The introduction of new Routemasters on the 390 was the catalyst that triggered a fleet shuffle within the Metroline fleet particularly concerning their Holloway and Potters Bar Garages. Which is what will be covered in this post, not so much what was at the centre today, so in this case the pictures act as a visual aid to the text.

Route 390 converted from its Plaxton bodied Volvo B7TL vehicles to NB4L operation on the night of the 7th of December 2013. The introduction of these vehicles was over a week late, for reasons unknown, however the change of vehicle type was swiftly done which in theory would make the VPLs surplus to requirements. VPL581 - 603 formerly Route 390 operatives were reassigned to the Route 4 which just gained clearance for the longer 10.6m vehicles.

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Would anyone like to warrant a guess as to where this picture was taken, as late some new Routemasters have commenced their delivery ahead of the Route 10 conversion to NB4L operation.

I had an intention to write up a post based on this location, however I wasn't satisfied in the amount of pictures I gained on this occasion. So I thought I'd rather have a bit of fun and allow you to comment below where you think this location is.

London United NRM LT162 - 166

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My once very numerous visits to Metroline's CELF Centre have now become as few and far between as a summer without rain. Those familiar with the blog would be more than able to testify to this. The Centre was opened in 2007 to help assist the engineering departments across the company with the maintenance of their vehicles. The Centre since its opening nearly 7 years ago has been accredited for its excellency and is widely utilised by other companies, namely London United and Tower Transit, whose vehicles can be seen here on a regular basis.

Metroline operate a fleet in excess of 1600 vehicles, which was boosted by Acquirement of First West London in June 2013. All of which must spend a statutory two day period at the centre whilst they undergo MOT and chassis cleaning amongst other things.

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3817 - LJ58 AWC is seen on stand outside Watford Junction Station.

LJ58 AWC transferred from Arriva London to Arriva the Shires in August 2013 after refurbishment at Hants and Dorset Trim.

The batch (ENL11 to ENL17, now recoded 3811 to 3817), along with a few others was originally ordered for Arriva London's Route 491 back in 2008. In May 2013, the route passed over to Go Ahead London. Therefore, a few ENL's would remain surplus at the Enfield Garage.  Arriva decided to transfer these to the Garston Garage to work on Routes H18/H19 which had been given a PVR increase of 2.

The batch entered service in August 2013 primarily for the circular H18 and H19 routes. Nowdays, they can be also put into service on other single decker routes (268, 288, 303 and 305). Arriva the Shires are known for intermixing their double deck vehicle into single deck routes and vice versa. This has been the third time Enviro200 has been put into service on the 142. Route 142 is usually a full double deck operation.

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