The Derby Bus Depot

Fleet News June 2005

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

News:

Wed 29th:
Although not based at Derby - Burton Dart (T61 JBA) now carries blue X38 livery for the Derby to Burton non stop service.

Sat 25th:
Both Scanias 3492/3 have returned to use in the new style livery (less cream more aquamarine).

Wed 8th:
Dart 2228 is at Cannock for repairs.

Sat 4th:
Citybus 4340 (B140 GAU) has been sold to Stafford Bus Centre.
Scanias 3492/3 are both at Cannock, the first for repaneling and repaint, and the other for repairs following yet another accident on route 109!
Citybus 4380 is still at Ascot Drive for spares.
Thanks to Richard for the above.

Sightings:

Thurs 30th
Chellaston branded Dart 2252 was on route 20. Dart 2227 (not repainted) was on the Oakwoods.

Wed 29th:
Volvo B10BLEs 3604/5 were on the Oakwoods. 2 repainted Darts were on there too 2229 and the other was 2227 I think! There was also an MPD on there - 2223.
Any reports Olympian 4666 and MPD 2222 on the Chellaston routes, Olympian 4667 on the 37/38, MPD 2218 on the 111 PP&R and Volvo B10BLE 3606 on route 109.

Sun 26th:
Volvo B10BLE 3606 is out on route 26 to Oakwood this morning.

Sat 25th:
All three Volvo B10BLEs 3604-6 were on the oakwood routes.
Richard reports East Lancs Dart 2194 on the 36 to Sunnyhill.

Fri 24th:
Volvo B10BLEs 3604/6 were on the Oakwood routes.
Schoolbus liveried Alexander Citybus 4354 was on the 37 to Sinfin this afternoon.
MPDs seemed to be missing off the 36 again, with at least 1 East Lancs Dart on the route.
Richard reports that Olympians 4627/9/31/41 were all on the 37/38 routes to Sinfin, and ex London Citybus 4320 was on routes 44/45 to Alvaston.
East Lancs Dart 2194 was on the Chellaston routes, and Olympian 4627 was then put on a 69A to Swad at 18:10 from Derby.
Mercedes minibuses 1374/9 were on the 33 to Littleover and MPD 2222 was on route 20 to Chaddesden.

Thurs 23rd:
Volvo B10BLE 3604/6 were on the 22/24/26.
Richard reports Scania 3493 on the Chellaston routes, minibus 1375 on the 36 to Sunnyhill and Olympian 4629 on route 20.

Wed 22nd:
Mercedes minibus 1373 and 1379 were on the 53 route.
MPD 2222, and Volvo B10BLEs 3604 and 3605 were on the 60/61/68/69 routes.
Olympian 4641 was on routes 37/38 (Sinfins). 3606 were on the 22/24/26 (Oakwoods).

Tue 21st:
Volvo B10BLEs 3604/6 were on the Oakwood routes.
MPD 2218 and Volvo B10BLE 3605 were on the Chellastons.
Olympian 4626 and DAF 4739 were on the 37/38 (Sinfins).

Mon 20th:
Olympians 4629 and 4630 were on the 37/38.
MPDs 2218, 2223 and Volvo B10BLE 3605 were on the 60/61/68/69.
3606 was on the 22/24/26.
1377 was on the 36.

Fri 17th:
Chris reports that Volvo Citybus 4389 (H649 GPF) was on the 44.

Thurs 16th:
Richard reports: MPDs 2217, 2222 and Olympian 4641 on the Chellastons (60/61/68/69), Dart 2226 and Citybus 4352 on Oakwoods (22/24/26).
Olympians 4639 and 4640 were on the Sinfins (37/38), with Chellaston Dart 2234 and DAF 4743 turning out on these routes in the afternoon.
Merc vans 1376 and 1378 on the Sunnyhill route 36.
Citybus 4329 was on route 44 to Alvaston.

Wed 15th:
Volvo B10BLEs 3604/6 were on the Oakwood routes.
Richard reports: Olympian 4665 and Volvo B10BLE 3605 on the Chellaston routes, whilst Chellaston branded Dart 2235 and Alvaston branded Olympians 4626 and 4631 were on the Sinfin routes (37/38) during the afternoon.

Tue 14th:
Olympian 4665 and Volvo B10BLEs 3605/6 were on the Oakwood routes.
Richard reports DAF 4736 on the 244 School Service. Scania 3493 and Olympian 4643 were on the 37/38s to Sinfin.
Fleetline 4301 was parked in the bus park at Derby Bus Station.

Mon 13th:
Chris reports Marshall bodied Volvo Citybus 4336 (B136 GAU) was on route 68 to Melbourne and 44/45 branded Olympian 4626 was on the 29 to Mackworth.
All three Volvo B10BLEs 3604-6 were on the Oakwood routes.
DAF 4736 was on the Chellastons (60/61/68/69).

Sat 11th:
MPD 2223 was on the 111 PP&R, with 2216 being off the road.
Volo B10BLEs 3604/6 were on the Oakwoods.

Fri 10th:
MPD 2224, a Chellaston Dart (think it was 2235) and Volvo B10BLEs 3604/6 on the Oakwoods. Chris reports that route 44/45 branded Olympian 4626 was also used on these routes.

Thurs 9th:
Volvo B10BLEs 3604/6, Chellaston Dart 2233 and Scania 3493 (returned from Cannock) were on the Oakwoods today. An MPD was on in the evening (2218?).
3605 was on the Chellastons and Dart 2232 and Olympian 4630 were on Sinfin routes 37/8.

Wed 8th:
DAF.East Lancs Lowlander 4736 was on route 38 to Sinfin.
Chellaston Dart 2252, MPD 2218 and Volvo B10BLE 3605/6 were on routes 22/24/26 (Oakwoods).
Yet again MPDs were on the 60/61/68/69. 2218, 2221 and 2224 along with Volvo B10BLE 3604 and Citybus 4346.
1378 was on the 36.
East Lancs Dart 2198 and Olympian 4631 were on 37/38 routes.
Early this morning i noticed 2252 was on the 37 and by mid morning was on 22/24/26.

Tue 7th:
On the Oakwoods (22/24/26) were Volvo B10BLEs 3604/5 and Dart SLF 2227.
On the Chellastons (60s) were MPDs 2217, 2222/3/4 (similar to yesterday).
Minibuses 1377, 1384 and 1388 were on the 36 as a result.
Olympians 4627 and 4630 were on 37/38. Late afternoon sightings were 2237 on 40/41 due to breakdown. 3606 and 4736 were on the 38.
MPD 2218 broke down near Ashbourne on route 109 yesterday evening.
Thanks to Richard and John for much of the above.

Mon 6th:
Volvo B10BLEs 3604/5 and a Dart SLF were all on the 22/24/26 today.
Richard reports: East Lancs Dart 2198 was on 37/38 routes along with Olympians 4631 and 4641. MPDs 2221 and 2223 were on the 60/61/68/69 routes.

Sat 4th:
2 DAF East Lancs Lowlanders were off the road, one being 4739. All 3 Volvo B10BLEs 3604-6 were out in their places on Oakwood routes 22/24/26. Not sure where the third missing DAF was.
Olympian 4625 was on Chellaston route 69 to Swadlincote.

Thurs 2nd:
All three Volvo B10BLEs 3604-6 were out on routes 22/24/26.

Wed 1st:
Volvo B10BLEs 3605/6 were on Oakwood routes 22/24 and 26.

Harpurs

Sat 4th:
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Paramount coaches (K570 GSA) & (L586 JSA) have arrived from Stagecoach Bluebird (ex 52140 & 52176). Both carry Stagecoach livery, but are to be repainted soon.
Dual doored Metrobus (B287 WUL) is now in fleet livery.
Leyland Leopard (LNU 571W) is awaiting repair so is out of use for now.
Preserved Derby Corporation (BCH 156B) is being kept here, and was out on the road today.
Preserved AEC Regent (YAF 151A) has returned to Uttoxeter where it is preserved by the company.

Hawkes

Sat 4th:
Ex Travel West Midlands Metrobus 2863 (B863 DOM) has arrived here. This still carries TWM livery.

Littles Travel

NEWS:

Mon 27th:
Route 9 back to normal today with the Metrorider back on.

Sat 25th:
Interestingly Volvo Citybus (E318 BVO) (ex NCT 318) was used on route 9 today.

Fri 24th:
National (TAE 638S) was on route 9 today.

Thurs 9th:
Chris reports that two Northern Counties bodied Leyland Atlanteans have been acquired here from Silverdale, Nottingham. They are ex NCT (MVO 418W) and ex Greater Manchester (SND 518X).

TM Travel

NEWS:

Mon 20th:
Recent arrivals are ex Arriva London ECW bodied leyland Olympians (D143 PYM) and D188 PYM).

Trent Barton, notts + derby & Kinchbus

NEWS:

Mon 27th:
Paul reports that Derby Scania 665 is at Scania in Nottingham.

Sat 25th:
Buses noted in the reported in the new R3 are 237/8/9 and 242. 248 is re-panelled at Langley Mill ready for repaint.

All ex Mickleover Excels 190-7 are stored at Langley MIll. Some/all were used on the download festival shuttle a couple of weeks ago, and were then put out on Langley Mill services last week when problems with the Scanias arose. Branding is removed from most of these.
Varios stored at Langley Mill are 47, 272, 276, 286 (BF), 287, and 292/3. Notts + Derby 298 was also parked up.
Remaining MAN/Optare Vectas are 808, 811, 813 and 815.
The only Paladin in the yard was 126! Whats happened to 129 and 136?
Rainbow 5 Excels 156/7 and 168 are stored, and ex Queens Drive P&R Excels 151-3 are used as driver trainers, along with Kinch Dart 890.
In for repair were dart 935 and Black Cat Excel 218.
Spare were: Excel 235, Solo 449, Darts 915 and 945, R1 Scania 652, BC Excel 217 and NX Coach 15.

Over at Sutton dart 905 and a Solo were in for repair.
R5 Excels 158 and 161 remain stored here.
Spare buses were Solos 403 and 443, repainted R3 Excel 238 and Paladin 138. Frio Excel 201 was there, but may have been withdrawn.
Kinch Minibus 821 remains as the staff shuttle bus.

Tue 7th:
Optare Solo demonstrator (YJ54 BTV) is at Sutton. It is numbered 467 for its stay. It was on the 91 route today.
Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 is back at Meadow Road Derby. It was in for maintenance this morning.
Rainbow 3 Excel 239 has returned from refurbishment/repaint.

Sightings:

Thurs 30th:
Dart 937 was on the Allestree and Scania 665 was on the Mickleover.
Chris reports Notts + Derby Paladin 119 on the Mickleover, Solo 423 on the 125 and the Barton Excel 253 on the Rainbow 4. The Transpeak had coach 56 and Unibus Paladin 105.

Wed 29th:
Excel 205 and Dart 933 were unusual buses on Sutton Solo route 90.
On the Rainbow 3 today were Solo 401 and frio Excel 199. Scanias 636 and 666 were on the Rainbow 5, and coach 56 was on the transpeak.

Tue 28th:
Unibus Lance 363 on the AL1. Scanias 639 on the H1, 665 on the X38 and 666 on the R5.
Solo 447 was on the Allestree and Dart 937 on the V1/3.
Frio Excel 201 is still in use from Sutton, reported on the R3 today. Dart 905 was on the Calverton Connection. There was also a Unibus Lance on the 200 (Nottingham to Rainsworth).

Mon 27th:
Excel 198 (or was it 189?) was on the Allestree, Dart 938 was on the 107 and Scania 667 on the Mickleover.
Chris reports: Dove Holes Excel 198 (T789 XVO) on the bus park at Derby Bus Station! Coach 56 on the Transpeak, Excel 236 on the R4, Scania 667 on the R63 (on the M later) snd Dart 920 on the V3.
Paul reports Scanias 636 (FD53 WWH), 666 (FH54 VRY) and Commuter Express coach 58 (P58 ETO) on the Xprss. Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line, Dart 913 (P913 CTO) on the Keyworth Connection and Solo 441 (FP51 GXV) on the Ruddington Connection.
Duncan reports Solo 448 on the Belper routes, and coaches 62/3 on the Red Arrow. Unibus Lance 365 replaced Solo 443 on a 91/92 working.

Sun 26th:
James reports Scania 667 on the R62 to Belper.
Paul reports Solo 431 (X631 ERB) and Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the Radcliffe Lines.

Sat 25th:
The Black Cat route had branded Excels 216/9, Scania 664 and Dart 934 today.
Unusuals on the Rainbow 3 were Frio Excel 199, and trent buses Excels 205 and 252.
Trent Barton Excel 234 was on the Rainbow 4 again, along with a red Scania.
Both coaches 62 and 63 were in use on the Red Arrow.
Solo 448 was once again on the Belper routes.
Derby Solo 447 was put on the 91 replacing a Sutton Solo.

Fri 24th:
Problems on the Rainbow 4 saw Unibus Lance 368 doing at least one trip from Derby to Nottingham.
Unusual buses on the Belper routes again today. Scania 667 was on the R62 and Solo 448 was on the R63. Coach 62 was also out on these routes again, reported on the R62.
Coach 56 was on the Transpeak, and Scania 639 was on the Black Cat.

Thurs 23rd:
Rainbow 1 and Rainbow 2 Scanias were taken out of service yesterday afternoon, after ceiling panels fell in on two Rainbow 2 examples. The Rainbow 1 examples are now back in use after being checked and the R2 ones won't be far behind. The ex Mickleover Excels and various Volvo B10B/Paladins were used in their places.
Chris reports Darts 938 on the 107, and 946 on the Black Cat and Paladin 123 on the AL1.
James reports that Solo 448 and Volvo B10M coach 62 were on the R63.

Wed 22nd:
Excel 198 on the V3 (no desti blinds fitted), Dart 938 on the 107 to Ashbourne and Scania 665 on the Ilkeston Flyer.
There was a coach on the Belper routes again too.
Paul reports: Excel 252 (Y252 DRC) on the Calverton Connection and Solos 431 (X631 ERB) & 441 (FP51 GXV) both on the Radcliffe Line.

Tue 21st:
Coach 62 was out on the Belper routes again, although it was parked in the bus park at Derby Bus Station later on today. Solo 448 was also on these routes.
Coach 63 was on the 107 to Ashbourne.
Scania 667 was on the Mickleover.
Chris reports several odd workings. Paladins 106 on the Mickleover, 111 on the AL1 and 137 on the Ilkeston Flyer.
Unibus Lance 366 was on the R61.
Scania 665 was on the Borrowash Flyer, Dart 906 on the 91, 930 on the V1/3 and Solo 447 on the Allestree.
Over in Nottingham Paul reports: Scania 639 (FD53 WWL) on the R1, Scania 666 (FH54 VRY) on the Keyworth Connection, Excel 236 (X236 WRA) on the Xprss, Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the R4, and Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line.

Mon 20th:
Scanias 665/7 and Dart 939 noted on the Mickleover.
Coach 62 was on Belpers (R62).
Chris reports Solo 414 on the V3, this was later on the (17:50) short R61 to Matlock.
Coach 56 was on the Harliquin too, and former Mickleover Excel 195 was out on driver training.
Paul reports: Coach 63 (R63 RAU) on the Red Arrow, Excel 252 (Y252 DRC) on the Calverton Connection, Dart 912 (P912 CTO) on the Cotgrave Connection and Darts 905 (P905 CTO) and 933 (R933 RAU) on the Rainbow 3.
Excel 242 now carries the new livery and was out on that route today.

Fri 17th:
Excel 198 is back at Derby! It was on a RED route today from Derby, more than likely the Mickleover. Its desti blind is removed.
Dart 931 was on the Mickleover and barton Excel 253 was on the R4.
Mark reports Scania 664 on the Black Cat
Chris reports: Coach 62 on the Borrowash Flyer (though replaced by 899 later), Solo 447 on the Mickleover and Excel 152 on driver training.
Paul reports: Excel 236 (X236 WRA) on the R4, and Solo 441 (FP51 GXV) on the Xprss.

Thurs 16th:
Coach 63 on the Borrowash flyer, Scania 636 on the R4 and 666 on the R5. Dart 918 was on the V1/3.
Notts + Derby Paladin 110 is back in use after its accident a while back, and surprisingly still carries the trent livery.
Lances 355-7 may be sold to Bowers soon.
Paul reports: Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Ruddington Connection, and Dart 912 (P912 CTO) on the Keyworth Connection. Interestingly an R4 Excel has been on a morning (8am) Cotgrave Connection the last 2 days, although possibly just for an odd working (not all day)! Is this common?

Wed 15th:
The Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 was over the pits at Meadow Road early this morning. Solo 448 was on the route in its place. The problem with the Dart is apparently to do with the rear axle. It needs to be improved/replaced to gain higher speeds!
Unibus Lance 366 was on the 107.
Scania 666 was on the R4, and 665/7 on the Mickleover again.
Paul reports: Excel 236 (X236 WRA) on the Xprss & Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the R4.
Merc vario 298 is now the staff bus at Sutton (thanks Mark)! 821 has disappeared.
Dart 919 is on the V1/3.

Tue 14th:
Chris reports: Scanias 665 and 667 both on the Mickleover today, Dart 901 on the 92, Notts and Derby Paladin 123 on the AL1 and the Derby Solo's: 447 on the Allestree and 448 on the V2.
Duncan reports that kinchbus Paladin 112 was on driver training in Ripley.

Mon 13th:
Chris reports Scanias 665/7, Solo 447 and Dart 938 on the Mickleover and Dart 923 on the V1/3.
Coach 56 was on the Transpeak.

Sat 11th:
Notts + Derby Mercedes vario 284 was on the AL1 route.
Paul reports: Scania 666 on the Radcliffe Line.

Fri 10th:
Another former Mickleover Excel in use on the Download Festival (Donnigton Park) Shuttle is 193. It joins 190/2/5/7.
Borrowash Flyer Merc Vario 286 was used on the Red Allestree route today. It was used on the V3 yesterday afternoon. Branded Dart 899 was on the Borrowash Flyer.
Solo 448 on the V1/V3 along with Dart 923, and Scanias 665 on the Mickleover, 667 on the Spondon Flyer.
Barton Dart 916 was on the R64.
Paul reports: Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line.

Thurs 9th:
Chris reports that at least 4 ex Mickleover Excels, 190/2/5/7 are back in use on the the Donnigton Park Dowload Festival shuttle from Derby Railway Station. A Trent Barton Scania, and Paladins 119 and 137 have been reported on there today.
This afternoon Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 was back on the route. 286 in the bus park at the bus station. 286 was on on Wednesday afternoon (must have replaced 899).
Solo 448 was on the V1/3 and Barton Dart 916 was on Belper routes again (R62 when i saw it).
Paul reports: Excel 236 (X236 WRA) on the Xprss, Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) on the R4, Solo 441 (FP51 GXV) on the Radcliffe Line, and Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Ruddington Connection.

Wed 8th:
Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 is back ins service.
Scania 638 on the 125 today.
Dart 916 (Barton) was on the R62, coaches 56, 62/3 were all on the Red Arrow and ex Mickleover Excel 195 was on driver training.
Excel 236 (X236 WRA) was on the Xprss.

Tue 7th:
Mark reports Darts 902/3 on the Rainbow 3.
Chris reports barton Dart 916 on the XR6 and 931 on the V3.
Scania 667 was reported on both the Mickleover and the Spondon Flyer.
Paul reports: Barton Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the Xprss. Commuter Express coach 57 (P57 ETO) was used on this for a time too.
Solo 431 (X631 ERB) was on the Ruddington Connection.
Unbranded Excels on the Rainbow 3 were 205 (V205 ENU), 252 (Y252 DRC) and a Frio Excel (199 or 201?).

Mon 6th:
Chris reports Darts 931/7/8 and Barton Dart 916 on the V1/3 today. Solo 448 was on the R64 and Scania 665 on the Allestree.
Barton Dart 916 was put on the R61 to Bakewell later in the afternoon, and Scania 667 was on the Mickleover.
Parked up at Derby Bus Station out of use at 17:00 were coaches 62 and 63 (displaying TP and RA) and Scania 665.
James reports Solos 447/8 on the R63/1 this morning.
Paul reports: Dart 913 (P913 CTO) on the LEX, Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) on the R1, Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line.
Excel 199 (V199 ERA) and Darts 902 (P902 CTO) and 933 (R933 RAU) all on the Rainbow 3.
Connect Solo 430 and a Kinchbus Paladin are parked up at Nottingham depot (Manvers Street).

Sat 4th:
Barton Dart 916 on the V2.
Paladin 138 was on the XR6, Barton Excel 253 was on the R4, Scania 665 on the Spondon Flyer and 667 on the Mickleover.
Paul reports: Excel 205 (V205 ENU) on the Calverton Connection, Excel 252 (Y252 DRC) on the Rainbow 3, and Scania 636 (FD53 WWH) on the Ruddington Connection.
John reports: Dart 915 on the 125 to Hucknall. Coach 62 was on the Red Arrow and Solo 447 on the Allestree. Asda Paladin 117 was on the D1 P&R again.

Fri 3rd:
Coach 63 (R63 RAU) was on the R63.
Chris reports Barton Dart 916 on the 107, and Unibus Paladin 107 on the Borrowash Flyer (replaced by 286 later).
John reports Dart 931 and Unibus Paladin 105 on the V1/3.

Thurs 2nd:
Barton Dart 916 was working from Derby today on route 107 to Ashbourne.
Vario 286 continues on the Borrowash Flyer route.

Wed 1st:
Coach 63 was in use on the Red Allestree route today.
Solo 448 was on the Borrowash Flyer, later replaced by branded Vario 286.
John reports: Scanias 665 on the Spondon Flyer, 666 on the Rainbow 4 and 667 on the Mickleover.

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