News from Oxford
High Wycombe & the surrounding areas

update Sunday, May 23rd 1999 by Malcolm Crowe

and also now in the Archive Section this mornings update
by Dave Root - 0230 update 23rd May 1999 (with pictures)

Well, after two exhausting weeks I (Malcolm) am back on seat. Not without some penalties for my travels as I picked up a bout of 'flu which has laid me low this last week and prevented me from enjoying my "pastime" of driving for Oxford Bus. Kenya was interesting and during a visit to Lake Navasha, some 150 kms from Nairobi I chanced to come across what I think was an ex Sheffield dual door Atlantean and an ex London Routemaster both working for Homegrown at their farm in that area.

The "Sheffield" Atlantean emerging from a farm near Lake Navasha, Kenya.
Taken at speed as we passed "the front door" !!

Following a very brief visit to Milan where I enjoyed a ride back to the airport on a local Iveco low floor, I left London the following day for Hong Kong and the sights of more 6 wheel double deck British buses than I thought possible. The new airport of Chek Lap Kok has indeed produced the need for many new services and Dennis Tridents and Volvo Olympians are everywhere. HKG is truly a bus spotters paradise. Those who can visit this bus paradise really should do so, if you have not already been there.

Not a Corgi model but the real thing. A Duple Metsec bodied Dennis Trident at the airport.

New World First Bus Alexander ALX500 bodied Dennis Trident passes a HKG tram.

And so....back to reality and Oxford. A short visit today , Sunday, revealed work proceeding apace with the OTS. (Oxford Transport Strategy). The police were removing cars in High Street as contractors were installing the control barriers which will prevent all but authorised vehicles entering Oxford's centre from the east. Tuesday June 1st sees the launch of OTS and it is expected that an Oxford Bus Dennis Trident with Alexander ALX400 bodywork will be the first bus through the new system. 101 T101DBW will enter service at 1245 on June 1st from Redbridge Park & Ride on service 300. Your Editor will be on hand to record events and this coming Saturday we will also be recording the last days of the old traffic flows prior to OTS.

The new Oxford Tube double deck coaches are now much in evidence and today, Sunday, only a few services were being worked by older coaches. Deckers seen were 36, 39, 41, 43, 46 and 47 and several photos were taken both in Oxford and on the M40. As yet the later deliveries, 41-49 have not yet received rear vinyls and look less than attractive, especially on the Motorway. Also, although suggested in an article in the latest issue of "Buses" the vinyls covering the windows are not contravision. This must make for a less than pleasant journey for those sitting in the seats at the rear ! It is hoped that some changes are made.

The Oxford Bus museum was busy as well, with work taking place on ex COMS Dennis Loline 304. This bus is almost ready for the road and will make a super comparison to the arriving Tridents. We look forward to the opportunity of getting a picture of the two together. Next weekend sees a major contribution by the museum to the AEC Rally at the Heritage Museum at Gaydon. It is hoped that FIVE buses from the Museum will be at Gaydon., including 956 and 191, being Regents with the ex Premier Reliance VER262L. Another vent to be covered by your Editorial team !

Well we'll sign off now with a few photos to wet your appetite and can promise you that next weeks update on May 31st will be a bumper edition.

You can still view the Tube launch report here.

COMS Dennis Loline 304 - 304KFC is prepared to take the road again.