LTSV Latest Data - Detail View

This page shows the most recently added or edited database records.

Photos Added

Count	Photo	Details	Added
301		By Dave Wolstencroft The track depot on Museum Way at Acton Town has at least nine of the new Ford Transit Connect vans allocated, with examples often parked outside the front, as here with crew van 9366F on 4th July 2024. It was flanked by older vans in LUL livery, with a VW Caddy Maxi crew van on the left and a Renault Kangoo Maxi on the right. The latter has a 'No Tools...' sticker, evidence of it having been based at Edgware Track Depot.	16/02/2025
302		By Peter Terry This 5-year old van has only been photographed twice, and the first was before it was delivered to LUL. Since then it has been based at Stratford Market Depot (apart from a spell at Northumberland Park) and usually only comes out at night. Peter caught VW Caddy Maxi crew van 9014VW on a rare daylight outing to Loughton Station on 22nd June 2024.	16/02/2025
303		By Thomas Young Another comparison between the CMNL (left) and Tiny (right) models of a London Buses incident van. The rear ends are different, though both are correct. Early IRUs had rear windows which later ones lacked. The rear step on the Tiny model is a very nice addition, but the light-bar is arguably better on the CMNL model. One final note is that the Tiny model uses a minibus casting, with solid plastic inserts where the windows would have been. This is more noticeable from some angles than others. Note also the side door on the Tiny model which doesn't like to stay closed.	28/01/2025
304		By Thomas Young As some of you will remember, another 1:76 model of an LBSL IRU had been produced by Creative Master Northcord way back in 2008, so I took the opportunity to compare this to the new Tiny offering. The models are broadly comparable in detail, and well-matched for colours. Differences include 'clear' headlights on the Tiny model (silver paint on the CMNL), while the CMNL model has windscreen wipers which the Tiny one lacks. There are differences in the lettering but these are correct for the vehicles depicted. The most notable difference of course is that the CMNL model was based (incorrectly) on a long-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter, while the Tiny model is to the correct length. I paid £15 for the Tiny model, which seems fair given that the CMNL model was around £8 when released.	28/01/2025
305		By Thomas Young The Tiny model of a London Buses incident van is based on 2015-vintage 7844M. The model features sprung wheels and an opening side door, although I feel the latter was a bit gimmicky. The door does not open very far, and it (partially) reveals a fully seated interior! More annoyingly, the door has a habit of dropping slightly out of its fully closed position. A blob of blu-tac may be the solution. Other than that, the model is excellent.	28/01/2025
306		By Thomas Young Last weekend I discovered that there was a model railway show being held not far from my home so I went to have a look, as much for nostalgia as anything. I had a model railway as a kid, and I was taken each year to the big exhibitions at Westminster and Wembley. At the show there were lots of trade stands, and one 'tiny' item caught my eye. This was a 1:76 model of a London Buses Incident Response Unit van, made by Hong-Kong based Tiny. I was quite impressed by the quality so I bought one. The photos here are perhaps a bit cruel, since the actual model is only 3 inches long.	28/01/2025
307		By Mick Webber book A couple more pages from the new Mick Webber book 'London Transport's Service Fleet'. That on the left shows some of the rare photos that have been used, while on the right is a page with location plans. It is important to mention the period covered by this book, as it is definitely focused on the 'traditional' London Transport period (1930s to 1970s). There are a few earlier photos, but no later ones. The coverage is also slightly biased towards the more interesting vehicles (such as breakdown tenders), presumably because of the photos that were available. Having said that, 'mundane' vehicles from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s are included, but there are (for example) no Ford Transits, and only one Ford Escort. Given the quality of this book, and the inclusion of so many 'new' photos, I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in service vehicles of the past.	28/01/2025
308		By Mick Webber book Major books on the subject of service vehicles are pretty rare. I reckon one appears about every 20 years on average! This new title will no doubt be of interest to many viewers. I have not created a 'reviews' section on LTSV, so I am adding a couple of sample pages to help you decide whether or not you would be interested in buying this book. This is an A4, hard-back book with 160 pages and numerous photos (all in black-and-white apart from 3 on the covers). Written by Mick Webber and published by Bowden Publishing, it retails at £35. Aside from an introductory chapter, the book is mainly to a 'photos and captions' layout. The quality of the printing and photo reproduction is excellent. Most significantly, many of the photos within have not been published before, although there are also a number which readers will recognise from elsewhere. The photos are not limited to road service vehicles - there are also tram service vehicles, plus photos of incidents, locations and also of related buses and infrastructure. In addition there are a number of plans of locations (mainly tram depots) and contemporary documents.	28/01/2025
309		By Michael Clark collection Two more 'official' photos of Ford Thames E83W van 758F, probably taken when when new in 1949.	28/01/2025
310		By Michael Clark collection I added an official photo of Ford Thames E83W 'laundry' van 760F last November, now I am adding four photos of similar 758F. At this time, fleetnumbers were allocated when vehicles were ordered, but registration numbers were not chosen until delivery and hence did not match-up or even follow on. 758F arrived in June 1949 and became JXN486 (with adjoining JXN485 and JXN487 going on to 842B and 843B, both Bedford KZ vans). 760F was not delivered until December 1949 and became KLB869. Like 760F, 758F was allocated to the Publicity department and initially allocated to Putney Bridge garage. It spent some time at other garages in the south west of London until it was withdrawn in October 1959. These views show the rear doors and the interior fittings.	28/01/2025
311		By Michael Clark collection 394W was an AEC Regal stores lorry, converted from Green Line coach T304 in 1939. This photo taken in the old lorry yard at Chiswick Works (with the District and Piccadilly lines visible in the background) seems to show the lorry quite soon after conversion. It has the cream roof livery, which was dropped during WW2, and the paintwork looks gleaming. As usual with such vehicles, the only access to the loadspace is through a drop door in the end, while full side valances are fitted, many of which were later removed to simplify maintenance access. 394W had a long career, being converted from petrol to diesel in 1954 and eventually withdrawn and sold in 1963.	28/01/2025
312		By Michael Clark collection This official photo shows the Dyson trailer from 1010L parked on its own in the front yard at Chiswick Works, probably when it was still new in about 1953. The substantial prop legs on each side have been lowered, while the four wheels across the rear are apparent. Comparing this photo with the later one of the trailer in use (see here) shows a number of differences. Firstly, the edging to the flatbed was not present in the loaded photo. These were presumably removable to allow loading from the side, and in fact the metalwork visible on the ground in front could be part of this. Secondly, the later photo shows a pair of storage boxes either side of the front bolster, which are not present here. Finally, the large winch visible in the later photo is not present, though there is what appears to be a capstan/rollers, which were perhaps used in conjunction with the winch on the Leyland Beaver tractor unit that this trailer was normally used with.	28/01/2025
313		By Michael Clark collection This photo looks as though it was taken in the front yard of Chiswick Works, and it shows Leyland Beaver prime mover 1010L. This was habitually used with a winch-fitted Dyson low-loader trailer, but this photo shows that the tractor also had its own winch. Also visible are a smallish spotlight for night-time work, the fifth-wheel coupling, and also the ground-anchor at the rear, shown in the deployed position. As the name suggests, this would 'anchor' the vehicle in place during winching operations.	28/01/2025
314		By Michael Clark collection 1010L was a Leyland Beaver tractor unit combined with a Dyson trailer to form a 25-ton articulated machinery carrier. It replaced AEC Matador 603P (acquired 2nd-hand during WW2) when new in 1953, but only lasted until 1961. It was presumably replaced by the early Ford Thames Trader artics. Shown here is a nicely posed photo, the location and date of which are unfortunately unknown. The photo labelling did tell us that it was carrying a 15-ton Taylor and Challen press. The cab detailing is quite attractive, with 'winged' headlamps and radiator grille! More photos of 1010L and its trailer are coming up...	28/01/2025
315		By Michael Clark collection London Transport acquired three Priestman excavators in 1941 and, although two survived until the late 1960s, photos are very rare. The Michael Clark collection included a couple showing GKH349, as shown in this composite image. The undated photo on the left was taken at the top end of Parsons Green depot, and it shows that these vehicles (or at least this one) had caterpillar tracks. Calling these vehicles excavators may be a little deceptive. There are photos showing them being used with drag-line buckets, but others suggest that they could also be used for more general craning duties. Both the photos here seem to show a normal crane hook fitted. The photo on the right was taken during work to repair an embankment slip at Uxbridge in late 1954, and GKH349 is being used with a bucket to load spoil into tipper lorry 956B. It is fortunate that the registration plate is visible in both photos, confirming that it is one and same the vehicle. I say this because the jibs fitted are quite clearly different.	28/01/2025
316		By Michael Clark collection London Transport operated over 1,700 different unmarked cars between the 1930s and the 1980s, these being designated as private cars and allocated to individual members of staff or positions. Sadly photos of any of these cars are extremely rare. Even more secretive were the cars and vans operated by the Railways policing department, where even the registration numbers were considered to be too confidential to include on the daily Variations in Rolling Stock reports! I was therefore very pleased to find this photo in amongst Michael Clark's collection. It was not labelled (though most others were), but we know that PXU297 was a Standard Vanguard car used by the railways police from February 1955 until June 1958. Another photo in the same album showed a member of staff using a very early form of radio telephone inside a car, and it could well be that that was also PXU297. The car certainly has a sizeable aerial.	28/01/2025
317		By Michael Clark collection Another official view of Mercury platform truck JXC354 taken at an unknown location on an unknown date. This rear view shows the drop panels around the load-space, the tow-bar for its trailer, and also the fact that the cab was partly enclosed by canvas.	28/01/2025
318		By Michael Clark collection The utilisation of this diminutive vehicle was discussed when we published a John Marshall photo of it back in 2011, as was the question of whether it was pure electric or also had a petrol engine. I'm not sure the latter was ever resolved, but here is a very nice official shot of Mercury platform truck JXC354 from the recently-acquired Michael Clark collection.	28/01/2025
319		By Dave Wolstencroft There are several interesting aspects to this photo taken on 12th December 2024. Firstly, it was taken at Frank Pick House in Acton, which now seems to be being used as an overspill storage space for replaced vehicles. Secondly, it shows the similarity between the LUL white/blue/red livery and the variant that was used for LBSL (London Bus Services Ltd) vehicles for a couple of years around 2017, with only the style of roundels showing the operator. The LBSL livery seems to have been replaced by TfL white/blue in about 2019, while both liveries will now presumably give way to TfL white. Thirdly, the presence of these vehicles gives some clues as to where new vehicles may have been allocated. Toyota Prius 8891T on the right was from the Power Supply section, which we already know had taken Ford Transit Connect vans. The two LBSL Yarises (8416T and 8419T) had been based at Edgware and Acton Works respectively, with others from the batch located at Morden and Uxbridge. Finally this photo highlights the fact that making the service vehicle fleet 'green' has not made much progress. Hybrid cars have been common for a few years, but electric vehicles never seem to get beyond a handful of prototypes. Moreover, it seems that many of the hybrid cars are now being replaced by diesel vans.	16/12/2024
320		By Dave Wolstencroft A few days after the first examples were delivered to Acton Works, the new TfL Renault Kangoo vans were already entering service. 9406R was photographed at the nearby Museum Way Depot on 12th December 2024. This location has already received at least 8 of the new Ford Transit Connect vans (including 9363F on the left), but it also still has a few older vans allocated, such as Renault Kangoo 8309R on the right. 8309R is a second-generation (facelift) Kangoo, while 9406R is third-generation, which is a completely new design with nothing in common with the previous one.	16/12/2024
321		By Ray Monk Several of the new Renault Kangoo vans seen at Acton Works on 7th December 2024 were parked outside the Vehicle Logistics offices rather than in the lorry yard, including 9399R shown here. As the Ford Transit Connect vans have taken most fleetnumbers up to 9396F, it could be that 9399R will be numerically the first of the Kangoos. Come to think of it, the addition of Kangoos is slightly unexpected. The model is broadly similar in size and capacity to the Ford Transit Connect, of which perhaps as many as 220 have been leased this year. I would have expected there to be a more pressing need for larger vans, minibuses or dropside trucks. Hopefully these will come in due course...	16/12/2024
322		By Ray Monk The two Ford Transit Connect vans seen in unmarked white at Acton Works in late November 2024 were both seen again on 7th December 2024, by which time they had been given standard lettering. LJ24YLK became 9247F, while LJ24YKY (shown here) took the surprisingly high number of 9459F, this presumably being to follow on from the batch of Renault Kangoos currently being delivered.	16/12/2024
323		By Ray Monk A break from the monotony of Ford Transit Connect deliveries came in early December 2024, when about a dozen Renault Kangoo vans arrived at Acton Works. They were in the now standard livery of all white with blue TfL lettering and roundels, while the fleetnumbers were in the range 9399R to 9437R, suggesting that a batch of at least 40 is on the way. 9435R was seen in the lorry yard on 7th December 2024.	16/12/2024
324		By Ray Monk Although it carries fleetnumber 8176SM, this little bug-eyed monster is actually 8349SM, the sole Smart Fortwo car in the leased fleet. Its allocation/s over the past few years are unknown, with only occasional sightings and at a variety of locations. It seems likely that it was at Acton Works (seen in the lorry yard on 7th December 2024) for disposal, and it was parked alongside 9435R, one of the brand new Renault Kangoo vans.	16/12/2024
325		By Ray Monk This is the 8000th photograph to be added to LTSV. I normally try to mark such occasions with something a bit special but, the way today's batch has worked out, what we have is yet another TfL livery Ford Transit Connect van! But wait, there is a glimmer of interest. 9396F, seen in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 7th December 2024 is an L2 (long) van, but it also has an offside cargo door, which most similar vans lack. There is also a large square plate towards the back of this door, and what appear to be small marker lights on the back edge of both the driver's and cargo doors. I can't say much more than that. On the right is 9408R, one of the new Renault Kangoo vans delivered during the week. Photos of these are coming up...	16/12/2024
326		By Ray Monk Peugeot Partner Tepee estate 8484P, with its distinctive Battenburg livery, has made several appearances on LTSV since it was delivered in June 2017. Used as an Emergency Incident Vehicle, it was based variously at Arnos Grove or Bollo House in Acton (both on the Piccadilly line of course), but on 30th November 2024 it was parked in the lorry yard of Acton Works. It has perhaps been replaced, and it will be interesting to see if the replacement has any additional markings on the fairly plain TfL livery. Another reason for including this photo is that the car was coincidentally parked next to consecutively numbered 8483F, a high-roof Ford Transit van. Surely the latter has not been replaced by a Transit Connect?!	16/12/2024
327		By Ray Monk 8426F is a Ford Fiesta van from a batch of four (8425F to 8428F) that have caused me a few problems over the years! Delivered in June 2017, all had new V5Cs issued in May 2022. This, combined with a lack of subsequent sightings, suggested that they had been withdrawn, and I duly updated the LTSV database. However, 8427F was then noted still in service in early 2023 and had to be reinstated in the database. In late 2024, both 8426F and 8428F also came out of hiding, being seen at Acton Works. 8426F was photographed in the lorry yard on 30th November 2024. This makes me wonder whether 8425F (last reported in September 2021) is also still out there somewhere!	16/12/2024
328		By Ray Monk Ford Transit Connect van 9388F was delivered in October 2024, but was still parked in the lorry yard at Acton Works a month later on 30th November 2024. Note that this is a long wheelbase (L2) van. As with most such vehicles, there is no cargo door in the offside. On the right is (then) unmarked L1 van LJ24YKY.	16/12/2024
329		By Ray Monk More Transit Connects! LJ24YLK seen in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 30th November 2024 was a bit different in that it was still in unmarked white. Similarly anonymous LJ24YKY was also nearby. All previous deliveries appear to have been lettered before reaching Acton. The fact that these vans were both first licensed some seven months earlier made me think they were perhaps being used in a 'secret squirrel' role. LUL does appear to have a requirement for a few such covert vehicles, as with minibus RV17PZP and 8930VW to 8933VW, all of which seem to work out of Stratford Market Depot. However, observations from the following week suggest that the delivery of these two Fords was simply delayed, and they were given normal TfL lettering.	16/12/2024
330		By Paul Nicholls Paul found TfL Ford Transit Connect crew van 9283F parked in Little Thurrock on 28th November 2024. He has previously found Renault Kangoo van 8825R and Toyota Prius car 8653T in the exact same spot.	16/12/2024
331		By Dave Wolstencroft The LUL Ford Focus estate car latterly allocated to Harrow-on-the-Hill Station (8324F) was replaced in October by new Ford Transit Connect 9326F in TfL livery. As before, the vehicle is most often to be found in the multi-storey car park outside the southern entrance to the station. As this photo taken there on 9th November 2024 shows, new 9326F is a short (L1) crew van, only the third of this configuration to be seen.	16/12/2024
332		By Dave Wolstencroft Another of the new TfL Ford Transit Connect crew vans seen at Tufnell Park Power Supply Depot on 7th November 2024 was 74-reg 9282F. What is slightly interesting about these vehicles is that their fleetnumbers are spread over a wide range (9211F, 9220F, 9282F, 9343F and 9351F identified so far). It is believed that fleetnumbers were assigned to vehicles when they were ordered. When batches of vehicles were ordered for a particular role or department, they would therefore often have consecutive fleetnumbers. This can be seen with the Toyota Prius cars latterly used by the Power Supply section, which were 8886T to 8892T. Could it be that a large batch of new Fords was ordered, with individual vehicles then allocated to departments as and when needed?	16/12/2024
333		By Dave Wolstencroft LUL's Power Supply section has a fleet of vans and trucks but also used a batch of seven Toyota Prius cars. In about October 2024 the latter were replaced by an equivalent number of new Ford Transit Connect crew vans in TfL white livery. Seen at the section's main base in Tufnell Park on 7th November 2024 was 9282F. Four of the new vans were present that day, with a fifth seen the following month. As with the cars, it is likely that one or two will normally be out-based elsewhere.	16/12/2024
334		By Dave Wolstencroft Another new vehicle for Metroline, found parked outside the offices at Perivale CELF on 7th November 2024. AV74FLZ is a Ford Puma, a type which Metroline has standardised on since 2023, and it was followed by similar AV74LNF a month later. Arriva London has also used Ford Pumas as crew ferry vehicles, though theirs are believed to have all been just hires. Note that the front grille design on AV74FLZ is quite different to that on Arriva's similarly-aged AO74DTF.	16/12/2024
335		By Bob Milner There are 4 varieties of Ford Transit Connect van that have been added to the central fleet so far this year. The rarest is the L1 (short) crew van (with side windows), of which just 3 have been positively identified (out of a total of 172). 9260F is the latest and was found in Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire on 5th November 2024, where it appears to have replaced VW Golf hatchback 8399VW. Renault Kangoo Maxi van 8363R was also seen not far away in February, itself then replaced by TfL Transit Connect 9215F from May onwards. Must be quite a commute for them both!	16/12/2024
336		By Kevin Bullions This photo may help those of you who cannot tell the difference between an L1 (short wheelbase) and an L2 (long wheelbase) Ford Transit Connect! Taken outside the depot on Museum Way in Acton Town on 31st October 2024, it shows L2 crew van 9370F on the left and L1 van 9249F on the right. Note where the kick-down of the black side-rubbing strip occurs in relation to the back of the driver's door. This photo of course also shows the key difference between what we call a crew van and what we call a plain van, although the presence (or lack) of additional side windows does not always indicate the presence (or lack) of a second row of seats. If anyone can get a similar comparison photo between two vans (or between two crew vans), I would appreciate it!	16/12/2024
337		By Ray Monk You thought I was going to add a batch of photos without including at least one Dartford crew ferry? Well, think again. This is Ford Puma AO74DTF, new to Arriva London (but probably only on hire) in October 2024. In unmarked black, it was photographed at the bus stand in Bexleyheath on 30th October. Note that the requirement for crew ferry vehicles at Dartford should reduce from 18th January 2025, when TfL routes 99, 269 and 401 are lost on tender to Go-Ahead London.	16/12/2024
338		By Dave Wolstencroft As mentioned earlier, the 21-reg Toyota Prius car latterly allocated to Rickmansworth Station was somewhat surprisingly replaced by a new Ford Transit Connect crew van in autumn 2024. 9360F was seen in the parking bay outside the station building on 28th October.	16/12/2024
339		By Neil Fraser The batch of six VW Caddy Maxi vans new to LUL in June 2017 (8473VW to 8478VW) were all disposed of in October/November 2024. 8476VW was noted on a transporter truck in Market Harborough (Leicestershire) on 26th October. Curiously it still retained a full set of lettering. Previous policy had been to remove these before disposal.	16/12/2024
340		By Ray Monk Another type that looks set to disappear from the central fleet soon is the Ford Focus car. Among the last few was estate 8451F, seen in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 26th October 2024 and which left the fleet shortly afterwards. This had been another elusive vehicle, with few sightings but at various locations. Bleached-out bonnet roundels have been noted on several stored vehicles lately.	16/12/2024
341		By Ray Monk There are several differences between these two cars seen in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 26th October 2024. Both are Toyota Yaris hybrids in the initial TfL livery (white with a blue skirt). However, the frontal design was changed between the 2014 model on the left and the 2019 one on the right, while the former also sports a light-bar. LL14VKU on the left was new in 2014, at a time when such vehicles were not given fleetnumbers. It was based at the TfL Streets base in Southwark, then moved to Morden Wharf Highways Alliance Depot in 2019. After that it pretty much disappeared for a couple of years, which does not bode well for our prospects of finding out what has replaced it! 8896T on the right was new in May 2019, by which time fleetnumbers were allocated to TfL cars. It too has been pretty elusive over the past five years. By the way, the van just visible on the left is one of several unmarked vans seen around Acton lately, possibly on short-term hire pending new deliveries.	16/12/2024
342		By Ray Monk Staying in the top car park at Acton Works on 26th October 2024, this view shows Volkswagen Caddy Maxi crew van 8697VW. This van had been delivered in November 2018 and spent most of its life at Bollo House, just across the tracks from the location shown here. It may well return there, since it has not (yet) had a change of licensing data. Parked behind is VW Transporter 8643VW (which started life as an Elizabeth Line vehicle before transferring to LUL) and various other vehicles can be seen in the background.	16/12/2024
343		By Ray Monk Living in Abbey Wood, I do occasionally see Elizabeth Line service vehicles out and about, but they are generally quite hard to photograph. As has been shown, the depot at Plumstead has 'fence issues'. So I will take this opportunity to show Ford Transit crew van 8650F paying a visit to Acton Works on 26th October 2024. It was seen in the top car park and is not thought to be here for disposal. Since it was new in October 2018, it seems more likely it was here in connection with an MoT. According to DVLA data, it had a new V5C issued in May 2024 but I am going to guess that this was just due to some administrative change. Parked alongside is LUL Transit 8915F. Note how the panel crease above the windows on high-roof 8650F corresponds with the one near the top on mid-height 8915F.	16/12/2024
344		By Dave Wolstencroft Although seen at the Perivale CELF alongside a number of newly-delivered Metroline buses on 24th October 2024, this Renault Kangoo van is believed to have been in use by TfL. The reason for this is that it was parked nose-to-nose with TfL Technology & Data Ford Transit Connect van 8688F. Perhaps they were there to oversee the fitting of some TfL equipment to the new buses. What we don't know is whether this van is hired or leased. Similar MW24VRU was noted with LUL/TfL lettering at Newbury Park in July, while examples with MT74xxx and MW74xxx registrations are now being delivered with fleetnumbers and TfL markings.	16/12/2024
345		By Clive Greedus Clive had another lucky encounter at Fairlop Station, this time on 23rd October 2024 when he photographed Ford Transit Connect crew van 9355F (with a flat-tyre) outside the old GER (Great Eastern Railway) station buildings. Although less than a mile from Hainault Depot, one or two service vehicles can often be found here, and the unmarked Renault Trafic van parked behind may indeed be on hire to LUL. As for 9355F, there have been no further sightings yet.	16/12/2024
346		By Ray Monk Another rarely seen vehicle that turned up at Acton Works recently and that had never been photographed before was Toyota Prius car 8631T. The few sightings suggest that this had been based at the Control Centre on Wood Lane near Shepherds Bush, though vehicles at this high-security location cannot be seen from the outside. Ray photographed it in the lorry yard on 19th October 2024, suggesting that there might be a new vehicle now hidden at Wood Lane.	16/12/2024
347		By Ray Monk The central fleet may be seeing a reduction in variety at present, with a whole range of types seemingly being replaced by standard Ford Transit Connect vans. Volkswagen Golfs were never very common and they may now have all gone. Two estates were in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 19th October 2024. 8299VW on the left was new in late 2016 and spent time at Lillie Bridge, although it had never been photographed before. 8193VW on the right was the last survivor of a batch of six leased in June 2016 and had been based at Bollo House. Both cars were later moved to the storage area between Bollo House and Frank Pick House but appeared to still be in stock as at early December.	16/12/2024
348		By Ray Monk Quite a few cars have been noted in the lorry yard at Acton Works lately, suggesting that these, along with Renault Kangoo and VW Caddy vans, are being replaced by the new Ford Transit Connects. Some of the cars are surprisingly youthful. For example, present on 19th October 2024 were 3.5 year old Toyota Prius 8911T and slightly older Toyota Yaris 8781T. The Prius had been based at Rickmansworth Station since new in 2021 and had just been replaced by van 9360F. Despite its age, it left the fleet later the same month. 8781T was new in 2019 and had been attached to Frank Pick House, Acton. It is currently delicensed but has not yet had a V5C issued, this suggesting it may still be in stock.	16/12/2024
349		By Dave Wolstencroft It seems that space to store redundant vehicles at Acton is currently at a premium, no doubt due to the closure of both the front car park and the former Van Yard. On 17th October 2024 Dave found three vans parked at the south end of the Bollo House yard, backing onto the railway. All were VW Caddy Maxi vans that had presumably been replaced by new Ford Transit Connects. Left to right they are 8478VW (RE17UOX), 8477VW (RE17UOW) and 8475VW (RE17UOP). On the right is an Iveco Daily light recovery truck in white and blue livery. It has been here for the past few years and is thought to be privately-owned.	16/12/2024
350		By Peter Terry Mercedes Vito minibus RX18LLG has been moving Go-Ahead London bus drivers around (mainly) East London for nearly 7 years, but had yet to be shown on LTSV. It is not hugely different from the many other Vitos in the Go-Ahead fleet of course. This rather nice shot taken at Canning Town Bus Station on 12th October 2024 shows it passing New Routemaster LT427. At 11.3m, the LTs are around a metre longer than 'normal' London double-deckers.	16/12/2024
351		By Peter Terry LL72YBB makes its third appearance on LTSV to show that its lettering has been revised to show the new Transport UK name that replaced Abellio from early 2024. On 12th October 2024 it was parked at Hammersmith, ahead of a long line of buses awaiting use on a District Line replacement service.	16/12/2024
352		By Peter Terry Docklands Light Railway (DLR) service vehicles continue to be hard to keep track of, with few reports and also re-use of fleetnumbers to contend with. Seen at Lewisham Station on a damp 8th October 2024 was Peugeot Boxer van 009 (GJ72RZF). This number was previously on similar GJ18EJF, suggesting that perhaps the numbers are role-related. In October 2024 it was announced that Keolis Amey has been re-awarded the contract to operate the DLR franchise for 8 years starting from April 2025. Another ongoing development is the introduction of new 5-car B23 trains, with the first of 54 units having been delivered in early 2023. However, there have been problems with the signalling system and, as of late 2024, there is still no planned date for the entry to service of the new trains.	16/12/2024
353		By Peter Terry The best places to see crew ferry vehicles working from Transport UK's Beddington garage seem to be the garage itself or Cheviot Road in Norwood, as reflected by the photos on LTSV. For a change, here is Vauxhall Astra estate 6878 (VU18DHV) at Thornton Heath on 7th October 2024, presumably awaiting a crew change on a route 130 bus.	16/12/2024
354		By Clive Greedus Clive caught a very rare van at Fairlop Station on 7th October 2024. Ford Transit Custom 8878F was new over 5 years ago in September 2019, but it has only been reported a handful of times, often at night. Note that there appears to be a cargo cage inside the van body, the open door of which is visible behind the member of staff.	16/12/2024
355		By Paul Nicholls The small LUL yard at Wakering Road (alongside Barking Station) has feature several times on LTSV over the past 20 years, but it may be no more. A visitor in late November 2024 reported that, although the building was still there, the yard was now a building site. Any news of whether this is permanent or where the vans are now being kept, would be welcomed. Back on 5th October 2024, the yard was still crammed with vehicles as usual. Among them was Volkswagen Caddy Maxi crew van 8705VW, based here since new but making its first appearance on LTSV.	16/12/2024
356		By Paul Nicholls Found on a grassy verge in South Ockendon (Essex) on 5th October 2024, this TfL Ford Transit Connect was in a location where several LUL Lifts and Escalators vans have been photographed in the past. Indeed 9196F has also been noted among the night-time gatherings at Griffith House. 9196F is a long-wheelbase (L2) crew van and this rear view shows the collection of labels now applied as standard, including the grey diamond that informs fire-fighters that the vehicle is diesel powered.	16/12/2024
357		By Peter Terry New Ford Transit Connect vans have replaced a lot of the Renault Kangoos in the LUL fleet, although over 100 are thought to remain at present. 8558R was new in November 2017 and was briefly based at Golders Green Station before moving out to Ruislip Station in the spring of 2018. In about 2023 it moved again, to Rickmansworth, and it was photographed not far away at Northwood Station on 5th October 2024.	16/12/2024
358		By Ray Monk During 2023 the livery of MAN TGM demountable lorry WU67AJY was modified with red/blue chevrons and Emergency lettering applied to the front. It then took over the role of carrying the Emergency Control Unit body (DB25) from older MAN lorry 2587. The combination is only rarely seen, normally being kept in a dedicated shed within Acton Works. On 28th September 2024 it was parked in the lorry yard (between two free-standing box bodies), as seen here. 2587 was also still present, although the reason for its retention is not clear.	16/12/2024
359		By Paul Nicholls KW23VVC is a Vauxhall Vivaro electric van used by First Essex from their Hadleigh Garage ('Depot'), where it was photographed on 15th September 2024. First has been in the news a bit lately. A new corporate image was announced in late 2024, which would see the familiar 'f-in-circle' logo replaced by a more basic version, along with a new purple and grey bus livery. Then it was revealed that First plans to re-enter the London bus market by buying RATP Dev's operations (London United, London Sovereign and London Transit). If approved this could go ahead in spring 2025 and will mark the first major involvement by First in London bus work since they sold off First London and First Capital in 2013.	16/12/2024
360		By Les Savine Seen at Chase Farm Hospital (Enfield) on 12th September 2024, this unmarked Kia Niro 3 electric car was in use as a crew ferry vehicle from Metroline's Potters Bar Garage. This location is the terminus for routes W8 and W9. The former is run by Metroline using double-deckers, while the latter was worked by Sullivan Buses until their withdrawal from TfL work in August 2024. Stagecoach London provided cover until a new contract was awarded to Metroline in September. Note the Optare Solo bus parked behind. Stagecoach London has recently disposed of the fleet of these buses that it inherited from Hackney CT, leaving just 7 examples in London, all with Metroline. Six are at Cricklewood for use on routes H2 and H3 (and 631), while an elderly ex-Arriva example is at Potters Bar to provide a reserve bus for commercial route PB1. The bus seen here is presumed to be the latter, perhaps parked up as a crew rest vehicle.	16/12/2024
361		By Robin Morel Lettered for Bus Maintenance and with fleetnumber SUM-E-405-15, this is a Freightliner M2 lorry belonging to New York City Transit. It has the same white and blue livery as the larger Mack recovery truck, but the actual function of this vehicle is not clear. Seen in Brooklyn on 8th September 2024.	16/12/2024
362		By Robin Morel While forward-control (or 'cab-over') lorries are now prevalent in Europe, the US seems to prefer the traditional layout with the engine under a bonnet ('hood') in front of the cab. This configuration is seen on Mack Granite 4-axle recovery truck AV7645, seen in Brooklyn on 8th September 2024. This vehicle is number SUM-E-057-10 in the New York City Transit fleet.	16/12/2024
363		By Robin Morel This New York City Transit Dodge Durango car has a fleetnumber (SUM-S-118-18) that is considerably longer than its registration number (BA2649)! It was photographed in Brooklyn on 8th September 2024.	16/12/2024
364		By Robin Morel One of our correspondents visited New York recently and kindly sent in photos of some service vehicles he noted. First up, found in Manhattan on 4th September 2024 was this Ford Super Duty F350 pick-up truck with a road-rail conversion. Belonging to the Metro-North Railroad it had fleetnumber 2462M and registration AB5322. Despite the globalisation of the automotive industry, vehicles of American origin (or design) are still rare in the UK. The Ford F350 is similar to the European Ford Ranger, but is considerably larger.	16/12/2024
365		By Dave Wolstencroft Transport UK has been replacing the Ford Fiesta-dominated fleet of crew ferry cars that it inherited from Abellio with slightly newer cars from a variety of makers. One of the more unusual examples is Fiat 500 BP66BVA, which also carries a slightly strange shade of blue. Like the British Mini, the Fiat 500 is a historical name that has been applied to a newer model. As comparison with the Vauxhall Astra parked behind shows, the new Fiat 500 is a much bigger machine than the tiny original, and it weighs more than twice as much. BP66BVA has worked from both the Southall (Great Western) and Hayes (Dawley Road) garages, and it was photographed at the former on the evening of 5th September 2024.	16/12/2024
366		By Andrew Lidinson Duster seems an odd choice of name for a car model, although I see there was a Plymouth Duster available in the US in the 1970s before Dacia (and owners Renault) used it for their new 'subcompact crossover SUV' in 2010. Just two Dusters have been reported as service vehicles so far, both being crew ferry cars acquired by Transport UK in the past year. Blue HT67KMZ was given fleetnumber 6879 and based at Beddington, being photographed at the Cheviot Road terminus in Norwood on 5th September 2024.	16/12/2024
367		By Ray Monk Dynes Recovery vehicles are now a common sight on London bus jobs, and all carry this smart white, red and blue livery. Many are also personalised with names, often using slightly odd spellings. For example, AY24UFE seen at the Bexleyheath Bus Stand on 3rd September 2024 is named Kailey.	16/12/2024
368		By Bob Milner Belying its 21 year age, and its status as a current service vehicle, this Volkswagen Caddy van is actually part of the Metroline fleet. New as LR52LXM in 2003, it was re-registered to 33LUG by 2012. 33LUG was a registration that R&I Coaches had bought and used on a succession of their buses and minibuses. After Metroline bought R&I, it appeared on other vehicles, including mobile classroom buses M151 and AV33. By 2018 the van had been re-registered again, this time to RCZ7361. This was another re-used mark, having been carried by Metroline Mercedes Sprinter van WV51PZE from 2009. This small van has kept a low profile lately, and it seems to be based at the former First London garage in Hayes. No longer working any TfL bus routes, the base is used for engineering and storage, and also as home to part of the co-owned Westbus fleet of coaches and double-deck buses. This photograph was taken at Hayes Garage on 31st August 2024.	16/12/2024
369		By Ray Monk By 31st August 2024, new Metroline Ford Transit Courier van AX24JXG had been given company lettering. These new vans are in Ford's 'Fantastic Red', which is slightly darker than London bus red but not as dark as the burgundy shade that featured on Metroline's Renault Scenic cars (like MF70NFE parked alongside).	16/12/2024
370		By Bob Milner In 2024, Metroline started replacing its fleet of Ford Transit Connect Engineer's vans with the new Ford Transit Courier Mk2 model. Seen outside the company offices in Perivale on 17th August were two examples. AX24HRL in the middle had arrived earlier that month and had already been given Metroline lettering. AX24JXG on the left was a week or so newer and was still in unmarked red.	16/12/2024
371		By Derek Everson With the familiar smiling engineers on the side, this is MA21ZNL, a Ford Transit Connect van used by Stagecoach South. It was seen at Camberley Station on 5th August 2024.	16/12/2024
372		By Paul Nicholls I suspect that this vehicle was originally intended to be fleetnumber 8423VW. It was one of a pair of Volkswagen Transporter minibuses delivered in spring 2017. One (RV17PZO) was given full LUL livery and fleetnumber 8422VW. The other (RV17PZP) remained in unmarked white and was shown on official lists as being un-numbered, although the fleetnumber 8423 remained suspiciously vacant. At least we knew about its existence, and it was seen several times over the following few years, mainly engaged in night-time operations out of Stratford Market Depot. On 1st August 2024 it was found parked in a residential area of Little Thurrock, Essex.	16/12/2024
373		By Derek Everson Arriva the Shires closed its garages at Aylesbury and High Wycombe in late July 2024, with many routes passing to other operators such as Carousel. Derek visited High Wycombe a couple of days later (on 30th July) and caught this Arriva Fiat Ducato van in the town's bus station. Previously un-reported, FJ68KZW was lettered for the Roadside Publicity role, although in this case it was presumably removing publicity rather than posting it!	16/12/2024
374		By Ray Monk Vehicles that have been replaced by new deliveries are often parked for a few days in the lorry yard at Acton Works prior to disposal. For some, this gives us a good (but final) opportunity to see and photograph vehicles that have hitherto been elusive. Seen on 6th July 2024 was Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Crew Van 8243VW, latterly a Stratford Market Depot vehicle that was only seen out and about at night. It left the fleet the following month. Flanking the van are a Toyota Prius car and a Renault Kangoo Maxi van, both types that are also being replaced by the new Ford Transit Connects.	16/12/2024
375		By Phil Hambling London Transport's Sherpa vans were interesting in that they came in both grey and red, whereas most other types stuck to the same colour. By the time 3349L was delivered in early 1986, the model was being produced under the Freight Rover brand, and it had gained a more modern looking front grille. There were to be several further changes of brand and name in the years ahead, but I seem to recall that I have covered these here in the past. Suffice to say that 3349L was one of just 4 delivered that year, all in red and registered in Yorkshire. 3349L was initially used by the Plant Manager, which accounts for its appearance at Enfield Bus Garage in October 1987. By 1990 it was listed as being with the Signals Engineer at Earls Court, though it was to be withdrawn by the middle of that year.	16/12/2024
376		By Phil Hambling This photo appears on Phil's Flickr site, where the date and location are given as June 1986 at Chiswick Works. While I was preparing this photo I realised this couldn't be right. The buildings in the background are recognisably the ones adjoining the van yard at Acton Works, while the Freight Rover Sherpa van in the background was new in March 1988. This solves a puzzle though, as I was thinking that the van does not look like a current service vehicle. Bedford CF van MHY272Y was leased by LT in late 1982 and used by Publicity and Advertising section. Official records show it being returned to Hertz in March 1987. This would account for the lack of lettering in this photo, and also the various badges on the radiator and windscreen, and maybe even the slightly worn appearance of the paintwork. I would guess that it was by then in private use, perhaps by a member of staff.	16/12/2024
377		By Derek Everson Another Mk2 Ford Escort, this one believed to be in 'Venetian' red, which was closer to the London Transport shade. 2056F was one of 22 estate cars that formed the sixth generation of Bus Inspector's Radio Control cars. It was based at Wood Green Garage but was photographed not far away at Palmers Green Garage on 12th June 1977. It remained in stock for exactly 3 years, having been taken out of service in early 1980 following the arrival of the similar-looking seventh generation cars.	16/12/2024
378		By Derek Everson 33 Ford Escorts delivered to London Transport in 1975 were described as being 'tangerine' in colour. They were in fact in Ford 'Carnival' red, a shade that was slightly, but noticeably, lighter than the normal LT red. Numerically the first of these vehicles was van 1895F, given registration GHV507N. This followed on from the first batch of six BS-class Bristol LHS buses, which carried GHV501-506N. Although bus registration numbers were linked to fleetnumbers, service vehicles only started adopting this practice in 1974, and these Fords were among the last to not have matching numbers. 1895F was photographed at Chiswick Works on 14th August 1975, at which time it was part of the Group 3 fleet within Distribution Services. It remained in stock for just 4 years, being sold in 1979.	16/12/2024
379		By Michael Clark collection This rear view of AEC Regent Stores Lorry 736J taken in mid-1954 shows that the only access to the body was through a hinged rear tail-gate, while the quarter-tilt cover appears to be solid metal. Along the bodysides are cleats to allow canvas covers to be tied down if needed. Note the sign and lettering showing the speed as 20mph. Not very impressive, but perhaps suitable for use in London in the 21st century! The car in the background may well have been an LT pool car but unfortunately the registration is not visible.	22/11/2024
380		By Michael Clark collection London Transport rebuilt a lot of time-expired AEC Regal and Regent buses and coaches for further use as service vehicles, although in many cases not much of the original vehicle was retained. 736J emerged in late-1949, having latterly been double-deck bus STL388. It now had a full-width cab, and an open body with a quarter tilt cover for use as a stores lorry. This photo appears to have been taken some time later, most likely in mid-1954 when it was modified by having its side valences removed. These were the side panels that had previously enclosed most of the space between the front and rear wheels, hiding the chassis members. Although giving a neater appearance, the valences were presumably a nuisance when maintenance was needed. 736J went on to see another six years of use, being withdrawn and sold in 1960.	22/11/2024
381		By Michael Clark collection A couple of detail views of Bedford CAV ambulance 976B when new in 1953 show part of the interior arrangement. There are clearly two single seats on the offside, and another on the nearside near the front door. However, the other seat on the nearside is not clearly shown. Perhaps it was a bench seat that could also be used as a bed when needed. Official documents described these vehicles as 5-seaters.	22/11/2024
382		By Michael Clark collection For many years, London Transport had two ambulances, one based at each of its two largest works (Chiswick/Acton and Aldenham). 976B was one of a pair of Bedford CAVs acquired in 1953 and which served until replaced by similar but slightly larger Bedford CALVs in 1968/1969. This posed view of Chiswick's 976B when new shows the raked windows, the raised roof over the main body and the partially enclosed rear wheels. Note that the shape of the side windows is slightly different at each end.	22/11/2024
383		By Michael Clark collection Another view of distilled water tanker lorry 963J when new in 1952. The slope of the tank is less apparent in this view, although it is clear that it was loaded at the front top and discharged from the rear bottom. The framework projecting beyond the rear was perhaps to protect the valves from damage in the event of a shunt. The registration shown on LTSV (FXT372) is actually the one this vehicle carried whilst it was a bus (STL2649). During its 8 years as a service vehicle, it operated on various trade plates.	22/11/2024
384		By Michael Clark collection The batteries used in buses (and in some railway locos) required topping up with distilled water, leading to London Transport operating a couple of dedicated tanker vehicles. One of these was AEC Regent 1000-gallon 963J, rebuilt from 11-year old double-deck bus STL2649 in 1952. These posed photos were most likely taken before it entered service.	22/11/2024
385		By Michael Clark collection London Transport bought nearly 100 Ford E83W vehicles in the late-1940s and early-1950s. Most were normal vans (like 801F) but there were also several minibuses (known as Utilecons, and illustrated by 1034F), while 13 were bodied as 'Laundry Vans', these having a more upright windscreen and a taller, boxier body for bulkier loads. Most of the Laundry vans were actually used by the Publicity Department and other photos in the Michael Clark collection show how the interiors were fitted out. Shown here is 760F, probably when new in late-1949 or early-1950. It was later allocated to Putney Garage, with spells at Walthamstow and Clapton before it was withdrawn in 1961.	22/11/2024
386		By Michael Clark collection The AEC Regent Master Breakdown Tenders bought in the 1930s had a bus-type half-cab, with a full width crew compartment at the front of the main body. The left photo above shows the inside of this compartment (complete with carpet!), while the right photo shows some of the equipment carried in the cargo compartment behind.	22/11/2024
387		By Michael Clark collection Photographed probably when it was new in late 1935, this is 111J which, despite appearances, was not converted from a bus. It was an AEC Regent 5-ton Master Breakdown Tender and it joined similar 110J dating from 1931, while in 1939, 417J and 418J were added, these being similar apart from having more modern cabs. Another official photograph of 111J when it was new appeared in the Aldridge/Rennie service vehicles book, but in that it had London Transport lettering applied to the front of the main body. By the time of the photograph here, this had been replaced by an illuminated box showing LT LT Urgent. Comparison with a later photograph (taken at Neasden in 1961) shows several differences. The headlights were replaced with slightly smaller units and a nearside foglamp was added. The most inexplicable change was to the illuminated sign, whereby the top of the roundel shape was later cut off to form a straight line. 111J was based at Neasden Depot for its entire career, being withdrawn and sold in 1964 when it was nearly 29 years old.	22/11/2024
388		By Michael Clark collection This is the first photo added to LTSV from the CDS photo albums that were donated by staff at Acton Works in mid-2024. Many more will be added over time, but you can also download the complete albums from the Articles section (within the 'More' menu). Taken probably in the late 1940s or early 1950s at an unknown location (possibly Rye Lane, going by the painted allocations), three service vehicles are visible, all of which were connected with trams and trolleybuses. The photo was labelled as showing AEC Regent 1000 gal Water Tanker 742J, which is fortunate as we would not have been able to identify the vehicle on the right otherwise. Perhaps unfortunately, this appears to be the only photograph in existence of this vehicle. Converted from double-deck bus STL332 in 1948, its function was actually as a conduit cleaner, being used to pump water into the tramway power conduits to remove rubbish and debris. 742J replaced the last of the steam-powered conduit cleaners and remained in stock (along with two similar vehicles converted from T-class AEC Regals in 1938) until May 1953. Parked behind is tower wagon 728J, also converted from an STL (401) in 1948. Tower wagons were used to enable access to tram and trolleybus overhead wiring, for repairs or alterations. 728J was one of a dozen converted in 1948/1949 and it was primarily based at Bowles Road. While the first two vehicles were converted from double-deck buses, the third looks like one but was actually rebuilt from a single-decker! 114W was originally AEC Regal coach T320, being rebuilt as an overhead wire lubricator in 1938. It was given an open-top upper deck and fitted with two poles that had equipment on the ends that would coat the wires with graphite. Note that the poles also have a spot-light each, to enable use at night or in fog. The livery was red with two cream bands, and a large Trolleybus roundel was carried on the front panels. More photos of 114W, including interior views, can be found in the CDS photo albums recently uploaded to LTSV.	22/11/2024
389		By Derek Everson Derek caught new-ish TfL Volvo FMX 430 flatbed lorry KY23LNO passing through Stratford on 27th August 2024. The crane fitted behind the cab is a HMF 4020 made in Denmark.	24/10/2024
390		By Ray Monk Another SV found at Arnsberg Way, Bexleyheath on 27th August 2024 was Seat Ibiza car HK24KZU. In use as a crew ferry vehicle from Dartford, it looks as though this is a 'proper' fleet addition rather than just a hire. The reason I say this is that two other cars in the same registration series have been noted, one at Dartford (HK24KZS) and one at Barking/Dagenham (HK24KZT). Reports of any others would be welcomed.	24/10/2024
391		By Ray Monk Arriva London has taken at least 16 Vauxhall Combo vans over the past couple of years, making it their standard type for engineering support. I was surprised therefore to see this photo of a new Vauxhall Vivaro working from Dartford Garage. BJ24CKV was seen at Ray's regular haunt of the bus stand off Arnsberg Way in Bexleyheath on 27th August 2024.	24/10/2024
392		By Andrew Lidinson Andrew knows that I like photos showing line-ups of service vehicles, so he was pleased to capture this view of nine white Seat cars at Arriva London's Edmonton Garage on 25th August 2024. What is more, the two red cars in the foreground are also service vehicles! The red cars are Seat Leons CX70LWC and CX70LUB, both of which were previously allocated to Palmers Green garage. This side of the yard at Edmonton has been home to a number of additional service vehicles over the past couple of years, mainly Peugeot and Citroen cars in unmarked black or silver but identifiable by having Arriva labels in the windows. The reason for their presence at Edmonton was never clear, and the majority now appear to have departed again.	24/10/2024
393		By Andrew Lidinson Arriva London's large Edmonton Garage only operates a couple of TfL bus routes, but the surplus capacity is taken up by allocating training buses, and buses dedicated to railway replacement work, here. We have commented in the past on anonymous vans seen parked at the garage, and they are quite possibly in use for training or assessing drivers. However, none of the vans seem to carry any lettering, and are not in a common registration number series, so I am inclined not to add them to the database. Andrew found a pair of Vauxhall Vivaros present on 25th August 2024, with DE24PNJ nearest and SK24EZA beyond. On the left are the two Seat Leon cars which also feature in the next photo.	24/10/2024
394		By Ray Monk Same van, same location, different number! This TfL Ford Transit Connect van had been photographed by Ray in the lorry yard of Acton Works on 17th August 2024, at which point it carried number 9372F. Six days later (23rd August), it didn't appear to have moved, but the number carried was now 9251F. While we don't know if this was due to an error, or to a change of plan, it is slightly worrying for me. It is entirely possible that some of the other TfL vans seen newly delivered to Acton Works over the past few months may have also had their numbers changed. As a precaution, I would suggest that (where possible) observers should note both the registration number and fleet number of any such vans that they see.	24/10/2024
395		By Ray Monk Photographed in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 23rd August 2024, we don't know much about these three minibuses, but we can speculate. All three were Ford Tourneo Customs with no external markings. It seems likely that these are (or were) on hire to LUL, as there has often been a need for staff transport in connection with railway engineering work. However, we are not aware of any of the existing fleet minibuses having been disposed of recently, or of any new minibuses being delivered. As such, it is hard to say whether these hires were on their way in or out!	24/10/2024
396		By Ray Monk The Ford Fiesta was produced from 1976 until 2023, and it has come and gone from the central service vehicle fleet several times since the first examples were leased in 1985 (one car was also used in the pool car fleet from 1979 until 1982). The latest wave of Fiestas arrived in the period 2015-2017 and featured both cars and vans. While one or two of the vans may remain in use at present, the last of the cars appears to have been 8179F, which had been used by the lifts and escalators section from June 2016. On 23rd August 2024 it was found in the corner of the Lorry Yard at Acton Works, and it was to be disposed of less than 2 weeks later.	24/10/2024
397		By Peter Terry Dynes now appear to be the primary recovery contractor for London buses. Seen departing West Croydon Bus Station on 21st August 2024 was their Mercedes Arocs BV23KSN, named 'Lewis'. It had Arriva London Enviro 400 T140 (from Thornton Heath garage) on tow. The single-deck bus on the right is a Go-Ahead London SEe-class BYD/Enviro200, most likely on route 450. However, LED blinds tend not to be captured by digital cameras unless you specify a low shutter speed. Actually, having just zoomed in, I can make out that it was actually displaying 'Not in service'.	24/10/2024
398		By Ivor Norman The Ford Transit Connect Mk2 comes in two different lengths, which can best be shown by side-on shots. Most of the examples added to the TfL fleet in recent months have been to the longer (L2) variant, although there have also been some L1s, and both lengths come in either plain van or 'Crew Van' format. 9338F was photographed in Church Langley, Harlow on 18th August 2024. It is an L2 van, evidenced by the fact that the handle for the cargo door is some way forward of the dip in the side rubbing strip ahead of the rear wheel.	24/10/2024
399		By Dave Elison First has had a presence in Manchester since 1996, when it bought GM Buses North, a large operator which (as the name suggests) had been formed by the break up of former PTE operator GM Buses a few years previously. Over the intervening years, First has closed depots and passed routes to other operators, leaving it with just the garage at Oldham. Further changes took place in March 2024 when, as part of the new 'Bee Network' franchising scheme, Oldham depot passed to Stagecoach Manchester. This would have been the end of First in Greater Manchester but for the fact that they won the contracts to work Bee Network services in Rochdale, using the garage formerly run by Rossendale (Rosso). However, with a fleet of just 65 buses, the operation is only around a tenth that of the original First GM. Seen in Rochdale Bus Station on 17th August 2024 was DY23LBJ, a Renault Trafic minibus with First 'number for life' 90930.	24/10/2024
400		By Ray Monk Apart from it being an L1 van, the only notable point about TfL Ford Transit Connect 9249F is that it has a fleetnumber on the offside only. It was seen parked outside the Museum Way depot in Acton Town on 17th August 2024.	24/10/2024

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