Monthly Archives: July 2021

Busmopolitan – Essex and District Bus and Rail Newspage. June 2021.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the June 2021 edition of Busmopolitan.

From the August 2021 issue, Busmopolitan is going over to a new site – Busmopolitan Volume 2. This is because Volume 1 has now run out of space !

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE COLCHESTER.

Above: 4039 at Horkesley Heath on 15/6/21. (Peter Cackett).

Ex Arriva KT Northfleet ADL/Enviro 200 4039 (GN09 AWM) is now here. Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 1559 (EU56 GVG) went to Northfleet in exchange. Ex Arriva Midlands Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 2151 (UUI 2906) was here, having come via the Kent fleets, but was quickly returned, unused. Odd sightings: 1/6/21: R133 StreetLite 4324 on 1. 3/6/21: P&R ADL/E200 4071 on 77. 4/6/21: Dart SLF/MPD 1559 on 1; P&R ADL/E200 4073 on 77; StreetLite 4224 on 2; R133 StreetLite 4324 on 1. 7/6/21: P&R ADL/E200 4071 on 77; StreetLite 4261 on 1; R133 4324 on 8. 8/6/21; P&R ADL/E200 4072 on 77; R133 4324 on 8. 9/6/21: Short SLF/Caetano 1565 on 1; 4071 on 77; R133 4324 on 8. 10/6/21: 4071 on 77; R133 4324 on 8. 11/6/21: R133 4324 on 8. 12/6/21: R133 4324 on 8. 14/6/21: Dart SLF/MPD 1559 on 8; P&R ADL/E200 4073 on 77; R133 4324 on 8. 15/6/21: R133 4324 on 8. 16/6/21: 4073 on 77; R133 4323 on 2; R133 4324 on 8. 17/6/21: 4073 on 77; R133 4323/24 on 8. 18/6/21: R133 4324 on 8. 19/6/21: R133 4324 on 8. 21/6/21: 4071 on 2; 4075 on 77; 4324 on 8. 23/6/21: 4224 on 1; 4324 on 8. 25/6/21: 4075 on 2; 4224 on 2. 28/6/21: P&R ADL/E200 4075 on 133. 29/6/21: P&R ADL/E200 4072 on 77; 4075 on 2; R133 StreetLite 4323 on 1. 30/6/21: P&R ADL/E200s 4071/74 on 2.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE HARLOW. The proposed Green Line route 720 from Stansted Airport to London has been officially dropped. It was due to start on 4/5/20, but the Covid pandemic prevented this.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE SOUTHEND. ADL/Enviro 200 driver shuttle YX68 UUL has left Southend. Vauxhall Corsa car BV61 XER looked to replace it.

BOMBARDIER. RMS Locotech 08588 replaced 08871 at Ilford during June.

Above: 08588 at Ilford on 19/6/21. (John Podgorski).

C2C.

Above: 357045 at Stratford on 12/6/21, on the rear of a Shoebury-Liverpool Street service. 357205 was on the front. (John Podgorski).

CENTRAL CONNECT, ROYDON. Optare Solo RRZ 5463 has gone for scrap. Ex Go-Ahead London Dart SLF/EL Esteem PO56 JFE retains its ‘Here East’ wrap, from its Docklands Buses days.

CHAMBERS. Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 566 (W428 WGH) has gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap.

COLAS RAIL. 5/6/21: 70810 on 6C60 Whitemoor-Ripple Lane engineers. 11/6/21: 37240 + 9714 on 3Q69 Colchester and return via Norwich and Stansted. 12/6/21: 37240 + 9714 on 3Q66 Colchester-Derby via FLX, Liv St. 21/6/21: 37057 tnt 37254 on 1Q18. 26/6/21: 37057 tnt 37254 on 1Q18 test train. 29/6/21: 37219 on 3Q63 Derby-Colchester then 3Q64 Colchester-March.

DAN’S COACH TRAVEL, NEEDHAM MARKET. Recent additions are: Bova Futura YJ04 GYP; Mercedes 0815D/Plaxton Cheetah XIL 8515; Ex Squirrels of Hitcham Volvo B10M/VH SNZ 7183; Volvo B10M/VH T766JYB; Volvo Olympian/NC Platine II R371 LGH – named ‘George’

DBS. 3/6/21: 66097 on Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 SE119 (YX61 BYA) is now with London General at Stockwell. Pictured on Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1 on 19/6/21. (John Podgorski).

DRS. 2/6/21: 37424 tnt 37425 on 6P01 Wickford-Whitemoor engineers. 3/6/21: 37424 tnt 37425 on 6P02 Whitemoor-Rayleigh engineers. 28/6/21: 37425/402 on 0L37 Willsden-Norwich light loco via GEML.

Above: Dagenham Dock on 12/6/21. Featuring 88008. Seen from passing South Eastern 395005. 88001 was also there. On the right is one of the branch lines into the Ford works. (John Podgorski).

ENSIGNBUS. Ex Tower Transit ADL/Enviro 400s SN11 BTU, BPY, SN12 EHC are in temporary use; numbered 901-903 respectively. Wright StreetDeck W651 (WJ 1984) has been acquired from Kowloon Motor Bus, Hong Kong, for use in this fleet following UK certification. Temporary ADL/E400 LK57 AXF has passed to Warrington’s Own Buses.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 132 is on loan to First Eastern Counties at Kings Lynn. It was pictured in Norwich on 16/6/21. (Daniel Pretty).

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: On Covid schools duplicate S33 is First Essex Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 32642, at Ongar on 21/5/21. (Robert Downton).

Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 69431/33 (AU58 FFT/V) are now in green Essex Bus livery. 69515 (BJ11 ECN) was loaned by HH to BN for 27/6/21 only. Odd sightings: 1/6/21: 32087 on 102; 37006 on 66; 37007 on 67; 37054 on 103; R62 37136 on 61; 42968 on 71A; 67189 on 71B; 67195 on 42. Airlink 67161 on 8A. 2/6/21: 32673 on 174; 37016 on 67; 37042 on 64A; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37138 on 68; 42931 on 71A; 47657 on 100; 66816 on 62; 67193 on 36; 67194 on 71; 67197 on 31X. 3/6/21: 32477 on 103; 37036 on 67; R62 37135 on 1A; R62 37136 on 75; 42895 on 71A; 66798 on 75/A; 67193 on 31C; 67194 on 42. 4/6/21: 30785 on 103; 37020 on 67; 37035/053 on 64; R62 37138 on 61; 42922/968 on 71A; 47652/53 on 100; 67190 on 31X; 67194 on 31C; 67735/36 on 75; 67805 on 75. 5/6/21: 30567 on 61; 37005 on 67; 37015 on 64; 37035 on 67. 6/6/21: 32087 on 64; 32628 on 67B; 37005/007; 27020 on 64; 37036 on 64A. on 1027/6/21: 32485 on 103; 37015 on 104; 37017 on 17; 37053 on 102; R62 37133 on 65 + 1A; R62 37135 on 61; R62 37138 on 88; Airlink 67163 on 25; 67196 on 31C; 67197 on 31X. 8/6/21: 32485 on 102; 32628 on 104; 37010 on 66B; 37020 on 103; 37035 on 67; R62 37136/38 on 75; Airlink 67161 on 8A; Airlink 67163 on 8; 67193 on 31C; 67197 on 71 + 351. 9/6/21: 31785 on 103; 32478 on 64A; 32669 on 67; 37004 on 102; 37020 on 103; R62 37133 on 88; R62 37138 on 88A; 42935 on 71A; 67189 on 31X; 67196 on 71A; 67197 on 31C. 10/6/21: 32485 on 64A; 32547 on 67; 32669 on 102; 37017 on 103; 37054 on 17; 42895 on 71A; 67193 on 31C; 67196 on 31X. 11/6/21: 37015 on 103; R62 37133 on 70; R62 37135 on 65; R62 37136 on 64; R62 37138 on 75; 42939 on 71A; 42652 on 100; 67190 on 31C; 67194 on 31X. 12/6/21: 32628 on 102; 42935 on 71. 17/6/21: 32068 on 67; 32087 on 67; 32628 on 103; 37004 on 64A; 37015 on 174; 37017 on 64A; 37020 on 67; 37034 on 103 + 67C; 37054 on 64; R62 37138 on 104; 67190 on 31X; 67193 on 31C; 67190 on 31C. 18/6/21: 32477 on 67C; 32673 on 66; 37034 on 64; 37035 on 67; 37062 on 64; R62 37135 on 65; R62 37136 on 103; 42895 on 71; 47654/56 on 100; 67193 on 31C; 67195 on 351; 67197 on 31C. 19/6/21: 31785 on 175; 42929 on 71. 20/6/21: 37004 on 64B; 37005 on 64; 37006/007 on 64A; 37036/042 on 66; R62 37135 on 64; R62 37136 on 65. 21/6/21: 32087 on 67; 32547 on 67C + 17; 32669 on 17 am; 37016 on 67; 37140 on 175/174; 42937 on 71B; 42941 on 71A; 67189 on 31X; 67191 on 31B; 67193/94 on 31C; 67197 on 42B. 22/6/21: 37016/035 on 64A; 37037 on 67; 42944 on 71A; 47656/57 on 100; 67194 on 70; 67197 on 31C. 23/6/21:32551 on 71X; 32673 on 67; 37010 on 104; R62 37133/36 on 75; R62 37138 on 70; 42940 on 71A; 67189 on 42; 67190 on 31C; 67191 on 31X; 69433 on 72. 24/6/21: 32628 on 103; 37062 on 64; R62 37133 on 64A; R62 37136 on 88; R62 37139 on 75; 42922 on 71B; 67195 on 31C; 671296 on 31B. 25/6/21: 37015 on 67; 37035 on 104/103; 37062 on 64A; R62 37133 on 65; R62 37135 on 88; R62 37136 on 64A; 42941 on 71A; 47654 on 100; 67192 on 31C; 67193 on 31X; 672195 on 42; 67197 on 71B. 26/6/21: 37034 on 64A; R62 37136 on 70/74B; 42936 on 71.

Above: Newly repainted into Essex Bus livery, Volvo B7RLE/Wright 69431 on Lexden Road, Colchester on 24/6/21. (Daniel Pretty).

FREIGHTLINER. 2/6/21: 90003/049 on 4L89. 90047/010 on 4L91. 3/6/21: 90010/046 on 4L91. 90015/011 on 4L89. 4/6/21: 90010/046 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 90041/045 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 5/6/21: 90003/009 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 90049/046 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 9/6/21: 66602 on 4L87 Leeds-FLX. 10/6/21: 90003/045 on Coatbridge-FLX. 90041/043 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford and 4L91 return. 11/6/21: 90015/011 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX.12/6/21: 90042/041 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 15/6/21: 66587 on Ipswich-Lindsay tanks. 21/6/21: 90044/004 on 4L91 then 4M87. 22/6/21: 90004 on 4L91. 90009/042 on 4L89. 23/6/21: 90004/047 on 4L91. 90014/048 + 90005 dit on 4S88, then 90048/014 on 4L89. 26/6/21: 90043/012 on 4L97. 90045/004 on 4L91. 28/6/21: 90016/046 on 4L91. 29/6/21: 90012/043 on 4M87, 4L91. 90048/014 on 4L89. 30/6/21: 90044/043 on 4M87, 4L91. 90045/004 on 4L89.

GALLEON TRAVEL, ROYDON. The Trustybus brand has been replaced by Central Connect (red/blue/silver livery) for the local bus services. Only two buses retained Trustybus red/yellow/blue colours in June.

GBRf. 4/6/21: 66733 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor. 8/6/21: 66709 on 0Z66 Tonbridge-Colchester light loco. 11/6/21: 66726 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 16/6/21: 66715 on Harwich-North Walsham tanks. 21/6/21: 66722 on 6Z41 Long Marston-Harwich oil refinery with 10 VTG TEA bogie tankers. 24/6/21: 66724 on 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor.

Above: British Rail heritage liveried 66789 is a frequent visitor to the Busmopolitan area. However this view shows it at Hoo Junction, Kent on 12/6/21. (John Podgorski).

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: 317513 at Stratford on the Meridian Waters shuttle, 19/6/21. (John Podgorski).

317710 is withdrawn. This was the last of the ‘317/7s. 317338 is back in use, ex store at Harwich International. 317888, 64664, 64707 have gone to Sims Metals, Newport, Gwent for scrap. Redundant Class 321s are now being stored at Gacoigne Wood and Worksop. 3/6/21: 321402/405 on 5Q16 Clacton-Gascoigne Wood scrap move behind ROG 57305. 755405 on Manningtree-Harwich Towns. 10/6/21: 3421428/432 on 5Q16 Clacton-Worksop scrap move behind ROG 37800. 11/6/21: 317732/729 on 5G46 Ilford-Ely for storage behind ROG 57305. 12/6/21: Stansted Express 745110 on Liv St-Ipswichs. 19/6/21: Stansted Express 745108 on Liv St-Norwichs. 23/6/21: 317710 on 5G46 Ilford-Ely storage move behind ROG 57312. 26/6/21: 317337 on Stratford-Meridian Waters shuttles. 30/6/21: 317888, 64664, 64707 on 5Q76 Ely-Newport scrap move behind GBRf 66724. 720560/566 on 5Q43 test train at Shenfield.

HARBACH, MANNINGTREE. Has Ford Transit 16 seater AY59 XJE, ex Ward’s of Alresford.

HARRIS BUS, GRAYS. Former Volvo Olympian/EL P340 ROO; latterly with Dunn of Stirling, ended up abandoned at the Cairns Services on the M74. It was subsequently removed to a yard at Annandale.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Freshly repainted 470 in Halstead on 12/6/21. (Simon Austin).
Above: ADL/Enviro 400 EN22 at Hants & Dorset Trim, Waterlooville on 22/6/21. After refurbishment and repaint, it will become fleet no 642. (Jeff Coward).

Volvo B7RLE/Wright 470 (EU05 CLJ) is in the new livery. Scania Omnilink 454 (YT11 LVF) was borrowed from Chambers in early June and returned on the 16th. ADL/Enviro 400 613 (SN62 AVY) has returned to Konect at Dereham – off loan to HD. The ex London ADL/Enviro 400s LX56 EUC, LK08 FLL/N/P are going to Hants & Dorset Trim for refurbishment. LK08 FLL has been allocated fleet no 642. Gone for scrap to Alpha Recovery, were Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 288 (HW54 BUF); Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 577 (W519 WGH). From 21/6/21, Duty 2104 (16A + 82, 83) was temporarily transferred from HD to KN. Odd sightings: 2/6/21: B7TL/President 574 on 63. 7/6/21: B7TL/President 580 on 15 pm. 10/6/21: 454 on 901 am. 11/6/21: Omnidekka 815 on 15 pm. 14/6/21: Omnidekka 813 on PL3 am. 15/6/21: Omnidekka 809 on PL2 pm. 16/6/21: Omnidekka 815 on PL3 am. 21/6/21: ADL/E200 263 – HD-KN. 24/6/21: Vo VB7TL/President 571 on X76. 25/6/21: Dart SLF/Pointer 259 – HD-KN; 574 on 63. 26/6/21: 259 -KN-HD; B7TL/President 580 on 63. Omnidekka movements: 2/6/21: 811 – KN-CN. 8/6/21: 818 – CN-KN. 9/6/21: 809 – Chambers-KN. 10/6/21: 818 – KN-CN; 820 – CN-KN. 18/6/21: 815 – KN-CN; 818 – CN-KN. 21/6/21: 807 – Chambers-KN; 811 – CN-KN. 27/6/21: 810 – CN-KN; 818 – KN-CN. 28/6/21: 811 – CN-KN; 817 – CN-KN.

Above: Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 288 (HW54 BUF) is collected for scrap from Clacton depot on 23/6/21. (Jeff Coward).
Above: Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 586,on Gosbecks Road, Colchester on 25/6/21, running light to take up the afternoon TLA B journey from Thomas Lord Audley School to West and East Mersea. The Busmopolitan/Bus Fayre editor is driving. (Daniel Pretty).

IPSWICH BUSES. Acquired via Ensign are ex National Express Volvo B11RT/Caetano Levantes BX65 WDA/D; ex Lothian Buses Volvo B7RLE/Wrights SN57 DCX/DDF. Withdrawn are Optare Versas 148/50/52 (YK08 EPE/J/V). 148 then passed to Stafford Bus Centre for resale. This left 149 (YK08 EPF) as the last of the IB Versas.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 no 70 on Maldon Road, Colchester on 25/6/21, on town service 4. (John Podgorski).

Route 2A Feering-Ipswich schools has been converted to coach, ex double deck bus. Odd sightings: 2/6/21: Versa 149 (YK08 YPF) on 4+11. 7/6/21: mid ADL/E200 77 (KX59 GNY) on 4 + 11. 24/6/21: Long ADL/E200 82 (YX63 LGF) on 4 + 11. 26/6/12: ADL/E200s 75 (GN10 MVM) and Nacton Nipper 81 on 93. 30/6/21: Long ADL/E200s 75, 84 on 4 + 11.

KEANE, STANFORD. Has ex Lothian Buses Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini SN57 DFK, via Ensign.

LONDON OVERGROUND.

Above: 378214 at Stratford on 12/6/21. Overground has now started using “mainline” platform 10A, as well as the bays nearer to Westfield. This is for LO staff to retain route knowledge. (John Podgorski).

MTR ELIZABETH LINE: Class 315 obs: 26/6/21: 315834/54 at Aldersbrook sidings; 315837/53 at Gidea Park yard; 315838/57 at Ilford depot along with 4 others; 315839/44 at Shenfield sidings.

MULLEYS, IXWORTH. Volvo B10M/Jonckherre Mistrals S595/98 KJF have been sold. They have been seen parked at the Missing Sock pub at Quy, Cambs, which operates them.

NATIONAL EXPRESS. More routes restarted from 20/6/21. There were two new services from Ipswich to London. 251 (Ipswich-Colchester-Braintree-Stansted-Heathrow-London) and 482 (Ipswich-Colchester-Braintree-Stansted-Stratford-London). Galloway of Mendlesham remains the contractor.

Above: National Express coach services have been returning since 29/3/21. Pictured at Stratford City on 12/6/21, Ambassador Travel Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante BV19 XPV works a Great Yarmouth-London service 491. (John Podgorski).
Above: Scania K410EB6/Caetano Levante SH205 (BG65 TGN) has been transferred from NX Operations at Start Hill (Stansted) to Woods of Leicester. Pictured at Bullied Way, London Victoria on 19/6/21. (John Podgorski).

ROG. 23/6/21: 37800 on 0L50 Wembley-Gidea Park cs light loco.

SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY.

Above: ‘Javelin’ 395003 arrives at Stratford International on 12/6/21, on the St Pancras to Herne Bay 1506 departure. (John Podgorski).

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: Route 97 is a habitat for some of the remaining Scania Omnicity double deckers. 15134 loads at Stratford City on 12/6/21.

STEPHENSONS.

Above: Ex Yourbus ADL/Enviro 200 436 at Southend Travel Centre on 12/6/21. It is on ex First Essex route 24. (Simon Austin).

Dart SLF/Pointer 456 (GU52 HJX) has been withdrawn and cannibalised; its engine has gone into similar 457 at NIBS.

VECTARE, CHELMSFORD. Acquired are Mb Tourismos BP17 URH – ex Arriva The Shires; BF65 HVN – new to First Aberdeen; NH17 EFH, HFH from National Holidays. The last two are at Loughborough depot.

With thanks to: Angliagen, S Austin, P Cackett, J Coward, R Downton, D Pretty.