Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the October 2020 edition of Busmopolitan.

The last Class 315 EMUs have left London Overground. The only ‘315s left are with MTR TfL Rail, and normally only work at peak times. The Class 360 EMUs are due to leave Greater Anglia for East Midlands Railway imminently and have been accordingly debranded.

ACME, STANSTED.

Above: Ex RATP London Scania Omnidekka YN55 NKS at Colchester on 17/10/20; on Greater Anglia rail replacement to/from Witham. YN55 NLA is also operated. (Daniel Pretty).

AIRPORT BUS EXPRESS. Is operating its Stansted Airport to London services again. It had closed in March, prior to the lockdown.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE COLCHESTER. Odd sightings: 2/10/20; R133 StreetLite 4324 (SK68 TWV) on 8. 5/10/20: StreetLite 4262 (GN64 DXS) on 1. 8/10/20: R133 StreetLite 4324 on 1. 13/10/20: Dart SLF/MPDs 1558/59 on 77. 17/10/20: 4262 on 2. 20/10/20: 1558 on 8; 4262 on 1. 21/10/20: R133 4323 on 1. 22/10/20: 1559 on 8; 4261 on 1. 23/10/20: 1563 on 8. 26/10/20: 1558 on 8; 1563 on Staff Shuttle; 4020 on Park & Ride; 4261 on 1. 27/10/20: 1559 on 133. 28/10/20: 1558 on Staff Shuttle; R133 4323 on 8. 29/10/20: 1562 on 8; R133 4323 on 8. 30/10/20: 1559 on Staff Shuttle; 3415 failed at Head Street on Greenstead bound 1 at 1503 and not recovered until 1925; 4261 on 1. 31/10/20: R133 StreetLite 4324 on 1.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE HARLOW. Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3889 is in the new livery.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE SOUTHEND. ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 6500 (SN66 WHT) received giant poppy emblems on sides and rear, for this year’s Remembrance Day. Other buses have small poppy emblems on their front dashes, which were “carried over” from 2019. Some Optare Versa V1110s have transferred to Arriva Guildford and West Surrey. 4200/01/05/09/10 plus one other. Dart SLF/Caetano 1565 (HX04 HUK) is now here, ex Colchester. The following duplicates were provided from October: From 2/10/20: M&M Staffing Neoplan MM18 BUS and from 5/10/20 M&M Trident/EL PN04 XDK on 1534 Shoebury-Rayleigh. Meanwhile, there are duplicates variously on routes 1, 7, 8 and 9. The external hires are 2 in the morning, both Grange Travel of Gravesend, and in the afternoon there are 7 – Grange x 5; Westbus x 1; M&M Staffing x 1. The 2 borrowed Arriva Colchester Park and Ride ADL/E200s are also used on these. The travel shop at the Travel Centre has permanently closed, having not been open since the lockdown in March.

Above: PN04 XDK at Shoebury on 5/10/20. (Mark Hough).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH. New Routemasters LT176-184 have been transferred from Clapton to Enfield, to convert TfL313 (Chingford-Potters Bar) to full double deck operation – in a phased process starting 3/10/20. LT176/81 were the first . This was achieved due to a frequency reduction on TfL38 (Hackney-Victoria). They replaced ENX Class ADL/E200s, which went to Dartford, to replace former Arriva Southend 08 reg E200s. From 17/10/20, TfL173 (Beckton-Little Heath) and its associated school route 673 (Beckton-Warren School) passed to Stagecoach on retender. Volvo B7TL/ALX400 VLA129 (LJ05 GLZ), has been resold by Ensign to Walters Coaches, Oxford.

AVANTI WEST COAST. 2/10/20: 221118 Barton to Ilford ECS. 9/10/20: 222118 on Ilford-Central Rivers ECS. 23/10/20: 221113 Ilford-Central Rivers. 223117 Central Rivers-Ilford.

BLUE TRIANGLE. Ex Go Ahead London ADL/Enviro 200 SEN55 (YX16 NZY) is here.

CARTERS HERITAGE, GREAT BROMLEY. Trident/ALX400 LK55 KKO has passed to Candy, Cobham.

CHAMBERS.

Above: Seen on 24/10/20 at Sudbury depot. L to R: Withdrawn Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 566 (W428 WGH); Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 519 (LX05 EZZ) and Scania N230UD/Olympus 873 (PN09 EMV) – both awaiting mechanical attention. (Laurence Kinsella-Ilott).

Ancillary vehicles: Ford Tourneo 9011 (EK58 LFA) was at Hedingham Clacton workshop on 29/10/20.

COLAS. 9-10/20: 37116 on 3Q59 at Canonbury. 12/10/20; 37099 tnt 37254 on 1Q90 Derby-Ferme Park via West Anglia lines. 14/10/20: 37099 tnt 37254 on 1Q97 Ferme Park-Cambridge via Stanford, Liv St, Harwich, Clacton. 27/10/20: 37254 tnt 9703 on 3Q20 Derby-Cambridge via Audley End, then 3Q61 to Ferme Park via West Anglia suburban lines. 28/10/20: 37254 tnt 9703 on 3Q70 Ferme Park-Colchester via Kings Cross, Liv St, Cheshunt, Liv St, Braintree. 29/10/20: 37254 tnt 9703 on 3Q69 Colchester-Norwich-Harwich-Colchester. 30/10/20: 37254 tnt 9703 on 3Q66 Colchester-Felixstowe-Derby.

DBS. 1/10/20: 66124 on Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 5/10/20: 66003 on 6L69 Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 8/10/20: 66004 on FLX-EM Gateway. 12/10/20: 66077 on 6L07 Acton-Ipswich Griffin Wharf and return to Neasden. 66117 on 6L69 Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 19/10/20: 66001 on 6L69 Heck-Bow Plasmor. 21/10/20: 66101 on Wembley-Marks Tey sand. 66119 on Biggleswade-Bow Plasmor. 22/10/20: 66053 on Acton-Marks Tey then 6V55 to Brentford. 66106 on 6L74 Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill. 23/10/20: 66068 on 6L69 Biggleswade-Bow Plasmor. 26/10/20: 66168 on 6L69 Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 66185 on Acton-Ipswich Griffin Wharf. 27/10/20: 66018 on EM Gateway-FLX.

DRS.

Above: 57002 + 003 “down” past Chitts Hill on 3/10/20. (James Cole).

2/10/20: 66426 tnt 66427 on 3S60 Stowmarket-Essex routes-Stowmarket RHTT. 3/10/20: 57002/03 on Willesden Brent-Stowmarket light loco via NLL and GEML. 66426 tnt 66427 on 3S60 RHTT. 8/10/20: 57002/003 on 3S60 RHTT. 68017/018 on 6L68 to Southminster. 9/10/20: 37425 ‘Concrete Bob’ on 0Z25 Plymouth-Norwich light loco via NLL and GEML. 12/10/20: 57002 tnt 57003 on 3S60. 13-14/10/20: 37069 tnt 35059 on 3S60. 14/10/20: 37425 on 0Z25 Norwich-Tilbury light loco and 0Z26 return. 15/10/20: 37059 tnt 37069 on 6Z80 Stowmarket-Ilford RHTT. 17/10/20: 37422 tnt 37038 on 3S60. 19/10/20: 57002 tnt 57003 on 3S60. 21/10/20: 57002 tnt 57003 on 3S60. 21/10/20; 66427 towed 37401 Norwich to Willesden via GEML and NLL. 23/10/20: 66426 tnt 66428 on 3S60. 26/10/20: 37422 tnt 37425 on 3S60. 37425 on Willesden-Norwich light loco. 27/10/20: 57002 tnt 57003 on 3S60. 28/10/20: 37069 tnt 37059 on 3S60. 29/10/20: 37425 tnt 37422 on 3S60. 57002 tnt 57003 on 6Z87 Stowmarket-Ilford. 31/10/20: 66428 tnt 66426 on 3S60.

Above: 37425 at Chitts Hill on 9/10/20. (James Cole).

EMPRESS OF LONDON.

Empress is running a school contract in Brentwood for the 2020/21 academic year. Top: Ex National Express Scania K340EB4/Caetano Levante in “Epsom Coaches” livery. Above; Scania Omniexpress YT59 NZO. Both taken on High Street, Brentwood on 15/10/20. (Both: Simon Austin).

ENSIGNBUS. Volvo B9TL/Olympuses 124/25 (PO58 KPP/R) have passed to NAT, Cardiff. ADL/Enviro 200 703 (PX12 BSY) has gone to Go-Ahead Ireland. ADL/Enviro 200 719 (SK15 HBB) has been in use as a crew ferry. Temporary ADL/Enviro 400s 970-973 (LK58 KGJ/O, KHH/G) have been sold to Notts and Derby. They were replaced by similar 976-979 (LK58 KGU, KHM/U, CNV respectively), from sales stock.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Ex First York Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipse 66759 (YJ05 VVA) at Derwent Road, Highwoods, Colchester on 6/10/20. Sister 66760 (YJ05 VVB) is at Basildon. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: 37135 at North Station, Colchester on 3/10/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: 32249 at Basildon on 31/10/20. (Hewitt David).

From First Bristol are Volvo B7TL/ALX400s 32249 (LT52 WVM) and 32260 – they are at Basildon (BN). Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 37135 (SN57 HCP) has been returned to traffic after 6 months SORNED/VOR at CR. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37042 (YJ06 XLH) is also back in use at CR after a period of disuse. B7TL/Gemini 32551 (SF54 OSO), has transferred from BN to CR. Chelmsford Park and Ride ADL/E200 MMCs 67195/97 (SN66 WKS/U), continue at HH for the time being. Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66872 (MX05 CKD) has moved CF to CR. Several buses have been loaned to Basildon. From Chelmsford came Volvo B7TL/ALX400s 32482/84, Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66794, ADL/E200 MMCs 67165/66 and ADL/Enviro 300H 67901. From Colchester came Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66872, 971, which returned by 31st October. From Hadleigh came Trident/President 33134 and ADL/E200 44006. Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66846/63 have become driver trainers.

Above: 32484 at Basildon on 31/10/20. (Hewitt David).

Some Volvo B7RLE/Wrights have been outshopped in a slightly revised livery, featuring a greater area of white. 69429/32/34 have been seen. 69429 lost its Co Op super rear advert as a result. StreetLite 47529 (SN64 CNJ) has a super rear advert Essex and Suffolk Water. The travel offices at Chelmsford and Colchester, closed since the start of the lockdown in March, are to remain closed, with all furloughed staff being made redundant. The old Haven Road depot in Colchester, has been vacated by its last occupier, Revis Motors. Scania L94UB/Wright Solars YS03 ZKB/K have been resold by Ensign to Laurenson, Preston (dealer). ADL/Enviro 300 67756 (SN62 ASU) is delicensed due to accident damage. Odd sightings: 1/10/20: B7TL/Geminis 32628/29 on 104; Airlink Scania N250UD/E400 36840 on 70; B7TL/Gemini 37036 on 175 am. Dart SLF/Pointer 42932 (SN05 EAP) on 71; X10 ADL/E200 MMC 67160 on 5B; Airlink ADL/E200 MMC 67163 on 100; X10 ADL/E200 MMC 67164 on 100. 2/10/20: 37036 on 175 am; Dart SLF/Pointer 42927 (SN05 EAF) on 71. 3/10/20: R62 B9TL 37134 on 61. 4/10/20: Airlink ADL/E200 MMC 67163 on 100. 5/10/20: B7TL/ALX400 32477 on 175 am; Airlink Scania N250UD/E400 City 36843 (YN69 XYD) on 70; B7TL/Gemini 37016 on 64A; 37020 on 67 + 68; 37042 on 64A; R62 37134 on 61; R62 37136 on 65 + 1A; R62 37138 on 61; X10 67161 on 5B; X10 67164 on 8A.; short ADL/E200 44900 on 70. 6/10/20: 36843 on 70; 37034 on 175 am + 104; R62 37136/38 on 61; Dart SLF/Pointer 42935 (SN05 DZO) on 71A; X10 67161 on 8A; X10 67162/64 on 8; Thamesway B7RLE/Wright 69520 (BJ11 ECW) on 26. 7/10/20: Airlink 36838 on 70; Airlink 36843 on 70; R62 37134 on 61; R62 37139 on 70; X10 67161 on 5B; X10 67162 on 8; X10 67164 on 5B. 8/10/20; Airlink 36838 on 42; Airlink 36840 on 70; R62 37136 on 61. 9/10/20: 36839 on 70/71X; 36842 on 70; 37004 on 104; 37042 on 103; X10 67161 on 5B; X10 67164 on 100. 10/10/20: R62 37139 on 2A. 11/10/20: B7TL/Gemini 37054 on 64; short ADL/E200 MMC 44659 on 71C. 12/10/20: 32673 on 103; 63836 on 70; 36840 on 42; 36843 on 70/71X; 37036 on 104; R62 37136 on 61; Dart SLF/Pointer 42922 (EU05 AUO) on 70; Dart SLF/Pointer 42939 (WX05 SVE) on 71; long ADL/E200 44596 (EU60 LFS) on 13; X10 67160 on 5; Airlink 67161on 25; X10 67164 on 5B. 13/10/20: 32547 on 103; 36838 on 70; 37017 on 102; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37138 on 65; 37140 on 104; X10 67160 on 5; Airlink 67161 on 25; X10 67164 on 8; P&R 67196 (SN66 WKT) on Chelmsford Staff Shuttle. 14/10/20: P&R ADL/E200 MMC SN66 WKO on Chelmsford Staff Shuttle. 15/10/20: 36840 on 71X/70; 37020 on 64; 42927 on 71; 67171 on Chelmsford P&R. 16/10/20: 36842 on 70; 37006 on 102; X10 67160 on 100; Airlink 67161 on 8; X10 67164 on 25. 17/10/20: R62 37136/38 on 61; 67736 on 62B. 18/10/20: Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 100. 19/10/20: Airlink 36838 on 70. 20/10/20: First Eastern Counties Ipswich Reds B7TL/ALX400 32475 (AU53 HJJ) at Colchester depot; 36838 on 70; YN69 XXU on 525; 37053 on 66; 37004 on 102; 37015 on 104; R62 37133 on 88; R62 37136 on 64; R62 37139 on 65 + 1A; Airlink 67161 on 25; X10 67164 on 100. 21/10/20: 32547 on 64; 32628 on 66; 37054 on 104; 37062 on 103; R62 37133 on 75; R62 37134 on 88; R62 37138 on 61; Airlink 67161 on 5. 22/10/20: R62 37138 on 75. 22/10/20: 32476 on 66; R62 367134 on 64A; X10 67160 on 25. 23/10/20: 32478 on 102; ; 37017 on 66; 37036 on 104; 37054 on 103; R62 37134 on 64A; R62 37136 on 65; R62 37138 on 61; Airlink 67161 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 5. 24/10/20: R62 37133 on 61; R62 37134 on 64A; R62 37135 on 75; R62 37136 on 61; R62 37139 on 61. 25/10/20: R62 37133 on 61; R62 37134 on 65; R62 37135 on 66; R62 37136 on 61; R62 37138 on 65. 26/10/20: 36842 on 42; 37005 on 103; R62 37133 on 75 + 1A; R62 37134 on 88; R62 37138 on 65 + 1A; 44006 on 10; Airlink 67161; X10 67162 on 5. 27/10/20: 30560 on CR Staff Shuttle; 32478 on 104; 37053 on 67; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37135 on 75; R62 37136 on 88A; X10 67160 on 25; P&R 67191 (SN66 WKM) on 71B. 28/10/20: 37035 on 103; 37062 on 102; R62 37134 on 2A; R62 37136 on 70. 29/10/20: 37016 on 102; R62 37134 on 99; R62 37135 on 6530/10/20: 37034 on 104 + 102; R62 37135 on 65; R62 37136 on 61; 67166 on X10; P&R 67191/96 (SN66 WKM/T) on 36; 67196 on 71. 31/10/20: 32476 on 104; 32478 on 64A; 32628 on 102; 37034 on 103; R62 37139 on 2A; Dart SLF/Pointer 42968 (WX06 ONC) on 71A; Airlink 67163 on 16; X10 67164 on 25.

Above: One of the ex Tower Transit Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis currently on loan to First Essex from Ensign for school duplicates. BJ11 DVX in Basildon on 5/10/20. (Hewitt David).

FLAGFINDERS. Scania Omnidekka YN56 FDD was at Kelvedon depot from the start of October.

FORDS OF ALTHORNE. Scania K340EB4/Berkhof YN07 LHE has been sold to Wren Kitchens, Barton upon Humber.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: Ex Greater Anglia 90011, in the headshunt at Ipswich on 28/10/20. (John Podgorski).

1/10/20: 59201 on 6L30 Acton-Chelmsford. 66512/42 on 4M63 FLX-Trafford. 66543 and 66559 on 4L78. 2/10/20: Pink 66587 on 4L41 Crewe-FLX. 5/10/20: 66420 on 4L78. 86608/04 + 66585 dit on 4L41 Crewe-Ipswich, but the ’86s were detached at Wembley, with the ’66 taking the train forward. 86622/38 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 6/10/20: 59204 on 6L30 Acton-Chelmsford. 66528 on 4L78. 7/10/20: 66420, 66516 on 4L78. 8/10/20: 66542 on 4L78. 86609/39 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 86622/38 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 86638/22 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 9/10/20: 66587 on 4L78. 9/10/20: 86632/04 on 4L89. 86638/22 on 4L91. 10/10/20: 86609/04 on 4L97 Trafford-Flx. 86638/22 on 4L91. 90010/043 on 4L93. 12/10/20: 66503 on 4L78 Tees-FLX. 66536 on FLX-Ditton. 66594 on 4M63 AFLX-Trafford. 86604/09 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 13/10/20: 66505 on 6E50 Ipswich-Lindsay tanks. 66534 on 4L78. Pink 66587 on 4L36 Wentloog-FLX. 90010/43 on driver training. 14/10/20: 59201 + 66505 on 6L30 Acton-Chelmsford. 15/10/20: 86604/09 on 4M87. 86609/04 on 4L91. 86637/38 on 4L89. 16/10/20: 66420 on 4L41. 66515 on 4M81. 66520 on 4M63 FLX-Trafford. 66566 on 4M88 FLX-Ditton. 66593 4M94. 86609/04 on 4L91. 86637/22 on 4L89. 19/10/20: 59202 on 7L54 Acton-Harlow Mill. 66532 on 4L78. 66587 on 4L93 Lawley St-FLX. 20/10/20: 59204 on 6L30 Acton-Chelmsford. 66516 on 4L78. 86604/08 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 21/10/20: 66504 on Acton-Chelmsford. 66561/38 on 4L92 Trafford-FLX. 66623 on Tunstead-Bow then to Willesden. 86622/37 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 22/10/20: 86604/09 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 23/10/20: 66504 on Acton-Chelmsford and 6V12 return. 66516 on 4M63 FLX-Trafford. 66532 on 4M88 FLX-Ditton, 66538 on 4L36. 66551/20 on 4L41. 66952 on 4E24 London Gateway-Leeds. 86608/04 on 4L89. 86639/13 on 4L97. 26/10/20: 66591 on 4L78. 27/10/20: 66545 + 90046/045 dit on 4L89. 66593 on 4L78. 86608/04 on 4L91 then 4M87. 28/10/20: 66550 on 4L78. 86608/04 on 4L91. 86638/07 on 4L89. 29/10/20: 66569 on 4L78. 86608/04 on 4L91. 86638/07 on 4L89. 30/10/20: 66513 on 4L75 Trafford-FLX. 66520 on 4M93 FLX-Lawley St. 66592 failed between Chelmsford and ingatestone on 4E24 FLX-Leeds; rescued by 59204 off Chelmsford stone; 66592 left in “up” siding at Shenfield. 31/10/20: 86608/04 on 4L91.

Above: 86608 + 604 in the “down” goods loop at Colchester on 31/10/20. Seen from GA 360111. (John Podgorski).

GALLOWAY. Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante 6037 PP is now in fleet livery, ex white. It was loaned to Stephensons at Boreham in mid October. Being used on Stephensons schools duplicates in October were Volvo 9700 5611 PP; Volvo B9R/Levante FJ61 EVP; Setra S416 tri-axle 3379 PP; VH TX Astron tri-axle 4092 PP. These were not on loan, however, returning to Mendlesham at the end of each day.

GARDNER, CHELMSFORD. Has been taken over by Vectare of Loughborough. Acquired by Vectare were: Scania K94IB/Irizar S332 SET; Mercedes 614D/ACI T371 OHL; Mercedes 0815D/Sitcar SF04 ZLV; Scania K114/Irizars YN55 PXD/W. Sold prior to the takeover was Volvo B10M/Jonckherre V342 JTO.

GBRf. 3/10/20: 66727 on 6T63 Whitemoor-Hythe engineers. 66729 on 6T64 Whitemoor-Hythe engineers. 66735 tnt 66728 on 6T61 Whitemoor-Wivenhoe engineers. 66764 on 6T64 Whitemoor-Wivenhoe engineers. 12/10/20: 66762/49 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor. 66772 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66785 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 16/10/20: 66701 5Z16 Doncaster-Ilford. 66701 on 5Q22 Ilford-Ely Papworth Sidings towing barrier vehicle 64707 + Class 317672/57 EMUs (for storage) + barrier 64664. 17/10/20: 66717 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 66735 tnt 66728 on 3S70 Broxbourne RHTT and return via Wickford and Southend Vic. 20/10/20: 66769 on 4E00 London Gateway-Masboro. 21/10/20: 66714 on 6L90 Grain-Bow then 6O36 to Tonbridge. 66728 tnt 66735 on 3S70 RHTT. 23/10/20: 66719 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. Green 66779 tnt 66755 6V32 Tilbury-Troste. 28/10/20: 66760 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 31/10/20: 66710 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX. Aggregate Industries 66711 on 4Z27 Masboro-FLX. 66714 on 4E14 FLX-Doncaster.

GREATER ANGLIA. The Class 360 EMUs were debranded during October, in advance of their transfer to EMR. 3/10/20: 360103 Northampton-Ilford ECS between GBRf 47749/27. 4/10/20: 360104 on 5Q60 Ilford-Northampton between 47727/49. 7/10/20: 755423 on 5Q51/52/53/56 Norwich-Liv St-Stansted and return software test train. 10/10/20: 360104 on Northampton-Ilford ECS between GBRf 47727/49. 11/10/20: 360109 Ilford-Northampton between 47749/27. 14/10/20: 745110 on 5Q51 Norwich-Liv St test. 16/10/20: 317513/658 down through Romford on ECS at 1206. 17/10/20: 360109 between GBRf 47749/27 on 5Q60 Northampton-Ilford ECS. 22/10/20: 317664/655 on 5A06 Ilford depot-Harwich International ECS. 24/10/20: 360119 Ilford-Northampton between 47747/27. 30/10/20: 317665/67 dragged Ilford-Ely for storage behind GBRf 66774. 360119 on 5Q60 Northampton-Ilford ECS between GBRf 47727/39. 720511/17 on 5Q55 Ipswich-Liv St ECS then 5Q12 Liv St-Southend Vic ECS. 31/10/20: 360110 on 5Q61 Ilford-Northampton ECS between GBRf 47727/39. Class 317s in store: Ely Papworth: 317657/59/60/62/63/68/69/71/72, 722, 881/87/88/89/90/91/92. Parkeston: 317656/61/65/67.

Above: A debranded 360111 at London Liverpool Street on 31/10/20. (John Podgorski).

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Freshly outshopped 602 in Colchester on 14/10/20. (Simon Austin).

ADL/Enviro 400s 601/02 (SN10 CFE/F) have received the latest fleet livery, ex Konect. Open top Volvo B7TL/President 500 (PL51 LDJ) was initially put into winter storage at HD but was soon moved to KN. Omnidekka movements: 5/10/20: 820 – CN-KN. 7/10/20: 800 – Chambers-KN; 810 – KN-Chambers. 9/10/20: 806 – Chambers-KN. By 26/10/20: 800, 806 – KN-Chambers. 29/10/20: 800, 803 – Chambers-KN; 812/13 – KN-Chambers. Odd sightings: 13/10/20: 565 on 19 duplicate am. 15-16/10/20: Ex Go NE B7TL/President 587 at KN. 16-17/10/20: Omnidekka 800 on TLA. 16-17/10/20: Hits Radio liveried Omnilink 460 berthed at Kelvedon depot. 16 & 19/10/20: Omnidekka 806 on 15 pm. 22/10/20: B7TL/President 579 on 15 pm. 23/10/20: ADL/E200 261 on TLA3 pm. Ancillary vehicles: Accident damaged Ford Transit van EJ13 UHR has been repaired, and returned to use at HD. Mb Vito MPV 9006 (RJ56 TYP) to KN from HD. Chambers Ford Tourneo 9011 (EK58 NFA) at Clacton workshop on 29/10/20. Withdrawn Ford Transit van 9001 (EX61 NZL) collected from CN by DJ Spall, Dallinghoo – for scrap on 29/10/20.

Above: 579 at Scott Drive, Poets Corner, Colchester on 22/10/20. (James Cole).

IPSWICH BUSES. Recently acquired Scania Omnicity ‘decker 48 (SGZ 2248), is now in fleet livery ex London red. Returned off loan were ADL/Enviro 400 MMC YX19 ONE – to ADL and Optare Metrocity YJ67 FXE – to Optare. 2A (Feering-Ipswich Schools) is now usually worked by an Omnicity ‘decker. The last Trident; Plaxton President bodied 25 (SN51 AXP) and the gold DAF DB250LF/EL 100, have both passed to Beestons of Hadleigh (Suffolk). New service 997 (Ipswich Rail Station-Suffolk East), began on 5/10/20. Odd sightings; 20/10/20: DAF DB250LF/EL 57 (PN52 XBJ) on 93. 28/10/20: ADL/E200 106 (YX66 WCK) on 4 + 11 in Colchester.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER. Optare Solo M950 YJ07 VTA is ex Faresaver, Chippenham.

LONDON OVERGROUND.

Above: 315810 at Liverpool Street on 3/10/20. (John Podgorski).

Class 315 operation has ended. The Romford-Upminster branch was converted to Class 710s from 5/10/20, with the type bowing out from inner suburban West Anglia after 20th October. 315805/10/59 have gone for scrap. 315811 + 833 and 315824 + 830 are stored at Northampton. 1/10/20: 315805 on 5Q60 from Ilford to Sims Metals, Newport for scrap, behind ROG 37800. 710129 on 5G63 Liv St-Gidea Park driver training. 2/10/20: 315824/30 on Ilford-Northampton ECS for storage. 4/10/20; 315802 worked the last ‘315 diagrammed Upminster-Romford. 5/10/20: 710107 first Aventra on Romford-Upminster. 6/10/20: 315811/833 on Northampton-Ilford ECS. 7/10/20: 315801/15 on 2D41 Cheshunt-Liv St. 710117 on Romford-Upminster. 8/10/20: 315811 from Ilford to Sims Metals, Newport for scrap behind ROG 37800. 9/10/20: 315801/15 on Ilford-Northampton ECS. 15/10/20: 315810/59 to Sims, Newport for scrap. 20/10/20: 315802/07 on last ‘315 passenger turns – 2T59 Chingford-Liv St; 2U42 Liv St-Enfield Town; 2U47 Enfield Town-Liv St; 2T68 Liv St-Chingford. 315830/24 on 5Q20 Northampton-Ilford ECS. 21/10/20: 315802/07 on 5V60 ECS Chingford to Ilford via Liv St then on Ilford-Northampton ECS for storage. 22/10/20: 315824/30 on Ilford-Sims Metals, Newport for scrap behind ROG 37884. 710106 entered service (on 2U35 Enfield Town-Liv St) – last ‘710 to do so. 27/10/20: 315815/01 on 5Q80 Northampton-Ilford ECS. 29/10/20: 315801/15 on 5Q40 Ilford-Wembley ECS behind ROG 37884. Class 317s stored: Willesden: 317708-10/14/19/23/29/32, 888/90.

Above: 315807 at Liverpool Street on 17/10/20, with 315801 on the front. (John Podgorski).

MILESTONE, CANVEY. Mercedes 0815D/Sitcar Y648 HWY has passed to Seaford & District.

MTR ELIZABETH LINE. 315833 has been returned to service here, after a spell with London Overground. It replaced 315852, which has gone for scrap. 8/10/20: 315852 from Ilford to Sims Metals, Newport for scrap behind ROG 37800.

NATIONAL EXPRESS. A visit to London Victoria Coach Station on 3/10/20 found the following post Covid-19 changes to its use. Only customers and staff can enter, at the main departures terminal, this is via the main entrance on Buckingham Palace Road. Coaches enter the departure area via Semley Place and exit onto Bury Street. The departures coach exit and pedestrian entrance/exit on Elizabeth Street are closed. At the arrivals area in the old Samuelsons garage, there is pedestrian entry only to staff. The only pedestrian door in use is the exit onto Eccleston Place, while that onto Elizabeth Street is closed.

Above: The closed coach exit at London Victoria on 3/10/20. (John Podgorski).

NETWORK RAIL. 23/10/20: Stoneblower DR80302 on Upminster-Eastleigh. DR80303 on Romford-Woking. 28/10/20: Windhoff MPVs DR98905/98955 on 3S81 Broxbourne RHTT. 30/10/20: Stoneblower DR80302 on Trent Siding-Romford move.

PANTHER TRAVEL. Mercedes Sprinter/KVC SN05 FCF (ex W1 WET), is from Woodhouse Executive Travel of Sawbridgeworth. Leyland Olympian/Alexander tri-axle J590 CEV is ex Flagfinders. It was new as FC 7328 in Hong Kong.

Above: SN05 FCF at Colchester on 19/10/20. (John Podgorski).

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS. The old goods shed at Marks Tey was demolished during October. Yeoman JHA bogie hopper 19316 was still at Bow throughout October, while the Tourax bogie hopper came and went within a week. An unidentified DBS bogie hopper was in the headshunt at Marks Tey yard during mid October, but had gone by the end of the month.

Above: The site of the old Marks Tey goods shed on 24/10/20. (John Podgorski).

ROG. 1/10/20: 37611 on 0L50 Wembley-Ilford light loco. 11/10/20: 47812 on Norwich-Orient Way light loco. 16/10/20: 57310 dragged HEx 387135 Ilford-Reading. 22/10/20: 37608 on 0P37 Orient Way to Manningtree. 47812 on 0P47 Manningtree to Orient Way. 47310 dragged HEX 387136/41 Oxford to Ilford. 29/10/20: 37884 on 0L53 Leicester-Ilford light loco. 30/10/20: 37510 tower GWR 387139 on Ilford-Reading ECS. 47812 on 0M47 Colchester-Orient Way light loco.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON. From 17/10/20, TfL173 (Beckton-Goodmayes) + 673 (Beckton-Warren School) were taken over from Arriva. Initially 15 ADL/Enviro 400s loaned from RATP were used. They will eventually be replaced by new BYD/Enviro 400 EVs. TfL174 (Romford-Harold Hill) is also due to get new BYD/E400EVs.

STEPHENSONS. White liveried ADL/Enviro 200 449 (YX10 FFK) is now at Braintree, ex Maldon. Volvo B9R/Levante 6037 PP was on loan from Galloway in mid October.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON. One of the ex Tower Transit Wright StreetLites has been re-registered CC11 BUS, repainted in ‘Central Connect’ livery and branded for route 386 (Bishop’s Stortford-Stevenage). Dart SLF/Mini Pointer HW54 BTZ has pased to Avondale, Clydebank.

Above: CC11 BUS at Bishop’s Stortford on 14/10/20. (John Podgorski).

UNO. From 31/10/20, TfL383 (Barnet-Woodside Park) was extended to Finchley Memorial Hospital. Ex Go-Ahead London Wright StreetLite WS46 was utilised, as it was no longer needed on on the school duplicate in Harrow for which it had originally been acquired. This was now fully covered by its incumbent operator, RATP.

VECTARE, CHELMSFORD. Ex Diamond bus is Volvo B7RLE/Wright BK13 NZS.

Above: Former Go-Ahead London Wright StreetLite WF SN64 CUO at High Street, Brentwood on 15/10/20. (Simon Austin).

WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS: 3/10/20: 172345 on Tyseley-Ilford ECS. 9/10/20: 172337 also at Ilford.

WESTON GROUP. Mercedes Sprinter coach 55 WH is used on a shuttle between the Weston Business Centre at Takeley and Stansted Airport.

YOUNGS COACHES, CAMBRIDGE. Has ex Go South Coast Volvo B11RT/Caetano Levante BV66 WOB, via Ensign.

With thanks to: Angliagen, S Austin, J Cole, H David, R Delahoy, M Hough, L Kinsella-Ilott, J Needham, D Pretty, J Sadd, I Scotchman, R West.