Saturday 28 April 2012

Lets count to 100, Post 97 - Odds & Obs In Central London 28/04/12 By George & Naeem

Today after our C2 finished in Berkley Square we decided to continue on foot to Victoria. After exploring Berkley Square we headed down towards Park Lane. We then came up to Grovesnor Square where we spotted a 16 blinded for Marble Arch race round the square. We then realised the buses were being diverted off Park lane due to the cyclist demonstration. After we headed towards Marble Arch where we took some more photos with many odd observations.
Here are our pics from today.


82 Metroline (PB) TPL289 LR02 BCV Grovesenor square
Note: this bus was curtailed an on diversion back to marble arch

36 London Central (NX) PVL419 LX54 GZZ Park Lane Dorchester Hotel

23 First Centrewest (X) VN37958 BN61 MXC Marble Arch

9516 SN59 AWG Marble Arch/Park Lane Blinded for Rail Replacement

390 Metroline (HT) VPL155 X655 LLX Marble Arch

159 Arriva London South (BN) VLA167 LJ55 BVV Marble Arch
Curtailed to Marble Arch


36 London Central (NX) WVL296 LK59 CZO Marble Arch
Note: This bus is from route: 21 and it has been Curtailed to Paddington

31 (AS) TNA33377 LK53 EYW Kilburn Park
Note: these buses are being withdrawn for
 preparation to be used on Olympic routes,
so if you want a ride on one you better be quick!

A Blocked off Park Lane which is normally busy with traffic!

A Blocked off Park Lane which is normally busy with traffic! 

Lets count to 100: Post 96 - First Day of First London Operating Route: 206 - By Lawrence

Following our post yesterday, Metroline were unfortunate enough to lose route 206, and instead was handed over to First London. Today, Saturday 28th April, saw the change of operator with Brand New Alexander Dennis E20D's operating the route.

First London's new DMV in service on route 206

These new buses are operated from Willesden Junction garage which also run routes 18, 187, 226 and 228. Although the buses may be similar, they have a major difference. They are a little bit longer - the older vehicles - the DML's are 10.2m whilst these are 10.8 and re-named DMV's and accommodate an extra row of seats.
First London: Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 - YX12 APK - DMV44312 at Willesden Green Library
First London: Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 - YX12 AZG - DMV44306 at Willesden Green Library
I'd love to see these buses on route 226, however, I think it'll only be used in the rarest of circumstances. In conclusion, these buses are a great addition to the fleet, and is operated to the highest of Standards.

 
If you didn't read our previous post, simply click below for more information about the route!
Feel free to Comment & Rate!

Lets count to 100: Post 95 - Route C2 to Abellio - By Lawrence, George & Naeem

Today saw route C2 pass from Metroline to Abellio London which are currently running the route from their Battersea Garage (QB) using 10.25m Alexander Dennis E40Ds on the Dennis Trident 2 chassis.

Overall impressions of the service today were mixed, for starters the route was curtailed to Berkley Square today due to a protest occurring on Park Lane and Hyde Park Corner. All buses in the surrounding area were either curtailed or diverted.
Abellio have not included the destination Berkley Square on the blind reel which is quite strange due to that it is a common curtailment for the route, so for now Abellio will be displaying "Oxford Circus" for when the route is curtailed to Berkley Square.

C2  - Abellio London (QB) 9526 - SN12 AAY at Parliament Hill Fields

C2 - SN12 ADO - 9543 overtakes SN12 AAY - 9526 at Berkley Square














Brief History of the Route:

The C2 was introduced as a "Camden Hoppa" bus route in March 1987. It was created to supplement the previous 53 routing from Parliament Hill Fields and Oxford Circus which was withdrawn in April 1987.

The route was operated by London Country North West (LCNW) using leased Optare Citypacer bodied Volkswagen LT55s from London Regional Transport's Muswell Hill garage.
In 1988, LNCW surrendered the route leaving London Buses to work the route from their Victoria Garage using the leased Citypacers. The route continued service with London Buses untill 1994, when the route was awarded to London Northern from their Holloway Garage using Opatre Starrider bodied Mercedes Bens 811Ds. However, this was not to last long as London Northern later purchased some Northern Counties Paladin bodied Darts (DNLs) with a special "Camden Link" livery applied to them.
C2 London Northern DNL102 L102 HHV Parliment Hill Fields (C) Peter Horrex

In 1998 after Metroline had acquired MTL London Northern, they immediately swapped the Darts for some 9.9m Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident 2s (TPs T&V Reg Batch).

In 1999, the route was a fully double deck operation. It was from this point that route C2, was run from Parliament Hill Fields to Oxford Circus via Camden Town.

On the 14th of April 2007, the C2 was converted to a 24 hour operation, in which the C2 became the first prefixed route to have a night service. Furthermore in June 2009, the C2 was extended to Victoria via Green Park and Hyde Park Corner resulting in the withdrawing a section of the route 8.
C2 Metroline (HT) -  T105 CLO - TP5 at Parliament Hill Fields
More shots from the day:
C2 Abellio London (QB) 9526 SN12 AAY

C2 Abellio London (QB) 9541 SN12 ACY

C2 Abellio London (QB) 9526 SN12 AAY Parliament Hill Fields

C2 Abellio London (QB) 9541 SN12 ACY Parliament Hill Fields

Note: Today, one of three hybrids could be found on the route, incluing 2429.

Abellio London: Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrid - SN61 CYL - 2429 makes apperance on C2

Thank you for reading this post.
Feel free to Comment & Rate Below!

Lets count to 100: Post 94 - Just a Picture Part 6 28/04/12 By Naeem

While not exactly a bus, I was waiting for a train towards Gospel Oak, this arrived at the other platform. It's a London Overground Class 172 heading towards Barking. Unlike the other Overground trains, these have normal seating like other mainline trains. However they do sound a lot like buses especially E400's.

172 008 Heading towards Barking.

Monday 23 April 2012

Just a Picture By George

Today whilst in Brent Cross I observed 8508 working on the 112.
This is not so much an odd working these days but although this is not allocated to the route an E200 makes an appearance on the 112 Frequently throughout the week which makes a nice change to the Canteno Nimbuses Allocated to the 112.
So here it is 8508 on the 112
112 Abellio London (WS) 8508 LJ08 CZR Brent Cross Shopping Centre

Sunday 22 April 2012

Lets count to 100: Post 92 Route 460 Wilesden Bus Garage - North Finchley Route Visual


The Route 460 Runs Between Wilesden Bus Garage and North Finchley Via Golders Green  it is run by Metroline from Wilesden Bus Garage (AC) with a PVR of 11 the whole journey takes roughly 40 minutes

Lets count to 100: Post 91 The Streetlite Finally! By George



After an Unsucessful attempt at trying to catch a glimpse of the Wright Streetlite Metroline currently have we recived word that it had been moved to Metroline's Potters Bar Garage so we notifid them and went up to see the bus.

Before I start I would like to thank the staff at PB letting me onto the premises with such short notice.


DRZ9420  Wrightbus Streetlite seen at Metroline's Potters Bar  Garage
This Bus is installed with a Wayfarer machine, Buses Roundel,
High Back Lazzerini seats,Irish Registration bus includes no Blinds



Intially reports suggested that the bus was going to be put on Route: 316 which runs between Cricklwood Bus Garage and White City but as this moved to PB they soon changed to it being trialed out on route 234 which runs between Barnet The Spires and Highgate Woods, But after some ponder Metroline have concluded that the streetlite is too wide for the tight turns the 234 endures every day.

So the future decisions of the streetlite is still to be confirmed, In  My opinion I dont think that Metroline will order the bus but what can I say that could all change.

Other Shots From the Day:
Interior of DRZ9420
 Seen below is TPL296 LR02 BDU  which was involved in a fire on route 82 on the 15th of October 2011, the bus engulfed in flames destroying the engine and the rear of the bus.
TPL296 LR02 BDU 
It was written off for scrap but it is used for spare parts at the moment as some parts are salvageable for use on the current TPLs.

 
Add caption

TPL296 LR02 BDU Rear Of the Bus 



TPL296 LR02 BDU Inside of the bus

Saturday 21 April 2012

Lets count to 100: Post 90 A Visit to Cricklwood Garage on 21st April 2012 Part 2 By George

Only 10 more to go before the Big 100 So watch this space we have something special lined up!
Note This Post Contains References From Wikipedia.
Today I Visited Metroline's Cricklewood Garage (W) the main purpose for this visit was to gain shots and information about the Wright Streetlite Metroline are currently holding in their facilities.
Initially the bus was based at W so thats why we prearranged the visit but when we arrived it was clear that this bus had moved elsewhere so as we had planned this visit for a long period of time so once we had signed in and been Health and Saftey briefed we were free to take shots of the Garage.

NOTE: This Was a PRE ARRANGED VISIT as we had contacted the Metroline staff prior to entering the garage and also we had HI-Visibility jackets on to comply with the Health and Safety Code

A Breif History of the Garage can be found below:
This garage opened for service in May 1905 and was originally called Dollis Hill, It was the first motorized depot used by the LGOC and is one of London's oldest bus garages. In 2007 bus parking was temporarily relocated to a site on the opposite side of Edgware Road to allow work to commence on the replacement of the original garage buildings with a modern structure. This will provide better maintenance facilities, and improved staff and office accommodation. In January 2009 bus parking transferred back to the main site.
The Garage has roughly 170 buses and it runs routes  1632210316332C11,139,189,266 school routes 632 and 643

To break the ice I thought that I would include a few shots of the General views of the yard, please note that we visited early Saturday morning so most of the buses were out today but enjoy what we have to offer you guys.








16 Metroline (W) TEH 1222 LK61 BJZ Cricklewood Bus Garage
Now i will be focusing on what was on offer today so please enjoy.
TE837 LK57 AXS 

TA74 T74 KLD

189 Metroline (W) TEH1079 LK60 AFA Cricklewood Bus Garage

316 MEtrolien (W) DE1027 LK59 AVP Cricklewoos Bus Garage

16 Metroline (W) TEH1235 LK12 BKZ Cricklewood Bus Garage

16 Metroline (W) TEH919 LK58 CPV Cricklewood Bus Garage

32 Metroline (W) TA73 T43 KLD Cricklewood Bus Garage

TAL121 X337 HLL Blinded for the 266

DLD206 LN51 KXM Used for Driver Training

16 Metroline (W) TEH1228 LK61 BKJ Cricklwood Bus Garage

TEH918 LK58 CPU Blinded for the 16

DE1129 LK10 BYV 

TE881 LK08 DXS Blinded for the 210

TAL133 X339 HLL
NOTE: this bus has been decomissoned as it has no blinds and
wayfarer machines

TAL133 X339 HLL
NOTE: this bus has been decomissoned as it has no blinds and
wayfarer machines

143 Metroline DE866 LK08 DWX
NOTE: this bus is here for maintenance

TE977 LK59 DZA Blinded for the 460 to North Finchley
In my opinion TEs suit the 460 but as they way it stands the
 460 is not due new buses for a long time so we will just have to endure a
few more years with the VPs

Does the 460 go to marble arch?


TE989 LK59 DZO Blinded for the 332 to Finsbury Park

TE886 LK08 DXY Blinded for the 210 to Brent Cross in for maintenance




Before I end this post I would like to give a massive thanks to the staff at W as they were friendly and welcomed us as Enthusiasts.
Thanks For Reading