Fleet News

Bus Fleet News

February 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
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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.

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Bowers Coaches

NEWS

Bowers' 609 (YJ53 VEA) a VDL Bus SB120/Wright Cadet B39F has lost its obsolete blue/yellow Cheshire Bus livery in favour of Cheshire East Council's silver/green 'Connect' colours. 612 (YJ04 BZD) was repainted in January leaving only 610 (YJ53 VEB) of the trio left to be treated.
(C) Nick Mannion

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)

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

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D & G

NEWS & Sightings
18th Feb

Optare Tempo (MX06 ADV) has arrived here, and has been branded for the 118 "Buxton Flyer" service which links Hanley, Leek and Buxton.
(C) Ian Moorcroft

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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Minibus (L27 LSG) has been withdrawn, and Vecta 801 appears to have been put into reserve (still taxed but not been used for weeks).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

One service is 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.

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G&J Holmes

NEWS
February 12th
A brand new Volvo B7R is due in March. Thanks Andy.

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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
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Littles Travel

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
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Midland Classic

NEWS

12th February
Darts 53 (V400 CBC), 54 (V700 CBC), and 55 (R505 SJM) have moved on to Centrebus, following the arrival of the 3 new Volvos. 53 and 55 have been repainted and are in use with Huddersfield Bus Company.
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.

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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.

February 12th:
Darts 921/3 9R921/3 RAU) are now in service.
Excels 1126 (P505 OUG), 1134 (R379 DJN), 1136 (R213 DKG), 1140 (V389 KVY) are now withdrawn, stored at trents Langley Mill garage.
Solo 1159 (YL02 FKW) is currently off the road. Solo 1148 (W295 EYG) remains long term sick, withdrawn at Halfway.

923 seen here in Chesterfield with TM Travel. The vehicle was based at Belper when with Trent, and more recently with Kinchbus.
(C) John Milnes

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.

February 25th:
7 new Solos are on order. 6 are for Nottinghams Radcliffe Line service. The 7th is for a new "DASH" service in Burton, which is a funded service linking the town with the Centrum 100 business park.

February 18th:

Bingham Xprss Optare Tempo 304 is the first to be refurbished with leather seats etc, and also be re-painted in a modified livery. 304 is seen here leaving Nottingham.
(C) L H Transport Photos

Former Skyline (Buxton) Excel has been repainted in trent barton livery. 261 is on loan to Nottingham whilst the Bingham Xprss Tempos are being refurbished. No other Excels are based at Manvers St.
(C) L H Transport Photos

February 12th:
The Bingham Xprss Optare Tempos are to be fitted with leather seating. Brand new Solos are expected for the Radcliffe Line services this spring.
Former Skyline Excel 261 has been repainted into trent barton red livery. It is currently based at Nottingham.

Former Mickleover Excels 222/3, and 231/2 should soon be back in Derby. They are to be painted in Unibus livery for use on notts+derbys unibus 6 route.
Excels 258/9 are to be painted for notts+derbys Derby College Shuttle. Former Cotgrave Excels 214/5 may also be going to N+D.
Excels 260/2/3 are expected to go to Sutton Junction to replace Darts.

264 is expected to be painted for the ONE service (Derby - Ashbourne), which is likely to see an increased frequency later this year.

TM travel Excels 1126 (P505 OUG), 1134 (R379 DJN), 1136 (R213 DKG), 1140 (V389 KVY) are now stored For Sale at Langley Mill. They join short Excel 900, and Dove Holes 928 and 932, amongst others. Excels 199/152 and 213 remain stored, For Sale at Hucknall, and a number of Darts are still stored at Kinchbus in Loughborough.

The Derby Shopper Hopper service is to be withdrawn from 13th March.

February 7th:
5 new Scania Irizar coaches are expected in July. The 5 new coaches are for use on the red arrow service, alongside the current vehicles. The frequency of the service is expected to be increased to every 10 minutes between Derby and Nottingham and every 30 mins to Ripley, Alfreton and Chesterfield this summer.

Darts 904, 928 and 939 are thought to be the latest Darts to be withdrawn. 932 has been on loan to notts+derby.

Paul S Winson have re-registered Dart 925 (R925 RAU) to (R80 PSW).

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

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Yourbus, Nottingham

NEWS
18th Feb:
8 low floor Wright Bodied Scania N113 (ex Arriva?) are expected here for route 36 (Nottingham - Beeston - Chilwell). The route starts on Monday 22nd February, but services will be running free on Friday 19th February as a pre-launch special.

The 6 buses to arrive so far are:
3101 (RDZ 1708)
3102 (RDZ 1709)
3103 (RDZ 1710)
3104 (RDZ 1712)
3105 (RDZ 1714) 3106 (RDZ 1711) - plain yourbus magenta

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

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