Strong winds affect X17

By Frank Bagshaw, Neville Whitmore and Colin Sellers. Photograph taken 4 February 2011

Frank Bagshaw writes: Stagecoach X17 left the road (B5057 - Spitewinter to Darley Dale) this morning (4 February 2011). Was it avoiding Kelstedge & Slackhill?

Neville Whitmore writes: All X17 deckers on route 54 (Chesterfield - Clay Cross) today (5 February 2011). On X17 are MANs usually on 54 following a decker blown off the road near Matlock yesterday.

Colin Sellers writes: The Chesterfield operated X-17 has since Friday afternoon been operated with saloons, not the usual Enviro 400 deckers because of the severe weather with gusts of wind on the route. A diverted X-17 was blown off the road destroying a wall and damaging the vehicle. Neither of the drivers (double manning was in operation) or passengers were injured. The vehicle, contrary to the initial rumours, remained upright. The X-17 was routed through Dronfield to avoid the by-pass which was considered too dangerous for high sided vehicles. Operation of Route 54 has been with the Enviro 400s allowing the swap.

Frank Bagshaw, Neville Whitmore & Colin Sellers. Added to website 7 February 2011.

Hulleys try out Streetlite

By Ian Moorcroft. Photographs taken 4 February 2011

Ian writes: Hulleys have WRIGHT STREETLITE MX60 GXB on demonstration for a week starting today (Friday 4th February).

It is a 33 seater whereas Hulleys are really intereted in the longer 37 seater but one was not available* for demonstration so it will be used on shifts normally operated by Optare Solos instead of the Optare Vectas they are looking to replace with this size of bus.

3 photos are below showing it in the yard at Baslow being prepared for service along with Dennis Lance / Optare Sigma 12.

*Webmaster's note: Looking down the page at the next item, you will see where the 37 seater demonstrator was.

Ian Moorcroft. Added to website 7 February 2011.

Derby 4 February 2011

By Dennis Basford. Photographs taken 4 February 2011

I thought these might be of interest.
The Wright Streetlite is a demonstrator with Wrightbus legal lettering and is on loan to Arriva.
The elderly former Travel West Midlands Metrobus is with Hawks Tours.
2 of Trentbarton's Excels on the new 'Swift' service between Derby and Uttoxeter via Ashbourne.
Finally one of Felix's Plaxton Centro's.

Dennis Basford. Added to website 7 February 2011.

Route branding in Chesterfield

By Dennis Basford. Photographs taken 28 January 2011

The day was cold and sunny. Ideal for taking photo's of buses.

I don't like taking photo's of anything that passes my camera, I like to have a theme.

Today's was to picture buses that carry route branding either in addition to or in place of their fleet livery. I do not know if I have covered all the various routes. If I have missed any perhaps some of you other correspondents might like to fill the gaps. Webmaster: Spira springs to mind. Is that one lurking behind the Red Arrow in Mango rather than Spira livery?

I think I may have cheated a bit with the 'trentbarton' Scania in fleet livery but it does say 'Pronto' in the destination box.

I suppose the last picture should be titled 'The end'.

Dennis Basford. Added to website 31 January 2011.

Nottingham/Derby area fleet news

Trentbarton

By geoff_trentbarton.

Route 15 is to get Optare Versa's February 2011. The Wrightbus Volvo's are to be transferred to the H1 service March 2011. The H1 is to go every 15 minutes from March 2011.

The Spondon Flyer is to get 4 Optare Versa's April 2011.

If the new Swift service is successful then this is expected to get the Spondon Flyer Wrightbus Scanias.

The Hucknall depot is to close end of January 2011. All vehicles and staff are expected to move to Sutton Junction depot but some of the TM Travel vehicles and staff are expected to move back to Sheffield Depot.

A new depot opened 14 January at Cropwell Bishop, Nottingham, though this only holds 8 vehicles.

Nottingham City Transport

By Lee Winson

Nottingham City Transport have 20 first edition Scania Omnideckers on order. These are expected February 2011.

One of these arrived today 20th January 2011 in plain metalic/chrome silver. It is parked at Lower Parliament Street Depot, no reg plates yet. These new Scania Omnideckers are for the Yellow Line 68/69 and Lilac Line 27. They are due to go in service Feb / March 2011.

Also, a fresh order of 9 Optare Versa's is to be confirmed soon.

Ashbourne and Uttoxeter 18 January 2011

By Dennis Basford.

I travelled to Ashbourne today to have a ride on the 409 to Uttoxeter before it disappears into the 'Swift' which is the new through service from Derby to Uttoxeter via Ashbourne that comes into being on the 31st. of January.

I was only in Uttoxeter very briefly and the only other bus interest was a First Potteries Scania and a Paragon Travel Dart/Plaxton Pointer.

According to Trentbarton's publicity, the new service will be graced by buses painted in a shade of Turquoise which will not be that much different from the livery of Arriva from whom Tb took the route over last year.

The Derby/Ashbourne service was being operated by vehicles in fleet livery, presumably whilst the regular Excels are being re-painted.

Ashbourne produced a TM Travel liveried Solo that was originally with Trentbarton and one of Glovers two ex TMT Primo's.

Dennis Basford. Added to website 19 January 2011.

New Enviro double deckers for Hull

By Oliver Foreman. 15 January 2011

For several weeks on the Stagecoach East Midlands Yahoo Group there have been reports of 9 brand new Enviro 400 deckers arriving soon for Stagecoach Hull.

On 8 January Baz Hayes gave the following numbers and delivery information:

On 14 January, Lewis was outside the depot and saw three of the new Enviros arrive. He took photographs but it seems the link will only work if you have an iphone. Dan Dearing checked that evening and saw them parked at the back of the yard. However, a member of staff informed him that as they are Dennis chassis they require Adblue. As Hull depot is not equipped with this, all the buses were to be returned the next day.

However, Dan checked on 15 January and all the vehicles had been moved but still in the yard so he wonders if that information was accurate. Can anyone in authority shed any light on this?

Dan took photographs of the new buses on 15 January. They may be viewed on his website HERE.

The buses that arrived in Hull on 14 January are: 19684 FX60 HFF; 19685 FX60 HFG; 19686 FX60 HFH.

Oliver Foreman with the help of Stagecoach East Midlands Yahoo Group. Added to website 16 January 2011.

Chesterfield 14 January 2011

First picture by Colin Sellers. He liked the look of the Signature!

Second picture by Ian Moorcroft. The bus in trouble is Hulley's Dennis Lance 12

Pictures of 'swapped' buses in Chesterfield HERE

Colin Sellers & Ian Moorcroft. Added to website 16 January 2011.