Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the June 2020 edition of Busmopolitan.

From 15/6/20, “non essential” shops were allowed to reopen post the Covid-19 lockdown. This resulted in social distancing measures appearing in several city/town centres across the Busmopolitan area. Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich all got these. They created  road closures, diversions and bus stop closures/relocations.
The wearing of face coverings by customers on public transport in England was compulsory from 15/6/20 – with some exceptions for medical grounds.

On the railway, 14/6/20 saw the appearance of two Class 73s on the Great Eastern, and they worked as far as Felixstowe. They were on a Network Rail test train and covering for unavailable booked traction.

A2B TRAVEL, CAMBRIDGE.
ADL/Enviro 200 MX08 ZDZ has been sold to Ensign, while ex Manchester Community Transport MX12 DZB, JXD, MX62 AWG have come via the same source.

AIRPORT BUS EXPRESS.
By the end of June, National Express was occupying the old depot, and Leyland National YYE 274T had gone.

(John Podgorski).

AIRPORTS.
London City reopened commercially post lockdown on 22/6/20.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: 6503 at Highwoods on 1/6/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Services were increased from 1/6/20. Southend ADL/E400 MMCs 6503/04 (SN66 WHW/X) entered traffic on this date to help with social distancing. They were mainly used on route 8. They had been in store at Southend since the lockdown.
VDL 300LF/Wright Gemini 4459 (MX61 AXW) was relicensed.
From 15/6/20, there were further service increases with Dart SLF/Pointers 3413/15-21 (SN54 HWY, HXB-F) being put back on the road. Dart SLF/MPD 1558 (KX56 HCP) was also seen active again  – initially only on Staff Shuttles. 1559 (EU56 GVG) was seen on route 1 on 23/6/20. Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1563 was on Staff Shuttles by 29/6/20.
Odd sightings:
2/6/20: StreetLite 4261 (GN64 DXR) on 2; StreetLite 4262 (GN64 DXS) on 1.
4/6/20: ADL/E200 4020 (GN58 BUH) on Staff Shuttle; 4261 on 1.
6/6/20: StreetLite 4224 (GN62 HMY) on 2.
9/6/20: Route 13 StreetLite 4323 (SK68 TWU) on Staff Shuttle.
10/6/20: R133 4323 on 1.
11/6/20: 4011, 4323 on Staff Shuttle.
13/6/20: StreetLite 4261 on 2.
14/6/20: ADL/E400 MMC 6503 on 8 – first double deck sighting on a Sunday for a long time.
16/6/20: Dart SLF/MPD 1558 on Staff Shuttle; StreetLite 4224 (GN62 HMY) on 1.
19/6/20: R133 4324 on 2.
25/6/20: StreetLites 4224 on 2; 4261 on 1.
29/6/20: SLF/MPD 1559 on 8; StreetLites 4224 on 1, 4261 on 2.
30/6/20:
StreetLite 4262 on 1.
Traffic:
Due to the closure of Ambrose Avenue w/c 1/6/20 for water works, route 1 was temporarily diverted via Heath Road, once used by route 6 many years ago and service 5 in the more recent past. Back to normal on 10/6/20.

Above: Wright StreetLite 4323 in an unusual location. Normally to be found on 133 Braintree-Stansted, on 10/6/20, it was on Colchester town route 1. It was pictured at Church Lane/Baines Close, due to Ambrose Avenue being closed for water works. Normally only the infrequent Arriva 4 and Hedingham 15 services use this stop. The works causing this finished later on 10/6/20. (James Cole).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
Service increases from the start of June saw some parked up buses returned to use – ADL/Enviro 400 MMCs 6502/05/06/09 were seen.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.

Above: TfL route 106 (Finsbury Park-Whitechapel) passed to Go-Ahead London General North from 6/6/20. This picture of VDL300LF/Wright Pulsar Gemini was posed at Enfield Island Village on 20/3/20, to display a new stlye blind layout. (Peter Horrex).

BALFOUR BEATTY.
2/6/20: Robel mobile maintenance train DR97506 on Romford-York.
15/6/20: DR73926 “down” past Chitts Hill, Colchester @ 1430.

BLUE TRIANGLE.

Above: With ‘Bus Full’ sign and driver wearing face mask; Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini WVL346 at Longbridge Road, Barking on 20/6/20. (John Podgorski).

ADL/Enviro 400 E56 is withdrawn for scrap.

BURGERS, WINGS AND RIBS LTD, COLCHESTER.
Has ex First South Yorkshire Volvo B7TL/ALX400 LT52 WUC, via Ensign.

C2C.

Depots, traction and routes:

c2c drivers also sign Barking to Liverpool St, Bow Jn to Gas Factory Jn and Forest Gate Jn to Chadwell Heath Turnback Siding including Ilford Depot

CHAMBERS.
Services were increased in frequency from 1/6/20, following the Covid-19 reductions.
Optare Solo 910 (SF04 SKD) was on loan from Hedingham in mid June.

Above: 910 in Colchester on 11/6/20. (Simon Austin).

Above: 910 between Semer Bridge and Bildeston on 24/6/20; on the Wednesdays only 379 Hadleigh-Bury service. (Chris Baines).

At the end of June, Omnidekka 806 was VOR. Scania N230UD/Olympus 870 was still VOR. Omnidekka 812 and N230UDs 871/72/74 were still parked up.

COLAS RAIL.
3/6/20: 37175 on 3Q72 Norwich-Colchester via Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
4/6/20: 37175 on 3Q71 Norwich-Colchester NR test.
5/6/20: 37175 on 3Z64 Norwich-Ipswich test and return.
13/6/20: 70802 on Hoo Junct-Dagenham Dock. 708110 on 602K Whitemoor-Dagenham Dock engineers. 70811/14 on 603K/6C60 Whitemoor-Barking engineers.
17/6/20: 37612 on 0F89 Bristol-B Stortford light loco.
18/6/20: 37175 + 977868, 977983, 5981 = 9701 on 1Q08 March-Tonbridge via Walton on the Naze and Colchester Town.
22/6/20: 37175 tnt 37219 on 1Q90 Derby-Ferme Park via B Stortford, NE London and Liv St.
23/6/20: 37219/175 on 1Q95 Ferme Park-Ripple Lane NR test and 1Q96 return.
24/6/20: 37219/175 on 1Q97 Ferme Park-Cambridge NR test via a trip around Essex.
26/6/20: 37175 tnt 37219 on 1Q99 Cambridge-March via Ipswich, Felixstowe, Colchester.
30/6/20: 67023 tnt 67027 on Derby-Cambridge NR test via Thames Haven.

Above: 37219 at Stanford Le Hope on 24/6/20, with 37175 on the rear. (James Cole).

COOKS, SOUTHEND.

(John Podgorski).

A visit on 6/6/20, found that the office/shop on London Road, Westcliff on Sea had moved to Heygate Avenue in central Southend. The garage behind the old office had been redeveloped as a house. The former Westcliff shop is now an estate agent.

(John Podgorski).

CROSS COUNTRY TRAINS.

Depots, traction and routes:

Birmingham New Street:

Traction:

170

Routes:

Leicester – Cambridge (link dependant)

Cambridge
Traction:
170
Routes:
Stansted Airport – Cambridge – Leicester – Birmingham New Street

DANS COACH TRAVEL, NEEDHAM MARKET.
Has ex First Essex Scania L94UB/Wright Solars YR52 VEH, YS03 ZKB.

DAN’S LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY.
Has gone into administration.

DBS.
1/6/20: 66150 on FLX-Wakefield.
2/6/20: 66074 on FLX-East Midlands Gateway. 66150 on Wakefield-FLX.
3/6/20: 59103 on Acton-Chelmsford stone. 66087 on FLX-EM Gateway.
4/6/20: 59103 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton stone.
8/6/20: 66051 on 4E45 FLX-Wakefield. 66184 on Peterborough-Bow.
9/6/20: 66113 on 6L69 on Biggleswade-Bow Plasmor. 66162 ‘Maritime 5’ on FLX-EM Gateway.
10/6/20: Maritime 2 66047 on FLX-EM Gateway. 66051 on 4E45 FLX-Wakefield. 66139 at Marks Tey. 66187 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich.
11/6/20: 66051 on 4E45. 66162 on FLX-EM Gateway.
13/6/20: 66162 on 4M79 FLX-EM Gateway.
15/6/20: 60040 on 0Z60 Willesden-Foxton route learner.
16/6/20: 59103 on Acton-Chelmsford stone.60040 on 0Z60 Wembley-Foxton route learner. 66103 on 4E25 Biggleswade-Bow Plasmor.
17/6/20: 60040 on 0Z60.
18/6/20; 66207 on FLX-EM Gateway.
20/6/20: 66127 at Dagenham Dock.
22/6/20: 66051 on 4L45, 66162 on 4L76.
24/6/20: 59002 at Dagenham Dock. 59201 at Purfleet. 66188 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich.
30/6/20: 66034 on 4L56 Trafford-FLX. 66070 on 4M79 FLX-EM Gateway.

DCR.
22/6/20: 56103 on 0Z57 Willesden-Cambridge light loco.
24/6/20: 56103 on Cambridge-Temple Mills light loco, also Cambridge-Foxton.
30/6/20; 56103 on 0Z60 and 0Z63.

ENSIGNBUS.
A new BCI Enterprise has been delivered in plain white. It has a Chinese engine, rather than the usual Cummins.
Ex M,c Allister-Partridge, Higher Walton is Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 103 (LX53 BBZ). Volvo B7TL/ALX400s 109/10 (LJ54 BDO, BDV), are bis ex SORNED.
Odd sightings:
13/6/20: 109 on 73/A.
20/6/20: 110 on 73/A.

Above: 109 at Tilbury, Civic Square on 13/6/20. (John Podgorski).

EUROSTAR.

Dwepots, traction and routes:

St Pancras
Traction:
373,374
Routes:
London St Pancras – Paris Gare du Nord
Lille – Bruxelles Midi (link dependent)
Lille – Marne le Valee

London St Pancras-Temple Mills depot (ECS only).

Temple Mills:
Maintenance only.

FIRST ESSEX.
Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 37985 (BJ11 XGY) is in Westcliff on Sea heritage red/cream, ex X30 livery.
Another ex First Bristol Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini at CR is 37005 (WX55 VHO).
ADL/Enviro 200s 44001-06/078-81 have been returned from CF to HH. Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 69514-20 returned from BN to HH.
Sold to Ensign were Dart SLF/Pointers 42561 (SN05 DZX), 42556 (WX05 UAN); Dennis Trident/Plaxton Presidents 33078/87/80 (LN51 GNJ, GMO/P); Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 62408 (YS03 ZKE); Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urbans 66719/31 (WX54 XDC, XCR); Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown trainers 62197 (X685 ADK), 62242 (Y939 CSF).
Resold by Ensign to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap were Dart SLF/Pointer 42489 (SN53 KJY); Volvo B10BLEs 62197 (X685 ADK), 62242 (Y939 CSF); Tridents 32087/78 (LN51 GMO, GNJ).
Ensign is breaking ADL/Enviro 300 67641 (VX54 MRV), Dart SLFs 42557/61; Trident 33080, Volvo B7RLEs 66719/30, 66807 (MX05 CCY).
Ensign resold Dart SLF/Pointer 42955 (WX06 OMM), to Seaford and District for further service.

Above: 37006 at Highwoods, Colchester on 5/6/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Back into service ex SORNED: Volvo B7TL/ALX400s 32476/77 (AU53 HJK/N) (CR); Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 32640 (KP54 AZB) (CF), 32641 (KP54 AZC) (CF); Volvo B7TL/Geminis 32672 (SN55 HEV) (CF), 32676 (SN55 HFD) (CF); B7TL/Geminis 37020 (WX55 VJJ) (CR); 37054 (YJ06 XME) (CR) – after 6 months pre-Covid 19; Dart SLF/Pointer 42937 (SN05 DZT) (CF); Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 43848 (CF); Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66730 (WX54 XCP), 66795 (CF), 66797 (MX05 CBY) (CF), 66798 (MX05 CCA) (CR), 66800 (MX05 CCF) (CR), 66801 (MX05 CCJ) (CR), 66810 (MX05 CDF) (CR), 66811 (CF), 66815 (MX05 CDV) (CF), 66816 (MX05 CDY) (CR), 66817 (MX05 CDZ) (CF), 66818 (MX05 CEA) (CF), 66821 (MX05 CEW) (BN), 66823 (MX05 CEU) (BN), 66826 (MX05 CFA) (BN), 66828 (MX05 CFE) (CR), 66830 (MX05 CFJ) (CF), 66837 (MX05 CFU) (CF).
In early June, two Chelmsford Park and Ride ADL/Enviro 200 MMCs were being used on Staff Shuttles at Colchester. 67190/91 (SN66 WKL/M). 67196 (SN66 WKT) was on Chelmsford Staff Shuttles by mid June. Non pcv Dart SLF/Caetano 41521 (LK03 UEY) is also being used as a staff bus at CF.
B7RLEs 66810/28 then went on loan from CR to BN. 66828 was back at CR by 23/6/20.
All of the Tridents at CR appear withdrawn. However, some Tridents at BN and HH appear to be in use. (Via ‘Bus Times.org’).
Odd sightings:
4/6/20: B7TL/Gemini 37004 on 175; B7TL/Gemini 32547 on 65; B7TL/Gemini 37062 (YJ06 XMP) on 67; Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 65; X30 ADL/E200 MMC 66167 (YY66 PBV) on 71. 5/6/20: Route 62 B9TL 37133 on 75. 6/6/20: X10 E200 MMC 67162 on 29; Volvo 7900H 69917 on 8. 7/6/20: R62 B9TL 37139 on 61. 9/6/20: R62 B9TL 37138 on 21; R62 37139 on 61. 11/6/20: B7TL/Geminis 37006/7 on 64/A; StreetLite 63332 on 70. 13/6/20: X10 67160 on 100; 69907 on 25; 69909 on 8. 14/6/20: R62 37133 on 2A. 16/6/20: B7TL/Gemini 37062 on 64. 18/6/20: B7TL/Gemini 37015 on 64; R62 37133 on 64A. 20/6/20: B7RLEs 66821/23 on 100. 21/6/20: B7TL/ALX400 32485 on 67B. 23/6/20: R62 37134/36 on 61; R62 37238 on 2A. 23/6/20: R62 37134/36 on 61; R62 37138 on 2A; 24/6/20: SLF/MPD 43846 on 71A; 69517 on 100. 25/6/17: R62 37133 on 61; R62 37138 on 2A. 27/6/20: R62 37133/38 on 61. 28/6/20; R62 37133 on 61. 29/6/20: Trident 33080 towed away from CR to Ensign; R62 37134/39 on 61; ADL/E200 MMC 44661 on 70. 30/6/20: R62 37133/34 on 61.

Above: 32547 in Halstead on 5/6/20. (Simon Austin).

Above: Volvo B7TL/Gemini 37017 unusually taking route 1A along Heath Road, Lexden, Colchester on the evening of 5/6/20, due to Ambrose Avenue being closed for water works. First runs the 1A evenings, Sundays and public holidays. (James Cole).

Above: As previously reported, the Chelmsford Park and Ride ADL/Enviro 200 MMCs 67189-97 have been returned to service ex lockdown storage. Most are at Hadleigh. 67197 was on London Road, Westcliff on 6/6/20. (John Podgorski).

Above: 67190 on Colchester Staff Shuttle at St Botholphs on 8/6/20. 67191 is also on this work at CR. (Sonny Milton).

The site of the old Prittlewell depot in Southend, has been redeveloped as 2 blocks of flats called ‘Prospects’.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: 86632 leads 86607 at Chitts Hill, near Colchester on an “up” intermodal. (James Cole).

1/6/20: Class 86s active – 86604/05/07/08/09/12/14/14/22/28/32/37/38/39.
2/6/20: 66415 failed at Stowmarket on FLX bound 4L87 and rescued by 66558 ‘You Are Never Alone’. 66561 on 4L89 instead of 2 X 86s. 66618 unusually on 4L36 Wentloog-FLX. 86632/12 on 4l75 FLX-Trafford.
3, 4/6/20: 66513 on 4E24 Leeds-London Gateway and return.
5/6/20: 90041/45 on 4L75 Trafford-FLX.
6/6/20: 86614/37 on 4L93 Crewe-FLX. 86632/08 on Trafford-FLX.
8/6/20: 59202 at Bow. 65520 on Acton-Chelmsford. 65543 on Acton-Harlow Mill. 66606 at Dagenham Dock. 86608/14/28/32/37/39 at Ipswich.
9/6/20: 66522 on Wentloog-FLX. 66566 on 6V12 Chelmsford-XActon stone. 66594 on Ipswich-Lindsay tanks and return. 86607/38 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 86614/37 on 4L97. 86638/07 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX.
11/6/20: 66537 on 4L36 Wentloog-FLX. 86637/14 on 4M87.
15/6/20: 86639/28 on 4S88 FLX-Coatbridge.
16/6/20: 66556/97 on 4E23 Ipswich-Leeds. 86604/13 on 4L97 Crewe-Ipswich. 86607/32 on 4M45 Ipswich-Garston. 86608/37 on 4L75 Crewe-Ipswich. 86609/22 on 4L89 Crewe-Ipswich.
17/6/20: 66540 on Acton-Chelmsford stone. 90042/49 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX.
19/6/20: 66541/68 on 4E23 Ipswich-Leeds. 66566 on Acton-Chelmsford stone.
22/6/20: 66534 on 4M81. 66594/603 on 4L87 Leeds-FLX. 66597 at Harwich International. 86607/14/32/38 on 4L91s. 86637/39 on 4L89.
23/6/20: 66549 on 4L32 Wentloog-FLX. 86637/39 on 4L89.
24/6/20: 66533 on 7L54 Acton-Harlow Mill. 86607/32 on 4S88. 86608/09 on 4M45. 86613/22 on 4L89 then 4M87. 86637/39 on 4L91.
26//6/20: 86622/13 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 86632/07 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 86638/14/28 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX.
29/6/20: 66550 on 4M81 FLX-Crewe. 66557 6Y92 Needham Market-Whitemoor via Parkeston.
30/6/20: Orange 66415 on 4L92 Ditton-FLX. Orange 66503 on 4L75 Trafford-FLX. 66592 on Ipswich-Lindsay tanks. 86609/07 + 66588/58 on 4L91. 86632/08 on 4L89.

GBRf.

Above: GBRf ex DBS 66781 at Chitts Hill, near Colchester on an “up” intermodal. (James Cole).

1/6/20: 20007/205 on 0Z20 Peterborough to Romford then 6X20 Romford-Derby. 66714 on Doncaster-FLX. 66731 ‘Capt Tom Moore’ on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66744/48 Romford to Peterborough upon completion of milling machine duties. 66749 Shenfield Thunderbird. 2/6/20: 66714 on FLX-Doncaster. 66731 on 4M29. 66752 on Masboro-FLX. 66761 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks but failed at Ipswich and rescued by FL 66561. 66779 on 4L47 Hams Hall-London Gateway. 66781 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX. 66787 on FLX-Masboro. 66789 on 6L37.
3/6/20: 66714 on FLX-Doncaster. 66724 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66731 on FLX-Birch Coppice. 66735 on 6L37. 66737 tnt 66777 on 6T61 Whitemoor-East Ham engineers and 6T71 return. 66780 Whitemoor to Parkeston Quay and back with failed 66761. 66785/86 on 6T72 Whitemoor-Mountnessing Junction.
4/6/20: 66748 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
5/6/20: 66749 on 0Z22 Shenfield-Peterborough light loco.
8/6/20: 66701/62 on Peterborough-FLX light loco. 66701 on N Walsham Harwich tanks. 66714 on 4Z35 Doncaster-FLX. 66762 on 4L29 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66777 on Peterborough-Shenfield light loco for Shenfield Thunderbird. 66786 on 4L23 Hams Hall-FLX.
9/6/20: 66708 on 4M01 FLX-Hams Hall. 66714 on 4Z35 Doncaster-FLX. 66724 on Hams Hall-FLX. 66762 on 4L29. 66784 on 4E86 FLX-Masboro. 66786 on 4M23 and 4L23 return.
10/6/20: 66708 on 4M01 FLX-Hams Hall. 66714 on 4Z35 Doncaster-FLX. 66760 on 4E86 FLX-Masboro. 66762 on 4L29.
11/6/20: 66701 on 0P32 N Walsham-Ipswich light loco. 66708 on 4M23. 66714 on 4Z35. 66724 on 4M01 FLX-Hams Hall. 66760 on 4E86 FLX-Masboro. 66762 on 4L29. 66777 on Shenfield-Peterborough 0Z22 ligt loco. 66786 on Hams Hall-FLX.
12/6/20: 66760 on 4E86. 66762 on FLX-Birch Coppice. 66786 on 4M01.
13/6/20: 66701 on Hams Hall-FLX. 66779 on Hams Hall-London Gateway.
14/6/20: 73964/64 on 2Z08/2Q08 from Tonbridge on GE section to Ipswich – via included Romford-Upminster and as far as Felixstowe !; used due to NR DMU 950001 not available.
15/6/20: 66708 on 4M23. 66717 on 4L18 Trafford-FLX.
17/6/20: 66731 on 6L90 Tonbridge-Bow and 6O60 Bow-Grain.
18/6/20: 66701 on Hams Hall-FLX. 66751 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66762 on FLX-EM Gateway. 66784 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
20/6/20: 66708 on FLX-N Walsham light loco. 66731 on 6L90 Tonbridge-Bow and 6O60 return.
22/6/20: 66708/11/59/87 at Felixstowe. 66710 on 4L14. 66712 tnt 66746 on 4L33 PBO-FLX. 66712 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66722 running light loco from Whitemoor to Cambridge: then to Enfield Town, Liv St, Hertford East, Stansted Airport and back to Whitemoor. 66739 on 4Z81.
24/6/20: 66731 at Bow yard. 66736 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66753 on 0L37 Hoo-Whitemoor light loco. 66760 on 6L92 Grain-Harlow Mill, then on 6M14 to Bardon Hill.
25/6/20: 66736/17 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66780 on 0P32 FLX-N Walsham light loco.
26/6/20: Green 66779 ‘Evening Star’ on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66780 on Parkeston Quay-Peterborough light loco.
29/6/20: 66711 on 4E21 FLX-Doncaster. 66722 on 4L43 PBO-FLX. 66727/50 on 0L33 Peterborough-Ipswich light loco. 66727 then on 4M29. 66779 on 4M23.
30/6/20: 66722 on 4L43. 66779 on 4M23. 66787 on 4E20.

Above: 66779 at Marks Tey on 26/6/20. (James Cole).

GREATER ANGLIA.

Depots, traction and routes:

2/6/20: 720511 on 5Q02 Ilford-Southend Vic test.
4/6/20: 755411 on 2W06 Harwich-Cambridge failed at Manningtree and towed to Norwich by ROG 47812.
5/6/20: 745001 ran from Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport and return as 5Q92 and 1B23; starting and finishing at Orient Way as 5Q21/5Q24.
6/6/20: 755403 on 5Q55 Norwich-Liverpool Street electric test run. 745001, 745109, 755407/09 at Orient Way.
7/6/20: 360105 towed Ilford-Northampton as 7Q60 by ROG 47749/27.
8/6/20: 317339 dragged Ilford-Kilmarnock by ROG 37884 as 5Q08.
9/6/20: 317348 dragged Kilmarnock-Ilford by ROG 37884. 720511 on London-Southend test. 317343, 514, 649/52/59/65, 884/85 at Ilford depot. 720515 on 5Q08 Shenfield-Southend Vic test. 745001 on 5Q01 Orient Way-Liverpool St then 5Q02 Liv St-Norwich test.
11/6/20: 720517 delivered Derby to Ilford between 47749 and 47727 as 5Q20.
12/6/20: 720509 on 5Q82 Liv St-Hertford East test and 5Q83 return,the 5Q84 to Orient Way, then 5Q85 back to Southend Vic. 720511 on 5Q04 on Southend Vic line test run. 745104 on 5Q24 Liv St-Norwich test.
14/6/20: 755403 on 5Q71 NOR-Liv St test and 5Q72 return.
15/6/20: 360 returned to Ilford from Northampton after 110 mph mods.
18/6/20: 720511/15 on 5Q12 Shenfield-Southend Vic test.720536 delivered between 47739/49 as 5Q20.
19/6/20: 317886 towed Ilford-Kilmarnock by ROG 37800. 745010 on 5Q92 Liv St-Norwich test/training.
20/6/20: 317340 behind ROG 37800 on 5Q50 Kilmarnock-Ilford. 360105 Northampton-Ilford returned between GBRf 47739/49 as 5Q60.
22/6/20: 720736/717 on 5Q12 Shenfield-Southend Vic test.
23/6/20: 720511/15 on Southend Vic line 5Q02-18 test diagrams. 720536/17 on 5Q24 Liv St-Colchester test.
24/6/20: 720511/15 on Southend Vic line tests again. 720536/17 on 5Q36 Ilford-Ipswich test.
25/6/20: 720511/15 on 5Q02-19 Southend Vic line test runs. 720536/17 on 5Q22-27 Ilford-Witham/Colchester test runs.
29/6/20: 317339 towed Kilmarnock-Ilford by ROG 37800.720515/11 on Southend Vic line tests.

HARRIS, GRAYS.
The old travel shop in Grays is these days a Haart estate agents.
While the old depot at West Thurrock is a MAN agent.

(John Podgorski).

HCT.
From 6/6/20, TfL20 (Walthamstow-Debden) reverted to double deck, and D6, W13 reverted to mainly single deck.

HEDINGHAM.
The 60th anniversary was celebrated on 4/6/20. A commemorative video appeared on the company website  – http://www.hedingham.co.uk.
From 1/6/20, Clacton routes 4, 5, 6, 74 and X76 were increased in frequency, following the Coronavirus cuts. From the same date 2 duties were transferred from HD to KN. HD D2903/2904 became KN D3908/3909 (82/83 and 63/50 respectively).
B7TL/Geminis 520/24/25/28 and Omnidekkas 813/15/17/19 are back in use ex SORNED/Reserve.
Scania Omnilink 456 (AN61 BUS) and Omnicity ‘decker 851 (AO57 EZL) are in the new fleet livery, ex Anglian yellow/blue.
Omnilink 457 has moved over from Chambers.
Omnidekka movements:
8/6/20: 801/10 – KN-Chambers; 811/14 – Chambers-KN. 10/6/20: 810 – Chambers-KN. 15/6/20: 807 – Chambers-KN; 814 – KN-Chambers. 17/6/20: 807 – KN-Chambers; 814 – Chambers-KN. 26/6/20: 808 – Chambers-KN; 810 – KN-Chambers.
Other interesting sightings:
1/6/20: Volvo B7TL/Gemini 514 – HD-KN.
4/6/20: Open topper B7TL/President 500 (PL51 LDJ) brought out of hibernation from KN, but put back on 15/6/20.
12/6/20: 511 – KN-HD; 512 – HD-KN.
24/6/20: 520 – KN-HD-CN; 525 – KN-CN.

Above: Freshly repainted Omnicity 851 at Kelvedon on 25/6/20. (Jeff Coward).

The old Norfolk’s garage at Mill Street, Nayland has been demolished. Hedingham bought Norfolk’s back in 1991, and moved the business to the (then) new depot at Sudbury in 1994.

IPSWICH BUSES.
The Scania Omnicity ‘deckers returned to service during June.
ADL/E200 77 (KX59 GNY) has been SORNED.
Odd sightings:
2/6/20: ADL/E200 81 on 93.
4/6/20:
ADL/E200 107 (SN16 WCL) on 93.
9/6/20:
ADL/E200s 82 (YX63 LGF), 105 (SN16 WCJ) on 93.
12/6/20:
ADL/E200 79 (YX63 ZVW) on 93.
16/6/20:
ADL/E200 103 (SN 16 OGJ) on 93.
17/6/20:
103 on 93.
18/6/20:
ADL/E200s 103, 108 (SN66 WCM) on 93.
23/6/20:
82 on 93.
25/6/20:
81, 82 on 93.
29/6/20:
105 on 93.

Above: 105 at St Johns Street, Colchester on 27/6/20. (Daniel Pretty).

KINGS TOURS, STANWAY.
By the start of June, the depot had been temporarily fenced off.

(John Podgorski).

L and R TRANSPORT, BASILDON. Ford Transit A16 LNR has been reregistered back to GK55 NFY and been sold.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER. Acquired is former Crimson Tours, St Ives, Cornwall Bedford SB3/Duple Super Vega 675 OCV later Birds of Hunstanton. It came from Lewis Coaches of Henstridge in Somerset. Ex Fowlers of Holbeach Bedford VAM5/Duple Bella Vega DJL126D was found to be beyond economic restoration as is to be used for spares instead. Ex Grange Bedford VAM3/Duple HDL 255E will be restored instead.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
TfL67 (Wood Green-Dalston Junction), TfL106 (Whitechapel-Finsbury Park) were gained from Arriva London North from 6/6/20. From the same date, TfL191 (Brimsdown-Edmonton Green) passed to Arriva London North. These had been put back from April 25th due to Coronavirus.
From 20/6/20, TfL230 (Walthamstow-Wood Green) was gained from Arriva London North.
New for the 106 and also on TfL212 are more E400evs. Ee17 (LF20 XLT), Ee18 (LF20 XLU), Ee19 (LF20 XLV), Ee20 (LF20 XLW), Ee21 (LF20 XLX), Ee22 (LF20 XLY), Ee23 (LF20 XLZ), Ee24 (LF20 XMA), Ee25 (LF20 XMB), Ee26 (LF20 XMC), Ee27 (LF20 XMD), Ee28 (LF20 XME), Ee29 (LF20 XMG), Ee31 (LF20 XMJ), Ee32 (LF20 XMK), Ee33 (LF20 XML), Ee34 (LF20 XMM), Ee35 (LF20 XMO), Ee36 (LF20 XMP), Ee37 (LF20 XMR), Ee38 (LF20 XNG), Ee39 (LF20 XNJ).
New on 444 are E200evs Ee121 (LF20 XND) SEe122 (LF20 XNE).
The 106 is initially using a mix of Ees, DWs and HAs.
Other new E400evs: Ee40 (LF20 XNK) on 230. Ee41 (LF20 XNL) seen on 357. Ee42 (LF20 XNM), Ee 43 (LF20 XNN) – on 357, Ee44 (LF20 XNO) – on 357, Ee45 (LF20 XNP) – on 357.
The 67 is using LTs. Some existing and some transferred in. “Foreign” LTs are 173, 231/32/34/35 – ex Arriva, and LT497-500.
Metroline Optare Metrocity EV OME2678 was on loan during June, for comparative trials alongside the Ees on 212. BYD ADL/Enviro 400ev demonstrator LF69 UXJ, moved on to Metroline.
EN Class ex First ADL/Enviro 400s were made surplus by the loss of TfL191. EN10 has transferred to London General at Sutton.
15 staff have been on loan from Go-North East to help cover the latest TfL contracts.

LONDON OVERGROUND.

Crew depots, traction and routes:

As for the other 4 they all sign Richmond/Clapham Junction to Stratford. Euston, Watford and I think the higher links at Willesden sign Euston – Watford. I think it’s only Willesden and possibly Stratford that sign Gospel Oak – Barking, although they all sign 710s (again, except possibly Stratford, which is v. small).

315805/07/11/15/17 on Romford-Upminster during June.
Active Class 315s seen on 5/6/20: 315801//2/3/5/7/8/11/10/15/17/27. Active Class 710s: 710102/7/17/19/20/23/24/29.
315817/36 are now withdrawn.

M&M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD.
Has ex Blackpool Transport Trident/EL PN04 XDK.

(Mark Hough).

MISCELLANEOUS.

Above: There is an ex Stagecoach Volvo Olympian/Alexander now a static snack bar at Tunnel Estate, West Thurrock. Seen on 20/6/20. (John Podgorski).

MTR ELIZABETH LINE.

Elizabeth Line (East): Crew depots, traction and routes:

Ilford

315 / 345 (reduced length)/some also sign 317s (or did)
Liverpool Street to Shenfield
Some sign Romford to Upminster
One link signs all Ilford depot including the paint shops
A handful have learnt Paddington to Hayes

Gidea Park

315 / 345 (reduced length)
Liverpool Street to Shenfield
A handful have learnt Paddington to Hayes

Shenfield

315/345 (full and reduced length)
Liverpool Street to Shenfield
Paddington to Heathrow

The Ilford and Gidea Park drivers who sign the West will start learning the full length units once training restarts so they can drive those on route retention jobs.

9/6/20: 315829/39 on 2W77 Shenfield-Liverpool St off peak. 315830/24 stabled in Ilford New Sidings. 315851/54 on 2W66 Liverpool St-Shenfield off peak.
11/6/20: 315830/24 on 2W99 Shenfield-Liv St.315834/53 on 2W88 Liv St-Shenfield.
14/6/20: 315824/30, 315826/56 stabled at Gidea Park.
17/6/20: 345052 IL-OC behind ROG 37884.
22/6/20: 345006 IL-OC behind 37884.

NATIONAL EXPRESS. New for Stansted Airport are Mercedes Citaro 0295 “midibuses” 1708-1713 (BN20 MYX-Z, MZD-F) and Mb Citaro bendybuses 603306053 ((BN20 MXY/Z, MYA-D/F-H/J-M/O/P/R-W). They replaced older Citaros and ADL/Enviro 200s.

NETWORK RAIL.
15/6/20: 43013 tnt 43062 with 977995, 975814, 977993, 977994975984 1Z08 on Derby-Cambridge.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
From 8/6/20, Brentwood routes 21 (Brentwood-Ongar), 31 (Pilgrims Hatch-Warley), 81 (Hutton Circular) restarted after lockdown suspension.
Later, route 269 (Brentwood-Grays) restarted.

Above: Wright StreetLite 342 at Wickford depot on 6/6/20. (John Podgorski).

PHILIPS, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS. Bova Futura YD02 PXL has passed to Ellenvale Coach Company, Aspatria, Cheshire.

ROG.

Above: 37611 at Chitts Hill, heading towards Colchester on 8/6/20. (James Cole).

1/6/20: ROG 57306 towed GWR 387141 Ilford-Reading as 5Q94.
4/6/20: 47812 Manningtree Thunderbird again.
5/6/20: GWR 387131 dragged Ilford-Oxford.
8/6/20: 37402 on Mannintree-Norwich. 37611 on Norwich-Liverpool Street light loco, then to Colchester, then to Diss to tow failed GA 745106 back to Norwich. 37884 on Leicester-Ilford. 47812 went from Manningtree to rescue failed GA 755411 on Felixstowe branch.
10/6/20: 37610 on 0G10 Norwich-Liverpool St and 0G02 return. 37610 on 0F85 Ashford-Colchester.
11/6/20: 37402 on Norwich-Brent Sidings light loco. 37610 stabled at Colchester. 12/6/20: 37611 on GEML light running Norwich-Liv St-Stansted Airport-Cambridge-Ely-Bury-Norwich.
14/6/20: 37610 on 0Z37 Norwich-Ashford.
15/6/20: 37611 dragged ex GA DVT 82107 from Mid Norfolk Railway to Leicester via GEML.
17/6/20: 37612 on 0C25 Liverpool St-B Stortford light loco.
18/6/20: 37608 on 0G32 Cambridge-Liv St light loco. 37612 on 0F70 B Stortford-Broxbourne/Hertford East route learner.
19/6/20: 37612 on B Sortford-Tonbridge light loco.
21/6/20: 37612 on 0F89 B Storford-Reading light loco.
22/6/20: 37884 on 0L50 to Ilford.
23/6/20: 37069 on Willeden-Norwich light loco via NLL and GEML. 37608 on 0G01 Norwich-Liv St light loco, then to Broxbourne and return as 0G02/0G03 and back to Norwich as 0G04.
24, 25/6/20: 37608 on 0G01 Norwich-Liv St light loco and 0G04 return.
29/6/20: 37608 on 0P37 light loco along GEML. 37611 towing GA 745103 on 5Q50 Norwich-Parkeston.

Above: 37611 and 82107 at Chitts Hill on 15/6/20. (John Podgorski).

REGAL BUSWAYS. Traced to new owners: MAN14.240/Enviro 200 702 (EU10 OJE) and MAN NL273F/Wright 801 (RG09 BUS) – both to Halton of Haydock.

SBC LEISURE, BASILDON.
The Southend originating/terminating Amazon staff shuttles are subbed from Ensignbus.

SOUTH EASTERN TRAINS.

Ashford HS
Traction:
395s
Routes: St Pancras to St Pancras via HS1 to Stratford International, Ebbsfleet, North Kent, Chatham Mainline, Ashford – Ramsgate Line – HS1.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
By the end of June, the X5 Volvo B11RT/Plaxton Elites had gone from store at Cowley Road depot.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
From 1/6/20, TfL256 (Noak Hill-Hornchurch) went over to mostly double deck.
From 20/6/20, phased electric conversion of TfL323. The new buses for this had arrived in March.
Megasighteeing ADL/Enviro 400s ‘Queen Elizabeth II’ and ‘Queen Victoria’ have been used as crew ferries/meal reliefs at Barking. ‘Lord Nelson’ has been similarly used at North Street, Romford.
The SORNED ADL/Enviro E40Ds at Leyton are returning to service.
Some drivers are on loan from Stagecoach Cambus.

Above: Queen Elizabeth II at Barking on 20/6/20. (John Podgorski).

STEPHENSONS:

Above: 481 at the Columbine Centre, Walton on 5/6/20. (Simon Austin).

ADL/E200 425 (MX62 APK) to Great Bromley outstation by 4/6/20. Also there was Blackwater Link E200 481 (EU66 AVG). 422, 464 back to Boreham. By 12/6/29: 481 Gt Bromley-Boreham in exchange for 467 (SN66 WKF). 467 returned to Boreham by 25/6/20.
By end of June, Bury oustation had gone up from 1 to 2 buses.

SULLIVAN BUSES.
From 1/6/20, route 306 returned to a near normal schedule.

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD. Irizar i6s BB18 WEB and CC18 WEB have passed to Solus, Tamworth (as dealer).

TOWER TRANSIT.
Sold to Ensign were Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis BJ11 DSO/V, DTY, DVH/K/U; Wright StreetLites SN64 CVF/R.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
Has Optare Solo YK05 CDO – via Ensign.

UNO.
From 1/6/20, routes 601, 602, 341/641, 614, 635, 653 returned to nearer normal schedules.

With thanks to: Anglia Gen, S Austin, C Baines, J Cole, J Coward, P Horrex, M Hough, S Milton, D Pretty.