Fleet News

Bus Fleet News

January 2010

Latest News

***Trent: "Sevens" Solos enter service*** ***TM travel: Preserved buses face scrap if new homes not found*** ***Kinchbus: Scanias in use on route 2*** ***notts+derby: 2 more Lothian Olympians acquired - and 2 Paladins wrote off***

Here you will find all the latest bus fleet news for many bus operators in and around the Derbyshire area. If you have anything to report please contact me by clicking here.

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Andrews of Tideswell

NEWS
9th September
All over white Neoplan Skyliner has been re-registered (J1 AOT) (former (SF56 UAE)). Thanks Ian.
Andrews Scania/Plaxton Derwent (RIL 4615) departed their yard this afternoon on the back of Trevor Wigleys tow truck.

June 6th
Former TM travel coach (HF51 CGG) has been re-registered (J2 AOT). Thanks Ian.

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Arriva Derby

NEWS
17th January:
Fowlers have sent Citybus 127 (YAU127Y) for scrap after it failed shortly before it was due for withdrawal. It now resides at Wigleys, Barnsley. 126 and 128 remain in use and are for sale. Any one interested should contact Andrew Fowler www.fowlerstravel.com.

24th December:
Former Derby Citybuses 126/7 (YAU 126/7Y) are now for sale. Anyone interested in purchasing these should contact Andrew Fowler at Fowlers travel.

2nd December:
23 former London ADL Darts are passing through Ascot Drive at the moment. They are there to be prepared for further service with Arriva. 8 are going to Scotland whilst the other 15 are heading to the North East. Ascot Drive is now host to the Midland Repair Centre, the new name for Pickerings since it moved to Derby.

30th October:
Wellglade have scrapped former Derby Volvo Citybus (B139 GAU). It is now in Looms scrapyard.

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Bowers Coaches

NEWS

Brand new MAN / Plaxton Centro (FJ59 FYT) is seen here in Buxton Market place on route 61 to Glossop. It carries Huddersfield Bus Company livery, which like Bowers, is associated with Centrebus.
(C) Ian Moorcroft

1st September
Dennis Lance 358 (N358 VRC) is now in Cornwall with Roselyn of Par.

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Doyles

NEWS & Sightings
9th October
Minibus (L430 CPJ) has been cut to pieces in the yard.

Minibus (L430 CPJ) in the yard.
(C) Guy

Plain red Dart/Marshall (T428 AGP) ex Go NE597 has been present in the yard. A possible addition to the fleet?
Minibuses (L323 AUT) and (M460 MDH) are back in use.
Minibus (L27 LSG) has been withdrawn, and Vecta 801 appears to have been put into reserve (still taxed but not been used for weeks).

9th October
Former Trent Vario (S287 UAL) has been repainted in the new bright green livery.

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Felix

NEWS

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Gills Travel

December 2nd:
Gills Travel are a new operator in the area. Three vehicles are known to be here:
(M146 VVS), Dennis Dart / Wright Handybus,
(M147 VVS), Dennis Dart / Wright Handybus,
(L134 YVK), Dart.

Wright Handybus Dart (M146 VVS) in Sandiacre.
(C) D J Stone

Two services are operated, aswell as offering private hire.

Daytime service 8 links Sandiacre with Long Eaton, serving both the Asda and Tesco supermarkets. The service charges a Ł1 flat fare.
Evening service 69 links Ilkeston with the surrounding housing estates on Friday and Saturday nights. The flat fare is just Ł1.50 (Ł2 on Xmas and NY eve when the service is also running).

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G&J Holmes

NEWS
October 20th
Three brand new Solos have arrived here:
(MX59 AVP),
(MX59 AVR),
(MX59 AVT).

Due to a number of issues, (MX59 AVS) was returned and replaced by (MX59 AVT).

Brand new Solo (MX59 AVR) seen here at the Hackney terminus on its first day in service, Saturday 17th October.
(C) Andy Bagshaw

October 9th
Solos (YJ55 YGX/Y) passed to Hatts Travel on Tues 1st September.

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Glovers of Ashbourne

NEWS
30th October
Volvo coach (B252 KTO) is for sale on ebay. The coachwas bought new by the company: Click here to view.

11th October
Paladin (K123 BUD) has been re-registered (AIG 8338).
An Excalibur coach registered as (AIG 4114) is also now here. It has brown orange and yellow stripes in the livery! Anyone know its previous registration / history?

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Harpurs Coaches

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
11th November
East Lancs Olympian (S851 DGX) has arrived here via Ensign. The vehicle was recently with Chambers, and was previously with Metrobus, Orpington.

Former East yorkshire Olympian (N594 BRH) at showbus.
(C) DBD

22nd September
Metrobus (B808 AOP) was sold for scrap to one of the Barnsley breakers some time ago. (B809 AOP) is being used for spares.
Ex London Metrobuses (B204 WUL) and (C317 BUV) are delicenced.

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Hawkes Coaches

NEWS
1st May
Another former TWM Metrobus has arrived here, thought to be (B846 AOP). It has been here a month or so now at least!

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Hulleys of Baslow

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
26th January

MCV Evolution Dart (PL06 TGF) in Chesterfield. This has been numbered 22 on a temporary basis.
(C) Ian Moorcroft

The second Dennis Dart SLF / MCV Evolution has arrived from North West Bus Rentals (aka Blue Bus) in the form of (PL06 TGF). This is temporarily numbered 22 (it will have a new number when either 14 or 18 are sold), and joins similar 19 (PL06 TFZ) which arrived last month.

Number 7 and 15 are to have body panel repairs done, whilst there is an extra bus (number 22) in the fleet!

16th December
A new arrival here is Dennis Dart/MAN Evolution 19 (PL06 TFZ). This is now in service painted in fleet livery. A second Dart from the same batch is currently away for repaint. This should replace Plaxton Verde number 18.
The old 19 (P120 GSR) has gone to its new home with North Western Bus and Coach, (Blue Bus).

22nd November
Two MCV Evolution Darts have been acquired from the (PL06 ***) batch.
Dart 19 (P120 GSR) has been sold, and Vecta 14 (M803 PRA) and Dennis Lance / Verde (P659 BUB) have been advertised For Sale.

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Johnson Bros / Redferns

NEWS & SIGHTINGS
10th January
Acquired here from Ensign are ex Stagecoach East Kent Northern Counties bodied Olympians (L826-830 BKK).
The ex NCT Atlantean, (RTV 438X) is currently off the road being refurbished and repainted.

16th December
Former Yorkshire Traction VR (HWE 826N) has been sold for preservation, its new home is the former Tinsley Tramsheds in Sheffield.

22nd September
Ex Roadcar VR (LVL 804V) is now in service following refirbishment and repaint into Redfern green. This vehicle should appear at Showbus 2009.

1st September
The coaches previously reported here were just stored prior to auction:
From West Coast Coaches, Kirkaldy: Volvo B10M/Jonckhere (L942 LBV) and (M667 VAJ) and Scania/Irizaars (SK07 BNF) and (SN57 BMV), DAF coach (YJ51 EKK).
Olympian (K879 XGS) and a Ford Transit mini (EN08 ECF) are recent arrivals.

4th July
Bristol VRs now withdrawn are ex Crosville Mark 2 (HTU 159N) and ex Yorkshire Traction Mark 3s (OWE 854R) and (OWE 857R).

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Linburg

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
9th May

Linburg of Sheffield Cummins engined Leyland Tiger (USU 638) seen here in Bakewell.
(C) Ian Moorcroft

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Littles Travel

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
11th November

Ex Dublin Olympian (R63 LHK). (R98 LHK) has also now been painted.
(C) John Carnell

2 former Dublin Olympians are reported here, arriving via Ensign (dealer). The two buses are:
(R63 LHK), (98-D-20413),
(R98 LHK), (98-D-20399).

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Midland Classic

NEWS

20th January
New Volvo 81 (MX08 NNU) has been re-registered with personal plate (JB08 MCL). Two more Wright bodied Volvos have arrived here. 82 (AE57 FXW) is now in service after being painted into fleet livery, and 83 (KX57 MTE) is currently away being painted.

2nd December
New here is Volvo / Wright 81 (MX08 NNU) has arrived here. It is now in service in full livery.
Dart 15 (J315 XVX) has been withdrawn.

Midland Classics latest arrival is Wright bodied Volvo (MX08 NNU). It is seen here on route 21E on Alexandra Rd
(C) Richard Woodhead

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Stagecoach East Midlands
Chesterfield, Mansfield, Worksop

NEWS

Preservation News: Dennis Falcon (TWJ 340Y)

Dennis Falcon (TWJ 340Y) has been purchased by Daniel Shaw and Steve Crossland for preservation. The vehicle will be moving to Sheffield where it will be restored back to its original green and cream, and hopefully being ready for the middle of next year (2010). Express Motors also operated number 42 (TWJ 342Y) aswell as 40 and 41.

26th January
10 Low Floor Darts have arrived at Chesterfield. Some, maybe all, are likely to stay here to replace step entrance Darts and MK1 Excels. The following 10 buses have arrived:

33081 (P547 HVM), ex Dennis's, Dukinfield.
33082 (P978 LNB), ex Dennis's, Dukinfield.
33083 (P979 LNB), Dennis's, Dukinfield.
33345 (R45 CDB), ex Mayne, Manchester.
33346 (R46 CDB), ex Mayne, Manchester.
33348 (R48 CDB), ex Mayne, Manchester.
33349 (R49 CDB), ex Mayne, Manchester.
34047 (R947 FOO), ex Stagecoach Selkent.
34050 (R950 FOO), ex Stagecoach East London.
34053 (R453 FVX), ex Stagecoach East London.

To keep up to date with Stagecoach in Chesterfield, and many other operators in the area, take a look at the excellent Transpire website.

9th September
Additions to the fleet are: DAFs 26121-3 (X851-3 HFE) from Skegness. Similar 26124-6 (X854-6 HFE) are set to follow.
Olympians 16486/8 (N136/8 AET) have gone to Skegness.

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TM Travel

NEWS

It has been announced that Wellglade are to take over TM Travel from 1st January 2010. The TM Travel name is to be retained.

January 26th:
The Q reg Tiger (Q723 CHG) has been sold to Charles Marshall for futher preservation.
Several other vehicles are still looking for new homes: Click HERE for further details.

The TM Travel fleet have been added to the Wellglade fleet list, which should now be correct. The fleet numbers are begining to appear on the vehicles as per the rest of the Wellglade fleet.
Dart 921 is now in use, with 923 set to follow soon. Both have been repainted and have been fitted with orange LED destinations.
Excels 1136 (R213 DKG), 1139 (R379 DJN) and 1140 (V389 KVY) are now withdrawn. The first is now stored at Langley Mill, with the other two set to follow.

16th December:
Ex Dublin Olympian (R94 LHK) is now repainted into fleet livery.

9th October:
2 Dublin Olympians acquired are (R93 LHK) (97-D-368) and (R94 LHK) (97-D-371), both still in Dublin livery.

9th September:
Solo (MX53 FDD) is now with Norfolk Green.

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Translinc

NEWS
:

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The Wellglade group

NEWS

It has been announced that Wellglade are to take over TM Travel from 1st January 2010. The TM Travel name is to be retained.

January 26th:
The TM Travel fleet have been added to the Wellglade fleet list, which should now be correct. The fleet numbers are begining to appear on the vehicles as per the rest of the Wellglade fleet.
Dart 921 is now in use, with 923 set to follow soon. Both have been repainted and have been fitted with orange LED destinations.
Excels 1136 (R213 DKG), 1139 (R379 DJN) and 1140 (V389 KVY) are now withdrawn. The first is now stored at Langley Mill, with the other two set to follow.

Solos 411 and 423 are now in use at Belper for the sevens services.
Solo 448 has been painted in an advertising livery for the mango card (same as 445).
631 has been fitted with bright green LED displays!
624 appears to now be based at Langley Mill, with 433 transfering to Derby to replace it. 623 remains at Sutton, and 625 at Nottingham.

Paladin 121 is currently away for repairs following an RTA. 135 is also currently off with collision damage, currently sat at the back of Meadow Rd garage.

The two Darts on Belper routes 71 and 72 have now been replaced with 2, 10 year old Solos. The routes have been re-branded as the se7ens. 423 is seen here heading to Derby, crossing the railway line in Little Eaton.
(C) John Milnes

January 17th:
Solos 411 and 423 have been painted for the Se7ens. The new name for Belper routes 71/2 from Sunday.

January 10th:
Cotgrave Excels 213/4/5 reported as sold.
6 Excels: 222/3, 231/2 (ex Mickleover) and 258/9 (ex Skyline) expected to go to N+D. Although 230 is likely to stay, 263/4 may not. All 260-4 likely to o back into trent barton fleet to replace Darts.

Dart 921/3 have transfered to the TM Travel fleet.
Dart 925 sold to Paul S Winsons.

Rainbow 3 Excel 248 is currently off the road with accident damage.

TM fleet may be numbered in the 1000 series. More details on this soon.

24th December:

445 now carries Mango livery. it is seen here in Sutton.
(C) Dan Stone

Solo 445 has been repainted into a special Mango card advertising livery. It remains at Sutton.
Olympian 26 has been repainted into notts+derby livery. 27 is now being done.
Scania 648 is now at Dove Holes. The arrival of 647 has been delayed, as it is in need of some repair work!
A new bus in the Community Transport fleet is 1014 (KX59 CYA).

Former Trent Metroriders 227 and 238 are now with Southern Vectis (transfered from Wilts & Dorset) as non-PSV's.
Varios 293 now with Griffith, Brinkworth, Wiltshire and 295 now in the North East with Compass, Stockton On Tees.

16th December:
Excels 263/4 both now carry Derby College fleet names on the old skyline livery and are in use with notts+derby. Excel 230 has had large notts+derby names applied to the side.
Former Trent Lance (N357 VRC) is now (N3 ARJ).
Vecta 804 is for sale on ebay!

8th December:
The 6 Skyline Scanias 640-6 are now in service on the Buxton to Manchester Airport service. 647/8 are expected soon to replace the Darts.

Former Skyline Excel 264 is now in use with notts + derby. All skyline branding has been removed.
Scania 631 is expected to replace Dart 949 at Langley Mill.

Belper routes 71 and 72 are to be branded as the "sevens" from the end of January. At this point it is thought Solos 411/2 will be branded for the services. TM Travels evening service will even be numbered 7.3 instead of the 71A!
Trent barton are also to operate "the nines" 9.1 service on a Sunday from the end of January. The service is expected to compliment the existing Stagecoach Sunday service 92, offering a combined 30 minute frequency on the core corridor.

The Skyline Scanias are now on the road.
(C) D Harrison

Paladin 119 is to be scrapped following an RTA. 128 is awaiting disposal, as this also suffered fatal damage in a separate incident.

Former Calverton Scanias 626-30 are now in use with Kinchbus branded for Route 2. 631 should re-appear soon in trent barton livery.

Scanias 626-30 replaced the Darts on Kinchbus route 2 this week. 629 is seen here in Loughborough.
(C) D J Stone

22nd November:
Two more former Lothian Olympians have been acquired from Ensign for the notts+derby operations. They are:
(P260 PSX),
(P267 PSX).

18th November:
Solo 455 is now back at Nottingham. it has received substantial accident repairs following an RTA which also involved Solo 421. 421 has not yet returned! Kinchbus route 2 is set to be re-launched on 29th November using the former Calverton Connection Scanias.

11th November:
Paladin 128 is to be scrapped following a recent RTA.

The remaining ECW Olympian 17, has been repainted into notts+derby livery.
Former Derby Volvo Citybus 9 (B139 GAU) has been scrapped. It is now in Looms scrapyard in Spondon, Derby.

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Yourbus, Nottingham

NEWS
15th November:
Please note 3004 is (M566 YEM) not "556".

Recent arrivals here are 5 ex Arriva North West Volvo B10B/Wright Endurance, for use on Derbyshire routes 140/1/2. They are:
3001 (M517 WHF),
3002 (M549 WTJ),
3003 (M526 WHF),
3004 (M566 YEM),
3005 (M556 WTJ)

Route 81/2 branded Dart 1005 (KU52 RYK) is seen here near Crich Tramway Village on route 140. 27/10/09
(C) Tony Wilson

3003 (M526 WHF) is seen here leaving Matlock on route 140.
(C) Dennis Basford

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