Stagecoach London Plumstead Garage [PD]...New Enviro 400s

Today I visited Stagecoach's London Plumstead Garage in South East London. It was reported that three new Enviro 400s had been delivered to the garage, so I traveled all the way from North West London to this location, the journey took me the best part of three hours.

Stagecoach London 19744 LX11BBO

The Garage itself was opened in 1981 and was well sited to serve the growing Thamesmead area which was benefiting from the introduction of new services in and around the area. The purpose of the new garage was to replace the former Abbey Wood and Plumstead Garage which were smaller in size to this newer base which was built to hold up to 185 vehicles. When the base was initially opened it was made up entirely of Scania/MCW Metropolitans, however two years later in 1983 the allocation was completely changed to Leyland Titans, following the decline in their popularity yet again and many were shipped off around to other parts of the UK, including 21 to Reading Corporation. Upon its introduction, the garage housed 35 Articulated Mercedes Citaros on the Route 453 in 2003 until 2008, despite loosing the Route to London General in 2007.

Back to the purpose of the visit, I expected to see only one of these vehicles, however when I arrived there, there were in fact 4 of these new Enviro 400s. Another arrived into the yard with a dozen Stagecoach officials, who explained to me that these new Enviro 400s are due to take up duties on the Route 53 which runs from Whitehall to Plumstead Railway Station. They also explained that these Buses are leased through ADL themselves and they will have LX11 xxx Number Plates. They are not due to enter service until March this year. Interestingly these vehicles do not contain the conventional fire exits as with the other Stagecoach Enviro 400 examples in the provinces.

More Photos below: 

Stagecoach London 17215 V215 MEV

Stagecoach Officials stand by 19744 LX11BBO

Unidentified Stagecoach London Enviro 400 Trident 

Unidentified Stagecoach London Enviro 400 Trident 

Stagecoach London 36328 LX58 CCO

Stagecoach London 17959 LX53 JYY

Stagecoach London 17588 LV52 HFX

Stagecoach London 19744 LX11BBO Rear

Stagecoach London 19744 LX11BBO