Random Picture of the Month 5 (April)

I'm temporarily taking over the feature until I hand it over to Lewis next month. The feature will keep on going, even though James hasn't (and left in a messy way). And here is the random picture:

London United SP175 on Route 222, Heathrow Airport North, 07/04/13

This picture was taken before James had left the blog, although his last post was the 82 one - where James and I contributed at once. And the last time he had contributed. Utilising a lower angle does help with reducing glare from the sun, although it is far from ideal. This is a unallocated working, as 222 are allocated  ADEs. Instead, what we have here is a 111 batch SP on the 222. The route itself was double decked formally with the ADEs however was already double decked by that time with VA and VP, off the 111, H32, 120 (and if we had to go further, 337 and 220). SPs are less common on the 222, as the ADEs rule that. But one comes along sometimes.

And to make up to that James left the blog, here is another photo as compensation:


London United ADE7 on Route H98, Hounslow/Treaty Centre, 07/04/13

Route H98 was the 98 until the 1990s. This bus is what you'd see normally on the 81, 222 and (annoyingly) the 120. I wish these were more common on the 111...  It is normally allocated DLEs (10.8m Enviro 200s), but occasionally, a double decker appears on the H98. Hounslow Garage seem to do this a number of times, which does help if/when loading pick up (and they do, quite a bit, sometimes on the H98. 81 and 222 were double decked as single decks were commonly being filled). ADE7 is part of the batch for the 120, which I covered when Matt told me about them.... Oh, the good old days... How times change.

Also, how times change. Ten years ago, H98, 81, 222 were operated by DPs. 10.8m single deckers. 120 had VAs and VPs. And the occasional TA that should be on the 111...