It's been a while since the last update, with Jack and I both being busy in securing our entry into university which was successful, we had to put aside the less important things such as blogging and focus on the period which could shape the rest of our lives so things on the blog had to be put aside for a while, but thank you loyal viewers who according to the hit counter still tuned in during our long absence.
I visited Metroline's CELF Centre yesterday for the first time in over 4 months which is somewhat out of the norm for me, however the purpose of today's visit was to obtain pictures of the new Alexander Dennis E200s for routes 234 and W9 which commence later on in the year and also to obtain pictures of the many Olympic buses that have been released by LOGOC passing through the centre today. For those who are not familiar, Metroline had a contract for 91 buses to operate on the Olympics, these consisted of DEs, DLDs, TAs, TEs, VPLs and VWs. Before I go into further detail, I will explain the allocations of these buses and where they are headed to.
The former 266 TAs (TA638 - 659) will be heading back to Cricklewood to operate on the 32 and part 210 in order to allow the release more TE9xx to the 189. DLD693 - 711 amid rumours will be heading back to Kings Cross Garage to operate on the Route 214. VPL629 - 637 will be heading back to HT to operate as logistical spares on the routes there. TE1307 - 1317 will be heading to Cricklewood to operate on the 32 although they will probably appear more on the 189 and 332. The VWs as we know will be heading to Holloway to operate the W7.
Above we can see new and old together for what may be the first and last time. To the left we have DEM1340 LK62 DCE and DP1014 to the right, which looks looks like a victim of a bad crash, it will most likely be repaired and withdrawn before returning off lease. These brand new 9.6M ADL E200s are part of a 23 strong batch of vehicles that have been ordered for the routes 234 and W9 contracts which will see off the DP1001 - 1014 and DSD208 - 217 which were originally ordered for the Route 206 back in 2002. Just to make things easier for you, I have included a small fleet list of these DEMs.
I visited Metroline's CELF Centre yesterday for the first time in over 4 months which is somewhat out of the norm for me, however the purpose of today's visit was to obtain pictures of the new Alexander Dennis E200s for routes 234 and W9 which commence later on in the year and also to obtain pictures of the many Olympic buses that have been released by LOGOC passing through the centre today. For those who are not familiar, Metroline had a contract for 91 buses to operate on the Olympics, these consisted of DEs, DLDs, TAs, TEs, VPLs and VWs. Before I go into further detail, I will explain the allocations of these buses and where they are headed to.
The former 266 TAs (TA638 - 659) will be heading back to Cricklewood to operate on the 32 and part 210 in order to allow the release more TE9xx to the 189. DLD693 - 711 amid rumours will be heading back to Kings Cross Garage to operate on the Route 214. VPL629 - 637 will be heading back to HT to operate as logistical spares on the routes there. TE1307 - 1317 will be heading to Cricklewood to operate on the 32 although they will probably appear more on the 189 and 332. The VWs as we know will be heading to Holloway to operate the W7.
Above we can see new and old together for what may be the first and last time. To the left we have DEM1340 LK62 DCE and DP1014 to the right, which looks looks like a victim of a bad crash, it will most likely be repaired and withdrawn before returning off lease. These brand new 9.6M ADL E200s are part of a 23 strong batch of vehicles that have been ordered for the routes 234 and W9 contracts which will see off the DP1001 - 1014 and DSD208 - 217 which were originally ordered for the Route 206 back in 2002. Just to make things easier for you, I have included a small fleet list of these DEMs.
DEM1337 - LK62DAA - body no. C208/1
DEM1338 - LK62DAO - body no. C208/2
DEM1339 - LK62DBZ - body no. C208/3
DEM1340 - LK62DCE - body no. C208/4
DEM1341 - LK62DCF - body no. C208/5
DEM1342 - LK62DCY - body no. C208/6
DEM1343 - LK62DDU - body no. C208/7
DEM1344 - LK62DDY - body no. C208/8
DEM1345 - LK62DDZ - body no. C208/9
DEM1346 - LK62DEU - body no. C208/10
DEM1347 - LK62DFF - body no. C208/11
DEM1348 - LK62DFJ - body no. C208/12
DEM1349 - LK62DFP - body no. C208/13
DEM1350 - LK62DFY - body no. C208/14
DEM1351 - LK62DGF - body no. C208/15
DEM1352 - LK62DGO - body no. C208/16
DEM1353 - LK62DHC - body no. C208/17
DEM1354 - LK62DHD - body no. C208/18
DEM1355 - LK62DHE - body no. C208/19
DEM1356 - LK62DHG - body no. C208/20
DEM1357 - LK62DHP - body no. C208/21
DEM1358 - LK62DHU - body no. C208/22
DEM1359 - LK62DHV - body no. C208/23
Notice anything different in comparison to other E200s? Have you noticed now? I'll tell you anyway. The brand of seats being used in this bus are a derivative of the Fainsa Metropolis seats deliberately ordered as they are tougher than the normal Civic Esteban seats and the routes theses buses are set operate on, go past many schools which if you put 2 and 2 together you will understand.
Above we can see TA654 which was formerly part of a batch of vehicles that formerly made up 88% of the route 266's allocation before it respectively passed to First on the 19th of May 2012. These buses will continue to operate out of Cricklewood Garage on the 32 and 210 once they pass their M.O.T tests and are commissioned into service.
Here we can see DLD702 LK55 KLV awaiting entry into service at Kings Cross garage, interestingly this batch of Darts have been upgraded to Euro4 for whatever reason and only feature one exhaust pipe as opposed to the two they used to have. I can promise more quality posts in the coming weeks, but you know as they say 'a picture paints a thousand words' so in a smart move that will see me save 1000 words, more photos from the day's visit are placed below.
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| Former Harrow Weald VP484 LK03 GMF |
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| Former Harrow Weald VP484 LK03 GMF |
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| DE1324 LK12 AXH and TA653 LK05 GGZ |
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| DE1131 LK10 BYX |
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| VPL633 LK54 FWN |
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| DEM1340 LK62 DCE |
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| The long lasting DP274 P674 MLE |
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| MM783 LK57 EHT |
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| Trainer Bus MM777 LK07 AYH |
Glad for you return, and a great post. Will you be doing anything regarding those DWbuses from route 19, I believe they were also used for Olympic work. Do you know what's happening with these buses (DW102 to DW133), I thought they were all going to Croydon TC, to go on route 197 and to help withdraw the ageing DLA's, however I have recently saw DW122 and DW125 on route 109, which runs from Brixton BN Garage now. I know you are probably busy, but is there any chance of being able to clarify this?
ReplyDeleteNice Post...However, VP484 never was at Harrow Weald. And do you know why there are some DLD6XX - LK55 KLD and one other at the Harrow Weald Garage
ReplyDeleteThanks
DW 103 - 116 went to TC for route 197, and DW 117 - 31 went to BN so the VLAs could go to N :)
ReplyDeleteDan
VP484 was indeed at Harrow Weald during 2008 and 2009, it along with VP486 transferred for whatever reason. We now have VP470 - 472 on loan from AC and VPL209 has gone in the opposite direction.
ReplyDeleteAlso DLD696 and 708 are the two at HD and they were there for Olympic driver ferrying duties.
Dan what about DW132 and DW133, why are VLA's going to Norwood?
ReplyDeleteWasn't TC supposed to originally get all of the route 19 allocation? When are TC getting buses to replace DLA, as I'm sure that all their DLA's there are due for withdrawal, as they W and X reg buses, both being over 12 years old?
I have also seen VPL208 at AC. Will these old VPL's get scrapped or sold?
ReplyDeleteAmm I right in thinking they are refurbing a bunch of Holloway's TEs out there?
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
Man and Van Battersea
Not quite mate, there are a bunch of refurbished TEs that have been refurbished that are passing through this facility. They are actually being refurbished at the Hant's & Dorset Trim in Eastleigh.
ReplyDeleteI think that the E200 on route 234 and W9 are better then the E200 on routes 143 and 326
ReplyDelete