
3/6/18: 66707/8/9/17 on 0L33 on PBO-IPS light engine.
4/6/18: 66709 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
5/6/18: 66709 on 6A32 N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
6/6/18: 66716 at Bow Olympic.
9/6/18: 66714 on 6T60 Whitemoor-Felixstowe Beach engineers. 66725 heading a Felixstowe bound intermodal through Manea at 1858. 66761 TNT 66776 on 6T61 Whitemoor-Trimley engineers.
10/6/18: 66707/9/20 on 0L33.
11/6/18: 66709 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
12/6/18: 66709 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
13/6/18: 66717  66416 on 6L36 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
14/6/18: 66709 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66774 on 6X36 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
16/6/18: 66756 on 6L48 Garston-Dagenham car transporters.
20/6/18: 66707 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66719 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
21/6/18: DBS 66183 on loan, covering failed 66729. 66719 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66763 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX. 66773 on 6M14 Harlow Mill-Bardon Hill.
22/6/18: 66731 at Bow Midland.
23/6/18: 66707 on 4M23. 66720 on 4L23. 66726/63 on 4L20 Hams Hall-Parkeston.
24/6/18: 66719/20/29 on 0L33. 66729 TNT 66769 on 6T63 Woodbridge-Whitemoor via Ipswich. 66753 on 6T60.
26/6/18; 66763 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
27/6/18: 66763 on N Walsham-Ipswich light engine.
28/6/18: 66763 at Parkeston Quay.
30/6/18: 66721 on 6T64; 66718 on 6T63 – both Whitemoor-Barking. 66728 on 6T60 Bow Junct-Whitemoor. 66729 on 6T51 Bow Junct-Whitemoor engineers.

Above: 66725 eastbound at Manea, in the early evening of 9/6/18. (John Podgorski).

Below: 66763 at Parkeston Quay on 28/6/18. (John Podgorski).

GOLDLINE, LEYTONSTONE AND MANOR PARK.

(John Podgorski).

New is Scania K360EB4/Irizar i6S YN18 SVG. It was pictured (above) on Euston Road, London on 15/6/18.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: It’s the start of the evening rush hour on Friday 15/6/18, as homebound commuters board Clacton on Sea bound Renatus 321314 at London Liverpool Street. (John Podgorski).

170272 is in the new livery.
1/6/18: 321321/429/348 at Norwich.
4, 5/6/18: 317347 + 321342 at Ilford depot – then headed “up” through Shenfield, before returning to IL.
12/6/18: 321428/44 at Norwich.
14/6/18: “New” Renautus 321317 outshopped from Doncaster to Ilford as 5L50.
15/6/18: DVT 82118 + set + loco stabled at Colchester sidings @ 0800. 321355/50/402 in Chelmsford loop @ 0825.
17/6/18: Service 1P51 in “wires down” incident at Kelvedon, London bound. Rescued by DRS 68002 to Witham.
18/6/18: 1P51 towed to Norwich by DRS 37407, as 5P51.

Above: 37407 at Norwich on 16/6/18. This is on loan to Greater Anglia. (Simon Austin).

19/6/18:
321336/65 on 1400 Norwich-Liverpool Street and return, then stabled at Norwich.

Above: 321418 has an interesting history, as it is a “hybrid unit”. When with Silverlink, it was involved in a collision with 321420 at Watford Junction in August 1996. Sadly, one passenger was killed and 2 cars from each unit were written off. The undamaged carriages were reformed as 321418, while a new 321420 was built in 1997. This picture shows 321418 awaiting departure from London Liverpool Street, on the morning of 15/6/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: DVT 82118 unusually stabled at Colchester on the morning of 15/6/18. This was due to an earlier points failure at London Liverpool Street, putting stock “out of position”. (John Podgorski).

GREAT NORTHERN.
7/6/18: 365529/33 at Ilford.
13/6/18: 365521/29 to Scotrail behind ROG 37884 as 5Q56.

HEDINGHAM.
89X (Braintree-Sudbury) and Stanway School ST1 (Chappel)  have come from Chambers; along with the ex Turners Stour Valley School, Clare contract. ST2 (Wormingford-Stanway School) moved to Chambers from Clacton (CN). All effective from 4/6/18.
4th June also saw experimental changes to the Honywood School contracts. HY1 (Silver End-Coggeshall) was revised to run over the old HY2 (Kelvedon-Feering-Honywood) beyond Kelvedon One Stop. The old Kelvedon-Honywood section of HY1 (via Observer Way), was replaced by an extension of HY4. This was achieved by HY4 being altered to run the same direction both am and pm. HY4 operated as Marks Tey rail station-Copford-Easthorpe-Kelvedon-Coggeshall. Dennis Trident/EL 701 (T801 RFG) moved to Chambers with ST2.
The experiment was short lived. 11th June saw HY2 reinstated, due to capacity issues on HY1 and HY4. The latter reverted to their previous routeings. ST2 transferred into KN from Chambers on the same date, with Trident 701 returning.

(John Podgorski).

Scania Omnidekka 801 (YN55 PZC) has come from Chambers, for use at HD on the Stour Valley Academy, Clare contract. It was pictured (above) with Volvo B7TL/Gemini 512 on 9/6/18.

Scania Omnidekka 1518 (YN06 JYC) has been renumbered 818. It returned to KN from CN on 2/6/18, but went back to CN on 4/6 with engine management problems. It was replaced by 805 (YN55 PZG); borrowed from Chambers. 805 was then replaced by 807 (YN55 PZJ) from Chambers. In mid June, 809 (YN55 PZM) was loaned from Chambers, replacing 807. 814 was replaced by 816 at KN in late June. 801 at HD was replaced by 800 (YN53 RYP) from Chambers, at the same time. All of the Omnidekkas and Omnicities had been renumbered by the end of June.

(John Podgorski).
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 582 (X507 EGK) has returned to CN depot, ex static use at Colne Community College, Brightlingsea. It was pictured (above) on 6/6/18. It is to be stripped for spares.

(John Podgorski).

Some ex Go-Ahead London Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis have been acquired. They are 520-528 (LX05 EZC-H, LX06 EAJ/K/M).
4 of these were collected from Metrobus, Orpington depot on 14/6/18. They are LX05 EZD/G/H, LX06 EAM – which were latterly with London General at Merton. EZD is seen (above) at Kelvedon depot. All are planned to replace Tridents. LX05 EZF and LX06 EAJ arrived on 20/6/18. They are to be converted to single door, with LX05 EZD being the first; the work being done at CN.
However, LX05 EZH then went to HD and LX06 EAJ to Chambers. B7TL/Gemini 510 (LB02 YWX) is back in use at HD, ex gearbox repairs. 511 (LB02 YWY) was VOR at HD, following a rear end collision involving a taxi.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 584 (PJ02 REU) was still VOR, awaiting entry to service at CN in June, and being converted to single door. 569 (W484 WGH) suffered a major mechanical failure (gearbox) and is VOR at KN. Now VOR at CN are Dennis Trident/ELs 701, 722 (W822 NNJ) –  with Trident/EL 723 (W823 NNJ) VOR at HD. Now withdrawn is Trident/EL 717 (T817 RFG). Withdrawn Trident/ALX400 739 (T117 DBW) had been stripped of parts from its cab and engine bay, when seen on 30/6/18; it had been stood down in March – due to a partially seized engine. The recently acquired WVLs are also VOR at CN (except LX05 EZF, LX06 FAJ),  and are awaiting single door conversion.
Long Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers 251 (PJ02 RHE), 255 (EU05 AUT) appeared at KN in early June, loaned from HD and CN respectively. 255 was returned to CN on 20/6/18. 251 went back to HD on 25/6/18.

Above: SLF/Pointer 255 departs St Johns Street, Colchester on 13/6/18; on a Tollesbury bound 92. This and no 254 (EU05 AUR) were a cancelled Cardiff Bus order, hence the blue bulkhead. (John Podgorski).

Odd sightings:
6/6/18: Short ADL/Enviro 200 296 on PL3 (am) – serving Great Totham only. This was due to Omnidekka 805 failing on 89X and a B7TL replacing it. 13/6/18: Trident 738 (T108 DBW) on ST3. 21/6/18: 738 on PL3 am. 26/6/18- SLF/MPD 291 on 15/63; 27-28/6/18 – 738 on PL3. 28/6/18: SLF/MPD 289 on 15/63.

(John Podgorski).

IPSWICH BUSES.
Scania N280/Enviro 400 MMC gas bus demonstrator DD16 GAS has been on loan.
Gone for preservation are open top Leyland Atlantean 9 (MRT 9P), ex Carters Volvo Olypmian/NC P915 RYO, Optare Excel 173 (YG52 DHF).
Gone for scrap to PSV Recycling, Hadleigh were Trident/ALX400 8 (LX04 FYB); Optare Excels 170/71 (YG52 DGO, DHF) also went for scrap – but to MC Tracotrs at Ramsey.

KINGS TOURS, STANWAY.
On loan from Arriva Bus and Coach was Temsa Safari HD12 YJ13 GWC.

L and R, BASILDON.
Dennis Trident/EL W56 PCC is ex Bear Buses of Shepperton. It had been with Ensignbus before that.
Re-registered are Ford Transit 16 seater A16 LNR to SE04 UTS; Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur A19 LNR to L975 OWY; Volvo B10M/VH M662 BAF to A19 LNR; Dennnis Trident/EL W56 PCC to K19 LNR; Ford Transit 16 seater GK55 NFY to A16 LNR.

LONDON CENTRAL.

Above: Mercedes Citaro MEC1 runs light back to New Cross garage, along Trafalgar Road, Greenwich on 30/6/18. If it had been in service, it’s journey from Stratford to Lewisham would have taken it up Westcombe Hill and across Blackheath. (John Podgorski).

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
Southend seafront service 68 recommenced on 9/6/18, and will run until September.
Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini WVN24 (BG59 FXA) appeared in the previous week, for route learning./refreshing.
TfL491 (Waltham Cross-North Middlesex Hospital) passed to Metroline from 2/6/18.

LONDON OVERGROUND.
The first of the new Class 710 EMUs are 710111 and 710261. Built by Bombardier, 710261 appeared at Willesden depot on 20/6/18. The ‘710/1s are AC only 4 car units, while the ‘710/2s are dual voltage 5 carriage sets. The ‘710/1s will be the first to enter traffic, with 8 initially on the Gospel Oak-Barking route -from November 2018. The ‘710/1s will replace Class 172 DMUs on the former and Class 315 EMUs on routes out of Liverpool Street, plus the Romford-Upminster branch. The ‘315s will be the last to be replaced by the new ‘710/1s, as the AC/DC ‘710/2s for the Euston-Watfords will go into service before them.

Above: 315804 brings up the rear of a morning departure from London Liverpool Street on 15/6/18; with 315810 leading. The first of the new Class 710 EMUs from Bombardier have now been completed; replacing the venerable ‘315s from later in 2018. Note the temporary Speed Restriction (TSR) signs, due to a points failure earlier in that week. (John Podgorski).

Above: Pioneer Class 315 315801 at Bethnal Green on 15/6/18, with 315814 at the front of the consist.  Taken from TSO 12143 of the passing 1630 Liverpool Street-Norwich Greater Anglia service. (John Podgorski).

LONDON UNDERGROUND LIMITED.

Remembering Grenfell, 14/6/18 – at Latimer Road H&C Line station. (Sky News).

Below: S7 Stock 21492 on an eastbound Hammersmith and City service at Liverpool Street on 15/6/18. (John Podgorski).

M and M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD.

Above: This is ex Regal Busways Neoplan Tourliner MX10 DFK, seen freshly repainted in June 2018. (Mark Hough).

MASTER TRAVEL, HERONGATE.
Sold is Scania K114/Irizar YN53 CEX, this operator’s only vehicle.

METROLINE.
From 3/6/18, TfL491 (Waltham Cross-North Middlesex Hospital) was gained from London General North, and is run from Potters Bar (PB).
From 23/6/18, TfL30 (Marble Arch-Hackney Wick) came from Tower Transit. This takes Metroline buses deep into east London. It is run from Kings Cross (KC) depot. Alterations have been made to make this location accessible to double deckers.
TfL214 (Parliament Hill Fields-Finsbury Square) was moved from KC to Holloway (HT) to make space for the new contract.

Above: Brand new Volvo B5LH/MCV EvoSeti VMH2469 at Marble Arch, on the first day of Metroline operation of TfL30. (Simon Austin).

Above: Metroline has had two depots at Kings Cross. The original one (coded KX) is pictured here in April 2004. This was on the site of the original Kings Cross railway station (the buildings can be seen in the background) and was opened as an outstation of Holloway (HT) for the then new TfL390 (Archway-Marble Arch) service, on 29th March 2003. Originally RML Routemasters were used M to Sat only.  Kings Cross became 24/7 from 3/9/04 when OPO and a night service were introduced, along with sole responsibility for TfL390. It subsequently moved to a new, purpose built site further up York Way (at Freight Way and recoded KC) on 10th July 2010. TfL390 moved to Holloway, with KC gaining TfL214 (Paliament Hill Fields-Liverpool Street) – once with Thamesway, and more recently TfL46 and 274. This was because saloons could only access KC, due to a headroom restriction. Stansted Citylink Coaches also worked from the latter location during 2015 to 2017. (John Podgorski).

Below: KX depot in September 2003, with Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) works in the background. Also note the coach parked in the yard. (John Podgorski).

Above: Metroline AEC PRV Routemaster RML2413 on a KX depot crew change, on York Way in September 2003. (John Podgorski).

Above: Metroline ex MTL London Northern Dennis Dart/EL ENL119 on a northbound TfL214 at Goods Way in September 2003. 214 used to be worked by Thamesway from Ponders End, (between 1992 and 2002). Step entrance buses were still in use on TfL contracts in 2003. Upon sale, several buses from this batch passed to Essex operators. (John Podgorski).

Below: Metroline Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointer DP276 (P676 MLE) – on a southbound 214, passes building works of the new St Pancras International railway terminal in September 2003. (John Podgorski).

MTR CROSSRAIL.

Above: The remodelled Gidea Park depot area, seen on 16/6/18. Note the new crossover. (John Podgorski).

Class 345 disposition at 15/6/18:
345001 – Old Dalby/Ashfordby; 345002 – Old Oak Common (OC); 345003 – Ilford (IL); 345004 – Derby Litchurch Lane (DY); 345005/6/7 – IL; 345008 – Wembley (WB); 345009-12 – IL; 345013-17 – OC; 345018 – Ashfordby; 345019/20 – OC; 345021 – Abbey Wood (AW); 345022 – IL; 345023/24 – OC; 345025 – AW; 345026 – DY; 345027-29 – OC; 345030 – IL; 345031-37 – OC; 345038/39 – Ashfordby; 345040 – OC; 345041 – Crewe to WB; 345042-44 – Ahfordby; 345045-47 – DY.
16/6/18: 345030 towed from Ilford to Old Oak Common by ROG 37800 as 5Q73.
17/6/18: 345008 WB-IL. 345009 IL-WB.
24/6/18: 345009 – WB-IL. 345011 – IL-WB as 5Q80.

Above: 315825 at Harold Wood on 16/6/18, with 315836 at the rear of the consist. They are on a Liverpool Street-Shenfield service. (John Podgorski).

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPS.
Long term VOR Scania K340EB4/Caetano Levante SH18 (MIG 9443) has been cannibalised and is now regarded as withdrawn. It remains at Start Hill Scania.

NEW HORIZON, FRATING.
Scania/Irizar YR58 RVC is now in fleet livery, ex plain white.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH R941 YOV, has gone to Takeley Metals for scrap. It had been disused for a long time and become a source of spare parts.
Witham outstation has moved to inside the MC Truck and Bus compound at Swanvale Industrial Estate.

Above: One of the Panther heritage fleet.  Convertible open top ‘Queen Mary’ Leyland Titan PD3/4 – NC BUF 426C, at Harwich depot on 23/6/18. (Daniel Pretty).

ROG:
w/c 25/6/18: 56103 TNT 50008 on 6M05 Barrington-Wembley.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Bova Futura YN11 ANU is now with Mason of Long Marston.

SBC LEISURE, BASILDON.
Scania K124/Irizar T377 JWA has been exported to Cyprus.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.

Above: 18809 at ‘The Backs’ on 23/6/18.
(John Podgorski)
The new Volvo B5L/Wright Gemini3 semi open toppers, 13808-13 entered service, after application of City Sightseeing vinyls. They have replaced Tridents 17271-74 (ACZ 7491-94), 17079/80 (TSU 639/40).
Following storage at Cambridge; ex Norfolk Optare Solo M950 47907 (YJ09 LBF) has gone to Stagecoach South Wales.
On hire from Enterprise, for ancillary use are Fiat Doblo van WP16 HVC; Ford Transit luton van BV16 DZZ; Ford Transit panel vans MM15 UTH, MT16 TZK.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: Close the border of London with Essex, ADL/Enviro 400 19826 at Church Road, Harold Wood, on 16/6/18. This is one of the batch transferred from Selkent in 2017. (John Podgorski).

Overall adverts: ADL/Enviro 40D 10301 (YY15 OYS) – to Mc Millan Cancer Support.
New Routemaster LT239 – for Chiquita Bananas; LT257, 367 – to lastminute.com; L386 to 2018 British Legion Poppy Appeal.
Back to red fleet livery: ADL/E40D 12323 (SK14 CTU); New Routemasters LT381/85.

Scrapped are Trident/ALX400s 17837 (LX03 BYN0, 18275 (LX05 BWH), 18481 (LX55 BDY).

Above: TfL contract losses have enabled Scania Omnicities to be redeployed onto other routes, to replace Tridents. TfL174 is one such route, and 15014 was seen at Heathway, Dagenham on 30/6/18. (John Podgorski).

STANS, GREAT TOTHAM.
Bova Futura R927 JYG has passed to Richards of Guist.

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
Acquired is Mb Sprinter/EVM 301 (RE66 VPD), ex The Rural Development Trust, Lanark.
Scania Omnilink/EL Esteem YN06 JXS is ex Metrobus, via Ensign. It is for spare parts only.

SULLIVAN BUSES.
Ex Abellio London, via Ensign are ADL/Enviro 400s E49-51 (SN12 AOX-Z).
Withdrawn are MAN14/MCV Evolutions MM788 (LK57 EHY), MM814 (LK57 AYH); Trident/ALX400 TAL132 (X332 HLL).

TALISMAN COACHLINES, GREAT BROMLEY.
Ceased trading after close of business on 5/6/18. The origins of the operator date back more than 40 years. It started as Windmill Coaches of Copford, and subsequently went through three ownerships.
Setra S315 TSU 182 has reverted to T250 GON; VSU 182 to V35 HAX.
Withdrawn are VH Astromega FUH 933; Leyland Olympian H48 MJN; Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royales N119/20 UHP; Volvo B12T/Plaxton Panther SP07 CAV; Setra S315 T250 GON.
DAF MB/Plaxton Supreme YJN 455S has passed to Youngs of Cambridge.
Sold is Scania K360/Irizar YT13 HLA.
Some residual work was still being done in June – using two coaches.

Above: Scania K360/Irizar YT13 HLA at Bury St Edmunds on National Express duplicate on 4/6/16. (John Podgorski).

TENDRING TRAVEL.
From Stagecoach Scotland West is Volvo B12T/Plaxton Panther SF57 DPX.

Another minibus acquisition is CU07 KRW, a VW Crafter 16 seater painted silver. Pictured (above) on Ipswich Road, Colchester on 25/6/18, by John Podgorski.

TOWER TRANSIT.
TfL30 (Hackney Wick-Marble Arch) passed to Metroline from 23/6/18.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 DN33615 at Great Portland Street, on a very cold 28/2/18. (John Podgorski).

Below: In the final weeks of TfL30 operation by Tower Transit, ADL/Enviro 400 DN33637 departs Euston on 15/6/18. (John Podgorski).

TRUSTYBUS.
Acquitred through Ensign are ex Metrobus Scania Omnidekkas YM55 SWU, YN06 JXR and ex Emsworth and District Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer HW54 BUO.

Above: Ex Go North East Scania L94UB/Wright Solar NK53 UNW at Epping station on 4/6/18. (Daniel Acott).

ULTIMATE, CRAYS HILL.
From AP Travel, Cowbridge is VDL SB4000/Hispano YN07 EDX.
Sold is Ford Transit 16 seater AT08 YES ex HV58 GXY.

UNO.

Above: One of the new ‘Dragonfly’ buses, Volvo B8RLE/MCV 364, at Harpenden on 1/6/18. (Tony Smethers).

Mb Citaro 303 (BX56 VSL) is another with a super rear advert for University of Hertfordshire.
Withdrawn is Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 271 (SK52 KMV).
Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbus DC151 (FJ54 MMO) has passed to A1 Coaches, Melling.

VENTURRA, CLOPTON.
Sold Toyota Optima N60 TCC is now a caravan.

VICEROY OF ESSEX, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Volvo B10M/Alexander Q RIG 9303 ex H82 DVM, is now with Hardie, Port Glasgow, Scotland.

With thanks to: D Acott, S Austin, W Bell, ‘Cambus’, D Disbury, M Hough, S Kinsella Ilot, J Lomas, LOTS, Sky News, T Smethers.