LV52 HFX on route 541 - Thanks to Au from the wonderful WLTM blog. He was unfortunately on crutches at the time. 

This week, we see the end and also the start for 2 routes.Tonight, we see the end of the road for the temporary free route 541, which runs between Keir Hardie Estate and Prince Regent Bus Station. 

For a so-called "Temporary" route which was around for 2 years - it does have a bit of history.Since the start of the route back in 2011, the route has been using the longer wheelbase 10.5m ALX400's from Stagecoach's West Ham (WH) garage - with a PVR of 4. 

Although, at the start - 541 only ran between Canning Town, Hermit Road and Keir Hardie Estate and was only expected to run until May 2012. However since Crossrail projects went for longer, the route was extended from Hermit Road to Prince Regent Bus Station for the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). 

Route 541 between Keir Hardie Estate and Prince Regent Bus Station.

On the positive note, London gives birth to another route next Saturday - route 573 between London City Airport and London City Airport (Yes, it's a circular route, like H9 and H10 or H18 and H19) which will go via North Woolwich, Gallions Reach, Cyprus, Beckton Park, Prince Regent's Bus Station and North Woolwich back to London City Airport.

I'm assuming (Not 100% Sure) that the 573 will be running in this route, Anti-Clockwise.

During this event, 473 will be curtailed to London City Airport and 474 will be on a long diversion. 573 will be operated by Docklands Buses, a division of GAL, using single decks that are transferred from Merton garage from route 219 which will be transferred to Double Deck operation.

If possible, we will cover the 473 curtailments if possible - For now, we hope you've enjoyed this post and please do remember to stay safe! All those who celebrate, enjoy Easter and yes, the clocks go 1 hour forward today.

Thanks for a donated picture from WLTM. Thanks Au! Check out his awesome blog:

West London Time Masters (WLTM)

For the post the photo is from, here is Au's 3rd ever post:

WLTM: Temporary Route 541

ADE60 on route 220. Back in the days when it went to Willesden Junction.

Due to Station Approach being closed for re-development plans, routes 220 and 487 are currently withdrawn between Harlesden, Jubilee Clock and Willesden Junction Station until 31st May 2013.

Route 220 will start and end journeys at "Park Parade". Blinds and the iBus on 220 says "220 to Harlesden, Jubilee Clock". Buses will turn onto Tavistock Road and to Park Parade again where the route will stand. 

Route 487 will start and end journeys slightly closer to Willesden Junction Station. The route will start journeys at "Acton Lane" and end journeys at "Harlesden Jubilee Clock". The buses, as it is operated by First, can go inside the Willesden Junction (WJ) depot to turn around, which is by the two bus stops. Blinds however on the 487 still say "Willesden Junction".

Here shows the observation below:

YX09 AFF on route 487 at Gypsy Corner. Really, the blinds should display - "Harlesden, Jubilee Clock".

YX62 BUA ADE70 on route 220 at"Westway" for BBC Centre*, to Harlesden, Jubilee Clock.

*Off topic to buses, but BBC Centre is closing down in 2014 and are selling the site to Imperial College. BBC will move to "Media City" as known as the BBC's Salford centre in Manchester, a fact for the day.

That's the end of this observation of curtailments post. I hope you've enjoyed it and remember to stay safe!

For routes 36 and 73, we are late on it - however, due to certain circumstances, we couldn't cover it until now. The 82 merged into this as it is the same topic and I don't have many photos for it.

Route 36:
Route 36 is operated from Go-Ahead London's New Cross Garage [NX], and last month (February 2013), new double-decks had entered service on the route. These new double-deck's were the state-of-the-art Enviro 400's which had been built to Whole Type Approval. However, GAL didn't retain the 36 with fully new double-decks, they also bought in some existing ones too! Sadly, we have no pictures for the existing double decks although we have 2 shots for this. Our South London correspondent, Jack, may be able to supply us a few more photos of the 36 later.

SN62 DFL/ E264 on route 36 at Marble Arch Station.

Rear of E264/ SN62 DFL.

Route 73:
In 2011, route 73 was converted from articulated to double-deck operation. Upon this, Arriva had ordered some new DW's and HV's. In January, the DW's had moved elsewhere in the company whilst new HV's joined the 73 along with the existing ones. These are 62reg and are built to WTA. Here is 1 shot:

HV77 stands at Marble Arch.

Route 82:
Now I have covered this in more detail - inside and out. Metroline retained the contract for route 82 last year. The new contract did start in March 2012, however the new vehicles weren't delivered until now due to all the major bus manufacturers like Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus being pushed to maximum capacity to build several buses in time for the Olympics.

Finally, a year later - TE1420-47 are arriving at CELF/ Potter's Bar [PB] garage for route 82. According to sources, TE1448 going to W for "Top-ups" although earlier rumours claimed TE1448 was going to EW (Edgware).

I am not sure of this fact, I think these buses are on a Voith gearbox - they do have that squeaky Voith sound although facts need to be checked. These buses will allow the ever-so-aging TPL's to say farewell to London operation as they would probably be sold to other companies outside of London.

Without anymore of the chatter, enjoy!

TE1430/ LK62 DYG out of service. This bus is for route 82.

TE1429 curtailed to Portman Square.

TE1421/ LK62 DXP on route 82 to Victoria. 

Lower Deck interior of TE1421 - facing front.

Lower deck interior of TE1421 facing rear.

TE1421 upper deck interior.

The buses came with this moquette.

Rear of TE1421.

That's the end of this post! Stay safe and hope you've enjoyed it!

DN33503 of route 607. This is a Greenford bus, not Uxbridge.

A 1938 stock sits inside the Acton Town Depot.

Yesterday (22nd March 2013), called for a special visit to Acton Town Depot. This is the storage for all the heritage fleet that TfL wish to keep. The museum is in Covent Garden however the storage is in Acton Town, where I was - And it's not usually open to the public. What made it more special  was that Met Carriage 1 was also coming in the depot this very same day. Sadly, I couldn't get a picture of it as the area was closed off whilst the engineers were electrifying the track.

Thanks to the friendly staff on site who made sure our safety was paramount during the visit. This is a 2-part post, which this post will focus on the trains that are in the depot. A part 2 will come out later covering the "Buses in History".

Several trains are stored here, from the 1938 stock to the just-retired A stock that made their last entry on the Metropolitan Line in the September that has just past.

If anyone wishes to use these photos, don't hesitate to contact me - All taken on a camera.

More photos from the day is shown below, enjoy!

1938 stock interior. These trains ran the Northern, Bakerloo, Piccadilly and Central line.

1986 prototype train. Probably was tested on the Waterloo & City line hence its livery.

An overview of the shed. The A stock (On the left) always will stay in our minds!  At the far back, you may be able to see Met 1 if possible.

1986 stock - RESTRICTED. Don't say we never warned you!

Line up of trains on aisle 8.

Awh! How cute! Baby 1938 stock trains.

A De-Icer train. It was used in the snow to clear the tracks back then.

That's all for this post but the massive one is to come out soon! Stay tuned, we've also got the 82 and "52: Part 2" underway. Keep your eyes peeled! Stay safe!

LK03 NKE/ TN33279 works the E3 to Greenford Broadway.

VW1396 stands at Victoria Staton.

Recently, 52 has been receiving new buses. Metroline gladly retained the contract for this route and opted for the VW's/ VWH's. This post is dedicated to the VW's. There are new photos and some existing in this post. The delivery is almost complete, although VW1405 and VW1406 have new 13reg opposed to the 62.

Without further ado, enjoy!

VW1396 again - this time at Kensal Rise station.

VW1399 leaves Kensal Rise Station.

VW1400 leaves Kensal Rise station.

VW1393 interior.

Rear of VW1396.

Hope you've enjoyed this post and remember to stay safe! Look out for post 2 soon!

We say farewell! LR02 BCO on route 82 at Victoria.

Metroline:
- VW1405 and VW1406 have lost their 62reg plates respectively, and are now LK13 BHW (VW1405) and LK13 BHW (VW1406) which they'll enter service on route 52. 

- TE1420-33 have entered service on route 82 all with 62reg plates. The "Second" batch is to be delivered soon and are TE1434-48, this batch having 13reg buses. This will get rid of the TP's/ TPL's that run the route.

- VW1468/ LK62 DZS is currently at the CELF centre, Perivale awaiting commissioning where it will then be Willesden's (AC) spare.

- TEH1449-67 is to be delivered soon - all with 13 reg plates. 

Fleetlist:

LK13 BHW - VW1405 - Route 52 (AC)

LK13 BHX - VW1406 - Route 52 (AC)

LK62 DXM - TE1420 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DXP - TE1421 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DXS - TE1422 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DXT - TE1423 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DXX - TE1424 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DXY - TE1425 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DYA - TE1426 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DYC - TE1427 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DYD - TE1428 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DYF - TE1429 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DYG - TE1430 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DYH - TE1431 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DYN - TE1432 - Route 82 (PB)

LK62 DYO - TE1433 - Route 82 (PB)

LK13 BEU - TE1434 - Route 82 (PB)

LK13 BEY - TE1435 - Route 82 (PB)

LK13 BFA - TE1436 - Route 82 (PB)

LK13 BFF - TE1437 - Route 82 (PB)

LK13 BFJ - TE1438 - Route 82 (PB)
LK13 BFL - TE1439 - Route 82 (PB)
LK13 BFM - TE1440 - Route 82 (PB)
LK13 BFN - TE1441 - Route 82 (PB)
LK13 BFO - TE1442 - Route 82 (PB)
LK13 BFP - TE1443 - Route 82 (PB)
LK13 BFU - TE1444 - Route 82 (PB)
LK13 BFV - TE1445 - Route 82 (PB)
LK13 BFX -  TE1446 - Route 82 (PB)

LK13 BFY - TE1447 - Route 82 (PB)
LK13 BFZ - TE1448 - Route 82 (PB)

The buses below are intended for route 189, however like all buses at W, they would probably be found on other routes such as 16, 139 and 210.
LK13 BGE - TEH1449 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BGF - TEH1450 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BGO - TEH1451 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BGU - TEH1452 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BGV - TEH1453 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BGX - TEH1454 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BGY - TEH1455 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BGZ - TEH1456 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHA - TEH1457 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHD - TEH1458 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHE - TEH1459 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHF - TEH1460 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHJ - TEH1461 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHL - TEH1462 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHN - TEH1463 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHO - TEH1464 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHP - TEH1465 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHU - TEH1466 - Route 189 (W)
LK13 BHV - TEH1467 - Route 189 (W)

LK62 DZS - VW1468 - Un-allocated (AC). Probably for route 52.

Blog notice: The 52 post will be taken down and be replaced with a new, better one. The post has been split into two so look out for these posts soon.

Hope you've enjoyed this post and remember to stay safe! 

Hi all!

Haven't posted a lot recently, but for those who look at my Flickr, you would've noticed a few pictures of 3804, a Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer, on route 258. Normally on the 258 are double deckers from the Garston Garage, usually in the form of 55-reg Pulsar Geminis.
Without any further ado, here are the pictures!

Arriva 3804 SN56AXG on route 258 at Harrow

Arriva 3804 SN56AXG on route 258 at South Harrow

Arriva 3804 SN56AXG rear

258 to South Harrow - iBus Display on SN56AXG

Other recent pictures:

Arriva 6041 LJ05GLY on route 640 at Harrow Weald, Clamp Hill

Arriva 6019 KL52CXM on route 640 at South Harrow

L1/Group DE111 WL60TMA displaying blinds for route 335 at Heathrow Central
This bus has just returned to Heathrow North garage after a loan to Southall, although displaying blinds for 335 it has just gone out of A10 service

For those who are confused; this is a fake observation!
Original Picture credit to Au from the WLTM Bus Blog

Thanks for reading!
(LJ61) LJN

YX62 DAU 8583 approaches Syon Lane station - The penultimate stop before Osterley, Tesco.

Yes, I know it's a bit late - but not that late. 2 weeks back, on the 23rd of February, Abellio London released new buses 8583-8591 on service onto route H28, which runs between Osterley, Tesco and Bull's Bridge Tesco. These buses are the much-loved Enviro 200 which have been built to Whole Type Approval (WTA) and are Euro 5. This allowed the Euro 2 Darts to say farewell to London operation as they will leave Abellio's fleet soon.

During this phase on route H28, a few events have taken place. The Dart's used on route H28 are 8.9m long meaning they had 1-door. Although Caetano Nimbuses from routes 112 and U7 appeared frequently on the route. Eventually this proved to Transport for London (TfL) and Abellio London that 10.2m buses could follow suit on the route and so at next tender, Abellio gladly retained the route with new buses 8583-91 which are 10.2m long.

Abellio's new interior.

Interestingly, these buses have what is now Abellio's new livery which means all new Abellio buses have lost the Blue and White livery. In my opinion, when TfL said that the buses have to be 100% red, I don't think Abellio understood. This new livery will apply to all new Abellio buses.

Here is the fleetlist:

YX62 DAU - 8583

YX62 DBU - 8584

YX62 DDE  - 8585

YX62 DDO - 8586

YX62 DFE - 8587

YX62 DFO - 8588

YX62 DVA - 8589

YX62 DVC - 8590

YX62 DVG - 8591

Here's more photo's of 8583/ 8585 below. Hope you've enjoyed this post and remember to stay safe! 

YX62 DDE approaches Osterley, Tesco.

YX62 DDE.

Abellio Logo.

The headlight of 8585.

Abellio's new moquette.

Side blinds on 8583 during a blind change: 350 - Hayes & Harlington Station/ Stockley Park.

Side blinds on 8583 during a blind change: 112 - Brent Cross.

The rear of 8585.