Classic Bus Update

Classic Bus North West has continued to add vehicles to its fleet for the expanding "Catch 22 route" which gains an hourly Sunday service from 5 May. Three vehicles have left the fleet, Routemasters RML2290 and RML2734 which have been sold by their private owner to Ensignbus and Bristol VR 528 which has been sold to Crosville Motor Services in Weston-Super-Mare.

528's disposal brings new to Cardiff VR 360 back to the fleet after a year on loan to Crosville. Two Dennis Darts and two huge MCW Metrobus open toppers have also arrived recently. Dart 143 is already in service but the others are under preparation. The Metrobuses were new to China Motor Bus in 1988 and seat 102. They were imported for use as open toppers on Big Bus London's tours and have been out of use since 2009.  

Several LTT buses are planned to operate on the 22 on Saturday 25 May on a heritage running day.

Classic Bus North West Fleet

No	Reg	Chassis	Body	Origins
69	F69SYE	MCW Metrobus	MCW	China Motor Bus ML81 11/88
143	T143AUA	Dennis Dart	Alexander	Armchair, Hounslow 5/99
145	T145AUA	Dennis Dart	Alexander	Armchair, Hounslow 5/99
162	V162MVX	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Stagecoach East London 12/99
163	V163MVX	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Stagecoach East London 12/99
269	P269PSX	Volvo Olympian	Alexander	Lothian Buses 269
324	N324NHG	Volvo Olympian	Alexander	Dublin Bus RA264
325	N325NHG	Volvo Olympian	Alexander	Dublin Bus RA272
326	F326UJN	MCW Metrobus	MCW	China Motor Bus ML77 10/88
360	WTG360T	Bristol VR	Alexander	Cardiff 360
502	P502UFR	Optare Metrorider	Optare	Blackpool 502
512	X512UAT	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	London United DP512 11/2000
533	X533UAT	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	London United DP513 11/2000
652	Y652NLO	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Metroline, London DLD182 6/2001
898	R898XVM	Volvo B10M	Alexander	Stagecoach Manchester
899	R899XVM	Volvo B10M	Alexander	Stagecoach Manchester
RML887	202UXJ	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	London Transport (Cummins Engine)
RM1568	BNK324A	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	London Transport (Cummins Engine)

All vehicles in fleet red except 143 (white, red front), 163 (Bispham High School advert), 269 (Pleasure Beach advert), 324 (Blackpool & Fylde College), 325 (green/cream, red front), 360 (yellow), 652 (Metroline livery), 69/326 (Big Bus Livery)

Olympians Depart

The final two East Lancs Olympians have now departed for scrap with 368 leaving on Thursday 14th and 373 leaving on Tuesday 19th February.

See the Olympians page on this blog for full disposal details.

Round Up

The Manx DAFs continue to arrive with 369 (former IOM 76) here on 29th January, with 370 (former IOM 77) recently noticed at Blackburn awaiting delivery.

It is rare for vehicles with matching numbers to overlap so closely, but disposal of Olympians 368-373 is progressing with 370 leaving on 30 January and 371 following today, leaving just 368 and 373 awaiting disposal.

Trident and Solo repaints are continuing with 307 and 243 under treatment


Manx DAF Status

No	Reg	IOM No	IOM Reg	Chassis No	Body No	Arrived	Service
354	L50BTS	97	FMN835J	009267	38310	6/7/12	10/9/12
355	L100BTS	95	FMN622J	009266	38309	17/7/12	5/9/12
356	L200BTS	93	FMN621J	009261	38304	27/7/12	5/9/12
357	L300BTS	94	FMN620J	009264	38307	27/7/12	5/9/12
358	L400BTS	96	FMN623J	009262	38305	30/7/12	6/9/12
359	L500BTS	98	FMN836J	009265	38308	31/7/12	4/10/12
360	L600BTS	89	FMN299J	009259	38302	30/7/12	3/10/12
361	L700BTS	90	FMN503J	009260	38303	22/8/12	12/10/12
362	L800BTS	92	FMN619J	009263	38306	?/8/12	3/10/12
363	L900BTS	91	FMN618J	009258	38301	30/8/12	4/10/12
364	J70BTS	54	FMN181P	009431	41101	25/9/12	17/12/12
365	J90BTS	81	FMN804T	009830	41109	25/9/12	17/12/12
366	J200BTS	78	FMN501T	009651	41106	23/10/12	17/12/12
367	J300BTS	56	FMN498T	009617	41103	9/10/12	17/12/12
368	tbc	79	FMN502T	009652	41107	11/01/13	awaited
369	tbc	76	FMN500T	009650	41105	29/01/13	awaited
370	tbc	77	FMN505T	009831	4111-	at Blackburn	awaited