The Derby Bus Depot

Fleet News

April 2006

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

Arriva Derby

News:
Wed 26th:
It is Citybus 4354 thats been painted into the RAM FM advert livery.

Fri 21st:
Dave reports either Citybus 4354 or 4355 in an allover advert livery for Ram FM. It was previously in schoolbus livery, and is set to continue in use on schools not in normal service!

Fri 31st March:
Volvo B10BLE 3605 has been repainted. Thanks Richard.

Wed 29th:
Citybus 4340 (B140GAU) which was sold last year to Stafford Bus Centre is another reported with Devon operator Tally Ho of Kingsbridge, where it rejoins B137GAU.

Tue 28th:
Minibuses 1373-5 have turned up with an operator in Scotland along with 1380.

Sightings:
Fri 28th:
Dart 2089 on the Chellaston routes all day. Citybus 4341 made an appearance as an extra on the 68 too, due to traffic causing delays to the usual buses on the route.
MPD 2217 was on the 37 to Sinfin, and DAF 4736 on the 29 to Mackworth.
Volvo B10BLEs 3604 on the 22, 3605 the 26.

Thurs 27th:
Citybus 4336 on the 60 at 16:15 (the 16:10 68A?). Thanks Chris.

Wed 26th:
Olympian 4627 was on the Chellaston routes today. Thanks Richard.
Chellaston Dart 2233 was on the 26, Volvo B10BLE 3605 on the 22.

Fri 21st:
Citybus 4347 replaced Volvo B10BLE 3605 on route 26.
James reports 2228 on the 109!

Thurs 20th:
MPD 2223 on the 29 to Mackworth.

Wed 19th:
Darts 2226 and 2234 on the 37/38 Sinfin routes this afternoon.

Tue 18th:
Olympian 4630 on 40/41, Volvo B10BLE 3604 on the Chellastons and Dart 2226 on the 26.

Sat 15th:
Chellaston branded Darts 2231/3 on route 20.

Wed 12th:
Excel 2999 on the 26, Volvo B10BLE 3604 on the 22.
MPD 2217 on the 60.

Tue 11th:
Another DAF breakdown on the 26 led to Citybus 4349 being used. Excel 2999 was out on either the 22 or 24, and Dart 2252 was on the 24.
Dart 2227 and an MPD were on the 20.
Volvo B10BLEs 3604/5 were on the Chellaston routes.

Mon 10th:
Dave reports a Citybus (4346?) on the 26 after DAF 4745 failed (again). 4739 is in for repairs at Ascot Drive.
Volvo B10BLEs 3604 on the 22, 3605 on 26. Excel 2998 on the Chellaston routes.

Sat 8th:
Volvo B10BLE 3604, Dart 2227 and DAf 4718 were on route 26 to Oakwood. Excel 2998 was on the 22 or the 24.
Volvo B10BLE 3605 on the 68 to West Chellaston.

Fri 7th:
Repainted Volvo B10BLE 3605 and Dart 2252 on route 26 today.

Mon 3rd:
Citybus 4341 replaced Excel 2999 on the Chellaston routes at about midday. Thanks Chris.

Fri 31st March:
Excel 2998 on the 29 to Mackworth, 2999 on the 37 to Sinfin.
3604 on the 22 to Oakwood, MPD 2222 on the 19 to Spondon.
Also saw a DAF on the 24 displaying Oakwood via Perth Street.

Thurs 30th:
Citybus 4393 made an appearance on route 26 for a time, alongside Excel 2998 which was on all day. Volvo Olympian 4625 was on this route later in the day too! Photos are on the photos page.
Citybus 4325 on the 45 to Alvaston, and Volvo B10BLE 3604 on the 22 to oakwood.

Doyles

News:
Tue 4th:
A surprising and interesting acquistion here is 26 year old Bedford YMT/Plaxton Supreme (LTO 701W) which has come from Glenn Ryder, Mansfield. Thanks Chris.

Felix

News:
Wed 26th:
Sold here are Volvo Coaches (R705/706 MNU). The two new coaches have replaced these.
Also Sold are Leyland Tigers (F697 HNU) & (D345YDO), the later going to a Birmingham operator for schools work (it was already painted yellow). Thanks to Chris for this information.

Sat 8th:
Volvo (V708 GRY) and one of the Scanias were on the Black Cat.
At the garage Dart (X711 GJU) was parked up with "do not use" in the windscreen. Alexander Strider bodied Volvo (M301 KRY) was in the workshop.

Wed 15th March:
Theres 2 new coaches (YN55 YSE) aswell as (YN55 YSF)! Both are Irisbus Ivec/Plaxton Paragon. They are to replace Volvo coaches (R705/6 MNU). Thanks Duncan.

Glovers

News:
Fri 21st April:
The recently acquired Leyland Swift/Reeve Burgess was orgionally regestered (F957 UME) and came from Staffordshire operator Boydon's of Winkhill, near Leek. It was new to Seamarks of Luton.

Wed 19th April:
Former MK Metro Dart (G106 MOB) has been withdrawn and sold to the Thandai Group, Birmingham. Thanks Chris.

Sat 8th April:
Leyland Swift (MIB 3957) was in Derby today! A new bus for Glovers it seems.

Mon 19th Dec 05:
Acquired here from Stagecoach Merseyside (GTL) is Dennis Dart/Alexander (J506 GCD) and is still in GTL red. Thanks Chris.

Hawkes Coaches

News:
Fri 24th:
Coach (NBZ ****) has got new black coloured fleet names on the white livery, as has one of the other coaches.

Hulleys of Baslow

News:
Thurs 2nd:
The slim line Optare Solo here is (MX06 ACV). It is no1 and replaces Minibus (N847 YHH) which has been sold to Abbey Coaches of Hull. Thanks to Ian for this info, and this PHOTO.

Littles Travel

News:
Thurs 27th:
The MetroRider minibus is back on route 9 today.

Fri 21st:
National (VKE 565S) on route 9 today & yesterday.

Wed 19th:
National (VKE 565S) on route 9 today.

Tue 18th:
National (VKE 565S) on route 9 today.

Wed 8th March:
The MetroRider is back out today.

Tue 7th:
National (VKE 565S) continues in all day service on route 9.

T M Travel

News:
Fri 28th:
New here is Volvo B12M/Plaxton coach, (TM06 ONE). Thanks Chris

Mon 17th:
The latest bus here is former Dublin Bus Olympian (J619CEV). It was registered as (92-D-127) and has arrived via bus dealer Ensign.

Thurs 6th:
Primo (YN55YSC) is now back in service after being sent away for repairs.

Wed 5th:
Red Optare Solo (MX53 FDD), broken down at Chesterfield Royal today, whilst on Orbital Route 33. Thanks Neil.

Sat 1st:
Plaxton Centra (YN06 CYO) has arrived here, and was on route 33 on today.

Fri 31st March:
The Plaxton Primo demonstrator (YN06 CYE) broke down on Wednesday! It broke down near Ashgate Hospice while on the 33 on Wednesday at around 5 pm! It was reported to be there for around 4 hours when it went away on suspended tow at around 9 pm! Thanks Chris.

Tue 28th:
Blue liveried Plaxton Primo demonstrator (YN06 CYE) is on loan here whilst Primo (YN55 YSC) is repaired at Plaxtons after its accident last week.

Thurs 23rd:
John reports one of the Plaxton Primos on the 67 from Manchester.

Wellglade

News:
Fri 28th:
Dart 948 has been painted blue for the "tesco xprss" route. This leave just three Barton buses in the fleet (all Darts).

Wed 26th:
Some Darts will be painted in a blue livery (like the one and R1) for the new Tesco Xprss route which starts later this month.
Nottinghams Trent buses Solo 431 has been repainted into Trent Barton livery. This just leaves the Cotgrave Connection Excels in the old style type livery.
The Nines Solos will be painted in a "rust" livery - more brown based colours to appear.

Fri 21st:
Paul reports that 922 has turned up at Manvers St depot - in Airline SHuttle livery for Kinch. So three extra buses, 907/17/22 for this.

Thurs 13th:
Paul reports Dart 917 at Manvers St. This is now branded for Kinchbus Airline Shuttle route along with 907. These will join 918-20 on the route later this month.
Frio Excel 199 is back in use from Derbys Meadow Rd garage.
All the Villager Darts should be refurbished by the end of April! There should be a black sheep amongst them, although quite what this means is not yet known.
The 90 series of routes (Derby - Ripley - Sutton) are to be rebranded as "the nines"! They should all be done by the end of July.
Route 15 Solos will be refurbished and re-branded during the summer.
The 125 is to be cut from September, and will no longer serve Huckall (just Derby to Eastwood). This will then only need 2 buses instead of 3. Some sort of branding may be used!

Tue 11th:
Coach 61 is back in revised Transpeak livery. Not confirmed to have new seating, but it has been away for a while!

Sat 8th:
A number of minibuses have been sold.
40/274 - Scarlet Band, West Cornforth (Durham).
47, 278, 293, 295 - Proctors Leeming Bar (North Yorkshire).
285/9, 296 Sold to ???

Thurs 6th:
Dart 907 is now in Airline Shuttle livery for Kinchbus. Another Dart will be repainted in this livery too. The extra buses are needed due to the route frequency being increased to every 30 mins later this month.
Darts 917/22/41 are in for repaint and refurbishment.
Many Varios/minibuses have been SOLD!! Details so far are that:
47 (R47LNU), 278 (R278RAU) and 295 (S295UAL) have turned up with Proctors (Dales & District).

Tue 4th:
Villager Dart 941 is now at Langley Mill for repaint and refurbishment. 927 and 940 are done and on the road.
The Mickleover Excel 220, which cought fire the other week, was in for repair at the weekend at LM. Looks likely to go back into service.
Former Kinch Airline Shuttle Vario 290 has returned to service, though with N+D - fleet names are applied onto the livery.
At Langley Mill. Excel 207 has a new windscreen. 199 on the pits, 195 on the jacks, a Mickleover (220!?). The backrow Excels from the left are 207, 161, 168, 194, 193, 190 with 192 over near the Kinch vehicles. 191 is by the brook debranded, no blinds, tax etc. By the brook were 414, 893, 114, 261, 264, 124, 116, 191, 132. 263 and the tow car at the side near the bodyshop. Spare vehicles were 916, 947 aand 253.
Thanks Adrian.

Fri 31st March:
The second "Flying Daffodil" - Villager Dart 927 is now out in service.
Red Arrow Coach 71 was recovered by Burrows, after it broke down in Ripley at 9:30 on Thursday morning. Thanks Duncan.

Thurs 30th:
Skyline Excel 210 has been de-branded, and has been put to work from Meadow Road as a spare! On the V1 and then the 71/2 today.

Wed 29th:
The last Barton bus at Nottingham, Solo 441, has been repainted into trent barton livery. The remaining 4 buses in barton livery are all darts based at Langley Mill - 916/45/7/8.
T M travels (KUI 9267) was parked up at Dove Holes depot this morning. Other buses in the yard were Skyline 212 and Excel 900, aswell as a Kinch Dart being used as a trainer bus and the Unibus Paladins.

Mon 27th:
Refurbished Villager Dart 940 out in service today.

Thurs 23rd:
Mickleover Excel 220 cought fire this morning. Its currently at Langley Mill. Photos are on the photo site in the damaged section. Photos and info courtesy of Richard L.
NX Coaches 9 & 11 are now stored at Sutton. Thanks Mark.

Sightings:

Fri 28th:
Excels 233 on "the ONE", 234 "the Mickleover" and 235 "the Black Cat".
Solo 424 on the H1, 447 on "the Allestree".
Scania 667 on the RED Spondon Flyer.

Thurs 27th:
Frio Excel 199 and Scania 665 on the Mickleover, Dart 936 on the BC and Excel 234 on the one.

Wed 26th:
Rainbow 3 Excel 241 was in Meadow Rd at Derby. One of the yellow Villager Darts was also in the workshop. Excel 234 on the ONE, Solo 448 Scania 667 and Excel 199 on the Mickleover and Scania 665 on the Allestree Blue route.

Tue 25th: Chris reports Solo 448 on the X38.
John reports 665 on the V2, 234 on the Mickleover and 930 on the V1/3.
667 was on the Ilkeston Flyer.

Mon 24th: Solo 448, Darts 930/7 on the Villager, 199 on the Mickleover.
667 also on the Mickleover.

Fri 21st:
H1 Solo 434 broke down in Derby. Scania 638 replaced it! Thanks Jim.
Solo 447 was on the 9.55am Transpeak to Buxton.
Solo 448 was on the Rainbow 5!
Scanias 667 and Frio Excel 199 reported on the ONE to Ashbourne. Both of the branded buses later made an appearance together - were trips duplicated in the morning?!! 199 was on the Mickleover accompanied by 233 by the afternoon.
Scania 665 was on the sixes, 6.1/4/X.

Thurs 20th:
Dart 913 on the BC, 199 on the Mickleover and 447 on the V2. Thanks Chris.
Scania 665 on the 6.X, 667 on the Spondon Flyer.

Wed 19th:
N+D Derby College Excel 153 replaced 152 on route 35. College Paladin 121 was on the 73.
Minibus 39 and a Dart were on the X17.
665 and 62 on the RA. 667 and 63 on the TP.
Dart 930 and 937 on the Villager, Excels 199 and 233 on the Mickleover.
There was a Solo on the Spondon FLyer later on today.
Scanias 639 (FD53 WWL) & 664 (FN54 AEC) both on the Rainbow 1, & 669 (FH05 TKK) on the Cotgrave Connection.

Tue 18th:
N+D multi coloured Derby College Excel 153 on the Mickleover!! Excel 233 and Solo 447 were operating alongside. Solo 448 & Dart 930 on the Villager. Thanks Chris.
Trent buses Paladin 101 was on N+D route 73. Must be about the only bus on an N+D route with a destination blind!
Coaches 62/3 and Scania 665 on the Transpeak to Manchester. Excel 234 on one of the Buxton runs. Branded Coach 56 was also out this evening, as was branded Excel 158.
Dart 936 was on the Black Cat.
Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) on the Rainbow 1, & 668 (FH05 TKJ) on the Cotgrave Connection.

Mon 17th:
Coach 62 reported on the Transpeak. The 9:10 from Nottingham was duplicated on Sun/Mon this weekend! Excel 234 joined Coach 62 today.
Dart 930 and a Scania bus were also on there today.
Kinch Dart 897 was on the AL.

Sat 15th:
Scania 667 and 234 on the TP to Buxton.
Excels 233, and 199 (Frio) on the Mickleover. Branded Mickleover Excel 224 broke down in Derby and was towed away during the afternoon. Solo 448 was the replacement.

Fri 14th:
Scania 667 was on the Transpeak to Manchester after coach 56 collided with some trafiic lights in the Morledge, Derby.
Paul reports: Volvo Coach 62 (R62 RAU) on the Red Arrow, Scania 637 (FD53 WWJ) on the Rainbow 1, Scania's 666 (FH54 VRY) & 668 (FH05 TKJ) both on the Radcliffe Line, & Dart 898 (P410 BNR) on the Rainbow 3.

Thurs 13th:
Chris reports that Frio Excel 199 is back at Derby! On the Mickleover today. It should stay until Mickleover branded BBQ Excel 220 returns.
Scania 665 remains on the sixes (6/1/4/X). Solo 447 on the Allestree, 930 on Villager and Barton Dart 916 on the 125.
John reports Excel 233 on the Mickleover. Kinch had Solo 436 on the AL once again.
Paul reports: Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) on the Radcliffe Line, 639 (FD53 WWL) on the Rainbow 1, & Scania 669 (FH05 TKK) on the Keyworth Connection.

Wed 12th:
Excel 233 & Scania 667 on the Mickleover. 1 branded Excel was in for repairs at Meadow Road & 220 hasn't been fixed since its recent fire!
Solo 448 and Dart 930 on the 71/2 to Belper. 939 also at Meadow Road this afternoon (swapped off for 448 i think.
Darts 937/8 on the Villager, with Solo 447 on the Allestree blue route, & Scania 665 on the sixes 6.2.
I'm guessing 234 was on the TP, as a branded Excel (156 or 8!) was in Meadow Rd, along with the Tesco Paladin 110 and the Hospital Link Vario.
Barton Dart 916 was on the Black Cat.
Paul reports: Solo 442 (FE02 KCZ) on the Keyworth Connection, Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) on the Rainbow 1, 636 (FD53 WWH) on the Cotgrave Connection, 666 (FH54 VRY) on the Rainbow 4.

Tue 11th:
Solo 448 and Dart 937 on the V1/3. 938 also on the Villager (930 on 71 in its place). Thanks John.
Solo 447 and Excel 233 on the Mickleover. Thanks Chris. Scania 667 on the 6.2 and 665 and coach 63 on the RA. Thanks Jim.
Solo 436 and a step entrance Dart on the AL.
Derby College Paladin 121 on the 73 to Weston on Trent.
Dart 933 on the 90! 666 on the R4 and 636 on the R5. 201/52 on the R3 and 253 on Pronto. Thanks Perry.
Paul reports: Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) on the Radcliffe Line, & Scania 666 (FH54 VRY) on the Rainbow 4.

Mon 10th:
Chris reports Solos 447/8 and Dart 938 on the Villager.
Excel 233 on the Mickleover, 234 on "the ONE".
Kinchbuses Airline Shuttle had Darts 897/9 and Solo 436!! A branded Dart was reported on there later though, in the form of 918 which replaced 899.
Jim reports Darts 914 and 934 on the Black Cat.
Darts 930/9 were on the 71/2 Belper routes.
Scania 667 on the sixes 6.2. 684 was taken off these routes (parked at Meadow Rd this evening), replaced by a Trent buses Dart! 937?
665 was on the X38 for a short time. Dart 931 on the 125 and coach 63 on the Red Arrow.

Sat 8th:
Scania 664 on the Black Cat. Excel 234 on the ONE.
Adrian reports Solos 447/8 and Dart 930 on the Villager. Branded buses were yellow Darts 927/40, along with 942 in the old style. 943/4 were parked up at Meadow Rd and 941 is at Langley Mill for refurbishment.
Paul reports: Solo 442 (FE02 KCZ) on the Ruddington Connection.

Fri 7th:
Skyline Excel 210 reported at Belper tonight. So has been, and expected on the 71/2 tomorrow.
Sixes Solo 419 out out use tonight, 448 out in its place. Thanks to Jim for the above.
Excel 189 and one of "the ONE" Excels reported at Meadow Rd today.
One of the windows on Solo 453 was smashed this evening whilst it was in service.
Dart 930 on the Villager. Thanks John.
Paul reports: Solo 402 (V402 JTO) on the Rainbow 3 Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Ruddington Connection, Scanias 637/8 (FD53 WWJ/K) both on the Rainbow 1, & Scania 666 (FH54 VRY) on the Rainbow 5.

Thurs 6th:
Nottinghams Zig Zag Solo 442 was on the Transpeak to Buxton today. Thanks John.
Former Skyline Excel 210 made another appearance on route 71 and 72 Belper area routes.
Excel 234 on the V1, Scania 666 on the R4 and Solo 426 and Barton Dart 916 on the 125. Lance 355 on driver training. Thanks Chris.
N+D had Dart 892 on the V3 evening extras, & Paladin 125 on the 73.

Wed 5th:
Coach 62 out on the V1 this morning. Thanks Chris.
Excels 233/4 on the Mickleover.
Scania 667 on the Spondon Flyer - then the the Sixes!
Vario 288 on the AL.

Tue 4th:
Chris reports Scania 664 on the BC, Excel 233 on the Mickleover and N+D Dart 892 on the X17 once again.
Derby CollegeExcel 153 now has a scrape on the n/s!
Jim reports Scania 667 on the sixes 6.3. 665 was on Meadow Road depot.
Paul reports: Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line.

Mon 3rd:
Chris reports N+D Dart 892 on the X17. 299 was in Meadow Road for repair, along with a yellow Villager Dart!
Dart 934 on the BC and Barton 947 on the 125.
Scania 667 and Excel 233 on the Mickleover, 665 and 930 on the Villager.
Paul reports: Excel 234 (X234 WRA) on the Transpeak, Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line & Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) on the Keyworth Connection.

Sat 1st:
Adrian reports one of the yellow Villager Darts being replaced by Scania 667.

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