MarkBs Transport Gallery http://mark250.fotopic.net/ 9 rows en-gb 60 Buses in the Midlands http://mark250.fotopic.net/c1285984.html Does what it says on the tin.... Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Burton etc. The prototype Metrobus in Burton, rebodied ex-Green Line coaches in Lichfield and more .... Wednesday 23 May 2007: Does what it says on the tin.... Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Burton etc. The prototype Metrobus in Burton, rebodied ex-Green Line coaches in Lichfield and more ....

Ailsa on the left, Fleetline on the right. Two of Derby's finest, laying over just behind the bus station Derby became a latter-day haven for the Ailsa, this B55 was seen in the British Bus yellow, blue & red livery. When Stevensons sold out to British Bus, some of its fleet suvived long enough to gain Arriva colours. 793 was a Pointer-bodied Dart Marshall was better known for ts single deck bodies, however, this Volvo B10M in the Arriva Derby fleet displays the unusual styling of Marshall DD bodies Arriva Midlands Scania L113CRL, R417TJW had come from the Stevensons fleet and its NC-style body is badged as a Plaxton An ex-Shearings Tiger, F34ENF hustles through Birmingham traffic on its way to Burton Through careful maintenance, Trent obtained long lives from its Nationals. 515 displays a Barton fleetname as well as proprietory indicator/sidelight clusters, presumably cheaper than the Leyland parts Barton Optare Delta 308 in Nottingham Birmingham Coach Company Dennis Lance K312YJA. Birmingham Coach Company No.25 was an 11.35m National new in 1976 to West Yorkshire RCC Formerly Southdown No.41, RUF41R joined the National-dominated fleet of the Birmingham Coach Company Blue Apple Olympian 718 in Leicester Centrebus ex-Nottingham Atlantean RTV439X in Leicester One of the Olympians bought for LT Bexleybus routes, E913KYR in Leicester working for Centrebus Chaserider Leyland National 693 threads through traffic near Birmingham New Street station Chase Bus Services latterly gained a reputation for smart Leyland Nationals. Leopards like ex-Rhymney Valley LTG798P also wore the GMPTE-inspired orange & brown colours This National 2 of Cheneys leaves Banbury bus station whilst trying to disguise its age with a Northern Irish registration, KUI5157 This Scania K92 G353SVV was operating in Derby. I think it is one which began life on LTE tendered services for Scancoaches of London East Midland Tiger No.42 peeps out of Mansfield depot. Sister No41 can be found in my Lincolnshire Gallery East Midland Tiger 54 inside Mansfield Depot East Midland VRT 220 in Mansfield Falcon Travel was one of the independents which took on WMT in the heady days of deregulation, using vehicles like VFX983S, an ex-Hants & Dorset National First Leicester 421 was operating in Eastern Counties livery, but had been new to Greater Manchester (North) in 1996 L6 Leicester was the spiritual home of the Dennis Dominator. Number 91, new in 1988 looked reasonably smart in this green/yellow/white livery before Derby Fleetline 304 in Even after British Bus imposed this garish yellow livery, Derby remained Just outside Cannock, I took this shot of East Lancs bodied Leopard YBO17T, working for Green Bus Service. It was new to Rhymney Valley in 1979 G&G Travel of Leamington Spa was taken over by Stagecoach, but not before it had purchased Leyland Lynx F660PWK Ex-Nottingham Atlantean BRC678T laying over in Loughborough bus station An early Leicester Dennis Dominator, number 233 Leicester Dennis Dominator 51 Leicester Dominator 85 carries an East Lancs body with more than a hint of Alexander RH about it. The white specks on the picture is not dust, it was lashing down with rain! Leicester Dennis Falcon 618 in Leicester. Similar buses were transferred within GRT Group to Northampton The GRT influence in Leicester can be seen by Merc 0405 No.505 Leicester ex-Shearings Tiger 404 shows off the uncompromising lines of its Alexander (Belfast) body KCR108P had begun life with Portsmouth City Transport, but by the early 1990s, it had joined the Ludlows fleet, for whom it was working when I snapped it in Sandwell This Midland Fox Olympian shot in Leicester had begun life with Rhymney Valley This Metrobus working for Midland Fox was new in 1981 to another Midland Fox 4522 was an Alexander bodied Olympian. It was photographed in Leicester Scania N113CRB joined the Midland Fox fleet from BTS Travel of Borehamwood. It is seen in Leicester MR(N) Olympian 1906 in Birmingham MR(N) Olympian 1923 displays the later The chassis of this Leyland Tiger started life beneath a Berkhof-bodied Green Line coach. MR (N) had it rebodied by East Lancs as No.1721 and was photographed by me in Lichfield TPC114X gave up its ECW B51 body for this rather less stylish East Lancs number in 1990. It still has a certain brutal charm operating for MR(N) in Lichfield In MR(N) livery but carrying no fleetnames, ex-Green Line Tiger WPH139Y in Burton This former London & Country Volvo B10M, G646BPH was transferred within British Bus to Midland Red (N) Midland Red converted this former touring coach into a breakdown vehicle and made a neat job too. It settled with MR (S) when the empire was split and I caught up with it in Rugby MR(S) Tow Wagon Q342GVC in Rugby Midland Red (South) National 505 in Rugby

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]]> Wed May 23 2007 Lincolnshire Buses http://mark250.fotopic.net/c1285181.html Now part of the Stagecoach Empire, Lincolnshire Road Car Co ran a fairly standard NBC fleet, then when it took over Lincoln City Transport and became part of the Strathtay/Yorkshire Traction Group, all manner of exotica became common. Some of the interesting independent operators, including Appleby and The Delaine are also included. Tuesday 22 May 2007: Now part of the Stagecoach Empire, Lincolnshire Road Car Co ran a fairly standard NBC fleet, then when it took over Lincoln City Transport and became part of the Strathtay/Yorkshire Traction Group, all manner of exotica became common. Some of the interesting independent operators, including Appleby and The Delaine are also included.

Formerly of South Notts, Gotham, this Fleetline was on schools duties south of Lincoln The body style and registration number gives this Applebys Atlantean away as a 1982 Nottingham bus The Caetano bodied Dennis Dart was a less common sight than others. W483OUF was seen worning for Applebys in Lincoln Applebys Dart S396HVV still carries One of Applebys stud of Leyland Nationals, BTW406V leaves Lincoln bus station Applebys used this ex-Nottingham Leyland National RBO504Y is an East Lancs bodied Olympian operating for Applebys. It had been new to Cardiff City Transport This Wright bodied Scania, V140XVL was one of the newer members of the Applebys fleet Brylane Travel National 2 XAZ1427 in Boston Brylane Olympian XAZ1315 in Boston This former United VRT was busy moving schoolchildren from Lincoln sccols to outlying villages Cumberland's Bristol VRTs were spread far & wide by Stagecoach. SAO413R reached Lincoln by way of Carlton on schools duties Delaine East Lancs bodied Tiger DTL3 shares garage forecourt space at Bourne with ex-GMPTE Atlantean ANA224T Delaine could make even an ex-GMPTE Atlantean like ORJ380W look smart Delaine Volvo Olympian S5OCT was less than a year old when I photographed it in Bourne Delaine No 300 is a Duple bodied Leyland Tiger which seated 62! A Delaine Tiger/Duple outside Bourne depot Delaine bought East Lancs bodied B10M P2OTL in 1996 This National Greenway started life as Midland Red No 595 in 1977. SUT had it converted to a Greenway in 1992 and it passed to Eagre Eagre Metrobus LOA416X in Lincoln, new as WMPTE 2146 in Feb 1982 Eagre operated a varied and interesting fleet, including this ex-Cumberland VRT, HHH272N Route X67 between Lincoln & Manchester was branded One of the lesser lights of the Gash fleet, Plaxton bodied Leopard GVO835N in the summer of 1984 I know Newark is in Nottinghamshire, but its buses were provided by Road Car. Gash od Newark was also present. NVO773L was a Leopard new in 1973. Newark, July 1984 Kimes Bristol VRT SJI6571 leaves Lincoln bus station This Applebys ex-Central SMT Leopard was heading for RAF Waddington. Lincoln City Transport Bristol RE 69 advertises the Photofare bus pass in summer 1984 Caught in traffic in 1984, Lincoln City Transport VRT OSR198R was a refugee from the Tayside fleet Lurking in Lincoln bus station is Tiger 454 which started life as an Eastern Scottish motorway coach before being rebodied by East Lancs in 1993. 1335 is an ex-Barrow, ex-Sheffield Omnibus Atlantean Former Ribble Atlantean, now Road Car 1385. See a shot of this bus as CarlisleBus 1485 in my TRN469V was an old friend. Beginning its life on Carlisle town services for Ribble, by the mid-1990s it was carrying Lincoln's schoolchildren This Leyland B21 with Alexander (Belfast) body was a surprising discovery working for Lincoln City Transport This National 2 turning into Lincoln bus station was drafted in from the parent Yorkshire Traction fleet Former Yorkshire Traction National 2 has become Road Car 214 Lincoln City Transport was absorbed into Road Car. This National 2, seen heading out of Grantham, had been new in 1980 to Eastern Scottish With the spire of Lincoln Cathedral in the background, ex-Cumberland National 2317 leaves the Lincoln City Transport Olympian 645 leaves the bus station Lincoln City Transport painted VRT 40 in this livery designed to East Lancs Volvo Olympian 687 at Showbus 1999 Road Car Bristol LH 1066 in Lincoln, summer 1984 Although it can't be seen in this picture, Road Car National 2818 was actually wearing Road Car Bristol RE 1222 stands in Newark depot in summer 1984 When I first visited Lincoln in the summer of 1984, Road Car buses had their own bus station, St Marks. Bristol LH 1063 was inside This Leyland Fleetline seen in Grantham started life with South Notts, Gotham Economy Link National 2860 was new to East Midland in December 1976 so by the time I took this photo in 1996 it was nearly 20 years old, but going strong Like sister 2317, 2316 bears a Carlisle LVLO registration. However, this National has gained Two ex-Ribble Atlanteans next to an ex-Western SMT Leopard in Newark. These vehicles could have also shared bus station space in Carlisle Road Car ex-Ipswich Atlantean 1319 in Lincoln Bus Station Road Car Atlantean 1325 on schools duties in Lincoln The slightly narrower window on the lower deck of Road Car 1326 indicates that this was originally a two-door bus

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]]> Tue May 22 2007 Look East http://mark250.fotopic.net/c1282797.html *** UPDATED 12th May 2009 *** As I now live near Bedford, I have many shots of East Anglian buses. In this gallery there are photos in Bedford, Northampton, Cambridge, Peterborough and other parts of the Eastern Counties. Cedar Coaches of Bedford is covered quite extensively, with shots of their Leyland Lions, Atlanteans, Scanias and very rare Dennis Falcon V double deck. Saturday 19 May 2007: *** UPDATED 12th May 2009 *** As I now live near Bedford, I have many shots of East Anglian buses. In this gallery there are photos in Bedford, Northampton, Cambridge, Peterborough and other parts of the Eastern Counties. Cedar Coaches of Bedford is covered quite extensively, with shots of their Leyland Lions, Atlanteans, Scanias and very rare Dennis Falcon V double deck.

This former Derby Ailsa TCH116X was one of a small fleet used by a Norwich private school According to Almost new in Gt Yarmouth in 1999, a Dennis Dart of Anglian waits time before returning to Diss Arrive Colchester 3318 started life in 1992 as a B10M coach with Grey-Green. Taken on 6th November 2001. Evidence of the Cowie/Arriva influence in Colchester. A B10M with East Lancs bus body. This had formerly been a Grey-Green coach These two coaches were snapped in the CBT depot yard during the short period that Arriva Arrive cascaded Metrobuses from London to Colchester. Taken on 6th November 2001 Arriva Colchester Metrobus branded for route 8 inside Colchester depot Friendly driver and mascot pose for the camera in Stevenage bus station on 5th March 2009 Proper Leyland Olympians are getting thin on the ground. Arriva 5107 is seen standing outside thr Galaxy centre in Luton on 14th March 2009 In 2001, I snapped this Dominator in the outskirts of Southend. The Liverpool registration suggests it was an import from the north-west British Bus took the opportunity to buy some surplus Dennis Dominators from Mayne of Manchester whilst they were still quite new. By 1996, K38YVM had been shunted off to Southend Arriva has introduced Van Hool T917s onto Green Line services. Luton, 14th March 2009 Tillingbourne bought this Dennis Dorchester with Wadham Stringer body. I photographed it in Bedford working for Barfordian coaches in 2000 Another Bedford independent, Barfordian Coaches took its name from the village of Gt Barford. Its depot is now on the outskirts of Bedford and a general line-up of part of its very smart fleet is seen here Barfordian Metrobus A631BCN joined the fleet from Go-Ahead Northern. As you can see, I caught up with it on 21 May 2003 Cedar Coaches run the Bedford Dart midibus service using Optare Solos like YJ51ZWA, taken in January 2007 Stagecoach East runs the Bedford Park & Ride using Darts like 33183. 19.05.2007 One of the Stagecoach East School Bus fleet S758DRP parked in Bedford depot First Group kept Gt Yarmouth's native B10M/East Lancs DDs for quite a while after takeover. This one was hiding in the depot in 1999 First Blue Bus Dennis Dart 498, seen in Norwich had been transferred from First Centrewest. Buckinghamshire Road Car was a short-lived operation which ran routes into Milton Keynes. This ex-Western National VR, LOD724P was seen in Milton Keynes in 1996 Buffalo of Flitwick bought this Volvo B10B with Alexander Strider body in 1993. I photgraphed it at Showbus, then later when it passed to The Shires Buffalo Volvo B10M F151KGS was another one of the fleet to join The Shires when Buffalo gave up stage services Buffalo of Flitwick owned more than one DMS. THX605S was a B20 version with the Another Buffalo Fleetline was GSL898N, seen here on the outskirts of Flitwick The unmistakable shape of a Birmingham Fleetline. WDA999T was still in full WMT livery in Flitwick depot Buffalo of Flitwick gave up the routes it operated commercially in Bedfordshire and Herts. This ex-Nottingham Leyland Olympian was photographed in St Albans. This bus later worked for The Shires ouy of its Aylesbury depot. Eric Waynes kindly corrected my mistake in saying that this was a Leyland Lion The closest thing to a standard Stagecoach saloon, B10M Alexander PS 319 working for Cambus just before Christmas 1999 Cambus Bristol RE WNG864H leaves Drummer St bus station in the summer of 1987 Leyland National WBN476T was new to Lancashire United in 1979. In July 1987 it was number 253 in the Cambus fleet National 229 wears the insipid blue & cream NBC-inspired Cambus livery in 1987 Cambus Olympian 500 was one of a batch of three, bodied by Optare in 1988 In 1987, I took this shot of Cambus Bristol RE 153 I can never resist an ex-Ribble bus. DBV28W was working for Cambus in Cambridge by the early 1990s Cambus VRT 751 wears a distinctive venetian blind livery outside IWM Duxford RFR419P was transferred to Colchester by British Bus from London & Country. othr BVP821V was new to Midland Red, but by the mid 1990s was working for Colchester Borough Transport Cedar Coaches ex-TWPTE, ex-Stagecoach Alexander bodied Atlandean AVK181V Cedar No 7, SCN256S was an ex-T&WPTE Atlantean. 11 July 2003 WCK215Y, an ex-Lancaster long-wheelbase Atlantean was owned by Cedar Coaches for a short time. This shot was taken on 11 July 2003 Caught in Bedford in 1999, YNL219V was an ex OK Motor Services Atlantean being operated by Cedar Coaches Cedar Atlantean BTV659T was amongst a number of ex-Nottingham vehicles in the fleet in 1999 Cedar Coaches had a penchant for ex-Nottingham buses such as Atlantean BTW661T Cedar renews its fleet regularly and took advantage of LRT's high standard of maintenance by purchasing some ex-LRT Olympians like A711YFS 21st May 2003, Cedar Coaches Ayats Bravo Y4CCC Cedar Coaches obtained this Dennis Dragon for school duties Seen after the morning school run on 4 June 2007, Cedar E941CDS was de-roofed in a low bridge incedent in Bedford later that day. Thanks to Eric Waynes for pointing out that this is a Leyland/DAB Lion Clydeside Titan CUL143V joined the Cedar Coaches fleet in January 2000 Elme-bodied Leyland Swifts were never common. Cedar Coaches had G103YNK available for service

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]]> Sat May 19 2007 London Buses http://mark250.fotopic.net/c1271806.html A selection of buses taken in and around Greater London. The earliest shots date from 1977. There is only one shot of a Routemaster! Saturday 5 May 2007: A selection of buses taken in and around Greater London. The earliest shots date from 1977. There is only one shot of a Routemaster!

This AEC Reliance/Plaxton had acquired a registration with an M&D flavour when caught on the Embankment AN129 found eking out its twilight years in West Croydon Armchair operated route 65 from Ealing to Kingston with a fleet of brand new Olympians. It also had two ex-SYPTE Atlanteans and this ex-National Welsh Olympian Parked up at The Aldwych, this Bristol VRL was operating for Arun Travel Route 112 was won by Atlas Coaches which used brand new Leyland Lynxes and the odd Leyland National Atlas Bus bought double deckers as loadings onroute 112 grew. This is a NCME bodied Olympian A Bexleybus Olympian, E918KYR passes a Kentish Bus Atlantean still in LCBS Leaf Green, in Woolwich This good-looking Titan was drumming up trade for Big Bus Tours When Maidstone Borough Council won the tender for route 188, the buses it needed were still on order. To fill in, Atlanteans from Ipswich like 94 and Nottingham were hired Ex-LCBS BL10, this Bristol LH shared route 398 with an ex-Lothian Leyland Cub. See here at Ruislip BTS bought this Scania N133CRB for use on its 114 route Capital Citybus bought some of the few Dennis Arrow double deckers built Fine neo-classical architecture, and the building behind isn't bad either. An ex-Trent Atlantean working for Cityrama Sightseeing Judging by the registration number, XWX388G was new to West Yorkshire RCC. By the late 1980s it was earning a lving for Cityrama This ex-Cumberland National, LRM565L is seen in Shepherds Bush This Olympian pretending to be an RLH was on rail replacement duties. It was coach-seated and came from Southern Vectis DMS2592 cruises past the National Gallery DMS714 is looking down at heel and has suffered from the attention of DMS1870 on training duties in Grosvenor Place This B20 Fleetline, DMT2397 was parked up in Victoria between sessions An Olympian coach, B690BPU of Eastern National lays over on route 400 to Southend Atlas Bus used this WMPTE National as standby when one of its Lynxes was unavailable When London Buses was looking for more Metrobuses, specimens were obtained from WYPTE, GMPTE and Tyne & Wear PTE, like VRG418T seen here in Paddington London United took over route 65 from Armchair and one of the Golden Jubilee buses is seen at Ealing Broadway Green Line TP21 nears the end of its journey on the 290 route which was joint with City of Oxford E104JYV, an Alexander coach bodied B10M double decker waits for the evening peak in Victoria North London was host to Grey Green Dennis Darts. Why do all London buses have to be red now? Scania/East Lancs 108 of Grey Green in Enfield Harrow Buses Ailsa V29 Two varieties of Metrobus and an Ailsa poke out of Harrow Weald Garage When the LTE Harrow Buses unit was formed, double deckers were needed fast. The requirement was met by some brand new leased Metrobuses and a batch of ex-WMPTE Ailsas like V34 seen at Edgware Harrow Buses Ailsa V44 near South Kenton station An Atlantean in GM Buses orange down the side of LT Harrow Weald Garage M1457, seen here in Harrow Bus Station was one of the leased Metrobuses which were dispersed far & wide after the routes were lost Edging out of its bay at Victoria Coach Station, this Dominant is heading for Bexhill on Sea Kentish Bus AN269 runs down the hill from Orpington station into the town centre Kentish Bus Volvo F109TML was new to Maidstone BC but passed to Kentish Bus when Boroline went out of business Photographed in Windsor, LCBS SM457 was still wearing Lincoln Green & Yellow in August 1977 Also in Windsor, SM460 owes allegiance to NCB leaf green. Again, this is Silver Jubilee year LCNW AN157 arrives at Brent Cross on route 142 from Watford Edgware plays host to LCNW AN89 and a Metrobus The LCNW fleet expanded by means of a motley collection of used Atlanteans. XJA535L was an AN68 with a Park Royal body, new as SELNEC 7144 SNB244 pretending to be a coach on Green Line duties Newport Transport had a liking for MCW products. Lea Valley brought this Metrobus to run shoulders with its native LTE sisters in Waltham Cross At Waltham Cross bus station, Olympian TPD110X looks smart in its Lea Valley colours Londonlinks Volvo B10M 664 starts its journey to Penge on Oxford St LPF599P started life as an Alder Valley DP National. When caught heading along the Uxbridge Rd it was working for London Buslines Outside the Tower of London, AN5 is working for London Crusader F886SRT, a DAF SB230 wears the short-lived This Duple 425 had been new to Alder Valley. Seen in Buckingham Palace Road on

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]]> Sat May 5 2007 Advanced Passenger Train http://mark250.fotopic.net/c1267491.html A small gallery in tribute to the APT-P. Photos taken in August 1984 around Carlisle Citadel station on three separate occasions. Sunday 29 April 2007: A small gallery in tribute to the APT-P. Photos taken in August 1984 around Carlisle Citadel station on three separate occasions.

Two crew members climb down from the south-facing cab. Note they are wearing the absolute minimum in hi-viz clothing APT test train next to a class 86-0 Only five trailers and two power cars. This APT test train had power to spare The distinguished cab profile The 5+2 test train departs Carlisle for the south This shot is slightly blurred as I wasn't expecting an APT test train and its approach was very quiet A northbound evening run with an almost full-length train made up of 370007, 370006 and two power cars in the middle A shortened test train heads south into Carlisle station made up of one power car.

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]]> Sun Apr 29 2007 Scottish Buses from 1978 to present day http://mark250.fotopic.net/c1260833.html Photographs taken around Scotland. Saturday 21 April 2007: Photographs taken around Scotland.

The Alexander P-Type was developed in conjunction with Alexanders (Northern). Stagecoach inherited A125GSA and her sisters Displaying the Royal Warrant on its side, Bluebird B10M CSU922 in Inverness Coaches outside Macduff Garage Bluebird Leyland Leopard CRS74T in Fraserburgh Bluebird CRS63T stands outside Macduff garage Ex-SYPTE Van-Hool McArdle Ailsa LWB399P is working for Eastern Scottish in Edinburgh Eastern Scottish Ailsa HSF88X in St Andrews Square, Edinburgh An ECW-bodied Fleetline in Edinburgh claims to be the This Leyland Lion of Eastern Scottish was waiting to load up in Victoria Coach Station for a run to Edinburgh ...... mmmm nice Eastern Scottish MCW Metroliner XCMM192 at Victoria Coach Station, London Eastern Scottish Seddon Pennine VII YSG654W in Edinburgh First Olympian 1328 offers the prospect of a double deck ride from Carlisle to Edinburgh Fleetline 851 eventually received stripes whilst working for Western in Dumfries Some Western Fleetlines survived to wear Stagecoach stripes. This is BCS865T in Dumfries In Dumfries, Western Fleetline DR851 Displaying the pre-Stagecoach Western livery, Fleetlne DR865 in Dumfries Western Fleetline DR888 in Dumfries Not all Guide Friday buses are open-top. Ex-South Yorkshire PTE Atlantean CWG769V in Edinburgh Guide Friday saw the possibilities of using ex-Nottingham Atlanteans in many UK cities, including Edinburgh Highland Bristol VRT 88 had been acquied from Lincoln City Transport, but it started life with Tayside. It is seen here at Kyleakin along with Fleetline D315 in August 1992 Ailsa CSL601V in Fort William, running for Highland Seen on the Isle of Skye in August 1997, Highland Fleetlines SAS69T & SAS856T Highland Leopard L214 on the Isle of Skye at Armadale Highland Leyland Leopard L251 in Portree, Skye The clouds are shrouding the mountains which loom over Fort William in August 1997 as Leyland National STJ31T takes a breather The Bristol VRT was never given a fair chance by SBG engineers. It had the last laugh however, as post-deregulation they couls be seen all over Scotland, including RAN645R working for Highland at Kyleakin Loading in Inverness bus station is B10M 597 Dennis Dart 513 working for Inverness Traction Western Leopard 641 in Dumfries Western Leopard DL678 in Dumfries Single-deck overall adverts were not common. Western Leopard DL697 displays a mainly blue livery in Dumfries Western Leopard DL698 runs past Whitesands bus station in Dumfries For a time, Western buses in Dumfries carried the black, white & grey livery alongside others like L649 in full Stagecoach stripes The Western Dumfries tow wagon DW1030 was this neat cut down Leopard Western training bus at Dumfries was DW1037 LRT Atlantean 471 in Princes Street, August 1992 Lothian Atlantean 504 was almost new when caught in Princes Street in 1978 LRT Atlantean 506 A Lothian Atlantean and an SMT Seddon in Princes Street A LRT Atlantean & SMT Seddon line up for the traffic-light grand prix in Princes Street LRT Atlantean 536 at the top of the Royal Mile Lothian Atlantean BFS36L was encouraging drinkers to sample Carlsberg in 1978 For many years, Lothian JSC900E was the only open-topper seen regularly in Edinburgh LRT built up a small fleet of Leyland Lynxes like H178OSG LRT Olympian 361 scurries along Princes St in the rain Lowland Seddon Pennine VII 1605 in Berwick Lowland Seddon 1607 wears the original Lowland livery in Berwick Outside the joint Lowland/Northumbria depot in Brewick is Lowland Fleetline CSC854T Lowland Metrorider L727JKS is a rather unappealing prospect for a run from Carlisle to Galashields An ECW-bodied Leyland Leopard of MacEwans at Whitesands, Dumfries

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]]> Sat Apr 21 2007 Buses in Canterbury & Kent 1983 to 1986 http://mark250.fotopic.net/c1175296.html ***UPDATED*** 30/07/2007 My photographic net was spread a little wider when I went to college in Canterbury. Immerse yourself in the variety of NBC buses which could be seen in East Kent. Wednesday 3 January 2007: ***UPDATED*** 30/07/2007 My photographic net was spread a little wider when I went to college in Canterbury. Immerse yourself in the variety of NBC buses which could be seen in East Kent.

As routes in Greater London went out to tender, Boroline, Maidstone won some early routes. Olympian 752 is seen turning into Eltham station forecourt Former Maidstone & District Leyland Leopard OKE139P is in competition with East Kent operating for Bygone Buses. Most unusual on the 821 service was this Eastern National Tiger 1123 On a wet Sunday morning, Eastonways ex-LT Titan LIL2515 attracts few customers. Atlantean 7411, OTY411M wears privatisation livery. Coach-seated National 1089 shows off the DP version of East Kent's privatisation livery Post-privatisation, East Kent went back to a distinguished burgundy & cream. MCW Metrobus 7749 needs a wash. VRT 7656 reflects the sun as it heads out of the city along New Dover Road. Another import from Manchester, Atlantean ONF657R in Westgate, Canterbury Leyland Atlantean ONF665R was one of the secondhand double deckers East Kent acquired to meet short term shortages. A line up of East Kent coaches from Dominant I to MCW Metroliner at North Lane depot. East Kent Reliance WJG470J regained traditional colours for special duties RCN108N was a Leyland Atlantean/Park Royal. East Kent bought some to cover a shortage of double-deckers. According to the drivers, they could show a clean pair of heels to any of the company's VRs, especially uphill. A Canterbury City tour was operated for one summer, but because most of the city centre was inaccessible to buses, it wasn't very successful. Fleetline 7326 came from Southdown. Fleetline 7961 shows off its classic lines in the bus station. Fleetline 7960 and VR 7975 skirt round the city walls. East Kent converted Reliance coach 532FN into its Leyland Leopard XJG815V enters Canterbury city centre East Kent Bristol LH 1562 is amongst the crowd in Canterbury Bus Station The MCW Metroliner was a popular choice for East Kent. 8846 was a member of the first batch East Kent Nationals 1083 and 1177 demonstrate that poppy red coexisted for some time alongside the EK privatisation livery East Kent dual-purpose National 1089 East Kent National 1184 loads in Rose Lane East Kent National 1347 reposes in Canterbury bus station in the spring of 1984 Driving a full-sized bus through the Westgate in Canterbury must have required some skill. National 1350 has no problems East Kent National EFN171L and Hastings National SKN910R. East Kent Olympian 7801 enters Canterbury city centre in Park & Ride livery Hiding in the undergrowth at Westbrook Depot, AEC Regent V 7945. East Kent used some AEC Regent V as trainers. MFN948F is seen in the bus station. Re-registered as XKO41A, this Regent V was skulking in Dover depot in the company of an ex-M&D open-top Atlantean. AEC Reliance 8766 opposite the bus garage in North Holmes Rd East Kent never forgot its heritage and painted PFN790M, an AEC Reliance in pseudo-traditional livery. WJG473J was in the East Kent fleet, but seemed to be pretending to be an unmarked Green Line coach at Westbrook Depot. Continuing East Kent's penchant for AEC products was a batch of Alexander-bodied Swifts. This is 1592. London Country used its Alexander-bodied Swifts as Green Line coaches. East Kent did not. Three of a kind. Coach-seated Nationals opposite the bus depot in Canterbury Almost the whole EK training fleet is seen here at the bus depot in North Lane. Willowbrook bodied VRT 7022 stands comparison with ECW bodied 7650 in Canterbury bus station East Kent VRT 7021 passes the building works for the new Safeway supermarket in Chantry Lane in the winter of 1983 The mid-1980s was a period when almost every NBC fleet had at least one bus painted in an overall advert. East Kent was no exception and VRT 7660 carried British Telecom adverts East Kent's fleet was extensively used for advertising purposes. VRT 7660 encourages the good citizens of Canterbury to buy UPVC windows. Advertising Herne Bay Building Society, VRT 7670. VRT 7670 wears the burgundy & cream livery in Canterbury Bus Station In full poppy red livery, VR 7670 demonstrates why there were no East Kent VRT 7672 in Kent Reliance overall advert livery Outside Ashford Depot, VR 7675 and National 1160 await their next duties In the transition between red & cream and Stagecoach stripes, VRT 7685 and Olympian 7807 East Kent VRT/Willowbrook 7973 looks September 1983 and VRT 7975 is parked with National 1519. The National demonstrates the close ties between East Kent and M&D since this vehicle had started life in 1974 with M&D in leaf green Caught in the Longport coach-park in Canterbury, Ex-Southdown

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]]> Wed Jan 3 2007 Buses in Carlisle - 1970s to 21st Century http://mark250.fotopic.net/c1159365.html ***UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2009*** I began taking bus photos in the 1970s using a Coronet Flashmaster 120 roll film camera, then progressed via 126 to 35mm using a Fed 3 (clunky but reliable). My first SLR was a Zenit 3m, before I was given a Petri (Dixons' answer to the Pentax ME Super). I have now progressed to digital via numerous other Pentax SLRs. The early shots are a bit rough, but I had no way of telling if the exposure was correct, or if the subject had been stopped by the very slow shutter of the Flashmaster. There are shots of Ribble, Cumberland, United, Western SMT, Eastern Scottish and many more. Later photos show the influence of Stagecoach and the aftermath of the January 2005 floods. Tuesday 12 December 2006: ***UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2009*** I began taking bus photos in the 1970s using a Coronet Flashmaster 120 roll film camera, then progressed via 126 to 35mm using a Fed 3 (clunky but reliable). My first SLR was a Zenit 3m, before I was given a Petri (Dixons' answer to the Pentax ME Super). I have now progressed to digital via numerous other Pentax SLRs. The early shots are a bit rough, but I had no way of telling if the exposure was correct, or if the subject had been stopped by the very slow shutter of the Flashmaster. There are shots of Ribble, Cumberland, United, Western SMT, Eastern Scottish and many more. Later photos show the influence of Stagecoach and the aftermath of the January 2005 floods.

Cumberland National 2 377 in West Tower Street Ribble VRT/SL/6G 1989 on a Carlisle town service. This AEC Reliance NDK168G was new to Yelloway of Rochdale, but by the mid 1980s was acting as an Passengers on National Holidays tour to Perthshire & Royal Deeside wait for late joiners. This National Holdays coach is in fact an Alexanders (Midland) Leopard Atlantean 1479 extolled the virtues of JVC at County Store. Palmers ex-Glasgow Atlantean JGA198N on the station forecourt A typical early-70s small coach, seen n the late-80s LUP744J was an AEC Reliance operated by Blair & Palmer. LTC731K was an AEC Reliance originally with Woodward of Shaw Palmers, by then trading as Borderbus, ran this ex-LCBS Bristol LHS for a short time An AEC Reliance with Blar & Palmer, inside the tiny depot on West Tower Street Borderbus EWW223T was an ex-Wallace Arnold Volvo B58, seen in Botchergate AEC Reliance KBU789E passed into the Bowden fleet. I don't know why Bristol Country coach LEU273P managed to find its way to Carlisle The 135mm lens seems to shorten Atlantean 1480 to midibus proportions Before the arrival of the DMS & RMs, Atlanteans & VRTs were the staple diet on town services. DMS 1924 gained Ayres Red CMS livery in the short time it operated in Carlisle A little bit of London in Carlisle RM WLT706 & DMS ODJ245R Leopard/Dominant 1109 still carries NBC logos, but is branded as CMS Carlislebus Leopard GLS275S started life with Alexander (Midland) A better shot of the prototype B-Type National GCW461S alongside a production version Some of Ribble's earlier Leyland Nationals gravitated north to Carlisle when Cumberland took over the local services in Carlisle. This is 756. Carlislebus Leyland National 810 at rest in the redeveloped bus station Ayres Red & Sandstone did not grace many of Carlisle's highbridge VRTs as they were transferred to Hampshire Bus in exchange for much older DMS Fleetlines. Here is 1450 when freshly painted Central SMT Leopard T385 overtakes cars on the M6 motorway. During the Glasgow Fairs Week, anything with seats & wheels would be pressed into action to take holiday makers to the Lancashire resorts Transferred from Western to Clydeside Scottish, Volvo B10M NCS119W. Caught in a shaft of sunlight next to the Market Halls is Cumberland RE 298 Routemaster 902 and Atlantean 1468 show off two variations of the Ayres Red livery. Three Ex-Hampshire Bus, Ex-SYPTE Van Hool bodied Ailsas were very short-lived members of the Carlislebus fleet. This is 1930 LWP383P. Atlantean 1415 had been transferred north from the ex-Ribble fleet to join similar vehicles in Carlisle Atlantean 1424 was another fugitive from Ribble Cumberland Atlantean 1467 in full Stagecoach stripes. See this bus in later life working for Lincolnshire RCC in my Ribble Atlantean 1475 wears another ornate advertising livery Atlantean 1478 runs past the Midland Bank which is now a Atlantean 1479 on route 61 to Harraby East in ayres red livery Ribble introduced full-height Atlantean AN68s with ECW bodies to Carlisle. 1484 survived long enough to be painted in Stagecoach stripes Cumberland Bristol REs came with flat and BET-style curved windscreens. 290 demonstrates the latter The Routemasters were not only used on the 61 route. Here 903 (ALD983B) heads up Botchergate towards the town centre. When Ribble took delivery of some new Leyland Nationals, a few older Leopards were transferred to Cumberland MS. Heading down Botchergate DMS 1918 is still advertising Two fugitives from Hampshire Bus, DMS 1924 and Leyland National 358, now working for Cumberland Cumberland Ford/Duple ERM807K waits for its return journey to Wigton on route 66 Cumberland acquired this Leyland National, number 790, when Barrow Corporation sold-out to Stagecoach. Cumberland Lodekka 522 in the bus station Cumberland Lodekka DAO201C in Lowther Street, just about to turn into the bus station. Cumberland LD 550 sits in the bus station next to Ribble National 2 896 Stagecoach Cumberland used fully-manual Leyland Leopards like 3003 to train its drivers Cumberland Leopard 614. No two members of this batch of vehicles seemed to wear identical liveries I believe Cumberland acquired 609 and some similar PSU4 Leopards from Trent to pass beneath a low bridge that was not designed for the square profile of a Leyland National Cumberland Leopard 615

Published in MarkBs Transport Gallery

]]> Tue Dec 12 2006 Various Locos in Carlisle 1980s to 1990s http://mark250.fotopic.net/c1153821.html *** NEW PHOTOS ADDED 11/08/2008 *** A selection of some of the variety of locos and trains which could be seen in Carlisle from around 1980 until the early 1990s. Tuesday 5 December 2006: *** NEW PHOTOS ADDED 11/08/2008 *** A selection of some of the variety of locos and trains which could be seen in Carlisle from around 1980 until the early 1990s.

Classic traction, no not the Austin Maestro, rather 08447 and 08910 at Upperby Carriage Sheds 08910 is the depot pilot at Upperby Carriage Shed Two of Carlisle's long-time resident shunters, 08910 & 08844 catch the late afternoon sun at the south end of the station We had every livery on classes 142/143 visitin Carlisle. 142025 was in chocolate & cream When the 143 Pacers (nodding-donkeys to you & me) were new, they were allocated to Heaton depot in Newcastle and were regulars over the Tyne Valley route. Was this an improvement over a class 101 DMU? Some of the 143s were adorned in Tyne & Wear PTE colours. 144005 in WYPTE colours, attached to a class 156 waits for departure time with a train for Leeds. I'm not sure even the prospect of a trip over the S&C would have persuaded me to jump on board Super sprinter 158751 pauses in platform 3 whilst en-route to Blackpool North Veteran 20020 has managed to make it as far south as the station holding sidings 20101 whistles to itself on a rare foray for its class at the time into Citadel station. Long-range 20301 at DRS Kingmoor Former Hunslet-Barclay A general view of the gaggle of class 20s at DRS Kingmoor 25034 and 25190 pause with a northbound oil tanker train 25194 engages itself in shunting some ECS Class 25s on short enigineer's trains were common. 25207 is seen in 1984 There was no class 47/4 available to take the Euston-Stranraer forward from Carlisle, so Kingmoor rustled up a pair of 25s. 25285 trundles a mixed goods working into the station A small batch of class 25s was formed to operate chemicals trains in the north-west. Most of the traffic didn't materialise, so they became common-user. 25904 was restricted to 60mph. 26034 in the holding sidings against the wall of Citadel Station 26036 27014 27014 on ECS at Upperby Carriage Sidings 27054 and a snowplough-fitted sister splutter past Upperby engineers sidings on the goods avoiding lines. The 27s had just been displaced from Glasgow-Edinburgh push-pull duties by class 47/7s A gaggle of heritage power at the south end of platform 1 Two class 25s deputise for Type-4 power on the Carlisle-Leeds When Crown Street road bridge was replaced over a weekend, trains ran from a temporary station built on the site of the old Upperby marshalling yard Class 310 units were most ususally found at the southern end of the WCML. 310084 has made it to Carlisle for reasons unknown 31200 and a partner with a smoking problem 31200 engaged in ballast work at the south end of Carlisle Citadel 31203 in faded Snowplough-fitted 31229 31404, still with its Finsbury Park white stripe, backs down from Upperby into Citadel Station with the afternoon Leeds train Taken in winter 1993, 31434 keeps its engine running during frosty weather 31465 waits to take the ECS off the morning Leeds-Carlisle via the S&C off to Upperby, whilst 86001 looks on One for the modellers out there. 37025 Inverness TMD in large logo at Carlisle 37025 A class 37 hauls tanks over the River Eden at Etterby Just released from Crewe after being fitted with electric train heating, 37402 pays a visit to Carlisle. No longer a Highland passenger loco, 37416 in EWS livery 37519 is the lead loco on a loaded Ayr-Fiddler's Ferry HAA working 37520 complete with Thornaby kingfisher 37521 must have been involved in a collision at some point, judging by the plated-over nose end doors but lack of indicator boxes Former EPS 37607 in DRS colours 37607 at DRS Kingmoor depot before the grey fencing went up 37801 heads a northbound timber train through platform 4 37893 in EWS livery A class 37 on the goods avoiding lines at St Nicholas Today, this would be a massive working, a 37/0 on a class 1 duty. It was pretty big in the 40013 rumbles south past a fine display of Rose Bay Willow Herb at St Nicholas

Published in MarkBs Transport Gallery

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