November 2005

First Leicester.
* Route Branding is Back....... Again ! several vehicles are recieving new style route branding with about 17 done so far.
* Dennis Falcons 67611, 67616 & 67621 have been heavily vandalised whilst stored and most of this batch has now been moved elsewhere in the depot.
* Arrivals here for storage from Wyvern are Mercedes-Benz minibuses 51266 - N266JUG, 51267 - N267JUG, 51269 - N269JUG, 51270 - N270JUG & 51276 - N276JUG Along with returnee's 51636 - N526REW & 51790 - P490CEG.
* A strange arrival here on the 13th was First London Trident 32977 - X977XLT.
* Volvo B6's 48002 & 48026 were transferred up to First Glasgow at Motherwell on the 8th

Arriva Fox County.
* An unusual arrival at Southgates s East Lancs bodied Dart 2096 - N806EHA !
* It would appear that more National Express turns have been taken on including a return London to Bradford 561 turn.
* Despite the time of year open topper 4518 has been noted out and about !
* The number of Leyland Olympians in the fleet has gone up by one with the arrival of former London example 4570 - D170FYM from Burton which is currently working out of Wigston.
* Following a change of depot location Market Harborough is now considered an outstation of Wigston again and vehicles are often swopped around, the Spectras now spending most of their time in and around Wigston.
* Two Minibuses returning here from Midlands North are 1151 at Wigston and 1163 at Hinckley.

Arriva Derby.
* Dennis Dart 2252 has gone to Swadlincote in exchange for Optare Excel 2999 with sister bus 2998 due imminantly in exchange for B10L 3606.

First Northampton.
* Trident 33405 has now rejoined the rest of its batch "at home" with Wyvern.
* All of the unpopular Alexander Ultra bodied Volvo B10L's are now out of service and 60357 & 60360 have gone to Leicester for storage.
* Volvo B6 48026 moved to Leicester shortly before heading up to Scotland for a new life on the 8th, This was the last B6 in service with either company.

General.
* Fleetline ---> Atlantean MNU625P has joined several others at the Notts & Derby Heritage Trust. RTV442X & RTV445X have also recently left the Fleet.
* General ---> Midland Red Leyland National BVP763V has been advertised for sale on Ebay !
* General ---> Preserved Midland Red Leyland National EON824V is currently residing at MacPhersons yard in Donnisthorpe.

October 2005

First Leicester.
* A Quiet month has seen stored Lynx's 62706, 62717, 62726 & 62729 head off to rotherham for conversion to driver trainers on 5th apart from 62729 which left the following day.
* Dominator 39146 made its last trip to PVS on the 14th.
* The remains of Leyland Lynx 62701 has gone to PVS for scrap, it had been substantially stripped for spares.

Arriva Fox County.
* Van Hool coach 3205 has gained Arriva 'Interurban' livery for use on the X67 service and makes quite a contrast to the East lancs Scania saloons on the route :-)
* Fox is expected to loose National Express route 348 to south wales, however it is also expexted that Trent is to relinquish all of it's Nat Exp commitments so Fox might gain some work from there.

Arriva Derby.
* Optare Excel 2998 has arrived here from Arriva Midlands North and is expected to be joined by 2999 in due course, this will be at the expense of one of the B10L's.

First Northampton.
* 39143 The last Dominator here has gone to PVS for scrap.

General.
* Kinchbus ---> Trent excel X236WRA spent a few weeks on loan here along with Mercedes mini R49SCH which is expected to stay a bit longer.
* Fleetline ---> Atlantean RTV442X is heading for the Notts & Derby Heritage Trust for preservation and has been replaced here by Metrobus A738WVP from Alantis travel.
* Kinchbus ---> Leyland Titans 770 & 771 have been sold.
* Dixons Travel ---> A double deck arrival here is JTY371X an Olympian that started life with Northern General and is the second of this batch to find a new life in Leicestershire.
* Roberts ---> Former Nottingham Atlanteans BTV656T & BAU674T have gone for scrap.
* Alantis ---> The last Metrobus in the fleet YIL1197 has been sold to Fleetline reverting to its original registration of A738WVP in the process. YIL1197 is now carried by Van Hool A20BCT and a new arrival in the fleet is K77SAS a Scania with Van Hool body that started life with Speedlink Airport services.

September 2005

First Leicester.
* Northampton Gas Bus 66003 turned up here on the 21st for storage, it arrived on the back of a low loader and more are expected to follow.
* Volvo B7RLE's 66982-5 have joined 66986 & 66987 at Wyvern with 66983 & 66985 departing on the 7th and 66982 & 66984 departing on the 9th, 66976 has also gone "on Loan" to cover for Dennis Darts visiting abbey park road for inspection.
* As part of a swop round of vehicles another four Gemini deckers have arrived here from Northampton with 32631 arriving on the 1st, 32632 on the 5th and 32633 & 32634 on the 7th.
* Volvo B6 48045 left here on the 2nd heading to First Glasgow via Worcester, whilst 48006 & 48072 also made the move up to Motherwell on the 21st and fire damaged 48024 has gone to PVS for scrap together with the two most severely fire damaged BMC schoolbuses.

Arriva Fox County.
* Southgates Dennis Darts 2089 & 2090 have gone to Derby in exchange for the final pair of Scania saloons 3492 & 3493 which have rejoined 3489 & 3491 here some 5 years after 3489 first arrived.
* Another new Van Hool bodied VDL coach for National Express work is 3201 - YJ55KZS which has replaced 3210.
* The latest fleet list shows a pair of lynx's allocated to Market Harborough in the shape of 3110 - F48ENF & 3111 - E966PME both of which have come from Midland Red North, Similar 3104 - G110OUG has been in use at Wigston on training duties, also at Wigston is Volvo B10M saloon 3303 - H919XYT !

Arriva Derby.
* The final pair of Scania saloons 3492 & 3493 have gone to Southgates in exchange for Darts 2089 & 2090.
* Volvo Olympian 4665 is currently on loan to Tamworth to cover for a damaged Scania.
* Dart 2228 has been transferred to Cannock.

First Northampton.
* Volvo B6 48026 is still out and about although 48081 is now dumped at the depot.
* Nomadic Tridents 33403 & 33404 came back again on the 9th, they were not used at Wyvern. In exchange 32631-4 have gone to Leicester.

General.
* Alantis ---> Metrobus KJW278W has been sold.
* Woods ---> Excalibur coach NIL8649 has gained a white based livery with "Citycoach" names whilst another minibus to gain cross country livery is RIL5884.
* G.H Watts ---> Metrobus LOA350X has been sold to Alec Head.
* Centrebus ---> An Scc bodied Dart SLF here is W985WDS, which appears to have replaced S462LGN now in bedfordshire.
* Centrebus ---> Former Kinchbus/Trent Mercedes minibus R828WBC is now with this company.
* Centrebus ---> Another two Metrobuses to turn up here are POG575Y & A770WVP.

August 2005

First Leicester.
* A Wright Gemini decker has arrived here from Northampton in the shape of 32635 which came on the 31st Aug.
* Volvo saloon 66302 returned here from loan to Northampton on the 31st.
* Volvo Saloons 66986 and 66987 have gone to First Wyvern at Worcester departing on the 31st and 24th of the month.
* All five Volvo deckers that went to London have now returned with 32077, 32094 & 32099 returning on the 4th; 32097 came back on the 19th and 32075 returned on the 26th.
* After a long time in storage Jonckheere bodied coach 20066 - K924RGE headed off to First Cymru at Swansea on the 31st.
* Leyland Lynx's 62702, 62722, 62727 & 62745 have all moved to Rotherham for conversion into driver trainers however two more arrived from First Wyvern on the 28th for storage - 62706 & 62730.

Arriva Fox County.
* DAF coach 9900 - P205RWR is still in use on National Express duties.
* A number of Scania Saloons were hired to Stafford for use at the V Music Festival. Vehicles involved were 3466-71/3/5 & 3492 together with "Red" Dart 2038.
* Following the loan of a number of Scania Saloons for use at the V Music Festival Thurmaston Olympians 4645, 4668 & 4669 together with Wigston Scania's 4159 & 4160 were noted in service from Southgates.
* Olympian 4516 - A132SMA has joined similar A139SMA at Confidence.

Arriva Derby.
* Several vehicles were sent to Stafford to help move the crowds during the V Music Festival these included 4326, 4642 and trainer 9506.

First Northampton.
* Volvo Gemini deckers 32631 & 32635 have gone to Leicester.
* Volvo Saloon 66302 has returned home to Leicester.
* Three of the Wyvern deckers have finally headed home with 33402 & 33404 having left by the 17th followed by 33403 on the 24th.

General.
* Fleetline ---> Fleetline Bus & Total Travel have relocated to a new operating centre the address being:- Unit 9, The Garage, Wreake Road, off Melton Road, Thurmaston Industrial Estate, Leicester, LE4 8BX. It is at the back of Walkers Crisp next to Arriva and Pickerings.
* Woods ---> Mercedes minibuses P386FEA, P389FEA, P390FEA & P392FEA Have been re registered GNZ8153-GNZ8156. Similar CHZ4743 is now in Metalic Blue cross country livery.
* Fleetline ---> Atlanteans RNU430X & SNU456X Have gone to Wrigley, Carlton.
* Confidence ---> Another Olympian to arrive here is former Crosville & Midland Fox A132SMA.
* Centrebus ---> Metrobus C898FON is now in fleet livery and working in Leicester ex Grantham, although C896FON is still in TWM livery.

July 2005

First Leicester.
* All route branding has been removed from vehicles and is to be replaced by branding in a new style though not necessarily on the same vehicles. First to gain the new branding are Lynx's 62723 & 62733 for Purple line 17.
* Five Volvo B7TL's have gone on a three week holiday to the capital wiv 32075, 32077, 32094, 32097 & 32099 being the vehicles involved and are based at wood green, accompanying them are 6 drivers plus another 10 from Worcester it would appear that they only work mon - fri and on sat 23rd 32099 was noted at Worcester depot having brought their drivers home for the weekend. The contract is expected to last 3 weeks.
* Mercedes minibus 51788 was finally retired on the 18th having held on a lot longer than others of its type, this leaves the fleet mini free for the first time since 1989 !
* Dennis Falcon 67623 has been relicenced as a driver trainer and has gone to Northampton initially.
* Latest vehicles to go on a final trip to PVS are Lynx 62739 on 30/06 this was the first of its batch to meet this fate and was closely followed by accident damaged 62707 on the 8th, Next were Dominators 39136 on 11th and 39150 the following day.

Arriva Fox County.
* A vehicle that has been on loan for a while now is R178GNW a DAF coach with Van Hool bodywork used on National Express Work.
* Small mercedes-Benz 1001 has been on Loan to Arriva Cymru for trials from Llandudno to the great Orm !
* Market Harborough depot has been closed and buldozed so vehicles are now located next to the Railway Station at Protheroes Body Shop, Bowden lane.
* Roadworks in Huncote for a few weeks resulted in Double Deckers usually used on the Leicester - Oadby service being used on Croft services whilst the Single Deck Scania's (and the odd Dart) appeared on Oadbys.
* News on the Remaining Leyland Olypians is that 4514 & 4518 are used on Leicester Promotions open top tours, Coalville's 4501 & 4527 are both fairly regular on the 152-4 service group with 4509 appearing to stick to school work however 4527 appears to be out of action currently, 4516 is out of use at Wigston with a duff engine, 4528/58/59/61 appear regular on the 104 service and 4560 is a school/spare bus at Hinckley. As these vehicles are dwindling there is talk of a group being formed to preserve 4501.
* An unusual demonstrator to arrive here is PL05TCO a MAN 18.220 with Marcopolo Viale body it carries number 9901 and is allocated to Southgates where it will be used on the X67 mostly, it is expected to be around for about 2 months.
* On the subject of the X67.... It would appear that from the 5th of septemberit will be extended to Loughborough going Express Via the A6 bypass half hourly with every other one continuing to Coventry.

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* More Volvo deckers to head to Scotland are 38088, 38090 & 38094 now with First Edinburgh.
* Mercedes mini 51825, Volvo B10L 60357 & B7L 61148 have all been de licenced.

General.
* C & N ---> Another Olympian to arrive here is JTY384X from East Yorkshire, also new here is a Van Hool coach ex Froddingham coaches. Having seen a lot of growth in the fleet & buisness during the past 12 months the base for the smart fleet has now been incorporated with the operating centre at Hayhill Industrial Estate, Barrow on soar. The previous location having been vacated. **Appologies to Carole and the Team at C& N for how the first draft of this text came across**
* Paul Winson ---> Atlantean No.60 - NNN472W has been sold and the second Solo is also to be disposed of shortly and will be replaced on the 120 by a Vario.
* Paul Winson ---> As the 100th vehicle in this fleet is due imminently Big news here is that Paul's first coach EBC567T a Bedford YMT with Unicar body has been re-aquired from its owner in MALTA where it has been for nearly 20 years and is to be preserved.
* Coaching International ---> Leyland Olympian C617ANW has left the fleet and has gone to Brown of Soham in exchange for a Neoplan Coach.
* Centrebus ---> Dart XIL6081 has returned here from LQT. Though XIL8148 has gone to Grantham.

June 2005

First Leicester.
* As of the 6th June all Volvo B7RLE's had entered service and the Remaining Falcons had left public service.
* Volvo B7L 66316 has returned from Northampton leaving 66302 still there but expected to return here soon.
* Two more Lynx's to arrive here from Wyvern for storage are 62702 - G102HNP & 62745 - G145HNP.
* All route branding has been removed from the Lynx's and Falcons that carried it.
* Stored London Metrobus 35259 - B259WUL was carted off for scrap on the 21st by PVS, it did not see service here.
* A correction to the fleetlist is that Gemini 32648 carries reg KP54KBK and not KP54ABK.
* The final Dominator in P.C.V. use, 39146 - F146 MBC, has now been taken out of traffic. It led a varied final few weeks usually to be found on the Tesco contracts and stretching its wheels on Lutterworth Grammar School run although on the 15th at Least it was operating as a Q-Buster on 54's ! It's final day was the 21st and Like the Scania Metropolitans (BR111DHs) before them (12 years ago), it's another shining example of a bus that has served Leicester so well, for so long, just drifting into history without anything in the way of a decent send off. So For the first time since October 1978 there are now no Dennis Products in revenue service :-(
* Dominator 39088 was carted off on it's last journey to Barnsley on the 22nd.

Arriva Fox County.
* News of former members of the fleet is that Varios 1103/7/19/22 are all now with Dumfries & Galloway Council.
* DAF 4740 has been fitted with a new LED destination screen following months going around with various scraps of paper showing the destination, also fitted with the same type of desti is Scania 4169 which has become somewhat notorious recently due to the somewhat rough mechanical noises it emits.
* Southgates only minibus 1168 appears to be a regular on the 51 during the evening. Similar 1172 was also borrowed by southgates from Wigston during the month due to a vehicle shortage (mostly DAF's).
* Market Harborough Dart 2044 has spent the last 3 weeks (at the time of writing) dumped at Coalville depot.
* Another new coach for National Express work is 3208 - YJ05PVT which is thought to have ousted the last Mk1 Alizee 3210 from the fleet.
* Several Vehicles have been repainted recently including 2049, 3475 & 4607.
* Dart SLF's 2207/8 have recieved Arriva livery instead of Marks & Sparks but still work Shoppers bus services.
* After only a short stay here Vario 1183 has gone to the Stafford Bus Centre following the return of 1152 from repairs.

Arriva Derby.
* Sole surviving Fleetline 4301 has had a repaint in Schoolbus Yellow.
* Volvo 4340 has gone to the Stafford Bus Centre.
* Dart 2228 is currnetly out of service after a car ran into its rear end !

First Northampton.
* Volvo B7 saloon 66316 has returned to Leicester.

General.
* Woods ---> Another Pair of Volvo's to arrive from Wallace Arnold are W654FUM & W658FUM.
* Centrebus ---> News from the Grantham fleet is that Mercedes-Benz O404 saloon N272DWY has gone to Dunn Line; New arrivals are K510FYN a Mercedes-Benz minibus & KUI8148 a Dennis Dart ex Roberts.
* Paul Winson ---> Nearly New Optare Solo MX53FEH has been sold.
* Paul James ---> Has had YJ05JWZ an Optare Tempo on loan which has seen use on the 19.
* Leicester Promotions ---> There will be 7 Open Top Tours operated this summer With the Discover Leicester Tour Being the only one to run 7 days a week, This together with the Harborough & Rockingham Tour (tues), The Bosworth Tour (sat) & The Rutland Tour (sun) Will use Fox Countys 4514 & 4518 whilst the Hert of the Forest Tour (fri), The Belviour Tour (tues) & The Loughborough and Charnwood Tour (thurs) will Use ex Plymouth Tour Atlantean ATK161W which is owned by Leicester Promotions but Operated by Roberts.
* Confidence ---> The Latest arrival here is Volvo Interurban K561GSA that was latterly with Stagecoach Bluebird.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> Atlantean MVO412W has found a retirement home with the Notts & Derby Heritage Trust.
* Confidence ---> Atlantean OTO570M has found a retirement home with the Notts & Derby Heritage Trust.
* Alantis Travel ---> Now has a Jonckheere bodied Volvo registered A8UKC which can normally be found on National Express service 397 to Blackpool on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays for which this company has won the Contract.
* Fleetline ---> Another trio of Metrobuses to arrive from West Midlands are ROX625Y, ROX650Y & A718UOE.

May 2005

First Leicester.
* Several Enviro's for First Wyvern have been delivered here with 67652 - VX05LVS arriving on the 11th, 67653 - VX05LVT & 67664 - VX05LWH on the 12th, 67654 - VX05LVU & 67655 - VX05LVV on the 17th, 67656 VX05LVW on the 20th, 67657 VX05LVY & 67658 VX05LVZ on the 24th. Of these 67656-8 headed off to their inteded destination on the 25th.
* With the influx of new saloons a start has been made on withdrawing the Falcons with 67611-13 taken out of service on the 3rd, 67616/17/23 & 24 on the 11th, 67621 on the 12th, 67619 on the 20th, 67618 & 67622 on the 24th, 67625 on the 26th. So that left four....
* More details of the new Volvo saloons are as follows.....
66972 - KX05AOC arr 14/04 - Ent Serv - 29/04
66973 - KX05AOD arr 28/04 - Ent Serv - 11/05
66974 - KX05AOE arr 12/04 - Ent Serv - 29/04
66975 - KX05MGY arr 12/04 - Ent Serv - 03/05
66976 - KX05MGZ arr 14/04 - Ent Serv - 29/04
66977 - KX05MHA arr --/04 - Ent Serv - 11/05
66978 - KX05MHE arr --/04 - Ent Serv - 12/05
66979 - KX05MHF arr 19/04 - Ent Serv - 03/05
66980 - KX05MHJ arr 22/04 - Ent Serv - 11/05
66981 - KX05MHK arr 19/04 - Ent Serv - 29/04
66982 - KX05MHL arr 22/04 - Ent Serv - 11/05
66983 - KX05MHM arr 03/05 - Ent Serv - 24/05
66984 - KX05MHN arr 11/05 - Ent Serv - 06/06
66985 - KX05MHO arr 03/05 - Ent Serv - 24/05
66986 - KX05MHU arr 12/05 - Ent Serv - 06/06
66987 - KX05MHV arr 11/05 - Ent Serv - 06/06
* Mercedes minibus 51788 is still making appearences in regular service.
* More Dominators heading off on a last journey to PVS recently have been 39129 on the 12th 39149 & 39152 on the 23rd.
* Former London Leyland Nationl 90161 - GUW497W was carted off to PVS on the 9th followed by Metrobuses 35348 - GYE348W & 35438 - C438BUV on the 10th and 25th respectivley, none of which having seen use here.
* Volvo B6's 48003 & 48046 headed off to First Glasgows Motherwell depot on 24/05.
* Lynx's 62740 & 62748 Headed off to Rotherham on 10/05 howevr another one to arrive here for storage is 62722 which arrived on the 25th.
* An interesting visitor to Abbey Park Road on 10/05 was Former resident TBC50X which was en-route to Preservation having latterly been in use with South Yorkshire as Driver Trainer 90099.
* Dominator 39167 has been returned to use as a driver trainer whist 39146 is usually restricted to Tesco and School contracts.

Arriva Fox County.
* Having latterly been used as a film prop the former 4511 is currently for sale at Stafford bus centre for £5,000. Any offers ?

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* Fire damaged Volvo saloon 66611 has gone to PVS for scrap.
* Three more Volvo B10L's have arrived here from Manchester in the shape of 60360 - N306WNF, 61146 - N43RRP & 61242 - N41RRP. It is interesteing to note that 61146 & 61242 were new to Northampton !
* Volvo D10M's 38086/95/96 & 38110 are the latest to depart for First Edinburgh.

General.
* C & N Travel ---> Northern Counties bodied Atlantean ANA597Y has gone for Scrap.
* Nigel Jackson ---> Atlantean KPJ270W has been scrapped.
* G.H Watts ---> A fourth MCW Metrobus to arrive here is LOA350X which was new to West Midlands travel but came via a South Yorkshire operator.

April 2005

First Leicester.
* The first eleven Volvo B7RLE's have arrived here as....
66972 - KX05AOC arr 14/04
66973 - KX05AOD arr 28/04
66974 - KX05AOE arr 12/04
66975 - KX05MGY arr 12/04
66976 - KX05MGZ arr 14/04
66977 - KX05 arr --/04
66978 - KX05 arr --/04
66979 - KX05MHF arr 19/04
66980 - KX05MHJ arr 22/04
66981 - KX05MHK arr 19/04
66982 - KX05MHL arr 22/04
* Dennis Tridents 33401-5 have been transferred to Northampton.
* Two more Lynx's arrived on the 1st for storage 62704 - G104HNP & 62737 - G137HNP, however 62737 did not stay long and departed for Rotherham on the 18th.
* Stored Lynx's 62703/5/8/9/11 moved to First Mainline at Rotherham on the 15th.

Arriva Fox County.
* Despite recent withdrawals of Mercedes minibuses a shotage has seen 1183 - R942VPU arrive from Arriva Colchester.

Arriva Derby.
* Olympian 4665 has been on loan to Coalville covering for a vehicle shortage.

First Northampton.
* First Wyvern Tridents 33401-5 have arrived here from Leicester, One day they might even reach their intended destination!
* After a brief stay here Volvo Olympians 34287 & 34289 have been transferred to First Wyvern.
* More Volvo deckers to head for Scotland are 38021 & 38091 which have gone to First Edinburgh and 38084 & 38089 which have gone to First Scotland East.
* More Volvo B10L saloons to arrive here are 60355 - N301WNF, 60357 - N303WNF, 60358 - N304WNF & 60359 - N305WNF from Manchester.

General.
* Woods ---> A Mercedes 709D minibus registered TIL4017 has been noted carrying the Metalic blue livery.
* Paul Winson ---> A pair of Dennis Dart MPD's has arrived in the shape of CW05PSW & DW05PSW.
* Fleetline ---> Atlantean BTV655T has been sold for Preservation.
* Woods ---> Mercedes Mini M482VRC has left the fleet it was the sole Autobus bodied vehicle.
* Centrebus ---> More Metrobuses to arrive from the West midlands are C896FON at Leicester and B799AOP & C898FON at Grantham. POG522Y has also been noted in Grantham ex Leicester.
* Centrebus ---> Dart XIL8418 has joined similar XIL8419 at Grantham.
* Bryan Garratt ---> At midnight 31/03/05, Bryan & Pauline Garratt sold their coach business Coachmaster(Leicester) to the boys at Thurmaston Bus - no immediate changes are to be made and both Bryan Garrett and his son Paul are staying on as drivers but Bryan is looking forward to winding down to retirement.
* Confidence ---> The last Atlantean in use No.22 - OTO570M has been taken out of regular service.

March 2005

First Leicester.
* The PSV ticket expiry dates of recently withdrawn dominators were 4th feb - 39150, 23rd feb - 39136 & 17th mar - 39088. Strangely 39152's is ok until 9th jun and the ticket on survivor 39146 does not run out until 7th jan 2006 ! so in theory could still be in use at Christmas.
* Dominator 39088 has been withdrawn from traffic leaving just 39146 as the sole survivor of 150 operated here.
* Four of the stored BMC school buses have departed for First Manchester leaving just the four fire damaged examples.

Arriva Fox County.
* Following its little accident last year Scania 4163 has had a repaint and re entered service at Wigston.

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* All nine Wright bodied Volvo B7TL's are now in service numbered 32627 - 32635.
* Volvo D10M's 38092 & 38093 have gone to First Edinburgh.
* First Wyvern Trident 33402 latterly working out of Leicester has been transferred here.

General.
* Centrebus ---> It is thought that all the F reg Metrobuses have been sold to Camms of Nottingham.
* Centrebus ---> Operations have started in Grantham using the former Mass base. Dart XIL8419 has been transferred to Grantham whilat former Trent Excels S159SAL & S162SAL have come to Leicester and are appearing on the 123 service.
* Centrebus ---> More former West Midlands Metrobuses are B831AOP, B846AOP & B870DOM.
* Coaching International ---> The first double decker for this fleet is coach seated Olympian C617ANW that started life with West Riding.
* Roberts ---> Another Metrobus here from West Midlands is B791AOC.
* Woods ---> Former Plymouth Mercedes minibuses AHZ5194 & AHZ5196 have been sold.
* C & N Travel ---> Former Nottingham Atlantean LRR690W has gone to PVS for Scrap. Another Olympian here is YSO42Y and has possibly been here a while.

Febuary 2005

First Leicester.
* All 12 of the long awaited Volvo B7TL's with Wright bodies have arrived, They are listed below with Dates of Delivery and entry into service.
32639 - KP54AZA del 04/02 ent ser 23/02
32640 - KP54AZB del 04/02 ent ser 23/02
32641 - KP54AZC del 04/02 ent ser 01/03
32642 - KP54AZD del 08/02 ent ser 23/02
32643 - KP54AZF del 11/02 ent ser 23/02
32644 - KP54AZG del 11/02 ent ser 24/02
32645 - KP54AZJ del 14/02 ent ser 02/03
32646 - KP54AZL del 01/03 ent ser 04/03
32647 - KP54AZN del 15/02 ent ser 04/03
32648 - KP54ABK del 19/02 ent ser 01/03
32649 - KP54KBN del 23/02 ent ser by 08/03
32650 - KP54KBO del 23/02 ent ser 04/03
32639 - 42 went on Loan to First Devon & Cornwall on saturday 12th for a Wessex trains Rail Replacement service between Newton Abbot and Paignton, they returned on friday 18th (32642 returned on the 19th). 32641 was used on driver Familiarisation duties hence its later entry into service.
* A Further bakers dozen Lynx's have arrived here for storage from Wyvern with. . .62701, 62715, 62717, 62718, 62719, 62721, 62726, 62727, 62729, 62732, 62740, 62742, 62748 G118HNP etc.
* The new arrivals have seen the final Volvo B6's taken out of service with 48002/5/6 retired on 23rd, 48003 on the 25th and 48045/6 on the 1st march (48045 was the last in service). 48005 did go on loan to Northampton.
* Another two Dominators have bit the dust with last to be delivered 39152 & 39136 being taken out of service on the 11th & 23rd respectively.
* Volvo saloon 66611 was severely damaged by fire in Long Buckby on 14th whilst back on loan to Northampton, It is almost certainly a gonner !
* One of the Yellow BMC schoolbuses in store here headed off to Bracknell on the 23rd.
* A fire believed to have been started deliberately badly damaged 4 of the brand new unregistered BMC Schoolbuses stored here in the early hours of the 24th. It also damaged stored Lynx 62715.
* Volvo B6 48025 has turned up with First Glasgow.
* Another Lynx to enter service here is 62713 which did so on the 24th.

Arriva Fox County.
* Southgates Volvo Olympian 4644 has been noted working from Wigston recently.

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* Volvo B6 48082 has been taken out of service and is now at Leicester for onward disposal.
* The BMC schoolbus fleet has reverted to the original four vehicles with the departure of KP54AZU & KP54AZV to First halifax.
* Volvo decker 38127 has gone to First Bolton.

General.
* Centrebus ---> Two more Metrobuses to arrive from West Midlands are B831AOP & B846AOP.

January 2005

First Leicester.
* There has been a slow trickle of Lynx's from Midland Red this month with 11 arriving in the shape of 62703 - G103HNP, 62705 - G105HNP, 62708 - G108HNP, 62709 - G109HNP, 62711 - G111HNP, 62713 - G113HNP, 62723 - G123HNP, 62738 - G138HNP, 62739 - G139HNP, 62743 - G143HNP & 62749 - G149HNP. All are in Midland Red livery except for 62723 (Barbie 2) and 62713/38/49 (Barbie 3). It is not known how many will enter service here but 62738 & 62749 have already done so.
* A start has been made to clear out the withdrawn buses with 10 Dominators and 3 Mercedes minibuses heading off to PVS at Barnsley in the shape of No.96 (the Leicester Energy bus!) went on the 12th; No.91 (in the short lived White/Yellow/Green) on 14th; No.97 on 17th; No's93 & 98 (the Leicester Festivals bus) on 18th; No's 92 & 95 on 19th; No.78 on 25th; No's 81 & 39094 on 26th. Mercedes minibuses 731-3 have also headed to the scrapheap. The oldest PCV in regular use is 39088 which entered service on 21st March 1988 and also the sole survivor of its batch.
* After only a brief period here Lynx 62707 has been taken out of service after Arriva Volvo Olympian 4607 ran into the rear of it whilst in service on Charles street on 4th Jan, This resulted in severe damage to both vehicles.
* Volvo B6 48004 has been withdrawn from service and it together with previously withdrawn 48025 (which never did gain the yellow band on its green & White livery) have gone to a dealer near Manchester.
* Eastern Counties Scania L113 65522 - P544CNG is/was at Abbey Park Road after breaking down whilst en-route somewhere !
* A swop round of loaned vehicles has seen Volvo B7L 66301 return here from Northampton whilst 66316 has moved the other way.
* Dennis trident 33405 spent 24 hours with its rightful owner as part of the official launch of the new buses at Redditch but is now back in Leicester again.

Arriva Fox County.
* Following 4607's collision with a Leicester Lynx (see above) similar vehicle 4613 was back working from Wigston during the early part of the month but had returned to Southgates by the 28th however 4653 is also now at wigston from Southgates.
* Training bus 9508 is now in Training livery whilst Scania 4161 now also carries fleet livery and was the last double decker in advertising livery.
* Former Olympian 4504 is now with Hornsby in Lincolnshire.

Arriva Derby.
*

First Northampton.
* The final four Atlanteans 38322, 38324, 38337 & 38339 were taken away for scrap over the Christmas period by PVS together with Dominators 39079 (the last Blue & red vehicle) and 39090
* There are no Gas buses currently in traffic, All are awaiting modifications.

General.
* Wide Horizon ---> A new arrival here is MVO425W a former Nottingham Atlantean that has come via PC Coaches of Lincoln.
* Woods ---> Minibus 6477WF that was brought new in May 1989 as E120BHS has left the fleet it was the longest serving member of the current fleet.
* Kinchbus ---> The final Atlantean in the fleet 774 - MNU694W is now being used by Little of Ilkeston.
* Hylton & Dawson ---> After many years this company is to downsize and cease there stage carriage operations, as a result the 94's last day will be saturday april 2nd.

2004 News Archive

2003 News Archive

2002 News Archive

2001 News Archive

2000 News Archive

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