Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the October 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.

Following the collapse of Wrightbus, intensive talks followed to find a buyer and basically save the business. By mid October, Jo Bamford, from the JCB dynasty, had made a firm offer “in principle”. This was confirmed in mid October. The new company is called Bamford Bus Company and has an ex JCB senior manager as its CEO. Initially, 60 ex Wrights staff were employed.

24/7, STANSTED.
Vauxhall Vivaro EN14 CGX is now with UK Private Hire, Blackburn.

A2B BUSES, CAMBRIDGE.
Via Ensign is ADL/Enviro 200 MX07 ZDZ.

AIR INDIA.
Began three flights a week to/from Stansted at the end of October.

AJK COACHES, ILFORD.

(John Podgorski).
Odd sightings:
2,3/10/19: Premium of London Volvo B11R/Jonckherre BU16 OZR on Colchester High School.

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL.
New for National Express is Scania K360EB4/Caetano Levante III 216 (BV69 KPT).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
Park and Rode ADL/Enviro 200s 4071/72 (SK15 GXR/S) have super rear adverts for Jump Street Activity Centre.
Odd sightings: 3/10/19: Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1565 on 1 – all day. 14/10/19: StreetLites 4224, 4261 on 1. 16/10/19: Sort Dart SLF/Caetano 1562 on 1; StreetLite 4262 on 1.

Above: StreetLite 4261 at Braintree Freeport on 12/10/19. (Simon Austin).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3860 (KE54 HHF) has returned from Stevenage and is now in the new livery. Optare Versea 4243 (KX13 DHN) has also appeared here.
ADL/Enviro 200 3989 has gone to Southend for storage.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
ADL/Enviro 400 6458 (SN58 ENX) has been branded for Remembrance Day 2019 and named ‘Charles Benford’. The other E400 MMCs have all received discreet poppy branding too.

Above: 6458 at the Canvey Museum Open Day on 13/10/19. (John Podgorski).

Mb Sprinter 1008 (BF67 WGC) has gone to Arriva The Shires.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Received from Stagecoach Selkent are Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini hybrids HV161-192
(BU14 EFW-Y, BN14 VZH/J-M/O/P/R, WAA/E/J/O, BJ14 KSU/V/X/Y, BG14 ONR/T/S/V/U/X/W, OOA/D, ONZ, OOV/C. They are for the forthcoming gain of TfL34 (Walthamstow-Barnet) from Metroline. They are allocated to Palmers Green (AD).
From Arriva London South is New Routemaster LT351 – now at Clapton (CT).

Above: New Routemaster LT475 at London Bridge on 31/8/19. (John Podgorski).

From 12/10/19, TfL48 (Walthamstow-London Bridge) ceased. It was replaced by enhanced TfL26 (Hackney Wick-Waterloo) (HCT Group), TfL55 (Leyton Green-Oxford Circus) (Stagecoach), and extended TfL388 (Stratford City-London Bridge – extended from Liverpool Street) (HCT Group). The LTs displaced from 48 moved from Ash Grove to Tottenham for TfL19/N19 (Finsbury Park-Battersea Bridge/Clapham Junction). Also from 12/10/19, TfL128 (Romford-Claybury) passed to Stagecoach, which spelt the end for more of the VLA Class Volvo B7TL/ALX400s.
Withdrawn were VLA116/26/27/29/32-35/39/41-43/72/74/78.
VLA129 (LJ05 GLZ), VLA132-134 (LJ05 GPX/Y/Z), VLA135/37-40 (LJ05 GRF/U/X/Z, GSO) passed to Ensign. VLA138/LJ05 GRX was resold to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap.

Above: VLA132 in Ilford on 8/9/18. (John Podgorski).

AVON COACHES/GATWICK FLYER, ROMFORD.

The Gatwick Flyer ceased trading on 2/10/19. It had been established for 32 years. Avon Coaches continues to trade.
The closing Gatwick Flyer branded fleet was: Mb 516/EVW KXZ 2667; Mb 0815D/Ferqui MX56 ACO; Mb 516/EVMs RX16 AGM/O; Ford Transit 16 seater HV18 FHF.
Mb 614D/Onyx YX06 DNN was sold to SJ Coaches, Hornchurch.

Above: Gatwick Flyer Ford Transit HY13 RHV at Gatwick Airport. An undated picture. This vehicle is now sold. (Thurrock Gazette).

BARKING AND DAGENHAM COUNCIL.
Sold via CVA Auctions, Hemel Hempstead are Fiat Ducatos AE09/11/15 (YX61 BHN/P/Y).
Mercedes 513/Mellor DK13 BTX has been returned to London Hire, off loan.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
New for TfL364 (Dagenham East-Becontree) are ADL/Enviro 20Ds SE304-319 (YX69 NNH/J/K/L/M/O/P/R/T/U/V/W/Y/Z, NOF/H). They are in the course of delivery. SE306/7 were initially used by Commercial Services at Luton Airport.

BRENTWOOD COACHES, HUTTON.
Mb 0816D/Plaxton Cheetah2 YN60 FMD ex XCF 447 is now with Alansway, Heathfield.

CHAMBERS.
Withdrawn Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premieres 9, 10 (S290/91 TVW) went to Alpha Recovery for scrap. Withdrawn Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 566 (W428 WGH) was still on site in October.

COLCHESTER ARTS CENTRE.
The RML has been restored by a local vehicle engineer.

DANS COACH TRAVEL, NEEDHAM MARKET.
Ex Philips of South Woodham Ferrers is Volvo B10M/VH S756 XYA. Also acquitred is Mb 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah XIL 8515. Sold is Scania K114/Irizar YR02 ZYY.

DBS.
66091/108/122/126 all at Stowmarket for RHTT.
1/10/19: 66136 at Bow, Plasmor.
17/10/19: 59002 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton.
26/10/19: 66108 tnt 66122 on 3S60 RHTT.
28/10/19: 59102 on Chelmsford-Acton stone.
30/10/19: 66110 on 5V12 Chelmsford-Acton stone. 66175 on 6V07 Ipswich Griffin Wharf- Neasden sand.

DLR.
On 17/10/19, an Extinction Rebellion activist glued himself to a train at Shadwell. Four activists were subsequently arrested. The train involved was 94 + 146.

(Extinction Rebellion).

DRS.
2/10/19: 37402 on 0Z37 Stowmarket-Cardiff light loco. 37401 tnt 37405 on 3S01 Stowmarket RHTT. 37403 tnt 37424 on 3S60 Stowmarket via Mistley RHTT.
3/10/19: 66427 tnt 66428 on 3660 Stowmarket via Shenfield RHTT.
5/10/19: 37403 tnt “37558” on RHTT reversing at Colchester @ 1355.
12/10/19: 37402 with DBS 66108 at Ipswich on Crewe-Stowmarket @ 1536. 66427 tnt 66428 on 3S60 RHTT at Ipswich.
17/10/19: 37403/402 on Stowmarket-Ilford RHTT.
24/10/19: 68033 + 37305 towed GA 90015 and DVT 82107 on 5Z68 Crewe to Norwich via GEML.
25/10/19: 37424 tnt 37401 on 3S60 Stowmarkey-Harwich International RHTT.
26/10/19; 57003 + 37038 on Willesden-Stowmarket light engine.

EAST YORKSHIRE.
The National Express contract for 090 (London-Southend) is now held.

EMPRESS OF LONDON. Is now located at Silvertown, (was Bethnal Green). Sold to MC Tractors, Ramsey – for scrap are: DAF SB/Ikarus SIG 3451 orig R120 GNW; Neoplan Transliner SIG 3452 orig YN03 AWP; Volvo B10M/Berkhof SIG 3453 orig R917 ULA; DAF SB3000/Van Hool SIG 3454 orig W941 OSA. Thre Neoplan went via Solus, Tamworth (as dealer).

ENSIGNBUS.
Some ex Yourbus, Heanor ADL/Enviro 200s have been taken into stock, following the collapse of that company – 705-710 (YY18 THK/N/U/V/X/Z). They are replacing 2010/2011 vintage E200s. Indeed, 710/13 (SN11 FFO/T) have already passed to Faresaver of Chippenham.
Temporary Scania omnidekka 920 (YN55 NKP) is now with Dartline, Clyst St Mry, Devon.

Above: BCI Enterprise 406 at Southend Airport on 5/10/19, awaiting departure with the 2340 to London. The gentleman to the right is Busmopolitan contributor Daniel Disbury. (James Sadd).

From 5/10/19, the X1 overnight Southend Airport-London Victoria service was reinstated. This followed successful negotiations with the owners of Southend Airport for access.

Above: 406 at London Victoria in the early hours of 6/10/19. (Daniel Disbury).

ADL/Enviro 200s 710/13 (SN11 FFO/T) have been sold to Faresaver of Chippenham.

FIRST ESSEX.
Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32064 (W224 XBD0 has been returned to First Eastern Counties.
Dart SLF/Pointer 42484-86 (SN03 WLW, WMM/X) have transferred to First Eastern Counties at Great Yarmouth. Sister 42488 (SN53 KJX) was withdrawn on 17/10/19, but was then reinstated at Basildon (BN). 42483 (SN03 WLK) moved from Basildon (BN) back to Chelmsford (CF).

Above: 42483 in Chelmsford on 30/10/19. (Daniel Pretty).
Below: 42488 in Basildon on 30/10/19. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: 69519 in Colchester on 18/10/19. (John Podgorski).

Volvo B7RLE/Wright 69519 (BJ11 ECV) has moved from Hadleigh (HH) to Colchester (CR).
On loan from CF to CR in late October were Volvo B7TL/ALX400 32482 (AU53 HJZ) and B7TL/Gemini 32628 (KP54 KAU).
Long ADL/Enviro 200s 44596-99 (EU60 LFS, FJ58 YSL, KX57 BWF, YX08 HJF) have moved from CF to HH.

Above: 44598 at Basildon on 30/10/19. (Daniel Pretty).

Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65677 (SN51 UYL) was withdrawn from pcv use and become a temporary driver trainer, before retirement upon MOT expiry. Also withdrawn is Dart SLF/Caetano 41523 (LK03 UFA); mechanically failed Trident/President 33195 (LT52 XAF) and Volvo B10BLE/Wright driver trainers 62139 (X618 NSS), 66179 (W379 EOW).
Odd sightings: 3/10/19: X30 ADL/E200 MMC 67168 on 71; X30 ADL/E200 MMC 67170 on 70. 13/10/19: Streetlite 47651 (SN15 AEO) on X10. 14/10/19: B7TL/Gemini 37027 (YJ06 XKS) on 64. 15/10/19: Route 62 37134 on 88; 65681 (YR52 VEL) on 67C. 17/10/19: Scania/Solar 65682 (YR52 VEP) on 75. 18/10/19: SLF/MPD 42847 on 71. 19/10/19: Trident 33184 (LR02 LZD) on 65; B7RLE 66798 (MX05 CCA) on 75. 20/10/19: B7RLE 66828 on 62. 21/10/19: 43845 (SN55 CXH) on 71. 26/10/19: Trident 33088 on 88. 27/10/19 – Sunday: Tridents 33078/178 on 65; Trident 33184 on 1A. 29/10/19: Tridents 33080/184/96 on 62.

Above: 66170 at Braintree on 3/10/19. (Simon Austin).

FLAGFINDERS.
Irizar i6 tri-axle YN15 YTP is ex Galleon, Roydon.

FREIGHTLINER.
2/10/19: 86607/37 on 4L91 Trafford Park-Felixstowe.
4/10/19: 86604 failed at Ipswich and parked in station sidings.
16/10/19: 70002 towed failed 86604 on 8Q64 Ipswich-Felixstowe light engine; 86604 to be removed by road to Crewe for repair or withdrawal.
17/10/19: 86637/607 on 4L75 Trafford Park-FLX.
26/10/19: 66553/551 on FLX-Leeds. 66555 on 4L16 Ditton-London Gateway.
28/10/19: 70002 on 4L06 Lawley Street-London Gateway. 86609 + 632 at Ipswich Field sidings.
29/10/19: 66506 on Ipswich-Lindsay tanks.
30/10/19: 66616 on Marks Tey sand yard-Brentford. 66617 at Bow. 86613 + 604 + 70008 DIT on 4M87 FLX-Trafford Park.

GALLEON, ROYDON.
Irizar i6 DK64 GAL has passed to Carolan, Nobber, Eire.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
After 19/10/19. Suffolk CC contracts 110/12/13/14 (Ipswich/Stowmarket/Eye/Diss) were retendered and passed to Simonds of Diss. 115/16 (Ipswich-Mendlesham) went to Ipswich Buses, also on retender. 384/385 (Stowupland/Stowmarket-Bury St Edmunds) had previously been transferred to Stephensons. 118/119 (Ipswich-Framlingham) remained with Galloway.

Above: Optare Solo SR 332 on a 118 at Old Cattle Market, Ipswich on 28/10/19. Note it now has a fleet number in the Stephensons series. (John Podgorski).

GBRf.
4/10/19: 66787 tnt 66703 on 3S61 Broxbourne based RHTT.
5/10/19: 66759 on “down” intermodal at Colchester goods loop @ 1420. 66769 through Colchester @ 1420 on “up” intermodal.
6/10/19: 66709 on 4Y26 Peterborough-Felixstowe. 66749 on 4E00 London Gateway-Masborough.
7/10/19: 66729 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
12/10/19: Biffa livered 66788 at Ilford depot.
15/10/19: 66788 ‘Locomotion15’ on 4L04 Hams Hall-FLX and 4M04 return.
16/10/19: 66724 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
21/10/19: 66706 on 4L81 Trafford Park-FLX. 66721 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66740 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 66772 + FL 66604 on 6L37.
24/10/19: 66717 on 6L37.
26/10/19: 66710 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX. 66719 tnt 66715 on 3S70 Broxbourne RHTT at Gidea Park. 66783 4L43 Doncaster-Parkeston.
28/10/19: 66703 + 66787 at Broxbourne for RHTT. 66715 on 0Z82 Broxbourne-Peterborough light loco. 66756 on Peterborough-Broxbourne 0Z81 light loco.
29/10/19: 66721 on 4M29. 66760 on 6M76 Chesterton-Bardon Mill.

GODWARD, BASILDON.
Has ex Arriva london DAF DB250LF/Wright Pulsar Geminis LJ05 BHP/V – via Ensign.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: 170204 at Colchester depot on 12/10/19. It had been parked there after a collision with a fallen tree. (John Podgorski).

New are 745008/9, 755327/7/38/421.
755411 is at Cambridge for staff training.
MkIII coaching stock is beginning to be stood down.
2/10/19: 755337, 755421 delivered.
7/10/19: 82107 + UID 82xx on Norwich-Crewe ECS – to Crewe for tyre turning – between 2 DRS ’37s.
10/10/19: 90004/15 on Norwich-Crewe light engine.
14/10/19: 317504 towed by ROG 37884 on 5Q50 Kilmarnock-Ilford. 755409 on West Anglia 5Q33 1247 B Stortford-Cambridge.
15/10/19: 317339/651 on 1812 LST-IPS. 321310/405/308, 321312/27, 321319/30 on Liverpool St-Norwichs (1930, 0625, 1030).
17/10/19: 745009 delivered. 755411 on 5Q30 Cambridge-B Stortford.
18/10/19: 745005 on 5Q92 Liverpool St-Norwich.
22/10/19: 153322 on Marks Tey-Sudbury. ‘153 unusual M-F.
24/10/19: 755327/338 delivered.
29/10/19: 153314 on Marks Tey-Sudbury. ‘153 unusual M-F.
30/10/19: 153306 on Marks Tey-Sudbury.
31/10/19: 153322 on Marks Tey-Sudbury. 745008 delivered by DBS 66002.

Above: 153306 at Marks Tey on 30/10/19. (John Podgorski).

HCT GROUP.
The first 69 plate buses to record on ‘Busmopolitan’ are ADL/Enviro 40Hs 2548/49. They are mainly for extras on TfL26, but will appear on all double deck work from Hackney (HK).

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Freshly repainted 616 at Southway, Colchester on 11/10/19. (John Podgorski).

ADL/Enviro 400 616 (SN10 CCV) has received the new livery, ex Hedingham 50th Anniversary cream/chocolate/red. 615 (EU07 GVY) went for repaint in the same new scheme later in October.
The Optare Solos, 910/11 (SF04 SKD/E) are now appearing on more routes outside of Clacton, such as the 50 Colchester to Tollesburys.
ADL/E200 261 (EY57 FZE) appeared at Kelvedon on 11/10/19. It was returned to HD on 15/10/19. 263 (EU59 AYL) and 292 (EU59 AFF) now have super rear advertising for Contactless Ticketing.

Above: 500 at Kelvedon on 14/10/19. (John Podgorski).

Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President open topper 500 (PL51 LDJ) has gone to store in the old workshop at Kelvedon for the winter. Accident damaged B7TL/President 568 (W458 WGH) has been repaired using parts from withdrawn 578 (W519 WGH). 561 (V301 LGC) has been collected by its new preservationist owners – The Bromley Bus Preservation Group, while 582 (X508 EGK) went for scrap.
Withdrawn on 31/10/19 was Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 290 (EX02 RYR). It was last used on 30/10/19, on Duty 3003 – routes 91/92/95.

Above; 290 being parked up at Kelvedon after withdrawal on 31/10/19. (John Podgorski).

From 7/10/19, there were changes to the maintenance arrangements for buses at Kelvedon. Sible Hedingham now (usually) only looks after saloons, while Clacton does all Volvo B7TL/Presidents. Chambers still looks after Omnidekkas. However, Clacton may also now provide B7TL/Geminis and Omnidekkas. As a result, B7TL/President 563 was reallocated from HD to CN. B7TL/Presidents 569/70/73 now (usually) only work from Sible Hedingham, but 573 appeared at KN on 31/10/19 (ableit briefly). Gemini 524 (LX05 EZG) appeared at KN from 21/10/19, and was returned to CN on 30/10/19, when 523 (LX05 EZF) arrived.
From 21/10/19, Honywood Schools services HN2 and HN3 were merged to form a new HN2.
The crew room at Sible Hedingham had been modernised.
Scania Omnidekka movements: 2/10/19: 818 – KN-CN. By 4/10/19: 802 – KN-Chambers. 10/10/19: 811 – Chambers-KN; 813 – KN-Chambers. 16/10/19; 816 – CN-KN. 18/10/19: 802/6 – Chambers-KN; 810/12 – KN-Chambers. 23/10/19: 806 – KN-Chambers; 813 – Chambers-KN. 24/10/19: 816 – KN-CN. 28/10/19: 814 – KN-Chambers. 30/10/19: 812 – KN-Chambers; 814 – Chambers-KN.
Odd sightings: 1/10/19: Omnidekka 818 on TLA A am. 4/10/19: Omnidekka 812 on 903 pm. 21/10/19: Omnidekka 816 on TLA B am. 22/10/19: 802 on TLA B am; 811 on TLA B pm. 24/10/19: Omnidekka 816 on TLA am.

IPSWICH BUSES.
Mb Citaro demonstrator BF68 ZHB was on loan from Evobus.
Dart SLF/Super Pointers 134/35 (SN53 AVG/K) have passed to Red Eagle, Haddenham, Bucks.
Subsequent history:
Trident/ALX400 13 (LG02 FDF) is now a catering vehicle in Rochdale.

JOHN JAMES LUXURY TRAVEL, DAGENHAM.
Sold is Ford Transit 16 seater YP09 MMO.

KEVENDY’S, WICKFORD.
The depot on Robert Way is shared with L and R Transport. The site had been used by NIBS in the past.

Above: Kevendy’s Wickford depot on 13/10/19. (John Podgorski).

L and R TRANSPORT, WICKFORD.
At the depot in October were: Ex Ensignbus Trident/ALX400 V479 KJN; red Optare Solo SF05 DXE, along with UID Trustybus Scania L94UB/Wright Solar and Scania Omnicity ‘decker; a UID red/green Bristol VRT branded ‘BUZZ’ and a UID RML.
The depot is shared with Kevendy’s.

Above: L&R Wickford depot on 13/10/19. (John Podgorski).

LONDON CENTRAL.
New for TfL100 are BYD/ADL/EV200EVs SEe99-109.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
New is BYD/ADL/E200EV SEe77 for TfL214.
Sold are Dart SLF/Marshall Capitals DMN1, 9 (LT02 NUK/P).

LONDON OVERGROUND.
6/10/19: 317732 + UID on 0830 Liverpool Street-Enfield Town.

Above: 378222 approaches Kew Gardens on 12/10/19; on a Richmond to Stratford service. (John Podgorski).

LONDON UNDERGROUND.
On 17/10/19, two Extinction Rebellion activists climbed onto the top of a Jubilee Line 1996 Tube train at Canning Town, and unrolled a banner reading “Business as usual = death”. They were removed by LUL staff and passers by and 4 activists were arrested. There were also protests at Stratford Jubilee Line station.

(Gretchen Red).

METROLINE.
New for TfL393 (Clapton-Chalk Farm) are ADL/Enviro 20Ds DEM2681-96. They entered service from 17/10/19 and replaced the temporary borrowed buses.

MTR TfL RAIL.
Has been renamed TfL Elizabeth Line.
315821/23 withdrawn at Gidea Park. Then to Sims Metals, Newport (Wales) for scrap.
315822/59 withdrawn at Aldersbrook.
315831/42 to Sims Metals, Newport (Wales) for scrap.
1/10/19: 315825/59 went for scrap – Ilford to Wolverton. 345039 – OC-IL.
2/10/19: 315831/42 – Ilford to Wolverton for scrap.
10/10/19: 345044 towed OC-IL by ROG 37800 as 5Q50.
21/10/19: 325821/23 towed by ROG 37884 Ilford-Newport (Wales) for scrap.
28/10/19: 315831/42 towed by ROG 37800 on 5Q78 Ilford-Newport (Wales) for scrap.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
The standard single decker is now the ADL/Enviro 200, with the double deck fleet being all Scania. E200 449 (YX10 FFK) has been transfered to sister Eastern Transport Holdings company Stephensons.
In from other sister company, Galooway of Mendlesham is Optare Solo M880SL MX59 AWF.

Above: ADL/E200s 417, 419 at Wickford depot on 13/10/19. (John Podgorski).

PANTHER TRAVEL.
ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BGO is now AB10 PAN.
ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BGK has been sold on without being used, to Southend Airport.
Scania K360EB4/Plaxton Panther2 TB61 OXF has been re-registered DB61 PAN. It entered service in plain white. It received Panther Travel vinyls in late October.
Ancillary vehicles:
Dennis Dart/Alexander Dash BIG 8843 has now had various parts removed; including several lights, the wipers, drivers seat and instrument panel. It continues in use as a static store at Parkeston depot.

Above; BIG 8843 on 20/10/19. (John Podgorski).

A “new” ferry car is Seat Ibiza 5door h/b AB64 PAN. Ford Focus estate EU06 EUY has gone for scrap.

PHILIPS, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.
Volvo B10M/VH S756 XYA has passed to Dan’s Coach Travel, Needham Market.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Although this company closed in January 2018, its former fleet is still being traced. Short ADL/Enviro 200s 651/52 (SN10 CAU, MX10 DXO) are now with Summercourt Travel, Cornwall.

SILVERLINE, ABRIDGE.
Mb Tourismo SIL 474 has reverted to BF61 HBL and been sold.

STAR BUSES, HAVERHILL.
Ex Whippet Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis LK54 FLB/E/G, have replaced the Volvo Olympians.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Transferred out are Trident/ALX400s 18335/38/40/41/44/47/48 (AE55 DJU/Y, DKA/D/L/U/V), 184116/8 (AE06 GZN/P), ADL/Enviro 400s 19017 (MX06 XAS), 19047 (MX56 FRP) 129068 (MX56 SSZ); Dart SLF/Pointers 34426 (KV53 EZC), 34530 (GX04 EYC). This was in connection with the transfer of Long Sutton Outstation to Stagecoach Lincolnshire.
Mercedes Sprinters 44005/6 (BP16 UWH, BV66 GRZ) have gone to Stagecoach Cleveland Transit, following their temporary use on a diverted route in east Cambridge.
Newmarket outstation finally officially ceased use in October 2019. This ended many years of Stagecoach and its predecesors keeping vehicles in this Suffolk horse racing town. The allocation of Ely increased as a result.
Mb Sprinter 44005 (BP16 UWT) is now with Stagecoach Cleveland Transit.

Above: 15957 at Parkside, Cambridge on 26/10/19. (John Podgorski).
Odd sightings:
26/10/19: Green Scania N230UD/E400 AE09 GYG on 13A; Gold Scania N230UD/E400 15957 on 2. 27/10/19: UID green Scania N230UD/E400 on 3.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
From 12/10/19, TfL128 (Romford-Claybury) was gained from Arriva London North.

Above: One of the recent ADL/Enviro 40D MMCs for TfL372. 11076 at Lakeside on 4/10/19. (Simon Austin).

Overall adverts: ADL/E40H 10347 (SN16 OLO), New Routemaster LT376 – Royal British Legion. LT258, LT313 – GoPro. LT375 – National Lottery.. Jedi – LT379. Back to red fleet livery – LT369/81.

Ensign has resold Trident/ALX400 17979 (LX53 KAJ) to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap.

STAGECOACH HUNTINGDONSHIRE.
Amongst the first buses in the new livery are Volvo B8TL/Enviro 400 Citys for the North Cambridgeshire Busway.

STEPHENSONS.
ADL/Enviro 200s SN66 WLO, YY67 USC/D are ex Yourbus of Heanor, via Ensign.
ADL/Enviro 200s 144 (SK07 HLV), 449 (YX10 FFK) has transferred internally from NIBS at Wickford.
Allocation changes at Braintree have seen the arrival of ADL/Enviro 200s 414, 441 and 467. 414 and 441 have the new fleet names.
From Mellor, Rochdale (dealer) is Mb Sprinter 516 accessible minibus KF19 LCV. It had previously been on loan.
The allocation at Bury St Edmunds at the end of October was Dart SLF/MPDs 404, 406; ADL/E200s 442, 449; Dart SLF/Pointer 456; ADL/E200 462.

Above: Optare Solo 323 at Littlebury on 26/10/19; on diversion due to the B1052 being closed between Saffron Walden and Wendens Ambo. (John Podgorski).

TENDRING TRAVEL.
Scania Omnidekka YN03 PZV is ex Keane of Muckingford.

TOWER TRANSIT. Transit Group has been sold to Sealink Travel Group Limited. Received from Metroline are ADL/Enviro 200s DML44181-89 (YX11 AEV/W/Y/Z, AFA/F, CNK/U.

UNO.
ADL/Enviro 200s 601-5 are now branded for TfL route 383 (Barnet-Woodside Park). They have also had a light refurbishment.
ADL/Enviro 200 MCM 528 (YX67 UYB) has branding for ‘Poppy’ route 17.
From 28/10/19 ex Centrebus routes 59, 60 (Northampton-Market Harborough) were taken on, following the closure of Centrebus Corby depot.
Odd sightings: 19/10/19: Omnidekka 205 (UL55 UNO) on 601.

VICEROY OF ESSEX, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Ceased trading at the end of October. Its school swimming contracts passed to Don’s of Dunmow. Just prior to this, Neoplan Tourliner TUI 9840 was sold.

WHIPPET.
Acquisitions are of: Dart SLF/EL WS326 (PN06 UYO) – from Tyrer, Adlington; Volvo B7RLE/Wrights WS327/28 (YX59 BZF/K) – from Alton Towers.
Withdrawn is ADL/E300 WS435 (SN04 EFS).
Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WD429/35 (LK54 FLG/E), LK54 FLB have passed to Star Cabs, Haverhill. WD440 (LK04 HZN) went to Stafford Bus Centre (dealer), while WD431 (LK54 FLA) was also sold.

With thanks to: Anglia gen, S Austin, T Bartrop, D Disbury, Extinction Rebellion, Greta Red, HarlowRide, A Hazell, L and S Kinsella Ilot, J Lidstone, LOTS, Route One, J Sadd, Thurrock Gazette, A Totman.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the September 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.

This time of the year sees the new vehicle registration number; 69 in this case. The first buses to bear this are with TfL contractors.
And it’s the start of the new school year, which means changes to some contracts.
Double deckers have returned to Arriva Colchester, after some three years.

On the rails, the first stock to depart Greater Anglia as a result of the new Stadler ‘Flirt’ are the Class 170 Turbostar DMUs. They will all go to Transport for Wales.
Two well known names ceased trading in September. Wrightbus, the manufacturer of the “Borismaster”, StreetLite buses and the Gemini and Solar bus bodies; plus (in the air), the iconic travel agent Thomas Cook, who had a significant presence at Stansted.

EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY RT/RF BUS RALLY ON 8th SEPTEMBER 2019.
(By LOUISE COCKER).

Above: RT1, RT8 and RT113 at the rally. (Louise Cocker).

This year marks 80 years since RT1 first entered service and 40 years since the withdrawal of the RT and RF types from service with London Transport (LT). With these two significant anniversaries this year, an event which may never be repeated anywhere again because of the age of the buses was organised and very well attended.
The day started early with lots of activity getting the buses ready and into position to travel to North Weald Station. It was great to see so many lovely old buses and so many enthusiastic bus crews.
We had over 30 buses in attendance at North Weald Station and several stals selling books, model buses, bus photos and other bus related items.
There were bus rides around the local area to Chingford, High Beach, Loughton, Theydon Bois and Waltham Abbey. There was also a special bus service to Lodge’s Coaches depot at High Easter for their Bus and Car show. Lodge’s has a fleet of preserved coaches. The regular 339 and 381 services were also operated with RT and RF vehicles.
I was lucky enough to drive Leyland RTL1076 in service to Waltham Abbey.
I parked up when we arrived at Waltham Abbey to allow for photos to be taken of RTL1076 with the Abbey Church in the background. I also drove RF401.

Above: RTL1076 at Waltham Abbey. (Louise Cocker).

Of the many buses attending today was RT1 which entered service in 1939, the first of nearly 7000 RT buses that London Transport operated. RT1 has been beautifully restored by the London Bus Museum in Surrey, where it is kept. RT8 and RT113, biult in 1940 were also in attendance, all in lovely condition and still running around as if they were new. You wouldn’t have thought they were all in their 8th decade. There were also many post war built RT and RF buses in attendance.
Production of the RT stopped during the War and resumed afterwards. Most London Transport RT buses were built by AEC, but there were also some built by Leyland. Today, there were examples of AEC and Leyland RT buses as well as RF buses, of which RF136 was “the star of the show”.
“Star of the show” RF136 entered Green Line service in 1952. The RF buses were so reliable that by the mid 1960’s LT decided to refurbish them rather than replace them. By 1966 RT136 had been refurbished to give it a more “modern” look, but what made RT136 a one off was that it was the only RF to have the pale pearlescent grey with a broad green stripe bearing the Green Line fleet name livery that you see it in today. The rest of the Green Line RF fleet was painted in the same green livery which RF180 wears today. Until today, only one colour photo taken in 1966 existed of RF136. We can now see RF136 in its full glory beautifully restored.
Towards the end of the day a road run took place from North Weald Station to the airfield where a cavalcade of RT and RF buses did several circuits so that people could ride on them and some people were at the roadside taking photos. We then all drove to Harlow Garden Centre and parked up for one last display of these wonderful buses. A fantastic day was had by all, visitors and bus crews alike.
Many thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this another very successful Epping Ongar Bus Rally and to all the bus owners for bringing their wonderful buses to the rally.
The next bus rally is Sunday 23rd February 2020, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of London Country Buses. Don’t miss it !

Above: RF136 and RF180. (Lousie Cocker).

A and U TRANSPORTS, ILFORD.

Above: Has the contract for Colchester High School, previously held by AJK Travel of Ilford. Mb Sprinter Transfer 18 seater BV19 YKM is used. Pictured at Colchester on 4/9/19. (John Podgorski).

AJK TRAVEL, ILFORD.

Above: Mb Tourismo BK15 UOL ex 151-D-350046 is used on a contract for Colchester High School. Seen at Colchester on 24/9/19. It was ex Eirebus, Dublin in August 2019. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (NETWORK COLCHESTER).

Above: 3779 at Osbourne Street, Colchester on 10/9/19. (Simon Austin).

Southend VDL200/Wright 3779 (KX09 KDU) was here in early September. it is on loan to cover vehicles undergoing Euro6 upgrade.
Also from Southend is VDL SB300/Wright Gemini2 4459 (MX61 AXW), reintroducing double deckers here. Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3825 (GN07 AVO) went in exchange. Then DAF DB250LF/EL 6259 (FD02 UKO) arrived from Southend on 30th September.
Odd sightings: 5/9/19: Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1563 (RX07 KPJ) on 8; Route 133 StreetLite 4324 (SK68 TWV) on 1. 9/9/19: Short SLF/Caetano 1562 (RX07 KPG) on 8; P and R ADL/E200 4073 (SK15 GXT) on 900. 16/9/19: Route 133 StreetLite 4324 on 1. 19/9/19: Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3817 on 1. 24/9/19: StreetLite 4261 (GN64 DXR) on 1.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
New liveried Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3824 (GN07 AVM) is from Stevenage. Ex Watford is Optare Versa 4191 (KX62 JPY).
Mb Sprinter 1010 (BF67 WGE) has returned to service, but 1015 is no longer used.
Into the new livery are Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 3878/79 (KX11 PVL, PUY).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Further Volvo B7TL/ALX400s withdrawn are VLA137/38.

AVON COACHES/GATWICK FLYER, ROMFORD.
Sold are Ford Transit 16 seaters BN64 HUZ, HX65 WGA.

BEESTONS.
Some Cornard Upper School runs have been gained from Chambers.
The Ipswich-Colchester Schools have been lost to Ipswich Buses and Panther Travel.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Commercial Southend Seafront service 68, finished for the season on 1/9/19.
Ex London Central New Routemaster LT452 is now here.
Odd sightings: 7/9/19: ADL/E400 E70 on 5.

BOB’S, GREAT OAKLEY.
Has ceased trading.

CHAMBERS.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 562 (V303 LGC), 564 (W409 WGH) are stored at Konect, New Rackheath depot, near Norwich. 566 (W428 WGH) is stored at Chambers Sudbury depot.

COLAS RAIL.
16/9/19: 37116 tnt 37057 on 1Q90 Derby-Ferme Park via Broxbourne and Liverpool Street.
Then:
17/9/19: 1Q95 Ferme Park-Ripple Lane. 1Q96 Ripple Lane-Ferme Park.
18/9/19: 1Q97 Ferme Park-Cambridge via Harwich Town, Clacton, Southend Victoria.
19/9/19; 1Q98 Cambridge-Cambridge via Gt Yarmouth, Lowestoft.
20/9/19; 1Q99 Cambridge-March via Kings Lynn, Flelixstowe, Mistley.
21/9/19: 1Q86 March-Derby via Lincoln, Doncaster.

COOKS, WESTCLIFF. Withdrawn is Bova Futura NHJ 714 ex S901 GUB.

DBS.
1/9/19: 59101 at Harlow Mill.
2/9/19: Maritime 66047 on 4L45 Wakefield-Felixstowe.
24/9/19: 59205 on Acton-Chelmsford.
26-27/9/19: 59204 on Acton-Chelmsford.

DRAGOMAN, DEBENHAM.
This operator provides overseas “adventure exploration” tours.
Mercedes Axor 1824 WN60 AYG is a lorry chassis cab with an in house bus body fitted. It is named ‘Amelia’ and is for use in Africa. 329 AFK 93 is a French registered left hand drive Mercedes lorry chassis cab. It has been converted to a bus and is named ‘Eva’. It is for use in South America.

DRS.
2/9/19: 57306 hauled GWR 378134 on 5Q50 Reading-Ilford ECS.
3/9/19: 37402 on York-Stowmarket RHTT wagon move.
19/9/19: 37402 with inspection saloon ‘Caroline’ on 2Z03 route learning tour of East Anglia and North London, from/to Brent sidings.
20/9/19: 66427 + 37407/1 on 0Z37 Crewe-Stowmarket RHTT convoy.
27/9/19: 66427/28 on “up” RHTT at Brantham.
30/9/19: 37401/5 on 3S60 Stowmarket via Shenfield and Wickford RHTT.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).

Above: Ipswich Reds Felixstowe Flyers VolvoB7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipse 69424 at Crown Street on 15/9/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: Volvo B7TL/ALX400 32492 at Woodbridge Road, Rushmere on 15/9/19. (John Podgorski).

FELIX, LONG MELFORD.
Acquired from a preservationist, for heritage use, is 1950 vintage Bedford OB/Duople LJO 757.

FIRST ESSEX.
From First West of England are 8.9m ADL/Enviro 200s 44908-10/13-15 (YX09 AFV/Y/Z, AGV/Z, AHA). 44908-10 are at Basildon, and the rest are for Chelmsford. This will see the end of more Dart SLF/Caetanos.

Above: 32064 at Derwent Road, Highwoods, Colchester on 3/9/19. It is on an afternoon peak double deck working of 65. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: 32629 at Maldon Road, Colchester on 3/9/19. (John Podgorski).

From First Eastern Counties at Great Yarmouth are Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400s 30954 (YJ51 RDO), 32064 (W224 XBD) and B7TL/Wright Gemini 32629 (KP 54 KAX) – all at Colchester. B7TL/ALX400 32480/81 (AU53 HJX/Y), 32651 (AU05 MUO) have gone to Eastern Counties at Ipswich. The swap was due to the need for more low height ‘deckers at Ipswich. Part of the depot at Ipswich is too low for full height ‘deckers. However, 32064 was taken out of use, later in September.
Trident/Presidents 33072/74/90 (LN51 GOC/H, GMX) have gone to First Bristol.
Dart SLF/Pointer 42483 (SN03 WLK) has moved from Hadleigh to Chelmsford and then to Basildon. 42485 (SN03 WMM) moved HH to CF. 42482/88 (SN03 WLD, SN53 KJX) are withdrawn.
Chelmsford to Colchester school services 524, 525 have had their “dead” runs registered as journeys on public bus service 71X.
Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 69520 (BJ11 ECW) is now repainted into Thamesway pink and yellow heritage livery, ex Park and Ride black.

Above: 69520 at Showbus on 29/9/19. (Daniel Pretty).

Dart SLF/Caetano 41494 (LK03 LLZ) has gone to Alpha for scrap.

Odd sightings: 2/9/19: Route 62 B9TL 37136 on 88/A. 10/9/19: Route 62 B9TL 37138 on 70. 11/9/19: Route 62 B9TL 37136 on 61. 12/9/19: Route 62 B9TL 37136 on 75. 14/9/19: Route 62 B9TL 37135 on 88A. 18/9/19: Route 62 B9TL 37138 on 75; Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66816 on 75; X30 E200MMCs 67168/70 on 71. 19/9/19: X30 E200 MMC 67169 on 70. 23/9/19: Route 62 37133 on 65; Route 62 37136 on 75; Scania L94UB/Solar 65681 on 1A. 25/9/19: Route 62 B9TL 37138 on 75B. 26/9/19: Scania L94UB/Solar 62408 on 75. 27/9/19: B7TL/ALX400 30954 on 62.
A double decker on the 174 (Colchester-Fingringhoe) in school terms in now more common.

FREIGHTLINER.
3/9/19: 66528 ‘Madge Elliot MBE’ on 4E24 London Gateway-Leeds.
7/9/19: 66522 with intermodal wagon rake stabled in goods loop in Colchester yard with loco at London end.
14-15/9/19: 66598 on Whitemoor-East Tilbury engineers.
17/9/19: Pink 66587 on Whitemoor-Parkeston Quay light engine. 70005 on Felixstowe-Crewe.
24/9/19: 66552 on Ipswich-Lindsay oil tanks.
27/9/19: 70005 on FLX-Crewe.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
Volvo B10M/Van Hool 339 (NJI 9241) has passed to a preservationist.

GBRf:
2/9/19: 66761/31 on 0L33 Peterborough-Felixstowe light loco.
4/9/19: 66767 on North Walsham-Ipswich light loco.
5/9/19: Newell & Wright 66747 on 6L34 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
12/9/19: 66768 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
15-16/9/19: 66733 on 6T61 Whitemoor-East Tilbury engineers. 66764 on 6T62 Whitemoor-East Tilbury engineers.
16/9/19: 66708 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor. 66721 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66768 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice.
17/9/19: 66708 on 6L37. 66767 on 4M07 FLX-Birch Coppice.
19/9/19: 6708 on 6O36 Whitemoor-Hoo Junct.66761 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
21/9/19: LUL white 66721 on 4M23.
23/7/19: 66708 on 6L37. 66735 on 6O36.
25/9/19; Maritime blue 66727 on 0L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor. 66742 on 4L18 Trafford Park-FLX. 66782 on 4L14 Doncaster-FLX.
26/9/19: 66717 on 6L37.
27/9/19: 66727 on Chesterton-Wellingborough.
30/9/19: 66750/59 on 0L33. 66764 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66788/32 on 6O36.

GREATER ANGLIA.
New are Stansted Express 745103; GA 755334-36.
170207 has transferred to Transport for Wales, being towed to Cardiff by a DRS diesel.
2/9/19: 156422 failed at Colchester, so replacement buses on Marks Tey-Sudbury.
3/9/19: 755415 on Norwich-Liverpool St test.
5/9/19: 745103 delivered.
7/9/19: 156422 on Marks Tey-Sudbury, rather than the usual ‘153 on a weekend.
12/9/19: 755334-36 delivered.
18/9/19: 317501 returned to GA.
23/9/19: 170272 transferred to Transport for Wales.
26/9/19: 755424 on 5Q42 Ipswich-Felixstowe test and 5Q43 return.
30/9/19: 321448 moved as ECS from Clacton to Ilford for storage.

Above: Soon to be replaced 90011 at Ipswich on 22/9/19. (John Podgorski).

GREY GREEN.

Above: Preserved Leyland Lynx 801 seen in Halstead on 10/9/19. (Chris Baines).

HEDINGHAM.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 561 (V301 LGC) has been saved for preservation.
575 (W516 WGH) has been repaired and now has a new style wheelchair ramp – with string pull.

Above; Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 575 on 903 and 574 on 902 at Kelvedon depot on 5/9/19. (John Podgorski).

Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 286 (HW54 BTY) has transferred from Sible Hedingham to Clacton. ADL/Enviro 200 261 (EY57 FZE) went CN to HD in exchange.

The Stanway School services ST1-ST4 are now registered bus routes 901 to 904.
901 (Mount Bures), 902 (Little Horkesley), 903 (Kelvedon, Birch, Hardys Green, Easthorpe, Copford, Marks Tey), 904 (Layer).
There were changes to the Plume School, Maldon services from the start of the Autumn term. This involved duty changes to alleviate capacity problems on 95A.
Scania Omnidekka movements: 19/9/19: 818 – CN-KN. 20/9/19: 802 – Chambers-KN; 810 – KN-Chambers. 23/9/19: 810 – Chambers-KN. 26/9/19: 818 – CN-KN.
Odd sightings: 2/9/19: Solo 910 on 50A. 24/9/19: Solo 911 on 50B + 83. 30/9/19: Omnidekka 818 on TLA B am.
Subsequent history:
Ensign has resold Trident/EL 727 (W827 NNJ) to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap.

IPSWICH BUSES.
The end of Dart operation wasn’t 31/8/19 after all, as 84 (PJ53 OLC), 86 (PJ53 OLG), 135 (SN53 AVG), 137 (SN53 AVK) , along with Trident/President 25 (SN51 AXV) were reinstated for new school contracts in September – see below.
Gained is an Ipswich School to Colchester contract from Beestons. It is numbered 2C and usually uses DAF DB250LF/EL or Trident double deckers and Dart SLF saloons.
Odd sightings:
24/9/19: Dart SLF/SPD 135 (SN53 AVG) on 93.
Subsequent history:
Scania Omnicity saloon 71 (YN56 NVC) is now with Al’s Coaches, Birkenhead, via Ensign.

Above: 135 in Colchester on 24/9/19. (John Podgorski).

KENZIES, SHEPRETH.
Volvo B10M/VH VVE 885 is now with Ingleby, Acomb.

KLARNERS, COLCHESTER.
New is Scania Touring YN69 XNW. Ex Airporter, Londonderry is Mercedes Sprinter 516/EVM VUI 8238

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
Ford Model T SV 6936 has been named ‘Lucy’.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
The seasonal Southend seafront service 68 will not be run in 2020.
The old pump house at Northumberland Park depot has been demolished to provide extra parking/charging space for forthcoming new electric buses.

LONDON OVERGROUND.
New Aventra 710510 has been on test.

MAYMIST, BARKING.
Has ex Galloway of Mendlesham Mb 0816D/Palxton Cheetah AY08 CRU – via Parnell, Honiton (dealer).

MTR TfL RAIL.
315822/23 are withdrawn.
26/9/19: 345029 seen on Liverpool St-Shenfields, ex “west side”.
30/9/19: 315831/42 went for scrap. Ilford to Wolverton. (Planned).

Above: 345012 at Hayes and Harlington on 7/9/19. (John Podgorski).

NATIONAL EXPRESS.

Above: Not all it appears. Volvo B11RT/Caetano Levante BV66 WRC is actually a training vehicle, based at Start Hill. Seen at Marks Tey (at the route 250 coach stop) on 9/9/19. (John Podgorski).

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Additions to the fleet are ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BGK and Scania K360ERB4/Plaxton Panther2 TF61 OXF.

Above: WV02 EUP at Ipswich on 15/9/19. (John Podgorski).

Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon WV02 EUP is now AB02 PAN.

Above: Dart SLF/Mini Pointer DC56 PAN on route 14 at Pier Avenue, Clacton on 27/7/19. (Chris Baines).

Commercial service 14 (Harwich-Clacton/Clacton-Clacton Common), was deregistered from 1/9/19 – the last operational day was 31/8/19. However, 6 new school contracts have been gained, to compensate. These are Ipswich School to Colchester – ex Beestons and Harlequin, Manningtree School – ex Hedingham and Ward’s. The Colchester outstation VA has been increased to 6 as a result.
The duplicates for Airport Bus Express have ceased. Great Dunmow outstation (at Don’s Coaches) is still available, but is no longer regularly used for parking.

RYANAIR.
There was further industrial action by pilots in early September.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
Received from Selkent are ADL/Enviro 400s 19747/48 (LX11 BCE/F) – now at North Street. From Metroline has come New Routemaster LT461 (LTZ 1461) – now at Leyton. Transferred to Selkent are ADL/E400 12323 (SK14 CTU) and Versa 15112 (LX09 FZJ). Trident17001 (S801 BWC) has passed to Bromley Bus Preservation Group. Ensign has resold Trident/ALX400 17982 (LX53 KAU) to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap. 18212 (LX04 FWZ) has gone to Lister, Bolton for breaking.

Above: Route 247 branded Trident/ALX400 17979 (LX53 FAJ) is being stripped at Ensign. Pictured on 28/9/19, between ex Metroline Volvo B7TL/President LK03 GKN and ex Arriva London South Volvo B7TL/ALX400 LJ53 BFO. (John Podgorski).

Below: 17979 when still in service, at Romford on 1/9/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: One of the last Tridents in normal service with Stagecoach East London was 18209 (LX04 FWV). Pictured at Ensign on 28/9/19. (John Podgorski).

STEPHENSONS.
From 23/9/19, took over routes 59/590 (Audley End-Haverhill) from Viceroy of Saffron Walden.

Above: Volvo B12M coach 200 at Southway, Colchester on 5/9/19. (John Podgorski).

Stephensons has gained the Colchester High School contract from First Essex, who had used yellow BMCs. Stephensons has received Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon 200 (X400 MTT) back from Galloway of Mendlesham for this. It does home to school, with school activity runs in between.

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD.
Ex EOS Scania Omnicity 700 (YR10 AZV) is now with Swissport, Dublin Airport. It has been disused since the closure of EOS. ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolution LX07 BYL is now HSK 177.

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN. Ford Transit 16 seater YT65 MXG is ex Plumpton College, Devon.

THOMAS COOK.
Ceased trading at 0200 on 23/9/19. This travel agent was established in Leicester in 1841. The fleet of Airbus Aircraft A320 and A321 was grounded, with the last landing at Manchester. Stansted was a base for Thomas Cook and several planes are now grounded there, having been “seized” by the administrators. 150 000 UK holiday makers were left stranded abroad by the collapse of this company, and Stansted was one of the airport to which they were flown back using emergency hired aircraft. Titan Airways participated in flights to Stansted.

Above: Airbus A321-211 G-TCDA at Stansted on 21/5/16. (John Podgorski).

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.

Above: YN54 NYH is an acquired Scania/Irizar, ex Bull of Pytchley, Northants. Pictured at Southway, Colchester on 25/9/19. (John Podgorski).

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
Another ex RATP London Scania Omnicity ‘decker is YP59 OEM. Sister YP59 OET is now in red.blue ‘Central Connect’ livery, ex plain red. Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers SN03 YBK/S.

UGOBUS.
This is the new title for Community Link, the passenger transport section of Essex County Council. New vehicles in Ugo purple livery are Mb Sprinters KE19 ZTM, LN69 NYX/Z, at Harlow, Clacton and Tiptree respectively.

UNO.
ADL/Enviro 200 529 (YX67 UYC) is branded for new ‘Poppy’ route 17.
From 29/9/19, Herts CC Sunday/Holiday contracts on 304 (St Albans-Wheathampstead), 357 (St Albans-Rebourn), 404/5 (Welwyn Hatfield Circulars) were gained from Arriva.
Subsequent history:
Dart SLF/EL Esteems 510/12 (PE56 UFM/S) to MC Tractors, Ramsey for scrap, via Ensign.

VICEROY, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Ceased local bus operation after 21/9/19, with the cessetation of commercial services 59/590 (Audley End-Haverhill). They passed to Stephensons.

WILSON, GRAYS. Ford cTransit 16 seater EY12 UMC is ex Perse School, Cambridge. It has been re-registered AW12 BUS.

YOUNG, HADDENHAM.
Volvo B12T/Berkhof R157 RJH is now with GDS 2016, Long Sutton.

With thanks to: Anglia gen, S Austin, C Baines, L Cocker, Ensign, HarlowRide, LOTS, C Nixon, D Pretty.

Edited by John Podgorski, BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the August 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.
Several types of bus/coach have been retired this month. Following the withdrawal of its last Trident, Go East Anglia has removed all but two coaches from its Chambers fleet, and has eliminated coaches from Hedingham completely. The Volvo B7TL has gone from Chambers and been depleted at Hedingham.
At Ipswich Buses, the remaining Dart SLFs and surviving Trident bowed out at the end of August.
And the last Tridents have been withdrawn from Stagecoach East London.
On the trains, the first Class 170 DMUs from Greater Anglia have been returned to their lessor. The entire two batches are to be relocated to Wales, and will be the first GA stock to be replaced by the new Class 755 ‘Flirt’ bi-modes.

A and U TRANSPORTS, ILFORD.
New is Mercedes Sprinter Transfer BV19 YKM. A contract for Colchester High School has been gained from September.

A2B, CAMBRIDGE.
Acquisitions are ADL/Enviro 200s KX08 HMF , KX09 GGJJ – from Accessible Transport, Aston, and Optare Solo M950 YJ10 MBF ex Gloucester Minibuses.
Withdrawn is Dart SLF OU04 FMV ex SN04 EFW.

ACME, MOLEHILL GREEN. Scania K340EB6/Caetano Levante FJ08 KLS is now E4 CME.

APT, RAYLEIGH. Volvo B9R/Plaxton KX61 JVO is ex AFSC, Aylmerton, Norfolk.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
Southend ADL/Enviro 400 MMCs 6505/6/12/13 were borrowed over the August Bank Holiday Weekend for the Ed Sheeran concert at Ipswich.
DAF SB120/Wright Cadet driver trainer 3524 (LJ51 DDX) was in use during August.
Odd sightings: 11/8/19: Park & Ride ADL/E200 4015 (SK15 GXV) on Freeport. 13/8/19: Dart SLF/Pointer 3413 (SN54 HWY) being recovered at Crouch Street by Hammonds @ 1630, after failing on an Ambrose Avenue bound 1. 14/8/19: StreetLite 4224 (GN62 HMY) on 1.
Ancillary vehicles:
DP18 RZK is a hired Ford Kuga, for crew ferry use.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
From Arriva Hemel Hempstead is slim Optare Solo 2482 (YJ07 VRF).
To the new livery are Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 3838 (KE54 KPF), 3884/85 (KX11 PVK/J)

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
Received from Arriva Hemel Hempstead is Optare Versa 4186 (KX62 JKE)
The remaining DAF SB120/Wright Cadets have been withdrawn, along with most of the VDL SB200/Wright Commanders. SB120 3514 (LJ03 MZE) is confirmed.

Above: Ex Hemel Hempstead ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 6529 at Southend Travel Centre on 31/8/19. (Simon Austin).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
VDL300LF/Wright Gemini DW336 has been allocated to Grays. Volvo B7TL/ALX400 VLA140 is withdrawn.

ATS, ROMFORD.

Above: Scania K340/Caetano Levante FJ57 KHM, new to National Express, on the seafront at Clacton on 10/8/19. (Simon Austin).

AVON COACHES/GATWICK FLYER, ROMFORD.
Ford Transit 16 seater HY13 RHV has passed to BHX, Birmingham.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
From Akiens and Feeley of Leicester is Ayatsingle deck coach TIB 8569.

BEESTONS.
The Two Sisters Foods chicken factory at Witham, closed on 8/8/19.
Beestons was the staff bus provider; having taken over from Arriva Colchester in 2015. Fargo was the operator 1997 to 2008, and for the first three months (in 1997), Tony Glew was the contractor. Back then, Two Sisters was called Sovereign Chicken.
Services to the factory latterly ran in from Ipswich and Colchester. The original route started at Harwich. During the ensuing years, the works buses also served Braintree and Clacton. Panther Travel also briefly subcontracted during 2015.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Buses used on the the commercial 68 Southend Seafront service, have been ADL/Enviro 400s E14, 15 (SN06 BNZ, BOF); open top Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President PVL224 (Y824 TGH); open top Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WVL83 (LF52 ZNR), WVL93 (LF52 ZNE). Volvo B5TL/Wright Gemini WVN21 has been allocated here.

CANVEY MUSEUM.
Daimler CVD open topper FOP 429 is now in pseudo Town and Country two tone blue, ex Southend Corporation cream/blue.

CARTERS HERITAGE, GREAT BROMLEY.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President W553 RSG has passed to the Bus Stop Diner, Crowland – for use as an eatery.

CHAMBERS.

Above: Scania Omnidekka 805 (YN55 PZG) with contactless branding. (John Podgorski).

Contactless ticketing started on 11/8/19.
Optare Solo 911 (SF04 HKE) was briefly borrowed from Hedingham in late August. This was to do with a road closure near Bures. Volvo B7TL/President 570 (W487 WGH) went to Hedingham Clacton in exchange and then permanently moved to Sible Hedingham.
Withdrawn are Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 562, 564.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 562 (V303 LGC) was the last licensed example of this type here. The rest of the bus fleet is now all Scania.
B7TL/President 564 (W409 WGH) appeared at Konect, New Rackheath depot on 23/8/19. It had been at Hedingham Sible Hedingham, but not used, before briefly returning to Chambers.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere coaches 9, 10 (S290/91 TVW) are withdrawn, leaving the Mb Touros 1, 2 (BX55 HYT/U) as the last coaches.

COLAS RAIL.
9/8/19: 37219 tnt 37116 on NR test train at Colchester Yard.
20/8/19:
70801 on 6L37 Oxwellmains-Thurrock cement.
20-21/8/19: 37099 tnt 37521 on 1Q95/1Q96 Ferme Park-Ripple Lane and return.
21/8/19: 37099 tnt 37521 on NR test train at Colchester Yard; 1Q97 Ferme Park-Cambridge via Stanford, Liverpool Street, Harwich Town, Clacton. 37219 on Whitemoor-Whitemoor via Ipswich and Stowmarket.
22/8/19: 70807 N+ 66849 on 0Z70 Whitemoor-Hoo Junct light loco.
27/8/19: 70801 on 6L44.

COZY, BASSINGBOURN.
Acquired from Aircoach Dublin are Volvo B12BT/Jonckherres 08-D-69442, 70256/351/54 which have been re-registered CO53 ZYO, CO03 ZYO, CO54 ZYS, CO04 ZYO respectively.

CT PLUS.
From 19/8/19, the CT Plus title was replaced by HCT Group. Legals and fleet names have/will be changed.

DAN’S LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY. Javelin/Plaxton A15 BUS has been sold to Young, Ross on Wye.

DBS.
9/8/19: 66118 on Acton-Ipswich Griffin Wharf JNA empties – seen at Claydon.
13/8/19: 59002 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton yard.
15/8/19: ‘Maritime Four’ 66051 on 4L45 Wakefield-Felixstowe.
20/8/19: 66105 on 4E08 London Gatway-Wakefield.
23/8/19; 66092 on Bow-Heck Plasmor.

DRS.
7/8/19: 37608 towed MTR TfL Rail 345008 OC-IL.
20/8/19: 37402 towing GA DVT on Norwich-Cardiff.

ENSIGNBUS.
Temporary Scania Omnicity ‘decker YN07 EXM has passed to Connexions Buses, Tockwith.

FARNHAM HIRE, STANSTED. Mercedes Sprinter 515/Plaxton YN08 SOA is ex Morden, Queen Adelaide.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).
The Ipswich Reds identity is starting to appear more widely. As well as repaints, some buses have ‘Ipswich Reds’ fleet names on existing First livery.
Now in the new scheme are ADL/Enviro 300 67406 (SN13 CKC), and with Felixstowe Fyers branding Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 69423/27/28 (AU58 FFK/O/P).

Above: Ipswich Reds Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipse 66429, with ‘Felixstowe Flyers’ branding, at Crown Street, Ipswich on 10/8/19. The ‘Flyers’ are services 75, 76. (Daniel Pretty).

Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32490, in First “charcoal” livery, with Ipswich Reds branding. Crown Street, Ipswich on 10/8/19. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: First Eastern Counties Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66824, at Crown Street, Ipswich on 10/8/19. New to First Manchester, it then served with First Essex at Basildon. At FEC it was first posted to Norwich and then Ipswich. Service 89 is a descendant of the old ‘Superoute 88’ to Stowmarket. (Daniel Pretty).

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Dart SLF/Caetano 41521 is now publicity vehicle. Seen at Basildon on 31/8/19. (Simon Austin).

Above: Former First Eastern Counties Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipse 69433 on High Street, Colchester on a Sunday route 70 working on 11/8/19. Note that Mason Road is served on the Sabbath and that this bus has not had its destination changed back to “Chelmsford”. It is passing the ATIK Nightclub, previously Liquid, before that The Hippodrome and originally The Grand Theatre. Interestingly, the name of ATIK’S owner is The Deltic Group. They are a sort of nightclub equivalent to First (or Arriva, or Stagecoach). (John Podgorski).

More Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipses received are ex First Manchester 66846/48/60/61/63. All are at Basildon, except 66860 at Chelmsford.
Loaned Volvo B10BLE/Wright trainer 60651 (T833 MAK) has been returned to First Manchester at Bolton.
Futher Volvo B7RLE/Wrights repainted out of Park and Ride black into standard Interurban colours are 69516/17.
Trident/Presidents 33073, 33133/90 have returned to Hadleigh from Basildon.
Withdrawn due to engine failure and then cannibalised at Colchester was Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65684. Withdrawn for the same reason were Trident/Presidents 33081, 33229 which have been cannibalised at Hadleigh and Basildon respectively. 33134 has been repaired with parts from 33080.
More Dart SLF/Caetanos withdrawn are 41527/40/42 (LK53 FDD/Z, FEG); 42519 (LK03 NHN).
To Alpha Recovery for scrap: Dart SLF/Caetanos 41527/43, 42519.
Odd sightings: 1/8/19: Route 62 Volvo B9TL/Gemini2 37135 (SN57 HCP) on 1A. 15/8/19: Route 62 37134 (SN57 HDJ) on 70; Route 62 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 75; ADL/E300 67805 (SN13 CPE) on 67. 18/8/19: Dart SLF/Pointer 42944 (WX56 OAU) on 71C (Sunday). 27/8/19: Scania L94UB/Solar 62408 (YS03 ZKE) on 62. 28/8/19: Route 62 B9TL 37138 on 174; Dart SLF/Pointer WX05 RVF on 71A. 29/8/19: Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 61.

Above: Dart SLF/Pointer 42483 at Leigh on Sea Rail Station on 31/8/19. (Simon Austin).

FIRST STOP, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
Withdrawn are minibuses ND03 WTM, DG53 BNX.

FLAGFINDERS.
Mb Sprinter GK03 JUC is now in the full fleet livery, ex a blue/silver interim scheme.

FORDS OF ALTHORNE.
Dwennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 S804 BWC is withdrawn.

FOURWAYS, HIGHWOODS.
Dennis Condor/Metsec G505 WPN ex G310 FWC has been sold for preservation.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: 66535 at Claydon, heading towards Ipswich, in June 2003. It is passing the site of the long closed railway station. (John Podgorski).

2/8/19: 86628/08 on 4L41 Basford Hall-Felixstowe.
3/8/19: 86604/13 in Colchester yard “down” loop.
9/8/19: 66621 on Hope-Dagenham.
10/8/19: 86604/13 on 4L89 Coatbridge-Felixstowe. 86610/22 on 4L91 Trafford Park-Ipswich – held at Colchester Yard loop for a while.
13/8/19: 86638/28 on 4L41.
15/8/19: 86604/13 on 4L91 Trafford Park-FLX. 86612/37 on 4L41.
16/8/19: 86604/13 on 4L91.
17/8/19: 86627/28 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX.
21/8/19: 86610/37 on 4L41.
23/8/19: 86612/32 on 4L41. 86638/04 on 4L91.
24/8/19: 86610/37 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX.86638/04 on 4L91.
31/8/19: 66556 on Whitemoor-Tilbury engineers.

Above: 86637 is the trailing loco on this “down” intermodal through Kelvedon in October 2011. (John Podgorski).

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
Mb 0816D/Plaxton Cheetah 265 (4178 PP) has reverted to AY08 CRU and been sold to Parnell (dealer) Honiton. Optare Solo M950 317 (4092 PP) has reverted to MX53 FDN.
Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 412 (SK02 XGP) and Dart SLF/Pointer 455 (EG02 NZD) have returned to Stephensons of Essex, ex loan.

GBRf.
3/8/19: 66702 on 6T60 Whitemoor-Bethnal Green engineers. 66729 on 4M23 Felixstowe-Hams Hall.
5/8/19: 66772/61 on 0L33 Peterborough-Ipswich-FLX light engine.
7/8/19: 66761 on 4M23. 66771 on Harwich-North Walsham tanks.
10/8/19: 66786 on 4L41 Doncaster-Felixstowe.
11/8/19: 66769/55 on 0L33.
13/8/19: 66705 on 4M21 FLX-Trafford Park. 66720 on 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor.
15/8/19: 66701/61 on 4L04 Hams Hall-FLX. 66720 on 6L37.
19/8/19: 66706 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
20/8/19: 66741 on 4E14 FLX-Doncaster.
21/8/19: 66706 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
22/8/19: 66708 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66768 on 6M76 Chesterton Junct-Bardon Hill empties.
24/8/19: 66733 on 4M05 FLX-Hams Hall. 66765 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66780 on 5X92 Slade Green-Ilford EMU drag.
27/8/19: 66772/36 on 0L33.
28/8/19: 66726 on 4Z26 FLX-Masboro.
30/8/19: 66708 on 6L37.
31/8/19: 66747 on 6T62 Whitemoor-East Tilbury engineers. 66755 on 6T61 Whitemoor-East Tilbury. 66761 tnt 66764 on 6T63 Whitemoor-Tilbury.

GREATER ANGLIA.
It has been officially announced that a new station at Beaulieu Park, near Chelmsford is to be built, as a cost of £218m.
New are 755329/32/33, 755402/11/12.
The first 170 DMUs have been withdrawn; 170207/70.

Above: 153309 stabled in the siding by Platform 6 at Colchester, on 10/8/19. (John Podgorski).

Stormy weather on 10/8/19, caused trees to fall across the track on the Marks Tey-Sudbury branch line. 153309 was slightly damaged by fallen debris. Buses replaced trains for the weekend.
10/8/19: 755410 on Norwich-Yarmouths.
13/8/19: 755330/31, 755415 delivered.
14/8/19: 90005 on 0Z05 Norwich-Crewe light engine via GEML and NLL. 379008/9 at Norwich.
15/8/19: 321336/445 on 1P24 LST-Norwich. 745006 delivered.
17/8/19: EMT 158770 on hire to GA and on Norwich-Cambridges. 321344/64 on 1P24 LST-Norwich instead of usual DVT + ’90. 755410 on 1357 Norwich-Yarmouth. 755418 on 0938 Norwich-Cambridge.
19/8/19: 317881/505 on 1Y34 1812 LST-Ipswich.
21/8/19: 317338/881 on 1Y34 1812 LST-Ipswich. 755413 ON 5Q26 Colchester-Norwich test train.
22/8/19: 317664 stabled at Clacton. 755402/11/12 delivered.
24/8/19: 755414 on Norwich-Ipswich test.
29/8/19: 755329/32/33 delivered. 755410 on Cambridge-Norwich.
30/8/19: 755413 on Cambridge-Norwich. 755422 on 5Q53 test.
31/8/19: 61306 ‘Mayflower’ passed Cambridge North with 47245 as 1Z60, to do with KingsCross-Norwich special. 317502 on 5N98 Ilford-Clacton for maintenance. 321361/436 on Norwich-Liverpool St 1503 dep from Colchester. 755418 on Cambridge-Norwich.

Above: Stadler Flirt 755410 at Norwich Rail Station on 16/8/19. (Simon Austin).

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 521 (LX05 EZD) now has a super rear advert for Sarson Malt Vinegar. It was pictured at Clacton depot on 15/8/19. (Alex Law).

Above: Old Vix ticket machines at Kelvedon on 11/8/19. Vauxhall Combo van W761 TRE has fleet no 9004. (John Podgorski).

Contactless ticketing began from 11/8/19. Not all vehicles are fitted, namely some of the Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents. 565/68/74/75/77/79/81 are equipped for contactless. But 581 was later withdrawn (on 23/8/19).
Scania Omnicity ‘decker 851 has transferred in from Konect.
Scania Omnilinks 458/60 entered service at Clacton in late August.
ADL/Enviro 200s 261 (EY57 FZE), 262 (EU58 JCJ) have transferred internally from Sible Hedingham (HD) to Clacton (CN). Short ADL/E200 292 (EU59 AFF) went the other way in exchange. Short E200 296 (SN10 CCY) has gone to Konect at Dereham.

Above: Newly transferred 262 at Pier Avenue, Clacton on 22/8/19. (John Podgorski).

Optare Solo 911 (SF04 SKE) was briefly loaned to Chambers in late August.
Withdrawn are Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 8 (R453 FWT) – the last coach; ex Plymouth/driver trainer Volvo B7TL/EL 505 (PL51 LGD) – following loss of the Samuel Ward School contract; Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 581 (W956 WGH) – 581 was last used on a Clacton Airshow Shuttle on 23/8/19.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 578 (W519 WGH) 581 and Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 737 (T107 DBW) have been cannibalised. 737 was taken away for scrap by Alpha Recovery on 29/8/19. Trident/EL 701 (T801 RFG) has been sold to Southern Transit for preservation via Ensign.
A new ‘Not in Service’ destination display has appeared, showing alternating sub titles.
Scania Omnidekka movements: 1/8/19: 805 – Chambers-KN; 812 – KN-Chambers. 8/8/19: 810 – KN-Chambers; 813 – Chambers-KN. By 10/8/19: 812 – Chambers-KN. By 23/8/19: 808/10/11 – Chambers-KN; 805/12/14 – KN-Chambers.
Odd sightings: 1/8/19: Long Dart SLF/Pointer 259 (EU56 FLP) on D1/D2; Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 510 (LB02 YWX) – HD-KN – returned on 7/8/19; Scania Omnidekka 805 (YN55 PZG) on 15 pm (an Omnidekka has since been regular on this over the summer school holidays). 13/8/19: Volvo B7TL/President 579 (W526 WGH) on 63 D3007. 15/8/19: Volvo B7TL/President 577 (W518 WGH) on 63 D3009. 16/8/19: ADL/E200 261 (EY57 FZE) – HD-KN; 577 on 15 pm.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 527 at Holland Haven on Clacton Airshow Shuttle B on 23/8/19. (John Podgorski).

IPSWICH BUSES.
On loan in late August was BYD E200EV Electric demonstrator LJ68 EYD. It entered service on 23/8/19 – exactly 56 years since trolleybus abandonment in Ipswich.
Normal operation of the Dart SLFs (nos 134/37) and the final Trident (no 25) was on 31/8/19. They were then withdrawn.
Trident/ALX400 7 (LX03 BTF) and Trident/President 26 (LR52 KWH) have been sold.

JOHN JAMES LUXURY TRAVEL, DAGENHAM.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere CHZ 464 has reverted to W658 FUM and been sold.

KEANE TRAVEL, ORSETT.  YN05 WFT is an ex Nottingham City Transport Scania Omnidekka.

KENZIES OF SHEPRETH.
This well known south Cambs coach operator ceased trading on 31/8/19. The owner decided to retire.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
Some TfL contracts were gained from Metroline in August. These were outside of the Busmopolitan area, but TfL214 (Moorgate-Highgate Village) is significant because it was once operated by Thamesway, prior to all of First’s London operations coming under First Capital. The other gain was TfL232 (Wood Green-Neasden St Raphaels). Buses from 232 (WS Class StreetLites WS131-148) may well appear on routes running into Metropolitan Essex in the future, while 214 is using dedicated electric SEe Class ADL/E20EVs numbers SEe77-98. TfL232 came on 3/8/19, while 214 was taken over from 17/8/19.

M and J MINIBUS HIRE, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
Iveco 45C YJ16 XLF has been reregistered MJZ 5293. The previous bearer, a VW Crafter/Onyx, has reverted to its original MX12 CLV mark and been sold to Gwynne Price, Trimsaran, Wales.

MTR TfL RAIL.
7/8/19: 345008 – OC-IL, towed by DRS 37608.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Scania Omnidekka 644 (YN55 NKG) has come from sister company Stephensons to provide extra capacity on route 269 (Brentwood-Grays).

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: YX10 BGO in the paint shop at Weeley on 1/8/19. (Alex Hazell).

Above: YX10 BGO in its old colour scheme, at Clacton Common on 23/6/19. (Alex Hazell).

ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BGO has received fleet livery, ex white with front in blue/white. It has been named ‘Charlie’.
Also now named are Scania K360EB4/Plaxton Panther2 AB 61 PAN – ‘Caitlin’ and Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon WV02 EUP – ‘Cadbury’ – after its purple and gold livery.
Dealer stock ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BFV has passed to Libra, Frome.

Above: Leyland Olympian BIG 9249, ready to depart from Colchester on 25/8/19, to take up a shuttle for the Ed Sheeran concert at Ipswich. (John Podgorski).

PURLING, IPSWICH.
LDV Convoy MX04 CFG is withdrawn.

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.

(John Podgorski).

This picture was taken in the Mersea Museum on 28/8/19. The real railway never reached Mersea Island, although there were ideas to extend the Crab and Winkle Line from Tollesbury across the creek. If that had happened, the West Mersea Rail Station would have been at Fountain Square/Queens Corner, by the erstwhile Fountain Hotel (demolished 2000).
In August 2019, traces of the Kelvedon to Tollesbury railway still existed around Tolleshunt Darcy.

SOUTH EASTERN.
3/8/19: 466029/030 on 5X91 Slade Green-Ilford ECS hauled by GBRf.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
ADL/Enviro MMC YY67 VDF is here.
Ex London Scania Omnicity ‘deckers 15078/83 have entered service.
ADL/Enviro 400 19586 was on loan to Bedford.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
From 9/8/19, The LTs on TfL8 (Old Ford-Tottenham Court Road), N8 (Oxford Circus-Hainault) went over to boarding at the front door with exit at the centre and rear doors. Previously, boarding/alighting had been via any of the 3 doors, as fares are cashless and ticketing off-bus. Other LT worked routes will follow.
ADL/Enviro 200 36267 has transferred to Selkent at Bromley. ADL/Enviro 400s 10197, 19834 have transferred internally to Romford North Street as Trident replacements.
Trident operation has ceased. Leyton was the last garage – with routes TfL215 (Walthamstow-Lee Valley Camp Site), TfL275 (Walthamstow-Barkingside). 17811 (LX03 BXF) was the last in use – on 215, being withdrawn after use on 19/8/19, and ferried from Leyton to West Ham the following day. 17836 (LX03 BYM) was the penultimate one. Other Tridents withdrawn were 17791, 17858, 18484.
Operation of TfL499 (Romford-Harold Wood Circular) transferred from North Street to Rainham from 24/8/19.

Above: Trident 18242 from Leyton, at Hackney Central in October 2005. This was coincidentally, also the the last night of Routemaster operation on Arriva route 38. (John Podgorski).

Overall adverts: ADL/E40H 12321 (LX14 CSZ) – to Oyster Hopper; New Routemaster LT272 – Bananas; LT369 – Bumble Bizz; LT381 – Chillys. LT370 back to red.

To purple training livery: ADL/E400 19140 (LX56 EBA), ADL/E200s 36561/68 (LX13 CZD/L).

From Selkent was ADL/Enviro 400 19755 (LX11 BDE) – allocated to Barking.
ADL/E200 MMCs 36601-08 are allocated to Rainham. ADL/Enviro 400s 10197, 19834 have been transferred to Romford North Street.
Transferred out:
Optare Versas 15111/13 (LX09 FZH/K) – to Stagecoach East Kent; ADL/Enviro 200 32267 (LX11 AVY) – to Selkent; Trident 17858 (LX03 NFC), 18484 (LX55 BEY) – to Stagecoach South.
Trident/ALX400s 17834 (LX03 BYJ), 17851 (LX03 BZE), 18276 (LX05 BWJ), 18458/61 (LX55 EPE/J), 18478 (LX55 ESG) have gone to Lister PVS, Bolton for breaking.
18220 (LX04 FXH) has passed to Hook Lane Primary School, Welling.

STAN’S, GREAT TOTHAM.
Short Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount MVF 812 is now with Fryer, Aberanan, Wales.

STEPHENSONS.
Acquired is ex demonstrator Mb Sprinter/Mellor Strata Ultra KF19 LCV.
Routes 384/5 (Bury St Edmunds-Stowmarket/Stowupland) are being operated on behalf of Galloway from Bury outstation. Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 412 (SK02 XGP), Dart SLF/Pointer 455 (EG02 NZD) which had been on loan to Galloway, returned to Stephensons to initially operate these routes. The Bury outbase has increased from 4 to 6 buses.
The first internal transfer to NIBS is of Scania Omnidekka 644 (YN55 NKG).
Withdrawals are: Solo 325 (EU08 WND) – due to accident damage; Dart SLF/Caetano 454 (HV52 WTE); Dart SLF/Pointers 455 (EG02 NZD), 457/59 (GU52 HJY, HKD) – all for cannibalisation. The Dart SLF is now declining in this fleet. Optare Solo 317 4092 PP has reverted to MX53 FDN.

Above; ADL/Enviro 200 427 at Chelmsford on ex Hedingham Essex CC 352 on 31/8/19. (Simon Austin).

SUFFOLK NORSE.
Has ex Arriva London Volvo B7TL/ALX400s LJ05 BKY/Z.

Above: LJ05 BKY at the Suffolk Showground, Trinity Park, Ipswich on 25/8/19, on Park and Ride for the Ed Sheeran concert at Chantry Park. (John Podgorski).

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD.
ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolution HSK 176 ex LX07 BYK has passed to preservationist.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
Ex Bull of Pytchley is Scania K94IB4/Irizar 70 seater YN54 NYH. There is an additional base at the old Micraline premises on Osborne Street, Colchester. Ford Transit YP10 PHV normally parks there. Space means only minibuses and minicabs can use this site.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
Acquisitions are Ex RATP London Scania Omnicity ‘decker YP59 OEM and ex Stagecoach East Optare Solo M850 AE06 TWN.
Withdrawn are Scania Omnicity saloons YN53 RXJ/M/O/U, RXV/Y/Z.

ULTIMATE, CRAYS HILL.
Withdrawn is Mb Sprinter YN07 EDX.

UNO, HATFIELD.
Fire damaged Mb Citaro bendy MBA323 (LK05 FCN) has been sold for spares recovery.

WALDEN TRAVEL, SAFFRON WALDEN.

Above: Volvo B7R/Jonckherre Modulo BU53 WTL is now GDZ 571 with Freestones of Beetley in Norfolk. It was at Norwich Rail Station on Greater Anglia standby on 16/8/19. (Simon Austin).

WARD’S, ALRESFORD.
The fleet looks to have been reduced to four. Scania K114/VH EX52 WSV, Scania K114/Irizar YN04 GGZ; Ford Transit 16 seaters AY59 XJE, MV59 YVT. Scania K114/Irizar YR02 ZYY has passed to Dans Coach Travel, Needham Market. Also sold was Ford Transit 16 seater AY54 WOU.

With thanks to: Anglia Gen, S Austin, R Clinnick, Essex Buses Yahoo, HarlowRide, A Hazell, A Law, J Lidstone, LOTS, D Pretty, Rob2700, The Bus Forum.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the July 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.

The first daytime run of a Stadtler Flirt train happened on 19/7/19; along the whole length of the Great Eastern Main Line. They will appear network wide during 2020.
Class 317 EMUs have begun to be stood down. However, a few refurbished examples will be retained. Other EMUs to remain on GA are the Renatus refubished Class 321s and the Class 379s. The latter will appear on all West Anglia Routes, havivng been originally for Stansted Express and selected London to Cambridges.

24 X 7, STANSTED.
Sold are Vauxhall Vivaros EJ14 AVR/Y, EY14 VEM.

A2B TRAVEL, BARBRAHAM.
Two new services from 8/7/19 were 114 (Cambridge Drummer Street-Coldhams Lane-Mill Road-Colebridge Road Addenbrookes M-F) and 117 Chesterton-Drummer Street M-F). These replaced withdrawn Big Green Bus facilities.
Sold are Dart SLF/Pointer SN03 WMP and VW Tranbsporter/Bluebird YX06 CSY.

ACME BUS, MOLEHILL GREEN.
Ex Go North East is Scania K340EB6/Caetano Levante FL08 KLS.
Dennis Javelion/Berkhof E4 CME has reverted to P899 FMO. It then passed to Ensign (dealer) who resold it to Hire Your Transport, Kingswood.

AMI, ILFORD.
BN17 JDZ is a Mercedes Tourismo, ex Viva Bonta, Boston.
VW Crafter S14 AVK has reverted to its original BK57 TFZ and been sold to Wilcoach, Athersley.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (NETWORK COLCHESTER).
Driver trainer DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3524 (LJ51 DDX). was on loan at the end of July.
Odd sightings: 5/7/19: Park and Ride ADL/E200 4072 (SK15 GXS) on 77/A. 10/7/19; StreetLite 4261 (GN64 DXR) on 1. 20/7/19; Dart SLF/Pointer 3418 (SN54 HXE) failed on Head Street (am). 22/7/19: Dart SLF/MPD 1559 (EU56 GVG) on 8; ADL/E200 4011 (GN58 BTO) on 4; Park and Ride ADL/E200 4072 (SK15 GXS) on crew ferry. 26/7/19: Short Dart SLF/Cartano 1562 (RX07 KPG) on 8; Volvo B7RLE 3825 (GN07 AVO) on 1.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 4020 arrives at Crouch Street on the M-F afternoon short working from Tufnell Way, on 24/7/19. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Ex Arriva Merseyside are VDL SB120/Wright Cadets 3512/13 (DK55 FXL, FYV).
Mb Sprinters 1010/15 were parked up by late July.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
Mb Sprinter 1008 (BF67 WGC) is ex Arriva Midlands.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 6499 has received Southend Transport heritage livery. Pictured at the Barleylands Rally on 27/7/19. (Simon Austin).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
New Routemaster LT4 has an overall advert for Bananas.
VDL DB300LF/Wright Pulsar Gemminis DW324/25; ADL/Enviro 200 ENL73 have been transferred to Barking.
ADL/Enviro 200s ENL3, 111 have been transferred to Grays.
VLA110/19 (LJ05 BLX, BKN) have gone to Lister PVS, Bolton for breaking.

ARROW TAXIS, MALDON.
Iveco 50C18 AE57 BYW has come from St Lukes School, Redbourn.

BALFOUR BEATTY.

(John Podgorski).

6-7/7/19: Tamper DR73944 at London Liverpool Street.
13-14/7/19: Tamper DR73945 at London Liverpool Street.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Mb Sprinter 413/Excel DK04 LWN is ex Procter, Leeming Bar.

BEESTONS.
The Colchester-Ipswich School contracts ceased at the end of the summer term. Panther Travel and Ipswich Buses will run them from September.
Volvo B12M/VH 77 CJX ex WA03 HPZ has been sold to Crawley Luxury.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
The commercial 68 Southend seafront service began on 27/7/19, for the duration of the summer school holidays.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 SEN32 was originally with First Capital. It came to Blue Triangle when First pulled out of London in September/October 2013. It is now one of several with London General at Sutton, and was seen there on 6/7/19. (John Podgorski).

C2C.
An unusual visitor to the network on 18/7/19 was ‘Mayflower’, on a steam special.
On 25/7/19, due to exceptionally hot weather, service reductions and speed restrictions were enforced.

CHAMBERS.
From Konect is Scania Omnilink 455 (AU61 AVK).
Withdrawn is Volvo B7TL/President 566 (W428 WGH). 562 (V303 LGC) is due for withdrawal. 564/70/72 (W409/87/89 WGH) have transferred to Hedingham.
Scania N230UD/Olympus 877 (PN09 ENO) is VOR due to accident damage.
Some school contracts have ceased. Nayland Primary School and Cornard Upper School. Some runs on the latter passed to Beestons. This means that Chambers coach operation has ceased.
Route 84 (Colchester-Nayland-Sudbury) was reduced from hourly to 2 hourly from 29/7/19.

CL TRAVEL, FLINTS CROSS.
Scania N113/EL 466 YMG has been re-registered X119 ABA.

COLAS.
2/7/19: 70802 on 6L44 on Oxwellmains-West Thurrock cement.
7/7/19: 70805/16 at Ripple Lane – work site.
16/7/19: 70802 on 6L44.
23/7/19: 37219 tnt 37116 with NR test train on 1Q18 Ferme Park-Cambridge via Harwich Town.
24/7/19: 37219 tnt 3716 on 1Q18 Ferme Park-Cambridge via Blackhorse Road and Manningtree.
26/7/19: 37219 tnt 37116 on 1Q18 Cambridge-March via Felixstowe.

CT PLUS.
ADL/Enviro 200s DA8, 10, 11, 12 (YX62 DMU, DSZ, DTV/Y) have passed to Go North West.

Above: ADL/Enviro 40H City 2504 at Bishopsgate on 7/7/19, on the shortened 388 service. (See June Busmopolitan). (John Podgorski).

DBS.
2/7/19: Maritime liveried 66005 on London Gateway-Wakefield.
4/7/19: 92015 + 66017 on Dollands Moor-Ripple Lane.
7/7/19: 66017 at Dagenham Dock.
10/7/19: 66104 on Bow-Burngullow.
12/7/19: Blue 66005 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX. Blue 66051 on 4E08 London Gateway-Wakefield and 4L08 return.
19/7/19: Blue 66005 on 4L45.
29/7/19: 59101 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton stone empties.
31/7/19: 66015 on Burngullow-Bow.

DANS LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere R10 ETS has passed to Windcrest Transport, Plymouth.

DRS.

Above: 37407 with 82112 at Brantham on 19/7/19. (Chris Baines).

5/7/19: Europhoenix 37608 on 0V91 Norwich-Ilford light engine.
15/7/19: 57306 hauling GWR 378133 on 5Q50 West Ealing-Ilford ECS.
16/7/19: 57003 on Norwich-Cardiff light engine; to return with GA DVT.
17/7/19: 37407 on Crewe-Norwich light engine.
19/7/19: 37407 towed GA DVT 82112 on 5Z37 Norwich-Cardiff move. 37608 on 0Z72 Colchester-Norwich light engine. 57003 + GA DVT 82133 on 5Z38 Cardiff-Norwich.
20/7/19; 37407 on 0Z38 Cardiff-Norwich light engine.
27/7/19: 37402 + 57002 on Crewe-Norwich light engine via GEML.
29/7/19: 37402 + 57002 + GA 90013 dit on 0Z90 Norwich-Crewe light engine via GEML.
30/7/19: 37419 on Crewe-Norwich light engine via NLL and GEML.

EASTERN NATIONAL.

Above: MCW Metroliner 1602 at Coventry on 26/7/1986. These coaches were short lived with ENOC. (Roger Pope).

ESSEX COUNTY COPUNCIL – UGOBUS.
Mb Sprinter 45/Mellor DK14 AGV was on loan at Harlow for route 381 to Toot Hill.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).
Volvo B7RLE/Wright 69424/25 (AU58 FFL/M) are now in Ipswich Reds livery with Felixstowe Flyers branding.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Is Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66795 lost ? No it’s been to Panther Travel at Weeley for maintenance. Pictured about to return to Chelmsford on 1/7/19. (Alex Hazell).

Above: ADL/Enviro 300 67755 at Panther’s Weeley workshop on 1/7/19. Panther now has a contract to do welding work for First Essex, after it ceased with the First Group company for “health and safety reasons” (!). This has been “rectified” by the end of July, however. (Steve Barham).
In from First Manchester are Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66846/48/60 (MX05 CGV/Z, CHY)- 66846/48 are at Basildon; 66860 at Chelmsford.
More Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbuses withdrawn are 41519/27/43. None are left in revenue use at Chelmsford, with the remainder left at Basildon.
Volvo B10BLE/Wright trainer 60651 (T833 MAK) is on loan from First Manchester.
Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 69512-20 are being repainted out of their old Park and Ride black into standard Interurban livery. 69515 (BJ11 ECN) was the first. ADL/Enviro 200 MMC 67166 is now in Interurban, ex X30 colours.
Trident 33195 has gained the engine from withdrawn 33189.
Accident Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 62409 (YS03 ZKD) was withdrawn, and cannibalised. To Alpha for scrap are Dart SLF/Caetanos 41519/27.
The remaining Barbie2 liveried Scania L94UB/Wright Solars – 65677/79/81/82/84 (SN51 UYL, YR52 VEH/L/P/Y) – continue in use at Colchester. The only other buses left in Barbie2 are Dart SLF/Caetano 41541 and Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66821.
The Colchester High School contract ceased at the end of the summer school term. Stephensons will take it over from September. As a result, BMCs 68510/20/31 are withdrawn.

Above: 60651 at Butler Road, Halstead on 31/7/19. (Simon Austin).

Above: Repainted 69515 in Basildon on 27/7/19. (Simon Austin).

Odd sightings:
2/7/19: Route 62 B9TL 37133 on 88; Route 62 B9TL 37134 on 70 then 103/4. 4/7/19: B7TL 37017 on 65 all day; Route 62 B9TL 37135 on 17 bus 2 + 65; StreetLite 63341 (SM65 EEZ) on 17 bus 1. 6/7/19; B7TL/Gemini 37017 (WX55 VJE). 7/7/19: Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 61. 8/7/19; B7TL/ALX400 32481 on 103/4; Trident/President 33044 on 103/4. 9/7/19: Trident/President 33184 (LR02 LZD) on 175. 11/7/19; Route 62 B9TL 37135 on 65. 12/7/19: Route 62 B9TL 37133 on 103/104 later 17 bus 1 + 65 pm peak. 13/7/19: Scania/Solar 62408 (YS03 ZKE) on 1A. 14/7/19: B7TL/Gemini 37015 on 1A (Sunday); Route 62 B9TL 37139 (SN57 HCY) on 75. 15/7/19: B7TL/Gemini 37042 (YJ06 XLH) on 65 all day. 17/7/19: Route 62 37135 (SN57 HCP) on 65 pm peak; StreetLite 63339 (SM65 EEX) on 71. 20/7/19: Trident 33196 (LT52 XAG) on 64. 21/7/19: Route 62 37135 on 88A; Route 62 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 75; Route 62 37139 on 66. 24/7/19: Route 62 37138 on 61; B7RLE 66816 (MX05 CDY) on 62; ADL/E300 67755 (SN62 ASD) on 62. 28/7/19: Route 62 37138 on 61. 30/7/19: Route 62 B9TL 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 1A.

FIRST STOP, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
The first full size coach here is Volvo B10M/Jonckherre GDZ 481.
Sold is Iveco Euromidi/Indcar W30 BCL orig W654 SJF.

FORDS, ALTHORNE.
Dennis Javelin/Caetano A16 AWF has reverted to M486 HBC, and been withdrawn.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: 66590 at Colchester on 22/7/19. (John Podgorski).

Now orange/yellow are 66413/15/19, 66623.
7/7/19: 66432 stabled at Dagenham on Tesco train.
9/7/19; Orange 66419 on 4E64 Felixstowe-Tees Dock. 86628/38 at Ipswich.
10/7/19: 66507 on 4L41 Crewe-FLX usually 2 x ’86s. 86608/27 on 4L91/4M87.
12/7/19: Orange 66419 on 4M63 FLX-Crewe as far as IPS.
19/7/19: Orange 66415 on 4L93 Lawley Street-FLX. Orange 66419 on 4E23 FLX-Leeds.
23/7/19: 66590 on Ipswich-Lindsey empty fuel tanks. 7003 through Upminster on diverted London Gateway-Garston (Liverpool). 70007 on 4L41, rather than usual pair of ’86s.
24/7/19: 66589 on revived London Gateway-Leeds intermodal. 86627/39 on 4L41.
29/7/19: Orange 66413 on 4L40 Doncaster-FLX. Orange 66415 on 4E64 FLX-Tees Dock. 86613/04 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford Park.
30/7/19: Orange 66413 on 4E64 FLX-Tees Dock. 86604/13 on 4L91 Trafford Park-FLX. 86608/28 on 4L41.
31/7/19: 86604/13 on 4L91 Traford Park-FLX. 86607/37 on 4L41 Basford Hall-FLX.

GBRf.
66775 is named ‘HMS Argyll’. The ships number of F231 is shown under the name plates.
2/7/19: Biffa 66783 + 66740 on 4Z27 Masboro-Felixstowe.
3/7/19: 66740 on 4Z26 FLX-Masboro, then 0A33 back to Stowmarket. 66783 on 0P40 FLX-Harwich then North Walsham tanks. 66787 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX.

(John Podgorski).

6/7/19: 66721, 66742 and 66750 on the engineering blockade between London Liverpool Street and Stratford on the “fast” lines.

(John Podgorski).

Above: 66785 at the London end of a ballast train (6T64 from Whitemoor) on Bethnal Green Bank on 7/7/19. 66705 was on the country end. (John Podgorski).

7/7/19: 66721, 66742 (6T61), 66705 tnt 66785 on the Liverpool Street-Stratford engineering blockade. 66716 at Dagenham Dock.
8/7/19: 66702/51 with FL 66544 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor. 66715/68 on 0L33 Peterborough-Ipswich-FLX light loco.
9/7/19: 66721 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 66723/47 on 4E00 London Gateway-Masboro.
10/7/19: 66785 on Bow-Wellingborough.
11/7/19: 66713 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
12/7/19: 66775 on 4M02.
13/7/19: 66703, 66713 tnt 66719, 66761, 66778 at Bethnal Green on engineering works.
14/7/19: 66761 on 6T61 Bow-Whitemoor engineers.
15/7/19: 08757 transferred from FLX to Dagenham by road; replaced at FLX by 08939. 66761 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
16/7/19: 66761 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 92036 on Dollands Moor-Ripple Lane.
19/7/19: 66747 on London Gateway-Masboro.
20/7/19: 66744 on 6T62 Whitemoor-Bow Junction engineers. 66765 on 4M23. 66775 on 6T63 Whitemoor-Bow Junction engineers. 66778 on 6T60 Whitemoor-Bow Junction engineers.
22/7/19: 66729/72 on 0L33. 66776 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
23/7/19: 50008 through Shelford @ 1424 en route to Willesden via Cheshunt. Maritime blue 66727 on Rylstone-Chesterton stone.
24/7/19: 66724 at Upminster on diverted 4M46 London Gateway-Hams Hall.
26/7/19: 60021 on 0Z60 Ely-Willesden via West Anglia Main Line. 66768 on 4M23.
27/7/19: 66787 on 0E04 Parkeston-Peterborough light engine.
28/7/19: 66703 on 0L33. 66787 with 66759 dead in tow on 4Z20 Peterborough-Parkeston.
29/7/19: 66754 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 66781 on 4L07 Birch Coppice-FLX.
31/7/19: 66730 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66747 on 4M02.

GREATER ANGLIA.
Withdrawal of the Class 317 EMUs has started.

Above: On a rather cooler 27/7/19, 317652 arrives at Audley End, on a Cambridge to London stopping service. (John Podgorski).

The very hot weather of late July caused some service restrictions. On 25/7/19, there were speed and service restrictions.
3/7/19: 755328, 423/24 delivered.
4/7/19: B1 61306 ‘Mayflower’ tnt 33207 on Liverpool St-Norwich special.
5/7/19: 755410 on Norwich-Liverpool Street test on electric power.

Above: 379015 + 379025 at Stratford on 6/7/19, leading a Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport service. It will take the Lea Valley route from Stratford. This was due to the engineering blockade described below. ‘379s do appear at Stratford at other times, but usually as ECS to Orient Way sidings at Leyton. (John Podgorski).

Over the weekends of 6-7/7/19, 13-14/7/19, 20-21/7/19 – all services used the south side of London Liverpool Street only. This was due to engineering works.

Above: 90009 unusually in the subsurface local platforms at London Liverpool Street on 6/7/19. It is awaiting departure on the 1955 to Norwich. (John Podgorski).

9/7/19: 317501 towed Ilford-Kilmarnock by ROG 37800.
10/7/19: 317656/64 on 1Y34 Liverpool Street-Ipswich.
19/7/19: 745003 on Norwich-London Liverpool Street daytime test run.
21/7/19: 755417 in Norwich-Ipswich test run.
24/7/19: 745101 delivered.
27/7/19: 745003 on Norwich-Ipswich test run.
29/7/19: 755410 as first in revenue service; on 0747 Lowestoft-Norwich. 755416 on 5Q73 Norwich-Ipswich test run.
30/7/19: 755410 on same run as on 29/7; then on 1036 Norwich-Yarmouth.

GTR.
10/7/19: 365535/31 towed Ilford-Crewe by 37884.

HARLEQUIN TRAVEL, IPSWICH.
The Ipswich School-Coclhester (Tollgate) contract ceased at the end of the summer term. Panther Travel will run it from September.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Trident LH737 at Clacton depot after its last run on 24/7/19. This was Hedingham’s final operational Trident. Parked behind is withdrawn Trident 727. (See below). (John Podgorski).

Above: Trident LH738 (T108 DBW) being collected for scrap from Clacton depot on 12/6/19, by Alpha Recovery Volvo FM 6X2 ‘wrecker B10 PUL – see below. (Leon Parker).

Above: Open top Volvo B7TL/President 500 at Clacton workshop on 24/7/19. (John Podgorski).

School contract changes saw the end of operation of Manningtree School, Samuel Ward School, Haverhill at the end of the summer term. They have passed to 24/7, Stansted both from September. They will be subcontracted out.
From 1/7/19, there were changes to the Plume School, Maldon closed contracts. PL1 (Tollesbury, Tolleshunt Darcy, Goldhanger, Heybridge Basin) was replaced by existing and parallel registered service 95A (Tollesbury-Maldon). PL3 (Tolleshunt Darcy, Tolleshunt Major, The Tothams) was revised to take all students from Tolleshunt Darcy. 24 students at Great Totham were transferred from PL3 onto PL2 (Tiptree, Gt Totham, Wickham Bishops). PL2 additionally additionally called at The Bentalls Centre, Heybridge.
There were also revisions to bus routes around Clacton at the end of July. This included introduction of an open topper on service 134 – see below. The biggest changes were to service 137, which was rerouted via St Johns Road and Old Road, instead of London Road, thus service Great Clacton, and changing its town centre stop from Jackson Road to Pier Avenue.
A third ex Konect Dart SLF/Mini Pointer is 288 (HW54 BUF). Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 564 (W409 WGH), 570 (W487 WGH), 572 (W489 WGH) are now part of the Hedingham fleet – ex Chambers. Open top B7TL/President 500 (PL51 LDJ) is ex East Yorkshire. It entered public service on Clacton route 134 on 25/7/19. B7TL/Presidents 561 (V301 LGC), 578 (W519 WGH) are now withdrawn. 578 was last used on 18/7/19 on Clacton schools.
Withdrawn are Dennis Trident/ELs 725/27 (W825/27 NNJ), Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 737 (T107 DBW). Ford Transit BU14 YNT has returned to Robertsons – off loan, following the end of the Manningtree school contract. Coach and Trident operation has now ended. 737 was actually the last to hold a valid MOT – to 8/9/19. 725’s MOT was to expire on 3/8/19, while 727’s ran out on 15/7/19. In practice, 725 and 737 were not used after the schools broke up for the summer. 738 (T108 DBW) was collected from Clacton for scrap, by Alpha Recovery of Cramlington on 12/7/19. Tridents 701, 727 passed to Ensign. The Tridents were amongst the first buses acquired after Go-Ahead took over in 2012. They have been replaced by cascaded ex Chambers Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents. The coaches were replaced by upseated ex Konect former Anglian Scania Omnilinks.

Above: Ticketeers for staff training at Clacton depot on 18/7/19. (Alex Law).

Buses have received wiring for the forthcoming contactless Ticketeer ticket machines. New CCTV is being installed across the fleet.
The staff room in Colchester town centre closed after 31/7/19.

Dart SLF/Pointer 259 (EU59 FLP) returned to HD from KN on 3/7/19. It was back at KN on 9/7/19. Withdrawn Dart SLF/MPD 289 (EJ02 KYY) is being cannibalised at HD. Volvo B7TL/President 568 (W458 WGH) made its first appearance at Kelvedon on 12/7/19 and returned to Clacton on 18/7/19. 575 is back in use ex accident repairs.
Omnidekka movements: 1/7/19: 815 – Chambers-KN. 5/7/19: 811 – KN-Chambers; 813 – Chambers-KN. 10/7/19: 805 – KN-Chambers; 809 – Chambers-KN. 12/7/19: 815 – KN-CN.
17/7/19: 812 – Chambers-KN; 814 – KN-Chambers.

Odd sightings:
1/7/19: B7TL/President 574 on 19 + 63. 2/7/19: Short ADL/E200 293 on 15 pm. 5/7/19; B7TL/President 584 on 63. 6/7/19: B7TL/President 571 on X76. 8/7/19: Dart SLF/MPD 287 on 15 am. 9/7/19: B7TL 571 on 19 + 63. 16/7/19; B7TL/President 565 on 19 + 63. 17/7/19: B7TL/Gemini 510 (LB02 YWX) on 88 – usually on schools. 17-18/7/19: B7TL/President 575 on 19 + 63. 18/7/19: Dart SLF/MPD 287 on 15 am. 23/7/19: Trident 737 on last revenue runs – HN1 am, ST3 pm. 24/7/19: 568 on X76 + 63; 737 ferried KN-CN by Busmopolitan editor.

Ancillary vehicles:
Ex Go-Ahead London General (Sutton) Ford Transit 100T280 van EJ13 UHR, has replaced mechanically challenged 9002 (EK56 MGE) at Sible Hedingham. Sister ex London General at Stockwell EA63 VUE, has been allocated to Clacton.

IPSWICH BUSES.
Dart SLF/EL 87 (PJ53 OLH) has passed to the Ipswich Bus Preservation Group.
On 26/7/19, Scania N230UD/Olympus 69 (YJ60 KGY) was destroyed by fire on the A12 southbound at Sandon, near Chelmsford. It was on a private charter to Southend. All aboard were safely evacuated.

Above: 69 in Colchester on 6/7/19. 93/94 are on diversion, due to ongoing roadworks  at Ipswich Road/Cowdray Avenue/St Andrews Avenue in Colchester.
(Simon Austin).

Odd sightings:
6/7/19: Scania N230UD/Olympus 69 (YJ60 KGY) on 93. 8/7/19: Dart SLF/EL 84 (PJ53 OLC) on 93. 12/7/19: Dart SLF/Super Pointer 135 (SN53 AVK) on 93. 17/7/19: 84 on 93. 24/7/19: 84 on 93.

Dart SLF/EL 87 (PJ53 OLH) has gone for preservation.

Subsequent history:
Scania Omnicity saloon 56 (YN56 NVD), now with Rumwood Green Farm, Maidstone – has been re-registered W20 RGF.

JET2.COM.
The 25 year old woman passenger, whose disruptive behaviour caused a Turkey bound flight to have to return to Stansted in June 2019, has been fined £85000 by the airline for lost revenue. She has also been criminally charged with assault and endangering an aircraft.

KEANE, STANFORD.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini YJ52 HEA at the Barleylands Rally on 27/7/19. Ex Reliance of Sutton in the Forest, N Yorks, but originally a demonstrator registered IKZ 8515. (Simon Austin).

KINGS TOURS, STANWAY.
Borrowed ex Goodwins VH TX tri-axle MJ13 VMC, was returned to its dealer – off loan, in early July. VH TX KC12 ABC finally wentr to Evobus at the end of July, having been actually sold to them in May, but remaining on hire to Kings.

KIRBY’S, RAYLEIGH.
Setra S315 K16 BYS has reverted to T311 RWC.

KLARNERS, COLCHESTER.
Scania K410EB6/Irizar YT15 AUO is now GB15 KCL.
Setra S315 BX05 UVN has passed to A2B Taxis, Trispen, Cornwall.
Mb Sprinter K16 KCL has been re-registered back to its original mark – JHZ 333 (?) and been sold.

LITTLE LEGS BUSES, THURROCK.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President soft playbus PF52 WPZ, at Barleylands Rally on 27/7/19. (Simon Austin).

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.

Above: Sold Leyland Olympian G297 UYK at Cayton Bay, near Scarborough in 2018. (Matt Hill).

LOGANAIR.
A new Carlisle-Southend service began on 4/7/19.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
Wright StreetLites WS131-146 have been allocated here.

M and J MINIBUS HIRE, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
Iveco 45C YJ16 XLF is ex Graham, Appleby, Cumbria.

MAYMIST, BARKING.
A Volvo B7R/Plaxton coach was destroyed by fire on the A127 near Rayleigh on 1/7/19.

METROLINE.
Some of the borrowed Arriva ENS Class Enviro 200s on TfL393 (Clapton-Islington), have moved from Holloway to Potters Bar in exchange for native DEMs. The intended DELs – deemed too long, remain in store at West Perivale.

Above: ADL/Enviro 40D TE949 at Potter Bar garage on 20/7/19, starting a duty on TfL route 34 (Barnet-Walthamstow Central). (John Podgorski).

MTR TfL RAIL.
Over the weekends of 6-7/7/19, 13-14/7/19 – due to engineering works on the “fast” lines between Stratford and Liverpool Street, all TfL Rail services terminated/started at Stratford on the Saturday and some on the Sunday.
Class 315s tend not to operate on Sundays now.
Gidea Park now has more ‘345s than ‘315s allocated.
345026/45/46/48 reported stored at Maidenhead before move to Old Oak Common.
Class 345 locations at 16/7/19: 345001 – Old Dalby (OD); 345002 – Derby (DY); 345003 Old Oak (OC); 345005-11 – Ilford (IL); 345012/13 – OC; 345014-17 – IL; 345018 (OD); 345019-21 – OC; 345022 – IL; 345023 – Worksop (WP); 345024-55 – OC; 345056-58 – WP; 345059/60 – OC; 345061 – WP; 345062-64 – OD; 345065/66 – DY.
17/7/19: 345004 – DY-OD.
30/7/19: 345065 to OD.

NATIONAL EXPRESS.

Above: Scania K440EB6/Caetano Levante III SH237 (BF68 LDE) at Bishopsgate, on the first day of the new A8 extension. (John Podgorski).

From 6/7/19, route A8 from Stansted Airport was extended from/to London Liverpool Street to Kings Cross via Farringdon.
From the same date, new route A6N (London Victoria-Stansted) started. This operates as one journey towards Stansted, and follows the daytime A6 line of route from Marble Arch.

Above: Scania K340EB6/Caetano Levante SH177 (BK14 LFR) at London Waterloo on 7/7/19, on a westbound A7 service. (John Podgorski).

NIBS, WICKFORD.
ADL/Enviro 200 415 CSK 282 has reverted to LK07 BEJ.
Scania N230UD/Olympus 516 (PN09 EKT) has entered service.

Above: Ex Abellio London ADL/Enviro 200 444 at Brentwood Rail Station on ex Ensignbus route 81, on 20/7/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: Recently acquired ex Go-Ahead London Scania N230UD/Olympus 516 at the Barleylands Rally on 27/7/19. (Simon Austin).

OLD MAGDALEN STREET BUS DEPOT, COLCHESTER.
Construction of the new student flats, had commenced at the east end of the site during July. The old power station frontage on Military Road, has had a breezeblock boxroom structure erected behind it.

OLST. Volvo B9TL/Olympus VLE616 (LJ07 XEV) is now a part open top mobile bar – The Londson Bar Bus; in black/white/grey livery.

Above: DAF DB250LF/Plaxton President DLP219/T219 XBV at Piccadilly Circus on 17/7/19. Working from Rainham depot. (Simon Austin).

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: AB61 PAN at Weeley on 3/7/19. (Josh Steward).

Scania K360EB4/Plaxton Panther2 AB61 PAN now has Panther Travel fleet names on its white livery.
Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon WV02 EUP has been retrimmed and upseated to 56. It retains its wheelchair lift.
The registered bus route serving Manningtree School ceased at the end of the summer term.
Ancillary vehicles:
Vauxhall Zafira LD02 NCC went for scrap following mechanical failure.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Neoplan Tourliner MJ11 DHM ex R500 ACL is ex Angela of Lowford, Hants.

SIMONDS, DISS.
Service 191 (Diss-Bury St Edmunds) was de-registered after 31/7/19. It was indirect, running via Roydon, South Lopham, Garboldisham and Thetford, and mainly carried students for West Suffolk College in Bury. It was replaced by parts of Simonds 304, 337/8 and Coach Services 84.

ST EDMUNDS TRAVEL, THURSTON.
From Eavesway, Ashton in Makerfield is VH TD921 YJ11 GKE.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
From 1/7/19, for 8 weeks, Mill Road railway bridge in Cambridge was closed for works; affecting route Citi2. To cover this, two shuttles were introduced; 2A (Emanuel Street-Mill Road north); 2B (Mill Road south-Sainbury’s at Coldhams Lane). 2 of the former East Kent ‘Little and Often’ Mb Sprinters are being used, with a third as spare. The main Citi2 is diverted via Newmarket Road, Coldhams Lane Sainsbury’s, Brookes Road.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: Mega Sightseeing ex Selkent ADL/Enviro 400 19133 at The South Bank on 7/7/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: 17012, one of the original Tridents for Stagecoach East London, is these days with Stagecoach North Lancashire & Cumbria, and part open top. On 12/7/19, it was pictured departing from Windermere. (Malcolm Flynn).

New are ADL/Enviro 20Ds 37540/41 (YW19 VUC/D).
Trident/ALX400 18272 (LX05 BWE) has gone to Lister PVS, Bolton for scrap.
Overall adverts:
ADL/Enviro 400 12318 (SN14 TYV) – Oyster off peak card; New Routemasters LT253, 367 – Bananas.
To red ex coverall adverts: ADL/Enviro 400 12320 (SK14 CSY); New Routemasters LT250, 365/81/88.

STANSTED PRIVATE HIRE.
Iveco 45C/Elite CT57 BUS is now with Richards of Cardigan, Wales.

STEPHENSONS.
Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon 200 (X400 MTT) has returned from Galloway, Mendlsham.
Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus 509 (YN07 LHP) has the new style fleet names.

Above: Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 413 on Market Hill, Halstead on 29/7/19. It is on the evenings only Essex CC 352 service, previously contracted to Hedingham. The 352 is operated (all day) by First on Sundays and public holidays. To the right is the site of the old Eastern National bus depot – (closed and demolished in March/April 1984). (Simon Austin).

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD.
Setra S416 EU06 JBV has passed to Jumbo of Newport (Wales). Also sold is Ford Transit 16 seater HK15 XHD.
Ex EOS Scania Omnicity saloon YR10 AZY has passed to Ensign.Volvo B12BT/Plaxton Panther CN07 BAA is now with Briggs, Crymlyn Burrows, Wales.

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.
Setra S315 T243 LBJ has been reinstated.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
Mb 0814D/Robin Hood L111 ANT ex X677 MCE has gone to Whiting, Elmstead Market for scrap.

TOWER TRANSIT. Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini VN37994 has moved from Lea Interchange to Westbourne Park.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
Ex RATP London United are Scania Omnicity ‘deckers YP59 OEN/O/S/T/U/V/W/X.
Also now acquired are ex Stagecoach Cambus Optare Solos AE06 TWN, YJ07 EGE.
Scania Omnicity saloons YN53 RXF/O/R have gone for scrap.

UNO, HATFIELD.
Dart SLF/Pointer DP124 (SN51 TCX) has gone for preservation.

WARD’S OF ALRESFORD.

Above: G296 UYK at Hull on 6/7/19. (Carl Ireland).

All Leyland Olympian G296 UYK has gone for preservation in Yorkshire. It will be restored to EYMS livery, as it used to work there.
Also sold is Bova Futura WA53 FDJ ex MIL 5830.

YOUNG, HADDENHAM.
Volvo Olympian/NC R374 LGH is now with Saffords of Little Gransden.
From Westway, Raynes Park is Volvo B10M/Van Hool K456 VVR.
Withdrawn is Volvo/Jonckherre V141 KFL.

With thanks to: M Allen, Angliagen, S Austin, C Baines, W Bell, Cambus, M Flynn, HarlowRide, A Hazell, Hedingham, M Hill, C Ireland, A Law, J Lomas, S Milton, L Parker, R Pope, J Steward, G Stewart.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the June 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.

It has been confirmed that all of First UK Bus is now up for sale. Arriva Bus is likewise. It will be interesting to see the destinies of the local companies from these groups.
In the skies, there were two “emergency landings” at Stansted during June. One involved a carrier familiar to the area, Jet2, but the other produced a much more exotic visitor – from Air India.

24/7, STANSTED.
New are Renault Trafics LJ18 DJV, DKK.

A2B, CAMBRIDGE.
Sold are Dart SLF/Mini Pointers KV51 KZK, NA52 AWF and ADL/Enviro 200 LJ56 VSY – all for scrap.

ACME TRANSPORT, MOLEHILL GREEN.
Has ex Go North East Scania K340EB6/Caetano Levante FJ08 KLF – via Ensign.
Bova Futura VMH 561 has been re-registered T514 NAR and sold to Bus N Clubin, Salfords, Surrey.
Sold is Dart SLF/UVG R558 UOT.

ADAMS COACHES, ABRIDGE.
This operator has moved from Lowestoft, along with Toyota Optima/Caetano midicoach X4 DSB, which was ex Swallow of Rainham as EOS 711.

AIR INDIA.
Not normally seen in the Busmopolitan area, except possibly in transcontinental cruise at 33 000 feet. However, on 27/6/19 a Boeing 777 on a Mumbai- Newark (USA) service made an emergency landing at Stansted, following a bomb scare. This turned out to be a hoax. The flight was turned over the Irish Sea and then escorted by two RAF Typhoon fighter jets to the diversionary airfield. A “supersonic boom” was reported over Alfreton, Derbyshire. (‘Trent Barton land, rather than Busmopolitan land’).

Above: Boeing 777 PT-ALO. (Wikimedia Commons).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3825 (GN07 AVO) is back in use.
Odd sightings: 10/6/19: Dart SLF/MPD 1558 (KX56 HCP) on 8. 14/6/19: Long Dart SLF/Pointer 3417 (SN54 HXD) on 4. 25/6/19: 133 StreetLite 4324 on 8.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3513 is reinstated.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
Received from AKT at Hemel Hempstead is Sapphire liveried ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 6529 (YX17 NFG). 6516 (SN66 WJO) went in exchange. 6501 (SN66 WHS) has received blue/cream Southend Transport heritage livery, to celebrate 100 years of route 1. 6509 (SN6 WJE) has rainbow stripes for Southend Pride 2019.

Above: The elusive VDL DB300LF/Wright Gemini2 lowheight 4459 at Victoria Avenue on 29/6/19. This was new to Arriva Wales but ex Kent and Sussex. (Simon Austin).

Above: Another oddity is ADL/Enviro 400 6458, pictured at Southend Travel Centre on 29/6/19. It was ex Arriva Kent and Sussex and came as a non-runner, before being repaired. (Simon Austin).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
From Arriva London South are New Routemasters LT172/73/88, now at Stamford Hill.
LT230-233 have moved internally from Ash Grove to Stamford Hill.
Into Barking are DW332, ENL3.
Overall adverts: LT182 – Deliveroo, then Avocado; LT219 – JBO Pro Sound; LT534 – Ferry Tree; LT576 – Coors Light; LT592 – Avocado.

AVRO.

Above: Back on 2nd June 1982, Avro and Elm Park ex East Midland Leyland Lowlander GNN 186D at Langley Vale Road, Epsom – en route to The Derby. Interesting that 5 years later, East Midland would actually be running buses in Elm Park, as part of its Frontrunner South East enterprise, on London Regional Transport contracts. Avro was actually based in Orsett – on the (now) old A13 near The Cock pub, and that depot is still in use today – by Keanes Travel. This bus was the penultimate Lowlander to be built. (DW Rhodes).

BASILDON SOS BUS.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President X612 EGK at London Road, Southend on 29/6/19. It is close to the site of the old Eastern National garage and bus station, now occupied by a Sainsbury’s supermarket. (Simon Austin).

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.
Operations have restarted.
Sold are ex NX West Midlands Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents V42/45, 431/99 MOA and similar ex Arriva Yorkshire X675 YUG. All retained their previous owners’ livery and some had not been used.

Above: Van Hool T916 YJ09 CYY, new to Eavesway and ex Airlynx, Southampton. (Blueline).

Above: Dennis Trident/EL PO51 WNK is ex Isle Coaches, Owston Ferry, Lincolnshire. (Blueline).

BUS4U, BRAINTREE.
Short ADL/Enviro 200 YX15 XMO is now with Hughes, Llangefni, Wales.

CHAMBERS.

Above: Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus 874 (PN09 ENC) was still at Ensign at the end of June. (John Podgorski).

ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolutions 267/68 have gone to Hedingham.
On loan to Hedingham was Scania Omnilink 453 (YT11 LVE) while Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 572 (W489 WGH) was transferred to Hedingham.
Withdrawn is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere coach 10 (S291 TVW).
Cannibalised Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 567 (W457 WGH) has gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap.

Above: Scania N230UD/Olympus 870 at Sudbury on 8/6/19. (John Podgorski).

Contactless Ticketing is due, with new Ticketeer machines to replace the Vix ones.

COACH STOP, RETTENDON.
Mb 0404/Hispano Y368 UOM is ex Gainsbury of Upminster.

COLAS.
26/6/19: 37521 tnt 37099 on 1Q97 NR test train Ferme Park-Cambridge via Dagenham Dock, Harwich.
27/6/19: 70806 on 6L44 Oxwellmains-West Thurrock cement.

COLLINS COACHES, CAMBRIDGE.
On 13/6/19, Trident/ALX400 LX03 OSP caught fire while on a private charter at Bury St Edmunds. Although the blaze was contained to the engine bay, the bus was a write off.

CT PLUS.
From 15/6/19, TfL388 (Stratford City-Elephant and Castle) was cut back to Liverpool Street.
Borrowed ADL/Enviro 40Ds 10113.14 (LX12 DCZ, DDA) returned to Stagecoach East London, off loan.

DBS.
5/6/19: 66083 on Marks Tey-Crawley sand. 66127 on Bow Olympic-Burngullow.
10/6/19: 59102 on 6L30 Acton-Chelmsford stone.

DLR.
TfL has awarded CAF a contract to build 43 new trains, which will appear from 2023.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
From 15/6/19, operation of TfL100 (London Wall-Wapping) was transferred to London Central at Camberwell.

DONS OF DUNMOW.
Ex Nottingham City Transport, via Ensign are Scania Omnidekkas YN07 MLF/J.

Above: M63 VJO at Dunmow depot on 31/10/15. (John Podgorski)

Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointer M63 VJO has gone for preservation in its native Oxford.

Above: M63 VJO while with New Horizon of Frating. Pictured in Head Street, Colchester in April 2011. (John Podgorski).

Above: And as Stagecoach South 32077. At Worthing depot on 29th July 2005. (John Podgorski).

DRS.
3/6/19: 37419 on 0Z37 Willesden-Norwich light engine via NLL and GEML.
7/6/19: 47749/27 on Ipswich-Scarborough excursion.
13/6/19: 57002/3 on Tonbridge-Norwich light engine via NLL and GEML.
18/6/19: 57003 + 37424 on 0Z39 Willesden-Norwich.
22/6/19: 68003 and 68016 on 1Z04 Norwich-Edinburgh ‘Scottish Adventure’ NENTA Railtours, via Ipswich.
25/6/19: 68003/16 on Sizewell coal.
26/6/19: 37419 hauled 3 GA MkIIIs as 5V91 Norwich-Ilford.

Above: 57002 + 57003 climb Bentley Bank away from Brantham – heading for Ipswich on 13/6/19. (Chris Baines)

ENIGMA TRAVEL, COLCHESTER.
Has Mb 0814D/Aurobus B2 CBT, ex Bobs of Clacton.

ENSIGNBUS.
New are BCI Enterprises 405/6 (LX19 EAW/G).
Ex Tower Transit are Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s 133/34 (BJ11 EAA, EBN).
New night only service X1 began on 8/6/19. Branded ‘Jetlink’ is ran between London and Southend Airport via Lakeside. However, X1 subsequently had to be withdrawn, after the airport owners denied entry.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 719 at Brentwood Rail Station on 15/6/19. It shows both 31 and X90 on its destination. (John Podgorski).

From 17/6/19, the Brentwood services passed to NIBS, Wickford. These were 21 (Brentwood-Ongar), 31 (Pilgrims Hatch-Warley) and 81 (Hutton Circular). X90 ceased and was replaced by existing NIBS service 269. Four short ADL/Enviro 200s transferred with these routes – 602 (CSK 282), 603 (MX59 AVN), 604 (CN11 FBE) , 650 (DK09 OBH).
Temporary Scania Omnidekka 921 (YN55 NKJ) is now with Grayscroft, Mablethorpe.

EOS LONDON, NORTH WEALD.
A clearout has seen the disposal of Dart SLF/Pointers 740 (KM02 HGE), 741 (KP02 PUK), 742 (KP02 PWV), 743 (KU52 YKS), 744 (KU52 YKO); Dart SLF/Caetano 761 (LK03 NLE); Dart SLF/MCV Evolution LX07 BYN.

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL – UGOBUS.
Mb Sprinter/Mellor Strata LN19 TYA has been working at Harlow on route 381 to Toot Hill.
The new Ugobus brand has appeared.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: 36218 at Southend Travel Centre on 29/6/19. (Simon Austin).

Some more ex First West Yorkshire ‘deckers have arrived. Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s 36216-20 (BJ12 VWY, VXA-D) – allocated to Hadleigh (HH). As a result, Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 30894 (X749 VUA) is now a Pool vehicle, but remains at Hadleigh. Some Trident/Presidents 33073, 33133, 33190, 33229 moved from HH to Basildon to replace Caetano Dart SLFs 41512/13/40/42, 519.
Also acquired from First West Yorkshire were Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66708/9 (YK53 GXT/U). These arrived with super rear adverts for YPP Lettings, Leeds. 66708 went to Basildon and 66709 to Colchester. 66709 lost is super rear advert on arrival.
Wright StreetLite 63328 (SK65 PXS) is back in service with a new engine.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 62409 (YS03 ZKD) is delicensed due to accident damage, after it was in collision with a Mercedes car on The Strood on 3/6/19.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbuses 41512/13/25/39/40. 41521 (LK03 UEY) has become a mobile publicity vehicle, based at Chelmsford. 41522 (LK03 UEZ) is on long term loan from Basildon to Hadleigh, to cover for accident damaged Wright StreetLite 63165.
To Alpha Recovery for scrap: Dart SLF/Caetanos 41512/40/42/44.
Odd sightings: 3/6/19: X30 ADL/E200 MMC 67168 on 71. 4/6/19: B7TL/Gemini 37020 on 64A; B7RLE 66810 on 62; B7RLE 69431 on 70. 6/6/19; Trident 33044 on 174; Route 62 B9TL 37136 on 17. 8/6/19: 32478 on 104; 33080 on 64. 10/6/19: Dart SLF/Pointer 42930 (SN05 EAM) on 70 early am. 11/6/19: ADL/E200 44543 (YX13 AHZ) on 70. 13/6/19: Dart SLF/Pointer 42928 (SN05 EAG) on 71. 14/6/19: 44537 on 70. 19/6/19: Dart SLF/Pointer 42944 (WX56 OAU) on 71. 20/6/19: 32480 on 174. 21/6/19: 66810 on 62. 24/6/19: X30 66167 on 70. 25/6/19: 32480 on 174.

Above: One of the recent ex First Manchester Dart SLF/Pointers. 42940 at South Woodham Ferrers on 20/6/19. (Sonny Milton).

FLAGFINDERS.

Above: Former Redwing of Camberwell Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas LV02 LLF at Tollgate, Stanway, Colchester on 19/6/18. (John Podgorski)

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: 66587 at Manningtree on 12/6/19. ONE (Ocean Network Express) is a new freight contract; not to be confused with a previous identity of Greater Anglia ! The loco is now named ‘As One, We Can’. The livery is apparently inspired by cherry blossoms in Japan – where ONE is headquartered. (Chris Baines).

4/6/19: 66529 on 6E50 Ipswich-Lindsay tanks.
5/6/19: 66607 on Bow Olympic-Tunstead.
13/6/19: Pink 65587 on 4E63 FLX-Doncaster. 66617 on sand at Marks Tey.
14/6/19: 86614/27 on 4L41 Basford Hall-FLX.
18/6/19: 66526 on diverted 4V37 FLX-Wentloog on West Anglia route through Cambridge.

GALLEON TRAVEL, ROYDON.
Ayat Bravo WX05 NFY ex PSU 316 has passed to Decker Bus, Peterborough.

GBRf.
66780 is now in Cemex livery and named ‘The Cemex Express’.
3/6/19: 66784 on 4M02.
6/6/19; 66762 tnt 66783 on 6T70 March-Hythe engineers.
19/6/19: 08757 ‘Eagle’ has arrived at the Port of Felixstowe from the Telford Steam Railway. It has been leased to work at the South Terminal.
20/6/19: 66748 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
24/6/19: 66712/19 on 0L33. 66712 then on 4M29. 66770/32 + FL 66616/563 on 6L37.
25/6/19: 66738 on 0P33 FLX-N Walsham. 66765 on 4M07 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66770 on 6L37.
26/6/19: 92044 on 5L99 Dollands Moor-Ripple Lane.
30/6/19: 66779 ‘Evening Star’ on 6T63 Bow Junct-Whitemoor engineers.

GOLDLINE EXECUTIVE, LEYTONSTONE.
New is Iveco 70C18/Ferqui BV19 XRM.

GREATER ANGLIA.
The new station at Meridian Water, Edmonton, opened on 3/6/19. It replaced Angel Road. Initially open at peak hours only, a full service will commence from September.

Above: DVT 82102 (left) and EMU 321421 at Ipswich on 16/6/19. (John Podgorski).

Class 745/755 summary: 745003/4/104, 755326/410/14/17 at Norwich depot. 745002,755413/15/16 at MNR. 755406/7 at Cambridge depot. Due to enter traffic soon.
13/6/19: 754004 delivered. 156418 damaged in collidon with tree at Hethersett; no injuries.
14/6/19: 170203 appeared at Clacton depot.
19/6/19: 170204 on Ipswich-Felixstowe.
20/6/19: 745102 delivered.
26/6/19: 153314 on Marks Tey-Sudbury. 755404/20/422 delivered.
29/6/19: 156418 towed Norwich to Coclhester by UID ‘170, en route for repairs.
30/6/19: 153322 ? on 2L75 Peterborough-Ipswich.

Above: 170273 at Colchester on 23/6/19, on the service to Peterborough via Ipswich and Ely. (Simon Austin).

Above: Renatus 321322 at Witham on 23/6/19, on the rear of a London bound service. (Simon Austin).

HAILSTONE, WICKFORD.
Dart SLF/Caetano LT02 ZDE has been sold without being used.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 285 in Clacton on 1/6/19; at the junction of Station Road, Pier Avenue and Chapman Road. Ex GoRide route 7 now additionally runs on Saturdays. (Simon Austin).

ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolutions 267/68 have arrived from Chambers, and are allocated to Clacton.
ADL/Enviro 200s 294 (OU57 FGZ); 295/96 (SN10 CCX/Y) have transferred to Konect at Dereham.
Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 287 (HW54 BUE) entered service from Sible Hedingham, with a red ‘Hedingham’ front panel added to its Konect blue livery. It was at Kelvedon by 10/6/19. Its front became blue again later in June. SLF/Mini Pointer 289 (EJ02 KYY) is withdrawn.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 527 (LX06 FAK) entered traffic at Clacton on 3/6/19, with 528 (LX06 FAM) following on 10/6/19. B7TL/President 563 (V307 LGC) was loaned to Chambers 6-10/6/19. 575 (W516 WGH) collided with a wall in St Osyth, and is now under repair at Clacton – to significant front n/s damage. Withdrawn 576 (W517 WGH) has gone from Clacton, but is not listed as sold or scrapped yet. 580 (W527 WGH) appeared at KN on 11/6/19, the first time in a long while. 572 (W489 WGH) came from Chambers on 17/6/19, then went to HD on 28/6/19. 580 (W527 WGH) returned to CN on 18/6/19. 581 (W956 WGH) appeared at KN on 28/6/19 – again after many months. B7TL/Presidents are now scheduled for service Mon to Fri only.
Scania Omnidekka 810 (YN55 PZO) was involved in a collision with a VW Polo at Top Road, Tolleshunt Knights on 3/6/19, and had to return to Chambers for repairs. It was completed on 9/6/19.
Dart SLF/Pointer 259 (EU56 FLP) came from Sible Hedingham to Kelvedon to cover, but returned on 10/6/19. However, 259 was back at KN on 21/6/19, when E200 295 departed.
Short ADL/E200 293 (EU59 AFJ) from CN, appeared at KN on 27/6/19, having been transfered from CN to HD.
Withdrawn are Dennis Trident/ELs 701 (T801 RFG), 726 (W826 NNJ) and Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 738 (T108 DBW) – all upon MOT expiry on 17/6, 8/6 and 17/6/18 respectively. 726 subsequently went to Chambers and had been sold to Ensign by the end of June. 738’s last revenue trip was on the morning HN1 (Witham-Honywood School) on 14/6/19, and has gone into store at Clacton. 701 has been earmarked for preservation, as it was Brighton and Hove’s first Trident. 722 has been cannibalised at CN. 702 (T802 RFG) was resold by Ensign to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap.

Above: Trident 726 at Ensign on 29/6/19. (John Podgorski).

Spares only Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 518 (LX05 EZK) , was removed from Clacton, by Alpha Recovery – for scrap on 4/6/19.

Above: Scania Omnidekka 811 at Chappel terminus of route 83 on 26/6/19. The intermixing of Hedingham and Chambers buses is now commonplace. (John Podgorski).

Omnidekka moves: 5/6/19: 801 – Chambers-KN; 810 – KN-Chambers. 10/6/19: 811 – Chambers-KN; 814 – KN-Chambers. 11/6/19: 807 – Chambers-KN; 812 – KN-Chambers. 13/6/19: 807 – KN-Chambers; 810 – Chambers-KN after repairs; 815 – CN-KN; 818 – KN-CN. 24/6/19: 805 – Chambers-KN. 26/6/19: 801 – KN-Chambers; 814 – Chambers-KN. 28/6/19; 815 – KN-Chambers (due to failure on 89X) – replaced by Scania Omnilink 453 (YT11 LVE) from Chambers.
Contactless Ticketing is due, with the arrival of new Ticketeer machines to replace the current Vix ones.

Above: Tridents 738 and 737 at Kelvedon on 26/4/19. (John Podgorski).

Odd sightings: 3/6/19: Omnidekka 810 on 91. 4/6/19: SLF 259 on 91; ADL/E200 295 on 15 pm. 8/6/19: B7TL 581 on 4. 21/6/19: 259 on 15 pm. 24/6/19: Omnidekka 805 on 15 pm. 26/6/19: Omnidekka 811 on 82/83 D2109 KN bus on HD duty.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 523 at Rowhedge (Heath Road) on the morning 19 departure on 4/6/19. After dropping students at TLA School, 523 will work on route 63, before doing the afternoon return 19, and then a rounder on the 83. (Sonny Milton).

IPSWICH BUSES.
The Scania Omnicity saloons have been resold via Ensign.
YN56 NVB/E/F/G – to Connexions Buses, Tockwith.
72 (YN56 NVD) to Rumwood Green Farm, Maidstone.

Above: Optare Tempo 94 at Constantine Road depot on 2/6/19. These replaced the Omnicity saloons and some other older single deckers. (John Podgorski).

JACKSON, BICKNACRE.
SL66 LKZ is a Volvo B8R/Sideral ex AAA, Kirknewton, Scotland.

JET2.COM.
On 22/6/19, a B737 flight was escorted into Stansted by two RAF Typhoon fighters, due to a “disruptive passenger” on the commercial plane. A 25 year old woman was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with this incident.
A “supersonic boom” was reported over the Uttlesford District, as the Typhoons intercepted the B737.

Above: Boeing 737-800 G-GDFF. (Bing Images).

KINGS TOURS, STANWAY.
New Mb Tourismo KC19 ABC was delivered on 10/6/19.
Loaned VH TX CT14 LCT was replaced by VH TX tri-axle MJ13 VMC. Both were supplied by Moseley (dealer), South Elmsall.

Above: MJ13 VMC with resident Irizar and VH coaches at Kings depot on 7/6/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: Crew ferry Seat Alphambra J333 ABC at Kelvedon on 24/6/19. (John Podgorski).

KIRBYS OF RAYLEIGH.
Setra S250 K30 BYS has reverted to R104 HEW. Mb Tourismo BX14 ONP is now K99 BYS. Mb Tourismo BX64 JZV is now K30 BYS.

KLARNERS, COLCHESTER.
Scania K410EB6/Irizar YT15 AUO is ex City Circle (Newbridge).
Setra S415 ES53 XCC has reverted to BX05 UVN.

L and R TRANSPORT, BASILDON.
Neoplan Skyliner N66 SUN is ex Collier of Earith, Cambs.

LCB TRAVEL HARLOW.
Ceased operating again after 6/6/19. This time it appeared to be for good.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
ADL/Enviro 200/EL Esteem 231(PO56 JFF) is ex Blue Triangle.
From 15/6/19, TfL476 (Northumberland Park-Euston) was cut back to Kings Cross.

Above: Ex First Capital Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 WVN20 on the 476 at Euston, on 23/11/18. (John Podgorski).

LONDON OVERGROUND.

Above: The new Class 710 EMUs have now entered service on the ‘GOBLIN’ route. 710269 was at Gospel Oak on 1/6/19. (John Podgorski).

LONDON UNDERGROUND.
The S Stock modification programme is complete. This had been done by Bombardier at Derby. Meanwhile, Central Line 1992 Tube Stock set 91111+92111+92446+93446 has gone to Bombardier at Derby for examination and testing, prior to a 1992 Stock refurbishment programme.

MTR TfL RAIL.

Above: 345016 climbs Bethnal Green Bank, away from London Liverpool Street on 1/6/19. Photographed from a parallel Greater Anglia service. (John Podgorski).

11/6/19: 345061 moved Old Dalby to Old Oak.
12/6/19: 345056 towed Old Oak Common-Worksop by DRS 37611.

MULLEYS, IXWORTH.
Optare Solo MX05 OUD is ex Coach Services of Thetford.
Volvo Olympian/NCs M529/30 RHG have been sold. 529 to a private owner for use as a playbus; 530 to Suffolk Fore, Ipswich.

NATIONAL EXPRESS.
Scania K440EB6/Caetano Levante SH209 (BX16 CMK) has a super rear advert for Boomtown.
Scania K440EB6/Levate 203 (BG65 TGJ) has transferred from Start Hill (SH) to Gatwick (GA).
Woods of Leicester has a new NX contract. 350 (Stansted-Manchester-Liverpool) – previously with Selwyns.

NEW HORIZON, FRATING.
Ex Cedric’s Dennis Trident/Plaxton President T97 KLD, which was sold to a dealer in Clacton in 2017, had gone from the yard near Clacton Rail Station – where it had lain, by the start of June.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
As recorded above, the Brentwood area routes of Ensignbus were taken over from 17/6/19, along with four buses. The services are run from Wickford, but there are two duties from the Hutton outstation. Route 269 is now double deck.

P and M COACHES, WICKFORD.                                                                        Withdrawn is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere N962 DWJ.

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: YX10 BGO at Harwich Bus Station on 19/6/19. (Alex Hazell).

ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BGO has been taken into operational stock, ex sales stock.
Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther DB54 PAN has been offered for sale.
Dart SLF/Pointer DC02 PAN has been sold to A2B, Cambridge.

Above: Ex First Essex Volvo B12B/Plaxton Paragon WV02 EUP at Parkeston depot in June 2019. (Daniel Pretty).

Above Dart SLF/Mini Pointer DC56 PAN on the ‘Stena Brittanica’ ship’s car deck, while on the Stena Foot Passenger Shuttle in June 2019. This, Dart SLF/MPD BIG 9856 and short ADL/Enviro 200 DC61 PAN were the buses used. (Alex Hazell).

Above: Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther AB53 PAN on the seafront at Walton on the Naze on 10/6/19. (Alex Hazell).

RATP OLST.

Above: Rainham, Ferry Lane depot on 29/6/19, with VLEs and a DLP in evidence. (John Podgorski).

RELIANCE, BENFLEET.
Sold is MAN24.350/Jonckhere Monaco T100 REL – orig T48 BBW with Stagecoach Oxford.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Scania/Irizar V21 ROM has been re-registered back to YN51 MHO and sold. It was seen on tow behind a Crouch of Leicester ‘wrecker, and looks to have passed to Mosely (dealer), Loughborough.

SEE LONDON BY NIGHT,PURFLEET.
Has moved its depot from Rainham to Purfleet Industrial Park.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 AA52 SEE at Purfleet on 29/6/19. This is one of a batch of ex Go-Ahead London buses, supplied via Ensign. (John Podgorski).

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Withdrawn is Trident/ALX400 18418.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
ADL/Enviro 200 36566/69 (LX13 CZJ/M) are now driver trainers.
Sold to Ensign are Scania Omnicity ‘deckers LX58 CGJ/L, LX09 AEA, ACJ, AEK/L, FZT,

Above: Scania Omnicities LX09 ACJ and AFO await resale at Ensign, Purfleet on 29/6/19. (John Podgorski).

Former Trident/ALX400 17918 (LX03 OSP) has been withdrawn by Collins of Cambridge, following an engine fire. (qv).

STEPHENSONS.
Ex Abellio London ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 FFG is in service as fleet no 448.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 404 (EU03 CFY); Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbus 452 (HV52 WTC).

SUFFOLK NORSE.
Acquired is short ADL/Enviro 200 SK68 LZP.

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD.
New is Volvo B11R/MCV coach BV19 LSD.
Volvo B12B/Caetano BU08 CGG has been named ‘Zippy’.

Above: Ex EOS London Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 744 (KU52 YKO) awaits collection for scrap at Ensign, Purfleet on 29/6/19. (John Podgorski).

TALISMAN.
Some more vehicles have appeared at Great Bromley yard. They included Bristol LH/Plaxton Panorama Elite UAR 929M; an unidentified red early Panorama Elite bodied coach; AEC PRV “RML” Routemaster JJD 535D and a prototype ADL/Enviro 200 with two doors at front and rear. Also present are some Mercedes Sprinter panel vans, destined for Cyprus and minibus conversion. Two of these were exported during June. At least one of these was ex APC Parcels.

Above: Great Bromley site on 2/6/19. (John Podgorski).

TENDRING TRAVEL.
Has ex RATP London United Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 SN51 SYH, via Ensign. It retains red/grey London United Motorcoaxches livery.
From McMakin, High Wycombe is Temsa Safari YJ08 DKX.
Scania/Berkhof RY57 ZKJ was repaired and back in use by mid June.

TOWER TRANSIT.
Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s BJ11 EAA/C, EBM/N, have been sold to Ensign.

Above: Route RV1 (Covent Garden-Tower Gateway) ceased from 15/6/19, due to major revisions of TfL bus routes in central London. This is VDL SB200/Wright Pulsar hydrogen bus WSH62992 at Covent Garden terminus – outside the Duchess Theatre on 6/11/16. Some of the WSHs have already been trialed on the suburban TfL444 (Chingford Station-Turnpike Lane), and this where they have gone, to work alongside WV Class Wright StreetLite DFs. (John Podgorski).

Above: Now sold to Ensign, Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 VN36157 in the barn at Purfleet on 29/6/19. (John Podgorski).

TRUSTYBUS.
The ex RATP London United Scania Omnicity ‘deckers are being repainted red and blue, with ‘Central Connect’ branding. They have replaced Omnicity saloons. The Omnicity ‘deckers are YP59 OEN/O/S/T/U/V/W/X.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Pointer SN03 EBU; Scania Omnicity saloons YN53 RXG/R. All of the Omnicity saloons are being repalced.

VICEROY, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Volvo B10M/Van Hool TUI 9820 has reverted to H533 WGH and been sold.

WOODHOUSE EXECUTIVE TRAVEL, SAWBRIDGEWORTH.
Has moved to White Roding. The fleet is Mb Sprinters W1 WET ex SN05 FCF, W2 WET ex MV53 GRZ.

YOUNGS, HADDENHAM.
Volvo Olympian/NC Y99 YCC has reverted back to R374 LGH.

With thanks to: M Allen, Anglia Gen, S Austin, C Baines, Bing Images, Blueline/J Sadd, East Anglia Railway FB, EBN, Ensign, Essex Buses Yahoo, HarlowRide, A Hazell, Hedingham and Chambers, S Kinsalla-Ilott, LOTS, S Milton, PSVC, DW Rhodes, Wikimedia Commons.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the May 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.

Above; Ensign Omnidekkas 924/22 flank Stephensons Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 608 at Barleylands on 28/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Between 25th May and 2nd June, there was a major rail replacement, covering the Greater Anglia route between Wickford and Southend Victoria. This was due to OLE (Overhead live equipment) renewal. Some of this infrastructure still dated from the original electrification of 1957. A temporary base for the replacement buses and coaches was set up at Barleylands Farm Park, near Billericay. Several operators berthed their vehicles there for the duration.

Above: Felixstowe Travel Javelin/Plaxton AE05 ZRN departs Barleylands for Wickford on 28/5/19. (John Podgorski).

National news of interest is that bus builder ADL – Alexander Dennis Ltd,  has sold out to USA giant NFI, while it has been announced that First Bus UK is to be put up for sale by First Group.

And closer to home, Eclipse Coaches of Royston, Herts has ceased trading. Their vehicles were familiar on rail replacements in Essex.

Meanwhile, Transport for London has introduced Low Emission Bus Zones – LEBZs, along several major routes .

24/7, STANSTED.
New is Vauxhall Vivaro EU19 FNY.
Vivaro EN15 EJL has been sold to Big Van World, Cricklade (dealer).

A2B TRAVEL, BARBRAHAM.
From DawsonGroup is Optare Solo SR YJ10 MBF.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: 3819 at East Street on 23/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3819 (GN07 AVF) returned from Southend, but then went back in the last week of May.
Odd sightings: 1/5/19: Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1564 (HX04 HUH) on 8. 17/5/19: B7RLE 3817 (GN07 AVD) on 1. 23/5/19: 3819 on 2.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
From Arriva North West are VDL120/Wright Cadets 3512/13 (DK55 FXL, FYV). They had been 2525/54 with ANW.

Above: Optare Solo 1464 (YJ06 FXT) continues in Network Harlow blue. Pictured on 18/5/19. (John Podgorski).
Odd sightings:
16/5/19: B7RLE/Wright 3857 (KE54 LPC) on 59.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 T74 departs Gants Hill on 11/5/19. (John Podgorski).

TfL128 (Romford-Claybury) is now seeing mixed VLA and T operation, although VLAs are the official allocation.
Barking is the last bastion of VLAs with their routes being 128, 173 (Beckton-Goodmayes) and 368 (Goodmayes-Barking).
Meanwhile, TfL123 (Wood Green-Ilford) is seeing a mix of DWs from Tottenham (the allocated garage) and also Edmonton and Enfield. The latter are “floats” to do with DW refurbishment programme.
Into Barking is ENL67.
Odd sightings:
11/5/19: Volvo B5H/Gemini3 HV356 on 123.

Above: HV356 departs Ilford on 1/5/19. (John Podgorski).

ATS MINIBUSES, ROMFORD.
Withdrawn is Mb Sprinter BU03 UHT.

BEESTONS.
On 22/5/19, it was announced that the Witham site of Two Sisters Foods was to close. Beestons is the staff bus contractor, having taken over from Arriva Colchester in 2015. Fargo had been the provider between 1997 and 2006, with Tony Glew being the original contractor, for 3 months in 1997. Back then, the factory was was known as Grampian Country Foods. Staff buses ran to Colchester, Clacton, Harwich and Ipswich originally, but latterly only to Colchester and Ipswich.
Withdrawn is Scania/Wright X568 YUG.

BLUE TRIANGLE:
ADL/Enviro 200s LX10 AUR/V are now with Faresaver, Chippenham, via Ensign.
LX10 AUW, AVC are now with Chalkwell, Sittingbourne, also through Ensign.

Above: Still with its London General fleetnames and Merton AL depot codes, ADL/Enviro 400 E71 is one of those transferred for TfL396 and other east London tender gains. It was pictured on 11/5/19, heading down Cranbrook Road, between Gants Hill and Ilford. These will eventually be replaced on the 396, with new SE Class ADL/Enviro 200s. (John Podgorski).

Above: SOE23, 27 at Ley Street, Ilford on 11/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Odd sightings: 11/5/19: ADL/E200/EL Esteems SOE23/27 (LX09 EZG/O) on 364.

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.
Volvo B7TL/Presidents V42, 45 MOA have gone to Diamond Coaches, Knuston, Northants.

BRITISH RAILWAYS.

Above: Class 101 Metro Cammell DMU at Clacton circa 1958. Electric trains (AM8 later Class 308) came the following year. (G Hardwick – Clacton and District Local History Society).

BUCKLAND, WOODBRIDGE.

Above: 1929 Dennis ES/Brush  TE 7870 proclaims to be “Britain’s oldest regular working bus”. Seen at the Felixstowe Running Day on 5/5/19. (Simon Austin).

CARTERS HERITAGE BUSES, GREAT BROMLEY.
Has ex Metroline ADL/Enviro 400 LK55 KKO, via Ensign.

CHAMBERS:
Scania N230UD/Olympuses 870, 872, 876 entered service in May.

Above: Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus 877 at the Dereham Rally on 12/5/19. (Daniel Pretty).

CLASSIC CARRIAGE COMPANY, ROCHFORD.
Withdrawn is Mb 0814D Y30 CHT.

COLAS.
17/5/19: 56302 at Dagenham Dock.
29/5/19: 37219 tnt 37254 on 1Q97 NR test train Ferme Park-Cambridge through Kelvedon @ 1444.

DAN’S COACH TRAVEL, GREAT FINBOROUGH.

Above: Ex Panther Travel Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount 3200 G210 UAS at the Dereham Rally on 12/5/19. (Daniel Pretty).

DAN’S COACH TRAVEL, NEEDHAM MARKET.
The following are named:
Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount 3200 G210 UAS – ‘Bumblebee’; Scania L94IB/Irizar T361 JWA – ‘The Suffolk Gentleman’; Volvo B10M/VH L872 SGW – ‘Bananarama’; Volvo B12M/VH W283 JBN – ‘Marise’.

DBS.
1/5/19: 66075/177 at Bow on Plasmor. 66086 at Marks Tey yard. 66169 on Bow-Burngullow.
3/5/19: 66047 on 4L45 Wakefield-Felixstowe.
4/5/19: 66075 on Doncaster-Felixstowe light loco.
7/5/19: 66047 on 4L45. 66117 on 4Z56 Chesterton Junct-Dowlow Briggs.
16/5/19: 66001 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton stone.
17/5/19: 66076 at Dagenham Dock.
20/5/19: 67023 tnt 67027 with 975091, 72631, 977997, 9481 on Heaton-Cambridge via Kings Cross NR test train.
30/5/19: 66041 on Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden. 66170 on Bow Olympic-Burngullow.

DONS OF DUNMOW.
New is Irizar i6s DH19 DON.

DRS.
1/5/19: 37099 tnt 37057 on NR test train east through Stratford, later at Harwich Town. 37716 on Bounds Green-Ilford with MkIII carriage.
17/5/19: 37402 on 5Z37 Eastleigh-Norwich with 9525, 5810, 5937.
18/5/19: 37405/9 on 1G39 Kings Lynn-Liverpool Street, then 1G40 to Norwich.
22/5/19: 57305 towed GWR 387132 on Reading-Ilford ECS; returned with 387130/140.
28/5/19: 37409 light Norwich-Cardiff via GEML, NLL.
29/5/19; 37409 towed GA DVT 82139 on 5Z37 Cardiff-Norwich.
30/5/19: 37409 towed 90006 on Norwich-Crewe via GEML and NLL.

EAST ANGLIAN RAILWAY MUSEUM.

Above: An open day on 26-27/5/19, saw preserved Bristol K5G AJN 825 and Crossleys GR 9007, VV9146 visit. (John Podgorski).

Below: Ex London General MCW Metrobus OJD 823Y is a picnic bus at the EARM. (John Podgorski).

Above: Preserved Class 101 DMU set no 069. (John Podgorski).

Above: Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 saddle tank loco no 11. (John Podgorski).

EASTERN COUNTIES.

Above; Bristol VRT/ECW VR190 was one of a pair ordered by Waveney District Council – the old Lowestoft Corporation Transport, but diverted to Eastern Counties, upon their acquisition of the former undertaking in 1977. The other VRT was VR189 (RPW 189R), which worked at Felixstowe and Ipswich depot; however VR190 was based at Peterborough during its ECOC career, and is now preserved. It attended the Felixstowe Running Day on 5/5/19. VR190 was originally to have been registered RPW 190R, but was delayed into service as it was retained by Bristol Commercial Vehicles as a test rig. (Simon Austin).

Above: Preserved Bristol RELH/ECW coach RE896 at the Felixstowe Running Day. New in 1968, it has been preserved since 1981. In the background is Ipswich Corporation AEC Regal BPV 8 from the Ipswich Transport Museum. (Simon Austin).

EASTERN NATIONAL.

Above: Preserved Bristol KSW5G/ECW 1407 on Felixstowe Seafront, during the Running Day on 5/5/19. New in 1953, this bus has been preserved since 1974. (Simon Austin).

Above: Bristol RELH/Plaxton Panorama Elite LWC 977J at Fairbourne, Gwynedd on 29/5/1975. By then operated by National Travel South East, it was on a National Holidays Welsh Narrow Gauge Railways Tour. (Roger Pope).

EMPRESS OF LONDON.
Volvo B8R/Plaxton YN16 NWP is ex Somerset Passenger Solutions, Bridgwater.
The base has moved from Bethnal Green to Silvertown.

ENSIGNBUS.
New are BCI Enterprises 405/6 (LX19 EAV/G).
ADL/Enviro 200 603 has passed to NIBS, Wickford.

Above: Recently acquired ex Go Goodwins of Manchester ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 132, at Barleylands on GA Wickford-Southend RRP on 28/5/19. (John Podgorski).

FELIXSTOWE TRAVEL.
Has two new Scania Touring/Higers M50 FXO and M60 FXO. The previous bearers of these registrations are sold.
Volvo B8R/Siderals M60 FXO has been re-registered back to its original BX11 GWE mark. Volvo B9R/Jonckheere M50 FXO has reverted back to PO11 KFL and been sold to Scania, Worksop (dealer).

Above: BX11 GWE at Ipswich on rail replacement on 27/5/19. (John Podgorski).

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).

(First Eastern Counties).

A new identity has been launched – Ipswich Reds. 44517 is the first bus in this livery.

FIRST ESSEX.
From 1/5/19, only First Essex kept the legal address of Westway, Chelmsford. The other First companies which had used this, gained new local legal addresses. It is presumed these are in advance of these entities being offered for sale.
Ex First Manchester are Dart SLF/Pointers 42940 (MX56 HXZ), 42941/44/45 (WA56 OAO/U/V). These have been allocated to Chelmsford, to replace the last Caetano Dart SLFs there. SLF/Caetanos withdrawn are 41512/13/44. Also withdrawn is Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 62409. BMC 68510 is reinstated.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 33424 in its regular Basildon haunts in May 2019. This bus was new to JP Travel, Middleton, Greater Manchester. (Simon Austin).

During early May, ADL/Enviro 200s 33424 (VT59 JPT), 33573 (SN58 EUR) were loaned by Basildon to Hadleigh for rail replacement, but also appeared in normal service.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipse 66803 (MX05 CCN) has returned to Colchester, ex loan to Basildon. 66806 (MX05 CCV) has moved from Basildon to Chelmsford. 69533 was loned by Basildon to Colchester for one day only on 1/5/19. The B7RLE fleet is going through a re-engining programme -believed to do with Euro6 , and being done by the local Volvo agent. The Volvo B9TLs are having cooling system modifications for the same reason.

Above: 66806 at Copford on 16/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65677 on 75B at Head Street, Colchester on 30/5/19. This is one of a decreasing number of buses still in the old “Barbie2” livery. (John Podgorski).

New route 75B has taken over the Colchester town centre-University of Essex section of 75.

From 26/5/19, route 100 was plit into two sections; Chelmsford-Bsildon and Basildon-Lakeside. The same number is retained for both and is to do with improving timings on this 2 hour long service.

Paper timetable issue has ceased.

Odd sightings: 1/5/19: B7TL/Gemini 37042 (YJ 06 XLH) on 174. 3/5/19: Route 62 B9TL 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 70. 8/5/19: Route 62 37134 on 64A. 9/5/19: B7TL/ALX400 32477 (AU53 HJN) on 175 am. 10/5/19: Scania L94UB/Solar 65690 (YS03 ZKK) on 75. 13/5/19: Route 62 37133 on 61. 14/5/19: BN Vo B7RLE/Solar Eclipse 66806 on 71. 15/5/19: Route 62 B9TL 37135 (SN57 HCP) on 75. 16/5/19: B7TL/Gemini 37017 (WX55 VJE) on 174 pm. 17/5/19: Scania L94UB/Wright 65690 on 62. 19/5/19: Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 88A. 20/5/19: Trident 33044 on 174 pm. 23/5/19: StreetLite 63338 on 62. Route 62 B9TL 37133 on 75B; Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 61. 29/5/19; 69914 (BJ13 ZBW) on 16. 30/5/19: 65677 (SN51 UYL) on 75B.

Above: Since their transfer from Colchester to Chelmsford in August 2018, the former Leicester Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis have normally appeared on the long Chelmsford-Braintree-Colchester route 70, with occasional appearances on Colchester Schools also. 32631 (KP54 AZB) was heading eastbound at Braintree Bus Park on Sunday 28/4/19. Note the Colchester terminus on the Sabbath/public holidays is Mason Road, rather than Osborne Street. (Simon Austin).

FIRSTSTOP, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
Withdrawn is Mb 0814D/Autobus N2 LCT.

FLAGFINDERS, BRAINTREE.
Scania Omnidekka YN53 RYR is ex Cherry, Maghull.

FORD, ALTHORNE.
Withdrawn is Leyland Olypmian/Alexander RL H815 CBP.
Trident/ALX400 T650 KPU has been placed into service on schools.

FLAGFINDERS.
To the new livery are Mb Sprinter SG52 RZJ, Mb 0814D S190 SLL, while ex Graham’s Mb 0814D/Euro AE54 FMG now has fleetnames to complete its Flagfinders livery.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: 66524 – with recruitment advertising, at Colchester on an “up” intermodal on 11/5/19. (John Podgorski).

17/5/19: 66617 at Dagenham Dock on cement.
22/5/19; 66605 at Bow Olympic arriving from Tunstead and returning to Burton.
25/5/19: 66551 on diverted 4L52 Garston-London Gateway via South Ockendon.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.Transferred from Stephensons of Essex is Optare Solo M920 317 (4092 PP ex MX53 FDN).
Withdrawn are DAF SB3000/VH 339 (NJI 9241) and Volvo B12M/Palxton Pargon 361 (X400 MTT).
DAF DB250LF/Optare Spectra 229 (W231 CDN) has passed to Ensign.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 244 (YR02 ZYL) has passed to Truck East, Stowmarket (dealer).

GBRf.
Has ex Cargonet, Sweden 66790-92.
3/5/19: 66754 on 6L37.
4/5/19: 66718 on 6V18 Tilbury-Trostre van and diverted via Grays-Upminster branch. 66761 on 4L29 Birch Coppice-Felixstowe. 66770 on 4L20 Hams Hall-Parkeston.
5/5/19: 66707 on 6T63 Bow Junct-Whitemoor. 6724 tnt 66750 on 6T62 Bow Junct-Whitemoor.
6/5/19: 66747/61 on 0L33 Ipswich-Felixstowe light loco. 66774 on 6L37.
7/5/19: 66721 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66747 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66759 on 6L61 Rylstone-Chesterton Junct. 66774 on 0L37.
13/5/19: 66707/21 on 0L33.
14-15/5/19: 66704 on 6L37.
16/5/19: 66764 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
17/5/19: 66747 on 6L37. 92041 at Dagenham Dock.
20/5/19: 66750 on 6L34 was 6L36.
22/5/19: 66721 on 4M29. 66727 on 6M14 Harlow Mill-Bardon Hill.
25/5/19: 66758 on 6T62 Whitemoor-Ipswich engineers.
27-28/5/19: 66774 on 6L37.
29/5/19: 66722 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
31/5/19: 66751 at Cambridge North on stones.

GODWARD, BASILDON.
New is Irizar i6 CC19 PGC.

GOLDEN BOY, HODDESDON.
Van Hool T916 LL10 HXA ex OO10 BOY is now with Weardale, Stanhope.

GREATER ANGLIA.
New are 745002-4, 755326, 417/28.
321448 has been stored at Clacton depot.

(John Podgorski).

On 20/5/19, “Norwich in 90” and “Ipswich in 60” were launched. These London Liverpool Street express services only call at Norwich or Ipswich. There are four trains a day, M-Sat. There is criticism that these do not serve stations in Essex, but it is understood that a “Colchester in 40” is planned when the new Class 755s enter traffic. The inaugural “Norwich in 90” actually reached Liverpool Street in 97 minutes – due to a signal check at Bethnal Green.

(John Podgorski).

4/5/19: 90001 (above) hauling MkIII carriages 12134, 10144 “up” through Shenfield @ 1835.
317342/886 and 317508/668 on Liverpool Street-Braintrees.
6/5/19: 90001 on 1P12 at Norwich end.
10/5/19: 321322/58 on 1P04 Liverpool Street-Norwich, then ECS to Colchester.
11/5/19: 317651 + 886 on Livepool Street-Braintrees. 755409 on Kings Lynn-London via Cambridge.
16/5/19: 755326, 755417/28 delivered.
17/5/19: 745104 on 5Q52 Norwich-London test and 5Q48 return, with ROG 37800 following “up” as far as Colchester.
30/5/19: 745002 delivered.
31/5/19: 321444/301 on 1400 Norwich-Liverpool Street.

Ingatestone railway station celebrated its 175th birthday on 12/5/19. There was a special ceremony for this restored building, which is still very much in use.

GWR.

(John Podgorski).

11/5/19: 387140 at Ilford depot and to Heathrow Express livery. GWR is to take over HEx from Heathrow Airport Ltd, and the current Class 332 EMUs will go for scrap, as they are now obsolete technology. This is due to happen in December 2019.

HASTINGS DIESELS LTD.
11/5/19: DEMU 1001 on Hastings-Norwich-Lowestoft railtour, ‘East Anglian Explorer’ – via GEML.

HEDINGHAM.

(John Podgorski).

Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 568 (W458 WGH) has come from Chambers.
From Konect are Dart SLF/MPD 287 (HW54 BUE); Scania Omnilinks 458/60 (AU05 FHH/F). 458/60, 568 are at Clacton. 287 is at Sible Hedingham, but was intially delivered to Clacton. 458 AND 287 were pictured (above) on 21/5/19.
Dennis Trident/EL 702 (T802 RFG) was withdrawn on 1/5/19, upon MOT expiry. It was subsequently stripped for spares at Clacton. 722 (W822 NNJ) was withdrawn on 16/5/19 for the same reason. 702 has been collected by Ensign, by the end of May.

Above: Dart SLF/Pointer 253 on route 7 at St Osyth Beach in April 2019. (Hedingham).

From 25/5/19, there were frequency increases to ex Go Ride route 7 (Brightlingsea-Clacton), for the summer season, including a new Saturday service. These effectively replace seasonal route 1 between Clacton and St Osyth Beach.
Volvo B7TL/Gemini 520 (LX05 EZC) moved CN-KN on 7/5/19 and returned to CN on 14/5/19. 527 (LX06 EAK) has been converted to single door and awaits service.
Volvo B7TL/President 568 (W458 WGH) was initially VOR at Clacton, while 581 (W956 WGH) is back in use ex long term VOR. Both 581 and 580 (W527 WGH) are restricted to local work around Clacton – mostly schools. But 581 was subsequently seen further afield – see below.
Omnidekka movements: 1/5/19: 802 – from Chambers; 810 to Chambers. 2/5/19: 810 from Chambers; 816/20 – CN-KN. 3/5/19; 816 – KN-CN. 3/5/19: 816 – KN-CN; 818 – CN-KN. 7/5/19: 811 – KN-Chambers. 9/5/19: 801 – Chambers-KN; 814 – KN-Chambers. 14/5/19: 810 – KN-Chambers; 814 – Chambers-KN. 15/5/19: 810 – Chambers-KN. 21/5/19: 820 – KN-CN. 23/5/19: 805 – Chambers-KN; 813 – KN-Chambers. 28/5/19: 818 – CN-KN. By 31/5/19: 801/2/5 – KN-Chambers; 812/13 – Chambers-KN.
Odd sightings: 2/5/19: 816 on TLA A pm; 820 on TLA B pm. 3/5/19: 814 on TLA A; 820 on TLA B. 7/5/19: ADL/E200 266 on 63; B7TL/President 574 (W506 WGH) on 137; B7TL/President 580 (W527 WGH) on 4; Omnidekka 813 (YN55 PZU) on TLA B pm. 8/5/19: B7TL/President 581 (W956 WGH) running light on A12S at Marks Tey – had been long term VOR; was available for service at CN the following week. 14/5/19: Chambers ADL/E200/MCV 267 and Scania N230UD/Olympus 873 at CN workshop. 20/5/19: 581 on 63. 21/5/19: 581 on 63; 820 on TLA A am; 873 still at CN. 22/5/19: 581 on 19/63. 25/5/19: 875 still at HD. 29/5/19: Omnidekka 801 on 92.
Ancillary vehicles: Ford Transit van 036 (EK56 MGE) has suffered major engine failure and been sidelined at HD. Accident damaged Mb Vito crew van RO06 TUU is stored at HD depot.

Above: Clacton workshop on 14/5/19. (John Podgorski).

HI-TECH COACHES, BASILDON.
Volvo B10M/VH M640 KVU is ex Cleary, Romford.

HIGHWAYS, LEIGH ON SEA.
The operators licence has not been continued.
The last vehicle owned was Renault Master BX61 GCK.
Large coaches had once been operated.

IPSWICH BUSES.

Above: Tempo 94 in the workshop on 19/5/19. (John Podgorski).

The rest of the ex Trent Barton Optare Tempos are now in service. Fleet numbers are 87 (YJ12 GWA), 88 (YJ12 GWC), 89 (YJ12 GWD), 90 (YJ12 GWE), 91 (YJ12 GWF), 92 (YJ12 GWG), 93 (YJ12 GWK), 94 (YJ12 GWL), 95 (YJ12 GWM), 96 (YJ12 GWN), 97 (YJ12 GWO). 90, 91, 93 have yellow branding for routes 9/10. 94, 95 have pink branding for service 13. As a result, the Optare Versas are now mainly used on country services, and other vehicles have been replaced – see below.
Dart SLF/EL 85 (PJ53 OLE) is now a driver trainer.
In withdrawn condition are Dart SLF/Super Pointer 134 (SN53 AVG), Optare Solo 244 (YN53 ELW) and some of the 56 reg Scania Omnicity saloons.
Omnicities 70-75 (YN56 NVB-G) have passed to Ensign.
Dart SLF/Super Pointer 134 (SN53 AVG) has been sold.
Gone for scrap is Trident/ALX400 8 (LX04 FYB).
Odd sightings: 24/5/19: DAF DB250LF 57 (PN 52 XBJ) on 93.

Above; Tempo 93 and Omnicity 46 ‘Kevin Beatty’ on depot on 19/5/19. Kevin Beatty was a famous footballer for Ipswich Town FC. (John Podgorski).

JOHN JAMES LUXURY TRAVEL, DAGENHAM.
Has Mb Tourismo BN17 JBY, ex Eclipse Coaches, Cambridge.

KINGS TOURS, COLCHESTER.
VH TX KC12 ABC has been sold to Evobus (dealer), Coventry. However it remains on hire to Kings for the time being.

Above: CT14 LCT on depot on 16/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Ex Leons of Stafford black/red VH TX CT14 LCT, was on loan – pending delivery of the new Mb Tourismo KC19 ABC.

KIRBYS OF RAYLEIGH.
Mb Tourismo BX64 WHN has been re-registered K100 BYS.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.

Above: Bedford OB/Baby Burlingham FFS 867 at the Felixstowe Running Day on 5/5/19. New in 1947 to SMT with a Duple Vista body, this vehicle was one of several rebodied in 1953. (Simon Austin).

LONDON GENERAL.
ADL/Enviro 200 SEN19 (YX11 FYZ) is delicensed at Morden Wharf.

LONDON OVERGROUND.
New Aventra EMUs are 710117/19/23, 710262. Class 710s entered revenue service from 23/5/19. The first two were 710261/69 – on the Gospel Oak-Braking route. This enabled the borrowed and shortened 378206/9/32, to revert to their usual duties and become 5 car units again. The ‘378s had been temporarily 4 car.
Withdrawn is 315813.

Above: 315808 departs Romford for Upminster on 4/5/19. These are currently operated from Ilford depot, with crews supplied by MTR TfL Rail. (John Podgorski).

M and M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD.

Above: Neoplan Tourliners MM18 BUS and MM68 BUS on depot on 2/5/19. MM18 was initially exhibited at the Bus and Coach Show at the NEC, hence its livery. (Mark Hough).

MILESTONE, CANVEY.
Neoplan Skyliner N100 MSC is now with Davis, Mitcheldean, Gloucs.

MTR TfL RAIL.
New are 345061/62.
Withdrawn are 315828/32/35/40/41/45/46/55/60/61.
Some Class 345s have been securely stored at Worksop, as Old Oak Common is full. 345023/56 are at Worksop so far. The ‘345s are mothballed due to the overrun for the completion of Crossrail.

Above: 315857 arrives at Gidea Park, on a Shenfield-London working on 4/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: A visit to the past. Gidea Park waiting room, 4/5/19. This station was opened in 1912, as ‘Gidea Park and Squirrels Heath’. (John Podgorski).

MYALLS, BASSINGBOURN.
New is Iveco 70C18/Noone Turas BX19 KGZ.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Four ADL/Enviro 200s have been acquired form Ensign. They are 417 (DK09 OBH), 418 (MX59 AVN), 449 (YX10 FFK0, 452 (YX10 FFN).

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY.

Above: Class 101 DMU with Essex destination. E56062 is the leading car. Pictured at Weybourne on 31/5/19. (John Podgorski).

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Mb Sprinter LF/Koch BX56 VTE has finally gone for export, having been sold some months ago.
Disused Letland National Greenaway GUW 452W has gone for scrap.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer KV51 KZK, is pictured with its new owner, A2B of Cambridge, on 25/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 AB62 PAN with Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther DC53 PAN on rail replacement at Woodbridge on 6/5/19. The RRP was running to/from Ipswich. (Alex Hazell).

Below: And the buses were connecting with Greater Anglia 153306 at Woodbridge, for onward travel to Lowestoft. (Alex Hazell).

Above: A very rainy night in Ipswich on 8/5/19, and ADL/Enviro 200 SB09 PAN is on a Greater Anglia emergency rail replacement to Felixstowe. (Alex Hazell).

PRESERVATION.

Above: Essex preserved former Crosville Bristol RELL UFM 53F at the Dereham Rally on 12/5/19. (Alex Hazell).

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.
The old Cliff Quay branch in Ipswich has seen undergrowth clearance, between the north side of the old Ranelagh Road level crossing and the bridge over the River orwell. Track remains on the bridge, while the old semaphore signal by the crossing has now gone.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Sold is Renault Trafic YG16 FNA.

SBC LEISURE, BASILDON.
New is Mb Tourismo KC19 SBC.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Three former East Kent Mb Sprinters have appeared. 44005//9 (BP16 UWT, BV66 GRZ, BV66 GSU). They are for the shuttle 2A (City-Mill Road) in the Ramsey Town area of Cambridge, caused by roadworks. Actually, 44005/6 were ex South Wales and 44009 from West Scotland.
Trident/ALX400 AY55 DKJ passed to Ensign and then to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap.
Transferred in from Stagecoach East London are Scania Omnicity ‘deckers 51074/75/78/81/83/85/87/89/90/92 (LX09 AEY/Z, AFF/N/U/Y, AGO/V/Y, AHA).
Trident/ALX400 open toppers ACZ 7489/92-94, TSU 640 have been resold via Ensign, to First Group, for use on the new ‘BrightBus’ sightseeing tour in Edinburgh.

Above: Mb Sprinters and Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 at Cowley Road depot on 25/5/19. (John Podgorski).

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: New to Selkent at Bromley, then with East London at West Ham, Dennis Tirdent/Alexander ALX400 17341 is now with Eamonn Rooney of Hilltown, County Down, Northern Ireland. It was pictured on a private charter in Belfast in May 2019. (Paul Savage).

New for TfL372 (Hornchurch-Lakeside) are ADL/E40D MMCs 11075-81 (YX19 OMA/C-H).
15 Tridents remain for revenue service across Stagecoach London. They are 17791 (NS), 17811(T), 17836 (PD), 17843 (PD), 18858 (NS), 17860 (PD), 17862 (PD), 17864 (TB), 17979 (NS), 17981 (PD), 18208 (PD), 18461 (WH), 18465 (PD), 18478 (NS), 18484(T), 18495 (TB). This includes those at Selkent. Romford North Street (on 247) and Plumstead (on 472) have the most, with less each at Bromley (on 664), Leyton (on 215) and West Ham.
Withdrawn are Tridents 18211/12, 18454/61/78; ADL/Enviro 200 34362.
ADL/Enviro 200s 36556/59/66 (LX13 CYV, CZB, CZJ) are now driver trainers and repainted purple. 36562 (LX13 CZE) was on loan to Cambus.
Yutong demonstrator YT1 (YG18 CVS) has ben returned to Pelican, Castleford – off loan.
Sold to Ensign are Scania Omnicity ‘deckers 15018/20/22 (LX58 CFJ/L/N), LX09 ABV/Z, ADZ, AEG, 15077 (AFE), (15095/96) AHE/F, FZU.
Trident 18479 (LX55 ESN) has been resold by Ensign to Wrope Maintenance Ltd, Rochford.Sold to Lister, Bolton (dealer) were Tridents 17999 (LX04 GCU), 18483 (LX55 BEO), 18498 (LX06 AHE).

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 MMC at Lodge Park, Romford on 4/5/19. (John Podgorski).

Overall adverts:
New Routemasters LT243, 376 have reverted to red fleet livery.
LT250, 365 – for EE 5G mobile phones; LT367 – for Riviera; LT386 – for Good Omens.

STAGECOACH HUNTINGDONSHIRE.

Above: 21308 in Cambridge on 25/5/19. A sister to the B8RLE which went up in smoke – see below. (John Podgorski).

On 20/5/19, there was a collision between Volvo B8RLE/Wright 21302 (BF65 WKR) and a Vauxhall Vectra car on the level crossing of the North Cambs Guided Busway over the B1050 at Longstanton. The car caught fire and the subsequent conflagration destroyed it and the bus. All in the car and on the bus were safely evacuated before the fire took hold. Volvo B7RLE/Wright 21228 (AE09 GYY) has returned from Cambridge as a replacement.

Above: 21225 in Cambridge on 25/8/12. One of the original Cambs Guided Busway vehicles. (John Podgorski).

STEPHENSONS.
Ex Go Ahead London Scania N230UD/Olympus PN09 EKT, has been acquired through Ensign.
The Bury St Edmunds ‘Breeze’ fleet is now ADL/Enviro 200s 431-34 (EU 10 NVP/R/S/T); the former ‘Blackwater Link’ route 90 buses. 434 had spent some time back in its old haunts before returning to Suffolk. Also used here is ADL/Enviro 200 463 (YX11 CTU), which has a super rear advert for RWSfm 103.3 – Bury Local Radio.

SULLIVAN BUSES.
Ex Blue Triangle ADL/Enviro 200s AE6-9 (LX10 AUT/U/Y, AVB) are in London Country style green. They usually work on commercial 306 (Borehamwood-Watford).

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD.
The operations have moved from Rainham.
New is Volvo B11R/Jonckherre double deck coach SW19 LOW.
Volvo 9700 tri-axle BX64 VRE is ex Cummer in Ireland, where it had been 151-G-1746.
Sold is Volvo B12B/Caetano BU08 CGG to Redwood Travel, Hemyock, Devon.

TENDRING TRAVEL.
Ford Transit 16 seater RA03 ENN has passed to Midland Trade Centre, Tardley (dealer). It was replaced on its school contract by Iveco Turbo Daily YX10 DJJ.
Scania K114/Irizar YN56 FGJ is now with Widnes Coaches.
Following sale to a preservationist, Setra S315 W973 UAR was subsequently stored at Don’s of Dunmow and then Viceroy at Saffron Walden. It has now gone to Wigley, Carlton for scrap.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
Ford Transit 16 seater AV12 ZJX is ex Robertson Van Hire, Colchester.

TOWER TRANSIT.
ADL/Enviro 400 SN12 AVK is now with RATP Yellow Buses, Bournemouth, via Ensign.

TRANSPORT for LONDON.
One of the road corridors to become a LEBZ – Low Emission Bus Zone is Mile End via Bow, Stratford, Forest Gate, Manor Park to just short of Ilford. So basically affecting TfL route 25 and sections of others.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
From Ensign are further ex RATP London Scania Omnicity ‘deckers – YP59 OES/T/U.
Sister YP59 OEE has returned to Ensign, ex loan.
Ex UNO, Hatfield Dart SLF/Mini Pointer KC03 PGU is now here ex Tomlinson, Winsford.
A large number of redundant and withdrawn vehicles have passed to MC Tractors at Ramsey for scrap. They are: ADL/Enviro 200 SK07 HLR. ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolutins AE56 OUP/S. ADL/Enviro 200/EL Esteems PE56 UFH/J/K. Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbuses HV52 WTJ, KN03 HZN. Dart SLF/Pointers SN03 EBP, KP54 BYY. Optare Solo M850 NM02 DNU. Ex Go North East Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renowns WNZ 1094/1102/1127/1196/1480/1490/2166/2249/2353/2410, X923 WGR. Ex Metrobus Scania Omnicity saloons YN53 RXH/T/W, YM55 SXB/H, YN06 JXR. Also scrapped is Scania L94UB/Wright Solar YN05 WKG.

ULTIMATE, CRAYS HILL.
Sold is Mb Sprinter 516/UVM RF65 SPU.

YOUNGS, CAMBRIDGE.
Via Ensign are ex Dublin Bus Volvo B9TL/Enviro 500s 05-D-70014/19 now LW55 CCO/N respectively.

With thanks to: D Acott, Angliagen, M Allen, S Austin, D Bell, W Bell, BusForum,  Clacton and District Local History Society, J Coward, First Eastern Counties, HarlowRide, A Hazell, Hedingham, M Hough, A Law, LOTS, R Pope, P Savage, Steven Knight Media.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSC, CMILT.

Welcome to the April 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.

The first weekend of April saw the introduction of the Ultra low Emission Zone in central London. This meant many older, non compliant buses and coaches could no longer enter the heart of the Capital without incurring a daily charge. The ULEZ zone is basically within the A501 inner ring road.
During the w/c 14/4/19, climate change protestors from Extinction Rebellion brought much disruption to central London. They caused obstructions at Oxford Circus and Waterloo Bridge. 50 bus routes had to be diverted. Busmopolitan area TfL services affected included 26 and 388.

24/7, STANSTED.
New are Vauhall Vivaros EU19 FRD/N.
Sold are Vauxhall Vivaros EN13 FZW, GGA/F, SFK, EJ14 AVB.
Scrapped is Renault Master/O&H welfare bus YX07 FCP.

A2B, BARBRAHAM.
From Courtney, Bracknell is Optare Solo SR YJ62 FCC.

ADVANCE MINIBUSES, SOUTHEND.
Scania/Irizar tri-axle YR61 RWF is now here.

AJK TRAVEL, ILFORD.

Above: This small operator has a contract for Colchester High School. Mercedes Sprinter 516 14 seater YD68 ZHU rests between duties at Southway, Colchester on 1/4/19. (John Podgorski).

APT COACHES, RAYLEIGH.
From AAA, Kirknewton, Scotland are Volvo B11R/Siderals RM16 AAA, RR16 AAA.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: Dart SLF/Pointer 3417 crosses the River Colne at East Street, Colchester on 11/4/19. (John Podgorski).

Dart SLF/Pointer 3412 (SN54 HWZ) passed to Ensign, following its time at Guildford with Arriva Kent and Surrey, and was resold to Hardwicks of Carlton for scrap.

Odd sightings: 1/4/19: Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3817 (GN07 AVD) on 1. 3/4/19: 3817 on 8. 16/4/19: 3817 on 2. 25/4/19: Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1564 (HX04 HUH) on 8.

Above: The old Magdalen Street depot site as it appeared on 22/4/19. The beginning of the redevelopment project for flats is clearly depicted. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
From Arriva Merseyside are VDL SB120/Wright Cadets 2525/31 (DK55 FXL/U).
On loan from Ware was Optare Solo 2485 (YK07 BEU).
Withdrawn to store at Ware are Optare Solo 2488 (YJ57 EJK), DAF SB120/Wright Cadets 3521/20 (LJ03 MYG, MZL).
SB120 4536 (LJ03 MYM) has transferred to Ware for continued service.
Mb Sprinter 1019 has moved on.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
Ex Arriva Kent and Sussex (Maidstone) ADL/Enviro 400 5452 (SN58 ENX) is now in service here. It arrived in a cannibalised condition and was repaired.
DAF SB120/Wright Cadet driver trainer T524 (LJ51 DDX) was at work during April.
In the same month, there was a clearout of withdrawn buses at Short Street depot, with them going to Hardwicks at Carlton for scrap, via Ensign.
DAF DB250LF/EL 6255 is withdrawn.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
From the weekend of 6-7/4/19, only ULEZ compliant buses were allowed into central London.
New Routemasters to overall adverts:
LT4 – Fitbit; LT213 – The Secret life of Pets 2; LT219 – Harry’s; LT324 – quattro; LT592 – Harry’s.
Back to red ex overall adverts: LT216, 474, 525, 588.
DW332/34 have been transferred to Barking. DW334 was briefly at Dartford.
Withdrawn are Volvo B7TL/ALX400s VLA166/68/70/71.

Above: Ex Grays, now at Barking Volvo B7TL/ALX400 VLA116 at Beckton on 23/4/19. Barking depot is the last place in Arriva London to run VLAs, and they will go later in 2019 following TfL contract changes. (Daniel Acott).

Above: Arriva London South ADL/Enviro 400 T154 (LJ60 AWC) in the scrapline at Edmonton depot in April 2019. This bus was involved in a collision in West Croydon Bus Station in November 2018, in which several passengers were injured and the driver arrested on suspicion of drug driving. (Craig Philson).

BARKERBUS, ROYDON. M36 KAX is a Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere ex Miller Brothers, Littleport.

BEESTONS.
New is ADL/Enviro 400MMC YX19 OUW.
Scania Omnidekka YV03 PZM has passed to Adams, Luton.
Local bus service 236 (Sudbury-Clare) passed to Chambers from 8/4/19.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
ADL/Enviro 40H EH14 has been transferred inform Go-Ahead London.
More ADL/Enviro 200s sold to Ensign are LX10 AUR/V. They were subsequently briefly loaned by Ensign to Foxstar of Newport (Wales), before that latter operator ceased trading.

Above: What the old Rainham site looked like on 20/4/19. (John Podgorski).

The new warehouse on the site of the old Ferry Lane, Rainham depot is now complete.
Some buses still carry fleetnames from their previous Go Ahead London operators.

Above: Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 WVL339, one of the ex East London Transit vehicles now with Metrobus for the X26. It was pictured at Old Malden on 13/4/19. Note the single door conversion. (John Podgorski).

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.
AEC PRV Routemaster RML2613/NML613E is now preserved by the company.
Withdrawn is Trident/ALX400 LX03 OPT.
Sold are Neoplan Skyliner YN03 AUW and Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents V42, 45, 431/99, X675 YUG.

CHAMBERS.

Above: Scania N230UD/Olympus 876 and Hedingham ex Konect Scania Omnitown AN61 BUS at Sible Hedingham depot on 27/4/19. (John Podgorski).

From 7/4/19, the payroll was transferred to Konect, with all employees TUPED over.
Route 236 (Sudbury-Clare) was taken over from Beestons from 8/4/19.
The first of the Scania N230UD/Optare Olympuses noted in service was 877 (PN09 ENO). The others will enter traffic progressively, as they are received. 873/75 (PN09 EMV, ENE) were ready for dispatch from Mardens on 16/4/19. By that time, 872 (PN09 EMK) was at Hedingham’s Sible Hedingham depot. On 27/4/19, 876 (PN09 ENF) was at HD. 871 arrived at Sudbury in late April.
Withdrawn and cannibalised is Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 567 (W457 WGH).

Above: 877 at Bures Hamlet on 6/4/19. (Chris Baines).

CL TRAVEL, FLINT CROSS.
BMC 850 BX06 OAU has been re-registered 485 DKH.

COLAS RAIL.
15/4/19: 37254 + 9708 and NR test train on 3Q20 Derby-Cambridge via Audley End.
17/4/19: 37254 + 9708 and NR Test Train on 3Q70 Ferme Park-Colchester.
18/4/19: 37254 + 9708 on 3Q69 Colchester and back via Norwich and Harwich Town.

CT PLUS.
From the weekend 6-7/4/19, the ULEZ started and only compliant buses were allowed into central London. Routes affected were TfL 26, 388, 812.
812 was restocked with MX67 GYD/H/J – replacing non-compliant BT1-3 (YX10 AYD/F, FFW).
Optare Metrodecker OM1 (YJ16 EBO) was returned to Optare off loan.

DANS COACH TRAVEL, NEEDHAM MARKET.

Above: Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount 3200 G210 UAS was ex Panther Travel, where it was BIG 8856. It was seen at Ipswich on 22/4/19, alongside Panther Travel Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther DB54 PAN – ex YN54 WWT with Turners of Essex. Both were on Greater Anglia rail replacement. (Alex Hazell).

DAN’S LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY.
Sold is Ford Transit 14 seater LT07 YTC.

DBS.
3/4/19: Maritime Blue 66074 on 4L47 Wakefield-Felixstowe. 66174 on 4M70 Chesterton-Mountsorrel. 66086 on Bow Olympic-Burngullow.
4/4/19: 66002 delivered new 755409/10 to Norwich, then light to Acton Yard as 0Z45.
5/4/19: 66047 on Wakefield-FLX.
8/4/19: 66047 on Wakefield-FLX. 66158 on Chesterton-Mountsorrel stone empties.
9/4/19: 66047 on Wakefield-FLX.
11/4/19: 66014 on Burngullow, 66004 on 6L69 and 66020 on 4E25 all at Bow Olympic.
15/4/19: 66047 on 4L45. 66076 at Bow Midland on Plasmor.
16/4/19; 66047 on 4L45.
17/4/19: 66041 at Bow Olympic. 66047 on 4L45.
23/4/19: 66198 tnt 66075 on 6L69 Plasmor to Bow.
24/4/19: 66047 on 4L45.

DLR.

Above: The rooftop protest at Canary Wharf DLR station. (PA).

On 17/4/19, climate change protesters obstructed a train at Canary Wharf; halting services in the area, but not causing wider disruption.
Two people stood on the roof of the train, while a third glued himself to a door. They were subsequently arrested for Obstructing The Railway. The trio appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on 18/4/19 and remanded in custody.
There was a second such protest on 25/4/19; which was the last day of action by Extinction Rebellion.

Above: Cars 22 and 46 pass at Langdon Park on 30/1/16. (John Podgorski).

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
From the weekend of 6-7/4/19, only ULEZ compliant buses were permitted into central London. This affected buses on TfL 100 and 135.
Some buses still carry fleetnames from their previous Go Ahead London operator.
Sold to Ensign were Scania Omnicity ‘deckers 962/66 (YT59 DYF/J).

DRS.
4/4/19: 57303 as 0Z04 Norwich-Willesden light loco via GEML and NLL.
9/4/19: 37423/405 on 0Z37 Norwich-Tonbridge via GEML and NLL.
15/4/19: 57003 + 37425 on 0L57 Willesden-Norwich via GEML. Then 57003 on 5Z57 Norwich-Eastleigh with DRS MkIIs coaches 5810, 5937, 9525.
16/4/19: 37407 towed GA 90004 from Norwich to Crewe as 0Z37 via GEML, NLL, ECML …….
23/4/19: 37059 on Eastleigh-Norwich light engine, via NLL and GEML.
24/4/19: 37059 on 0V29 Norwich-Cardiff via GEML and NLL. 37402 towed GA 90003 from Crewe to Norwich as 0Z74.
25/4/19: 37059 towed GA DVT 82114 from Cardiff to Norwich.

ENSIGNBUS.
Ex Stagecoach Cambus Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 open topper TSU 639 entered temporary use, to cover for the regular open topper Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 392 (392 MBF) which was on Brexit duties.

(Craig Philson).

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL – COMMUNITY LINK.

Above: Iveco 45C/Euromotive EU04 KWP worked at Brentwood for most of its time with Community Link. It is now a caravan in Colchester. Seen at King Stephen Road on 17/4/19. (John Podgorski).

FIRST ESSEX.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33178 (LR02 LYX) is back in use at Colchester, after being VOR for several months.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65685 has moved to First Eastern Counties. 65692 (YS03 ZKM) has gone to First Potteries. Scania Omnicities 65028/30 have gone to First Potteries following loan to First Eastern Counties.
Over the weekend of 13-14/4/19, Volvo B7RLE/Wright 69518 was loaned by Hadleigh to Basildon, in exchange for ADL/Enviro 400 33568. The E400 was needed for rail replacement.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 66823 is now in the new Urban livery.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbuses 41539 (LK53 FDY), 41544 (LK53 FEJ). Both have been moved from Basildon to Chelmsford. 41539 was subsequently cannibalised.
Wright StreetLite 63165 is delicensed due to accident damage. It has been returned to Wrightbus for repairs.

Double deck operation on route 26 (Southend-Leigh-Hadleigh) ceased after 27/4/19. It was also extended eastwards from Southend to Southchurch from 28/4/19, and interworks with route 24.
The old Prittlewell depot has been demolished and is being redeveloped as flats.

There were service changes on the Clacton-Colchester corridor from 29/4/19. 97, 97A were combined into a revised 97. 97 previously by-passed University of Essex and 97A by-passed Weeley. From Clacton to Colchester the 97 now follows the same route as the “traditional” 76. However, in Clacton, the 97 now only serves the rail station Clacton bound. Also, the 97 (and 98) from Walton, now run via Wellesley Road rather than Station Road in Clacton and don’t serve Pier Avenue – just Jackson Road. But 97/98 do serve Pier Avenue Walton bound. In Colchester, the 97 and 98 run via Hythe Hil, Barrack Street and Magdalen Street inbound from Clacton and no longer via Greenstead Road and East Hill.
In Maldon, route 75 was extended to/from Morrisons M-Sat, and on Suns/Hols was extended to/from Masefield Road. In both cases these were beyond the Blackwater Leisure Centre.

Odd sightings: 5/4/19: Route 62 B9TL/Gemini2 37135 (SN57 HCP) on 17; Route 62 B9TL/Gemini2 37139 (SN57 HCY) on 17 + 65. 9/4/19: Trident 33178 on 103/4; Route 62 B9TL 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 64; StreetLite 63329 on 102; StreetLites 63332/38/43 on 103/4. 11/4/19: StreetLite 63328 on 62. 13/4/19: Trident 33184 on 64; Route 27/28 B7RLE 69518 on 100. 16/4/19: Trident 33078 on 64. 18/4/19: 33078 on 64. StreetLite 63333 on 1A. 22/4/19: Route 62 B9TL SN57 HDH on 75. 23/4/19: Dart SLF/MPD 43847 (SN55 CXJ) on 71. 24/4/19: Route 62 B9TL 37134 on 174. 25/4/19: Trident 33196 on 174. 29/4/19: Trident 33086 (LN51 GMG) on 175. 30/4/19: Route 62 B9TL SN57 HDH on 75; X30 ADL/E200MMC 67165 (YY66 PBO) on 71.

Above: 63328 at East Bay, Colchester on 11/4/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: A RTC on Lexden Road, Colchester on 16/4/19, resulted in diversions. Wright StreetLite on 63328 on 65 was seen on Maldon Road. (John Podgorski).

Below: And StreetLite 63331 turns out of Beverley Road, back onto Lexden Road. (John Podgorski).

FLAGFINDERS.
Ex Graham’s Mb Sprinter VU53 FYR now has Flagfinders livery.

FOURWAYS, HIGHWOOD.
Dennis Condor/Metsec G310 FWC is now G505 WPN.

FREIGHTLINER.
66623 to new Genesee Wyoming orange/yellow livery.
2/4/19: 70002 on 4L75 Crewe-Felixstowe. 86632/14 on 4L41 Crewe-FLX.
4/4/19: 86607/5 on 4L41.
13/4/19: 66616 on West Thurrock-Tunstead.
15/4/19: 66622 at Bow Olympic on Tunstead.
16/4/19: 66505 on 6E50 Ipswich-Lindsey tanks.
17/4/19: 66623 on Burngullow-Bow Olympic. 86622/14 on 4L41 Crewe-FLX.
18/4/19: 66623 on 6L45 Hope-Dgenham cement.
20/4/19: 66616 tnt 66623 on diverted via Sandy 6M92 West Thurrock-Tunstead cement.
21/4/19: 66594 tnt 66567 on Whitemoor-Bury St Edmunds engineers.
22/4/19: 66567/94/20/02/31 on 0A85 Whitemoor-Ipswich light engine. 66617 tnt 66623 on diverted 6M92 at Davy Down Viaduct, on the Grays-Upminster branch.24/4/19: 86622/37 on Crewe-FLX.
30/4/19; 86638/28 on 4L41.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
The coaches and minibuses have been renumbered:
DAF SB/VH 3860 PP ex S408 JUA – 209 to 150; Mb Tourismo 5048 PP ex BV10 ZKL – 289 to 151; Fd Transit KR59 KMY – 291 to 81; Mb Tourismo 6399 PP ex BF60 OGA – 293 to 152; Fd Transit AV60 TKO – 299 to 82; Mb Tourismo 2086 PP ex BX12 CWC – 306 to 153; Setra S315 3379 PP ex BN12 EOO – 309 to 141; Volv o9700 5611 PP ex BX13 BZA – 319 to 154; Volvo B8R/Plaxton Leopards YN13 AVV, AWW – 320/21 to 155/56; VH TX16 5516 PP ex YJ14 CEX – 327 to 142; Fd Transit AV61 XDN – 329 to 83; Mb Tourismo BF15 XPJ – 338 to 143; Fd Transit AX14 GXS – 342 to 84; Fd Transit PO15 AZP 345 to 131; VH TX16s YJ16 EPP/V – 355/56 to 144/45; Fd Transit MX67 XWY 367 to 85.

GARDNER, CHELMSFORD. Ex GHH, Norden is Scania K340EB4/Lah Omniexpress YN58 SNK.

GBRf.
1/4/19: 66710 on 4L18 Trafford Park-Felixstowe. 66722 on 6L37. 66730 on 4L22 Felixstowe-Hams Hall.
2/4/19: 66720 on 4Z26 FLX-Masboro.66722 on 6L37. 66732 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
3/4/19: 66722 on 6L37. 66735 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 66739 on 6M76 Chesterton Junct-Bardon Hill. 66753 on 6P41 Harwich-N Walsham. 66763 on 4L07 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66767 on 6L61 Rlystone-Chesterton. 66770 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66774 on 4L02 Hams Hall-Flx. 66777 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66786 on 6L06 Cricklewood-Foxton.
4/4/19: 66732 on 4M23. 66753 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks and 6A32 return.
5/4/19: 66708 on Rylstone-Chesterton Junct.
8/4/19: 66757 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66758 on 6L37. 66763/66 on 0L33. 66777 on 4Z26 FLX-Masboro.
11/4/19: 66724 tnt 66771 at Romford ETE with DR76901. 66732 on 4L22. 66768 on Ipswich-N Walsham light loco.
13/4/19: 66720 on 4L30. 66757/52 on 4Z81 66766/30/32 seen light engine “up” at Maryland @ 1940. They were on a diverted FLX/IPS-Peterborough move, caused due to an engineering blockade on the GEML north of Ipswich. They were running as 0E06. 66777 on 4Z26.
15/4/19: 66738/55 on 0L33. 66751 on 6L06 Barrington spoil. 66752 on N Walsham-Ipswich light loco.
17/4/19: 66711 on 4Z33. 66782 on 4L02.
20-22/4/19: 66751 and 92026 stabled at Dagenham Dock.
22/4/19: 66704 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66756 on FLX-Hams Hall. 66761 on 67L37. 66776 on 67L37 with FL 6533 dit.
24/4/19: 66761 on 6L37.
25/4/19: 66761 on 0L37.
26/4/19: 66721 on 4M29. 66764/15 at Romford ETE.
29/4/19: 66725 Bat Chesterton Yard. 66760 on 4L22. 66761 on 4M29. 66732 on 4M23. 66754/80 on 6L37. 66770 on 4L07.
30/4/19: 66766 on Ipswich-N Walsham light loco.

Above: North Walsham Oil Terminal on 12/4/19. (John Podgorski).

GOLDLINE EXECUTIVE, MANOR PARK.
The main depot is on Station Road, with a sub yard at Aldersbrook Road.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: Stadler ‘Flirt’ 755104 at Crown Point depot, Norwich on 12/4/19. (John Podgorski).

Below: The new sidings at Norwich, for the Class 755s. These replaced the proposed depot at Brantham. (John Podgorski).

New are 755409/10 – delivered on 4/4/19. 755413/14 on 18/4/19.
5/4/19: 317347/512 on 1Y34 1818 Liverpool Street-Ipswich.
12/4/19: 317337/667 and 317650/662 on Liverpool Street-Braintrees.
13/4/19: 321337/342 on 1445 Ipswich-London ‘Inter-City’. 321325/429 on 1930 London-Ipswich ‘Inter-City’.
15/4/19: 755409/10 on Norwich-Colchester test run.
18/4/19: 317654/60 on 1Y34 Liverpool St-Ipswich; but failed at Marks Tey and terminated. 755408 noted as first train to use now sidings at Norwich Crown Point.
24/4/19: 321306/22 on 1P04 Norwich-London. 755410 on Norwich-Colchester test run and return.

HEDINGHAM.

Above; The last coach at Clacton is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere no 8. Pictured on 30/4/19. It is used on a school contract. (John Podgorski).

Withdrawn is Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 576 (W517 WGH). It has been cannibalised at Clacton.
Dennis Trident/EL 721 (W821 NNJ) pased to Ensign, and then to Hardwick, Carlton for scrap.
From 1/4/19, following the loss of 352 to Stephensons, the route 82/83 element of that duty (1615 from Colchester), was moved from Sible Hedingham to Kelvedon and integrated with Stanway School Bus 4 and two rounders on service 91 – as Duty 3111.
From 7/4/19, the payroll was transferred to Konect, with all employees TUPED over.
Scania Omnidekka movements: 3/4/19; 811 from Chambers; 814 to Chambers. 5/4/19: 807 from Chambers; 812 to Chambers . w/e 13/4/19: 813 to Chambers, 814 to Hedingham, 820 – KN-CN. 23/4/19: 807 – to Chambers, 813 to Hedingham.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 520/23 returned to CN from KN in early April.
527 (LX06 EAK) has been converted to single door, while 528 (LX06 EAM) was under conversion at the end of April.

Above: 528 at Clacton depot on 30/4/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 563 (V307 LGC) in a less than usual setting on 14/3/19. It was at H&B Commercials, Ipswich for MOT. H&B are a Volvo agent. 563 can usually be found on school contract PL4 (Mundon-Latchingdon-Cold Norton-Purleigh-Hazeleigh-Woodham Walter-Maldon Plume School). (Laurence Kinsella Ilot).

Odd sightings: 2/4/19: Short ADL/E200 293 (EU59 AFJ) on X76. 9/4/19: 293 on X76. 12/4/19: Omnidekka 810 on 92. 18/4/19: 810 on 92. 25/4/19: 293 on 63. 26/4/19: B7TL/President 565 (W425 WGH) on 19 + 63. 29/4/19: Omnidekka 810 (YN55 PZO) on TLA A pm.

IPSWICH BUSES.
Odd sightings: 30/4/19: Dart SLF/Super Pointer SN53 AVK on 93/94.

JR EXECUTIVE TRAVEL, COPDOCK.

Above: Setra S250 JRZ 6241 is now K400 PTS with Wrights Coaches of Hoveton, near Wroxham, Norfolk. It was pictured on depot on 12/4/19. (John Podgorski).

KIRBYS, RAYLEIGH.
From Orchard of Heaton Chapel is Mb Tourismo BX64 WHN.
Sold are Setra S250 R114 HEV ex K30 BYS and Setra S315 T250 GON. The latter is now with Bovington, Cliftonville.

KLARNERS, COLCHESTER.
The Feering-Ipswich Schools “bus club” contract went back to Suffolk Norse, from the start of the summer term.

LCB TRAVEL, HARLOW.
Service LCB2 restarted on 1/4/19. LCB1 recommenced from 16/4/19.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
New is Mb Tourismo BV19 YKU. Loned Mb Tourism oBU18 YUB has been returned to Evobus, Coventry.
Leyland Olympian/NC K738 ODL has been exported to Big Red Bus Company, Los Angeles, USA.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
Several of the SEe electric ADL/Enviro 200 MMCs still carry ‘London Central’ fleetnames from a previous life. In fact, various buses carry local identities from their previous Go Ahead London fleets.

Above: SEe 65 at Finsbury Square on 6/4/19. (John Podgorski).

LONDON OVERGROUND.
Continuing issues with commissioning the new Aventra Class 710 trains has resulted in continuing stock shortages on the GOBLIN line. This was made worse by only 3 shortened Class 378 EMUs being available, and all of the Class 172 DMUs being withdrawn for transfer to West Midlands Railway. It has been strongly suggested that some ex Scotrail Class 314s could plug the gap.

Above: 315807 at London Liverpool Street on 6/4/19; on a Chingford service. (John Podgorski).

LONDON UNDERGROUND.
During the climate change protests of mid April, wi-fi was suspended, to discourage activists from disrupting the LUL network.
Ex Victoria Line 1967 Tube Stock driving cars 3007 + 3107, 3022 + 3122 have been withdrawn for scrap, following 12 months of storage in the sidings at Acton Town station. They had been intended for the now cancelled tunnel cleaning train.
3061 + 3161 are now Emergency Response Unit training vehicles.

Above: 3103 and 3062 at Walthamstow Central on 27/5/11; towards the end of regular 1967 Tube Stock operation on the Victoria Line. 3103 was by then permanently marshalled in the centre of the train; hence the non red cab end. (John Podgorski).

M and M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD.
Neoplan Tourliner OU18 ZTB is ex Henshaw, Moreton in Marsh. It is now MM18 BUS.

MALCOLMS BLUE BUS, CLACTON.
Unused Leyland National HLZ 4439 orig GCY 748N has been sold.

MTR CROSSRAIL.
On 18/4/19, it was announced that there would be a further delay to the opening of the full service. Originally planned for December 2018, it was then put back by a year. Now an optimistic estimate of summer 2020 and a pessimistic estimate of spring 2021 have been quoted, on a project which has so far also significantly run over budget.
Issues include some stations uncompleted and continuing software problems with the signalling system.
Around 50 % of the new Class 345 trains remain mothballed at Old Oak Common, and there is a further stay of execution for the venerable Class 315s.

Above: MTR 345006 with Greater Anglia 321439 at London Liverpool Street on 8/12/18. (John Podgorski).

NATIONAL EXPRESS.
New are Scania K410/Caetano Levante IIIs 277-282 (BV19 XOJ-O).

NEW HORIZON, FRATING.
Volvo B7RLE/Wrights HF54 HGY, HHD remained here in April, but are likely to be sold soon.

Above: HF54 HHD at Lufkin Farm depot on 17/4/19. (John Podgorski).

NIBS, WICKFORD.
From 1/4/19, Essex CC 11 (Basildon-Aveley), 374 (Basildon-Grays), were gained from First Essex.
A new fleetname style has appeared. It is bolder and in red.
Received from Stephensons were were ADL/Enviro 200s 443 (YX10 FEU) – was Stephensons Sales Stock; and water damaged 446 (YX10 FFC) for cannibalisation.
From Go-Ahead London via Ensign came Scania N230UD/Olympus 516 (PN09 EKT).

Above: With its new Stephensons series fleet number 342, Wright StreetLite MX61 BCE works Braintree town route 21 on Sunday 28/4/19. (Simon Austin).

NORFOLKS OF NAYLAND.

Above: Norfolks was a very old established operator on the Suffolk/Essex borders, who sold to Hedingham in 1991. Daimler Fleetline/Alexander PRG 137J, was one of batch which Partridge of Hadleigh bought from Grampian Regional Transport in 1983. PRG 137J was one of two were resold to Norfolks. It was pictured at the old Colchester Bus Station on 25th April 1989. It met its end when it was blown into a ditch between Bures and Nayland, in gales in early 1991. (D W Rhodes).

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY.

Above: Great Eastern Railway Y Class 0-6-0 tender loco 564 arrives at Weybourne, on a Sheringham- Holt service on 12/4/19. In their heyday, the ‘Ys’ were common in Essex. (John Podgorski).

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: Scania K360EB4/Plaxton Panther 2 AB61 PAN ex OF61 OXF at Parkeston depot on 8/4/19. (John Podgorski).

From First Essex is Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon WV02 EUP.
ADL/Enviro 200s YX09 FLA, YX10 BFE have been repainted white, converted to single door and sold on without being used.
Despite being officially sold in February, Mb Sprinter LF/Koch BX56 VTE was still present at Parkeston depot in April.
The duplicates for Airport Bus Express have ceased, following the introduction of the ULEZ in London.
Between 7 and 14/4/19, Panther provided a rail replacement between Harwich International and Harwich Town for Greater Anglia, covering engineering works.

Above: ADL/Enviro 400 – Olympus VB08 PAN at Harwich International, on the Greater Anglia shuttle to Harwich Town on 8/4/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: At 20:04 on 14/4/19, Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther AB53 PAN calls at Ely, on a Greater Anglia Peterborough to Ipswich rail replacement. (John Podgorski).

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.

Above: The jetty of the old Harwich Train Ferry; seen on 8/4/19. It was opened on 24th April 1924 by Prince George, later Duke of Kent and closed operationally in January 1987. Parts of the structure had been used before reaching Harwich. The tower and machinery came from Richborough, Kent, while the linkspan was from Southampton. These two locations had train ferries which closed after the First World War. (John Podgorski).

Below: The approach track to the old jetty. Now breached by a Trinity House depot. 8/4/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: The trackwork, which once led to the train ferry, at Harwich Town. Seen on 8/4/19. The view is looking back towards Dovercourt. The electrified line to the left is in use as the Harwich to Manningtree branch, and becomes double track at Harwich International. (John Podgorski).

RDG.
15/4/19: 37800 on 0G48 Norwich-Claydon light loco.

RELIANCE, BENFLEET.
Scania/Irizar YT13 AMX is ex GHO Trading, Ancaster.

RYANAIR.
From 2/4/19, a new base opened at Southend Airport. 8 European countries and 11 destinations are being served from here.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Arrivals are Ex Stagecoach Scotland West Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 15643 (SN10 CDE) and ex Stagecoach Norfolk ADL/Enviro 400 10018 (SN12 CDE). It is understood that some older double deckers went to Stagecoach Norfolk at Sutton Bridge in exchange for newer ‘deckers. Control of Sutton Bridge is to pass to Stagecoach Lincolnshire.
Ex Stagecoach East London Scania Omnicity ‘deckers acquired are 15074/75/78/81/83/85/87/89/90/92 (LX09 AEY/Z, AFF/N/U/Y, AGO/V/Y, AHA). They are being repainted in provincial livery, converted to single door and led destination fitted. Some of this work is being done by ADL at Harlow.
Another Volvo B10M/Plaxton Expressliner driver Trainer observed is R37 AKV.
Dart SLF/Pointer 34355 (LV52 HKG) was on loan from Stagecoach East London.

Above: London Dart SLF/Pointer 34355 at Cambridge depot on 27/4/19. (John Podgorski).

Sold to Ensign were MAN18.20/ALX300 22060 (KV53 FAK); Trident/ALX400s 17500 (LX51 FNC), 17744 (LY52 ZFC), 17787 (LX03 BWA), 18343 (AE55 DKJ), 18417 (AE06 GZO); Trident/Presidents 18057/58/60 (AE53 TZJ/K/M). 127744/87 were resold to Hardwick, Carlton – for scrap. 17500, 18057/58/60, 18417 were resold to Shelton Motors, Ely – for scrap.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: ADL/Enviro 40H 12292 at Leadenhall Street on 13/4/19, on route 47, coincidentally passes Arriva London North New Routemaster LT317 on route 48. (John Podgorski).

From the weekend of 6-7/4/19, the ULEZ started, meaning that older ADL/E200S, E400s and Tridents were not longer permitted to work into central London. This affected routes TfL8, 48, 55 and Mega Sightseeing. The Mega Sightseeing Tridents have been withdrawn as a result, and replaced by compliant ex Selkent Enviro 400s – 19131-36 (LX56 EAF/G/J/K, LK56 EAM/O). Other non compliant buses were either restricted to suburban routes or withdrawn.
The “new” Mega Sightseeing E400s were converted to open top, repainted and led destination fitted, before their allocation to Leyton. They are named: 19131 – ‘King Henry VIII’, 19132 – ‘Sir Christopher Wren’, 19133 – ‘Lord Nelson’, 19134 – ‘Queen Victoria’, 19135 – ‘Sir Winston Churchill’, 19136 – ‘Queen Elizabeth II’.
Also from Selkent were ADL/Enviro 40H 12342/44/45 (SN64 OGR/T/U) – posted to Bow.
On loan was Yutong Tc9 dual door 31 seat saloon G18 CVS. It was temporarily numbered YT1 and used at West Ham.
ADL/Enviro 40Ds 19131-36 have been transferred to Bow.
Trident 18209 has been reinstated at Leyton.
ADL/Enviro 40H 12307 SN14 TYC has been re-registered to WLT 307.
ADL/Enviro 40D 19138 (LX56 EAW) and ADL/Enviro 200s 36556/59, 36562 (LX13 CZE) are now driver trainers.
Overall adverts:
ADL/Enviro 40H 12337 (SN64 OGK) – Oyster Hopper.
New Routemasters LT239 – Henry’s; LT376 – The Secret Life of Pets 2; LT386 – Ralph Lauren; LT3989 – Anthem. Back to red: LT265, 370 and 389 (after only a brief “wrap”).
The last Optare Versas are withdrawn from normal service – 25310/11/13/14 (LX09 AEE, AAK/F/N). 25310 was the final one, being used on 8/4/19. Some remain as driver trainers.
Also withdrawn were: ADL/Enviro 40Hs 12324-26; Tridents 17426, 17836, 18220.
Scania Omnicity ‘decker 15091 (LX09 AGZ) has transferred to Selkent.
Transferred out:
Scania Omnicity deckers: 15074/75 (LX09 AEY/Z) to Cambus; 15076 (LX09 AFA) to Selkent; 15078 (LX09 AFF) to Cambus; 15079 (LX09 AFJ) to Selkent; 15081/83/85 (LX09 AFN/U/Y) to Cambus; 15086 (LX09 AFZ) to Selkent; 15087/89/90 (LX09 AGO/V/Y) to Cambus; 15091 (LX09 AGZ) to Selkent; 15092 (LX09 AHA) to Cambus.
Tridents: 18266 (LX05 BVY, 18271 (LX55 ERY) to Lsiter, Bolton (dealer); 18467 (LX55 EPC) to Ensign, Purfleet (dealer); 18467 (LX55 EPV) to Stagecoach Lincolnshire; 18471 (LX55 ERK) to Stagecoach Midland Red South; 18473 (LX55 ERU) to Stagecoach Lincolnshire; 18474/75 (LX55 ERV/Y), 18482 (LX55 BDZ), 18496 (LX06 AHC) to Stafgecoach Midland Red South; 18497 (LX06 AHD) to Stagecoach Highland Country.
Ex Mega Sightseeing open top Trident 18477 (LX55 ESF) has gone to Stagecoach South East for use on new seafront route 66 at Hastings. 18218 (LX04 FXF) has been donated to a charity.
ADL/Enviro 40Ds: 19743/45 (LX11 BBN/V) to Selkent.

Above: Now with 1st Bus Stop of Gravesend, ex Trident 18253 at Greenwich on 20/4/19, on a South Eastern Trains Lewisham-Dartford rail replacement. (John Podgorski).

Above: One of the surplus East London Scania Omnicity ‘deckers returned to Selkent, 15091 at Woolwich on 29/4/19. It retains its WH West Ham depot codes. (Daniel Acott).

STAN’S, GREAT TOTHAM.
Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount G877 VPK has been sold.

STAR BUS, HAVERHILL.

Volvo Olympian/NCs R271 and R389 LGH on depot on 27/41/9. (John Podgorski).

STEPHENSONS.
From 1/4/19, M-Sat evening journeys on Essex CC 352 (Chelmsford-Braintree-Halstead) were taken over from Hedingham.
From UNO, Hatfield is Optare Solo M880 325 (YJ58 PHO).
ADL/Enviro 200 446 (YX 10 FFC), which sank in the flooded creek at Wallasey, is a write-off. It has gone to NIBS for cannibalisation.

SUFFOLK NORSE.
The Feering-Ipswich school “bus club” contract, came back from Klarners from the start of the summer term.

SULLIVAN BUSES.
Sold are MAN12.240/MCVs MM788, 814 (LK57 EHY, LK57 AYH); Volvo B7TL/Gemini WVL6 (LF52 UPL); Trident/ALX400 TAL123 (X343 HLL).

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD.
Volvo B12B/Jonckherre PIW 833 has reverted back to FJ08 BYC and sold to Whincop, Peasenhall, Suffolk.
ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolution LX07 BYK is now HSK 176.

TALISMAN, GREAT BROMLEY.
Understood to be sold are: Bristol MW 573 UVX; AEC PRV Routemaster JJD 535D; Leyalnd Titan PD2A/Massey OVX 143D; Bristol RELH/Plaxton Elites SGF 483L, UAR 929M; Bristol LHS/Plaxton Mini Supreme ESU 815X; Setra S315 V35 HAX; Setra S416 tri-axles EX11 UPH ex UL11 ULM, BU14 SYE.

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.
Temsa Safari YJ08 DKX is ex McMackin of High Wycombe.

THORNES OF RAYLEIGH.
Volvo B10M/Jonckherre L80 PCC is now with Lakeside of Ellesmere, Shropshire.

TOWER TRANSIT.
ADL/Enviro 200s DM44261/69/70 (YX61 FZD/M/N) are now with Arriva Southern Counties, via Ensign.

Above: One of the new Wright StreetDecks for TfL25 is WH31112. it was seen at Bank on 13/4/19. (John Podgorski).

From the weekend of 6-7/4/19, only ULEZ compliant buses were permitted into central London. This affected route 25. Non compliant vehicles were either restricted to suburban routes or withdrawn.

TRUSTYBUS.
Ex RATP London United is Scania Omnicity ‘decker YP59 OEE.

Above: Ex Yellow Buses, Bournemouth Dart SLF/Pointer SN55 HSG at Epping station on 8/4/19. (Daniel Acott).

UNO.
Sold to Ventura, Cranfield (dealer) are ADL/Envoro 200/MCV Evoltions ME505-508 (AJ58 PZN/O/P/R). Also sold are DAF DB250LF DFD202 (YF53 HBO), Optare Solo 409 (YJ55 YGE).
Ventura resold Optare Sol oOS402 (YK05 CCY0 to Colchri, Renfrew.

WHIPPET.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright WG103 (BF63 HFB) is in Pedigree Route P livery. This was the last vehicle in green/blue Busway livery.

With thanks to: D Acott, Angliagen, C Baines, J Coward, EBN, HarlowRide, Harwich Society, A Hazell, Hedingham, A Kelleher, New Horizon, PA, Panther, C Philson.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the March 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.

Believe it or not, it is now 40 years since the RT Class AEC Regent III and RF Class AEC Regal IV buses left normal service in London. The RF’s last post was to the west – at Kingston, while the RTs were to the east – at Barking and in ‘Busmopolitan’ territory.
On 30/3/19, there was a special running/open day at Stagecoach East London Barking garage to commemorate this event. Some pictures can be found in this edition.

Above: It this 1979 ? No, 2019 – at Barking Stagecoach East London garage.
(Simon Austin).

24/7, STANSTED.
New is Vauxhall Vivaro EU19 FPG.
Sold are Vauxhall Vivaros EN13 RYY, EJ14 AVU.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: StreetLite 4262 at Derwent Road, Highwoods on 13/3/19. (Daniel Pretty).

From Southend are Wright StreetLites 4224 (GN62 HMY), 4261/62 (GN64 DXR/S).
Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urbans 3818/19/26 (GN07 AVE/F/P) have transferred to Southend. All of the B7RLEs will eventually move over.
As a result of the departure of most of the B7RLEs and the demise of the DAF SB120s, route 8 (Highwoods-Monkwick) is now normally worked by ADL/Enviro 200s and long Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers. More short Dart SLFs are now appearing on route 1 (Greenstead-Ambrose Avenue), while the remaining two B7TRLEs – 3817/25 (GN07 AVD/O) seem to usually appear on 133 (Braintree-Stansted) alongside the new StreetLites.
The ex Southend StreetLites can be found on 1, 2, 8 and the Braintree Freeport Shuttle.
Odd sightings:
2/3/19: B7RLE 3826 (GN07 AVP) – on transfer to Southend ? Seen Maldon Road Roundabout, Southway @ approx 1930. 20/3/19: Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1565 (HX04 HUK) on 8.

Above: 4262 on the Braintree Freeport Shuttle on 23/3/19. (Daniel Pretty).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Another ex Colchester DAF SB120/right Cadet is 3521 (LJ03 MYG).
Another Mb Sprinter is 1019 (BF67 WGV), ex Arriva Kent & Surrey; but it was quickly returned.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
All of the StreetLites have transferred to Arriva Colchester.
A visit to Short Street depot on 2/3/19 found the following withdrawn vehicles visible: Ex Colchester DAF SB120/Wright Cadets 3529/34 (LF02 PNJ/U); Ex Kent and Surrey Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3295 (Y295 TKJ); ex The Shires DAF DB250LF/ALX400 6001 (KL52 CWO), plus one other SLF/Pointer, 3 DB250LF/ALX400s and 2 DB250LF/Plaxton Presidents. Also there was ex The Shires VDL200/Wright Pulsar 3779 (KX09 KDU). TGM liveried Volvo Olympian/NC Palatine 5614 (R614 MNU) and Southend SOS Bus Dennis Dominator/EL G649 EKA additionally were still parked there.

Above: DAF SB120s 3529/34 at Short Street on 2/3/19. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
TfL158 (Chingford Mount-Stratford) was gained from Stagecoach East London from 2/3/19. DWs and VLWs from Edmonton (EC) are used.
TfL393 (Clapton-Chalk Farm) was lost to Metroline from 23/3/19. Some of the buses were loaned to Metroline for the interim – retaining full Arriva branding.
The new style Arriva fleetnames and logos have appeared on a large numbers of buses, but there are still some with the old style fleetnames. Noted with the latter include Barking depot’s ADL/Enviro 40D T72 (LJ59 AEA); VDL DB300LF/Wright Geminis DW328/29 (LJ60 AXM/N). These have yet to be repainted/refurbished.

Above: ADL/Enviro 20D EN59 on TfL393, at Highbury Park, Canonbury in August 2008. This typifies the “back road” character of this route, which can only take smaller single deck buses. (John Podgorski).

AVON COACHES/GATWICK FLYER, ROMFORD.
Sold is Ford Transit 16 seater YT14 ENR.

BEESTONS.
Mercedes 921L 33 seat truck derived coach YN66 ENF has passed to Southwest minibuses, Bristol.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
TfL396 (Ilford-Goodmayes) was gained from Stagecoach, from 30/3/19. SE Class ADL/Enviro 200s are allocated, supplemented by E Class ADL/Enviro 400s from the low numbered ex London General/Central batch.
Dennis Dart SLF/Mrshall Capital LT52 WUM has gone to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap – via Ensign.

BUS4U, BRAINTREE.
Short ADL/Enviro 200 YX5 XMO has passed to Hughes, Llangefni.

C2C.

Above: One of the Class 357s modified to sub class 357/3 with revised seating. 357324 at Grays on 30/3/19. (John Podgorski).

CHAMBERS.
Ex Go-Ahead London Scania N230UD/Olympus 878 has been renumbered 877 (PN09 ENO). It was delivered to Sudbury on 12/3/19. The previous 877 (PN09 EMF) was retained by Ensign as sales stock. Thus the N230UD/Olympuses are now 870-877 (PN09 ELO/U, EMK/V, ENV/E/F/O). 870 appeared at Hedingham, Clacton in mid March.

COLAS.
The Network Rail Hoo Junct-Whitemoor ballast contract ceased after 29/3/19; hanving been lost to GBRf.
4/3/19: 37116 tnt 37219 on 1Q90 NR Test Train Ferme Park-Derby via liverpool Street.70817 on 6L37 Hoo Jct-Whitemoor.
12/3/19: 37521 on 3Q65 Derby RTC-Cambridge.
13/3/19: 37521 on 3Q72 Norwich-Colchester.
14/3/19: 37521 on 3Q71 Colchester-Norwich.
21/3/19: 66848 on 6L37.
25/3/19: 66850 with Freightliner 66524/616 in tow on 6L37. 70802 at Dagenham Dock.
29/3/19: 66849 on last 6L37 to be worked by Colas.

COOK, WESTCLIFF ON SEA.
YN08 OCB is a Scania K114/Irizar ex Taylor, St Ippolyts, via Evobus, Coventry (dealer).

CT PLUS.

Above: 2543 at Loughton station on 23/3/19. (Daniel Acott).

New are ADL/Enviro 40H City 2539-47 (YX19 ORO/P/S-W/Y/Z). These were for TfL20 (Walthamstow-Debden), which was taken over from Go-Ahead from 23/3/19. Also on loan for this were Stagecoach London ADL/E40Ds 10113/14 (LX12 DCZ, DDA). This was for extra buses needed for this conversion; as the allocation for TfL388 (Stratford City-Elephant and Castle) needed to be maintained.

Above: A nostalgic view of Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbus DCT3 at Upper Street, Islington in September 2005. CT Plus still holds the contract for TfL394 (Islington-Homerton Hospital). (John Podgorski).

DANS COACH TRAVEL, GREAT FINBOROUGH.
The latest addition is Volvo B10M/VH W283 JBN, ex Milken, Littleport.

DBS.
08934 resident shunter at Dagenham Dock.
66005/47/142 are now in Maritime blue. This is to do with a new partnership between Maritime Transport and DBS.
4/3/19: 66015 on Mountsorrel-Chesterton.
6/3/19: 66126 + UID at Bow Midland.
13/3/19: 66044 on 6V12 Marks Tey-Acton.
22/3/19: 66019 on 4L45 Wakefield-Felixstowe.
25/3/19: 66168 and 92042 at Dagenham Dock.
27/3/19: 66164 at Bow Olympic on Burngollow train.
29/3/19: 66105 on 4L45.

DRS.
6/3/19: 37716 on Brent-Stowmarket light loco.
22/3/19: 57303 on Willesden-Norwich light engine.
25/3/19: 37423 hauled 88003/7 on 0Z88 Willesden-Norwich.
26/3/19: 88003/7 visited Harwich and Clacton before returning to Willesden.

EASTERN NATIONAL.
Latterly privately preserved Leyland Nationals 1849/50 (YEV 307/8 YEV) have both unfortunately now gone for scrap. Proof that nothing can be immune from the scrapman.

Above: 1849 was latterly in pseudo Westcliff on Sea livery. On 4/4/14, it was temporarily stored at the Tollesbury depot of Hedingham Omnibuses. (John Podgorski).

Above: 1850 at the Canvey Museum Running Day of October 2005. (John Podgorski).

ECLIPSE COACHES, ROYSTON.
This operator ceased trading on 18/3/19. Its coaches were a familiar sight in Essex, espaecially on rail replacement. Eclise was part of Varsity Holdings, which also owned Chambers Coaches of Stevenage and the Varsity Travel Agency in Cambridge.

ENSIGNBUS.

Above: BCI Excellence 140 (LX17 DZA)  in Grays on 30/3/19. (John Podgorski).

Some more BCIs are on order.
Into the operational fleet is ex Wheelers of North Baddersley ADL/Enviro 200 721 (YX11 HNT).
Into temporary stock for ‘Goblin’ rail replacement are ex RATP London Scania Omnidekkas 920/21 (YN55 NKJ/P); ex Go-Ahead London Scania Omnidekkers 922-24 (YN07 EXH/K/M).
Acquired via Malcolm Harrison (dealer) is ex Confidence of Leicester Volvo B9TL/Optare Olympus FJ58 CON. It is fire damaged and for spare parts only.
From 11/3/19, route Z4 (Laindon-Amazon Tilbury) was diverted around Corringham, and from 23/3/19, it was further (temporarily) diverted at Chadwell St Mary, to avoid road widening works on the A13 between Orsett and Stanford Le Hope.

Above: Sales stock ex RATP London United Scania Omnidekka 920 (YN55 NKJ) has been used by Ensignbus on rail replacement. Seen at Purfleet on 30/3/19. (John Podgorski).

EOS, NORTH WEALD.
Sold are Dart SLF/Caetanos HV02 PCY, LK53 FDE.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: In its final weeks of working at First Essex; Scania Omnicity 65031 at Yorick Road, West Mersea on 6/3/19. (John Podgorski).

Scania Omnicities 65031/32 (TN06 TDX/Z) have transferred to First Potteries at Stoke on Trent. They were moved on 11/3/19. 65028/30 (YN06 TDO/V) went on loan to First Eastern Counties but will eventually reach First Potteries also.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 32672 (SN55 HEV) has a super rear advert for Hyde Hall RHS Gardens.
Withdrawn is Dart SLF/Caetano 41525.
Essex CC routes 11 (Basildon-Aveley), 374 (Basildon-Grays) ceased after 30/3/19; having been lost to NIBS, Wickford.
More of the old Clacton depot yard has been occupied by Clacton Van and Truck Sales.
Odd sightings:
1/3/19: Trident 33088 (LN51 GMU) on 174; Route 62 B9TL 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 88A. 2/3/19: Volvo 7900H 69006 (BV13 ZBP) on 25. 3/3/19 – Sunday: Trident 33086 (LN51 GMG) on 65; B7TL/Gemini 37036 on 1A. 7/3/19: Route 62 B9TL 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 17.
8/3/19: Route 62 B9TL 37134 on 61; Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 104. 11/3/19: Omnicity 65031 on 62; 65032 on 75 – both last day with First Essex. 13/3/19: Route 62 B9TL 37136 on 65. 14/3/19: Route 62 B9TL 37133 (SN57 HDH) on 67/C; Route 62 B9TL 37134 (SN57 HDJ) on 65; X30 ADL/E200 MMC 67170 on 71. 17/3/19: Route 62 B9TL 37133 (SN57 HDH) on 75. 19/3/19: StreetLite 63340 (SM65 EEY) on 62. 22/3/19: Short ADL/E200 44900 (AY08 EKT) on 71; StreetLite 63342 (SM65 EFA) on 71. 26/3/19: Route 62 37133 on 61; SLF/MPD 43846 (SN55 CXF) on 71. 28/3/19: B9TL 37027 (YJ06 XKS) on 175 am.

Above: Ex First Glasgow ADL/Enviro 300 67735 at The Commons, Prettygate, Colchester, on Sunday town service on 24/3/19. (Daniel Pretty).

FLAGFINDERS.

Above: Scania Omniexpress YT09 FLF now has Flagfinders fleetnames on its existing metallic grey livery. it was seen at Newbury Park on Greater Anglia RRP to/from Ingatestone on 31/3/19. (Alex Hazell).

FREIGHTLINER.
1/3/19: 70015 with 66552 dead in tow on 4L93 Lawley St-Felixstowe.
2/3/19: 66529/34 on 0L50 Ipswich-Whitemoor light engine.70010 on 4L97 Trafford Park-FLX.
4/3/19: 66606 on West Thurrock-Tunstead cement. 70005 on 4M81 FLX-Basford Hall.
6/3/19: 66615 at Bow Midland.
10/3/19: 66541 running light as Ely to Peterborough, en route from Ipswich to Leeds for repairs.
11/3/19: 66508 + 66562 dead in tow on FLX-Leeds ‘liner.
17/3/19: 66528 tnt 66536 on Shenfield-Whitemoor autoballasters.
22/3/19: 66602 on 6L44 Tunstead-West Thurrock. 66603 at Marks Tey yard on 6V80 to Acton.
25/3/19: 70005 on Trafford Park-FLX.

GARDNER, CHELMSFORD.
Mb 0816D/Plaxton Cheetah2 CX09 FJE is ex Timewels, Maghull, Liverpool.

GBRf.
2/3/19: 66722 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66732 on 6T62 Whitemoor-Romford engineers. 66743 on 4L29 Birch Coppice-Felixstowe. 66756 on 6T63 Whitemoor-Romford engineers. 66759 on Masboro-FLX. 66787 on 6T65 Whitemoor-Romford engineers.
3/3/19: 66710/48 on 0L33 Peterborough-FLX light loco.
4/3/19: 66722 on 4L07 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66733/50/03 + UID on 4Z80 FLX-Masboro. 66751 on 6L06.
6/3/19: 66747 at Bow Midland. 66750 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
11/3/19: 66701 on 4L22 Hams Hall-FLX. 66703/20 on 4R26. 66703/77 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66710/32/48/50 on 0L33 PBO-IPS light engine, with 66710/32 onwards to FLX. 66722 on 4L07 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66748 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
12/3/19: 66751 on Barrington-Wembley.
13/3/19: 66748 on N Walsham-Harich light loco.
14/3/19: 66748 on Ipswich-N Walsham ligt loco. 66789 on Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
16/3/19: 66710/56 on 0E06 FLX-PBO light loco. 66716 on 4Z26 FLX-Masboro. 66727 on 6T64 Whitemoor-Romford. 66732 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66740/60 on 4L20 Hams Hall-Parkeston. 66748 on 0E04 Parkeston-Petrborough light loco. 66758 on 6T61 ManorPark-Whitemoor. 66759 on 4Z81 Masboro-Parkeston. 66778 on 6T66 Whitemoor-Romford.
18/3/19: 66701/48 on 0L33. 66722 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
20/3/19: 66727 on 4L22.
22/3/19: 66711 on 4L07. 66747/27 on 4L22.
25/3/19: 66724 hauled SET 466026 on 5X81 Tonbridge-Ilford depot. 66754 at Dagenham Dock.
26/3/19: 66702 on Ipswich-N Walsham light loco. 66722 + 66720 dead in tow on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 66731 on 6L61 Rylstone Ticon-Chesterton Junct. 66786 on 6M03 Foxton-Cricklewood spoil.
28/3/19: 66765 tnt 66715 at Romford Electrification depot, with new track machine DR79601.
29/3/19: 66777 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66715/65 still at Romford ETE Yard. 66771 on 5X81 Tonbridge-Ilford depot. 92020 with 66754 dead in tow on 6L48 Garston-Dagenham car carriers.
30/3/19: 66768 on 4L29 Birch Coppice-FLX.
31/3/19: 66715 tnt 66765 on 6X01 B Stortford-March with railgrinder.66728 tnt 66701 on 6T64 Romford-Whitemoor engineers. 66732/70 on 0L33. 66737/27/63 on 4L22.

Above: 66715 at Ilford depot in February 2005. (John Podgorski).

GREATER ANGLIA.
317722 has gone to store at Ely.
4/3/19: 90013 towed DVT 82114 as 1445 Ilford-Norwich.
6/3/19: 153335 on Marks Tey-Sudbury, with duplicate road coach for peaks – (Klarners Setra S416 tri-axle T14 KCL). 317722 moved Ilford-Ely between 37884 and 57312.
7/3/19: 321331 on 1P04 Liverpool Street-Norwich and 1P23 return.
19-20/3/19: 755407 on Norwich to Stratford and return test run. With 37800 following.
21/3/19: 744405/8 on test down GEML from Norwich to Diss and back.
28/3/19: 745104 delivered by 37800.

Above: 321331 at Dovercourt in October 2010. The tracks are two parallel single lines at this point; the non electrified road on the left used to serve the Harwich train ferry (closed 1987). They run as two single lines from just east of Harwich International Port. The cranes in the distance are at the Port of Felixstowe, across the estuary of the Rivers Orwell and Stour. (John Podgorski).

GWR.
387130 towed from Reading to Ilford for mods by 37601.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: March 1st saw the 7th anniversary of Hedingham being sold to Go-Ahead Group PLC. This nostalgic view shows Bristol VRT/ECW L251 (MRJ 8W) at Clacton depot, on an unknown date. One of a pair new to Mayne of Manchester, the VRs had been withdrawn before the change of ownership. (Laurence Kinsella Ilot collection).

The Essex CC route 352 (Halstead-Braintree-Chelmsford) M-Sat evening contract ceased after 30/3/19, and passed to Stephensons from the following Monday. Dart SLF/Pointer 259 (EU56 FLP) was seen at High Street, Halstead on 22/3/19. (Simon Austin).

(All: Alex Law).

Some buses at Clacton have received rear advertising for local services. They are Scania Omnidekka 816 (YN55 PZX) and Optare Solos 910/11 (SF04 HKD/E).
Tollesbury depot has been sold – for housing. It had closed in July/August 2016.
The location of the old head office, Dugard House in Colchester – has now been fully vacated for conversion to residential flats. Hedingham moved out in September 2018.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 520/23 appeared at Kelvedon in late March.
Scania Omnidekka swaps: 13/3/19: 803 from Chambers; 813 to Chambers. 14/3/19: 802 from Chambers; 812 to Chambers. 19/3/19: 809 to Chambers; 812 from Chambers. 20/3/19: 803 to Chambers; 813 from Chambers. 22/3/19: 820 – Clacton to Kelvedon. 28/3/19; 802 to Chambers; 810 from Chambers.
Volvo B7TL/President 573 (W491 WGH) went on loan to Chambers.
Odd sightings: 6/3/19: B7TL 576 on 19 + 63. 8/3/19; Dart SLF/MPDs 286 (HW54 BTY), 290 (EX02 RYR) on PL2 (am) following failure of B7TL/President 561 (V301 LGC). 11/3/19: 286 + 290 on PL2 am again. 13/3/19: B7TL 565 on 19 + 63; Omnidekka 809 on TLA A pm. 15/3/19: B7TL 573 on HN2 and ST4 pm. 22/3/19: 523 on PL3 pm; 576 on 19 + 63; 820 on TLA B pm. 25/3/19: 802 on TLA A pm. 27/3/19: 520 on TLA B (pm); 738 on ST3 pm; 812 on TLA A. 28/3/19: 520 on TLA B; 738 on ST3.

Above: Chambers Scania Omnidekka 809 working for Hedingham and seen on the afternoon 89X at High Street, Halstead on 15/3/19. (Simon Austin)

IPSWICH BUSES.
Ex Trent Barton Optare Tempos YJ12 GWP/U have fleet nos 98, 99.
Optare Excel 170 is withdrawn, but 173 is reinstated.
Also withdrawn are ex Carters Dennis Trident/ALX400s 7, 8.
Several vehicles have been offered for sale; including Leyland Atlantean/Roe open topper 9 (MRT 9P); all of the ex Lothian Super Pointer Dart SLFs 134-137 (SN53 AVG/K/M/P); all of the 56 plate Scania Omnicity saloons 70-75 (YN56 NVB-G) and a 53 plate Dart SLF/EL.
Trident/ALX400 5 (LG02 FCA) has gone for scrap.
Odd sightings: 16/3/19: Dart SLF/Super Pointer 134 (SN53 AVG) on 93.

(Daniel Pretty).

LCB TRAVEL, HARLOW.
Temporarily stopped operating between 8th and 27th March. The ZIP service then returned, with branded Ford Transit CX60 XCW.

LEWIS, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
Re-registered are:
MAN18.350/Neoplan HIL 2828 to V567 RBP; Volvo B7R/Plaxton NIL 1505 to V445 EAL; Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere PIL 7085 to K136 KUM; Volvo B10M/Van Hool N66 BOY to N69 WEW.
Sold for scrap to Shelton Motors, Ramsey were:
Volvo B0Ms K136 KUM, N69 WEW; MAN 18.350/Neoplans V567 RBP, X368 VBK, Y604 RBJ, Y14 CCL; MAN24.400/Noge R621 VNN.
Volvo B10M/Jonckherre S72 UBO has passed to Mulleys of Ixworth.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
TfL20 (Walthamstow-Debden) passed to CT Plus from 23/3/19.

Above; Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL189, blinded for TfL20, at Northumberland Park depot on 25/10/19. This was one of a batch of WVLs transferred from Putney for TfL257 (Walthamstow-Stratford), which later returned to Stagecoach on retender. It still carried its old AF garage code in this view. (John Podgorski).

LONDON OVERGROUND.
The last Class 172 DMUs in use on the GOBLIN line were 172001/7. The last ‘172 on LOROL metals was 172004. All joined their sisters at West Midlands Trains.

M and M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD.
Withdrawn is Neoplan Tourliner MM10 BUS.

METROLINE.
Further increased its presence in east London from 23/3/19, when it took over TfL393 (Clapton-Chalk Farm) from Arriva London North. The buses used are DEM Class 9.6m ADL/Enviro 200s latterly on TfL234 and ENS Class 9.3m ADL/E200s hired from Arriva. This was due to physical restrictions along route 393. Longer 10.1, 10.2m E200s had been approved, but in reality they were not suitable.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Above: This former London Transport EYE-V batch MCW Metrobus, was seen in a yard off Progress Road, Rayleigh on 12/3/19. It was lettered for Pirton Hill School, of which there is one in Bristol. (John Podgorski).

MULLEYS, IXWORTH.
From Lewis of Bury St Edmunds is Volvo B10M/Jonckherre S72 UBO.
Scania K124/Irizar P10 SNO went to Shelton Motoes, Ramsey – for scrap.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Some ex Abellio London ADL/Enviro 200s have been acquired; including YX10 FEU.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Scania K360EB4/Plaxton Panther2 OF61 OXF has been re-registered AB61 PAN and upseated from 44 to 49.
Currently offered for sale are ADL/Enviro 400 – Olympus VB08 PAN; Dart SLF/Pointer DC02 PAN and Dart SLF/Mini Pointer DC56 PAN.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
A visit to the former Rochford outstation on 2/3/19 found the site being used to store cars and vans and also To Let by Ayers and Cruiks. The fencing had also been internally barriered to conceal the inside.

RYANAIR.
A number of Boeing 737-MAX8s are due later this year, but their arrival may be delayed following the fatal crash of the Ethiopian Airlines B737-MAX8 at Adis Abiba on 10/3/19. This has resulted in many countries grounding these aircraft, or banning them from their airspace.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
From Stagecoach Cheltenham & Gloucester are Scania N230UD/Enviro 400s 15639/40/42/43 (SF10 CCV/X/Z, CDE).
From Peterborough are ex Norfolk Green ADL/Enviro 400s 10054/55 (AE13 EEA/B), and E400s 19693/64 (AE60 JPU/X), 19695/96 (AE60 JPY, JRO).
There was a clearout of withdrawn vehicles from Cambridge depot during March.
These included open top Trident/ALX400 17274 (ACZ 7494); MAN18.220/ALX300s 22058/59 (KV53 FAF/J) and Reserve Dart SLF/Pointer 34422 (KV53 EYY). Only remaining was partly dismantled Mb Sprinter van Y92 AET.
Trident/ALX400 open toppers ACZ 7489/92-94, TSU 639/40 – passed to Ensign.
MAN18.220/ALX300 trainer 22141 (S141 TRJ) was returned to Stagecoach North West.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 52440 (R539 GSF) was noted (on depot) minus various body panels on 23/3/19. (Pictured below).

(John Podgorski).

Ex Cambridge vehicles sold for scrap to Shelton Motors of Ely (via Ensign) were: MAN18.20/ALX200 AE51 RZL; Trident/ALX400s Y452 NHK, LX51 FMC, FNG; AE55 DKA; Volvo B10M/Premiere R539 GSF. These basically were collected directly by Shelton, with Ensign being the intermediary “on paper”.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: RM2050 at Tower Hill on 1/3/19. (Nigel Eadon Clarke)

Regular heritage Routemaster operation on route 15H ceased after 2/3/19. It will continue on Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays only from now on. RedRoutemaster.com of Brentford has applied to operate a partial replacement for the 15H.
TfL158 (Stratford-Chingford Mount) passed to Arriva London North from 2/3/19. This saw the end of more Tridents. This was the last regular Trident route with East London. 30 Tridents remain across Stagecoach London, and the last all Trident route is TfL472 (North Greenwich-Thamesmead), with Selkent.
Tridents LX03 OSJ, LX53 KBE/J have gone to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap – via Ensign.

Above: Trident 18489 went before the end of TfL158, and was seen at Ensign’s Purfleet premises in February 2019. (Daniel Acott).

TfL262 (Beckton-Stratford) and TfL473 (North Woolwich-Stratford) passed to Tower Transit, and TfL396 (Ilford-Goodmayes) to Blue Triangle; all from 30/3/19. This resulted in the withdrawal of the last Optare Versas and more Omnicities and Tridents. Barking no longer runs Tridents in service.
Withdrawn are ScaniaOmnicity’deckers 15074/75/78/81/83/85/87/89/90/92.

Above: TfL396 was one of the last bastions for Optare Versas at Stagecoach East London. 25311 was pictured at Newbury Park on 27/8/17. (John Podgorski).

Above: Trident/ALX400 18848 calls at Beckton Bus Station on a northbound 262 in January 2011. (John Podgorski).

Above: Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 17092 (T692 KPU) on the 473 at North Woolwich in June 2009. This was in the Maqurie ownership era. 17092 was one of the early spec Tridents which were withdrawn early, as they did not comply to later TfL standards, with regard to staircase and centre exit positioning. This bus later passed to Herberts of Shefford in Bedfordshire. In the background is the now lifted railway line between Silvertown and North Woolwich; which was replaced by a tunnel for CrossRail. (John Podgorski).

STAN’S, GREAT TOTHAM.
Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount TIL 8271 has reverted to G877 VPK.

STEPHENSONS.
Several buses have moved from the Suffolk fleet (at Haverhill) to the Essex fleet (at Boreham). They are Optare Solos 320 (YJ56 AUE), 322 (EU07 FVM), 327 (MX06 BPZ); Dart SLF/Pointers 456 (GU52 HJX), 460 (EU05 CZA).
ADL/Enviro 400 446 (YX10 FFC) came to grief on 23/3/19, when it sunk, while attempting to cross the creek at Wallasey Island at high tide. It was on a Southend bound route 60A. The driver and one passenger had to be rescued.
Odd sightings: 4/3/19: Dart SLF/MPD 412 (SK02 XGO) on 38A.

Above; ADL/Enviro 200 467 at Stanwell Street, Colchester on 19/3/19. This was ex the now defunct Stephensons of Easingwold, North Yorkshire. (John Podgorski).

TENDRING TRAVEL.
Dennis R410/Caetano FN02 RXS is now white, ex cream. Mb 0816D/Plaxton Panther2 KV09 GJK has received fleet livery/vinyls ex plain metallic grey. Temsa Safari YJ57 BSY is now in white based fleet livery.

Above: KV09 GJK at Southway, Colchester on 7/3/19. (John Podgorski).

TOWER TRANSIT.

Above: Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 VN36139 at Beckton on 31/3/19. This was the 2nd day of route 262 operation by Transit. It uses VNs displaced from TfL25 by new WH Class Hybrid StreetDecks. (Daniel Acott).

Deliveries of new Wright StreetDecks for TfL25 (City Thameslink-Ilford) continued during March. They replaced DM Class ADL/Enviro 40Ds and VNW Class Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s. The new StreetDecks are WH31105-14 (SK19 FDO/N/M/L/J/G/F/E/D/C), 31118-28 (SK19 FDA, FCZ/Y/X/V/U/O/N/M/L).
TfL262 (Beckton-Stratford) and TfL473 (North Woolwich-Stratford) were gained from Stagecoach from 30/3/19. VN Class Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s spare from TfL25 were used.
TfL308 (Clapton Pond-Wanstead), now sees a mix of DN Class ADL/E40D, EH Class Volvo B5H/EvoSeti and VH Class Volvo B5H/Wright Gemini3, having previously been mostly EH.
Normal operation of the ex First VNW Class Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis has ceased.
The last were VNW32421/23/29 (LK04 JCX/Z, HYJ). VNW32429 was the final one, on 31/3/19.

UNO.
Subsequent history:
Dart SLF/EL Esteems 510/12 (PE 56 UFM/S), from Ventura, Cranfield (dealer) to Ensign, Purfleet (dealer).

WOW AIR.

Above: Airbus A321-211 TF-MOM. (Extra.IE).

This low cost airline, which served Stansted – ceased trading on 28/3/19. It was founded in November 2011 and based in Iceland.

Above: Airbus A320-232 TF-SIS. (Flugzeug.Bild.de)

RT 40th ANNIVERSARY EVENT.
To commemorate 40 years since the RT left normal passenger carrying service in London, a running day was held at Barking (BK) Garage of Stagecoach East London on Saturday 30th March 2019. The actual anniversary fell on April 7th, but in 2019, this coincides with the Spring Gathering at the London Bus Museum at Brooklands in Surrey.
This running day took RTs to various old haunts around Barking. BK garage was the very last to operate RTs on route 62 on 7th April 1979.

Above: RT2688 approaches Barking garage on a “62”.New in September 1951, she has been in preservation since 1980. RT2688 never actually worked from Barking, being delivered to Edgware. She entered service from Palmers Green in October 1951, and subsequently served at Holloway, Upton Park and then Edgware. RT2688 spent most of her LT career (9 years) at Upton Park – which was quite near to Barking. OPO conversion at Edgware in 1973, saw ‘1688 move Stonebridge Park, and then to south London – working at Catford and finally Bromley. She was withdrawn in 1976, and then sold to a school. (Simon Austin).

Above: RT786 on the forecourt of Barking garage. It is showing the commemorative blind, which appeared on the actual final day of RT revenue operations.  (Simon Austin).

Above: London’s Transport Museum RT4712 inside Barking Garage. (Simon Austin).

Above: RTL1256 was one of very few Leyland RTs to be in green livery. Route 23 in its original form, ran as far east as Becontree Heath, over what is now the TfL 5 service. (Simon Austin).

Above: Ensign’s heritage fleet RT3232 participated in the running day. (John Podgorski).

Above: And Ensign’s RT624 re-enacted the very last 62 journey of all. This was the actual bus to perform this honour in 1979. (John Podgorski).

The end of March did coincide with the 40th anniversary of the final London Transport RFs – on 31 st March 1979. This type did work all over London, but at the end were focused on Kingston upon Thames.

Above: RF518 is blinded for an east end route -291 (Barking Blakes Corner-South Park-Ilford Broadway). This ran from Barking garage; being introduced on 4th October 1965, and was withdrawn on 22nd April 1978. RFs were used on it from inception until 10th March 1973. From 19th July 1969, 291 was extended south to Gascoigne Estate – running as a clockwise loop. From 10/3/73, 291 became double deck and was cut back to Barking Broadway. The service number 291 was subsequently reused in south east London, as Woolwich Queen Elizabeth Hospital to Plumstead Common, and currently operated by Go Ahead London Central. (Simon Austin).

Above: The Green RFs lasted slightly longer than their red sisters – until 1980 (under London Country). RF600 shows a destination for one of the Green Line services that served Barking, the 723. There was a Green Line depot in Romford until 1977, and that building (on London Road), survives as a tyre depot. (Simon Austin).

Above: Flashback to the decline of the RFs and RTs. London County Grays depot on 6th June 1976. To the left are facelifted RFs for Green Line work, an original RF in the middle, with RTs behind. This was the old London Transport Grays Garage at Crown Road, upon which now stands a Morrisons supermarket. The bus facility moved to West Thurrock. (DW Rhodes).

AND FINALLY.
Well known preserved former Westcliff on Sea Motor Services Bristol K AJN 825, celebrated its 80th Birthday in March 2019.

(Daniel Pretty).

With thanks to: D Acott, Anglia gen, S Austin, N Eadon Clarke, EBN, Ensign, Essex Buses Yahoo, Extra.Ie, Flugzeug.Bild.de, A Hazell, Hedingham, L Kinsella Ilot, A Law, LOTS, D Pretty, PSVC, DW Rhodes, RM.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the February 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.

24/7, STANSTED.
Sold is Vauxhall Vivaro EN13 GDX.

ACCESS ANYONE, LEIGH ON SEA.
Withdrawn is Renault Master LX08 HHD.

ACME, MOLEHILL GREEN.
Sold are Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramounts F882/83 RFP.

AH MINIBUSES, LITTLE CLACTON.
Sold is LDV Convoy HX54 DAA.

APT, RAYLEIGH.
Volvo B9R/Sunsundegui BX12 FVS has been offered for sale.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: 4022 at St Johns Street on 19/2/19. (John Podgorski).

ADL/Enviro 200s 4019/20/21/22 (GN58 BUF/H/J/O) have arrived from Guildford. 4021 has a super rear advert for “Travel by Bus”.
As a result, the DAF SB120/Wright Cadets are withdrawn. 3528 (LF02 PNE) has been stood down again after covering for Dart SLF/Pointer 3421 (AY54 FPZ). The SB120s have all gone. Those traced are 3520 (LJ03 MZL), 3521 (LJ03 MYJ) to Harlow (via brief store at Southend); 3527/29/34 (LF02 PMY, PNJ/U) to store at Arriva Southend.
Trainer DAF SB120/Cadet 3524 (LJ51 DDX) remained here in February.
A new bus wash has been brought into use here.

Above: Several buses have received advertising for contactless ticketing. This is ADL/Enviro 200 4012 at Osborne Street on 12/2/19. (John Podgorski).

Odd sightings: 5/2/19: B7RLE/Wright 3819 (GN07 AVF) on 2. 7/2/19: Long Dart SLF/Pointer 3420 (AY54 FRC) on 4; DAF SB120/Cadet 3527 (LF02 PMY) on 1. 8/2/19; DAF SB120 3534 (LF02 PNU) on 1. 15/2/19: DAF SB120/Cadet 3534 on 1; B7RLE/Wright 3818 (GN07 AVE) on 2. 25/2/19: 3818 on 2.

Above: DAF SB120/Wright Cadet trainer 3524 at Southway on 5/2/19. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Arrivals are ex Ware Optare Solo 2488 (YJ57 EJK); ex Colchester DAF SB120/Wright Cadets 3520/21 (LJ03 MZL, MYJ); ex Hemel Hempstead SB120/Cadet 3536 (LJ03 MYM). On loan prior to arrival of the SB120s were Ware allocated Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 1594 (LF52 UOP) Optare Solo 2485 (YK07 BEU) and ADL/Enviro 200 3986.
Contactless ticketing was introduced from 10/2/19. Some buses carry external posters for this.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
From Arriva Kent and Sussex at Maidstone is former Arriva North West And Wales VDL DB300LF/Wright Gemini2 low height ‘decker 4459 (MX61 AXW).
Odd sightings: 16/2/19: ADL/E400 MMC 6501 on 6.

AZTEC, WICKFORD.
Ford Transit YT16 ZPX is now A5 OBJ.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Acquisitions are:
Mb 311/DC minibus YIA 258 – from Vanstone, Isle of Dogs; Scania L94IB/Irizar T403 OWA – from Wleham Travel, Welwyn Garden City; Neoplan Skyliner VC66 SUN -from Collier, Earith; Ford Transit 16 seat minibuses HT05 FOD – from Hatton, Warrington, and YR07 ZHD – ex Southon, Bracknell.
Withdrawn is Setra S250 P901 OKP.
Sold is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere RHZ 4535 ex M134 UWY.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Sold to Ensign are ADL/Enviro 200s SE42, 45 (LX10 AUW, AVC); Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus 873 (PN09 EKV).

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.
Ex Bannister of Owston nFerry is Trident/
From Eavesway is Van Hool TD YJ09 EYY.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President V499 MOA has been repainted white, ex NXWM red/white/grey. Withdrawn for disposal are sisters V42/43 MOA.
Sold for scrap to AH Commercials, Peterborough were Trident/ALX400s LX03 BZD, NHA, OPW; Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini LF52 ZSD; Volvo Olympian/NC Palatine R283 LGH.

BMI (FLY BMI).
This regional airline went into administration on 16/2/19.
The Stansted-Belfast service passed to Loganair.

Above: FlyBMI Airbus A319-131 G-DBCK. (DN280).

Below: FlyBMI Embraer ERJ145 G-RJXD. (Wikiwand).

BRENTWOOD COACHES.
Withdrawn is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 15 (LUI 4645 ex P329 VWR).

CHAMBERS.
Optare Solo 911 (SF04 SKE) was on loan from Hedingham, and was returned on 28/2/19.

CHELMSFORD TAXIBUS/EXCELLENT CONNECTIONS.
Sold are Ford Transits 7 9EX62 VNZ), 45 (EX07 RSZ), 46 (EK07 UYZ), 47 (EK07 VTY), 51 (EK07 VUX), 130 (EX56 MWY).
The parking area at the side of the Atholl Road HQ has been fenced off and gated.

COACH STOP, RETTENDON.
Acquired for spares only is ex Abellio London Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer RX51 FGM.

COLAS RAIL.
4/2/19: 37175 tnt 37610 on 1Q90 Ferme Park-Liverpool Street-Derby RTC NR test train. 70812 on 6L39 Bridgend-Dagenham. 70817 on Whitemoor-Hoo Junct.
6/2/19: 37610 tnt 37175 on 1Q97 Ferme Park-Cambridge via Liverpool Street, Stanford Le Hope and Harwich Town. 70817 on Hoo-Whitemoor.
19/2/19: 66848 on 6L37.
22/2/19: 66848 + 70816/06 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
25/2/19: 66847 on 6L37.
26/2/19: 70817 on 0L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor light engine.

COOKS OF WESTCLIFF.

Above: Bova Futura WA10 KNL at Norwich Castle on 2/2/19. (John Podgorski).

CT PLUS.
Optare MetroDecker demonstrator OM1 is on loan, for use on TfL26 (Hackney Wick-Waterloo) and TfL388 (Stratford City-Elephant and Castle).

DAN’S COACH TRAVEL, NEEDHAM MARKET.
Sold is Volvo B10M/Jonckherre GDZ 481.

DAN’S LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY.
Sold is Volvo B10M/Placton Premiere R10 ETS.

DBS.
1/2/19: 66108 on Peak Forest-Ripple Lane boxes.
5/2/19: 66044 on 6L21 Whitley-Dagenham.
6/2/19: 66050 and 66164 both at Bow Olympic.
13/2/19: 66006 at Bow on Heck duty.
18/2/19: 66130 on 6L42 Mountsorrel-Barham at Stowmarket.
22/2/19: 66004 on Wakefield-Felixstowe, then on 4L45 FLX-Ely. 66041 on 6Z54 Toton-Chesterton Junct.
25/2/19: 66040 at Chesterton yard. 66221/012 on Whitemoor-Acton.
27/2/19: 66130 on Chesterton Junct-Mountsorrel stone boxes. 92042 + 66001 + GA 745004 EMU on Dollands Moor-Ripple Lane ECS.

DOCKLANDS.
Sold to Ensign are Scania Omnicity ‘deckers 959/63/7/8 (YT59 DYB/G/M/N).

DON’S OF DUNMOW.

Above: Volvo B8R/Sunsundegui 72 seater DH17 DON on depot on 20/2/19. (John Podgorski).

Below: Leyland Olympian gathering at the depot. Also on 20/2/19. (John Podgorski).

DRS.
26/2/19: 57303 on Norwich-Cardiff via GEML light engine.

EAST YORKSHIRE.
Three of the coaches used on NX work into Essex have passed to Ensign. Volvo B9R/Caetano Levantes FN62 CEA/U, YY63 OEK.

ECON CONSTRUCTION, SIDCUP.
This breaker has cut up carriages 977077/111/12 at Ripple Lane.

ENSIGNBUS.
Ex Goodwins of Eccles is ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 132 (YX66 WLH). It has replaced accident loss BCI Enterprise 401.
Withdrawn are Volvo B7TL/ALX400s 906/7 9LJ54 BDZ, BFL), and B7TL/Plaxton President W473 WGH.
HeritagE RT AEC Regent III KGU 708 ex NXP 971 now has bonnet number RT1239.
From 18/2/19, there were revisions to the Brentwood area services, and a new timetable booklet was issued. New route X90 (Lakeside-Brentwood) replaced X21, X31 and X81.
Amazon route Z3 (Tilbury-Southend) is now operated. Amazon Z1 (to Lakeside), Z2 (to Barking), Z4 (to Laindon) are already on the portfolio.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: 67736 is one of the latest ex First Glasgow ADL/Enviro 300s to arrive at First Essex. It was seen at Pier Avenue, Clacton on 9/2/19. (Daniel Pretty).

Wright StreetLite 63333 (SK65 PXP) has had its incomplete Contactless branding removed. 47521 (SN64 CMV), 47645 (SN15 AFE), 63166 (SN64 CJJ) have also been seen with (now) incomplete Contactless branding, consisting of the top half only – reading ‘Contactless Payment’.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65687 has been withdrawn due to accident damage which was considered uneconomic to repair.
Alpha Recovery has taken Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33189; Scania L94UB/Wrights 65672, 65687 – all after these buses had been “parted out”.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban 66816 went to Volvo, Ipswich for a new engine. Sister 66719 is long term VOR at Chelmsford. Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon 20514 is disused at Chelmsford and has lost its destination equipment.

Odd sightings: 1/2/19: Route 62 Volvo B9TL/Gemini2 37139 (SN57 HCY) on 64A; Dart SLF/Caetano 41522 (LK03 UEZ) on 71. 3/2/19: Dart SLF/Pointer SN05 DZP on 71C. 4/2/19; Route 62 B9TL 37133 (SN57 HDH) on 75. 5/2/19: 37133 on 103; Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 70. 6/2/19: Trident 33087 (LN51 GNJ) on 174/175. 7/2/19: Trident 33080 (LN51 GNP) on 174/175; Route 62 B9TL 37133 on 65; Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 75. 13/2/19: X30 ADL/E200MMC 67166 (YY66 PBU) on 71. 15/2/19: Trident 33078 (LN51 GNP) on 104. 18/2/19: Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 61. 19/2/19: B7TL/Geminis 37016 (WX55 VJD), 37036 (YJ06 XLC) on 103/4; Omnicity 37028 (YN06 TDO) on 62; Scania L94UB/Wright 65681 on 62. 27/2/19: Route 62 B9TL 37139 on 61. 28/2/19: B9TL/Gemini 37010 (WX55 VHV) on 174.

Above: Ex First Leeds Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37027 at Headgate, Colchester on 25/2/19. (John Podgorski).

Ancillary vehicles:
New at Chelmsford is Vauxhall Touran driver shuttle SJ68 NWO.

FIRST STOP, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
Acquired is Renault Master/Versa welfare bus PF04 VMT.

FLAGFINDERS.

Above: Mercedes Sprinter GK03 JUC, in the new livery but with silver base, at the old Graham’s, Kelvedon depot on 13/2/19. (John Podgorski).

Sold are Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royale P263 PSX, and Mb 0814D/Mellor R974 MGB.

FLAVIN, STANFORD LE HOPE.
Withdrawn is Volvo B10M/VH T741 JHE.

FORD, ALTHORNE.
Sold is Scania N113/Alexander G50 FKG.

FOURWAYS, HIGHWOOD.
Solsd is leyland Olympian/Alexander RH G937 FVX ex 90-D-1008.

FREIGHTLINER.
2/2/19: 70003 on 4L97 Trafford Park-Felixstowe.
8/2/19: 70020 on 4M81 Felixstowe-Basford Hall.
10/2/19; 66562 tnt 66515 with Sawbridgeworth-Parkeston HOBC.
13/2/19: 66601 at Bow on Tunstead duty. 86609/627 on 4L41 Basford Hall-FLX.
16/2/19: 66951 tnt 66567 on Whitemoor-Harlow Town engineers.
18/2/19: 66618 on Thurrock-Tunstead hoppers. 70003 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford Park.
19/2/19: 70005 on 4L97 Trafford Park-FLX.
22/2/19; 66622 on 6M392 West Thurrock-Earles.
23/2/19: 70010 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX.
24/2/19: 66550 tnt 66620 on Bishops Stortford-Whitemoor engineers.
25/2/19: 66605 on 6M92 West Thurrock-Tunstead cement. 70003 on FLX-Crewe.
26/2/19: 66541 failed at Witham on “down” intermodal. Later recovered to Colchester with wheelskate.
27/2/19: 66607 on Bow-Tunstead.

Above: 66541 heads an “up” intermodal past Long Green Level Crossing, Marks Tey in September 2012. (John Podgorski).

GARDNER, CHELMSFORD.
Sold is Iveco Eurrider/Beaulas P120 KNO.

GBRf.
2/2/19; 66759 on Birch Coppice-Felixstowe.
4/2/19: 66708 on 0H33 Parkeston-Whitemoor light engine. 66724 on Harwich-North Walsham tanks.
5/2/19: 66722 on Barrington spoil.
6/2/19: 66724 on N Walsham-Ipswich light engine.
11/2/19: Maritime Blue 66727 on 4L07 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66754 on 4L22 Hams Hall-FLX.
12/2/19: 66722 on IPS-N Walsham light loco.
16/2/19: 66756 tnt 66777 on 6T60 Whitemoor-Haughley Junction. Cemex 66780 on 6T62 Beccles-Whitemoor via Ipswich.
17/2/19: 66780/22/63 on 0L33.
18/2/19: 66722 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66760 tnt 66702 on Whitemoor-Benfleet engineers. 66763 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. Cemex 66780 on FLX-Parkeston light engine, then on North Walsham tanks.
22/2/19: 66722 on 4M29. 66740 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. Crossrail 66744 on 4Z81 Doncaster-FLX. 66762 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX.
24/2/19: 66743/22 on 0L33.
25/2/19: 66732 on 4L22 Hams Hal-FLX.
26/2/19: 66773 towed SET 466022 as 5X81 Tonbridge Yard-Ilford depot ECS.
27/2/19: 66777 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
28/2/19: 66750 on 6L06 Cricklewood-Barrington. 66777 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.

Above: Back in August 2011, 66724 heads an “up” intermodal through Colchester. At that time it was still in First livery. First was a previous owner to Europorte, who bought GBRf in 2010. The owner since 2016 has been EQT Partners/Hector Rail. (John Podgorski).

GO RIDE.
All Essex routes ceased w/e 23/2/19. They were 72, 73 (Brightlingsea-Colchester), 79 (Brightlingsea-Clacton). 79 was taken over by Hedingham as service 7.

Above: CCVS Mercedes Sprinter WX05 FZJ – working for GoRide,  at High Street, Colchester on route 73 on 17/1/14. (John Podgorski).

GODWARD, BASILDON.

Above: AV02 SNN ex K600 ACT is a DAF SB4000/VH, ex Jackson of Bicknacre. It was pictured at Wickford on 24/2/19, on a Greater Anglia Southend-Newbury Park RRP. Later that week, it was re-registered T99 PGC. (John Podgorski).

GREATER ANGLIA.
New are Stadtlet Flirts 745104, 755407.
317654 is a late recipient of the new livery.
317722 is stored at Potters, Ely.
1/2/19: 153335 on Marks Tey-Sudbury. 755405 on test between Norwich and Colchester.
4/2/18: 755407 appeared at Cambridge; towed by ROG 37611 from Norwich and back.
6/2/19: 90009 dragged DRS 37425 as Norwich-Crewe 0Z06.
7/2/18: 90006 as Norwich-Crewe light engine for wheelset repairs.
10/2/19: 153309/322, 156417/407 and 321357/301 on Ipswich-Norwich football specials.
11/2/19; 317511 on 1Y34 Liverpool St-Ipswich – usually 2 x 317.
18/2/19: 755407 delivered to Norwich, towed behind 37800.
22/2/19: 90004 failed at Stowmarket on 1P51 Norwich-London, and rescued by 90013. 755407 on GEML test as 5Q52.
23/2/19: 90006 towed by DRS 37406 from Crew to Norwich via London and Cambridge, as 0Z90.
26/2/19: 321304/345 on 1400 Norwich-Liverpool Street. 321419/402 on 1300 Liverpool St-Norwich.
27/2/19: 745104 delivered. Towed to Norwich by 66001 as 5L99.

Above: 153335 and 321436 at Norwich on 2/2/19. (John Podgorski).

Below: ROG 37611 at Norwich on 2/2/19. (John Podgorski).

HEDINGHAM.
ADL/Enviro 200 261 (EY57 FZE) appeared at Kelvedon (KN) from 28/2/19.

Above: Loaned Chambers Scania Omnidekka 804 at Kelvedon depot on 25/2/19. It currently retains Anglian livery. (John Podgorski).

Scania Omnidekka 812 (YN55 PZR) went to Chambers on 1/2/19 and returned on 5/2/19. Omnidekkas 812-14 are allocated to Kelvedon (KN); 815-20 are at Clacton (CN). Chambers batch of 801-811 is drawn from for engineering cover at KN. 813 was a Chambers during mid February and then returned. In late February, 803/9/11 came from Chambers, but 809 quickly went back. 803/10/12 went to Chambers. Yellow/blue 804 (YN55 PZF) came from Chambers by 22/2/19. 809 returned to KN on 26/2/19. 812 back to KN on 27/2/19.
Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus 873 (PN09 EMK) and Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 517 went to Ensign on 1/2/19 for single door certification. 527 (LX06 EAK) is being converted to single door at Clacton 9CN), with 528 (LX06 EAM) the last to await conversion.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 581 (W956 WGH) is now disused – but not withdrawn.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 5 (N664 THO) has gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap. It was collected by low loader from Clacton depot on 23/2/19. Sister 8 (R453 FWT) continues in use at CN on a school contract, but now has a fleetname on the front only.

(Laurence Kinsella Ilot).

Below: N664 THO as L295, at Clacton in independant Hedingham days. (Laurence Kinsella Ilot collection).

Odd sightings: 1/2/19: Trident 737 (T107 DBW) on ST3 pm. 5/2/19: B7TL/President 576 (W517 WGH) on ST4 pm. 8/2/19:B7TL 579 on 82 pm; Omnidekka 803 on PL4 pm. 12/2/19: SLF/MPD 286 on D1/D2. 18/2/19: Omnidekka 803 on 92. 26/2/19: Omnidekka 809 on 82B.

Above: Hedingham took over ex Go Ride route 79 (Brightlingsea-St Osyth Beach-Clacton) from 25/2/19. It is renumbered 7 with Hedingham, as there is already a 79 route elsewhere with Hedingham. ADL/Enviro 200 294 was pictured at Pier Avenue, Clacton, on the first day of operation. (Robert Appleton).

IPSWICH BUSES.
Acquired via Plaxton, Anston (dealer) are all of the ex Trent Barton Optare Tempo SRs; YJ12 GWA/C-G/K-P/U.
The last Optare Excels have been withdrawn; 171-73 (YG52 DHF, DGE/F).
Buses not in the new livery: Trident/ALX400 8 (LX04 FYB) – Carters red/yellow; DAF DB250LF 50 (PN 52 XBK) old IB green/cream; Trident/President LR 52 KWH – red; Trident/ALX400 LX03 BTF – red.
Volvo Olympian/NC 29 (P915 RYO) has gone for preservation. This also retained red livery from its Carters days.
Volvo FL10 360 recovery truck P849 NDX now has old style Ipswich Buses fleetnames on its blue/red livery.
Odd sightings: 5/2/18: Carters liveried Trident/ALX400 8 on 94. 18/2/19: Red Trident 7 on 93.

JACKSON, BICKNACRE.
DAF SB4000/VH K600 ACT has been re-registered AV02 SNN and sold to Godward, Basildon.

JOHN JAMES LUXURY TRAVEL, DAGENHAM.
BX64 WHT is an acquired Mb Tourismo.

JONES (BUS4U), BRAINTREE.
Has short ADL/Enviro 200 YX18 KOD, ex Flying Scot, Paisley. This had been used at Glasgow Airport and is now in use at Stansted Airport.
Sold are Optare Versa YJ57 EHY and BMC 900 YJ59 HLX.

JR EXECUTIVE TRAVEL, COPDOCK.
The successor to the operator has been reported as now based at Sproughton.
The old Copdock site is up for sale by Fenn Wright.

Above: Copdock depot on 21/2/19. (John Podgorski).

KELLYS OF ESSEX, NAZEING.
HX14 ESD is an acquired Mb Sprinter/Transfer 35 16 seat mini coach, ex Journeyman, Stranshall, Staffs.
Sold is Setra S315 W211 UGX.

KLARNERS, COLCHESTER.
Has been sold, but remains in the ownership of the same family.
Setra S315 KL54 KCL has passed to Howells, Deri, Wales.

LCB TRAVEL, HARLOW.
Silver Ford Transit HJ60 ONA is now here.
Transit NC07 ANX passed to Mini Monks, Hamble Le Rice, Herefordshire.

LEWIS, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
Coaches re-registered are:
MAN18.350/Neoplans LUI 9624 to X368 WBK, LUI 7535 to Y14 CCL, LUI 9696 to Y604 RBJ; MAN24.400/Noge BIG 4662 to R621 VNN.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
Sold to Ensign are Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital DMN17 (LT52 WUM) and Scania Omnidekka 945 (YN56 FEF).

LONDON OVERGROUND.
Ex TfL Rail 315858 is now in service here.
18/2/19: 172005/8 on Willesden-Ilford ECS.

MARC1 TRAVEL, BILLERICAY.

Above: Scania/Berkhof TUI 4741 has been re-registered M17 TVL. It was seen at Newbury Park on 3/2/19, on Greater Anglia RRP to/from Witham. (John Podgorski).

METROLINE.

Above: The country services at Potters Bar have recently received some ADL/Enviro 400 double deckers. TE660 (LK55 KKB) was seen on 16/2/19. Note it’s London Buses roundels have been removed. One country route, the 242, runs to Waltham Cross, on the border of ‘Busmopolitan’ territory. Previously, the 242 had gone further east – across the border from Hertfordshire into Essex. (John Podgorski).

MULLEYS, IXWORTH.
Re-registered are:
Scania K113/Van Hool WSV 666 to N91 NWC and similar TC03 TLC to WSV 666.

MTR TfL RAIL.
11/2/19; 345003 – IL-OC.

NATIONAL EXPRESS.

Above: Galloway of Mendlesham operated Scania/Caetano Levante III BF68 LCM at Colchester on 9/2/19. These mostly work on route 250, but also appear on the Galloway workings of 481, which is also operated by Chalfont of Uxbridge and East Yorkshire Motor Services. (Daniel Pretty).

NETWORK RAIL.
28/2/19: DR73111 + DR77903 on Peterborough-Romford.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
A new style, red fleetname has appearwed, post the Stephensons takeover. Some ex Abellio London ADL/Enviro 200s have also joined the fleet. They are 444 (YX10 FEV), 447 (YX10 FFE), 450/51 (YX10 FFL/M). They came via the dealer arm of Stephensons.

P and R TRAVEL, MATCHING TYE.
Withdrawn is Iveco Turbo Daily RLZ 1033 ex FX51 GJY.

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 YX09 FLA at Parkeston depot on 17/2/19, with Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther AB53 PAN. (John Podgorski).

Below: Great Dunmow on 20/2/19, with ADL/Enviro 200s YX10 BGO and AB62 PAN. The derelict coach on the far left is Leyland Leopard/Plaxton Supreme IV BEV 105X; new to Hedingham and acquired by Don’s Coaches for spares. (John Podgorski).

Volvo B10M/Plaxton Panther Y5 TRU, is now with A and P Travel, Barway, near Ely.
Parked at Parkeston depot are dealer stock ADL/Enviro 200 YX09 FLA, and sold Mb Sprinter LF/Koch BX56 VTE, which has yet to be collected, but has been bought by a buyer in Africa. ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BGO is at Great Dunmow.

Above: Ex City of Oxford Scania K360EB4/Plaxton Panther2 OF61 OXF at Witham outstation on 3/2/19. (Alex Hazell).

Below: Plaxton Primo SB07 PAN, Mb Sprinter AB03 PAN and ADL/Enviro 200 DC61 PAN at Manningtree Rail Station on 16/2/19. They are working a GA RRP shuttle to/from Ipswich. (Alex Hazell).

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Scania K114/Irizar MJI 5031 ex YN51 MHE is sold.

SAFFRON WALDEN PLAYBUS.
Ex Docklands Buses Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus PN09 EKR has been acquired via Ensign.

SEE LONDON BY NIGHT, RAINHAM.
Trident/EL open toppers T808 RFG, W832 NNJ have gone for scrap.

SJS TRAVEL, CHELMSFORD.
Ford Transit 16 seater WJ13 CUG has passed to West, Stockport.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Ancillary additions are new Ford Transit Custom hi cube van MX68 ZLZ, and acquired Ford Transit MWB hi cube publicity van MT16 TZK. Ford Transit van YE63 KDF has been sold.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
TfL247 (Romford-Barkingside), is now worked by ADL/Enviro 400s, with the branded Tridents gone.
Trident/ALX400 18490 (LX06 AGO) has been resold by Ensign to Google, London W1.
17822 (LX03 BXU) is now with WB Chambers, Maidstone – also via Ensign.
LX03 NFD, LX53 KCC, LX04 FWN and LX05 BWK are now with Buses4homeless, London.

STEPHENSONS.
Ex Abellio London ADL/Enviro 200 445 (YX10 FFA) is in service here. This and Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 604 (EU13 EBL) have the new style fleet names.
Stored at Braintree depot are Dart SLF/Pointer 456 (GU52 HJX); Optare Solos 320 (YJ56 AUE), 328 (MX06 BPZ). The last ex UNO Dart SLF stored at Braintree has now gone.
Withdrawn are Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano 454 (HV52 WTE), Dart SLF/Pointer 455 (EG02 NZD ex 02-C-20217).
Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 412 (SK02 XGP) and Dart SLF/Pointers 455 (EG02 NZD), 459 (GU52 HKD) have transferred to Galloway at Mendlesham.

Above: 456, 320 and 328 at Braintree on 23/2/19. (John Podgorski).

SULLIVAN BUSES.

Above: SN12 AVV is one of several ex Tower Transit ADL/Enviro 400s acquired through Ensign. Seen at Newbury Park on TfL Rail RRP to Shelfield on 10/2/19. (John Podgorski).

TALISMAN, GREAT BROMLEY.
Vehicles still at the depot in February were: Leyland Tiger CAZ 2747 ex E53 TYG; Leyland Olympian H48 MJN; Leyland Titan A620 THV; Setra S315; Setra S416 tri-axle OK08 OLM; Van Hool Astromega FUH 933.
Departed were Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royales N119/20 UHP.
Setra S416 UL11 ULM has been re-registered EX11 PUH.

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.
Ex Talisman Setra S315 W973 UAR ex LSU 788 is withdrawn. It has passed to a preservationist.
Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH S678 PAG ex 99 D 456 is withdrawn following a low bridge collision.
Also sold are Volvo Olympian/NC N293 CKB; ScaniaK114/Irizar YN56 FGJ.

TONY GLEW/TG TRAVEL, COLCHESTER.
Sold is Mb 0814D/Robin Hood L111 ANT.

TOWER TRANSIT.
The first new Wright StreetDecks have entered service on TfL25 (Ilford-City Thameslink); WH31101-4 (SN68 AGD/C/B/A), 31115-17 (SN68 AFW/T/S).
ADL/Enviro 40D SN12 AVY is with Lloyd, Hixon (dealer) for resale.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
Acquired via Ensign are ex Go South Coast Dart SLF/EL Esteem PE55 WPP and ex RATP Yellow Buses, Bournemouth Dart SLF/Pointer SN55 HSG, plus similar SN55 DVG ex Avon of Prenton, Wirral.
Withdrawn is Dart SLF/MCV Evolution AE56 OUS.

UNO.

Above: ‘Tigermoth’ BD14 KXR at work in St Albans on 16/2/19. (John Podgorski).

Route 653 (Hatfield-St Albans) has been relaunched as ‘Tigermoth’ and restocked with 8 former Malta Volvo B7RLE/Wrights. They were launched at a ceremony at Hatfield on 4/2/19. They are named after female ATA pilots who ferried planes between factories and airfields during WW2. The B7RLEs entered service from 5th February and replaced various ADL/Enviro 200s. Full details of the B7RLEs are in Decmber 2018 Busmopolitan. Their names are: 370 – Joan Hughes; 371 – Marion Wilberforce; 372 – Margaret Fairweather; 373 – Gabrielle Patterson; 374 – Rosemary Rees; 375 – Margaret Cunnison; 376 – Winifred Crossley; 377 – Mona Freiedlander. They entered traffic slightly in advance of the route relaunch.

(Pictures via Tony Smethers).

Mb Citaro 318 (BF59 NJE) is delicensed following an engine fire on 25/2/19.
Withdrawn is Dart SLF/Pointer DP104 (KC03 PGK). The SLF is basically extinct here now, having been replaced by cascaded ADL/Enviro 200s.
Optare Solos M920s 410/11 (YJ55 YGF, APF) have passed to Ventura, Cranfield (dealer).

WHIPPET.
Volvo B7RLE/Wrights WG101-104 (BG59 FYB, BF63 HFA/B/C) are branded for the Cambridge Guided Busway (City-Biomedical Campus)

WICKFORD COACHES, WICKFORD.
Now has Mb Sprinter 511 VX57 CKF.

With thanks to: Anglia Gen, RC Appleton, DN280, Ensign, EBN, Essex Buses Yahoo, A Hazell, L Kinsella Ilott, Panther Travel, D Pretty, PSVC, J Sadd, T Smethers, Wikiwand.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the January, 2019 edition of Busmopolitan.
Dons of Dunmow still runs some Leyland Olympians – and one has been named.
First Essex has imported more used buses – from Glasgow and Leeds.
Flagfinders has now repainted all bar one of the ex Graham’s coaches into their fleet livery.
Galloway has a fleet of brand new Scania/Levante IIIs to replace the original coaches ob the National Express Ipswich-Stansted-Heathrow 250 service.
Panther Travel has entered into an interesting partnership with one of the Stansted to London coach operators, and has vacated its original base.
On the rails, testing has begun of the new Class 755 Stadler Flirt bi mode trains on Greater Anglia.
In the air, Flybe has a new owner.

24/7, STANSTED.
Vauxhall Vivaro EY65 RKJ has passed to Copart, Rochford (dealer), following accident damage. Also sold is Peugeot Boxer TUI 2146.

ANITAS COACHES, STANSTED.

(John Podgorski).
VV15 ERN is an ex City Circle Irizar i6. It is currently plain white. It is pictured (above), on depot on 26/1/19.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3528 (LF02 PNE) was reinstated, to cover for Dart SLF 3421 (AY54 FPZ) – which was under repair. 3421 returned to service in late January. DAF SB120/Cadet trainer 3524 (LJ51 DDX) was at work here again, at the end of January.
Unusual sightings: 11/1/19: Volvo B7RLE 3819 (GN 07 AVF) on 2. 14/1/19: DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3521 (LJ03 MYG) on 1. 17/1/19: DAF SB120/Cadet 3528 (LF02 PNE) on 1. 22/1/19: SB120/Cadet 3534 (LF02 PNU) on 1. 26/1/19: Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3817 (GN07 AVD) on 133. 28/1/19: 3534 on 1.
Contactless fare payment was available from 27/1/19. Some buses received external posters to promote this.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
ADL/Enviro 200 3986 (GN07 DLO) was on loan from Ware from late January. Also loaned was Optare Solo 2485 (YK07 BEU).

Above: In the new driver training livery, DAF SB120/Wright Cadet T3530 at Forth Avenue depot, Harlow on 31/12/18. These trainers actually work right across the Arriva KT area. (Simon Austin).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
DAF DB250LF/EL 6260 (FD02 UKS) is reinstated. This type regularly appears on route 29 (Southend-Belfairs).
Contactless fare payment was available from 27/1/19. Some buses received external posters to publicise this.

AZTEC TRAVEL, WICKFORD.
From Cathedral, Gloucester is Ford Transit M16 YT16 ZPX.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Withdrawn is Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas V218 EAL.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Withdrawn are ADL/Enviro 200s SE38-46 (LX10 AUR/T-W/Y, AVB-D). They passed to Ensign. LX10 AUT/U/Y, AVB/D were resold to Sullivan Buses, South Mimms.
Dart SLF/Pointer DP205 (BT04 BUS), latterly with London General and then Bear Buses of Feltham, has been resold via Ensign for scrap.

Above: DP205 at Ensign on 19/1/19. (John Podgorski).

C2C.
It has been announced that the level crossing just east of Grays Rail Station is to be replaced by a pedestrian underpass. This crossing has suffered much misuse in the form of trespass, including being used for unauthorised access to the station. There is an existing subway around 200 yards further east.

CHAMBERS.
From Go-Ahead London are Scania N230UD/Optare Olympuses 870-878 (PN09 ELO/V, EMF/K/V, ENC/E/F/O). They has London fleet nos 877/78/82/83/84/86/87/88/93. They have/are been converted to single door, led destination fitted and repainted in fleet colours.
Scania Omnidekka 803 (YN55 PZE) went on loan to Hedingham at Kelvedon at the start of January, with Hedingham 812 (YN55 PZR) coming in exchange. They were swapped back on 11/1/19. Then on 18/1/19, Dart SLF/MPD 286 (HW54 BTY) came from Hedingham, while Omnidekka 805 (YN55 PZG) went in exchange for 810 (YN55 PZO). 801 (YN55 PZC) went to Hedingham on 31/1/19, with Hedingham 813 coming.

Above: Scania N230UD/Olympus PN09 EMK at Hedingham Omnibuses, Sible Hedingham on 3/1/19. (John Podgorski).

Above: 878 at Ensign, Purfleet in late January 2019. (Ensignbus).

CHELMSFORD TAXIBUS.
Ford Transit 3 (BN12 AHZ) is sold.

CHESTNUT FARM, SOUTH OCKENDON.
Has AEC PRV ‘RML’ Routemaster JJD 445D, ex Ensign.

COACH STOP, RETTENDON.
Sold for scrap are MCW Metrobus C374 BUV and Iveco 59-12/UVG N418 UWN.

COLAS RAIL.
2/1/19: 66846 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
3/1/19: 70805 + 66846/47 on 6L37. 70815 on 6O36 Whitemoor-Hoo Junct.
9/1/19: 37099 tnt 37521 on Crewe-Colchester NR test train, with 977868, 5981, 977983, 6264.
11/1/19: 37099 tnt 37521 + NR test train visited Ipswich.
25/1/19: 66847 on 6L37.
29/1/19: 66848 on Hoo-Whitemoor.

COLCHESTER COACHES, CLACTON.
The O licence has been surrendered, although in practice this operator stopped in 2015.

CT PLUS.
Optare Electrocity OM1 (YJ16 DBO) was on loan in late January.

DBS.
4/1/19: 66086 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton aggregates.
7/1/19: 66121 at Bow yard, with blue VTG hoppers.
8/1/19: 59202 on 1054 Chelmsford-Acton.
12/1/19: 90034 at GA Ilford depot.
21/1/19: 66162 tnt 66135 with VTG box wagons on Ipswich-Neasden.
22/1/19: 66015 at Bow Olympic with VTGs from Burngullow.
23/1/19; 66129 at Marks Tey sand yard, early morning.
30/1/19: 66079 at Bow Olympic.

DONS OF DUNMOW.
Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL F602 MSL is now named ‘The Old Girl’.

(Shaun Kinsella Ilot).

DRS.
1/1/19: 57303 hauling GA 90009 and MkIII set Norwich-Bounds Green, via Cambridge.
2/2/19: 57303 dragged 90015 + stock over same route as 5Z25.
3/1/19: 57303 towing GA 82102, 90009 and stock on 5Z25 Norwich-Bounds Green via West Anglia.
11/1/19: 37407 towed GA DVT 82115 Norwich to Willesden, then as 0Z12 light engine Willesden to Norwich.
14/1/19: 37403 on 5L37 Bounds Green-Norwich via NLL and ECML.
17/1/19: 37423 Norwich-Willesden light engine via GEML.
18/1/19: 88007/8 on Willesden-Ipswich and return.
21/1/19: 37424 as 0Z37 Willesden-Norwich.
22/1/19: 37716 on Ilford-Norwich light engine.
28/1/19: 37423 + 57303 hauled GA DVT 82102 on Bounds Green-Norwich ECS.
31/1/19: 37405 + 37716 as 0Z31 Norwich-Willesden light engine.

ESSEX CC – COMMUNITY LINK.
Now at Harlow are Renault Trafic LY15 USU and Iveco 45C15 GN59 LFZ.

ESSEX LIMOS, RAYNE.
Optare Alero YN53 WYZ ex T15 ESX has gone to Midland Car Breakers, Wolverhampton – for scrap.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Ex Glasgow ADL/Enviro 300 67750 at High Street, Kelvedon on 25/1/19. (John Podgorski).

From First Leeds are Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 37027 (YJ06 XKS), 37036/37 (YJ06 XLB/C), 37042 (YJ06 XLH). The latest ex First Glasgow ADL/Enviro 300s are 67736 (SN62 AHV), 67750 (SN62 AOG). All of these are at Colchester.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37009 (WX55 VHU) suffered an engine fire at North Station, Colchester on 13/1/19. The cause was an electrical fault in the engine bay. It will be repaired.
The Chelmsford Park and Ride ADL/Enviro 200MMCs 67189-97 have received external advertising. It is exclusively for Kendrick’s Kingdom indoor soft play facility in Chelmsford and includes super rear adverts.
Ex Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65678 (YP02 ABN) has been withdrawn by First Eastern Counties. Sister 65675 has gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap.
Unusual sightings:
2/1/19: Route 62 B9TL 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 64. 4/1/19: Route 62 B9TL 37133 (SN57 HDO) on 75. 7/1/19: StreetLite 63337 (SM65 EEV) on 71. 10/1/19: Trident 33086 (LN51 GMG) on 174/175. 11/1/19: Trident 33088 (LN51 GMU) on 174/175; Route 62 B9TL 37133 (SN57 HDH) on 75. 12/1/19: Volvo B7RLE 66810 (MX05 CDF) on 62. 17/1/19; Trident 33196 (LT52 XAG) on 174/175. 25/1/19: Route 62 B9TL 37139 (SN57 HCY) on 75.
Traffic:
24/1/19 for 1 week: Yorick Road, West Mersea, closed for electricity works.

FIRST STOP, BURY ST EDMUNDS.
Sold is Ford Transit 8 seater KM55 HWW.

FLAGFINDERS.

Above: Ex Graham’s Mb 0814D/Euro AE54 FMG is now in blue/white fleet livery, ex silver. This is the first ex Graham’s vehicle to be so treated. It was seen at Norman Way, Colchester on 8/1/19. (Alex Hazell).

Also now in fleet livery is ex Graham’s Mb 0814D/Euro AE07 NZB.
Native Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas LV02 LLF has received the new fleet colours also.

FLYBE.
Has been been bought by a consortium of Stobart, Virgin and Cyrus Capital Partners – as Connect Airways.

Above: Bombardier Q400 G-FLBE on finals to London City Airport on 5/4/16. (John Podgorski).

FREIGHTLINER.
11/1/19: 86608/13 stabled at Ipswich. 90016/041 on 4L41 to Ipswich.
13/1/19: 66957 tnt 66540 on autoballasters “down” through Ingatestone @ 2012.
14/1/19: 66614 on Dagenham-Hope cement.
15/1/19: 66542/418/501 on 4E23 Ipswich-Leeds.
18/1/19: 66604 at Marks Tey sand yard. 66606 on 6L34 Tunstead-Bow.
19/1/19: 66420 tnt 66414, 66418 tnt 66418 and 66955 on Broxbourne-Cheshunt engineers. 66531 with JNAs on Whitemoor-Ruckholt Road Junction engineers.
30/1/19: 66617 at Bow Olympic. 90043/47 on 4L41 Basford Hall-Ipswich.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.

Above: Brand new Scania/Levante III BF68 LCE at Colchester on 19/1/19. (Simon Austin).

New for National Express are Scania/Caetano Levante III tri-axles 101-108 (BF68 LCC/E//G/J-N). They have replaced 61 plate Volvo B9R/Levantes and are primarily used on 250 (Ipswich-Stansted-Heathrow), but will also appear on 481 9Felixstowe-London) and 484 (Walton-Clacton-London).
Van Hool TX16 YJ14 CEX is now 5516 PP.

GBRf.
2/1/19: 66706 on 0P33 Ipswich-North Walsham light engine. 66757/61 on 0L33 Peterborough-Felixstowe light engine. 66758//73 on 6L36 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
3/1/19: 66771 on 4Z26 Felixstowe-Masborough.
4/1/19: 66706 on Ipswich-N Walsham light engine.
5/1/19: 66774 on 6T62 Whitemoor-Brimsdown engineers.
7/1/19: 66761 on 0Z41 FLX-Parkeston Quay light engine. Then on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
10/1/19: 66725 on Hams Hall-FLX. 66761 on N Walsham-Harwich Tanks.
13/1/19; 66712 on 6T62 Harlow-Whitemoor engineers. 66743 on 6T61 Harlow-Whitemoor engineers.
14/1/19: 66757 on 4L22. 66773/58 on 0L33.
16/1/19: 66760 on N Walsham-Ipswich light engine.
17/1/19: 66760 on Ipswich-N Walsham light loco.
18/1/19: 66743 on 4L02.
19/1/19: 66785 tnt 66728 with JNAs on 6T64 Whitemoor-Ruckholt Road Junction engineers.
21/1/19: 66738 on N Walsham-Ipswich light loco. 66758/43 on 0L33.
22/1/19: 66728 on 4E00 London Gateway-Maborough intermodal. 66738 on Ipswich-N Walsham light loco. 66761 on 6L61 Thrislington-Chesterton Junction.
26/1/19: 66772 hauled South Eastern EMU 466005 on Slade Green-Ilford ECS.
27/1/19: 66753/59 on 0L33.
29/1/19: 66708 on Thrislington-Chesterton. 66709 on N Walsham-Ipswich light loco.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: 90011 arrives at Colchester on the 1403 from Norwich to London Liverpool Street on 22/12/18. (John Podgorski).

In the first week on January, night time testing of the new Class 755s began; initially between Norwich and Diss. 755405 has been used regularly.
321327/28 are the latest Renatus conversions.
5/1/19: 90005 on 1G69 2015 Norwich-London Liverpool Street “footex” (football special); then returned as ECS to Norwich.
7/1/19: 90009 on Norwich-Crewe light engine.
12/1/19: 317338/653 on 0800 LST-Braintre and repeat. 317343/652 on 0900 LST-Braintree and repeat.
14/1/18: 317508/651 on 1Y34 Livepool St-Ipswich.
19/1/19: 317324/52, 317515/668, 317657/344 on Liverpool Street-Braintrees.
22/1/19: Newly converted Renatus 321322 on 5L21 Doncaster-Ilford ECS.
25/1/19; 153306 on Marks Tey-Sudbury.
30/1/19: 755405 on test to Ely and Thetford.

GWR.
5/1/19: 387140 visited Ilford depot for mods for Heathrow Airport services. Towed there by DRS 57305.

Above: 387141 at Iver on 14/10/17, on a Maidenhead-London Paddington service. This is on part of the future CrossRail route. (John Podgorski).

HAILSTONE, WICKFORD.
New is Ford Tourneo HT68 BUS. It replaced Ford Transit EY62 VVA.
Ford Tourneo HY68 BUS has been named ‘Drizzle’.

HAVERING TRANSPORT.
Ex London General are Volvo B9TL/WAright Gemini2s BCT0119/0219 (LX60 DXF/J).

HEDINGHAM.
Transferred from Konect is former Anglian Bus Scania Omnitown 456 (AN61 BUS). It has replaced Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 5 (N664 THO) at Sible Hedinghsm, on a Hedingham School contract. 5 is now withdrawn.
Received on loan from Chambers at the start of January was Scania Omnidekka 803 (YN55 PZE), with Hedingham 812 (YN 55 PZR) being exchanged. They were swapped back on 11th January. Both are/were at Kelvedon. Then on 18/1/19, Dart SLF/MPD 286 (HW54 BTY) went to Chambers, while Omnidekka 810 (YN55 PZO) was swapped with 805 (YN55 PZG). 286 returned later in January. Omnidekka 801 (YN55 PZC) came from Chambers on 31/1/19, with 813 (YN55 PZU) going. 805 also went back to Chambers in this month, but then came back.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 573 (W491 WGH) has been re-engined.
Gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap are Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 251 (PJ02 RHE) and Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 743 (X386 NNO). Both had been “parted out” at Sible Hedingham before disposal.

Above: One of the latest single door conversions to enter service is Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 525. It was seen in Colchester on 29/12/18. Note is retains black and yellow relief in its livery – its sisters are plain red. (Daniel Pretty).

Vauxhall Combo vans FN54 SXC, W761 TRE have been numbered 9003, 9004 respectively.

Above: 9003 at Sible Hedingham depot on 3/1/19. |John Podgorski).

Odd sightings: 16/1/19: B7TL/President 571 on 63/19; 584 on 19. 17/1/19: Dart SLF/MPD 291 on 15 pm. 18/1/19: B7TL/President 561 on 19/63. 21/1/19: B7TL/Gemini 525 on 50. 25/1/19: SLF/MPD 290 on 15 pm. 30/1/19; short ADL/E200 292 (EU59 AFF) on 63. 31/1/19: ADL/E200 295 (SN10 CCX) on 82/83 and 15 pm.

IPSWICH BUSES.
Withdrawn are Optare Excels 171/72 – leaving just no 170 active.

KELLYS OF ESSEX, NAZEING.
New is Mb Tourismo BF68 ZFV.
Setra S250 XJI 7902 has reverted to its original T117 SOA mark.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
VDL SB4000/VH AL06 DGE has been re-registered back to YJ07 JFK. It was then sold to Lee, Langley Moor, Durham.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
Scania Omnidekkas YN56 FDK, FEG have been resold via Ensign to York Pullman.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President Trainers W536/37 WGH went for scrap to Shelton Motors, Ely – also through Ensign.

LONDON OVERGROUND.
Electric working on the ‘Goblin’ Gospel Oak-Barking line, commenced on 28/1/19, with 378232 running the inaugural service. It has been temporarily shortened from 5 to 4 cars, and is a stopgap for delayed new Class 710s. Two more shortened ‘378s are due. As a result, the Class 172 DMUs have had a stay of execution, but are due to leave for Abellio West Midlands Trains by March 2019. So far, 172002/3/6 have been withdrawn for transfer.
Aventra 710263 reached Chingford overnight on 25-26/1/19, on a test run from Liverpool Street and return. The ‘710s entry into revenue service has been delayed by technical issues. Deliveries had reached 710115 in January.
Reinstated 315858 has been allocated here to replace 315813.
6/1/19: 172006 arrived at Ilford depot.
24/1/19: 710269 on Willesden-Broxbourne test run; returned as 5Q93 – in early hours of morning.
26/1/19: 172006 on 5Q66 Ilford-Rugby ECS.
29/1/19: 172003 to Ilford depot.

M and M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD.
Neoplan Tourliner MM68 NBUS is new here. It was initially exhibited at the Coach and Bus Expo at the NEC, Birmingham – and was first registered in December 2018.

MARC1, BILLERICAY.
Scania K380EB4/Berkhof OW07 YVJ is now M15 TVL.

MTR TfL RAIL.
3/1/19: 345012 – IL-OC. 345016 – OC-IL.
14/1/19: 315858 hauled from Wolverton to Ilford by ROG 37884 as 5Q50. It is destined for London Overground (see above).
28/1/19: 345010 – OC-IL.

NEW HORIZON.
Volvo B10M/Jonckherre Mistral W864 AAY is now with Skelton Coaches of Guisborough.

P and M, WICKFORD.
BU51 ZAK ex FE51 RDX is a Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere, ex Simmonds and Griffin, Abridge.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
OF61 OXF is an ex City of Oxford Scania K360EB4/Plaxton Panther2 – supplied via Ensign.
Sold is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Panther Y5 TRU – to A&P, Barway.
Gone for scrap is Volvo B6BLE/Wright V259 HBH – to Takeley Metals.

Above: White Roding site on 26/1/19. The old A Barham and Sons/Panther premises are at the far end. (John Podgorski).

White Roding workshop has closed. Matching Airfield storage site has also been cleared. Operations are now focused in north east Essex, at Parkeston depot, Colchester outstation, Witham outstation and Weeley workshop (also Great Dunmow, again). White Roding was the original base of A Barham and Sons, from whom Panther Travel evolved. Some derelict buses that had lain at White Roding went to Takeley Metals for scrap; Leyland National Greenway GUW 452W, Leyland Olympian/ECW C73 CHM, Volvo B6BLE/Wright V259 HBH.
Great Dunmow outstation is in regular use again; Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther DC53 PAN was there during January for rail on the B Stortford/Stansted-Cambridge line and a new contract providing duplicates for Airport Bus Express. A dealer stock ADL/Enviro 200 (YX10 BGO) is also parked there
Unusual sightings: 2/1/19: Dart SLF/MPD BIG 9856 on X15.

Above; DC53 PAN on Airport Bus Express at Victoria Coach Station, London on 28/1/19. (Alex Hazell).

ROG.
14/1/19: 37884 light through Manor Park as Ilford to Wembley @ 1515.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Lothian Volvo B8L/ADL tri-axle “megadecker” SG68 LCA was borrowed at the end of January and road tested, including on the North Cambridgeshire Guided Busway.
Ford Transit MWB hi cube publicity van YE63 KDF has been debranded.
On hire from Enterprise is Ford Transit van WR68 UBL.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
Trident/ALX400s resold through Ensign are:
LX53 KAE – to Crown Christian Heritage Centre, Droitwich; LX53 KBF – to Gloucester Minibus Ltd.

STANSTED CITYLINK.
The former depot at Taylors End, Stansted is now occupied by Ryanair.

Above: The old Citylink, Stansted premises, on 26/1/19. (John Podgorski).

STEPHENSONS.
Ex Abellio London are ADL/Enviro 200s 445 (YX10 FFC) at Rochford and 446 (YX10 FFA) is at Haverhill.

Above; The current Braintree depot, in the old First yard, on 26/1/19. Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 459 and ADL/Enviro 200 465 are present, with Peugeot Bipper van WP59 LCZ. (John Podgorski).

SULLIVAN BUSES:
Ex Blue Triangle via Ensign are ADL/Enviro 200s AE6-10 (LX10 AUT/U/Y, AVB/D).
Withdrawn is MAN14/MCV Evolution MM824 (LK57 AYV).

TALISMAN, GREAT BROMLEY.
DAF MB/Plaxton Supreme YJN 455S is now with Youngs of Cambridge.

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.

Above: X598 USC is an ex Tyrers of Adlington, Lancashire Dennis Trident/Plaxton President. It was new to Lothian in Edinburgh and is one of two bought. It was pictured at Walton on the Naze on Greater Anglia Rail replacement to/from Thorpe Le Soken on 6/1/19. The old railway station building (now flats) is in the background. (Alex Hazell).

YJ57 BSY is an acquired Temsa Safari.
Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH S678 PAG has been damaged in a collision with the low railway bridge at Kirby Cross.

THORNS OF RAYLEIGH.
Acquired for spares only is Iveco 50C FN55 EDO, ex Atherton, Sheerness.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
Ford Transit 16 seater LC16 KZM is ex Aptiga, Lower Morden, London.

TOWER TRANSIT.
New is Wright StreetLite DF WM46001 (SM68 ERZ), as an extra vehicle for TfL339 (Leytonstone-Shadwell).
On loan wad AD/Envioro 200 MMC demonstrator YX17 NKX – numbered SED1.
VDLSB200/Wright Pulsar2 hydrogen fuel cell bus WSH62994 (LK60 HPL) has moveD from route RV1 (Tower Gateway-Covent Garden)to TfL444 (Chingford-Turnpike Lane), with its sisters to follow.
Frequency reductions on TfL236 (Hackney Wick-Finsbury Park) and TfL444 meant some Wright StreetLites were surplus. These were transferred from Lea Interchange (LI) to Westbourne Park (X), for new TfL contract 228 (Central Middlesex Hospital-Maida Hill), gained from Metroline from 19/1/19.

Above: StreetLite WV46103 on the 444 at Chingford Station on 15/12/18. (John Podgorski).

Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini LK04 HXD has gone to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap – via Ensign.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
Acquired via Ensign are ex Connexions Buses, Tockwith Scania Omnicity saloons YN04 GMV/X. GMV is named ‘Brian Horner’, and is in NBC poppy red livery with West Yorkshire fleetnames ! GMV arrived with registration 5480 WY, but quickly reverted to its original mark.
Dart SLF/Mini Pointer HW54 BUO has passed to Red Route, Northfleet.

UNO.
Dart SLF/Pointer 130 (KP54 BYK) is now with Kent Coach Tours, Ashford.
Scania Omnicity Saloons 356/57 (YN53 GEY, GFG), Dart SLF/EL Esteems 509/10/12 (PE56 UFL/M/S) have passed to Ventura, Cranfield (dealer).

With thanks to:
Angliagen, S Austin, D Ayres, EBN, Ensignbus, A Hazell, Hedingham, JWF, S Kinsella Ilot, LOTS, D Osborne, D Pretty, PSVC.