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 Optare Excel 35005 (YN51VHO) was involved in a serious engine fire and as a result will be withdrawn, I can't see them repairing it anyway.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Sheffield after Olive Groves PVR dropped and as i understand 60729-43 have all moved, This has allowed Rotherham to withdrawn and reserve certain Volvo Olympian Northern Counties Palatines which were previously operating routes like the 69 (Sheffield-Tinsley-Rotherham) & the X5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.

Local Bits and New Enviro 400s

In Barnsley, A Trojen bus has operated in Barnsley to crack down on antisocial behavior within the community. South Yorkshire Police also boarded buses in Barnsley to crack down on passengers who we're using forged weekley passes and tickets. All good in my view, Its about time this happend in Barnsley as its happening in Rotherham. The vehicle used from trojen bus i'm not sure of but i'm guessing this would have been a M.A.N 18.240 HOCL-NR A69 ADL Enviro 300 as these are commonplace in Barnsley on Evenings and Sundays as well as Weekdays. All good i find anyway. Hopefully we will get revinue teams on Northern Rail shortly to totally crack down on people avoiding fairs.

In Other news the following information should be the Scania N230 ADL Enviro 400 vehicles that are expected at Chesterfield, Stonegravels for use on route X17 (Sheffield-Chesterfield-Matlock) displacing older vehicles of the same type onto route 43 (Sheffield-Dronfield Woodhouse-Chesterfield). The new vehicles are expected to be as follows (Information form Facebook)

15824 - YN12 GYO                         15825 - YN12 GYP

15826 - YN12 GYR                         15827 - YN12 GYS

15828 - YN12 GYT                         15829 - YN12 GYU

I am currently unsure if Barnsley will still get a bacth of Enviro 200 however ive not heard there not getting them or that they have been diverted so

Think these will be in service after the olympics.

One Certainly Different Trip to Barlborough DC

Well it wasn't raining for a start ! Got 47290 (YN03ZXK) Into town, Thats normal but then when i went for my normal train the 07:58 from Barnsley to Sheffield expecting the normal Class 144 3 Car Pacer i was suprised to see 142030 turn up. This is a ex FGW (First Great Western) unit and comes complete with the full FGW interior. Infact i'm suprised Northern Rail even painted the unit back into there livery. The bench seating was outdated and creaky and when the unit got over 25-30mph it become very rattley and devolved a vibration, This affected the full carrige and was quite worring given the recent string on Class 142 prop shaft failures that normally lead to the unit been flung off the track (142042 been badly damaged by this beforehand). After getting off the unit i missed photting the 53 (Sheffield-Mansfield) operated by Stagecoach East Midlands Mansfield depot, This was yesterday operated by a Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Super Pointer (33832 IIRC). So taking pics i waiting for the arrival of Thomas Cousins. Then got the 44A to Woodseats from Sheffield... Unfortuneatly we managed to get Allocated Optare Excel L1180 35004 (YN51VHM). That wasn't the plan, I hoped for a Dart or something different, It later turned out 35004 was the only Optare Excel operating the 44/44A that day !. Then it was onto 15695 to Whittington Moor, That bits normal... Then we got 33234 (S134SHE) A Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Spryte on the 25 from Whittington Moor to Chesterfield Town Centre. After expecting a Super Pointer Dart like the aformentioned example but one of Chesterfields, Stonegravels Depot and ovcourse not Mansfield. Walked down to New Beetwell St as per then and didn't see many of the unbranded Scania N230 ADL Enviro 400s, Well appart from 15688 which was operating X17s.
 I knew 2 we're going/ had gone for Olympic cover to Peterborough but that still left 15687/9-91 unacounted for, So here i am in Chesterfield expecting one of those up to Barlborough... Ovcouse 22643 (YN58CEK) was provided. I didn't mind that and this was the first time i hadn't got a Scania E400 on the Saturdays 10:45 77 from Chesterfield to Worksop, Well Barlborough but the bus went to Worksop. It was nice to get 22643, I don't often get Chesterfields Enviro 300 for haulage so was quite happy. After a KFC, And a very quite day spotting at Barlborough where only 8 Stobart vehicle were seen we walked back up to the bus stop expecting 18124 (YN04KGE) at 14:06, However at 15:58 36003 (FJ07OSW) turned up in service on the 77, Now i hadn't seen that vehicle that morning so i was a little confused... Turned out he was 22 late and should have been the 15:36 to Chesterfield. I on the other hand was well impressed at getting 36003, I like those ADL Enviro 200 which don't use the drone on engine in most ADL Enviro 200. Infact i quite like the Worksop bacth of Enviro 200 (36001-8). That lead to some intresting photos, First time ive ever got 2 Single Decks on the 77 in a day, And 22643 was a little full so how 36003 went on i don't know. In Chesterfield there was a big backlog of Traffic,
New Beetwell St was very slow and took walking then was about 5 minutes faster then driving. Got to the X17 early which was the same 15694 (YN60ADX)... Always seem to get 15694 on that board of the X17... Not sure why but its allways on full X17s and its whining engine most certainly gives the ears something to turn off at. 35112 (YN06WCO) was my 265 home and then, well then 47300 (YJ55BLN). An intresting day on the bus and train side... Anyooh, Catch you all later :D

To Add to the above, All Photos shown are taken using my new Canon IXUS 230 HS camera, I most certainly think its one of the best ive used and come into contanct with so far taking some excerlant shots yesterday, Including the one to the Right of Stagecoach Chesterfield 34720 (YN05XNZ) which was repainting into this commrotive livery of East Midlands Motor Service (EMMS) which is the lisence Stagecoach took and still use. Stangely this is teqnicly a Stagecoach Yorkshire vehicle as Stagecoach Chesterfield is part of Stagecoach Yorkshire.

Splash, Tate's Travel to the Rescue

On Friday 06/07/12, 2 Months worth of Rainfall fell in South Yorkshire over the morning and afternoon. So even with the warning some idiot decided to go ahead with his plans... Yes Me, Started out ok with on and off heavy rain. So as i boarded the 10:12 21 to Cubley which was 22543 (YN57MXK), After leaving Barnsley it became clear to me that i had probably messed up as there was lots of standing water and puddle work around. When we got to Oxspring over the crossroads there is a field on a slope which had decided to leake its mud with the water going down the slope, This was running down into Oxspring bottom and causing quite an issue. After the day, painting i got the 14:28 21 back to Penistone, This is the Penistone only one that then runs to the school, It was really raining at this point and i was coverd... No Drowned I ended up standing in Penistone Church/ Market Place and as the rain started to get worse i got into a conversation and stopped paying attention to what was going on with my mobile speaking device. After a while ADL Enviro 200 Dart 36183 (YN60FKU) came in at 14:58 which was the other school bus that doesn't run to Cubley in service. After a bit it came back later packed solid with school pupils...
That wasn't for me so i missed it and waiting, Then i checked the aforementioned mobile device which said there were flooding at Green Rd, Penistone and then Oxspring, Silkstone and Barugh ammong other places. So as the 29, Sheffield Community transports ADL Mini Pointer had gone i waited in hope more then expectation. Then, Tate's Travel 1521 (EJ52WXD) with the 92 to Millhouse Green, Going the wrong way and i didn't expect any service back, So i sat and waited. A Plaxton Verde Dennis Lance in White passed which confused me, Didn't know of any in the local area so was a supprise, Finally Tate's Travel 1521 appered from around the bend, Heard it coming before i saw it... Ive not really been so happy to hear the engine of an ADL Dart Pointer 2 before, As i got on the Driver said he would get to Barnsley, No Ifs, Maybes or Buts, He will get to Barnsley... I took my seat and as we went up the A628 towards Penistone viaduct there was the first flood, We plowed on throught like it was nothing, Deeper then the Mini that had before tryed. As we went allong we got to Hoylandswain without issue and then down towards Silkstone, The escape lane at the bottom on Hoylandswain has took to the weather and river running down Hoylandswain hill like Skegness beach to High Tyde. Silkstone and Barugh we're heavly flooded and the photos shows Silkstone Flooded and the Ring O'Bells.
Silkstone was the worst affected with the pub and homes flooded, The fire brigade we're doing there best to help with no chance of succseeding, They moved there rig and then let traffic pass before it became stuck.  Barugh was flooded heavly by the Chestnut Tree (The pub not just theTree !) and was only passale to larger vehicles, Some Stagecoach Enviro 200 had issues with water coming onboard but Tate's 1521 again plowed on. Claycliffe Rd by Tate's Travels depot was also flooded, I am unsure but pritty certain Tate's Travels depot took on water as an office when asked by our driver said "Its Your Place where its worst". After all we arrived in Barnsley and i got the bus home without incident however a trip that should have taken an hour took 3 and half... Hopefully no more floods will hit this year and non as serious as those that did. I must say Thank You to Tate's Travel, They managed to run when Stagecoach failed, The driver i had on 1521 was bloody excerlant...
Top Guy and most certainly could drive the bus. Not using Tate's Travel much i must say they did a top job and really pleased me this time.

They got me home to wacth TV and listern to Radio 1, Top quallity from this small operater.

Well Done Tate's Travel

Thats an intresting look on your face Sir !

Well, Allong with the Olympic movments comes debranding, repains and touch ups to most vehicles involved. Recently Stagecoach Chesterfield repaint and moved M.A.N 18.240 ADL Enviro 300 22615 (YN08JGY) to Ecclesfield, Sheffield for a Dennis Dart Marshall Capital. This ran around in normal beachball livery until i spotted this one Saturday last week, Ooer i throught to myself... The blue panel above the bumper has changed colour overnight, It was now most certainly White as the photo shows, Unfortunatly i forgot my blogger password and was unable to log in until recently.