Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the April 2020 edition of Busmopolitan.

Despite the UK being in lockdown for Coronavirus, things carry on in the transport world. Certainly there has been a lot of movements on the railways, with many older types being retired in the wake of new rolling stock.
On 3/4/20, the UK Government announced a 167 million pound support package for bus operators affected by the pandemic. This will help to subsidise services. There has been a 90% average drop in bus travel due to Covid-19 (80 % in Greater London). Rail suffered similarly with an 80% drop (90% in Greater London). The railways have temporarily reverted to government control, to protect franchises from financial problems.
More airlines have temporarily cut back on their operations and furloughed staff/grounded aircraft.

Due to the UK Government’s restrictions on movement, there is less content in certain parts of this edition – such as railways. All pictures dated within the Lockdown were taken either by Key Workers carrying out their work, or the photographers were on essential journeys for shopping for necessities etc, or were doing their authorised daily exercise and practicing social distancing.

Above: A rainbow logo, celebrating efforts by Key Workers to keep the country moving, appeared widely during the Lockdown. This was at Colchester Town railway station on 24/4/20. (John Podgorski).

Above: A deserted Kelvedon railway station car park on 26/4/20. (John Podgorski).

A2B, CAMBRIDGE.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 YX11 AEA is one of three buses branded for NHS Charities. (RouteOne).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 4012 at the Hythe Tesco terminus of route 4 on 30/3/20. For the duration of the Covid-19 Emergency Timetable, the 4 will be worked by long ADL/E200s. (John Podgorski).

Above; ADL/Enviro 200 4017 at Westway on Good Friday, 10/4/20. The original alignment of Essex Hall Road, on the right – was to the top left of this picture. This changed after Westway was opened in 1980.

Odd sightings:
3/4/20: ADL/E200 4011 (GN58 BTO) on Staff Shuttle. 6/4/20: ADL/E200 4017 (GN58 BUA) on Staff Shuttle. 17/4/20: ADL/E200 3986 (GN 07 ALO) on Staff Shuttle; StreetLite 4224 (GN62 HMY) on 2. 20/4/20: ADL/E200 GN58 BTU on Staff Shuttle. 21/4/20: ADL/E200 GN58 BTZ on Staff Shuttle. 23/4/20: ADL/E200 3986 on Staff Shuttle. 28/4/20: ADL/E200 GN58 BUF on Staff Shuttle.

Above: Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 1559 SORNED at Colchester depot on 4/4/20. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
From 1/4/20, a new express coach service 720 was due to begin, linking Stansted Airport, Stratford and London Liverpool Street. 16 Mb Tourismos are outbased at Stansted for this. However, it was delayed to to Coronavirus.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
In early April, four ADL/Enviro 200 MMCs from London City Airport were placed in store at Short Street depot.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 ENL80 at Avenue Road, Bexleyheath on 1/2/20. Originally with Arriva Southend at Grays for TfL contract 370 between Lakeside and Romford, it moved with its sisters to Dartford when the 370 was double decked. (John Podgorski).

From 1/4/20, Arriva London was changed from two to three divisions. London North now covers basically east and north east London only. The old north London part has gone into a new Arriva London Central division. Dartford has now moved to a more logical London South from London North.

Above: VLA139 on Cranbrook Road, Ilford on 11/5/19. Route 128 subsequently passed to Stagecoach on retender, and this helped accelerate the demise of the VLAs. (John Podgorski).

VLA Class Volvo B7TL/ALX400 operation was reported to have ceased, with VLA57 appearing for the lat time on TfL173 (Beckton-Goodmayes) on 24/4/20. It was just preceeded by VLA131 – also on 173, but on 21/4/20. This ends an association of some 15 years with this type in the north eastern London suburbs. They were also the very last B7TLs on TfL contracts.
From 4/4/20, Sunday schedule intoduced on 150 (Becontree Heath-Chigwell Row).
From 11/4/20, Sunday schedule introduced on TfL123 (Wood Green-Ilford), 325 (Beckton-Prince Regent).
TfL325 (Beckton-Prince Regent) was temporarily converted to double deck from 29/4/20. This was due to Covid-19 social distancing.
Centre door only boarding/alighting, to increase social distancing between staff and customers appeared on LTs from Ash Grove (AE) at an early stage, and parallel with the official trial of this at Abellio London, Walworth. From mid-April, this policy was adopted TfL wide.
ADL/Enviro 200s ENS2-5, 8, 10-12 have transferred to Arriva North West at St Helens. These had previously been on loan to Metroline for TFL393 in Hackney/Islington.

ARROW TAXIS, MALDON.
Temporarily took over ex Swallow 61 (Brentwood-Blackmore) on emergency Essex CC contract from 11/4/20. Mb Sprinter DK58 CYH seen.

BALFOUR BEATTY.
24/4/20: Plasser Theurer Tamper DR73926 on 632R Colchester-Whittlesea-Colchester via Channelsea Curve in London.

BLUE TRIANGLE.

Above: E56 in Ilford on 11/5/19; shortly after transfer from London Central, for the then newly won ex Stagecoach TfL396 contract. (John Pogorski).

From 7/4/20, 4 E Class ADL/E400s outstationed at London Central Bexleyheath garage, so that BX crews could work some journeys on 5 (Romford-Canning Town) and 101 (Gallions Reach-Wanstead). These buses were rotated and the east London routes were accessed via the Datford Crossing. Initially E55, 56, 65, 72 were loaned.
From 11/4/20, Sunday schedule introduced on 104 (Manor Park-Stratford), 115 (East Ham-Stepney).

BRITISH AIRWAYS.
From 2/4/20, 80% of workforce were furloughed due to Coronavirus. On 30/4/20, redundancies were announced.

BUDGET BUSWAYS, COLCHESTER.
Some of you might remember this short lived challenger to Eastern National in the summer of 1995. For around 6 weeks in the June and July, it tried to compete on the Colchester to Braintree and Chelmsford corridors with a fleet of motley Leyland Nationals. Well, it’s old depot at Haven Road has just been vacated. It was latterly used by Wastecare (white goods recyclers). Back in the day, Budget rented space there from the then incumbent occupier, Oyster Yachts.

C&R COACHES, LITTLE TEY.

Above: Bedford VAL/Duple Vega Major UTK 301 at Windsor Castle in May 1966. This coach was ex Cosy of Bournemouth, and was initally operated “as acquired” in green and cream livery, as seen here. C&R stood for Copeman and Raven. It was established in 1953. Raven was the “sleeping partner”. C&R was sold to Hedingham Omnibuses on 4th January 1982. The Little Tey depot continued in use for buses and coaches until July 2014. (David Osborne Collection).

COLAS RAIL.
1/4/20: 37057 with NR Test Train Ferme Park-Cambridge – via east London and Essex.
9/4/20: 47727/49 on Leicester-Ilford light loco.
27/4/20; 37219 on Hackney Downs to Liverpool Street via NE London circuit.
28/4/20: 37219/254 at Ripple Lane on 1Q95 Test Train from Ferme Park via Shoebury.
29/4/20: 37219/254 on 1Q97 Ferme Park-Cambridge via GEML southern end.

DBS.
1/4/20: 66207 on Acton-Griffin Wharf, Ipswich.
13/4/20: 66142 at Ripple Lane.
14/4/20: 66080 on 6M87 Tilbury-Wembley sand.
22/4/20: 66020 on 0Z89 Wembley-Ilford and to tow 90034 as 0Z90 return, But 90034 stayed at Ilford due to a technical hitch.
24/4/20: 66020 towed 90034 Ilford-Wembley.
29-30/4/20: Some frieghts diverted via Stratford and GEML.
29/4/20: 59202 on 7V57 Harlow Mill-Acton. 66090 on FLX-Wakefield. 66164 on 4L76 East Midlands Gateway-FLX.
30/4/20: 66002 on 4L76 East Midlands Gateway-FLX. 60090 on 4E45 FLX-Wakefield.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
From 11/4/20, Sunday schedule introduced on TfL135 (Crossharbour-Old Street).

DON’S OF DUNMOW.

(Alex Hazell).

Volvo B10M/Alexander PS K733 DAO has been offered for sale. It has been replaced by the recently acquired ADL/Enviro 200.

Above: Ex Nottingham City Transport Scania Omnidekka YN08 MLF on Greater Anglia rail replacement at Ingatestone on 29/3/20. (Alex Hazell).

During the COVID-19 Lockdown, one school contract was still run, for the children of Key Workers. Rail replacement was also provided.

DRS.
1/4/20: 88001 at Stowmarket from Norwich.
2/4/20: 88001 Stowmarket to Willesden via GEML.
6/4/20: 37059 on Willesden Brent-Norwich light loco via NLL and GEML.
13/4/20: 57301 on 0L50 Leicester-Ilford light loco.
14/4/20; 66008 and consist seen at Chelmsford aen route to Sizewell; returned as 6M69 to Crewe with flasks.
18/4/20: 57306 towed GWR 387140 Ilford to Reading and returned with 387131 from West Ealing.
24/4/20: 57306 towed GWR 387138 as 524L West Ealing-Ilford, then took GWR 387136 from Ilford to Oxford as 549L.

ENSIGNBUS.

(Ensignbus).

(Ensignbus)

On 9/4/20, BCI Excellence 140 (LX17 DZA) took a load of Easter eggs to Basildon Hospital to be distributed amongst the staff there.

(Via Daniel Disbury).

Above: NHS and Key Workers We Salute You. Aveley, 9/4/20. (Daniel Disbury).

On 23/4/20, Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini BJ11 EBN delivered ‘Items for Heroes’ to Basildon Hospital, in the form of PPE Personal Protective Equipment.

(Ross Newman).

Some London Ambulance Service vehicles are being parked at Purfleet depot.

EPPING FOREST COMMUNITY TRANSPORT.
Operated ex Swallow route 13 (Epping-Waltham Cross) from 8/4/20.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).
Suffolk CC contracts 72, 163, 173, 179 were gained from Suffolk Norse effective 6/4/20.
The Copdock Park and Ride site is being used as a Covid-19 Testing Centre.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Unusual traction on route 102 on 24/4/20 was Volvo B9TL/Gemini 37139. Pictured at Colchester. (John Podgorski).

Known reduced operational allocations due to Cornavirus:
BN: ADL/E400s 33424/25, 33504/7/44-46/48/49/51-53/55/57-59/61-63/67/68/70/72-74; StreetLites 47650-58; ADL/E200 MMCs 67160-64; Volvo 7900Hs 69901-919.
CF: Scania N250/E400 City 36836-43; Dart SLF/Pointers 42932/36; ADL/Enviro 200s 44001/2/5/81, 44537-550, 44900/8-10/13-15; ADL/E200 MMCs 67165-171; ADL/Enviro 300s 67901-4; B7RLE/Wrights 69421/30-34.
CR: B7TL/Geminis 37007, 37027/34-36/42/53/62; B9TL/Geminis 37133/34/36/38-40; StreetLites 63330-344; ADL/Enviro 300s 67735-39/41/42/50/55/56/79, 67805.
HH: B9TL/Geminis 36216-220, 37985/86; ADL/E200s 44003/4/6/80; StreetLites 47521-30, 47643-49, 63161-170, 63328/29; B7RLE/Wrights 69516-20.

Above: 44005 in Halstead on the recently extended 42B, on 5/4/20. (Simon Austin).

ADL/Enviro 200s 44002/5 (LK57 EJE/J), 44081 (YX58 HVL) are further ones at Chelmsford (CF) from (HH).
Scania N250UD/Enviro 400 Cities 36836/42 were loaned by Chelmsford to Basildon.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solars 62407 (YS03 ZKC), 65679 (YR52 VEH), have been seen in use as crew ferries at Colchester (CR).
Odd sightings:
1/4/20: B7TL/Gemini 37007 on 104; Route 62 B9TL 37134 on 61; Route 62 B9TL 37136 on 70; Route 62 B9TL 37138 on 61; Scania/Solar 65679 on CR Staff Shuttle; ADL/E300 67779 on 1A. 3/4/20: B7TL/Geminis 37007 on 65; YJ06 XLH on 104; 67679 on CR Staff Shuttle. 4/4/20: Route 62 B9TL 37133 on 61. 5/4/20: 44001 on 71A. 6/4/20: Route 62 B9TL 37134 on 64; Route 62 B9TL 37136 on 64; ADL/E300 67742 on 75; ADL/E300s 67756/79 on 70. 8/4/20: Route 62 37134 on 64; ADL/E200 44081 on 71; B7RLEs 69430/34 on 70. 9/4/20: B7RLE 69421 on 70. 10/4/20: Route 62 B9TL 37133 on 61. 12/4/20: X30 ADL/E200 MMC 67171 (YY66 PCO) on 42B. 13/4/30: Route 62 B9TL 37138 (SN57 DCX) on 2A; Dart SLF/Pointer 42936 (SN05 DZS) on 70 + 71A. 14/4/20: Route 62 B9TL 37138 on 61; ADL/E200 44550 on 70. 16/4/20: ADL/E200 MMC 67166 on 70. 17/4/20: SLF 42936 on 71; ADL/E200 44549 on 70. 20/4/20: 37034 on 104; 62407 on CR Staff Shuttle. 21/4/20: 37007 on 67; 62407 on CR Staff Shuttle. 22/4/20: ADL/E300 67737 on 75. 23/4/20: B7TL/Gemini 37007 on 65 + 1A; B7TL/Gemini 37035 on 65; B7TL/Gemini 37037 on 64; Route 62 B9TL/Geminis 37133/39 on 61; B9TL/Gemini 37140 on 65; ADL/E200 YX09 MGZ on 70; ADL/E200 MMC 67170 on 70. 24/4/20: B7TL/Gemini 37037 on 65; Route 62 B9TL/Gemini 37138 on 61; Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 102; B7TL/Gemini 37140 on 1A; ADL/E200 MMC 67165 on 70. 25/4/20: StreetLite 63334 on 70; StreetLite 63335 on 88. 26/4/20: B7TL/Gemini 37007 on 65; B9TL/Gemini 37140 on 65. 28/4/20: B7TL/Gemini 37007 on 65; Route 62 B9TL/Gemini 37134 on 65; Route 62 B9TL/Gemini 37139 on 61; Dart SLF 42932 on 71A; StreetLite 63337 on 75. 30/4/20: B7TL/Gemini 37007 on 65; B7TL/Gemini 37035 (YJ06 XLA) on 65; Route 62 B9TL/Gemini 37136 on 65; B9TL/Gemini 37140 on 65.
In late April, route 65 in Coclhester went over to double deck, while M-F evening 1A s in Coclhester recerted to double deck after havivng been single deck since the Lockdown.

Above: 42936 at Southway, Colchester on Easter Monday 13/4/20. A Dart SLF on the 71 on a bank holiday is unusual at any time. The COVID-19 emergency timetable has seen an increase in 71A workings. (John Podgorski).

Above: 67171 at Butler Road Bus Park, Halstead on Easter Sunday 12/4/20. (Simon Austin).

Above: Currently SORNED ADL/Enviro 300 67640 at London Road, Stanway on 26/3/20. (John Podgorski).

FREIGHTLINER. The lockdown saw all Class 70s stored, along with 86614 and 21 Class 66s. These were at Crewe and Leeds depots.
Above: 66544 leads a Felixstowe bound intermodal at Marks Tey on 24/4/20. (John Podgorski).

1/4/20: 86608/12 on 4L89 Crewe-Ipswich.
w/c 5/4/20: 4M92 Felixstowe-East Midland Gateway diverted to Lawley Street.
8/4/20: 86627/32, 86637/38 on “up” intermodals from Felixstowe/Ipswich.
9/4/20: 86612/13 on 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe.
13/4/20: 86607/8 on 4M87. 86637/38 at Ipswich.
14/4/20: Pink 66587 on 4L37 Lawley Street-FLX.
21/4/20; 86612/22/27/28 on 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe.
24/4/20: 66526 on 4S83 London Gateway-Crewe-Coatbridge. 66531 on 4L46 Lawley Street-London Gateway.
27/4/20: 86605/12/32/37 on 4L89 Crewe-FLX.
29/4/20: 66753 on 6L49 Lindsay-Ipswich tanks.

GALLEON COACHES, STRATFORD.

Above: Bedford SB/Plaxton Embassy VJD 471 at the 1959 British Coach Rally at Brighton. Then trading as Essex County Coaches, Galleon Travel of Roydon is the current descendant. The lady and gentleman would not look out of place at a special occasion in 2020. The coach is very much late 1950s/early 1960s. (Frank Dobinson Photography/John Podgorski Collection).

GBRf.
3/4/20: 66765 tnt 66762 on 6T60 Whitemoor-West Ham engineers.
4/4/20: 66723 + DR76901 (milling machine) + 66750 on Tonbridge-Romford.
5/4/20: 66723 + DR76901 + 66750 on Romford-Laindon and return; then to Upper Holloway.
6/4/20: 66750 + DR76901 + 66723 on Upper Holloway-Romford.
6-7/4/20: 66750/DR76901/66750 Romford to Harold Wood and return.
7/4/20: 66723 took 66750 Romford to Tonbridge and returned with 66740.
7-8/4/20: 66723 + DR76901 + 66740 Romford-Forest Gate Junction-Liverpool Street.
8-9/4/20: 66740/DR76901/66723 Liverpool Street-Forest Gate Junction-Romford.
9/4/20: 66740/23 on Romford-Tonbridge light loco. Maroon 66743 ‘Belmond Royal Scotsman’ on 4L04 Hams Hall-FLX. 66762 on North Walsham-Harwich tanks.
13/4/20: 66702 tnt 66714 on 6T61 Whitemoor-Colchester engineers. 66715 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
14/4/20: 66740/766 on Tonbridge West-Romford light loco for NR milling maching duties.
16/4/20: 66740 tnt 66766 with NR milling machine on 6X69 Romford-Gas Factory Junction, Bow.
17-18/4/20: 66702 tnt 66785 on 6T63 Whitemoor-Shenfield/Billericay engineers. 66714 tnt 66737 on 6T62 Whitemoor-Shenfield/Billericay engineers. 66763 on 6T61 Whitemoor-Shenfield/Billericay. 66765 on 6T60 Whitemorr-Shenfield/Billericay.
18/4/20: 66702 on 6T63 Shenfield-Whitemoor engineers. 66740 tnt 66766 with NR milling machine on 6X69 Gas Factory Junction-Bishop’s Stortford. 66785 on 6T62 Shenfield-Whitemoor.
19/4/20: 66737 tnt 66714 on 6T61 Shenfield-Whitemoor engineers. 66763 tnt 66765 on 6T60 Shenfield-Whitemoor.
20/4/20: 66737 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66738/39 on 4L04 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66741 on 4L07 Birch Coppice-FLX.
21/4/20: 66740 tnt 66766 with NR milling maching back to Romford from Bishop’s Stortford. 66784 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX.
24/4/20: 66766/40 took the NR milling machine from Romford to Stowmarket as 6X69.
28/4/20: 66730 leading Freightliner 66956 on 6L37.
29-30/4/20: Some frieghts diverted via Stratford and GEML.
29/4/20: 66701 on 4Z35 Doncaster-FLX. 66714 on 4E86 FLX-Masborough. 66727 on 4L29 Hams Hall-FLX. 66753 on 4M01 FLX-Hams Hall.
30/4/20: 66701 on 4Z35 Doncaster-FLX. 66727 on 4L29 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66741 on 4M01 FLX-Hams Hall. 66752 on 4E86 FLX-Masborough.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: Aboard MkIII 12056 as the Liverpool Street-Norwich service in which it is in the formation, climbs Bethnal Green bank on 4/1/20. (John Podgorski).

The first Class 360 to be upgraded to fully accessible appears to be 360118. One car has gone for a pilot refurbishment, prior to the transfer of this class to EMR.
MkIIIs 12016/24/99/103/20/41/70 to Booth, Rotherham for scrap on 1/4/20 – see below.   10403, 11096, 12009/093, 121067/50 to Midland Railway Centre, Butterley.

10404, 11066/072/082 have gone to the Barry Tourist Railway.
10412 has gone to the Northampton & Lamport Railway for preservation. 10415 has been acquired by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for training. 11090, 112032/097 have been sold to DATS DATA Acquisition and Testing Services.
90001/2 have passed to LSL (Locomotive Services Limited).
90003-15 have gone to store.
82136 has been moved to Mid Norfolk Railway. Later moved to Leicester. 82143 then sold to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
12114, 82118 have gone to Crewe Heritage Centre.
Some additional Norwich train crew trained on Class 321s.
1/4/20: 7 MkIIIs to Booth, Rotherham for scrap behind ROG 37402 ‘Stephen Middlemore’ as 5Z37.
2/4/20: 745106 to service.
5/4/20: 321430 in 1036/1P73 Norwich-London and return. 6/4/20: 90002 Norwich to Crewe for LSL – towing 10411/15/16, 11076/077, 12111/71, 82139/43.
7/4/20: 90001 Norwich to Crewe for LSL. + 11068/91/75/70/98/87, 82127, 12114, 82118 – as 5Z90.
8/4/20: 12027/041/151, 11094, 12019/115/026/012 from Norwich to Eastleigh behind DCR 60055 ‘Thomas Barnardo’ as 5Z56. 720509 on 5Q04 test run. 745008 on 5Q81 test run. Stansted Express 745105-7 on Norwich-Liverpool Streets.
9/4/20: 720509 on 2 x Liverpool Street-Southend Victoria test runs. 745109 on Liverpool Street-Stowmarket/Parkeston test.
13/4/20: 10404, 11066/072/082 from Norwich to Barry behing GBRf 66730 ‘Whitemoor’. 11090, 12032/092/097/099 hauled Norwich to Leicester by ROG 47815 ‘Lost Boys’.  317511 + 884 towed Ilford-Crewe by DRS 57301 as 5Q08.
14/4/20: 317511 + 884 towed Crewe-Kilmarnock by DRS 57301 as 5Q10. 317885 towed Kimarnock-Ilford by 57301, 720509 on Liverpool Street-Kings Lynn test run.
15/4/20: 745107 on 5Q25 Norwich-Liverpool Street test. 745108 on 5Q81 Norwich-Liverpool Street test – then to Ely as 5Q82 and return, then 5Q88 back to Norwich. 745109 on 5Q73 Harwich International-Liverpool Street test. 16/4/20: 10403, 11096, 12009/093/107/150 Norwich-Butterley behind GBRf 66724 to Peterborough, then DRS 47727/739 tnt to Butterley.
17/4/20: 755330 towed 745108 on assistance test at Liverpool Street. 18/4/20: 82136 towed Mid Norfolk Railway to Leicester by ROG 37608 ‘Andromeda’.
20/4/20: 745105 on 5Q25 Norwich-Liverpool Stret test. 745108 on 5Q82 Liverpool Street-Cambridge test. 745109 on 5Q73 Parkeston-Liverpool Street test.
23/4/20: 755403 delivered.
24/4/20: 720509 failed at Hatfield Peveral while on test and subsequently left at Witham.
25/4/20: 720509 towed Witham-Ilford by DRS 47727/49.
29/4/20: 745001 on 5Q24 Liverpool St-Harwich International test.
A single coach from 360118 was moved by road from Ilford depot to Brodie at Kilmarnock at the end of April.

Above: 745106 at Marks Tey on 24/4/20. This is one of the ‘745s eventually destined for Stansted Express. (John Podgorski).

HCT GROUP.
It was announced that an employee at Hackney (HK) depot, was one of 15 London Buses workers who died of Coronavirus. Thoughts go out to their family, friends, colleagues.
From 4/4/20, TfL394 (Homerton Hospital-Islington) – to Sunday schedule.

HEDINGHAM.
From 4/4/20, there were further changes to the Emergency Timetable.
Some Saturdays 88s were transferred from Sible Hedingham (HD) to Kelvedon (KN).
And 83/A/B, 92 were suspended on Saturdays.
Omnidekka movements:
w/e 18/4/20: 800 – KN-Chambers; 802 – KN-Chambers; 811 – Chambers-KN; 814 – KN-Chambers. 20/4/20: 802 – Chambers-KN. 29/4/20: 810 – Chambers-KN.
Odd sightings:
14/4/20: Omnicity saloon 458 on 74. 30/4/20: Omnidekka 813 on Duty 3904 63 + 50.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 573, SORNED at Kelvedon on 31/3/20, with B7TL/Gemini 520. (John Podgorski).

Above: Scania Omnicity saloon 458 (YN05 HFH) is now in fleet livery, ex Anglian yellow/blue. Seen at Head Street, Colchester on 14/4/20. (John Podgorski)

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 261 at Abbey Field, Colchester on 8/4/20. It is on a southbound service 63 to Berechurch. (John Podgorski).

Above: Omnidekka 813 at Layer on 30/4/20. (John Podgorski).

Ancillary vehicles:
Renault Trafic minibus 9008 (LX09 EYT) was exchanged with Mb Vito MPV 9014 (RJ56 NYK) as the Kelvedon crew ferry, with 9008 returning to Clacton.

IPSWICH BUSES.
The Covid-19 emergency timetable has seen single deckers appear on routes on which they would not normally appear.
Buses SORNED are most of the double deckers. Scania Omnidekkas 60, 61, Scania N230UD/Olympus 68 are still available for use.
Odd sightings:
1/4/20: Versa 152 (YK08 EPV) on 93. 3/4/20: ADL/E200 78 (YX14 RVL) on 93; Versa 152 on 93. 6/4/20: Versa 149 on 93. 8/4/20: ADL/E200 101 (SN16 OGG) on 93. 11/4/20: Versa 151 on 93. 14/4/20: ADL/E200 104 (SN13 OGK) on 93. 16/4/20: ADL/E200 78 (YX14 RVL) on 93. 17/4/20: ADL/E200 101 on 93. 21/4/20: ADL/E200 103 on 93. 23/4/20: Versa 146 (YK08 EPC) on 93. 28/4/20: ADL/E200 83 on 93. 30/4/20: Versa 150 on 93.

KINGS TOURS, COLCHESTER.

Above: Van Hool TX KC60 ABC amongst the fleet furloughed due to Coronavirus, at Stanway depot on 29/3/20. (John Podgorski).

LONDON CENTRAL.
From 11/4/20, Sunday schedule introduced on TfL108 (Lewisham-Stratford International).

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
New for the forthcoming TfL106 (Whitechapel-Finsbury Park) contract are ADL/Enviro 400 City EVs Ee22-30 (LF20 XLY/Z, XMA-H), Ee32 (LF20 XMK). Ee31, 33-37 had their delivery suspended, due to the enforced shutdown of the ADL factory due to Covid-19. Their booked registrations are LF20 XMJ, ZML-P/R.
WVL Class Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini operation ceased after 7/4/20.

LONDON OVERGROUND.
315802/12 on Romford-Upminster during April.
315816 to Booth, Rotherham for scrap.
317714/23/29/32, 317888/90 are withdrawn.
3/4/20: 317891/92 towed from Ilford to Ely for storage, by GBRf 66783.
6/4/20: 317888/90 from Ilford to Wembley Yard.
15/4/20: 317723/32 towed from Ilford to Northampton for storage.
16/4/20: 315816 towed from Wembley to Rotherham for scrap.
17/4/20: 317723/32 towed back to Ilford from Northampton.
20/4/20: 317723/32 from Ilford to Wembley for storage.
25/4/20: 317719 from Northampton back to Ilford.
315802/3/6/8/10/11/12/22/31/36 known to be still in stock in April.
Class 317 operation has finished.

MTR ELIZABETH LINE.

Above: 315847 at Romford on 4/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Class 315s continue in service M-F and the occasional Saturday. Pre Covid-19 Lockdown, ‘315s had no longer worked at weekends. Sundays/public holidays continues as all Class 345.
9/4/20: 345011 – OC-IL behind ROG 37800. 345051 – IL-OC behind ROG 37800.
15/4/20: 315833/859 on 5Q20 Northampton-Ilford ECS – on diesel tow.
29/4/20: 345006 – OC-IL.

Above: 315833 at Shenfield on 4/5/19. (John Podgorski).

NATIONAL EXPRESS.
From 2359 on 5/4/20, all remaining coach services suspended. These were the emergency timetable 801 to 817. 813 (Norwich-London) and 816 (Ipswich-London) served the Busmopolitan area. London Victoria Coach Station was closed from the same time.

Above: NX contractor Galloway of Mendlesham Scania K410EB6/Caetano Levante III BF68 LCL at Stratford, on a London Victoria bound 481 on 29/2/20. (John Podgorski).

NEW HORIZON.
Operations have been suspended.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Ex First London/Metroline ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BDY entered service at the start of April, still in London red. It had been converted to single door and led destination fitted.

Above; YX10 BDY at The Crescent, Severalls Park on 4/4/20. It was on diversion due to the closure of Langham Road bridge. This took it from Birchwood Corner and along the A12 to Severalls Park. (Steve Barham).

Colchester outstation down to three buses/coaches by end of April.
Ancillary vehicles:
Vauxhall Astra van AB56 PAN has been debranded to plain white.

Above: AB56 PAN at Colchester on 8/4/20. (John Podgorski).

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.

Above: The remains of an 16 ton mineral wagon at Marks Tey on 24/4/20. This has lain there for long time – since August 1979. The circumstances of it being there was a derailment. (John Podgorski).

ROG.
2/4/20: 37608 replaced 37611 as Manningtree ‘Thunderbird’.
3/4/20: 37608 hauling dead GA 745106 as 5P24 “down” through Chelmsford.
7/4/20: 37608 towed 745108 into Norwich. 37800 on 0L50 Norwich-Ilford light loco.
9/4/20: 37800 at Ilford depot, then towed MTR 345051 to Old Oak – before returning to Ilford with 345011.
10/4/20: 37800 Ilford-Leicester light loco.

RYANAIR.
Following furloughing of much of the workforce, redundancies were announced at the end of April.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Milton Park and Ride is being used asa Covid-19 Testing Centre.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
New for TfL323 (Canning Town-Mile End) are BYD ADL/Enviro 200 MMC EVs 29201-205 (LF20 XKO/P/S/T/U).
From 4/4/20, Sunday schedule introduced on TfL165 (Romford-Hornchurch), 365 (South Hornchurch-Havering Park).
From 11/4/20, Sunday schedule introduced on 128 (Romford-Claybury), 238 (Barking-Stratford), 241 (Stratford City-Cannning Town), 248 (Cranham-Romford), 252 (Collier Row-Hornchurch), 366 (Redbrige-Beckton), D3 (Leamouth-Bethnal Green).
In late April, the Nightingale emergency Hospital in London Docklands opened.
Four dedicated services were introduced, for use by hospital staff only.
NG1 (NHS Nightingale-Pontoon Dock).Basically a park and ride, this runs 24/7 from Bow (BW) garage.
NG2 (NHS Nighingale-Docklands Riverside, Doubletree Hilton Hotel). 24/7, worked by Bow. Withdrawn 18/4/20 and replaced by revised NG3.
NG3 (NHS Nightingale-Docklands Riverside, Moxy Hotel). 24/7, operated by Bow.
NG4 (NHS Nightingale-Brittania Village). Another Park and Ride. Operated 24/7 from West Ham (WH). Withdrawn on 16/4/20 and not replaced.
The route withdrawals were due to Nightingale not being used to planned capacity.
Additionally, West Ham garage is being used by the London Ambulance Service (LAS), to commission new ambulances and also re-commisssion old ambulances with the support of the AA.
Following use by London Fire Brigade for training, Trident/ALX400 17836 (LX03 BYM) went to Lister PVS, Bolton for scrap.

Above: ADL/E40H 11036 at West Ham garage and blinded for NHS service NG4. (Stagecoach).

STEPHENSONS:

Above: Still in YourBus livery, ADL/Enviro 200 469 at Colchester on 21/4/20. (John Podgorski).

Great Bromley allocation w/e 4/4/20:
Short ADL/E200s 414 (SK07 HLV), 422 (EU60 CAV); ADL/E200 464 (EU62 FDF).
YourBus liveried ADL/E200 469 (SN66 WLL) appeared at Clacton w/c 5/4/20. At the end of April, all bar 414 were still at Great Bromley.

SUFFOLK NORSE.
The following sponsored services were withdrawn/changed from 4/4/20.
112 (Hadleigh-Sudbury) – due to lack of patronage. But Bildeston-Sudbury section now covered by GoStart.
72 (Woodbridge-Ipswich), 163 (Bucklesham-Ipswich), 173 (Felixstowe-Woodbridge – schools journey), 179 (Woodbridge-Felixstowe-Ipswich)- all changed contractor.
72, 163, 173, 179 went to First Eastern Counties.
Most of 173 is already worked by Ipswich Buses.

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD.
Has ceased trading and administrators appointed.
Volvo B11R/Jonckherre SW16 LOW passed to an Oxford dealer.

Above: Volvo B10MT/Jonckherre HSK 177 at Colchester in June 2003 in classic Swallow Coaches livery. Alongside is Volvo B10M/Van Hool BAZ 7059. The HSK 177 registation mark was later used on a Dart SLF/Pointer bus. (John Podgorski)..

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.
During the Coronavirus Lockdown, rail replacement services were still provided.

TOWER TRANSIT.
It was announced that one of the staff at Lea Interchange (LI) garage, was one of 15 London Buses workers who died of Coronavirus. Thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues.
From 11/4/20, Sunday schedule introduced on D8 (Stratford-Crossharbour).

TRANSPORT for LONDON.

(TfL).

Steps to protect London Buses staff from Coronavirus:
From 10/4/20, trial boarding of buses via centre doors began on a selection of routes – contracted to Abellio and in south London. This went London wide from 20/4/20. Then front doors of multi door buses were sealed off and displayed ‘No Entry’ signs.
Across the whole of the TfL bus network; clear film covers the communication holes in the drivers’ protective screens, and seats near the driver have been taped off.

(TfL).

TURNERS OF ESSEX, WICKHAM ST PAUL.
The old depot is now used by a motorhome dealer.

UNO, HATFIELD.

Above: Wright StreetLite 60 has been named in honour of World War 2 veteran NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore. (RouteOne).

WCR.
7/4/20: 60055 on Bristol-Norwich light loco via GWML, NLL, GEML.
8/4/20: 60055 on Norwich-Eastleigh ECS with redundant GA MkIII stock – see above.
29/4/20: 37608 Wembley-Ilford light loco; did a Class 345 swap to/from MTR “west side”, then back to Wembley light.

With thanks to: Angliagen, S Austin, S Barham, Bus News, D Disbury, Ensignbus, Essex Buses Group Io, A Hazell, RouteOne, Stagecoach, TfL.