The Derby Bus Depot

Fleet News March 2005

Arriva Derby

BUSES SOLD/WITHDRAWN:
The last A reg East Lancs bodied Volvo Citybus 4381 (A131 DTO) is now withdrawn and has been sold.
A bit late, but just incase anyone isn't aware Citybus 4337 went to Fleetlink 1/05, and 4383 went to Ensign 9/04.

RECENT REPAINTS:
The following now carry white and grey training livery:
Leyland Tiger 9506 (F40 ENF).
Scania K92 9510 (E25 ECH).
Scania K93 9512 (F28 JRC).
Scania K92 9513 (E23 ECH).
And a not so recent (12/04) repaint is Fleetline 4301 (GTO 301V) into school bus yellow.

SIGHTINGS/UNUSUAL WORKINGS ETC:

Wed 30th March:
Chellaston Dart 2229 (W229 SNR) was on the Pride Park & Ride (route 111). Dart 2216 which is branded for this was in the bus park at the Bus Station.

Tues 29th March:
Sorry for lack of detail, but there was a Chellaston Dart on the 22/24/26 routes and a DAF Lowlander on routes 44/45. Ex London Citybus 4321 was also on the 44.

Thurs 24th March:
Scania 3493 (N433 XRC) is back in use after its RTA.
44/45 branded Olympian 4639 (R639 MNU).

Tue 22nd March:
Chris reports: An interesting vehicle on the X38 today was Excel 2999 (P316 FAW), one of only two Excels in the entire Arriva group and both of them based at Burton and were new to Williamson's, Shrewsbury. Scania 9512 (F28 JRC) was on driver training.

Thurs 17th March:
James reports: Citybus 4325 on route 44 this evening.
Volvo B10BLE 3604 was on routes 22/24/26.

Wed 16th March:
Scania L113 3493 (N433 XRC) was involved in an accident at the 5 lamps junction yesterday (Tuesday) whilst on route 109 to Ashbourne.
MPD 2224 was on Derwent Link route 101.
MPDs on the Chellaston routes were 2218 (T48 WUT) (60) and 2221 (T51 JJF) (68).
Chellaston Dart 2252 (X252 HBC) was on Pride Park & Ride 111.
Volvo B10BLE 3604 (V604 DBC) was on routes 22/24/26.

Mon 14th March:
Chellaston branded Dart 2236 (W236 SNR) was on the 22/24/26. An MPD was also put on these routes. I think it was 2218.
James reports: Olympian 4627 (44/45 branded) on 37, and a Merc (no fleet no.) on 36.

Fri 11th March:
James reports: Chellaston Darts 2231 was on route 44 and 2238 on the 38. East Lancs Dart 2198 was on route 41.

Thurs 10th March:
East Lancs Dart 2195 (L35 PNN) was on route 36.
On the Oakwood routes were 2 Volvo B10BLEs 3605/6, and an MPD!
The third of Derbys B10BLEs, 3604, was on the Chellaston routes.

Wed 9th March:
Chellaston branded Dart 2231 (W231 SNR) was on the Oakwood routes 22/24/26 along with at least 1 Volvo B10BLE.
There was also an MPD on Chellaston route 61.
One of the DAFs was on a schools working this morning, and yellow Fleetline 4301 (yes ive finally seen it since its repaint) was out on schools this afternoon.

Mon 7th March:
All 3 Volvo B10BLEs and a Chellaston dart were on routes 22/24 and 26.

Sat 5th March:
Volvo B10BLE 3606 (V606 DBC) and a Chellaston Dart were on routes 22/24/26 today. As a result of traffic chaos in Derby City Centre and east Lancs Scania L113, a Volvo Olympian and a Citybus also found there way on to these routes too.

Thurs 3rd March:
Pride Park & Ride dart 2215 was on DAF routes 22/24/26.

Tue 1st March:
James reports 44/45 branded Olympian 4626 on routes 40/41.

Sat 26th Feb:
MPD 2222 (T52 JJF) and Volvo B10BLE 3606 (V606 DBC) were on DAF routes 22/24/26.

Doyles

NEWS:

Thurs 10th March:
Chris reports that Mercedes Vario/Plaxton (R183 OCW) has been acquired here.

Felix

Tues 29th March:
New Scania L94/Wright Solar (YN05 GZB) is on order, currently at the Scania dealer in Worksop.
Dennis Dart (X711 GJU), Volvo B10B/Alexander Strider (M301 KRY) and Leyland Tiger/Plaxton Derwent (F697 HNU) are For Sale.

Thurs 17th March:
Dart (X711 GJU) was on the Ilkeston Flyer route.

Wed 9th March:
Dart (X711 GJU) on the Ilkeston Flyer today.

Glovers

NEWS:
Acquired here is A44BHL, a Leyland Tiger/Plaxton Paramount. Thanks Chris.

Harpurs

NEWS:

Mon 21th March:
Photos are now on the fotopic site. The Dominator (F638 BKD) is another bus from Stotts, Oldham. It was new to North Western. Thanks Chris.

Sat 19th March:
Dennis Dominator (F638 BKD) has arrived here too. Photographed today at the yard, along with (N644 AHP) + others. Photos on site soon.

Thurs 10th March:
Chris reports that another coach has been acquired. (N644 AHP) is a Plaxton bodied Volvo B10M.

Wed 9th March:
Chris reports that the last Atlantean in service here, (JKW 281W) has been withdrawn. Another Atlantean, (SND 28X) is being used as a store shed at the depot.

Littles Travel

Sightings/Unusual workings:

Wed 30th March:
National (TAE 638S) was on route 9 again today. It has been on here all week, and was reported on there on Saturday (26th) too.

Thurs 17th March:
Leyland National (TAE 638S) was on route 9 today. This is ex Trent 553. The Excel is alive & well and is the regular on the Bilborough College run! The MetroRider is in for repairs.

TM Travel

NEWS:

Thurs 17th March:
Leyland Olympian/ECW (SPY 206X) has been withdrawn. Another double decker has been acquired to replace it. More details on this soon. Another coach acquired is (J852 KHD), a Van Hool bodied DAF. Thanks Chris

Thurs 10th March:
Acquired from Dawson Rentals is Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointer S779RNE, painted white with T M Travel fleetnames. thanks Chris.

Trent Barton/notts+derby/Kinchbus

NEWS:

Sutton depot 25/3/05
R5 Excels 158 and 161 are stored here. 166 has gone! Blue 275 (ex X38) and Kinchbus minibus 821 are used as driver shuttles. In for repair were rainbow 3 Excel 240 (Y267 DRC) and Calverton Scania 630 (FJ03 VWW). Spare buses were Trent Barton Darts 898 and 902.

Langley Mill 25/3/05
The 6 minibuses (listed yesterday) are stored For Sale at the side. 272 is also stored. All Vectas on the list - 808-13/5 are still stored For Sale, as are rainbow 5 Excels 156/7, 168. 2 of the Quenns Drive P&R Excels were around, 152 in the yard and another in for repair.
Paladins stored are 126/9 and 136. 122/3 and 134 are still a mystery to me! Can anyone help?
Spare in the yard were Scania 637 and Dart 936. Kinchbus Dart 890 (driver trainer) was also there. H1 Solo 432, R3 Excel 250 and N+D Citybus (arriva livery) 738 were also there.
In for repair were were minibus 295m Kinch trainer Dart 889 and BC Excel 216. One of the P&R Excels and a Trent Barton Dart were also awaiting repair.

Derby depot (Meadow road) 25/3/05
Minibus 284 is now used by Notts + Derby. Names are applied on the Trent livery. Derwent Valley branding has been removed from the back. This has left the back of the bus in Trent Barton red.
Paladin 111 (L911 LRA) has been repainted into Notts + Derby livery. This follows its accident earlier in the year.
Not sure is 634 is the Spondon Flyer Scania that been missing, but if so it looked to be functional again today, although not back in service.

Thursday 24th March
More Excels Sold including 166! More details soon.
Mercedes minibuses for sale are: 47, 276, 287, 292, 293 and 823. All are stored at Langley Mill.
4 Vectas (thought to be 807/9/10 + 1 other) are now being donated to the Tsunami appeal along with 1 Mercedes minibus. None of the paladins are expected to go.
Three Optare Excels are reported to be sold. 157 is said to be one of them.
Excel 205 is now on loan to Sutton depot.
At the end of March, a new Midland General operation will start running services from Hucknall depot. The fleet will start with four Paladins and one Mercedes Vario (don't know which ones yet). I've heard the livery will be blue and white. Services will be competing with Dunn Line in the Mansfield area. Interesting times ahead here! (thanks Chris).
Dart 921 is back on the road. The problem cant have been as serious as first thought!
421 the ruddington connection solo is now back in use at Nottingham, after it was stolen and i assume damaged last month.
Darts 920 and 921 (R920/1 RAU) have sufered blown engines! new engines are needed.
More schools contracts have been won in Derby. The work will be took over by N+D (from Arriva) later in the year. it is rumoured that up to 6 Metrobuses may come from Travel West Midlands to cover this work.
Dart 899 (P411 BNR) is in the paintshops at Langley Mill. It has been painted tan brown and will be used on the Borrowash Flyer. It is also being refurbished inside.
Excels 220 to 224 (ex Rushcliffes), and 230 - 234 (ex Sutton route 45), have all gone to Unitec (related to Optare in some way!) for refurbishment.

NEW BUSES:
New Optare Tempos are numbered 301-6 (FD54 JXZ/YA/B/C/E/F). 301 to 305 are in green Bingham Xprss livery. 306 carries brown Radcliffe Line livery. All are based at Nottingham.
3 New Scania L94/Wright Solars are 665-7 (FH54 VRX/Y/Z). All three are based at Derby and carry Trent Barton livery.

BUSES SOLD/WITHDRAWN:
Excel 166 (S166 UAL) has gone! Sold to ?....
Vecta 805 sold to Bluebird (Manchester).
Excels 173 to 188 have departed for New Zealand.
Minibuses 41/2 (L811/2 CJF), and 819 (N819 RFP) have been sold to South Lancs Travel.

RECENT REPAINTS:
Paladin 111 (L911 LRA) is now in Notts + Derby livery.
Dart 899 (P411 BNR) has been painted "tan" brown (like the Radcliffe buses) and branded for the Borrowash Flyer.
Solos 415-8 (W415-8 YAL) and 420 (W471 RTO) have been repainted "tan" brown for the new Radcliffe Line.
Notts + Derby Leyland Olympian 717 (C717 LTO) carries Asda free bus branding.
Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) was delivered in rainbow 1 livery, but has now been painted in trent barton Red.

SIGHTINGS/UNUSUAL WORKINGS ETC:

Thurs 31st March:
Dart 912 (P912 CTO) was on the Rainbow 4.

Wed 30th March:
Frio Excel 199 was on the R63 to Ripley this morning. It was on the Mickleover later on though.
This afternoon Scania 665 was in the bus park at Derby with Mickleover blinds up (replaced by 199?), 666 on the Spondon Flyer and 667 on The Allestree.
Recently transfered minibus 284 was on N+Ds Pride Park Shuttle. I would have thought this would have been a better candidate for the PPS branding than number 40.
Excel 198 (V198 DRC) on Mickleover and Dart 918 on the 107. Thanks James.
Coach 62 was on the Red Arrow again.

Tues 29th March:
Frio Excel 201 (V201 ENU) was on the Rainbow 4 and Barton Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) was on Rainbow 5.
Trent Barton Coach 62 (R62 RAU) was on the Red Arrow.
There was a Trent buses Dart on the Mickleover this morning too.
James reports: Excel 198 (V198 DRC) on 107, and solos 447/8 (FE02 KDO/U) on Allestree.
Paul reports: scania 638 (FD53 WWK) on the Rainbow 1, Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) on R2, Dart 913 (P913 CTO) on R5 and solo 431 (X631 ERB) was on the Cotgrave Connection.
Scania 667 (FH54 VRZ) was on the Ilkeston Flyer. Thanks John.
Excels 205 and 253 were on the Rainbow 3.

Mon 28th March:
Paul reports: Excel 236 (X236 WRA) was on the Keyworth Connection, and zigzag solo 442 (FE02 KCZ) was on the Radcliffe Lines.

Fri 25th March:
James reports: Scania 666 on the 107.
Scania 638 and 639 were on the Black Cat route, with Trent Barton Solo 466 (ex Darley) on the H1. There was another TB solo on the 125 too. See the news section for depot visit notes!

Thurs 24th March:
Excel 198 was on the V3 early this morning. Frio Excel 199 was on the 107 again.
Unibus Dennis Lance 368 (N368 VRC) reported on driver training today.
Perry reports Dart (P902 CTO) on the Calverton Connection. It was on there on Wednesday too.

Tue 22nd March:
Paul reports: Excel 236 on the R5, Solo 442 on the Ruddington Connection and then on the Radcliffe Line.
Chris reports: Excels 198 and 199 on route 107! Scanias 637 on the BC and 665 on the Spondon Flyer.

Mon 21st March:
Scania 666 on the Mickleover and Kinch Merc 288 on the AL1.
Perry reports that Excel 252 (Y252 DRC) was used on the Calverton Connection all last week!! Dart 902 was on the Cotgrave Connection today.
Paul reports: Kinch Dart 893 on training. Dart 895 on the R3. There were other too, but i lost them! Sorry Paul.

Sat 19th March:
Thanks to Chris for the following. Scanias 637: BC, 638: 21 (Ilkeston - Notts), 664: H1. Excel 198 was on the R71 and Solo 448 on the R62. N+D Paladin 119 was parked up at Belper. The Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 is parked by the brook at Langley Mill.

Thurs 17th March:
Coach 62 was on the Red Arrow and 63 was on the Belper routes!
Frio Excel 199 was on route 107 to Ashbourne this afternoon.
Scania 637 was on the Black Cat.
Scanias: 665 on the Spondon Flyer, 666 on the Mickleover.
Chris reports: Dart 918 was used on route 107, but was then put on the Mickleover later on. ASDA branded Olympian 717 was on the 17 to Duffield.
Paul reports: Scania 639 on the R2, Solos 441/2 on the Radcliffe Lines, Frio Excel 201 on the R5 and Excel 252 on the R3.

Wed 16th March:
Coach 56 was on the transpeak.
Red Scania 665/7 were on the Mickleover with 666 on the Spondon Flyer.
Frio Excel 199 was on the Mickleover once again this morning, but was reported on the R64 later in the day!
Chris reports: Coach 62 on the Spondon Flyer, Excel 198 on the V2 and 236 on the R4.

Tue 15th March:
John reports Scania 667 on the Mickleover.
Paul reports: Dart 913 (P913 CTO) was on the R5 it was then used on the R4, Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) was on the R4, Scania 638 (FD53 WWK) was on the R2, Scania 639 (FD53 WWL) was on the R1, Solo 442 (FE02 KCZ) was on the Long Eaton Xprss, Excel 236 (X236 WRA) was on the R5, Solos 431 (X631 ERB) and 441 (FP51 GXV) on the Radcliffe Line, Volvo 62 (R62 RAU) was on the Red Arrow (i think 63 was on there as well).
The R4 Excel on tow yesterday was 257. Scania 637 is back at Nottingham depot, but still has the engine cover missing.

Mon 14th March:
Barton Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) was on the Rainbow 4.
Scania 665 was on the Spondon Flyer, 666 Mickleover, and 667 V2.
Other buses on the mickleover were Excels 198/9 and Solo 419.
Trent buses coach (still for sale) 56, was on the X38 this morning but on the TP this afternoon. It was replaced by Dart 925 on the X38. Branded 929 is on the pits. Solo 447 was on the Allestree.
Paul reports: Solo 441 (FP51 GXV) on the Cotgrave Connection!! Frio Excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Xprss, Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Lines, Trent buses Excel 252 (Y252 DRC) on the calverton Connection, and Scania 637 (FD53 WWJ) on the Rainbow 2.
A Rainbow 4 Excel (thought to be 257, not cert tho) was on tow.

Sat 12th March:
Paul reports: Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the XPRSS 252 (Y252 DRC) on the Calverton Connection.
Dart 913 (P913 CTO) was on the calverton connection.
And more unusally Commuter Express coach 58 (P58 ETO) was used on the NX 450 service to Mansfield from Nottingham.
Frio Excel 201 (V201 ENU) was on the 22 to Stathern.
62 (R62 RAU) was on the red arrow.

Fri 11th March:
Transpeak coach 61 was on a different route again today. It was in more familiar places on the R63.
Solo 448 (FE02 KDU) was also on the Belper" routes, noted on the XR6 this morning.
James reports: Solo 447 on RED allestree and Excel 198 on villager V1/3 duties.
Paul reports: Excel 252 was on the Calverton Connection and 253 was on the Cotgrave Connection.

Thurs 10th March:
John reports Frio Excel 199 on the Mickleover and Excel 198 on the Borrowash Flyer this morning. Branded Mercedes minibus 286 was back on the Borrowash Flyer later in the day.
Paul reports: Excel 236 (X236 WRA) on the R5, Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the R4 and Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) on the R2.
Dart 913 (P913 CTO) was on the R5 and later on the Rushcliffe Line. It was also used on the Xprss.

Wed 9th March:
Trent buses Excel 198 was on the Allestree RED route early this morning, but was on the Mickleover later in the day.
An odd working this afternoon was Transpeak coach 61 on the Red Arrow!
Frio Excel 199 was on the same R63 workings as yesterday, and coach 62 was on the R62 this afternoon. Coach 63 was on the Mickleover.
Noted on the AL1 Kinchbus service were Mercedes Vario 288 and Solo 436.
Paul reports: frio excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Xprss and solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line.

Tue 8th March:
In Derby Frio Excel 199 was on the R63, Scania 666 was ont he red Arrow and Solo 436 (Kinchbus) was on the AL1 (again!).
Notts + Derby Paladin 108 was on route 107 too.
Chris reports: An unusual working on the Allestree today was of Zig-Zag livered Solo 442, which is normally based at Nottingham. Dart 935 on the Black Cat and Scania 667 on the Spondon Flyer. Kinch Dart 894 (M406HFP) on driver training.
Paul reports: Excels 236 and 253 had switched places today, 236 on the R4 and 253 on the R5. Solos 431 on the Radcliffe Lines and 441 on the Ruddington Connection. Scania 639 on the R1.

Mon 7th March:
Solo 419 (W419 YAL) was on the R63.
Excel 198 (V198 DRC) was on thre Spondon Flyer, Kinchbus Solo 436 (FP51 GYE) on the AL1 and Barton Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the Rainbow 4.
Chris reports: Excel 198 on the Spondon Flyer today, Frio 199 on the X38, Notts and Derby Paladin 124 on the Allestree, Coach 56 on the TransPeak, 62 on the 107, Scanias 665 on the Mickleover and 667 on the Spondon Flyer.
Scania 666 has accident damage.
Paul reports: 236 (X236 WRA) on the Rainbow 5, 252 (Y252 DRC) on the Rainbow 3, Scania 637 on the Rainbow 2, Coach 63 (R63 RAU) on Red Arrow, and Solo 442 on the Radcliffe Line.

Sat 5th March:
Derby was more or less gridlocked this afternoon. The Red Arrow was also affected by something on the A52 as coaches were going via Ilkeston and Spondon and then hitting traffic in Derby - doubleing journey times! As a result extra buses were out on it in the form of N+D paladins and a commuter express coach.
This morning Paladin 131 (M131 PRA) was on the V2 and 124 (L124 LRA) was on the V1. A Trent Barton coach (62 i think) was on the 107 and a Kinchbus solo (436 again?) was on the AL1.
Solo 419 (W419 YAL) was on the Belper routes (R63). Darts 920 (R920 RAU) and 938 (S938 UAL) were both parked up at Meadow Road.
Paul reports: Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the Bingham Xprss Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Ruddington Connection Solo 441 (FP51 GXV) on the Radcliffe Line

Fri 4th March:
Kinchbus Solo 436 was on the AL1 again, as it has been on other occasions this week.
Frio Excel 201 was on the Bingham Xprss in Nottingham (thanks Paul).
James reports: Coach 62 was on 107, and similar 63 on red arrow, Scania 667 on blu spondon flyer and a trent barton solo on 125.

Thurs 3rd March:
Barton Excel 253 was on the Rainbow 4.
Chris reports: Dart 934 on the 125 today, Frio Excel 199 on the Mickleover, Notts and Derby Paladin 110 (Trent livery) on Unibus route 6 and coach 63 on the Red Arrow.
Paul reports: Excel 153 (P153 CTV) on training, Frio 201 (V201 ENU) on the Bingham xprss, 236 (X236 WRA) on the cotgrave connection and scanias 637 (FD53 WWJ) on the rainbow 1 and 638 (FD53 WWL) on the rainbow 2. Dart 914 (P914 CTO) was on the rainbow 5 too.

Wed 2nd March:
Commuter Express coach 57 was reported on the Bingham Xprss.
Chris reports: TransPeak coach 59 and Dart 922 on the Mickleover, coaches 62 and 63 both on the Red Arrow and Scanias 666 and 667 on the Spondon Flyer.

Tue 1st March:
Chris reports Plenty of odd workings today: Volvo coach 63 on the 107, Scanias 637 on the Black Cat and 666 on the Spondon Flyer, Frio Excels 199 on the Mickleover and 201 on the R4, Darts 921 and 922 on the Mickleover, Solos 447 on the Allestree and 449 on the H1.
Paul reports: Excel 252 (Y252 DRC) on the Calverton Connection, Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the Radcliffe Line (on the Rainbow 5 in Derby though at 5pm) and scania 664 (FN54 AEC) on the Rainbow 1.
James reports coach 62 (R62 RAU) on the Red Arrow.

Mon 28th Feb:
trent barton Volvo Coach 63 (R63 RAU) was on the Red Arrow.
Optare Excels have been appearing on route 107 lately. 198 (V198 DRC) was on there today.
Chris reports: Scania 667 (FH54 VRZ) on the Spondon Flyer today and coach 56 (P56 ETO) on the Transpeak.
Paul reports: Solo 442 (FE02 KCZ) on the Ruddington Connection, Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the R4, Frio Excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Cotgrave Connection, Excel 153 (P153 CTV) on training, and solo 431 (X631 ERB) was on the Radcliffle Lines.
Scania 636 is still at the scania dealship in Nottingham.

Sat 26th Feb:
Excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Rainbow 5, barton 253 (Y253 DRC) on the Cotgrave Connection, Volvo B10B/Paladin 118 (L118 LRA) on the Bingham xprss - in place of 302 which has a cracked windscreen. Solo 442 (FE02 KCZ) on the Ruddington Connection.
Scania 619 has had quite a bad accident, and Excel 236 is also off the road.
In Derby, extra buses were put on the Red Arrow for the Derby vs Forest game which was a 2:2 draw. Aswell as trent Barton liveried 62/3 being on the route the 2 Commuter Express Coaches were drafted in from Nottingham.
Scania 639 was on route Black cat and the Spondon Flyer had 2 of the new Trent Barton Scanias on the route.
some photos from today are now on the fotopic site

Previous News
(Jan/Feb 05 news will be on there soon!!)