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| Count | Photo | Details | Added  |
| 4,801 |  |
By Ray Monk The Dartford Garage of Arriva Kent Thameside has acquired at least 11 former London taxis over the past year or so, all for use as crew ferry vehicles. This appears to be rather more than would be required, so it could be that not all were in use at the same time. The age and condition of some of the examples would suggest that fairly rapid replacement might be necessary! First noted at Eltham Bus Station on 16th April 2011, M511WMC is typical of the most recent additions in being anonymous. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,802 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The four Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric cars delivered to TfL Streets in mid-2010 are still somewhat elusive, although we are now fairly certain that they are based at Chancel Street. WX10JUW was caught passing through Victoria on 21st March 2011. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,803 |  |
By Kevin Bullions Nobody could argue that the current service vehicle fleet lacks variety, yet new types and makes are still being added. A surprise was the arrival at Lillie Bridge Depot on 9th May 2011 of four Smart ForTwo diesel cars. They carried full London Underground livery and fleetnumbers 7066SM to 7069SM. The SM suffix has never been used before. The vehicles are evidently to be based here as they have their own outlined parking spaces, rather smaller than usual, although their role is not yet known. Regular visitors may recall that London Buses trialled a couple of Smart cars in 2006 (one red and one black), and that TfL used one for CCTV Enforcement between 2005 and 2008. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,804 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The 2011 batch of IRU vans is expected to total 27 vehicles, acting as direct replacements for the 26 similar vans leased in 2008. As of early May, 19 had been reported (6996M to 7014M inclusive). Adjoining fleetnumbers 6993 to 6995 and 7015 to 7019 remain free and would take the batch up to 27. Colin managed to photograph 4 of the new vans passing through Victoria on 3rd May, including 7014M. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,805 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van 7013M was first licensed on the 15th of April 2011. It was delivered to Acton 3 days later, and then to Stratford Bus Station 2 days after that. A week later (27th April) it was photographed on duty in central Romford. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,806 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Photographed at Victoria very early on the 3rd May 2011, 7010M is another of the 2011 batch of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans leased for use as Incident Response Units by London Buses. Delivery of the batch started in February and is a protracted affair, possibly because of the need to transfer equipment and fittings from the replaced vans. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,807 |  |
By Ray Monk All central fleet service vehicles are delivered to Acton Works before being assigned to operational locations. On 20th April 2011 new Mercedes Sprinter van 7008M left the works in company with older 6605M, but they stopped at the tea shack on Bollo Lane for a while. 6605M has been at Uxbridge and Kingston in recent months, so the new van could be destined for one of these two locations. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,808 |  |
By Graham Brown A fine portrait of newly-delivered Incident Response Unit 7007M, parked at Harrow Bus Station on 5th April 2011. The 2011 batch can be distinguished from the 2008 and 2009 vans by being lettered for 'Bus Operations' rather than 'Network Operations'. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,809 |  |
By Ray Monk With three of the original batch of Incident Response Units allocated to Stratford, it was no surprise that several of the 2011 batch were sent there. Number 7003M was photographed on 14th April 2011, parked in front of an Interserve 'Special Events Services' van. This company has taken over some functions formerly performed by the police, including the placing of traffic cones. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,810 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Some time ago I asked site visitors for predictions of what sort of vehicle the fleetnumber 7000 would appear on. Suggestions included a VW Caddy, a Seddon tanker (!) and a Sell Dongfeng Lotus Van Truck (!!?), but in the end it emerged on one of a large batch of LBSL IRU vans new in spring 2011. 7000M was photographed at Victoria on 3rd May 2011. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,811 |  |
By Ray Monk Sycamore House is on the main London Road just north of Thornton Heath Pond, and presumably took its name from the trees that still stand on its forecourt (or from the adjacent Sycamore Way). On 6th April 2011 Ray found two of the latest batch of London Buses Incident Response Unit vans parked outside. Nearest the camera was 6999M with 7006M on the left. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,812 |  |
By Graham Smith 6975F is a mid-height, medium-wheelbase Ford Transit crew van used by London Underground. It was photographed parked near Barking Station on 26th March 2011. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,813 |  |
By Malcolm Conway After a gap of almost 49 years (since the disposal of AEC Monarchs 100N and 101N in 1961), the N suffix returned to use in 2010 on this Nissan Navara pick-up truck. It appears to be based at Hainault, a depot that often seems to have unusual or one-off vehicles assigned to it (including broadly similar Toyota Hilux 6467T). Malcolm found the Nissan parked in Woodford Green on 6th May 2011. Although it has the red stripe and carries fleetnumbers it is also unusual for not having the London Underground lettering. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,814 |  |
By Ian Jordan Fleetnumber 6853F is one of two Ford Transit minibuses new for the London Buses Passenger Data team in March 2010. It was photographed at Southgate Station on 25th March 2011. Note the local fleetnumber applied to the bumper using stickers. Because two '10' registered minibuses were received, these are known internally by the last two digits of their central fleetnumbers (52 and 53). |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,815 |  |
By Kim Rennie From 2002 onwards a small proportion of the leased fleet wore a silver livery instead of the normal white and blue, for reasons that are still not clear. However, since the introduction of the new London Underground identity in late 2009, no more silver vehicles have been delivered. The London Underground logos have been applied to most of the remaining silver vehicles, including Ford Transit van 6845F, photographed at Hearne House (Acton Town) in April 2011. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,816 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray was lucky to find the doors at Griffith House open when he passed on 28th April 2011. Parked inside were Ford Transit van 6813F in the new LUL livery and Peugeot Partner van 6750 in all white with Tube Lines logos. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,817 |  |
By Graham Brown The London Buses Technical Services Group appears to have moved from Chingford to the former East Thames Buses garage at Mandela Way in early 2011. Their Ford Transit hoist truck 6794F has been seen there a couple of times (photographed on 3rd May 2011), as has Ford Transit van 6322F. Some of the LBSL Passenger Data fleet are also scheduled to move from Victoria to this location. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,818 |  |
By Ray Monk Although only marked with temporary-looking labels on the doors, this Vauxhall Astra van is officially number 6793V in the leased fleet. New in 2009, it was not seen until 8th April 2011, when Ray found it paying a visit to Eltham Bus Station. The role and allocation of this vehicle remains unknown. Note the low-profile light-bar and the lack of wheeltrims. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,819 |  |
By Kim Rennie Latterly used by (and lettered for) the TfL Safety and Policing Team, the two Volkswagen Transporter minibuses new in 2009 were reassigned to other duties by spring 2011. In the process they lost their lettering and light-bars, the rear chevrons being the only clue to their former role. 6725VW was among several service vehicles parked near Bow Road station on 8th May 2011. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,820 |  |
By Kim Rennie Almost unique is Ford Transit box van 6685F. New in 2009 with Metronet logos, it gained London Underground markings (and a red stripe) by early 2010. The vehicle is based at Hearne House (nestled between Ealing Common Depot and the Acton Museum Depot) where it was photographed in April 2011. The body on this long-wheelbase chassis is noticeably longer than that on similar but medium-wheelbase 6391F. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,821 |  |
By Colin Lloyd 6683F is a Ford Transit Connect van in London Underground livery. Often to be seen near Griffith House at night, it was caught crossing Waterloo bridge on the afternoon of 25th March 2011. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,822 |  |
By Derek Everson Where have you been hiding? We know this Renault Kangoo joined the leased fleet in July 2008, but it was not seen by anyone until Derek found it parked at the Acton Museum Depot (note the buffer stops of the miniature railway on the left) on 19th April 2011. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,823 |  |
By Ray Monk 6516F is the London Underground Pumps and Drainage RRV (Rapid Response Vehicle), based at Griffith House. It is unique in the fleet in having a custom-built body with roller-shutter doors. It was photographed near its home on 28th April 2011. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,824 |  |
By Kim Rennie Between 2007 and 2009 fifteen Ford Transit 'Staff Welfare Facility' vans were delivered to Tube Lines. 6446F was one of two such vehicles parked near Bow Road station on 8th May 2011. The other vans visible in this view are both Balfour Beatty. This company uses a similar livery to London Underground but with a lighter shade of blue. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,825 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Ford Transit Connect van 6432F was perfectly captured as it turned outside Victoria Coach Station on 3rd May 2011. This is an example of the long-wheelbase, high-roof variant, and was new to Metronet in February 2008. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,826 |  |
By Malcolm Conway The 16 Honda Civic hybrid cars used by London Buses are due for replacement in summer 2011, having clocked up almost four years and dozens of miles of service. Well probably rather more than that but I don't actually recall ever seeing one move! A fairly typical sight is this line-up of three cars at Eltham Bus Station on 28th March 2011. 6309H is to the fore, with 6300H and 6310H behind. All three retain their light-bars (some Hondas at other locations had theirs removed), while 6310H has lost its bonnet roundel. Replacement is likely to be with Toyota Prius cars. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,827 |  |
By Kim Rennie Starting in late 2009, the new London Underground lettering was applied to most vehicles in the erstwhile Metronet fleet, although vehicles due for replacement (ie anything older than '07 reg) were left out. It was surprising therefore to see the branding appear on Ford Transit dropside truck 6055F. This does appear to have had its lease extended somewhat, and was still in use in April 2011 when Kim found it parked at Hearne House near Acton Town. As such it is the only Mk6 Ford Transit to carry the red stripe livery, and the oldest vehicle with the new logos apart from Iveco lorry 2585I. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,828 |  |
By Damon Cross The parking area at the rear of the Museum Depot in Acton is neatly marked out with spaces for the various vehicles operated by the museum. On 12th April 2011 five were present. From the left they are Citroen Relay exhibition unit AY58GDX, Dennis Dart 'Learning Bus' X667LLX (formerly Metroline DLM150), Citroen Relay exhibition unit AY07EYZ, the box trailer, and Ford Transit exhibition unit 5494F. Changes to the bodywork on 5494F have been mentioned recently and this view confirms that the lift-up panel on the nearside (as seen here) has been replaced with conventional doors and a roll-out awning box. The identity of the trailer remains a mystery, although comparison of various photographs leads me to believe it is the same one as shown here, here and here. If so then it has been extensively modified with new doors on the side and rear. It could be that this is T49, which does apparently remain in stock. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,829 |  |
By Colin Lloyd I haven't published an ERU photo for a while, so here is a nice shot of 2593 rounding the Imax at Waterloo on 25th March 2011. The application of allocation plates to these vehicles appears to be rather intermittent, perhaps because they are moved around on a semi-regular basis. Comparison to earlier photos shows that the 'look-down' mirror on the front has been replaced with a new design. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,830 |  |
By Dave Smith Dave Smith recently sent me these pictures after he had discovered that a Land Rover he owned in the 1980s was once operated by London Transport. 1369LR was new in 1964, painted grey, and was listed as a personnel carrier. It had obviously had some changes made by the time Dave acquired it, including a repaint and the addition of a roll-bar and roof beacon. As a personnel carrier the vehicle presumably had a canvas top fitted originally, although being short-wheelbase it could hardly carry that many people. It was sold-on in the late 1980s but remained licensed until 2007. |
11/05/2011 |
| 4,831 |  |
By James Mair Ford Escort estate 4594F was reportedly used by London Underground in standard white/blue livery. However, it was photographed on an unknown date in plain white. The location is Osborne Road, just off Bollo Lane at Acton (Smallbills Garage is visible in the background). The Ford Escort underwent a further restyling in 1994/1995, with the elliptical grille now forming the gap between the bonnet and the bumper (rather than being wholly part of the bonnet). |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,832 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Having standardised on Volkswagen Transporter vans in 1993, London Transport Buses started taking Ford Transit vans in 1996. Among these was 4556F, photographed at Victoria Bus Station on 18th July that year. Note the additional radio antenna, and the 06 sticker in the windscreen. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,833 |  |
By James Mair The restyling of the Ford Escort van in 1990 resulted in a stepped roofline, requiring some ingenuity when it came to fitting roof racks. 4549F, photographed parked in residential Perivale, had three bars, the frontmost having longer legs. This compares with the more lightweight arrangement on earlier 4086F. The van was allocated to Power supply engineering, a service that was later outsourced to Seeboard. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,834 |  |
By Colin Lloyd On the Mk5 Ford Transit, crew-cabs were available with additional side windows, although they still had a second door on the nearside only. 4532F was new in September 1995 and lasted very nearly six years. It was however looking a bit worn when seen passing Victoria Station on 26th June 2000. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,835 |  |
By James Mair Ford Fiesta van 4499F was new in April 1995, but was destined to be the last of the model added to the central fleet for almost exactly ten years. Along with sister vehicle 4500F (delivered a few days earlier), the pair was allocated to the Metropolitan Line. 4499F was photographed at Rickmansworth Station. Note that the tyre pressure lettering includes both bar and PSI. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,836 |  |
By James Mair High-roof Mk5 Ford Transit van 4497F was one of a small number to carry the Emergency Response Unit variation of standard livery. As well as the red/blue chevrons on the front, these featured 'Emergency' lettering (repeated on the front dome) in place of the normal 'Support/Engineering Services'. The location is of course Bollo Lane at Acton. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,837 |  |
By Colin Lloyd This slightly grubby Mk5 Ford Transit minibus photographed at Stratford Bus Station on 23rd January 1999 clearly has a CDS-style fleetnumber on the nearside, and indeed it had started out as 4458F. However, in February 1998 it was sold to First Capital. Little else is known! |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,838 |  |
By James Mair Although some of the letters are missing, Ford Transit Mk4 minibus 4457F was allocated to the LUL Track contractors. It was photographed parked amongst autumn leaves outside Canons Park Station. Note that the Grey Green bus in the background has additional Arriva logos. These first appeared in October 1997. As 4457F was withdrawn in summer 1999, this picture must have been taken in either late 1997 or 1998. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,839 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The smallest vehicles in the leased fleet in recent years have been Ford Fiesta vans. The model was quite popular between 1985 and 1995, with 52 examples being obtained. However, it seems to have then fallen out of favour, with no more arriving until just three came between 2005 and 2007. 4453F was new in September 1994 and lasted for just under three years. On 13th December 1994 it was photographed passing Parliament Square. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,840 |  |
By James Mair James seemed to find lots of service vehicles parked on residential roads around London. This is Bolton Road in Harrow, with Ford Escort estate car 4450F. Note that, unlike similar 4353F, this example has black door handles and white bumpers and rubbing strip. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,841 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The Mk5 Ford Transit, with its 'smiley' grille, was introduced in 1994. One of the first to join the leased fleet was 4435F, photographed parked at Victoria Coach Station on 22nd May 1995. It was lettered for Distribution Services, and was most likely one of the mail vans, making deliveries to the LTB offices here. Note the damage to the offside indicator. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,842 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Starting in about 1993, London Underground began leasing numerous Ford Transit dropside trucks, usually specified with crew-cabs. 4430F was a Mk4 Transit new in August 1994, with a crew-cab and also a tail-lift. Note that on the Mk4, the crew-cab section lacked windows and an offside door. 4430F was photographed at Parliament Square on 19th April 1995. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,843 |  |
By Colin Lloyd 4424F was another long-wheelbase Mk4 Ford Transit van, new in July 1994 and lasting for almost exactly 6 years. The cabside lettering reads 'London Underground Limited Signal, electrical & communication services'. When new, the titling had been 'Signal & electrical contractors'. Photographed on Victoria Street on 3rd June 1998. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,844 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Long-wheelbase Mk4 Ford Transit van 4400F was new in May 1994 and was assigned to the Jubilee Line extension project. Note that it lacked the bodyside brandings. Photographed at Parliament Square on 7th June 1994. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,845 |  |
By Colin Lloyd 4389F was the first Ford Mondeo to become a service vehicle, and was also to be the only one used by London Buses. Delivered in April 1994, it wore white livery with red-backed roundels. It is not clear from this photo whether the 'London Transport Buses' lettering featured. On 13th November 1997 the car was seen crossing Buckingham Palace Road outside Victoria Coach Station. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,846 |  |
By Ivor Norman 4388V was the highest numbered of the February 1994 batch of VW Transporter vans for London Buses. It was photographed at West Croydon Bus Station on 31st March 1995, by which time it had been given the later version of the lettering. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,847 |  |
By James Mair Volkswagen Transport van 4387V was new in February 1994 and lasted for four years, spending some of this time at Harrow. Delivered with Bus Passenger Infrastructure lettering, this was later changed to London Transport Buses, Operating Services, as seen in this photo taken at Harrow Bus Station. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,848 |  |
By Colin Lloyd In February 1994, seven additional Volkswagen Transporter vans were delivered for the Bus Passenger Infrastructure (BPI) unit. 4383V was allocated to north London and was found parked at Waltham Cross Bus Station on 26th March 1994. Later generations of 'bus station vans' alternated between VW Transporters and Ford Transits (with a few Vauxhall Movanos for variety), until settling on Mercedes Sprinters from 2005. LBSL still uses VW Transporters for infrastructure duties however. The building in the background looks very similar to that in the photo of 2021F published last week. It could however be a standard LT pre-fabricated design. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,849 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Vauxhall Astra 4380B was a one-off in several respects. It was the only red Vauxhall Astra saloon to feature in the numbered fleet (alongside dozens of estate cars and vans). Correcting the information in the caption of the previous photograph of it, it appears to have been delivered in 1994 with this curious arrangement of roof beacon, roundel, and side boards bearing the Centrecomm Road Team lettering and arrow logo. The fleetnumber was carried on the nearside only. It lost the boards and gained London Transport Buses lettering on the doors by 1995, then later lost the roof rack, beacon and roundel. The only other vehicle known to carry the Centrecomm name was similar but un-numbered K89HWF. The name has more recently appeared on Sovereign tow truck GM03TOW. Photographed rounding Parliament Square on 4th October 1994. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,850 |  |
By Ivor Norman 4377F was a long-wheelbase Ford Transit van new in January 1994. I don't have any information about its use or allocation, and it appears to be unlettered apart from the fleetnumbers. It does seem slightly odd to find a London Underground liveried vehicle at Lewisham however. It was photographed parked by the old bus station on 25th July 1994. And where the heck is 'Northend Road, Thames Road'? Neither are on route 21 as far as I can tell. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,851 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Standard Mk4 Ford Transit van 4374F was photographed on Buckingham Palace Road at Victoria on 14th March 1996. The location, along with the 'Support services' lettering, suggests it was one of the vans used for internal mail deliveries. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,852 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The departmental lettering carried by many London Underground service vehicles was a tradition started by London Transport, and it often provided useful information about vehicle's functions. For example, this Ford Escort estate car is lettered for the Infrastructure Manager, Victoria Line. It was photographed (appropriately) at Tottenham Hale Station on 13th October 1993. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,853 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Yet another L/HFU van, this time a London Underground liveried Ford Transit. Photographed stuck in traffic outside Westminster Abbey on a damp and gloomy 23rd February 1994, 4350F had been new the previous September. It carried lettering for Signal & Electrical Contractors, and served for nearly six years. Grey Green liveried buses feature in two of the photos added today, this example being on their flagship route 24. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,854 |  |
By James Mair TDI Ltd was renamed Viacom Outdoor in July 2001, by which time most of the vehicles inherited from CDS in 1994 had been returned off lease. One that remained was Ford Escort van 4348F, photographed at the same location in Burnt Oak as before, still showing its fleetnumbers! |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,855 |  |
By James Mair L/HFU registrations were carried by 29 Ford vans added to the leased fleet in late 1993. Many were allocated to London Transport Advertising, and thus passed to TDI when that operation was sold in August 1994. Ford Escort van 4348F was returned off-lease in October 1996, but appears to have been retained by TDI, either re-leased or bought. It was photographed parked in Burnt Oak in February 2001, still with its CDS fleetnumbers. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,856 |  |
By Kim Rennie Another of the former LTA vans to be operated by TDI was high-roof Mk4 Ford Transit van 4345F. It is believed that the vans were returned to CDS at the end of their lease periods, which in this van's case was in October 1996. This would account for 4345F being seen at Acton Works, where it was photographed parked on the stub-road, sporting a rather nasty scrape on the offside. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,857 |  |
By James Mair LTA (London Transport Advertising) was sold to TDI Ltd in 1994, although the operation continued to use the existing fleet of CDS-leased vehicles. Ford Transit van 4341F was photographed at Queensbury Circle, showing its new livery. The cab door lettering states that the van is working on behalf of London Transport Buses, while that on the back shows that the Jamestown Road offices were still in use. New in October 1993, 4341F completed a standard three-year life. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,858 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Volkswagen Transporter van 4317V was allocated to Kingston for most of its four year life. It was photographed passing the site of the old bus station on 22nd September 1994. Note the roundel on the light-bar, and also the spot-lights fitted to all of these vans. This view is largely unchanged today, although C&A is now Wilkinsons, and the Westlink Titans on the 131 are long gone. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,859 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Bus Passenger Infrastructure unit Volkswagen Transporter van 4313V was photographed at Liverpool Street Bus Station on 28th May 1994. This batch of vans lasted until 1997, many gaining London Transport Buses lettering later on. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,860 |  |
By Ivor Norman A batch of nine Volkswagen Transporter vans was leased for the Bus Passenger Infrastructure unit in spring 1993, being joined by a further seven in 1994. All carried V suffixes to their fleetnumbers, Vauxhall vehicles continuing the use of the B (for Bedford) suffix. 4312V was photographed at Stratford on 30th September 1993. The location appears to be a parking area on the opposite side of Great Eastern Road from the old bus station (which would be off frame in the left background?). The taxi in the background could well be East London SUU616R, as such vehicles were also known to park here. |
08/04/2011 |
| 4,861 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green Ford Escort saloon cars were far rarer in the numbered fleet than the estate versions. Some were used by the Training School Manager for initial evaluation and training of bus driver recruits (before they were let loose on anything bigger). One of these was 2092F, new in June 1978 and photographed that month on Bollo Lane. The driver appears to be indicating to make the turn into the back entrance to Chiswick Works, while the greenhouses in the background are on the site now occupied by the Acton Works staff car park. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,862 |  |
By James Mair Whilst Ford A0609 2086F had an extended life due to its conversion into a communications vehicle, the other two of the 1977 batch only lasted until 1983 and 1984 respectively. This colour picture of 2087F towards the end of its life is therefore rather rare. The unusual cab door lettering (with London Transport below the department titling, and the fleetnumber at the bottom) was carried from new, but the roundel in the windscreen was a later addition. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,863 |  |
By James Mair 2086F was one of three Ford A0609 vans delivered in 1977 following the hire of similar TVT834R (which became 2062F). New in grey, it was repainted red in 1982 following conversion into an emergency communications vehicle. In this role it replaced Ford Thames Trader 1282F and was based at Neasden Depot. This rare photograph shows it actually in use, although the date and details are not known. It might have been the same incident at Euston that saw 3409F and 3210B in attendance. 2086F was withdrawn in late 1991 following replacement by 2488M. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,864 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green More Bedford HAs were delivered towards the end of 1977 with a batch of 13 red vans being numbered 2065B and 2067B to 2078B. As with the earlier batch, these were split across several departments, 2071B being assigned to the Electrical Engineer (Mains). It was photographed parked on Wandsworth Road on 18th May 1978. Note that the mirrors are now squared and mounted on the doors rather than the wings. The positioning of the fleetnumbers on the doors rather than in front of them is slightly unusual. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,865 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green This anonymous dark blue Ford Transit minibus is in fact 2063F, one of a pair of FS-class buses transferred into the service vehicle fleet in 1977 for use carrying visitors to the London Transport management training centre at Flagstaff House, Weybridge. This was a very rare example of former buses becoming service vehicles with little or no physical modification. Indeed the vehicles still retained their front blind apertures and running number plate holders. 2063F was withdrawn at the start of 1979 and sold to Ensign in the summer. Flagstaff House remained in use until at least 1989, being served by smaller Transit minibuses. At least one (3646F) was given dedicated lettering for the role. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,866 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green Between 1974 and 1982, almost every LT service vehicle had a registration number that related to its fleetnumber. Most of the exceptions were related to vehicles acquired second-hand, one of which was 2062F. This Ford A0609 van was taken on hire in July 1977 before being acquired two months later. It was then joined by three similar vans (2086F to 2088F) towards the end of the year. On 19th June 1978 it was photographed leaving Chiswick Works. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,867 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green Amongst the shortest-lived service vehicles were the large batches of 'radio cars' used by bus inspectors, these being replaced generally every two years. Five batches of Ford Escort estate cars saw use during the 1970s, 2058F being one of 22 new in 1977. The illuminated roof roundels were carried over from the previous batch and were thus considerably older than the cars themselves. 2058F was allocated to Victoria Garage and was photographed at the nearby bus station on 28th February 1978. Note the duplicated mirrors, and the lack of buses. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,868 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green Collection Apart from the 'Agent Smith' character in the passenger seat, the most notable thing about this service vehicle is not particularly apparent! New in April 1977, Bedford HA van 2036B was one of a pair delivered in a distinctly non-standard light blue livery. Both were allocated to the Works and Building Manager at Grays Inn Road, near where this photograph was taken that month. Note that the mirrors are still round but now elongated. Further Bedford HAs were delivered in blue livery (apparently due to Bedford not having any red ones in stock) in 1978 (2120B) and 1980 (2228B to 2234B). |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,869 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green Collection Here's another picture where I have neither the date nor the location. Ford D0607 Dropside Tilt lorry 2031F looks fairly new so it was probably taken around 1977. At that time, 2031F was allocated to West Ham Garage. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,870 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green Collection Ford Transit van 2021F was new in January 1977 and assigned the following month to Barking Bus Garage. It was photographed still looking new at a location that I have been unable to identify. The canteen building on the left suggests it is a bus stand or terminus. The van is a fairly typical Mk1 Transit, with the sliding door option normally specified by LT. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,871 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green Seen passing the distinctive exterior of Stockwell Bus Garage on 31st May 1977, 2016B was a Bedford HA van that had been new earlier that year. Although several of the batch were assigned to the Publicity Officer, 2016B and 2017B were used by the Commercial Advertising Officer. Note the circular mirrors mounted mid-way along the wings. This feature was to be the only significant change on the batches that followed. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,872 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green 2015B was a Bedford HA van new in January 1977 and assigned to the Distribution Services Manager. It spent time at various locations including Parsons Green, Manor House and Hounslow Garage. On 12th May 1977 it was photographed parked on Wandsworth Road. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,873 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green Collection Bedford HA van 2013B was assigned to the Plant Engineer and was photographed at Lillie Bridge Depot parked alongside Leyland Titan Breakdown Tender 1276LD. The date is unknown but is probably soon after the van was delivered in January 1977. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,874 |  |
By Julian Bowden-Green Several of the Bedford HA vans new in 1977 were assigned to the Publicity Officer. 2009B was one and was officially allocated to Walthamstow. On 31st May 1977, it was photographed at the other bus garage associated with service vehicles (and publicity vehicles in particular), Stockwell. Although it is sometimes hard to tell on monochrome photos, most of this batch of vans appear not to have had London Transport lettering applied, although all had the departmental titles. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,875 |  |
By James Mair Sixteen Bedford HA vans were acquired at the beginning of 1977 and numbered 2002B to 2017B. They were given registrations OUC2R to OUC17R, all of which would be worth a bit now (OUC1R was carried by equally mundane Ford Escort van 2001F). The HA vans were assigned to various departments, 2007B being one of a pair for the Signal Engineers. It was withdrawn in 1982 after over five years service, and was photographed at an unknown location some time later. It remained licensed until 1988. |
02/04/2011 |
| 4,876 |  |
By London Spotter A few of the recovery trucks in the Sovereign fleet have been given names, usually with military connections. Volvo FH GN06CNZ is 'Vulcan' and carries graphics of the famous delta-winged bomber. It was parked outside the Abellio Garage at Hayes on 8th March 2011. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,877 |  |
By Malcolm Conway T315LHK is a four-axle DAF XF95 recovery truck operated by Ontime. It was photographed near Fulwell Garage on 9th March 2011. Note the twin winches. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,878 |  |
By Ray Monk First London appears to have standardised on the Volkswagen Crafter van in recent months, with at least five being delivered to join one new in 2008. The latest addition is VN10NRE, seen leaving Willesden Junction Garage on 12th March 2011. Similar VO59XSD has also been at WJ recently (the two are sometimes parked side by side), while they may also have a new VW Transporter van (VK57ZCL) as well. This newish garage is one of several where a large part of the parking area is given over to staff cars. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,879 |  |
By London Spotter More Arriva London SVs photographed at Edmonton Garage on 14th March 2011. Nearest the camera is Vauxhall Corsa LN58UVS. This has always been based here, but has recently lost its bonnet number (116). Alongside is slightly older Corsa YP08YOK with bonnet number 94, new to Barking but transferred to Edmonton during 2010. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,880 |  |
By Ray Monk Go-Ahead London has nine Vauxhall Corsa vans registered in the GV57xxx series. Among these, GV57YCJ is unique in having company logos and a light-bar. It is a route controller's vehicle based at Camberwell Garage, where it was photographed on 5th March 2011. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,881 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Ford Fiesta van NG56HNF is one of numerous small vans acquired by Abellio to replace former Travel London support vehicles. It acts as a crew ferry vehicle from the Byfleet garage, and it was photographed at Staines Bus Station on 9th March 2011. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,882 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The Arriva London Tour operation based at Wandsworth now has two Ford Transit Connect vans lettered as Emergency Support Vehicles. Acquired second hand in about 2009, the two are almost identical. NL05MVR was captured passing Parliament Square on 18th January 2011. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,883 |  |
By London Spotter This photo taken at Edmonton Garage on 14th March 2011 shows the two most common service vehicle types in the Arriva London fleet. On the left is Vauxhall Combo van VU04UCZ, part of the engineering support fleet as evidenced by the light bar and lack of bonnet fleetnumber. This example has recently gained a non-standard yellow stripe. On the right is Vauxhall Corsa car YS08GPJ with bonnet number 108. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,884 |  |
By London Spotter Renault Kangoo OE04JWP had been in the Travel London / Abellio fleet for over three years but has never been seen until now. Curiously, it was listed by the company as being a car, and was given a fleetnumber in the crew ferry series (8977). However, it is clearly a van assigned to engineering duties. It was eventually found at Hayes Garage on 8th March 2011. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,885 |  |
By Glyn Matthews This Peugeot 406 car joined the Arriva Southern Counties fleet in 2010, being allocated to Grays garage and given the fleetnumber CF17. Prior to that, it had been number 1372 in the Arriva Shires fleet, based at Milton Keynes. On 16th March 2011 it was photographed at Lakeside Bus Station. Although licensed as 'blue' it looks more silver. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,886 |  |
By Colin Lloyd Ford Transit V172FPX has been the engineers van at Fulwell Garage for the past 8 years. It started out as a London United vehicle, was then rebranded as a Transdev one, and is about to become a London United one again! When photographed near the garage on 9th March 2011, the recently removed Transdev markings were still apparent. The black nearside wing looks a bit odd but the offside was identical! A small fleetnumber (2172) is carried above the filler cap. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,887 |  |
By Glyn Matthews Ensignbus acquired Volvo FH12 recovery truck M3MJS in March 2011. It is intended to replace Scania UJF182, whose registration and smart appearance disguise the fact of it being over 20 years old. The newer Volvo will no doubt be repainted (and perhaps re-registered) before use but it was photographed in 'as received' condition, at Purfleet Garage on 16th March 2011. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,888 |  |
By Ray Monk More of the latest Toyota Prius cars photographed at Chancel Street, this time on 5th March 2011. This particular batch is divided between TfL Streets (who have KV60KTE, KTG and KTJ) and the Private Hire operation (with KV60KTD, KTF and KTK). |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,889 |  |
By Ray Monk The TfL Streets operation received at least six Toyota Priuses in early 2011, mainly to replace similar cars new in 2006. These are often parked in the front part of the base at Chancel Street, Southwark, as seen here on 12th March 2011. Also visible are one of the older Priuses (at the back, with an orange light-bar), one of the four Mitsubishi i-MiEV 'electric bug' cars, and the mobile generator that has recently been installed here. The latter is thought to be in connection with charging the electric cars. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,890 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray tracked down another of the slightly mysterious 'TAXI - PRIVATE HIRE' Toyota Prius cars at Wembley Park Station on 12th March 2011. The car park on this side of the station is normally home only to the LUL Incident Response car, most recently Ford Galaxy 6552F. It may or may not be significant that the latter was not present on this occasion.... |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,891 |  |
By Damon Cross A look at the front of the body-less blue Citroen at the Museum Depot proves that it is not AY58GDX. Aside from having a different style of front end, it has a number-plate in the windscreen, showing it to be AY07EZB. We shall have to wait and see what this vehicle appears as once it gains a body (and a rear axle). For now it remains very unique as the only two-wheeled Citroen service vehicle! |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,892 |  |
By Damon Cross Damon visited the Museum Depot at Acton on 15th March 2011, a couple of days after the recent open weekend. Since that event, Ford Transit 5494F had been moved, allowing a clearer view of the un-bodied blue Citroen. As mentioned, I had assumed this was AY58GDX but the chassis had no rear numberplate. In fact there was very little behind the cab! The large aerodynamic fairing suggests that it was (or will be) fitted with a large profile body, similar to the two other exhibition units. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,893 |  |
By Colin Lloyd The Toyota Prius cars new in 2006 for use by TfL Streets are now in the process of being replaced with newer versions, but a couple remain active. RE56LDA was photographed near Victoria Station on 28th January 2011. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,894 |  |
By Ray Monk A double scoop (and bonus LTSV points) for Ray with this photo that shows both the first 7xxx service vehicle, and the first to carry an 11 registration. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van 7004M was first licensed on 4th March 2011, and it was photographed at Kingston Cromwell Road Bus Station 6 days later. It did appear that this batch of vans was going to be given incorrect fleetnumbers in the 67xx range but somebody must have noticed this and fixed them. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,895 |  |
By Ray Monk Delivery of a new batch of London Buses Incident Response Unit vans commenced in February 2011 but is a protracted process. One of the first to arrive was 6997M, active initially in central London but then moving to Eltham by March. It was photographed in the bus station on March 5th. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,896 |  |
By Ray Monk Roving Hybrid IRUs part2. 6986F is the other Ford/Ashwoods IRU, and is normally based at Sycamore House in Thornton Heath. During March 2011 it was loaned to Eltham, apparently to cover for some of the Mercedes Sprinter IRUs being away for servicing. It was photographed in the bus station on the 15th of that month. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,897 |  |
By Paul Snelling Roving Hybrid IRUs part1. 6985F is one of two Ford Transit vans with Ashwoods hybrid conversions delivered in late 2010 for use as Incident Response Units by London Buses. Normally based at Kingston, it was paying a visit to Uxbridge Bus Station when photographed on 8th February 2011. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,898 |  |
By Colin Smith Ford Transit Connect vans have become rarer in the leased fleet recently. We are only aware of two being delivered in 2010, 6956F and 6978F. The latter was photographed parked near Acton Town Station on 11th March 2011. It is a higher-roof version with a rack. |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,899 |  |
By Ray Monk Hammersmith Bus Station does not have any vehicles regularly allocated, but visitors from the LBSL fleet are fairly common. More unusual is to see an Underground vehicle there. On 21st March 2011, Ray found Ford Mondeo 6906F parked in the stub road in the corner. This vehicle, which habitually carries a ladder on its roof-rack, was new in July 2009 and has an unusually high fleetnumber for its age (all other 69xx vehicles are 10 reg or newer). |
27/03/2011 |
| 4,900 |  |
By Ray Monk Where have you been?! A batch of 8 Volkswagen Transporter vans numbered 6897-6904VW was delivered for LBSL in summer 2010 and most were seen and photographed quite quickly. 6899VW was notably absent, although we could guess its registration from those of 6898VW and 6900VW. It eventually turned up at Finsbury Park, where it was photographed on 11th March 2011. 6898VW was latterly based here and it could be that the two have swapped allocations. If so, the question is now 'where is 6898VW'? |
27/03/2011 |
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