SELs on the 297...Finally!

Its been a long coming now. In June 2010 Metroline announced that they were to introduce some of their SEL Class Vehicles (Scania Olympus) double deckers onto to the Route 297. 7 SELs in total would move from  PV (Perivale East) to PA (Perivale West) with the numbers being SEL803 - 809.

SEL804 LK57 KBE on the 297
at Wembley Park Station - Credits to bowroaduk

Its been a long coming now. In June 2010 Metroline announced that they were to introduce some of their SEL Class Vehicles (Scania Olympus) double deckers onto to the Route 297. 7 SELs in total would move from  PV (Perivale East) to PA (Perivale West) with the numbers being SEL803 - 809. The reason behind this is because early in 2010, Metroline made the decision to transfer the Route 460 to AC (Willesden) using spare VPs (Volvo Plaxton Presidents) of the Routes 6 and 98.Following the withdrawal of the Route 460 from PV this would mean that 7 SELs originally ordered for the 205 back in 2007 would be surplus to requirements at the Garage. So Metroline decided they would move the 7 SELs to PA and on the same day move the 70 from PA to PV. Following the transfer of the SELs to PA this would allow the company to move the 6 TEs to W (Cricklewood) to top up on the new TEs that were already arriving to W in mass numbers, this would save the company much needed money. The moves were all expected to take place on the 11th of December however due to dreadful weather conditions some of the moves were delayed and it was only the Routes 70 and 460 that transferred to their expected Garages and not the SELs to PA. Two weeks later the SELs finally transferred to PA with only SEL804 , SEL 805 and SEL809 being reported in service. Word is from the engineers is that they are a pain to drive and, but thats what happens when you order the Scania Chassis!

SEL804 LK57 KBE on the 297
at Wembley Park Station - Credits to London Bus Man