The Derby Bus Depot

Fleet News

January 2007

Please report any news or unusual sightings by clicking HERE

Andrews of Tideswell

News:
Thurs 14th September:
Andrews have a new Neoplan 14metre Euroliner registered (YN06 FTX) in full fleet livery. They have also had a 14 metre Setra on demo. Thanks Ian.

Arriva Derby

News:
Sat 6th:
Dart 2232 was involved in an accident on Saturday, with Olympian 4666 also being involved in a less serious collision.
A bollard on the Morledge got in the way of one of the Volvo salloons too!

Weds 3rd:
Mercedes minibus 1160 is on loan to Derby. Thanks Richard.
Olympian 4665 has had its tree guard removed for some reason.

Thurs 28th December:
DAF 4744 has been totally repainted after accident damage. Strangely it retains the same amount of cream/stone.

Sightings:
Fri 19th:
3604 on the 37. Thanks Chris.

Thurs 18th:
4626 did a trip to Melbourne (took off 45). Thanks Chris.
3604 and 2998 on the 38 to Sinfin.
2089 on the 33. Thanks John.

Tue 16th:
4630 on 29, 2999 on the 38, 2217 on 33, 2089 on 36, 2090 on 109. Thanks to Chris Gaskin for todays sightings.

Mon 15th:
Citybus 4393 and Excel 2999 noted on the 68 to Melbourne.
Olympian 4667 on the 61, and Volvo 3604 on route 109.
Of the N*** GUM Darts, one was on the Sinfins, the other on the 36 to Sunnyhill.
Dart 2229 on route 24.

Mon 8th:
An Alvaston Olympian (4630?) on route 20. MPD 2223 on the 19.

Sat 6th:
3605 on the Chellaston services.

Fri 5th:
Dart 2238 and Volvo B10BL:E 3605 on the Pride Park & Ride 111.
Citybus 4322 on the 68. 2217 on the 60's.

Thurs 4th:
Richard reports: Minibus 1160, now in service at Derby, on the 28 and 32.
DAF 4744 on route 45, Olympian 4640 on the 37.

Weds 3rd:
Darts 2226 and 2235 on route 26.
3605 on the 111 Pride Park & Ride. Thanks Chris.

Tue 2nd:
3604 on the 24, Dart 2228 and 3605 on the 20. Thanks Chris.
4627 on the 38, 4736 on the 37, 2217 pn the PP&R 111, and Citybus 4334 on the Chellaston routes. Thanks Richard.

Fri 29th December:
Olympian 4640 on the Oakwood routes this evening. Excel 2998 on the Chellaston routes. Thanks Richard.
Dart 2235 on route 19 to Spondon.

Thurs 28th:
Citybus 4320 on the 22 and 4328 on the Chellastons (including the 8A to Melbourne (1st No Blind missing)). Both due to breakdowns (a DAF and Dart 2229). Thanks Richard.
3604/5 on route 26.

Bowers

News:
Sat 29th July:
Both of thier former Trent Dennis Lance Optare Sigmas (N358/9VRC) are for sale.

Doyles

News:
Thurs 11th Jan:
Solo (T344 FWR) on route 147 today (usually MPD). Thanks Chris.

Sat 9th December:
Doyles route 147 branded MPD, (KU52 YJS) on the 214 to Sheffield.

Felix

News:
Sat 20th Jan:
Dart (X711 GJU) is said to have been traded in for a "newer bus". More details soon!

Thurs 4th Jan:
Dart (X711 GJU) and the V reg Volvo on the Black cat today - no Scanias :) .

Fri 22nd December:
The Volvo/Alexander bus was on the BC, and the Dart was on the 59.

Glovers

News:
Tue 16th January:
Duncan reports that Lynx (E271 WUB) has gone to Barnsley for scrap.

Harpurs Coaches

News:
Fri 24th Nov:
Two former Eastbourne buses Alexander bodied Olympians (G362/3 YUR) have arrived here. Both were new to Armchair of London, and still carry the dark blue Eastbourne livery.

Hawkes Coaches

News:
Sat 25th Nov:
A new coach here is (BF03 HOF) from Hellyers, Fareham - who went bankrupt last month. It is still in the former owners livery. Thanks Duncan.

Hulleys of Baslow

News:
Thurs 18th Jan:
The Optare Excel (number 5) is still at Optare Hellaby. It was due to be collected last week, but the bus did not cooperate!! It has not been fitted with an upgraded engine. Thanks Ian.

Sat 16th Dec:
Friday saw Dennis Javelin coach number 4 (M437 PUY) on service for 7 hours covering for a failed Vectra (17).

Journeys operated were:
0915 Yorkshire Bridge - Bakewell service 241,
0955 Bakewell - Eyam and 1015 return service 175,
1100 Bakewell - Sheffield and 1240 return service 241/274,
1455 Bakewell - Shutts Lane service 178,
1515 Bakewell - Middleton by Youlgreave and 1535 return service 171.

A photo can be found by clicking here.

Thanks to Ian Moorcroft for the above information.

Johnson Bros tours/Redferns Travel

News:
Sat 16th December:
A new coach here is (YN56 NNO), Thanks Chris.

Littles Travel

News:
Thurs 4th Jan:
Metrovan on the 9 earlier today. Thanks John.

Sat 16th December:
Littles traded Bovas (YF02 XVV) & (FN04 CZZ) for three Beaulas' - (FJ03 ZZT/V/W). 1 resprayed corporate white & 1 burgundy (ZZT), the third remains to be sprayed. Thanks Phil. . The Beaulas were last with TWH Travel, Battersea (London). Thanks Duncan.

Midland Classic

News:
Sat 6th January:
The Darts and the Titan have returned after being repainted.

Titan (WDA 4T) after repaint (C) James Boddice.

Thurs 21st December:
Darts 15 and 42 (see below for details) have now been repainted into Midland Classic livery, and are set to have fleet names applied at the weekend. Thanks John.

Mon 4th December:
Three Darts are now in the fleet - click the links to see photos:

15 (J315 XVX) ex Arriva Cymru.
20 (K559 PDY) ex Birmingham Coach Company.
42 (H851 NOC) ex Arriva North West.

All should be in Midland Classic's livery soon.

Minibus (L613 LVX) has been sold to Hardwick, Carlton.
Titan (WDA 4T) & Metrobus (TOJ 592S) are still in use with the company.

Here are two more photos, one of Olympian (C184 YBA). and another of a dressed up Routemaster (799 UXA).

Thanks to James Boddice of Midland Classic for this information, and photos. The fleet list will be updated soon!!

TM Travel

News:
Thurs 18th Jan:
Darts (N211 YJE) and (L8 NCP) have been withdrawn and sold to an operator in the Manchester area. These were painted all white before they went. Thanks Chris.

Sat 16th Dec:
Dart (R554 UOT) is now with Ogdens, St Helens. It has been there since some time in October, and is said to be "on loan". It carries all over white livery and has joined other former Marchwood Darts (R563/4 UOT).

Wellglade

News:
Sat 20th:
Trent have placed an order with Optare for 23 buses. 16 Tempos and 7 Solos have been ordered, all of these are to be fitted with high back leather seats. The announcement was made by Optare, and can be viewed on their website.
Trent have yet to announce what routes the new buses will be used on.

900 has been repainted into Trent Barton livery, as have Solos 423 and 425.

Thurs 18th:
The Dennis Lance/Optare Sigma's that are now with Go Goodwin Bus & Coach, have been registered.

355 (M355 PRA) is now (GSU 489).
356 (N356 VRC) is now (GUI 441).
363 (N363 VRC) is now (WSV 541).

Wesley kindly sent some photos of these. They can be viewed on the Forum, by following this link:
Click here to view photos on the Forum.

Sun 14th:
Latest repaints are Solos 425, 450, 414 and Nottingham Dart 931. All have been done recently. Buses in the core trent fleet, left in Trent buses livery are 423/4/6. These are due repaints soon.
Darts 930, 933, 935 and 937 are on loan to Derby/Matlock for use on the sixes 6.1, throughout a 2 - 3 month road closure at Blackbrook near Belper.
Allestree Solo 460 is back, but Excel 900 has yet to re-appear.

Fri 5th:
Darts are now expected to be put on the 6.1 for the duration of the road closure. 3 or 4 will be needed, depending on how things are worked. 933/5 are expected to be amongst the Darts used. At least 2 sixes Scania's will be "spare".

Thurs 4th:
900 is to be repainted into trent barton livery (not N+D).
Hospital Dart 950 is away for repair, as are Allestree Solo 460 and a sixes Scania.
The Midland General service 146 is now set to continue until the summer, with minibus 821 remaining (no longer for sale).
The sixes 6.1 will temporarily be using Solo's from the 15th January for around 2 monthes, due to an awkward diversion at the Blackbrooks Crossroad. Either 3 or 5 Solos will be on the route (depending on if the whole route, or just the Belper to Bakewell section is covered by the smaller buses).

Sat 30th December:
Several buses are For Sale, including the remaining Optare Vectas, which are advertised as needing new engines, after being stored out of use at Langley Mill for several years.
Kinchbus Titans 772/3 are stored at Langley Mill, pending sale as are minibuses from the notts and derby and kinchbus fleets. These include 38, 39, 44, and 817.
Sutton minibus 821 is also for sale - it may be replaced by something smaller on the Sutton route 146 (if this continues) - a Ford Transit has been suggested!!
Kinchbus driver training Darts 889/90 and 893/4 are also for sale.
Paladins 101, 126, 129, 118, 133, 125 are currently out of service at Langley Mill. The M reg examples are expected to be painted up for the Unibus network at Derby, replacing the Dennis Lance/Optare Sigmas, which are expected to be sold.

Former Skyline Excels 208 and 209 are also withdrawn at Langley Mill, although only 1 is advertised for sale. So the other is either being retained, or already sold!
Nearly all buses in the trent barton fleet are now repainted, with just a couple of Solo at Langley Mill carrying Trent buses livery. These are expected to be repainted anytime now.
The road at Blackbrook crossroads, belper will close from 15th January for up to 2 months! This will distrupt the sixes 6.1 (again). It is likely that the 6.1 will stay on the A6 with shuttle buses (Solos) connecting at each end.
No news on 900 yet (repainted into N+D or trent barton?). Allestree Solo 460 is still away at Opares Unitec workshop.

Sat 23rd Dec:
Excel 900 *MAY* be painted into Notts + Derby livery!!
Skyline Excel 261 is away at Optares with an electrical problem, whilst Frio Excel 199 has been restricted to town services, due to a problem with its turbo.
Solo 414 has returned from the paintshops in trent barton livery.
Former Trent Deltas (J303/4 BVO) have turned up with Tyrer, Nelson, Lancashire (from Dukes travel).
Former Trent Bristol VR (BRC 836T) is now in Hollywood - with Star Line Tours (from Hedingham).

Sightings:
Sat 20th:
Dan reports that coach 62 replaced Excel 231 on the Mickleover. 231 had "bad brakes". 63 on RA.
Roger reports Excel 900 on the 6.1 (Derby to Bakewell), in place of 933 which has a "bad floor".
667 was put onto Transpeak in the afternoon, joining 199 (which is fitted with no blinds). Both "the one" Excels 265/6 missing, 233 being one of the replacements. Solo 448 on Allestree. Thanks Dan.
665 on Mickleover. Dart 898 on "the nines". Thanks Ian.

Fri 19th:
Ian reports Solo 447 on X38, and 448 on HQ.
233 on V2. Thanks John.
Excels 199 and 900 reported on the Transpeak (900 on the Manchester's). 900 was later replaced by a coach. 233 on "the one", Thanks Chris.

Thurs 18th:
447 Allestree, 667 RA, 669 R4.
401 on 9.2, Local Bus Paladin 127 on College shuttle at Derby. Thanks Chris.

Weds 17th:
Dart 946 on BC.
Solo 448 on 6.1 (Derby to Bakewell), 62 on TP.
290 on route 73. Thanks Chris.

Tue 16th:
Jack reports Dart 902 on the Pronto service (Nottingham - Chesterfield.
666 on the Cotgrave Connection, 667 on Mickleover, 639 on the Rainbow 2.
Excel 233 on the V1 - thanks Chris.

Mon 15th:
Coach 63 was used on the X38 during the morning, before being replaced by frio Excel 201 (which has no destination blind), which is now on loan to Derby. Branded 929 was back before the end of the day. Thanks Chris.
Dart 949 on the BC, Solo's 447 on HQ, 448 on Allestree.

Fri 12th:
Scanias 664 & 637 on the Black Cat.
Dart 930 on V1/3, 933 on V2.

Thurs 11th:
Vario 275 reported on Suttons 141 route!
Derby Dart 935 on the Rainbow 4, and 930 on the sixes 6.X (683 took off).
638 on BC, 666 R5.

Wed 10th:
N+D Dart 891 on the Hospital Hopper service, in place of the MPD 950, that is away for repair.
Dart 930 on the Ilkeston Flyer, Solo 405 on the nines 9.2 and 447 on Allestree.

Tue 9th:
930 on IF (926 off with faulty starter motor).
665 on the Spondon Flyer this afternoon. 234 was on earlier in the day after branded Scania 632 broke down. Thanks Chris
233 on Mickleover, 668 on R5. Thanks John.
252 on the Calverton Connection, 253 on the Rainbow 3. Thanks Perry.

Mon 8th:
Dart 935 on "the one". 937 on V2.
Excel 233 and Dart 930 on Mickleover.
Scania 665 on the sixes 6.2, 667 on Spondon Flyer. Thanks to Chris Gaskin for todays sightings.
At least two spare Darts on Meadow Rd at about 3pm, along with an Excel and sixes Solo 419.

Sat 6th:
Skyline Excels 261/2 BOTH on the Buxton town services for some reason!
233 and 234 on Mickleover.
Dart 892 on the X17, coach 63 on RA.

Fri 5th:
Dart 930 on "the ONE".

Thurs 4th:
Excel 233 on Mickleover, 234 on "the one", Scania 667 on the 6.2. 937 on TP. Thanks Chris.

Wed 3rd:
Scania 665 on the Allestree, 667 on the sixes and Dart 937 on TP.
233 & 935 on Mickleover, 63 on RA, 234 on "the one", 930 on Villager and Kinch Dart 897 on the AL.
Solo 447 replaced 448 on the short 6.1's at Matlock. 665 on Allestree. Thanks Chris.

Tue 2nd:
Dart 935 replaced coach 62 on the Villager services in the afternoon.
930 on HQ, 933 on Mickleover and 937 on the TP.
447 - Allestree, 448 at Matlock on short 6.1's, and 234 on the one.
665 on 71/2 (briefly) after 938 was involved in an accident. 938 was repanelled and back in service soon after, and 665 was on the evening 6.3's. 667 also at Belper for the sixes, 6.1/4/X.
Coach 63 on the RA.

Sat 30th December:
Dart 935 on the Transpeak to Manchester at 6pm on Saturday.
Dart 933 and Solo 447 on Allestree, with Dart 930 and Solo 448 on Mickleover.
Dart 946 on the Black Cat and N+D had Dart 892 on the X17 to Borrowash.

Thurs 28th:
Chris reports 161 on the D1 once again, 298 on the X17, 891 on the Hospital Hopper, 234 on Mickleover and 447 on Allestree.

Wed 27th:
Excel 161 reported on the Mickleover, it later being on the D1 P&R as an extra bus. Thanks John.

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