Metroline CELF Centre...First visit!

Metroline's TE946 stands next to former TP310 which is due to off lease to Dawson's Rentals any day now. 

Today I had the pleasure of visiting Metroline's CELF Centre for the very first time! For those who are not familiar with CELF. In a nutshell, CELF is Metroline's Central Engineering Logistics Facility. It was opened in September 2007 and has since revolutionised the way in which Metroline maintain their Buses. The Centre deals with MOT, Chassis cleaning, repaints and refurbishments. It now means all of these operations can be done in house, which saves the company revenue and it also means vehicles undergoing maintenance can get back on the road much quicker than before. when I arrived on the premises I was absolutely shocked at the varieties of different bus that were present here today. On the nearside wall of the centre there are about a dozen TPs that are due to go back of lease very soon, these TPs are part of the original batch that operated on the Route 205 when it was first introduced in 2002 and on the in and around the centre there were a few inherited Armchair ALX200 Darts and some inherited Thorpes Plaxton Pointer Darts which are also due to go off lease. TP421 remains on the forecourt after just coming back from refurbishment. The reason there are so many different buses here owes to the fact that as part of a compulsory set up, all Metroline buses are required to spend up to two days here every three months to ensure that the buses are in good working order and fit for the road. I personally think this is an excellent centre and I look forward to returning here. Credit goes out to Metroline staff for allowing me on the premises. More photos from the visit are placed below. 

Metroline TE885 LK08 DXX

Ex Metroline TP302 LT02 ZZG

Ex Metroline DLF82 KU52 YLG

Ex Metroline TP304 LT02 ZZJ

Metroline TP421 LK03 GFX

Metroline TP421 LK03 GFX Offiside

Metroline DLF74 W974 TRP

Metroline TE885 LK08 DXX

Ex Metroline DLF96 KU52 YKC and
Metroline TPL237 LN51 KXP

Two of a kind

Metroline DLD117 T117 KLD

Ex Metroline TP348 LR52 KVM

Metroline VPL162 Y162 NLK

Ex Metroline DLF82 KU52 YLG