Metroline CELF Centre Part 33...New VWs for the Route 43!

Its been a long time since the last CELF update from me, mainly due to the fact, I have so many other commitments at this moment in my life, however today I had to take out for myself and visit this extraordinary centre, which you so often hear me say, due to the fact, I had gained information that the new Buses for the 43 were in the process of delivery here.

Metroline VW1243 LK12 AAF and
Metroline VW1246 LK12 AAU

The Route 43 was part of a string of contracts that were announced late by TFL due to internal reasons, this included contracts such as the 134 and W7 that were also overdue announcements. This left a fair number of operators confused over whether they should order new Buses or halt the ordering whilst they were awaiting the impending announcements.

However Metroline, adamant that they would retain these routes, smartly placed a provisional order for 64 Wright Gemini 2 B9TLs in the summer of 2011 for delivery in March. They did this due to the fact, it was at an time where the two main body builders, ADL and Wrightbus were quite full with orders, so this slot order or provisional order would ensure that the company's Buses would be delivered on time.

At present there are three Buses at the Centre, which will go into service imminently after IBUS installation, wayfarer and oyster machines are installed, this has been made possible due to the fact type training has been done with similar models from Perivale East Garage (soon to be mothballed) were taken over to Holloway to kick start driver familiarisation. Although at present only 14 VWs will be delivered to HT, which have been allocated the bonnet numbers of 1243 - 1256, a further 32 will be delivered over the course of the next two months for the Route 134, then a further 18 will be delivered in summer for the Route W7.

The new VWs are built exactly to the same specification as the examples on the Route 79 which are numbered between 1205 - 1216. They have a revised length of 10.5m now as opposed to 10.4, not that the passengers would notice by an increase in leg room.

In all honesty, there was not much to see here apart from the beautiful VWs, so limited pictures are available below.

Metroline VW1243 LK12 AAF and
Metroline VW1246 LK12 AAU are both seen at CELF Centre, having just been delivered from Wrightbus' Factory in Northern Ireland. These are are two of a batch of 14 Buses that expands to an eventual batch of 65 VWs that are due for Holloway Garage. 

Metroline TE979 LK59 DZC at CELF Centre. This is part of a batch of TEs numbered between 976 -992 that were Delivered to Brentford Garage (AH) in August 2009 for the Route E2 Contact. They lasted just over a year there before being replaced by new VWs numbered between 1056 - 1072 in November 2010  and transferring to Cricklewood Garage where they are deployed on the Route 210.

Metroline VW1243 LK12 AAF and
Metroline VW1246 LK12 AAU are both seen at CELF Centre, having just been delivered from Wrightbus' Factory in Northern Ireland. These are are two of a batch of 14 Buses that expands to an eventual batch of 65 VWs that are due for Holloway Garage. 

Metroline VW1243 LK12 AAF and
Metroline VW1246 LK12 AAU are both seen at CELF Centre, having just been delivered from Wrightbus' Factory in Northern Ireland. These are are two of a batch of 14 Buses that expands to an eventual batch of 65 VWs that are due for Holloway Garage. 

The rear of Metroline VW1247 LK12 ABU is seen at CELF Centre, having just been delivered from Wrightbus' Factory in Northern Ireland. These are are two of a batch of 14 Buses that expands to an eventual batch of 65 VWs that are due for Holloway Garage. 

Metroline DE1025 LK59 AVN, is seen here at Metroline's CELF Centre, undergoing a mandatory service check, this is part of a batch of 20 Dennis Enviro 200s that were purchased by Metroline for the Route 316 contract from Cricklewood Garage (W). 

Metroline TP430 LK03 GFV, is seen here at CELF Centre after being relieved from its duties at Harrow Weald Garage (HD), This bus is part of a batch of TPs that were originally purchased for the Route 139 and 189 in 2003 after both routes were converted to double deck operation. This Bus is currently on loan to Harrow Weald as refurbishment cover.

A Scania City Link Coach is seen at the facility. Interestingly, it has been here since Summer of 2011 and there is not much information available on the destiny of this vehicle...

Metroline VW1243 LK12 AAF is seen here at CELF Centre, having just been delivered from Wrightbus' Factory in Northern Ireland. These are are two of a batch of 14 Buses that expands to an eventual batch of 65 VWs that are due for Holloway Garage.