Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the December 2020 edition of Busmopolitan.

The local railway scene is quickly changing with Class 315 EMUs in steep decline (due to timetable changes) and Class 317 EMUs likewise, due to deliveries of new Class 720s. The move of Class 360s from Greater Anglia to East Midlands Railway is virtually complete, while the ex GA Class 90s are now becoming familiar on Freightliner, working in pairs with “native” 90s in place of Class 86s.

From 20/12/20, much of the Busmopolitan area was put into tier 4 lockdown again, except for Colchester, Tendring and Uttlesford districts. However these joined tier 4 from 26/12/20.

There was also a temporary international travel ban (from UK to France and other parts of Continental Europe), with Eurostar and cross Channel ferries being suspended between 20 and 22/12/20. And there was a large backlog of vehicles at various seaports, awaiting passage to the Continent. The worst of this was at Dover, but Harwich (in the Busmopolitan area) was also affected, with Stena Line Ferries suspended until 23/12/20.

Above: Eurostar feeds into the DB ICE network “across the water”. DB once considered running into the UK and an ICE was run, on trial into St Pancras International, along the HSS1 route, through Essex and East London. These ‘First Generation’ ICEs were pictured in Hannover, Germany on 27/12/15. (Clarissa Messer).

ADVANCE, SOUTHEND. The Keymed staff contract has been gained from Cheldon Coaches (was BJS Travel).

AIRPORT BUS EXPRESS. Services have been suspended again, due to the Second Wave of Covid-19.

APT, RAYLEIGH.

Above: Ex Metroline Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President LR52 BMY, at Shenfield on Greater Anglia rail replacement on 27/12/20. LR52 BOU is also operated. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE COLCHESTER. Odd sightings: 4/12/20: Dart SLF/MPD 1559 on 8. 7/12/20: short Dart SLF/Caetanos 1562/63 on 8. 8/12/20: 1563 on 8. 9/12/20: R133 StreetLite 4324 on 8. 10/1/20: 1558, 1563 on 8. 11/12/20: 1558 on 8; StreetLite 4224 on 2. w/c 14/12/20: 1558 on 8. 18/12/20: P&R 4075 on Staff Shuttle. 20/12/20: 3420 on 8 – unusual on Sunday. 21/12/20: 1562 on 8; R133 4324 on 8. 22/12/20: 1563 on 8; R133 4324 on 8.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE HARLOW. From 30/12/20, Essex CC route 87 (Harlow-Epping) ceased, and was replaced by new route 542/A (Debden-Loughton) – worked by Trustybus.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE SOUTHEND.

Above: DAF DB250LF/EL 6259 in its new location of Tunbridge Wells, with Arriva Kent and Surrey. Pictured on 14/12/20. (Terry Blackman).

ARROW, MALDON.

Above: Recently acquired Mercedes Sprinter RX67 OPU in Halstead on its first day in service; 1/12/20. (Simon Austin).

AVENTRA WEST COAST. 11/12/20: 221110 on 5L50 Barton-Ilford.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON. Scania K340EB4/Caetano Levante FJ56 PFK is ex Southern Coach Lines, Newbury.

BLUE TRIANGLE.

Above: ADL/Enviro200 SE116 (YX61 BXW) at Newbury Park on 27/12/20. (John Podgorski).

CENTAUR, CRAYFORD. This south east London based operator has an outstation at Beckton for a college contract. 2 coaches and a double decker are parked there. Also, Centaur has supplied coaches on Greater Anglia rail replacement in recent months and collaborates with Lewis of Greenwich on this work.

Above: Irizar i6 YN67 VDR at Colchester on Greater Anglia RRP on 25/10/20. (Daniel Pretty).

COLAS. 8/12/20: 37099 tnt 37175 on 1Q95 Ferme Park-Ripple Lane. 11/12/20: 37219 tnt 37421 on 1Q99 Cambridge-Colchester/Felixstowe test train. 37610 on 3Q11 on Ferme Park-Southminster test.

Above: 37099 “up” at Long Green, Marks Tey on 6/12/20. (James Cole).

CRUSADER HOLIDAYS. Clacton site, latterly used as a travel office and outstation, has closed. All work is now administered by Motts at Aylesbury.

DAN’S COACH TRAVEL, NEEDHAM MARKET. Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount 3200 G210 UAS has passed to Jubilee Coaches, Rollesley, Norfolk.

DAN’S LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY. Mercedes Tourismo BN17 JLO has ben traced to Henshaw, Moreton in Marsh.

DBS. 4/12/20: 66165 at Bow yard. 7/12/20: 66147 on 6L69 Bow-Biggleswade Plasmor. 8/12/20: 66035 on 6L69 Bow-Plasmor. 7/12/20: 88004 and 92032 stabled at Dagenham Dock. 23/12/20: 66181 on 6L69 Peterborough-Bow Plasmor, then returned to Belmont, Doncaster.

DON’S OF DUNMOW. Acquired from the now defunct Gloucester Minibuses is ex Dublin Bus ADL/Enviro 500 GL02 BUS ex LW55 AHV, which has been registered BIG 8728. The previous bearer of this mark, a Leyland Olympian/Alexander tri-axle, has been offered for sale. Scania Omnidekka YN05 HGA is now DD05 DON. Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL H816 CBP is still active.

DRS. The RHTT season finished on 19/12/20 with all locos departing Stowmarket on 21/12/20 – these were 37038/059/069/218/419/422, 66426/434. 2/12/20: 37069 tnt 37422 on 3S60 Stowmarket-Essex GE circuit. 3/12/20: 57002 on 6Z87 Stowmarket-Ilford. 57003 on Stowmarket-Ilford RHTT. 68002/016 at Southminster. 4/12/20: 57003 on Ilford-Stowmarket RHTT. 7/12/20: 37038 tnt 37059 on 3S60. 8/12/20: 37419 on 0Z37 Willesden-Stowmarket light loco. 9/12/20: 66426 tnt 66428 on 3S60. 12&14/12/20: 37069 tnt 37422 on 3S60. 17/12/20: 37069/422 on 3S60. 21/12/20: 37038/059/069/218/422 – Stowmarket-Crewe as 0M05. 37419, 66434 – Stowmarket-York. 66426 – Stowmarket-Willesden. 22/12/20: 37402 from York to Stowmarket as 0L37 and then to Norwich. 23/12/20: 88004 on GEML.

Above: 88004 “down” past Chitts Hill on 23/12/20. (James Cole).

ENSIGNBUS. New is BCI Enterprise 407 (LJ70 FNL). It is in a new two tone blue livery.

As can be seen, there is a lot of activity again on Boxing Day – and New Years Day ! (with thanks to Daniel Disbury).

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: The school holidays saw buses normally dedicated to scholars runs used on public services. Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 30564, usually one of a pair allocated to Stanway School route 17, at Middleborough, Colchester on 29/12/20. (Daniel Pretty).

More acquired Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis are ex First Yorkshire 32526/31 (YJ54 XUX/Y), 32532 (YJ05 VUY), and ex First Eastern Counties 32539/40 (YJ05 VWG/E) – all at Basildon (BN). This enabled ex First Midlands West Trident/ALX400s 33401/03 to move from BN to Hadleigh (HH). The ex Tower Transit Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis which had been on hire, have been returned to Ensign; 36143/48/53/56/61/65 (BJ11 EAF/W, DVX, DZY, EBA/P). Wright StreetLite 63340 is delicensed due to accident damage and under repair. Odd sightings: 32087 on 104; 32547 on 103; 37015 on 104; 37017 on 103; 37020 on 102; R62 37135 on 61; R62 37138 on 74B; Airlink 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 100; X10 67164 on 8A. 2/12/20: 32476 on 103; 32477 on 175; 32669 on 104; 37015 on 102; R62 37134 on 75; Airlink 67161 on 100; X10 67162/64 on 8A. 3/12/20: 32485 on 103; 32673 on 175; 37042 on 104; 37053 on 102; R62 37138 on 61; 66816 on 62B; Airlink 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 8. 4/12/20: 32068 on 103; 32629 on 102; 32640 on X30; 37036 on 103; R62 37135 on 66; 37140 on 64A; StreetLite 47653 on X10; X10 67160 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 25. 5/12/20: 37034 on 104; R62 37135/38 on 61; X10 67161 on 25. 6/12/20: 37007 on 64; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37135 on 65. 7/12/20: B7RLE 66970 on 75; Airlink 67161 on 8. 8/12/20: 32087 on 102; 32485 on 174; 37010 on 103; 37027 on 104; 37036 on 175; Airlink 67161/63 on on 25; X10 67164 on 8A. 9/12/20: 32087 on 103; 32476 on 104; 37007 on 64; 37016 on 103; 37034 on 174; R62 37133 on 88A; X10 67160 on 100. 10/12/20: 37007 on 103; 37034 on 174 + 103; 37036/042 on 104; 37140 on 66; X10 67160 on 100. 11/12/20: 37035 on 102; Airlink 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 100. 12/12/20: 32628 on on 102; 37015 on 103; R62 37135 on 2A. 13/12/20: 32477 on 67B; 32629 on 64; R62 37134 on 70. 16/12/20: 32478 on 102; R62 37133 on 75; R62 37134 on 174 + 104; X10 67162 on 25. 17/12/20: 32629 on 103; 63332 on tow on A12S at Marks Tey @ 1447; X10 67160/62 on 100. 18/12/20: 32087 on 104; R62 37134 on 61; R62 37136 on 174; R62 37138 on 61; 66796 failed at Essex County on CF bound 71 @ 1620; 66801 on 75; Airlink 67161 on 8; X10 67162 on 100. 19/12/20: 32628 on 64A; 37035 on 64; R62 37133 on 61; X10 67162 on 100; 20/12/20: 37005 on 64A; 37034 on 64A; 37035 on 76; 37037/42 on 64; R62 37135 on 64. 21/12/20: 32087 on 64; 37020 on 64; R62 37134 on 61. 22/12/20: 32629 on 102; 37054 on 103; 37140 on 104; X10 67162 on 8A. 27/12/20: R6237135 on 65. 28/12/20: 32477 on 67B; 37005 on CR Staff Shuttle; 37007 on 64; R62 37138 on 75; X10 67160 on 100. 29/12/20: 37037 on 102; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37134 on 75; R62 37135 on 74B; R62 37138 on 88; 42922 on 71A. 30/12/20: R62 37138 on 88; x10 67162 on 8A. 31/12/20: 32477 on 102; 37037 on 64A; R62 37133 on 88; R62 37135 on 88; R62 37136 on 103.

Above: Another usually dedicated school bus on mainstream service. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37005 passes The Minories Art Gallery in Colchester on 29/12/20. This bus normally works the 67C West Mersea-Norman Way schools. (Daniel Pretty).

FREIGHTLINER. 1/12/20: 86608/09 + 66531/52 DIT on 4L89 Trafford-Felixstowe (from Wembley) and 4M87 Felixstowe-Trafford. 86613/04 on 4M45 Felixstowe-Garston. 90041/042 on 4L89 as far as Wembley. 2/12/20: 66505 on 4L97 Trafford-Felixstowe. 66531 on 4L91 Trafford-Felixstowe. 66591 on 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe. 86613/04 on 4M45 Felixstowe-Garston. 3/12/20: 66505 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 66529 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 66592 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 86613/04 on 4M45. 4/12/20: 66592 on 4M93 FLX-Lawley Street. 66594 on 4L32 Wentloog-FLX. 5/12/20: 66505 on 4L97. 66544 on Merehead-Chelmsford. 66572 on 4L93 Crewe-FLX “down” through Stratford @ 1344. 66955 on 4L91 Trafford-Ipswich. 8/12/20: 66517 on 4M63. 66520 on 4M88. 66557 on 4M87. 66561 on 4L41. 66952 on 4E24 London Gateway-Leeds. 10/12/20: 66523 on 4M94 FLX-Lawley St. 11/12/20: 66513 on 4E24 London Gateway-Leeds. 66560 on 4M63 FLX-Trafford. 66567 on 4M88 FLX-Ditton. 66568 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton aggregate empties. 66617 on Bow-Willesden empty aggregates. 12/2/20: 86609/04 on 4M45. 86639/13 4L97. 16/12/20: Orange 66413 on 4L32 Wentloog-FLX. 66536 on 4M93. 17/12/20: 86613/39 on 4L97. 86637/38 on 4L91. 22/12/20: 66610 on 6L80 Tunstead-Marks Tey. 23/12/20; 86609/04 on 4L89. 24/12/20: 86707/32 on 4L97. 86638/37 on 4M45. 90004/046 on 4L89. 90010/047 on 4L91. 30/12/20: Orange 66413 on 4M88 FLX-Ditton.

GBRf. 7/12/20: 66705 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66731 on 4M02 FLX-Hams Hall. 8/12/20: 66710 tnt 66735 on 3S70. 21/12/20: 66770/39 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor. 23/12/20: 66780 replaced 66712 on 4M21/4L18 FLX-Trafford, after a month. 29/12/20: 66777 on 6L37.

GODWARD, WICKFORD. Ex Edwards, Llantwit Fardre, South Wales is short VDL120/MCV YJ60 GFZ. This was acquired chiefly for schools duplicates with Arriva Southend, but has also appeared on rail. Irizar i6 CC17 PGC has also appeared on Arriva Southend Schools.

Above: YJ60 GFZ at Colchester on 29/12/20, on Greater Anglia rail replacement. (Daniel Pretty).

Below: Mercedes Tourismo BF61 HCO has branding for ‘Coach Crisis’, similar to ‘Honk for Hope’ in its crusade for the plight of the coach industry post Covid-19. Seen on Greater Anglia rail replacement at Colchester on 29/1/20. (Daniel Pretty).

GOLDLINE, LEYTONSTONE & MANOR PARK. Odd sightings: 1-4/12/20, 7-11/12/20, 14-19/12/20: Caetano Trabus BV19 XRW on Colchester Schools.

GREATER ANGLIA. New are 720539/40/50/56. ‘720s appeared on Liv St-Braintrees from 16/12/20. 360106/07/17/18 have transferred to EMR. Class 360 operation ended on 31/12/20. 360111 + 114 worked the 2F40 1443 Liv St-Braintree and 2F51 1600 return. 317503 and 512 have had their B end DTSOs swapped. 77050 to 512 and 77063 to 503. 1/12/20: 317503/512 dragged as 5Q50 Ilford-Kilmarnock ECS by ROG 57303. Ex London Overground 317709 + GA 317347 on 5V97 Witham-Ilford ECS test. 720537/38 on 5Q03 Ipswich-Liv St test. 4/12/20: 317666/512 on 5Q87 Ilford-Eastleigh for scrap behind ROG 57303. Ex LO 317709 + GA 317650 on Stratford-Meridian Water-B Stortford. 5/12/20: 317515 + 882 arriving at Liv St at 1729. 360101 on 5Q60 Northampton-Ilford ECS between 47739/727. 745103 on 1730 Liv St-Norwich. 7/12/20: 360106/07 CC-CW behind ROG 37510. 720538/37 on 5Q04 Liv St-Ipswich test run. 720539/40 on Wembley-Southend Victoria test. 755413/06 on 5Q38 Liv St-Norwich test. 11/12/20: 317512/881 on 5F96 Ilford-Witham test. 720543/48 on 5Q91 Wembley-Ilford ECS. 745008 to revenue service – last ‘745 to do so. 745106 on Liv St-Norwichs. 12/2/20: 720517/15 on 1K15 Liv St-Southend Vic. 745105 on 1303 (at Colchester) Norwich-Liv St. 14/12/20: 720515/17 on Ilford-Norwich tests 5Q60-70. 15/12/20: 720537/38 on 5Q06 Colchester-Liv St test. 720539/40 to revenue service. 755332/407 on 5Q38 Liv St-Norwich test. 16/12/20: 720511/36 on 2F04 Shenfield-Braintree and 1F09 Braintree-Liv St – first 720s on Braintree branch. 18/12/20: 317505/670 Ilford-Ely for storage behind ROG 57312. 21/12/20 360114/102 on 1Y14 Liv St-Ipswich. 360117/18 CN-CW behind ROG 37510. 720538/537 on 5Q04 Liv St-Ipswich driver training. 720550/556 on 5Q21 Ilford-Southend Vic test. 22-23/12/20: 745005 on Hornsey-Norwich overnight ECS via convoulted route via ECML, GN, Cambridge, West Anglia and GEML. 23/12/20: 317732/708 on 5L50 Wembley-Ilford ECS behind ROG 57312.

HCT GROUP. On hire from Ensign is former Tower Transit Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini BJ11 DVX.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 615 (EU07 GVY) – Halstead bound at Eight Ash Green on 23/12/20, with Greater Anglia Stadler Flirt EMU 745108 London bound. (James Cole).

(Alex Law).

From 7/12/20, closed school contract PL4 (Plume School Maldon-Mundon) was extended to/from Latchingdon in a loop around Maylandsea, before continuing to/from Mundon. PL4 was also integrated into service duties, while PL2 (Plume School-Great Totham/Wickham Bishops) became a standalone duty D3155, ex service rota. Transferred back from Konect is short ADL/Enviro 200 295 (SN10 CCX). Volvo B7TL/Gemini 517 has moved from HD to CN. Dart SLF/MPD 287/88 are now regarded a spare buses at KN. B7TL/Presidents 565/69/75/88 were parked up at KN (not all at the same time) for the Christmas holidays – but 565 and 575 were subsequently used in service. Omnidekka movements: 1/12/20: 814 – KN-CN; 817 – CN-KN. 2/12/20: 800 – KN-Chambers. 4/12/20: 812 – KN-Chambers. 14/12/20: 814 – CN-KN; 817 – KN-CN (on tow after it failed at Marks Tey); 15/12/20: 812 – CN-KN. 21/12/20: 800 – KN-Chambers. Odd sightings: 1/12/20: 288 on TLA C. 2/12/20: 288 on TLA C am; 293 on TLA C pm. 3/12/20: 287 on TLA C. 4/12/20: 287 on TLA C pm; B7TL/President 586 on 15 pm. 7/12/20: 288 on TLA C am; 817 on PL3 am replacing failed 570. 8/12/20: 287 on TLA C am then failed at Marks Tey running back to KN. 9/12/20: 287 on TLA C am; 580 on 15 pm. 10/12/20: 261 on TLA C pm; 287 on TLA C am; 579 on 63. 11/2/20: 288 on TLA C am. 14/12/20: 571 on 19 duplicate pm; 574 on 15 pm; 814 on TLA A pm. 15/12/20: 850 on 19 duplicate pm then failed on Mersea Road. 16/12/20: 521 on 15 pm. 17/12/20: 287 on TLA C am; 574 failed at Plume School Lower on PL4 pm . 18/12/20: 287 on TLA C am; 288 on 50 + 902 pm; 571 on 19 duplicate; 574 towed to CN. 22/12/20: 572 on 15 pm. 29/12/20: 572 on 15 pm. 30/12/20: 523 on 15 pm. 31/12/20: 574 on 15 pm.

IPSWICH BUSES. The last Dennis Dart is withdrawn; SLF/Super Pointer 137 (SN53 AVP). It was then sold to PSV Recycling, Hadleigh (Suffolk) and then resold to Black Cat Travel, Lincoln, where it was re registered V11 BCT.Odd sightings: 23/12/20:ADL/E200 106 (YX66 WCK) on 4 in Colchester. 30/12/20: short ex Bus Eirean ADL/E200s 72, 73 on 4 + 11 in Colchester.

Above: 106 at The Commons, Prettygate, Colchester on 23/12/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Below: 72 on St Andrews Avenue, Colchester on 30/12/20. These ex Bus Eirean vehicles have gained the nickname ‘Diddy Darts’, is some quarters. In the background are long term roadworks, which when finished will have disrupted traffic in north east Colchester for nearly 2 years. (Daniel Pretty).

JACKSONS, BICKNACRE. Reappeared from Covid hibernation in December, with Volvo B7R/Plaxton LT56 OJA being seen on Greater Anglia rail replacement, between Newbury Park and Ipswich.

LONDON BUS COMPANY, NORTHFLEET.

Above: AEC PRV Routemaster RM298 at Two Brewers, Ongar on 6/12/20, on a ‘Santa Special’ shuttle for the Epping Ongar Railway (EOR). The compound in the background used to be the depot for Birds Coaches, who ceased back in the 1980s. (Robert Downton).

Below: Daimler Fleetline/Park Royal XF1 on the same service at the same location, also on 6/12/20. (Robert Downton).

LONDON GENERAL NORTH. From 5/12/20, TfL153 (Finsbury Park-Moorgate) was extended to/from Liverpool Street Bus Station.

Above: BYD ADL/Enviro 200ev SEe75 enters Liverpool Street Bus Station on 5/12/20. (John Podgorski).

LONDON OVERGROUND. London Overground Chingford: Liverpool St – Seven Kings for Ilford CS. 12/12/20: 710259 – WN-IL. 710260 – IL-WN. 13/12/20: 710108 on 5Z11 Shenfield-Ilford ECS.

LONDON UNDERGROUND.

Above: District Line S7 Stock 21429 crosses Devons Road, Bromley by Bow on 27/12/20. (John Podgorski).

M&M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD. Neoplan Tourliner tri-axle PA66 LFX is on loan from BASE, Leyland (dealer). Previously J500 TRU with the now defunct Truemans of New Ash; it is being borrowed while Similar MM68 BUS was undergoing PSVAR conversion. Also on loan was Wright StreetLite SK68 TXP. StreetLite SN68 AGF is ex Passenger Plus. Meanwhile, for school duplicates for Arriva Southend, Klarners of Colchester lent Scania Touring/Higer YN69 XWM and Volvo B7RLE/Wright YN05 WKE.

Above: PA66 LFX on Greater Anglia rail replacement, at Marks Tey on 30/12/20. (John Podgorski).

MARC1 TRAVEL, BILLERICAY. Ex Harrogate Coach Travel is Scania L94UB/Wright Solar JSU 721 ex NK54 NUX. It has been reregistered M14 TVL.

MAYFLOWER SCHOOL, DOVERCOURT.

Above: Ex Hedingham Dennis Trident/EL 734 (W834 NNJ) is lifted into the central courtyard of the school on 24/12/20. it had been donated by Hedingham in 2019, and was intially kept in the school grounds,where it unfortunately suffered vandalism. In its new secure location, it will be restored for static use as a library and classrooms. (Karen Wright via Mark Lloyd).

MTR ELIZABETH LINE. A timetable change from 13/12/20, saw a further decline the Class 315s. The type no longer stables at Gidea Park or Shenfield, with the remaining examples stabling at Aldersbrook Sidings or Ilford depot. All workings are now M-F peaks only. 315829/33 have gone to Sims Metals, Newport for scrap. 315843/49 have passed to Booth, Rotherham for scrap. This leaves operational 315818-20/26/34/37-39/44/47/48/51/53/56/57. Class 315 Obs: 5/12/20: 315820 (country end) + 818 in Shenfield sidings. 315833 (country end) + UID visible in Ilford depot. 315826 (country end) + 843 and 315838 (country end) + 847 in Gidea Park yard. 10/12/20: 315843/26, 315844/54 in service. 11/12/20: 315834/37, 315839/57, 315844/54 on off peak Shenfield-Liv Sts. 12/12/20: 315834 (London end) + UID and 315844 (London end) + UID in Aldersbrook sidings. 315838 (country end) + 847 and 315851 (country end) + 853 in Shenfield sidings. 315856 + 818 in Gidea Park yard. 14/12/20: 315833/29 from Ilford to Newport for scrap behind ROG 53303. 16/12/20: 315843/49 from Ilford to Rotherham for scrap behind ROG 37800.

Above: ‘315s at Shenfield on 14/11/20. (John Podgorski).

10/12/20: 345006 dragged OC-IL by ROG 37510. 11/12/20: 345007 dragged OC-IL by ROG 37510.

NATIONAL EXPRESS. Due to Covid 19, some more services have been taken in house, from external contractors. 482 (Ipswich-Colchester-Stansted-London) has been withdrawn. Odd sightings: 19/12/20: SH209 on 032; GA468 on A6.

NETWORK RAIL. 8/12/20: Stoneblower DR80302 on West Ealing-Romford move.

OLST. Rainham sub depot is currently mothballed, due to Covid-19.

Above: Rainham depot on 27/12/20. Note that the area around has been considerably improved, from its “container yard” days. (John Podgorski).

PANTHER TRAVEL.

(Steve Barham).

Short ADL/Enviro 200 KX59 CZJ is ex Purple Parking, Gatwick (pictured above at Parkeston depot after delivery), but for dealer stock. It was quickly sold on to ASD Transport, Rochester. Ex ASD are Optare Solo M850 CE52 UWR, Optare Solo M920 FY52 RZC for spares recovery only. Also acquired are ex Metroline ADL/E200s YX10 BFL/O – (via Ensign); Mercedes Sprinter mini coach MV53 GRZ and ex Go North East Scania K340EB6/Caetano Levante JCN 822. ADL/E200 YX10 BDY is now in fleet livery, ex London red and has been re registered DB09 PAN. Mb Sprinter SN05 KCF is now DB54 PAN. Scania K360EB4 AB61 PAN is now fitted for OPO (for school contracts). Dart SLF/Mini Pointer BIG 9856 is back in use ex SORNED. Plaxton Primo SB07 PAN is relicensed ex SORNED. Short ADL/Enviro 200 DC61 PAN has been re registered back to YX61 BXJ and sold to ASD at Rochester. ADL/Enviro 400/Olympus VB08 PAN has reverted to PN08 SWJ and passed to Yelloway of Chadderton.

Ancillary vehicles: Added are Ford Focus estates FD55 XAC and AD63 PAN. BMW 320d estate AB51 PAN has been sold, but the cherished reg mark retained.

Above: JCN 822 on Greater Anglia rail replacement at Manningtree on 28/12/20. (John Podgorski).

Above: Newly repainted YX10 BDY at Harwich Town in December 2020. (Steve Barham).

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.

Above: Hard to believe, but there used to be a railway depot here. This is Stroudley Walk in Bow, where Devons Road engine shed once stood. The alignment of the North London Railway, which served this site, is now part of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Pictured on 27/12/20. (John Podgorski).

ROG: 9/12/20; 37601 replaced 37608 at Orient Way. 23/12/20: 37601 dragged GA 745008 Orient Way-Norwich as 5P18.

Above: 37510 at Iron Latch Lane, Colchester on 21/12/20. On 0L50 Wembley-Clacton light loco, to collect 360117/118 for transfer from GA to EMR. The photographer has used Photoshop to remove the visual intrusion of the overhead catenary ! (James Cole).

Above: 37601 drags 745008 “down” past Chitts Hill, near Colchester on 23/12/20. Once again, Photoshop has improved the vantage point. (James Cole).

SOUTH EAST COACHES, WICKFORD. From Eavesway, Ashton in Makerfield, is Van Hool TD921 YJ12 CKC. Setra S415 GRZ 2450 has been sold.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON. New are BYD ADL/Enviro 400evs 14101/02 (LF70 YTV/W), 14103/04 (LF70 YTX/Y), SLN14106 (LF70 YUA), SLN14107/08 (LF70 YUB/C), SLN 14109 (LF70 YUD), SLN14132 (LF70 YVJ). All are at Rainham for TfL174 (Dagenham Marsh Lane-Harold Hill). The SLNs were phased in of the 174 from 30/12/20. ADL/Enviro 200 LX11 AUW has a super rear advert for ‘Just add water’. The sold Trident/ALX400 18267 (LX05 BVZ), which had been in a car lot on Eastern Avenue, Newbury Park since February 2020, had gone by December.

STEPHENSONS: Great Bromley allocation at 1/12/20: Short ADL/E200 414 (SK07 BLV); ADL/E200s 467 (SK 66 WKF) , Three Rivers 472 (EU65 EOH); Scania N230UD/Olympus 510 (YN08 OAM).

Above: Scania Omnidekka 903 arrives at Norman Way, Colchester on 4/12/20, to take up the afternoon journey on scholars route 676. (Daniel Pretty).

SUFFOLK NORSE. All local bus routes serving Bury St Edmunds have ceased. Those around Ipswich have been de-registered. Suffolk school contracts are on notice.

SULLIVAN BUSES.

Above: Wright StreetLite SL98 at Shenfield, on control for TfL rail replacement (Shenfield to Newbury Park) on 27/12/20. The displayed route 327 is actually a TfL contact in the Enfield Wash/Waltham Cross area. (John Podgorski).

TOWER TRANSIT. Sold to Ensign are Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis BJ11 DTK, DVA/B/R, DUH. On hire to HCT Group is B9TL/Gemini BJ11 DVX. Resold via Ensign are B9TL/Geminis BJ11 DVA – to ASD Coaches, Strood; BJ11 DVB – to Stanley Travel, Co Durham; BJ11 EAW, EBA – to Abbey Travel, Erith; BJ11 EBO – Brookline, West Malling.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON. Ex First Somerset & Avon is Optare SoloM850 WX05 RUC. From 30/12/21, new Essex CC routes 542/A (Debden-Loughton), partially replaced Arriva 87 (Harlow-Epping).

VECTARE, CHELMSFORD. New is accessible Mb Sprinter 204 (RX70 SKZ). Irizar i6 YR20 VHT, is now here from Loughborough.

VOLKER RAIL. From 24/12/20: Kirow KRC 250UK self propelled diesel hydraulic crane DRK 81621 on Colchester remodelling.

Above: DRK 81621 at Colchester on 27/12/20. (John Podgorski).

With thanks to: Angliagen, S Austin, S Barham, T Blackman, S Blake, J Cole, R Delahoy, D Disbury, R Downton, Ensign, S Kinsella Ilott, A Law, M Lloyd, London’s Transport FB, C Messer, P Munford, D Pretty, R West, K Wright.