Today was a nice hot day and with no college I decided to visit Metroline's CELF Centre located in Perivale, West London. The Center opened in 2007 as the Central Logistics Facility within the company

It deals with M.O.T, Chassis Cleaning and minor body touches such as paintwork and re-paneling. Last year the Center was upgraded to VOSA standard and now a number of vehicles from other companies such as London Sovereign and First London now visit the center every week for maintenance work. I spent the best part of an hour and a half just kicking back and having a laugh with the excellent lads at the center. I also got some interesting news too. It was confirmed to me that VP317 - 494 are actually on lease to Metroline by Volvo as well as VPL581 - 603. Aside that all other vehicles in the fleet except DP1049 are owned by the company, which is good news due to the fact the only other companies to buy their vehicles are Arriva and First. Of course It wasn't all talk and I did manage to take some photos.

Metroline MM819 LK7 AYO

Metroline DSD214 LR02 BEU

Transdev London Sovereign SLE30 YN55 NJK

Metroline TA74 T74 KLD

Metroline TE738 LK07 AZU

Metroline MM819 LK57 AYO

Metroline DE1115 LK10 BYB

Metroline SEL808 LK57 KBO

Transdev London Sovereign SLE30 YN55 NJK

Metroline VP322 LR52 BNO

Metroline TPL259 LN51 KYT

Metroline DLD146 W146 ULR

Metroline TE951 LK58 KHU

Metroline SEL808 LK57 KBO (Rear)

Metroline MM819 LK7 AYO

Metroline DE997 LK09 ENJ

Transdev London Sovereign SLE30 YN55 NJK

Metroline TA74 T74 KLD

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Metroline VW1067 LK60 AEO

London United VLE45 PO54 OOG

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Today I visited London United's Hounslow Heath Garage which sits on the Border of Greater West London and Surrey. This is the second time I have visited the location, the first of which was back in October when the ADHs were in the process of being delivered. This time I visited the garage as I received word that some of the new Optare Tempos (OT) had finally been delivered for use on the new H37 (Hounslow - Richmond) contract.

The new Tempos or OTs as they are classified as have an acclaimed capacity of '78' and weigh 10,180KGS. They are fitted with environmentally friendly Mercedes Euro5 Engines. I must say I really like these vehicles. They bring a much needed new style of Bus to London's streets I would personally love to see more of these ordered. Currently at the Garage there are four of these Buses, all of them have had their IBUS Screens fitted as well as CCTV are now in process of driver training. Just a note here: The Tempo demonstrator is still situated at Hounslow Bus Garage (AV). More photos of the said buses and the premises are displayed below, enjoy!

London United DPS707 SN55 HKK

London United VA71 V189 OOE

London United DPS712 SN55 HKT

London United DE21 YX58 DWK

London United ADH1 SN58 EOR

London United ADH1 SN58 EOR

London United OT3 YJ11 EHK

London United Optare Tempo Interior

London United OT4 YJ11 EHL

London United OT2 YJ11 EHH

London United SP21 YN08 DHF

London United SP21 YN08 DHF

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After being out and about for the best part of the day I decided I'd make use of the sun while it lasted so I visited Metroline's CELF Centre which is Metroline's central maintenance facility

This visit proved to be one of the better visits as I did receive some news on new vehicle orders and allocations. As most of us know, Metroline have won the 105 from First Centrewest, the Route is due to operate from PA. It was initially thought that Metroline would order TEs (Enviro 400s) to keep the chassis at PA strictly Trident and Scania. However Metroline ordered 18 VWs ( Volvo Wright Gemini 2s) for the Route. Their numbers will be VW1175 - 1192. The Route 274 contract was also retained by the company using the standard DEs (Dennis Enviro 200s) their numbers will be DE1156 - 1174 and the Route 209 which was recently retained will also be getting Enviro 200s, their numbers will be DE1152 - 1155, the surplus DEs from the 251 will make up the rest of the allocation.

Metroline DE1150 LK10 BZT

Metroline TP422 LK03CFY

Metroline DP37 W137 WGT

Metroline TE891 LK08 NVF

Metroline TP42 T142 CLO

Metroline DE955 LK58 CTE

Metroline DE1145 LK10 BZN

Metroline TP427 LK03 CGU

Metroline DE1136 LK10 BZC

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Only a few of you will know that last month I visited London United's Tolworth Garage however I only did manage to get one shot due to fact there were only about 7 vehicles in the compound so I did not feel the need to take more pictures and record this in a blog entry. However due to requests I decided to upload the 'one' shot of this Garage. I am not going to include any Garage information as I am planning to visit the garage once the London United Logos are added to their Buses. This visit will include the photos and relevant Garage information. 

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Metroline VP345 LR52 BOU

Ex Arriva London MA109 BX55 FVK

London Central PVL304 PJ02 RFZ

London General E7 SN06 BNK

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