30/06/2013

22nd June 2013: Part 3 - Route 230

After the Holloway Nag's Head visit, I went to Tottenham Hale, bypassing Seven Sisters and eventually went to Hoe Street (Walthamstow Central).

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Arriva DW545 on Route 230, Tottenham Hale

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Arriva DW544 on Route 230

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DW545 information sticker

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230 to Upper Walthamstow.
Just to confirm, is the section Wood Street-Upper Walthamstow still a hail & ride section. If so, is it the only double decker operated hail and ride section?

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Arriva DW545 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central

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Arriva DW552 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central

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Arriva DW545 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central

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Arriva DW541 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central

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Arriva DW548 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central

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Arriva DW535 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central

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Arriva DW536 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central

Arriva London DW536 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central/Hoe Street Bus Station
Arriva London DW536 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central/Hoe Street Bus Station
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230 to Wood Green

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Bus stops still displayed the old timetable

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Arriva DW542 on Route 230, Walthamstow Central

Afterwards, I went on the GOBLIN (London Overground Gospel Oak-Barking Line), via Woodgrange Park/Manor Park to the Greater Anglia Shenfield Metro for Romford, to cover the remaining First buses and GAL's Blue Triangle taking some ex-DM routes.

So, Seven Sisters, via Hoe Street to the GOBLIN. Things can only get better! :)

29/06/2013

22nd June 2013: Part 2 - New Bus for London Conversion of 24

All pictures from 22nd June by Au: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wltmauc/sets/72157634323587787/
(all pictures on the post are Au's unless stated)

VW1368 LK62 DLO on route 24 before NBfL conversion seen at Trafalgar Square on route 24. (JPT)
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One of the last VWs on the 24, on the morning of 22nd June 2013, during NBAD:
Metroline VW1281 on Route 24 (N), Trafalgar Square

The 24 arrived 10mins late from Holloway, and was thus 20mins late by Pimlico. LT32 was the first working. Even Sir Peter Hendy of TfL decided to take a look, which was a bit awkward as I was on the phone to Lewis at that point!

The first LT working. Metroline LT32 on working HT414, Route 24, 22/06/13
The first LT in service on Route 24, HT414
Metroline LT32 on Route 24, Trafalgar Square :)

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The upper deck of the first journey
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Officials at the front of the bus

iBus on first journey

The first LT at Pimlico. Metroline LT32 on working HT414, Route 24, 22/06/13
Metroline LT32, Pimlico
Press are taking photos of Sir Peter Hendy talking with the driver

Sir Peter Hendy amongst others on LT32
Sitting near Sir Peter Hendy, amongst others of note on the journey.

24 to Hampstead Heath

I had to get off at Euston Square in order to go to Euston for the 91, and eventually to Tottenham Hale for the 230.

LT32, HT414
HT414

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Metroline LT32 on Route 24, Euston Square

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And the rear view. Sir Peter Hendy now standing on the open platform.

Thus moves to Part 3/4 (230/GAL takeover of First Capital routes from DM), but this post goes to where I cover the 24 again:

After covering 230 and going to Romford, I then went to Pimlico to cover the 24 again. But this time, it'd be a bit more fun!

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Metroline LT21 on Route 24, Pimlico

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Loading the rear platform

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Poster publicising the new buses. The timetable hasn't changed

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Metroline LT10 on Route 24, Pimlico

I got on LT10 and then got off at Grosvenor Road, where the following were waiting:
Joshua of this blog
Tom of this blog and Tom London & Surrey Bus Blog
Jeevan of London Buses On The Go
James Panaligan formerly of WLTMTB....

And I saw all of them from the open platform of LT10, looking out. How traditional :)

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LT10 at Pimlico, Grosvenor Road

LT10, Pimlico Grosvenor Road
LT10 at Pimlico, Grosvenor Road

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LT10

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Metroline LT36 on Route 24, Pimlico
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LT36 front detailing

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LT36 blindbox

Metroline LT36 on Route 24, Pimlico
LT36 rear, Pimlico.
All the others were in the shot here...
Metroline LT21 on Route 24, Pimlico (TB)

Metroline LT10 on Route 24, Pimlico (TB)
Au was on the rear platform of this bus!

Metroline LT36 on Route 24, Pimlico (TB)

Metroline LT36 on Route 24, Pimlico (TB)
Member Joshua Perrett is seen doing the type of picture well known due to the background of the blog. This is the 207 bendy photo taken back in 2011.

LTZ 1036 LT36  at Grosvenor Road stand in Pimlico on route 24 (JPT) 
We then got on LT36 for a long full run to Hampstead Heath. In Au's case, partly again:
Plastic covering on the windows already coming off! (comparison to my first finger) (JPT)
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Metroline LT17 (24) and London General WVL141 (11)
Route 11 will be the next route to see NBfLs, so a handy short lived side by side comparison here

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Metroline LT24 on Route 24!, Leicester Square area
Coincidence. Also it's curtailed due to reliablility issues on the first day

Metroline LT40 on Route 24, Soho
Metroline LT40 on Route 24, Soho

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Metroline LT13 on Route 24

Stairs... (JPT)
We then arrived at Hampstead Heath. As Lewis cancelled his plans, I was able to get on the 24 in the first place!

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Metroline LT30 on Route 24, Hampstead Heath

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Metroline LT36, Hampstead Heath

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Metroline LT11 on Route 24, Hampstead Heath

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Metroline LT26 and LT17 on Route 24, Hampstead Heath

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Metroline LT11 on Route 24, Hampstead Heath

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Metroline LT30, LT17 on Route 24, Hampstead Heath

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Metroline LT30, LT36 on Route 24, Hampstead Heath

We then went to Camden Town in order to get James home, and do obs at White City via Tower Transit's 31:

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Metroline LT36 on Route 24, Camden Town

LTZ1036 LT36 on the 24 on a short working to Trafalgar Square (JPT)
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Metroline LT39, Camden Town. Not in service, why is it dead running?

Metroline LT30 on Route 24, Camden Town
Metroline LT30, Route 24, Camden Town

Afterwards, we all sat in the rear of a VNW of the 31 to White City*. All part of an enjoyable day. I wonder if the rest of us had the same opinion....

The next part refollows me at Tottenham Hale for the 230

(part written by Au, Tom and Joshua)