Picture of the Week: 18th August 2013

LK58 ECX/ WNH39003 on route 328 to Chelsea, World's End
(C) LondonBuses72

Another dig through the vast library of bus and train photos, I have decided to show a photograph of a recently decommissioned bus. 

In 2008, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, decided to start trials of hybrid buses across London. One of the chosen routes was West London route 328, which runs between Golders Green Station and Chelsea, World's End. The trials involved several different types of Single deckers and double deckers, which were all Hybrids. The fleetlist for route 328's WNH's is here:

LK58 ECV - WNH39001

LK58 ECW - WNH39002

LK58 ECX - WNH39003

LK58 ECY - WNH39004

LK58 ECZ - WNH39005

Route 328 was given 5 Wright Gemini 2 HEV's, with the fleetnumbers of WNH39001-39005. They first and only Gemini 2 HEV's in First London's fleet. They had Esteban Civic V2 seating and were maintained at Westbourne Park (X). When Crossrail began, Westbourne Park (X) had to close parts of the garage down permanently and this resulted in late 2011 for Atlas Road (AS) garage to open and routes 28, 31, N28, N31 and 328 to transfer to Atlas Road (AS) garage. 

328 was given 4 diesel equivalents (WN) from flagship route 23. These still continue to remain in service today.

The last WNH left around 2 months ago, and were moved to North England division of First. I'm not sure what part though.... 


Anyways, that's all for today - Please do stay safe and remember the next Picture of the Week post is on 25th August 2013.