First Leicester.
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
*
General.
* Centrebus ---> A duo of Optare Solo's now at work in St Albans are MX53FEG & MX53FEH which both started life with Paul Winson.
* C & N ---> Following the recent fire a Trio of Olympians have turned up here in the shape of B187BLG, B190BLG & E160OMD, all are familliar to the area being ex Fox County 4527, 4528 & 4560.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> POG535Y is a Metrobus In... Whilst similar LOA342X has left the fleet.
* Roberts ---> Another Metrobus here is C892FON
* Beaverbus ---> An Interesting Adition to the fleet here is L841CDG a Volvo B6 with Alexander Dash bodywork that started life with Stagecoach in the Cheltenham & Gloucester area but arrived via Mulleys of Ixworth suffolk.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* A.M.N Leyland Lynx Driver Trainer 3109 - G40YHJ has been at work locally.
* A swop around of MPD's has seen 2242 & 2244 move from Wigston to Thurmaston in exchange for 2258 & 2261. Also swopping round have been B10L's 3607 & 3608 from Hinckley to Coalville in exchange for 3609 & 3610.
* A couple of New Caetano levante bodied Scania's here for National Express Work are 3253 - FJ56PDK & 3254 - FJ56PDO whilst 3201 has joined another trio of the type as part of a new coach unit at Derby which has gained some 440 work whilst a southgates vehicle now heads for the English Rivirea each day.
* More Vehicle swops this month see Coalville lose Dart 2035 to Burton in Exchange for Volvo olympian 4651 whilst another Volvo olympian to arrive here is 4607 from Thurmaston which gained 4612 in exchange.
* An interesting working on the 28th was scania saloon 3467 on the 84/85 circuit (possibly a first for the type).
* Scania Deckers 4160 & 4161 have gained electronic Desti's similar to 4169.
* Dart 2204 was noted working out of Wigston early in the month whilst Southgates was operating MPD 2270. MPD 2210 was Badly damaged in a collision with First leicester Saloon 66302 on the 15th.
Arriva Derby.
* A small coach unit has been set up here for National Express work gains and current fleet comprises brand new Scania's with Caetano levante bodywork 3250 - FJ56PCX, 3251 - FJ56PCY & 3252 - FJ56PCZ together with VDL / Van Hool 3201 from Southgates.
First Northampton.
* After looking like being neglected for years the rather shabby Volvo saloon 66615 has been taken out of service.
General.
* C & N Travel ---> A Devastating Fire on the night of 26th Destroyed half a dozen vehicles with Coaches JUI9063, OKZ9769, OUI6299 & SIL7765 together with deckers OTO562M & YSO36Y being the victims. The company hired in several vehicles from local operators following the fire with Arriva's popular 4527 being one of them.
* Alan Smith ---> Ex Preston Atlantean GFV156W has been scrapped following the arrival of an Olympian.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Coalville's 3609 was working out of Hinckley on the 25th whilst Hinckley's 3607 was working out of Coalville !
* The Final ECW bodied Olympians have bowed out this month with 4527 & 4528 both being sold to Ensign having been replaced by Volvo Olympians 4611 & 4612 arriving on the 5th and 13th respectivley. 4527 was the last in service being de licenced after a final fling on the X2 on the 13th. Fellow Olympians 4560/1 along with Scania's 4134/6-8/41-4/53-5/7/8 have all gone to Ensign also with some rapidly finding new homes 4136/41/2 with Geldard, Leeds and 4143 with TM Trvel, Staveley.
* The remaining trio of VDL deckers entered service during the month with 4774 out by the 2nd, 4776 on the 4th and finally 4777 appeared on the 16th.
* A number of Darts have been transferred out of the Company with brief visitors 2103 going to Cannock, 2107 to Wellington and 2107 & 8 to Telford. Also on the move are 2038/44 & 48 to swadlincote with 2045/9 & 2246 Heading to Burton. However a new visitor to the area is 2105 - L155UKB at Wigston. Scania 3470 has gone to Tamworth whilst minibus 1172 has returned to service at Hinckley replacing 1130 which is now for sale at the Stafford Bus centre, similar 1174/6 are currently surplus ex Thurmaston whilst Darts 2201 & 2204 have joined 2203 at Southgates.
* (Useless Info No.1) The longest serving member of the fleet is now Scania 4159 that arrived in September 1994.
* (Useless Info No.2) October 26th marked the 20th anniversary of deregulation !
Arriva Derby.
* Five coaches are expected here for National Express services 320 & 440.
First Northampton.
*
General.
* Wide Horizon ---> Olympian Coach SIB3272 ex C287BBP has been exported to Dubai !
* Ausden Clark ---> Former Brighton Scania G722RYJ now goes by the identity of TIL9653 the former owner of which (a bedford coach) has been scrapped.
* Paul Winson ---> A pair of East lancashire bodied Leyland Olympians have been aquired from Arriva North West in the shape of G916LHA & G917LHA.
* Nigel Jackson ---> New here is Metrobus MRJ48W which makes a change to all the former West Midlands examples in the County as it Started life with Greater Manchester.
* Beaverbus ---> A pair of Metrobuses to arrive here are ROX621Y & ROX661Y from West Midlands whilst Bendibus BBZ6818 has been sold and is now used to ferry Revellers to a Nightclub in Salisbury.
* Centrebus ---> Optare Tempo demonstrator YJ55BLX is currently on loan here whilst a new arrival is X194FOR an SCC bodied Dart that came from Burtons, Haverhill.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* A Large number of vehicles have entered service this month with More VDL deckers for Wigston entering service thus (with dates first noted)... 4763/4 1st, 4765 2nd, 4766 5th, 4769 8th, 4768 15th, 4767/70/2 19th, 4771 20th, 4773 28th, 4775 29th. Volvo B7TL's 4001/3 4th, 4008/10 10th, 4009/14 11th, 4005/13 12th, 4006/7/11 15th, 4012 16th, 4004 20th and finally VDL saloons... 3720/1/2/5 1st, 3724 4th, 3719/23/6 8th
* A trio of "nearly new" Volvo B7L's have arrived for use on the Skylink service to East Midlands Airport, they are Wright bodied 3613 - SA02CVV & 3614 - SA02CDF from Whitelaws, Stonehouse and Hispano bodied 3615 - BX03OVZ that was latterly on hire to First York but had worked from Derby Previously.
* General 3607/8 are now at Hinckley. Darts 2044/9 & 2246 are now thought to be at Burton. New VDL 4761 was slightly damaged after hitting a Bus shelter in charles street so has needed repairs !
* VOLVO ROUNDUP ! 4606/7/11/12 have left Wigston and joined the rest of the batch at Thurmaston along with 4613/46/7 from Southgates, 4644/8/9 have gone to Swadlincote and 4650-3 are now at Burton.
* SCANIA SALOON ROUNDUP ! 3467 is the Second of the type at Market Harborough whilst 3493 has gone to Coalville. 3466/7/89/90 are further members of the type to gain Interurban livery.
* SCANIA ROUNDUP ! 4136/7/42 have not been seen this month, 4134/38/44 were last seen on the 8th, 1st & 14th respectively, 4141 & 4154 have gone to Thurmaston along with the 80's route, 4143 was last seen on the 15th and is now with Ensign, 4153 is still working out of Southgates and 4157 has not been seen this month, 4159-62 are all now at Thurmaston Whilst 4168 has moved to Southgates.
* OLYMPIAN ROUNDUP ! 4527 & 4528 were still working out of Coalville (latest sightings 28th & 20th), 4572 has not been seen since the 1st, 4560 not seen this month, 4561 was on 104's up till the 21st and has now gone to Ensign, 4505 was last seen working 5's on the 15th and is now with Ensign, 4506 - G269YTJ is 4504's replacement at Hinckley. The number of Olympians in the fleet stays steady however as a quartet have arrived here from Burton in the shape of 4532 - G502SFT, 4537 - G507SFT, 4540 - G510SFT & 4541 - G511SFT. 4541 entered service first at Wigston however it has now joined the others at Thurmaston for the 80 service.
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
* A Trio of Optare Solo's have arrived here for the "Connect Wellingborough" group of services, 53071 - KX06APV, 53072 - KX06APY, 53073 - KX06APZ. They ae in a two tone Green livery.
* Plaxton Verde 67233 - L233AAB is another of the type to arrive from Wyvern.
* Volvo B10M coach 20418 has gone to First Hants & Dorset at Southampton.
General.
* Ausden Clark ---> An arrival here for use as the Leicester City FC Team Coach is S11BFC a Scania Tri-Axle with 32 seat Irizar body, it was previously used as a team coach in Yorkshire.
* Alan Smith ---> Is Another company to aquire a former Midland Fox Olympian in the shape of the former 4504 - A504EJF. It came here from Hornsby, Ashby.
* Orbit ---> A second Leyland Titan here is A859SUL that has come from Bannister, Owston Ferry though also had a spell on the English Rivera with Stagecoach after leaving London.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Not many more of Wigstons new deckers entered service this month. 4759-61 had all arrived by the 7th with 4762 arriving on the 11th, although 4760/2 were not in service until the 18th followed by 4761 on the 21st with 4759 finally making an appearence on the 25th.
* Several Olympians Helped out at this years 'V' Festival at Stafford with the following involved 4503/4/6/28 & 71, However 4504 had a close encounter with the Canopy at Stafford station resulting in some damage to the upper deck though it is thought that this will be repaired using parts from 4507.
* A brief summary of fleet movements this month see Mini's 1129/41/42 leave the fleet, 1130/67/75 move to Hinckley, 1176 to Thumaston, 1178 to Coalville whilst 1143/72 were de-licenced. Saloon movements saw Dart 2244 go from Thurmaston to Wigston, Volvo B6 2103 headed to Southgates having been replaced at Hinckley by Volvo B10B 3606 from Swadlincote which in turn gained Scania 3479 from Coalville which gained similar 3468 & 3475 from Southgates !, Market Harborough also gained a Scania saloon in the shape of 3469 which has replaced Dart 2045 now strategic spare. A new Dart to arrive from Cannock is 2103 - L153UKB which is currently at Southgates
* Optare Spectras 4698 & 4699 have been reainted into the latest livery and have been re-registered 49XBF & 815DYE respectively, However 4698 appears to keep running out of fuel again !
* New VDL saloons 3719-21 and Volvo Deckers 4001-14 had all arrived by the 25th but only 4002 showed in service on the first full day of the second phase of the "Big Bang !". 4002 had been out a few days previously on driver Familiarisation and 4003 was used for a Roadshow in town on the 26th.
* Oldies 4134/8/41-4/53/4 & 4527/8/61/72 Were all still in service on the 29th. However 4505 had not been seen since the 23rd and 4136/7/57 were last seen on the 18th and then de-licenced. Olympians on the move this month were 4503 to Burton & 4570 to swadlincote whilst 4559 has been sold to Ensign. Scania deckers on the move are 4160 to Thurmaston and 4163/5 to Cannock
Arriva Derby.
* Vehicles 4301/23/4/5/44/5/7/9/50/1/4 were all helping out at Staffords 'V' Festival this year.
First Northampton.
* Olympians 31452 & 31455 together with Volvo 38126 have gone to First Wyvern.
General.
* Paul James ---> Another new Optare Solo here is YJ06YRX.
* Orbit ---> This operator has gained a couple of double decers for recently won school contracts, B189BLG has come from Finch, Wigan and is a former Crosville Olympian that also saw employment with Southend and Arriva whilst CUL92V is a former London Leyland Titan that has been based in Leicestershire before with Kinch though it arrived here from Alec Head who gained it with the buisness of Morleys, Whittlesea.
* Country Hopper ---> Olympian A509EJF formerly Midland Fox 4509 has arrived here for further service via Ensign and similar A141MRN has arrived from Arriva North West.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* The first Part of "Operation Overdrive" kicked off on sunday 30th with Wigston's routes being revamped. The first 13 Wright bodied VDL double deckers are now in service, The table below shows arrival and entry to service dates as best known.
4746 FJ06ZTO arr 23/06 in ser 07/07 # Used on Publictity Drive 05/07
4747 FJ06ZTP arr 29/06 in ser 12/07
4748 FJ06ZST arr 29/06 in ser 12/07
4749 FJ06ZSU arr 04/07 in ser 22/07 # Used on Type Training
4750 FJ06ZSV arr 04/07 in ser 11/07
4751 FJ06ZSW arr 07/07 in ser 13/07
4752 FJ06ZSX arr 07/07 in ser 22/07
4753 FJ06ZSY arr by 20/07 in ser 24/07
4754 FJ06ZSZ arr by 26/07 in ser 28/07
4755 FJ06ZTB arr ??/07 in ser 26/07
4756 FJ06ZTC arr by 14/07 in ser 29/07
4757 FJ06ZTD arr ??/07 in ser 29/07
4758 FJ06ZSD arr by28/07 in ser 31/07 # Used on Publicity in City 28/07
* The new Double deckers appear to be settling in ok but 4753 has been having trouble with the door/handbrake interlock fitted to these vehicles. 4756 was the noted visiting Southgates on the 27th.
* No 'Oldies' have yet left the fleet following arrival of the new vehicles though Scania's 4134/37 & 57 spent a short time at Derby (4137 also spent a couple of days at southgates !) before returning to service on the 31st a day that saw all licenced NC and Alexander Scanias on the road. The remains of 4145 were towed from Wigston on the 31st whilst 4155 & 4158 remain in store.
* Despite the arrival of 13 new buses the Olympian fleet has grown by one with the arrival of 4541 - G511SFT from Burton on the 13th, This is identical to the 5 that were aquired from Kentish bus in 1992 and went to Merseyside in exchange to the Northen Counties bodied Scania's, it is currently working out of Thurmaston though word on the street is it will be joined by others and head to Wigston to work the 80's when the Uni' students come back.
* Other Olympian news is that 4570 arrived at Market Harborough for storage on or around the 14th, 4572 is now working out of Southgates, 4503 was parked up at Southgates but is now thought to be at Burton, 4505 has moved from Thurmaston to Wigston, all other olympians remain in service at Coalville 4527/8, Hinckley 4504 & Thurmaston 4559-61.
* Minibus news... 1175 has been repainted and is now at Thurmaston, 1129/41 & 42 have been withdrawn.
* More Scania saloons to gain 'Interurban' livery are 3471/79 & 91 though not to be outshone 3470 covered for a coach on the National Express 440 service from Leicester to Derby and return on the 19th (Interurban DAF 3205 still pops up on these services frequently). Unusually 3473 appeared on 47's on the 31st, The type are also breaking new ground working the Express service to Fleckney.
* Lynx Trainer 3104 has been renumbered 9515 but still currently retains standard Arriva livery.
* Volvo Olympians 4609/10 have joined others of the batch at Thurmaston having been displaced from Wigston.
* And Finally . . . . . Ex Scouse Olympian 4504 was noted on a 158 duing the month displaying Liverpool Airport as its Destination :-)
Arriva Derby.
* a new Training bus here is 9502 - 49XBF a Plaxton Derwent bodied Leyland Tiger that has come from Midlands North as No.3039.
First Northampton.
* Another B7RLE to head off to Leicester is 66971.
General.
* Paul Winson ---> Leyland Olympian CWR525Y hit the local news when it became de-roofed under a bridge on Thursday 27th!
* Confidence ---> A new arrival here is another ECW bodied Olympian, BBW216Y started life with the City of Oxford before moving on to Worth's of Enstone. It joins several former Oxford & Worth's vehicles here, However it's stay may be short as it is to be used for spares only.
* Kinchbus ---> A vehicle shortage has led to some interesting vehicles appearing on the No.2 recently with B10B No.113 and Titan WYV62T both appearing on it !
* Centrebus ---> A couple more Metrobuses from the West Midlands are A757WVP & B828AOP.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* The First of this summers new buses have arrived here in the shape of Wright bodied H43/27F DAF's 4746 - FJ06ZTO, 4747 - FJ06ZTP & 4748 - FJ06ZST. 4746 arrived on the 23rd whilst 4747 & 4748 arrived on the 29th.
* Mercedes minibuses 1131, 1134, 1144 & 1145 have all been taken out of service and sold.
* More repaints into Inerurban livery are 3469/73/78/92 together with 3472 which has only had its front end done and still carries Road Safety livery.
* Another Volvo B6 to arrive here is 2107 - L239TKA, This is now working out of Hinckley together with previous arrivals 2108 & 2109 that were at Southgates. Also at Hinckley is an East lancs Dart 2096 - N806EHA from Arriva Midlands North.
* 4509 the last native Olympian has been withdrawn and sold to Ensign. 4558 has also gone. . . for scrap !
* Mercedes minibus 1162 has moved from Thurmaston to Hinckley.
* May saw the end of an era when the last Plaxton bodied Coach 9514 - F406DUG left the fleet.
* Former fleet members 4522 & 4523 are now with Thamesdown.
Arriva Derby.
* .
First Northampton.
* Another Olympian to arrive here is 31455 - N966SOS.
* More nearly new Volvo saloons leaving here are 66963-5/7 to Wyvern and 66968 to Leicester.
General.
* TV Stardom ! ---> Former Fox Olympians 4511 & 4517 will be hitting our screens on ITV from July 12th. They star in Jane Hall's Big Bad Bus Ride alongside Gillian Talyforth !
* Ausden Clark ---> Scania Deckers H206LOM, H212LOM & H221LOM have been sold to Cedar Coaches, Bedford.
* Kinchbus ---> Dart 893 - M405HFP has gone to Trent.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* A start has been made on repainting some Scania saloons in 'Interurban' Livery for revised services in the summer, Treated so far have been 3474/6/7 they are similar to DAF coach 3205 which still seems to find itself on National Express work more often than not !
* A recent swop round of minibuses to try and eliminate manual gearbox examples has seen Thurmaston recieve 1162/7/72/4/8 from Wigston whilst Hinckley has recieved 1149/51/64-6 also from Wigston whilst 1169 & 1177 have made a return from Midlands North, Hinckley has subsequently lost 1131/3/4/5/6/45 (withdrawn).
* Optare Spectra's 4001 & 4002 are now 4698 & 4699 and were possibly renumbered to make way for new vehicles, it is thought the pair might end up at coalville with the influx of new buses elsewhere.
* Unusual arrivals here from Arriva North West are a pair of Volvo B6's 2108 - L240TKA & 2109 - L243TKA, these Dart 'Clones' have Plaxton Pointer bodies and are currently based at Southgates.
* The Olympian fleet has seen a few ups and downs this month, Former London example 4572 - D242FYM has joined 4570 at Wigston though does seem to be a bit of a nomad and has popped up at various other depots as well, Whilst a third former Merseyside bus is 4505 - F255YTJ which appears to have replaced 4558 at Thurmaston. Interestingly three former Fox Olympians 4522-4 have recently been sold from Arriva North West to Ensign.
* Open Top Olympians 4514 & 4518 are now based with Roberts coaches.
* Pioneer Olympian 4501 has finally been withdrawn with engine trouble but has been secured by the 4501 preservation group.
Arriva Derby.
* Mercedes mini's 1373-5 have now joined 1380 with First Stop, Renfrew.
First Northampton.
* Nearly New Volvo B7RLE's 66966, 66969 & 66970 have gone to Leicester.
General.
* West End Travel ---> One of a pair of Plaxton Primo's to enter service with Leicestershire companies recently is FN06FLL which carries Rural Rider lettering on cross country metalic blue.
* Paul Winson ---> A trio of Brand new vehicles have arrived here in the shape of Nos. 100 TT06PSW & 101 XX06PSW both Volvo B10B's with Jonckheere Mistral bodywork and No.102 OO06PSW an Plaxton Primo route branded for the 120 service.
* Fleetline/Total Travel ---> Another Metrobus here is B781AOC from West Midlands.
* Thurmaston Bus ---> A further Metrobus to arrive here as well is A763WVP.
* Fleetline/Total Travel ---> After a brief stay Olympian ARP614X has departed to Wigleys after donating spare parts to the fleet, Also gone fron the Total travel fleet is C16ACT which was traded in to Ausden clark in exchange for double deck Scania coach TIL8748. Another recent arrival is NDZ7937 a Neoplan skyliner which started life in Leicestershire with Coach Europe as E469YWJ, another similar vehicle is also expected. The most recent arrival though on a much smaller scale is 8.5m Javelin coach LSK527.
* Coaching International ---> An interesting arrival here is MPG153P a Duple bus bodied Leyland Leopard New to Safeguard, Guildford.
* Centrebus ---> Metrobuses keep rolling into this fleet with B838AOP the most recent arrival from the West Midlands.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
http://www.arriva.co.uk/__80256E7800362E96.nsf/vWeb/pcSRVM6PAFFJ
Some New Buses are expected as follows
32 DAF DB250/Wright Gemini Deckers, 14 Volvo B7/Wright Gemini Deckers & 8 DAF SB120/Wright Commander saloons. Some refurbished new-ish vehicles are also expected with Southgates alone getting 46 new/used veicles which will replace all scanias and most volvo's ! Some routes are to get increased frequencys and others are to be moved between depots with Southgates getting the Fleckney service being one example !
* Big News This month is the Announcement of "Operation Overdrive" Arriva's £9.5 million investment in bus services around Leicestershire between June and the end of the year.
* Wigston Scania 4144 made the leicester mercury after it caused Gridlock in the city centre after breaking down on Granby Street on the 1st whilst one of their DAF's also ended up getting publicity after it was involed in an accident at Cosby which resulted in a lorry ending up in a hole in the road.
* Arriva Midlands North Dart 2288 - V208KDA has arrived at Wigston for use on route 46, whilst Arriva Merseyside 7243 - L243TKA a Volvo B6 is one of 3 expected at Hinckley.
* Mercedes Mini 1149 has returned to Coalville from 'North' and Olympian 4528 has also gone there as a replacement for 4501 which has finally bit the dust, 4528's replacement at Thurmaston being 4560 which means all 4 of this batch are now working together. Several loans this month has seen Wigstons Volvo Oly 4610 on the 158, Scania 4141 on the 104, Merc Mini 1168 is at Hinckley from Southgates and Derbys Merc 1376 is currently at Coalville.
* Stored Darts 2242/3/9 were at Cannock for a short time following use on a short contract at Stafford but are now at Wigston for New route 46.
* Arriva Liveried DAF coach 3205 is still finding a lot of use on the 440's.
* Following a vandalism attack on 4165 which had 7 windows broken in south wigston during the evening of the 13th several saloons were drafted in to work the 47/48 services in the shape of Dart 2203 and Volvo B10B's 3607/8 from Southgates and B10B 3603 from Hinckley. Vehicles concerned had returned to original depots by the 19th
* Coalville has been suffering a vehicle shortage which has resulted in Dart 2249 coming here on loan and being used frequently on the 99, Olympian 4527 and B10B 3611 have also appeared on the Route. Southgates Volvo Oly 4647 has also been on loan here for a couple of days.
Arriva Derby.
*
First Northampton.
* More Lances to Arrive here from Wyvern are 67112 - L822HCY, 67114 - L824HCY, 67117 - L817HCY, 67203 - L203AAB & 67204 - L204AAB. All are in Barbie 3 livery.
General.
* Markfield Bus ---> Is the New Venture for Mick Franks latterly of Fleetline, The Inital fleet being Atlantean MVO422W & Metrobus ROX640Y from Fleetline and aditional Metrobus A767WVP from Travel West Midlands.
* Fleetline/Total Travel ---> A pair of Olympians have arrived here from Cedric, Wivenhoe in the shape of ARP614X which started life with United Counties and A243GHN which started life with United. Meanwhile Sole Dominator MNS48Y has gone for scrap.
* Confidence ---> Leopard No.34 - KAU564V has gone for preservation, The same group has also shown an interest in VRC611Y and PTV591X both still in use here.
* Paul James ---> Brand New here is YJ06FXW a 37 seat Optare Tempo Carrying metalic Blue Cross Country livery & Fleet Number 9.
* Tour Europe ---> GOG260W is a former West Midlands Metrobus that Came via a Driver Training Agency in London.
* Roberts ---> Another Metrobus from the West Midlands to Appear here is POG484Y.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* There was great concern among Olympian followers when it emerged that 4509 had a Blown engine however a replcement was found and the machine is now back in buisness.
* The Olympian population has grown again with the arrival of Northern Counties bodied 4503 - F256YTJ & 4504 - F258YTJ from Merseyside, 4503 is at Wigston whilst 4504 is at Hinckley as a replacement for 4560 which is now withdrawn, Also withdrawn is Scania 4155 following terminal gearbox failure. Several G registered Olympians went to Merseyside from Fox a few years ago in exchange for Scania's, it would be nice if one of them turned up again !
* Mercedes-Benz 11132 has gone to the Stafford Bus Centre after donating it's electronic desti to 1180.
* Dart 2049 has joined 2048 at Southgates.
* Darts 2242/3/9 are currently waiting redeployment following the loss of work at Hinckley, there is rumours some might appear at Wigston for the 68.
* DAF 4718 has transferred to Derby whilst Southgates Volvo Ollys 4644 & 4646 were working out of Wigston for a while.
* Recently aquired Olympian 4570 has settled at Wigston (after stints at Wigston, Southgates & Hinckley). The other Olympian 4572 never entered service and is currently at Cannock
* Centenary Dart 2038 is back at Southgates with 2246 moving back to Thurmaston.
Arriva Derby.
* Dart 2252 has returned here exchanged with 2221 whilst 2276 & 2277 are currently parked at Cannock and Thurmaston.
* Minibus 1372 has returned to the fleet from Tamworth to replace 1380 which has been sold whilst similar 1373-5 have been delicenced.
* Both Optare Excel's are now in service here with Volvo B10B 3606 going to Swadlincote in exchange with another due to follow shortly.
* Fox County DAF 4718 has joined the fleet here.
First Northampton.
* Trainers 35351 & 90255 have both been taken out of service.
* Volvo citybus 38022 has been taken out of service bringing the number of the type in use here down to single figures.
* Two Plaxton Verde Lance's have arrived here from Wyvern in the shape of 67113 - L823HCY & 67210 - L210AAB.
* Volvo Citybuses 38123-5 have gone to First Wyvern having been replaced here by Olympians 31451-3.
General.
* Kinchbus ---> Former access bus Leyland Nation RSG820V has joined several midlands vehicles in the care of the Notts & Derby Heritage Trust.
* Centrebus ---> Dennis Dart MPD's FM52GEY & FM52GFA have joined the Luton fleet after the Braunstone route they were employed on was re organised.
* G H Watts ---> GOG535N Possibly the last Fleetline in Leicestershire has left the fleet after just under ten years here but and has found a new home in the West Midlands.
* Tour Europe ---> Is another operator to gain a Metrobus this time a former London example KYV709X, it has replaced Atlantean PKA726S which after many years in Leicestershire has gone for scrap.
* Confidence ---> A second Plaxton interurban coach to arrive here is No.66 - K562GSA, like its sister K561GSA it was latterly with Stagecoach Bluebird though came via but not used by Tates of Barnsley.
* Woods ---> New arrivals for recently gained route 58 Hinckley to Market Harborough are wheelchair lift fitted Vario's YN55YSG & YN55YSH.
* C & N Travel ---> Another Olympian to arrive here is EWW543Y which started life with West Riding but came via an operator in Kent.
* Paul S Winson ---> As well as getting No.1 back on the road (see below) a milestone should be reached in April with the delivery of No's 100 & 101 a pair of 12.8 meter Volvo B12B's with Jonkheere Mistral bodywork.
* Paul S Winson ---> Are now a couple of months away from getting No.1 - EBC567T back on the road, It has took a considerable length of time to de-Malta the coach and attempt to put it back into its former standard (Now having a Bedford 500 fitted back in it and not the AEC that was kindly fitted by our Maltese friends along with many more drastic components). A Duple bodied YNT - B649FWE has been aquired to provide parts for the project.
* Woods ---> Another former Wallace Arnold Plaxton bodied Volvo to arrive here is T501EUB whilst similar W654HUM has been re-registered WDZ7683.
* Nigel Jackson ---> An arrival here is DDZ236 a Plaxton bodied Leyland Tiger that has been with East Yorkshire from new and originally carried C101PCN. It has replaced Dominator C719NCD which has gone for scrap.
* Cresswell ---> The pair of ex Cambus Volvo B6's have left the fleet.
* Centrebus ---> The trio of Leicester based Optare Excel's have gone to a scottish dealer whilst former Grantham based Volvo M53PRA is now a driver trainer with MK Metro a company that has had close links with the Centrebus group recently but is now under Arriva control.
* Steve Aitkens ---> Another ECW bodied Olympian to hit the County of Leicestershire is A592NWX latterly with Arriva Yorkshire, This vehicle was also noted with Dixons Travel but appears to have taken up residence in Steve's Yard.
First Leicester.
Arriva Fox County.
* Wigston DAF 4709 was on loan to Southgates on the 12th jan.
* Mercedes-Benz minibuses 1171 & 1180 have returned from Midlands North and are now at Hinckley to replace two others one of which might be 1132, Darts 2242/3/9 might also leave Hinckley following the loss of route 58 to Woods.
* Arriva liveried DAF 3205 has found itself back on National Express work a couple of times during December.
* Dart's 2038 & 2049 have moved to Thurmaston from Southgates whilst 2246 has gone the oposite way.
* Scania 4158 has been treated to a repaint although sister vehicle 4155 is thought to have been de-licenced at southgates and two of the former Liverline examples are being used for spares at Wigston (4138 & 4143 have been mentioned).
* Arriva London DLP1-20 are currently in the process of visiting Pickerings for open top conversion prior to returning to London, None of these will enter service here though it is thought that some Alexander bodied DAF's might find their way up from London for service during 2006.
* Despite the continual rundown of the Olympian fleet a new arrival here is 4570 - D170FYM an ex London example that has arrived via Stevensons and is currently working from Southgates though spent a short time based at wigston when it first arrived, It is also thought a second example 4572 - D242FYM is at Thurmaston though this has not been seen in service.
* 2006 is expected to be the last year in service for the Leyland Olympians and it is fitting that 4509 has moved to Southgates where it first entered service 22 years ago.
Arriva Derby.
* Leyland Lynx Trainer 3104 has arrived here from Fox County to replace on loan Volvo Coach 9514.
First Northampton.
* The Volvo Olympian has made a re-appearence here in the shape of Alexander bodied 31452 - N963SOS from First Glasgow, Also similar 31453 - N964SOS is also thought to be destined for here but is currently at Abbey Park Road for Repairs.
* Volvo Citybus 38123 has gone to First Wyvern again. Thought to be tempoary.
General.
* General ---> A Red Routemsater "RML2563" keeps popping up around various parts of Leicestershire and is thought to be owned by Planet Couriers for promotional purposes.
* Centrebus ---> A new arrival here is Y2DRM a Scania L94UB with Wright Eclipse bodywork latterly with D.R.Morris of Bromyard. Following the Merging of Braunstone service 317 with arriva 301 which Arriva now operate as the 302 it is not currently known if th two MPD Darts will stay here or go elsewhere in the group.
* Woods ---> Coach TJI1700 is currnetly operating in allover white possibly as a backup on Citycoach work, It is also thought that 3 Mercedes Vario's with Tail Lifts are expected for Contract gains from Arriva.
* Kinchbus ---> A batch of seven Plaxton pointer Darts has arrived form Trent-Barton in the shape of 918-21/3-5 R918RAU etc, 918-20 have replaced mercs 285/9/90 on Airlink Services and 921/3-5 together with 896 have replaced Volvo B10B's on the No.2 service.
* Hylton & Dawson ---> Bedford D136XVW has headed off overseas for further service with Cancu Suprerme in Malta !
* C & N ---> Ex Nottingham Atlantean RTV439X has gone for Scrap.
* Cresswells ---> A new arrival here is P260RUM a Plaxton Bodied Merecedes minibus that has come from Travel West Midlands.
* Paul James ---> have on order a 12.7 metre Tempo for March delivery, this will be used for two school runs per day to Oakham and in between operate on service 119.
* Paul James ---> Mercedes minibus M424GUS is having a repaint in "Cross County" livery and new service gained is the 55 from Melton to Grantham which will probably be operated by M8PJC.
2005 News Archive