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| Count | Photo | Details | Added  |
| 4,701 |  |
By London Spotter Unlike the new engineers vans, the Ford Transit minibuses with Stagecoach London are still operating in a very anonymous condition. They no doubt have national fleetnumbers allocated though. Photographed at West Ham Garage on 26th July 2011, YF11HTV is one of at least 6 such vehicles allocated here. There may also be one or two at Rainham. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,702 |  |
By Ray Monk Stagecoach fleetnumber 95260 appeared on Ford Transit van YC11KTL at Bromley Garage, where it was photographed on 3rd August 2011. It had been licensed less than a week earlier. The fleetnumber on this example is further forward than on the Catford example. With numbers 95250 and 95260 reported, Ray speculated that there may be a batch of 11 such vans for Stagecoach London. This would allow for one at each garage plus a spare. Or perhaps two will go to Leyton, which has always had two vans allocated in recent years. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,703 |  |
By Ray Monk YC11KSJ is the new Stagecoach Fleet Engineers van at Catford (does exactly what is says on the side of the van!). It was photographed outside its home base on 3rd August 2011. The fleetnumber is in yellow, low down on the side and unfortunately could not be made out from this photo. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,704 |  |
By Ray Monk Stagecoach London has recently been renewing its engineer's van fleet. Unlike the crew ferry minibuses, the new vans have been given full Stagecoach lettering, and they also carry their Stagecoach national fleetnumbers. Photographed (with permission) in West Ham Garage on 6th August 2011, YC11JYJ is number 95250. Note the large Buses roundel towards the front (slightly smaller than the ones on LBSL 7160F) and the descriptive side lettering. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,705 |  |
By Colin Smith Perhaps as a result of the accident that befell Actros artic 2560M in 2010, Tube Lines has had to hire an additional artic tractor recently. Photographed in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 27th July 2011, DK08LBP is a 2-axle MAN TGX 18.440 tractor unit. Note the small Tube Lines logos stickers applied to the doors. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,706 |  |
By Ray Monk I have commented on this vantage point at Northumberland Park depot before, but on 23rd July 2011, Ray was lucky. Visible were recently delivered Ford Transit crew van LL11LMY (fleetnumber not yet known) and also Smart car 7067SM. Ford Transit minibus 6779F on the right is one of a pair allocated here that are unusual for being all white. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,707 |  |
By Ray Monk Although ordered in late 2010, and first licensed in February 2011, the first two Smiths electric vans for LBSL did not enter service until August 2011. As this photo shows, the vehicles are based on (and licensed as) Ford Transit vans. As well as Smiths labels, the rear has a sign for bodywork convertor Clarks, who were responsible for most of the staff welfare vans in the fleet. Although we had speculated that these vans would carry fleetnumbers 6987F and 6988F (to follow on from the Ashwoods conversions 6985F and 6986F), the first was given the surprisingly high number of 7160F. It was initially allocated to Aldgate Bus Station, where it was photographed on 6th August. Note the livery is the orange squares variant as carried by most Infrastructure vans. However, a change is the inclusion of large Buses roundels, as seen on most recent new bus deliveries. I'm not sure why the van has been tied to the railing with incident tape! Perhaps to stop staff driving it away while it is still plugged in?! |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,708 |  |
By Graham Smith The five Peugeot Bipper vans with TfL Streets can often be seen around central London, although 6983P has yet to be photographed. On 4th July 2011, Graham caught 6982P rounding the IMAX cinema at Waterloo. Instead of the usual LED light-bar, this example has a detachable roof light. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,709 |  |
By London Spotter The contributor known only as 'London Spotter' found this Ford Transit crew van parked near Edgware Road Station on 19th June 2011. 6915F is one of a large batch delivered in mid-2010 and allocated mainly to Acton Works. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,710 |  |
By Ray Monk Renault Kangoo estate car 6816R was one of many vehicles delivered in 2009 in unlettered plain white/blue livery. While most of the others have now gained London Underground markings (and a red stripe), 6816R remains in this anonymous condition. Reports suggest it is assigned to the SSL operation, and it was photographed passing Acton Town Station on 25th July 2011. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,711 |  |
By Derek Everson I don't really keep up with tube train developments and I have managed (unintentionally) to avoid travelling on the Victoria line for many months. So I was quite surprised to read that the last operational use of a 1967 stock train took place at the end of June 2011. As I mentioned the last time I illustrated a move like this, the original intention was to use rail connections when it came to disposing of the 1967 stock. However, it does appear that most of the cars are being moved by rail to Acton for equipment removal and thence by road. The destination for most of these will be the scrap yard of C F Booth in Rotherham, although a few are being stored at Eastleigh for unknown purposes. Derek watched the departure of car 4023 from Acton Works on 9th March 2011. This involved Allelys DAF XF BX02RKV reversing into Bollo Lane before heading towards Acton Town. A tricky move! The banksman has a control of some sort, with a connection to the truck, although the trailer did not appear to have steering. Perhaps it is just a communications link to the cab. Car 4023 had evidently been stored for some time as the other side was quite liberally graffitied. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,712 |  |
By Richard Eversden Also new as a bus in 1971, Leyland Leopard/Willobrook BTX332J found itself in the resurrected Red and White fleet following the sale of National Welsh's eastern division in 1991. Red and White was later sold to Stagecoach and RW2 survived long enough to be given Stagecoach logos but not a repaint. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,713 |  |
By Richard Eversden The practice of converting old buses into towing vehicles remained popular outside London until the 1990s at least. Here is the first of two very similar-looking Welsh examples. New to Western Welsh (later National Welsh) in 1971, this Leyland Leopard with Willowbrook bodywork was converted into towing bus E1074 during the 1980s. It was based at Aberdare depot until being sold in 1992. National Welsh itself went into receivership that year. Note that the offside fleetname is in Welsh. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,714 |  |
By Derek Everson Sovereign Recovery Mercedes-Benz Actros GK10VTL shows that the company is not limited to TfL-related work, despite the lettering on the bodyside. On 17th February 2011 it was to be found at Arriva Southern Counties' Guildford Garage, presumably having recently deposited Dennis Dart P293FPK over the pits. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,715 |  |
By Derek Everson Sovereign Recovery GF10XSB has been shown before but my excuse for showing it again is to highlight a minor modification. Since delivery it has had chrome shields fitted to the wing mirrors! On 22nd June 2011, Derek found the Volvo attending to Arriva London DWL46 outside Hackney Town Hall. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,716 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Enough of Ford Transits, let's move on to something more impressive. Photographed rounding Marble Arch on 27th June 2011, GN56BSZ is fleetnumber 93 in the Lantern Recovery Specialists fleet. This four-axle Volvo FH-series has bodywork supplied by Worldwide Recovery Systems. Like Sovereign, Lantern often put slogans on the sun-visors, this one reading 'Your Light On The Lonely Road'! |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,717 |  |
By Ray Monk An odd man out among recent deliveries to Stagecoach London is this black Ford Tourneo minibus. Observations suggest it is used as crew ferry from West Ham garage. It was photographed at Canning Town Bus Station on 22nd June 2011. Just visible on the right (and reflected in the bodywork) is Tube Lines MAN demountable truck 2587. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,718 |  |
By Ray Monk Two of the photographs published today show a pair of Ford Transits being delivered (here is the other one). Coming over the bridge and about to turn towards West Ham garage on 30th June 2011 these two minibuses had only been licensed that day. They soon entered service as crew ferry vehicles for Stagecoach London, but have yet to gain any markings. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,719 |  |
By Ray Monk Crew ferry duties from the large Stagecoach London garage at West Ham garage have now been largely taken over by a fleet of unmarked Ford Transit minibuses. There is a very regular 'service' the short distance to West Ham station (from where drivers take train services to various changeover points). YR11FUB was photographed at the station on 7th July 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,720 |  |
By Ray Monk Photographed passing West Ham Station on 5th July 2011, this anonymous red Ford Transit van is used by Stagecoach from the nearby West Ham bus garage. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,721 |  |
By Ray Monk Arriva and Stagecoach have both recently started renewing their crew ferry fleets, replacing vehicles that had only worked for three years. In the case of Arriva, the replacements are very similar Vauxhall Corsa cars. Curiously they are re-using existing fleet numbers. However, although most of the 2008-vintage Corsas work from Barking garage, the new vehicles have been seen mainly at Lea Valley and Edmonton. It would be interesting to know if old and new examples of the same number are in service at the same time, or perhaps the new cars have cascaded mid-age cars to Barking. Or perhaps it is another admin cock-up! Time will (sometimes) tell! This photograph taken at Lea Valley Garage on 23rd July 2011 shows new car 93 alongside older 134. Note the revised design, lighter colour, and the reduced amount of lettering (there is a small Arriva fleetname on the bonnet). In the background is one of the Citaro artics that are due to be replaced on route 73 on 3rd September. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,722 |  |
By Colin Lloyd A rather surprising photograph, taken in Uxbridge on 26th June 2011, shows First London's anonymous Volkswagen Crafter vans VO59XRM and VO59XRR. It is unusual to see two engineering vans running together. VO59XRM has been seen at Uxbridge Garage a number of times, but XRR has only been reported once, near Golders Green! Could they both now be based at Uxbridge? Or was XRR visiting? |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,723 |  |
By Derek Everson Another red Vauxhall Corsa van, but this time less shy about advertising its ownership. GV57YCJ is one of several operated by Go-Ahead London, but is the only one to carry company lettering. It also has a light-bar and a curious design of rear chevron. It was parked outside its home garage at Camberwell on 1st June 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,724 |  |
By Ray Monk This anonymous Vauxhall Corsa van photographed on Temple Mills Lane on 30th June 2011 is a member of the First London service vehicle fleet. Ray and I found it parked inside Alperton Garage last July, then ran into it again at Uxbridge earlier this year. It is not clear if it has been transferred (perhaps now to Lea Interchange) or if it is performing a company-wide role. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,725 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Some updating of the Transdev/London United service vehicle fleet has been undertaken in recent months, mainly with 5-year old vehicles replacing rather older ones. Showing the anonymous livery that most vehicles have operated in since the recent change of ownership, WP55VPF is a Vauxhall Corsa van acquired in June 2010. Initially based at Hounslow garage, it has since moved to Hounslow Heath and is used as a crew ferry vehicle, typically working to Hatton Cross (where it was photographed on 16th June 2011). |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,726 |  |
By Colin Lloyd If you visit Hatton Cross Station you will almost certainly see this van. It is one of several used by London United for the past few years, nipping back and forth between here and the garage at Hounslow Heath. Acquired from British Telecomm when just four years old, it was given local fleetnumber HH3 and until recently had Transdev lettering. In the background are some other regular visitors, including minibuses used by Abellio crews and an MCV-bodied bus operated on British Airways staff shuttle services by Flights Hallmark. Photo taken on a rather wet 16th June 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,727 |  |
By Ray Monk Dartford Garage eats Taxis! Standing out somewhat from the numerous black FX4 taxis to have operated for Arriva Kent Thameside in recent months, M391MYH wears a slightly curious silver livery. In certain light it can appear almost black. Given fleetnumber CF20 but not carrying any visible lettering, it was photographed at Eltham Bus Station on 29th June 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,728 |  |
By Ray Monk A lucky catch was this shot of two brand-new Ford Transit vans being delivered to Acton Works on 11th July 2011. Both wore un-lettered white/blue livery at this stage. In the lead is mid-height crew van LL11LMY. Within a fortnight this had been given LUL livery and sent to Northumberland Park Depot, although we still don't have its fleetnumber. Bringing up the rear is jumbo crew van LL11LMJ. Ten points to anyone who can spot the feature that confirms this one is a jumbo! |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,729 |  |
By Derek Everson The newest lorries in the central fleet at present are a pair of Iveco EuroCargo dustcarts delivered towards the end of 2009. Although both are based at Acton and perform similar work, I have yet to receive a usable photo of the second of the pair (EK59ZKM). However, here is a fine shot of sister EK59ZKL coming down Bollo Lane on 19th April 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,730 |  |
By Ray Monk Ford Mondeo hatchback LN09WXM was new in April 2009 as one of many un-marked vehicles for staff use. However, by July 2011 it had been given Tube Lines logos, thus making it eligible for inclusion on this website. It was photographed (through the fence) at Arnos Grove depot on 9th July 2011, with Renault Kangoo 6428R and an un-marked Ford Focus estate also visible. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,731 |  |
By Derek Everson The oddness of this particular vehicle was outlined recently, but this view taken at Acton Works on 9th March 2011 shows a few more aspects. The exterior lights are fitted to all sides, the side and rear windows are heavily tinted, and there are sliding access doors on both sides. The rear chevrons look a bit non-standard as well. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,732 |  |
By Derek Everson A dozen Vauxhall Astra cars were acquired for the TfL Streets operation in 2006/2007, comprising 11 estates and 1 hatchback. The hatchback may still be in use but the last of the estates was retired recently. Among the last to go was LR56OEV, photographed leaving Acton Works on 9th March 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,733 |  |
By London Spotter Another van-derived car is the Peugeot Partner Tepee, nine of which joined the leased fleet in early 2011. The first to be photographed was 7062P, found parked near Edgware Road Station during weekend works on 19th June 2011. The design shown is rather different to earlier Peugeot Partners (such as van 6750 and estate GP04ZXB). In fact it appears to be identical to Citroen Berlingo estates such as 6769C, suggesting a badge-engineered design. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,734 |  |
By Colin Smith This rather smart vehicle is yet another new type for the central fleet. 7034VW is a Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life that serves as the LUL response car at Bollo House in Acton (where it replaced Vauxhall Zafira 6342V). The Caddy Maxi Life is a people-mover variant of the long-wheelbase Caddy van. As such it is slightly had to categorise. Is it a big car or a small minibus?! As noted with regard to the previous resident, the response car at Bollo House is rather difficult to see from the road. It was photographed in its normal parking space on 13th July 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,735 |  |
By Derek Everson Caught on its delivery run into Acton Works on 9th March 2011, this Ford Transit crew van was later given fleetnumber 7027F and London Underground lettering along with the customary red stripe. It is now one of many vans that are nominally based at Griffith House but in reality only visit there at the beginning of each night's work. I have left this wide-angle shot un-cropped on purpose. The brick structure in the background is the remains of a bridge support for a railway line connecting Acton Town and South Acton stations. This line closed many years ago. It occurred to me that the rather tight turn from the works into Bollo Lane (particularly for articulated vehicles) could be eased if the bridge support was demolished and the access road straightened out. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,736 |  |
By Malcolm Glover Another chance to compare the Mercedes-Benz and Ford versions of the London Buses Incident Response Unit van. To the fore in this view taken at Stratford Bus Station on 21st July 2011 is Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 7017M, with Ford Transit (Ashwoods hybrid conversion) 6985F behind. Beyond these are the usual collection of Infrastructure department Volkswagen vans. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,737 |  |
By Graham Brown LBSL IRU 7016M was photographed parked on Aldwych on 14th June 2011, dealing with bus diversions resulting from a large fire on the Strand. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,738 |  |
By Graham Smith LBSL Incident Response Unit vans have a sliding door in the nearside only, as shown by 7012M at Waterloo on 14th June 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,739 |  |
By London Spotter London Buses Incident Response Unit 7009M was photographed parked at Aldgate Bus Station (keeping company with an older IRU) on 11th June 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,740 |  |
By London Spotter It was no surprise that Stratford Bus Station would receive some of the new IRUs, this location having the highest concentration of such vehicles. 7005M was delivered in March 2011 and was photographed on 8th June. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,741 |  |
By Malcolm Conway 7002M is assigned to the central London operations, and can be seen variously at Victoria or Aldgate (or anywhere in between). On 24th June 2011 it was caught crossing in front of the Bank of England. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,742 |  |
By Graham Smith Time to catch up with the LBSL IRUs. One thing that makes service vehicles so interesting is the minor differences between vehicles. Sadly there don't seem to be any with the IRUs! Apart from the change of wording from Network Operations to Bus Operations on the latest batch that is. Anyway, here we see 7001M at Brent Cross Bus Station on 15th July 2011. This particular van carried fleetnumber 6701M when delivered, presumably as a result of 6999 being mistaken for 6699. Fortunately it was corrected soon afterwards, and is currently based at Edgware. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,743 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The two Ashwoods hybrid Ford Transit vans delivered to LBSL in late 2010 have recently been moving around, perhaps to allow evaluation of their performance in comparison with the existing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. 6985F started out at Kingston but is now to be found at Stratford, as seen on 8th June 2011 alongside resident 6616M. 6986F started at Sycamore House, then moved to Eltham and most recently to Finsbury Park. It is believed that another pair of hybrid Transits are expected, perhaps from another convertor. Two red Transits have been seen lurking around Acton Works in recent weeks, and it could be that these will eventually appear, perhaps taking vacant fleetnumbers 6987 and 6988. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,744 |  |
By Derek Everson Vauxhall Astra van 6860V is probably based at Hearne House, behind the Museum Depot at Acton. On 9th March 2011 the London Underground-liveried van was caught leaving Acton Works. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,745 |  |
By London Spotter Ford Transit Connect van 6815F is often to be seen parked on the roads around Griffith House. On Sunday 12th June 2011 it was found on Harcourt Street, with Ford Mondeo 6906F behind. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,746 |  |
By Derek Everson Six Citroen Berlingo cars were delivered in 2009 for use by London Underground BCV. Several are easy to see (for example the ones at Leytonstone and Loughton) but others are more elusive. 6765C has been seen at a wide variety of locations, but usually at night. As such we don't know where it is actually based. On 9th March 2011, the slightly weary-looking car was caught about to arrive at Acton Works. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,747 |  |
By Keith Valla Glowing in the sunshine at Uxbridge on 26th June 2011, 6613M is an Incident Response Unit that has been based at the nearby bus station since delivery in March 2009. It is the only van from the second batch not to carry fleetnumbers (although several others have incorrect fleetnumbers). |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,748 |  |
By Graham Smith Although I have currently assigned it to Acton Works, sightings suggest that Ford Transit van 6593F may in fact be based at Hainault Depot. On 14th June 2011 it was paying a visit to Leytonstone Station, where it parked alongside resident car 6771C. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,749 |  |
By Derek Everson Disposals from the leased fleet have reached the 64xx number range as of spring 2011. 6449F was a low-roof Ford Transit van new in Metronet livery. It gained LUL livery by mid-2010 but was one of many SVs that were very rarely seen in daylight. It was auctioned by BCA at Blackbushe, where it was photographed on 6th July 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,750 |  |
By Ray Monk In 2007 and 2008, nine Ford Transits were delivered in white livery with additional lettering for Tube Lines signalling. The last of these to be illustrated on the site is 6435F, latterly tucked away at Wembley Park Station but recently moved to Finchley Central. It was photographed at the latter location on 9th July 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,751 |  |
By London Spotter This un-numbered Vauxhall Astra estate is actually 6395V, one of four silver cars leased in late 2007 for use by LBSL Infrastructure. We don't get any official information about allocations of service vehicles, hence the importance of reporting sightings. However, I have to confess to having dropped the ball with this one. I still have it listed as being at Orpington, although the sightings suggest it had moved to Chancel Street by 2009 and more recently to Aldgate (where it was photographed on 11th June 2011). It is quite easy to miss new information among the lists of sightings, this being something that will be addressed in the next incarnation of the website. Note the IRU passing in the background. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,752 |  |
By Derek Everson Not surprisingly, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter IRU vans look completely different without their extensive lettering and chevrons. Former 6354M was photographed at BCA Blackbushe on 22nd March 2011. It was auctioned 2 days later. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,753 |  |
By Derek Everson Most (if not all) of the initial batch of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Incident Response Unit vans were disposed of through British Car Auctions. Seen at their Blackbushe premises on 10th March 2011 were 6351M, 6355M and 6354M, with their light-bars removed but still in full livery. The markings were soon stripped off, as the next picture shows. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,754 |  |
By Graham Smith Although London Buses' Honda Civic saloon cars have been in use for roundly four years, I have never shown this particular example in service. On 13th June 2011, Eltham-based 6300H was found at North Greenwich Station. It is still expected that these cars will be replaced this summer. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,755 |  |
By Derek Everson Ford Transit Connect van 6146F was photographed awaiting sale at BCA, Blackbushe on 10th March 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,756 |  |
By Derek Everson Ford Transit van 6096F was photographed at British Car Auctions, Blackbushe, on 26th January 2011. It was auctioned a fortnight later. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,757 |  |
By Derek Everson Until recently, determining which vehicles had left the leased fleet was a matter of guesswork (unless a vehicle happened to be seen with a subsequent user). However, we then discovered that a large number of vans are disposed of through British Car Auctions. One of our contributors has registered with them and is able to obtain lists of vehicles included in each auction. On top of this, another contributor has been making regular visits to one of their main locations, at Blackbushe. Six of the photos from today's batch were taken there, and show various service vehicles awaiting sale. Most are vehicles that were rarely seen or photographed during their time in the fleet. Ford Transit crew van 6008F has been shown before. This van never gained logos, and was thought to be used as a float vehicle. It was photographed in one of the huge sheds at Blackbushe on 30th June 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,758 |  |
By Derek Everson London United was notable for ekeing out long service from the former CDS service vehicles it inherited upon privatisation. Amazingly, a couple are still going into 2011. With a slightly rusty front end, Ford Fiesta van K255WNK has evidently not had a repaint since new 19 years ago, its original fleetnumber of 4203F still being visible. The Optare Tempo bus in the background of this view at Hounslow Bus Station proves that this is a recent photo, being taken on 19th April 2011. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,759 |  |
By Derek Everson Mercedes-Benz Atego Rescue Tender 2600 poses for the camera outside the Emergency Response Unit base in Battersea on 1st June 2011. This location was opened in September 2009 to replace the one at Tideway Industrial Estate, Vauxhall (although pending addition of the new location to the database, this photo links back to the Vauxhall page). Located on Stewarts Road, visitors should note that the vehicles are usually kept inside with the doors closed. I have just noticed that it is only the five short-cabbed ERU trucks that have the two square fold-down hatches towards the top of the rear end. I don't know what their purpose is but they seem to have led to the fitting of grab handles further down. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,760 |  |
By Derek Everson Although in use for over 13 years, I had only published one photograph of Mercedes-Benz Actros artic 2559M until now. This fine shot taken on 9th March 2011 shows it coming down Bollo Lane towards the works at Acton, with Cartwright 3-axle flat-bed trailer T67 hitched up. Of the trio delivered in 1998, 2560M was written off in an accident in 2010, while 2559M and 2561M remain in regular use. |
25/07/2011 |
| 4,761 |  |
By Colin Lloyd S and H is not a name I have seen doing London bus recovery before. The map on the cabside of this smart Volvo FM truck appears to show the East Riding region (I'm not on-line as I write this so I can't check where they are actually based). Before anyone asks how I know this is doing London Bus work, I have also received photos of it passing the other way an hour later with Stagecoach Trident 17847 on tow. East Ham, 19th May 2011. Update: I've now found out that S&H are based in the East Midlands. So what was their truck doing in London? |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,762 |  |
By Ray Monk Arriva London's large fleet of Vauxhall Corsa cars was extended in May 2011 with the arrival of (at least) two more, this time for Ash Grove garage. These are to a slightly revised design compared to the earlier cars, and also feature a lighter silver colouring. Numbered 144 and 145, the pair were photographed at Old Kent Road Tescos on 7th June. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,763 |  |
By Ray Monk This plain white Volkswagen Transporter van has been seen parked outside Plumstead Bus Garage several times over the past few months, although we were originally told it was not a company vehicle. However, the previous Plumstead engineers van (Ford Transit van RL54KVP) was apparently stolen whilst on a call-out last year, so this van is presumably the replacement. As an aside, some similarly unmarked VW vans have been noted at West Ham garage. 12th June 2011. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,764 |  |
By Ray Monk This unmarked Ford Transit minibus appears to belong to Arriva London for use as a driver evaluation vehicle. It was photographed on 24th May 2011 about to turn into the Arriva offices at Watsons Road (rear of Wood Green garage). |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,765 |  |
By Ray Monk This is the car park of Tescos on the Old Kent Road on the 7th of June 2011, with three Arriva London crew ferry cars visible. Rather surprisingly, all three are from Ash Grove garage, on the other side of the river. The Arriva operation there currently only works two routes. The 168 runs from Hampstead Heath to Old Kent Road, so these cars are presumably serving that route. The other route (78) also passes this point but has a northern terminus at Shoreditch, much closer to Ash Grove. The car in the centre is number 143, allocated to Tottenham when new in 2009 and also being seen at Lea Valley before moving to Ash Grove. On the left is car number 130 (FG58NZZ), which appears to lack bonnet numbers and side notices. This one also spent time at Tottenham and Lea Valley. On the right is one of the newest pair, which feature a slightly brighter shade of silver. A picture of these can be found here. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,766 |  |
By Ian Jordan The eleven Renault minibuses acquired by the East London Bus Group in 2008 continue to work mainly from West Ham Garage (with a couple at Rainham) under Stagecoach ownership. Most never had any lettering applied other than small fleetnumbers in the front and rear windows. The ninth of the batch to be illustrated on this site is EX08KZS (fleetnumber 96009), caught approaching Canning Town Bus Station on 21st May 2011. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,767 |  |
By Ray Monk Arriva London has its headquarters in offices at the rear of Wood Green garage, with a separate entrance off Watsons Road. One or two service vehicles can sometimes be found parked here. On 24th of May 2011, Ray found this dark blue Vauxhall Astra van (erroneously recorded as a Vauxhall Combo in SUP24D). Although lacking company logos, it did have a bonnet number of the type normally found on Arriva crew ferry cars. In this case the number relates to the Arriva 'paper' fleetnumber of VAN078. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,768 |  |
By Graham Smith This Ford Transit has been the engineers van at Harrow Garage for the past few years. It originally carried London Sovereign titling along with the crest of the parent company London United. Traces of both are still visible on the front, beneath the later Transdev lettering. Given that London Sovereign is now part-owned by Veolia in addition to Transdev, a further change of branding would not be unlikely. The van was caught passing near Harrow Bus Station on 13th May 2011. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,769 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Here's a picture with a lot of history to it! No, honestly. Bear with me. Mercedes Sprinter minibus R961SLL was photographed in Ilford on the 19th of May 2011. Latterly with the East Thames Buses operation, I had marked it down as being withdrawn, based on a lack of sightings. It is hard to be certain from this photo but perhaps the vehicle has moved within the Go-Ahead group to the Docklands Buses operation based at Silvertown. This minibus started life as a London Dial-a-Ride vehicle and various remnants of their livery can still be seen. Notably the rear carries its original local fleetnumber of 32, along with the later London-wide number of D288. The latter was changed to E288 by East Thames Buses, perhaps to avoid any confusion when the vehicle was parked at the Mandela Way base (also home to many Dial-a-Ride vehicles). The location is slightly ironic. East Thames Buses was formed to take over the services of Harris Bus, who were of course big in Ilford. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,770 |  |
By Ray Monk This van is a bit of a mystery. Found at Eltham Bus Station on 16th May 2011, this Ford Transit van is quite clearly Arriva training vehicle number 168. But which part of Arriva? Arriva Kent Thameside would be the logical answer, but the vehicle has never been reported there. The only information I could find out about this van was this it used to be number 1168 in the Arriva Southend fleet. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,771 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Colin sent me this picture and asked if this was a former service vehicle. It certainly carries more-or-less the right livery. It turns out that Iveco EuroCargo dropside truck YJ56USY was in fact hired by Tube Lines in summer 2007 and it lasted for almost a year, working from the lorry yard at Acton. The lorry was notable for having a sleeper extension atop the cab, and a very tall headboard on the body. It was photographed parked in Ongar on 11th May 2011. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,772 |  |
By Ray Monk As reported last month, the London Buses Technical Services Group has moved from Chingford to Mandela Way in Bermondsey. Now occupying the former East Thames Buses garage (along with the Dial-a-Ride minibuses), their reduced fleet can usually be seen from the road. Parked up on 7th June 2011 were Ford Transit 6322F and an un-marked Ford Transit Connect van. The latter is notable for being the first restyled Connect seen in red livery, and also for having an additional side window in the nearside only. LT11XFY was licensed in March 2011 and appears to be a direct replacement for broadly identical 6401F. The new van no doubt has a fleetnumber on paper at least, but we will have to wait until we (hopefully) receive an updated fleetlist from Acton to find out what it is. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,773 |  |
By Ray Monk Although still dominated by Toyota Prius cars, the TfL Streets fleet has gained quite a bit of variety over the past year. As well as several different types of cars, some vans have now also joined the operation. First up were five Peugeot Bippers in 2010. These were followed in spring 2011 by (at least) two Vauxhall Combos. As with most of the fleet, the vans carry white/orange livery and have light-bars. No fleetnumbers are displayed, but they are likely to be allocated. Policy does appear to be that cars are often un-numbered but vans are nearly always numbered. LN11PZK was caught leaving the Chancel Street garage on 10th May 2011. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,774 |  |
By Ray Monk Relatively few Ford Focus estates have been added to the central fleet over the past year, the preference seeming to be for larger vehicles like the Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo and Renault Kangoo. There was also a sole Skoda, perhaps for evaluation. From spring 2011 a number of Volkswagen Passat estates were delivered, this type having latterly been very rare as a service vehicle. Ray caught two Passats being delivered to Acton Works on 13th June 2011. Both wore unmarked white/blue livery but will presumably appear with lettering and fleetnumbers in due course. KP11FRX paused on Bollo Lane before heading into the works, allowing this photo to be taken. I've just noticed that the Skoda Octavia and the VW Passat are very similar, probably sharing major components. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,775 |  |
By Ivor Norman What you might call a bog-standard Ford Transit van, 7038F was new to London Underground in February 2011. On 7th May that year it was found parked on Apold Street in the city of London. There is an electrical substation (presumably for the Central line) nearby. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,776 |  |
By Graham Smith Another recently delivered IRU van is 7018M, photographed at Turnpike Lane Bus Station on 15th May 2011. The van had only been licensed five days earlier. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,777 |  |
By Ray Monk There are a lot of little things we just don't understand about service vehicles. For example, the latest batch of Incident Response Unit vans for London Buses started arriving in February 2011, 6996M to 6998M being the vanguard. Deliveries then continued roughly in fleet number order for the next few months. But in May, 6995M appeared, together with 7017M and 7018M. Numbers 6993 and 6994 may also be on similar vehicles. Anyway, 6995M was photographed at Eltham Bus Station on 15th May 2011, in company with previous batch example 6607M. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,778 |  |
By Ray Monk The TfL Streets Peugeot Bipper vans are rather elusive. The fourth (of the five) to be shown on this site is 6981P, photographed on the Fulham Road on 19th May 2011. I am now fairly certain that these vans are all based at Chancel Street in Southwark, although they cannot be seen there from the road. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,779 |  |
By Ray Monk Ford Transit 6937F is a fairly standard Mk7 long-wheelbase, mid-height crew van, part of a large batch delivered in mid-2010. It was photographed parked outside the traincrew offices at Hainault on 14th May 2011. Number 6937 has also been reported on a Citroen car, which curiously also has YMX in its registration. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,780 |  |
By Kim Rennie Kim found a pair of London Underground vans parked on Highlands Road, Northwood, on 9th May 2011, near to a bridge on the Metropolitan Line. Apart from both being the slightly rarer long-wheelbase Ford Transit Connect, the pair is notable for having slightly different liveries. On 6432F in front, the blue skirt is carried up to the rubbing strip, and is consequently continued around the rear. 6486F has a lower skirt (a mini-skirt?) on the sides only. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,781 |  |
By London Spotter Renault Kangoos lack confidence, and usually park themselves such that their faces are hidden! Someone should tell them they don't look any better from the back. Tube Lines 6429R was found in the small yard at Borough, Union Street on 28th May 2011. Latterly based at Stratford Market Depot, this may be a transfer. Reports please. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,782 |  |
By Graham Smith The initial batch of Incident Response Unit vans have now all left the fleet, being replaced by almost identical vehicles delivered in spring 2011. 6355M, photographed at Liverpool Street Bus Station on 3rd June 2010, was one of many to be sold through British Car Auctions. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,783 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray found a couple of Ford Transit vans parked on Bowes Road (near to Arnos Grove station) on 24th May 2011. To the fore was Tube Lines 6218F, new in 2007 and now due for replacement. The van behind was rather more interesting though. In plain white with fleetnumber 6123F, it had external lights on the sides and front. The number 6123F properly belongs to a mid-height Transit van in Underground livery, but the one here is a high-roof example. Registered LN08ZDS, it was new in 2008 and was originally used by the London Safety Camera Partnership (LSCP). It presumably carried a similar livery to their other vans, such as 6121F. In fact the number 6123F was probably assigned in error to follow on from LSCP 6120F to 6122F. The LSCP unit appears to have scaled back its operations some time in 2009, but this is the only one of their vehicles to have been reported since. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,784 |  |
By Graham Scrivener 3201F was a 3-door Ford Escort saloon car, new in July 1984 (on my 13th birthday to be precise!), although curiously it was first registered two months earlier. It was photographed parked outside Baker Street Station on 25th July 1986. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,785 |  |
By Graham Scrivener 3078B was one of a large batch of Bedford CF2 vans with MHY/Y registrations that were new in 1982. Most were assigned to the publicity department, but 3078B went elsewhere. The new image editing software I am using doesn't seem to be able to sharpen and clean-up old photos as well as the previous one, and the lettering on the cab door is not quite legible. The top line appears to read London Regional Transport (which I have not seen on a service vehicle before), while the second line may be General Manager (Buses). There is also an Abbey District sticker on the bonnet. My records show 3078B as being allocated to Victoria, while it was photographed inside Chalk Farm garage on 19th April 1985. |
17/06/2011 |
| 4,786 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Sovereign Recovery bought three VW Transporter vans in 2010, having previously used mainly Ford Transits. They are often to be seen around London, attending to breakdowns where a full recovery vehicle is not required. On 3rd May 2011, Colin caught LM10OYG passing near Victoria Station. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,787 |  |
By Ray Monk Sovereign Recovery Mercedes Actros GK10VTL was photographed outside the Mercedes dealership in Beddington on 6th April 2011. Note the minibus on the right in CT Plus (Hackney Community Transport) livery. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,788 |  |
By Malcolm Glover GF10XSB is a Volvo FH480 recovery truck in the Sovereign fleet. On 4th May 2011 it was attending Turnpike Lane Bus Station to collect a dead Arriva London Dennis Dart (ADL67). A suspended rear tow was required, chains being attached inside the engine compartment. It therefore had to be towed with the bonnet open. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,789 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Sovereign Recovery has (at least) three 10-registered recovery trucks, each from a different manufacturer. Second photos of all three have been added today. EU10DHL is a DAF XF 105, photographed on 12th April 2011 in Brentwood, co-incidentally the same location as the previous photo. Once again there is a London connection with the bus, this one being Imperial Buses Dennis Dart S520KFL, originally DMS20 in the Metroline fleet. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,790 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray also caught the second 11-reg bus company SV to be reported! This rather sporty-looking Ford Focus hatchback was photographed at Eltham Bus Station on 6th May 2011. Based at Bromley Garage, it has Stagecoach names on the front and sides, and also legal lettering. The car probably has an allocated fleetnumber in the Stagecoach national series (9xxxx for support vehicles). |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,791 |  |
By Ray Monk LTSV relies on (and is very grateful for) the support of a handful of devoted followers! As an example, I got an e-mail saying that there might be a new van at the First Berkshire garage in Slough. I passed this info on to Ray in case he had plans to explore that area soon. He didn't, but he made the long trip the very next day (4th April 2011), and came back with this, the first 11-reg bus company SV photo. VO11DLE is a long-wheelbase, mid-height Ford Transit van, in anonymous red but with the same yellow side stripes as seen on recent deliveries to First London. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,792 |  |
By Ian Jordan Looking at this picture has taught me something new about Ford Transits! Seen rounding the Elephant and Castle on 21st March 2011, EA60TGZ is a medium-wheelbase Mk7 van operated by London Central from Peckham Garage. It had replaced equally anonymous short-wheelbase Mk6 ET05GXG a few months earlier. Comparison of the two photographs will show that the difference in length is barely discernible. However, the position of the gutter rail (to which roof-racks are attached) does vary. It turns out that all short-wheelbase vans have the rail immediately above the doors, while medium-wheelbase vans have it further up (near the top on mid-height vans like this one, half-way up on high-roof examples). |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,793 |  |
By Ray Monk Several service vehicles added to the Transdev London fleet over the past few months were operated in anonymous white livery, including this Vauxhall Corsa van seen parked in its dedicated slot outside Hounslow Bus Garage on 4th April 2011. The operation was rebranded as London United from March onwards so presumably new logos will eventually be applied to these vehicles. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,794 |  |
By Ray Monk Wearing a livery variation that I don't think has been shown before, NX05ORN is a Vauxhall Combo van assigned fleetnumber 1154 in the Arriva the Shires fleet. Although based at Luton, it was photographed on 16th April 2011 at Willesden Junction Station. There was a railway replacement bus service in operation that day which presumably made use of some Luton-based buses. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,795 |  |
By Graham Smith FH54LSL was a Vauxhall Vivaro van based at the First London garage at Alperton for engineering support duties. It was photographed at Golders Green Bus Station on 20th April 2010, attending to an Enviro 200 bus. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,796 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Service vehicles of operators in the 'country' area are rarely featured on this site, mainly because there don't seem to be many of them. Uno (formerly Universitybus) has a few cars used for crew ferry duties. Their Ford Focus hatchback PL04CUA was seen passing St Albans City Station on 22nd April 2011. Note the small fleetname on the driver's door. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,797 |  |
By Glyn Matthews A collection of Ensignbus service vehicles photographed in the Purfleet yard on 17th March 2011. Nearest the camera is unmarked Volkswagen Caddy van OE53VFR. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,798 |  |
By Ray Monk RJ03ERK is a high-roof, medium-wheelbase Ford Transit van, assigned number 8906 in the Travel London fleet (now renamed Abellio) and based at Beddington. It was photographed at the garage on 6th April 2011, trying to hide behind a Dennis Trident bus. Unless there is something on the front or offside, no company lettering is carried. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,799 |  |
By Ray Monk This is the bus stand at the side of Golders Green Bus Station, on 8th April 2011, with an anonymous silver Vauxhall Zafira estate car parked up. Ray recognised this as being one of the Arriva the Shires crew ferry vehicles, but not one of the Garston-based ones that are usually seen here. Until recently, BK03ODY was allocated to Harlow. The Arriva operation there was rebranded under the TGM name in August 2010 and perhaps this car was transferred to Garston then. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,800 |  |
By Ray Monk Another anonymous Arriva taxi at Eltham, this time on 1st May 2011. P527RYT has been allocated fleetnumber CF22. |
11/05/2011 |
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