Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the September 2020 edition of Busmopolitan.

The return of the schools has seen extra routes and duplicate buses drafted in for social distancing. On the railways, it has been announced that the passenger TOC franchising model will be discontinued, in favour of a new contract based system.

A2B, CAMBRIDGE. Has ex Metroline ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BFU – via Ensign.

AMI COACHES, ILFORD. For the 2020/2021 academic year, 3 coaches are contracted to King Edward School in Chelmsford.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE COLCHESTER. Dart SLF/Pointer 3420 (AY54 FRC) is back in use, ex SORNED at Southend.  Park and Ride ADL/Enviro 200s 4072/73 (SK15 GXS/T) are on loan to Southend. Odd sightings: 7/9/20: R133 4323 on 2. 8/9/20: 1558 on 8; 4224 on 2. 9/9/20: 1558 on 8; 1563 on 8; 4224 on 1. 10/9/20: 1565 on 8; R133 4324 on 8. 14/9/20: 1558/59 on 8. 16/9/20: 4224 on 1. 17/9/20; 1563 on 8; R133 4323 on 1. 28/9/20: 4224 on 1.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE HARLOW.

Above: Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipse 3826 (GN07 AVP) is now at Harlow. This much travelled bus had previously been at Southend, Colchester and originally Northfleet. It was pictured in Chelmsford on 26/9/20. (Simon Austin).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE SOUTHEND. From 28/9/20, the following duplicates were provided: M&M Neoplan MM68 BUS on 1 1534 Shoebury-Rayleigh.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH. During September, New Routemaster LT183 was at Enfield for staff training. This was in advance of LTs appearing on TfL313 (Chingford-Potters Bar) from October. It was replaced by LT220 at the end of September.

AVANTI WEST COAST. 4/9/20: 222113 on Barton-Ilford ECS. 18/9/20; 221109 on Ilford-Barton ECS.

BLUE TRIANGLE. Transferred from within GA London were Volvo B5H/Wright Geminis WHV60-69 (BP15 OMD, BF65 WJD/E/C/K/N/M/J/V/U)and Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL205. Acquired Abellio ADL/E200 SEN44 (YX16 OAV) is here ex London Central. This is part of a larger batch spread across Go-Ahead London.

CHAMBERS. Optare Solo 911 (SF04 SKE) has been returned to Hedingham. Scania Omnidekka 804 (YN55 PZF) has received fleet livery, ex Anglian.

COLAS. 2/9/20: 37099 on 3Q61 on Cambridge-Ferme Park via Chingford and Southend Victoria test train. 37099 on 3Q70 Ferme Park-Colchester test train. 37218 on RHTT to Stowmarket. 3/9/20: 37099 + 9701 on 3Q69 Colchester-Norwich-Harwich-Manningtree test train. 4/9/20: 37099 + 9701 on 3Z69 Manningtree-Cambridge, then 3Z66 Cambridge-Colchester, then 3Q66 Colchester to Derby via Felixstowe and London Liverpool Street. 14-15/9/20: 37219 tnt 37254 on 1Q90 Deby-Ferme Park via Harlow Town. 16/9/20: 37254 tnt 37219 on Ferme Park-Cambridge via Liv St, Harwich Town, Clacton. 23/9/20; 37254 tnt 97304 on 3Q72 Norwich-Colchester via Yarmouth and Lowestoft. 24/9/20: 97304 tnt 37254 on 3Q71 Colchester-Norwich via Cambridge, Lowestoft.

COLCHESTER BOROUGH TRANSPORT.

Above: The commemorative crest and plaque to remember the old Colchester Corporation/Borough Transport depot on Magdalen Street. The crest was recovered from one of the old buildings. This was redeveloped as flats between 2018 and 2020. These images were taken on 16/9/20. (John Podgorski),

COLCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL. For the 2020/2021 academic year, east London operators AJK Coaches of Ilford & Leyton, Goldline of Leytonstone & Manor Park are contracted to run into Colchester.

Above: Goldline Mercedes 816D/Turas YN16 BMY at Colchester on 4/9/20. (John Podgorski).

COLCHESTER ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL. For the 2020/2021 academic year, Z Coaches London of Barking is contracted to run into Colchester. Beestons of Hadleigh, Suffolk continues to serve this school, also.

Above: Z Coaches Mercedes Sprinter BSZ 3739 at Colchester on 4/9/20. (John Podgorski).

DBS. 1/9/20: 66117 on Felixstowe-EM Gateway. 66154 on 6L12 Wembley-Bow. 2/9/20: 66005 on 6L69 Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 66019 on 6O79 Marks Tey-Crawley RMC sand train. 66175 ‘Rail Riders’ on 6V07 Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden. 8/9/20: 59102 on Acton-Chelmsford. 66162 on 4L45 Wakefield-Felixstowe. 9/9/20: 66118 on 6V07 Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden. 16/9/20: 59101 on Acton-Chelmsford and 6V12 return. 66110 on 6V07 Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden. 19/9/20: 66005 on 4M79. 23/9/20: 66117 on FLX-EM Gateway. 66177 on Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden. 24/9/20: 59201 on 6/30/6V12 Acton-Chelmsford-Acton. 66009 on 6L69 Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 66187 on 6L38 Hither Green-Marks Tey sand. 25/9/20: 59004 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton. 66125 on Heck-Bow Plasmor. 26/9/20: 66121 on 4M79 FLX-EM Gateway. 30/9/20: 66006 on 6L07 Acton-Ipswich Griffin Wharf. 66083 on 6L74 Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill and 4M21 return.

DOCKLANDS BUSES. Withdrawn are Scania Omnicity ‘deckers 968-970 (YT59 DYO/P/S).

DON’S, DUNMOW.

(Alex Hazell).

From Lodge, High Easter are Dennis Trident/ELS T273/74 /77 BPR, V428 DRA. Withdrawn are Leyland Olympian/Alexander RLs H816 CBP, J623 GCR. The following have been named: ADL/Enviro 200 DK60 AHO – Toby; Trident/ELs T273 BPR – The Old Faithful, T277 BPR – Lady Dorothy; Leyland Olympian H816 CBP from Lady Sarah to Lady Beryl; Scania Omnidekka YN08 MLF – Lady Sarah.

DRS.

Above: 37059 leads 66427 “up” through Colchester on the 3S60 RHTT on 25/9/20. (James Cole).

3/9/20: 66303/04/ 427 on 0Z66 Crewe-Stowmarket light loco move for GA RHTT ? 4/9/20: 57002 on 0Z02 Norwich-Willesden light loco. 23/9/20: 66427 tnt 37716 on 3S60 Stowmarket-Southend Vic RHTT and return. 88001 on 6L48 Garston-Dagenham Dock car transporters. 24/9/20: 37716 on 0Z16 Stowmarket-Willesden light loco. 25/9/20: 37069 + 66426 on 0Z95 Willesden-Stowmarket light loco via GEML. 66427 tnt 37059 on 3S60 RHTT on Stowmarket-Wickford-Southend Vic and return RHTT. 28/9/20: 37059 tnt 37069 on 3S60 RHTT. 30/9/20: 37401 tnt 37218 on 3S60.

Above: 37401 with 37218 on 3S60 “up” at Chitts Hill on 30/9/20. (James Cole).

DOCKLANDS BUSES. Acquired from Abellio London (for school extras) are ADL/Enviro 200s SEN53, 54 (YX16 NZZ, YX16 OAA), SEN56, 57 (YX16 NZW/S). These are part of a larger batch spread across Go-Ahead London.

ENSIGNBUS. Has ex Metroline ADL/Enviro 400s 970-975 (LK58 KGJ/O, KHG/H/O/R). They are for TfL schools extras working with Blue Triangle. On hire to Yellow Buses, Bournemouth are ADL/Enviro 200s 714-716 (YN62 AOH, MX63 ARF, YX60 EOR). Southend seafront route 68 finished for the season on 20/9/20. A visit on 27/9/20, found ADL/Enviro 200s 712/19 (PX12 BSY, SK15 HBB), withdrawn at the depot and 702 (PX61 AYA) withdrawn in the sub yard.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 971 at Gants Hill on 2/9/20. (Malcolm Conway).

Above: Ex Ensignbus 709 (SN11 FFM), an ADL/Enviro 200, is now with Simonds of Diss, Norfolk. It was pictured at Old Cattle Market, Ipswich on 11/9/20. (Simon Austin).

EMPRESS OF LONDON.

Above: The old Cambridge Heath depot has disappeared under a new development of flats called Empress Works. Seen on 5/9/20. (John Podgorski).

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH). A new series of rural services has been launched.

Above: Ex First Essex ADL/Enviro 200 44518 (YX09 ACZ), on route 59 to Rushmere at Old Cattle Market, Ipswich on 11/9/20. (Simon Austin).

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37005 (WX55 VHO), has become the dedicated bus for 67C (West Mersea-Colchester Norman Way), which is now for school students only. Seen at Osborne Street, Colchester on 7/9/20. (Sonny Milton).

Acquired from First South Yorkshire is Volvo B7RLE/Wright 69024 (SF55 UAS) – at Chelmsford (CF), and ex First Leicester are Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66970/71 (KX05 MJV/Y) – at Colchester (CR). ADL/Enviro 200 44005 (LK57 EJJ), has moved from Hadleigh (HH) to Chelmsford (CF) – the second time in 6 months. ADL/E200MMCs 65165/66 (YY66 PBO/U) have been loaned by CF to BN. For social distancing, Volvo B7TL/ALX400s 32562/67 (WU02 KVE/H) and B7TL/Gemini 37005 (WX55 VHO) are dedicated school buses at Colchester for 17 bus 1 and bus 2 (West Bergholt-Stanway School) and 67C (West Mersea-Norman Way Schools) respectively. Some ex Tower Transit Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis have been borrowed from Ensign for schools in the Basildon and Southend areas – 36141 (BJ11 EBP), 36143 9BJ11 EAF), 36148 (BJ11 EAW), 36153 (BJ11 DVX), 36156 (BJ11 DZY), 36161 (BJ11 EBA). All are at HH, bar 36148/53 which are at BN. The new school term saw route 67 and 75 interwork on Saturdays only. In early September, an extra bus was trialled short term on the 174/175 serving TLA School in Colchester, but was not pursued. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 32673 (SN55 HFA) entered service at CR in late September, having been VOR since acquisition in February. It retains blue livery, like sister 32669 9SN55 HDZ0 . B7TL/Gemini 37062 (YJ06 XMP) now has a super rear advert for Unite the Union. Ex CR Trident/Presidents 33088 (LN51 GMU), 33178 (LR02 LYX) have moved to BN. ADL/Enviro 300 VX54 MRU has been resold via Ensign to Picture Vehicle Co, Pinewood Studios. Dart SLF/Pointer WX05 RVF was resold by Ensign to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap.

Above: Dart SLF/Caetano 41521, on Staff Shuttle at St Botholphs Circus, Colchester on 3/9/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: 44005 at Lexden Village, Colchester on Sunday, 6/9/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Odd sightings: 1/9/20: R62 B9TLs 37133/34 on 65; R62 37136 on 61; R62 37139 on 65. 2/9/20: B7TL 32485 on 174; X30 Scanias 37839/41 on 70; R62 37133/34 on 61. 3/9/20: R62 37133/36/38 on 61. 5/9/20: R62 37134 on 88/A; R62 37138/39 on on 61. 7/9/20: B7TLs 32628 on 103; 37007 on 104. 8/9/20: B7TLs 32087 on 102; 37010 on 64; 37034 on 103; R62 B9TL 37134 on 65.9/9/20: B7TL 32087 on 102; 32477 on 64; X30 Scania N280UDs 36839 on 70; 36841 on 42; B7TLs 37004 on 103; 37015 on 102. 10/9/20: B7TL 32478 on 64A; X30 Scania 36839 on 70; B7TLs 37010 on 174; 37016 on 103; R62 B9TL 37133 on 174. 11/9/20: B7TL 32477 on 174; X30 Scania 36838 on 70; B7TL 37004 on 103; 37006 on 174. 12/9/20: B7TL 32477 on 64A; B9TL 37140 on 64. 13/9/20; X10 67164 on 100. 14/9/20: Airlink 36838 on 70; X10 67160 on 8; X10 67161 on 5; X10 67164 on 8A. 15/9/20; 32476 on 64A; 32547 on 103; Airlink 36838 on 70; 37004 on 102; R62 37139 on 70; X10 67160 on 16; X10 67162 on 100; Airlin k67163 on 25; X10 67164 on 8A. 16/9/20: 32547 on 64A; 37017 on 102; 37027 on 103; X10 67160 on 94A; X10 67161 on 8; X10 67162 on 8A;X10 67164 on 25. 17/9/20: 32629 on 104; Airlink 36839 on 70; 37006 on 175 amn; 37037 on 64A; 37053 on 64; Dart SLF/Pointer 42935 (SN05 DZS) on 71; X10 67160 /62 on 5; X10 67164 on 8A. 18/9/20: 37004 on 64; 37007 on 104; 37062 on 67; R62 37139 on 61; 37140 on 104; X10 67160 on 5B; X10 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 8A; X10 67164 on 5. 19/9/20; R62 37136 on 61; R62 37139 on 68; Long StreetLite 63166 (SN64 CJJ) on 26; X10 67161 on 5; X10 67162 on 100. 20/9/20; R62 37133/36 on 65/61. X10 67161 /62 on 8. 21/9/20: 37035 on 104; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37136 on 65; short ADL/E200 MMC 44659 (YX66 WBD) on 70; X10 67160 on 5; X10 67162 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 25. 22/9/20: 32478 on 104; 37016 on 174 pm + 67; 37017 on 67; 37037 on 103; 37054 on 102; 37062 on 104; R62 37139 on 61; X10 67160 on 5; X10 67162 on 8A; Airlink 67163 on 8; X10 67164 on 100. 23/9/20: 32477 on 102; 32485 on 103; 32628 on 104; R62 37138 on 74B; X10 67160 on 8; X10 67162 on 25; Airlink 67163 on 8A; X10 67164 on 25. 24/9/20; 32477 on 103; 32629 on 64A; Airlink 36838 (YN69 XXV) on 70; 37005 on 17 pm – usually on 67C; 37010 on 175 am.; 37037 on 103; R62 37134 on 75; R62 37136 on 88; X10 67160 on 5; X10 67162 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 5B; X10 67164 on 5A. 25/9/20: 32476 on 103; 32673 on 65 and bis; Airlink 36839 (YN69 XXW) on 70; R62 37133 on 74B; R62 37134 on 61; R62 37136 on 2A; X10 67162 on 5; Airlink 67163 on 5; X10 67164 on 8A. 26/9/20: R62 37134 on 67 + 75; R62 37139 on 2A; Dart SLF/Pointer 42931 (SN05 EAO) on 71A; X10 67160 on 16; Airlink 67163 on 8A. 27/9/20; Dart SLF/Pointer 42937 (SN05 DZP) on 71C/X; Airlink 67163 on 16. 28/9/20: 32485 on 103; 32628 on 64A; Airlink 36838 on 70; Airlink 36839 on 70 + 71X; 37140 on 175 am; Dart SLF/Pointer 42941 (WX56 OAO) on 71; X10 67160/64 on 5. 29/9/20: 32087 on 175 am; 32629 on 103; Airlink 36842 (YN69 XYC) on 70; 37140 on 104; StreetLite 63335 on 75; X10 67160 on 8A; Airlink 67163 on 5; X10 67164 on 100; ADL/E300 67738 (SN62 AJU) on 75. 30/9/20: 37140 on 174 pm; Dart SLF/Pointers 42922/30 (EU05 AUO, SN05 EAM) on 71; Vo B7RLE/Wrights 66828, 66970 (MX05 CFE, KX05 MJV) on 75.

FLAGFINDERS. Has restarted operations. Tollesbury outstation has closed. In practice it was last used on 20/3/20, when the schools closed prior to the Covid-19 lockdown. Its two buses are now run from Kelvedon depot. The Mersea Island to Thurstable School (Tiptree) run has been reduced to one bus and East Mersea is no longer served.

FORDS, ALTHORNE. Has recommenced school services.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: 86632 + 86613 in Colchester Goods Loop on 19/9/20, on a Trafford Park to Felixstowe service. (John Podgorski).

90006/10 to revenue service, still in Greater Anglia white. 1/9/20: 66537 on 4L57 Birch Coppice-Felixstowe. 66550 on Ipswich-Lindsay tanks. 2/9/20: 66513 on 4E24 London Gateway-Leeds. 66533 on 4L36 Wentlog-FLX. 66538 on 4L75 Trafford-FLX. 66543 on 4M93 FLX-Lawley St. 66550 on 4M63 FLX-Trafford. 66553 on 4L32 FLX-Wentloog. 66554 on 4M88 FLX-Ditton. 66557 on 4L41 Crewe-FLX. 66952 on 4M94 Felixstowe-Lawley Street. 86608/37 on 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe, then 4M87 Felixstowe-Trafford. 86622/07 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 90006/11 to service. 3/9/20: 66562 on 4M94 FLX-Lawley St. 86611/38 + 90011 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 86613/32 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX then 4M87. 86637/08 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 4/9/20: 86622/07 on 4L89. 4/9/20: 86607/22 on 4M87. 86613/32 on 4L91. 5/9/20: 86613/32 on 4L97. 86622/07 on Crewe-FLX. 86639/38 on 4L91. 7/9/20: 86613/32 on 4M87. 8/9/20: 66502 on 4L75 Trafford-FLX.66504 on 4L32. 66513 on 4M94. 9/9/20: 66414 on 4L63. 66504 on 4M63 FLX-Trafford. 66520 on 4L32 Wentlog-FLX. 66526 on 4M94. 66541 on 4L75 Trafford-FLX. 66557 on 4M88 FLX-Ditton. 66598 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 86607/38 on 4L91. 86613/32 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 10/9//20: 86609/08 on 4L91. 86632/13 on 4M87. 11/9/20: 66510 on 4M63 FLX-Trafford. 66513 on 4M88 FLX-Ditton. 66525/48/97 on FLX-Leeds. 66531 on 4S83 London Gateway-Coatbridge. 66534 on 4E24 London Gateway-Leeds. 66545 on 4L41 Crewe-FLX. 66550 on 4L36 Wentloog-FLX. 66556 on on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton. 86613/32 on 4L91. 86622/39 on 4M87. 12/9/20: 86609/08 on 4L93 Crewe-FLX. 86613/32 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 13/9/20: 66524 tnt 66545 on Whitemoor-South Tottenham pw. 14/9/20: 86608/09 on 4M87. 15/9/20: 66562 on 4L78 Tees-FLX. 86604/37 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 86609/08 on 4L91. 16/9/20: 66512 on 4M63. 66517 on 4L36. 66533 on 4M88. 66536 on 4L41. 66558 on 4L78 Tees-FLX. 86604/37 on 4L91. 86609/08 on 4L97. 86622/39 on 4L91 and 4M87 return. 18/9/20: 66413 on 4L78. 66504 on 4M94. 66526 on 4L93 FLX-Lawley St. 66552 on 4L32. 86604/37 on 4L91. 19/9/20: 66416 on Whitemoor-Ipswich engineers. 86609/08 + 86622/39 on 4L93. 66632/13 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 21/9/20: 66534 on 4L78. 66536 on 4M87 in place of 86608/09. 86608/09 on 4M88. 86613/32 on 4R67 Colchester-Ipswich/FLX. 86622/39 on 4S88. 22/9/20: 66552 on 4L78. Pink 66587 on 4L75 Trafford-FLX. 86624/04 on 4L89. 23/9/20: 66548 on FLX-Crewe. 66562 on 4L78. 86604/14 on 4L91. 86622/39 on 4M87. 86639/22 on 4L89. 24/9/20: 66528 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 66536 on 4M63. 66566 on 4L41. Pink 66587 on 4M88. 86614/04 on 4L97. 86632/13 on 4L91. 25/9/20: Orange 66413 on 4M94. 66587 on 4L41 Crewe-FLX. 66602 on 6L80 Tunstead-Marks Tey sand. 29/9/20; 66554 on 4L41. 30/9/20: 66419 on 4L78. 66509 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton. 66561 on 4L78. 66955 on 4L41. 86604/22 on 4L97. 86609/39 on 4L91. 86613/32 on on 4L89.

Above: 66543 approaches Colchester, on a Felixstowe-Lawley Street (Birmingham) intermodal on 2/9/20. (James Cole).

GARDNER, CHELMSFORD. This operator has been reported as being bought by Vectare of Loughborough.

Above: Gardner’s ex Stirling Executive of Paisley Mercedes 0815D/Sitcar SF04 ZLV, at William Hunter Way, Brentwood on 2/9/20. On a new school contract. (Robert Downton).

GBRf.1/9/20: 66716 on Felixstowe-Doncaster. 66719 on Felixstowe-Birch Coppice. 66755 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 2/9/20: 66721 on 0Z30 etc Peterborough-NE London route learners. 66736 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66742 on 0Z70 Whitemoor-London Fields route learner and subsequents. 3/9/20: 66706 on Peterborough-NE London route learners. 66723 on 4L98 Tess Dock-London Gateway and 4E85 return. 66742 on London Fields route learners. 66755 on 6P40 Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 4/9/20: 66721 on 0Z39 Acton Main Line-Liverpool Street route learner. 7/9/20: 66721 on 0Z30-0Z36 Ilford/Temple Mills route learners. 8/9/20: 66749 on Stratford/Temple Mills route learners. 66780 on Hertford East/Enfield Town route learners. 9/9/20: 66703 on 4E20 FLX-Masboro. 66749/80 on 0Z25-0Z28 Enfield Town/Hertford East/Stratford/Temple Mills route learners. 66755 on 4M23.11/9/20: 66709 on Doncaster-FLX. 66768 on 4M23. 12/9/20: 66729 on 6T64 Whitemoor-Stratford-Ipswich engineers. 66729 on identical 6T65. 66789 on 4M23. 14/9/20: 66735 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66782 tnt 66721 on 3S70 Whitemoor to Whitemoor RHTT via West Anglia and C2C lines. 15/9/20: 66749 on 0Z25 Whitemoor-Enfield Town route learner. 16/9/20: 66749 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks with 66735 dit after it failed at Norwich. 66772 on 4M23. 17/9/20: 66725 tnt 66729 on 6S70 Whitemoor-Barking RHTT and return.66758 on NE London route learners. 66749 + 66735 dit on 0A32 N Walsham-Harwich tanks but light loco. 19/9/20: 66716 on 4M26 FLX-Hams Hall. 66780 on 4L70 Hams Hall-Parkeston. 66789 tnt 66781 on 6T63 Whitemoor-Stratford-Ipswich engineers. 21/9/20: 66725 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 23/9/20: 66708/26 Whitemoor-Broxbourne for RHTT. 66759 on Doncaster-FLX. 24/9/20: 66728/29 on 6Z52 Whitemoor-Broxbourne for RHTT. 66761 on 4M23. 26/9/20; Cemex 66780 on 4M26 FLX-Hams Hall. 30/9/20; 66735 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.

Above: 66726 at Chitts Hill on 12/9/29, on 6T64 Whitemoor-Stratford-Ipswich. (James Cole).

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: Ex Northern 321902 at London Liverpool Street on 5/9/20. (John Podgorski).

Some Class 317/6s have gone to Parkeston for storage. 1/9/20: 720508 delivered to Ilford between 47739/49. 745001 on 5M01 Norwich-Orient Way ECS. 745003 on Norwich-Hornsey for tyre turning. 745107/08 on Liv St-Stansteds. 745109 on Hornsey-Norwich ECS. 4/9/20: 720537/38 on Wickford-Southend Vic test. 5/9/20: 360121 on 5Q60 Northampton-Ilford ECS between GBRf 47749/27. 6/9/20: 360120 Ilford-Northampton ECS betwen 47727/49. 7/9/20: 720508 on Ilford-Worksop ECS between GBRf 47727/49 as 5Q20. 8-9/9/20: 720511/17 on 5Q02 Southend Vic-Shenfield training runs. 8/9/20: 745103 Norwich-Hornsey for tyre turning -returned on 9/9/20. 11/9/20: 321903 on 1702 Liv St-Norwich with 2 other ‘321s. 12/9/20: 360120 on 5Q60 Northampton-Ilford between GBRf 47739/27. 13/9/20: 360116 on 5Q60 Ilford-Northampton between 47727/39. 16/9/20: 745106 on 5Q01 Orient Way-Norwich maintenance move. 17/9/20: 317656/61/67 Ilford to Parkeston Quay for storage. 19/9/20; 360116 Northampton-Ilford between GBRf 47727/39. 20/9/20; 360113 Ilford-Northampton between GBRf 47727/39 as 5Q60. 26/9/20: 360113 on 5Q60 Northampton-Ilford between GBRf 47739/27. 27/9/20: 360103 Ilford-Northampton between 47739/27. 28/9/20; 317512/03 Ilford-Kilmarnock behind ROG 57312. 30/9/20: 745110 on 5Q52 Liv St-Norwich test. Just an update for GA Norwich. Will have 720 (future) too. Also looks like the class 08s will remain. Depot drivers at Crown Point sign these.

Above: 317650 at Cambridge Heath on 5/9/20. (John Podgorski).

HACKNEY PLAYBUS. LX54 HAO is an ex Go Ahead London Volvo B7TL/President, supplied via Ensign.

HCT GROUP. On loan from Ensign, for social distancing on schools services is ADL/Enviro 400 DN33792 (SN13 CHD).

HEDINGHAM. 

Above: Newly into service, ex Konect ADL/Enviro 400s 601/02 (SN10 CFE/F) in Pier Avenue, Clacton on 10/9/20. (Simon Austin). 

Above: 602 at Point Clear on 10/9/20. (Alex Law).

From 1/9/20, school term service schedules were reintroduced. This resulted in the transfer of some route 63 duties from Kelvedon back to Clacton. An extra bus was provided on certain school runs for social distancing; , eg Thomas Lord Audley in Colchester (as route TLA3), 19 (Rowhedge-TLA School) and 95A Tollesbury to Plume School in Maldon. The Clacton Breeze open top service ceased for the winter after 6/9/20. Volvo B7TL/President 500 (PL51 LDJ) went to undercover storage at HD on 24/9/20. From 13/9/20, operation of route 21 (Bocking-Braintree-Black Notley – Sundays/holidays) moved from Sible Hedingham (HD) to Kelvedon (KN). The Marks Tey-Honywood school run has become registered bus route 910, running via Copford, Easthorpe, Feering, Kelvedon and back through Feering. Transferred from Konect are ADL/Enviro 400s 601/02 (SN10 CFE/F), which are at Clacton (CN). Scania Omnilink 457 (AU61 AVK) moved from HD to CN and now has Hedingham fleetnames, ex Chambers, but then returned to HD. Sister 460 (YN05 HFF) now has a multi coloured overall advert for Greatest Hits Radio, ex the blue scheme for Dream FM. Optare Solo 911 (SF04 SKE) has been returned from Chambers. Dart SLF/Pointer 259 (EU56 FLP) and Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 291 (EU06 KCX) are additional buses with front “face covering” branding. Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 569 (W484 WGH) has returned to use ex SORNED – one of the last buses to do so. Acquired B7TL/Presidents 586-88 (X584 EGK, PL51 RDU, PJ02 RBY) are located as follows: 586 – CN then KN, 587 – CN VOR then HD, 588 – HD VOR. Omnidekka movements: 4/9/20: 819 – CN-KN. 8/9/20: 811 – Chambers-KN; 813 – KN-Chambers. 9/9/20: 816 – CN-KN.  15/9/20: 813 – Chambers-KN.  28/9/20: 819 – KN-CN. 30/9/20: 811 – KN-Chambers; 813 – Chambers-KN.                                                                                        

Above: Clacton Breeze branding and destination on Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 500, at Pier Avenue on 4/9/20. This finished for the winter on 6/9/20. (Sonny Milton).

Above: In its new Greatest Hits Radio overall advert; Scania Omnilink 460 (YN05 HFF) at Pier Avenue, Clacton on 10/9/20. (Simon Austin).

Hedingham ancillary vehicles: Vauxhall Corsa van 9005 (GY57 LUD) returned to use at CN, having been parked up over the lockdown. Ford Transit van 9001 (EX61 NZV) has been offered for sale as a non runner. Mb Vito MPV 9014 (RJ56 TYK) has moved from CN to HD.

IPSWICH BUSES.

Above: The ADL/Enviro 400MMC demonstrator YX19 ONU, at Ipswich Rail Station on 12/9/20. It was working a rail replacement to/from Stowmarket for Greater Anglia. It is normally used on the 2A Feering-Ipswich Schools. (Simon Austin).

Above: ‘Nacton Nippers’ ADL/Enviro 200 78 (YX14 RWL), on Crown Street on 11/9/20. (Simon Austin).

From 1/9/20, route 3 (Ipswich-Euro Retail Park) was relaunched as ‘Nacton Nippers’, using branded ADL/Enviro 200s 78-80. They are named ‘Nasher’, ‘Nipper’, ‘Naomi’ and ‘Natasha’. From the same date, Suffolk CC routes 118, 119 (Ipswich-Framlingham) were taken over from Galloway of Mendlesham on retender. The Feering-Ipswich Schools “Bus Club” run has been gained from Suffolk Norse and numbered 2A. Double deckers have returned to route 93 (Ipswich-Colchester). The DAF DB250LF/ELs are back in use, ex SORNED. Scania Omnicity ‘decker 46 has been re-registered SGZ 3346 from YN08 MRV. Similar YN08 MRX/Y have come via Ensign. They are 47, 48 and have become SGZ 3347/48. All of these have been repainted at Ipswich and fitted with white led destinations. Another arrival is an ex Thompsons of Framlingham Volvo B7R/Jonckherre coach numbered 1 (SGZ 3351 ex FL02 ZXK) – this is for schools only. The ex Bus Eirean ADL/E200s have received UK registration marks. 71 is LX58 LMO, 72 is LX58 LMM, 76 is LX58 LML. They are named ‘Ciara’, ‘Niamh’ and ‘Siobhan’.

Above: Ex Bus Eirean ADL/E200 71 (LX58 LMO) at Crown Street on 11/9/20. (Simon Austin).

Above: School coach no 1 at Constantine Road depot on 11/9/20. (Simon Austin).

Above: Dart SLF/Super Pointer 137 on school route RC1 at Northern Approach, Colchester on 4/9/20. (James Cole).

KLARNERS, COLCHESTER. The first bus for this fleet is Scania L94UB/Wright Solar Eclipse YJ05 WKE, ex Trustybus at Roydon via Croft, Stockton.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH. Acquired from Abellio London (for school extras) are ADL/Enviro 200s SEN50, 51, 52 (YX16 OAM, YX16 NZU, YX16 OAG). These are part of a larger batch spread across Go-Ahead London. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL205 (LX05 EZA) is reinstated here. The ex route 192 WS Class Wright StreetLite WFs have transferred to Metrobus at Orpington, for new TfL contracts from mid September.

Above: StreetLite WS7 in its new territory at Pickhurst Lane, Hayes on 26/9/20. (John Podgorski).

LONDON OVERGROUND.

Above: 710123 at Stamford Hill on 12/9/20. (John Podgorski).

There have been driver training runs in advance of Class 710s replacing the ‘315s on the Romford-Upminster branch. 710110 completed the deliveries of new Aventra Class 710s. The last 3 pairs to enter service should be 710106/10, 710114/15, 710118/22. 315801/05/10 on Romford-Upminster during September. Withdrawn are 315811/33. 315808/22 to Booths, Rotherham for scrap. 1/9/20: 315803/31 on Northampton-Ilford ECS. 3/9/20: 315803/31 on Ilford to Sims, Newport Docks for scrap. 6/9/20: 315808/22 Northampton-Ilford ECS. 8/9/20; 710261/68 to Chingford and Enfield Town of staff training. 10/9/20: 315822/08 on 5Q55 Ilford-Booths Rotherham for scrap behind ROG 37800. 710101/112 to service. 14/9/20: 710114/115 to service. 17/9/20: 315811/33 withdrawn. 20/9/20: 315801/15 on Liv St-Cheshunts. 24/9/20: 710118 on 5G62 Liv St-Gidea Park driver trainer. 25/9/20: 315833/11 on 5Q30 Ilford-Northampton ECS for storage. 710260/71 WN-IL. 26/9/20: 710118/22 to revenue service. 710130 on 5G62 Liv St-Gidea Park driver trainer. 29/9/20: 710115 on 5G62 Liv St-Gidea Park driver trainer. 710271/60 on Liv St-Cheshunt/Enfield/Chingford. 30/9/20: 710115 on 5G62 Liv St-Gidea Park driver training. 710118/122 on 3T20 Liv St-Chingford driver trainer and return.

Above: 315802 + 811 at Cambridge Heath on 5/9/20. (John Podgorski).

MTR ELIZABETH LINE. 3/9/20: 315818/51 on 2W55 Shenfield-Liv St. 315820/34 on 5C44 Liv St-Gidea Park ECS. 315857/43 on 2W54 Liv St-Shenfield. 8/9/20: 345029 IL-OC behind ROG 37884. 10/9/20: 345020 IL-OC behind ROG 37884. 19/9/20: 315929/56 on part of 2W43 Shenfield-Liv St duty – unusual on a Saturday. 24/9/20; 315818/38, 315819/53, 315820/56 at work.

Above: 345016 at Bishopsgate Low Level on 12/9/20. Seen from London Overground 315830. (John Podgorski).

NETWORK RAIL. 24/9/20: Harsco Rail Grinder DR79277/267 on 669V Romford-Marks Tey move.

NEW HORIZON TRAVEL, FRATING. Has recommenced operations.

NIBS, WICKFORD. Volvo B7TL/EL 702 (PG04 WHU) has transferred to sister company Galloway of Mendlesham.

Above: Two double deckers are outstationed at Brentwood Coaches, Hutton depot – for school contracts. This view was taken on 27/9/20. (John Podgorski).

PANTHER TRAVEL. Route X15 (Harwich-Colchester) was withdrawn from 2/9/20, with Harwich town circular 2 beingrevised from the same date. The Ipswich school contracts, which has ceased upon the lockdown in March, have now passed to Ipswich Buses. Panther’s only school contract is now for Manningtree School. Acquired is Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 V130 MEV. New to Stagecoach London, it was latterly with ACME Bus of Molehill Green, but ex Bishop of Downham Market. Back in use ex SORNED, are Volvo B7TL/ALX400 BIG 7758, Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther DC53 PAN, Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royale BIG 9210. To Reserve are Dart SLF/Mini Pointer BIG 9856, Plaxton Primo SB07 PAN and Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panthers AB53 PAN, DC53 PAN. Also from 2/9/20, registered scholars route 118 (Ramsey-Harwich School) had return journeys back to Harwich Bus Station added, numbered 18.

(John Podgorski).

PARKSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL, CHINGFORD. Has ex Metroline Volvo B7TL/President LK04 CVE for static use – via Ensign.

ROG. 2/9/20: 37608 on VTSP Orient Way-Colchester, then as 6M37 Colchester-Stapleford & Sandiacre. 67611 on 0M00 Norwich-Orient Way light loco. 3/9/20: 373218 on Stowmarket-Norwich then to Manningtree light loco. 4/9/20: 37611 on 0P37 on Orient Way-Norwich light loco.47812 on Manningtree-Norwich light loco. 5/9/20: 37608 on Leicester-Orient Way light loco. 5/9/20: 57310 towed HEX 387136 Ilford-Oxford ECS. 7/9/20: 37601 on 0L53 Leicester-Ilford light loco, then dragged HEX387137 Ilford-Oxford ECS as 5Q74. 9/9/20: 47812 on Norwich-Manningtree light loco. 10/9/20: 37608 at Orient Way. 11/9/20: 37601 dragged HEX 387133/35 Old Dalby to Ilford. 18/9/20: 57310 dragged HEX 387130 Ilford-Reading as 5Q74. 28/9/20: 37608 dragged GA 745003 Temple Mills-Norwich then returned on 0P45 Norwich-Orient Way light loco.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON. New are ADL/Enviro 400 MMCs 11393/94 (SK20 BDE/F), 11395/96 (SK20 BDO/U), 11397/98/99 (SK20 BDV/X/Y).

Above: Loaned from the provinces for social distancing on schools services. Stagecoach East Optare Solo SR 48025 at Gants Hill on 2/9/20. (Malcolm Conway).

Borrowed from Stagecoach East, were ADL/E200 36017 and Optare Solo SRs 48024/25. ADL/Enviro 200s 36363/64 (LX59 ECJ/N), have gone from West Ham to Stagecoach Selkent at Bromley. This was for the gain of TfL246 (Bromley-Westerham/Chartwell) from Go-Ahead.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 36363 in Hayes on 26/9/20. Still bearing its old West Ham (WH) depot codes. (John Podgorski).

Meanwhile, 15 ADL/Enviro 400s (ADE Class) were borrowed form RATP for temporary assumption of TfL 173/673 from Arriva London from October. They were initially stored at West Ham.

STEPHENSONS. Full pre-Covid-19 frequencies reappeared on all routes from 1/9/20.

Above: Stephensons has been borrowing coaches from Galloway, for social distancing on school services. Mb Tourismo 6399 PP was providing a route 38 duplicate (Braintree depot) when seen in Halstead on 9/9/20. Setra S415 3379 PP, Volvo 9700 5611 PP were also in use (at Maldon), with Volvo B9R/Caetano Levantes 1842 PP, FN62 CCD at Boreham. All of these coaches were kept at Galloways Mendlesham depot, when not required by Stephensons. (Simon Austin).

TALISMAN, GREAT BROMLEY. What looks like an ex Jersey Bedford SB/Duple Dominant 7 foot 6 inch wide coach has appeared in storage here.

TONY GLEW/A1, COLCHESTER: Most of of the larger coaches had been withdrawn by September. These were Mercedes 806D YJ12 GXS, Scania/Irizar YN54 NYH. Meanwhile, Volvo B12B/Sunsundegui FJ10 DNU was SORNED. The home to school minibuses continue.

TOWER TRANSIT. Wright StreetLites SN64 CVM/O/P have been sold to Ensign. Resold via Ensign are; Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis BJ11 DZX – to Mundare Ltd, Chester; BJ11 EAK – to Abbey Travel, Erith; BJ11 EAX – to Coach Services, Thetford; BJ11 EBG – to Mayfair Coaches, London W14; Wright StreetLites SN64 CVF/R – to Trustybus, Roydon.

Above: BJ11 EBG with its new owner, Mayfair Coaches. Seen on South Western Railway RRP at Hounslow on 19/9/20. (Simon Austin).

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON. Has ex Tower Transit Wright StreetLites SN64 CVF/R and ex RATP London Optare Solo YJ09 MHO – all via Ensign.

UNO. Wright StreetLite WS46 (SN64 CVA), is ex London General North, for schools duplicates on TfL395 (Westway Cross-Harrow) – on behalf of RATP London Sovereign.

VECTARE, LOUGHBOROUGH. From 1/9/20, this new operator took over ex Swallow routes 13 and 61 from Arrow Taxis. Vectare use 2 Mb Sprinter accessible minibuses (one is BF20 VGE), based locally to Brentwood (at the Gardner Coaches depot at Rettendon). Two ex Diamond Bus Volvo B7RLE/Wrights have also arrived; BK13 NZM/R, along with a Wright StreetLite WF – SN64 CUO – new to Go-Ahead London.

WARD’S, ALRESFORD. Operations have ceased. There were no vehicles present at either of the 2 sites in September. The PSV Circle recorded the fleet as being withdrawn. This was Scania/VH EX52 WSV, Scania/Irzar YN04 GGZ and Ford Transits AY59 XJE, MV59 YVT.

WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS. 19/9/20: 172337 on Tyseley-Ilford ECS.

With thanks to: Angliagen, S Austin, J Cole, M Conway, R Downton, A Hazell, A Law, S Milton, D Pretty, J Sadd.