The Trentbarton Red Arrow has run for some years between Nottingham, Derby and Chesterfield.

On 25 July 2010, the frequency once again was improved (Monday to Saturday daytime every 10 minutes between Nottingham and Derby and every 30 minutes between Nottingham and Chesterfield). Five new Scania Irizar coaches with wheelchair lifts have been added to the fleet.

Much publicity has surrounded the introduction of the new timetable which may be viewed on the Trentbarton website HERE.

1. Chesterfield Thursday 22 July 2010

The new Red Arrow coaches visited Chesterfield. Colin Sellers and Tony Wilson were there with their cameras:

2. Derby Friday 23 July 2010

However, two days before the launch of the improved service, Colin Sellers reports that a new Red Arrow was destroyed in Derby by a man with a knife!!! . . . and it was good!! (See right)

Also in Derby, Colin found all five new coaches on display from nine till four.

He says; "Ray Stenning of Best Impressions, the designer of the livery, was there, (the athletic looking guy with the black beard). I have never encountered a team so enthusiastic about their products, both the Red Arrow and the Mango."

Below is a slideshow of 28 images that Colin took in Derby on Friday 23 July 2010.

Webmaster's note: I think the, shall we say, well built green man is advertising MANGO, the discount online travel card. For more information about MANGO on Trentbarton website CLICK.

3. Derby Saturday 24 July 2010

Dennis Basford took these photographs in Derby Bus Station:

4. Sunday 25 July 2010: first day of revised timetable

Richard Lomas writes:

The first journey to Chesterfield 08:10 ex Derby was operated by coach 74. It is seen here in Ripley on the return journey and setting down in Parliament Street, Nottingham. Note that the drivers have new uniforms including red shirts and a jacket with an arrow motif. The next picture shows the nearside of 75 leaving Derby showing the centre door which I understand is only to be used for wheelchair access. Finally an interior shot.

The 5 new coaches are longer than the existing ones but have two fewer seats.

There are several new fares with through tickets from fellow Wellglade group services - Kinchbus Skylink in Derby and TM Travel Orbital 33 in Chesterfield. More surprisingly holders of NCT or Arriva Derby day tickets are offered discounted fares. Details on Trentbarton website HERE.

Finally there is something about that centre entrance design that reminded me of early post-war Midland red coaches.

5. Chesterfield on Monday 26 July 2010:

Ian Moorcroft took these photographs as the Red Arrow passed through Chesterfield Coach Station on the first weekday of the new timetable:

However, Colin Sellers found one new coach and one very old vehicle in New Beetwell Street Chesterfield today (26 July 2010):

6. Five reasons to travel Red Arrow:

Colin Sellers has produced this photograph . . . and no, the coaches were not on top of each other!: