News from Oxford, High Wycombe
& the surrounding areas


last updated Saturday, November 28th 1998 - 2200hrs

Another wet Saturday but after excellent advice from Olympus in London, I can bring you pictures once again.
However its not easy holding an umbrella and taking photos at the same time, whilst trying to get shots without
people crossing ones line of vision in the process !!

First we have pictures of one of Oxford Bus Company demonstrators. "Gas bus" 398 is seen in Queen Street
on a wet Saturday morning. Also captured on film was the full rear advert for Fox FM on P&R 229.

The major item of interest this week must surely be the impending entry into service of TEN brand new M A N 18-220
buses with Alexander ALX300 bodies (932-941) in a striking adaptation of the standard Stagecoach livery. 
Bertie Blackbird flies again says the headline and that is just what is about to happen. Monday will see the re launch
of the  Blackbird Flyer and the end of the Volvo B6's on Stagecoach route 1. Certainly a far cry from 10 years or more
ago when "Snoopies" as the Ford Transits became known buzzed around like busy bees between the City and Cowley.
A formal launch will take place at Blackbird Leys Estate around 1030 on Monday, thereafter from Tuesday December 1st
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Orange M A N s will ply their trade between the Estate and the City Centre.

Another unexpected change to the Stagecoach bus fleet is the change in livery and route for those Volvo B6s.
831 was in service on Saturday carrying a revised livery with a RED roof for the "Rose Hill Runner" route 3.
It is expected that four of the B6s (831-4) will receive this livery and 832 is already repainted as well.

Dart/Alexander ALX200s 813 and 827 were in evidence on Saturday as some of the few remaining types of these
buses remaining in service with Stagecoach Oxford. The dispersal of these buses is given below, though it may be
some weeks before all are despatched to their new homes. Three are to be kept until the reseating work on Volvo B6s ,
to bring them into line in full "Loliner" specification is completed.

Revised allocation of Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 saloons 801-829.

801/3/4/5/7

R 801/3/4/5/7 YUD

Stagecoach Devon

802/13-20 R 802/13-19/720 YUD Stagecoach Cambus
808-12 R 808-12 YUD Stagecoach Cheltenham & Gloucester
806 R 706 YUD Stagecoach Red & White
821-24 R 821-24 YUD Stagecoach Western
825-29 R 825-29 YUD Stagecoach Busways

Ex Stagecoach Oxford 806, R706YUD was seen in service with Red & White by Mike Willis at
Crosskeys on 9/11/98 in Blackwood 11/11/98. It had Stagecoach Red & White legal lettering but
Stagecoach Oxford fleetnames!. Thanks to Mike for this news.

IN THESE TIMES OF CHANGE SUCH INFORMATION IS REALLY USEFUL
Please let me know of any other arrivals in your area.
(BUSWAYS, CAMBUS, CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER, DEVON AND WESTERN)

Oxford 966 remains at Wycombe plus 231 and 303 have returned from repaint.

STOP PRESS

Open top Stagecoach 500 will be used tomorrow Sunday 29th during the
switching on of the Christmas Lights in Oxford City Centre.
This will be its first outing since its repaint into corporate colours.
1530 approx in Queen Street.

We hope you continue to like this short section, which will give us the opportunity
to comment on the local scene in an informal way. Please e-mail  Malcolm Crowe with any comments.

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Oxford Bus Company demonstrators at work.

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Loading in the rain (time for a song !) Oxford Demonstrator 398 is seen in Oxford Queen Street
operating on 15 road to Wood Farm. Saturday 28th November 1998.

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398 seen from the rear leaving little doubt as the make of its chassis. A far cry from Wartime Gas buses !!

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Oxford 229 showing the latest full rear advert for Fox FM, a local commercial radio station.

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Flying again !! - from Monday.

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A welcome return of The Blackbird Flyer takes place on Monday 30th November 1998.
940, S940CFC seen ready for service on a very wet Saturday preceeding.

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932 carries the slogan "100th NEW BUS SINCE 1997" Stagecoach Oxford.

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Three of the new M A N s, 933, 932 and 938.

And a red topped B6

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Volvo B6, 831 displays the revised livery being applied to four B6s which will work route 3, Rose Hill.

sco831nsrred.jpg (33674 bytes)

Clear indication by colour is a feature of the rear of the buses serving routes 1, 3 and 7.
Here we see route 3, Rose Hill to City using RED.

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Not quite the same, is 730 an ex Selkent Alexander Dash bodied Dart exchanged for Plaxton bodied
dual doored Darts and awaiting repaint into corporate livery. Queen Street Oxford is the location.

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The two Midland Red Tigers (74 and 75) which are helping out on the Tube as indicated below.

tubenotice.jpg (68073 bytes)

And finally to High Wycombe

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Late afternoon on 28/11/98 sees 422 working a town service with Wycombe Parish Church in the background.

arriva5134osf.jpg (44370 bytes)

The other operator in High Wycombe is Arriva and 5134, an Olympian/Northern Counties decker
is seen passing under the Christmas decorations in the town centre. (28/11/98)

PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE WERE TAKEN
USING AN OLYMPUS CAMEDIA C1400L CAMERA AT HQ RESOLUTION

 

Photo Miscellany contains updated photos which are added from time to time.
New photos were added on 16/4/98.

Take a look at our picture report from Manchester, featuring ex-Oxford buses!

THE OXFORD BUS MUSEUM

An interesting report appears in latest issue of Preserved Bus
about the recent recreation of Route 75 Oxford-High Wycombe.

Look in our archive pages for our own pictures of the event.


Have you visited the Oxford Bus Museum yet ?

Why not take time out to visit us ?

A VR meet was held on the 22nd March 1998 - and you can see photos of each VR that attended.


OXFORD BUS PAGE CONTENTS

Visitors to this News page since 17th March 1998.



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