Picture of the week is a new section that will be posted every Saturday, it will feature pictures of London Buses and general transportation photos from around the United Kingdom. You, our blog viewers can submit entries of pictures that you think should be contenders for the next weeks pictures of the week. The link to your pictures should be left as a comment below, Enjoy!

Arriva London Enviro 400 T228 LJ61 CFY is seen on Hertford Road en-route to Manor House whilst forming a Route 279 service from Waltham Cross to Manor House. This trunk route is a major link between Enfield and Tottenham and the terminus of Manor House provides easy connections to Wood Green and Central London. This high frequency route has PVR of 32 has just gained some new E400s numbered between between T224 - 259. Photo © Peter Horrex

First London Volvo B9TL Wrightbus 2 VN37811 LK59 EFF provides us with a rare odd working on the 231 en-route Enfield Chase from Turnpike Lane Station. The route originally uses Dennis Trident Enviro 400s that were delivered to Northumberland Park Garage (NP) when the route was respectively won of Metroline in 2008. Photo © Peter Horrex

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One could argue that Watford Gap has featured a lot as late due to the numerous amount of new vehicles destined for London arriving there on a daily basis. Credit must go out to Steve Buckley who helped us obtain these shots.

First London Enviro 200 DMV44271 YX61 FZO stands here at Watford Gap Services in Northampton after being delivered from ADL's Scarborough Plant in Yorkshire. This is one of 10 10.8m examples that are due to be delivered to First London's Dagenham Garage (DM) for the Route 368. Interestingly enough the Route 368 did get 10.2m long new E200 Buses last year , however TFL have reticently decided that the Route 368 needs longer vehicles as there are high volumes of passengers that use the route on a daily basis. So the current DMLs that operate on the Route will bet transferred to Lea Interchange for newly won Route W15 off Arriva. 

First London E20D DML44272  YX61 FZP stands at Watford Gap Services after completing the first leg of its delivery run from ADL Scarborough to First London's Lea Interchange Garage where it will operate on the Route W15 which has been respectively won from the Arriva. 

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Steve Buckley has again provided us with more shots of Abellios new 10.8m E20s for the Route 290 which runs from their Fulwell Garage (TF) in West London. There has been questions over the lengths of these vehicles, however with these better angled shots, they can confirm that these are in fact 10.8m.

Abellio London E20D 8782 YX61 GBO departs from Watford Gap services after arriving from ADL 's Scarborough Plant. From here it will continue on the second leg of its delivery run to Abellio London's Fulwell Garage for the Route 290 contract. This is one of 6 new 10.8m E200s numbered between 8777 - 8782.

Abellio London E20D 8781 YX61 GBf stands at Watford Gap services after arriving from ADL 's Scarborough Plant. From here it will continue on the second leg of its delivery run to Abellio London's Fulwell Garage for the Route 290 contract. This is one of 6 new 10.8m E200s numbered between 8777 - 8782.

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As many of you know, Metroline have a batch of 10 Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 Dart 10.2m/MCV Evolutions numbered DM961 - DM970 which are operated from Brentford (AH) garage in West London. DM961 - 969 are for route 190, Richmond - West Brompton and DM970 is for Route E8, Ealing Broadway - Brentford, Commerece Road. For nearly 2 years I have been waiting to see one on Route 209, Mortlake - Hammersmith, which is a mere 3 miles in length with a PVR of 14! Well today was my lucky day! Whilst travelling to the dentist I noticed DM964 running light from AH garage fully blinded for the 209! I knew it was a chance that I could not miss out on!

DM964, LK58CRV, Seen at Hammersmith

Taking the long way round to Mortlake via Richmond to avoid the Hammersmith Flyover traffic I arrived at Mortlake and was walking up the road that leads to the stand. 3 E200's left the stand all in a row and I thought I was going to be waiting a while for my bus but then out of nowhere I see the front of a bus starting to emerge from around the corner! What bus what it? You got it! DM964! The first bus when I got there! DM964 was running on the 209 as #AH106 and I was was happy to finally get my picture I have been after for so long!

After taking the trip from Mortlake to Hammersmith (which took no longer then 15 minutes!) I arrived at Hammersmith Bus station were I was able to get my picture. I must say having a DM on the 209 really was a nice change and I look forward to seeing them on the route more often (Hopefully not in another 2 years!!)

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Our good friend Steve Buckley took a trip to Watford Gap services as he promised us that he would capture pictures for buses destined for London in this location. For those who don't know what Watford Gap is, its a big service station located off the M1 Motorway in Northampton. It provides rest stops for commercial vehicles on delivery as well as wining and dining facilities.

First London E20D DML44289 YX61 FYM departs from Watford Gap services after briefly resting here following its delivery from Plaxton's Scarborough Plant in Yorkshire. This is part of a batch of vehicles for the Route W15 that First take over on the 3rd of March 2012 from their Lee Interchange Garage in Leyton.

Abellio London E20D 8780 YX61 GBE stands at Watford Gap services after arriving from ADL 's Scarborough Plant. From here it will continue on the second leg of its delivery run to Abellio London's Fulwell Garage for the Route 290 contract. This is one of 6 new 10.8m E200s numbered between 8777 - 8782.

First London E20D DML44280 YX61 FYC stands at Watford Gap services for a  brief rest here following its delivery from Plaxton's Scarborough Plant in Yorkshire. This is part of a batch of vehicles for the Route W15 that First take over on the 3rd of March 2012 from their Lee Interchange Garage in Leyton.

Abellio London E20D 8777 YX61 GAA arrives at Watford Gap services after arriving from ADL 's Scarborough Plant. From here it will continue on the second leg of its delivery run to Abellio London's Fulwell Garage for the Route 290 contract. This is numerically the first of 6 new 10.8m E200s numbered between 8777 - 8782.

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The 15th of October 2011 was the date that the Route W3's new contract started so one would wonder why the new Buses are arriving now. The route runs from Finsbury Park Station in North London to Northumberland Park in North East London. Operated by Arriva from their Lea Valley Garage with a PVR of 20, it is one of the few routes in London to be using the older Euro2 DAF DB250s which seem to cope well in areas that would provide rough traction for other vehicles given their age. Although the caption below does not show one of the new Buses that have been allocated to the Route it does give an insight as to what we will be seeing during the coming weeks.

One would argue that 2011 was not the best year for Arriva in terms of the TFL tender announcements so when TFL announced that Arriva had retained Routes; 144,279 and W3, Arriva did the 'London thing' and hastily placed an order for 78 Enviro40D Double Decker Buses numbered between T201 - 223. Its not surprising that Arriva numbered these vehicles in the 2xx series to represent the introduction of the new European Whole Type Approval (EWTA) standards like they did with their VDL DB300 Vehicles (DW) back in 2011. T249 - 271 were chosen to the allocated buses for the W3 upon the new contract starting, however with Lea Valley's flagship Route 341 running from the same garage as this, it remains to be seen whether or not they will actually stay on the Route W3. The reason these buses are so late is due to the fact 2011 was a very hectic order year for ADL especially with the high profile Olympic contracts orders coming in, minor contracts as such but nevertheless still important had to be placed further down the delivery queue.

The Route W3 originally began as Route 233 with operations commencing on the 26th of October 1949 running between Finsbury Park Well's Terrace to Northumberland Park Railway Station with a PVR of 17 from London Transport's West Green Garage which was coded 'WG'.The route proved a vital link between the railway town of Finsbury Park and Crouch end. However On the 3rd of January 1962, the Route was withdrawn and replaced with W3, which held the title of one of the first London Bus Routes to have a prefix. The Well's Terrace element on the northern end at Finsbury Park was withdrawn.

The current routing is only 8 miles long and has a PVR of 20 which allows it to be one of London's most reliable routes and the W3 is also well known for the lovely sites and historic places that are passed during its journey such as the stunning Alexandra Palace and Alexandra Park which were opened to the public on the 23rd of July 1863. Although the name 'Palace' would suggest it is a place where monarchs would reside, the structure was actually built with the intention of providing an entertainment centre to the community which would intern bring some finances to the area. One would also argue that it is somewhat of a flagship route so as expected it is a route Arriva would love to keep for many years to come given their excellent operating standards on the route I think that it is only fair that they retained the route, so cheers to Arriva and running the W3 for another 5 years! Below are some more photographs from the day.

Arriva London DAF DB250 ALX400 DLA155 V355 DGT is captured near Alexandra Palace on its way to Northumberland Park. This vehicle in particular was delivered to Arriva London South however it transferred over to Wood Green a few years back.

Arriva London T201 LJ61 CHD forms a short working to Crouch End from Finsbury Park Station. Numerically this is the first of the new EWTA Arriva E40Ds and is only one of a handful E40Ds for the W3 that were actually out in service today due to the fact Arriva London are still in the process of training their W3 drivers on the new buses.

Arriva London DLA13 S213 JUA adds a bit of Nostalgia..if that on the Route W3 today. This is part of the original batch of DLAs that were purchased by Arriva London back in 1998. This bus is due to be cascaded to Arriva's provincial operations. 

Arriva London DLA13 S213 JUA and T157 LJ60 AVE stand at Finsbury Park Station.

Credit to those who helped correct the mistakes in this post!

Key Facts to note regarding Route W3

• Run by Arriva London from their Lea Valley Garage
• Operates with a PVR of 20 buses.
• Stretches for over 8 miles.
• One of London's first prefixed routes.
• One of London's most reliable bus routes.

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Metroline Dennis Trident ALX400 TA652 LK05 GGY is seen in Trent Barton Park Road near Hant's Dorset Trim getting ready to begin its refurbishment for future use. This bus is currently housed at Metroline's Cricklewood base in North West London. However when refurbished it will go on the Olympic contracts for which Metroline have been allocated 60 Buses.

Arriva London Volvo B7TL ALX400 VLA42 LJ53 BCU is seen in Trent Barton Park for refurbishment which will include a repaint, panel trimming and an improved interior. The bus is part of a batch of vehicles that were delivered to Norwood Garage in late 2003 for Route 2 which runs from Marylebone Station to Norwood Garage. 

Metroline Dennis Trident ALX400 TA654 LK05 GHA is seen in Trent Barton Park Road near Hant's Dorset Trim getting ready to begin its refurbishment for future use. This bus is currently housed at Metroline's Cricklewood base in North West London. However when refurbished it will go on the Olympic contracts for which Metroline have been allocated 60 Buses.

Arriva London Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro MA15 BX04 MXN seen on the forecourt of the Hant's Dorset Trim having completed its refurbishment for the 2012 Olympic Shuttle Service. This bus was housed at Arrivas's Wood Green base in North London.

Arriva London Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro MA26 BX04 MYB seen on the forecourt of the Hant's Dorset Trim having completed its refurbishment for the 2012 Olympic Shuttle Service. This bus was housed at Arrivas's Wood Green base in North London.

Metrobus Optare Solo 102 YJ56WVG seen in the workshop of the Hant's Dorset Trim workshop getting ready to begin its refurbishment for Route R8 which runs from Metrobus' Orpington base in Kent.

Arriva The Shires DAF DB250LF/ Wright Pulsar Gemini 6035 YJ55WOV seen on the forecourt of the Hant's Dorset Trim getting ready to begin its refurbishment for Route 258 which runs from Arriva The Shires' Garston base in Hertfordshire.

London United Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 VA87 W117EON seen on the forecourt of the Hant's Dorset Trim getting ready to begin its refurbishment for use in the Private Hire Fleet.

Arriva London Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro MA38 BX04NEF seen on the forecourt of the Hant's Dorset Trim having completed its refurbishment for the 2012 Olympic Shuttle Service. This bus was housed at Arrivas's Wood Green base in North London.

Ex-Metroline TP23 T73 KLD stands outside the Hant's Dorset Trim in Eastleigh having just finished its refurbishment, this was originally part of a batch of 65 Metroline Trident President buses, numbered from TP1 - 65, however the in third quartile of 2011, it saw many of these magnificent buses getting sold of, however Xelabus have purchased a firm few and give them a new lease of life.

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