December 2004

First Leicester.
* The situation with dual purpose Volvo B10, 66611, is very complex. It did go to Northampton initially, where it operated for about a week. It then returned to Leicester for about two days, before going over to Midland Red for about five days. During the time that it was at Midland Red, sister bus 66613 (G113 ENV) was in Leicester for M.O.T. work (Midland Red vehicles are regular visitors here for such work). Thereafter, it returned to Leicester, however it then went back on loan to Northampton w/c 13th dec along with Volvo B7's 66301/2 to cover for knackered Gas buses !
* Volvo B6's 48081/2 have gone to Northampton
* 5 brand new Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Tridents are at work here as . . . 33401- VX54 MTV, 33402- VX54 MTY, 33403- VX54 MTZ, 33404- VX54 MUA, 33405- VX54 MUB. The vehicles are supposed to be with Midland Red at Redditch but cannot commence service yet because the local authority need to undertake tree lopping work so rather than leave them lying around doing nothing, the thought was to bring them to Leicester, to give extra double-deck capacity in the run up to Christmas, which in turn, freed up some single-decks to go to Northampton (see above).
* Dennis falcon 67614 has lost its Silver Reg vardy advertising livery and now carries Barbie 3 "willowleaf" livery.
* The eleventh Lynx to arrive here is 62736 - G136HNP which carries "Willowleaf" Livery.
* Brand new vehicles currently in store here are eight BMC School Buses for first Berkshire and two Enviro's 67634 - VX54MPO & 67635 - VX54MPU for First Wyvern with more expected.

Arriva Fox County.
* DAF coach 3201 has gone to Arriva the Shires. Whilst Olympian 4519 has been reported with Countryliner of Guildford.
* A swop of Darts has seen 2048/9 move from Thurmaston to Southgates in exchange for 2201/2 which now work cross country services. And 2243 has moved from Market Harborough to Hinckley
* Mercedes minibus 1173 has been scrapped whilst 1128 & 1151 have also been taken out of service from Hinckley and Coalville and 1169 has moved from Southgates to Wigston.

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* Familiar arrivals here are 34287 - P187TGD & 34289 - P189TGD Alexander bodied Volvo olympians that have arrived from First Devon & Cornwall having gone there from Leicester/Northampton a couple of years back!
* A second Mercedes-Benz vario has seen use here was 52526 - S526RWP, Both of these have now been replaced by 48081 & 48082 and have moved on to First Devon & Cornwall.
* Another Volvo Decker to go to First Manchester is 38127
* Volvo B6's 48081 & 48082 are now at work here covering for dodgy Gas buses.

General.
* Andrews ---> Is another company to find a use for a former West Midlands Metrobus with ROX632Y now here reregistered SJI6570. It has replaced the original SJI6570 an Alexander bodied Atlantean Which reverted to its original registration of JKW299W on departure from the fleet.
* Roberts ---> A forth Metrobus to arrive here from Travel West Midlands is A687UOE
* Centrebus ---> Former Darts P32MLE & P158MLE have now returned here from Dunstable.
* Woods ---> Two Mercedes mini's that have recently left the fleet are JIL4006 which was the last Pam's vehicles in the fleet and AHZ9360 which has returned north of the border to Hutchinson, Renfrew having came to woods from Henderson, Hamilton in december 2000.
* Woods ---> Another 3 Brand new Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes-Benz Varios here are YN54WCO, YN54WCP & YN54WCZ which in common with YN54WCY mentioned last month carry Metalic blue livery. These also carry fleet numbers 541, 544, 543 & 542 respectively.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Another Metrobus to enter service here is POG533Y from West Midlands travel.
* Ausden Clark ---> The final two Atlanteans have left the fleet with former London Country KPJ248W and Nottingham MNU692W going to a Nottinghamshire operator.

November 2004

First Leicester.
* Another Lynx here from Wyvern is 62735 - G135HNP and is also the first Vehicle here in the Revised "Barbie" livery.
* Following service revisions Volvo B6's 48025, 48081 & 48082 have all been taken out of service which also means there are currently no Northern Counties bodied examples in service.
* Volvo saloon 66111 is reported still here and has not gone back to Northampton as Thought.
* Lynx 62707 is now back from Northampton with Volvo B7 66342 going the other way.

Arriva Fox County.
* Olympain 4509 has moved again from Thurmaston to Coalville whilst Vario minibuses 1168 & 1169 have gone to Southgates leaving no minibuses at Thurmaston.
* Vario's 1149, 1170 & 1173 have been withdrawn along with Olympain 4516 and Volvo coach 3201.
* Olympains 4503 & 4504 have been withdrawn and sold to Ensign, 4502 also made the same journey before heading back up the M1 to Confidence the following week !
* Volvo Coach 3211 is now with Roberts of Coalville.
* Another VDL DE40 coach with van Hool bodywork for National express Commitments is 3207 - YJ54CFF.
* Scania 4163 hit the headlines after ending up in somones back garden after an accident whilst working the X61 in Market Harborough, It is thought that 4162 is now back at Wigston from Market harborough.
* Former park & Ride Darts 2201/2 are now the regular vehicles on the CrossCountry routes to the east of the county being replaced on the 59 by 2089 & 2090.
* Former Mercedes-Benz vario 1109 P109HCH made an appearence on tv as a Schoolbus on "Max & Paddy's road to nowhere" driven by Peter Kay !, Whilst on the subject of TV..... The Big Bad Bus Ride which features Former Olympians 4511 & 4517 is scheduled to be on ITV1 early in 2005.

Arriva Derby.
* Volvo Citybuses 4379 & 4384 have joined 4376-8 with Fowlers over in darkest Lincolnshire.
* Volvo Citybuses 4350 & 4354 are two more to gain Yellow Schoolbus livery.

First Northampton.
* Volvo D10M 38128 has gone to First Manchester.
* Volvo B10L 66042 which was thought to have gone to Manchester some time ago is currently at Leicester undergoing repairs to accident damage gained last year.
* National express routes 455 - Rugby - Northampton - London & 707 Northampton - Gatwick are now worked By First using Wessex coaches based here.
* First Midland Red Mercedes Vario 52535 - S535RWP has been noted in use here !
* Volvo B7 66342 has returned here with Lynx 62707 returning to Leicester.
* Two More BMC Falcon School buses are 68520 - KP54AZU and unnumbered KP54AZV.

General.
* Beaverbus ---> The Operating centre has moved to the 'secure' Alsthom complex at Whetstone which is also home to several other transport companies.
* Paul Winson ---> As expected former Nottingham Atlantean NNN474W has been sold for use as a Playbus.
* Spencers ---> Former Fox County Mercedes minibus 1394 - K390NGG has turned up here though it is thought it has been elsewhere since withdrawal from Fox County quite some time ago.
* Centrebus ---> It would appear that Metrobus F95XOF mentioned last month is for spares only.
* Fleetline ---> A dennis Javelin with Duple 320 bodywork featuring a wheelchair lift has turned up here registered YIL7182.
* Woods ---> A new mercedes vario with Plaxton Beaver here is YN54WCY which in common with other recent arrivals carries CrossCountry metalic blue livery.
* Beaverbus ---> An unusual addition here is a Volvo Fire Engine Registered F903JSU carrying the identity 'Beaver Rescue' and is used a a kind of Limosine with a fully uniformed crew mainly to take Hen party's etc on nights out !

October 2004

First Leicester.
* Volvo B10M saloon 66611 has finally gone back to Northampton along with Lynx 62707.
* Several Volvo B7Tl's have been loaned to Northampton for various events recently and these included 32056, 32059, 32062, 32080, 32087 & 32090.

Arriva Fox County.
* Another new coach for National Express work is Van Hool bodied VDL (basicly a DAF) 3202 YJ54CFE.
* It has been confirmed that just a month before reaching its 21st birthday with the company, Olympian 4502 has gone to Confidence.

Arriva Derby.
* Olympian 4626 has gone on loan to Arriva Yorkshire.

First Northampton.
* Four 61 seat BMC School buses have arrived here as 68507 KX54AHP, 68508 KX54AHU, 68509 KX54AHY & 68510 KX54ANR.

General.
* West Midlands Travel! ---> A further TEN MCW Metrobuses from this fleet have found work in Leicestershire along with the new school term and brifely comprise:- ROX636Y -> G.H Watts: ROX540Y, ROX647Y & ROX664Y -> Fleetline Buses: A733UOE, A739WVP & A112WVP -> Roberts: A106WVP -> Beaverbus: B834AOP & F95XOF -> Centrebus.
* Roberts ---> A Trio of West Midlands Metrobuses have arrived in the shape of A733UOE, A739WVP and A112WVP which started life as one of the first batch of guided buses in the UK during the summer of 1984.
* Fleetline Buses ---> A Trio of MCW Metrobuses have also arrived here from Travel West Midlands in the shape of ROX540Y, ROX647Y & ROX664Y.
* G.H Watts ---> A Third ex WM Metrobus here is ROX636Y.
* Beaverbus ---> The MCW Metrobus has also made an appearence in this fleet to in the shape of A106WVP from West Midlands which started life as one of a small batch of guided buses in the west midlands during the 80's three of which are now in Leicestershire.
* Centrebus ---> And another pair of Metrobuses have turned up here as well in the shape of B834AOP & F95XOF.
* C & N ---> Making a change to all the Metrobuses appearing elsewhere is new arrival CHF351X a second Alexander bodied Dennis Dominator that stated life with Merseyside PTE as part of a small batch of evaluation vehicles, though arrived here from Bellamy of Nottingham.
* Nigel Jackson ---> Also taking a Dominator in the shape of East Lancs bodied C719NCD Which was one of four delivered to new to Brighton during the aumtumn of 1985 but arrived here like the C & N example via Bellamy of Nottingham.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Following the recent MCW influx to the County there has also been one loss in the shape of KYV775X which broke a piston on its return from a contract on 15th Oct and as repair was not deemed cost effective it was stripped of useful parts and dispatched to Barnsley.
* Ausden Clark ---> A tenth Scania decker to arrive here is G722RYJ an East Lancashire bodied N113 from Brighton & Hove.
* Rutland Travel ---> A pair of Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes-Benz Varios have arrived here in the shape of HP54WET & LP54WET.
* Woods ---> RIL4359 the only Mellor bodied Mercedes minibus in the fleet has been sold.

September 2004

First Leicester.
* Volvo B6's 48021 & 48024 have both been taken out of service, 48024 following severe fire damage whilst working the 123 on 08/09.

Arriva Fox County.
* It is thought but not yet confirmed that 4502 is now with Confidence.
* Olympians 4511 & 4517 are coming soon to a TV near you ! they were used by a telivision production company making a programme called "Big Bad Bus Ride" which is set in London Uniteds Fulwell depot and to look the part both vehicles gained the authentic livery, though the filming actually took place in downtown err . . . Warrington.
* Volvo Citybuses 4321, 4389 & 4393 have gone to Derby whilst Thurmaston have gained Olympians 4558, 4559 & 4561 from Hinckley and Southgates
* Scania's 4153 & 4155 have returned to Southgates after a few years at Wigston Whilst Olympians 4508, 4512 & 4519 have all left the fleet along with Volvo Coach 3212.
* Darts on the move recently have been 2043, 2047-9 Southgates to Thurmaston and 2249 Thurmaston - Hinckley in exchange for 2208.
* Mercedes Minibus 1359 latterly used as the Corby RailLink standby has turned up with Arriva at Shrewsbury.

Arriva Derby.
* A few more ex London Volvo citybuses have arrived here from Fox County in the shape of 4321, 4389 & 4393. In the case of 4321 it is a return visit.

First Northampton.
*

General.
* Woods ---> 4 more Mercedes minibuses have arrived here in the shape of P386, 389, 390, 392FEA which have come from Midland Red/Stevensons. They carry metalic blue cross-country livery.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Another Metrobus to arrive here is GYE565W which has come all the way from the fleet of Nigel Jackson!
* Kinchbus ---> Titans 670-3 have been renumbered 770-3 with Atlantean 684 becoming 774.
* Kinchbus ---> Optare Solo's 437-440 have departed after a brief spell here and are now working for Trent on the "Long Eaton exprss". Other recent departures from the fleet have been Dart's 894 & 899 and Mercedes minibuses 821 & 823 which are all currently at Langley Mill.
* Paul James ---> Two Plaxton bodied Mercedes-Benz minibuses have joined this fleet in the shape of YU04XHX & YU04XHY.

August 2004

First Leicester.
* 12 Wright bodied Volvo Double Deckers are due here along with 16 Saloons of a similar combination.

Arriva Fox County.
* 1128 & 1136 have returned to service at Hinckley to replace 1147 & 1171 which have gone to Midland Red North at Cannock.

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* 9 Wright bodied Volvo Double Deckers are due here along with 10 Saloons of a similar combination

General.
* Fleetline Buses ---> East Lancs bodied Atlanteans MNU623P & GVO717N along with the sole Alexander bodied fleet member KSA178P have gone to PVS at Barnsley for Scrap whilst RNU430X is being stripped for spares and SNU456X is out of service.
* C & N Travel ---> Former Greater Manchester Atlantean ANA597Y has arrived here all the way from Ausden Clark !
* Ausden Clark ---> Two Brand New arrivals are YN04AJY & YN04AKY which are 70 seat Irizar Century Scania's.
* Paul Winson ---> Atlantean No.61 - NNN474W is expected to be sold for conversion into a playbus whilst similar No.54 - NNN479W is expected to be converted to Open-Top !
* Paul Winson ---> A pair of Alexander bodied Volvo citybuses have joined the feet in the shape of G333NRC & G335PAL both came from Nottingham though 335 spent a short period as a Demonstrator at the start of its life.
* Paul Winson ---> Ex Trent Varios R279RAU & R282RAU have been numbered 93 & 94 respectively.
* Confidence ---> Cutesy of paul more info has come to light concerning the historty of new arrival MJI7846, It was originally C27ECW and new to Fylde Borough Transport in 1985. Fylde took over Seagull Coaches in 1988 and the Tiger began operating under that name then later being re-registered (the MD was Marsh, J.I. if that is a clue!). Fylde was bought by Blackpool in 1994 but not subsumed into it until July 1996. It was withdrawn around March 1997 and sold for staff transport at Martin Baker Aircraft Company in Bucks before passing to Confidence.

July 2004

First Leicester.
*

Arriva Fox County.
* Olympian 4503 has been on the move again and is now at Thurmaston.
* More Mercedes Vario's to Transfer to arriva Midlands North are 1148,1150 & 1180.

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* Another Alexander Ultra bodied B10L to arrive from First in Wales is 66041 - N141VDU.

General.
* Centrebus ---> Metrobus F806YLV has gained latest livery.
* Confidence ---> Another Leyland Tiger to join the fleet is MJI7846 Which started life with Blackpool's Seagull Coach Unit. It is the first Duple bodied example in this Plaxton dominated fleet.
* Paul Winson ---> An exchange of Trent vario's has seen R277RAU depart in favour of R282RAU.
* C & N Travel ---> A Third Olympian that started life with Alexander Northern to arrive here is YSO36Y.
* Kinchbus ---> Two more Volvo B10B's to arrive here are L116LRA & M131PRA, The final Optare Vecta (814) has departed the fleet.
* Country Hopper ---> Dennis Dart's M828RCP, N3BLU & P696HND have all gone to Simpson, Skipton.

June 2004

First Leicester.
* Driver Training Metrobus 35376 & Northamptons similar 35351 have both been turning up all over the two counties recently.
* Following a bit of a quiet spell for the Dominator Fleet 39094 has been taken out of service.
* Volvo Citybuses 38096 & 38097 have departed back to Northampton, However.......... 38097 has now re-appeared back in Leicester !
* Another vehicle that has stopped off here between companies is Plaxton Verde bodied Dennis lance 60996 - N458JUG Which is thought to be en-route from Leeds to First Devon & Cornwall though is currently making itself useful as a driver trainer.
* An arrival here is 40068 - J901SEH a Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart thought to be en-route from PMT to Midland Red.

Arriva Fox County.
* Vehicles changing depots recently are Scania 4136 Market Harborough to Wigston in exchange for 4162, whilstmarket Harborough has also gained Merc 1179 at the expense of 1176 which moved to Wigston, 1171 has moved from Southgates to Hinckley, whilst 1167 has moved Thurmaston to Wigston.
* Olympians recently taken out of service are 4508, 4509, 4511 & 4519 whilst minibuses stored are 1128, 1136 & 1140,
* Mercedes-Benz Vario 1121 is now working in Wales for Padarn of Llanberis and also starting a new life in Wales is the former 3019 - 109CRC now with EST Bus, Llandow and Volvo Coach 3235 - GIL6949 which is now with Japheth, Trefor.
* Alexander bodied Leyland Tiger driver trainer 3055 - F35ENF has returned to Midlands North, However similar 9504 - F34ENF has now arrived instead along with Duple bodied coach 9507 - HIJ3652.
* Open Top Olympian's 4514 & 4518 have re-appeared out of hibernation to work this years Discover Leicester tour.
* Volvo Olympian 4647 has moved from Southgates to Wigston.
* Scania's 4134 & 4174 are now both in Fleet livery ex Road safety livery's.

Arriva Derby.
* Health Hopper darts 2217 & 2218 have both now gained standard livery following the end of the contract.
* Leyland Fleetline 4313 has gone to Cherry of Bootle whilst 4312 has also gone. This leaves just one left in this fleet and the whole of the Arriva group!
* Mercedes minibuses 1382 & 1392 Have transferred to arriva Midlands North whilst 1385 has moved to Stevensons.
* Marshall bodied Volvo Citybuses 4376-78 have been sold to Fowler of Holbech Drove.
* Volvo Citybus 4382 - A132DTO has left the fleet and is now with Stephensons of Tolthorpe up in North Yorkshire.

First Northampton.
* Volvo Citybus 38083 has arrived back from it's spell with Midland red and 38096 & 38097 have arrived back from Leicester though 38097 has since gone back up the M1.

General.
* Wide Horizon ---> Bristol VRT LFJ865W has been sold to Terry's of Coventry, who also now have it up for sale as well.

May 2004

First Leicester.
* Former London Metrobus C376BUV has entered service as a driver trainer numbered 35376.
* Another former London MCW Metrobus here is M348 - GYE348W.
* All the Go-Ahead group Olympians that were stored here have gone to Ensign though are currnetly stored in a warehouse on the Old Kent Road !
* Volvo 38092 has gone back to Northampton.
* More Lynx's to arrive here from Wyvern recently are 62716 - G116HNP, 62731 - G131HNP, 62744 - G144HNP & 62750 - G150HNP.

Arriva Fox County.
*

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* It has been reported that former Volvo K129GNH which has recently transferred to Glasgow had turned over on the M8.
* Volvo coach 20055 - NTL655 hit the headlines when it became embedded in a Bungalow after crossing several lawns and flower beds at Welford after a school run. Its future could now be in doubt.

General.
* Woods ---> Long term Fleet member and final Duple bodied coach FIL6617 has finally left the fleet having completed just over 20 years service since arriving new in January 1984, along with Paramount bodied MAZ7015.
* Woods ---> Another Plaxton Premiere Volvo to arrive here is N285OYE which has now been re-registered WDZ6570 with similar recent arrival N891AEO now WDZ6259.
* Woods ---> Former Fox County Vario's P104HCH & P118HCH have been re-registered LKZ3613 & LKZ3614 respectively.
* Wilsons ---> It's welcome back to two former Leicestershire residents in the shape of MTU117Y & MTU121Y Olympians that started life with Crosville before joining Midland Fox for quite a few years before heading up to scotland with Irine's of Law.
* Wilsons ---> TSO12X & TSO13X are ECW bodied Olympians that started life with along with YSO37Y & YSO41Y (new arrivals at C & N) wth Alexander Northern Feb 82.
* C & N Travel ---> Continuing the influx of Olympians to the County, YSO37Y & YSO41Y have arrived here from Merseyside but started life with Alexander Northern in January 1983.
* Alan Smith ---> Whilst the number of Dennis Dominators in use around Leicester has been dwindling of late One has just entered service here in the shape of CLV42X a Long Wheelbase East lancs example that came from Warrington.
* Paul Winson ---> Two Mercedes Vario's have arrived from Trent in the shape of R277RAu & R279RAU. It is not currently known if these are permanent additions to the fleet or on loan.
* Paul Winson ---> Volvo Coach C21PSW which was the Longest Serving Fleet member having arrived in March 1990 has been withdrawn and sold to a welsh operator.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Jonckheere bodied Scania coach IIL1252 has come here from Ralphbus who in turn aquired it from Nigel Jackson not so long ago!
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Former Nottingham Atlantean MVO415W Has gone to the big bus yard in the sky.
* Nigel Jackson ---> Former London Country Atlantean KPJ270W has been aquired from Ausden Clark.
* Centrebus ---> The former identities of the XIL' series of darts have been identified as XIL6081 ex K860LGN, XIL6802 ex K854LGN, XIL6083 ex K865LGN, XIL8418 ex K863LGN & XIL8419 ex K866LGN.
* Centrebus ---> Another Dart SLF to appear is W617YNB which along with W618YNB mentioned last month has come from Jim Stones in Leigh Both carry the SkyBlue livery of the Hertfordshire fleet and were originally registered B1JYM & BUS1S.

April 2004

First Leicester.
* Further to last month's info about former Dominators 141 & 147 moving from First PMT at Rock Ferry to First Eastern Counties at Great Yarmouth it would appear that 140 & 142 have also joined them, whilst sister bus 145 has gone across the pennines to First Mainline at Rotherham.

Arriva Fox County.
* A DAF (thought to be 4716) was noted with it's rear end on Fire near whetstone on Tues 30th March!

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
*

General.
* Centrebus ---> Anouther mini-pointer Dart noted here is W618YNB which carries a sky Blue & White livery.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Atlantean MNU632P has gone for scrap along with OTB28W.
* Fleetline Buses ---> Atlantean XTV667S has gone to PVS for Scrap, whilst MNU623P has been taken out of service and is being stripped for spares.
* Ausden Clark ---> Former Leicester Scania C110UBC has been re-registered KAZ4524.

March 2004

First Leicester.
* News of former fleet members is that Dominators 141 - F141MBC & 147 - F147MBC have moved from First PMT at Rock Ferry to First Eastern Counties at Great Yarmouth though they are thought destined for Ipswich.
* A strange arrival here is Volvo powered Leyland National 2 - GUW497W which was previously with First Beeline as a driver trainer at Slough.
* The Metrobus has made a return here in the shape of M861 - OJD861Y, M1051 - A751THV, M1199 - B199WUL, M1259 - B259WUL, M1376 - C376BUV & M1438 - C438BUV from First London at Uxbridge. M1051 has since gone to Northampton as a driver Trainer !
* Former London Central Alexander Royale bodied Volvo Olympians M81-5,7 & 91MYM have gone to Ensign and are for sale at £50,000 if you would like one :-)
* Mercedes minibus 724 has returned from Northampton and is de-licenced.
* Accident damaged Dominator 144 has suprisingly returned to service.
* Volvo B6's 437 & 438 have returned from loan to PMT though 437 moved on again very quickly to First Glasgow.
* Volvo B6 422 has returned to service from store.

Arriva Fox County.
*

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* Volvo B6 No.435 is currently de-licenced.
* An unusual arrival here for use as a driver trainer is former London Metrobus M1051 - A751THV which is now numbered 3531. It is of interest being one of a batch of 12 Metrobuses, new with P.A. equipment, for use on the London sightseeing tour, when it started way back in 1984.
* Mercedes No.724 has returned to Leicester.

General.
* Centrebus ---> More Darts to arrive are Dual-Door L712JUD from MK Metro, Low Floor S462LGN & S466LGN from Epsom Buses and Dual Door Low Floor T411LGP from Connex. T411LGP is the only one to have entered service in Leicester so far, so others might head for other fleets !
* Ausden Clark ---> Yet another Scania double Decker has arrived, this time in the shape of former Newport C28ETG that arrived via a spell with Black Prince, Morley and currently carries Leeds Corporation livery !
* Country Hopper ---> Another two Vehicles to leave the fleet are Fleetlines XSJ649T & XSJ650T now both with Pencoed travel.
* Woods ---> Another Mercedes minibus is L153UEM which has joined the fleet with L154UEM mentioned last month. These have since been re-registered LKZ3623 & LKZ3624
* Roberts ---> Now has in stock Northern Counties bodied Fleetline MTV310W ex Arriva Derby.
* Centrebus ---> Three Darts have been registered XIL6081-3.
* Centrebus ---> Scania G374NRC has gained current livery.
* Schofield Travel ---> Atlantean RNU426X has gone to a new life in the Wigan area whilst the remaining members of the fleet have been integrated into the main Paul Winson Fleet.
* Nigel Jackson ---> Another former West Midlands Metrobus to appear in the county is GOG263W which came via Renown of Bexhill. This has replaced Bristol VRT SJI6571 which has gone to Wigley for Scrap.
* Paul Winson ---> Former Isle of Man Olympian C580VMX did not stay very long here and is now with a company in Essex.
* C & N Travel ---> It would appear that Atlantean PKA726S did not come here from G.H Watts it went to ABC instead.

Febuary 2004

First Leicester.
* Repaints of the Falcons into Barbie livery continues appace with 616, 626 and the unique Green 622 the latest to be delt with.
* Volvo B6's 437 & 438 are still with First PMT and might not return.
* Mercedes mini 724 has gone to Northampton leaving just 728 in use here on a school contract.
* Another Lynx to turn up here is 550 - F107HNP, This together with the other four came from First Wyvern (though 551-3 started life with Bristol).
* It has been pointed out that the Anchor adverts on Volvo B7TL's 218 & 221 are on the Off-Side & Rear only.
* Not doing much for it's life expectancy Dominator No.144 was involved in a collision with an Argos lorry on Edgehill Road on 29th Jan though suprisingly is to be repaired !
* Volvo citybuses 121,210 & 285 have returned to Northampton leaving 292/6/7 here until more Lynx's arrive.
* Atlantean No.540 URS330X is currently with First Mainline at Rotherham undergoing conversion to Leicestershire Constabulary's S-O-S Bus !
* Two more Dominators to be stored are Nos 92 & 95. Along with Volvo B6's 422 & 436.

Arriva Fox County.
* Mercedes Vario 1118 has joined similar 1104 with Woods Coaches and 1116 has been noted at the Stafford Bus Centre.
* Mercedes minibuses 1172 & 1174 have gone to Wigston from Thurmaston, Whilst Market Harborough has gained Dart's 2044 & 2045.

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* Gaz Buz 48 caught fire in the depot on 10th Feb, the latest in a long line of problems to hit this batch.
* Volvo Saloon 113 has joined 112 & 114 with First Wyvern.
* Volvo D10M's 121, 210 & 285 have returned from Leicester though on the minus side similar 129,130 & 132 have gone to First Glasgow.

General.
* Ausden Clark ---> It is thought that former Leicester Scania C110UBC has come "back home" sporting Brighton & Hove livery with Mayne fleetnames !
* Nigel Jackson ---> Another Metrobus at work here is GOG163W.
* Woods ---> A second ex Arriva Fox Mercedes Vario is P118HCH and from Arriva North West has come Mercedes 709 L154UEM. Rental Vario's S552BNV & T455HNV were on Loan whilst the latest arrivals were repainted by Pickerings.
* Alantis Travel ---> Caetano bodied DAF TIL7224 has been sold to APT of Essex and in it's place has come YIL1197 a Van Hool bodied DAF that started life as M761RCP.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Alexander bodied Atlantean YJI1317 has gone to PVS at Barnsley for scrap though the registration has been re-cycled and is now on Small Iveco coach D214VVV.
* Centrebus ---> There are now no Olympians left in service.
* Centrebus ---> An unusual arrival here is T411LGP a dual door bodied Dennis Dart that started life in London.

January 2004

First Leicester.
* Four Leyland Lynx's have entered service in the shape of 551-3 -> F601-3RTC from First Bristol and 554 -> G133HNP from First Wyvern.
* Volvo B6's 437 & 438 are/were on loan to PMT.
* Falcons recently repainted are 618 & 619.
* Volvo B6 No.426 has gained route Branding for the 25. Whilst 612 has joined 611 on the 17 and 617-19 are for the 21/21A.
* Volvo B7TL No.221 has gained allover advertising for Anchor.

Arriva Fox County.
* The Following Vehicles Passed to Bland on the closure of Stamford Depot 3002, 3021, 3156 & 3214.
* Arrivals at Thurmaston recently are Volvo Citybuses 4389 - H649GPF, 4391 - H656GPF & 4393 - H658GPF which have come across the border from Staffordshire.
* Volvo coach 3213 has moved to Hinckley as a replacement for Tiger 3055 and Marks & Spark's liveried Dart 2208 is also now working out of Hinckley.
* Mercedes mini's 1135, 1136 & 1147 have turned up at Hinckley ex Wigston, Market Harborough & Coalville.
* Wigston Mercedes minibuses 1127, 1138 & 1139 have gone to Stafford depot whilst the last members of the first batch of Vario's 1118, 1119, 1124, 1125 & 1126 have been taken out of service.
* Optare bodied Olympian 4561 has gained an LED desination display as has DAF 4718 which was one of a number of the type with defective desti' gear.

Arriva Derby.
* The end might be nigh' for the Fleetlines with 4306, 4311 & 4315 all departing recently.
* New here are Dennis Darts 2276 - SN53ESG & 2277 - SN53ESO which have replaced minibuses 1163/4.

First Northampton.
*

General.
* Paul Winson ---> Two Optare Solo's have been aquired for the 120 service and are MX53FEG & MX53FEH.
* Woods ---> The first Mercedes-Benz Vario to join the large minibus fleet is P104HCH that was latterly with Arriva Fox County out at Stamford.
* Paul Winson ---> It is thought that recently aquired Olympian C651VMX is for the Schofield fleet to replace Atlantean RNU426X.
* Paul Winson ---> New here is Mercedes Minicoach AW53PSW.
* Kinchbus ---> There are now three Volvo B10B's here (L112-114LRA).
* Kinchbus ---> Optare Vecta No.814 is the only one left following the departure of 812 & 813 along with Mercedes No.38 - L807YBC.
* Centrebus ---> More Dennis Darts to show up are K860LGN, K866LGN, XIL6081 & XIL6083.
* Wide Horizon ---> Fleetline SDA764S was sold for scrap during 2003.
* C & N Travel ---> More arrivals to this ever expanding fleet are PKA726S a Leyland Atlantean and G53YNB A Duple 425 both of which were latterly with G.H Watts.
* Fleetline ---> Another former Nottingham vehicle here is MNU625P which has come from Confidence and rejoins similar MNU623P after many years apart.
* Roberts ---> A second East Lancashire Cityzen bodied Scania has turned up here in the shape of X501AHE.
* Roberts ---> The Dennis Dart has made an appearance in this fleet with the arrival of KUI8148 which has not come far as it was latterly with Country Hopper.
* Wide Horizon ---> A recent arrival is East Lancs bodied Long wheelbase Olympian coach SIB3272 which started life with Southampton's 'Red Ensign' Coach unit as C287BBP. Similar but short wheelbase sister C286BBP was with Midland Fox for a few years in the early 90's.

2003 News Archive

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