Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the May 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.

Above; Ensign Omnidekkas 924/22 flank Stephensons Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 608 at Barleylands on 28/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Between 25th May and 2nd June, there was a major rail replacement, covering the Greater Anglia route between Wickford and Southend Victoria. This was due to OLE (Overhead live equipment) renewal. Some of this infrastructure still dated from the original electrification of 1957. A temporary base for the replacement buses and coaches was set up at Barleylands Farm Park, near Billericay. Several operators berthed their vehicles there for the duration.

Above: Felixstowe Travel Javelin/Plaxton AE05 ZRN departs Barleylands for Wickford on 28/5/19. (John Podgorski).

National news of interest is that bus builder ADL – Alexander Dennis Ltd,  has sold out to USA giant NFI, while it has been announced that First Bus UK is to be put up for sale by First Group.

And closer to home, Eclipse Coaches of Royston, Herts has ceased trading. Their vehicles were familiar on rail replacements in Essex.

Meanwhile, Transport for London has introduced Low Emission Bus Zones – LEBZs, along several major routes .

24/7, STANSTED.
New is Vauxhall Vivaro EU19 FNY.
Vivaro EN15 EJL has been sold to Big Van World, Cricklade (dealer).

A2B TRAVEL, BARBRAHAM.
From DawsonGroup is Optare Solo SR YJ10 MBF.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: 3819 at East Street on 23/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3819 (GN07 AVF) returned from Southend, but then went back in the last week of May.
Odd sightings: 1/5/19: Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1564 (HX04 HUH) on 8. 17/5/19: B7RLE 3817 (GN07 AVD) on 1. 23/5/19: 3819 on 2.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
From Arriva North West are VDL120/Wright Cadets 3512/13 (DK55 FXL, FYV). They had been 2525/54 with ANW.

Above: Optare Solo 1464 (YJ06 FXT) continues in Network Harlow blue. Pictured on 18/5/19. (John Podgorski).
Odd sightings:
16/5/19: B7RLE/Wright 3857 (KE54 LPC) on 59.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 T74 departs Gants Hill on 11/5/19. (John Podgorski).

TfL128 (Romford-Claybury) is now seeing mixed VLA and T operation, although VLAs are the official allocation.
Barking is the last bastion of VLAs with their routes being 128, 173 (Beckton-Goodmayes) and 368 (Goodmayes-Barking).
Meanwhile, TfL123 (Wood Green-Ilford) is seeing a mix of DWs from Tottenham (the allocated garage) and also Edmonton and Enfield. The latter are “floats” to do with DW refurbishment programme.
Into Barking is ENL67.
Odd sightings:
11/5/19: Volvo B5H/Gemini3 HV356 on 123.

Above: HV356 departs Ilford on 1/5/19. (John Podgorski).

ATS MINIBUSES, ROMFORD.
Withdrawn is Mb Sprinter BU03 UHT.

BEESTONS.
On 22/5/19, it was announced that the Witham site of Two Sisters Foods was to close. Beestons is the staff bus contractor, having taken over from Arriva Colchester in 2015. Fargo had been the provider between 1997 and 2006, with Tony Glew being the original contractor, for 3 months in 1997. Back then, the factory was was known as Grampian Country Foods. Staff buses ran to Colchester, Clacton, Harwich and Ipswich originally, but latterly only to Colchester and Ipswich.
Withdrawn is Scania/Wright X568 YUG.

BLUE TRIANGLE:
ADL/Enviro 200s LX10 AUR/V are now with Faresaver, Chippenham, via Ensign.
LX10 AUW, AVC are now with Chalkwell, Sittingbourne, also through Ensign.

Above: Still with its London General fleetnames and Merton AL depot codes, ADL/Enviro 400 E71 is one of those transferred for TfL396 and other east London tender gains. It was pictured on 11/5/19, heading down Cranbrook Road, between Gants Hill and Ilford. These will eventually be replaced on the 396, with new SE Class ADL/Enviro 200s. (John Podgorski).

Above: SOE23, 27 at Ley Street, Ilford on 11/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Odd sightings: 11/5/19: ADL/E200/EL Esteems SOE23/27 (LX09 EZG/O) on 364.

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.
Volvo B7TL/Presidents V42, 45 MOA have gone to Diamond Coaches, Knuston, Northants.

BRITISH RAILWAYS.

Above: Class 101 Metro Cammell DMU at Clacton circa 1958. Electric trains (AM8 later Class 308) came the following year. (G Hardwick – Clacton and District Local History Society).

BUCKLAND, WOODBRIDGE.

Above: 1929 Dennis ES/Brush  TE 7870 proclaims to be “Britain’s oldest regular working bus”. Seen at the Felixstowe Running Day on 5/5/19. (Simon Austin).

CARTERS HERITAGE BUSES, GREAT BROMLEY.
Has ex Metroline ADL/Enviro 400 LK55 KKO, via Ensign.

CHAMBERS:
Scania N230UD/Olympuses 870, 872, 876 entered service in May.

Above: Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus 877 at the Dereham Rally on 12/5/19. (Daniel Pretty).

CLASSIC CARRIAGE COMPANY, ROCHFORD.
Withdrawn is Mb 0814D Y30 CHT.

COLAS.
17/5/19: 56302 at Dagenham Dock.
29/5/19: 37219 tnt 37254 on 1Q97 NR test train Ferme Park-Cambridge through Kelvedon @ 1444.

DAN’S COACH TRAVEL, GREAT FINBOROUGH.

Above: Ex Panther Travel Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount 3200 G210 UAS at the Dereham Rally on 12/5/19. (Daniel Pretty).

DAN’S COACH TRAVEL, NEEDHAM MARKET.
The following are named:
Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount 3200 G210 UAS – ‘Bumblebee’; Scania L94IB/Irizar T361 JWA – ‘The Suffolk Gentleman’; Volvo B10M/VH L872 SGW – ‘Bananarama’; Volvo B12M/VH W283 JBN – ‘Marise’.

DBS.
1/5/19: 66075/177 at Bow on Plasmor. 66086 at Marks Tey yard. 66169 on Bow-Burngullow.
3/5/19: 66047 on 4L45 Wakefield-Felixstowe.
4/5/19: 66075 on Doncaster-Felixstowe light loco.
7/5/19: 66047 on 4L45. 66117 on 4Z56 Chesterton Junct-Dowlow Briggs.
16/5/19: 66001 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton stone.
17/5/19: 66076 at Dagenham Dock.
20/5/19: 67023 tnt 67027 with 975091, 72631, 977997, 9481 on Heaton-Cambridge via Kings Cross NR test train.
30/5/19: 66041 on Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden. 66170 on Bow Olympic-Burngullow.

DONS OF DUNMOW.
New is Irizar i6s DH19 DON.

DRS.
1/5/19: 37099 tnt 37057 on NR test train east through Stratford, later at Harwich Town. 37716 on Bounds Green-Ilford with MkIII carriage.
17/5/19: 37402 on 5Z37 Eastleigh-Norwich with 9525, 5810, 5937.
18/5/19: 37405/9 on 1G39 Kings Lynn-Liverpool Street, then 1G40 to Norwich.
22/5/19: 57305 towed GWR 387132 on Reading-Ilford ECS; returned with 387130/140.
28/5/19: 37409 light Norwich-Cardiff via GEML, NLL.
29/5/19; 37409 towed GA DVT 82139 on 5Z37 Cardiff-Norwich.
30/5/19: 37409 towed 90006 on Norwich-Crewe via GEML and NLL.

EAST ANGLIAN RAILWAY MUSEUM.

Above: An open day on 26-27/5/19, saw preserved Bristol K5G AJN 825 and Crossleys GR 9007, VV9146 visit. (John Podgorski).

Below: Ex London General MCW Metrobus OJD 823Y is a picnic bus at the EARM. (John Podgorski).

Above: Preserved Class 101 DMU set no 069. (John Podgorski).

Above: Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 saddle tank loco no 11. (John Podgorski).

EASTERN COUNTIES.

Above; Bristol VRT/ECW VR190 was one of a pair ordered by Waveney District Council – the old Lowestoft Corporation Transport, but diverted to Eastern Counties, upon their acquisition of the former undertaking in 1977. The other VRT was VR189 (RPW 189R), which worked at Felixstowe and Ipswich depot; however VR190 was based at Peterborough during its ECOC career, and is now preserved. It attended the Felixstowe Running Day on 5/5/19. VR190 was originally to have been registered RPW 190R, but was delayed into service as it was retained by Bristol Commercial Vehicles as a test rig. (Simon Austin).

Above: Preserved Bristol RELH/ECW coach RE896 at the Felixstowe Running Day. New in 1968, it has been preserved since 1981. In the background is Ipswich Corporation AEC Regal BPV 8 from the Ipswich Transport Museum. (Simon Austin).

EASTERN NATIONAL.

Above: Preserved Bristol KSW5G/ECW 1407 on Felixstowe Seafront, during the Running Day on 5/5/19. New in 1953, this bus has been preserved since 1974. (Simon Austin).

Above: Bristol RELH/Plaxton Panorama Elite LWC 977J at Fairbourne, Gwynedd on 29/5/1975. By then operated by National Travel South East, it was on a National Holidays Welsh Narrow Gauge Railways Tour. (Roger Pope).

EMPRESS OF LONDON.
Volvo B8R/Plaxton YN16 NWP is ex Somerset Passenger Solutions, Bridgwater.
The base has moved from Bethnal Green to Silvertown.

ENSIGNBUS.
New are BCI Enterprises 405/6 (LX19 EAV/G).
ADL/Enviro 200 603 has passed to NIBS, Wickford.

Above: Recently acquired ex Go Goodwins of Manchester ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 132, at Barleylands on GA Wickford-Southend RRP on 28/5/19. (John Podgorski).

FELIXSTOWE TRAVEL.
Has two new Scania Touring/Higers M50 FXO and M60 FXO. The previous bearers of these registrations are sold.
Volvo B8R/Siderals M60 FXO has been re-registered back to its original BX11 GWE mark. Volvo B9R/Jonckheere M50 FXO has reverted back to PO11 KFL and been sold to Scania, Worksop (dealer).

Above: BX11 GWE at Ipswich on rail replacement on 27/5/19. (John Podgorski).

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).

(First Eastern Counties).

A new identity has been launched – Ipswich Reds. 44517 is the first bus in this livery.

FIRST ESSEX.
From 1/5/19, only First Essex kept the legal address of Westway, Chelmsford. The other First companies which had used this, gained new local legal addresses. It is presumed these are in advance of these entities being offered for sale.
Ex First Manchester are Dart SLF/Pointers 42940 (MX56 HXZ), 42941/44/45 (WA56 OAO/U/V). These have been allocated to Chelmsford, to replace the last Caetano Dart SLFs there. SLF/Caetanos withdrawn are 41512/13/44. Also withdrawn is Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 62409. BMC 68510 is reinstated.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 33424 in its regular Basildon haunts in May 2019. This bus was new to JP Travel, Middleton, Greater Manchester. (Simon Austin).

During early May, ADL/Enviro 200s 33424 (VT59 JPT), 33573 (SN58 EUR) were loaned by Basildon to Hadleigh for rail replacement, but also appeared in normal service.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipse 66803 (MX05 CCN) has returned to Colchester, ex loan to Basildon. 66806 (MX05 CCV) has moved from Basildon to Chelmsford. 69533 was loned by Basildon to Colchester for one day only on 1/5/19. The B7RLE fleet is going through a re-engining programme -believed to do with Euro6 , and being done by the local Volvo agent. The Volvo B9TLs are having cooling system modifications for the same reason.

Above: 66806 at Copford on 16/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65677 on 75B at Head Street, Colchester on 30/5/19. This is one of a decreasing number of buses still in the old “Barbie2” livery. (John Podgorski).

New route 75B has taken over the Colchester town centre-University of Essex section of 75.

From 26/5/19, route 100 was plit into two sections; Chelmsford-Bsildon and Basildon-Lakeside. The same number is retained for both and is to do with improving timings on this 2 hour long service.

Paper timetable issue has ceased.

Odd sightings: 1/5/19: B7TL/Gemini 37042 (YJ 06 XLH) on 174. 3/5/19: Route 62 B9TL 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 70. 8/5/19: Route 62 37134 on 64A. 9/5/19: B7TL/ALX400 32477 (AU53 HJN) on 175 am. 10/5/19: Scania L94UB/Solar 65690 (YS03 ZKK) on 75. 13/5/19: Route 62 37133 on 61. 14/5/19: BN Vo B7RLE/Solar Eclipse 66806 on 71. 15/5/19: Route 62 B9TL 37135 (SN57 HCP) on 75. 16/5/19: B7TL/Gemini 37017 (WX55 VJE) on 174 pm. 17/5/19: Scania L94UB/Wright 65690 on 62. 19/5/19: Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 88A. 20/5/19: Trident 33044 on 174 pm. 23/5/19: StreetLite 63338 on 62. Route 62 B9TL 37133 on 75B; Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 61. 29/5/19; 69914 (BJ13 ZBW) on 16. 30/5/19: 65677 (SN51 UYL) on 75B.

Above: Since their transfer from Colchester to Chelmsford in August 2018, the former Leicester Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis have normally appeared on the long Chelmsford-Braintree-Colchester route 70, with occasional appearances on Colchester Schools also. 32631 (KP54 AZB) was heading eastbound at Braintree Bus Park on Sunday 28/4/19. Note the Colchester terminus on the Sabbath/public holidays is Mason Road, rather than Osborne Street. (Simon Austin).

FIRSTSTOP, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
Withdrawn is Mb 0814D/Autobus N2 LCT.

FLAGFINDERS, BRAINTREE.
Scania Omnidekka YN53 RYR is ex Cherry, Maghull.

FORD, ALTHORNE.
Withdrawn is Leyland Olypmian/Alexander RL H815 CBP.
Trident/ALX400 T650 KPU has been placed into service on schools.

FLAGFINDERS.
To the new livery are Mb Sprinter SG52 RZJ, Mb 0814D S190 SLL, while ex Graham’s Mb 0814D/Euro AE54 FMG now has fleetnames to complete its Flagfinders livery.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: 66524 – with recruitment advertising, at Colchester on an “up” intermodal on 11/5/19. (John Podgorski).

17/5/19: 66617 at Dagenham Dock on cement.
22/5/19; 66605 at Bow Olympic arriving from Tunstead and returning to Burton.
25/5/19: 66551 on diverted 4L52 Garston-London Gateway via South Ockendon.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.Transferred from Stephensons of Essex is Optare Solo M920 317 (4092 PP ex MX53 FDN).
Withdrawn are DAF SB3000/VH 339 (NJI 9241) and Volvo B12M/Palxton Pargon 361 (X400 MTT).
DAF DB250LF/Optare Spectra 229 (W231 CDN) has passed to Ensign.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 244 (YR02 ZYL) has passed to Truck East, Stowmarket (dealer).

GBRf.
Has ex Cargonet, Sweden 66790-92.
3/5/19: 66754 on 6L37.
4/5/19: 66718 on 6V18 Tilbury-Trostre van and diverted via Grays-Upminster branch. 66761 on 4L29 Birch Coppice-Felixstowe. 66770 on 4L20 Hams Hall-Parkeston.
5/5/19: 66707 on 6T63 Bow Junct-Whitemoor. 6724 tnt 66750 on 6T62 Bow Junct-Whitemoor.
6/5/19: 66747/61 on 0L33 Ipswich-Felixstowe light loco. 66774 on 6L37.
7/5/19: 66721 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66747 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66759 on 6L61 Rylstone-Chesterton Junct. 66774 on 0L37.
13/5/19: 66707/21 on 0L33.
14-15/5/19: 66704 on 6L37.
16/5/19: 66764 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
17/5/19: 66747 on 6L37. 92041 at Dagenham Dock.
20/5/19: 66750 on 6L34 was 6L36.
22/5/19: 66721 on 4M29. 66727 on 6M14 Harlow Mill-Bardon Hill.
25/5/19: 66758 on 6T62 Whitemoor-Ipswich engineers.
27-28/5/19: 66774 on 6L37.
29/5/19: 66722 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
31/5/19: 66751 at Cambridge North on stones.

GODWARD, BASILDON.
New is Irizar i6 CC19 PGC.

GOLDEN BOY, HODDESDON.
Van Hool T916 LL10 HXA ex OO10 BOY is now with Weardale, Stanhope.

GREATER ANGLIA.
New are 745002-4, 755326, 417/28.
321448 has been stored at Clacton depot.

(John Podgorski).

On 20/5/19, “Norwich in 90” and “Ipswich in 60” were launched. These London Liverpool Street express services only call at Norwich or Ipswich. There are four trains a day, M-Sat. There is criticism that these do not serve stations in Essex, but it is understood that a “Colchester in 40” is planned when the new Class 755s enter traffic. The inaugural “Norwich in 90” actually reached Liverpool Street in 97 minutes – due to a signal check at Bethnal Green.

(John Podgorski).

4/5/19: 90001 (above) hauling MkIII carriages 12134, 10144 “up” through Shenfield @ 1835.
317342/886 and 317508/668 on Liverpool Street-Braintrees.
6/5/19: 90001 on 1P12 at Norwich end.
10/5/19: 321322/58 on 1P04 Liverpool Street-Norwich, then ECS to Colchester.
11/5/19: 317651 + 886 on Livepool Street-Braintrees. 755409 on Kings Lynn-London via Cambridge.
16/5/19: 755326, 755417/28 delivered.
17/5/19: 745104 on 5Q52 Norwich-London test and 5Q48 return, with ROG 37800 following “up” as far as Colchester.
30/5/19: 745002 delivered.
31/5/19: 321444/301 on 1400 Norwich-Liverpool Street.

Ingatestone railway station celebrated its 175th birthday on 12/5/19. There was a special ceremony for this restored building, which is still very much in use.

GWR.

(John Podgorski).

11/5/19: 387140 at Ilford depot and to Heathrow Express livery. GWR is to take over HEx from Heathrow Airport Ltd, and the current Class 332 EMUs will go for scrap, as they are now obsolete technology. This is due to happen in December 2019.

HASTINGS DIESELS LTD.
11/5/19: DEMU 1001 on Hastings-Norwich-Lowestoft railtour, ‘East Anglian Explorer’ – via GEML.

HEDINGHAM.

(John Podgorski).

Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 568 (W458 WGH) has come from Chambers.
From Konect are Dart SLF/MPD 287 (HW54 BUE); Scania Omnilinks 458/60 (AU05 FHH/F). 458/60, 568 are at Clacton. 287 is at Sible Hedingham, but was intially delivered to Clacton. 458 AND 287 were pictured (above) on 21/5/19.
Dennis Trident/EL 702 (T802 RFG) was withdrawn on 1/5/19, upon MOT expiry. It was subsequently stripped for spares at Clacton. 722 (W822 NNJ) was withdrawn on 16/5/19 for the same reason. 702 has been collected by Ensign, by the end of May.

Above: Dart SLF/Pointer 253 on route 7 at St Osyth Beach in April 2019. (Hedingham).

From 25/5/19, there were frequency increases to ex Go Ride route 7 (Brightlingsea-Clacton), for the summer season, including a new Saturday service. These effectively replace seasonal route 1 between Clacton and St Osyth Beach.
Volvo B7TL/Gemini 520 (LX05 EZC) moved CN-KN on 7/5/19 and returned to CN on 14/5/19. 527 (LX06 EAK) has been converted to single door and awaits service.
Volvo B7TL/President 568 (W458 WGH) was initially VOR at Clacton, while 581 (W956 WGH) is back in use ex long term VOR. Both 581 and 580 (W527 WGH) are restricted to local work around Clacton – mostly schools. But 581 was subsequently seen further afield – see below.
Omnidekka movements: 1/5/19: 802 – from Chambers; 810 to Chambers. 2/5/19: 810 from Chambers; 816/20 – CN-KN. 3/5/19; 816 – KN-CN. 3/5/19: 816 – KN-CN; 818 – CN-KN. 7/5/19: 811 – KN-Chambers. 9/5/19: 801 – Chambers-KN; 814 – KN-Chambers. 14/5/19: 810 – KN-Chambers; 814 – Chambers-KN. 15/5/19: 810 – Chambers-KN. 21/5/19: 820 – KN-CN. 23/5/19: 805 – Chambers-KN; 813 – KN-Chambers. 28/5/19: 818 – CN-KN. By 31/5/19: 801/2/5 – KN-Chambers; 812/13 – Chambers-KN.
Odd sightings: 2/5/19: 816 on TLA A pm; 820 on TLA B pm. 3/5/19: 814 on TLA A; 820 on TLA B. 7/5/19: ADL/E200 266 on 63; B7TL/President 574 (W506 WGH) on 137; B7TL/President 580 (W527 WGH) on 4; Omnidekka 813 (YN55 PZU) on TLA B pm. 8/5/19: B7TL/President 581 (W956 WGH) running light on A12S at Marks Tey – had been long term VOR; was available for service at CN the following week. 14/5/19: Chambers ADL/E200/MCV 267 and Scania N230UD/Olympus 873 at CN workshop. 20/5/19: 581 on 63. 21/5/19: 581 on 63; 820 on TLA A am; 873 still at CN. 22/5/19: 581 on 19/63. 25/5/19: 875 still at HD. 29/5/19: Omnidekka 801 on 92.
Ancillary vehicles: Ford Transit van 036 (EK56 MGE) has suffered major engine failure and been sidelined at HD. Accident damaged Mb Vito crew van RO06 TUU is stored at HD depot.

Above: Clacton workshop on 14/5/19. (John Podgorski).

HI-TECH COACHES, BASILDON.
Volvo B10M/VH M640 KVU is ex Cleary, Romford.

HIGHWAYS, LEIGH ON SEA.
The operators licence has not been continued.
The last vehicle owned was Renault Master BX61 GCK.
Large coaches had once been operated.

IPSWICH BUSES.

Above: Tempo 94 in the workshop on 19/5/19. (John Podgorski).

The rest of the ex Trent Barton Optare Tempos are now in service. Fleet numbers are 87 (YJ12 GWA), 88 (YJ12 GWC), 89 (YJ12 GWD), 90 (YJ12 GWE), 91 (YJ12 GWF), 92 (YJ12 GWG), 93 (YJ12 GWK), 94 (YJ12 GWL), 95 (YJ12 GWM), 96 (YJ12 GWN), 97 (YJ12 GWO). 90, 91, 93 have yellow branding for routes 9/10. 94, 95 have pink branding for service 13. As a result, the Optare Versas are now mainly used on country services, and other vehicles have been replaced – see below.
Dart SLF/EL 85 (PJ53 OLE) is now a driver trainer.
In withdrawn condition are Dart SLF/Super Pointer 134 (SN53 AVG), Optare Solo 244 (YN53 ELW) and some of the 56 reg Scania Omnicity saloons.
Omnicities 70-75 (YN56 NVB-G) have passed to Ensign.
Dart SLF/Super Pointer 134 (SN53 AVG) has been sold.
Gone for scrap is Trident/ALX400 8 (LX04 FYB).
Odd sightings: 24/5/19: DAF DB250LF 57 (PN 52 XBJ) on 93.

Above; Tempo 93 and Omnicity 46 ‘Kevin Beatty’ on depot on 19/5/19. Kevin Beatty was a famous footballer for Ipswich Town FC. (John Podgorski).

JOHN JAMES LUXURY TRAVEL, DAGENHAM.
Has Mb Tourismo BN17 JBY, ex Eclipse Coaches, Cambridge.

KINGS TOURS, COLCHESTER.
VH TX KC12 ABC has been sold to Evobus (dealer), Coventry. However it remains on hire to Kings for the time being.

Above: CT14 LCT on depot on 16/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Ex Leons of Stafford black/red VH TX CT14 LCT, was on loan – pending delivery of the new Mb Tourismo KC19 ABC.

KIRBYS OF RAYLEIGH.
Mb Tourismo BX64 WHN has been re-registered K100 BYS.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.

Above: Bedford OB/Baby Burlingham FFS 867 at the Felixstowe Running Day on 5/5/19. New in 1947 to SMT with a Duple Vista body, this vehicle was one of several rebodied in 1953. (Simon Austin).

LONDON GENERAL.
ADL/Enviro 200 SEN19 (YX11 FYZ) is delicensed at Morden Wharf.

LONDON OVERGROUND.
New Aventra EMUs are 710117/19/23, 710262. Class 710s entered revenue service from 23/5/19. The first two were 710261/69 – on the Gospel Oak-Braking route. This enabled the borrowed and shortened 378206/9/32, to revert to their usual duties and become 5 car units again. The ‘378s had been temporarily 4 car.
Withdrawn is 315813.

Above: 315808 departs Romford for Upminster on 4/5/19. These are currently operated from Ilford depot, with crews supplied by MTR TfL Rail. (John Podgorski).

M and M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD.

Above: Neoplan Tourliners MM18 BUS and MM68 BUS on depot on 2/5/19. MM18 was initially exhibited at the Bus and Coach Show at the NEC, hence its livery. (Mark Hough).

MILESTONE, CANVEY.
Neoplan Skyliner N100 MSC is now with Davis, Mitcheldean, Gloucs.

MTR TfL RAIL.
New are 345061/62.
Withdrawn are 315828/32/35/40/41/45/46/55/60/61.
Some Class 345s have been securely stored at Worksop, as Old Oak Common is full. 345023/56 are at Worksop so far. The ‘345s are mothballed due to the overrun for the completion of Crossrail.

Above: 315857 arrives at Gidea Park, on a Shenfield-London working on 4/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: A visit to the past. Gidea Park waiting room, 4/5/19. This station was opened in 1912, as ‘Gidea Park and Squirrels Heath’. (John Podgorski).

MYALLS, BASSINGBOURN.
New is Iveco 70C18/Noone Turas BX19 KGZ.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Four ADL/Enviro 200s have been acquired form Ensign. They are 417 (DK09 OBH), 418 (MX59 AVN), 449 (YX10 FFK0, 452 (YX10 FFN).

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY.

Above: Class 101 DMU with Essex destination. E56062 is the leading car. Pictured at Weybourne on 31/5/19. (John Podgorski).

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Mb Sprinter LF/Koch BX56 VTE has finally gone for export, having been sold some months ago.
Disused Letland National Greenaway GUW 452W has gone for scrap.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer KV51 KZK, is pictured with its new owner, A2B of Cambridge, on 25/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 AB62 PAN with Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther DC53 PAN on rail replacement at Woodbridge on 6/5/19. The RRP was running to/from Ipswich. (Alex Hazell).

Below: And the buses were connecting with Greater Anglia 153306 at Woodbridge, for onward travel to Lowestoft. (Alex Hazell).

Above: A very rainy night in Ipswich on 8/5/19, and ADL/Enviro 200 SB09 PAN is on a Greater Anglia emergency rail replacement to Felixstowe. (Alex Hazell).

PRESERVATION.

Above: Essex preserved former Crosville Bristol RELL UFM 53F at the Dereham Rally on 12/5/19. (Alex Hazell).

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.
The old Cliff Quay branch in Ipswich has seen undergrowth clearance, between the north side of the old Ranelagh Road level crossing and the bridge over the River orwell. Track remains on the bridge, while the old semaphore signal by the crossing has now gone.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Sold is Renault Trafic YG16 FNA.

SBC LEISURE, BASILDON.
New is Mb Tourismo KC19 SBC.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Three former East Kent Mb Sprinters have appeared. 44005//9 (BP16 UWT, BV66 GRZ, BV66 GSU). They are for the shuttle 2A (City-Mill Road) in the Ramsey Town area of Cambridge, caused by roadworks. Actually, 44005/6 were ex South Wales and 44009 from West Scotland.
Trident/ALX400 AY55 DKJ passed to Ensign and then to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap.
Transferred in from Stagecoach East London are Scania Omnicity ‘deckers 51074/75/78/81/83/85/87/89/90/92 (LX09 AEY/Z, AFF/N/U/Y, AGO/V/Y, AHA).
Trident/ALX400 open toppers ACZ 7489/92-94, TSU 640 have been resold via Ensign, to First Group, for use on the new ‘BrightBus’ sightseeing tour in Edinburgh.

Above: Mb Sprinters and Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 at Cowley Road depot on 25/5/19. (John Podgorski).

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: New to Selkent at Bromley, then with East London at West Ham, Dennis Tirdent/Alexander ALX400 17341 is now with Eamonn Rooney of Hilltown, County Down, Northern Ireland. It was pictured on a private charter in Belfast in May 2019. (Paul Savage).

New for TfL372 (Hornchurch-Lakeside) are ADL/E40D MMCs 11075-81 (YX19 OMA/C-H).
15 Tridents remain for revenue service across Stagecoach London. They are 17791 (NS), 17811(T), 17836 (PD), 17843 (PD), 18858 (NS), 17860 (PD), 17862 (PD), 17864 (TB), 17979 (NS), 17981 (PD), 18208 (PD), 18461 (WH), 18465 (PD), 18478 (NS), 18484(T), 18495 (TB). This includes those at Selkent. Romford North Street (on 247) and Plumstead (on 472) have the most, with less each at Bromley (on 664), Leyton (on 215) and West Ham.
Withdrawn are Tridents 18211/12, 18454/61/78; ADL/Enviro 200 34362.
ADL/Enviro 200s 36556/59/66 (LX13 CYV, CZB, CZJ) are now driver trainers and repainted purple. 36562 (LX13 CZE) was on loan to Cambus.
Yutong demonstrator YT1 (YG18 CVS) has ben returned to Pelican, Castleford – off loan.
Sold to Ensign are Scania Omnicity ‘deckers 15018/20/22 (LX58 CFJ/L/N), LX09 ABV/Z, ADZ, AEG, 15077 (AFE), (15095/96) AHE/F, FZU.
Trident 18479 (LX55 ESN) has been resold by Ensign to Wrope Maintenance Ltd, Rochford.Sold to Lister, Bolton (dealer) were Tridents 17999 (LX04 GCU), 18483 (LX55 BEO), 18498 (LX06 AHE).

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 MMC at Lodge Park, Romford on 4/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Overall adverts:
New Routemasters LT243, 376 have reverted to red fleet livery.
LT250, 365 – for EE 5G mobile phones; LT367 – for Riviera; LT386 – for Good Omens.

STAGECOACH HUNTINGDONSHIRE.

Above: 21308 in Cambridge on 25/5/19. A sister to the B8RLE which went up in smoke – see below. (John Podgorski).

On 20/5/19, there was a collision between Volvo B8RLE/Wright 21302 (BF65 WKR) and a Vauxhall Vectra car on the level crossing of the North Cambs Guided Busway over the B1050 at Longstanton. The car caught fire and the subsequent conflagration destroyed it and the bus. All in the car and on the bus were safely evacuated before the fire took hold. Volvo B7RLE/Wright 21228 (AE09 GYY) has returned from Cambridge as a replacement.

Above: 21225 in Cambridge on 25/8/12. One of the original Cambs Guided Busway vehicles. (John Podgorski).

STEPHENSONS.
Ex Go Ahead London Scania N230UD/Olympus PN09 EKT, has been acquired through Ensign.
The Bury St Edmunds ‘Breeze’ fleet is now ADL/Enviro 200s 431-34 (EU 10 NVP/R/S/T); the former ‘Blackwater Link’ route 90 buses. 434 had spent some time back in its old haunts before returning to Suffolk. Also used here is ADL/Enviro 200 463 (YX11 CTU), which has a super rear advert for RWSfm 103.3 – Bury Local Radio.

SULLIVAN BUSES.
Ex Blue Triangle ADL/Enviro 200s AE6-9 (LX10 AUT/U/Y, AVB) are in London Country style green. They usually work on commercial 306 (Borehamwood-Watford).

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD.
The operations have moved from Rainham.
New is Volvo B11R/Jonckherre double deck coach SW19 LOW.
Volvo 9700 tri-axle BX64 VRE is ex Cummer in Ireland, where it had been 151-G-1746.
Sold is Volvo B12B/Caetano BU08 CGG to Redwood Travel, Hemyock, Devon.

TENDRING TRAVEL.
Ford Transit 16 seater RA03 ENN has passed to Midland Trade Centre, Tardley (dealer). It was replaced on its school contract by Iveco Turbo Daily YX10 DJJ.
Scania K114/Irizar YN56 FGJ is now with Widnes Coaches.
Following sale to a preservationist, Setra S315 W973 UAR was subsequently stored at Don’s of Dunmow and then Viceroy at Saffron Walden. It has now gone to Wigley, Carlton for scrap.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
Ford Transit 16 seater AV12 ZJX is ex Robertson Van Hire, Colchester.

TOWER TRANSIT.
ADL/Enviro 400 SN12 AVK is now with RATP Yellow Buses, Bournemouth, via Ensign.

TRANSPORT for LONDON.
One of the road corridors to become a LEBZ – Low Emission Bus Zone is Mile End via Bow, Stratford, Forest Gate, Manor Park to just short of Ilford. So basically affecting TfL route 25 and sections of others.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
From Ensign are further ex RATP London Scania Omnicity ‘deckers – YP59 OES/T/U.
Sister YP59 OEE has returned to Ensign, ex loan.
Ex UNO, Hatfield Dart SLF/Mini Pointer KC03 PGU is now here ex Tomlinson, Winsford.
A large number of redundant and withdrawn vehicles have passed to MC Tractors at Ramsey for scrap. They are: ADL/Enviro 200 SK07 HLR. ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolutins AE56 OUP/S. ADL/Enviro 200/EL Esteems PE56 UFH/J/K. Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbuses HV52 WTJ, KN03 HZN. Dart SLF/Pointers SN03 EBP, KP54 BYY. Optare Solo M850 NM02 DNU. Ex Go North East Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renowns WNZ 1094/1102/1127/1196/1480/1490/2166/2249/2353/2410, X923 WGR. Ex Metrobus Scania Omnicity saloons YN53 RXH/T/W, YM55 SXB/H, YN06 JXR. Also scrapped is Scania L94UB/Wright Solar YN05 WKG.

ULTIMATE, CRAYS HILL.
Sold is Mb Sprinter 516/UVM RF65 SPU.

YOUNGS, CAMBRIDGE.
Via Ensign are ex Dublin Bus Volvo B9TL/Enviro 500s 05-D-70014/19 now LW55 CCO/N respectively.

With thanks to: D Acott, Angliagen, M Allen, S Austin, D Bell, W Bell, BusForum,  Clacton and District Local History Society, J Coward, First Eastern Counties, HarlowRide, A Hazell, Hedingham, M Hough, A Law, LOTS, R Pope, P Savage, Steven Knight Media.