Random Observations - July 2019

I felt like doing one of these, so here is your supposedly monthly dose of ten randomly selected pictures, straight from the album.

Even though my camera often throws a hissy fit, cloudy weather does allow more photo opportunities.

After another PVR cut, the E3 predominantly uses the 60-reg ADL Enviro400H vehicles from the 94, rather than its own newer 62-reg examples. This did result in some all-over ad buses appearing on the route, which felt quite strange as usually non-red buses are confined to the streets of Central London, especially on services like the 94. The oyster hopper bus, ADH22, lasted for considerably longer than the others before having its wrap removed, so it didn't actually escape my camera. Locals were slightly bemused whenever the blue bus trundled along Northfield Avenue, rightfully questioning why the red all over rule seemed to have gone to put. I know some enthusiasts are determined to capture every advertisement wrap, but I hadn't gone after one on purpose until that grim March afternoon. Even then, this is just TfL trying to get people back onto the buses, after tearing up the network. I'm not convinced it'll work, since having a hopper fare is useless if there isn't a second bus to hop onto...

I never ask for blind changes, but it's always great to take advantage when others do!

Offering redemption is never a bad thing, but the Dart Pointer pictured above has been given a ridiculous number of chances despite its somewhat reckless behaviour. Until a few months ago, two 51-reg AT545 Darts still survived at Bexleyheath (BX) garage, but when the gearbox of LDP206 packed up, the other one sacrificed its life in order to donate its own gearbox. This worked for a couple of months, until this one also failed. Given that the refurbishment programme at this garage is still ongoing, whilst the number of spare E200s is limited, it was a miracle for Go-Ahead that the engine of the last Marshall Capital in London, DMN1, blew up at around the same time LDP206 failed. This has resulted in the latter vehicle seeing its third gearbox in the space of a year. It's really enjoyable to ride, especially as it sports the ancient Go-Ahead moquette, but I really hope that it doesn't fail again, for the sake of being able to hear the classic AT545 whine within London. In regards to the significance of the blind display above, the B12 has been operated by Arriva for many years, but I believe this very type was used when Bexleyheath (BX) garage did house the route, from inception until 2009.

Although regulation is usually a burden, in this case I beat the bus on foot and managed to snap it here in Welling.

There's been a lot of hype surrounding this particular Go-Ahead vehicle within the enthusiast community as of late, being the last PVL-class Volvo/B7TL President still at the company, coincidentally also at Bexleyheath (BX) garage. Even though it's technically designated for school services, it seems to be very popular among drivers and regularly appears on routes like the 89, 132 and 486. More recently, the 51 transferred into this base from Orpington (MB) garage, in order to accommodate the recently acquired 227 at the latter location. Bexleyheath were very eager to reblind their vehicles for this gain and within a few days, the iconic Plaxton President strayed onto the route during one evening peak. It probably wasn't as significant as it could've been though, since a couple of months earlier a farewell tour using this very vehicle involved traversing a fair chunk of the 51, with many photos on flickr after the event. There's even a poster inside the vehicle explaining the significance of PVL284 to passengers ; it's evident that Go-Ahead are determined to have the last President in London. What will be quite funny is if Metroline, with their three remaining examples, take the crown instead...

There really is a lot of yellow in this photograph, but this was another improvised spot.

Another situation where Metroline could quite easily rob an operator of their glory, is with the remaining Trident ALX400s. Most enthusiasts naturally associate this type of bus with Stagecoach London, who ran a very large number on pretty much all of their double deck services throughout the 2000s. At the moment, a few are clinging on at Bromley (TB), Plumstead (PD), Romford (NS) and Leyton (T) garages, but there are also two remaining workhorses at Metroline's Cricklewood (W) garage, primarily on the 210 service between Finsbury Park and Brent Cross. TA648 still seems very healthy and is out and about on an almost daily basis, also having the advantage of a newer Euro 4 engine. After all these years of the Metroline ALXs being forgotten, perhaps in a few months it could be their time to shine.

Comparing the generations of Wrightbus vehicles...

Over the past month I've dedicated most of my trips out to snapping and riding the elderly London buses, given that so many types will presumably become extinct later in 2019. Go-Ahead London are now the sole operator of Wrightbus Gemini B7TLs, although the ones at Northumberland Park (NP) and Croydon (C) garages seem to have no intention of leaving any time soon. One still remains at Merton (AL) garage, with WVL119 significantly outliving the two others which survived into this calendar year. It was an enjoyable ride, but I'm left to question why this particular vehicle was granted a stay of execution, given that it's so unhealthy. Seriously, that engine does not sound happy, yet several enthusiasts commented on how competent its companions were. I'd still recommend going after it, but if you want a fast ride then expect to be disappointed.

Go-Ahead are the biggest operator in London, but they do seem to be abnormally dominant in this post.

Scania OmniCity vehicles are still relatively new in comparison to the other relics seen earlier, but I'd certainly class them as endangered. Every operator that still has them seems to want them gone as soon as possible, which is frustrating as I really like their quirkiness. London United and Stagecoach still have a long way to go, but Go-Ahead are almost there with just 6 examples remaining. Initially, they were all at Silvertown (SI) garage, staying on after the D8, which they were contractually allocated to, was lost to Tower Transit in September. However, the enforcement of the ultra low emission zone meant two of them could no longer act as spares for the 135 after its PVR increase, so a direct swap occurred at the last minute. Two compatible 'classic' ADL Enviro400Hs were sent up North, whilst the transfer of two OmniCitys reintroduced the type to Orpington (MB) garage. They seem to like the 353 more than anything, but by complete coincidence I managed to snap one on the 654 school service, which actually offers a quicker route between Addington and Orpington than the mainstream 353. One did sneak out onto the 320, but it couldn't travel beyond Downham due to a green bus corridor in Catford. For all of the bus youtubers, 969 was very fast when I rode it one month ago, but the same can't be said for its sibling.

This location was a massive risk, but I somehow didn't get bowled and could move on after my first attempt.

Unusually, for around a week at the start of July, Holloway (HT) garage started chucking out a load of Volvo/B5LH MCV EvoSeti vehicles onto the 390, a very high profile New Routemaster service between Victoria and Archway. Usually, whenever there was a shortage of the LT-class NRMs, the 91 would receive the spare conventionals, but for some reason this practise seems to have been dropped since the introduction of the ULEZ - only one EvoSeti has worked the route since the type was drafted into Holloway. Nonetheless, I feel that these buses really suit the 390 and the odd appearances can perhaps give us an insight into what this service would be allocated if the proposal to build a large number of New Routemasters wasn't acted upon. I'd really love to see one on the 24, especially as it passes to Abellio in November, but this even more significant route has somehow only seen one conventional vehicle in the six years of its New Routemaster operation, so such a working is incredibly unlikely.

For once, Metroline heavily invested in refurbishing a vehicle. Ironic, considering it's hardly used.

Those of you who know me well will be familiar with my struggle in catching this elusive vehicle - I finally managed to tick it off in July, having been at the top of my priority list since it emerged in December. Most spare buses tend to be used pretty regularly, but this one is quite literally only sent out in emergencies, often having two to three months off road at a time. Its track record on LVF is astonishingly poor, having made only six appearances since the end of March. The reason why OS68 is so important is because it has only recently been with Metroline. It used to operate the Hampstead Garden Suburb services at Arriva's Garston (GR) garage, but as the new Metroline Optare Solo SR vehicles arrived so much later than the contract date, the old OSs were temporarily assimilated by Cricklewood (W) garage. Metroline were pretty honest about their feelings towards these knackered vehicles, which would break down all the time and made operating these pretty straightforward routes immensely difficult. Despite all their nightmare experiences, the company soon realised that having only one spare vehicle was a major risk, especially as no other buses can physically fit onto the H-routes. This resulted in OS68, which was clearly their favourite, being heavily refurbished, returning to service in December 2018. It still sounds very unhealthy, with the roaring being particularly concerning, but from an enthusiast's perspective more variety can only ever be a good thing. It's also quite funny watching the bemused locals as they board the bus, recognising that it's ancient, but also having the Metroline interior, which they would see as new.

The fares for these shuttles was extortionate, but they do look very fun.

The annual Wimbledon Tennis championships are a fascinating time for enthusiasts, even for those like myself who aren't particularly interested in the sport. Go-Ahead are given the responsibility of operating the shuttle bus services which carry spectators to the event from many different locations, such as Wimbledon Station, Southfields Station and South Thames College (Park & Ride). There's even a direct service all the way from King's Cross St Pancras, but a single fare was a tenner for that one. The commercial services fleet has a plethora of different bus types, with almost all being put to use during the tennis. Brand new classic E400s run alongside open top Gemini B7TLs and even AEC Routemasters, whilst the convenience of having brand new Enviro400H MMCs for the gain of route 208 meant there were never any vehicle shortages. The main 840 service seemed to be almost always rammed, whilst the other routes were less heavily used, but their loads are still clearly seen as justifiable.

Wow, the 390 really is an attention seeker. Two pics in one post! This one didn't even make flickr as I have so many of the vehicle, at a number of locations.

Enthusiasts always rave about the Showbus event that happens in September, but until Sunday I hadn't appreciated the scale of the Alton Bus Rally. It seems like a truly spectacular event, with hundreds of vintage and modern vehicles on display, as well as rides to the stunning Hampshire countryside. I was only able to attend for 50 minutes, but in that time I took over 200 photos, with most of these taken on a rather small patch of grass which rather brilliantly allowed spotters to witness buses leaving the site, as well as those running to the stands on feeder services. I highly recommend going next year (there are even free connecting bus services to London), as this sort of variety and the number of rides seems to be pretty unique. It's quite hilarious that out of all the photos, another 390 was chosen, but I'm really glad that I managed to snap these RMLs with the skirt, as they've avoided me for ages. It's also quite a significant route in regards to Routemaster history, as it was only created in 2003 but used these vehicles from birth, albeit only for a year. It was definitely the last brand new service to commence with this London icon.

Thanks for reading and stay safe!