First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Volvo Olympian 4603 is another of it's batch to transfer to Thurmaston from Wigston.
* More buses to come to Fox County from Derby are Scania L113 2191 - N431XRC which is thought to be at Market Harborough (possibly a replacement for the greenway) and Volvo Olympian 4669 - P169BTV which is at Thurmaston.
* The New 301 service will run from Beaumont Leys to Fosse Park (via Glenfield Hospital, New Parks Braunstone Frith and Rowley Fields) and will use buses provided from Southgates.
* An unidentified DAF from Wigston depot recieved front off side damage in the last week of the year after being hit by a new type Mini the driver of which appeared to not notice the 15ft by 8ft bus whilst doing a three point turn out of a traffic jam in Abbey Street.
* Volvo Citybus 4355 has returned from Derby and has re-joined 4354 at Wigston, East Lancs bodied 4321 has also been noted working in and around Wigston.
* Leyland Tiger 3022 has been sold and was significant in that it was the last surviving vehicle in the fleet that came with the takeover of numerous small coach companies in the early 90's. It was also unusual in that it never aquired a "personalised" registration despite being used on Private Hire's, School contracts etc for nearly all of its career here. It has not moved far and is now with Spencers of Fleckney.
* More Vario's to bite the dust recently are 1114 & 1117 which have been replaced at Coalville by 1150 & 1157 which have moved from Thurmaston.
* The East Midlands Airport shuttle buses are going to be supplied by Dunn-Line from January 2003 which should see the three M-B Varios currently used returning to normal service.
* Quicksilver Dart's 2202 & 2203 have had their tinted blue/green destination Blinds replaced with normal dayglo type, no doubt in preperation for their transfer into normal service when they are replaced by Wright bodied DAF's.
* Olympian 4528 has transferred from Coalville to Thurmaston.
* 2177 & 2178 Are two more Scania Saloons that have arrived at Coalville from Thurmaston.
* Scania saloon 2176 has become the second of the type to appear at Coalville though still carries X1/2 Branding.
* Derby Scania K93 2187 has joined the Training fleet at Southgates.
* Minibus 1123 which was caught up in the Wigston Depot Fire is now back at work following a repaint.
* More Darts To Arrive are 2047 - P847PWW & 2048 - P848PWW At Southgates and 2054 - P854PWW at Thurmaston.
* Two more DAF Lowlanders delivered to Wigston are 4740 - PN52XRR & 4741 - PN52XRS.
Arriva Derby.
* The DAF's delivered so far are 4734 - PN52XRJ, 4736 - PN52XRL, 4739 - PN52XRP & 4742 - PN52XRT.
* More transferrs to Fox County has seen 2191 go to Wigston and 4669 go to Thurmaston.
* Volvo Citybus 4355 has returned to Fox County along with East Lancs bodied 4321.
* Scania K93 2187 has joined the Fox County Training fleet at Southgates.
* The First of the DAF's to enter service was 4739 which entered service on 28th November 4736 should also have entered service on the same day but it's Starter Motor caught fire !
First Northampton.
* The Exchange of Volvo B7L's has ended qith 327 going back to Leicester whilst 338 has returned here.
* Despite being reported as being at Manchester, Volvo B10L No.42 is still at Abbey Park Road with serious accident damage sustained in a collision at Greyfriars Bus Station back in June.
* Volvo B10L's 41 & 42 have joined similar No.43 at First Manchester.
* Former London transport Dominator No.142 has gone to PVS for Scrap a move which leaves only one of the batch still in existance.
* Leicester Volvo B7 No.327 has arrived here in exchange for No.338.
General.
* General ---> The Timetable leaflets for the New Braunstone services show white-painted Dart V946DNB with 'BraunstoneBus'logos.
* Centrebus ---> FM52GEY & FM52GFA Are Two new Dart MPD's that have arrived for use on the The 317 service that link's Braunstone with the Walkers Stadium, Leicester Royal Infirmary, City Centre, Station, De Montfort University and Freemans Common"
* Centrebus ---> Dennis Dart P27MLE has been reported working for Refresh Travel Solutions of Dunstable along with missing Metrorider H707UNW.
* Robert's ---> Another former London Olympian to hit the streets of Leicestershire is C91CHM which has come from Selkent and carried former Routemaster Registration WLT491 for part of its career in London.
* J. Coates Training Services ! ---> Although not strictly a Bus or Coach company news reaches me that former Leyland Leopard Training vehicle CJE454V has turned up with First PMT and will continue it's role as a Trainer. It was new to Premier Travel.
* Centrebus ---> Have been operating service 81 since 18/11/02.
* Centrebus ---> Fleetline GTO299V has been sold and the Optare Metrorider has not been seen for quite some time.
* Paul James ---> Another Optare Solo to join the fleet is YG52DHA which is to work new service 23 that has recently been won on tender.
* Centrebus ---> 2 new Dennis Darts with Plaxton bodywork are to be used on the Braunstone Network Initiative. The first has been delivered but carries no plates at present.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Former Colchester Olympian 4481 - D44RWC has been reported with Silverdale of Nottingham.
* Serious inroads have been made into the Vario Fleet with 1101/2/5/6 in Store at Wigston, 1108-10 in Store at Hinckley and 1112/15 in Store at Derby.
* Coalville based Vario's 1112 & 1115 have been noted at Derby.
* New DAF Lowlanders to hit the streets of Leicester are 4735 - PN52XRK & 4738 PN52XRO.
* Another Vario to move to Wigston is 1140 whilst 1144-6 have taken up residence in Hinckley.
* More Dart's are arriving in the fleet with the latest being 2046 - P846PWW, 2051 - P851PWW, 2089 - N689GUM & 2090 - N690GUM
* It appears that Wigston is currently experiencing problems with the destinaton equipment on some of the DAF Lowlanders with 4701's rear display being defective for a couple of months, 4707's front destination has for several weeks been showing either Husbands Bosworth or Uppingham whilst 4709's display has been totally blank this has resulted in the return to use of the Lo-Spec Hi-Tech piece of Paper in the Windscreen !
* More Vario's to arrive at Coalville are 1151 & 1156, whilst 1160 has found a home at Southgates.
* Coalville minibus 1349 has joined others at Derby.
* An interesting move has seen Hinckley Dart 2043 move to Southgates.
* Mercedes Vario 1107 is now based at Wigston along with 1137.
* Dart MPD 2247 is the penultimate Southgates example to move out and has joined others of the type at Thurmaston.
* News of the Wigston Fire Victims is that 4156 & 4167 were disposed of on site by contractors, 4167 wich was the least badly damaged is still at Wigston and minibus 1123 has been noted in more or less one piece with just a melted wing mirror at Thurmaston.
* Coalville has gained it's first Dart MPD in the shape of ex Derby 2251.
* Mercedes Vario's 1148,1149,1153 & 1154 have moved To Coalville from Thurmaston.
* Greenways 2145, 2159 & 2165 have joined 2146 with TravelSpeed of Burnley, 2159 was the last vehicle in "Urban" Blue and did have a brief reprieve following problems with some of the new DAF's
* Former Coalville minibuses 1348/53/5 have turned up at Arriva Derby. It would appear that time is nearly up for the 709's in the Fleet so any info on movements concerning these buses or early Vario's would be appreciated.
* Ex Reading Olympian No.4478 has been sold to Confidence.
* Minibus 1164 has been noted working from Wigston and is thought to be the replacement for 1123.
Arriva Derby.
* The first pair of DAF Lowlanders have arrived here as 4739 - PN52XRP & unidentified 4736.
* Fox County Vario's 1112 & 1115 have turned up here.
* 1349 is another Fox County minibus to Appear here.
* Dennis Dart 2251 has been transferred to Fox County at Coalville.
* Scania 2183 and Volvo Citybus 4344 have been painted into a Yellow Schoolbus livery.
* Fox County Minibuses 1348, 1353 & 1355 have turned up here.
First Northampton.
* Dominator No.141 has returned to Leicester for Storage.
* Volvo B10L's 41 & 42 have both been taken out of service.
* Another Volvo B7 to turn up is 358 - MV02VBZ.
* Former Capital Citybus Dominator No.141 has been de-licenced.
* Volvo coach No.10 - PSU626 has been reported with Hiltons Travel.
* Scania 360 has now moved from Midland Red to First Manchester at Oldham which has released Volvo B7L No 347 to come here.
* Former Great Yarmouth Volvo 281 - E41OAH has followed sister 280 to First Edinburgh though the latter is currently out of service with Accident damage.
* Atlantean No.546 - ANA629Y has now entered service though former Hull Atlantean WAG379X looks unlikely to enter service here as it has donated it's engine to 537.
* A new coach arrival here is K924RGE a Jonckheere bodied Volvo that started life with Parks of Hamilton as K924RGE but arrived via First Edinburgh where is carried the registration A9SMT though it has now reveted to it's original id. and carries number 12.
* Bristol VRT No.39 has finally departed to join it's sister at Western National.
General.
* Roberts Tours ---> Another Metrobus to hit the roads of Leicestershire is BOK40V latterly with West Midlands.
* G.H Watts ---> a new arrival is LFJ865W a Bristol VRT that started life in the west country though came via Martins of Kettering.
* Ralph Bus ---> Ralph appears to be branching out into the mobile catering buisness ......... Fleet No.3 is a Ford Escort Van named "Chantelle" which tows a mobile Burger Bar called "Billy Bunters !" and is normally to be found at Hayhill Industrial Estate.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Scania coach IIL1252 has gone to NJ Travel.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Another Former London Bus to hit the streets of Leicestershire is KYV775X a MCW Metrobus latterly with Arriva London North (Wood Green & Palmers Green).
* Centrebus ---> All four Ex West Midlands Scania's are now in service.
* Confidence ---> Alexander bodied former Portsmouth Atlantean No.24 - HOR306N and East Lancs bodied Nottingham example No.26 - OTO557M have been sold.
* Confidence ---> The 15th Olympian to arrive here is A139SMA that was latterly with Arriva Midlands North though started life 19 years ago this month with Crosville (similar A132-5SMA are with Fox County).
* Confidence ---> The 4th Olympian from the Isle of Man to enter service is C71CHM which has been reunited with it's english identity after a spell as EMN211U on the Island. It carries number 55.
* Centrebus ---> A Third Ex TWM Scania on the road is H231LOM.
* Creswells ---> Have TWO Volvo B6's in use on services 129,154,156 & 157 one is UIL9317 and the other is VIL9317 !
* Roberts ---> A Mercedes-Benz Vario used on route 106 is PU51BUS. There is a possibility that this vehicles could be the Vario formaly known as FE51WUY.
* Confidence ---> An arrival from Fox County is D80UTF a Former Reading Transport coach spec Olympian, It is not certain if it will enter service here as it was latterly used as a source of spares with Fox.
* Centrebus ---> H233LOM is the first of the Travel West Midlands Scania's to enter service. H242LOM has also been noted at the Depot.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Rail-Link minibus 1360 has spent a lot of time working from Wigston during the latter part of October.
* Thurmaston based Greenway 2158 has been noted working out of Coalville.
* Volvo Coach 3214 has moved back to Southgates to help out on National Express work.
* Another Leyland Olympian to move to Wigston is 4509 which joins 4508,4511 & 4518
* X1 branded Scania Saloon No.2177 has been working out of Coalville recently.
* A Couple of Southgates minibuses have been in the Wars recently with 1103 being noted with half of it's rear bumper missing whilst 1104 has been carrying some Blue Graffiti all over it's rear.
* Coalville's Volvo Olympian 4621 has been on loan to Wigston and has been in use on services 47-9 complete with 152-4 Route Branding.
* Volvo coach no.3212 was severely damaged in an accident on the M1 during Thursday evening 3rd October after a car left the southbound carriageway and collided with the coach which was traveling Northbound. The coach driver had to be cut free and was taken to Hospital in Luton though there were no there were serious passenger injuries. The coach was due for replacement in the near future so it will be suprising if it re-enters service though this has left Fox County short of a coach and Training vehicles 3213 has been filling in for 3212 on National Express work though this is only a stopgap.
* A Fire broke out in Wigston depot engineering department during the afternoon of Wednesday 2nd. Alexander bodied Scania 4156 and East Lancs bodied 4164 & 4167 were destroyed along with Mercedes minibus 1123. Optare bodied DAF 4002 also recieved some damage as it was in the vicinity of the fire but engineless at the time of the incident so could not be moved. The depot was closed overnight following the fire to give unstable gas cylinders time to cool down and because of this local residents were also evacuated to a local School (and traveled there by arriva double decker !). All this resulted in Wigston based buses being refulled at Southgates depot during wednesday evening though this move then caused various traffic problems around Southgates as a lot of vehicles arrived at the same time resulting in a tailback out of the depot and along the road to the Holiday Inn Island !A lot of vehicles were then parked in St Margarets Bus station overnight. The following day a couple of greenways from other depots were noted on Wigston based services. It is thought that the fire was started after a welder accidently cut through a fuel pipe ! The welder in question is still employed by Fox County and is currently working at Southgates though he is taking a bit of stick at the moment :-)
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
* An Atlantean registered WAG379X has been noted at the Depot and on the other hand Bristol VR No.39 seems to have departed.
* Falcons 620 & 623 have been returned to traffic to cover for for unreliable Gas Buses.
* Scania No.360 is currently residing with First Midland Red at Redditch.
* Volvo citybus No.123 has returned from Redditch and has been exchanged for No.283.
* Volvo Olympian No.185 has gone to Leicester for storage.
* Atlantean ANA629Y has been given fleet number 546 though in reality it still carries number 6479.
* Volvo saloon No.112 has transferred to Leicester.
* Plaxton bodied Volvo Coach No.10 - PSU626 has left the fleet.
* Dennis Falcon's 620/1/3 have been taken out of service and 621 has returned to Leicester.
General.
* Roberts ---> A smart addition to the Fleet is X399WVO an East Lancashire Cytizen bodied Scania N113 double decker.
* Country Hopper ---> The second of the two Leyland Olympians aquired from Burnley & Pendle is JFR12W.
* Dunn-Line ---> GLZ3140 A Plaxton Paramount bodied Volvo Coach was noted looking in a Fire Damaged kinda "bad way" whilst on tow through Leicester on the 21st.
* Centrebus ---> Fleetline GTO299V and Metrorider MOI2836 have not been seen for a while so could have left the Fleet.
* Centrebus ---> Having been out of service for quite a while Olympian F438AKB has been Turned around, Jacked-up and had it's rear axle removed presumably for repairs though sister F441AKB has now returned to Service.
* Paul Winson ---> Another Mercedes-Benz Vario minibus to arrive on Loan is V395SVV which started life with Pete's Travel, West Bromwich. This appears to have replaced similar S310DLG.
* Kinchbus ---> Former Trent Optare Vecta No.810 is supposed to be with Kinchbus but there have been no sightings of it ! If anybody does stumble across it could they let me know.
* Paul Winson ---> Leyland Olympian G129NRC has entered service here numbered 83 and made it's debut at the GCR open day at Ruddington on 20th October.
* Kinchbus ---> Has started service 124 the "Leicester Flyer" From Loughborough to Leicester via the A6. It uses two route branded Darts (409 & 410). The two Excel's are also still around and can usually be found on services 11 & 12.
* Centrebus ---> It looks like more Scania's could be on the way as four Travel West Midlands vehicles have been noted parked up with "aquired by Centrebus" posted on them. The vehicles involved are 3227, 3231, 3233, 3242 H227LOM etc.
* Paul Winson ---> It is thought that Former Nottingham Leyland Olympian - G129NRC has been aquired, It was noted at I & J ltd (painters) in Loughborough in a livery that was uncannily like Winsons and it is known that Paul Winson was keen to purchase both this vehicle and sister F128KTV though the latter is now with Holmeswood Coaches. Also aquired is S10PSW an LDV service Van.
* Paul Winson ---> Leyland Leopard No.45 - FJU973 has been sold along with Mercedes minibus No.51 - L5PSW.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Half a dozen "didi" darts have entered service from Thurmaston as 2268-73.
* Wiston based Volvo Olympian's 4604 & 4605 has been noted working from Thurmaston whilst 4613 is still working from Southgates.
* Route branding is being phased out and very few Double Deckers still carry Branding
* Vehicles on order are another Dozen DAF lowlanders for Wigston "Track" services, four DAF SB200's with Wright bodies to replace Darts 2201-4 on the Park & Rides and A couple of Dart MPD's are due to replace Mercedes minibuses 1359/60 on the Kettering - Corby RailLink.
* Rare Scania 4150 has left the fleet. . . Destination unknown !
* Latest Minibus news is that 1105-7 are the first Vario's to be taken out of Traffic whilst 709's 1350/1/7/8/63/4 are also now in storage and 1344 & 1394 have left the fleet altogether. Transfers have seen 1145 & 1354 go Thurmaston - Hinckley whilst 1356 has gone from Thurmaston to Derby and 1175 has moved Southgates to Stamford.
* More new (secondhand) Dart's are 2037 & 2055 at Thurmaston whilst 2043 has left Southgates after a very brief stay and now resides at Hinckley along with MPD 2249 which has come from Derby, 2219 & 2246 move from Southgates to Thurmaston a move which leaves only two of the type at Southgates and they are generally to be found on 37's making an interesting comparison to the Double deckers that First Leicester supply for the route !
* Olympian news sees 4508 & 4511 move Thurmaston to Wigston whilst 4561 has joins its Brothers at Hinckley ex Stamford, also leaving Stamford are ex Colchester 4480 & 4481 which were the last Vehicles in Midland Fox livery.
* Recent Greenway news is that 2149 has gone from Coalville to Stamford, 2158 moves from Hinckley to Thurmaston & 2164 goes from Thurmaston to Market Harborough whilst 2136, 2160 & 2161 have left the fleet.
* DAF's 4717 & 4718 which were on loan from Wigston to Southgates were borrowed back by Wigston for a Private Hire to Ingoldmells on sunday 15th and appear to have stayed.
* Two Greenways to leave the fleet are 2162 & 2163 which have joined 2139/2142 & 2143 with Neaves of Catfield.
* Volvo Olympian 4613 has gone on loan from Wigston to Southgates.
* New Arrivals this month include DAF's 4720 - PN52XBH & 4726 - PN52XBF and Dennis Dart 2268 - SK52MLE.
* Another Dennis Dart to arrive is 2049 - P849PWW which is at Thurmaston.
* It would appear that Scania saloon 2189 is still at Southgates and is usually covering for a B10B on the X67.
* Volvo Citybus 4354 has returned to Wigston after spending the Summer at Derby.
* Wigston DAF's 4717 & 4718 are on loan to Southgates to help out on the Loughborough servces until there is a full compliment of the type at Southgates, The first day of the new service saw a couple of Volvo Olympians and a Volvo B10B also helping out. Things were not helped on the first day by one of the new DAF's having to be taken out of traffic after being damaged by School children which needed the attendance of the police.
* Derby Scania 2183 has been used at Southgates for Driver Training.
Arriva Derby.
* Volvo Citybus 4354 has gone back to Fox County at Wigston.
* Scania saloon 2183 has been on loan to Fox County at Southgates for driver training.
First Northampton.
* The recently arrived Volvo B7's have gained Fleet numbers in the 334-357 series though in reality they still carry First Manchester 7xx numbers. As a result of this the Alexander bodied Atlanteans have been renumbered (again) in the 5xx series. Whilst ANA629Y retains it's Yorkshire number of 6479 !
* 21 of the expected 25 Volvo B7L's have now arrived here whilst three are working in Oldham on a temporary basis which leaves one (MV02VBZ) unnacounted for, though an extra one (MV02VDB) is unconfirmed as being at Northampton !
* The final Scania in the fleet No.364 has departed for Leicester.
* Scania's 367/8 have gone to Leicester for storage.
* Volvo B10L No.43 - N43RRP has gone to Leicester for storage.
* More Scania's to leave the fleet are 360, 362, 363 & 366 which have gone into store in Leicester.
* More Volvo B7's to arrive here are MV02VAX, MV02VBE, MV02VCM, MV02VCN, MV02VCO, MV02VCW and MV02VDB the last of which was not on the original list of expected vehicles.
* Volvo Olympian No.185 has finally been taken out of service for transfer elsewhere within the group.
* Volvo Citybus No.123 has gone on loan to First Midland Red at Redditch.
* More "Commonwealth" Volvo B7L's to arrive here are MV02VBC & MV02VCX.
* Bristol VRT No.40 - UFW40W has departed for a new life with Western National, The plymouth staff came to collect both 39 & 40 but only had one set of trade plates so as they were unsuccessful in locating/borrowing the Northampton set they just took No.40 which was the better of the two. It is thought unlikely that they will return for No.39 and this could now go for scrap.
* Dennis Dart 693 has gone to Leicester.
* Scania 366 has returned here from Leicester following Accident repair though on the minus side 361 & 365 have gone to Leicester for storage pending transfer elsewhere in the Group.
General.
* Woods ---> Volvo coaches 2257NU & 4687NU were given allover "Choose Manchester" advertising livery whilst being used in connection with the commonwealth games in Manchester.
* Country Hopper ---> Have two ex Stagecoach Olympians, one of which is OFV20X.
* Guide Friday ---> Atlantean KPJ241W which is lettered for the Stratford Tour has been working in the city.
* DunnLine ---> The new depot is the old Southfields Coachworks on Bakewell Road in Loughborough (just round the corner from the Kinchbus depot).
* Schofield ---> Mercedes-Benz coach RIL5216 has been sold to Opal Holidays.
* Centrebus ---> Yet another ex West Midlands Metrobus to join the fleet is POG522Y
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Greenway 2159 was back at southgates on saturday 31st august being prepared for service as from monday 2nd september the Loughborough service increses to every 10 mins but two DAF's have yet to be delivered and two are out of action with mechanical problems so the new service will start with Volvo Olympians covering for the missing vehicles and other vehicles covering for the Olympians etc...
* Several of the new DAF double deckers have visited Ford & Slater's Truck repair centre recently with engine faults, some of the first batch also being noticed there recently.
* Scania's 2189/90 are now based at Coalville and are the first Scania's to be based here.
* One of the New DAF double deckers appeared to be in trouble on wednesday 14th whilst working a Loughborough to Leicester service and was noted parked on the A6 with a large trail of Oil behind it, About five hours later it was noted on Suspended Tow behind a Unity recovery vehicle heading towards Leicester.
* Volvo B7 Demonstrator Y228CJW which had a colourful life here has now moved on to Arriva Merseyside as its 2800.
* All of the first batch of Alexander Mercedes-Benz 709's have now been taken out of Passenger service with the departure of 1303/6/7/10/12/17/22 to Sureline of Weymouth along with ex Arriva Manchester 1393.
* New Scania's 4717 & 4718 had a Lenghthy ride out to Southend on Sunday 11th on a Staff outing.
* Scania 4135 which lost it's lid under a Railway Bridge at Market Harborough during March has now got itself a new career as an 'official' open topper. It is currently in the bodyshop at Arriva North West's Bootle depot and they have finished off the job the Bridge started. When complete it will go to Arriva Cymru at Llandudno and will replace Olympian 3984 which was recently converted to partial open top and then found unable to fit in the depot at Llandudno Jct making it necessary to return to Rhyl each day. Coincidently former Fox Olympian B513LFP is also currently at bootle undergoing Refurbishment.
* The new DAF double deckers have started to enter service with 4721/3/5/8 being among the first, with Volvo Olympians moving on to Oadbys and Scanias noted on 37's.
* Scania Saloons 2189/90 have been taken out of service at Southgates and are now thought to be at Coalville.
* Greenways are now down to single figures following the taking out of service of all the Southgates examples (now stored at Wigston) which also saw the end of 'National 2' 2152.
* More Scania's to recieve repaint's and a general tidyup are 4137 & 4141.
* Another Dart to Journey up the M1 from the Big City is 2024 - P824RWU which is now based at Thurmaston.
* Mercedes Minibus 1312 - L312AUT has joined Weymouth operator Sureline along with seven similar but currently unidentified Vehicles.
* Mercedes Mini 1365 - M465LPG has joined the West End Travel fleet in Melton Mowbray.
* Olympian 4504 was caught up in an accident with two cars in Queniborough during the week which made the local papers, It was a bit ironic that this is one of the Yellow 'Road Safety' buses and its themed advertising made for an interesting photo in the papers!
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
* Loaned First Mainline Volvo B10B's S791RWG & S794RWG are now with First Provincial in Portsmouth.
* more Volvo B7's to arrive are MV02VDC, MV02VCA & MV02VBX.
* Another Atlantean to arrive here is Manchester 'Standard' ANA629Y which latterly with First Yorkshire in Huddersfield.
* A new arrival is MV02VCP a Volvo B7 that was used by First Manchester during the Commonwealth Games and is expected to be the first of many.
* More Buses to return from Leicester are Volvo B10L No.43 and Scania's No.362/3/5/7/8.
* Scania 364 has returned from Leicester.
* Seven 'Commonwealth Games' Volvo B7's are currently stored at Leicester and are thought to be destined for here.
General.
* Confidence ---> news of former fleet members is that Atlantean VWM83L is preserved in Merseyside PTE livery and similar VWM89L is in Southport Corporation livery.
* Confidence ---> Olympian E157OMD has gained fleet number 54.
* Confidence ---> Another Leyland Tiger to come from Worths is B123UUD which joins three similar vehicles that started life with the City of Oxford.
* Beaver Bus ---> Two more DAF Delta's have been added to the Fleet and are G215HCP & G216HCP which started life with Birmingham company Your Bus.
* Roberts ---> Have also moved from Coalville to Hugglescote.
* Dunn-Line ---> Have moved from Barrow to a Depot somewhere near Paul Winson's in Loughborough.
* G.H. Watts ---> Is another company to aquire a Metrobus in the shape of JIL8212 previously with R.Auty (t/a Crown Coaches)
* Centrebus ---> Yet another Metrobus to come from TWM is B794AOC.
* Cresswells ---> Have a Dennis Dart Registered UIL9317, Noted in use on the 129 Service.
* West End Travel ---> M465LPG a former Fox County Mercedes minibus is in service here.
* Centrebus ---> Another WM Metrobus has arrived in the shape of A113WVP which has a claim to fame in that it was part of a batch of 15 Metrobuses that were the first Guided Buses in the UK when introduced in 1984. Though the experiment was short lived.
* Paul Winson ---> Atlantean RNU432X has been Cannibalised and Similar RNU433X has been Sold.
* Confidence ---> Olympian UWW9X has finally gained fleet livery.
* Stagecoach ---> United Counties / Stagecoach East or whatever you want to call it have painted Volvo coaches 169 & 170 in a dedicated X7 Northampton - Market Harborough - Leicester livery though it does not appear to have improved the loadings as they are still noted with lots of empty seats.
* General ---> The annual Carribbean Carnival gave the opportunity for some interesting photos (at least if you remembered a camera !). At the end of the Procession there was a continuous line of buses that stretched from High Street, up Belgrave Gate, around the Island and down Charles Street as far as Humberstone Gate. Large numbers of stranded buses could also be found on the north end of Belgrave Gate, Abbey Street, Humberstone Gate, Rutland Street & Horsefair Street. Some services were also to be found in strange places as Drivers tried to avoid the City Centre and the Southgates Underpass was well used.
* Centrebus ---> A683UOE Is yet another Metrobus from the West Midlands to hit the streets of Leicestershire.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* The use of Scania saloons on the Loughborough service during July was due to Roadworks in the Rothley area and the diversion route having some VERY low hanging trees.
* Eight new DAF / East Lancashire double deckers have so far been delivered to Southgates ready to take over the Loughborough services and are.... 4719 - FD02UKE, 4721 - FD02UKG, 4723 - FD02UKJ, 4724 - FD02UKK, 4725 - FD02UKL, 4727 - FD02UKN, 4728 - FD02UKO, 4729 - FD02UKP.
* Scania 4138 has had a repaint in Arriva livery and has also gained a "Bull Bar" on the top deck. OK before any smart alec's point it out I know you shoud not get Bulls 14 feet above the ground (well not in Leicester anyway) but this is the simplist way to describe the thing !
* It has been noted that the paint finish on the latest two DAF arrivals at Wigston leaves a lot to be desired with patches of blue and smudges near the advert frames.
* Loughborough route Volvo Olympians have been noted a lot on 51's recently with the Scania saloons off that route working Loghborough services ?.
* Another Ex London Dennis Dart in service is 2041 - P841PWW which is working from Thurmaston.
* The next batch of DAF double deckers has started to be delivered with 4717 - FD02UKB & 4718 - FD02UKC both being used alongside the earlier batch at Wigston. There is also two numbered 4719 & 4721 at Southgates for Driver Training.
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
* Mercedes minibuses 719/20 are back at work here.
* As part of the current round of 'Musical Buses' a dozen Wright Renown bodied (looking similar to the Scanias) Volvo B10BLE's have turned up here.
* Scania's 362-8 and Volvo B10L 43 have gone to Leicester and it is thought that 362-8 will not return.
* The four Mercedes Prismas have returned to Leicester.
* The final Metrobus here No.32 - AUT32Y has gone to PVS for Scrap.
* The last Minibuses in the fleer 723 & 725 have returned to Leicester.
* After a very brief stay the four ex London Optare Excels have gone to PMT.
General.
* N J Travel ---> Former Midland Fox Tiger A9NEJ (ex A108EPA) has left the fleet and has been replaced by A990JEC a Scania / Jonckheere coach.
* KinchBus ---> Another Optare Vecta is 808 - M808PRA.
* Paul Winson ---> Mercedes Benz minibus R252SDT has gained fleet livery and a new identity of R80PSW and is numbered no.82.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Dominator MNS48Y has moved across the County to Fleetline buses & Atlantean MVO421W has gone in more or less the same direction to Morgan Tours.
* Centrebus ---> Another ex WM Metrobuse is POG548Y and this together with the other two recent arrivals POG498Y & A719UOE are now in the latest fleet livery (Orange lower half, Blue middle half & White top half).
* Dunn-Line ---> Another unusual performer on the 777 has been double deck scania T399OWA.
* Confidence ---> Another Leyland Olympian to be Repatriated from the Isle of Man is C71CHM Which started life with London buses before moving to the Isle during December 1999. It still currently carries it's Isle of Man Livery & Registration Number EMN211U. Previous purchase UWW9X is also still carrying I.O.M livery.
* Dunn-Line ---> An unusual performer on the 777 Leicester - Nottingham route has been G118EOG a former West Midlands Travel Leyland Lynx that arrived via the Scottish Highlands. One of the coaches normally used on the service is out of action following a fire in it's engine compartment.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* An increase in the number of vehcles required at East Midlands Airport has seen Mercedes 1155 return after spending a lot of time on Coalville local work (though still acrrying EMA livery).
* An Alexander bodied Dart has been noted in service working from Hinckley. 2214 - P954RUL was previously with Arriva London North East at Barking working routes (20 Walthamstow - Debden, 78 Shoreditch - Nunhead & 167 Debden - Ilford).
* Minibuses 1306 ex Coalville & 1139 ex Melton town services are both now working from Wigston along with Olympian 4518 from Thurmaston.
* Tiger No.3021 - 111XKT has recieved a repaint in allover White so might not be around for much longer.
* After a false start earlier in the year Arriva will be pulling out of Melton on saturday 22nd June with services 2,2B,5 & 6 being taken over by West End Travel.
* It would appear that Colchester Olympian 4480 is alive and well and it is the rather comfy 4478 - D80UTF that is being scrapped.
* 4647 is another Volvo to loose it's route branding.
* Former minibus 1313 - L313AUT has been reported working with Tyrer Tours in the Burnley Area around which former Greenway 2146 - JIL2199 can also be found.
* Whilst Open Topper ATK154W has been out of service Guide Friday have drafted in former Nottingham Atlantean GRC890N which is lettered for the "City Tour" and was latterly at Bournemouth.
* Guide Friday owned Atlantean 8154 - ATK154W suffered a major illnes during the first week of June leaving 8744 - CWG744V to carry on the Discover Leicester Tour solo on an hourly basis.
* Ex Colchester Olympian 4480 - C42HHJ is being stripped at Stamford.
* Van Hool Coach 3213 has been painted allover White.
* Volvo Olympian 4653 has lost it's Route Branding for services 126/7.
* Thurmaston Olympians 4601/2 are now fitted with blinds that can show Fosse Park.
* Route 747 Mini Dart 2253 was in the war's on Wed 5th June and was noticed being hooked up to former Fox employee Paul Ike's "Avenger" Tow Truck following a collision with a car on the Belgrave Gate roundabout, Damage to the bus appeared to be slight but the same could not be said about the car !
* Another ex London Dart is 2043 - P843PWW which is opperating out of Southgates.
* Arriva is to lose operation of Country runs 129,154/6 in mid july with Creswells reported to be taking over this two minibus contract which could spell the end for Coalville based Merc minis 1317/93.
* It is thought that Minis 1303, 1310 & 1312 have been withdrawn.
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
* A serious accident took place at Greyfriars bus station during the last week of June when Volvo saloon No.42 ran into the back of Volvo Decker No.292 causing severe damage to 42.
* Leicester Mini 723 has arrived here to join similar 725.
* Some of Leicester's Optare Prisma's have arrived here 501/2/4 are in "Barbie" livery and 503 is in Green/Yellow.
* 701 - P701HMT The forth First London Excel has joined its brothers here.
* 266 - ULS642X which was the last of the ex Scottish bus group Metrobuses has been taken away for scrap.
* The last active Metrobus in the fleet 32 - AUT32Y has been delicenced.
General.
* Four Ace Travel ---> Former Greater Manchester Fleetline YNA318M is being used for spares and is still in as withdrawn G.M livery despite being with several operators since then.
* Centrebus ---> No.23 - F438AKB which has been out of use for a while was noted being worked on during the last week of June though it is thought that No.2 - GTO299V is now withdrawn.
* Dunn-Line ---> Another vehicle from Travel West Midlands is Leyland Lynx G281EOG which is in full fleet livery.
* Centrebus ---> Two more Metrobuses have arrived, This time from Travel West Midlands. POG498Y & A719UOE are currently in their former owners livery.
* Dunn-Line ---> Metrobus GOG127W is now in Fleet Livery.
* Alantis ---> Metrobus KJW278W has gained a very attractive livery which is predominately Red in Colour.
* Travel West Midlands ! ---> Y722CRW a Wright bodied Volvo B7 identical to Arriva's Y228CRW was noted in Leicester on the 15th, Reason unknown.
* Kinchbus ---> A third Olympian to arrive from Trent is C720LTO, Similar C718LTO which has been operating for some time in Blue Apple livery has gained Kinch livery to match the other two.
* Centrebus ---> Due to passenger demand the company have taken the decision to cut the C1/C2 services which started in May and are now going to operate services 16 and 54 like for like with First Leicester starting in July 2002.
* Kinchbus ---> A sixth Optare Vecta is 810 - M810PRA.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Thanks to a Contributer the fleet list now has pictures of the Fleet.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Unusual arrivals here are RIL1258 a Leyland Swift Community Bus that started life with the London Borough of Haringay and RIL1599 a Similar Leyland Road Runner vehicle that started life with the London Borough of Redbridge though both came from Pattersons of Birmingham and are to join the County Mini Hire fleet.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Mini's on the move are 1317 which has moved from Market Harborough to Coalville & 1353/5 which have also ended up at Coalville (from Thurmaston) after several years at work on services to Peterborough and Derby. 1354 is thought to have taken up residence at Hinckley.
* Scania 4169 went missing from outside Southgates depot during the evening of Fri 17th and was later found by the police Abandoned near West Bridge with the Engine still running and damage to lower panels on both the near and offside. It would appear that some people just cant be bothered to wait at a bus stop !
* Southgates has lost five of it's Dart MPD's with several of the type now being used on "Rural Routes" so 2239/42 are now at Hinckley, 2243 is at Market Harborough and 2244/8 have gone to Thurmaston for use on routes 27/8 as 2253/4 have taken over the 747 Uppingham service.
* Stamford has gained Greenway 2156 from Market Harborough & Mercedes 1306 from Coalville.
* A swop of Mini's has seen Wigston gain 1118 & 1365 from Market Harborough in exchange for 1136 & 1317.
* Another eight Mercedes 709's have been withdrawn including 1305/7/9/22, 1333 which was the last of the former Stevensons mini's and former Wigston & Market Harborough based 1366/9/70.
* Olympian 4507 which was a one time celebrity carrying "Foxtrotter" nameplates has been withdrawn along with Roofless Scania 4135.
* Recent changes in the Coach fleet has seen Stamford based Tiger 3020 - LJI5632 (which has led a varied life here) withdrawn and replaced by Van Hool bodied Volvo 3214 which Coincidently carries 3020's former registration XPA110 !.
* Guide Friday Atlantean CWG744V is back to work this year's Discover Leicester Tour and it has been joined by ATK154W which started life with Plymouth though spent last season with Guide Friday in Bristol.
* The "Guide Friday" Leicester Tour will run again this year and following last years success will see two vehicles in use.
Arriva Derby.
* Fleetline 4304 has been withdrawn.
First Northampton.
* Several Atlanteans have been renumbered to avoid a clash with Leicester's B7's.... 322 is now 342, 324 is 344, 325 is 345, 330 is 340 & 331 is 341.
* Metrobus No.266 has been de-licensed leaving just No.32 representing this type in service.
* Metrobuses No.35 AUT35Y & No.270 ULS636X have gone to Barnsley for Scrap (35 being the first of the five ex Gibsons Metrobuses to meet this fate).
* Another Atlantean to Arrive from Edinburgh is URS325X.
* Another Optare Excel to arrive here is 704 - P704HMT which joins sisters 702/3.
* The Minibus has made a comeback with Mercedes Benz 811's 725 - N525REW and 732 - J632HMH arriving from Leicester.
* The fleet numbers on some of the former Scottish Atlanteans now clash with the new B7's at Leicester but it is not known if the are going to be Renumbered or Retired !
General.
* Centrebus ---> All vehicles now carry Unit 40 Hayhill Industrial Estate, Barrow as their legal address.
* Centrebus ---> Olympian No.23 "Princess Julie" has not moved for at least two weeks so might be sick.
* Centrebus ---> All Darts apart from P27MLE now have route branding ie.General Hospital, Evington, Goodwood, Highfields, Railway Station, City Centre.
The routes have been ammended from 20/5/02 as follows:-
***54 Journeys to Astil Lodge have been withdrawn, vehicles terminating at Beaumont Leys
***C2 Replaces 54A and now operates on a 10 minute headway
***C1 New service (this is the Centrebus 16 service) again a 10 minute headway.
***C1`s go from the 16 stand in Charles Street returning as a C2 turning in Humberstone Gate
***C2`s go from the 54A stand and return as a C2 turning at the Abbey Street/Charles Street island.
* Centrebus ---> More Darts are P28MLE & P29MLE which like the others started life with Armchair though have spent the last couple of months working for Aventa Passenger services of Crawley. They carry a similay livery to the others in the fleet with the addition of a Blue Skirt.
* Paul Winson ---> Kinchbus Dart M405HFP is on hire for route 65 so relationships seem to have improved after bus wars over the years.
* Kinchbus ---> A second Olympian to arrive from Trent is C719LTO.
* Centrebus ---> Another Dart is P27MLE which like the others in the fleet started life with Armchair but has spent the last few months with Aventa Passenger services in Crawley. It is in white with a Purple Swirl !.
* Kinchbus ---> Another Optare Vecta to Arrive is 812 - M812PRA.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Atlantean AVK178V is not in this fleet after all, No.20 is similar looking YJI1317.
* Paul James ---> It would appear that M800PJC is not M424GUS as that still has it's Registration.
* Confidence ---> An interesting new arrival is E157OMD an Optare bodied Olympian from Arriva Medway Towns it will be noted that identical E158-161OMD are currently with Arriva Fox County !
* Confidence ---> Another Atlantean to bite the dust is No.30 MNU631P which has been Sold.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> It would appear that Atlantean's AKV170T & AKV178T are both in this fleet numbered 20 & 17.
* Paul James ---> Two Mercedes mini's noted recently are M800PJC (which might be ex M424GUS) and P900PJC.
* Schofield ---> Bedford YMP - MIL7110 has left the fleet and has been replaced by P80PSW a Volvo/Plaxton coach.
* Kinchbus ---> Another Optare Vecta to Arrive is 812 - M812PRA and a further two new Optaroalvilleal Solo's are 458 - FE02KFF & 459 - FE02KFG.
* Woods ---> The recently aquired Plaxton Premiere's are thought to be carrying Registrations CHZ4744-6 but it is unknown which is which.
* Woods ---> Two more Mercedes minibuses have joined the fleet, L319AUT & L320AUT have come all the way from...... Arriva Fox County !
* Kinchbus ---> DAF K348FAL is another of the type to make the journey up the M1 to Barnsley & District.
* Ralphbus ---> Atlantean LRR690W is numbered "2" and named Lady Paris.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Olympian 4601 recently transferred to Thurmaston has now gained appropriate blinds, Thought to have come from an ECW Olympian they are somewhat faded and stuck together with sellotape !
* Spectra 4002 is now back on the road though there are still "strangers" appearing on the X61 with 4150 and 4604 being noted during the past week.
* Coalville Olympian 4614 appears to have lost it's 152/3/4 route branding.
* Merc Mini 1393 has moved form Thurmaston to Coalville and the 1353-6 batch that were regulars on the 747 & 123 services have not been noted recently.
* Thurmaston Dart MPD's 2253/4 are now the usual vehicles on the 747 Leicester to Uppingham service and carry Cross Country Branding, To compensate similar 2244 has moved to Thurmaston from Southgates.
* "Maurice" the Olympian (4477) has been on the move again and now appears to be working out of Wigston.
* A suprise arrival at Coalville is CWR523Y an ECW bodied Olympian that started life with West Riding but has come from Arriva Cymru though has recently been on loan to Arriva Merseyside for rail-replacement duties on the Liverpool - Southport line. Similar CWR525Y is also local being in the Paul Winson fleet.
* Another ex London Dart is 2045 - P845PWW which has joined sister 2044 at Stamford.
* Crash Damaged Olympian 4618 is now back in service at Thurmaston.
* Early Mercedes mini's on the move are 1317 now at Wigston from Thurmaston and 1324 which has made a return from Derby to Southgates
* Scania 4150 continues to break new ground and has been noted on the X61 fully blinded. On the other hand Spectra 4001 has been noted on the 84/5 services.
* Southgates has been using Hinckley minibus 1107 & Market Harborough based 1175 in service recently.
* Another ex London Dennis Dart is 2044 - P844PWW which has taken up residence at Stamford.
* Olympians 4505/10 have been noted in a Barnsley scapyard.
* Volvo coach 3233 - GIL6253 has returned to Arriva The Shires along with ex Colchester Tiger 3005 - OHE274X, this marks a return as far as 3233 is concerned after a number of years up ere with twin 3235.
* A number of non low floor buses have been noted on the 84/5 services recently. A number of the DAF's have also been suffering gearbox problems, refusing to go forwards after reverse !.
* Volvo coach 3235 has gained Arriva Training livery.
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
* New arrivals from First Capital are Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointer 693 - K903CVW which started life with Thamesway but was Later based at Northumberland Park and used on LRT route 362 Grange Hill to Goodmays and from just down the road at Dagenham Dock depot come Short Optare Excel's 702 P702HMT & 703 P703HMT Latterly used on LRT route 396 Ilford to Goodmays.
* Dominator No.142 has been de-Licenced.
* A recent arrival here is Dennis Dart R220MSA.
* Another Dennis Falcon here is 624 - L624XFP but similar 622 has gone back to Leicester.
* Former Great Yarmouth Volvo decker 280 - E40OAH has made a run for it over Hadrians Wall and is now with First Edinburgh.
* Volvo coach No.10 - PSU626 has gone to Leicester.
* More Leicester Falcons here are 622 - K622SBC, 623 - L623XFP, 625 - L625XFP & 626 - L626XFP.
* A Volvo Olympian has again turned up here No.185 - P185TGD is from Leicester.
* Leicester Dennis Falcons 620 - K620SBC & 621 - K621SBC have moved here.
* Scania's 363-6 have returned here with similar 350/1/4/5 going back to Leicester.
General.
* Centrebus ---> It would appear that Centrebus is no longer owned by Ralph Garratt with the new legal address being Hayhill Ind Est at Barrow and new MD being Mr Mark O'Mahony a true Busman who has spent some time as a senior Manager with Arriva Fox County. It is believed that a colour scheme change and Fleet expansion are on the cards for the near future.
* Paul James ---> The new Volvo coach carries the registration PJ02AAA.
* Roberts Tours ---> Now have Bristol VRT VUA472X which is one of an increasing number of leicestershire based double deckers that started life with West Riding.
* Bryan Garratt ---> Three more Cummins L10 powered Duple 425's have joined the fleet recently E611AEY ex Riddlers, F110CCL ex Wombwell Coaches & H237RUX ex Coachmasters, Rochdale. On the minus side Caribbean VIB2829 has been scrapped after an argument with a Tree, Duple 320 G799RNC was traded in at Houston Ram for H237RUX , Duple Laser B147ALG was traded in at Transbus for F110CCL & Toyota Coaster E335TAX has gone to Thurmaston Bus.
* Centrebus ---> Service 16 will start on the 20th of May.
* Centrebus ---> It seems like all change in the Garratt empire as Atlantean RTV439X has gained Yellow Stripes and is now "Ralphbus" No.1 - Lady April, LRR690W has also gained similar colours so could be "Ralphbus" No.2 !
* Thurmaston Bus ---> County Minihire has been purchased by the owners of Thurmaston Bus on the retirement of owner Frank C Bradshaw though the vehicles will still run under the County Mini Coaches banner.
* Paul James ---> Recently aquired Merc Mini M424GUS has Wadham Stringer Wessex bodywork and was previously in the Nottingham/Pathfinder Fleet.
* Kinchbus ---> The Access bus service is now worked by the County Council and as a result the two Leyland Nationals 20 - RSG820V & 21 - EFN178L have gone into storage. Dial-a-Ride Iveco 31 - P541BUT is also thought to have left the fleet.
* Kinchbus ---> Another Optare Vecta is No.814 M814PRA.
* Confidence ---> Another re-imported Olympian from the Isle of Man is UWW9X which joins identical UWW8X & UWW10X.
* Paul James ---> Recently aquired minibus M120YCM is now in fleet livery and registered M900PJC and there is also a third Paragon coach in service.
* Fleetline ---> Ex Confidence Atlantean GVO717N is now in fleet livery.
* Schofield ---> Dennis Javelin P955DNR has gained the registration P70PSW.
* NJ Travel ---> now have one time London Metrobus GYE565W.
* West End Travel ---> Have aquired Dennis Dart MPD V332CVV which started life with National Carparks at Birmingham Airport for use on service 8 Loughborough to Grantham (joint with Paul James)
* Paul Winson ---> Two Plaxton bodied Merc Vario's noted in use are R252SDT in White/Orange livery & S310DLG in allover White livery they are for tendered services between Nottingham - East Leake, Costock & Loughborough previously worked by Nottingham/South Notts.
* Paul James ---> Have commenced service 8 Loughborough to Grantham using two Optare Solo's. Idential vehicles are also used on the Rutland Flyer & Vale Runner services. Another service recently started is service 8A Loughborough - Thrussington/Asfordby which uses a new aquisition M424GUS (no other details are currently known) this also interworks with Loughborough town service 13.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> "Now this is a first".... Schoolbus liveried Atlantean AVT170V has been fitted with "Schazard" (school bus hazard indicators !) This consists of a pair of alternately flashing indicators fixed vertically on each quarter pannel of the bus and are operated automatically when the vehicle is stationary and loading/unloading passengers. It has just passed it's annual MOT in this form and further vehicles in the fleet are to be fitted in the future.
* Kinchbus ---> DAF Delta No.346 - K346FAL is another to go to Barnsley & District.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Volvo coach 3233 - GIL6253 has returned to Arriva The Shires along with ex Colchester Tiger 3005 - OHE274X, this marks a return as far as 3233 is concerned after a number of years up ere with twin 3235.
* A number of non low floor buses have been noted on the 84/5 services recently. A number of the DAF's have also been suffering gearbox problems, refusing to go forwards after reverse !.
* Volvo coach 3235 has gained Arriva Training livery.
* A fifth Greenway to go to Haywood & Prosser at Bedworth is 2140 - PDZ6262 wich was the last short version in the fleet.
* Whilst 4002 is absent from Market Harborough golden oldie Olympian 4477 has been helping out.
* It has been confirmed that Spectra 4002 was the one that went through the Wall / fence / hedge on London road.
* Arriva Derby mini Dart 2219 - T49JJF has been transferred to Southgates.
* "Oooops part 3" ---> Scania 4135 looks like having run it's last service after Converting itself into a single decker outside Market Harborough Railway Station.
* Crash Tested Volvo B7 demonstrator Y228CJW is now back on the road at Thurmaston after having all it's dents and crinkles ironed out.
* Volvo Olympian 4601 appears to have joined 4602 at Thurmaston.
* Former Greenway 2146 - JIL2199 has been noted working for Northern Blue in Burnley.
* "Oooops part 2" ---> One of the pair of Market Harborough based Spectras ended up in the grounds of a school (via a Wall & Hedge) after veering off London Road during the evening rush hour on 25th Febuary bringing the A6 to a halt. It was a bad evening for people travelling out of the City in the Market Harborough direction that as about an hour later a midland mainline train caught fire near Kibworth promptly blocking the Leicester to Market Harborough/London line for three hours. :-((
* "Oooops part 1" ---> Fox County scored a bit of an own goal on the 25th Febuary when Wigston based Volvo 4605 ran into the back of Thurmaston's similar 4618 both ending up a bit of a mess :-(
* Former training Leopards 317 - TVC402W & 612 - 796UHT have turned up with Arriva Scotland West thus ending over 30 years of Leopard operation by AFC/Midland Fox/Midland Red East.
* Thurmaston has gained a couple of Leyland Olypians with 4512 coming from Coalville (where it has been since almost new) and 4516 coming from Southgates.
* Another Greenway to leave the fleet is 2142 - JIL2193 (ex RKE520M) which has followed 2139 & 2143 to Neaves of Catfield.
* Wigston Volvo Olympian 4602 has been noted working from Thurmaston recently.
* Scania K92 4150 has been proving popular at Wigston and is a regular performer in normal service.
* Olympian 4509 has finally gained Arriva livery after wearing various adverts for the Haymarket Theatre for more years than I care to Remember though surely this vehicle must now be on borrowed time !
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
* A swop with Leicester has seen Scania's 350/1/4/5 arrive in exchange for 363-6.
* Another Atlantean is ex Hull WAG379X which arrived on tow.
* Yet another Atlantean to escape over Hadrians wall is URS326X !
* Another Scottish Atlantean has turned up in the shape of URS322X.
* An unusual addition to the fleet is URS324X an Alexander bodied Atlantean having previously worked in the Aberdeen & Edinburgh areas.
General.
* Woods ---> Two disposals are JIW9464 which had spent 12 years in the fleet and 546YYB.
* TRS ---> Four Neoplan Skyliners have arrived to replace those written off in the depot fire, of these E470YWJ is returning to Leicestershire having started it's career based in Ratby working for the International Leisure Group (Coach Europe), C941CTP which is currently on it's seventh registration started life on Stagecoach's Anglo-Scottish express work and WIW4748 started life with a large number of similar vehicles in the fleet of Trathans of Plymouth and was used on National Express work.
* Paul Winson ---> Another Olympian to join the fleet is No.81 - CWR525Y ex Stagecoach Ribble who aquired it from Hyndburn though it was new to West Riding.
* The Rumour Mill ! ---> (1) It is thought that WOODS are taking over the Inner Circle night service hence the extra minis, (2) Paul James are to order two more Optare Solo's to expand the Melton to Grantham service whilst Westend travel are also thought to be contributing to the route using a new Dennis Dart, (3) Centrebus is advertising for drivers which could be for service 16 using 4 of the 5 Darts.
* Kinchbus ---> DAF Delta 347 has gone to Barnsley & District.
* Creswells ---> A Serious Fire during the morning of the 20th Destroyed about 10 Vehicles. No further details as yet.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> another vehicle in Yellow livery is AVT170V numbered 17 !.
* Woods ---> Have gained three Plaxton Excaliburs, Two are CHZ4743 (which might have been M67TKA) & CHZ4744 also another unidentified mini is also thought to be in the fleet.
* Kinchbus ---> Minibuses 825/6 R825 & 6MJU have gone to Trent buses at derby.
* Dunn-Line ---> Rare Leyland Lion E935CDS has been noted at Sielby depot.
* Kinchbus ---> The Solo's appear to have had a few teething problems with older vehicles M811PRA & L404CJF noted deputising during the first week.
* Kinchbus ---> The new Solo's (437-40) are registered KP51GXW-Z after all.
* Roberts ---> Have another new Mercedes minibus Registered FE51WUY as well as FE51WEY.
* Ausden Clark ---> Another former London Country Bus Atlantean is KPJ248W.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Volvo Coach 3236 has been repainted in to Arriva Training white & grey livery.
* Seventeen more DAF double Deckers are due here with 15 going to Southgates and 2 to Wigston.
* The report of Olympian 4501 being scrapped appears to have been a white elephant as it was seen alive and well in Leicester on Mon 18th.
* It would appear that a Route Re-Organisation is imminent ! Route 53 will become Route 8 and the X51 will become route 59 with the X26 being binned altogether with the 126/7 or whatever number(s) they are going to end up being diverting around Mountsorrel. Also due to be Disposed of is the 49 to Kibworth though the residents have other idea's and have started a petition (AFC are trying to get em to go on the X61). On top of all this it Would appear that AFC have been Gazumped by Kinchbus who are going to run their new Shepshed service just in front of the AFC bus and it is advertised as going through to Loughborough Railway Station for TRAINS to Leicester !
* It is thought that Pioneer Olympian 4501 is being slowly Scrapped at Coalville !
* Another withdrawal late last year was Ex Colchester Tiger 3005 - OHE274X though minibus 1352 is Still in service though now opperating from Wigston.
* The Training fleet currently Comprises minibus 1316 and Coaches 3213/35/6 though the latter do occasionaly see other work.
* Vehicles withdrawn recently comprise 317 - TVC402W, 612 - 796UHT, M289 - F379UCP From the Training Fleet. 4510 A510EJF, 1304/11/18-21/3 - L304AUT etc, 1330/1 - L228 & 231HRF, 1339 - G301RJA From the Service fleet though 1352 N352OBC is also absent from the latest fleet list whilst 1333 - L233HRF has moved out to Stamford
* It would appear that the end is nigh for the "Urban Fox" livery as the last vehicles in the fleet carrying it (The Southgates Greenways) Look set to be replaced on the 37 with some ex London Dennis Darts similar to those that went to Coalville.
* For those of you who (like me) were wondering why the Wright Solar bodied Volvo B7 had not been on the X67 lately it appears that it was involed in an accident in the middle of January at the M69 / A5 junction though there are two differing stories going around how this came about. It left the road after being 1) "cut-up" by an impatiant Car Driver or 2) The driver was attacked by a passenger. It sustained very serious damage and is currently at Pickerings awaiting a decsion on its fate. Thankfully there were no serious injuies to Driver or Passengers.
* The following vehicles have not been seen out and about recently.... 1304 (L304AUT), 1311 (L311AUT), 4477 (TPD129X), 4510 (A510EPA) "Any Sightings ?"
* A strange working on monday 4th was Southgates School bus 4150 (the rare scania K92 decker) on Wigston route 80 !, It was noticed at 09:30 travelling empty by Freemans Common then appeared on 80's later in the day. As a rule Southgates seem to avoid using this vehicle on Normal service at all costs. Also seen the same morning was Market Harborough's Optare Spectra 4001 travelling along Aylestone road from Blaby into the city Carrying Passengers but with a Blank desti Blind.
* A couple of Double Deck Scania's have gained Advertising Frames recently.
Arriva Derby.
* A Dozen DAF / East Lancs Double Deckers are due here.
First Northampton.
* Metrobus No.35 has been de-licenced
* Leicester Dominator No.143 has returned here.
* Bristol VR's 39 & 40 have been de-licenced along with Metrobus 31.
* Leicester Olympian 189 - P189TGD has found a Temporary ? Home here.
General.
* Kinchbus ---> Another Optare Vecta is 815 - M815PRA. It is thought that the registrations for the forthcoming Optare Solo's will now be FP51GYA - D.
* Centrebus ---> The Knights Have Invaded Leicester City Centre..... The recently aquired Dennis Darts have been Named & Numbered as follows P35MLE -> No.34 "White Knight" / P158MLE -> No.33 "Red Knight" / P160MLE -> No.35 "Black Knight".
* Centrebus ---> Olympian No.24 E926KYR "Princess Aimee" has had a name change and is now "Princess Chantelle".
* Woods ---> Another Mercedes minibus arrival is M67WKA which has been in Leicestershire before as Arriva Fox County 1371 but left that fleet last summer so has been elsewhere for about six months.
* General ---> A strange coincidence has come to light.... First Leicester Olympian 186 had chassis number 26885 whilst the next vehicle off the production line was Fox Olympian 4601 with Chassis Number 26886 ! Also Similar are Fox 4602 = 26888, FL 191 = 26889, Fox 4603 = 26890.... Well there you go a quality bit of useless Info from yours truly :-)
* General ---> I have recieved a Request from a Former Driver of Bob Mutch & Son who is trying to track down any pictures of Mutch liveried Vehicles (or former Mutch vehicles) out and about as he had his (well the coach) picture taken frequently and is now trying the power of cyberspace to see if he can get copies of any of the piccies. If anyone has any photo's lying around If you wish to email them to me and I will pass them on. Thanks.
* Confidence ---> The Fleet Numbers of the recent arrivals have been shuffled about with A112MUD now 50, EEH903Y now 51 and EEH904Y becoming 52.
* Confidence ---> Atlantean No.21 - GVO717N the second longest serving member of the fleet has gone across the County to Fleetline Buses.
* Centrebus ---> It is thought that the recently aquired Dennis Darts are to compete against First Leicester on route 16. The Company service van has been repainted from Anstey Busline to Centrebus livery and has gained the name "Paris" !
* Hylton & Dawson ---> Plaxton Derwent bodied Bedford E216MFX has recieved the registration HDZ101 from an older Bedford that has reverted to GPV379T.
* General ---> It would appear that both First Leicester & Arriva Fox County have been having Major problems with School Kids on various normal Service buses recently especially on First route 54 and AFC route 126 where vehicles have suffered with vandalism & Driver's with Abuse. An article in the Leicester Mercury stated that even during a meeting between First Leicester staff and a School Headmaster on route 54 the bus on which they arrived on was Tampered with by the little angels !
* Confidence ---> The Olympian Invasion continues with EEH904Y Arriving from Arriva Midlands North (Via Ensign) re-joining sister EEH903Y.
* Confidence ---> Ex Portsmouth Atlantean No.23 - HOR305N has returned to it's homeland for Preservation.
* Centrebus ---> More Plaxton bodied Dennis Darts have arrived from Armchair, P35MLE, P158MLE & P160MLE having been recently ousted from London routes 117 -> Staines - Hounslow - West Middlesex Hospital & 190 -> Richmond - Hamersmith - West Brompton by Low Floor versions. All retain Armchair Livery which is more or less identical to the Centrebus Livery.
* Kinchbus ---> Ex Trent Optare Vecta 811 - M811PRA has been noted at work on Service 2 whilst L.National 530 - FRA530V is still knocking up the miles and has even been noted on the 123 Leicester - Derby service recently.
* Confidence ---> Another coach that started life at Oxford is Paramount bodied Tiger Coach No.51 - A112MUD which joins Two similar vehcles all of which came here via Worth's of Enstone.
* A.C.S ---> As From the 1st of Febuary this Company became known as Thurmaston Bus.
* Centrebus ---> Volvo Coach No.9 - N760AHP "Princess Demi" has been sold and the other coach in the Fleet Bova Futura No.7 - K8OVA "Princess Abbie" has been Noted running around with "Ralph's" fleetname on the Front Windscreen !
* Centrebus ---> Atlantean No.12 - RTV436X has been Scrapped and similar No.8 - MVO424W Has also been Taken out of Service.
* Centrebus ---> A second Dennis Dart to Join the fleet is No.32 P31MLE "Princess April" It joins similar No.31 P32MLE, Both are ex Armchair of Brentford.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Midland Mainline Railink Minibus 1360 was noted stretching it's wheels on the X61 Market Harborough to Leicester service on Monday 28th !.
* The rundown of the Greenway fleet continues with 2139 - SIB6712 (ex BYW425V) latterly at Coalville and "Dales Stalker !" 2143 - JIL2197 (ex BCD808L) latterly at Market Harborough both Going to Neaves of Catfield over in Deepest Darkest Norfolk.
* Wigston Scania 4154 has joined similar 4157 at Market Harborough recently. Mini 1159 has moved from Southgates to Thurmaston and Training mini 1315 which disappeared for a while has reappeared with a new coat of white/grey paint.
* Some new Double Deck Vehicles (DAF / East Lancs ?) are due June/July to replace the Volvo Olympians on the 126/7 services. The Olympians which are racking up fair old mileages will then be deployed elsewhere, On a similar subject it is rumoured that Derby is expecting the Batch of 'P' reg Volvo's from Wigston, so will these be replaced by the 'S' reg batch or will the 'S' reg batch end up at Derby ?
* Service 126/7 is apparently only going to go from Leicester to Loughborough from Feb 25th with the Shepshed side of things becoming Kinchbus Service 4 though None of the Arriva staff seem to know anything about it !
* Wigston's DAF Lowlanders have still not got correct 84/84A/85 route branding some despite some being in service for 5 months now. Some have no branding and some have the Old (i.e not Lutterworth) branding and 4706 which had the "old" branding on both sides has now lost the Offside one !
* Arriva Derby Dart - 2219 T49JJF has been noted at work in Leicester !
* Wigston Scania 4157 - F157DET has been noted working out of Market Harborough again recently.
* Leopard training Vehicles 796UHT & TVC402W seem to have vanished without trace with all Training now done with Volvo Coaches.
* During the first week of the new year it appears that a builder working at Thurmaston depot connected up a water pipe to the main Diesel tank in error causing many vehicles to breakdown with water in their fuel tanks, The problem was noted early on when the first 104's didn't make it very far :-)Dale
* Pickerings workshops have got a large contract for "De-Londonising" and refurbishing a large number of Arriva London Dennis Darts for distribution to various Arriva Companies so if you one or two strangers in the Thurmaston area this could be the reason.
* Wigstons Volvo Olympians (4601-13) seem to be having a lot of Blind trouble lately with several being noted Shredded or Missing. Not too sure of the reason though the Top Four possibilities are 1)Heavy Handed Drivers, 2)Hungry Depot Mice, 3)Hungry Drivers, 4)Atmospheric trouble (blinds freezing up) or 5)Ying & Yang out of Harmony in the Welford area :-()
* A number of Melton Mowbray "branded" minis have been seen around Leicester recently and 1136 has moved to Wigston.
* It seems that Coalville's oldest minis 1304/11 have vanished recently
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
* Volvo B6's 437 L677RMD & 438 L680RMD have returned to Leicester.
* Dominators 146 F146MBC & 149 F149MBC have come here from Leicester.
General.
* Woods ---> Another Mercedes minibus is M122YCM which is currently being used in a Pinky/Purpleish livery, Similar M120YCM joined the Paul James fleet last year.
* Dunn Line ---> Another Wright Bodied Scania noted on service 120 is FE51RBV which wears a Purple and White livery.
* Confidence ---> Another Leyland Olympian to join the fleet is EEH903Y which was until recently in the Fleet of Arriva Midlands North. This is a notable purchase as it is the 50th vehicle to be opperated by Ken Williams and also comes in the Queen's Golden Jubilee year. (with a bit of forward thinking this bus could have had a Gold Paint Scheme !)
* Kinchbus ---> The Two Optare excel's are due to leave the fleet when the 126/7 service becomes 100% Arriva Fox on Febuary 25th. The 126/7 will then no longer serve Shepshed this link becoming Kinchbus service 4 with Optare Solo's.
* Kinchbus ---> All the Optare Delta's are to be replaced by smaller Optare Vectra's transferred from Trent, The Delta's will then move to Yorkshire Traction.
* Dunn Line ---> It has been noted that as well as operating out of the old Kinch depot at Barrow the two Scania saloons on the 120 are using G.K.Kinch disc's ! Two more Wright bodied Scania saloons are on order for route 120, The current vehicles will then move across to route 159.
* Kinchbus ---> Several of Trents MAN based Optare Vecta's are due for this fleet and 811 M811PRA has already gained Kinch livery. Also due are some Optare Solo's registered FP51GXW - GXZ and numbered 437 - 440.
* Confidence ---> Vintage Leopard 31 - XRR616M is being stripped for spares.
* Country Hopper ---> Has aquired former Leicester PD3 (90HBC) which was latterly used by Bushey Middle School and it might find use on some sort of Heritage service.
* A.C.S ---> Atlantean AKV178V is another bus in "Skoolbus Yello"
* Oooops ! ---> Hylton & Dawson Bedford E215MFX is currently at Pickerings in Thurmaston for repair assessment on Rear end damage sustained when it was hit by one of the Centrebus Scanias.
* Dunn Line ---> Is to operate service 159 Coalville to Hinckley from Febuary 27th.
* Centrebus ---> Has started operation of the Saturdays only Park & Ride from County Hall into Leicester.
* Centrebus ---> "Princess Chloe" aka RTV436X is being cannibalised for spares and GTO299V formerly "Princess Susan" has been running around with no identification.
* Dunn Line ---> Wright bodied Scania FE51RBX has recieved a Blue and Yellow livery and was working the 777 Leicester to Nottingham service on 02/01/02 in place of one of the the usual Scania Coaches T34/6CNN.
2001 News Archive