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 |
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.
Oxford Bus Company demonstrators at work.
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.
398 seen from the rear leaving little doubt as the make of its chassis. A far cry from
Wartime Gas buses !!
Oxford 229 showing the latest full rear advert for Fox FM, a local
commercial radio station.
Flying again !! - from Monday.
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.
932 carries the slogan "100th NEW BUS SINCE 1997" Stagecoach Oxford.
Three of the new M A N s, 933, 932 and 938.
And a red topped B6
Volvo B6, 831 displays the revised livery being applied to four B6s which will work route 3, Rose Hill.
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.
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.
The two Midland Red Tigers (74 and 75) which are helping out on the Tube as indicated below.
And finally to High Wycombe
Late afternoon on 28/11/98 sees 422 working a town service with Wycombe Parish Church in the background.
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 |
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.
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.
Visitors to this News page since 17th March 1998.
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