The Derby Bus Depot

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Fleet News

Merry xmas & happy new year

December 2006

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

Mon 18th December:
The 3 National Express coaches at Derby have been re-numbered - they are now 3250/1/2. Thanks Richard.

Mon 11th December:
Fleetline 4311 (MTV 311W) is for sale by its current owner, Horrocks. It is listed on ebay and can be seen by clicking HERE
Citybus 4342 (B142 GAU) has had a full repaint into Arriva livery!

Sightings:
Fri 29th:
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.

Sat 23rd:
Excel 2998 on the 109 to Ashbourne.
Chellaston Dart 2231 on the 44.

Thurs 21st:
Dart 2237 on the 22 and MPD 2217 on the Chellaston services.
DAF 4737 on the 37, and later on route 68.
Dart 2235 on the 45.
Ian reports Dart 2090 on the 38 and Olympian 4665 on the Chellaston routes.

Wed 20th:
There was a DAF decker on one of the Chellaston school runs this morning for some reason.
Olympian 4666 on the 22, Dart 2226 on the 24 and a Volvo B10BLE on the 26.
MPD's 2218 and 2223 on the Chellaston routes, with East lancs Dart 2195 on the 36 as a result.

Tue 19th:
Chellaston Dart 2235 on the 109 to Ashbourne.
MPD 2224 & Olympian 4665 on Chellaston routes.
Volvo Saloons 3604/5 (one on 22 other on 24) and Dart 2229 (route 26) on Oakwood routes.
Chris reports DAF 4737 on route 41.

Mon 18th:
Dart 2226 on the 22, and another Dart on the 26.
Ian reports Citybus 4326 on the 45.

Sat 16th:
DAF 4736 broke down on Nottingham Road whilst on the 26. It was back in service later that day though.

Fri 15th:
Darts 2226/7 on Oakwoods along with 3605. DAF 4745 had a faulty blind (destination was in between two, and had 37 on the front - was on the 22).
Olympian 4629 was on the 22 in the evening too (on the Chellaston routes earlier in the day).
Chris reports Olympians 4629, 4666, Citybus 4335, and DAF 4737 on the Chellaston routes at some point.
Citybus 4330 on the 44. Thanks Richard.

Thurs 14th:
Citybus 4342 on route 22!! Thanks Richard.
MPD's out on full size bus routes today. 2217 60's, 2218 on the 38, 2222 on 45, 2223 on 60's, 2224 on the 37. Citybus 4335 on the 68 again along with Olympian 4642!
2226 & 3605 on the 24.
Darts 2198 & 2089 on the 36,

Wed 13th:
Citybus 4335 on the 68A to Melbourne, MPD 2218 on the 60.
2226 and 3605 on the 26. 3604 on the 22.

Tue 12th:
Citybus 4334 replaced 4326 on the 44! Thanks Richard. MPD 2217 on the 22, and 3604 & !! 4393 on route 60! Thanks Chris.
Dart 2234 on the 26, 2237 on the 20 & 3605 on 22.

Mon 11th:
Citybuses 4335, and 4320 on the 44 to Alvaston. 4335 also did a 68 to Melbourne. Thanks Richard.
Pride Park & Ride Dart 2215 was on route 19, and dart 2228 was on the 26.
Repainted Citybus 4342 was out on the 37. Thanks Richard.

Sat 9th:
Olympian 4627 & Volvo B10BLE 3604 on the 26.
Olmpian 4625 and Darts 2238 (and another one) on the 22, 2252 on 24. Two DAF's later repalced the Olympians.
Excel 2998 on the 111 PP&R, 2999 on Chellaston routes along with an MPD.

Fri 8th:
Olympian 4631, 4665 and Citybuses 4331/3 all made appearances on the 68 to Melbourne, and 4666 was on the 61 aswell! Thanks Richard.

Thurs 7th:
Dart 2090 on route 45!! 2237 on the 19 then PP&R 111. Thanks Richard.
Dart 2235 on the 26 (after a DAF breakdown) amd Excel 2998 on the 68 to Melbourne. 4631 on the 38. Thanks Chris.

Weds 6th:
3604 on the 24, and 3605 on 22. Thanks Chris.

Tue 5th:
Olympian 4665 on the 111 Pride Park & Ride!! Thanks Chris.
Citybuses 4328 and 4332 on the 44. Thanks Richard.

Mon 4th:
Excel 2999 and Citybus 4325 on the 68 to Melbourne.
Citybus 4321 and 4333 on the 44/45 Alvaston routes.
3505 on the 24, Dart 2236 on the 26.

Fri 1st Dec:
Dart 2198 on route 38, and Olympian 4641 broke down twice during the day, being replaced by 4336 on the 45 at about 1pm. It then broke down on the Morledge at about 5ish.
Citybus 4349 on the 68, 4327 on the 61, and rocket 4324 on the 26 (after a lorry crashed into a DAF). 3605 replaced it later.
Chellaston Dart 2233 on route 20.

Bowers

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

Doyles

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

Felix

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

Glovers

News:
Sat 25th November:
Dart (AIG 4698) is now in the standard livery.

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:
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.

Mon 11th Dec:
The Optare Excel is currently away at Optares for a new gearbox, after breaking down last Friday in Sheffield. thanks Ian.

Mon 4th Dec:
Click the link below to see a fantastic photo of Solo number 10 (MX56 ACF), on route 64 at Woolley Moor. (C) Ian Moorcroft.
Click HERE to see the photo.

Johnson Bros tours/Redferns Travel

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

Sat 2nd December:
Olympian (C661 LJR) is now painted green. Thanks Chris.

Littles Travel

News:
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.

Mon 11th December:
The Metrovan was out on route 9 today.

Midland Classic

News:
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!!

Sat 2nd December:
Minibus (L613 LVX) has left the fleet, and Olympian (C184 YBA) is likely to go now that the Titan has returned.
A third Dart may be joining the fleet!
A Sunday service is expected to be run on route 21 in the run up to Christmas.

TM Travel

News:
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).

Mon 4th Dec:
A third Centro is due here, expected in service on 1st March (so an 07).

Sat 2nd Dec:
DAF SB220/Optare Delta (RIB 7017), and DAF coach (1294 RU) have both been withdrawn. They have been sold to Arriva Bus and Coach (dealer).
Acquired is another coach, (Y1 WCT), a Volvo B10/Van Hool that has come from West Midlands operator Wicksons, Brownhills.
Varios (R933 AMB) and Route 46 branded (Y161 HWJ) have been repainted all red.

Wellglade

News:
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).

Fri 15th Dec:
Excel 900 is to be painted into trent barton livery. it is currently in the paintshops at Langley Mill. Frio Excel 199 is on loan to Dove Holes whilst 900 is way.
Solo 448 has been repainted into trent barton livery - on the V1 today.
Solo 457 has re-appeared in trent barton livery. On the H1 today. It has also been refurbished.
202 got stuck in Mickleover the other day on route 35, due to badly parked cars.
Allestree Solo 460 was towed to Langley Mill yesterday.
Excel 189 has gone to Konectbus, where it joins others from the fleet. It will replace their last Leyland National, which is also ex Trent.
Solo 405 has returned to Sutton after repaint into trent barton livery. Derby's 448 is away for repaint.

Mon 11th Dec:
Red Arrow coach 66 was involved in a fatal accident with a pedestrian on Saturday night in Derby. It is currently being held at Burrows yard in Borrowash.

Mon 4th Dec:
The last Trent buses liveried Dart, 931, has gone for repaint.
The other spare Derby based Solo - 448 has gone for a repaint. No refurbishment expected, as is the case with all spares.
Click this link to see a photo of former Kinchbus Titan 770 (WYV 51T) in Perth, Western Australia. Photo (C) Carl.
Former Kinch Excel 150 (P202 BNR) is now with Caorosel Buses.

Sat 2nd Dec:
Notts + Derby Excel 152 needs a new gear box. It has been towed to Langley Mill.
Solo 447 is back at Meadow Rd in trent barton livery. Dart 933 is also now based at Meadow Rd.
Kinchbus Titan 770 (WYV 51T) has turned up in a dealers yard in Perth - in Western Australia!!
Ilkeston Flyer Dart 926 is back in service.

Sightings:
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.

Sat 23rd:
Asda Paladin 117 on the D1 Park & Ride.
665 on SF, 935 TP, 664 BC and 253 on the R3b.
Local Bus Paladin 127 has been off this week for its MOT. Deputising this week has been 115 on Tuesday, 111 on the Melbourne S6 on Wednesday, 120 (with the very noisy brakes!) did Thursday and we had 128 on Friday. We also used Unibus 367 on the S8 Calverton service on Friday. Thanks Jamie.

Fri 22nd:
College Excel 161 on the 73. Thanks Chris.
Dart 933 on "the ONE".
A Dart and 665 on SF, 667 on the sixes.

Thurs 21st:
Former AL minibus 290 on the X17 to Borrowash.
Dart 935 on the Red Arrow Extras.
Scania 665 on SF, 666 R4, 667 on sixes 6.1/4/X (with R62 on back!!).

Wed 20th:
Solo 447 on the short 6.1 sixes duties at Matlock, and 448 on the Allestree.
Excel 234 replaced 224 on the Mickleover. Thanks Chris.
Dart 937 remains at Derby, on Spondon Flyer, 930 on the V1 and 933 on "the ONE".
Unibus Lance 364 on route 17A, and Arriva liveried Citybus 739 on route 70.
Kinchbus Dart 899 on the Airline Shuttle. 917 is off for accident repairs, after it skided last weekend.
Perry reports: Excel 253 on Calverton Connection and Scania 668 on R4.
639 on the R1, Solo 466 on Route 15, darts 915/6, Solo 431, and Scania 636 on the 18. 666 on the Cotgrave Connection.

Tue 19th:
N+D Dart 892 on the Hospital Hopper route. Thanks Chris.
Dart 937 on loan to Derby - and in use on the Red Arrow!
Excel 233 and Scania 665 on the Spondon Flyer.
Dart 933 on the Ilkeston Flyer again today, 930 on the V2, Dart 934 on the BC, and Scania 667 on the sixes 6.1/4/X.
Solos 402 on the nines, 447 on Allestree.
Paladin 123 on the Derby College Shuttle. Kinch Dart 897 on the AL.

Mon 18th:
Coach 62 did at least one trip on "the one" to Ashbourne. It was later replaced by Dart 935 (off Allestree).
Solos 447, 448 and Dart 935 on the Allestree, and Scania 638 on the Black Cat, and 233 on Red Arrow.
Solo 436 & Dart 897 on the Airline Shuttle.
Former Airline Shuttle minibus 290 in Derby, on N+D route 17 and Unibus Lance 366 on the Derby College Shuttle. Paladin 115 on Unibus route 6. Thanks Chris.
Dart 930 & Excel 234 on Mickleover. Solos 401/4 on the nines. 667 on the sixes 6.2, and Dart 933 on the IF.

Sun 17th:
Unibus Paladin 104, on the Manchester bound transpeak once again today. Excel 157 was also took off with an exhaust problems at lunch time. Thanks Duncan.

Sat 16th:
Dart 933 on the 6.3 to Ripley, and Scania 667 on the Red Arrow.
Excel 233 on "the ONE" in place of 266.

Fri 15th:
Repainted Solos 448 on the Villager V1, 457 on H1.
Dart 933 on "the sixes". 935 on the 71 to Belper, before being replaced by 938.
Excel 233 on the RA again, with 234 on Mickleover.
Scania 636 on the R4.
Arriva liveried Citybus 739 on N+D route 70.

Thurs 14th:
Scania 665 on the sixes 6.1/4/X, covering for 684 which was in Meadow Rd along with spare 667.
Dart 935 on the Mickleover.
Coach 62 on the TP.
Excel 233 on the RA, and Dart 933 on the "extra bus" working.

Wed 13th:
Dart 933 and Solo 447 on the Allestree. Branded Solo 460 broke down on Derwent St and was towed back to Meadow Rd.
Coach 62 and Scania 667 were on the Red Arrow. 63 broke down in Ripley and was driven back to Derby in a cloud of smoke.
Excels 233/4 on Mickleover in the afternoon.
John reports 636 on the R4.
Paladin 109 on the D1 (202 on the 35?).

Tue 12th:
Scania 665 on Allestree, later repalced by Solo 447.
Frio Excel 199 on the RA!
Dart 933 on Allestree, 935 on TP.
N+D Dart 892 on X17. Thanks to Chris for todays sightings.
John reports 233 on Mickleover, 63 on RA.

Mon 11th:
Excel 233 and Dart 933 on the Mickleover, Solo 447 on Allestree.
Coaches 62 and 63 on the Red Arrow. Scania 669 on the R5.
2 Darts on the Black Cat (10:30 and 13:30 ex Derby). Can't really remember the numbers, but think the later one was 934!?

Thurs 7th:
Dart 930, 933 & Scania 665 on Allestree.
636 on R4, 62 on RA.
367 on the D1 again, 234 on Mickleover.

Wed 6th:
Dart 930 on Allestree, 933 on TP.
367 on the D1 P&R, with 202 on route 35.
252 on Pronto, 233 on Mickleover.

Tue 5th:
X17 Vario 299 broke down in Borrowash this morning. Thanks Chris.
Paladin 115 on the Asda free bus. 369 on the D1.
62 on RA, and both Scanias 665, 667 and Excels 233/4 on Mickleover. Thanks Chris.
Dart 930 on the Allestree along with spare solo 447.
127 on the college shuttle again, and Scania 636 on the R4.
Excel 252 on 241, Excel 253 on Pronto, Solo 403 on 141, 404 on 9.3. Thanks Dan.

Mon 4th:
62 on RA, 234 on Mickleover. 930 on Allestree.
Dart 933 broke down on the extra RA bus. 667 was later out on these duties.
Unibus Lance 368 on the D1 P&R, whilst P&R branded Excel 202 was covering for 152 on the 35 & later 17A.
Local bus Paladin 127 on the Derby College Shuttle. Thanks Chris.
Coach 63 and Unibus Paladin 104 remain on the Manchester Transpeak workings. Thanks Peter.

Sun 3rd:
Coach 63 and Unibus Paladin 104 on the Manchester Transpeak. Solo 447 on the short journeys to Buxton.

Sat 2nd Dec:
Coach 62 and Excel 234 and Scania 667 on the Red Arrow. 63 on TP.
Excel 252 on the Rainbow 3b, 253 on Pronto, N_D Vario 297 on the 145 in place of 286. Thanks Chris.
Solo 425 on the H1 and Scanias 637 & 638 on BC.
Perry reports: Scania 668 - Rainbow 5.
Excel 233 - The Mickleover.
Dart 901 - the nines "9.2", 904 on the 90, 895 - 241, 906 & 401 - 141, 930 - Harlequin? (parked up at Meadow Rd with Heatherton on the blind).
Solo 431 - 18 displaying "Barton", 447 - Allestree.
Asda Paladin 117 - X17, Merc 271 - X17, 122 - 73.
161 and 111 - D1,

Fri 1st Dec:
Excel 157 replaced 158! Frio Excel 199 also on the TP.
Dart 930 and Scania 665 on Mickleover.
Dart 933 on extra RA duties once again.

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