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| Count | Photo | Details | Added  |
| 4,101 |  |
By Philip Hambling For many years London Transport had its own scientific research laboratory within Chiswick Works. However, it was not until 1982 that the department had any specialised vehicles. First was Dodge S56 mobile laboratory 2375D (MYL375X), which carried a unique blue and grey livery. In 1986 this was joined by Bedford Midi van 2457B (D66ALO) in a more standard red livery. The latter vehicle was photographed outside Kings Cross Station on 25th November 1987. The date of disposal is not known. |
01/11/2012 |
| 4,102 |  |
By Derek Everson Ford Transit 2325F (CGT325X) was one of the last batch of 'normal' Transit vans to be numbered in the owned series. Delivered in August 1981 it was sold to Allco Passenger Vehicles in March 1985 after a few months storage at AEC Southall. Although Allco acted as vehicle dealers, this van was evidently kept for their own use and it was photographed at the Vickers Works Sandpit in Weybridge on 14th April 1985 (during a Cobham Bus Museum open day). It retained London Transport lettering with the addition of Leaside and Forest District stickers and an Allco fleetname. Most notably however it had been fitted with a cut-down radiator grille from a Routemaster bus! This was perhaps the same grille later carried by ex-2086F. |
01/11/2012 |
| 4,103 |  |
By Damon Cross The other two motorcycles recently acquired by Stagecoach were both parked at West Ham garage on 22nd September 2012. Open-top bus tours to this garage were being run on that day from Leyton Garage. Having just missed a Southdown Leyland PD3 I decided not to bother with the tour, and hence missed seeing these machines. Unfortunately the identities are not yet known. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,104 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Another view of Stagecoach Honda ST1300 motorcycle RF04EFK at the Leyton Garage open day on 22nd September 2012 shows the very neatly applied high-visibility markings, and also the small rear plate with Stagecoach name and lights. Three such motorcycles had recently been acquired by Stagecoach for use by the engineers at West Ham Garage. The plan is for these to provide a rapid response and assesment service to attend breakdowns and accidents involving buses. In the background is MRM1, a miniature double-deck bus owned by Ensign. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,105 |  |
By Damon Cross A surprise sight at the Leyton Garage open day held on 22nd September 2012 was this Honda ST1300 motorcycle resplendent in high-visibility livery with Stagecoach fleetnames and logos. In the background can be seen some of the excellent selection of buses on display, including three class pioneers in the shape of TA1 (the first Stagecoach Dennis Trident), 15001 (their first Scania) and LT1 (the first New Bus for London), plus Shillibeer-liveried Routemaster RM2208. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,106 |  |
By Ray Monk Go-Ahead London took delivery of a batch of new Mercedes-Benz Vito crew vans in September 2012. Five had been reported by the end of the month, all operating in anonymous red from the Blue Triangle garage at Rainham. RK62OEV was photographed leaving the garage on 22nd September. A look at the licensing details suggests there may be a few more yet to be seen, perhaps at the Silvertown base. The buses visible in the background are Stagecoach Dennis Tridents stored in their adjoining garage, while a maroon and silver striped open-top Fleetline is just visible to the left, this being parked in the Arriva Tour yard. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,107 |  |
By Ray Monk During the open day at Leyton Garage on 22nd September 2012, two Ford Transit vans were tucked away in the corner, almost hidden by the bus wash. On the left is resident engineers van 95259 (YC11KTK), while on the right is anonymous YA12UZH. This medium-wheelbase mid-height van was new in August and appears to be based at West Ham Garage. It is based on the uncommon 140 T280 Trend model, the Trend specification being apparent from the body coloured front grille surround and smarter wheel trims. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,108 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Each of Stagecoach's London garages has a Ford Transit van allocated for engineering support duties. The one at Leyton is fleetnumber 95259 (YC11KTK) and differs slightly from the rest in having additional lights on the front grille and above the doors. It has visited the Showbus event at Duxford in Cambridgeshire twice, accompanying Stagecoach's semi-preserved Trident TA1. This photograph was taken there on 16th September 2012. The van was also present during the recent open day at Leyton Garage but was somewhat tucked away in a dark corner. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,109 |  |
By Ray Monk This Mercedes-Benz Vito minibus is not really a service vehicle at all. As the lettering suggests, it is used by Epsom Coaches for passenger transfer work. However, it may also see some use ferrying bus drivers. It was photographed leaving the garage in Epsom on 10th May 2012. In another example of the colour descriptions on the DVLA database being a bit off, RJ11ZWW is licensed as red but looks more brown to me. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,110 |  |
By London Spotter This Vauxhall Corsa van was new to Arriva London in spring 2011 but seems to have moved around a bit since. First noted at Ash Grove, it then went to Wood Green, before moving to south London in 2012. Presumably now based at Croydon (TC), it was photographed at Addington Interchange on 8th August 2012. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,111 |  |
By Ray Monk YS56JUY is one of several high-roof Ford Transit crew vans added to the Abellio fleet in the past year. It is slightly unusual for carrying Abellio Surrey fleetnames yet operating from the London-area garage at Fulwell, near which it was photographed on 8th May 2012. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,112 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Abellio seems to have changed its fleetnumbering policy for service vehicles recently. Ford Transit van ND56MHM was one of the first acquisitions following the takeover by NedRailways (and the rebranding from Travel London), and it was allocated the number 6109, although this was not carried. By 6th August 2012, when it was photographed passing Elephant and Castle, it was showing number 6218 and had also been modified with a roof beacon light and a movable spotlight above the front windscreen. Two other Ford Transits have been seen with numbers in the 62xx range, while 63xx, 66xx and 67xx numbers have appeared on other types. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,113 |  |
By Ray Monk The first of Arriva Kent Thamesside's taxis to be repainted red was P527RYT, acquired in early 2011 and assigned fleetnumber CF22. It initially operated in unmarked black but in September 2012 made the trip to the Garston garage of Arriva the Shires, emerging in this smart red livery with silver wheels. It was photographed at Eltham Bus Station on 13th September 2012. The taxi in front is also notable. R452RRK was acquired later in 2011 as fleetnumber CF28, and initially operated from Grays. It moved south of the river in spring 2012 but curiously carries legal lettering for Arriva Kent and Sussex Ltd. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,114 |  |
By Ray Monk The various taxis acquired by Arriva Southern Counties since 2010 have ranged from pristine examples to rather less well-looked after ones. N416CMT, which became CF39 in summer 2012, appears to be one of the former, and is also notable for its dark green livery. Interestingly N391CMT (in brown) and N415CMT (black) have also been acquired in the past year. As with the majority of additions, these are operated by the Dartford garage of Arriva Kent Thamesside. Anonymous N416CMT was photographed at Eltham Bus Station on 7th August 2012. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,115 |  |
By Ray Monk Having treated their recently acquired former London taxis to full repaints, Arriva the Shires' Garston paint shop turned their attention to the similar vehicles operated by sister company Arriva Southern Counties. The buses at Dartford garage are all used on TfL services and hence carry red livery. Although there is presumably no requirement for the support vehicles to do the same, the taxis have indeed been turned out in red. M499WMC was acquired in mid-2012 as fleetnumber CF37 and initially operated in anonymous black livery. It was photographed on Eltham High Street on 21st September 2012, still looking fresh, with silver wheels, white Arriva names but still no fleetnumbers. Interestingly similarly registered M511WMC was also operated by Dartford, but has since moved to Grays. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,116 |  |
By Colin Lloyd A lucky catch by Colin was this fine view of Volvo XC70 estate car LT62BFU waiting at the traffic lights on Parliament Square on 21st September 2012. The livery suggests this car is operated by the Emergency Response Unit, perhaps as a replacement for Ford Ranger 6786F. It differs from the latter in lacking the blue skirt and red bonnet, although it does have red-backed Emergency lettering. As far as I know this is the first Volvo car to be used as a liveried service vehicle by any London operator, although a few have been taken as umarked staff cars. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,117 |  |
By Thomas Young The chevrons on the rear of Renault Kangoo Maxi van 7374R betray it as one of the Griffith House based vehicles. New in April 2012, it can often be found at night parked on Cosway Street (as here on 22nd August 2012) for a while before heading off to work. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,118 |  |
By Derek Everson Sycamore House at Thornton Heath took three of the most recent batch of Incident Response Units, delivered in spring 2012. When at home these vans are usually parked in the front car park, the one at the rear being for cars. On 10th May 2012 Derek found 7287M and 7297M parked, presumably waiting for an incident to respond to. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,119 |  |
By Ray Monk 7283F is a long-wheelbase Ford Transit van new in March 2012 which appears to be allocated to Hainault Depot. It has usually been seen at night but on 8th August 2012 was caught leaving the depot in daylight. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,120 |  |
By Thomas Young Another pair of Griffith House SWB Ford Transit crew vans, this time 7028F (front) and 7020F (behind). They were parked on York Street (at the bottom end of Harcourt Street) on 22nd August 2012. Visible behind 7020F is Shillibeer Place, the first of two times that name will appear in this batch of photos. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,121 |  |
By Thomas Young 6877F is one of many short-wheelbase Ford Transit crew vans that work out of Griffith House, although as I have mentioned many times, they are not in fact kept there. A lot of the vehicles that turn up there late at night seem to always park in the same places. 6877F is often left on Cosway Street, on the north side of the Marylebone Road, as here on 22nd August 2012. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,122 |  |
By Derek Everson 6330F was, with 6331F, one of a pair of seemingly identical Ford Transit long-wheelbase vans that worked from Lillie Bridge for four years from 2008. The pair were slightly unusual for leased vehicles in having consecutive registrations. Both were delivered in white/blue livery with Metronet markings, later gaining the London Underground variant, and both were sold through BCA in spring 2012. However, despite the registrations, the two vans were licensed and delivered about four weeks apart, 6330F in March 2008 and 6331F in April. Also, a fleetlist we received in 2009 suggested that the pair were in fact different, 6330F being a front wheel drive 110 T350 and 6331F a rear wheel drive 100 T350. However, this photo of 6330F at BCA Blackbushe on 16th May 2012 shows it badged as a 100 T350. I'm not sure if there are any external indications of whether Transits have rear or front wheel drive. |
03/10/2012 |
| 4,123 |  |
By Malcolm Conway An unexpected vehicle to find parked at Stratford Bus Station on 8th September 2012 was this Citroen Relay van of Flintshire Truck and Bus. It may have been in London in connection with the large number of provincial buses drafted in for use during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,124 |  |
By Ray Monk Vauxhall Combo van NU55FPV is allocated fleetnumber 1149 in the Arriva Shires fleet and is based at Luton Garage. It carries the current engineering version of standard livery and was photographed leaving the garage on 31st August 2012. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,125 |  |
By Ray Monk While hunting taxis at the Arriva the Shires garage in Luton on 31st August 2012, Ray managed to photograph a couple of the other resident service vehicles. Ford Transit YA02GDL has already been shown on this website twice. However, the livery has since changed, with additional side chevrons and new lettering. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,126 |  |
By John Hillman The other colour scheme worn by Arriva the Shires' recently acquired taxi cabs is Arriva corporate blue, complete with a cream 'swoop'. CF82 (P338RYL) is allocated to Stevenage but was photographed at Welwyn Garden City on 5th September 2012. Another contributor sent a nice view of two such vehicles in the same location but it was unfortunately too small to be used. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,127 |  |
By Ray Monk Arriva the Shires has taken to using former London taxi cabs as crew ferry vehicles in a big way recently, with at least nineteen examples acquired in the past year. They are allocated fleetnumbers in the CFxx series started by Arriva Southern Counties (instead of the traditional Shires numerical series) but differ from the similar vehicles there in that they have all been repainted. CF87 (N176CMC) photographed at Luton Garage on 31st August 2012 is one of several to carry an unusual green and blue scheme with advertising for Green Line route 757. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,128 |  |
By Ray Monk Arriva Southern Counties' Dartford garage continues to get through former London taxi cabs, at least 20 having been operated since the first arrived in April 2010. One of the most recent additions is silver M904MUV, arriving in about August 2012 and allocated fleetnumber CF38. It was photographed parked with another example (dark green CF39 N416CMT) at the bus stand on Eltham High Street on 23rd August 2012. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,129 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Malcolm caught this fine view of Volkswagen Caddy crew van RK62XHG on Bollo Lane on 11th September 2012. Three such vehicles were seen heading for Acton Works, all of which had only been licensed that day. It remains to be seen what fleetnumbers and operator logos they are given. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,130 |  |
By Ray Monk Volkswagen Caddy crew van RK12UHA was new in March 2012, being seen before delivery at the dealership in Bedfont. It was unlettered at the time, and has evidently remained so. A fleetnumber is no doubt allocated, and the van could have been acquired to replace similar 6462VW. On 28th August 2012 Ray caught it at the top of Bollo Lane, no doubt heading for Acton works for inspection of the accident damage visible on the nearside. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,131 |  |
By Thomas Young Toyota Prius hybrid electric car FY10ZXV was new in July 2010 for the TfL Streets fleet based at Southwark. It was photographed passing Lambeth Palace on 5th September 2012. The topical aspect of this photograph is nothing to do with service vehicles. In the background is a statue of the 'Mandeville' Olympics mascot character. Just over 80 individually decorated statues were placed around central London, and my daughter decided she wanted to see them all! |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,132 |  |
By Malcolm Conway An excellent photo of an unexpected vehicle, this is Citroen Nemo electric van LK09EFE on Bollo Lane on 11th September 2012. As can be seen, it carries almost standard Tube Lines livery with the addition of a large 'Go Green' graphic, and the TfL slogan already seen on vehicles such as the LBSL Ford Transit vans. First licensed in March 2009, it seems unlikely that this vehicle has been with Tube Lines since new, although second-hand acquisitions are very rare. The Citroen Nemo is virtually identical to the Peugeot Bipper design already in use with TfL Streets and Tube Lines. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,133 |  |
By Kim Rennie Iveco Trakker tipper LK58HKN was on demonstration during an industry open day at Ruislip Depot on 11th September 2012. In this view it has its grab loading arm extended and stabilisers deployed (note that the front wheels are not on the ground). This view is very similar to one of its predecessor, Mercedes Actros 2578M at the same location about 10 years earlier. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,134 |  |
By Ray Monk The first '62-reg service vehicle to be shown on this site is Ford Transit dropside truck 7470F, photographed leaving Acton Works on 10th September 2012. Also visible are one of the Mercedes Axor lorries and an Iveco Stralis. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,135 |  |
By Ray Monk Among the new vehicles allocated to Finchley Central recently is Ford Focus estate car 7408F, photographed there on 9th September 2012. Similar 7405F was also present, along with three Ford Transits and a pair of Renault Kangoos, all of which had '12 registrations. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,136 |  |
By Kim Rennie The march of the Renault Kangoos continues, at least 80 examples having been leased in the past year. 7366R is a Kangoo Maxi van for Tube Lines, photographed at Ruislip Depot on 11th September 2012. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,137 |  |
By Kim Rennie Almost 40 Peugeot Partner Tepee cars have been leased since the first arrived in spring 2011, most being for use by LUL. 7336P was a one-off addition in April 2012 (having said that, adjoining registration KX12WNV is on an un-numbered silver Partner with LUL). On 11th September 2012 it was photographed at Neasden Depot, with an 'Emergency Response' sign in the windscreen. Early Partners had the blue skirt carried up to the level of the side moulding, the red stripe thus being obscured. More recent additions have a shallower skirt. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,138 |  |
By Ray Monk We now have allocations for all but two of the 2012 batch of LBSL Incident Response Unit vans. Of that pair, 7289M was at Eltham but has now moved on, while 7299M has only been seen at the Mercedes dealership and in the vicinity of Acton Works. Indeed on 28th August 2012 it was caught leaving the works on the back of a recovery truck. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,139 |  |
By Derek Everson Three of the 2012 batch of Incident Response Unit vans have settled at Uxbridge Bus Station, the last of the trio to be illustrated being 7296M. It was found parked on the side road on 2nd August 2012. LBSL vehicles had been kept in the car park behind here in the past but this view suggests that construction work is now taking place there. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,140 |  |
By Ray Monk Several vehicles have been seen carrying Emergency Response Unit labels recently, perhaps reflecting an increased role during the period of the Olympic and Paralympic games. As well as the Iveco lorry illustrated last month, a Hyundai car has been noted, and this Ford Transit Connect van. 6625F was new in November 2008 and is often to be seen in the vicinity of Acton Works. On 10th September 2012 it was passing Chiswick Park Station on its way back to the works. The red reversed label on the front is similar to the one seen on 5724F back in 2005. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,141 |  |
By Thomas Young I was rather surprised to find that I had not yet published a photo of Ford Transit crew van 6588F, a vehicle that is very easy to see in its normal parking space at Neasden Station yard. Observations suggest that most of the vehicles from that location are driven down to Baker Street each night before going off to do whatever it is that service vehicles do at night. 6588F was photographed at the top of Baker Street at exactly midnight on 22nd/23rd August 2012. This van, along with similar 6582F also of Neasden, was new in December 2008 and is thus due for replacement. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,142 |  |
By Malcolm Millichip Unique Ford S-Max car 6221F is now a bit easier to see, having moved from the covered car park at Vandon Street round the corner to an open yard on Palmer Street (behind the 55 Broadway complex). It was seen there on 23rd August 2012. Photographers should exercise caution though, since the yard and buildings are police property and considered sensitive (they are blurred out on Google Streetview). 6221F is now over 5 years old and probably due for replacement. |
12/09/2012 |
| 4,143 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Quite a good photo under the circumstances, Malcolm caught Go-Ahead London Ford Transit van EY12JGV leaving Stratford Bus Station on 10th August 2012. If any of you have been paying attention you will notice the seam line immediately above the side doors, signifying a short-wheelbase, mid-height variant. There is a Buses roundel on the side, along with a Go-Ahead logo, and a small roundel on the rear. The van is based at the Silvertown garage of Docklands Buses. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,144 |  |
By Derek Everson We know that London United took nine new Ford Transit vans in May 2012 to renew their engineering fleet. We also obtained a list of the planned fleetnumbers and allocations but unfortunately these were changed before delivery. Only three of the vans have been reported so far, but that was enough to deduce that the fleetnumbers were actually applied in registration number order. Hence EK12OKL became FT4 at Shepherds Bush instead of FT7 at Stamford Brook. It was photographed in the garage car park on 30th June 2012. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,145 |  |
By Ray Monk Another slight mystery is presented by this photograph taken at Northumberland Park bus garage on 16th August 2012. This operation passed from First to Go-Ahead at the end of March 2012. We later learned that a Volkswagen Crafter van (VO59XSD) was included in the deal, although it subsequently moved to Go-Ahead's Stockwell Garage. Vauxhall Combo EX03MHA is also still on site and still licensed but does not appear to be used much (ever?). The discovery of this low-roof Ford Transit van was puzzling. Its age (over 2 years old) and side lettering (seems to read 'Engineering Dept' in a similar style to that on VO59XSD) suggests it was bought new by First London. But then where it has been for the past two years, and why would First go for a Ford at a time when they had standardised on Volkswagens? Maybe it was acquired by Go-Ahead more recently, or perhaps it isn't actually a bus company vehicle at all. I don't know OK, so just get off my back about it will you.... Ahem. Also visible are some of the silver Ford Galaxy minicabs used as crew ferries, and a couple of buses renumbered by Go-Ahead. Rather than integrating them with similar types, Go-Ahead started new series with prefixes modified with an N. For example, PVN4 on the right is pretty much identical to a Go-Ahead PVL, while the WVN on the left is likewise akin to a WVL. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,146 |  |
By London Spotter Following the disposal of the 2006 batch of Mercedes-Benz Vito minibuses (many of which transferred to Go-Ahead London), the oldest crew ferry vehicles with Metrobus are two Vitos acquired in March 2008. All of the Vitos (including the 8 recent additions) have always worked from Croydon garage, so they can often be seen visiting Addington Village Interchange. Photographed there on 8th August 2012 was Metrobus 8027 (RK08WNE) parked in front of one of the 2012 examples. The slight change to the headlight shape (and trim surround) on the latter is apparent. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,147 |  |
By Derek Everson A very interesting photo taken inside Abellio's Fulwell Garage on 12th May 2012 shows five service vehicles in varying states of repair. With the exception of Ford Transit crew van HV07KMY on the far right, all the vehicles have been marked up as withdrawn in our database. Several certainly were delicensed, perhaps being retained for spare parts. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,148 |  |
By Kim Rennie Honda CR-V service vehicles have an annoying tendency to not carry their fleetnumbers. The four leased in 2009 (which themselves replaced an initial quartet leased in 2006) started to be replaced in mid-2012. LC12XVO was photographed at Acton Works on 1st August 2012. As with the previous batch, silver livery is worn, while ladders are very often carried. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,149 |  |
By Thomas Young The vehicles parked around Griffith House at night currently comprise mainly short-wheelbase Ford Transit crew vans and Renault Kangoo vans. One of the latter was 7423R, photographed near the bottom of Harcourt Street on 22nd August 2012. Although a regular length Kangoo van, the lack of offside cargo door makes it appear longer. Perhaps the safest way to tell Kangoos from Kangoo Maxis is whether or not there is black skirt trim ahead of the rear wheel. Parked behind is a vehicle that proves the exception to two rules. Vauxhall Combo van 7032V is one of a small number of this type to still be found here, while it was also one of very few vehicles here not to have rear chevrons applied. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,150 |  |
By Thomas Young Ah, the perils of night-time photography. On my recent trip I was generally using a 3.2 second exposure, with a 2 second shutter release delay added to avoid vibrations. When photographing across a road it was not always possible to predict whether any traffic would pass in front of your subject within those 5.2 seconds. This shot of Renault Kangoo Maxi van 7419R parked on Seymour Place (near Griffith House) was affected by a single car passing. I managed to re-do the shot, but I decided to use the first one as I thought it was more interesting. Note the black trim ahead of the rear wheel, and also the offside cargo door. Although it may not be a guaranteed recognition feature, all the Kangoo Maxi vans used as service vehicles seem to have cargo doors on both sides, while regular Kangoos have them on the nearside only. 22nd August 2012. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,151 |  |
By Thomas Young One of very few Ford Focus estate cars leased in recent months, 7405F was assigned to Tube Lines and photographed at Golders Green Station on 14th August 2012. Compared to earlier versions (such as 5500F of 2003) the Focus has become ever more 'wedgy'. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,152 |  |
By Ivor Norman One of a large number of Renault Kangoo estate cars leased in summer 2012 for use by Tube Lines is 7397R, based at Stratford Station. It was photographed on the nearby High Street on 2nd August 2012. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,153 |  |
By Thomas Young Renault Kangoo Maxi van 7335R was photographed parked on Baker Street early on the 23rd of August 2012. The only earlier sighting of this van was at Rickmansworth in May. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,154 |  |
By Malcolm Conway After a slightly iffy start to the Summer, late July and early August 2012 provided some very fine weather. Catching the sun at Gants Hill on 6th August was Incident Response Unit van 7295M, based at Turnpike Lane but which seems to often work in east London. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,155 |  |
By Derek Everson Photographic coverage of the 2012 Incident Response Unit vans continues with this view of 7291M at Uxbridge Bus Station on 2nd August 2012. It was parked with resident electric Infrastructure van 7161F while almost out of sight at the back was Ford Fiesta car LM61JHX, recently transferred across London from Stratford. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,156 |  |
By Ray Monk 7246VW and 7247VW are a pair of easy-to-see Volkswagen Transporter vans delivered in December 2011. Both are based at Acton Works and can often be seen going up and down Bollo Lane in the daytime (as shown by 7246VW on 30th July 2012). Although low-roofed, this pair seems to have replaced mid-height 6524VW and 6575VW. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,157 |  |
By Derek Everson Another pair of Ford Transits at Lillie Bridge on 5th July 2012, this time dropside trucks 7239F and 7244F. Both vehicles have crew-cabs (and no tail-lifts), but the style of body and headboard fitted is noticeably different. It may be that one of them is a tipper, or perhaps a side-tipper. Having said that, both seem to have bottom-hinged tail-gates. Note the variety of safety and operation instructions inside the front bulkheads. Just visible on the left is Volkswagen Caddy crew van 7124VW. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,158 |  |
By Derek Everson Based on observations I estimate that almost 100 service vehicles are based at (or at least work from) Lillie Bridge depot. The allocation has been refreshed in the past year, with two large batches of Ford Transits comprising 7104F to 7116F in late 2011 and 7231F to 7245F in spring 2012. Both batches include a mix of dropside trucks and vans. Two of the newest crew vans were photographed at home on 5th July 2012, in the form of 7232F and 7234F. Apparently identical, notable features are the slightly offset rear step and the spinning roof vent towards the back of the roof on both vans. Although not visible in many photographs, these vents appear to be fitted to some Transit vans since about 2010. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,159 |  |
By Thomas Young The delivery of a large number of Renault Kangoos from late 2011 onwards included estate cars and long, medium and short length vans. The short vans, branded as Kangoo Compact, are the rarest and also the easiest to identify. However, I admit to having trouble sometimes telling the regular Kangoo from the Kangoo Maxi. This photograph, taken on Harcourt Street near Griffith House on 22nd August 2012, has helped. To the fore is 'regular' Kangoo 7215R, with the runner for the side cargo door extending to the rear of the bodywork. Behind is Kangoo Maxi 7214R, with a space beyond the end of the door runner, an elongated rear wheelarch shape, and a piece of black plastic applied to the skirt ahead of the rear wheel. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,160 |  |
By Thomas Young Gotcha! I finally managed to photograph an LUL Renault Modus car when we chanced upon 7204R parked amongst a huddle of contractor's vans outside Aldgate Station in the early hours of 23rd August 2012. The timing was particularly lucky as it had gone when we walked past again a few minutes later. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,161 |  |
By Thomas Young Parked on Melcombe Street (near Baker Street Station) in the early hours of 23rd August 2012 was Ford Transit high-roof crew van 7198F. Except that it can't be 7198, as that number has already appeared on a Tube Lines Vauxhall Astra van based at Frank Pick House. Unless we receive an official fleetlist we may never know what this van is actually numbered, but we can indulge in some speculation. As already noted, the four electric Transit vans for London Buses appeared rather strangely as 7160F, 7161F, 7162F and 7193F, while the fleetnumber 7163 remained curiously vacant. Perhaps the red 7193F should actually be 7163F, while either 7198F or 7198V was meant to be 7193.... Another unknown at present is where this van is allocated, although sightings at Lambeth North make London Road depot a candidate. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,162 |  |
By Thomas Young A slightly duff photo, and very similar to one already published, I have included this one more for the vehicles in the background. Taken from a train passing Frank Pick House at Acton on 11th August 2012, on the left is Renault Kangoo Maxi van 7181R. Next to it is Ford Transit Connect 6152F, a rather surprising survivor. New in early 2007, it has lasted a lot longer than most leased vehicles, and has come through the replacement of most of the Tube Lines lifts and escalators fleet with newer vehicles over the winter of 2011. Beyond 6152F are Kangoo Maxi 7176R, a Transit crew van and a further Kangoo Maxi. On the opposite side of the yard is 7430F, one of the three all-white Transit crew vans delivered in May 2012 and which we believe are fitted out as staff welfare vehicles. Finally, on the far right is the back end of Mercedes Sprinter dropside 6695M. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,163 |  |
By Thomas Young One of the phrases that I seem to use a lot in these photo captions is 'normally only seen active at night', but it is certainly the case that a large part of the LUL-related fleet is indeed nocturnal. Two such vehicles are Volkswagen Transporter vans 7147VW and 7073VW, found parked on Minories at Aldgate at 2am on 23rd August 2012. Having only been reported at a variety of inner London tube stations, it is hard to know where they are allocated. Their role may be related to that of Ford Transit Connect vans 5612F and 5786F. That pair were photographed in exactly the same location one night almost six years previously. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,164 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Vauxhall Combo van 7099V is one of three of the type based at Pelham Street in South Kensington. In Metronet days vehicles there often had additional 'Operations Group' lettering, but the London Underground livery carried now is the same as everywhere else. The van was caught coming around Aldwych on 9th August 2012. Apart from a single example that came in November 2011 (7146V), 7097V to 7099V appear to be the last Vauxhall Combos for the leased fleet. A new model Vauxhall Combo was launched in 2012 but Acton's preference seems to have turned to the similarly-sized Renault Kangoo van. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,165 |  |
By Thomas Young Photographed on Old Marylebone Road (close to Griffith House) on 22nd August 2012, 7033V was a Vauxhall Combo van new in spring 2011. For reasons that are not clear, almost all of the LUL vehicles that work from Griffith House have red/yellow chevrons applied to the rear, even though identical vehicles at other bases lack them. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,166 |  |
By Thomas Young Griffith House remains probably the best place for the quantity of photographable service vehicles, with just two drawbacks: They are only there between about 11pm and midnight, and there is not so much variety in the types to be seen. Short-wheelbase Ford Transit crew vans are very much the most common type to be seen in recent years, typified here by 7024F and 6878F parked on Seymour Place on 22nd August 2012. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,167 |  |
By Thomas Young Vauxhall Astra van 6968V is one of several vehicles which I have listed as being allocated to Baker Street but which in reality are only seen there at night-time. On 22nd August 2012 it was photographed parked on Melcombe Street, near to Baker Street station. Just apparent is the slightly smaller fleetnumber suffix letter V applied (to both sides). |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,168 |  |
By Thomas Young Standard Ford Transit van 6862F was new in February 2010 but managed to go for over two years without anyone seeing it. Where it spent this time is a bit of a mystery, but then one day in July 2012 I chanced across it in the car park at Neasden Station. Both Ray and Steve quickly visited, in case it disappeared again. However it then turned up at the Baker Street offices on Allsop Place. It was photographed there just after midnight on 23rd August 2012. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,169 |  |
By Derek Everson Although still lettered for Network Development, Ford Transit minibus 6498F had in fact been replaced by the arrival of newer 7466F and 7467F in June 2012. However, along with sister vehicle 6460F, it was retained for use by London Buses' Operations department during the Olympic games. It was based at Eltham Bus Station (where it was photographed on 12th July 2012), perhaps to allow the transfer of electric Transit Connect EU61CRZ to Stratford. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,170 |  |
By John Marshall Photographed in Acton Works on 21st August 2012, BV57FRN was an Iveco Eurocargo box truck on hire from Fraikin. It had been given Emergency Response Unit labels on the cab doors and had perhaps been hired to provide additional cover during the Olympics and Paralympics Games period. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,171 |  |
By James Mair Not previously illustrated, 2494M was one of five Mercedes-Benz 1114 demountable lorries bought in 1990 and used to replace Ford D-series emergency response trucks. It was photographed on an unknown date at Ruislip Depot, perhaps on the occasion of an open day. Following the delivery of Volvo demountable lorries 2566V to 2570V in late 1998, the Mercedes were sold off, 2494M departing in June 1999. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,172 |  |
By Derek Everson Taken on 9th May 1987, this is a view of the large yard at the front of Chiswick Works, originally used by trainee bus drivers but later taken over by the Distribution Services fleet. Visible are a variety of Leyland, Dodge, Ford and Bedford lorries, all in the standard grey livery of the time. The dropside lorry on the right is believed to be 2308B, new in 1981. Most Bedford TL dropside lorries had either crew-cabs and/or tail-lifts and were generally the heavier weight variants. 2308B was a lighter TL860 and (if this is actually 2308B in the picture) appeared to have metal dropsides rather than planked ones. It lasted just six and a half years with LT and does not appear to have ever been clearly photographed. |
24/08/2012 |
| 4,173 |  |
By Derek Everson With deliveries of the 58 8-car trains of S stock for the Metropolitan line now complete, the last few units of A stock are confined to a few peak hour services and contingency cover. Movements of cars for storage or scrapping has continued, mainly being loaded at Northwood Station sidings. As already shown, some units are being taken to Eastleigh works. On 16th May 2012 it was the turn of driving motor car 5093 and trailer 6093. They were photographed coming up to the overbridge (with its tricky s-bend), loaded onto Allelys DAF lorries W948RWP and T300AHH. Passing beneath is a container train formed of DB Schenker (formerly EWS) FCA type wagons. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,174 |  |
By Derek Everson Another view of Sovereign Recovery DAF GN58KTX in its new livery, this time at Hyde Park Corner on 9th August 2012. Note the smaller back wheels, and also the London Buses lettering applied to the rear of the cab. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,175 |  |
By Richard Eversden An unxpected development in summer 2012 was the appearance of Sovereign Recovery DAF CF GN58KTX in red livery complete with London Buses markings. It could be that this is to replace similarly-liveried GM03TOW, the Mercedes not having been reported in use for a while. Compared to SN08KWG (also a DAF CF), GN58KTX has a lower-mounted cab, compensated perhaps by having a sleeper compartment on top. It was photographed at Oxford Circus bus stand on 6th August 2012. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,176 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Photographed leaving the Eton Manor Transport Hub (serving the Olympics park in nearby Stratford) on 9th August 2012, this tow truck was until recently part of the Sovereign Recovery fleet. It has had all of its company-related lettering removed, and has also gained a fleetnumber on the front corners (DG500), suggesting it has been sold. Having being used for less than 2 years, perhaps the 4-axle layout proved unsuitable for London use. The bus on tow is Stagecoach Enviro 300 number 27566, drafted in from Portsmouth garage. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,177 |  |
By Thomas Young Almost half of London United's 22 new Ford Fiesta vans are based at Hounslow Heath Garage. They can be seen frequently visiting Hatton Cross Bus Station, or you can go to Hounslow Heath and take a walk down Green Lane to see them at home. This photograph, taken from the garage gates on 11th August 2012, shows 7 of the 10 Fiestas based here, and in fact FF1 through FF9 were seen within a few minutes. No sign of FF10 though, nor of the new Ford Transit van supposed to be allocated here. What was visible was the previous engineers van, Ford Transit S169TOC. This was SORN'd (declared as being off the road) several months before. We soon discovered that lots of other withdrawn London United service vehicles were still on company premises, about a dozen being found in a yard in Harlesden. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,178 |  |
By Ray Monk Arriva Southern Counties continues to take second-hand London taxis for use as crew ferries, some of the earlier examples not seeming to last too long. R452RRK, photographed at Eltham Bus Station on 23rd April 2012, was slightly unusual for having first being used from the Grays garage across the river. Also present were N415CMT (notably N416CMT has since been acquired as well) and L177RML. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,179 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Unique electric-powered Ford Transit Connect EU61CRZ was based at Eltham Bus Station from April 2012, but moved across to Stratford in July, presumably for use in connection with the Olympics. It was photographed at its new (perhaps temporary) home on 1st August, showing the curious arrangement of side windows. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,180 |  |
By Ray Monk Photographed through the mesh of the gates at Northumberland Park Depot on 16th August 2012 were two recently delivered Ford Transit crew vans. To the fore is 7433F, a short-wheelbase low-roof example, somewhat unusually fitted with roof bars. Parked behind was long-wheelbase mid-height 7323F. Northumberland Park is a large depot, with at least six places where service vehicles have been seen to park. This location, right next to the level crossing and the railway station, seems to be a new addition. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,181 |  |
By Thomas Young Licensed in March 2012, but first seen in July, 7340 is another example of the Mitsubishi L200 pick-up to join the leased fleet. It differs from the other two that we know about (7136 and 7318) in having a glazed hard-top fitted. On 11th August 2012 it was found parked at Acton Works and I was quite pleased to manage this view from a passing train. 7318 (which has already been photographed at this location) was also parked nearby. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,182 |  |
By Derek Everson Derek's latest set of photographs included several of the most recent batch of Incident Response Unit (IRU) vans for London Buses, so we will start with the first, 7286M. Despite being the lowest numbered of the batch, this was one of the last 4 to be delivered, entering service in May 2012. Since then it has been based at Edgware Bus Station, where it was photographed on 2nd August 2012. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,183 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray spent some time outside Hainault Station on 8th August 2012 and his patience was rewarded with this very rare daylight view of an LUL Renault Modus car. At least 15 of this model are operated by LUL (TfL Streets have a further pair) but, with the exception of 7331R at Lillie Bridge, we have no idea where they are kept. 7200R entered service in December 2011. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,184 |  |
By Derek Everson As illustrated recently, Wakering Road at Barking gained an allocation of four new Peugeot Partner Tepee estate cars in June 2012. When Derek visited on 19th July, several vehicles were unusually parked on the road outside, rather than in the yard. There was also a slightly earlier Partner present in the form of 7047P. This car has mainly been seen at night before. Could it be that it was here to cover for a problem with one of the newer cars? In any case, this view of 7047P parked in front of 7449P allows us to play spot the difference between these two nominally identical cars. Firstly, the grille area has been revamped on the new car, losing the black and silver areas, and with a less-recessed badge. There is also now a row of small (LED?) lamps underneath each headlamp. Secondly, the newer car has a much shallower blue skirt, allowing the red band to be applied without disappearing behind the side rubbing strip. Thirdly, the two cars each have different wheel trims, and finally the newer ones have roof bars lacking on 7047P. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,185 |  |
By Ivor Norman Vauxhall Combo van 7032V was new in April 2011 and has been reported quite a few times visiting Griffith House at night. On 27th May 2012 it was found in daylight, parked on the approach road to Epping Station. The number of Vauxhall Combos in the leased fleet has been dropping lately, many 2007 and 2008 examples being replaced by new Renault Kangoos. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,186 |  |
By Derek Everson The 7 Renault Trafic crew vans leased in late 2008 have never been well reported or photographed, no doubt due to their completely anonymous appearance. Luckily Derek knows his onions, and he recognised 6641 when he found it parked outside Harrow-on-the-Hill Station on 2nd August 2012. As it was there again when I passed through a week or so later, I have shown it as being allocated here. Note that the enclosed load space comes as far forward as half way along the side door window. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,187 |  |
By Derek Everson Derek has made a few trips to the British Car Auctions site at Blackbushe Airport in recent months, meaning we will be able to publish photos of some service vehicles that were never captured during their first working life. Showing off the extended length of the Jumbo Ford Transit crew van, LS08OPA was leased in July 2008 and given fleetnumber 6466F. It was seen quite a few times, usually at night, and often near to the Bakerloo Line depot at London Road (Elephant and Castle), suggesting it was one of the small number of vehicles allocated there. It was withdrawn in May or June 2012 and Derek photographed it on 20th July 2012, the day after its 5th appearance at auction. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,188 |  |
By Thomas Young I have to thank Derek Everson for this photo. He told me several times that he had seen 6208F in a yard at Hounslow East Station. However, it was never there when I passed. It turned out I was looking in the wrong place. There is a permanent yard on the south side of the station (with a large power supply building in it). But, there is now also a yard on the north side, built on part of a small park and presumably temporary. Ironically, I first saw 6208F at Colindale, in a temporary yard built on part of a park (since returned to its original condition). New in June 2007, 6208F has recently lost all its lettering (at least on the nearside) and seems to also have a replacement drop-side door in grey (rather than blue). Photographed on 11th August 2012. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,189 |  |
By Thomas Young MAN 3-axle lorry RV12OFK was delivered in May 2012 but has yet to be photographed on the road. It is visible on the left in this view of Acton Works' Lorry Yard taken on 11th August 2012. Also apparent are 2 of the 8 hired full-sized dustcarts present at the time. Both were Dennis Elite vehicles in white livery, the one in the centre having Collett Transport Services lettering. As can be seen, the hired vehicles all had Tube Lines labels applied on the cabs (small) and bodysides (large). It is presumed that they were taken on hire to cover extra requirements during the Olympic games. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,190 |  |
By Thomas Young I'm adding a couple of lineside shots of Acton Works lorry yard today. The first is centred on a pair of MAN demountables, 2590 on the left and 2589 on the right. Both have the extended exhaust pipes although, as can be seen, these barely clear the box bodies fitted. 2590 is carrying DB01, a Locomotors box body with crew cab new in 1990. This is to the same design as DB2 to DB6 (the bodies used by the Emergency Response Unit), with a high level window in the offside, and twin windows set lower down on the front (so as to line up with the back cab windows on the lorries). 2589 is carrying DB14, also built by Locomotors but in 1993. The side window is lower, and the front window is one piece. Visible in the background (from the right) are DB7, the original Emergency Control Unit body, part of box body DB8 (with its unique light beacons) and several other bodies. Finally, on the left is a Dennis Elite dustcart, one of several hired refuse vehicles present at the time. 11th August 2012. By the way, the addition of DB14 means that all but one of the demountable bodies have now been illustrated on this website. The exception is the mysterious DB21, listed as a 'Bushey Hall Winches Pullmaster Winch', about which no more is known. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,191 |  |
By James Mair Although it served London Transport for over 13 years, Ford Cargo 2407F seems to have been very rarely seen. Fortunately, James managed to photograph it a couple of times, included this undated occasion when it was found coming down Bollo Lane. A fairly standard Cargo 1613 dropside lorry, it was new in October 1983 and was not sold until February 1997. Initially grey, there is some confusion over whether or not it was later repainted in the white/blue livery. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,192 |  |
By Derek Everson I am still slowly working my way through Derek's collection of 1980s service vehicle photographs, the latest being this view of Leyland Freighter 1613 dropside lorry 2395L leaving Chiswick Works on 11th October 1984. As can be seen, this lorry had a HIAB crane, resulting in the fitting of a split front bolster (removed by 1990). It was listed as being one of the lorries repainted into the post-1990 white/blue livery but I haven't seen any photos to back this up. Curiously the DVLA database shows its last colour as being pink, even though it was last licensed in September 1995, just a few weeks after it left the LT fleet. |
18/08/2012 |
| 4,193 |  |
By Graham Brown Here's another photo where I could comment more on the bus than the service vehicle. But instead I will just stick to the facts! A total of eight Wrightbus NBfL (New Bus for London) hybrid double-deckers were delivered in 2012. Also known as the 'Borismaster', these distinctive vehicles have three doors (the rearmost of which is often left open) and two staircases. Although intended as a pre-production batch, it remains to be seen if more examples are ordered. On 17th July 2012, Graham found LT7 (LT12GHT) failed at Shaftesbury Avenue. Interestingly, rather than an Arriva engineer, it was being attended to by the manufacturer, using Renault Trafic van OU61FDZ. |
06/08/2012 |
| 4,194 |  |
By Malcolm Conway The main happening in London in summer 2012 has of course been the Olympic and Paralympic games. For transport enthusiasts this has brought a lot of interest due to the several hundred additional buses drafted in to work services for athletes and spectators. One bus that won't have seen much action is Stagecoach Enviro 400 19376 (SV58BNA), damaged before the games even started. On 25th July it was photographed being towed through Gants Hill by Dynes Recovery DAF XF fleetnumber 8 (LJ57DXD). Note the rather awful slogan on the sun-visor. |
06/08/2012 |
| 4,195 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Sovereign Recovery's Volvo GN06CNZ (named Vulcan) has been shown here before. However, as Glyn pointed out, this photo does serve to illustrate the steady growth in the use of hybrid-powered buses in London. On tow at Trafalgar Square on 24th April 2012 is one of 26 ADL Enviro 400 hybrid buses used by Stagecoach London on route 15. Following just behind is a Wright-bodied Volvo B5LH hybrid of London Central, working on route 12. While the first batches of hybrids for London had a modified livery featuring green leaves around the lower parts of the body, more recent deliveries have just had green 'hybrid' lettering added. Despite my publishing 2 photographs of broken-down hybrids today, reports from the operators suggest that the latest vehicles have better reliability and efficiency than conventional buses. |
06/08/2012 |
| 4,196 |  |
By Keith Grimes The biggest bus operator in Hong Kong is actually KMB (Kowloon Motor Bus), although they were traditionally found mainly on the mainland (Kowloon) rather than on Hong Kong Island. Their MAN recovery truck KP7490 was photographed on Salisbury Road (HK) on 4th November 2011. |
06/08/2012 |
| 4,197 |  |
By Keith Grimes From the far west (Swansea) to the far east now, with this view of Hong Kong Citybus Hino recovery truck 01 in Aberdeen Praya Road on 30th October 2011. The white/blue/orange livery is quite unlike the distinctive bus livery of yellow/red/blue. By the way, one of the changes I am considering for the next version of this website is to hive off all the non-London photos into a separate set of pages. Some feedback would be useful on this. Do you think they should be kept apart, or do you not mind flicking through the odd half-dozen provincial/overseas photos now and then? |
06/08/2012 |
| 4,198 |  |
By Damon Cross A rear view of the neat conversion work undertaken on former RM66 over 25 years ago. It was photographed in Swansea on 17th June 2012. Although not quite as rare as single-deck Routemasters, also visible here is one of the ever-decreasing number of Burger King restaurants! I will try and remember to dig out some earlier photographs of RM66 in the near future. |
06/08/2012 |
| 4,199 |  |
By Damon Cross This vehicle has been around for years but I have overlooked publishing any photographs of it until now. Routemaster bus RM66 was sold to a preservationist in about 1987 and rebuilt as a shortened single-deck towing vehicle. Initially in a red/cream livery, it was later repainted green/cream with Allco Passenger Services lettering. In about 1993 it was bought by BTS of Borehamwood for active duty and was again repainted red/cream. Although not seen for many years, it is evidently back in preservation, and it appeared at the Swansea Festival of Transport on 17th June 2012. Despite never having operated for LT/LBL in this form, it now has their livery, complete with 'London Buses Limited' legal lettering. |
06/08/2012 |
| 4,200 |  |
By Damon Cross Since LUL's new white/blue/red livery was only introduced in late 2009, it was unlikely ever to appear on a Ford Escort van. However, here is an approximation of it, on Newport Transport's P683YWN. Photographed at the garage during an official visit on 16th June 2012, several other service vehicles were seen in mainly white liveries. |
06/08/2012 |
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