Just a catch up and Fleet changes from last month

Sorry its late, Ive been very busy but not many fleet changes at all for November anyway. Those that did happen have been listed below.

First South Yorkshire:
The 'Good' Withdrawn Volvo B10B Wright Liberators and Scania Ultralow vehicles have been moved to Cheery Row, Leeds. Im not sure why and can't see to find out why but i am 70% sure these vehicles arn't for service. Volvo B9TL Wirght Gemini 37229 & 37525 swapped between Olive Grove, Sheffield & Leger Way, Doncaster.

Tate's Travel:
Here for 1 month only is Scania K230UB ADL Enviro 300 Demo YN62AAK. Its in ADL Silver, Green and Blue and should see use on routes 92/92A/96/96A/97/X10/X12 mainly.

Now onto the other stuff, Stagecoach have gained a new Park & Ride contract in Doncaster. More as i get it but looks like 36717/8 will be reallocated from Barnsley to Rawmarsh for use on this. To Barnsley, two T---TND ALX300 MAN expected to be out of 22205/9/13/6 will move from Ecclesfield. These are expected to be used on route 67 with two displaced Solos been used on other routes. This leaves one board. The 93A and so on/ so forth but ill see what happens with that as it dos. I guess it will get one of 36177/83 and the 1 will get the other one.

Its also expected the Hybrids for Arriva Yorkshire will arrive during March. Its still unclear what they are but what is sure are they are for use on routes 163/6 from Castleford to Leeds. Should displace the Optare Tempos onto the Pontefract-Castleford services.

Ill keep you updated, Should be a busy few months this ;)

Tate's expand as Redline hit problems

Redline have been stuggling to operate services recently. Service 4 has not operated and i understand not many 6As/11As/43As/44As have operated ether. Some of the Grimethorpe/ Shafton services have failed to operate. This isn't good and the 4A is been operated by a Mercedes O405 Coach which they have been using 'very lightly' since they wasted money on it. Frankly im not sure whats left for Redline. It was a good idea when it started but its never gone anywhere really and they make Tate's look ok. I know they have some Solos and the Primos and vehicle quallity is better on avrage then you get at Tate's but whats vehicle quallity if the bloody thing never turns up. When i could i used the 4 but now the timetable is complete stupid and its unuseable. 4A runs 08:11 Mon-Fri only but then it says, This service is school days only so really its pointless been a service and not a schoolbus. So as for Redline, Im not sure what the hell is going on at the minute but i can't see it lasting if nothing is done by the management to look into the situation. Anyways onto Tate's who seem to have stopped competeing as much with Stagecoach and took all their might to fight Arriva Yorkshire. They have done this by taking tender work on routes 194/195 and 443 allong with the 96/97 they allready operate, they have now won tenders for routes 128, 205, 212, 213 around Wakefield, Morley & Dewsbury. I understand they will be getting up to 3 more ADL Dart Enviro 200 vehicles to operate these services, They'll probably not end up operating them but the effort is there.

More New Hybrids For Sheffield

The New ADL Enviro 400 Hybrids for route 52 (Hillsborough-Sheffield-Handsworth-Woodhouse). These are 12161-79 (YN62BBE/X/CY/EY/FP/SU/TV/VR/S/XA/O/S/X/YA/S/U/ZG/K/T). They are expected to enter service in early next year. The new Hybrids will be in the Hybrid Green veriant of Beachball. Its Just a green beachball really isn't it :/

One of the orringal Hybrids operating route 52 in Handsworth
in July 2012.

Overall they will lead to improve reliablity on route 52 for Stagecoach, Those DAFs can't keep to time. They will also push Firsts faces in it yet again after something simaler happend on Route 120 (Halfway-Crystal Peaks-Sheffield-Hallamshire Hospital). This will give Stagecoach an excerlant avrage vehicle age in Sheffield compaired to other operaters. Only Sheffield Community Transport come anywhere close. The vehicles should lead to the withdrawal of DAF SB220 East Lancs Myllennium 26100-10 and some Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Spyrte. I expect the DAF SB220 Wright Commander will stay at Holbrook depot allong with MAN ADL Enviro 300 22560-3 leading to 22633-9 been reallocated to Ecclesfield depot and been branded/ maybe for Route 79/A. 22612-7/29/30 have allready been branded for the route. The above fleet movements are not confirmed so don't hold me up on them. For now all i can say is ADL have started building them with delivery expected next month and over the Christmas/ New Year period to Holbrook Depot.

Do you have the X19Factor

Well the X19Factor has been launched today between Barnsley-Goldthorpe-Doncaster Frenchgate and hourly to Doncaster Airport. Now its all well and good with Scania K230UB ADL Enviro 300 28671/2 been currently branded but they have failed to stop a few things. X-Factor the TV Show which im guessing the name came from is probably one of the worst things on the tele at present. I think Xpres19 or even better given the X19 interworks to X28 XpressBarnsley or something allong those lines which could be used on all the X services into Barnsley. That would ovcoruse allow for then other routes to be added, The X12 between Barnsley and Rotherham that Tate's have distoryed could be an option. Other then that the brandings look good but there not normal Stagecoach cheesy but maybe thats just down south and Mr Zoomers Manchester :). Slogans on 28671 are On Route to Commute and Hot To Shop. Again im not sure why its Red & Gold but it could have something to do with the routes line colour. For now thats it but keep a look out for X19Factor in West Yorkshire then as i can see one ending up on X28 very shortly indeed...

Local Fleet Changes - October 2012

Arriva Yorkshire:
New here are 40 VDL SB220 Wright Pulsar vehicles which have in large replaced older vehicles in the fleet. These are in service from Heckmondwick as 1456 (YJ62JHU). Belle Isle, Wakefield as 1457-70 (YJ62JJO/JNU/JPX/Y/JRV/JTO/JUA/JVE/G/JYH/Z/JZE/Z/JCZ). Castleford as 1471-8 (YJ62JDU/JGF/JHE/H/K/JOA/JRZ/JSY). And Dewsbury as 1471-95 (YJ62JUC/F/JVH/P/Y/JXT
/JYD/JBE/X/JDK/JEU/JFZ/JGX/JKY/JLU/JMU/X). In turn they should have replaced the DAF SB220 Alexander ALX300 which are utter sheds and need replacing. They have also cleared off the last of the Ikarus Citybuses that remained in service. This has lead to VDL SB220 Wright Commander 1409-15 to Belle Isle from Castleford. All Optare Spectras in this fleet now also operate out of Belle Isle depot.

Stagecoach Yorkshire:
In Service are the 8 new Scania K230UB ADL Enviro 300 for Barnsley, These are 28671-8 and have repalced MAN 18.220 Alexander ALX300 22113-5/24/6/22213/22923/4 of which 22213 has turned up at Ecclesfield and the rest have gone to Chesterfield i understand for storeage as 22203/22928/31 are there from Ecclesfield Reserve. Reserve fleet Dart 33345 was in use out of Rawmarsh on Saturday operating 220/221 between Rotherham and Doncaster. This should have been replaced by 33094/5 which have moved from Chesterfield to Rawmarsh. 33240 is here from Holbrook and persumed saved from withdrawal. From Barnsley to Holbrook and in Supertram Link livery for new SL3 linking Supertram with Killamarsh from Moss Way and Crystal Peaks are 47290/97-300. 47296 is now in use out of Chesterfield. At Ecclesfield MAN 18.240 ADL Enviro 300 22559/612/3/30 are branded for the 79/79A in the same style as the Alexander ALX300 they have replaced. 22614-7/22629 are expected to gain brandings shortly with more of this type expected at Ecclesfield soon to replace the remaining Oxford Boxford Alexander ALX300s still operating routes 79/79A. Transfers from Rawmarsh to Ecclesfield are ADL Dart Pointer 2s 35107/8/14 which have been noted operating the 57/265 and 83 routes in Sheffield.

Red Line Buses, RLB Trans Barnsley:
Plaxton Primo KX07KOA is here from Dawsons Rentals. Its understood Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Spryte 8551 has been withdrawn and scrapped.

TM Travel (Wellglade):
Transferd here from Trent Barton are Optare Solo M920 437/44/5/63/4 which are in a Burgandy livery with gold fleet names and 418/22/4/5 which are in a Yellow/ Orange Line 30 livery for the new 30 between Sheffield and Crystal Peaks. Also here is Green (Se7ens) Liveried 423 and has been used in service in this condition. These are for new tenderd services on behalf of South Yorkshire PTE which operate under the new Simplicity brand (Sheffield Bus Partnership)

Huddersfield to Leeds via Wakefield with a little help from 803

On Saturday 27th me, Adam & Danny went into West Yorkshire and used the £5.20 WY Metro Day ticket for the first time. Overall it went well with most drivers been plesent and very nice indeed. All the Arriva Yorkshire drivers we're very nice a few looking and checking the ticket as ovcoruse it said First on it which they are entitled to do. Unfortunatly it was a First West Yorkshire Leeds driver that stood out. He was driving Optare Solo 53909 on the 18:48 departure of the Town Bus in Leeds from the Bus Station. When Danny asked him if he could let us know when we are at the rail station, He replyed sarcasticly "Its When you see big trains eh!" So we sat down and then again, Another man go on and asked can you tell me when we get to the train station please, Driver again sarcasticly said Errrr When you see Trains, Your there. Unfortunatly it was dark and we didn't, nor did the other man see any trains so it was a good job i have little knowlage of the Train station in Leeds and we did manage to get off.
Started the day on 36715 of Stagecoach Yorkshire. Then Northern Rails 144010 to Huddersfield and from there we got First West Yorkshire 32513 on the 324 to Lockwood and returned on 30946. Then we did Arriva Yorkshire VDL Wright Pulsar 1455 to Old Fieldhouse Ln and back to Huddersfield on Volvo B9TL Darwen Olympus 1804. Then we planned to get a 231 or 232 to Wakefield. The next one was a 232 so we waiting. Ooooo 803. Centrebus Leyland Olympian Northern Counties 803 K242CHB or better known as K3 YCL to me ovcoruse been from Barnsley and growing up with 'Tracky' (Yorkshire Traction Group) who owned this fine beasts for quite a time before ovcoruse Stagecoach took over and sent them up to the Waterloo depot in Huddersfield which they then sold to Centrebus (Huddersfield Bus Company) where 803 is the last one remaining today. They we're new to Yorkshire Coastliner. This was certainly one to remember and certainly a beast. Having traveled on it back with Tracky between Barnsley & Doncaster i was happy to get this fine motor yet again and really happy to see it still going stong. The driver was brilliant and gave it some over the moors of Emily. Just brillaint. Next up was Arriva Yorkshire lovely doubly 1112. A Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urban on the 127 to Ossett. Then we got VDL Wright Gemini 2 1534 to Dewsbury and from their Darwen 1810 to the White Rose Centre. There we

got one of First Leeds new (From the Olympics) Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2s. This was 36271 on the 3 into Leeds Centre where we met Liam and Jake and then got 36278 on a 51 towards Morley. At Elland Rd the Police had closed the road so we had to divert and ended up at White Rose Centre again where i joked, Shall we get off here then. But he didn't go into the bus station and we went back down and joined the correct route. There not bad but they arn't great and seem loud and weak for a Wright product of late. In Morley Arriva Yorkshire Optare Spectra 723 was waiting with a 427 to Wakefield. We got this to Wakefield and 627 on the 446 to Oulton. Then we got a 189 to Leeds which was Volvo B7 Alexander ALX400 662. Then we got Town Bus 53909 with the not so nice driver. As aforementioned he should have an attitude like that driving a bus in Town Leeds, A popular tourist city in the UK. Then after a run throught Leeds Railway Station with its stupid ticket barriers that really don't need to be there because you could always employ men to do the job who are much better anyway because they don't eat tickets... I could go on. After a short run from one side to platform 17 where the train was we got 158843. I got off in Barnsley and then got 47288 home. Great day overall.

Trying out some Scania!

Well the Scanias are all now in service at Barnsley and they are:
28671 YN62FVD
28672 YN62FVH
28673 YN62FVJ
28674 YN62FVV
28675 YN62FXR
28676 YN62FXT
28677 YN62FXU
28678 YN62FXW


I have travelled on 28673/7. 28673 was operating route 1 (Barnsley-Staincross) & 28677 28 (Barnsley-Hemsworth-Pontefract). Both we're very nice and ran well. I got the feeling on 28673 that it hadn't setted in well but been its first day in service i was not supprised at this. 28677 performed much better overall but this had been going 2 days when i got it yesterday. They are comparable to the bacth at Worksop depot (28611-20) which are used in the Rotherham-Worksop and Doncaster areas mainly. I will get some more of these fine motors on Saturday hopefully. They are again Scania K230UB which is a great chassis and they are certainly built well. The ADL Enviro 300 body works well and its stylish too, Overall Scania K230UB ADL Enviro 300s are quallity vehicles and i really do like them but as everything else they have flaws. Firstly the head room on the back row... Now im not too tall but as i found out on a Worksop one, Head doesn't fit here does it brain... no it f*%king hurt that... Thankfully i didn't do that this time but i did sit on the back of both vehicles i traveled on in Barnsley. Overall the Scanias are great... Nuff said :)

Half't Scanias are go

Well this morning 4 of 8 Scania K230 ADL Enviro 300 have enterd service in Barnsley. I am told 2 were operating X19 (Barnsley-Doncaster-Finningley Airport)/ X28 (Barnsley-Hemsworth-Pontefract), 1 did the 222 (Barnsley-Wath-Doncaster) and the other found use on the 32 (Barnsley-Cudworth Crown Ave). This one was 28678 which decided to make an entrance into the bus station just as i boarded ADL Enviro 200 36714... I will try and get some photos and film on Wednesday and if not then Saturday.

Keep an eye out for more updates

First South Yorkshire Update

Recently there has been transfers in and around First South Yorkshire, These include:
Leeds to Sheffield:
Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400 - 30846/61/2/30937/8
Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini - 37021-35
Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini - 37103-22

Sheffield to Rotherham:
Dennis Dart Marshall Capital - 41780-7
Volvo B7L Wright Eclipse Urban - 60729-41
Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown - 60798-806
Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400 - 30564-78

Leeds to Rotherham:
Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400 - 31142-5

The Sheffield-Rotherham transfers may or may not happen but they should replace all the Olympians and all the Dennis Dart Super Pointers which are suffering serious chassis rot and recent repaints include:

At Doncaster- 31786/37500/8

At Sheffield- 33030/41/32955/7/31137-41/32308-11/32215-9/60630-2/69012/7/8

Local Fleet Changes - September 12

First South Yorkshire:
From Leeds are 30907/8/37021/4/9/30/2/4/5/37103-5/111-3/5-7/9/22 and there allocated and deliverd to Olive Grove depot for routes 47/48 (Shiregreen-Sheffield-Herdings) and 51 (Lodge Moor-Sheffield-Charnock) allowing 41780/2/5/7/30577/8/876/
60729/31/3/5/8/40/1/3/60799/800/2/4/5 to Rotherham from Olive Grove. I will update next month when the big movement has taken place to its full extent. All the Wright Eclipse Geminis from Leeds came with Leeds brandings and one even managed to arrive showing X84 Skipton. The latist buses came in two convoys on Saturday and were all in the Depot by 3pm on Saturday Afternoon. The photo shows 3 of the convoy from outside Olive Grove Depot.

Stagecoach Yorkshire:
The 14 new ADL Enviro 200 Dart are 36713-26 (YN62BHW/X/Y/JU/X/OV/DU/FE/HF/LX/MY/
NA/D/E) and are allocated to Barnsley (36713-8) and Holbrook (36719-26) for routes 1 (Barnsley-Mapplewell-Staincross) and 25 (Bradway-Sheffield-Woodhouse) respectivly. Due here are 8 Scania ADL Enviro 300 for Barnsley routes X19 (Barnsley-Doncaster-Doncaster Finningley Airport) and X28 (Barnsley-Hemsworth-Pontefract). All Vehicles that were out on Olympic movments have now returned including internal transfers.

Tate's Travel:
Demonstated here was Optare Solo SR (YJ11OJK) and it was used on route 34/34A (Barnsley-Shafton-Cudworth-Barnsley). ADL Enviro 200 Darts 1101/1121 (VP10JPT/YN12HNH) have become YX10TAT and YX12TAT respectfully the change occuring the second Saturday in September.

More New Enviros...

At Holbrook depot, ADL Dart Enviro 200s 36719-26 have enterd service on route 25 (Bradway-Sheffield-Woodhouse) and are YN62BDU/FE/HF/LX/NY/BNA/D/E. They are to the same standard and spec as the ones that have preiously enterd service at Barnsley. 36721 now features on my You Tube video allong with videos aboard 36714 and 36718 from the Barnsley Bacth. The buses are ok for Enviro 200s but i think the older bacth 36177-83/86-91 are much better but then again, they have settled in and i think, Don't quote me on this there Euro 4 not Euro 5 like the new bacth. Following this expected also at Holbrook are 19 ADL Enivro 400 Hybrid for route 52 (Woodhouse-Sheffield-Hillsborough Interchange) due October and also the new annocement today of 8 Scnaia K230 ADL Enviro 300 for Barnsley depot which should be 28671-8 and start arriving in the next few weeks for routes X19 (Barnsley-Doncaster-Finningley Airport) and X28 (Barnsley-Hemsworth-Pontefract). For now thats about all i have... I'm sure things will improve when the cart load of Volvo B7TL/9TL Gemini arrive at First South Yorkshire.

South Yorkshire Transport Museum Open Day & Rally

As i wasn't going to showbus this year i went to the South Yorkshire Transport Museums Open Day/ Rally on Sunday 16th. After Stagecoach suppled to excerlant 22427 (YN07KPV) on the 265 from Barnsley to Sheffield and a trip to Rotherham on First South Yorkshires 37263 (YN07MLL) we got the shuttle to the rally site at 11:15 of Rotherham. This was operated by former Doncaster Corporation Leyland Titan PD2/40 Roe (388 KDT). This is an ok bus however a little bumpy and jerkey. The rally was very very small compaired to normal when its at Meadowhall Coach Park. It was quite disapoining but still the team did the best they could and made it an enjoyable day. The shuttle bus service was operated very very well using sevrel different buses during the day. This operated every 20 minutes and all shuttle buses were in good condition.

Possibly the price attration, South Yorkshire Transport Museums very own Leyland Titan Open Top (NIB 5232) which was formally Stagecoach 11100 which was operating the shuttles to and from the event. Everyone wanted a photo of this vehicle operating and everyone wanted to ride on it. We did a full round (Museum-Rotherham-Parkgate-Museum) and it was certainly good and well restored by SYTM. Its shown on the left and comes complete with the allover livery with cream stripe. The interior is to Stagecoach spec with Stagecoach Beachball seating and Orange grabrails. This vehicle still carries Stagecoach number 11100 inside above the driver at the front. It was nice to get the wind in my face affect again on an Open Top bus. There were 6 or 7 stalls at the event selling models, DVDs, Books amoung other things but no Transdev waterproof coats... Atlantean A763NNA was standing on the front of the muesum and stood out. Its been excerlantly restored into GM Buses Livery inside and out, A Fantastic looking machine and certainly something good to look at, This is shown on the photo at the top of the blog post with the Destination set to 626 Wigan.

 Also on the shuttle service, And my peronsal highlight of the day was ECW Leyland Olympian A658OCX which was part of the Yorkshire Traction group numberd 658. This has been excerlantly restored into Mexborough & Swinton livery including interior and was an excelrant vehicle to be on, I must say having grown up with these Olympians mainly been withdrawn and taken out of service it was great to finally get to sit and ride one of these beasts again. 658 was showing 9A Conisborough all day and operating the shuttle service. Certainly the best on the shuttle that day. Round the back there was an handfull of vehicles. Maybe 6 or 7 with a few Trucks including Coopers, Killamarsh's Foden 4300 F711FHH which is in excerlant condition for its age and looked after extreamly well and ovcoruse Sheffield Transport 904 (3904 WE) was also on show, Normally used by the muesum for weddings and events it also did a shuttle. Then it was time for a trip to Doncaster on Transpennine to try and get a video of the Class 57s running through the station... This past the Transpennine i was on as we came off the Mexborough line, Ha well you can't win them all so as we got off 185151 there was 66238 with an Engineering Train and then 66741 (GBRF) Freightliner unbranded livery with a shunt move into Wabtec and they were followed by another Freightliner Shed and a Grand Centrel HST. Not bad going and a good day out indeed. Would like to say thanks to SYTM for putting on the show and making a normal boaring Sunday something worth it.

Solo's Out... Or Are They In?

Stagecoach have finally replaced the Optare Solo M950 on route 1 (Barnsley-Staincross), Yes the ADL Enviro 200 have finally shown there face. These are as reported and 36713-6 are branded for the service. The branding is new and revamped and compaired to the Solos there branded great and it looks good too, This morning as i got the 06:45 the last thing i expected was an Enviro 200... Pritty much typical because i got 47300 (YJ55BLN) However we passed an E200 in service and i had to get off and check it out. So i did, Off the Solo onto E200 36714... Managed to find an onboard video which is on my You tube channel, YT03AYF Videos. I think there much better then the older ones at Barnsley. They are less rattley and seem quiater in general, They are very nice buses and i quite like them which is different to say there Enviro 200. They are to the facelifted style and come complete with new bus smell... Wounder how long that lasts. Only the branded ones i believe have enterd service and they are very good looking and stand out. Ive allready had 36714/5 today. Overall i like the new ADL Enviro 200, There loads better then the older verisons and as all have completed there days work... Mostly i can't see what the reliablity problem is about.
 If i'm lucky i will clear the last two tomorrow that are branded. I will have a look for the others tomorrow too, So whats the future hold for the Solos then... SuperTram Link3 is what, Halfway-Killamarsh. They will be based at Holbrook and repainted and refusbished i understand. They should look good in Supertram link livery. They are 47296-300 (YK55CCV/YJ55BKZ/LF/K/N) YJ55BLK currently fire damaged and under repair, Possibly at Holbrook but i don't know. Funny because i said 47296-300 would go for SL3 but nobody believed me did they. As glad as i am were getting these E200 it will be a shame to loose the Optare Solos, 47290 (YN03ZXK) The one that was orringally a 1 Branded vehicle that has stuck with us all the way until now since the start of the service. They were nice and ive come used to sitting on a cramped Solos in hot or cold weather, Skylight open or Doors closed. Be nice to get some change after all this time, I hope anyway. Hopefully these new Enviros will hold up better then the older bacth at Barnsley however i'm not too sure however First impressions are very good and impressive buses they seem. So onto the are they in bit.
Well photoing the E200s this afternoon through up a good shock, It made me think as a Stagecoach Solo was in the way. It was... It really was an Optare Solo SR and as it got closer i saw it operating route 34 (Barnsley-Shafton-Barnsley) of which Tate's Travel operate... Now if they start buying Solo SRs i will be very impressed. Much better then ADL Enviro 200s. Really impressed with the look of it and they will hopefully place an order and start buying Versa or Solo SR.

E200s... The Story goes on + More

Those Enviro 200 again, Yes you guessed it those Barnsley ones that are in service on route... No thats not right is it. Delayed again due to gearbox issues that requiar the attention of a man from voith is however right, They have also mucked up the brandings accordingly. Elsewhere Tate's Travel 1152 (V152EFS) One of there new Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Super Pointers has enterd service as may have the other one however i'm not sure as i havn't seen it so cannot confirm. It looks very nice in fleet livery and certainly stands out in the crowd of Darts now at Tate's but thats probably the higher bit on the back at the top. They should be used on the 96/97 Barnsley-Wakefield corridor and interwork the school services replacing work the mighty Volvo B10M-55 Alexander PS did last year. The unknown White Plaxton Primo i mentioned is KX07KDA and is at Redline and was operating route 4, the mad circle of go North of town (Barnsley-Willthorpe-Barugh-Kexborough-
Darton-Staincross-Mapplewell-New Lodge-Wakefield Rd-Barnsley) apart from the 2 trips that run in the oppersit direction at 08:10 & 08:11am, Both of which do operate daily as ive seen them, Apart from those its hourly the 4. It looks a nice Primo to say its a Primo and yes i might try and get some haulage on it but only to see how it compares with those of TJ Walsh and other local operaters. Ive never liked the Primo so its got some work to do. Back to Stagecoach and at Ecclesfield 5 of the Ex Oxford M.A.N 18.220 Alexander ALX300 vehicles have been taken off fleet into reserve and find themselfs sat at Stonegravels, Chesterfield doing very little. I cannot see them been used there however. Confirmed at Stonegravels is 22929/31 (S929/31CFC), Still in service at Ecclesfield is 22932 (S932CFC) and here it is photoed leaving Sheffield on route 78 to Chapletown.

Also at Tate's 1101 has been reregistard YX10TAT and 1121 YX12TAT.

Delayed Darts and Mystery Primo

Well firstly, Those Barnsley Enviro 200 that were due to enter service on Monday are still not on the road. I understand they were not prepaired in time however god only knows why its took nearly a week more then expected. Operation on the 1 (Barnsley-Staincross) this week has seen certain larger vehicles including 22115 (S115TRJ) & 39625 (YT03AYK), Also theres been a daily Solo M880 and a few M920s. Ive seen 36717 in Wakefield Rd Depot looking preped and ready to go and also at least 1 vehicle now has nice looking 1 Brandings which today can be seen from Wakefield Rd. I am not however sure when the next will enter service... Hoepfully tomorrow morning.

So onto this odd little contraption of a Plaxton Primo. I got no registation details or anything just that a White Plaxton Primo was going down Eldon St North with 11 in a card in the window. Now is this Stagecoach... I doubt it so is this Redline using Stagecoach numbers... I guess it will be. They do this daily on the 43/44 and run them as 43/44 not 43A/44A like they registard. Now i'm not pointing things out but isn't there laws about this sort of thing where ops use other ops route numbers to make themselfs more well money. If its a Redline motor, i must say it looks nice and was clean. It has they London blue interior which comes with that vile shade of blue and the seats looked like Urban 90s. Lets not forget the biggest issue of all here... Its a Plaxton Primo and thats a bad thing for a start.

Anyway... Ill see what i can find out over the weekend and get back to you all :)

Smart Stagecoach as Enivro 200s enter service

Stagecoach Smart Has Arrived ! Passengers can now use a Smart Card to buy there 4 Week Megarider tickets an Megarider Extra in smart card form. You can top this card up on the bus by asking the driver and this is a great step forwards for Stagecoach in Yorkshire. The Smart Cards are like the London Oyster Card System which allows passengers to pay on there card for travel across London, Only this is South Yorkshire.

The 6 Enviro 200 at Barnsley are now confirmed as:

36713  YN62 BHW
36714  YN62BHX
36715  YN62BHY
36716  YN62BJU
36717  YN62BJX
36718  YN62BOV

4 of them will be branded for Route 1, Barnsley-Staincross which has a PVR of 5, I guess the other one may be spare or used on routes 21/22 (Barnsley-Dodworth-Penistone-Cubley). This has become a regluar for older Enviro 200s which are spare. Normally used on 93/93A/95 (Barnsley-Hospital-Darton). Hopefully this bacth will be loads better then the older bacth at Barnsley, Holbrooks are curently been deliverd and should enter service soon, Its expected an Holbrook one will join a Barnsley one at the SYTT event, Aldwarke on September the 16th.

Once the Enviros at Barnsley enter service on Monday September 2012 (Tomorrow) it is expected that 1 longer Solo M920 (Possibly 47286 or 47290) will move to Chesterfield Depot, Intrestingly Today Non of the 6 Branded Solos have been used, And only 47297/8 form the 1. This leads me to think that Stagecoach may use 47297-300 on route 6 (Barnsley-Bank End Ave) and rebrand them for this route, Debranding the Solos currently used on the 6 (47283/89-91) however nothing here as been confirmed.

Local Fleet Changes - August 2012

First South Yorkshire:
Expected to join this fleet are from Leeds 9 Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400, 14 Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Geminis & 19 Volvo B9TL Wright Geminis. This is to replace some older vehicles (Volvo Olympians, Wright Libertors). Repaited into new livery Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400 31786/31140 (YN53EOL/YU52VYR) 31786 becoming the first repaited at Doncaster after loosing its Frenchgate shopping allover advert. Also repainted are Volvo B7TL Plaxton Presidents 32108-10/32308-12 (LT02ZCY/DH/J/LK03NHH/J/M/L/N) And Volvo B7L Wright Eclipse Urban 60707-12/15/16/18/22/24 (MV02VAF/H/J/K/M/O/VBG/J/L/P/VCD). Marshall Capital 41780-8 (X513/781-5/514/787/8HLR) are expected to move to Rotherham from Sheffield allong with certain Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400. It is expected that a major allocation change is expected to occur shortly.

Sheffield Communtiy Transport:


The two new ADL Enviro 200 reported here are to the old style bodywork layout

Stagecoach Yorkshire:
Expected are 14 ADL Dart Enviro 200, 6 for Barnsley and 8 for Holbrook for routes 1 (Barnsley-Staincross) and 25 (Woodhouse-Bradway). At Chesterfield new Scania N230 ADL Enviro 400 15824-9 (YN12GYO/P/R-U) have enterd service with 15824-7 branded for route 43 (FourtyThree) and 15828/9 branded for Sheffield Megarider which can also be use on the Sheffield-Chesterfield services. All Barnsleys Dennis Trident ADL Enviro 400 we're returned form the Olympics on the 14/08 however 19559/60/4-6 (YN59EAF/G/W-Y) have returned to London and the Stagecoach Events fleet. In replacement Barnsley now have Scania N230 ADL Enviro 400 15688/90/1 (YN60ADX/Z/ADO) (The first of this type at Barnsley) and MAN 18.240 ADL Enviro 300 22546/7 (YN57MXO/P) and these have come from Chesterfield & Rawmarsh depots respectivly, Both part of Stagecoach Yorkshire. Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Spryte 33234/41/5 (S134SHE/T141/5JKY) join the magic bus fleet at Rawmarsh in Rotherham, They have been reregistard 1975 HE/3141 HE/8054 HE respectivly. Reserve fleet Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer I 33082 (P978LNB) is in use at Rawmarsh but as i understand it, Based at Chesterfield. All Buses that went out on Olympic Cover to other depots have all returned, The only change saw Ecclesfield keep 22612-5 (YN08JGU/V/X/Y) and gained 22559 (YN57MYC) from Chesterfield, I understand more movements between Chesterfield & Ecclesfield regarding the MAN Enviro 300 could occur shortly. ADL Dart SLF Pointer 2 35236 (YN56OMS)

has returned to Rawmarsh after serious accident damage which it sufferd in Swinton. Holbrook DAF SB220 East Lancs Myllennium 26109 (W479MKU) has re-entred service after Fire damage having been repaired. I understand this is complete with Euro 4 emmisions Engine. Dennis Trident Alexander ALX400 18125/6 (YN04KGK/P) have been repaited.Withdrawn are Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Spryte 33229 (R129TWF) with Chassic corrosion. It is expected that on or around October 26th there will be a major fleet change due to the Sheffield Bus Partnership. Exciting times ahead me thinks...

3 New Scania, A Bump and Alexandria

Monday... I did nearly write Saturday then was the day i choose to check out the new Scania N230UD ADL Enviro 400 at Chesterfield which all enterd service on Monday last week, However been on holiday i was unable to do anything about them until now. Starting with 47298 (YJ55BLF) into town and then getting Northern Rail 144017 into Sheffield on the 07:25 ex Barnsley and armed with my Stagecoach Day Explorer the first Scania that crossed my path was 15825 (YN12GYP) and the plan was to go full route on that one from Sheffield to Chesrterfield, I found the vehicle very nice to saw it had standard seating and they seemed to cope well with the hills at Dronfield Woodhouse, Near the fire station and with the 43 route in paticular. The upper deck was nice and layed out quite well. On the lower front window the words All Day, Every Day are showing as part of the branding but it doesn't obsure the view like the Arriva buses, here to take you there logo on the latist Arriva Yorkshire Branding which is on the bottom of the upper deck window. The upper deck air con is still on the panel under the front window which is about as usefull as a fan doing 2mph but apart from that the vehicle was clean, There was eveidance of people putting there muddy shoes up on the front of the bus which isn't too good given the vehicles have been in service a week yesterday. The vehicle coped well with the loading it got and i noticed more passengers went onto the upper deck then the lower deck which i found unusual for any route as normally the lower deck is full before passengers go up. Passing the B2Net Stadium in Chesterfield i was looking towards Tesco...
Normally looking to see what i could see Stobart wise however what i saw made me hit the bell, run down stairs and get off at the next stop, this was followed by some running and after about an half mile run i finally got there. Stobart MAN TGX Lowheight Tanker PX59AEG, H6139 (Alexandria 21) was delivering to Tesco Garage, Chesterfield. I could not believe my luck at spotting this fine machine at work, away from the normal Stobart depots where most spotters spot good stobarts like this. I was so chuffed at this spot i went into KFC and wacthed the tanker doing its work while eating. I was amazed at getting a top Stobart in Chesterfield and if i was on a Single Deck MAN E300 i wouldn't have seen the truck so credit for the decker there. After i got a 25 into Chesterfield, 33349 (R49 CBD) One of the Marshall Capitals in use with Stagecoach Chesterfield, This wasn't half as bad as i expected and was quite nice indeed. I have never really been a fan of the Marshall Capital, There small, light and weak not standing up well in RTAs and accidents. Photos from the web havn't helped my view on the vehicle type but 33349 seemed ok and looking into the drivers cab it was very well laid out and the driver gets a cracking view out the front window, Even if he did say it was a shed. Then after a while in Chesterfield Scania 15824
(YN12GYO) arrived and on this one i sat downstairs, I was very impressed at the Leather seating on the back with the Beachball pattern on it, I think it was excelrant and gave the leather seating more colour in appose the the normal dullness or gray that most operaters use, It was something i hadn't seen before the patternd leather and i think it works well with the interior giving all seats one colour and not having gray and the back and beachball all the way down. We got off this one at Woodseats and got 15828 into Sheffield, This one was also impressive but at the back some mindless fool and allready scrathed the real paneling with there shoes up on the seats and one of the rear seats had pop spilt all down it, Very sticky and not nice to sit on. Then as we came onto the Mall, Sheffield we saw an accident, First South Yorkshire 69028 had been hit by a Taxi down the side, The taxi had appered to overtake the First bus on a One way street, The driver not expecting to be overtaken on a one way street turned off and bang... After this it was 2 Freebess (44927 followed by 44926) and then waited for 26109 (W479MKU)
 which was involved in the fire in Sheffield city centre last year, this is now in service again and has a few new panels, the rest painted white but there are still signs of fire damage inside the vehicle, Branding is still visable on the sides which im supprised they havn't been forced to replace all the windows which were smoke damaged, there is a new rear desination desplay and some rear panels have been replaced, the fleetnumber as the photo shows is now above the windows, i like it there and I was impressed with the vehicels repair job. 22450 back to Barnsley and 47297 to complete a good day out.

All Washed up... Holiday Bashing

As previously mentioned ive been on Holiday this week, Returning home to South Yorkshire about 2 Saturday afternoon. Last Saturday and Sunday we're bus less as i was enjoying myself in Skegness. Monday however was the trip to King's Lynn to meet a good friend, Ian Wiseman, This started with a walk into Skegness, As the dog had woken me up at the hour of 4am i walked into Skegness hoping to get some photos before catching the 07:20 7 to Boston. However upon arrival i noticed the 06:20 X7 to Boston pulling onto stand, I never expected catching this, I jumped aboard. My bus Volvo B7TL East Lancs Vyking 16914 (FX54AOD). The driver was female and hadn't done the X7 before. She did very well and didn't get lost once, She was a very good driver overtaking 2 tractors and keeping to the timetable. We arrived in Boston at 07:03, I was very annoyed with the lack of anything at Boston Bus Station. I walked around the car parks and stands, No information regarding Timetables or Stands services departed form. It surely is the worst bus station in England, Wales or Scotland for that matter i have ever visited or seen.
The stands were in a poor state of repair and nobody seemed to be in charge or have any ownership what so ever. The Stands where all painted in Dark Blue, It was very dull in Boston Bus Station, The bus station was not clean at all and was quite a discusting place to be. Some effort could have at least been made to keep the traveling public happy. Let allone safe, i was constantly wacthing my back there. Another point to make regarding Boston Bus Station was the number of stands for the number of buses that operate there, While i was there between 07:03 and 07:40 16914 left of stand 4 and a Kimes Olympian came in with a 59 to Spalding on Stand 7, That left and then nothing else came in until my service 113 to Spalding from Boston, This was X324NNO. This was quite good given its time in London with Stagecoach before sale to Brylaine. Seemed a quallity bus, Then it was with a minutes worth of connection onto Nofolk Green 105 (YK57FHM) to King's Lynn. I was very impressed with my first Norfolk Green vehicle, An operator ive always liked but never before used. As i was making my journey i got a very amusing text message for Ian saying "I assume you mean skegness to boston... or you are wayyyy ahead of time", He was still in bed and after i arrived about 10 minutes after he did so we went and did new ADL Enviro 400 21 (SN12EHM). I was very impressed at Norfolk Greens new ADL Enviro 400s, Very good buses indeed. Then it was onto Tempo 112 (YJ57EHX) on the 11 back to Kings Lynn, This was very full as went around the Sandringham Estate owned by the royal family, There was a offroad turning circle here which provided a good ammount of dust which followed the vehicle all the way around, The vehicle was thrown about over the bumps going around the circle... Very intresting indeed never really been on a leaning Tempo beforehand. Then some bashing around King's Lynn commenced, While there we did the following vehicles:
Optare Versa 504 (YJ10EYG) on the Fairstead 1
Optare Solo 620 (AU53KSO) on the North Lynn Too!
Optare Versa 501 (MX09HJJ) on the Pandora Four
Irisbus Agoraline 130 (FE52HFR) on the Fairstead 1
Optare Solo 606 (YN03NCV) on the North Wooten Three

Then after a great day with Ian it was time to head back to Skegness again, ZF powerd Spectra 7 (YJ51ZVF) was my bus back to Spalding on the 505, Leaving King's Lynn we got stuck in traffic for the roadways up near the Arch. We were therefor a good 10-15 minutes behind out timetable however the driver did an excerlant job getting back on time before Spalding allowing me to make my connection. The Norfolk Green driver was excerlant and certainly could drive at speed safely, Unlike the idiot who was driving my Brylaine service back to Boston, This was X304NNO and also got stuck in traffic, The driver was therefor late, And was driving fast however decided it was a good idea to cross the white line in the road twice before finally doing it on a blind cornor, There really was no way he could have seen anything coming at him before it was too late and this caused uncomfort between passengers. I must say the Dennis Trident Alexander ALX400 coped fine with the speed and reminded me how good the older Tridents really are however i was glad to be away from the driver. About a 40 minutes wait in Boston, The worst Bus Station ive been to in the UK and Stagecoach DAF SB220 East Lancs Myllennium 26122 (X852HFE) arrived, I was glad to finally see something beachball before my eyes again and with a double crew we set off to Skegness with the last IC7 of the day. We took a brake in Wainfleet of 5 minutes to let the bus cool down, These Myllenniums used to been on the Seafront Service 1 (Skegness-Ingoldmells-Chaple St Lenords) and not the high speed 7 (Boston-Wainfleet-Skegness). We got into Skegness 6 minutes late but that allowed for a connection onto 21212 (), That took me back to Winthorpe on Route 3 (Skegness-Ingoldmells-Anchor Ln).
This is one of the rare Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urbans in the fleet which i do like very much. I took the time to notice the Blue lighting instead of the normal boreing white lighting on Stagecoach Skegness vehicles... Its very nice and should go fleet wide but thats just opinion. That concluded Monday which was an excerlant day, Great to finally meet Ian too. Tuesday saw me do too more buses, 16940 (FX06AOB) into Skegness and 16093 (R93 XNO) back to Winthorpe. Both impressive vehicles with the interior of 16940 impressing me the most, The seating was brilliant and i can see why there so popular. 16093 was operating the 19:15 off Skegness bus station and became very very full with standing passengers, That made it hard to battle off at Winthorpe but for a trip on a Volvo Olympian its worth that. Wednesday was the day i choose to do a Lincolnshire Day Out ticket on Stagecoach Skegness, I travelled on most the fleet and certainly too much to list but ive managed to get all DAF SB220 East Lancs Myllenniums, Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urbans and Open Top Dennis Tridents at Skegness Depot. I got Olympians 16093/16147/16817 the latter two been on loan for the summer season and Volvo B7TL 16914, 16940/2. I didn't manage to do much InterConnect stuff but there is allways next time. Most services operating on Skegness seafront were ether full and standing load passing potential passengers or following another bus, 1s we're often late because of Traffic at the popular resort of Ingoldmells and this is really unavoidable. 3s we're running its 2s and 3s battleing with the Traffic at Ingoldmells/ Skegness like the 1s but also getting passengers and young families wishing to get Open Top deckers which all ended up full and running in pairs or threes...
Me i was happy with the Olympians. If it was me choosing what to do i would allocation Volvo B7RLE Wright Eclipse Urban 21211-6 to Skegness for Winter services and Summer extras with the rest been decker, I would also operate routes 1/3 every 8 minutes if possible but in Skegness with its traffic cahos not much ever operates ontime. Stagecoach drivers in Skegness are very friendly, Some of the best ive experanced and there were able to deal with the Traffic and passengers wanting to get here and back the cheapist way, Most passengers didn't know what tickets they wanted and don't when boarding buses in Skegness and Ingoldmells most stating Caravan sites or Hotels and then expecting the driver to know them. and the nearist stopping point. I really do think Stagecoach should prise drivers in Skegness as i would compair the job to driving in London City Centre on tourist routes. My driver on 16817 shouted to a member of staff montoring while he was stuck in Traffic at Fanatsy Island "I'm Late, Very late, 20 Minutes Late"
     However what could he have done differently. Not at all much. On Thursday i did nothing bus wise but Friday saw me do 21214 to Skegness and 17675 back to Winthorpe, 26122 to Skegness and 26126 back to Winthorpe. Saturday morning i went into Skegness and got 26124 there with 17673 back, Its allways nice to sit at the back of an Open Top decker in the wind.... A Good time had by myself me thinks and for those on my facebook, Pics are up. Please visit my You tube to see the videos i filmed dueing my time in King's Lynn and Skegness, Link Below....

YT03AYF Videos :- http://www.youtube.com/user/YT03AYF?gl=GB


Note: Videos will all be uploaded on 19/08/12, Please remember to check on 20th for ones you may miss/ have missed.

Few Notes and Updates

The new ADL Enviro 200 vehicles are expected to start arriving very shortly. These i suspect should follow each other Registation wise and should be as posted about 3 or 4 months ago (Stagecoach Yorkshire new vehicles) I think i called it, Never the less Barnsleys (6) should start arriving from August 16th and Holbrooks (8) from August 23ed, These may run up to 2/3 week late due to ADL been busy currently. It is now expected that the Scania Enviro 300 vehicle expected at Holbrook will be diverted leaving the M.A.N 18.240 ADL Enviro 300 to cover in there place, These are currently allready at Holbrook depot. I understand Holbrook may become 100% ADL Enviro 400 Hybrid over the next few years however i cannot confirm this at the current time.

BL Travel have gained a new member to the fleet, This been YJ12GVO, An Optare Versa V1100 which follows a succsessfull trail period with this operater of a similar Demonstation vehicle, This is the vehicle photoed in this blog post.

Finally, I will be going away this week visiting Skegness & Kings Lynn mainly, This will also see me at Spalding, Boston and probably Lincoln, Mablethorpe etc travelling about the Interconnect network in Lincolnshire and the Wash.... Should be a good week for me and meeting a great friend of mine too, Can't no longer wait so i will catch you lot later. Expect there will be a big right up on my movements, views and everything else when i return from my outing.

M.A.N Movements, Chesterfield style

Last Year, Chesterfield depot decided to move the passenger stopping lights from behind the driver onto the front of there M.A.N 18.240 ADL Enviro 300. This was because the drivers stop light was very dim and obstucked by the streering wheel. This seemed a good idea and at the time others throught Chesterfield really had lost it, However it became clear to me recently that there is a need for this as 1/5 times drivers of M.A.N 18.240 at other depots passed, totally missed or overshot stops after passengers has pushed the bell. Now Stagecoach have jumped onto the bandwaggon and now the first example at Barnsley depot has now had its stopping light moved. This is 22630 (YN08JFK) and the new stopping light is very oddly persittioned. Believe it or not it took me a good 10 minutes to notice and i noticed when i relised the fleet number onboard was lower then normal, Personally i like it better there and as i got off i decided to take a more detailed photo.

This Photo shows where the sign used to be, Its 22544 this time.

Fleet Changes - July 2012

First South Yorkshire:
Volvo B7L Wright Eclipse Urban 60721 (MV02VBO) Is the first Single Decker in the South Yorkshire fleet to be released in the new livery for route 52 (Hillsborough-Sheffield-Crookes). The vehicle looks stunning and i must say i like the new first livery, Simaler 60707/9 (MV02VAF/J) is expected to be the next one to imerge in this livery. Allready Repainted are Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 37257/8/61-5/472-99/509-18/25/29 (YN07MKX/Z/LJ-L/O/U/YN08NLL/M/O/P/R/T/U/V/X-Z/NMA/E/F/J/K/M/U/V/X
/Y/PLF/ERX/PLO/U/ERY/PLX/Z/YN58ERZ/ESF/G/O/U/V
/Y/ETA/D/E/ETY) of which 37257/8/61-5/487-97/509/11/12/37529 carry X78 Brandings (Sheffield-Doncaster) & 37472-84/513-18 carry 75 Brandings (High Green-Lowedges) & Dennis Trident Plaxton President 33061/3-71/9/82-4/99/123-9/30 (LN51GKU/X-Z/GLF/J/K/V/GKA/NK/NV/X/ME/LZ/LT02NVK/N-P/R/S/WXH). Certain of those are expected to gain brandings for routes 47/48 (Ecclesfield-Herdings Park) within the week, I expect these will be 33061/3-71/82-4/99/123-9. Volvo B7L Wright Eclipse Urban 60729-31/33-41/43 (MV02VCK/L/DD/F/G/L-O/T) have moved to Midland Rd, Rotherham from Olive Grove, Sheffield for the summer period. It was expected that Midland Rd would then place there Volvo Olympian Northern Counties Palatines into Reserve however there still out and outbound it seems.

Sheffield Community Transport:
Two New B29F Seated Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s are here, They are MX12GGE & MX12CGE and are operating in Dealer White.

Stagecoach Yorkshire:
Due here are 14 ADL Enviro 200 for Barnsley (6) and Holbrook (8). Optare L1180 Excel 35005 (YN51VHO) was distroyed by fire in Coal Aston. Holbrook M.A.N Enviro 300 22560-2 (YN57MYD/F/YN08JBZ) have gone on loan to Chesterfield to cover a vehicle shortage. New Scania Enviro 400 15824-9 (YN12GYO/P/R-U) are been deliverd and 15826-9 have brandings for route 43 (Chesterfield-Dronfield Woodhouse-Sheffield). They have standard seating so did not as expected replace simaler vehicles on the X17 (Sheffield-Chesterfield-Matlock).

Tate's Travel Group:
New here is ADL Enviro 200 1121 (YN12HVH), This has a small plack above the last window on the sides celebrating 10 years of service. This shows (2002-2012) however there website says they started in 2003. Simaler 1101 (VT10JPT) also joined this fleet and is in full fleet livery.

BL Travel, Featherstone:

Reported new here and in BL Coaching Livery is Optare Versa YJ12GVO, This follows a demonstation period where simaler YJ61JHF was used and supplyed by Optare.

Few Updates and Stuff

At Stagecoach, The New Scania N230UB ADL Enviro 400 vehicle for Chesterfield are ungoing delivery, I think to the Events team but could be Chesterfield, However from a photo ive seen off 15824 they apper to have Standard seating so its lead me to believe these vehicles maybe used on the 43 (Sheffield-Dronfield Woodhouse-Chesterfield) in appose to the X17 (Sheffield-Chesterfield-Matlock) unless they change the seats over, Seems abit errr odd to me but we will have to wait and see. All are expected to go down to London for Olympic use beforehand. 3 More Vehicles are expected to join the Magic Bus operation in Rotherham from Septemeber, I understand these to be the 3 Dennis Darts currently at Barnsley for Olympic Cover, Those been 33082 (P978LNB) 33241/5 (T141/5JKY). All are currenty wearing Stagecoach Beachball livery. Optare Excel 35005 (YN51VHO) was involved in a serious engine fire and as a result will be withdrawn, I can't see them repairing it anyway.

At First who i know i don't post about often Volvo B7L Wright Eclipse Urban 60729/30/31/33/35/37/40/43 are confirmed at having re-located for the summer to Midland Rd, Rotherham from Olive Grove, Sheffield after Olive Groves PVR dropped and as i understand 60729-43 have all moved, This has allowed Rotherham to withdrawn and reserve certain Volvo Olympian Northern Counties Palatines which were previously operating routes like the 69 (Sheffield-Tinsley-Rotherham) & the X5 (Sheffield-Dinnington). I will try to compile a list of all the vehicles in new livery shortly too, Well the South Yorkshire ones anyways.

At Tate's 1121 (YN12HVH) is new, Its another ADL Dart SLF Enviro 200 vehicle at the layout of B39F... I think, Ive not yet been lucky enough to get it for haulage yet however i plan to, Ive missed out on getting Tate's latist demo (YX61EKO) which didn't gain a fleetnumber, This was the same silver as YX61DOU. The vehicles both manage to keep avoiding me which is about right.

The mighty Fleetline

Saturday the 21/07/12 started off like any other Saturday... Trying to get out of bed and onto the bus to town, This week 47298 was provided. Then onto the Train to Sheffield which was 144023. The unit seemed to be stuggling to get speed however nothing too bad and we arrived into Sheffield on time, The service arriving at Barnsley before the annocement even managed it at 07:53. 4 minutes early. Was planning a day in Sheffield with Thomas Cousins but after seeing smoke coming from Sheffield Railway Station we ended up staying there nearly an hour and then finally got a Tram (119) to Middlewood and from there onto Stagecoach Sheffield 36456 (YN61FXU) A modern ADL Enviro 200 branded for Supertram Link at Ecclesfield, These services are SL and SL2 connecting Middlewood with Stocksbridge and Malin Bridge with Stannington. After swapping buses in Stocksbridge onto 36457 (YN61FXV) i checked facebook spotting a mobile upload uploaded by Steve Crossland in Chesterfield. This was showing Stagecoach Chesterfields Preserved Daimler Fleetline Roe 15513 (MBE613R), It was in service operating route 39 (Holme Hall-Chesterfield-Grangewood). So noticing this and spotting an opertunity in Stocksbridge we set off on a misson towards Chesterfield...

We set route from Middlewood via Yellow Route Tram to Sheffield and Tram 110 was the traction. The time was about 12:15 when the tram departed Middlewood. We then got to the tram stop at 12:35 after completing some sucsessful running only to find the X17 (Sheffield-Chesterfield-Matlock) was delayed... We didn't know this until 12:45 when it still had not shown up but about 12:54 15695 (YN60ADZ). So after what then felt like a year we arrived in Chesterfield and left the service which was still late. After running down to New Beetwell St we got some estimated timings from Steve Crossland which we're extreamly helpfull. We throught we had missed the service at 13:35 thus crossed over the road. Thats when i saw the Fleetline coming down New Beetweel St towards Grangewood... Some more running occured but thankfully we got to the stop before the bus did and we're able to board the service. Ovcoruse this was the first time i had been on this vehicle and after never ever expecting to do so i was very happy indeed. Went up stairs and found Steve and everyone else up there, Sat down as we headed off towards Grangewood. It was clear the vehicle was in an excerlant condition and i was unable to find anything wrong with it what so ever, Infact it turns out it was the best bus ive been on all year but ovcourse with only a Leyland Olympian of TM Travel to compete with it a Daimler Fleetline, never mind an Open Top Daimler Fleetline. As we went down towards Grangewood there we're a few Low Flying Trees which required ducking for, Nothing an E400 a day wont put right however, It added to the fun. Heading back Into Chesterfield we picked up the vehicle advertising the new Maplin electronics store in the town.

We got back and went throught Chesterfield, Having a Day Explorer and all i couldn't really not go for the journey and do a round. Overall i certainly think 15513 should be used on service during the days more often in Chesterfield even if it doesn't do peak hours returning to the depot at 3 in the afternoon. This is a quallity bus and if i ever see it in service again i'm affrade my plans will change faster then they ever had as i don't think i will be able to miss the operatunity to ride this monster of a vehicle again.

Also in Chesterfield was the vehicle advertising the new Maplin store (There 200th Store) as mentioned before... This was another Open Top however a Leyland Titan, Operated by the South Yorkshire Transport Museum in Aldwarke, Rotheram (Event Day Sunday 16th Sept 2012). The vehicle was NIB 5232 and was also in peak condition however there was no opertunity to ride on this it was seen circling around Chesterfield Town Centre most of the day and is photoed to the Left with most of its crew taking a break from Fleetline 15513.

Another intresting point to the day was TM Travel Optare Solo M850 1160 (WM52PZD) sitting in Sheffield Centrel Bus Station, This was displaying GOD on its rear destination desplay... An intresting choice of destination certainly when on an Optare Solo M850, You would most expect that destination to be on one of there many Olympians still in service in and around Sheffield.