Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the August 2018 edition of Busmopolitan.

A2B, CAMBRIDGE.
Is running ex Whippets Cambs CC routes 31 (Cambridge-Barley), 75 9Cambridge-Croydon).

Above: Ex First Essex Optare Solo EO02 NFG on route 31 at Cambridge (Drummer Street) Bus Station on 25/8/18. (John Podgorski).

ADVANCE, SOUTHEND.
Scania K340EB4/Irizar YN08 OCB is ex Taylor, St Ippolytts, Herts.

AIRPORT BUS EXPRESS.

Above: Scania K410/Caetano C650 BX65 WBN, at Start Hill Scania on 28/7/18. (John Podgorski).

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL.
It is reported that some of the 490 (London-Norwich/Cromer/Great Yarmouth) group NX contracts have passed to Whippet.
An outstation has been established by Whippet at Eye, Suffolk – on the old airfield industrial estate, by the A140.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: Ex Arriva Guildford ADL/Enviro 200 4017 at North Station Road, Colchester – passing the junction with Causton Road on 4/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Odd sightings: 7/8/18: DAF SB120/Cadet 3527 (LF02 PMY) on 1. 17/8/18: DAF SB120/Cadet 3520 (LJ03 MZL) on 1. 30/8/18: Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3819 (GN07 AVF) on 2.

Ancillary vehicles:
EG17 OMH is a Hyunda i20 5dr h/b ferry car.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Further arrivals are ex High Wycombe ADL/Enviro 200 MMC 3106 (YX17 NME); Mb Citaro 3909 (BD12 DHV) from Hemel Hempstead; Mb Sprinter 45 1010 (BF67 WGE) from Ware. On loan was Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 1615 (GN04 UDJ) from Gillingham.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.

Above: VDL DB300LF/Wright Gemini2 DW547 at Blackhorse Road, Walthamstow on 4/8/18. For many years, TfL230 was worked by Stagecoach East London and its predecessors.

Above: One of several ex Barking vehicles now working for Arriva London South around Croydon, ADL/Enviro 200 ENL57 on Addiscombe Road on 11/8/18. Note the new Arriva logos. (John Podgorski).

Below: Ex Barking ADL/Enviro 400 T24, now with Arriva London South at Thornton Heath, and seen at East Croydon rail station on 11/8/18. This was displaced from east London by the loss of TfL135 to Go-Ahead in 2015.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
MAN11.190/Caetano N440 SMY ex N18 MRG was ex McMackin, High Wycombe. But it soon passed to Campbell, Handsworth.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Withdrawn is Scania N230UD/Olympus 873.

CHAMBERS.

Above: 258 at Elmsett on 29/8/18. (Jack Lomas).

On loan from Hedingham are Dart SLF/Pointers 254 (EU05 AUR), 258 (EU56 FLN). This is connected with a diversion in Sudbury, caused by the temporary closure of Gainsborough Road.
Scania Omnidekkas 806, 811 were loaned to Hedingham for the Clacton Airshow.
Ex Carousel Buses ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolutions 267 (AJ58 PZS), 268 (AE59 AWM) – entered service at the start of August.

Above: 268 at Head Street, Colchester on 2/8/18. Note how the Carousel livery is very similar to the current Hedingham and Chambers scheme. (Daniel Pretty).

CITYJET.
New are CRJ900LRs EI-GEC/D/F.

COLAS.

Above: 37521 at Ipswich on 2/8/18. (John Podgorski) .

1/8/18: 70806 on 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor.
2/8/18: 37521 “up” through Ipswich with NR test train @ 2120.
7/8/18: 60002 on 6L44 Oxwellmains-West Thurrock. 70807 + 66846 ? on 6L37.
8/8/18: 70807 on 6L37 with just 2 JNAs.
9/8/18: 60002 on 6L44.
13/8/18: 60002 on 6L44.
14/8/18: 37099 tnt 37116 Ferme Park-Cambridge via Liverpool Street.
15/8/18: 37099 tnt 37116 on 1Q96 on Harwich branch.
20/8/18: 70816 on 6L44.
28/8/18: 66846 on 6L37.
31/8/18: 67023 with OHLE wagons at Chelmsford yard.

CT PLUS.

Above: It’s a warm summer Saturday evening on Bishopsgate, as ADL/ Enviro 40H City 2535 mingles with the crowds heading for Shoreditch, as it runs to Stratford. 4/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Below: Ash Grove based CT Plus buses now carry ‘HK’ (for Hackney) depot codes. This is to distinguish them from buses allocated to Walthamstow Avenue depot, which has code ‘WA’. ADL/Enviro 40H City 2520 (SN16 OJK) heads southbound along Bishopsgate on 4/8/18 – on a Waterloo bound 388. (John Podgorski).

Scania Omnicity ‘deckers SD1-5 (YD59 NPA/C/D/F/G) have transfered to Powells Bus, Hellaby.

DANS COACH TRAVEL, GREAT FINBOROUGH.

Above: L872 SGW at Colchester on Greater Anglia rail replacement on 25/8/18. (Simon Austin).

Below: T361 JWA at Ipswich on 26/8/18; also on GA RRP. (Simon Austin).

This new operator has Volvo B10M/VHs L872 SGW, P258 YGG and ex Graham’s of Kelvedon Scania/Irizar T361 JWA.
Also owned (as heritage vehicles), are one time Burtons of Haverhill Bedford YMT/Plaxton Supreme JDO 241W and ex Peelings of Tivetshall Volvo B58/Plaxton Supreme FAH 275Y (?).

Above: JDO 241W at the Canvey Open Day on 8/10/17. (John Podgorski).

DANS LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY.
Mb 1224L/Ferqui LN15 RYK has passed to Watts, Sutton.

DBS.
3/8/18: 66075 at Bow Olympic.
4/8/18: 66147 tnt 66197 on Whitemoor-Trimley ballast.
7/8/18: 66160 on London Gateway-Wakefield intermodal.
8/8/18: 66095 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX. 66221 on 4M70 Chesterton-Junct-Mountsorrel.
10/8/18: 66002 on 4L48 Daventry-Purfleet.
15/8/18: 66025 on Marks Tey-Crawley.
17/8/18: 66135 on London Gateway-Wakefield.
19/8/18: 66128 on Mountsorrel-Chesterton.
21/8/18: 66192 on Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill.
30/8/18: 66089 on 6L30 Acton-Chelmsford stone.
31/8/18: 66089 on Chelmsford-Acton stone.

Above: The entrance to Bow Midland is to the left, with access to Bow Olympic straight ahead. Seen on 11/8/18. (John Podgorski).

DE VERE, SIBLE HEDINGHAM.
New is Renault Trafic SJ18 ZNE.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
Withdrawn is Scania Omnicity ‘decker 968.

DRS.
7/8/18: 37409 + GA DVT 82107 on 5Z56 Norwich-Cardiff Canton via GEML, NLL, GWML.
9/8/18: 37409 + GA DVT 82118 on 5Z82 Cardiff Canton-Norwich.
22/8/18: 37419 on Norwich-Willesden light engine via GEML.
28/8/18: 57007 on York-Stowmarket light engine.
30/8/18: 37407 + ‘Caroline’ at Ipswich.

Above: 37419 at the front of other ’37s at Norwich on 18/8/18. At the rear of the consist are 37407 and 37409, while 37038 is to the right. (John Podgorski).

EAST YORKSHIRE.
The current fleet of NX coaches, which run into Essex on 481 (London-Felixstowe) are:
Volvo B9R/Caetano Levantes 74-76 (FN62 CEA/U, CGX), 77 (EYC 73), 78-87 (YY63 OEJ-O, OJA-D). Very occasionally, a Hull Coaching vehicle may appear.

EASYJET.
New are Airbus A320-214 E-EZGY, A320-251n G-UZHJ-L, A321-251nx G-UZMB.

ENSIGNBUS.
Accident damaged BCI Enterprise 402 (LX66 DZC) was deemed to beyond economic repair. It was withdrawn and sold for scrap.
On 17/8/18, a formerly owned Dart SLF/ALX200, Y331 HJN – now with a local driving school, ran off the A12 west at Stanford Le Hope. Luckily there were no serious injuries, but there was much disruption to local traffic.

Above: At dusk on a sultry 28/6/18, Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 131 awaits departure from Civic Square, Tilbury – on its final rounder of its 73 duty. (Daniel Disbury).

Above: Two of the Ensign Heritage fleet, rest in the “barn” at Purfleet depot on 30/6/18. Left is Green line AEC Regal T223; right is JMT Leyland Titan TD1 6332J. (John Podgorski).

Above: Another stunning twilight study. BCI Excellence 145 at Rayleigh on another balmy summer night; 4/7/18. (Daniel Disbury).

Below: ADL/Enviro 200 711 at Purley on 19/8/18. (Daniel Disbury).

Above: BCI Enterprise 402 at Gatwick Airport on 18/8/18. (Daniel Disbury).

EOS LONDON.
Continued trading until 3/8/18. After that, parent Swallow Coaches took over.

EUROWINGS.
New is Airbus A320-214 D-ABDT.

FELIXSTOWE TRAVEL.

Above: Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 350 P616 FTV on Greater Anglia rail standby, at Ipswich station on 2/8/18. This coach was previously with Soames. (John Podgorski).

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).
Odd sightings: 1/8/18: ADL/E200 44518 (YX09 ACZ) on X7 pm – (usually B7RLE/Wright).

FIRST ESSEX.

(Daniel Pretty).
Ex First Eastern Counties is former First Bristol Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon 20514 (WV02 EUP). This is at Chelmsford (CF) for schools.
Also from First Eastern Counties are former First Scotland East Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 32672/76 (SN55 HEV, HFD), also allocated to CF. 32676 was seen (above) at Colchester on 30/8/18.
Volvo B7TL/ALX400s 32652/54 (AU05 MUP/W) and Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipse 66822/24 (MX05 CEO/V) have transferred to First Eastern Counties. The B7TLs to Ipswich; the B7RLEs to Norwich.
Volvo B7TL/ALX400 32476 (AU53 HJK) has lost its super rear advert for CT Industrial Adhesive.
The Dart SLF/Caetanos at CF (41512-14 – LK03 NGE/F/G) were moved to BN by the end of August, where that type is now concentrated.
The Optare Solo is now extinct here; the last was 53209 (CN07 KZM) which passed to The Buses of Somerset at Yeovil. 53138 (EU54 BNK) went to First Manchester at Oldham, while 53139 (EU54 BNJ) went for scrap.
Gone to Alpha for scrap are accident damaged Optare Solo 53139 (EU54 BNJ); Scania L94UB/Wright Solars 65680/83 (YR52 VEK/U) and fire damaged Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipse 66809 (MX05 CDE); plus yellow BMC 68535 (EU05 DXR). 65680/83, 66809 had been cannibalised at CR before disposal.
Following closure, Braintree outstation was used to store the previously withdrawn yellow BMCs. The portakabin and fuel tank were however, removed.

Above: Clacton depot post closure on 3/8/18, with just Dart SLF/Pointer 42557 (WX05 UAO) remaining. (John Podgorski).

Below: General view of a now deserted Clacton depot on the same date. Note all signs have been removed. (John Podgorski).

Above: The closure of Clacton and Braintree at the end of July, saw the Caetano bodied Dennis Dart SLFs being concentrated at Basildon (BN). Chelmsford (CF) had been the only other depot to have these, and 41494 was seen at Southway, Colchester on 18/7/18. (John Podgorski).

Odd sightings: 4/8/18: Scania L94UB/Wright 62409 (YS03 ZKD) on 62. 6/8/18: Route 62 B9TL/Gemini2 37133 (SN57 HDH) on 66B; SLF/Caetano 41494 (LK03 LLZ) on 71. 7/8/18: Tridents 33086/88 (LN51 GMG/U) – both on 67. 10/8/18: Route 62 B9TL/Gemini2 37135 (SN57 HCP) on 103. 11/8/18: Volvo B7TL/ALX400 32068 (KP51 VZS) on 62. 13/8/18: SLF/Caetano 41514 (LK03 NGG) on 70. 14/8/18: Tridents 33044/78/196 (LN51 DVH, GNJ, LT52 XAG) on 62; Route 62 B9TL/Gemini 37134 (SN57 HDJ) on 103; Scania L94UB/Solar 65672 (SN51 UYE) on 62; Volvo B7RLE/Solar Eclipse 66807 (MX05 CCY) on 62. 17/8/18: Route 62 B9TL/Gemini 37133 (SN57 HDH) on 1A; Route 62 37134 on 64; SLF/Caetano 41494 (LK03 LLZ) on 71/X. 20/8/18: Route 62 37135 (SN57 HCP) on 75. 21/8/18: Route 62 37135 on 75; Route 62 37138 (SN57 HCX) on 175. 27/8/18: Volvo B7TL/Gemini 37010 (WX55 VHV) on 102. 28/8/18: Trident 33086 (LN51 GMG) on 62.

Above: Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33078 on Military Road, Colchester on 9/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Ancillary vehicles: FP18 LCY is a new Vauxhall Movano minibus/crew ferry at Chelmsford.

FLAGFINDERS.
Ex Graham’s Autosan A1012T BX56 XAD has been sold to Moon and Benney of Bodmin.
Also sold is Dennis Javelin/Neoplan Transliner XIL 1254 ex R267 THL.

The old Graham’s depot at Kelvedon has been closed and vacated for redevelopment. Four vehicles retained by Flagfinders are stored in the large garage.
It will reopen as a parking area for Flagfinders, with the smaller garages demolished.
The pictures were taken by John Podgorski on 25/8/18.

FREIGHTLINER.
66413 is now in Genesee and Wyoming orange livery.
FL now serves Marks Tey Sand Yard.

Above: 86613/637 left and GBRf 66784 at Ipswich on 1/8/18. (John Podgorski).

1/8/18: 70014 on 4S88 Felixstowe-Coatbridge. 86613/637 stabled at bottom of Ipswich upper yard/Field Sidings – pm.
2/8/18: 86614/604 at Field Sidings.
3/8/18: 86627/638 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX.
6/8/18; 66532 with 4 RHTT sets from Whitemoor to Parkeston.
10/8/18: 66955 on 6L46 Lawley Street-London Gateway.
11/8/18: 66515 + 66596 dead in tow on FLX-Basford Hall.
12/8/18: 66514 tnt 66561 on Whitemoor-Marks Tey engineers. 66953 tnt 66956 on Parkeston-Ely North with HOBC and 4 x RHTT tanks.
16/8/18: 65413 at Marks Tey yard.
17/8/18: 70005 on Coatbridge-FLX.
18/8/18: 66538 on Marks Tey sand. 70020 on 4L97 Coatbridge-FLX.
19/8/18: 66594 tnt 66420 on Parkeston-Manea HOBC.
20/8/18: 86608/37 + dead 66589 on Basford Hall-FLX.
21/8/18: 66593/501 + dead 66507/23 on 4E23 FLX-Leeds. 66610 on 6M65 at Harlow Mill. 70005 on Trafford Park-FLX.
23/8/18: Orange 66413 on 4L93 Lawley Street-FLX. 66429 on 4L48 Daventry-Purfleet. 86605/37 on 4L91 Trafford Park-FLX.
24/8/18: 66613 on 6L38 Brentford-Marks Tey sand. 66418 on 6V70 Mrks Tey-Wembley sand. (These digrams run light loco to/from Ipswich). Orange 66413 on 4M93.
25/8/18: 70005 on Trafford Park-FLX.
27/8/18: 66568 tnt 66572 on concrete rail sleeper train at Manningtree.
28/8/18: Orange 66413 on 4M93.
29/8/18: 70007 on Trafford Park-FLX.
30/8/18: 66605 on 6L38 Brentford-Marks Tey sand. 86614/13 on 4L41 Crewe-FLX.
31/8/18: Orange 66413 on 4L93 Lawley Street-Felixstowe. 66617 on Bow-Toton.

Above: 66415 was still in DRS blue, when pictured at Ipswich on 5/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: 66572 on a concrete rail sleeper train at Manningtree on 27/8/18, with 66568 on the rear. (John Podgorski).

GALLEON TRAVEL, ROYDON.
BMC 850 BX06 OAM is now with Cozy, Bassingbourn.

GALLOWAY.
Temsa Safari HD12 YJ13 GUF is on hire.

Above: VDL SB120/Wright Cadet 3367 PP at Ipswich rail station on 2/8/18. (John Podgorski).

GBRf.

Above: 66786, one of the ex DBS locos, enters Ipswich station with a “down” rake of JNA ballast wagons on 1/8/18. (John Podgorski).

1/8/18: 66726 on 4M02 Felixstowe-Hams Hall. 66784 at bottom of Ipswich upper yard/Field Sidings. 66786 “down” through Ipswich @ 1942 on JNAs.
2/8/18: 66726 on “up” intermodal through Ipswich @ 1830. 66784 on N Walsham-Ipswich light engine.
3/8/18: 66707 on 4Z26 Felixstowe-Masborough. 66727 on 4L22 Hams Hall-FLX.
4/8/18: 66712 on 4L29 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66759 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
5/8/18: 66708 tnt 66777 on 6T63 Kensal Rise-Whitemoor autoballasters.
6/8/18: 66701 on 6T61 Woodbridge-Whitemoor engineers. 66706 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66712/42 on 0L33. 66774 on 6T64 Woodbridge-Whitemoor engineers.
7/8/18: 66730 at Bishops Stortford yard on 6X01 engineering train to Manea. 66732 on 4M46 London Gateway-Hams Hall.
8/8/18: 66742 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice.
9/8/18: 66703 on Whitemoor-Ipswich light engine.
12/8/18: 66701 on 6T63 Whitemoor-Witham engineeers.
13/8/18: 66727/42 on 0L33.
14/8/18: 66750 on Chesterton Junct-Bardon Hill.
15/8/18: 66777 on N Walsham-Ipswich light engine.
16/8/18: 66733 on 4L18 Traffod Park-FLX. 66777 on Ipswich-N Walsham light engine.
18/8/18: 66706 tnt 66739 on Whitemoor-Trimley engineers. 66727 on 4L29. 66742 on FLX-Hams Hall.
20/8/18: 66719/65 on 0L33. 66726 on N Walsham-IPS light engine. 66729 on 6P41 Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66758 on 4R03 Parkeston-FLX. 66765 on 4M23.
21/8/18: 66750 on Mountsorrel-Chesterton.
24/8/18: 66723 on 4Z27 Masboro-FLX.66758 at Colchester North station.
27/8/18: 66751 on ballast at Colchester.
28/8/18: 66744 on 6L36 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
29/8/18: 66758 on N Walsham-Ipswich light loco.
30/8/18: 66750 on 6M76 Chesterton-Wellingborough.
31/8/18: 66719 on 4L02.

Above: Bishops Stortford yard in January 2003, featuring EWS 60031 on a now ceased ABP aggregates flow. (John Podgorski).

GOLDLINE, LEYTONSTONE and MANOR PARK.

Above: Manor Park depot, seen on 4/8/18. This is in the former coal yard opposite the railway station. It is the main base for Goldline coach operations. Stratford City Cars is an associated company. (John Podgorski).

GRAHAMS OF KELVEDON.
Mb 516/UNVI Voyager PO17 AUH is now with Lords Travel, Queen Adelaide, near Ely.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: The site of the trackside fire, as described below. Seen on 8/8/18. (John Podgorski).

321448 is back. 321420 has gone to Doncaster.
During mid August, ‘360s were run as test trains to Wickford and Southend; another route on which they are not normally “passed” for.
MkIIIa TSO 12065 is now at Great Central Railway, Ruddington – for spares only.
2/8/18: 156416 on 2107 (at IPS) to Harwich International – usually ‘170. 170208 on 2117 IPS-LFT – had been ‘153 on previous day.
6/8/18: 90015 on Crewe-Norwich towed by 37423, via NLL and WAML. Trackside fire at St Dominic Road, St Johns Estate, 1 mile east of Colchester; trains suspended 1315-1500; then reduced service towards Norwich until close of service.
14/8/18: 321320/319 on Doncaster-Ilford ECS.
27/8/18: 317343/345/654 on 1602 Liverpool Street-Witham. 317663/884/885 on 1147 Witham-Liverpool Street.
30/8/18: 90014 plus full MkIII set Norwich to Bounds Green ECS.

Above: Renatus 321314 leads a London-Clacton service through Hythe on 19/8/18. (Simon Austin).

GREENS OF LONDON, WALTHAMSTOW.
On 13/8/18, Volvo B7R/Plaxton FJ09 XGL overturned on the M25 at Swanley. 41 people were injured.

HADLEIGH COMMUNITY TRANSPORT.

Above: Mb Sprinter CN12 EUX, at Cardinal Park, Ipswich – on a Sunday route 90 journey on 29/7/18. (John Podgorski)

HARLEQUIN TRAVEL, IPSWICH.
Mb Sprinter 515/Ferqui YX08 HXA has been re-registered X111 HTC.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: On ex First route 6; Dart SLF/Pointer 256 at Pier Avenue, Clacton on 3/8/18. (John Podgorksi).

Below: Ex Carousel ADL/Enviro 200 no 266, at Pier Avenue on 7/8/18. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: There is now greater opportunity to travel around Clacton on a double decker. At its closure, First only had saloons there, but Hedingham has maintained ‘deckers from its outset. Scania Omnicity 852 was captured at Pier Avenue on 7/8/18.  The Pilgrim Foods Mercedes Atego to the left, has traveled all the way from Boston. Lincolnshire, to do local deliveries. (Daniel Pretty).

Below: The first of the “in house” single door conversions to enter service, was Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 584. It had been originally intended to become trainer no 9001. It was at Pier Avenue on 7/8/18. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: The changes at Clacton have resulted in a redistribution of duties across the company. Saturday 92s have moved from Clacton to Sible Hedingham. Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 251 departs Colchester bus station on 4/8/18. Meal breaks are covered using a HD driver on a KN bus. (Simon Austin).

Below: Ex Chambers ADL/Enviro 200 no 261 at Head Street, Colchester, on 9/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: The Kelvedon depot yard seen on 16/6/18. (Laurence Kinsella Ilot).

The first Wright Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL to be used at KN is 510 (LB02 YWX). It was joined by 512 (LB02 YXA) on 31/8/18. 521 (LX06 EZD) has been converted to single door at CN, with 520 (LX05 EZC) noted being converted on a visit to CN on 22/8/18. This leaves 524 (LX05 EZG), 527/28 (LX06 EAK/M) still awaiting conversion at CN. 525 (LX05 EZH) was moved from HD to Konect at the end of August. Long term VOR B7TL/Plaxton President 569 (W484 WGH) was removed from Kelvedon at the end of August.
Scania Omnidekka 818 (YN06 JYC) at KN was swapped with 812 (YN55 PZR) from CN in early August. In mid August, 812 was exchanged with 814 (YN55 PZV). Then 814 swapped with 817 (YN06 JYB) on 25/8/18. 806 (YN55 PZH) ,811 (YN55 PZP) were on loan from Chambers (at CN) in mid August for the Clacton Airshow.

Above: 806 on High Street, Colchester on 22/8/18. (Daniel Pretty).

Long Dart SLF/Pointer 251 (PJ02 RHE) was also at KN again from HD in mid August. Sisters 254 (EU05 AUR), 258 (EU56 FLM) have gone on loan to Chambers. ADL/Enviro 200 265 (EU10 AOX) is on loan to Konect. Short ADL/Enviro 200 295 (SN10 CCX) has been outshopped in fleet livery, ex Thames Travel.
Withdrawn Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 743 (X386 NNO), was removed from Kelvedon at the start of August, to store at HD – it subsequently lost its led destination equipment. Withdrawn Trident/EL 723 (W823 NNJ) has been cannibalised at HD. Sister 717 (T817 RFG) remains withdrawn/cannibalised at CN.
The Park and Ride for the Clacton Airshow was operated on 23 and 24/8/18. It linked Clacton Common Shopping Village with the seafront. This had previously been contracted to the now defunct Talisman Coachlines. Tridents 737/38 (T107/8 DBW) were loaned from KN for it, along with the Chambers Omnidekkas mentioned above. Several staff from Konect also assisted. Two routes were run; A (Clacton Common-Anglefield) and B (Holland Haven-Anglefield).
Odd sightings: 14/8/18: ADL/E200 261 (EY57 FZE) on HD 63 duty instead of usual B7TL/Gemini. 21/8/18: Chambers Omnidekka 811 on X76/87.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 580, turns from High Street onto Carnarvon Road, Clacton on 24/8/18; on Airshow shuttle A. The Busmopolitan editor is driving. (Simon Austin).

HIRE YOUR TRANSPORT.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer SN03 WMP, has passed to Ensign (dealer).

IPSWICH BUSES.
Withdrawn is Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 12 (LG02 FDC).
Optare Solo 243 (YN04 LWJ) passed to Fairbrother, Warrington. Fairbrother has now been acquired by Warrington’s Own Buses.

(John Podgorski).

(John Podgorski).
Odd sightings: 1/8/18: Trident 8 (LX04 FYB) on 92; Trident 13 (LG02 FDF) on 15 – pm peak extra; Omnicity saloon 75 (YN56 WVG) on 15A. 2/8/18: DAF DB250LF/ELs 58 (PJ53 OLA), 59 (PJ53 OLB) on 15A; SLF/EL 88 (PJ53 OLK) on 97; Excel 171 (YG52 DHF) on 15A. 14/8/18: Omnicity ‘decker 39 (YR61 RUV) on 37; Optare Versa 148 (YK08 EPE) on 97.

JET2.COM.
New is Boeing 737-800 G-JZBO.

Above: Airbus A320-211 G-POWN departs Stansted on 25/8/18, on flight LS1507 to Grand Canaria. (John Podgorski).

KEANE, ORSETT.
From Byans of Denny is Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 SJ02 ANH orig 02-D-10245.

KIRBY’S OF RAYLEIGH.
Has ex Talisman Setra S315 T250 GON.

L and R TRAVEL, BASILDON.
Has Volvo B10M/VH A19 LNR ex M662 BAF, new to Oates of St Ives, Cornwall, but ex York Pullman.

Above: A19 LNR at Manningtree on GA Rail Replacement on 26/8/18. (Chris Baines).

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
On hire Wwere Scania Touring K360EB6/Higers YN18 SSX, YN18 SWO.
Ex Reynolds of Caister is MAN/Beaulas Cygnus PN06 UBK.
From a private owner is Bedford OB/Duple Vista HTC 577.
Leyland Olympian/NC K738 ODL has been sold for preservation.
MAN18/Marcopolo MB04 MB04 TCY has passed to Acme Bus, Molehill Green – where it joins sister MB04 TCZ.

Above: MAN18/Marcopolo MB04 TCY at Colchester on 6/8/18; on GA e-rail to Mannningtree and Ipswich. See Greater Anglia or Tending Travel for full details. (John Podgorski).

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.

Above: One of the very last Marshall Capital bodied Dennis Dart SLFs on TfL work in London is DMN2. It was seen at Northumberland Park on 16/8/18.
(John Podgorski).

Above: Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President PVL224 arrives back at Northumberland Park depot, after a day at Southend; on seafront route 68; 16/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Below: Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL83 at Southend on 17/8/18 (Simon Austin).

Odd sightings: 9/8/18: Ex Blue Triangle Volvo B9TL/Gemini2 WVL458 (LJ61 NUO) on 68 (Southend Seafront service) – due to heavy rain, usually open top worked. 31/8/18: Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President PVL392 (LX54 HAO) on 68.

LONDON OVERGROUND.

Above: Turbostar Class 172/0 DMU 172001 enters Blackhorse Road on 4/8/18, en route from Barking to Gospel Oak. These will be replaced by new Class 710 EMUs from Autumn 2018, and the electric catenary is already in place. (John Podgorski).

16/8/18: 315809 + 317892 heading north through Chelmsford @ 1120, then back through Romford @ 1214.

LONDON UNDERGROUND.

Above: Victoria Line 2009 Tube Stock unit no 11011 at Blackhorse Road, on 4/8/18, just one stop from the northern terminus. (John Podgorski).

M and M STAFFING, COOKSMILL GREEN.

Above: OU16 ZVX is a Neoplan Tourliner tri-axle, ex Hamilton of Uxbridge. It is pictured at Witham on 27/8/18. (John Podgorski).

MARC1 TRAVEL, BILLERICAY.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere NIL 3296 is now sign written.

MILESTONE, CANVEY.
Scania K480EB6/Irizar YT59 NZX is ex Three Star, Luton.

MTR CROSSRAIL.
On 31/8/18, it was announce that the full service will be delayed by nearly a year. Originally planned for launch in December 2018, it will now be Autumn 2019, before the cross London tunnel is available for revenue traffic.

MTR TfL RAIL.

Above: 315848 at Gidea Park on 4/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: 315833 at the top of Bethnal Green Bank on 4/8/18. Taken from a London-Norwich service, which was running parallel. (John Podgorski).

13/8/18: 345027 towed Gidea Park-Old Oak Common, behind ROG 37800.
24/8/18: 345007 towed WB-OC by 37800.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPS.
Scania K410/Caetano Levante tri-axle BV17 GPU has a super rear advert for ‘Your London Tour Starts Here’. Sister SH216 (BX65 WCU), retains is England Football super rear advert, but with the wording now removed.
After 11 months in store at Start Hill Scania; Scania K340EB4/Caetano Levante SH18 (MIG 9443), had been removed by the end of August.

NEED A BUS, BASILDON.
Sold are Mb 0814D/Cymric CU51 AJX and Mb Sprinter 413/Cymric BU03 UJS. The latter went to Sadiq, Hemel Hempstead.

NETWORK RAIL.
‘Sprinter’ 950001 was at Cambridge on 19/8/18.

NEW HORIZON.
From Plaxtons (dealer) have come ex Logan, Dunloy Volvo B11R/Plaxton Panthers MX15 KET, KLC. Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH N661 JNO went in part exchange. Volvo B12M/Berkhof S25 NHT is now FJ03 AAZ again, and has also gone to Plaxtons.
Volvo Olympian/Alxeander RH N632 JNO ex 96 D 261 is also sold.

PANTHER.
ADL/Enviro 200 YX09 AEV has entered traffic, and was re-registered DB09 PAN within a few days. It is named ‘Eva’. Sister YX09 AFA is now AB09 PAN. Ford Fiesta van AB09 PAN is now HF09 RRO again.
Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther DB54 PAN is now black/silver, ex plain white.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 DC61 PAN on the Mistley route 2, at Pier Avenue, Clacton on 3/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 DB09 PAN ex YX09 AEV, at Clacton Common on 23/8/18. (John Podgorski).

New commercial service 14 (Harwich-Clacton) began on 20/8/18. This has one return trip per day Harwich and Clacton. In between, the 14 runs between Pier Avenue and Clacton Common Shopping Village during the day.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer DC02 PAN at Colchester North Station on e-rail on 7/8/18. This was ex Wheelers of North Baddersley as VU02 ZTZ.
See Greater Anglia or Tendring Travel for full details. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: Ex Metroline ADL/Enviro 200 YX09 AEV entered service from Parkeston depot on 11/8/18. (Mark Stokes).

Below: Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther ex DC04 PAN, now XEL 587 with Barratts of Middlewich. Seen at London Victoria on 18/8/18.(Simon Austin).

PRESERVATION.

Above: Locally preserved former Crosville Bristol RELL6G/ECW has received some further touches, to its already excellent restoration. Pictured on 4/8/18. (Chris Sampson).

Above: On 5/8/18, Ipswich Transport Museum held a ‘Commercial Open Day’, and Bristol FS GNG 125C was used on a shuttle to/from Ipswich rail station. (John Podgorski).

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.

Above: The bridge over the River Orwell of the long closed Cliff Quay branch in Ipswich, on 5/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Below: The old Cliff Quay branch looking east; viewed from Ranalegh Road on 25/7/18. Note the semaphore signal. (John Podgorski).

ROG:
23/8/18: 37884 towing 365503 on 5Q51 Northampton-Ilford. All of the stored GTR ‘365s have been moved from Ely to Northampton.

RYANAIR.
New is Boeing 737-800 EI-GSO.
There was much disruption during August, due to industrial action by Europe based flightdeck crew.

Above: Boeing 737-800 EI-ENK seen “mothballed” at Stansted on 31/1/16. (John Podgorski).

SEE LONDON BY NIGHT, RAINHAM.
From Go-Ahead london are ADL/Enviro 400s LX06 EYZ, EZA-C.

SOUTHEND TRANSPORT.

Above: Now preserved at the Canvey Museum, Leyland Titan PD2 436 on Southend seafront on 17/8/18, on a wedding private hire. Preserved Eastern National Bristol VRT 3000 (CPU 979G) is behind. (Simon Austin).

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Leyland Olympian/Alexander tri-axle “Megadekker” 14000 (F110 NES) was present at Cowley Road depot in late August.
ADL/Enviro 400 19047 (MX56 XRP) is long term VOR at Cowley Road. ADL/E400s 19586/602 (AE10 BWX, BXP) and Volvo B7RLE/Wright 21224 (AE09 GYU) were also VOR there awaiting repairs; the latter two being accident damaged.
Open top Trident/ALX400 17274 (ACZ 7494) was still at Cowley Road in late August, but TSU 639 had gone. Likewise, ex Norfolk Optare Solo 47907 was still there, but its sisters had departed.
Ancillary vehicles:
On hire from Enterprise is Fiat Doblo van WX66 YJD.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
New ADL/Enviro 40D MMC smart hybrids 11001-16 (YY18 TKZ,TLF/J/K/N/U/V/X/Z, TMO/U/V/X/Z, TNE/F) have been transferred to Selkent at Catford for TfL136 (Grove Park-Elephant and Castle). Apart from 11001, they were not used in East London.
New ADL/Enviro 20Ds are 37514-22(YY18 TKA/C-F/J/K/N/O).

Above: Dennis Tridents continue to decline, but pockets remain. Leyton (T) allocated 18488 was pictured at Blackhorse Road, Walthamstow on 4/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: The other ‘We are bananas’ ‘Borismaster. LT471 at Shoreditch High Street on 4/8/18. (John Podgorski).

STEPHENSONS.

Above: Scania Omnidekka 639 at Clacton outstation on 3/8/18. This is one of a large batch ex RATP London.

Above: One of the pair of ex Express Motors of Penygroes Scania N230UD/Enviro 400s, no 609 – arrives at Colchester on a Greater Anglia RRP from Chelmsford on 12/8/18. (Daniel Pretty).

Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 413 (EU03 CFX) was at Clacton in mid/late August. Scania N230UD/Olympus 512 (YN08 OAP) was at Braintree in late August.

SWALLOW COACHES, RAINHAM.
The remaining local bus routes were absorbed from EOS London from 4/8/18, under the new name of Swallowbus. They continue to work from North Weald, where withdrawn vehicles are also stored. The head office remains at Rainham, and there are also now bases at Brentwood and South Ockenden. The EOS orange/black livery is retained on the buses, but with no fleetnames.

TENDRING TRAVEL.

Above: Temsa MD9/Opalin YJ08 EFT is now in fleet livery. It was seen at Manningtree rail station on 12/8/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: Scania K/Berkhof Axial RY57 ZKJ, at Colchester on Greater Anglia e-rail to Manningtree/Ipswich on 6/8/18. Caused by a lineside fire and damage to signalling. (John Podgorski).

Setra S315 LSU 788 is now W973 UAR. It returned to service in August after 3 months VOR. Scania/Berkhof RY57 ZKJ is VOR due to engine failure.
Scania/Berkhof RY57 ZKK and VW Crafter CU07 HRW have been sign written.

TURNERS OF ESSEX, WICKHAM ST PAUL.
Setra S315 MY53 TRA has been traced to Nationwide Travel of Newcastle upon Tyne.

TOWER TRANSIT.
Electric Optare Metrodeker MD1 (YX17 FXX) is here for trials – on TfL23.

UNO, HATFIELD.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Pointers 114/15 (KC03 OSF, KE53 LMY); 116/17 (C16/17 UNO); Trident/Alexander ALX400s 281-83 (SN51 SYE/J/R); Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 277=79 (LF52 ZNW/X, ZPL). All of these were at the Northampton outpost.

WALTON PIER RAILWAY.

Above: The original toastrack electric train.
(Flickr.com).

Above: The last traction used on the line was this steam outline diesel loco. It is pictured at the pier head, with the Naze in the background. (Flickr.com).

Above: The steam outline diesel loco heading the train shorebound. Loops were provided at the 2 stations.(Pete Frost/Wordpress.com).

Above: A view of the land end station, towards the end of the railway’s operation.  The loco is running around for another trip to the pier head. The sign on the end of the carriages warns passengers not to discard lit cigarettes or matches onto the wooden pier ! (Train-Photos.com/Flickr).

With thanks to: Anglia Gen, S Austin, C Baines, T Barltrop, J Clayton, D Disbury, Ensign, Flickr, P Frost, A Hazell, S Kinsella-Ilot, J Lidstone, J Lomas, LOTS, D Pretty, C Sampson, M Stokes, M Toon, Train-Photos.com