The Derby Bus Depot

Fleet News April 2005

Please report any news or unusual sightings to fleetnews@derbybusdepot.co.uk

Arriva Derby

News:

Fri 29th:
Chris noted Leyland Lynx (G36 VME) on driver training! Tiger (F40 ENF) was also out.
Volvo B10BLE 3606 has returned in the new Arriva livery (like PP&R Darts - less cream).

Fri 15th:
Citybus 4337 (B137 GAU) and 4381 (A131 DTO) have been sold to Devon operator Tally Ho!, Kingsbridge. They are being used on schools contracts.

Sat 9th:
Richard reports that National Greenway trainer has been sold. Leyland Tiger 9504 is on loan to replace it.

Unusual workings/sightings etc:

Sat 30th:
Volvo B10BLE 3604 was on routes 22/24/26 - later replaced by an Olympian (44/45 branded with yellow ad on back).

Fri 22nd:
Citybus 4334 was on the 61 from Chellaston.

Thurs 21st:
Scania L113/East Lancs 3492 (N432 XRC), Chellaston Dart 2238 (W238 SNR), and Volvo B10BLE 3604 (V604 DBC) were all on the 22/24/26 routes to Oakwood.
Chellaston Dart 2229 (W229 SNR) was on route 109 to Ashbourne.

Wed 20th:
A Citybus was put on routes 22/24/26 to cover for a broken down DAF Lowlander. Volvo B10BLE 3604 was also on these routes.

Mon 18th:
East Lancs Dart 2198 (L38 PNN) was on route 36.

Sat 16th:
Minibus 1379 (N479 XRA) and 1380 were on the 36, Volvo B10BLE 3604 on the 22/24/26, similar 3605 on the Chellastons. An MPD on the 111 PP&R (on a Saturday too).

Fri 15th:
MPD 2222 was on the 111 PP&R. One of the branded Darts for this route had an accident with the bus wash!
Richard reports DAF 4743 on Schools contracts (routes 238 and 288), and minibus 1384 on the 36 to Sunnyhill.

Thurs 14th:
MPD 2217 on the 111 again.
Richard reports: Olympian 4630 on the Chellastons (to Swadlincote from Derby @ 15:10), East Lancs Dart 2197 on the 36 to Sunnyhill, and an MPD, 2224, on the 38 to Sinfin!

Wed 13th:
MPD 2217 was again on the 111 PP&R.
44/45 branded Olympian 4639 was on route 20.

Tue 12th:
Minibus 1387 (P487 CAL) and East Lancs Dart 2194 (L34 PNN) were on route 36. Whats happened to the MPDs.
MPD 2217 (T47 WUT) was on the Pride Park & Ride (111).
Volvo B10BLE 3605 (V605 DBC) was on routes 22/24/26.

Mon 11th:
MPD 2217 was on the 101 (Derwent Link), and 2218 was on the Chellaston routes. Tiger 9504 was on driver training.
Richard reports: Olympian 4640 was on Chellaston routes, Mercedes minibuses 1381 and 1387 were on route 36. Olympian 4631 was on route 38, and East Lancs Dart 2194 was on route 20.

Sat 9th:
Richard reports DAF/East Lancs Lowlander 4734 (PN52 XRJ) on Chellaston/Swad (60s) corridor along with Citybus 4325 (H659 GPF). Citybus 4391 (H656 GPF) was on route 22/24/26 along with Volvo B10BLE 3605 (V605 DBC). mercedes minibus 1375 (N475 XRA) was on route 36.
MPD 2222 was on the Chellastons and 44/45 branded Olympian 4630 was on the 29.

Fri 8th:
MPD 2222 (T52 JJF) was on route 61 and Dart 2227 (W227 SNR) was on routes 22/24/26. East Lancs Dart 2195 (L35 PNN) was on route 36.

Mon 4th:
Route 44/45 branded Olympian 4627 (R627 MNU) was on the 37 to Sinfin. Citybus 4347 (C147 NRR), also known as the Milkfloat, was covering for it on route 44.
Citybus 4352 (E152 BTO) has recieved an advert on the back for Dewent Living. Thanks Chris.

Fri 1st:
A surprise working yesterday was a double decker on route 109 to Ashbourne. Citybus 4324 (H655GPF) was used.
MPD 2217 (T47 WUT) was on the Oakwood routes 22/24/26, and 44/45 branded Olympian 4630 (R630 MNU) was on route 20.

Doyles

News:

Mon 11th:
Acquired is (S279 LGA), another Mercedes Vario/Plaxton Beaver. Seating B27F and is Lime green. Carlyle bodied Mercedes (G109 TND) has been withdrawn due to collision damage. Thanks Chris.

Felix

News:

Sat 2nd:
New Scania (YN05 GZB) was out on the Black Cat today, for which it is branded. Photo on the fotopic site.

Hulleys of Baslow

New Operator page has been added, which includes a Fleet List.
No 16 is a MAN / MCV Evolution registered (AE05 EUY).

A fleet list will be on the site soon! Lynx 16 (F733 LRG) has been/will be replaced by a new MAN bodied bus (AE05 ???). This will be numbered 16 also. the Lynx is expected to go to Ireland, leaving 1 remaining Lynx in the fleet.

A few photos for this operator are now on the fotopic site. A page for this operator may be made soon. If anyone can offer a fleet list/other information it would be much appreciated.

Littles Travel

News:

Fri 29th:
Chris provides more info about the recently aquired Olympian (SIL 1324). It is Northern Counties bodied and is ex GM Buses/Stagecoach Manchester. Previous reg is thought to be (B86 PJA)

Fri 22:
An ex Stagecoach Leyland Olympian is thought to be here (in stagecoach stripes). This is registered (SIL 1324) - I know this is a Bova Futura coach on the list, but its not anymore! A bright Red/pink coach has also been spotted. Any details anyone.

T M Travel

News:

Sun 24th:
Richard reports: New vario (YN54 WWU) was on the 108 to Leek and Solo (MX03 YCN) was on the Black Cat.

Thurs 21st:
Chris reports; 3 Mercedes Vario/Plaxton Beavers have been acquired from Burnley and Pendle: (R668 LFV), (R669 LFV) and (R671 LFV). They retain Burnley and Pendle red/cream livery with TM Travel fleetnames applied.

Thurs 14th:
Leyland Olympian (K482 GNN) has arrived here from NCTs South Notts fleet. It will/has replaced (SPY 206X).

Wellglade - Trent Barton, notts + derby & Kinchbus

News:

Sat 30th:
Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 is reported at Derbys Meadow Road depot. Its untaxed and has a few problems!
8 Excels are to be painted into the dark pink livery for the Mickleover relaunch (late May).

Mon 18th:
Transbus Dart (FP04 CFE) is numbered 950.
Rainbow 3 Excel 237 carries the new style livery.
Notts + Derby buses now based at Ashfield (Hucknall) are Paladins 120 and 128 and Mercedes Vario 275.

Sat 16th:
notts + derby have taken over the H1 hospital link contract. As a result MPD (FP04 CFE) has arrived here, from Littles Travel. This bus is owned by the NHS.
Repainted Excels 220, 230 and 231 reported at Langley Mill. 221/2 were at Nottingham, 221 photographed. Are the ones at LM the same livery? No sign of the Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 there though.
Paladin 119 has gained notts + derby livery, and a repainted R3 Excel has been reported at Sutton.

Fri 15th:
Excel 205 continues on loan at Sutton. 201 has joined it with Solo 403 going to Nottingham in its place!
BF Dart remains at Nottingham, a few problems perhaps!

Thurs 14th:
Merc vario 275 has recieved N+D names on its blue livery! Paul reported it today at Nottingham garage, along with repainted Excels 220/1 (different ones at LM, see below).
3 "Maroon" Excels have turned up at Langley Mill. They are thought to be ex Rushcliffe examples and have been repainted and re-fitted. They should go onto the Mickleover route in Derby soon.

Unusual workings/sightings etc:
Thanks to Paul for the following observations from last week:

Saturday 23rd: Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) on the R5 Excel 236 (X236 WRA) and Solo 441 (FP51 GXV) both on the Keyworth Connection
Monday 25th: Solo 431 (X431 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line Excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Xprss Scania 636 (FD43 WWH) on the Keyworth Connection Excel 205 (V205 ENU) on the Calverton Connection Excel 252 (Y252 DRC) on the R3
Tuesday 26th: Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) was on the Cotgrave Connection it was then swoped for Solo 431 (X631 ERB) - apprentley the wipers on the excel wernt working properley!!
Wednesday 27th: Excel 201 (V201 ENU) was on the Xprss Scania 638 (FD53 WWK) was on the R2
Thursday 28th: Dart 895 (P407 BNR) and Excel 205 (V205 ENU) were both on the R3 Excel 152 (P152 CTV) and Dart 894 (M806 HFP) were both out on training
Friday 29th: Excel 201 (V201 ENU) was on the Radcliffe Line
Saturday 30th: Volvo Coach 63 (R63 RAU) was on the Red Arrow

Sat 30th:
Barton Excel 253 and Scania 636 were on the Rainbow 5.
A trent buses Solo was reported on the Calverton Connection.

Fri 29th:
Unusual workings for the past week are:
On Monday a minibus on route 20, Tuesday Excel 199 and Scania 667 on the V1/V3, Scania 666 being on these routes on Weds. Scania 665 has been on the r63 for the last few days.
The Borrowash Flyer "Dart" relaunch has been delayed due to problems with 899! As a result all sorts have been reported on the route this week, including Scanias, Frio Excel 199 and Solo 448. More unusual subs were Transpeak Coach 60 (Thurs) and Trent Barton 63 on Friday.

Thurs 21st:
Scania 665 was on the Mickleover.
James reports coach 63 (R63 RAU) on the R61!
John reports Excel 253 on the Rainbow 4.
Chris reports: Solo 448 on the V2 today and Scania 666 on the Mickleover.
A Mickleover was seen being towed away from Derby Bus Station late last night (2am) by a Burrows tow truck.

Wed 20th:
James reports: Coach 56 on TP, Coach 62 or 63 on RA, Scania 665 on Mickleover, and 666 on Spondon Flyer. Dart 939 on V3.

Tue 19th:
Scania 665 was on route 107. John reports: Dart 931 is on the V3/V1, Excel 199 is on the mickleover.
Paul reports Frio Excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Xprss. Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 was out of the depot too, running out of service in Nottingham.

Mon 18th:
Excels 198/9 and Scania 666 all reported on the Mickleover. Another of the Red Scanias based at Derby was on the Spondon Flyer. A Trent Barton Excel was over the pitts - presume this is 225.
Perry reports: Darts 903 (P903 CTO) and 895 (P407 BNR) on the Rainbow 3.
Paul reports: Scanias 637 (FD53 WWJ) on the R2, and 639 (FD53 WWL) on the R1. Solos 441 (FP51 GXV) 442 (FE02 KCZ) and Excel 236 (X236 WRA) all on the Radcliffe Line. Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) and Scania 636 (FD53 WWK) both on the R5. Dart 898 (P410 BNR) and Excel 205 (V205 ENU) both on the Calverton Connection.
Frio Excel 201 is back at Nottingham. Solo 403 should have returned after this short swap!

Sat 16th:
At Nottingham depot Radcliffe Solo 418 and Calverton Connection Scania 629 were in for repair. Loaned Solo 403 was also there, from Sutton. 201 is said to be a Sutton in its place.
John reports: Scania 667 on the SF, Solo 447 on the Allestree, Excels 198/9 on the Mickleover (199 replaced by 665 later). Coach 62 was on the red Arrow (70 parked up at Derby Bus Station), and Dart 922 on the V2.

Fri 15th:
Scania 637 was on the 125.
John reports 447 on the Borrowash Flyer and Dart 925 on the V1/3. Both were in the early morning.
Chris reports: Solo 414 on the BF, 447 on the Mickleover along with Scania 667. Excel 198 on the V1/3 and frio 199 on the 107. Notts + Derby had red Vario 284 on the 73 and dart 891 on a Tesco Free Bus working (a bit small).
James reports: Coach 56 on the Transpeak and a Solo, 447 (must have swapped routes), on the "Derwent valley" routes.
Paul reports: Excel 205 (V205 ENU) was on the Calverton Connection, Excel 236 (X236 WRA) was on the Cotgrave Connection, Excel 252 (Y252 DRC) was on the Rainbow 3, and Solos 431 (X631 ERB) & 441 (FP51 GXV) were both on the Radcliffe Line.

Thurs 14th:
John reports Scania 667 was on the Spondon Flyer, and Excel 198 on the V3.
James reports Solo 447 on the R64 and Coach 56 on the Transpeak.
Chris reports: Dart 924 on the V3 and Solo 448 on the Borrowash Flyer (again).
Paul reports Excel 205 on the Calverton Connection

Wed 13th:
This morning: Excel 198 on the V3, Dart 918 on the V1 and coach 62 was on the RA.
Later this afternoon Solo 447 was on the Spondon Flyer RED route. Scania 665 was also on this route.
John reports Vario 288 on the AL1 and coach 63 on the V3 in the morning.
Chris reports "all sorts" on the Mickleover. Darts 918 (must have changed routes), 925, Scanias 666 & 667 and coach 63. Solo 448 was on the Borrowash Flyer again and frio Excel 199 was on the 107.
James reports: Coach 56 on the Transpeak and Scania 667 on the Allestree.
Paul reports: Excel 236 (X236 WRA) on the Cotgrave Connection, Excel 205 on the Calverton Connection, and Solos 441 (FP51 GXV) and 431 (X631 ERB) and Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) all on the radcliffe Line.

Tue 12th:
On the Mickleover this afternoon were: Transpeak Coach 59 (R59 RAU), Excel 198 (V198 DRC) and Scanias 665/7 (FH54 VRX/Z).
The other Derby based Scania 666 (FH54 VRY) was on the Spondon Flyer (think 635 is in for repair), and Frio Excel 199 (V199 ERA) was on route 107.
Solo 448 was on the Borrowash flyer and Dart 919 was on routes V1/3.
Paul reports: Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) on the R5, Scania 638 (FD53 WWK) on the R1, Excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Xprss, Excel 205 (V205 ENU) on the Calverton Connection.

Mon 11th:
Excel 198 on the R64, and Solo 448 on the Borrowash Flyer. Not certain on the numbers, but what looked to be Skyline Excel 206 and Transpeak Volvo coach 61 were parked up at the back of Meadow Road depot.
Chris reports: N+D Paladin 110 on the AL1 along with Kinchbus Vario 288. Scanias 636 on the R5, 665 on the "Belpers", 666 and 667 on the Mickleover. Darts 919 on the V1 and 921 on the Borrowash Flyer, later replaced by Solo 448. 448 was the Allestree earlier in the day.
Excel 205 has become a regular on the Calverton Connection. One of the branded Scanias is off the road after an RTA. Thanks Perry.
Paul reports: Dart 899 still at Nottingham. Dart 903 (P903 CTO) on the R3, Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) on the R2, Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line, Scania 638 (FD53 WWK) on the R1, 62 (R62 RAU) was on the Red Arrow, and solo 441 (FP51 GXV) on the Cotgrave Connection.

Sat 9th:
An unusual working on the transpeak was Unibus Paladin 103 (L103 LRA). Trent Barton Coach 63 (R63 RAU) was also on the route, and the third was a branded coach, 61. Branded coach 59 is reported to have taken over from the Paladin later on. There is a photo of 103 on the fotopic site.
Excel 199 (V199 ERA) was on the 107 once again.
Still no sign of the Borrowash Flyer Dart, Scania 667 was on there today. Another of the Trent Barton Scanias from Derby was on the Ilkeston Flyer.
John reports: Dart 924 on the V1/3, Scania 665 on the V2, 666 on the Spondon Flyer (632 off), Solos 447/8 on the Allestree. Dart 939 on the IF before being replaced by 667, Excel 198 on the Mickleover (193 off), Coach 62 on the RA (65 off). Scania 639 on the Black Cat, Dart 935 on the 125 and vario 288 on the AL1. Coach 56 was spare at Derby and Unibus lances 366/8 were on the D1 Park & Ride. Paul reports: Solos 431 (X631 ERB) 441 (FP51 GXV) on the Radcliffe Line, Dart 912 (P912 CTO) on the Keyworth Connection, Dart 913 (P913 CTO) on the Cotgrave Connection, Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the Calverton Connection, Excel 236 (X236 WRA) and Solo 442 (FE02 KCZ) on the Ruddington Connection, and Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) on the 22!!!
Excels 220/1 are back at Nottingham depot! Airline shuttle Mercedes minibus 290 has joined them too.

Fri 8th:
Paladin 122 (L122 LRA) is now in notts + derby livery.
Frio Excel 199 (V199 ERA) was on route 107, Excel 198 (V198 DRC) and spare coach 62 (R62 RAU) were on the Red Arrow, and Scania 665 (FH54 VRX) was on the Spondon Flyer.
James reports coach 56 (P56 ETO) on the R62!
John reports Dart 919 (R919 RAU) on the Ilkeston Flyer.
Chris reports: Solo 447 on the Borowash Flyer, Kinch Solo 436 on the AL1 and Scania 667 on the Mickleover.
The Unibus Lance on the IF yesterday was 364, when transpeak coach 61 appeared on the Borrowash Flyer! Thanks again to Chris.
Perry reports that Excel 205 (V205 ENU) has been on the Calverton Connection since Wednesday.

Thurs 7th:
Paul reports that the Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 is still at Nottingham depot. Repainted Excels 220/1 (for the Mickleover) have gone!
253 was on the R5 236 on the cotgrave connection.
There was a broken down Dart on the "Belper routes" on the A6 near Allestree this morning. It was heading towards Belper.
Dart 919 was on ther Red Arrow this afternoon, and Unibus Lance ??? was on the Ilkeston Flyer.
James reports Solo 448 on the R62/4 and R71/2 and dart 923 on the Allestree (as yesterday!). 56 was on the Transpeak.

Wed 6th:
Dart 923 (R923 RAU) was on the Allestree, and Solo 448 (FE02 KDU) was on the Belper routes, seen on the R64 and R62 today.
John reports: Frio Excel 199 on the Mickleover and Solo 447 on the Borrowash Flyer.
Chris reports: Notts and Derby Lances on odd workings today include 356 on the Mickleover, 357 on the V2 and Unibus livered 368 on the 73. Coach 62 was on the Red Arrow.

Tue 5th:
N+D Lance 357 was today on the Mickleover (356 yesterday!).
Excel 198 was on the 107 again too.
Paul reports: Excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Cotgrave Connection it was then on the R5 later. Excel 236 (X236 WRA) on the Xprss, and Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) on the Radcliffe line.
No sign of BF Dart 899 at Nottingham depot, but 220 and 221 are there in what appears to be the revised Mickleover livery, but without branding.
James reports Solo 448 on the R62.

Mon 4th:
Notts + Derby Optare Sigma/Dennis Lance 356 (N356 VRC) was on the Mickleover with BLU on the blinds.
Excel 198 (V198 DRC) was on the 107 to Ashbourne/Mayfield and Trent buses coach 56 (still not sold!) was on the Transpeak. 56 was also spotted on an early 107 before going onto TP at 10:25am.
Scania 665 was also on the Spondon Flyer this morning.
Chris reports Unibus Paladin 107 on Unibus route 6, Solos 447 on The Allestree and 448 on the Borrowash Flyer. Kinchbus Dart 894 was on driver training.
Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 is back at Nottingham!!
Paul reports: Volvo coaches 62/63 (R62/63 RAU) both on the Red Arrow, Excel 201 (V201 ENU) was on the xprss, Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) was on the R4, Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) was on the R5 (R4 in the morning), Scania 637 (FD53 WWJ) was on the R1, Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) was on the R2, and on the R3 were Excel 205 (V205 ENU), Solo 406 (V406 JTO) and Dart 905 (P905 CTO).

Sun 3rd:
Paul reports: Scania 636 (back in use) and Solo 441 on the Radcliffe Line. Tempo 306 was also out (not common on a Sunday).

Sat 2nd:
Paul reports: Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line, and that Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) is back in use at Nottingham.
James reports: Solos 423 on H1, 447 on Allestree, Scanias 665 on Spondon Flyer and 666 on the 107.

Fri 1st:
This morning coach 56 was on the Transpeak and 62 and 63 were both on the Red Arrow and Dart 921 was on the Borrowash Flyer.
This afternoon Frio Excel 199 was on the V1 and 198 on the 107.
Paul reports Solo 441 on the Radcliffe Lines in Nottingham.

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