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| Count | Photo | Details | Added  |
| 4,601 |  |
By Thomas Young A view of the rear yard at the Acton Museum Depot on 8th October 2011 shows various SV-related vehicles. To the fore is 6786F, the Ford Ranger pick-up used by the Emergency Response Unit. On the left is an un-registered Rapier crane bearing the number 22/1171. Although similar to 1292R, this example was never given a service vehicle number, being classified as an item of mobile plant. Behind the crane are the two brake vans latterly used as coupling adaptors. Further back are Citroen Relay exhibition unit AY07EYZ and (partially hidden) Optare Excel bus R197DDX. Both are used by TfL's Safety and Citizenship program, the bus having been acquired from Ipswich Transport via Ensigns. On the right is Ford Transit 5494F, while in the background can be seen the main building of Ealing Common Depot. A couple of service vehicles could be seen in the distance there, but could not be identified. |
03/11/2011 |
| 4,602 |  |
By Thomas Young A look at the back of Mercedes-Benz Atego rescue tender 2597 at the Acton Museum Depot open day on 8th October 2011 shows a few changes made since delivery. The grab handles on either side of the back were added recently, while the shape of the reflective chevron panels has been changed. The step at the bottom has not been seen before but could well be a removable one. This view also shows what is behind all those roller shutters. Pull-out trays and boards are fitted to provide rapid access to a wide variety of equipment. |
03/11/2011 |
| 4,603 |  |
By Thomas Young The LT Museum Depot at Acton had a family weekend on 8th/9th October 2011, attractions this time including a display of Emergency Response Unit vehicles. Seen parked in the back yard on the 8th were museum trailer T49, ERU Ford Transit 6488F and 2597, one of the ten Mercedes-Benz Atego rescue tenders. Lying in front of the latter is a dummy used for training and demonstrations. |
03/11/2011 |
| 4,604 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Glyn's work takes him to bus garages across the country, and he kindly shares photos of many of the service vehicles he encounters. On 27th September 2011 he was in Sunderland, and found two Ford Tourneo minibuses at the Go-Ahead garage there. As the sign on the building shows, this operation is branded as Go Wear Buses, though the minibuses had the generic Go North East name. Their fleetnumbers were carried on the fuel filler caps, EK09OED on the right being 1006. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,605 |  |
By Glyn Matthews With a Welsh registration number, and a very Welsh fleetname, this Mercedes-Benz Vito van was photographed on 20th September 2011 at... er... Weston-Super-Mare! The Crosville Motor Services name was revived in spring 2011 for use by a company running modern coaches and some heritage buses in north Somerset. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,606 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Photographed at the Wrexham garage of GHA Coaches, VE55ZRP is a rare (at least in London terms), higher-powered Ford Transit 135 T350 van. Note the 'Service Vehicle' lettering above the windscreen. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,607 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Some tenuous service vehicle connections here, but it is nice to be able to show an old-style Ford Cargo truck. Photographed at the Wrexham operating centre used by GHA Coaches, these two recovery trucks are probably a bit small for bus-related use. Ford Cargo D517DLT was latterly operated by Harveys of Coventry, although the lettering had been removed. The D/DLT registration is similar to that carried by London service vehicles 3491F, 3538F and 3541F. Alongside is Iveco Super Cargo 170 E18 M405CNV of GRS Recovery. Note the dual Iveco and Ford badging. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,608 |  |
By Ray Monk A recent addition to the Sovereign Recovery fleet is Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van LL11XLT. It was photographed parked in Aldgate Bus Station on 24th September 2011. As usual, there is not much bodywork left without lettering on it! |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,609 |  |
By Malcolm Conway More tow truck 'bling', photographed at Elephant and Castle on 30th September 2011. Cedars are one of several companies that share London bus recovery work with Sovereign (last being shown on this site back in 2006). Their fleetnumber 27 is VX03CK, a Volvo FH 3-axle recovery unit which is apparently a '420 With Attitude'! Note also the Volvo logos and saucy etchings on the chrome mirror covers. The bus was Camberwell's PVL315, one of several temporarily being used on route 453. This route was converted from bendy-buses on 24th September, but not all the Enviro 400 buses had been delivered in time. To provide cover, newly delivered Volvo/Wright buses intended for route 12 were used on route 45, releasing PVLs for use on the 453! It is barely visible in this resized photo, but the dot in the sky to the right is a Chinook helicopter. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,610 |  |
By Ray Monk YR11WRN was one of two Ford Tourneo minibuses operated by Stagecoach London at West Ham from mid-2011. A batch of Ford Transit minibuses was delivered to West Ham later in the summer and it was thought that the first pair may have been temporary dealer loans pending their arrival. However YR11WRN then moved to the Rainham base, and it also gained a large Buses roundel on the back window. It was photographed on Ferry Lane, near the garage, on 24th September 2011. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,611 |  |
By Malcolm Conway After operating for a while in plain red, Stagecoach London's recently delivered Ford Transit minibuses (nearly) all now carry company logos and fleetnumbers. YF11HUH became 96205 and was photographed leaving Canning Town Bus Station on 16th September 2011. The notice in the side window requests users to close the door gently! Note also that the rearmost section is a goods compartment, with no seats and a mesh bulkhead. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,612 |  |
By Ray Monk Following several bus route tender losses, Stagecoach closed its Upton Park garage in September 2011. The garage had only recently received a new Ford Transit engineers van, numbered as 95255 complete with Upton Park lettering. It was photographed inside the garage on 11th September, a week before the closure. Most of the bus routes transferred into West Ham (with some related reshuffling) and this van may have gone with them. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,613 |  |
By Thomas Young Parked near the front of Tottenham Garage on a remarkably hot and sunny 1st October 2011, Vauxhall Corsa car FP11WLX is number 97 in the Arriva London fleet. Compared to the earlier batches, the newest cars have fairly minimal lettering, with nothing on the sides. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,614 |  |
By Ray Monk Another anonymous Mercedes-Benz Vito crew van, but this one is at least red. RJ60ZGD was photographed leaving Docklands Buses' Silvertown Garage on 17th September 2011. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,615 |  |
By Ray Monk With several recent bus tender wins, Go-Ahead's east London subsidiaries (Docklands Buses and Blue Triangle) have both been acquiring some new crew ferry vehicles. Unfortunately they all appear to be operating in anonymous liveries. Mercedes-Benz Vito RJ60ONV was photographed at the Blue Triangle garage in Rainham on 24th September 2011. The main garage is out of view to the right but crew vehicles are now parked in a separate area across the roadway (out of view on the left). Showing the proximity of the other bus premises here, the shed to the left of the screen wall has Arriva Tour lettering, while the buses in the right background are within the Stagecoach parking area. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,616 |  |
By Thomas Young Unquestionably a Metroline service vehicle, Ford Transit Connect van YC09PVD was photographed inside Holloway Garage during the open day on 1st October 2011. What I didn't realise until later was that this van was previously allocated to Brentford. The AH lettering originally carried had certainly been removed. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,617 |  |
By Thomas Young Visitors to the open day at Metroline's Holloway bus garage on 1st October 2011 would most likely have queued (or walked) past this vehicle. It was parked in the Pemberton Gardens entrance to the garage, underneath several large no parking notices. That, and the similarity to Potters Bar-based KM58MRY, made me think this is most likely a Metroline service vehicle. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,618 |  |
By Thomas Young A peer inside Tottenham Garage on 1st October 2011 finds the usual gaggle of Vauxhall Corsa cars present. These cars are nominally based at Lea Valley Garage but do seem to pay frequent visits here. The furthest pair are from the most recent batch, with smaller fleetnumbers (re-using the numbers of the cars they replaced) and lighter silver bodywork. Also just visible in this photograph is ERF tanker V352DFA. This replaced 4-axle Foden YLX794X in 2007 as the contingency tanker, for use if normal fuel supplies are disrupted. It has very rarely (if ever) been used, and is usually hidden behind the screens either side of its parking bay. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,619 |  |
By Ray Monk Arriva's Grays operation (which is technically part of Arriva Southend but has links with Arriva Kent Thameside within Arriva Southern Counties....) has recently started acquiring former London taxis for use as crew ferries. N397OYF seen at Romford on 3rd October 2011 had a fleetnumber applied to the rear. This appeared to be CF29, suggesting that there may be a few more. The car alongside is also based at Grays and is allocated fleetnumber CF18. This Vauxhall Vectra was acquired from the Milton Keynes operation of Arriva Shires (where it was fleetnumber 1376) in 2010. I wonder which car the drivers prefer! |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,620 |  |
By Ray Monk It appears that the Grays-based Arriva operation is following Kent Thameside in using former London taxis as crew ferries. Found in the Lidl car park in Romford on 3rd October 2011 was green P580SUV, complete with Arriva fleetnames but no apparent fleetnumber. The car alongside is also a service vehicle but it seen more clearly in the next picture... |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,621 |  |
By Ray Monk Eltham Bus Station on 27th September 2011 with a couple of taxis waiting for custom. No, wait a minute, these are service vehicles! Arriva Kent Thameside has acquired at least a dozen second-hand Carbodies FX4 taxis in recent months. They are used as crew ferries from Dartford Garage but are unlikely to all have been in service at the same time. The first few gained Arriva logos and fleetnames but most are anonymous. The pair here are CF21 K271MMD (which is actually very dark green) and CF19 N676CMG. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,622 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Photographed leaving Acton Works on 27th September 2011, Cartwright 3-axle flatbed trailer T66 was loaded with new bogies, perhaps for S-stock trains. The bogies are held in place by yellow metal channels on the deck and by some serious 'luggage straps'. Motive power was being provided by Mercedes-Benz Actros 2561M. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,623 |  |
By Ray Monk The Toyota Prius hybrid car has now featured in various elements of the central fleet (although has yet to appear in white/blue tube-related livery). A small number have been operated as part of the unmarked car fleet. NJ58JFF was new in November 2008 and used by London Buses. On 19th September 2011, it was caught leaving Acton Works on the back of a Feltham Coachworks recovery truck (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter GX05PVJ). Whether it was going for repair or disposal is not yet known. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,624 |  |
By Ray Monk With several resident Honda Civics, it was no surprise that Eltham Bus Station was one of the first locations to receive a new LBSL Toyota Prius in September 2011. Photographed there on the 23rd, LN61ZGS was parked in front of TfL Private Hire KV60KTK. Eltham is also home to one of the silver Prius cars new in 2010 but getting all three in one picture might be tough. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,625 |  |
By Ray Monk An interesting line-up at Turnpike Lane Bus Station on 26th September 2011 includes Ford/Ashwoods Transit van 6985F (continuing its tour of LBSL locations), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 6609M (still pretending to be 6612M) and newly delivered Toyota Prius car LN61ZGR. Note the rear chevrons on the latter. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,626 |  |
By Ray Monk Somewhat later than expected, new Toyota Prius cars started entering service with London Buses in September 2011. These are to start replacing the Honda Civic cars leased in 2007. The new cars carry the orange squares markings on a red bodywork that is slightly darker than standard, though nowhere near as dark as the 'maroon' carried by the Hondas. They also have neither light-bars nor fleetnumbers, although hopefully the latter may be added later (as happened with the Honda Civics). On 26th September, Ray found LN61ZGP parked at the back of Sycamore House (Thornton Heath), next to Civic 6299H. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,627 |  |
By Ray Monk A slightly better view of Volkswagen Passat estate car 7041VW at Westdown Road (Leyton) on 9th September. In the background are the usual collection of Ford Transit vans and minibuses, although the sight of a Ford Transit Connect van here was unexpected. Unfortunately the vehicle could not be identified. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,628 |  |
By Thomas Young Of the Incident Response Unit vans delivered in spring 2011, this is definitely the most elusive. We received information that it was in the basement at Victoria Coach Station but it wasn't caught in the open until 1st October 2011 when it was photographed at Wells Terrace bus station in Finsbury Park. It is perhaps a spare vehicle used to cover other vans away for maintenance. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,629 |  |
By Malcolm Conway London Buses IRUs allocated to Aldgate and Victoria seem to be interchangeable for central London duties. Nominally Aldgate-based, 7009M was photographed passing the Queen Mother's Gate at the bottom of Park Lane on 30th September 2011. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,630 |  |
By Colin Lloyd One of several Incident Response Units allocated to Stratford, 7005M was photographed on Stratford Broadway on 22nd September 2011. The bus station here was closed to passengers between the beginning of August and October. Buses still stand there but there have often been no service vehicles present. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,631 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Thornton Heath-based Incident Response Unit van 6999M was captured passing close to Selhurst Park on 17th September 2011. Since delivery, high-visibility stickers have been applied to the mirrors. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,632 |  |
By Thomas Young Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Incident Response Unit 6997M was photographed on Camden Road (close to the eponymous station) on 3rd September 2011. It was attending a police incident, seemingly involving the Arriva MA artic in front (which was still blinded for the N29). After a spell at Eltham, 6997M has settled back into a central-London role. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,633 |  |
By Malcolm Conway I have received literally no requests to show the back end of a Peugeot Bipper van, so here it is! One of five operated by TfL Streets, 6981P was photographed passing through Elephant and Castle on 30th September 2011. Note the LED light-bar and asymmetric rear door. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,634 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Daytime visits to Bollo Lane sometimes produce some unexpected results. These two long-wheelbase Ford Transit vans caught leaving the works on 27th September 2011 are both based here but quite rarely seen. To the fore is mid-height 6962F, fitted with a ladder-carrying roof rack. The number 6962 is also carried by a Vauxhall Combo van (LR60YSG) and, in the absence of any official information, we are not sure which one is correct. Following close behind was high-roof 6888F. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,635 |  |
By Graham Smith Another vehicle whose allocation is unknown is Ford Transit Connect van 6674F, photographed at Oakwood Station on 24th July 2011. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,636 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Most sightings of 6664F have been of it out and about at night, and we are not sure of where it is allocated. A Ford Transit dropside truck with crew-cab and tail-lift, it was new in Metronet livery in 2009, later gaining the Underground markings and red stripe. On 27th September 2011 Malcolm captured it leaving Acton Works. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,637 |  |
By Graham Smith 6663V is a Vauxhall Combo van in Tube Lines livery and based at Arnos Grove. It was photographed at Oakwood Station on 24th July 2011 parked alongside Ford Transit 6260F. Note the roof bars. Very few Combo vans are fitted with these. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,638 |  |
By Ray Monk Among a large batch of numbered but unmarked vehicles leased in late 2008 were three Renault Master dropside trucks, a type not previously featured in the central fleet. Given their anonymous nature, reports were rare and hence the allocations are somewhat hard to determine. 6645 was seen at Hainault in 2010 but by mid-2011 had been transferred to Therapia Lane Tramlink depot. Although central fleet vehicles have been based here before (mainly LBSL infrastructure vehicles), this seems to be the first one to be used by Tramlink itself. Earlier Tramlink vehicles (like Ford Ranger EY57OXH) were acquired separately. As this photo taken at the depot on 26th September 2011 shows, the Renaults have crew-cabs and tail-lifts, and are thus rather similar to the more numerous Ford Transit trucks. 6645 has gained a large water tank in the back, connected to spraying equipment used to clear the tram tracks of leaves and litter. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,639 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Ford Transit Connect van 6626F is quite a regular sight, popping in and out of Acton Works, as here on 27th September 2011. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,640 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Here is a very nice shot of Thornton Heath-based Incident Response Unit 6603M parked at Putney Heath on 10th September 2011. The first batch of IRUs was replaced when they reached three years old, so vans like this one (from the second batch) could be due to go in spring 2012. Note the decorated Routemaster parked behind. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,641 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Very rarely seen out and about (at least not in daylight), Ford Transit dropside truck 6530F was photographed at Mile End on 22nd September 2011. Assigned to Tube Lines and based at Stratford Market, like most recent dropside trucks it has a mesh-floored tail-lift. I'm still not sure exactly what the flaps on the underside are for though. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,642 |  |
By Ray Monk Another through-the-gate photo of North Crescent, West Ham, this time taken from the south end on 9th September 2011. As the arrow shows, there is a one-way system on the internal road around the main building (which is out of shot on the right). Visible on this occasion were two Vauxhall Combo vans. Nearest was 6378V, one of 22 such vans delivered with LN57xxx registrations in autumn 2007. Most of these were assigned to Tube Lines and based at Stratford Market depot, although they are now due for replacement. The other Combo is slightly older 6111V. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,643 |  |
By Graham Smith There are currently nine of these all-white Ford Transit crew vans in use with Tube Lines, although 6260F is the only one not to display its fleetnumber. The number is odd (as in 'unusual', not as in 'not even') as the other three LS07xxx registered examples are in the block 6338F to 6340F. Based at times at Borough Union Street and Stratford Market Depot, it was photographed parked at Oakwood Station (alongside Vauxhall Combo van 6663V) on 24th July 2011. Being almost four and a half years old, replacement must be expected soon. Note that the photographer did try to move the sign in front, in order to get a better shot, but he only managed to bend it! |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,644 |  |
By Malcolm Conway Now one of the oldest vehicles in the leased fleet, Ford Transit dropside truck 6089F has been around a bit. Sightings suggest it was based initially at Acton Works before moving to Stratford Market, then on to Arnos Grove. Most recently it has been a regular back in Acton but now at Bollo House. On 27th September 2011 it was photographed entering Acton Works. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,645 |  |
By Malcolm Conway I was rather surprised to see this photograph of MAN demountable truck 2587 passing Mile End on 30th September 2011 since it is clearly carrying body DB20. Feltham Coachworks supplied four different bodies in the 1990s, although the other three (DB22-24) were only for use on longer wheelbase lorries. DB20 was a plain box body with a roller-shutter door on the nearside, but it has seen very little use in recent years. Every time I have seen it, it has been standing on its legs in the yard at Acton. The demountable concept has apparently fallen out of favour with Tube Lines and future deliveries are expected to be normal dropside lorries. It remains to be seen whether any box trucks are acquired to replace the bodies like DB20. |
05/10/2011 |
| 4,646 |  |
By Thomas Young A trip to Edgware Road Station on 3rd September 2011 was slightly disappointing. Several new LUL vehicles had been reported in the small yard here. However, on this day the yard area was crowded with contractors vehicles working on the adjacent building site (the new traction power supply building going up on the site of the Griffith House yard). In compensation, parked outside was this recovery truck. CS02REC is a four-axle Scania 164G 580 with Boniface bodywork and operated by J and A Recovery. It was picking up (literally) a slightly unusual bus. Route 27 is normally worked by SLE and VLE class buses from Stamford Brook Garage. However, this was an early VA bus from Hounslow. Hounslow had operated an extra service over part of route 27 in July and August to cover for Underground closures. However, they also operate the night service on the route. The green containers on the right are in the area recently cleared by the demolition of the traincrew offices. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,647 |  |
By Ray Monk Go-Ahead London was the first London bus company to operate a modern electric service vehicle, in the form of Ford Transit dropside truck NK09CZX, new in 2009. Sadly this vehicle was destroyed in a fire at Camberwell garage in January 2010. At about the same time, Go-Ahead announced plans to eventually operate an all-electric ancillary fleet, and indeed a Transit van entered service at Merton. In mid-2011 a second dropside was acquired. This carried the same fleetnumber (MF1) as NK09CZX so is probably intended as a direct replacement. MF1 may stand for Maintenance Fleet 1 or perhaps Milk Float 1! NK11GVD also has a similar (but not identical) livery of red with green leaves, while the lettering has been slightly amended to include an apostrophe but omit the Transport for London references. A final difference is the fitting of a mesh headboard and bolster. The new MF1 was photographed on a visit to Bexleyheath Garage on 7th September 2011. Visible on the left is LDP202, the only remaining Plaxton Dart based here following the influx of many Enviro 200s earlier in the year. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,648 |  |
By LTSV Collection MCW Metrobus M1020 had a short second-life as a mobile exhibition unit for the Metropolitan Police. However, it has spent the last few years out of use at Acton Works. In 2009 it had its blue vinyls removed, revealing its previous London United livery, while in 2010 it was moved into the lorry yard, being dumped in the far corner, previously home to Leyland National LS334. Modifications to the blind-box and under-stairs areas are still apparent, as is the painting of the radiator blue to match its vinyls. It was photographed in July 2011 awaiting its fate. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,649 |  |
By London Spotter Fleetnumbers in the 71xx range appeared in all sorts of order, with 7190F being among the first. It was applied to a short-wheelbase Ford Transit crew van assigned to Tube Lines at Frank Pick House (where it was photographed on 31st August 2011). The side logo is of the more normal sized compared to 6091F parked nearby. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,650 |  |
By LTSV Collection Three London Underground liveried vehicles photographed at Acton Works in July 2011 were Ford Transit crew van 7046F, unique Toyota Hiace van 6817T and Transit dropside 6677F. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,651 |  |
By LTSV Collection Two interesting vehicles were photographed together at Acton Works in July 2011. On the left is Ford Transit crew van 7039F. This is one of two Ashwoods hybrid conversions delivered in June and later allocated to Westdown Road. On the right is Mercedes-Benz Sprinter truck 2563M. Normally based at Lillie Bridge depot and fitted with a generator, it was probably here for re-taxing. These vehicles (there were three of them) were originally thought to be demountables. However, the lack of slide rails on the chassis suggests otherwise. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,652 |  |
By LTSV Collection Four Honda CR-V cars were leased in 2009, following on from five that arrived in 2006. 6875H is slightly unusual for having an Essex registration number (6787H was registered in Portsmouth while the other pair have more normal Lx London marks). It also has a very high fleetnumber for a vehicle of its age. When new the car was unmarked but it later gained London Underground lettering (but not fleetnumbers). All the CR-Vs have been based at Acton Works, where 6875H was photographed in July 2011. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,653 |  |
By LTSV Collection These three high-roof Ford Transits photographed at Acton Works in July 2011 may look identical but you can just guess that I am going to tell you about the differences! 6560F and 6789F on the left are both crew vans, but 6789F has a ladder-carrying rack compared to the more normal roof-rack on 6560F. 6806F on the right has no roof-rack and, as evidenced by the stalk-mounted side lights, is an extended length 'jumbo' van. As far as I know, the jumbo Transits are never fitted with roof-racks. Just visible on the right is Honda CR-V 6874H. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,654 |  |
By Thomas Young Vauxhall Zafira 6713V was new in March 2009 as the LUL Incident Response car based at Edgware Road Station. It disappeared from that location later in 2009, eventually being found at the Allsop Place offices behind Baker Street Station. It was photographed at the latter on 3rd September 2011. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,655 |  |
By London Spotter Although similar to the Staff Welfare Facility vans, and kept with them in the lorry yard at Acton, 6706F differs by being a Canteen Briefing Facility. Externally the differences are the lettering and the roll-out awning on the nearside. Internally, a table and chairs is fitted instead of toilets. Photographed at Acton on 31st August 2011. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,656 |  |
By LTSV Collection A general view of part of the Acton Works complex in July 2011, with several service vehicles on show. The shed to the left is occupied by the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), and two of their Mercedes-Benz Atego rescue tenders are parked outside (short-cab 2601 and long-cab 2594). The silver pick-up is Ford Ranger LS58XBV, un-marked and un-numbered but a regular sight at Acton. Further left is standard long-wheelbase Ford Transit crew van 6914F. On the right is Vauxhall Combo van 6576V, with a former ERU demountable body standing behind it. This is presumably DB6, the only example officially still in stock, although evidently no longer in mobile use. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,657 |  |
By Ray Monk A recent addition to the locations list on this website, North Crescent is a depot that was originally operated by Grant Rail (see here) but which is now run by Tube Lines. North Crescent is a turning off Cody Road, close to the new West Ham bus garage. The depot has a large shed, with an internal road on three sides (the fourth side being North Crescent itself). The south and north ends of this road can be seen from the two gates, although it is likely more vehicles are hidden on the west side. Ray took this photo from the north gate on 5th September 2011. To the fore is Ford Transit dropside 6570F. As already reported, this vehicle recently lost its Tube Lines logos, although its appearance here suggests it is still operated by them. Parked behind is another dropside, most likely 6386F, while in the distance is Transit van 6858F. The latter is one of two vans marked up as Mobile Maintenance Units for the Plant Services section. As can be seen, a tow-bar is fitted. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,658 |  |
By London Spotter The fleet of Staff Welfare Facility vans appears to have peaked at 15 vehicles, with no more added since mid-2009. Most of the fleet is normally parked at the south end of the lorry yard at Acton Works. Consecutively numbered 6517F and 6518F were photographed there on 31st August 2011. Both vans are fitted with four toilets, and hence lack the additional side windows. Many of the vans have two toilets, a seating area with microwave and side windows. I'm not sure which variant is bog standard... |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,659 |  |
By LTSV Collection The first Volkswagen Caddy van joined the leased fleet in 2006 (5945VW) and was followed in early 2007 by 6135VW shown here. This was the only example to wear Metronet logos on a white/blue livery (6532VW had them on a silver base). Being due for replacement by the time the new Underground livery was launched, 6135VW retained its Metronet logos, albeit without one of the red swirls. Rather surprisingly, it was still in stock in July 2011, when it was photographed parked in Acton Works alongside Ford Transit 6919F. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,660 |  |
By London Spotter 6091F is an example of the short-wheelbase Ford Transit crew van, allocated to the Tube Lines escalators section based at Frank Pick House, Acton. Note that the company logos are rather larger than usual. It was photographed parked at its home base on 31st August 2011. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,661 |  |
By London Spotter WU59KWH is the newest of three Mercedes-Benz Econic dustcarts delivered in 2009, and is based with the others at Acton Works. All three have Geesink-Norba bodywork, while an earlier pair have Farid (WX57UMV is visible to the right). Photographed in the lorry yard on 31st August 2011, it had recently had lettering applied to the windscreen. I thought they carried rubbish rather than caution... |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,662 |  |
By LTSV Collection Gotcha! Although it entered service almost 2 years ago, Iveco EuroCargo refuse truck EK59ZKM remains the newest lorry in the fleet at present and was (until today) the only current lorry not to have been illustrated here. In July 2011 it was found - as usual - in the lorry yard at Acton Works, with sister vehicle EK59ZKL on the left and larger dustcart WP09SMX on the right. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,663 |  |
By London Spotter Quite possibly the heaviest service vehicle in use at present, LK58HKN is a four-axle Iveco Trakker grab-loader. The Thompson bodywork has a payload of almost 16 tonnes (or 13 cubic metres), while the Epsilon grab has a 500 litre bucket. It can usually be seen in the lorry yard at Acton, where it was photographed on 31st August 2011. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,664 |  |
By London Spotter This vehicle is slightly more unusual than it looks, and I must thank the photographer for finding out its background. Ford Transit dropside tipper BN07YAV had originally entered service as part of what I will call the UUU (un-marked, un-numbered, un-liveried) fleet. It was based at Lillie Bridge (home to a few UUUs, such as BJ06YRV) and fitted with a portable generator. It was at some point stolen, then eventually recovered. Strangely it was then given a repaint into standard livery, and was fitted with a rubbish cage. When photographed in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 31st August 2011 it had only recently entered service, quite possibly replacing venerable Transit 5474F. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,665 |  |
By Thomas Young With the closure of Tottenham and the move of the Vauxhall depot to Battersea, Camden is now the only Emergency Response Unit base that is easily visible from public areas. Present on 3rd September 2011 were the usual pair of Mercedes-Benz Atego rescue tenders (long-cab 2592 and short-cab 2595, both with Camden allocation stickers), plus the unit's car, Ford Ranger 6786F. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,666 |  |
By London Spotter This is the first fence-free photograph of MAN demountable lorry 2590 to be published on the site! Like the others in the batch it has had an extended exhaust pipe fitted (to prevent staining of bodies). When photographed in the Acton Works lorry yard on 31st August 2011 it was carrying crew-cab body DB16. Damaged Volvo 2570V is visible in the background while on the left are various Iveco and Mercedes lorries. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,667 |  |
By London Spotter Of the three Volvo FL6 demountable lorries remaining in stock, 2570V was withdrawn due to accident damage in January 2011. It was still in the yard at Acton Works on 31st August, with a missing rear wheel and a smashed windscreen. This view clearly shows the runners on the chassis used to guide bodies into position, and also the fold-under tail-lift. Also visible is one of the crew-cab demountable bodies (either DB11 or DB12) with an Unfit plate attached. Perhaps this body was on 2570V when it had its accident. Partially hidden behind this is a hydraulic hoist loaded onto a small trailer. The trailer is possibly T69 or perhaps T63 but unfortunately it was not photographed. Further back are dropside trailer CT34 and the mangled front-end of Ford Transit 6932F, also accident damaged. |
14/09/2011 |
| 4,668 |  |
By Ray Monk Crossing the railway line at West Ham on 1st September 2011, YF11HTY is based at nearby WH garage, and is the first of the batch to gain Stagecoach logos and a fleetnumber (96201). As the windscreen board shows, it was heading for Canning Town. |
02/09/2011 |
| 4,669 |  |
By Malcolm Conway It seems as though every Stagecoach London bus garage has received one of these new Ford Transit vans recently, although the examples at Bow and Leyton have not yet been positively identified. 95258 is based at Barking and was photographed attending to a North Street Dennis Trident in Ilford on 30th August 2011. The livery includes the garage name and the Buses roundel. |
02/09/2011 |
| 4,670 |  |
By Thomas Young A peek into the yard at Leyton Westdown Road on 1st September 2011 with several new vehicles (or at least parts of them!) visible. Nearest the camera are a pair of Volkswagen Passat estates, a rare type that has never been shown on LTSV before. Next are Ford Transit crew vans 6773F (nose out) and 7039F (nose in). The latter is of interest, being an Ashwoods hybrid conversion similar to LBSL 6985F/6986F. The two silver Transits are minibuses 6819F and 6818F. Behind them is a vehicle that was not positively identified. However it had Ashwoods badging on the rear (like 7039F) and appeared to be registered YC11-something. This is presumably YC11AEW, for which the fleetnumber 7040F would seem to be suitable! Bringing up the rear is Volkswagen Transporter 6866VW. |
02/09/2011 |
| 4,671 |  |
By Thomas Young Only a small part of Hainault Depot is visible from the 'outside', this being a parking area visible from a turning off Trotwood. However, there are the usual multiple fences to contend with. This view taken on 1st September 2011 shows a neat line up of four high-roof Ford Transit vans. Oddly all four are from different batches, with different year registrations. From the right they are 6979F, 6660F, 6958F and new 7137F. The latter appears to lack the roof-mounted tube carried by the other trio. On the far left is Volkswagen Transporter crew van 7078VW. |
02/09/2011 |
| 4,672 |  |
By Ray Monk Having been very elusive since delivery in early 2010, both of the Tube Lines Plant Services Mobile Maintenance Unit vans were tracked down on 1st September 2011. 6859F was in Lillie Bridge depot, parked conveniently close to the entrance. 6858F was then found at the newish Tube Lines depot on North Crescent, West Ham. A return visit there is planned to try and get a photograph. |
02/09/2011 |
| 4,673 |  |
By Malcolm Conway A curious angle on an elusive vehicle. Malcolm noticed London Buses Volkswagen Caddy van 6733VW in the west end on 30th August 2011. Fortunately the bus he was on then caught up with the van parked on Oxford Street, enabling this shot. The vehicle's role appears to be in checking bus stops and/or ticket machines. Coincidentally I also saw 6733VW on the same day but was unable to get a picture. |
02/09/2011 |
| 4,674 |  |
By Thomas Young Resident at Lillie Bridge depot since delivery in autumn 2007, Ford Transit crew van 6335F was photographed at home on 1st September 2011. It was flanked by one of the newest and one of the oldest leased service vehicles. Transit dropside 7112F on the left was new in mid-August, while 5987F on the right has chalked up very nearly 5 years' service. The latter was one of four vehicles seen at this location still wearing Metronet logos. |
02/09/2011 |
| 4,675 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The Kings Ferry is a Kent-based commuter coach company that retains its identity despite ownership by National Express. GF60MXS is a long-wheelbase, high-roof Ford Transit van used by their engineering division. Although the coaches wear a greenish-yellow livery (by coincidence one was passing at the same time), all the vans seem to be red. Photographed at the Elephant and Castle on 14th July 2011. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,676 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The Lothian Buses fleet has featured on this site before (in 2008), but the company has evidently changed its livery again. This rather stylish maroon (sorry, 'madder'), gold and white scheme was worn by Ford Transit Connect van EA08NSJ, photographed on Princes Street on 19th July 2011. Note the tracks for the much-delayed tram scheme. A similar van was photographed bearing Routemaster registration WLT752. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,677 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Now, this is not London and it's not a service vehicle! There is a connection though. The London Buses Mercedes Actros recovery unit GM03TOW was acquired by Sovereign Recovery from George McPhie of Scotland in early 2009. Perhaps this similar vehicle (both in appearance and registration) is what replaced it. Photographed in Edinburgh on 19th July 2011, GM07TOW had a BHS Volvo FM artic (complete with trailer) on tow. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,678 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Continuing our quick tour of the UK, this is Go North East's Chester-le-Street garage on 24th August 2011. Service van 141 is lacking any badging, and is of a design that was produced by several manufacturers. Although it could easily be a Peugeot Expert, X751DJR is in fact a Fiat Scudo. I used to know Chester-le-Street quite well, though the last time I was there the buses were mainly Bristol VRTs and Leyland Nationals! |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,679 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Seemingly put out to grass at Dunfermline depot on 16th August 2011, this early Vauxhall Combo van is lettered for Rennies Executive Coach Hire. The five-digit fleetnumber is the only clue to the fact that this company is owned by Stagecoach. I recently found a website with a fairly comprehensive list of the (non-London) Stagecoach fleet. What is interesting is that this includes the service vehicles, all of which are numbered in the 9xxxx range. See http://www.uk-buses.co.uk/stagecoach.php for more. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,680 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Back to Poole again, this smart Iveco recovery truck was photographed in the Wilts and Dorset garage on 22nd August 2011. It was lettered for SV Commercials but the legal lettering (and the DL registration) show this to be Southern Vectis, the Isle of Wight bus operator. Both companies (plus several others in the area) are owned by the Go-Ahead group and there seems to be some interchange of vehicles. Indeed a Ford Transit van was also photographed here that had lettering on the front for Wilts and Dorset and on the back for Marchwood Motorways and Bluestar. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,681 |  |
By Richard Eversden From Poole in the present to Bath in the past - splish splosh! For those that don't remember it, the curiously named Badgerline was formed in May 1985 from the rural operations of the Bristol Omnibus Company. Following privatisation they expanded by buying up other former National Bus Company subsidiaries. These operators kept their names and liveries but all vehicles were obliged to wear the badger logo, usually quite large. Ten years later, in May 1995, the now huge Badgerline group was merged with upcoming GRT group to create FirstBus (later First Group then just First). Going back to the beginning, this photo taken in Bath Bus Station in the late 1980s shows two long-wheelbase Ford Transit vans. To the fore is Mk3 D639YLT, with Mk2 NFB846Y behind. Beyond them is Ford Transit minibus C548BHY, Badgerline being one of the pioneers of this type. Several of the batch ended up in London with Capital Citybus as crew ferry vehicles. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,682 |  |
By Glyn Matthews ERF service vehicles have never been common in London, with just four known of. One remains, a standby fuel tanker used by Arriva London. In the provinces however, many bus companies made use of ERF recovery vehicles. A surprising survivor, found in Poole bus garage on 22nd August, is B-series BCW146R. It carries the modern livery of Wilts and Dorset, although judging by the Preston registration it must have been acquired second hand. A more modern recovery vehicle was also present (Iveco L724WDL), and the ERF is most likely out of use. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,683 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Acquired from MTS of Scotland in late 2010, SN08KWG is unusual in the Sovereign Recovery fleet for being 4-axle. Based on a DAF CF, it was photographed at Ensign's Purfleet premises on 19th August 2011. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,684 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Stagecoach 95256 (YC11KTA) is a new Ford Transit van assigned to the rather remote Rainham garage. It was photographed at home on a sunny 9th August 2011. Although the previous van assigned to Rainham was a white Ford Transit (95083 RJ05FHG), the one visible in the background is actually Ensign EX02YCC paying a visit! |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,685 |  |
By Ray Monk New Stagecoach Ford Transit vans continue to be reported. As mentioned in Fleet News recently, the batch appears to number at least 11 vehicles. On 12th August 2011 Ray found YC11JYR at Plumstead Garage, bearing national fleetnumber 95251. This location has recently made use of an anonymous white VW Transporter van (RJ10RWO), although interestingly another of the same has now also turned up here (RE60RZV). Pending confirmation, I have not added the latter to the database. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,686 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Having been an anonymous member of the Ensignbus fleet for almost a year, high-roof Ford Transit van YG04ARX was treated to a repaint in August 2011. It was photographed at Purfleet garage on the 3rd of that month. Note that the lettering shows it to be a crew vehicle. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,687 |  |
By Glyn Matthews The Ensignbus service vehicle fleet is getting smarter by the day! Ford Transit van FA04BZV was recently acquired from Veolia, along with a large batch of buses. It was quickly repainted into the standard blue and silver livery and was photographed at the Purfleet base on 19th August 2011. Volkswagen Caddy van LY02LUT is just visible on the right. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,688 |  |
By Ray Monk The Arriva operation based at Wandsworth Garage recently ceased working on London Buses tendered routes (route 337 being lost to London General). The garage remains as the main base for the London Tour fleet, supported by a handful of small vans. Photographed outside the garage on 27th August 2011 were GX52XDA (which has at some point lost its lettering and fleetnumbers) and YC02VTU. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,689 |  |
By Richard Jones On 19th August 2011 the London Buses Passenger Data team exchanged Ford Transit minibus 6240F for brand new (but largely identical) 7131F. The latter is seen in Acton Works just before it was driven to its new home base in the car park underneath Victoria Coach Station. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,690 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Short-wheelbase Ford Transit crew vans have become an increasingly common choice for the leased fleet recently. 7091F is one of many that we have nominally allocated to Griffith House, although they will only appear there briefly at night. Very early on 14th July 2011 Colin found it passing through Ilford. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,691 |  |
By Kim Rennie As mentioned recently, the two Volkswagen Transporter minibuses new for the TfL Safety and Policing team have been reassigned. As this view taken at Paddington Station on 22nd August 2011 shows, they are now with Tube Lines. Based at Acton Works, they seem to be used in conjunction with the staff welfare vehicles, hence their appearance at BCV/SSL work sites. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,692 |  |
By Kim Rennie Between 2007 and 2009 no fewer than 15 staff welfare vans entered the leased fleet, all being based on Ford Transit jumbo vans. There are several different configurations (ie 2 or 4 toilets) and livery variations. 6705F, seen at Paddington Station on 22nd August 2011, is one of three to carry an all-white livery. The provision of so many vehicles does seem slightly excessive, and I wonder if there was ever an occasion when all were in use. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,693 |  |
By Kim Rennie 6570F was a single-cab Ford Transit dropside truck new in Tube Lines livery in November 2008 and based at Acton Works. In early 2011 it had its logos and fleetnumbers removed, for reasons unknown. On 22nd August 2011 Kim caught it passing through West Kensington. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,694 |  |
By London Spotter While most service vehicles are leased for a period of three years (with quite a few extended to four years), this van is coming up to its fifth year of service. New in October 2006, 6034F was one of a batch of Gas bi-fuel Ford Transit Connect vans used by the Tube Lines lifts and escalators team. It was often seen around Griffith House until this department moved to Frank Pick House at Acton. Strangely it was never photographed until London Spotter came across it in Heath Park (near Gidea Park, Romford) on 24th August 2011. Perhaps the alternative fuel system used is the reason behind their longevity. |
29/08/2011 |
| 4,695 |  |
By Clive Greedus The roadway between the main buildings at Parsons Green Works was often packed full of service vehicles, as seen in this 1962 photograph. Clive's superb 4mm scale model of the works makes some compromises in terms of size but still captures the essence of the location. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,696 |  |
By Clive Greedus A view from the road on Clive's model of Parsons Green works. This could be compared with a real photograph taken in 1977. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,697 |  |
By Clive Greedus Looking into the main dock on Clive's excellent model of Parsons Green works, Bedford OLBD and Austin K4 lorries are awaiting loading, while a Ford 307E van is parked near the entrance. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,698 |  |
By Clive Greedus Clive Greedus has recently built a superb 4mm scale model of the iconic Parsons Green works, which acts as an ideal stage to display his collection of service vehicle models. Prominent in this view are Bedford OSS articulated low-loader 953B and (on the left) Ford E83W Utilecon 939F. Clive has also been doing some research into the latter vehicles, the results of which form an article published on this site today. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,699 |  |
By Malcolm Conway The Barclays Cycle Hire scheme has been making use of some hired vehicles itself recently, mainly vans to support the movement of bicycle between docking stations to suit demand. It is not known if this is due to additional requirements or perhaps problems with the existing fleet (the Alke electric trucks are certainly less evident recently). Photographed at Trafalgar Square on 27th June 2011, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van LM60OFR had Cycle Hire labels on the side and front but retained Europcar signing on the rear. |
08/08/2011 |
| 4,700 |  |
By London Spotter The Ford Transit minibuses at Stagecoach's West Ham garage are used to ferry bus drivers to changeover points, or to West Ham Station (from where they can take trains to other changeover points). Many carry colour-coded notices in their windscreens showing their destination. YF11HUH, photographed at the garage on 26th July 2011, has a green card showing Canning Town. Others include yellow for West Ham Station and orange for Crossharbour. |
08/08/2011 |
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