Grant Thomson's Bus Photos http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/ 58 rows en-gb 60 TRIBUTE: Farewell to Madder and White http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1747521.html Saturday 29th August 2009 is a date that will remain in the minds of enthusiasts for years to come. This was the day operation of Madder and White, step-entrance buses on normal service ceased in Edinburgh. The madder and white colour scheme dates back to the very earliest days of the Edinburgh Street Tramways Company in 1871; This would later become Edinburgh Corporation Transport Department, and through time, trams would be supplemented , then ultimately replaced during the 1950s, by motor buses. Deregulation in the 1980s would see Edinburgh Corporation transport become Lothian region transport, and then Lothian Buses which we know today. In the four and a bit years I have been running this site, I have accrued a significant number of photos of current vehicles in the traditional colours. This collection presents these, together with a number of up-to-date shots taken in the dying months of madder, plus a few very kindly provided by my other half, Vicki. No apologies for the perhaps slightly ropey quality of some of the earlier shots - the object here is simply to provide as complete a record of the final years of Madder and White as possible. The collection ends with a selection of shots taken on the very last journeys on the very last day. Many thanks to both Iain, 278's driver, and Andy, the unofficial 'conductor' for the last run; without their efforts, it is doubtful if there would have been any event for we mere mortals to participate in. Hankies at the ready.... **Captions will follow - and it's going to take time!** Sunday 30 August 2009: Saturday 29th August 2009 is a date that will remain in the minds of enthusiasts for years to come. This was the day operation of Madder and White, step-entrance buses on normal service ceased in Edinburgh. The madder and white colour scheme dates back to the very earliest days of the Edinburgh Street Tramways Company in 1871; This would later become Edinburgh Corporation Transport Department, and through time, trams would be supplemented , then ultimately replaced during the 1950s, by motor buses. Deregulation in the 1980s would see Edinburgh Corporation transport become Lothian region transport, and then Lothian Buses which we know today. In the four and a bit years I have been running this site, I have accrued a significant number of photos of current vehicles in the traditional colours. This collection presents these, together with a number of up-to-date shots taken in the dying months of madder, plus a few very kindly provided by my other half, Vicki. No apologies for the perhaps slightly ropey quality of some of the earlier shots - the object here is simply to provide as complete a record of the final years of Madder and White as possible. The collection ends with a selection of shots taken on the very last journeys on the very last day. Many thanks to both Iain, 278's driver, and Andy, the unofficial 'conductor' for the last run; without their efforts, it is doubtful if there would have been any event for we mere mortals to participate in. Hankies at the ready.... **Captions will follow - and it's going to take time!**

Under starter's orders - 263 lines up alongside Trident 690 in Princes St in October 2009. At the time, the 33/7s' entire allocation was madder & white - how times change... Volvo Olympian / Alexander RH, 228 (M228 VSX) waiting to head East along Princes St. in October 2005. In 2005, 223 was pretty much standard fare on the 11s. What a difference a couple of years can make... 253 leads a Lothian convoy down Princes St. in October 2005. Even then, Central was in the process of clearing out its step entry fleet. October 2005: Madder & White Royales are the standard on the 33/7s. 271, Longstone-based at the time, heads west along Princes St. 263 again just over a year later, by which time it was based at Marine, is seen on South Bridge on a 5. February 2007, and 273 is a regular on the 23s. It is sen here in the fading light at Craiglockhart Campus of Napier University. The tiny ruin behind 273 is all that remains of Craiglockhart Castle. 234 (M234 VSX) is seen on Princes St. on a 41. Step entrance vehicles were still the mainstay of this service in April 2007. Deliveries of new Volvo B9TLs to Central garage in mid 2007 saw the M/VSX Olympians cascaded to the other depots; 228 now found itself at Longstone, and is seen at the West Granton Scottish Gas HQ, northern terminus of the 32. Volvo Olympian / Alexander RH 204 (M204 VSX) is seen here in St. Andrew Square on a 10 in late 2007. The death-knell had already sounded for the madder & white, step entrance fleet by this time, and the 10s were seeing an eclectic mix of allocations, covering everything from these stalwarts up to the latest Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis. 232 stands at Granton Square, about to take up a 32. 227 negotiates Drumbrae Roundabout in June 2008. The 1s were home to most of this batch at this time. By May 2008, madder was a rare sight on the 33s. 231 is seen on Morrison Link; at this time Shandwick Place was closed fro tramworks, and all buses for haymarket and beyond had to follow this diversion. 254 negotiates roadworks on Princes St in May 2008. Well, I say roadworks - nothing compared to what has followed... 233, a regular in mid 2008 on the 1s, heads west along Princes St. This photo kindly donated by my better half, sees 215 westbound on Princes St in May 2008. Within a year, the route of the 32 had been slightly revised, and now terminated at Granton Square. 230 was on duty here.

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]]> Sun Aug 30 2009 SVBM 2009 Open Weekend http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1742185.html It's that time of year again. 15th and 16th of August saw Lathalmond play host to a varied and impressive selection of preserved and modern vehicles, with a few significant debuts, including a milestone vehicle recently retired from service with a high profile operator, and also the welcome repatriation of a Scottish stalwart from long term exile in the south of England. Photos can inevitably be a bit 'samey' from these events, with the same vehicles appearing again and again; with that in mind, I have once again biased the content towards the more unusual. I have also arranged a number of the photos to take you on a 'Fantasy Preserved Bus Tour of Scotland and Points South' - for which you will need to accept a fairly fluid timeline! Enjoy. Monday 17 August 2009: It's that time of year again. 15th and 16th of August saw Lathalmond play host to a varied and impressive selection of preserved and modern vehicles, with a few significant debuts, including a milestone vehicle recently retired from service with a high profile operator, and also the welcome repatriation of a Scottish stalwart from long term exile in the south of England. Photos can inevitably be a bit 'samey' from these events, with the same vehicles appearing again and again; with that in mind, I have once again biased the content towards the more unusual. I have also arranged a number of the photos to take you on a 'Fantasy Preserved Bus Tour of Scotland and Points South' - for which you will need to accept a fairly fluid timeline! Enjoy.

..and from there, we excercise a little poetic license by taking an Eastern Scottish bus (from an era when technically this route would be run by Lowland) back into Edinburgh, topping off our trek with an open top bus tour of the city! Thankyou for travelling Thomson Fantasy Tours, we hope you have enjoyed your journey. Lothian Buses 170 (SN58 BYX) is one of four Eclipse 2 bodied Volvo B7RLEs currently in the fleet, and the only one of the type to wear Service 49 'Leader of the Pack' branding. One of the highlights of the weekend was the appearance of Lothian Buses 285 (P285 PSX), a Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale which has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment and come out the other side looking absolutely fantastic. As most enthusiasts will know, 2009 will mark the end of step-entrance bus operation in Edinburgh, and retiring with them is the traditional Madder and White livery worn by 812 and 285 here. 285, as the very last vehicle to be delivered in this colour scheme, has earned its place in history, and according to the notice displayed in the side window, it is to 'Remain Active' within the Lothian fleet. Interpret that as you will, but given the sterling efforts put into it in the few short weeks since I last drove it in service, its future seems secure. Since we find ourselves discussing Edinburgh's buses, it seems a fitting place to set off on our fantasy tour. As you will see, as well as touring the country, we'll also be travelling in time to an extent! Kicking things off in style, we find ourselves aboard Edinburgh Corporation Transport 739, a 1948 Guy Arab / Metro-Cammell. Apparently on a 16 to Ardmillan, it seems more likely that 739 would be found on something like the 1 Circle, taking in Easter Road, Abbeyhill and the Old Town, and negotiating many low railway bridges along the way. A fantasy tour, and here we have a fantasy bus. If Edinburgh had followed the example of the city at the other end of the A1 in the 1950s, the trams may well have been replaced by AEC Routemasters, such as RM910 here. The livery is as close an approximation to tramway colours as has appeared on a bus. As usual, the Open Weekend offers attractions beyond buses, especially on the Sunday when the Scottish Vintage Road Run takes place. Contrast the Albion on the left with the 1980s ERF; HGVs, like buses, have changed almost beyond recognition over the years. In stark contrast to Glasgow 111, Strathtay Scottish Alexander-Dennis Enviro300, 27549 (SP58 BZC) was also to be found on Internal Shuttles at one point. To my knowledge, this is the first time a modern vehicle has been used in this way, and I think it's a nice idea to provide a different experience for the visiting public. Arriving in Aberdeen, we transfer to NLO16, an ECW bodied Leyland Olympian. Leaving Royal Blue in 1972, we see that the livery worn by Bristol LH6L 1318 incorporates more cream and less blue. By 1969, longer coaches such as Bristol RELH6G, 1460, are starting to become the norm.... The next phase of development is represented by 1299, a 1953 Bristol LS6G / ECW, and 2246, a similarly bodied MW6G. Leaving Blackpool, we head inland to Leyland, and visit Fishwicks, a long term patron of the local chassis builder. Usual shot of the service pool lineup outside the control room. From left: 1940 All-Leyland Titan TD7, W. Alexander & Sons R266 (WG9180); 1948 Guy Arab III / Metro-Cammell, Edinburgh Corporation 739 (ESG652); 1950 AEC Regent III / Park Royal, St. Helens Corporation D67 (BDJ67); 1979 Seddon Pennine VII / Alexander AT, Western SMT S2936 (DSD 936V); 1943 Guy Arab II / Duple 'Utility,' Plymouth Corporation 249 (CDR 679 - presented as AA Motors DT No. 15); 1980 Guy Victory II / Alexander, China Motor Bus LV36 (ESF 647W, originally CH9399); 1960 Daimler CVG6 / NCME, A1 Motor Services (RAG578); and 1961 Leyland Titan PD3A / Alexander, Western SMT D1684 (RCS382). Strathtay Scottish Leyland Olympian / Alexander RL, SO19 (D819 EES), complete with Irish style headlights, waits to take up a service to Dunfermline. Very much back in action this season is Glasgow Corporation 1928 Leyland Titan TD1, 111 (GE2446). This is believed to be the oldest Scottish double decker in preservation, and is also the only Scottish example of the type to have survived. 111 was doing the honours on the Internal Shuttle service here. Dundee is the destination, and our first journey in that fair city is aboard Tayside Public Transport 273, a 1979 Ailsa Volvo / Alexander, resplendent in that undertaking's 2-tone blue and white livery. Ready to head for home now, we board United 321YHN, which takes us as far as Berwick upon Tweed... A selection of fire engines attended this year, among them this Scania P82M formerly based in Glasgow. We stop off in Sunderland, to sample the uniqueness of that city's Marshall bodied Atkinsons, such as 48. Bankfoot Buses, Perth, exhibited this Bristol VRT, new to Alder Valley as its 628 in 1980. Given the colour scheme and the 'GGM' registration, the momentary mis-identification of the bus by one enthusiast (who shall remain nameless) as being ex Central SMT is perhaps forgiveable. Just about. On with the tour, then, and we find ourselves returning south via Perth, where a fledgeling Stagecoach is operating Routemasters in competition with the Scottish Bus Group (though not in Alexander azure blue as depicted here; this is very much a modern addition!) Now we know where the inspiration for Lothian's animal-themed 'Zoom to the Zoo' fleet came from... compare the hairy chap on the nearside with the one currently gracing 316 (Photo link: http://www.grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/p58706318.html ) In the 1970s, fire engines were typically built on British chassis such as this Commer, formerly with Harwell Fire Brigade. Western SMT Leyland Titan PD3A / Alexander D1684 (RCS382) loads up under a threatening sky in Dunfermline. Since the redevelopment of the old bus station attached to the Kingsgate Centre, museum buses which used to be able to use a spare stance have been relegated to the bus stop outside the fire station. By far the largest step back in time on our tour takes us onto Glasgow Corporation Transport 111, where we climb the open staircase and take a pew on the upper deck and survey the city in all its shipbuilding glory. We leave the south west behind and pay a flying visit to London, without whose Routemasters no Preserved Bus mystery tour would be complete. This photograph represents the official repatriation of AL41 to Scotland, following 27 years in preservation in the south of England. Here, the former and new owners exchange documents - and, no doubt, reminiscences - following an epic three day journey from its old to its new home. In the Scottish Highlands, we have one objective... A marathon journey south gives us the opportunity to sample the impressive lineage of Royal Blue Coaches, down in the south western corner of England. Starting in 1951, we are cosseted by 1250, a Bristol LL6B of that year. ...and these same vehicles survive into National Express days. On the way, we hope not to need the services of the wrecker, constructed from the former FPE59, a Y-Type bodied Leopard. Passing through Auchterarder, we pay a visit to the depot of Docherty's (Midland) who operate this Leyland Tiger on wedding hires. Continuing south, we arrive in the industrial heartland of 1950s Lanarkshire, and are rewarded with a spin on Central SMT Guy Arab K24. Spectres of the Scottish Bus Group remain here, too, in the form of Strathtay, which came into existence (as Strathtay Scottish) in the mid 1980s. Leyland Tiger / Alexander TE 438, however, started life further north, in the Highland fleet. Surely no Tiger broadcast this much information to the travelling public of the day... A real enthusiast's bus, this! Next, we find ourselves aboard PD177, a 1960 Leyland Tiger Cub / Alexander. It seems to be headed for some sort of naval stores depot. Can't think why anyone would want to go there... Ribble Motor Serices Leyland Leopard / Duple 1052 whisks us on into Liverpool, that other once great shipbuilding centre. Much of the Strathtay fleet was comprised of batches of vehicles annexed from neighbouring SBG fleets; Leyland Leopard / Alexander A, CRS 66T began its career as W. Alexander & Sons (Northern) NPE66. One of three representatives of the First Scotland East fleet (comprising the remnants of the Eastern, Lowland and Midland Scottish companies, in old money), 37273 (SN57 JBX) is part of the first batch of Volvo B9TL / Wright Geminis for that fleet, and wears standard 'Barbie' livery. The time has come to leave Dundee and head north again, and we do so in style aboard ST18, a Citylink liveried Leyland Tiger with the high-spec Alexander TC coach body. While in Aberdeen, we conveniently encounter a wormhole and emerge in 1952, just in nice time to take a hurl in PC1, a brand new Leyland Royal Tiger with Alexander 'Coronation' coach body. We are truly spoilt with the opulence of the interior. Heading up the east coast of England now, we are greeted by OK Travel's Bedford / Duple, NDL 375G. Northumbria 251 (G251 SRG) is a Daf SB220 / Optare Delta, and is a welcome addition to the ranks of preserved buses. Time to leave Fife and head north on board FPE194, one of the last Leyland Leopards, and also carrying one of the last original style Alexander T-Type bodies. Whitelaws of Stonehouse are currently taking delivery of MAN NL273Fs with Wright Meridian bodywork, such as SN09 LVZ here. At Buchanan Bus Station we find ourselves lost in a sea of colour, including the bright livery of Kelvin Scottish. (Ok, tehnically this is cheating, because this is an ex LRT national in the pseudo-Kelvin livery of WJC Coaches, but you get the idea ;o) An unusual view of the bottom end of the site, from the cab of one of the Shed 47 group's Hunslett locomotives. Volunteers from the group - affiliated with the SRPS at Bo'ness - were providing rides along the reinstated track they have been working on for some years. End of the line: buffer stops adjacent to the Edinburgh Shed. In its days as an RN Stores depot, there was a network of railways running right around the site, and connecting to the main line. All this was lifted when the site was decommissioned, and when the Shed 47 group arrived, all that remained was the stubs of the line inside the actual shed (seen in the far centre of the shot). The reinstated track you see today, running from the Edinburgh Shed right along to the back of the Display Hall, is all the work of the group over the last few years, and tentative ideas are in place for further expansion. the Hunslett locomotive on the crossing.

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]]> Mon Aug 17 2009 SPECIAL FOCUS: Lothian Buses Advertising Geminis http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1706961.html A selection of Lothian Wright Eclipse Geminis carrying large-scale advertisements - or, to put it another way, a potential contravision nightmare. Expect the same vehicles to appear repeatedly, wearing new clothes each time. Tuesday 2 June 2009: A selection of Lothian Wright Eclipse Geminis carrying large-scale advertisements - or, to put it another way, a potential contravision nightmare. Expect the same vehicles to appear repeatedly, wearing new clothes each time.

The very first full-side ad applied to a Lothian Gemini is this Telford College vinyl which appeared on 723 (SN55 BMO) in May 2009. June 2009: 724 (SN55 BMU) carries a full O/S ad for 'Terminator: Salvation' - surely one of the most menacing bits of vinyl ever to grace a PSV! June 2009 saw the The advertising applied here has been done sensibly - i.e. no contravision to give its passengers a headache. Several suggestions have already been put forward as to who might have modelled for the hairy looking bloke on the side; odds-on favourite at the minute is scottishclass40roadshow ;o) Sister 317 (SN09 CUW) enters service similarly adorned. The ad is certainly distinctive; and, in this form, could easily be applied to other branded buses on the Corstorphine corridor. Third of the anticipated five variants of the zoo branding is the tiger, with The blue-based 'Dive On' variant of the Zoom to the Zoo designs may well prove to be the best suited to the red 26 branding. 321 (SN09 CVB) is the second of the tigers. 323 (SN09 CVD) is the second zebra-striped bus. Hindsight may deem the white lettering on a white-and-black striped surface not the best idea, as this is the most difficult of the legends to read. The final design, and arguably the most distinctive, is the Rainbow Lorikeet design, with 'Take Off!' legend. 324 (SN09 CVE) is the first of the pair. Nice looking couple of birds... Sister 325 (SN09 CVF) completes the fleet of ten 'Zoom to the Zoo' buses. For me, the penguins and lorikeets are the two stand-out, eye-catching gems. Opinion will undoubtedly be divided on these, but love them or loath them, there's no denying they achieve their objective - and not a hint of contravision in sight... Zebras provide the theme for the next pair of 'Zoom to the Zoo' buses; 322 (SN09 CVC) wears the 'Go Faster Stripes here.

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]]> Tue Jun 2 2009 SVBM Running Day May 2009 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1699691.html The SVBM held its now annual Running Day on May 17th. The format was broadly as in the past, with the addition this year of a fifth route in the form of the Townhill Circle. As ever, a most enjoyable day was on offer, and despite the pessimistic forecast, the weather was as good as it's been for this event. To avoid simply repeating the same shots of the same vehicles, I have instead focused mainly on the visiting vehicles as well as a sizeable number of museum vehicles which have returned to the road since last year. Monday 18 May 2009: The SVBM held its now annual Running Day on May 17th. The format was broadly as in the past, with the addition this year of a fifth route in the form of the Townhill Circle. As ever, a most enjoyable day was on offer, and despite the pessimistic forecast, the weather was as good as it's been for this event. To avoid simply repeating the same shots of the same vehicles, I have instead focused mainly on the visiting vehicles as well as a sizeable number of museum vehicles which have returned to the road since last year.

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]]> Mon May 18 2009 Edinburgh hit by Tornado! http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1663841.html The 'Tornado' in question is Peppercorn A1 Pacific class Steam Locomotive No. 60163 'Tornado.' Launched in late 2008, 'Tornado' is the realisation of the dream of a group of dedicated enthusiasts: the first mainline steam locomotive to be built in the UK since 1960. Arthur H Peppercorn, CME of the London & North Eastern Railway from 1946 - 1949, designed the new A1 Pacific to be the LNER's premiere mainline express engine. The order-to-build was placed by the LNER, but realised under British Railways following nationalisation in 1948. 49 of the Peppercorn A1 Pacifics were built between 1948 and 9, and none survived into preservation, the last (60145 'St. Mungo') succumbing to the cutter's torch in 1966. Fast-forward to 1990, and enter the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, formed with one simple goal: to build, completely from scratch, a fiftieth Peppercorn A1 Pacific locomotive, for mainline-charter and preserved railway operation. Many a cynical voice said it couldn't be done; these have been overwhelmingly silenced as 'Tornado' has indeed taken to the rails, and now regularly hauls charter services on the main lines. March 2009 saw 'Tornado' make her first visit to Scotland, taking charge of the annual 'North Briton' York-Edinburgh Waverley-York steam charter. Yours Truly was able to capture these few shots of her on her departure date of March 7th 2009 at Edinburgh Waverley. Saturday 7 March 2009: The 'Tornado' in question is Peppercorn A1 Pacific class Steam Locomotive No. 60163 'Tornado.' Launched in late 2008, 'Tornado' is the realisation of the dream of a group of dedicated enthusiasts: the first mainline steam locomotive to be built in the UK since 1960. Arthur H Peppercorn, CME of the London & North Eastern Railway from 1946 - 1949, designed the new A1 Pacific to be the LNER's premiere mainline express engine. The order-to-build was placed by the LNER, but realised under British Railways following nationalisation in 1948. 49 of the Peppercorn A1 Pacifics were built between 1948 and 9, and none survived into preservation, the last (60145 'St. Mungo') succumbing to the cutter's torch in 1966. Fast-forward to 1990, and enter the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, formed with one simple goal: to build, completely from scratch, a fiftieth Peppercorn A1 Pacific locomotive, for mainline-charter and preserved railway operation. Many a cynical voice said it couldn't be done; these have been overwhelmingly silenced as 'Tornado' has indeed taken to the rails, and now regularly hauls charter services on the main lines. March 2009 saw 'Tornado' make her first visit to Scotland, taking charge of the annual 'North Briton' York-Edinburgh Waverley-York steam charter. Yours Truly was able to capture these few shots of her on her departure date of March 7th 2009 at Edinburgh Waverley.

'Tornado' arrives on the afternoon of 7th March 2009, towed (backwards) from Millerhill, along with its coaches, by an EWS diesel. From the Waverley Station car park. Only paying passengers and rail staff can get close rto the engine. The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust's Peppercorn A1 Pacific Class Steam Locomotive No. 60163 'Tornado' at the head of the North Briton, Edinburgh Waverley, 7th March 2009. All is not lost; Jacob's Ladder provides a fine vantage point of the proceedings as 'Tornado' awaits the whistle and the green signal.

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]]> Sat Mar 7 2009 Oddballs http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1654513.html This collection will serve as a repository for shots of the weird and wonderful in the world of buses and transport, from vehicles completely out of their natural habitat, to conversions and anything else that doesn't logically fit anywhere else. Monday 16 February 2009: This collection will serve as a repository for shots of the weird and wonderful in the world of buses and transport, from vehicles completely out of their natural habitat, to conversions and anything else that doesn't logically fit anywhere else.

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]]> Mon Feb 16 2009 GVVT October 2008 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1594659.html The GVVT's well organised annual event was held on 12th October at Bridgeton Bus Garage, with the usual impressive selection resident and visiting vehicles runing on free services around the city, and connecting with the Museum of Transport. The coordination and professionalism at their events continues to improve and never fails to impress. Monday 13 October 2008: The GVVT's well organised annual event was held on 12th October at Bridgeton Bus Garage, with the usual impressive selection resident and visiting vehicles runing on free services around the city, and connecting with the Museum of Transport. The coordination and professionalism at their events continues to improve and never fails to impress.

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]]> Mon Oct 13 2008 Shameless Plug: Vicki's Bus and Tram Photos http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1581486.html My other half, Vicki, recently decided she couldn't see green cheese going by her, so she set up her own fotopic site! Nice to see her following in my footsteps ;o) Exhibited here are a small selection of her phoaties. The full collection can be found at www.galleryvicki.fotopic.net As well as the core transport content, there are also some collections from some of our holidays, as well as some shots taken by the third budding photographer in the family, our wee boy Calum (Aged 7). We hope you'll take the time to have a look. Friday 19 September 2008: My other half, Vicki, recently decided she couldn't see green cheese going by her, so she set up her own fotopic site! Nice to see her following in my footsteps ;o) Exhibited here are a small selection of her phoaties. The full collection can be found at www.galleryvicki.fotopic.net As well as the core transport content, there are also some collections from some of our holidays, as well as some shots taken by the third budding photographer in the family, our wee boy Calum (Aged 7). We hope you'll take the time to have a look.

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]]> Fri Sep 19 2008 SVBM Open Weekend 2008 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1563605.html The anual Open Weekend at lathalmond took place on Saturday and Sunday 16th and 17th of August. Weather, although variable, remained mainly dry, belying the doom-and-gloom of press reports in the run up to the event. The format was as in previous years; as ever, the museum's own collection were joined by visiting vehicles old and new, trade stalls, and the event incorporated the Scottish Road Run for vintage vehicles. Sunday 17 August 2008: The anual Open Weekend at lathalmond took place on Saturday and Sunday 16th and 17th of August. Weather, although variable, remained mainly dry, belying the doom-and-gloom of press reports in the run up to the event. The format was as in previous years; as ever, the museum's own collection were joined by visiting vehicles old and new, trade stalls, and the event incorporated the Scottish Road Run for vintage vehicles.

Just what you'd expect to find at a bus rally - fire engines! PND 624R is a Leyland Clydesdale flatbed, and often appears at SVBM events. The Open Weekend Sunday's programme incorporates the Scotish Road Run, which is open to all vintage commercial vehicles. GUS926, the Macbraynes Maudslay Marathon resident at Bridgeton, makes a return appearance. Baby Bedford, UFJ 974R. Baby Bristol MW / ECW, HDV 639E, preserved in Bluebird livery (which it never wore in service) was once an active member of the GT Coaches fleet, a less well known former trading name used by the Souter family. Enjoying its new life in preservation, former Eastern Scottish ZVV187 (E187 HSF), a Volvo Citybus / Alexander RV, remained with that operator and its successors its entire working life. Metrobus / Alexander MRM805 (B105 PKS) takes centre stage here. The wee man on the left spent his entire day wandering along the rows from one bus to another, diligently noting down all their relevant details in his wee leather-bound notepad...... The fluctuations in the weather can be seen from this shot of Edinburgh Corporation Leyland Atlantean / Alexander 812 (EWS 812D) heading into the body of the site to take a pew. Edinburgh Madder and White always looks good... Now reunited with its original registration, Leyland Tiger Cub / Alexander FPD225 (RMS714, recently JVS541 then OSC711) heads through the site early on Saturday. A cross section of the British motor industry of the 1970s, displayed on an AEC mandator transporter of similar vintage. A recently established independent boldly taking on Stagecoach on their home territory of Perth and surrounding area, Bankfoot Buses run a selection of older, semi-preserved vehicles such as Leyland National SHH 389X. Another addition to the ranks of preserved SBG Leopards, FPE88 (YSF 88S) ended its service days with Strathtay, and may well be the first Y-Type Leopard preserved in Fife colours. Closeup on the Fife script Typical of the Glasgow Corporation fleet in the 1960s, before the Atlantean rose to fame, SGD448 is an Alexander bodied Leyland Titan PD3/2. Another of the Scottish Road Run entrants was this attractive Albion flatbed. Corporation Contrasts: Glasgow Corporation PD3/2 SGD448 slinks past Edinburgh Corporation Leyland PD2A/30 YWS611 and Prototype Alexander Y-Type bodied Leopard 101 (YSG101). RWE101 is a Leyland Comet. Former Midland Scottish MRF133 (ULS 658T), later with Kelvin, is an ECW bodied THis Alexander TC bodied coach was new to Northern Scottish in 1987, most likely in Citylink colours, and ended its working days very recently with Strathtay. Back on the road following a major engine failure in 2007, the Sydney Albion Venturer heads through the site on Saturday morning. It would later see service on the internal run. A newcomer to Lathalmond was this beautifully presented Commer TS3 / Beadle of Moss Tours. According to one member who travelled to and from Dunfermline on this coach, thanks to its turbocharged engine it One of the Shed 47 group's Hunslet Diesel locomotives prepares for a demonstration run along the group's reinstated section of track. Ulsterbus 235, one of the Alexander Belfast bodied Leyland Leopardsmany must have felt would live forever in Northern Ireland; now they are all but gone. The TC was the ultimate development of Alexander's T-type family and was intended for long distance operation. It could be argued, in fact, that it was Alexander's last proper coach design thus far. A less luxurious relative of the Alexander TC was the TS bus seated variant created specifically for Central SMT. Central was one of many operators who were underwhelmed by Alexander's 1983 P-Type bus design, intended to be the replacement for the classic Y-type. Unlike other operators, who took small batches on trial, Central refused to entertain the P-Type, so this T-type variant was created to retain the business. Standing alongside former Central SMT LT25 (A25 VDS) is Blackpool 501, an MCCW bodied Leyland PD3A/1 of the type synonymous with that resort. Western SMT L2466 (SCS 335M), part of a large batch of coach seated Y-type Leopards used on long distances in the 1970s, wearing the classic black and white Western coah livery much missed in today's sea of Stagecoach beachballs. The Leopard reverses into its space at the start of the day's activities. Yellow bus, yellow bus... On the left, Northern Scottish NLO16 (TSO 16X), an ECW bodied Leyland Olympian. An unusual departure from Alexander bodywork, this came at a time when Leyland, which had just bought ECW, was pushing its complete 'in-house' products and offering massive discounts. NLO16 was been modelled by EFE. On the right, former Midland, then Kelvin, Scottish MCW Metrobus / Alexander B100 PKS wears the vibrant Kelvin scheme of the late 1980s. Compare this to the 2-tone blue worn by MRF133 above. An attempt by Lothian Buses to broaden the appeal of its Night Buses by running open toppers? Or perhaps the idea is to save on cleaning bills by giving alcohol-saturated passengers somewhere ELSE to do it.... One of few modern vehicles at the event on the Saturday was Strathtay 22580, an MAN 18.240 / Alexander Enviro300 in Hospital Link livery for a Dundee service. Willowbrook bodied Bedford VAS1 380FGB is a regular at SVBM events. As rain threatens, Eastern Scottish Ailsa / Alexander AV VV773 (CSG 773S) takes shelter. Much as I like Ailsas, the prospect of a journey to Blackpool with the characteristic howling from the turbo all the way makes me shudder.... Forward entrance Leyland PD3/6 665 (ASC 665B) of Edinburgh Corporation takes a back seat at this year's event. It is often to be found dong the rounds of the rallys, though, so keep an eye out for it. Edinburgh standard Atlantean 595 (JSX 595T), the type everybody still associates with the city. In fact, the last time an Atlantean operated in service in Edinburgh - apart from preserved running days - was on 3rd January 2000. Early Leyland Olympian / Alexander 667 (GSC 667X). I have recounted the tale of this bus's devillishly-numbered sister and her fate many times before.... Tramway replacement Leyland PD2 / Metro-Camell Orion 777 (OFS777) of 1957. 173 (HSC 173X), a truck-based Leyland Cub with Duple Dominant body. Several of these and other types have been tried on less busy routes over the years; as Edinburgh's residents face unprecedented scaling back of services in the months ahead, perhaps the time is right to look again at smaller, cheaper, more fuel efficient vehicles for these routes, rather than reaching for the scythe... ECW Olympian 777 (C777 SFS) and National 102 (KSX 102X). The screen carried by the National will soon be as much a museum piece as the bus itself... A famous bus - TRR 814R is the unique lowheight Ailsa / Alexander delivered to Derby Borough Transport in 1977, and now part of the eclectic WJC Coaches collection. A feature on this bus appeared in Buses Magazine May 2008. G545 RDS, latterally First Glasgow 31311 but originally Strathclyde Transport AH101, is a Volvo Citybus and exhibits the front end design unique to Alexander RV bodies built for Strathclyde. A DAF 2100 heavy haulage ballast unit entered in the Scottish Road Run. Two vehicles from the E&M Horsburgh fleet - former Lothian Olympian / Alexander G831 GSX and National Greenway EIG 1435, ex Blackburn and originally BYW 361V. Rear view of TYD 888 shows the elegant, uncluttered lines of the Elizabethan body design. Burnley & Pendle Leyland Leopard / East Lancs JTC34 (MFV 34T) was a first time visitor this year. Arriving with a good load of visitors from Edinburgh, Eastern Scottish (ex Central SMT) Daimler Fleetline / ECW TGM 214J reports in. The Scoulars' 'Mini' bus, TR6170, off to brong joy to the children of Fife. One of the biggest surprises for me was the appearance of Glasgow Corporation Atlantean / Alexander LA1 (FYS998) under its own power. W. Alexander & Sons PA181 (DRS 122A, originally CWG283). The owner of this bus, Bob Leys, sadly died a few days before the May Running day, on 13th May, just two weeks before his eightieth birthday. I did not knowingly meet Bob myself, but I know he was well respected within the restoration community. PA181 stands testament to his skills and dedication.

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]]> Sun Aug 17 2008 E & M Horsburgh, Pumpherston http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1534985.html Established in 1986, the family owned firm E & M Horsburgh now boasts a fleet in excess of 90 vehicles. Probably the most commonly spotted vehicles are the white and yellow schools' transport fleet - these range from 8-seater Ford Transits up to 83-seat Leyland Olympian double deckers. However, these are only part of the story. A sizeable fleet of coaches is retained for private hires, and there is a stage carriage fleet providing a network of services in and around the West Lothian area. Pride of the fleet are a quartet of Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis new in 2007 - the first in the area, beating both Lothian and First Edinbugh by a few months. These carry a smart black, maroon and gold livery and are to be found on circular services connecting West Lothian towns with Edinburgh Airport. Initial photos are of the school's fleet in the yard; others will be added as time allows. Many thanks to the staff for kindly permitting access for photography. Thursday 26 June 2008: Established in 1986, the family owned firm E & M Horsburgh now boasts a fleet in excess of 90 vehicles. Probably the most commonly spotted vehicles are the white and yellow schools' transport fleet - these range from 8-seater Ford Transits up to 83-seat Leyland Olympian double deckers. However, these are only part of the story. A sizeable fleet of coaches is retained for private hires, and there is a stage carriage fleet providing a network of services in and around the West Lothian area. Pride of the fleet are a quartet of Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis new in 2007 - the first in the area, beating both Lothian and First Edinbugh by a few months. These carry a smart black, maroon and gold livery and are to be found on circular services connecting West Lothian towns with Edinburgh Airport. Initial photos are of the school's fleet in the yard; others will be added as time allows. Many thanks to the staff for kindly permitting access for photography.

X417 and 415 CSC, a pair of LDV Convoy minibuses, relax in the depot rpior to the afternoon's schools-rush. Another quartet of LDV Convoys. This type is fairly prolific within the fleet. The Convoy was the final evolution of what started life as the Freight Rover 300 series, built by Austin Rover then Leyland-Daf from 1987, and related to the original Leyland Sherpa van of 1974. Quite a lifespan.... A much more modern design, and popular with many operators, from relatively small independents such as Horsburgh, up to national groups like Stagecoach; the ubiquitous Optare Solo is represented by YJ51 XSH. new to the fleet in 2001. Another couple of LDV Convoys. SN06 ADJ would be a very late model. The Convoy has now given way to the new Maxus, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the curent Ford Transit. A somewhat larger member of the schools' fleet is G803 GSX, a Leyland Olympian / Alexander RH recently acquired from original owner Lothian Buses. Most, if not all, of Horsburgh's Olympians are ex Lothian; that operator's reputation for good vehicle maintenance makes their second hand offerings highly sought after in the marketplace. Rear view of YJ51 XSH. Ford Transit S503 BFS exemplifies the smallest vehicles in the fleet. Mercedes Benz 709D N120 NYS most likely started its life with Strathclyde Regional Council, judging by the blue paintwork. I confess - I have no idea what these are, and cannot find any information on them. The design, with a stepped entrance in the rear panel, again suggests local authority origin, but apart from that I can offer nowt. Representing earlier purchases from Lothian Buses is ECW bodied Olympian A726 YFS. When new, these vehicles were a significant departure from Lothian's usual buying policy of Leyland / Alexander products. Leyland, who at the time were owners of ECW, were pushing complete vehicle sales, and offering favourable discounts when compared to chassis-only supplies for outside bodybuilders such as Alexander. N250 MNS is another Mec 709D of unknown origin. A brand new vehicle in a revised livery with 'experience the difference' legend, YN08 NXH is a Mercedes Benz Vario with Plaxton's latest Cheetah minicoach body. The stylish design suits Horsburgh's simple but attractive livery. P486 TGA is an older Merc Vario, with a much older Plaxton body design. Closest to the camera, an earlier version of Plaxton's Cheetah body sits on Mercedes vario chassis W594 PFS, nwew to the fleet in 2000. YM52 TOV, another Optare Solo. Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes 709D N105 WRC was new to Nottingham. Ex Lothian sisters C780 and 781 SFS were part of the last batch of ECW bodied Olympians before the operstor returned to its traditional supplier, Alexander. As well as Leyland Olympians, a number of National Greenways are also owned. TJN 505R was new in 1977 to Eastern national, and given the East Lancs 'Greenway' treatment under Blackburn ownership in 1995. TOF 694S was new to Midland Red, and again rebodied for Blackburn in 1995. G831 GSX, another recently ex Lothian Olympian / Alexander RH, is flanked by ECW bodied B767 GSC and another National Greenway, EIG 1433. Leyland National Greenways EIG 1437 and 1433. These registrations do not appear in the original ELG listings, making tracing the vehicles; origins difficult; doubtless someone out there will know, so please feel free to comment below. Ex Lothian Leyland Olympians G831 GSX, B767 GSC and C776 SFS. A725 YFS, one of the older Leyland Olympian / ECWs acquired from Lothian. C782 SFS. As can be seen, much of E&M Horsburgh's schools fleet have been sourced second hand from Lothian. Another of the Leyland National Greenways, EIG 1436. Horsburgh ex Lothian lineup. Photographed on service in Uphall, Optare Solo YN03 NDZ was new to Horsburgh from dealer stock in 2003. Y555 EMH, one of four Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis new in 2007. All four carry cherished registrations combining the company's initials with one of the airport service numbers - 555 and 777 - that they are usually found on. Beating both Lothian and First Edinburgh's examples into service, they missed out on being the first examples of the type in Scotland by only a month; First Glasgow's earliest examples pipped them. Photographed in Uphall - and bang on time. Identical X555 EMH is seen in Edinburgh Park. Expecting another of the Volvo B9s coming in the opposite direction on the 777, I was surprised to see it being worked by this brand new Optare Solo, MX08 MYK. You don't get the impression of it from this photo, but on passing by, this Solo showed itself to be very long; presumably a 10 metre model. LDV Convoy Y376 TSU on its way to pick up its ickle wee passengers on a Friday afternoon E&M Horsburgh operates a staff shuttle between the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the Western General at Craigleith. Optare Solo YJ51 XSM is the usual vehicle for this, and is seen at Cameron Toll here.

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]]> Thu Jun 26 2008 Then and Now: A Changing Perspective http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1525836.html As this website approaches its third birthday, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the changes that have taken place in that time. The photos all appear within other collections, but are rearranged here to be viewed in pairs, giving the viewer a new perspective on their content. Tuesday 10 June 2008: As this website approaches its third birthday, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the changes that have taken place in that time. The photos all appear within other collections, but are rearranged here to be viewed in pairs, giving the viewer a new perspective on their content.

2005: For many years, Leyland Leopard RRS 46R had been the SVBM's reliable old workhorse. 2005: At Lathalmond, Jasper Pettie's 1943 Guy Arab II Utilitywas a regular Guide Sunday performer in the battleship grey, wartime garb it had worn since it returned to the road. 2005: Aside from the sterling efforts of a few dedicated museum stalwarts, Western Scottish Seddon Pennine VII DSD 936V had been very much a 'back-burner' project for some time. 2005: Dennis Trident 634 (SK52 OHT) was among several of the type in Airlink colours for the express City Cantre - Airport Service 100. A trio, rather than a pair. 2005: The standard vehicle on the interworked 33/7 route was the step entrance Alexander Royale bodied Volvo Olympian. 2005: Still in regular service, Lothian Buses' first low-floor buses were ten Dennis Tridents, the first five of which, 501-505 (T501-5 SSG) were Alexander ALX400 bodied. These were always non-standard in the fleet; all other Tridents had Plaxton President bodies. 501 was photographed in Princes St. 2006: The Airlink fleet consisted of long wheelbase Dennis Trident / Plaxton Presidents, some with distinctive elliptical headlights, and all featuring extra luggage carrying capacity. 2006: New to Lowland Scottish in 1987, Leyland Olympian D902 CSH was still in regular use at First Edinburgh's geographically incongruous Balfron depot. 2005: Stagecoach's Neoplan Skyliner double deck coaches provided prestige on the long distance, internet-based megabus.com network. 2006: Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-Type YSF 88S, new in 1977 to W. Alexander & Sons (Fife) Ltd. as their FPE88, languishes on the Strathtay scrapline at Arbroath, the final chapter in a working career of nearly 30 years. 2006: Leyland National A108 CFS, also at Ocean Terminal, served as a training vehicle for learning single deck routes - in this case the 22. 2006: Leyland Olympian 829 (G829 GSX) stops over at Ocean Terminal 2006: The Devil's Bus: Trident 666 (SN04 AAU) was one of those fitted with the elliptical headlights, a feature unique to Lothian's Airlink Presidents. 2006: Stagecoach Fife Scottish's 53/55 group of services were being operated by run-of-the-mill Volvo B10M / Alexander PS's. 2006: The switch to low floor is made using mainly six-year-old Dennis Tridents cascaded off the 37/47s as a result of new vehicle deliveries. 2007: Now resplendent in Western's black, white and two-tone grey 'dual purpose' livery, DSD visits Bridgeton on one of its first outings since returning to the road. 2007: Barely a year later, the Olympian had secured its place in preservation, and is seen here at its new home of Bridgeton. 2008: When these last remaining Tridents were cascaded from Airlink duties, they retained their extra luggage racking and provided a much needed upgrade to the 35 service, itself serving the Airport by a longer, more convoluted, route. 2008: Now usurped by new Scanias, the ex Airink Tridents wear standard fleet colours, and mainly reside at Longstone. 634 is seen in this new guise, minus its extra luggage rackiing, at Ocean Terminal on a 34/1 duty. 2008: A high-class upgrade to the Airlink fleet in late 2007 saw the remaining Tridents cascaded to regular service work, while their place was taken by high spec, part-leather seated Scania N94UD OmniCities. 2008: A wholesale repackaging of many of the company's cross-Forth routes saw new, triaxle, Scania K270 UB 'Omnilinks' introduced on the 53/55 group. 2008: RRS's eventual retiral from frontline duties saw the gap for a serviceable coach filled by Western Scottish S2936. 2008: After a number of seasons in wartime garb, CDR now wears the attractive livery of AA Motors, all of whose ex-Plymouth Utility Guys had long since departed for the great terminus in the sky. CDR now plugs an important gap in Scottish bus history. 2008: Now preserved and living at Lathalmond, the National again wears madder and white, and has lost the awkwardly placed instructor's seat in favour of standard seating. 2008: Now replaced by 15m Plaxton panther bodied Volvo B12Bs, the Skyliners now bring that same level of prestige to shorter limited stop commuter routes such as Western's X77. 2008: The new holder of fleetnumber 829, Volvo B9TL SK07 CAU on Queen St. The previous Leyland has now been sold. 2008: New Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis start to arrive at Longstone; they are immediately pressed into service on the 33/7s and bring a much needed smoothness and refinement to this busy service. 2008: First of all, apologies for the poor shot, it was a bit of a rush job. 501 - 505 have now been converted to open topped layout and ply the Edinburgh City Tour, allowing this to be fully low-floor operated. 501 is seen again, in almost the same spot as the previous photo. 2008: Resplendent in Fife red, FPE88 makes its inaugural appearance in preservation at the SVBM Open Weekend, and keeps company with Bristol Lodekka FS6G FRD187 (BXA 452B).

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]]> Tue Jun 10 2008 Parks of Hamilton http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1515671.html Parks impressive fleet are a common sight throughout the UK and Europe. They can often be identified by the 'SK' registrations used. the firm has a long standing relationship with Volvo and Plaxton, although in recent years Jonckheere coachwork has started to gain a foothold. Photos dated prior to 2008 have been shifted over from the 'Miscellaneous Coaches' collection. I once tried to find their operating centre in hamilton to build a reasonable number of starting shots, but could I find it? Could I hell.... Still, I doubt if the engines are ever cold, so there's probably more chance of finding them on the road anyway... Friday 23 May 2008: Parks impressive fleet are a common sight throughout the UK and Europe. They can often be identified by the 'SK' registrations used. the firm has a long standing relationship with Volvo and Plaxton, although in recent years Jonckheere coachwork has started to gain a foothold. Photos dated prior to 2008 have been shifted over from the 'Miscellaneous Coaches' collection. I once tried to find their operating centre in hamilton to build a reasonable number of starting shots, but could I find it? Could I hell.... Still, I doubt if the engines are ever cold, so there's probably more chance of finding them on the road anyway...

Sporting a newer variation of the traditional black livery, with more gold relief, LSK555 is a Jonckheere bodied Volvo B12M. As this photo was taken in 2006, it is likely this number belongs to another, newer, coach by now. Park's have a long association with Volvo and Jonckheere. THis Millenium Mistral bodied B12, snapped early in 2006, was providing a rail replacement service at Edinburgh Waverley. Another bodybuilder which has long been associated with Park's is Plaxton. Volvo B12M / Panther KSK979, in Citylink livery, was snapped when near new, in 2006, on Edinburgh's Princes St. Many of the fleet wear Scotish Citylink colours, and one of these is LSK*44, seen here in Dundee's Seagate bus station. The number LSK874 has been in circulation with Park's at least since 1995. The latest vehicle to wear it is a 15m Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther, from Stagecoach's order of the type for Citylink work. Entering the fleet from 2007, Park's' latest Volvo B12M / Jonckheeres have the manufacturer's new, more angular, touring coach body. The imposing design looks good from most angles, and carries no distinct model name in Jonckheere's marketing. This rear facing view was taken travelling down the M90 towards the Forth Road Bridge after an SVBM event. Don't worry, I wasn't being irresponsible; Vicki took care of the snapping for me, while I concentrated on the driving ;o) Another Volvo B12M / Jonckheere, the latest holder of the registration 2HW (from March 2007) was snapped in a hurry on my phone in Waterloo Place. Similar again, LSK483 was also in Waterloo Place.

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]]> Fri May 23 2008 Scottish Vintage Bus Museum May Running Day 2008 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1514186.html The SVBM's annual spring event was held on Sunday 18th May, and once again proved popular. Weather was variable, but mainly dry. The format of this event differs from the August event in that, as the name would suggest, the emphasis is on actually running the vehicles, with less in the way of static displays. There are six timed routes, (Internal service; Dunfermline; Saline; Gask Toll circle; Tomnhill; Kelty) and the timetable and vehicle allocations are worked out in advance. A temporary bus station is set up inside one of the sheds, and with the constant activity, the whole thing has much more of a true bus operating atmosphere to it - there is even an inspector, in the form of Allan Condie, ready to jump out from behind the trees and catch unwary crews running ahead of time! The format for this event was devised for the 2007 season largely by Roland Williams. Tuesday 20 May 2008: The SVBM's annual spring event was held on Sunday 18th May, and once again proved popular. Weather was variable, but mainly dry. The format of this event differs from the August event in that, as the name would suggest, the emphasis is on actually running the vehicles, with less in the way of static displays. There are six timed routes, (Internal service; Dunfermline; Saline; Gask Toll circle; Tomnhill; Kelty) and the timetable and vehicle allocations are worked out in advance. A temporary bus station is set up inside one of the sheds, and with the constant activity, the whole thing has much more of a true bus operating atmosphere to it - there is even an inspector, in the form of Allan Condie, ready to jump out from behind the trees and catch unwary crews running ahead of time! The format for this event was devised for the 2007 season largely by Roland Williams.

Preserved Western SMT Leyland Titan PD3 / Alexander AD1684 (RCSD 382) performs an early duty on the free service to Dunfermline. It is seen here outside Dunfermline Fire Station. Three vintage vehicles line up under a thundery looking sky before leaving the display hall area on their respective services. St. Helens AEC 3RT 67 (BDJ 67) heads a pair of Alexander bodied Leyland PD3s. Immediately behind the St. helens bus is AD1684, (complete with St. Helens front end!), while tin-front Edinburgh Corporation 665 (ASC 665B) brings up the rear. Always popular at SVBM events is Alexanders' R266 (WG9180), a leyland Titan TD7 / Alexander of 1940. the destination 'Dunecht via Echt' often befuddles visitors from south of the border! And talking of Y-types, next to arrive was Western SMT L669 (GCS 69V), preserved in Stagecoach 'beachball ' livery as worn when acquired. Arriving to take up its space among the static displays is Aberddeen Corporation 22 (JRS 22F), an AEC Swift with twin door Alexander W-type body. The relationship between this compact body and the larger Y-type is clear to see. Visiting as part of the delegation from the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust at Bridgeton, HFR 501E is a Leyland Titan PD3 with MCCW body. It was the numerical first member of a delivery of 25 similar vehicles delivered to Blackpool Corporation in 1967, and is preserved in that operator's livery. rear view of 19173. Although the Enviro400 is marketed as a complete vehicle, literature uses the name to refer only to the body, while the chassis is still listed as a Trident. ST. Helens AEC 3RT BDJ67 on an internal service. Big Brother to the Enviro200 Dart, Stagecoach Bluebird 19173 (SV57 BFZ) is part of the first delivery of all-Alexander Dennis Enviro400s to a Scottish operator. The high seating capacity of the Enviro400 looks set to help it make its mark in the marketplace. Some modern day vehicles were kindly provided by their owners to provide some contrast to the vintage fare plyng its trade at the event. Highland Country 233 (SY57 AXU) is one of a batch of Alexander Dennis 'Enviro200 Darts' new to that operator in September 2007. Replacing the ubiquitous Super Pointer Dart in the ADL range, it was always odds-on that the Dart name would be retained. Messrs Thomson and Galt try to look interested in the background... A recent addition to the preservation lists is Leyland Tiger / Alexander TS type A25 VDS. New to Central SMT as its LT25, it stayed in its home territory its entire working life, passing through the hands of successor company Kelvin Central Buses (KCB) and ending its days numbered 61712 in the First Glasgow fleet, where it was in use as a driver training vehicle. The TS body - like the TE and TC coach variants - was a modernisation of the T type seen elsewhere in these pages, and was a bus-seated variant supplied uniquely to Central, who were less than impressed by Alexander's box-like P type then being offered as a direct successor to the classic Y type for bus operation. A bit of a flight of fancy, this: AEC Routemaster JJD 365D, RML2365 in the LT fleet, is preserved for hire in the colours of Glasgow Corporation Transport. Glasgow never owned or operated a Routemaster, but from this shot, it looks like they would have made an attractive flagship vehilce if they had. Currently resident at Beith Transport Museum, Leyland Fleetline / ECW ULS 658T was new to Midland Scottish as its MRF133. It was among the vehicles transferred to the Kelvin Scottish operation on its formation in 1985. A late example of Glasgow's famous Leyland Atlantean / Alexander AL types is LA1204 (XUS 575S) of 1977. It would have worn various liveries when in service, from Glasgow Corporation's orange/green/cream, through the GGPTE version of the same livery, to SPT's Kelvin Scottish was one of four new companies set up by the SBG in the mid 1980s as deregulation loomed on the horizon. MRF133 wears the original two-tone blue scheme, a welcome addition to the preservation fold. BV08 ZWG, 307 in the Arriva owned McGills of Barrhead fleet, a Mercedes Benz Citaro. Preserved in its original, but short-lived, triple-door format, Edinburgh 101 (YSG101) is a 1962 Leyland Leopard, fitted with one of the prototype Alexander Y-type bodies. Somewhat dubious colour scheme for the 'Glasgow Flyer' branding on Arriva Scotland West Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban 4408 (SF57 NMO). Arriva's standard scheme is quite appealing, but in my view the pus green used here requires the removal of an 'e' from that word. Sory, guys, nice bus but the colour scheme doesn't look any better from here. On the plus side, in an accident, no-one will ever be able to say they 'didnae see the bus.' An interesting visitor - B94 PLU, an ex Glynglen Bedford VAS5 / Plaxton, in attractive red and cream, and wearing a rather interesting fleetname.... The bus itself has absolutely no connection with Western SMT or any of its successors, but the apearance of the livery and name in this well-presented fashion is nice. Normally to be found inside the exhibition hall, Edinburgh 739 (ESG652) enjoys a rare touch of sunlight. It is a Guy Arab III with Metro Cammell bodywork, and was new in 1948. This 1967 Albion Viking / Alexander Y-type, JMS 452E, was new to W.Alexander &Sons (Midland) as its MNV37, and wears the coach version of that company's blue and cream livery. The rear engined Viking was built with the Scottish Bus Group's input, and although only a handful were sold outside the group, it was nonetheless a popular vehicle in its day within the former Alexander companies. Given the relatively small number produced, the Viking is fairly well represented in preservation, and this attractive example resides at Bridgeton under the care of the Albion Vehicle Preservation Trust. Star attraction among the 'moderns' was this triaxle Volvo B12B of Lochs and Glens, carrying Jonckeere's latest luxury coach body. In a break with that manufacturer's tradition, there is no distinct model name for this design. One of two representatives of the Clydeside Scottish fleet in from Beith was Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-type G750 (GCS 50V). the Clydeside operation was another of the new companies formed at deregulation, and in common with the others, it inherited a startup fleet from its parent company, in this case Western SMT. The bold Clydeside colour scheme looks particularly good on this well presented bus in the sunlight. The other Clydeside bus at the event was Leyland Fleetline / Alexander AD-type M73 (HSD 73V). It too originated with Western SMT, where it was numbered R73, and like G750 it arrived at lathalmond gleaming and just begging to be photographed! A later and probably better remembered Kelvin Scottish livery, due to its prominence on a number of ex LT Routemasters at the time, was this two-tone blue and yellow scheme, as worn by former Midland Scottish MRM100 (B100 PKS) here. An Alexander RL bodied MCW Metrobus, this vehicle was part of the startup fleet at Kelvin, later returning to Midland Scottish in whose fleet it remained when that company was bought by GRT. It entered preservation in full Firstbus 'barbie' livery; I'm sure you'll agree the new Kelvin scheme looks far more appealing! A sister vehicle to MRM100, MRM105 (B105 PKS) sports the parent company's dep blue and cream livery. It is seen here in the company of Tayside 126 (NSP 326R), an Alexander AV bodied Ailsa of 1976. Douglas and Ross Scoular's BMC Mini-based 5/8th scale replica of their 1929 Leyland Lion, currently well into a complete rebuild, always provides amusement to the many younger visitors to the museum's events. Western SMT L669 again. Don't worry, the bus was not on fire; the fumes appearing to emanate from its roof are in fact from the Shed 47 Group's Fowler Diesel locomotive which was giving demonstration runs along the section of reinstated track. Not seen previously at Lathalmond was this 1972 Bristol RE with ECW B51 bodywork. Housed within the lathalmond site is the Shed 47 group, occupying what was originally the locomotive shed in the site's MOD days. the group is affiliated with the Scottish Railway Preservation Society at Bo'ness, and carries out restoration work on vehicles and rolling stock from the collection. This Hunslet Diesel locomotive arrived late in 2007, and is the third loco currently in the care of the Shed 47 group. It was donated by Babcock International Group PLC, based at nearby Rosyth. The other locomotives currently onsite are an operational Fowler 4 wheel diesel, and a Barclay 0-4-0ST steam engine new in 1950 to the National Coal Board. Currently dismantled and undergoing heavy restoration, NCB No.17 worked at Bedley Colliery, Glenbig, before moving to Barony Colliery outside Auchinleck, a place I remember well from my childhood as we liv ed barely three miles away in Cumnock. The Hunslet diesel shunts some rolling stock on the test track. When the Shed 47 group arived here, only the shed was in place; all the track laying has been planned and overseen by the group, with much of the manpower being supplied by the army, who look forward to these exercises in teamwork. Also on loan to the Shed 47 group from the SRPS collection is this Fowler Diesel locomotive. Built in 1958, it spent its working life at the Shell Refining Co's Ardrossan Bitumen Refinery then the Texaco depot at Granton, Edinburgh, before being donated to the SRPS in 1984. Eastern Scottish Ailsa / Alexander AV, VV173 (CSG 773S) loads up for Kelty. the Ailsa, designed by Volvo importer Ailsa Trucks to fit a requirement for front-engined, OMO buses in SBG fleets, was built at their Irvine plant utilising the Volvo parts bin. the majority were bodied by Alexander, earning it the nickname of the 'all Scottish bus.' New to Eastern National, the coach is preserved in National Express livery. VHK 177L was the prototype B51 coach. The SVBM's current workhorse, Western SMT Seddon Pennine VII / Alexander T-Type S2936 (DSD 936V). It is seen here at Black Road terminus in Kelty, a short distance from the museum. I like the inadvertent nod to old SBG practices in the form of the paper destination sticker in the windscreen... Bought in large numbers by Western SMT and eastern Scottish, the Seddon Pennine never found favourwith the Fife arm of the SBG, W. Alexander & Sons (Fife), it is therefore possible that DSD was the first such vehicle to visit these streets when it took to the road. A number of non-operational vehicles were retained parked up in the 'bus station,' further adding to the operational atmosphere. Among them was Alexander (Fife) Leopard / T-type FPE176 (NFS 176Y). Shades of Blue: Middlesborough Corporation 1947 Leyland Titan PD1 / Northern Counties 52 (XG9304) lines up against much older W. Alexander & Sons Tiger TS2 / Alexander, P63 (SO3740). The latter first saw the light of day in 1929, and is one of the oldest vehicles in the musem collection West Coast memories here - AA Motor Services liveried Plymouth Utility Guy Arab II CDR679 keeps company with Western SMT Leyland Leopard / Alexander L2466 (SCS 335M). Application of AA livery to CDR plugs a gap in preservation, as it represents nicely the many Plymouth Guy utilities once operated by that company and sadly all lost to the great bus museum in the sky. Eastern Scottish Seddon Pennine / Alexander Y-type S602 (SSX 602V) leaves the bus station bound for Dunfermline. Another Eastern Scottish vehicle, DD294 (TGM 214J) on an internal service. The 'GM' registration identifies this Daimler Fleetline / ECW as one of a batch bought from Central SMT when fairly new. DD294 leaves the bus station on another run. Kelvin Scotish Metrobus B100 PKS leaves the appropriately dark bus station for Kelty. LRT 108 (A108 CFS), a Leyland National 2, on an internal service. Much of my PCV training with Lothian was in this vehicle, which wore yellow training livery at the time. It entered preservation in 2007. Another firm operating preserved vehicles in revenue earning service is Bankfoot Buses. Previously housed at Lathalmond, and carrying Mairs Coaches fleetnames, short Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-type ORS 60R is now to be found doing what it was made for in the Perth area. A Beautiful 1935 normal control Albion Victor with luxury coach body built by Abbott, AAA756 has covered less than 100,00 miles since new - barely run-in, in PSV terms! Also representing WJC was National 2 KSX 104X, new to Lothian Region Transport as its 104, and still in posession of appropriate destination gear. A third West of Scotland livery, that of A1 service, is represented by Daimler CVG6 / Northern Counties 'Queen Mary' RAG578, seen here on the Saline service. All three of these once famous operators have been absorbed into Stagecoach.

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]]> Tue May 20 2008 GVVT Open Day October 2007 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1473785.html The Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust (GVVT) held its annual Open Day in October. True to form, this offered an impressive variety of static displays, stalls, and the opportunity to travel on a variety of vehicles, from wartime to late 1980s vintage. The route links the Bridgeton Garage site with George Square, Killermont St (for Buchanan Bus Station) and the Museum of Transport, making it easy to get to, and offering time out to visit the Kelvin Hall displays as well; a number of the photos this time around come from here. I drove the SVBM's Western SMT Seddon Pennine VII / Alexander T-Type, DSD 936V, to the event. Owing to a few unresolved chinks in its armour, the decision was made not to make it available for service on this occasion; however, it provided an interesting static exhibit, buses of this type being operated regularly into Glasgow from their arrival in the mid 1970s right through to the early 1990s. I never fail to be impressed by the organisation of the GVVT's events. A number of bus operators could learn lessons from their service provision! Another success... Wednesday 12 March 2008: The Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust (GVVT) held its annual Open Day in October. True to form, this offered an impressive variety of static displays, stalls, and the opportunity to travel on a variety of vehicles, from wartime to late 1980s vintage. The route links the Bridgeton Garage site with George Square, Killermont St (for Buchanan Bus Station) and the Museum of Transport, making it easy to get to, and offering time out to visit the Kelvin Hall displays as well; a number of the photos this time around come from here. I drove the SVBM's Western SMT Seddon Pennine VII / Alexander T-Type, DSD 936V, to the event. Owing to a few unresolved chinks in its armour, the decision was made not to make it available for service on this occasion; however, it provided an interesting static exhibit, buses of this type being operated regularly into Glasgow from their arrival in the mid 1970s right through to the early 1990s. I never fail to be impressed by the organisation of the GVVT's events. A number of bus operators could learn lessons from their service provision! Another success...

One good thig about this website: trawl through enough collections and you can chart the progress of my expanding mid-section... Our steed for the day. Seddon Pennine VII DSD 936V was one of around half a dozen vehicles visiting from Lathalmond. Driving this bus was the realisation of a dream for me, as my Grampa Thomson drove sister vehicle DSD 950V regularly prior to retiring from Western's Cumnock garage in the early 1980s. Another recent addition to the preservation scene is D902 CSH, an Alexander RL bodied Leyland Olympian. This was one of the first new buses purchased by Lowland Scottish, the deregulation-friendly offshoot of Eastern Scottish, much missed by enthusiasts in the Scottish Borders area. Lowland became part of GRT, then in turn part of First Group, and the vehicle remained with First Edinburgh throughout its life; however, by the time it retired it was stationed at the company's most remote outpost, Balfron - i.e. nowhere near Edinburgh. It can be seen in this guse in an earlier photo in the First Edinburgh collection. To the right, and wearing a slightly earlier variant of the RType body, FGE 423X is an ex Central SMT Dennis Dominator. A new addition to the interesting fleet of WJC is this Duple Metsec-bodied Dennis Condor, shipped over from Hong-Kong. The high-capacity Dennis is used on schools services, and joins the enthusiast-run WJC fleet, a mix of contemporary Volvo coaches and older curiosities. A recent entry into the preservation arena is this Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-Type. Latterally with the now defunct Weirs Tourlink company, the Leopard started its life with Western SMT, and on the creation of the offshoot Clydeside Scottish company, in the deregulation era, became a member of that fleet. (Or not as the case may be - see below) SRC 45L, a plaxton Panorama-bodied short Leyland Leopard new to Trent, is currently in attractive 'Classique' livery. Sharing the chocolate-and-cream livery is ex Southdown Leyland Leopard / Plaxton Panorama UUF 329J, the 'Brighton Belle.' The inspiration for the livery, from 1920s LNER 'Pullman' Gresley-designed luxury rail coaches, is apparent here. More accustomed to the salty air and bracing winds of the Irish Sea, HFR 501E is a Blackpool Leyland PD3 / MCCW, of a type standard in the holiday resort for many years.

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]]> Wed Mar 12 2008 London Visit, September 2007 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1396248.html WooHoo - A hoaliday! Well, a short break, more like. Not having been away since we went to Dundee in March, Vicki and I decided a wee trip to Englandshire was in order in September. Taking advantage of VERY attractive prices from megabus.com and Travelodge, we spent three nights in London - my first time in the Capital in three years, and the first leisurely visit since I was an ankle biter. A word to the recreational complainers using public transport services up here: you think YOU'VE got problems? It's customary for Ken Livingstone's London to be held up as the Public Transport model for others to follow, but in reality, once you take the rose-tinted specs off, we in Edinburgh have it far better, with a much less frenetic pace to everything. Our stay overlapped slightly with the much publicised tube strike, which didn't help matters, but that does not excuse the many examples of dangerous overcrowding that were to be seen. Several times we shied away from overloaded buses. Mercedes Citaro artics, designed as standee cattletrucks, were the worst offenders, each of their three sets of doors being used as both entrance and exit with all the attendant pushing and shoving. These regularly passed us crush-loaded with easily 200 bodies crammed into every inch of space, ready to disgorge like a burst dam the moment the doors opened. On one journey on a Dennis trident double decker, I counted at least 40 standees on the bottom deck, plus as many again on the stairs and upper deck, before the driver finally decided the bus was full. What was more worrying was the way that, apart from us, everyone seemed to accept this as 'the norm.' By far the least pleasant journey was on the tube the morning we left. having allowed five or six overloaded trains to pass by, one finally arived with a space big enough for us and maybe a couple of others. By the time the doors closed, that space had accepted another 15 - 20 bodies, leaving barely room to expand our lungs, let alone turn around or make any sort of attempt to leave at your stop. Transport gripes aside, though, the break was thoroughly enjoyable, and we will definitely be visiting again. Friday 26 October 2007: WooHoo - A hoaliday! Well, a short break, more like. Not having been away since we went to Dundee in March, Vicki and I decided a wee trip to Englandshire was in order in September. Taking advantage of VERY attractive prices from megabus.com and Travelodge, we spent three nights in London - my first time in the Capital in three years, and the first leisurely visit since I was an ankle biter. A word to the recreational complainers using public transport services up here: you think YOU'VE got problems? It's customary for Ken Livingstone's London to be held up as the Public Transport model for others to follow, but in reality, once you take the rose-tinted specs off, we in Edinburgh have it far better, with a much less frenetic pace to everything. Our stay overlapped slightly with the much publicised tube strike, which didn't help matters, but that does not excuse the many examples of dangerous overcrowding that were to be seen. Several times we shied away from overloaded buses. Mercedes Citaro artics, designed as standee cattletrucks, were the worst offenders, each of their three sets of doors being used as both entrance and exit with all the attendant pushing and shoving. These regularly passed us crush-loaded with easily 200 bodies crammed into every inch of space, ready to disgorge like a burst dam the moment the doors opened. On one journey on a Dennis trident double decker, I counted at least 40 standees on the bottom deck, plus as many again on the stairs and upper deck, before the driver finally decided the bus was full. What was more worrying was the way that, apart from us, everyone seemed to accept this as 'the norm.' By far the least pleasant journey was on the tube the morning we left. having allowed five or six overloaded trains to pass by, one finally arived with a space big enough for us and maybe a couple of others. By the time the doors closed, that space had accepted another 15 - 20 bodies, leaving barely room to expand our lungs, let alone turn around or make any sort of attempt to leave at your stop. Transport gripes aside, though, the break was thoroughly enjoyable, and we will definitely be visiting again.

Our transport to London was Stagecoach Bluebird 54036 (SV07 FKY), one of the recent batch of 15m long triaxle Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panthers delivered for megabus.com and Citylink work. The seats in these are luxurious and comfy....for about the first three hours. Bus enthusiast or no, there's no denying that 9 hours is a LOOOONG time to spend on a coach. By the time we'd reached Sheffield, my bahookie was crying out for some relief. That said, megabus.com is by far the cheapest way to travel from Capita-to-Capital. Our total bill for 2 adults, return travel, was under £10! Not to be sneezed at... Another of those god-awful standee contraptions....... Elegant curving architecture in Regent Street. Remember the eighties sitcom 'Cheers?' This friendly and reasonably priced pub in Regent Street carries on the theme of the bar from the show. A busy scene at Piccadilly Circus. Buses depicted, from left to right: Metroline TPL274 (LR02 BBE) - Dennis Trident / Plaxton; Unidentified Arriva / Original Tour Volvo B9TL / East Lascs; unidentified vehicle; Unidentified Transdev Scania N9UD / East lancs 'Omnidekka'; and First Centrewest TNA 33363 (LK53 EYC), an Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident. This oriental archway in Gerrard Street marks the evtry to the district officially known as 'Chinatown.' The Royal Dragon restaurant referred to above is a few dooes along to the right in this view. the Flora add colour to this scene in Leicester Square.Kindly look again at the lettering on the building on the right, it doesn't say what you first thought it said, mucky pup...;) Charlie Chaplin surveys the scene in Leicester Square. Leicester Square looking back towards Cranbourn Street. View from leicester Sq looking up Leicester Street. Looks like the 'no reversing' rule may have to be waived this time around.... Arriva EMB777 (A735 WEV), one of the growing number of British Built triaxle deckers repatriated from Hong-Kong for tours duties. Electronic advertising boards in Piccadilly Circus indicate a shift towards Americanisation of which I'm not sure I approve Half a bendibus, irresponsibly left lying around in the middle of Piccadilly Circus. London General Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini WVL15 (LG02 KHO) egotiates Piccadilly Circus. Arriva OA334 , originally London Buses L334 (J334 BSH) is one of the very last Leylands in the capital, an Olympian with Alexander RH bodywork. A quartet of buses shun the camera at Piccadilly Circus. First Centrewest Dennis Trident / Plaxton President TN33194 (LT52 XAE) brings up the rear. Metroline TA116 (V316 GLB - Denis Trident / Alexander ALX400) approaches Piccadilly Circus from Regent Street. Another Metroline Trident at the same location and on the same service, TP386 (LR52 KXE) is Plaxton bodied. A G-wiz electric To balance the delicious Chinese meal of the previous night, we elected to try Indian cuisine the next night. This time very much governed by cost (some of the places would have necessitated a bank loan), we found ourselves drawn to the Taste of Spice - alas, the street adress has escaped me for the moment, though I will find out and update. Once again, the food and service were excellent, and a visit is highly recommended. We stayed in the Travelodge at East India Dock. This view was from the walkway leading into the East India DLR (Docklands Light Railway) station, looking towards the Docklands. London's Financial district - Canary Wharf and Canada Wharf. The entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel is somewhere behind the photographer. Overhead on the right is part of the DLR track. Another general view of the Docklands. The station itself looks like a set from a Sci-Fi film. The approaching train is coming from the direction of King George V dock. Front end of a DLR train, where the driver isn't. That's right - the trains on the DLR are completely driverless. They do, however, have a conductor to check tickets and override the automation, should the need arise. East India DLR station. The line leads out of shot towards the central area. This was by far the most convenient way into the city for us. The DLR passes through an interesting mixture of state-of-the-art buildings and industrial relics from a bygone era, such as this tower on the right. The train runs alongside the 'c2c' line for a time, sharing Limehouse Station with it. Just visible in the centre of this shot is 'The Gherkin' or Swiss Re tower at 30 St Mary Axe. At this point, near where the line splits to serve Bank and Tower Gateway, an old railway trackbed has been utilised to good effect. The derelict signalbox on the left stands as a monument to a different age. Exiting the DLR at Tower Gateway, intent on getting a run on a Routemaster, we emerged into the daylight and I couldn't understand why my observation of 'Oh look, an interesting big castle-type thing...' was met with half-pitying peals of laughter from my companion, a much more seasoned London traveller than I. Regaining her composure, and with infinite patience, she replied On Tower Hill, adjacent to the 'interesting big castley-thin,' First Mercedes Benz Citaro ES64004 (LT02 NUA) passes by. These are only slightly more appealing to travel in than the sardine-can artics. We were more interested in a bus wth the engine at the front and the door at the back....;) View from the top-deck front of RM941 (ALD 941B) looking along Tower Hill towards Byward Street. The Tower of London is seen again from up-top. View across Trinity Square East London Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400, LX04 FXZ, still wears fleet number 18233, a throwback to Stagecoach ownership of the company. LX03 BVU, another (EX Stagecoach) East London Trident, on the 15..... .....and another. As you've probably gahered, the 15 is exteremely high frequency. St Paul's cathedral, from the top deck of a Routemaster bus, with a cattle-truck in the foreground. Majestic St. Paul's Cathedral, from the top deck of RM941. Quite proud of this shot, a second or two either way and the bus would've lurched, causing blurring. London General WVL89 (LF52 ZNX), photographed just leaving St. Paul's. As with other parts of the country, London has taken significant numbers of Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TLs over the last few years. Ten years ago, Wrightbus was a very small player in the UK market; twenty years ago it was virtually unheard of outside Eire. Ex Hong-Kong triaxle double deckers, such as this Arriva-owned MCW Metrobus, are widely used in London as open top tor buses. It is seen overtaking London General Volvo B7TL / Plaxton President PVL214 (Y814 TGH); hopefully neither bus has attracted the attention of the lovely people in the Mercedes car behind... On the left of the shot is Arriva London North DLA280 (Y522 UGC), an example of a Alexander ALX bodied Daf DB250, a type fairly unfamiliar to me in Scotland.

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]]> Fri Oct 26 2007 Edinburgh's Forgotten Treasures part 2: The "Innocent Railway" http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1237528.html **THIS COLLECTION HAS MOVED** The Innocent Railway walk now forms part of my new Local Histories gallery at www.grant-thomson-histories.fotopic.net. It can be accessed either via the link on the Collection Index, or by copying and pasting the url. Please pay it a visit! Thanks, GT Friday 23 March 2007: **THIS COLLECTION HAS MOVED** The Innocent Railway walk now forms part of my new Local Histories gallery at www.grant-thomson-histories.fotopic.net. It can be accessed either via the link on the Collection Index, or by copying and pasting the url. Please pay it a visit! Thanks, GT

A placard just inside the Duddingston road entrance to the walkway gives a brief history of the railway and its main features. For further images and history on this forgotten corner of Edinburgh, please visit www.grant-thomson-histories.fotopic.net. Ta!

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]]> Fri Mar 23 2007 Edinburgh's Forgotten Treasures Part 1: Corstorphine to Haymarket West Junction Branch Line http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1236940.html **THIS COLLECTION HAS MOVED** As the non-bus related side of my photographic hobby grows and gathers interest, I felt justified in setting up an entirely separate gallery, for these historical trips. This can be accessed by copying and pasting the url : http://www.grant-thomson-histories.fotopic.net/ - or by clicking the link to Grant Thomson's Local Histories which is to be found on the Welcome Page, and also at the bottom of the 'Collection Index' page. Please remember to check back for regular updates of both the Bus Photo and Local HJistory pages! Sunday 11 March 2007: **THIS COLLECTION HAS MOVED** As the non-bus related side of my photographic hobby grows and gathers interest, I felt justified in setting up an entirely separate gallery, for these historical trips. This can be accessed by copying and pasting the url : http://www.grant-thomson-histories.fotopic.net/ - or by clicking the link to Grant Thomson's Local Histories which is to be found on the Welcome Page, and also at the bottom of the 'Collection Index' page. Please remember to check back for regular updates of both the Bus Photo and Local HJistory pages!

A view of Pinkhill Station from what would have been its city-bound platform. A full description of the route, and a growing number of other historical relics, is now to be found at www.grant-thomson-histories.fotopic.net, which can be accessed via the link at the foot of this collection page, or by copying and pasting the url. PLease pay the new gallery a visit! GT

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]]> Sun Mar 11 2007 Random Humour http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1236875.html A collection of observations from my travels which relate to absolutely nothing, and which make me wonder if it's me or the rest of the world that's going mad! Thursday 22 March 2007: A collection of observations from my travels which relate to absolutely nothing, and which make me wonder if it's me or the rest of the world that's going mad!

Walking past this shopfront in Aberdeen, I had to double-take. I did not avail myself of the service, enjoyable though it doubtless would have been... (nor, when encountering the shop proprietor obviously puzzled by my photographic interest in her premises, did I see fit to draw her attention to the unfortunate typo!) Spotted in the window of a bric-a-brac shop somewhere along Clerk St, Edinburgh - possible evidence of genetic experimentation? One wonders as to the eventual product of this unhappy union.... Banner outside St. John's Church at the corner of Princes St. and Lothian Road in Edinburgh. Huh - They obviously haven't sat for several hours freezing on a broken down early Trident at Ocean Terminal, or they wouldnae be sayin that..... One word - ow............. The brilliant minds of Edinburgh's Roads Planning team strike again.... This amused me on two levels. As a bus enthusiast, the name 'Olympian' gave me a snigger, but the real comedy was in the idea of 'free range furniture' - I have the image of a big paddock out the back, with tables and chairs running around without a care in the world.... :-) Somewhere in Deepest Darkest Fife there is a Neighbourhood Watch scheme - from the looks of this (guaranteed 100% geniune and not staged) photo, it would appear the object is to 'watch' the local neds tanning their Special Brew cans and artfully discarding them.... My entry for the Seeking vsitors' opinions on this one: Does this sign mean - a) beware men with bicycles on their heads; b) Caution - Low-flying bicycles; or c) Something else? All suggestions gratefully received... The Local Authority in Musselburgh likes to make it clear that they do not charge for the use of their readily available facilities.... ....but surely this is taking the concept a stage too far?! At first glance there appears to be nothing remarkable about this photo, but possibilities start to make themselves known once you consider the following: 1) This is Albion Road in Edinburgh, just off Easter Road; 2) On the weekend proir to this, Hibs had lost an important, televised match; and 3) there is an old telly lying on an almost perfect trajectory from the top tenement window to the bins.... A prophetic signpost in Troon, Ayrshire, photographed on Easter Monday 2008. Less than two months before the Labour party's dismal performance in the English and Welsh local elections. With fuel prices now up to 120.9p per litre, my heart bleeds.... Amusing 3D dog spotted on the side of a building in Newtongrange - alas, someone's sense of humour has failed them, as last time I was up, it had been painted over in grey! Please don't overtake the traffic island, it gets very upset..... Warning:

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]]> Thu Mar 22 2007 Glasgow, September 2006 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1147539.html Having a couple of days off in late September, I decided to take advantage of an SPT 'Day Tripper' ticket - these are valid on all SPT supported services (road, rail and, believe it or not, water-based) within the Strathclyde Passenger Transport catchment area. So I travelled by Bus from Cumnock to Kilmarnock, train to Glasgow Central, bus to Hamilton, by Stagecoach Western's new X16 service from there to Kilmarnock and finally back t base in Cumnock. I was most annoyed, incidentally, to find the X16, rather than beig worked by one of the branded MAN / ALX300s that were bought specially for the service, was in fact worked by ex Docherty's Volvo B6 / Wrights, Y602 TSD. Just my luck... Thursday 28 September 2006: Having a couple of days off in late September, I decided to take advantage of an SPT 'Day Tripper' ticket - these are valid on all SPT supported services (road, rail and, believe it or not, water-based) within the Strathclyde Passenger Transport catchment area. So I travelled by Bus from Cumnock to Kilmarnock, train to Glasgow Central, bus to Hamilton, by Stagecoach Western's new X16 service from there to Kilmarnock and finally back t base in Cumnock. I was most annoyed, incidentally, to find the X16, rather than beig worked by one of the branded MAN / ALX300s that were bought specially for the service, was in fact worked by ex Docherty's Volvo B6 / Wrights, Y602 TSD. Just my luck...

First Glasgow 69120 (SF06 HBB) is a Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban, and is typical of recent new purchases for that company. First Glasgow 31394 (L182 UNS) was new to Strathclyde Buses as its LO82, and was one of the final batch of Leyland (as opposed to Volvo) Olympians to be built. Another of First Glasgow's latest B7 Urbans is 69038 (SF06 GXJ) ...and another, this is 69100 (SF06 GZK). An operator not featured on the site before is Arriva Scotland West, descendeed from the short-lived Clydeside Scottish company. M249 SPP is a Dennis Dart with Wright Handybus body, and was new to Luton and District - the progenitor of today's Arriva group. First Glasgow Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale, 31478 (P606 WSU) was new to Strathclyde as its VO124. It is seen turning from Queen Street into Ingram St, pursued by a daft auld burd with an apparent death-wish... Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 32619 (SF54 TLO) is similar to those in the First Edinburgh fleet, and is seen turning from Queen St. to Ingram St. Looks like they don't teach the Green Cross Code in Glasgow.... Looking more than a little rough, Volvo B10M / Alexander PS, 61519 (P549 TYS) was new as Kelvin Central's SV549. A representative of the Ministry of Silly Walks approaches from the left... P491 MBY was new to Metroline in London, and is now open top for the Glasgow tour. having seen enough, The Tango Man exits stage left... A relatively unusual type - particularly for an independent - is Doig's SJ51 LPA, a Scania L94UA / Wright Solar Fusion. Hopefully the driver noticed the childs' toy on the ground in front before setting off... A Jonckheere bodied Volvo B12 of WA Shearings, in Killermont St. A fairly unusual recipient of the Scottish Citylink livery normally reserved for express coaches is this Dennis Dart / Plaxton SPD of Arriva Scotland West. Typical of the ageing, but well presented fleet of McKindless of Wishaw, is ex-Trent DAF SB220 / Optare Delta, K338 FAL. McKindless has recently taken delivery of its first ever brand-new vehicle, in the form of a suggestively named King Long, built in CHina. No really, that IS what they're called. Stagecoach Western's 51076 (MSU 466), a Plaxton Premiere Interurban bodied Volvo B10MA, leaves Buchanan Bus Station for Cumnock. First Glasgow 31496 (R654 DUS) is a Northern Counties palatineII - bodied Volvo Olympian, and was new as Strathclyde's VO154. Just caught turning into Buchanan Bus Station is Hutchison of Overtown's Volvo B10M / Plaxton Premiere, R92 HUS, i that operator's 'Scottish Pullman' livery for express services. Unidentified Stagecoach Glasgow B10M / Interurban. Adding a touch of variety to the sea of Barbie and Stageciach 'beachballs' at Buchanan Bus Station are West Coast motors K500 WCM, A DAF SB3000 / VanHool Alizee, and Plaxton paragon - bodied Volvo B12M, YS02 YXW of Thirlwell's coaches. Unidentified Plaxton bodied coach in First Express livery. A number of Dennis Trident / Plaxton Presidents have been cascaded to First Glasgow from London, including 32825 (T825 LLC) seen here. An unexpected oddity outside Buchanan Bus Station was this US Style schoolbus, which appeared to be in use as some sort of mobile exhibition. (Note to Donald Stirling - you're not the only one who can bag a Jowitt or two! ;o)) US Style Schoolbus outside Buchanan Bus Station On, now, to Hamilton Bus Station, where First Glasgow 41213(R213 TLM), an ex London Dennis Dart / Marshall Capital is seen alongside another of McKindless's DAF / Optare Deltas. Another of McKindless's fleet, this is an Optare Excel, heading for Lanark. McKindless use a number of Northern Ireland registrations on their buses, which makes tracing their origins a bit of a challenge; however this one was new to West Yorkshire and came to McKindless in 2003. Whitelaw of Stonehouse has invested heavily in fleet replacements over the last few years, and Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urban SF55 HHA is an example of this. It is likely that these wuld be built alongside, and to a comparable spec to, a larger order for FirstBus that was in buid at the time. Another of Whitelaw's fleet is Wrightbus Crusader bodied Volvo B6BLE, V452 NGA. New as Strathclyde Buses' MV38, First Glasgow 40765 (P815 YUM) is a Volvo B6LE with Alexander ALX200 body. In hot pursuit is Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer 40811 (R321 GHS). Outside Hamilton Bus Station is a Dennis / Plaxton Mini-Pointer-Dart (or 'MPD) belonging to Irvine of Law.**Friendly note to Mr N. Renilson - please consider a couple of these for service 20, as the SPDs are too long and ungainly round the Calders!** T290 ROF, a Volvo B6BLE / Wright Crusader, originally a demonstrator but now, I believe, with Whitelaw. Playing peek-a-boo with another one of FiG's shabby B10M / Alexander PS's. Looking much tidier is Olympian / Royale 31521 (WLT 770). 40763 (P813 YUM), another of the ALX200 bodied Volvo B6LEs SJ04 DVM, another of Whitelaw's recent Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse Urbans. The driver's attention appears to be directed to his nearside, for some reason.... Another First Glasgow Dennis / Plaxton SPD is 40799 (R304 GHS). Someone should tell the prospective passenger that she really needs to be on the OTHER side of the fence if she wants to board.... Another of Whitelaw's MPDs enters Hamilton Bus Station. Sod's law - after letting the previous departure go in favour of taking some more photos (and answering a couple of calls of nature including, but not limited to, acquiring sustenance), my anticipated first-run in one of the new MAN / Alexanders bought by Western for the X16 Ayr-Hamilton service, it was just my luc that the next one was operated by ex Docherty of Irvine Volvo B6BLE / Wright Crusarder 31388 (Y602 TSD)! Not exactly the most comfortable environment for a long distance, high speed journey... at least I could laugh at the John Cleese impersonator in the background...

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Thu Sep 28 2006 GVVT Open day 2006 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1108131.html Is it really a whole year since I was last at Bridgeton? A world of change in that time - I've now left the 9-5 claustrophobic lab-work for a life on the open road. (Well, the congested streets of Edinburgh...) Unlike last year, when I parked my car in Glasgow and caught the free service to the museum, this year I formed a part of the "delegation" from Lathalmond, taking the wheel of the unique Daimler CVG6 / NC Queen Mary, RAG578. RAG saw service in the city later in the day, although with Jim Methven at the wheel; I missed that, as I was already away playing on the other buses. Once again, a very good day out, and a round of applause to the GVVT volunteers who again delivered a well organised event. Sunday 8 October 2006: Is it really a whole year since I was last at Bridgeton? A world of change in that time - I've now left the 9-5 claustrophobic lab-work for a life on the open road. (Well, the congested streets of Edinburgh...) Unlike last year, when I parked my car in Glasgow and caught the free service to the museum, this year I formed a part of the "delegation" from Lathalmond, taking the wheel of the unique Daimler CVG6 / NC Queen Mary, RAG578. RAG saw service in the city later in the day, although with Jim Methven at the wheel; I missed that, as I was already away playing on the other buses. Once again, a very good day out, and a round of applause to the GVVT volunteers who again delivered a well organised event.

Well known from Lathalmond, Bristol Lodekka FS6G, BXA 464B and Utility Guy Arab, CDR 679 were visiting exhibits for the day. A recent, and very welcome, arrival on the preservatio scene, is Seddon Pennine VII / Alexander AT, MSJ 385P. New to Western SMT, it was one of four of this batch converted to accommodate wheelchairs in the 1980s, whereupon it was transferred to Central, becoming their SP1. It was in service until very recently with Andrews Coaches of Foxton. When I heard it was to become available, I made some enquiries with a view to forming a small group to buy it and house it at Lathalmond, but the idea proved not to be feasible, so I'm glad someone has saved it. Another well known preserved vehicle is Edinbugh Corporation 121 (GSX 121N), an Alexander Y-Type bodied Bedford YRT. Lathalmond resident VV773 (CSG 773S), an Ailsa / Alexander, new to Scottish Omnibuses, has just returned to the road in 2006 after a period of inactivity. Nice to see it is making the most of its rejuvenation, attending various rallies and performing enthusiast tours etc. Another bus just out-of-service is Strathtay Scottish Leopard / Y-Type, YSF 88S, carrying Stagecoach fleetnimber 25788. A selection of vehicles in Glasgow Corporation livery is retained by Glasgow City Council, and housed at Bridgeton. East-Coast invasion: Olympian / Alexander, 667 (GSC 667X) and Leopard / Y-Type 101 (YSG101) were on display. Northern Scottish collection

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]]> Sun Oct 8 2006 SVBM Open Weekend August 2006 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1060140.html The 2006 August Open Weekend was themed around the Centenary of the formation of Scottish Motor Traction, the company that would spawn the Scottish Bus Group, and be known variously through the years as 'SMT,' 'Scottish Omnibuses Ltd' and 'Eastern Scottish' before privatisation of the Bus Group saw it returning to the old SMT identity, having been bought by its management and employees. Today, what was SMT forms a part of First Edinburgh - and it was interesting to note that there was no representation from this company whatsoever. I asked one of the event organisers about this, and was told that their response had been that they were "too busy" at weekends to "help us out" - a statement which holds no water, since rivals Lothian Buses managed to field no less than SEVEN vehicles from the frontline fleet, right in the middle of their busiest period of the year - the Edinburgh Festival. To the "management" of First Edinburgh: it would have been far more respectable to admit you were simply not interested in acknowledging the heritage of your company. You are an utter disgrace. Nonetheless, the event was an unqualified success, attracting as strong and varied an entry as I have seen, including a rarity at Scotish events, a BMMO D9. A hearty round of applause, then, to the event organisers and the vehicle owners, all of whose sterling efforts resulted in a memorable event. And particular credit to the Sydney Albion restoration team, who pulled out all the stops to have the bus ready to take pride of place at the site entrance over the weekend. The fruits of their efforts are documented, of course, in a separate collection. Tuesday 22 August 2006: The 2006 August Open Weekend was themed around the Centenary of the formation of Scottish Motor Traction, the company that would spawn the Scottish Bus Group, and be known variously through the years as 'SMT,' 'Scottish Omnibuses Ltd' and 'Eastern Scottish' before privatisation of the Bus Group saw it returning to the old SMT identity, having been bought by its management and employees. Today, what was SMT forms a part of First Edinburgh - and it was interesting to note that there was no representation from this company whatsoever. I asked one of the event organisers about this, and was told that their response had been that they were "too busy" at weekends to "help us out" - a statement which holds no water, since rivals Lothian Buses managed to field no less than SEVEN vehicles from the frontline fleet, right in the middle of their busiest period of the year - the Edinburgh Festival. To the "management" of First Edinburgh: it would have been far more respectable to admit you were simply not interested in acknowledging the heritage of your company. You are an utter disgrace. Nonetheless, the event was an unqualified success, attracting as strong and varied an entry as I have seen, including a rarity at Scotish events, a BMMO D9. A hearty round of applause, then, to the event organisers and the vehicle owners, all of whose sterling efforts resulted in a memorable event. And particular credit to the Sydney Albion restoration team, who pulled out all the stops to have the bus ready to take pride of place at the site entrance over the weekend. The fruits of their efforts are documented, of course, in a separate collection.

Midland Red was, by the late 1960s, one of few - if not the only - operators actually building vehicles to their own requirements, as opposed to buying from a proprietary builder such as Leyland, AEC, Bristol etc. etc... This BMMO D9 was an unusual and very welcome visitor for the weekend. With Kelvin Scottish - style livery, SGB style fleetname and Eastern Scottish-type fleetnumber, you migt think this ex Tayside Volvo Citybus / Alexander R was just another preserved bus, but in fact it still earns its keep in daily service with WJC Buses. By all accounts 'Wee John Seeing the light of day for the first time in nearly 2 years was experimental Gardner 5 cylinder turbo- engined Leyland Olympian / Alexander, B349 LSO, which was new to W. Alexander & Sons (Northern). A restoration in progress is this Alexander (Midland) Leopard / Y-type, which arrived at the museum directly out of service with First Midland Bluebird, carrying that company's GRT-style livery. Normally a fixture on the Perth City Tour, this Stagecoach / ex-London Leyland Titan has not been in use this season. Preserved by Stagecoach, YSD 350L is among a handful of full-size Leopards that were shortened for one reason or another in the 1980s. Also owned by Stagecoach, and also out of use this season, is this Leyland Titan. A lineup of Edinburgh single deckers spanning three decades. Anyone who knows Lothian Buses routes should imediately spot a problem with the display on Olympian 777.... Edinburgh deckers of the '60s and '70s lineup. making a welcome return to the museum is the ex Hutchison, Overtown, 1950 Albion Valiant in Western SMT livery. The only vehicle in FirstBus livery, owing to that company's complete lack of interest in the event, was this ex Strathclyde's Buses Volvo Citybus / Alexander RH which was acquired for Preservation in June. It will presumably return to Strathclyde Two representatives of the E & M Horsburgh fleet made a welcome appearance, in the form of ex- Lothian Olympian / ECW, B767 GSC, and TJN 505R, an ex Blackburn Leyland National 'Greenway' converted by East Lancs in 1995. Another recent entry into preservation is this ex Strathclyde's Buses Volvo Ailsa / Alexander RV. A museum resident that hasn't seen the light of day for many a long year is CYJ252, an Alexander bidied AEC Regent of 1950. Sporting appropriate late 1970s / early 1980s 'Greater Glasgow' livery is this Leyland Atlantean AN68 / Alexander AL of 1975. A bus from London, at a museum in Fife, advertising a museum in Glasgow! MCW Metrobus KYV 781X is now a Bridgeton resident. An odd premise for setting up a business - the recovery of Trailers and Seals.... (**One-liner is copyright Stuart Thomson 2006!! :o) THis Mairs liveried Mercedes 709D was as close as we got to representation from Firstbus.... Mid - 70s Coaching Comtrasts: on the left, XDL 122L is a 1972 Bristol RE / ECW that was new to Southern Vectis for National Express contracts; on the right, 1974 Ford R192 / Plaxton Panorama VSS 158M was new to independent operator Wiles, Port Seaton. No, it's not a Glasgow Corporation Routemaster - the livery is that of Halifax Corporation. Featured in the September 2006 edition of Bus and Coach Preservation (pages 17 to 19, folks!) is Ribble 811 (ARN 811C), a Weymann dual-purpose bodied Leyland Leopard, and according to the article it is the only survivor of the type. Munro's, Jedburgh sent this Ikarus bodied DAF to the event. Visiting from Bridgeton was well-known Western SMT Leyland PD3 / Alexander, D1544, in fine form. Didn't know Bristol made trucks as well as buses? No, neither did I.. The well documented Glasgow Leyland Titan TD1 of 1928 was sadly not running, but got to see the sun due to its usual position on the display hall having been usurped by a wooden stage for a Highland Dancing display. (Ed's note - don't get me started on the hassles tat f*£^%$£ stage caused!!!!) A lineup of buses for the Dunfermline service, with Guy Arab II Utility CDR 679 looking a wee bit lost... Bridgeton's Alexander (Midland) Daimler Fleetline / Alexander AD, MRF168 (LMS 168W) takes a turn on the Dunfermline run. Also over from Bridgeton was Alexander (Northern) AEC reliance / Alexander, NAC147 (NMS 358) of 1960, joining the Alexander fleet just prior to the big Split of the following year. No more Barbie!! Eastern Scottish ll177 (C177 VSF) has ditched the vinyls for original Eastern Scottish colours, and looks fantastic. the 1954 Burnley, Colne and Nelson Leyland Tiger PS2 with a much more attractive driver than normal.... ;o) Vintage bus for hire, contact Jasper Pettie. Vintage Conductor available at extra cost....! ;o) **Sadly, the subject of this photo, Ian Buchanan, died on 19th May 2007, after a short illness. Ian's long-standing contribution to the museum was acknowledged in 2005 when he was presented with a life membership; to date he remains the only individual to receive this distinction. Almost part of the furniture on a Sunday afternoon, in full conductor's uniform and complete with his cherished Setright ticket machine, Ian will be sadly missed by all at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum. Basking in the early evening sunlight is DGS 625, one of the two Mclennan bodied leyland Tiger PS1s maintained at the museum by Stagecoach. It's true what they say - you don't appreciate what you've got 'til it's gone.... the noe almost extinct Strathtay Scottish livery looks great in the sun on Ford R1014 / Alexander Y-Type RLS 469T, which was new to Alexander (Midland) as its MT69. Two museum Stalwarts taking a back seat from frontline duties this time round are Central SMT Guy-bodied Arab EVA 324 and Stagecoach's ex Western National Bristol MW / ECW, HDV 639E. A project in waiting, this Scottish Omnibuses Park Royal bodied AEC Reliance finished its working days as a racing car transporter, and uncertainty as to the exact layout of the original rear have thus far prevented a start being made on the project. Late '70s Eastern Scottish livery and fleetnames look good on Seddon Pennine / Alexander AT, JSF 928T. AFS 91B, an Alexander bodied AEC Reliance of 1964. Another vehicle not seen outside the workshops for some years is the former 'Regal Lass,' a 1947 AEC Regal / Alexander that was new to Alexander's. Representing the Lowland Scottish fleet - as yet fairly sparse in preservation - is ex Southern Vectis Bristol VR NDL 656R. Lowland acquired a number of these buses following privatisation. Several generations of PSV progress are captured in this shot, starting with a Short- bodied Leyland G7 of Southdown, dating from 1922 - unlike last year, touring the site under its own power! Following it into shot is a 1957 Leyland Titan PD2 / MCW Orion of Edinburgh Corporation, and providing a backdrop are a selection of modern day Lothian Buses vehicles, including a 1989 Leyland Olympian / Alexander RH, a 1999 Dennis Super Dart / Plaxton Pointer, and a 2005 Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini. **Copyright on this photo belongs to Stuart Thomson, and it is used here with his permission - many thanks!**

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Tue Aug 22 2006 Classic Speedfair, Knockhill, 23rd July 2006 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1031586.html 23rd July 2006 saw Knockhill Race Circuit host its first Classic Speedfair. The SVBM was invited to bring a selection of vehicles to exhibit, so JIm Methven and myself took the oportunity to go and promote the museum to the punters. We also managed to find time to have a wee run round the site at various times. Roland Williams provided open-top Bristol VR, XBO 121T which was used to ferry a select group of Scottish Motorsports Legends, including one Sir Jackie Stewart, on a staged lap-of-honour around the track - though, thanks to Roland's discovery that the footbridge over the track was too low for the VR to negotiate, it ended up as two incomplete laps, one in either direction, separated by what may well have been the first ever 'three-point-turn' to be performed on track before an audience! A very enjoyable day, and an event I hope is repeated in future seasons. Monday 24 July 2006: 23rd July 2006 saw Knockhill Race Circuit host its first Classic Speedfair. The SVBM was invited to bring a selection of vehicles to exhibit, so JIm Methven and myself took the oportunity to go and promote the museum to the punters. We also managed to find time to have a wee run round the site at various times. Roland Williams provided open-top Bristol VR, XBO 121T which was used to ferry a select group of Scottish Motorsports Legends, including one Sir Jackie Stewart, on a staged lap-of-honour around the track - though, thanks to Roland's discovery that the footbridge over the track was too low for the VR to negotiate, it ended up as two incomplete laps, one in either direction, separated by what may well have been the first ever 'three-point-turn' to be performed on track before an audience! A very enjoyable day, and an event I hope is repeated in future seasons.

The lineup of SVBM exhibits. From left: 1943 Guy Arab / Duple Utility, CDR679; Daimler CVG6 / NC 'Queen Mary, RAG578; WSMT ALbion Lowlander / Alexander, UCS659; and 'unfrozen' SMT 1942 Leyland Titan TD5, DSG169. Roland's VR was oon hand for a special parade lap of Scottish Motorsports Legends. Ashers' Vintage ice-cream van.... ...sadly charging far from vintage prices! the ice-cream was superb, though. Define 'irony' - the 28mph Guy Arab Utility had no sooner been parked up in its allocated spot, than some bright-spark came along with these highly appropriate advertising banners! We checked, it doesn't have machine-guns, revolving number plates or a rear bullet screen... Anyone remember the film 'Christine...?'

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Mon Jul 24 2006 Restoration Focus: NSW Dept. of Government Transport No. 1877 (AKA "The Sydney Albion!") http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c1027532.html A small collection of photos of the ongoing restoration of a 1947 Albion Venturer CX19 at the SVBM. *This project is run by the Sydney Albion Venturer Group, a group of Scottish vintage vehicle enthusiasts formed to repatriate and restore an Albion Venturer CX19 double decker bus, the chassis of which was built at Scotstoun, Glasgow in 1946. This is the first project in Scotland supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore a bus* Text in Asterisks taken from the Albion CX19 Restoration Project website. Please follow the link below for more details of this major project. Thursday 20 July 2006: A small collection of photos of the ongoing restoration of a 1947 Albion Venturer CX19 at the SVBM. *This project is run by the Sydney Albion Venturer Group, a group of Scottish vintage vehicle enthusiasts formed to repatriate and restore an Albion Venturer CX19 double decker bus, the chassis of which was built at Scotstoun, Glasgow in 1946. This is the first project in Scotland supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore a bus* Text in Asterisks taken from the Albion CX19 Restoration Project website. Please follow the link below for more details of this major project.

2005: by the end of the 2005 SVBM Season, the bus had been stripped down to a skeleton. May 2006: As well as the obvious repanelling, a vast amount of work has been completed on the chassis and mechanicals, which can't be so easily seen. July 2006: First coat of paint now in place! With paintwork fully finished, attention was returned to the mechanical side towards the end of July. Here we see the Albion on the museum workshops' Hywema lifts. Early August 2006: Back on the deck, and looking great withits fully renovated radiator in place. Closeup on the radiator, complete with traditional 'Albion' script. A close shot of the fully overhauled engine gives some idea of the effort that has gone into the restoration. No windows yet, but on a hot August Sunday afternoon, that wasn't going to stop Jasper from taking the Albion on its inaugural run around the site! August 2006: a few adjustments after the Albion's first run under its own power since the start of the restoration Less than a week before its public debut, this closeup of the rear nearside shows the quality of the paintwork and signwriting. 20th August 2006: Now completed, NSW number 1877 takes pride of place among the exhibits at the 2006 SVBM Open Weekend. Regrettably, some last-minute electrical gremlins conspired to prevent the vehicle from running on the day - but it is confidently expected that these niggles will be ironed out very soon. Even from these few shots, the efforts and tremendous achievement of the restoration team to have such a fine exhibit in little more than a year. This is by no means the end of the Albion's story, and it will continue to be documented in these pages, both here and in the SVBM Collection.

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]]> Thu Jul 20 2006 Strathtay Scottish Omnibuses http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c962503.html Strathtay was formed in 1985 by the SBG from parts of the Northern and Midland Scottish companies, as part of the group's response to forthcoming bus service deregulation. Following privatisation the company was purchased by Yorkshire Traction and operated as 'Strathtay Coaches.' YT, as we know, was bought out by Stagecoach in late 2005, so the Strathtay livery is fast being replaced by Stagecoach Corporate colours - though, interestingly, with 'Strathtay' fleetnames - for the time being at least. I started this collection with a visit to Blairgowrie depot, where fellow bus enthusiast and friend Kenny Hanlin works. Kenny was very helpful, and can be seen at the helm of a Y-Type / Leopard in Aberfeldy! Yes, Strathtay remains, for the moment, one of few companies actually operating a handful of the old SBG standards in service - though these will disappear very soon now that 'Souter's Buses' are involved! Friday 19 May 2006: Strathtay was formed in 1985 by the SBG from parts of the Northern and Midland Scottish companies, as part of the group's response to forthcoming bus service deregulation. Following privatisation the company was purchased by Yorkshire Traction and operated as 'Strathtay Coaches.' YT, as we know, was bought out by Stagecoach in late 2005, so the Strathtay livery is fast being replaced by Stagecoach Corporate colours - though, interestingly, with 'Strathtay' fleetnames - for the time being at least. I started this collection with a visit to Blairgowrie depot, where fellow bus enthusiast and friend Kenny Hanlin works. Kenny was very helpful, and can be seen at the helm of a Y-Type / Leopard in Aberfeldy! Yes, Strathtay remains, for the moment, one of few companies actually operating a handful of the old SBG standards in service - though these will disappear very soon now that 'Souter's Buses' are involved!

545 outside the garage, almost ready to leave. When I left home to come to Blairgowrie, I didn't imagine for a second I was going to get a service run on a Leopard / Y-type - ah, happy memories! 18507, another of the new Trident / ALX400s inside Blairgowrie garage. 611 (P367 UUG) is a Volvo B10B / Wright Liberator that was new to Harrogate & District, and is typical of some of the vehicles that entered the fleet under YT ownership. Blairgowrie garage. Mercedez 709D / Reeve Burgess Beaver, 166 (E287 OMG) joined the fleet in 1999 from sister YT-Group company Roadcar. Yorkshire Traction-style fleetname on a Leyland Tiger.... Leyland Tiger / Alexander TE, 438 (VLT 45, originally D278 FAS) was new to Highland Scottish, but joined Strathtay from Stagecoach Fife in 2001. The TE body was basically an updated version of the T-type previously used by SBG companies. Leyland Tiger / Plaxton Paramount, 405 (GJZ 4775, originally ????) returning to the garage. Looking a wee bit odd with its somewhat home-made front end with non-standard circular lights, 407 (866PYC) is another Tiger / Alexander TE, and joined the fleet at its inauguration in 1985 from Midland Scottish. 405 again, parked up inside Blairgowrie garage. 545 inside the garage. The Leopard would be my ride for the trip to Aberfeldy and back. Blairgowrie depot. 225 (SP53 EGZ) is a Plaxton Beaver 2-bodied Mercedes Vario 0.814D and was new in 2003. One of the very oldest buses in the fleet, Leopard / Y-type 555 (YSF 75S) was new to Fife Scottish in 1977, so has clocked up 29 years in service. Side-by-side in the garage at Blairgowrie are Tridents 18507 and 18508 (SP06 EGU/V). MCW Metrorider 212 (F704 CWJ) arrived from the parent YT fleet in 2000. 545 waits time at Aberfeldy. 545 at Aberfeldy. Driver (and good friend of mine) Kenny Hanlin poses in the sun! By now it had become apparent to Kenny and myself that all was not totally well with this particular Leopard, which was shuddering badly above 32mph, so if any of these shots seem a bit shaky, spare a thought for my poor shaken arms - operators of pneumatic drills should sympathise with this!! Showing the effect of the Stagecoach Corporate colours with 'Strathtay' fleetname is Trident / ALX400, 18506 (SP06 EGK), midway through being washed. It was interesting to note that unlike most more modern bus depots, the 'bus-wash' at the Blairgowrie garage consists of two men, a big vat of soapy water, a long-handled brush and a hose! In fairness, the garage dates from 1939 - and in many ways, is like a step back in time compared to Stagecoach's mostly state-of-the-art facilities. 430 (670CLT) is one of an interesting batch of Leyland Tigers. New in 1983, it originally carried a Plaxton Paramount coach body and ran in the Roadcar fleet. The vehicle and several others were acquired by Strathtay in 1999, and re-bodied by East-Lancs the following year. The 'Mylennium' body features dual-purpose seating, and looks good. 437 (XNR453, previously D277 FAS) is another ex-Highland Tiger / TE that was acquired from the Stagecoach Fife Scottish fleet in 2001. Another of Strathtay's own new purchases repainted into Stagecoach Corporate livery is 956 (R956 TSL), a Volvo Olympian / East Lancs. It was one of the very first buses so treated. 18506 again, mid-wash. Old meets new: On the left, Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-Type, 545 (TMS 409X) remains in the SBG livery. New to Midland Scottish as their MPE409, the Leopard was among the inaugural Strathtay fleet in 1985, when it became SL45, then 545. To the right, and having a 'bath,' is one of the new vehicles that are starting to enter the fleet, Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400, 18506 (SP06 EGK). The fleetnumber follows the Stagecoach national series. ...and the new Stagecoach-style fleetname being applied to new and repainted buses. 816 (IIB6015, originally E36 LSL) is an MCW Metrobus / Alexander RL that was new to the fleet in 1987, and is similar to buses bought by other SBG companies around that time. The final one of Blairgowrie's four new Tridents, 18509 (SP06 EGX) approaches the garage in the pouring rain. 18509 again after a good wash and clean out... A selection, now, from Arbroath Garage. Leyland Tiger / Plaxton Paramount, 435 (365DXU, originally E214 RDW) was new to Hill, Tredegar, and arrived at Strathtay, via Andrews, Sheffield, in 2001. Comparing with Stagecoach-liveried 430 seen at Blairgowrie, 425, in Strathtay colours, is another of the East Lancs Mylennium re-bodied Leyland Tigers. In this case the chassis was nerw as Central SMT's C15 (D315 SGB) and carried a Duple 340 body - and Scottish Citylink livery. It can be seen in this form via the following link: http://www.centralsmt.co.uk/Photos/Coaches/C15-KCB-newcastle-oct89.jpg Interior of 435. Now withdrawn from service, 179 (N314 HUM) is a Mercedez-Benz 609D with Devon Conversions bodywork. It was new to Leeds City Council. Also withdrawn from service are a number of former SBG Leyland Olympian / Alexander RL's such as 923 (PSU374, originally A988 FLS) which was new to Fife Scottish. Also withrdawn are sisters 924 (PSU376, originally A989 FLS) and 925 (PSU375, originally A990 FLS). Further vehicles now withdrawn - or certainly soon to be, now that the company is backed by Stagecoach's money - are MCW Metrobus / Alexander RL's 812, 814 and 815. (ORU738, YJU694 and 143CLT, originally E412/4 and 5 GES). These were purchased new by the company in 1987, and would have been among the first new acquisitions. If they are withdrawn, then hopefully one will find its way into preservation due to their historical significance. Strathtay Scottish is the only one of the 4 new SBG companies formed at deregulation whose identity survived for 20+ years, Clydeside having become 'Arriva Scotland West' and both Kelvin and Lowland having been absorbed into FirstGroup some years ago. Another East Lancs Mylennium-rebodied Leyland Tiger, the source this time being ex- Northern Scottish NLT5 (VSS 5X) which sported a Duple Dominant body when new in 1982. 435's bahookie. (Owner's note: non Scots-speaking visitors can work that one out for themselves!) Leyland Tiger / Alexander TC 418 (415VYA, originally D718 FES) is another vehicle that was new to Strathtay in the early days, and should threfore hopefully be a preservation candidate once it is withdrawn. New in 1977 as Fife Scottish FPE87, Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-Type YSF 87S must be one of the oldest vehicles still in regular service in Scotland. Having seen just shy of 29 years continuous service, it is unlikely to reach the big 3-0 as Stagecoach ownership is bringing in both new buses at the top-end and cascaded mid-life vehicles from other fleets. Not what it first appears - 901 (SSA 8X) at first glance looks like an ECW-bodied Leyland Olympian, but the registration is that of an ex- Northern Scottish, Alexander bodied example. After puzzling over this for some time, I saw what had been staring me in the face. Look at the top-deck front windows - it *IS* an Alexander RL, but an ECW lower-deck front panel has been grafted on - and very professionally too. A testament to the once commonplace, but now sadly rare, ingenuity that was to be found in bus company workshops! 411 (WLT917, originally B333 LSO) is a Leyland Tiger / Alexander TE, and was new as Northern Scottish NCT33. 917 (D817 EES) is an Alexander RL-bodied Olympian that was new to the company in 1987, again making it one of the company's earliest new purchases, and therefore a candidate for preservation once withdrawn. 542 (XSS 42Y), new as Northern Scottish NPE42 in December 1982, and the second-to-last Y-Type Bodied Leopard built. Its successor, XSS 43Y, is already in preservation, and visited Lathalmond in May 2006. Another of the outgoing Leopard / Y-Types is 561 (YSF 88S), new as Fife's FPE88. A typical new purchase for the company under Yorkshire Traction ownership was the Volvo B7TL / East Lancs 'Vyking' as represented by 703 (SP51 AWX). Similar 701 (SP51 AWV). Still in service - but for how much longer? Leopard / Y-Type 536 (GSO 86V) was new as Northern's NPE86. Sister vehicle NPE80 is preserved and has been fully and meticulously restored by its owners and can be found at Lathalmond. 220 (V20 CBC) was new to Coakley, Motherwell, in 1999, and is a Mercedez vario 0814D / Plaxton Beaver 2. For reasons best known to themselves, Coakley appears not to bother retaining any of its 'CBC' registrations when moving vehicles on. 420 (HSK766, originalls C259 FGG) was new to Central SMT as its LT59. It is a Leyland Tiger with the Dual-Purpose Alexander TE body. From the same source is WLT784, originally C262 FGG (LT62). 231 (S346 SWF) is among a number of Plaxton bodied Mercedes Varios that have been transferred in from other YT fleets in recent years.

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]]> Fri May 19 2006 Moffat & Williamson http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c956414.html Long-established Fife operator Moffat & Williamson have recently relocated their base of operations from Gauldry to the premises at St. Fort, a few miles away, which is where the bulk of the fleet had been parked anyway. As well as the high-spec coaches in the fleet, this operator has traditionally also had a large fleet of school buses. Until recently these were the usual mix of Leyland Atlanteans / Bristol VRs etc. but new Fife Council rules have seen these replaced recently with ex MOD Dennis Javelin / Wadham Stringers, all with '3+2' seating. Saturday 13 May 2006: Long-established Fife operator Moffat & Williamson have recently relocated their base of operations from Gauldry to the premises at St. Fort, a few miles away, which is where the bulk of the fleet had been parked anyway. As well as the high-spec coaches in the fleet, this operator has traditionally also had a large fleet of school buses. Until recently these were the usual mix of Leyland Atlanteans / Bristol VRs etc. but new Fife Council rules have seen these replaced recently with ex MOD Dennis Javelin / Wadham Stringers, all with '3+2' seating.

Looking good in the sunlight at Stirling Services is Volvo B10M / Plaxton Panther ST52 GZN, new in 2003. VanHool Alizee II / Volvo B10M, N471 PYS was new to Parks of Hamilton. It is seeen at Discovery Point in Dundee, between runs on a Fraser Eagle Rail Replacement service. A Volvo B10M / Plaxton Excalibur basks in the evening sun in Dundee, with Captain Scott's RRS Discovery as the backdrop. Mercedes Vario / Plaxton Cheetah, SP55 EEF, is a fairly recent addition to the fleet. MAN 11.190 / Optare Vecta L670 PWT began life as a manufacturer's demonstrator. Volvo B10M / Plaxton Paragon, Y396 PSP. 121 ASV is a 9.5 metre Volvo B10M (Designated a N86 FHL is a short wheelbase, 47seat variant of the MOD spec Dennis Javelin / Wadham-Stringer Vanguard. A selection of the firm's schools fleet, ranging in capacity from 47 to 70 seats. A pair of ex-MoD Javelins, and a Plaxton Premiere / Volvo B10M Rear view of some of the 3+2 seated schools fleet. You'd be forgiven for thinking that Leyland Tiger J48 SNY carried a Duple 320 body; and, had it been built a year or two earlier, that's exactly what it would've been. However, by August 1991, when this coach took to the road, Duple had been bought out by Plaxton - so this, and a very few others, left the factory badged as 'Plaxton 321s' It was new to Bebb, Llantwit Fardre - and is still a Duple as far as I'm concerned!! (Thanks to St. Fort transp[ort manager Fraser for moving this one into the sun for me!) Among the latest additions to the service fleet is Optare Solo YK05 CDF.

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]]> Sat May 13 2006 Allan's of Gorebridge http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c955543.html Allan's is a premium coach travel operator based in small but immaculate premises off the A7 in Gorebridge. I have long been impressed by the high-spec, high quality of their frontline fleet, which, at the time of publishing, is comprised entirely of Scania / Irizar PBs, all under three years old. As the fleet is renewed on a regular basis, I expect to update this collection periodically. My thanks to Jimmy, one of Allans' driver/valeter/tour guides for taking time out from preparing the fleet for a big job, to show me around and move coaches into better photographic positions! Friday 12 May 2006: Allan's is a premium coach travel operator based in small but immaculate premises off the A7 in Gorebridge. I have long been impressed by the high-spec, high quality of their frontline fleet, which, at the time of publishing, is comprised entirely of Scania / Irizar PBs, all under three years old. As the fleet is renewed on a regular basis, I expect to update this collection periodically. My thanks to Jimmy, one of Allans' driver/valeter/tour guides for taking time out from preparing the fleet for a big job, to show me around and move coaches into better photographic positions!

B12 DWA, Another view of B18 DWA was an older style, 2001-model Scania K124IB4 / Irizar Century, snapped in Princes Street, Edinburgh during 2005; it had left the fleet by the time I visited Gorebridge in May 2006, and its number transferred to a brand-new K114 / PB. Allans' coaches are vey much in demand for rail replacement work, their high spec and quality providing a much needed antidote to the 'inconvenience' many rail passengers perceive in having to complete part of their journey by road. B17 DWA, B15 DWA, B17 DWA, B11 DWA is seen next to similar sister vehicle B12 DWA, All the coaches in Allans' fleet carry 'DWA' cherished index marks, and these are retained each time older coaches are sold off. The latest recipient of the mark 'B11 DWA' - named An (almost) complete lineup of the Allans' fleet, with Mercedes-Benz Tourino demonstrator BX55 FUG on the right. The vehicles were being meticulously prepared for a private hire when I visited the yard, hence the mops and buckets prominently displayed! High-Spec interior of B12 DWA, Driver's eye view from B12DWA, Another aspect of Allans' business is in luxury limousine hire, as represented by Cadillacs C9 and C10 DWA

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]]> Fri May 12 2006 RRS Discovery http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c881831.html No trip to Dundee would be complete without a visit to RRS Discovery, Captain Scott's ship on his voyage of Polar Exploration. Monday 6 March 2006: No trip to Dundee would be complete without a visit to RRS Discovery, Captain Scott's ship on his voyage of Polar Exploration.

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]]> Mon Mar 6 2006 Travel Dundee http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c881823.html This National Express owned operator can trace its roots back to Dundee Corporation. The legal lettering on the vehicles still reads "Tayside Public Transport" while the buses sport the predominantly white 'Travel' livery shared by the group's 'Travel West Midlands' sister company. Travel Dundee, like many others, has been won over by the charms of the Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini combination, and several recent examples are to be found in the fleet. Monday 6 March 2006: This National Express owned operator can trace its roots back to Dundee Corporation. The legal lettering on the vehicles still reads "Tayside Public Transport" while the buses sport the predominantly white 'Travel' livery shared by the group's 'Travel West Midlands' sister company. Travel Dundee, like many others, has been won over by the charms of the Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini combination, and several recent examples are to be found in the fleet.

201 (S282 AOX) is an Optare Solo M850, and was new to fellow National Express subsidiary, Travel West Midlands. Travel Dundee runs a small fleet of schoolbuses, in a yellow livery. SB3 (7017PF) is one of these. It is a Marshall-bodied Mercedes-Benz 811D, and was acquired from Travel West Midlands in 2004. In 'Wisharts' livery, W306 (P973 KTS) is an MB 814D, and is bodied by Plaxton. Another of the fleet to wear Wishart's colours is Scania K93CRB / Plaxton Premiere, W301 (DXC330). Wisharts of Friockheim was an independent coach operator acquired by Tayside. Some of Travel Dundee's Private Hire fleet wear 'Travel Greyhound' livery, such as TC17 (JSU506), a Plaxton Paramount-bodied Volvo B10M. Travel Dundee also operates a Scottish Citylink franchise. TC3 (CTS917) is a suitably liveried Volvo B10M / Plaxton Premiere, and is seen alongside similar, but Greyhound liveried, TC1 (2133PL) Leyland Lynxes SB1 and SB2 (PSU 339/40) make up the balance of the schools fleet. Bothe were acquired from Travel West Midlands in 2004. Further examples of the Greyhound livery on Scania / Plaxton, TC20 (EUE489) and Volvo / PLaxton, TC10 (PYJ136). The purple Greyhound livery is......different..... An unusual wearer of the coach livery is this coach-seated Northern Counties Palatine II - bodied Volvo Olympian. It was acquired from parent National Express in 2005. 4023 (N23 FWU) is one of the company's training vehicles. An uncommon type north of the border, it is a DAF SB220 with Ikarus 'Citibus' body. Not to be confused with Volvo's 'Citybus' chassis..... 164 (R164 TSR) is a Volvo B6LE / Wright Crusader., and was about to leave the depot driven by Elaine (Sorry Elain, I've forgotten your surname!). Elaine, who can (just) be seen in the driving seat, is a 17 year veteran of driving for numerous bus companies throughout the UK. She started her career at a time when the appearance of a female bus-driver would have been cause for a double-take. Nowadays, most bus operators make a point of trying to recruit higher numbers of women to pilot their vehicles. Bigger cousin to the B6 / Crusader combination seen previously, 174 (V174 ESL) is one of a sizeable fleet of low-entry B10BLE / Wright Renown models in the fleet. Another variation on the Volvo / Wrightbus theme is the B10L with Liberator body. Travel Dundee's most recent new vehicles are a number of Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini double-deckers, such as 13 (SP54 CGV). USU661, another coach-seated Olympian / NC Palatine II. 176 (V176 ESL), another B10BLE / Wright Renown. 14 (SP54 CGX) is another of the new B7TL / Geminis. A further variation on a similar theme - 85 (R85 GNW) carries Wright Crusader bodywork, but is a Dennis Dart SLF. Travel Dundee, unusually, is not a big user of Darts, with a total compliment of 7 examples. Adding more variety to the fleet are a number of Optare Excels, such as 205 (R408 HWU), which were acquired from Connex Bus in 2002. Another Excel, this is 202 (R410 HWU). Excel 203 (R404 HWU) 87 (R87 GNW) is another Crusader bodied Dart. A number of the fleet carry route branding: B10BLE / Renown, 170 (V170 ESL) is branded for the 'Discovery Line.' (For those who don't know the significance of this, take a look at the next photo collection for a clue!) A lineup of three distinct vehicle types. From left: 523 (P523 EJW) - Volvo B6LE / Wright Crusader; 208 (R409 HWU) - Optare Excel; and 177 (V177 ESL - Volvo B10BLE / Wright Renown. Another example of route branding is the 'Whitfield Hopper,' seen here on B10L / Liberator, 138 (P138 KSL). B10BLE / Renown, 175 (V175 ESL) is route branded for service 22 / 22C - but does without a catchy route-name... 206 (R403 HWU) is another ex Connex Bus Optare Excel. A lineup shot showing various types. 121 (P121 GSR) is the only Plaxton Pointer-bodied Dart SLF in the fleet... B10L / Liberator, 142 (R142 RSN). Another type of bus that is uncommon north of the border is the Scania N113CRL with East Lancs 'European' bodywork. 114 (L3LOW) is such a beast, and is seen next to B10BLE / Renown, 158 (R158 RSN). These buses were the first results of a synergy between Scania and East Lancs which continues today in the Omnidekka double deck design. 6 (SP54 CHL), another of the B7TL / Geminis. Interior of Scania / East Lancs, 114 (L3 LOW) Driver's eye view from Scania / East Lancs, 114 (L3 LOW). Yet another variation - 64 (P398 FVP) is a Scania L113CRL with Wright Pathfinder body. Wrightbus's nomenclature can be difficult to follow - the Pathfinder, Liberator and Renown bodies are essentially the same, but Wrightbus applies a different name depending on what type of chassis it is to be fitted to. Rear view of Discovery-Line branded Gemini, 05 (SP54 CHK). Last shot of the depot yard, East Dock St., Dundee. Almost a year since the shots above were taken, it seems route branding is starting to become more prominent in the Travel Dundee fleet. 147 (R147 RSN), a Wright Liberator bodied Volvo B10L, wears aquatically themed 'Ferry Link' livery. Wearing standard colours, and pausing outside one of the main attractions in Dundee for a lardy bloke like me, is similar 149 (R149 RSN)

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]]> Mon Mar 6 2006 Busworld Glasgow http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c860738.html Prompted by the news that Western SMT L669 had been acquired for preservation and was here, a trip to the Hillington Industrial Estate site was in order. Tuesday 14 February 2006: Prompted by the news that Western SMT L669 had been acquired for preservation and was here, a trip to the Hillington Industrial Estate site was in order.

An early production Volvo Ailsa for GGPTE, AV8 (MGE 183P) is part of a one-off batch which had Alexander AV bodies with the same curved domes as found on the PTE's many Leyland Atlanteans. MCW Metrobus / Alexander AL, MRM40 (ULS 640X) was new to W. Alexander & Sons (Midland). It passed to Kelvin Scottish on that company's formation in 1986, and is currently in Firstbus inspired willowleaf livery. A couple of Renault / Dodge minis. E346 WYS (left) was new to Clydeside Scottish, while D702 EES was new to Tayside. Both carry Alexander AM bodywork. Mercedes Benz 711D / Plaxton Beaver, L866 LFS was new to management owned Clydeside2000. Having carried so-called 'Strathclyde Red' livery - and by 'red, we really mean 'orange' - AV8 is now being fully restored to GGPTE colours. **Correction - an anonymous contributor informs me that in fact the plan is to restore AV8 to Strathclyde 'red.' With the much more well known 'peaked-dome' Alexander AV body, LHS 748V was new as Central SMT's AH24, and later wore Kelvin Central Buses (KCB) colours. Leopard 79-DL-630 was originally Western SMT L2904 (BSJ 904T). It passed to Clydeside Scottish, and when that company set about renewing its inherited fleet of ageing Leopards, was among several bought by Irish operator Lough Swilly - hence the ROI registration. Former GGPTE Atlantean / Alexander, LA1416 (RDS 605W) New as Central SMT's N29, MDS 862V was the only SBG Leyland National to undergo refurbishment in East Lancashire Coachbuilders' early 1990s 'Greenway' Programme. It later served with Kelvin Scottish and Midland Scottish, and was withdrawn from service in 2000. L2904 stands alongside Busworld's newest resident, Western SMT L669 (GCS 69V). Just withdrawn from service with First Glasgow is former Central SMT LT79 (D379 OSU), a Gardner-engined Leyland Tiger / Alexander TS. The TS was a service bus variant of the TC / TE coach which was developed to suit SBG companies which had been underwhelmed by Alexander's Y-Type replacement, the P-Type. Ex Fife Scottish Leyland Leopard / Alexander T-Type, FPE175 (NFS 175Y). A pair of ex-London AEC Routemasters. Ulsterbus 2386 (UOI 2386) is a Bristol REwith Alexander (Belfast) bodywork. THis was, for many years, Ulsterbus's standard single deck purchase. L669 outside the garage. L669 outside the garage. L669 outside the garage.

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]]> Tue Feb 14 2006 Restoration Focus: W. Alexander & Sons Leyland Tiger TS8 'Special', P573 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c852062.html This collection will chart the progress of the ongoing restoration of P573 at the SVBM, Lathalmond. Please note that the two photos of the bus in its immediate pre-restoration conditionare not mine, and copyright rests with Kenny Hanlin. They are reproduced here with his kind permission - Thanks, Kenny. P573 is the subject of an appeal for funding in order to carry out the restoration, and is one of the most ambitious museum projects to date. For a full history of the bus, its historical significance, and to find out how YOU can help, please follow the link below. Monday 6 February 2006: This collection will chart the progress of the ongoing restoration of P573 at the SVBM, Lathalmond. Please note that the two photos of the bus in its immediate pre-restoration conditionare not mine, and copyright rests with Kenny Hanlin. They are reproduced here with his kind permission - Thanks, Kenny. P573 is the subject of an appeal for funding in order to carry out the restoration, and is one of the most ambitious museum projects to date. For a full history of the bus, its historical significance, and to find out how YOU can help, please follow the link below.

August 2004: P573 had fallen into a sorry state when this photo was taken proir to the start of serious fundraising. August 2004: As you can see, the body-framing had completely collapsed at the back. How she would have looked: This is identical sister-vehicle P572, when new in 1939. August 2005: One year on, and significant progress had been made - the remains of the original Alexander body had been removed and the chassis had been refurbished and 'silvered.' August 2005: Brand new framing has been constructed to the original pattern. February 2006: Having been completely overhauled, the engine has been refitted into the chassis February 2006: Having been completely overhauled, the engine has been refitted into the chassis ??? - Answers on a Postcard please.... July 2006: Work has been slow over the spring, largely due to a heavy workload for the Bus Doctor and VVR. Nonetheless, progress is evident in the refurbishment and refitment of the radiator. August 2008: good progress has been made on the roof and cab frame areas. As you can see, the project still relies very much on your help and donations to come to fruition. Please, please, please get involved... June 2009: Most of the framing is now complete, while repannelling of the roof and sides has commenced. If you think progress has been sow over the past four years, please remember that this project is being funded entirely by pledge and donation - work progresses as the funding pot allows, and best estimates have the figure to complete the structural rebuild running to five figures....

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]]> Mon Feb 6 2006 SPECIAL FOCUS: Stagecoach Western Buses' Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 'Commuter' DPs http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c837180.html Launched on 14th December 2005, these impressive new wheelchair accessible 'Dual Purpose' (DP) buses are the first of their type into normal service. A source tells me two others exist, but that these are Wrightbus demonstrators. Although not the first Wrightbus-bodied vehicles to wear Stagecoach livery, these are, however the first to be ordered new by the company, rather than inherited with another business. It will be interesting to see if they become the first of many, or remain unique. Monday 23 January 2006: Launched on 14th December 2005, these impressive new wheelchair accessible 'Dual Purpose' (DP) buses are the first of their type into normal service. A source tells me two others exist, but that these are Wrightbus demonstrators. Although not the first Wrightbus-bodied vehicles to wear Stagecoach livery, these are, however the first to be ordered new by the company, rather than inherited with another business. It will be interesting to see if they become the first of many, or remain unique.

Numerically the first of the pair of Commuters, 21201 (SF55 RKA) is seen at Dumfries depot. Similar in appearance to the 'Solar' and 'Urban' designs, the raised windowline in the high-floor main passenger area can clearly be seen. Note also, the underfloor luggage lockers along the side. The buses are route-branded for Service 500, a 75 mile route linking Dumfries with Stranraer in the extreme South West of the country. This shot shows the longer than average front overhang - this is due to the wide entry / wheelchair ramp setup, which we will see in more detail below. Rear view of 21201. The banner proclaims the fact that Western Buses were named 'UK Bus Operator of the Year' in the recent 2005 awards. Closeup on 'Commuter....' This shot gives an idea of the arrangements for wheelchair access - the door is wider than standard, and the front section swings forward, projecting in front of the bus. A better idea of the width of the entry - albeit only one section is open here. A wheelchair ramp folds out when required. Directly behind the right-hand section of the door is a dedicated wheelchair bay with securing points and a seatbelt for the passenger. The first row of seats on the opposite side are at the same level as the wheelchair bay, thereby avoiding a wheelchair passenger being isolated from the others. Nice shot of the bus interior, showing the coach-style seats. The main saloon is accessed by three steps in the centre. With its big windows and overhead luggage racks, the effect is reminiscent of the old Alexander T-types which I liked so much. Sister vehicle 21202 (SF55 RKE) is seen among more typical low-floor single deckers, and the extra height is obvious. From directly ahead, the Commuter presents a striking appearance.

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]]> Mon Jan 23 2006 Scottish Citylink http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c831517.html Citylink is jointly owned by ComfortDelGro and (since September 2005) Stagecoach. Franchises are operated by a number of various independent operators, and the vehicles they assign to the contracts are painted into the distinctive Scottish Citylink livery. Some Stagecoach vehicles are also starting to appear in these colours. The variety of operators involved precipitates an equally varied selection of vehicles on our roads wearing the Scottish Citylink colours. Tuesday 17 January 2006: Citylink is jointly owned by ComfortDelGro and (since September 2005) Stagecoach. Franchises are operated by a number of various independent operators, and the vehicles they assign to the contracts are painted into the distinctive Scottish Citylink livery. Some Stagecoach vehicles are also starting to appear in these colours. The variety of operators involved precipitates an equally varied selection of vehicles on our roads wearing the Scottish Citylink colours.

Parks of Hamilton own LSK497, a Volvo B12M / Plaxton Paragon.Parks was one of a number of operators to get in on the Citylink act following privatisation in the 1990s. Photographed in St. Andrew Square bus station, Edinburgh. VanHool T9 Alizee - bodied DAF, K300 WCM belongs to West Coast Motors. West Coast are among the most prolific operators of Citylink routes. Buchanan bus station, Glasgow. 162EKH is onwed by Rapson's Coaches, another well known Citylink franchisee. This particular coach, a Plaxton Premiere 350 - bodied Volvo B10M, was new to Cummer of Galway, Eire, as 95G895. In the interim, it carried the registration M105 VRA. A less widely known Citylink operator is 'Wee John's Coaches,' or 'WJC' who operate P20 WJC. Photographed on Princes St. Edinburgh, it is a VanHool T8 Alizee - bodied Volvo B10M. Another representative of Rapson's is T131 AST, a Volvo B10M / Plaxton Premiere 350. Photographed in Edinburgh. Entering St. Andrew Square bus station, Plaxton Premiere-bodied NSV621 is of unknown origin - if you can help to identify it, please use the 'comments' tab below. Thanks. Plaxton Paragon bodied SG03 ZGP is most likely a Volvo B12M, operated by Parks of Hamilton. I stand to be corrected - anyone know better? Princes St. Edinburgh. Signs of change: Volvo B10M / Jonckheere Mistral, X676 NSE is among thre first Stagecoach vehicles to wear Citylink colours. Most recently listed as operating with SBluebird, it may remain with that company, or have been transferred to Fife Scottish, in whose Cowdenbeath depot this shot was taken. When photographed, it was obviously fresh out of the paint shop, and had yet to receive legal lettering. Front view of X676 NSE Woopsy! West Coast Motors' K200 WCM is at Stagecoach Bluebird's Perth depot, presumably to have the nsf corner damage repaired. A number of Citylink liveried coaches are now being stationed at Stagecoach depots, owing to their stakeholding in the company. Another WCM vehicle on Stagecoach territory, T900 WCM is a DAF / VanHool T9 Alizee. It was photographed, along with the next three coaches in the collection, at tyhe MagicBus garage in Robroyston. Sporting the classic T8 version of the VanHool Alizee coach body, R200 WCM is another DAF. Similar DAF / Alizee, R100 WCM... ..and DAF / Alizee R300 WCM Stirling bus station was the setting for this January 2006 view of Strathtay - owned Volvo B10M / PLaxton Premiere 320, R452 MSL. It would have started its journey in Dundee. Stopped beneath the impressive backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, this Plaxton Paragon - bodied coach is most likely one of Parks of Hamilton's fleet, and most likely a Volvo B12M. Travel Dundee operates this Volvo B10M / Plaxton premiere. Numbered TC3 in the fleet, CTS917 was originally registered M100 TPT - for 'Tayside Public Transport,' the legal name for the company. Two further Travel Dundee B10m / Plaxtons, TC22 and 23 (NSV621/2, previously V74/3 DSN) are seen in the yard at East Dock St, Dundee. Another distinctive coach in the Citylink livery is LSK512, a VanHool Astrobel - bodied Volvo B12T, operated by Parks of Hamilton and seen in Guild St. Bus Station, Aberdeen, about to take up the 16:40 megabus.com service to Glasgow. Stagecoach Glasgow 50035 (T35 DFC), a MAN 24.350LF / Jonckheere Monaco. Stagecoach Glasgow used to run a number of these in red & grey 'Motorvator' livery, on the M8 Glasgow - Edinburgh corridor, in direct competition with Citylink. The recent acquisition by Stagecoach of 35% of Scottish Citylink has seen all these services integrated under the Citylink Brand. At the same time, some of Stagecoach's 'megabus.com' routes are now being operated by Citylink franchisees such as Parks of Hamilton. At its home depot of Kilmarnock, 50039 (T39 DJO) is a MAN 24.350LF / Jonckheere Monaco. Despite being based at Western's Kilmarnock depot, these MANs carry the subsidiary 'Stagecoach Glasgow' name in the legal lettering. A Volvo B12M / Plaxton Panther of Parks of Hamilton, KSK 979 pauses on Princes St. Edinburgh, bound for Glasgow Buchanan St. Bus Station. Another Parks coach at Dundee, LSK499 is a Volvo B12T with VanHool 'Astrobel' double deck coach body. Leaving Seagate Bus Station, Dundee, bound for Glasgow, on a megabus.com working, is Parks' LSK644, A Jonkheere Mistral 50-bodied Volvo B12B new in 2005. A Volvo B12M / Jonckheere Millenium Mistral on Edinburgh's Princes St, probably belonging to Park's. Seen leaving Ayr's Sandgate bus station is P20 WJC, A Volvo B10M / VanHool Alize belonging to Wee John's Coaches. A nice touch is the addition of an SBG style Saltire logo to the now standard Citylink livery. Currently the newest vehicles wearing Citylink colours are Stagecoach's now tri-axle Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panthers such as 54127 (SF07 AMV), seen here nearing the end of the 900 Glasgow - Edinburgh service. Stagecoach also has a number of these near 50ft long monsters in megabus.com livery. Another of the Stagecoach giants, this view of 54028 in Hanover St, Edinbrurgh, demonstrates just how much longer than the average they are. Volvo B12B, SF07 AOA in Edinburgh's Princes St. Stagecoach Glasgow 54029 (SF07 ANP) crosses the Hanover St / Mound junction near journey's end on the 900. Rapsons' Plaxton paragon / Volvo B10M W743 NAS, on Edinburgh's Queensferry St. seems to have sufferred the same fate as many Volkswagen cars of the 1980s... Parks of Hamilton recycles a number of cherished registrations on their vehicles; the latest of a long line to wear LSK874 is a Citylin liveried 15m Volvo B12B / Plaxton Panther. Stagecoach Volvo B12BT / Plaxton Panther 54031 (SF07 ANU) loads up at Edinburgh Haymarket. Parks' KSK 977 battles driving snow at Drumbrae Roundabout, 2nd February 2009. Volvo B10M / Plaxton Premiere 52464, another of the Stagecoach fleet, seems a bit low-rent for the 900, and is probably covering for a failed Panther.

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]]> Tue Jan 17 2006 Magic Bus http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c830539.html The corny fleetname disguises the fact that these buses are Stagecoach vehicles, running low-cost intra-city services. They are operated by Stagecoach Glasgow, itself a subsidiary of Stagecoach Western Buses. Monday 16 January 2006: The corny fleetname disguises the fact that these buses are Stagecoach vehicles, running low-cost intra-city services. They are operated by Stagecoach Glasgow, itself a subsidiary of Stagecoach Western Buses.

In keeping with its 'low cost' philosophy, MagicBus tends to use older, fully depreciated buses such as 15296 (C796 USG), a Volvo Citybus which was part of the Fife Scottish fleet when Stagecoach bought that company in the 1990s. It has an Alexander RV body, based on the design originally fitted to the front-engined Ailsa. 15247 (E864 RCS) is a Citybus with a later variant of the RV bodystyle, and was new to Western Scottish. 15299 (C799 USG) is another ex Fife Scottish Citybus; 14625 (C625 LFT) is an Alexander RH-bodied Leyland Olympian, new to Tyne & Wear, and part of the only batch of R-types that I know of to be fitted with this dash panel design. 14601 and 14629 (C601, 629, LFT) - another pair of ex Tyne & Wear Olympian / RH's. Another Leyland Olympian / Volvo Citybus pair, 14654 (C654 LFT) and 15275 (C805 USG). Ex Tyne & Wear Olympian 14603 (C603 LFT) alongside 14337, a Leyland Olympian / Alexander RL, with the much more common dash panel. THis one was new to East Midland. Another pair of ex Tynt & Wear Olympians, 14603 and 14653 (C603/653 LFT) Olympian / Alexander RH, 14662 (C662 LFT) In the process of being cannibalised for spares are 14626 and 14642 (C626 / 642 LFT).

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]]> Mon Jan 16 2006 Preservation Prospects...? http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c791762.html As I build my photo collection, I find myself coming across a few vehicles languishing and just asking to be taken under the wing of an enthusiast. So I thought I'd create an ongoing collection just for them. If you're thinking of restoring a bus, why not give it a look, and don't forget to check back periodically. **Please note, the appearance of a vehicle in this collection should not be taken as evidence of the current owner's willingness to sell** Monday 12 December 2005: As I build my photo collection, I find myself coming across a few vehicles languishing and just asking to be taken under the wing of an enthusiast. So I thought I'd create an ongoing collection just for them. If you're thinking of restoring a bus, why not give it a look, and don't forget to check back periodically. **Please note, the appearance of a vehicle in this collection should not be taken as evidence of the current owner's willingness to sell**

Anyone interested in preserving an early all-foreign invader to the British Coach market might want to take a look at this now rare example of a Caetano Alpha-bodied Volvo B10M. When photographed,it was at the depot of Ayrways, Saltpans Road, Ayr. Lurking at the back of the yard of Mackie's of Alloa is SL 9483, a 1964 Bedford SB5 / Duple Bella Vista which came with the business of Halley, Sauchie, in 1984. Although clearly not a runner, the Bedford looks fairly complete, and should surely be attracting interest from the preservationists? Seen in Stirling in Autum 2005 while with First Glasgow, Leyland Tiger / Alexander TS, D381 OSU was new to Central SMT as their LT81. Virtually all of these Tigers have been withdrawn by First now, and are sadly making their way, a few at a time, to Dunsmore's Scrapyard in Larkhall - by the time you read this, LT81 may well be among them. NFS 173Y, an Alexander T-type bodied Leyland Leopard, was new to W. Alexander & Sons (Fife). It currently resides at a house behind the service station at Maddiston, just off the M9. It used to be partnered by a 1966 Duple Viceroy-bodied coach, though that has disappeared in the last couple of years. Former Edinburgh Corporation Leyland Atlantean / Alexander, MSF 466P is, of all places, in Stagecoach's depot in Perth. Clearly its most recent use was as a static 'exhibit,' in connection with the Make Poverty History campaign. A more recent visit to Saltpans Road afforded a better view of the B10M - possibly beyond saving, but I'm no expert - if you are, why not give it a look yourself? Contact the company on 01292 267722 if you're up for a challenge! GHG 348W, an ex Blackpool Transport Leyland Atlantean / East Lancashire. Along with sisters 347 and 349, it is currently in the Ayrways fleet, and all three are due to be withdrawn. I have it on good authority thatthe company would be willing to discuss the buses with a preservationist - so, if anyone is interested, contact Ayrways Coach Travel, Saltpans Road, Ayr - Tel 01292 267722

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]]> Mon Dec 12 2005 Stagecoach in Perth / Stagecoach Bluebird http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c791713.html Where it all started, 25 years ago - Stagecoach is, unsurprisingly, still the major force in its native Perth. The Perth fleet is now operated as part of Bluebird Buses; that company has its roots in W. Alexander & Sons (Northern) Sunday 11 December 2005: Where it all started, 25 years ago - Stagecoach is, unsurprisingly, still the major force in its native Perth. The Perth fleet is now operated as part of Bluebird Buses; that company has its roots in W. Alexander & Sons (Northern)

A selection of buses in the maintenance compound at Perth - P494/5/7 and 8 BRS are Volvo B6LE's, with the (now discontinued) Alexander ALX200 body. On the left, KYV 470X is an ex-London Leyland Titan. MAN24.430 / Jonkheere Monaco, T48 BBW was new to Thames Transit, and served for Western Buses before being transferred to Bluebird. Stagecoach Standard Volvo B10M/Alexander PS, K573 LTS X435 NSE, a Dennis Dart SLF / Alexander ALX300. You know the expression SV54 ELC, one of several impressive Neoplan Skyliner tri-axle double deck coaches bought in the last year for megabus.com services. They seat 91 passengers. In the main depot, now, just a few yards further up the road, Optare Solo SV04 DVM is waiting to go out on service. One of the older vehicles in the fleet, Leyland Olympian / Alexander RL, D386 XRS is used nowadays mainly for Schools services. At the other end of the age-scale, brand-new Volvo B7R / Plaxton Profile SV55 EEU has yet to see service. (Or, indeed, receive its fleetnumber, by the looks of things) Latest incarnation of the famous Bluebird logo that can trace its heritage back to the original W. Alexander & Sons bus company. Another megabus.com Neoplan Skyliner, but this one, MX05 BWP, started its life with Greater Manchester South, before very quickly transferring north. Identical SV54 ELX was new to Bluebird in January 2005. From the largest vehicles in the fleet to some of the smallest. Mercedes 811D / Wright, J409 PRW, new to Midland Red (South), joined the Bluebird fleet ex JW Coaches, Aberdeen. Woopsy - #2!! Mercedes 811D / Wright, J304 UKG seems to have lost an argument with something rather solid... Dennis Dominator F149 BKH has an Alexander R-type body. Right? WRONG - it is, in fact, a very close copy by East Lancs. The bus was new to KHCT, though I'm afraid I don't know what the abbreviation stands for. Alexander (Belfast) bodied Mercedes 709D, L316 JSA, new to Bluebird in 1993. Carrying the registration of a London Routemaster, Driver Trainer WLT 830 was new to Skyliner of Mossley as H150 CVU. It previously spent time in the Western fleet. SV55 BZX, one of several new Optare Solo M850s now in operation around Perth. P868 GND is another standard Volvo B10M/Alexander PS, and came from Greater Manchester South. Another B10M / PS, R650 LSO has been with Bluebird since new. Another of the vehicles transferred north ex Thames Transit is LSK545, a Volvo B10M / Berkhof Axial. It was new as M106 XBW, and passed through the hands of Fife Scottish before ending up here. Another of the new Optare Solo M850s, SV55 BZD. New to Stagecoach Busways, Volvo B10M / Alexander PS N212 LTN operated with Fife Scottish before being transferred to Bluebird in 2002. SV55 BZY heads up a string of new Optare Solo M850s. X439 NSE is another Dennis Dart SLF / Alexander ALX300. Among the last surviving reminders of the Scottish Bus Group, Leyland Olympian / Alexander RL, B358 LSO was new to W. Alexander & Sons (Northern), and retains its trademark SBG 'triangular' destination display. Seen just off the M9 Glasgow - Aberdeen megabus.com service, at Guild St. Bus station, Aberdeen, is Neoplan Skyliner N122/3L, 50128 (SV54 ELJ). An unidentified MAN 18.220LF / Alexander ALX300 in Guild St. Aberdeen. This shot - and the next four - were all taken from the top deck of a Parks of Hamilton VanHool double decker that was about to leave on the megabus.com service for Glasgow. Passing the bus station exit is 22351 (SV55 CCY), one of a number of new MAN 18.220LF / Alexander ALX300s recently added to Stagecoach fleets. Another, unidentified, Neoplan Skyliner N122/3L approaching Guild St. Bus Station. Leaving Guild St. Bus Station is Jonckheere Modulo bodied Volvo B10M, 52607 (S657 JSE). One of the new, wheelchair-accessible, Plaxton Profile-bodied Volvo B7Rs, 53245 (SV55 FJZ) is bound for Elgin, and is followed out of Guild St. Bus Station by a Stagecoach standard B10M / Alexander PS. At Broxden Park & Ride site, megabus.com Neoplan Skyliner 50144 (CN05 FVX) was leaving for Aberdeen. the megabus.com network was initially estaplished using ex- Hong-Kong coach-seated tri-axle Leyland Olympian / Alexander RH's such as 13649 (H607 LNA) which was registered ET 1023 in Hong-Kong. Standard Volvo B10M / Plaxton Inrterurban 52292 (N152 XSA) turned up at Broxden Park & Ride site, presumably about to deputise for a megabus.com coach. Another view of 52292 (N152 XSA) at Broxden Park & Ride Volvo B7R / Plaxton Profile 53242 (SV55 FJU) was snapped at Lathalmond, which it was visiting for the May 2006 running day, and providing a nice, modern contrast to the vintage vehicles present. Latest additions to the Bluebird fleet are a number of 15-metre long, triaxle Volvo B12Bs with Plaxton Panther coachwork.Not only are these the largest coaches built by Plaxton to date; they are also, at the time of writing, the longest PCVs ever to enter service in the UK. 54013 (SV07 ACX) turns from Edinburgh's Hanover St. onto Princes St. on the M90 megabus.com service to Dundee. The new long Volvos have begun to displace Neoplan Skyliners from megabus.com duties; a handful of these have found their way onto Stage Carriage routes in Stagecoach corporate liveries.

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]]> Sun Dec 11 2005 First Edinburgh http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c770144.html A look at the buses of First Edinburgh, successor to Eastern Scottish and Lowland Scottish. Images so far have been collected over a period of time, and it wasn't until I put them all together I realised how heavily biased towards the new Scania Omnidekka / East Lancs it was! Fear not, fans of other types, this will be rectified through time. (NB - First Midland Bluebird is also a part of First Edinburgh, however for the moment, I have decided to keep that company in a separate collection.) Monday 21 November 2005: A look at the buses of First Edinburgh, successor to Eastern Scottish and Lowland Scottish. Images so far have been collected over a period of time, and it wasn't until I put them all together I realised how heavily biased towards the new Scania Omnidekka / East Lancs it was! Fear not, fans of other types, this will be rectified through time. (NB - First Midland Bluebird is also a part of First Edinburgh, however for the moment, I have decided to keep that company in a separate collection.)

Evidence of significant investment in the Edinburgh fleet over the last 12 months comes in the shape of SN55 HDZ, one of many Volvo B7 / Wright Eclipse Geminis which entered service recently. These went on the road a few weeks before competitor Lothian Buses put similar vehicles on the road. Scania / East Lancs Omnidekka, SN05 HWV.... ....and again. By coincidence, I got SN05 HWV AGAIN a week later, this time lined up alongside a Lothian Trident open topper. Scania / East Lancashire SN05 HWK at the traffic lights where Princes St. meets Waverley Bridge. Another one of the smart Volvo / Geminis, SN55 HEU. A good illustration of Public Transport competition in Edinburgh - FiE Scania / East Lancs, SN05 HWK lines up alongside a Lothian Buses Alexander-bodied Leyland Olympian and an LTi TX1 taxi. A Scania L94UB / Wright Eclipse Solar leaves the Regent Road terminus bound for Linlithgow Cross. SN05 HWG, another of the Scania Omnidekka / East Lancs's waits time at Regent Road. See what I was talking about in the collection index! This one is SN05 HWS Showing evidence of the winter road conditions is SN05 HWL. A recent acquisition from elsewhere in FirstGroup, YM52 UVL is a Scania L94UB / Wright Eclipse Solar. Scania / Wright Solar, 65712 (SN54 KDU) waits time at Regent Road before heading back to Stirling. Scania / East Lancs Omnidekka, 36022 (SN05 HWE) at Regent Road. I would have also had a shot of the Olympian / Royale behind, had its driver not started jerking the bus, gesticulating and generally behaving like an idiot the instant he saw the camera. The bus is 31645, and will probably be in need of some attention to the clutch / gearbox now. Tw*t. Complete with battle-scar on the rear offside stretch panel, 61220 (YMK52 UVS) is a Scania L94UB / Wright Solar, and was acquired ex First Manchester in 2004. 31670 (R140 EHS) is a Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale, and was new to Strathclyde Buses, which, together with Kelvin Central Buses, became First Glasgow. It transferred east in 2001. Finally, a half-decent shol of one of the new Volvo B7TL's with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodywork. 32671 (SN55 HEU) is based at Dalkeith depot. Another ex-Manchester Scania / Wright Eclipse Solar, 61224 (YM52 UVZ). In complete contrast to the driver of the Olympian mentioned above, this driver held the bus for a second or two after the lights changed to let me get a shot - Thanks to him for that. (NB the driver is known to me, but will remain nameless lest he incur the wrath of the lovely people in the car behind!) Among the older vehicles in the fleet are a number of ex-Northampton Volvo Citybuses with Alexander RV bodywork, as represented here by 38094 (H294 VRP). First's vehicle buying policy sees each subsidiary company's older vehicles being cascaded around the country, to keep the Another Scania L94ub / Wright Eclipse Solar, 65709 (SN54 KDU) is among thi=ose based at Linlithgow and used primarily on Service 38 Stirling / Edinburgh. 32672 (SN55 HEV is another of the brand new Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis. Close comparison of this shot with a similar shot of one of Lothian's similar new buses would show that, whereas these are of standard length, Lothian's are to an extra long wheelbase design. Seen at dusk at Linlithgow Cross is Scania / Solar 65716 (SN54 KEJ). A pair of Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis head along Princes St. Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale, 31655 (S924 AKS) on Princes St. To my mind, the Royale will be considered a classic design in about 15 - 20 years time. On Regent Road, 31641 (R309 LKS) - another Olympian / Royale - waits time. 36026 (SN05 HWU) is another of the Scania L94UB / East Lancs Omnidekkas, and waits in Regent Road before heading for South Queensferry Another view of 31641 in Regent Rd. Former Eastern Scottish Volvo Citybus / Alexander RV, 31632 (E187 HSF) is overtaken by a Lothian SPD on Princes St. A rear view of 31632. One of very few Leyland Tigers remaining in frontline service, 62250 (SSU 821, originally H838 SLS) is seen on Princes St. operating the X19 Grangemouth express service. Photographed in Gorebridge is 30094 (C481 CBU), a Northern Counties bodied Volvo Citybus that started its life with Greater Manchester PTE. Former Northampton, Alexander bodied Citybus 38088 (F88 DVV) heads through Newtongrange on an X81 for the Haymarket. Among FiE's recent new purchases is Volvo B7TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini, 32675 (SN55 HFC), seen at Newtongrange. Passing the Scottish Mining Museum in Newtongrange is air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz 0405 / Optare Prisma, 62287 (N539 VSA), which started its life slightly further north with Firstbus progenitor, Grampian Regional Transport (GRT). The pod on the centre of the roof houses the air conditioning unit, which would certainly be earning its keep during the hottest July on record... Gemini Twins 32683 (SN55 HFL) and 32669 (SN55 HDZ), taken from the top deck of Lothian Buses' similar 719 (SN55 BLK). Scania L94UB / Wright Solar, 65718 (SN54 KEU), one of 2004's batch of new vehicles for the 38 Stirling - Edinburgh service 38086 (F86 DVV) is an ex- Northampton Volvo Citybus / Alexander RV. Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale 31615 (R419 YMS) carries an appropriate side advert - though to my knowledge, First haven't started installing gambling facilities in their vehicles... A Scania L94UB with the older style Wright body for this chassis, the Axcess Floline, 62391 (V34 ESC) is seen on a 16 to Bathgate. Caught in the appalling traffic queues that the Edinburgh roads plannign dept have thoughtfully created with the current works on South Bridge at Chambers St, is 32674 (SN55 HFB), one of last year's delivery of new Wright Eclipse Gemini / Volvo B7TLs. Another victim of roads planning incompetence, Volvo Citybus / Alexander RV 30351 (F793 LSU) was among those new to Strathclyde Buses, itself now a FirstBus company. Another Citybus / Alexander RV, 38094 (H294 VRP) is among those acquired from First Northampton during 2005. A photo of Edinburgh Castle, on a bus, in front of...Edinburgh Castle....or something. Scania N94UD / East lancs Omnidekka, 36009 (SN05 HWY) sports the recently introduced branding for the 27/28 group of services. Displaced by the closure of Slateford Road for works on Saturday February 17th 2007, a Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale from the S*AKS batch passes the entrance to Lothian's Longstone Garage on a 44C to Wallyford. Another out-of-place bus due to the roadworks, Olympian / Royale 30832 (R652 HYG) travels along Longstone Road on a 44A for Balerno. It is one of a number of these buses, new to Yorkshire Rider, that First has recently transferred into the Edinburgh Fleet. A First Edinburgh Dennis / Plaxton SPD, on a diverted 44 to Wallyford. The 'art-deco' style buildings behind form rival operator Lothian Buses' Longstone Depot. Scania / Wright Solar YM52 UWR is seen taking a break in the early morning sun in St. Andrew Square. One of few First services using Leith St. is the X95; Scania N94 / Wright Solar 65750 (SN55 JVA) is on duty here. Lothian aren't the only operator investing in new Wright bodied Volvo B9TLs; FiE has a number too, and some are starting to appear with branding, such as 37271 (SN57 JBU) on the X43 here. WHOOSH!!! Volvo B7RLE / Wright Urban 692?? might be auditioning for a mazda ad, as it zoom-zooms past the camera on a 38.

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]]> Mon Nov 21 2005 Trip to Kansas City http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c762887.html Through the course of my work, I spent a week in Olathe, Kansas, USA, from the 5th to the 12th November. On the journeys there and back, I was able to get some random pics - and of course, there are some buses included! Just don't ask me to identify them by type..... Monday 14 November 2005: Through the course of my work, I spent a week in Olathe, Kansas, USA, from the 5th to the 12th November. On the journeys there and back, I was able to get some random pics - and of course, there are some buses included! Just don't ask me to identify them by type.....

Newark Liberty Airport, New York. Newark Liberty Airport, New York. Outside Newark Liberty Airport, New York. Monorail at Newark Liberty Airport, New York. Monorail at Newark Liberty Airport, New York. Outside Newark Liberty Airport, New York. Bus and Coach Station, Newark Liberty Airport, New York. Luxury Coach in Newark Liberty Airport bus and coach station, New York. haven't a clue what any of these are.... Bus and Coach Station, Newark Liberty Airport, New York. Bus and Coach Station, Newark Liberty Airport, New York. Hotel Room, Olathe, Kansas. Hotel Room, Olathe, Kansas. Hotel Room, Olathe, Kansas. Hotel Room, Olathe, Kansas. View from Hotel Room, Olathe, Kansas. View from Hotel Room, Olathe, Kansas. Olathe, Kansas. Loads of space, not many people to fill it. Until about 10 years ago, all this was farmland. Marriot Residence Inn, 12215 South Strang Line Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062. A very pleasant place to spend a week (especially when somebody else is paying for it!!) Strang Line Road, Olathe, Kansas. Typical American Black Bob Road, Olathe. What's the one thing you can tell about Kansas from these images? Correct - It's FLAT... Nice Autumn scene, off Black Bob Road, Olathe, Kansas. The building on the left was where I was working. Jerry, the limo driver, picked our group up from the Residence Inn everymorning. Jerry is seen here with his steed, a big V8 Ford 'Econoline.' With tank-like dimensions and an engine that would be more at home in an HGV, one wonders how Ford decided on the name for this model.... Start of the return journey. This is Kansas City Airport. Outside Kansas City Airport. Outside Kansas City Airport. Outside Kansas City Airport. Outside Kansas City Airport. Outside Kansas City Airport. Kansas from 30,000ft.... Kansas from 30,000ft.... En Route to Newark Liberty Airport, New York. En Route to Newark Liberty Airport, New York. En Route to Newark Liberty Airport, New York. New York Skyline at Sunset. Newark Liberty Airport, New York.

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]]> Mon Nov 14 2005 Blackpool October 2005 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c741624.html A day trip to Blackpool gave an opportunity to take a few snaps that are a wee but removed from the normal site content. Enjoy. *Thanks to my girlfriend Vicki for providing captions for these shots. She has spent waaaaaaay too much time in Blackpool over the years, and this is the result ;o)* Tuesday 25 October 2005: A day trip to Blackpool gave an opportunity to take a few snaps that are a wee but removed from the normal site content. Enjoy. *Thanks to my girlfriend Vicki for providing captions for these shots. She has spent waaaaaaay too much time in Blackpool over the years, and this is the result ;o)*

Centenary Car 647 comes into view coming from the North. Closer up picture of 647 in hot pink 'Tiffany's Hotel' livery heading for Rigby Road (depot) The Wagon Wheel on Central Pier. Central Pier dates from 1864 and was originally called South Pier. Central beach with the impressive 518ft 9in Blackpool Tower. The foundation stone was laid in September 1891 with a time capsule placed under it. The Tower was opened on May 14th 1894 (Whitsuntide). ECW bodied Leyland Olympian cruises along the Prom, heading for Cleveleys. Millennium Class tramcar in all-over Coral Island livery heads for Starr Gate. Southbound Jubilee class 762 in all-over Unison livery. Volvo Olympian NC Palatine II (M378 SCK) waiting at the lights at Manchester Square 1937 Brush Car 630 with all-over Karting 2000 livery, followed by Progress Twin-Car Progress Twin-Car (towing car 672, trailer car 682) in bright yellow and orange Metro Coastlines 'T' line livery DAF SB220/Optare Delta (K129 UFV) in Turquoise and Yellow line 11 livery. Similar J125 GRN heading the opposite direction 1987 Centenary car 646 in Paul Gaunt furniture livery. 1930's Beautiful Balloon car with Hot Ice livery. Millennium Class cars were re-built from these. The Walter Scott Monument seems to be a bit lost here in Blackpool. Oh, haud the bus thats Thunderbird 3!!!!! Less -than-successful nighttime vista of the illuminated Tower. If only I'd had my tripod back then... (GT)

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]]> Tue Oct 25 2005 North of England Open-Air Museum, Beamish http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c729949.html SVBM members and staff were invited on a trip to Beamish on Sunday, October 16th 2005. Qualifying in both categories above, I was there. We travelled on the Museum's former W. Alexander & Sons (Northern) Leyland Leopard / Duple Dominant, RRS 46R. These are some of the shots I got during the day. Sunday 16 October 2005: SVBM members and staff were invited on a trip to Beamish on Sunday, October 16th 2005. Qualifying in both categories above, I was there. We travelled on the Museum's former W. Alexander & Sons (Northern) Leyland Leopard / Duple Dominant, RRS 46R. These are some of the shots I got during the day.

Never work with Children or Animals! The Horse's head was in exactly the right position, then it got shy just as I was ready to press the button... This one wasn't too shy, making sure it got its share of the attention...! Thinking I'd be smart, I asked the 'proprietor' of this shop for Down the barrel of a gun.... For the bus enthusiast: although to the casual eye, this may appear to be a London General bus from the early 20th century, it is in fact a replica, based on the running units of a 1966 Bedford bus. (Registration DET 720D, although relevant to the donor vehicle's age, appears not to go with it). Another one for the bus enthusiasts - J2503 is an exact replica of a 1913 Daimler double decker, of a type which would have been a regular site in the Beamish area at the time. It is built on a Dodge minibus chassis. Although currently running on pneumatics, it normally runs on solid tyres, which are presently under repair.

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]]> Sun Oct 16 2005 GVVT Open Day, 9th October 2005 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c721291.html The Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust held its annual Open Day on Sunday October 9th. As ever, an interesting selection of resident and visiting vehicles were on display. Free services ran to and from the Glasgow Museum of Transport at the Kelvin Hall, via George Square and Killermont St, using a variety of vehicles. All-in-all, a good day out. Despite the rain. Sunday 9 October 2005: The Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust held its annual Open Day on Sunday October 9th. As ever, an interesting selection of resident and visiting vehicles were on display. Free services ran to and from the Glasgow Museum of Transport at the Kelvin Hall, via George Square and Killermont St, using a variety of vehicles. All-in-all, a good day out. Despite the rain.

SVBM resident GVD 47 at the Glasgow Museum of Transport, running the free service. The vehicle is a 1950 Guy Arab with Duple coachwork, was exhibited when new at the 1950 Motor Show, and subsequently entered service with Hutchison, Overtown, before passing to McGills of Barrhead, in whose livery it is preserved. Nearly 30 years the junior of GVD, HSD 86V is a Leyland (nee Daimler) Fleetline, with Alexander AD bodywork. New to Western Scottish, it passed to Clydeside Scottish on that company's formation in 1985, but has since been returned to its original Western service livery. Note the 'triangular' destination box, a feature of SBG double deckers of all types for many years. Hey - who is that idiot in the driver's seat? get him out of there! Fleetnumber P331 identifies this prewar Leyland Tiger TS7 / Alexander as a onetime member of W. Alexander's fleet. The fluted radiator grille top marks this out as a Daimler, while the 'RG' registration places it in the Aberdeen area. Any help? GRS 334E is an Albion Viking / Alexander Y-Type, new in w967 to W. Alexander & Sons (Northern). Ford R192 / Plaxton Supreme, VSS 158M is (largely) in the livery of its original operator, Wiles of Port Seton. This Island of Jersey - registered Ford / Wadham Stringer is to a much narrower layout than found on mainland buses, to suit the narrower roads on the Channel Islands. WTS 270T is one of a large fleet of Volvo Ailsas formerly operated by Tayside Regional Transport. As well as many Alexander - bodied examples, such as this one, Tayside also had small numbers of Northern Counties and (uniquely) East Lancashire bodied Ailsas. For the first time in 20 years, the name 'Tiger' once again graced single deck Leyland chassis, when the company replaced the Leopard in 1982. Whereas later SBG examples would be fittted with Alexander TC/TE/TS, Duple Goldliner / Laser, and Plaxton Paramount bodies, early examples, such as former Midland Scottish ALS 102Y here received some of the last Alexander T-Type bodies. New to Midland Scottish, EMS 362V is a Leyland Leopard / T-Type, and currently wears the colours of immediate previous owner Whitelaw of Stonehouse. New to Macbrayne's in 1961, 198CUS is an AEC Reliance with attractive Duple Donington coachwork. Similar to hundreds of contemporary SBG vehicles, PRA 109R is a T-Type bodied Leopard that was new to Trent. PAU 204R is a Northern Counties bodied Daimler Fleetline, new to Nottingham. It would appear to have been used as a Playbus in recent years. Anyone who doesn't recognise CUV 121C as an AEC Routemaster probably ended up here by accident... Bristol Lodekka FLF, 828SHW, was new to its hometown's Municipal operator, Bristol Omnibus. The SBG were, of course, big users of Lodekkas in various forms, including several that were acquired second-hand from NBC companies in exchange for dire VRTs, in 1973. Although not involved in the swap itself, SHW is to be repainted into W. Alexander & Sons (Midland) colours to represent this period in Scottish Bus history. RAG400 is a Lodekka LD6G. New to Western SMT, it later passed to Ritchies Dtriving School as a training vehicle. the proprietor of Ritchies still owns the vehicle - although, strangely, it is no longer used for training - for some reason, current thinking is that training in a 40+ year old halfcab with vacuum brakes and constant mesh 'box is a tad irrelevant for drivers destined to work on fully automatic Dennis Darts and Tridents.... Another former Alexander's Albion Viking / Y-Type, JMS 452E was a Midland vehicle. the Viking was a rear-engined single decker, created back in the days when the 'National' was a horse race and a 'Dart' was still something used in dressmaking... BJX 848C is a Bedford SB / Duple Bella Vega similar to many operated by Macbraynes, and due to be painted in that operator's livery. **I mention again that there is a similar vehicle languishing at the back of Mackie of Alloa's yard - somebody rescue it, please!** Open-top Bristol VR, VHB 678S is ex National Welsh. In common with the majority of Bristol products, the bodywork is by ECW. WSK 509 is a 1960 Alexander coach-bodied Leyland Tiger Cub, and was among the last vehicles purchased before the split. Assuming the destination blind and depot plate to be authentic, the coach operated from Balfron and would have become a Midland vehicle after the split; hence, it would have retained a blue-based livery. Pre-split, of course, this blue liver was used throughout the Alexander 'Empire.' P169 is a Burlingham - bodied Leyland Lion from 1934, and visited Lathalmond in August. CHL772 is a 1950 Daimler CVD6SD with Willowbrook body. It was new to Bullock& Sons, a Yorkshire operator. Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum, I smell the .....fumes of a Western Leopard. The giant was about to grind the Y-type bodies on these Leopards to make his metallic bread. A fine display of bus modelling here - though why a large number of the EFE models have been repainted with totally irrelevant 'CTN ***S' registrations is beyond me... (Hand me my anorak, please!) Opposite end of the same impressive layout. Many of the wee buses actually run round the roadways here! Another superb layout, this time tramway-based. Note the blurring of the tram passing the playpark. This is not a reflection of my photographic skills, but is due to the fact that the trams were running at a scale speed in the region of about 70mph!! We all know, of course, that real trams never reached speeds anywhere near this - except maybe on the way back to the depot last thing on a Friday night.... Same layout again, with a 'Glesca Corporation caur' stopped to allow some emergency track maintenance work. I was surprised to learn that, far from being purely ornamental, the overhead wires and pantographs actually carry the current to the model trams, exactly like the real thing. A favourite bus of mine since I first encountered it (at the time, still in Whitelaw of Stonehouse livery) is ex Midland Scottish Leopard - T-Type RMS 400W, now owned by Iain Short. Seen recently at the Lathalmond Open Weekend is former Midland Bluebird leopard tow-wagon DMS 348C TMS 403X is another ex Midland Leopard - Y-Type Another ex Tayside Ailsa, which, according to the livery, finished its working days with Clyde Coast, Ardrossan. This work in progress is Alexander bodied Leyland Titan PD2, KAG856. It was new to Western SMT in 1957. Rear view of RSD 973R, a Seddon Pennine VII / Alexander Y-Type, new to Western SMT in 1977. Western operated a large fleet of these Seddons alongside their Leyland Leopards. Western's Seddons carried both Y- and T-type bodies. For some reason, unlike other SBG companies, Western never bought new Leopards with the T-type bod, all its T-Types being Pennines. Rear view of RMS 400W. WDS 112V is another of the Western Scottish Daimler Fleetlines that passed to Clydeside. It was originally HSD 73V FLD 447Y is a Plaxton Supreme-bodied Bedford YMP that was new to Bonas of Coventry. A very rare survivor, EGA 79 is an Albion Venturer CX375, with bodywork by Croft of Glasgow. It was new to Glasgow Corporation in 1949, and is the only Croft bodied example in preservation. B177 FFS is a Volvo Citybus / Alexander RV and spent its entire working life with Fife Scottish. As it was only withdrawn in October 2004, it wears the current Stagecoach corporate livery. The Citybus was, to all intents and purposes, a mid-engined successor to the front-engined Ailsa. The Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean, exemplified by LA320 here, is a type that had a long association with Glasgow Corporation and its successors. In the early days, a degree of political badge engineering led to some being delivered with 'Albion' badging. XGM 450L is a Leopard - Y-type new to Central SMT in 1973. Unlike other SBG companies, Central, having much less need of Coach or Dual Purpose variants, specced its Y-Types without a rear luggage compartment. NMS 358 is again among the last W. Alexander & Sons vehicles delivered prior to the 1961 split. based at Elgin (?) depot, it joined the Northern fleet and soon acquired that company's Yellow and Cream coach livery. 20-odd years the junior of NMS, this Leyland Olympian / Alexander, SSA 5X survived in the now Stagecoach - owned Northern fleet until recently, and has not long since been returned to its SBG livery. Looking perhaps a little out-of-place in a former Glasgow Corporation bus garage, MSF 465P is a standard Edinburgh Corporation Atlantean / Alexander AL. Its last commercial use was as a training bus with Edinburgh Corporation successor, LRT. Bearing a resemblance to a Northern Counties 'Queen Mary,' the bodywork on ex Ribble Leyland Titan PD3, TCK821, is in fact by Metro Cammell. Another difficult to identify bus....NOT Former Western SMT Leyland Titan PD3 / Alexander, MSD407 1961 AEC Regent V / Alexander, SGD500, ex Glasgow Corporation. Some more of the visitors from Lathalmond. All have been extensively covered elsewhere on the site.

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Sun Oct 9 2005 Naked Buses...! http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c717831.html Ever wondered what a bus looks like before receiving its outer shell? Now you know.... Friday 7 October 2005: Ever wondered what a bus looks like before receiving its outer shell? Now you know....

The chassis is removed from the sled by a highly skilled lifting procedure - which we will see applied in reverse in a few images time. The chassis are already fully functional, and can be manoevured around the loading site under their own power. Many imported bus chassis, such as this MAN single-deck design, arrive by sea at Grangemouth Docks. The chassis are secured to these special 'sleds' - basically a container, minus three sides and the roof - which can be handled by the standard dockside loading equipment. New Isringhausen driver's seat on the latest MAN chassis. Only kidding, these are of course temporary seats secured to the bare chassis to facilitate manoevuring around the site. Now, the chassis must be loaded onto a standard flatbed trailer, which is the correct height for the bus to be driven off at its destination. This is where the skill of the forklift operators and the HGV driver comes into effect. the large forklift raises the rear end of the chassis below the axle, and the two smaller ones take a wheel each at the opposite end. In this way, the weight of the chassis remains on the standard loadbearing points, as it would be when sitting on the ground. The lift must be perfectly synchronised between the three FLT operators, to avoid any damage to the chassis. With the chassis in the air, the HGV driver must now reverse his trailer into the narrow space between the FLTs, with great precision, as the chassis is the same width, and almost as long, as the trailer. The chassis is now lowered onto the flatbed trailer and the FLT operators withdraw. An amazing feat of skill and co-operation to watch, these men do this several times a day. The chassis is now lashed to the trailer and begins the short journey to Alexander Dennis at Falkirk, where it will be fitted with bodywork to the specification of the customer. I know not the eventual operator of these chassis, but it is worth noting that botha Stagecoach and Arriva currently operate sizeable fleets of MAN single deckers with Alexander, or laterally Transbus, bodywork. Watch this space....

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Fri Oct 7 2005 Lothian Buses http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c714116.html Twice voted the UK's Best Bus Company, Lothian Buses will be known to many older visitors as LRT, and many still refer to them as 'the Corporation buses.' This collection charts the progress of the fleet from late 2005 onwards. Tuesday 4 October 2005: Twice voted the UK's Best Bus Company, Lothian Buses will be known to many older visitors as LRT, and many still refer to them as 'the Corporation buses.' This collection charts the progress of the fleet from late 2005 onwards.

I travelled into Edinburgh City Centre using the excellent Park and Ride facility at Ingliston, off the A8. Transbus Super Pointer Dart V171 EFS was on duty for this run. The service runs continuously from 6:45 in the morning to around midnight, 7 days a week, so no excuses. I would strongly recommend the Ingliston Park and Ride to anyone with business in the city. Parking is free, you simply pay for your journey on the bus, at the standard rate of £1.00 for a single trip (so £2.00 in total); or, as I did, you can buy a £2.30 day ticket which gives you unlimited access to all standard Lothian services for the whole day. (much preferable to fighting your way into the city by car and then finding yourself charged through the nose to park - assuming you can find a space, that is....) Typical of many of the modern Lothian fleet, 296 (W296 PFS) is a Volvo B7TL / Plaxton President. The attractive President design has ultimately become a victim of the TransBus collapse, the Wigan plant having been closed down by new owners, Alexander Dennis. Photographed on Princes St. Visually similar to 296, 531 (V531 ESC) shares the Plaxton President body, but is a Dennis Trident. Princes St. at Waverley Bridge. This was supposed to be a shot of one of First Edinburgh's new East Lancs - bodied Scania Omnidekkas, but the gleaming white paint didn't take too kindly to the light, so it has instead been included here as a photo of one of the remnants of the older, pre-low-floor fleet at Lothian. Passing the Scott Monument, 833 (G833 GSX) is an Alexander RH - bodied Leyland Olympian, dating from 1990. As a long term detractor of the Dart (or 'Drat') I was surprised to find Lothian's examples to be spacious, comfortable and reasonably swift. Just shows you... In 'Airlink' express livery for Airport Shuttle duties is 634 (SK52 OHT), a Transbus Trident / Plaxton President. Note that this service is among those not covered by the day ticket. Another Volvo B7TL / Plaxton President is 291 (W291 PSF) seen here approaching Princes St. from South St. Andrew St. Another Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident is 589 (X589 USC). 884 (K884 CSF) is part of the last batch of Leyland Olympians to be delivered, subsequent batches carrying Volvo badging. Another of the popular Trident / Presidents is 539 (V539 ESC). Another Trident / President, 518 (V518 ESC). 128 (SN04 NHZ) is a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE, and is typical of recent Lothian single deck purchases. Similar 115 duplicates on the 22. The 22 is one of two services currently using the guided busway in the western part of the city - of which we will see more later. The letters 'G' after the fleetnumbers and carried within the windscreens of these buses indicate that they are fitted with guidewheels for this purpose. 514 (V514 ESC) is yet another of the Trident / Presidents. 828 (G828 GSX) dates from 1990, and as such is among the oldest Leyland Olympian / Alexander RH's in the fleet. Photographed at the Gyle Centre. 102 (SN04 NGE) is another B7RLE adapted for the guided busway. If you look closely at the front wheels, you will see the guidewheels sticking out in front. The other service operating via the Guided Busway is the 2, and Trident 600 (SN51 AYP) is another vehicle adapted for this use. Another older member of the fleet is Olympian / RH, 835 (G835 GSX). Another of the last batch of Leylands is 878 (K878 CSF). Here we see a pair of B7's actually on the guided busway. The driver is essentially relegated to accelerating and braking, with no need to steer the vehicle. Another B7 on the Guided Busway. In stark contrast to the excellent park-and-ride services, I fail to see any point in this setup. The busway is only about 2 miles long, through a comparatively low congestion area of the city, and makes for a rough and uncomfortable ride for passengers, as the bus finds, and reacts to, all the wee imperfections in the kerb guides. For the same reason, the driver is well advised to keep his hands OFF the wheel, or risk a broken thumb when the thing suddenly lurches one way or the other. Notice narrow gaps which the buses pass through when leaving the stops. Trident 599 (SN51 AYO) on the Guided Busway. Don't get me wrong - I'm all for dedicated bus routes where appropriate - but why 'GUIDED?' Are we suggesting that, having successfully negotiated the entire route from Leith to this point, that the highly trained PSV drivers are not competent to control the vehicle in this short, quiet stretch? I can't see what the advantage is - the only 'gain' I could see was that some of the Tridents have 'gained' dents and scuffs around the lower front corners, where the clearance obviously wasn't sufficient. Inside the top deck of Transbus Trident / President, 659 (SN04 AEX). Old meets new: Former London AEC Routemaster, 485CLT, lines up alongside brand new Volvo B7 / Wright Eclipse Gemini, 701 (SN55 BJX). I believe the B7s were, at the time of photographing, unused. Photographed at Marine Depot. 702 (SN55 BJY), another fresh-out-of-the-box B7 / Wright Eclipse Gemini. Routine maintenance inside Marine Depot. 431 (P431 KSX) is a Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale with coach seats. It is one of a number of buses recently repainted into a bright red and white livery, as opposed to the traditional (and still attractive) 'madder' and white. Amazing how the space of a couple of weeks can have such a drastic effect on the weather. One of LB's new Volvo B7 / Wright Eclipse Geminis, 717 (SN55 BLF) is among those branded 'Club Class' for service 3 and 3A. These next 8 pictures were taken on 19th November, only a month later than the summery scenes above! A 'gey dreich' day on Princes St. sees 267 (P267 PSX) followed by an unidentified Leyland Olympian. The Leyland is from the J---TSC batch, but I'm afraid I can't be more specific. A number of the Geminis are unbranded, as in the case of 725 (SN55 BMV) here. Even Lothian's older vehicles still look smart. 850 (J850 TSC) dates from 1991. A type I'd been trying (unsuccessfully) to catch for some time was the Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400, as exemplified by 501 (T501 SSG). These were pretty rare in the Lothian fleet - there were only ever 5, and all of them have since been converted to open top for City Sightseeing work. 689 (SN04 AEC), branded for route 26, passes the Castle. I'm sure a few Vintage Bus enthusiasts would pay good money to put that registration on their car...! Edinburgh Castle towers majestically over 951 (L951 MSC) A festive view of Transbus Trident / Plaxton President 678 (SN04 ACU) as it passes the Christmas Funfare in Princes St. Gardens Former Airlink, coach seated Leyland Olympian / Alexander, 371 (F371 WSC) in the new bright red and white colors that these vehicles are starting to appear in. The livery recalls the old Musselburgh and District Tramways fleet. A Plaxton President- bodied bus (Not clear whether it's a Dennis Trident or a Volvo B7TL) passes the Scott Monument, followed by a First Edinburgh Scania / Wright Axcess. 508 (T508 SSG) is one of the earliest Plaxton President bodied Dennis Tridents. The first five Tridents had Alexander ALX400 bodies. Another unidentified President at the Scott Monument 750 (SN55 BPO) is, numerically, the final member of the first batch of Wright Eclipse Gemini / Volvo B7TLs to join the fleet, and is route branded for Service 44. Don't ask me why that particular route should be found to Two different approaches to route-branding here: Dennis Trident / Plaxton President 695 (SN04 AEK) has Gold route-branding for Airport Express Trident / President, 633 (SN53 AVZ) pauses in the half-light on Princes Street, on its way to Waverley Bridge. Leyland Olympian / Alexander RH, 889 (K889 CSF) on Princes St, against the impressive backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Olympian / Royale 433 (P433 KSX) descends The Mound One of the F-WSC Leyland Olympians in the bright red livery adopted for coach-seated deckers on the 15 service. 403 (N403 GSX), a Royale-bodied Olympian, on Princes St.

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]]> Tue Oct 4 2005 Stagecoach Fife Scottish http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c705940.html More Stagecoach, this time from the post-privatisation equivalent of W. Alexander & Sons (Fife) Ltd. Tuesday 27 September 2005: More Stagecoach, this time from the post-privatisation equivalent of W. Alexander & Sons (Fife) Ltd.

Moving on now to a selection of images from the old Dunfermline Bus Station. THe images are from 2005, and the bus station was levelled in 2007 to make way for an extension to the shopping centre. Volvo B10M / Plaxton Premiere Interurban, M950 TSX entering the Bus Station. Notice that the Stilo driver on the right had the greatest respect for the parking restrictions. Muppet... As luck would have it, the bus drew up directly in front of me, enabling me to get this much better shot. V258 ESX, an Alexander ALX300 - bodied MAN 18.220. I didn't notice this till I published the photo, but doesn't the driver look like he's ready to jump off something... The light was fading fast as TransBus Trident ALX400, SP04 DCF arrived, bound for Leven. It would be 'Leven' shortly. Ha-Ha-Ha....oh, these are the jokes...(Groan) R339 HFS, a Volvo B10M / Alexander PS - type, new in 1998. Stagecoach Fife Scottish, Dunfermline Garage. The following group of images were taken here. R154 VPU, An Alexander RH - bodied Volvo Olympian that was new to East London, and transferred to Fife in 2004. From the same source, R156 HHK is an Olympian with Northern Counties bodywork. Another acquisition from East London, P645 SEV joined Fife in 2003, and is again an Alexander RH bodied Olympian. Recent new purchases include several Alexander-Dennis Super Pointer Darts, such as SP05 EKY here. S618 CSC is a Dennis Dart with the Alexander ALX300 body - a design now superceded by the SPD shown in the previous image. The SPD was originally a Plaxton design, but production moved to Falkirk during the TransBus days, and, as the reborn Plaxton company's core market is in premium coaches, remains at the Alexander-Dennis plant. Another ALX300, this time on a MAN 18.220 chassis, V262 ESX was new to Fife in 1998. The Volvo B10M / Plaxton Premiere 'Interurban' was the standard 'Dual Purpose' vehicle for Stagecoach fleets for a number of years. L584 HSG is an example of same, and is probably approaching the end of its Stagecoach lifespan, as Fife has been replacing K-registered examples over recent months. R177 and (I think) 152 HHK , another pair of the ex- East London NC bodied Olympians. Another Olympian / NC is R107 XNO that was new to Selkent, and spent time in the Western Buses fleet before coming to Fife in 2003. R140 EVX is an Alexander RH - bodied Olympian, again new to East London, and cascaded through to Fife in 2004 via Midland Red. The same two Olympians from the rear. Note the detail differences between the Alexander product (left) and the Northern Counties body. K124 ASC is another Alexander - bodied Olympian, but this time is the RL (lowheight) version of the body, and, being a 1992 model, is badged as a Leyland, rather than a Volvo. Although Volvo bought the Leyland bus business in 1988, it retained the Leyland badge on the Olympian (which was the only Leyland design to survive the takeover) at first, as they believed it 'needed development' before earning the Volvo badge. Talk about 'Brand Engineering...' Driver Trainers: Ex London Buses DAF SB220 / Optare Delta, K630 HWX; Volvo B10M / Plaxton Paramount, 283 URB (originally E561 UHS) ex Western Scottish; and B10M / VanHool Alizee, E644 UNE, new to Shearings, and finding its way to Fife in 2002, via Stagecoach Bluebird. The Driver Trainers again, together with K491 FFS, a Mercedes-Benz 709D with Alexander (Belfast) bodywork. Another of the new Alexander-Dennis SPD's, SP05 ELC. When Stagecoach started buying ex-SBG companies, one of the first things they did was set about retiring the aged Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-Types that had been the mainstay of the fleets. The vehicles that replaced them were Volvo B10Ms with the Alexander PS-type body, as exemplified by R338 HFS. The PS grew out of the unloved P-Type as a product intended for the Singapore market (hence the 'S' in the model name) but thanks to Stagecoach, rapidly became a common site throughout the UK. R154 HHK, another of the ex-East London Olympian / NC's. SP05 FPG, another of the brand new Alexander-Dennis SPD's. Routine Maintenance: In the workshop are Volvo B10M / Plaxton, M946 TSX, and ex East London Dennis Dart / Alexander Dash, N308 AMC. Another Alexander Dash body, but here on a Volvo B6 chassis. L659 HKS was new to Fife. R158 HHK, another of the NC - bodied former East London Olympians. Built during TransBus days, SP04 DCX is a (Dennis) Trident with (Alexander) ALX400 coachwork. Alexander Dennis continues to produce this model, although the revolutionary new Enviro400 will no doubt gradually shoulder it out. Photographed on Princes St. in Edinburgh, R539 GSF is another Volvo B10M / Plaxton Interurban. On a route which takes it over the Forth Bridge to Kelty, R330 HFS is a Stagecoach Standard Volvo B10M / Alexander PS. Seen at St. Andrew Square Bus Station, Edinburgh Some images taken at Cowdenbeath depot, now. Volvo B6 / Alexander 'Dash,' L428 MVV, came from Ribble in 1994 when only a few months old. L424 MVV and L656 HKS are similar. like 428, 424 started life with Ribble; 656 was new to Fife. Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympians M302 and 307 DGP both joined the Fife fleet in 2004 - 302 ex Thames Transit, and 307 from Stagecoach Devon. Alexander R-bodied Leyland Olympian, K723 ASC, has been with Fife from new. Similarly bodied (but later, and therefore badged as a Volvo), M490 ASW started out at Western Scottish, transferring to Fife in 2003. Looking at the slant of this Olympian, I can't help but think of dominoes.... Volvo B10M / Plaxton Premiere Interurban M951 TSX has been with Fife all its days, and is probably not far off due for disposal. Another view of B10M / Plaxton, M951 TSX. From left: V261 and 259 ESX, a matching pair of MAN 18.220 / Alexander ALX300s new in 1999, and M673 SSX, an Alexander 'Dash' - bodied Volvo B6. Slightly further along the row, a couple more MAN 18.220 / Alexander ALX300s. MAN 18.220 / Alexander ALX300, V265 ESX is branded for route 19, Ballingry - Rosyth. Recent additions to the Fife fleet are a number of Scania N113DRB's with Alexander RH bodywork, such as H430 BNL. These were new to Busways. H421 BNL, another ex-Busways Scania N113 / Alexander RH. Another of the ex-Ribble Volvo B6 / Alexander 'Dash' One of many buses transferred North of the Border from Stagecoach's various London operations, R177 VPU is a Volvo Olympian / Alexander RH. It arrived here in 2003. Man / ALX300, V253 ESX is in a somewhat less than appealing allover advertising livery for Crimestoppers. The offside, which of course I couldn't get in to photograph, is a much brighter shade of blue, as you can see from the offside front. Window sticker in R177 VPU betrays its origins.... Sneaky interior shot of X676 NSE. Not the worst place to spend a few hours... At Dunfermline garage is MAN 18.220 / ALX300, 22252 (V252 ESX). 47233 (SP55 CXM) is an Optare Solo, branded for Airlink route 747 (ahem!) linking Ferrytoll Park & Ride (in the lee of the Forth Bridges) t Edinburgh Airport.

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Tue Sep 27 2005 M-Line of Alloa http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c689273.html Christie of Alloa, trading as 'M-Line,' operate at both ends of the scale, from double deck school service buses, to luxury tour coaches. Once again, expect to see more photographs added as they become available. Tuesday 13 September 2005: Christie of Alloa, trading as 'M-Line,' operate at both ends of the scale, from double deck school service buses, to luxury tour coaches. Once again, expect to see more photographs added as they become available.

A Beulas-Stergo bodied Iveco Eurorider, FE51 RFJ originated with another local independant, Mason of Bo'ness. It is among the newer members of the fleet. A selection of M-Line's executive minicoaches. Like many independants, M-Line retains several older double deckers for schools transport. Seen here are ECW-bodied ex-Crosville Leyland Olympian, MTU 118Y and similar VRN 830Y, which started life with Ribble. B22 TVU is a Northern Counties-bodied Dennis Dominator, new to Greater Manchester PTE in 1985. Back to the coach fleet, here we see Noeoplan Skyliner E89 VWA. The Skyliner is a design that has been in production, with few changes, since the early 1980s. Despite its advancing years, VWA is easily as attractive as the brand new Skyliners currently being put on the road by Stagecoach MegaBus. More schoolbuses, from L to R: Under repair, EKA156Y - MCW Metrobus / Alexander RH, ex Merseyside PTE; AEF 229Y - Olympian / ECW, ex United; B908 TVR and B30 TVU - Dennis Dominator / NC, ex GMPTE. From L to R : B21 TVU - Dennis Dominator / NC, ex GMPTE; OFS 676Y - Olympian / ECW, ex Lothian; F87 CWG - Scania K112CRB / Plaxton Paramount, new to Wessex; MDX 540, an unidentified re-registered Volvo B10 / Plaxton Supreme; and the remains of B907 TVR, an NC-bodied Dennis Dominator in Stagecoach stripes. A better view of Scania / Plaxton F87 CWG Nice neat parking there... Franklin gets you there, does he? Well, he ain't 'OGO'-ing to Cleethorpes or anywhere else in this thing, matey! EKA 156Y : On reflection, it looks like this has been redundant for quite some time... Quite a nice shot of the lineup. Something you don't get with MegaBus.com....! As far as I can gather from available information, this luxury double-deck coach was new to M-Line, but has had a bit of a checquered life, having left and returned to the fleet a couple of times. Looking smart in allover white, XIL 6561 is a re-registered Volvo B10M / Jonckheere Deauville. As is always the case, if anyone can assist in identifying a re-registered bus, polease contact me via the link on the welcme page. NIL 3416 is a VanHool Alizee - bodied B10M, and joined this fleet ex-Hunter's Executive Coaches, Sauchie. Another coach looking far younger than its years, 709LAU is a Berkhof - bodied Scania 112, dating from the mid 1980s.

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Tue Sep 13 2005 'Wee County Boarders' http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c687950.html A small collection depicting the three new Optare Solos recently delivered for Clackmannanshire Council - subsidised routes around the 'Wee County' Monday 12 September 2005: A small collection depicting the three new Optare Solos recently delivered for Clackmannanshire Council - subsidised routes around the 'Wee County'

YJ05 JVZ, belonging to Stiling - based W.A.V.E. - 'Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Enterprises' - caught between runs at Dumyat Business Park, Tullibody. Finally, its neighbour, SN05 EOJ, is seen at the same location, on a different occasion. Notice how, although all three vehicles are painted in their operators' standard liveries, they all carry the 'Wee County Boarder' decals on the sides, as they are dedicated to this work. SN05 EOH - one of two of the vehicles operated by Fife Scottish. The building to its right is the Belhaven Breweries Distribution Depot , Dumyat Business Park, Tullibody. Hope the driver hasn't nipped in for a quick pint!

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Mon Sep 12 2005 Rounds 22, 23 and 24 of the BTCC, Knockhill 29th August 2005 http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c673658.html Something a wee bit different. The idea here was to get photos of all the cars and include info on their drivers, etc. As it is, due to "inclement" weather - which is to say, by end-of-play at about 5pm, it felt as though the entire North Sea had been dropped on us - the risk of permanent damage to thye camera severely limited opportunities. Oh, well, there's always next year.... Monday 29 August 2005: Something a wee bit different. The idea here was to get photos of all the cars and include info on their drivers, etc. As it is, due to "inclement" weather - which is to say, by end-of-play at about 5pm, it felt as though the entire North Sea had been dropped on us - the risk of permanent damage to thye camera severely limited opportunities. Oh, well, there's always next year....

A photo of the VXRacing Team Garage, with the Astra Sporthatches of Colin Turkington and Gavin Smith in view. Gavin Smith's car being rolled out to the startline for Round 22. Note the extensive use of technology in this operation....NOT! The Seat Toledo of former BTCC Champion Jason Plato. Notice how much more accessible this form of motorsport is than F1. VXRacing Team Leader Yvan Muller negotiates the infamous 'Duffus Dip.' Muller again, being chased by Team Dynamics Honda Integra driver, and current series leader, Matt Neal. An independently run Vauxhall Astra Coupe (old shape) - either Fiona Leggate or Mark Proctor (sorry, I have tried, but I can't make out enough detail to be sure which....) Synchro Motorsport Team driver James Kaye's Honda Civic Type R (This would later come to grief - caught it as avideo clip, but that's not much good here!)) Matt Neal leads the pack in Round 23 The soaking wet conditions are plain to see, as the pack enters what I think is known as Clark Corner, immediately following Duffus Dip. That chicane the cars are going through might look like nothing from this perspective, but believe me when I tell you the potential for 'offage' here is great, as you're approaching blind. Neal leads Muller through Duffus Dip in Round 23...... .....and the rest follow. more tarffic negotiating the deceptive chicane. Seat driver James Pickford fails the parallel parking part of his driving test.

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Mon Aug 29 2005 Scottish Vintage Bus Museum Collection http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c656946.html The idea here is to have a record of every vehicle currently resident at the museum - this is by no means complete, but I will add more photos as they become available to me. *For more information on the SVBM, to apply for membership, or to find out more info on any of the vehicles depicted here, please log onto the SVBM website via the link(s) below.* Wednesday 17 August 2005: The idea here is to have a record of every vehicle currently resident at the museum - this is by no means complete, but I will add more photos as they become available to me. *For more information on the SVBM, to apply for membership, or to find out more info on any of the vehicles depicted here, please log onto the SVBM website via the link(s) below.*

RAG578, a Daimler CVG6 from 1960, with Northern Counties Queen Mary bodywork. the only Daimler ever built with this body design, it was new to A1 Service member Hunter of Dreghorn. HDV 639E is a nice ECW - bodied Bristol MW coach, new to Western National, but preserved by Stagecoach in a version of W. Alexander's colours. It should be noted, neither this bus, nor any others of the type, ever ran for Alexanders. Furthermore, by 1967, the blue livery was used exclusively on the 'Midland' fleet - this being the one former W. Alexander company not now owned by Stagecoach! Still, looks good, so we'll let them away with it... The Museum's workhorse until the end of the 2006 season - RRS 46R is a Leyland Leopard / Duple Dominant. New in 1977 to Northern Scottish, it was withdrawn from service by new owners Stagecoach , in 1998 and donated to the museum. Guy - bodied Guy Arab EVA324 (left), new to Central SMT, and Duple - bodied Guy Arab GVD47, new to Hutchison's of Overtown. Both vehicles date from 1950, and are available for hire via Hillfoots Vintage Vehicle Hire. Another of the Hillfoots Vintage Vintage Vehicle Hire fleet, XBO 121T is a 1978 Bristol VR / ECW that was new to National Welsh, and more recently operated with Rennies of Dunfermline. The open top conversion was carried out within the museum. CDR179 is a Guy Arab II with wartime 'utility' body. Its restoration is an interesting story and can be found on the SVBM website via the link provided. Alexander Y-Type - bodied Albion Viking GRS 343E was new in 1967 to W. Alexander & Sons (Northern) and is preserved by Stagecoach. A 1936 Leyland Tiger TS7T, ATF477 is fitted with the only surviving prewar Fowler body. It was new to Singletons of Leyland. A 1951 Leyland Tiger TS1, DGS536 was new to McLennan of Spittalfield, and is fitted with that company's own bodywork. McLennans was an early acquisition of the then 'fledgling' Stagecoach group, and the vehicle is preserved as part of their Heritage Fleet. DCS616 is a Daimler CVD6 with open-top Massey bodywork. It was new, with closed roof, to A1 Service member, Hunter of Dreghorn, in 1950. 7424SP is an AEC Reliance with Alexander 'Z-Type' body, and was new to W. Alexander & Sons (Fife) in 1962. A particularly attractive design, 1955 AEC Reliance TYD888 carries a Duple Elizabethan body, and was new to Wake of Sparkford. AWG639 is a 1946 AEC Regal, with Alexandr body, and was new to W. Alexander & Sons. Seddon Pennine VII / Alexander T-type, JSF 928T was new to Eastern Scottish in 1978. SS7486 (left) and SS7501 - a twosome of Duple Vista - bodied Bedford OBs. Fans of the BBC series 'Strathblair' will recognise the one on the right. ESG652, a 1948 Guy ArabIII / Metro-Cammell, new to Edinburgh Corporation. AEC reliance / Alexander, NSJ502, was new to W. Alexander & Sons (Northern) in 1962. Dundee Corporation 1955 Daimler CVG6 / Metro-Cammell, ETS964. VD3433 is a Leyland Lion LT5A / Alexander, and was new in 1934 to Central SMT and later passed to W. Alexander & Sons. LDS 201A - originally 607DYE - is an AEC Routemaster acquired by Stagecoach in the days of deregulation, and used on 'Perth Panther' services at that time. The museum's oldest resident, CD7045 is a Leyland G7 with Short body. (No, I mean, the body was BUILT by Short!) It was new in 1922 to Southdown. Stripped down Guy Arab. And you know what, I STILL reckon it looks a better bet than a Dennis Dart... GM9287, an ex-Central SMT Bristol Lodekka LD6G. GM9287 - The full story of the rescue of this bus is to be found on the Central SMT website, via the link on the collection index page. The standard Scottish Bus Group 'workhorse,' from about 1963 through to its discontinuation in 1982, was the Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-Type, as illustrated here by Northern Scottish GSO 80V. TR 6170, a 1929 Leyland Lion........ View of the museum Display Hall from the top deck of the 1922 Leyland G7. View of the museum Display Hall from the top deck of the 1922 Leyland G7. SO3740 - a 1929 Leyland Tiger TS1 / Alexander, new to W. Alexander & Sons. The bus has a centre accelerator, and as such can cause unplesant staining for the uninitiated driver. A recent arrival is HKE 690L, a 1973 Bristol VR open top. Wouldn't look out of place outside Parkhead..... The Guy Arab Utility, alongside HKE. .......replica, on 5/8 scale! This is based on a BMC car, and is PCV licensed. Its big brother, the real deal, is currently undergoing a full rebuild in the museum's workshops. 1954 Leyland Tiger PS2 / East Lancashire, CHG 541. This was new to Burnley, Colne and Nelson and is one of the last half-cab single deckers to be built. My neck of the woods, now. A pair of Western SMT buses - on the left is SCS 333M, one of a batch of coach liveried Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-Types new in 1974. Behind is UCS659, a 1963 manual - gearbox Albion Lowlander, in the service bus livery, and sporting what many consider to be Alexander's worst body design ever. Edinburgh Corporation 1943 Guy Arab, JWS594, with post-war Duple-Nudd body (the bus was originally utility bodied) and early Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean, EWS 812D. The keen eyed among you may spot that this is not a bus, it is in fact a fire tender (well, DUH...!). It belonged to Cardiff Fire Brigade, and is included in the collection because it is in fact based on an AEC Regent bus chassis. A visitor for the Open Weekend, SSA 5X is an Alexander R-Type bodied Leyland Olympian from 1981/2. It was new to Northern Scottish. FAS692 (originally J1359) is a narrow Albion Victor / Reading Coachworks, new in 1958 to Jersey Motor Transport. DSD 936V, a Western SMT Seddon Pennine VII / Alexander T-Type new in 1979 and donated to the museum by Stagecoach Western Buses. My Grampa, James Thomson, drove sister vehicle DSD 950V before his retirement in the early 1980s. SJ1340, a Bedford OB / Duple Vista new to Gordon's of Lamlash, on the Isle of Arran, in 1950. XMS 245R, another Leopard / Y-Type that belonged to W. Alexander & Sons (Midland) before passing to Whitelaw's of Stonehouse for Schools use. It is to be preserved in Midland Scottish livery. Ex - Crosville Leyland National (and one time mobile snack bar) JTU 588T. W. Alexander & Sons (Fife) Bristol LS / ECW, FWG846. New in 1955, and currently undergoing a major rebuild. Former McLennan's 1953 Bedford SB / Mulliner, FGS 59D, and ex A1 - Service Daimler Fleetline / Alexander, NCS 16P. (If you want to know how a 1953 bus has a 'D' registration, visit the SVBM and ask the tour guide (It'll probably be me, anyway!) DMS 325C is an example of several Leopard / Y-types that were converted for use as recovery wagons. AWG 623, a 1947 AEC Regal / Alexander. New to W. Alexander & Sons, the vehicle was used by the privatised SMT company (Eastern Scottish, in SBG days) for vintage tours in the 1990s - hence the historic SMT livery. A slightly unusual candidate for conversion to a tow-wagon is the Bristol Lodekka FLF, as represented here by Scottish Omnibuses CSG 29C. Bus-bodied sister CSG 43C is currently undergoing a complete rebuild. DMS 359C is an example of the much more common conversion on the Leyland Leopard / Alexander Y-Type. JVS541, a 1961 Leyland Tiger Cub / Alexander, which was new to W. Alexander & Sons (Fife) and among the first new Fife buses following the split of the original W. Alexander & Sons company in the same year.

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Wed Aug 17 2005 Mackie's Coaches http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c640009.html Alloa - based operator Mackies has made some significant investments in new vehicles over the past couple of years. *April 2006 - a "wizard" new addition to the fleet...* Wednesday 3 August 2005: Alloa - based operator Mackies has made some significant investments in new vehicles over the past couple of years. *April 2006 - a "wizard" new addition to the fleet...*

Pride of the fleet - well, one half of it anyway. SN05 EOV is one of two Bova Futura FHD 13.340's new in March '05. A Van Hool Alizee bodied Volvo B10M, PFG362 was acquired from Hutchison, Overtown, in 1997. It was originally registered J19 BUS. EOV and PFG - what a lovely couple they make.... Another B10M / Alizee, K620 DMS was new to Mackie's in 1993. With Mackie's from new, and belying its 20 years in service, B496 MFS Is a Leyland Tiger, with Plaxton Paramount 3500 coachwork. An exceptonally rare animal, J498 VMS was the very last Ward Dalesman coach to be built, after Mackie's bought the intellectual rights to the design, which I believe they still hold. The Willowbrook Crusader bodywork is typical of that company's products in that it is rotten through (compare the condition of this relatively young motor with the old Plaxton Tiger) Rear view of XSV, EOW and YFS. Notice I'm keeping well back from EOW, just in case.... 490SVX is a Jonckheere Deauville - bodied Volvo B10M.... ....as is TSV956. This came from Long of Salsburgh in 1999. History of 490SVX is currently unknown, so the usual appeal goes out - thanks. Okay - here the mystery starts: Van Hool - bodied B10M G864 RNC looks to be of a newer design than that available in 1989/90:-... ...whereas YBL526, which according to the most recent Scottish Bus Handbook, should be a similar, but newer (1992) model, is clearly of an older design. Answers on a postcard..... More evidence of the heavy investment of recent years is LS04 OSL, a Wright Solar bodied Volvo B7RLE. It is one of two with 'palindromic' (is that a real word?!?) cherished registrations. Similar and slightly newer SL54 OSL was being used as the worlds most expensive mop-stand at the time this was taken Former Volvo demonstrator FJ04 ETY no doubt played a large part in persuading the firm to replace its previous bus fleet of Dennis Dart / UVG UrbanStars with the B7RLE / Wright Solar combination. A Caetano Algarve II - bodied B10M, XSV270 was acquired from Whytes of Newmachar in 2002 and originally registered R551 MSS. SN05 EOW is the other half of the pride of the fleet. The principal difference between this one and EOV is that EOW is fitted with a toilet, and so is ideal for drivers wishing to take revenge on others following too close behind (as one former driver for a Dunfermline - based operator is known to have done some years ago...) YFS438 was new to Mackie's as L424 LLS, and is another example of the popular Van Hool Alizee / Volvo B10M combination. The other 'palindromic' reg is SL04 OLS, the owner if which has picked up a few battle-scars during its first year in service... The new arrival - SN06 GGJ is a Bova Magiq HD122.340, and continues Mackies' recent association with the marque. It is one of the first two Magiqs in Scotland - the other belonging to Docherty of Irvine. Along with its two Futura cousins, which joined the fleet new last year, the new Magiq marks a change in the operator's previous policy of buying mainly Volvo products. Impressive though the Futura design is, the simpler frontal treatment of the Magiq is, in my view, nore appealing. A clue as to the identity of the latest addition to Mackies' fleet... DLS 520Y is the firm's original Ward-Dalesman / Plaxton Paramount. I recent years, it has carrried 'Volvo' badging at the front - although it was not present here - which leads me to wonder if it's been re-engined at some point in its 23 years. Side by side, SN05 EOV and EOW, the two Bova Futura FHD 13.340s which were new in march 2005.

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Wed Aug 3 2005 Miscellaneous Coaches http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c625181.html This collection will act as an ongoing repository for images if eye-catching coaches that have - well - caught my eye while out and about, and don't fit into any of the other collections - check back for regular updates! Thursday 14 July 2005: This collection will act as an ongoing repository for images if eye-catching coaches that have - well - caught my eye while out and about, and don't fit into any of the other collections - check back for regular updates!

Rear wiew of the Swift Bova Futura. Photographed outside the Kaimes Institute in Muirkirk, Ayrshire. A smart looking Bova Futura FHD12.290 belonging to Swift International Travel of Cumnock, Ayrshire. This vehicle was originally G795 URY, and was registered as Dealer-stock for the 1990 season. Many thanks to Edward J. Busst of the SVBM for this information. Smart Van Hool Alizee II- bodied Volvo B10M belonging to Cooper's Tours, Killamarsh, Sheffield. Photographed in Stirling. The pseudo - Ayrshire registration R90 JCS belongs to Coopers; originally the vehicle was R781 WSB, new to Cleaver of Dalmelly, and ran in Highland Heritage colours. The driver, a friendly chap by the name of 'Jack,' was kind enough to let me photograph the interior of the coach as well. Despite its immaculate appearance in these photos, Jack was in the process of cleaning it! Allander Travel's Berkhof Axial - bodied Volvo B10M, R319 NRU in Dunfermline. This vehicle was new to Dorset Travel but arrived in the Allander fleet in April 2005, via Stephenson of Tholthorpe Unidentified Van Hool - bodied coach caught on-the-hop at Cairn Lodge services on the M74. It carries the registration WOI 8855; Any help in better identifying it would be much appreciated! **Trevor Gordon again answers this plea: One of Stagecoach MegaBus's new Neoplan Skyliners, at Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow. Is it just me, or does the marshal in the yellow coat look as though he'd be quite happy to let the next bus run him over....? Yet another Volvo B10M, this time with Plaxton Premiere coachwork. This Hutchison's of Overtown coach is in that firm's 'Scottish Pullman' livery for express work. Photographed at Buchanaun Bus Station. A West Coast Motors Van Hool T8 coach leaving the stance at Buchanan Bus Station. Those Speed Traps pop up everywhere...... Y80 WCM, another of the West Coast Motors fleet. This is a Van Hool T9 body on a DAF Chassis. Although the cherished reg suggests it is a 2001 model, the coach actually dates from 2003. Almost fresh out of the box is CN05 DZF. This National Express - branded coach, seen at Buchanan Bus Station, is a Volvo B12B with Plaxton Panther bodywork. It's nice to see Plaxton not only surviving the TransBus debacle, but actually thriving, once again the independent it should always have remained. This Scania K113TRB, with Irizar body and fantastic livery, was photographed on the esplanade at Stirling Castle. One can only assume that this is a one - off - I don't think anyone could afford to run a fleet of coaches painted like this! **Thanks to Andy Hey, who provided the following information: 'The Coach was sprayed by it previous owners who are Goodwins of Eccles, Gtr Manchester, and carried the reg number of R 77 WES which was retained by Goodwins when the coach was sold' (Sorry, Andy - I notice you did leave this as a comment as requested, but for some reason it isn't coming up on the screen) See? There wasn't even enough money left to do the Legal Lettering properly!! The coach was new to Wharfedale of Yeadon, and as you can see is now being run by T.M. Travel of Hesleden, Hartlepool. The Scania next to a Trafalgar - liveried Neoplan (aka 'Auwaerter') N/316/SHD integral. Just a thought - if you were on the motorway, and this Scania appeared up ahead, you might think at first glance it was either a reeeealy long, or else an exceptionally low, double - decker... ;) (Look at the thumbnail, you'll see what I'm getting at) The Neoplan Integral is operated by F.W Stainton & Son. The Creme de la creme of coaches - a Kassbohrer Setra S315GT-HD integral. This was new to Scottish Coaches of Edinburgh. I do not know if 'Prestige Corporate' has any connection with that firm or not. Photographed on Stirling Castle Esplanade. **Information update thanks to David Love: 'Prestige Corporate is part of Prestige Tours, although the Setra is actually operated by Docherty of Irvine on their behalf - despite them having their own o-license!'** YN51 MHZ, an Irizar Century - bodied Scania K114EB, was new to Chambers of Moneymore, and is now in the fleet of Milligan's of Mauchline. A Beulas-Stergo bodied Iveco Eurorider, W664 SJF was new to Wilson of Carnwath, and is now with Hunter's Executive Coaches, Sauchie. Note the separate driver's door on this design. Another Beulas Stergo - bodied Iveco Eurorider, ESK675 is with Jay's Coaches of Greengairs. I have no information on its previous history. (D'you think Jays were attempting their own version of 'Barbie' livery here?) Maynes of Buckie VovoB12B / VanHool T9 Alizee with trademark 'GSM' cherished reg. (I don't think much of the bonnet mascot on the Land Rover to the left...) Rear view of same. Breaking wind as your passengers leave the coach is, perhaps, not the best approach for acquiring tips.... You wait ages, then three come along at once! Another Beulas / Eurorider, this time with Holmeswood of...erm...Holmeswood. Notice Hi-tech parking controls at the castle. This VanHool Alizee / Volvo B10M turned up with a party at the SVBM one Sunday afternoon. Coach parties are, of course, very welcome anytime. However, next time, Davie, gonny gies a bit o a heids up first! Unidentified Caetano Algarve II - bodied coach snapped just outside Ayr bus station. PAB Tours' L888 PAB, in discreet livery..... A German - registered Mercedes Benz 0303 snapped on Stirling Castle Esplanade. Protours' LAG-EOS, BMN111. Photographed outside the Albert Halls, Stirling. A selection caught at Falkirk Football Stadium at a big match. Volvo B10M / VanHool Alizee GLZ 2663 belonging to Cochranes of Blantyre. Not what it may first appear. Although paying tribute to the historic 'Midland Red' company, this Plaxton Paramount bodied coach actually belongs to a Glasgow area independant (Like a clown, I didn't think to snap the legalese on the side - DOH!) **Thanks to David Love for the following: 'The Midland Red tribute coach is curiously a Leopard rebody, one of several done by MR, all of which were reregistered with Q plates.'** Further to this, Mike James provides the following: ** Irvines of Law run this smart VanHool Alizee - bodied coach which, unless anyone can tell me otherwise, I assume to be a Volvo B12T... A late-model Plaxton Paramount, belonging to MacDonald of Chryston. P682 DRS, currently in the Weirs fleet, is a Volvo B10M / Caetano Algarve II that was new to Whyte and Urquahart, Newmachar. Not a coach, but convenient to include here is this East Lancashire - bodied Volvo B10M ex Blackburn, and now serving with Jay's of Greengairs. A view of the Looking very smart in Parks of Hamilton's latest livery, LSK555 is a Volvo B12 with Jonckheere Millenium Mistral coachwork. Another Weirs Tourlink coach, this Volvo B10M / VanHool Alizee started life with Whitelaw of Stonehouse and has carried the novelty 'BUS' reg since new. Another Parks coach, in David Urquahart livery, LSK831 is a Volvo B12M / Jonckheere Millenium Mistral. Complete with the distinctive livery and typical 'GSM' cherished reg is this Mayne's of Buckie Bova Futura. Glen's Coaches of Port Glasgow operates this smart Beulas-Stergo bodied Iveco Eurorider. Looks like the driver was about as interested in the proceedings inside the stadium as I was.... ACZ6692, an Ulsterbus Volvo B10M with Plaxton 'Excalibur' bodywork - i.e. a Premiere with a slopey front... Again, you may notice this is not a coach; again, it was there, so I snapped it. M837 DUS is one of several Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royales inherited by First Glasgow from Kelvin Central Buses on that company's takeover. Showing us how a coach can be modern and attractive without the need to look like something from Star Wars - think Ayats Atlantis here - this Plaxton Profile bodied Volvo B7R belongs to Allander Travel. Belying its long years of service, Caetano Algarve - bodied Volvo B10M, C678 KDS was new to Parks of Hamilton, and is now operated by G-E-M coaches. The registration on this Fairline Coaches Bova Futura originated on a W. Alexander & Sons (Northern) Leyland Leopard / Alexander AYS. Pride of the Clyde's VanHool Alizee - bodied Volvo B10M, N517 PYS.

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Thu Jul 14 2005 Old Routemasters Don't Die.... http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c620562.html ....they just turn up in Edinburgh! With the final demise of the Routemaster in London, the Scottish Capital is one of the few places where the type can still be seen in regular service. This collection documents these and other buses in Lothian's tours fleets: Mac Tours, the Majestic Tour and Edinburgh Tours. Monday 18 July 2005: ....they just turn up in Edinburgh! With the final demise of the Routemaster in London, the Scottish Capital is one of the few places where the type can still be seen in regular service. This collection documents these and other buses in Lothian's tours fleets: Mac Tours, the Majestic Tour and Edinburgh Tours.

All Routemasters, of course, originated in London. VLT 237 is a 1960 model, and like most of the Lothian-run 'Mac Tours' fleet, arrived there via Dewars of Cockenzie. In the smart 'Majestic Tours' livery is JSJ 749 - originally VLT 94 - and was London Transport's ERM94. This was new in 1959. First of three views of 1965 example CUV 210C, as she crosses Waverly Bridge.... ......negotiates the mini roundabout (where the original pre-selector gearbox would come into its own).... ....and draws into the stance ready to set off with another tour. VLT 242, among an elite group of Routemasters who've managed to avoid losing their original London registrations to modern coaches! This bus dates from 1960. Also from 1960, and also with its original registration, is VLT 235. VLT 235 again. Of course, parking like this would be a quick route to a PCV-test Fail..... Closed top Routemaster NMY 634E started life with BEA at Heathrow Airport, and cane to Mac Tours via Stagecoach Bluebird. A sister vehicle to this has been converted to a caravan , and is occasionally stored at the SVBM. It belongs to the Executive Chairman of a certain large and well-known bus operating company... VLT281 is another of the Routemasters that retains a London Transport registration. At Marine depot are closed-top 1967 RMC, NMY 646E; fully open top RM, VLT 237 dating from 1960; and partial open top CUV 241C, a 1965 RCL. Three generations: 1965 RCl, CUV 248C is seen with 301, a 1987 Olympian / Alexander, and brand new Wright Eclipse Gemini / Volvo B7, 702 (SN55 BJY). The same RCL and Gemini again, together with 1959 RM, JSJ 749. Originally this vehicle was registered VLT94. This is where it gets confusing. JSJ 749 is seen again, next to 1961 model, 858DYE. Although the registration might appear authentic at first, the vehicle was, in fact, originally WLT727. That number, I believe, ended up with Western Scottish, in SBG days. VLT163 is another Routemaster example from 1959, with fully open top conversion. 485CLT is a 1962 RMC, and is among the few closed top Routemasters operated by Mac Tours. Old Meets New: the former RMC-1485, from 1962, is seen alongside brand new 2005 Volvo B7 / Wright Eclipse Gemini, 701 (SN55 BJX) Open top Trident 32 (W632 PSX) fuelling up at Marine Depot. Looking very smart in the Majestic Tour colours is Leyland Olympian / Alexander, 338 (G338 CSG) Another view of VLT 281, one foggy May day. Leyland Olympian / Alexander, 875 (K875 CSF) is partial open-top, and sports the Edinburgh Tour livery - in my opinion, the least attractive of the tour liveries. The City Sightseeing livery on Olympian / Alexander, 307 (E307 MSG) is altogether brighter. More Routemasters. JSJ 746 was new to London Transport in 1959 as its RM90 (VLT 90). Its vintage appearance belies the fact that it has been modernised with a Dennis Dart driveline. By far the smartest of the tour liveries, in my view, is the Majestic Tour scheme as seen on Olympian / Alexander, 333 (E333 MSG) Olympian / Alexander, 303 (E303 MSG), in the Edinburgh Tour livery. The E...MSG Olympians, incidentally, must currently hold the distinction of the longest in-service life of any of the current Lothian Buses fleet, having been new in 1988 as normal service buses. Similar 312 sports the same insipid livery, and is partial open-top, as opposed to fully open. Another Partial Open Top Olympian in Edinburgh Tour colours is Olympian / Alexander 314 (E314 MSG), seen turning off South Bridge onto the High Street. What does this photo tell us about the British Mentality? We do nothing but complain about the weather, all year round, but someone puts on an open top bus, and even on a bitterly cold December day you STILL get folk sitting outside, shivering and turning a lovely shade of pale blue! We must be mad... With passengers sitting much more sensibly, similar 356 (F356 WSC) is seen in the Grassmarket, with quite a well known old building forming the backdrop... 'All the threes..' Partial open-top Olympian / Alexander RH, 333 (E333 MSG), climbs the High Street as part of the Majestic Tour. 312 (E312 MSG) at Holyrood on the Edinburgh Tour. Approaching Holyrood on the Majestic Tour is 334 (E334 MSG), a fully open Olympian / Alexander RH. Latest additions to the open top fleet are a trio of Alexander ALX - bodied Dennis Tridents recently converted following withdrawal from the main Lothian Buses fleet. 503 (T503 SSG) awaits departure time on Waverley Bridge. 501 (T501 SSG) crosses from Waterloo Place into Princes St. Similar 503 (T503 SSG) basks in the early afternoon sunlight on Waverley Bridge.

Published in Grant Thomson's Bus Photos

]]> Mon Jul 18 2005 First Midland Bluebird http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c620396.html Part of First Edinburgh, First Midland Bluebird is the post-privatisation successor to the SBG's W. Alexander & Sons (Midland) Ltd. company. Monday 18 July 2005: Part of First Edinburgh, First Midland Bluebird is the post-privatisation successor to the SBG's W. Alexander & Sons (Midland) Ltd. company.

The well publicised riots on 6th July 2005, by a shower of thugs claiming to be G8 protestors, turned Stirling into a virtual Ghost-Town for a day. The silver lining to this cloud was that, as bus services were suspended, it gave a rare opportunity to photograph the Bannockburn fleet in daylight, in the depot. R154GSF, new to Strathclyde, and N411ENW, new to Yorkshire Rider, are Wright-bodied Scania L113CRLs. A fairly uncommon type in a Scottish fleet is the Mercedes-Benz 0405 with Optare Prisma coachwork. P879YKS, new to Midland Bluebird, is photographed in the older First N63 CSC is virtually identical, and was new to Eastern Scottish (SMT), also now incorporated into First Edinburgh. Another Merc 0405, this time with Wright bodywork. (All bodywork variants of the 0405 incorporated a common front panel). This one was also new to Midland Bluebird, and looks much smarter in the latest version of the One of the most recent fleet additions - SN54 KFE is one of a number of new Wright-Solar bodied Scania L94UBs to appear recently. In contrast is the older Wright bodywork, on the previous Scania L113CRL chassis, represented here by S523 UMS. Unfortunately, the buses hadn't exactly been parked up with photography in mind! I could only get the back end of Y597 KNE, recently transferred from First Manchester. This is a Scania L94UB with one of the last Wright bodies before the new 'Solar' designs. R157 GSF, another of the L113SRLs new to Strathclyde. A pair of Mercedes 0.814 Minis, and two Dennis Drats - sorry, Darts... One of many Alexander RL-bodied MCW Metrobuses bought by Midland in Scottish Bus Group days. Note the trademark destination display, which graced almost all SBG double deckers from its formation in 1949 right through to its eventual privatisation in the early 90s. S526 UMS, another Wright-bodied Scania, alongside N64CSC, another of the Eastern Scottish Mercs JDZ 2378 is a wee bit of a curiosity in the Midland Bluebird fleet. It is an 8.5m Dennis Dart, with Wright Handybus body. These were new to London Buses in 1991 carrying these Irish registrations - strange that these never found their way onto coaches. This one is well travelled, having served with a number of English First fleets, before arriving at First Glasgow (for use as a driver trainer) and, after a few months, ending up here. It is now back in front-line service. L555 GMS is another of the Wright-bodied Merc 0405s. E209 JKS is an MCW Metrobus with newer Alexander RL body, and was originally E621 NLS. A trio of Drats, another Optare Prisma / Merc 0405 and (centre) another Wright-bodied Scania - this time an N113CRB. SSU821, a Plaxton Paramount -bodied Leyland Tiger coach, new to King of Dunblane as H838 SLS. B96 PKS, another of the SBG Alexander bodied Metrobuses. KSU391, new to Brelaton of Hounslow as N500 TCC, a Plaxton Premiere-bodied Volvo B10M. This was one of the coaches that regularly broke down on the M9 Stirling-Edinburgh express service, before Citylink took it over as their Service 909. Last from Bannockburn Depot is another Drat, S250 CSF. You may have guessed I'm no fan of the Drat, mainly because it was designed for inner city plodding, and is therefore totally unsuitable for the longer runs - such as Stirling/Dunfermline, or even on occasion, Stirling/Glasgow - that they tend to be used on up here. Callendar Riggs bus station, Falkirk, was originally built by W. Alexander & Sons, and is still used by First Midland Bluebird today. A recent addition to the fleet is this Northern Counties bodied Leyland Olympian, F293 DRJ, that was new in 1989 to GM Buses. R224 GFS, left, is a Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton SPD that was new to Lowland (now part of First Edinburgh). Also new to Lowland was Scania L113CRL / Wrighbus, P504 XSH. SN54 KEJ, one of the new Scania L94UB / Wright Solars in the fleet. R224 GFS and P504 XSH again. Not the best quality photo, this is Transbus Enviro300 SN03 WMJ, in a special livery for the Falkirk Wheel Park & Ride. Volvo Olympian / Alexander 'Royale' P594 WSU was new to Strathclyde's Buses, and has recently been transferred from that company's present day equivalent, First Glasgow. SN54 KDO is another of the Wrightbus Solar bodied Scania L94UBs. Another of the Lowland Scania L113 CRL's, P503 XSH. L552 HMS is a Scania N113CRB that was new to Midland Bluebird in 1994, and carries the typical Wrightbus bodywork favoured by the First Group. A Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian, P567 EFL was new to Cambus in 1996. To the right, P538 YSH is a 1997 Optare Metrorider which was new to Lowland. When new, the batch had luggage compartments at the rear, but these are not used at Midland, and are now sealed off on all vehicles. P576 EFL, a sister vehicle to the Olympian in the previous shot, since new. Yet another Scania L113CRL with the Wrightbus body, N408 ENW was new to Yorkshire Rider. M568 RMS is a Scania N113CRL, and has been with Midland Bluebird since new. R588 BMS is another Scania, an L113CRL model. P576 DMS is similar. Not a Midland Bluebird bus, but included here for convenience, SN05 FLW is a Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer with local independent Bryan's of Denny A second, slightly more successful, attempt at getting a decent photo of the Park & Ride Enviro300. Scania N113CRB 62332 (L566 JLS) leaving Stirling bus station. It is followed by a First Glasgow Leyland Tiger / Alexander TS, which was new to Central Scottish. Inside Balfron depot, Leyland Olympian / Alexander RL, 31723 (D902 CSH) is coach seated. One of the very last Leyland (as opposed to Volvo) Olympians, 31735 (L159 UNS) is Alexander Bodied, and originated with Strathclyde's Buses (now First Glasgow). also ex Strathclyde's Buses, 31344 (J137 FYS), seen here at Balfron depot, carries 'Leyland' bodywork; the relationship to the earlier ECW- and Roe- built Olympian body is evident, particularly in the front dome area. 'In or Out?!' Scania N113CRB / Wright Endurance, 62330 (L564 JLS) doesn't seem to know what to do with itself.... (Balfron garage) Mercedes-Benz 0405 / Optare Prisma 62365 (N64 CSC) was new to parent company First Edinburgh's predecessor, Eastern Scottish. It is among a declining number of buses remaining in the cheap looking 'Barbie 2' livery, and is seen outside Balfron garage bound for Glasgow. Sister vehicle 62357 (N66 CSC) looks far better in 'Barbie 3' livery. 62298 (N411 ENW), a Scania L113CRL / Wright Axcess, stands outside Balfron garage at the end of its day's work. Leyland Olympian / Northern Counties, 30126 (B111 SJA) is something of a dinosaur these days, with the throaty rumble of its Gardner 6LXB engine. It was new to Greater Manchester PTE, all of 21 years ago.

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]]> Mon Jul 18 2005 SRPS Bo'ness and Kineill Railway and Scottish Railway Exhibition http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c603269.html The Bo'ness and Kineill Railway , run by the volunteers of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, runs steam trains along the south bank of the River Forth, to and from the Birkhill Fireclay Mine about 6 miles away. On arriving at Birkhill station, visitors have the chance to take a guided tour of the mine itself. At Bo'ness station, you can also visit the Scottish Railway Exhibition, which is filled with engines, rolling stock and memorabilia from the golden age of rail travel. *Some of the photos in this collection now feature in articles on wikipedia.org - follow the collection links below for more information* Saturday 2 July 2005: The Bo'ness and Kineill Railway , run by the volunteers of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, runs steam trains along the south bank of the River Forth, to and from the Birkhill Fireclay Mine about 6 miles away. On arriving at Birkhill station, visitors have the chance to take a guided tour of the mine itself. At Bo'ness station, you can also visit the Scottish Railway Exhibition, which is filled with engines, rolling stock and memorabilia from the golden age of rail travel. *Some of the photos in this collection now feature in articles on wikipedia.org - follow the collection links below for more information*

Narrow-gauge 0-4-0 tank engine Not just Bus Garages that double as scrapyards then... **Thanks to Duncan Harris, who tells me that this cab comes from 50037 'Illustrious, a class 50 locomotive** Steam Locomotive Crane #6, built in 1942 by Andrew Barclay & Sons, Kilmarnock. Used in Glengarnock Steelworks. Number 65243 'Maud,' an 0-6-0 locomotive built in 1895 by Neilson & Co. of Glasgow. Driver's eye view from 'Maud' I hate tailgaters, don't you... The culprit: BR Type 2 Diesel-Electric North British Railway 0-4-0 shunter #42 (So THAT's the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything...) Built in 1876 by Neilston & Co is 'Kelton Fell,' an 0-4-0 ST locomotive. Barclay's-built Diesel shunter #1 FV432 Armoured Personnel Carrier. You might have guessed this is not a Steam Locomotive... North British Railway #256 'Glen Douglas,' a 4-4-0 steam Loco built by that company at their Cowlairs works, Glasgow, in 1913. An electric A former Scotrail class 303 EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) 4-4-0 steam locomotive #246, 'Morayshire' - built in 1928 at that company's Doncaster works, and seen here in need of a drink at Bo'ness station. 14901, a class 14 diesel shunter, and looking somewhat the worse for wear. (Thanks to Duncan Harris for type info here) Another view of 'Morayshire,' much the better for slaking her thirst. Former Caledonian Railways#419, a class 439, 0-4-4t tank loco, standing at Birkhill station, the far terminus of the route. A railway worker, who obviously didn't move quickly enough as the train approached, is seen recovering on the left...(Thanks to Duncan Harris for the type info on this loco.) A view of Birkhill station. In the days of Steam travel, it was a tradition for passengers to have their wrists and ankles bound, before alighting from the train - a tradition which apparently survives to this day... #419 in the process of moving to the 'back' of the train for the return journey. Final view of #419 before it was time to set off down the track again. Bo'ness station. The Military displays were due to a special themed day which coincided with my visit. Another view of Bo'ness station.

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]]> Sat Jul 2 2005 Rennies of Dunfermline http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c599494.html It's taken longer than intended, but I've finally managed to get a good selection of Rennies' Fleet, one sunny Sunday morning. Updated 12/9/05. Sunday 26 June 2005: It's taken longer than intended, but I've finally managed to get a good selection of Rennies' Fleet, one sunny Sunday morning. Updated 12/9/05.

Ex-MoD Wadham-Stringer - bodied Dennis (Javelin?) NXX 451 at SVBM, on Park-and-Ride duties for Knockhill Race Circuit PIB 9211, a Jonckheere P599 - bodied Volvo B10M at SVBM on Park-and-Ride duties for Knockhill Race Circuit (I wrongly identified this as a Dennis Javelin previously - thanks to David Love for keeping me right!) VanHool Alizee - bodied Volvo B10M, IIL 3504 at the SVBM, performing Park-and-Ride duties for Knockhill's Superbikes event. Rennies use a lot of dateless Irish registrations on their vehicles, and as they are often swapped around, it can make identifying a particular bus a wee bit awkward for the average bus chaser. CCZ 5837 is a Jonckheere bodied Volvo B10M. GDZ 3363, on the left, is a Volvo B10M with the popular VanHool Alizee body. On the right is a Dennis Javelin with Salvador Caetano S320 body. THis boasts 70 seats, thanks to a '3+2' arrangement, and is a development of the Wadham Stringer body already seen on NNX 451, for MoD use. The development costs of this model were instrumental in the demise of Wadham Stringer (or 'WS Coachbuilders' as it became known) which led to its being bought out by Salvador Caetano. Rennies maintains a fleet of older double deck buses for schools services, such as these ex- London Leyland Titans. Another ex-MoD Dennis Javelin, with an earlier version of the Wadham Stringer Vanguard body is 439BUS. Photographed previously at the SVBM, NXX451 has the later variation of the same body. More Schools service ex-London Titans, and an MCW Metrobus, also ex-London. From L to R: TPD108X - Leyland Olympian / Roe; E920 KYR - Leyland Olympian / Northern Counties; KYV 756X - MCW Metrobus / MCW; A648 THV - Leyland Titan; E919 KYR - Olympian / NC; A842 SUL - Titan; and B209 WUL - MCW Metrobus / MCW. All are ex - London. L to R: NUW 600Y| - Leyland Titan; E911 KYR - Olympian / NC; and A938 SYE - Titan. Again, all ex-London Back to the coach fleet, now. Dennis Javelin / Jonckheere Jubilee PIB 9211 was photographed previously at the SVBM. A17 RNY is a Caetano Algargve II - bodied Javelin. On the left, a Volvo B10M bodied by Van Hool, on the right, A19 RNY is another Caetano AlgarveII - bodied Dennis Javelin. Another Caetano bodied Javelin, A16 RNY. A couple more of the ex-MoD Dennis Javelin / Wadham Stringer Vanguards. Jonckheere Deauville - bodied Volvo B10M, LSK479, parked next to ex- MoD Javelin / Vanguard, BHZ 9543. You've heard of Wallace's Monument - well, here's Rennie's version! SN05 FCU is a recent addition to the fleet, and is a BMC Probus 850. The Probus is rapidly becoming many operators' first choice for lightweight midi-coaches. Rennies provided three coaches as exhibits at the May 2006 Vintage Running Day at the SVBM. BX04 NCD, a Mercedez-Benz Touro, was the first of these. The second was BMC Probus 850, SN05 FCX... ...while the third, and most unusual, was BX06 NZV, one of two Polish-built, C70F-seated Autosan Eagle A1012T coaches delivered in late March for Schools contracts. the presence of all three vehicles was very much appreciated.

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]]> Sun Jun 26 2005 Ayrways http://grant-thomson-buses.fotopic.net/c598721.html Ayrways is a small independent, operating from the industrial part of the seafront at Ayr. they run a variety of older, secondhand buses and coaches. **Any help identifying the re-registered vehicles here would be appreciated** Wednesday 15 June 2005: Ayrways is a small independent, operating from the industrial part of the seafront at Ayr. they run a variety of older, secondhand buses and coaches. **Any help identifying the re-registered vehicles here would be appreciated**

F481 MFX is a Duple 320 - bodied something or other. I didn't hang about to ask more details, as, even though I had permission to photograph, the site's Head of Security (known as Formerly with Blackpool Transport, GHG 346W is an East lancs bodied Leyland Atlantean *This photo was taken in June 05 - on my return visit in December, the remains of it were still in-situ - but the roof was missing, and the sides had been peeled back, due to its cannibalisation for spares for other Atlanteans in the fleet Ayrways Legal Lettering Duple Goldliner-bodied Leyland Tiger FIL 4169 has had its seaing stripped out, and is fitted out as a kind of mobile portacabin thingy