S7 Stock on the Circle and District Lines 04/09/13, 05/09/13

When I heard on forums that the S7s had been introduced onto the Circle and District Lines on the 2nd September, I (Au) had to get a look, as I was free, and I found the workings!

Trains 207/214 of the Circle Line and Train 753 of District Line running (Olympia) Earl's Court-West Ham.

First was the 4th Sept on...:

The District Line (if you haven't gathered!)


I really need to be prepared for photos more...
S7 21317 on District Line (training), Earl's Court


Interior of the S7 - 21317/8


District Line new S Stock train A4 posters were on each cab end.

Video of a ride on the S7 on the District

I rode it to Bow Road:


S7 21318 on District Line (Training), Bow Road


S7 21318 on District Line (Training), Bow Road

Whilst I waited for the train to get back, I went to Mile End, and got:


Tower Transit DN33617 on Route 425, Mile End


Tower Transit VN36152 on Route 25, Mile End

I then went into Mile End Station to find the train again! So I took it to Whitechapel for more photos:


S7 21317 on District Line, Whitechapel

 I then went to Aldgate to cover the:

Circle line S7s:


S7 21330 on Circle Line, Aldgate

Video of a ride on the S7 on the Circle Line

S7 21330 on Circle Line, Moorgate


S7 21330 on Circle Line, Kings Cross St Pancras

I then covered the 626/634, but that's another post. The next day, I covered it again for better photos:

First District line:


S7 21317 on District Line, Earl's Court


S7 21318 on District Line, South Kensington

Then Circle line at Wood Lane/Shepherd's Bush Market:

S7 21357 on Circle Line, Wood Lane*


S7 21358 on Circle Line, Shepherd's Bush Market


S7 21358 on Circle Line, Shepherd's Bush Market


S7 21357 on Circle Line, Paddington

Then I rest, before I go to school the next day. Grrr.

Notting Hill Carnival Buses Part 2 26/08/13

The second part of the Notting Hill Carnival Buses posts include diversions, extras, curtailments and a nice sprint...

Tower Transit VN37943 on Route 28, Kensington High Street
28 got extra buses and was curtailed at the north at Notting Hill Gate


Metroline VW1398 on Route 52, Kensington High Street
Route 52 ran in two sections: Victoria to Notting Hill Gate and Victoria to Willesden via Marble Arch


Metroline VW1396 on Route 52, Kensington High Street


Metroline VWH1411 on Route 52, Kensington High Street


London United SLE43 (49), ADH31 (27), London United
Route 27 was diverted and affected by the Carnival


Tower Transit DML44325 on Route 70, Kensington High Street
Route 70 was diverted/affected by Carnival as well


Tower Transit DN33787 on Route 28, Kensington


Tower Transit VN37994 on Route 28, Kensington High Street


Abellio London 9410 on Route 452, Kensington High Street
Route 452 was cut at Notting Hill Gate and diverted.


Tower Transit DN33780 on Route 28, Kensington High Street


Tower Transit DNH39127 on Route 23, Paddington
Route 23 had been directly affected by the Carnival


Metroline VPL602 on Route 390, St Pancras
Route 390 had extra buses to cope with loadings

Then, I went to White City*. Things can only go well...


Metroline West DE1627 on Route 228*, White City*
The 228 was suspended between Maida Hill and White City*



Tower Transit DML44323 on Route 70, White City*
Route 70 was diverted via White City due to Carnival


Tower Transit DN33777 on Route 295, White City*
Route 295 was suspended between North Kensington and Ladbroke Grove. It was also diverted too, as shown here...


Metroline West DE1627 on Route 228*, White City*


Metroline TE1310 on Route 316, White City*
Route 316 was diverted around the carnival and converted to double deck.


Tower Transit WN35004 on Route 328, White City*
Route 328 had extras and was diverted via White City around Carnival


Tower Transit DML44318 on Route 70, White City*


Tower Transit DML44325 on Route 70, White City*


Tower Transit VN37960 on Route 295, White City*


Tower Transit VNW32420 (328), London United ADE64 (220), White City*


Tower Transit VNW32408 on Route 31, White City*
Route 31 was diverted around the carnival


Tower Transit VN37954 on Route 295, White City*


Metroline West DE1909 (95), Tower Transit VNW32381 (31), White City*


Metroline TEH1227 on Route 316, White City*


Metroline TE1091 on Route 316, White City*


Tower Transit DNH39116 on Route 295, White City*


Tower Transit VN37956 on Route 295, White City Station*


Metroline TEH1453 on Route 316, White City Station*

I then was forced to sprint to the station in order to get home.

Finally, though:

Notting Hill Carnival Stations poster with a spelling mistake. Check it out...

Random Picture of the Month 9 (August)

Well, I promised the Sovereign VHs, and I have not failed to deliver.
And, although I may post this in September, I did start it in the last minute (31/08/2013, 23:59) of August so it does still count.

Like the July post, this picture is a blind change, and a variation which is stead never to happen (although I jolly hope it does).

London Sovereign VH17 at Aldwych.
Thanks to the kind driver for changing the blinds.
Seen blinded for route 114 to Field End Road.

And there it is!

As I'm sure you're all aware, the 114 is indeed my local route. Between May 20th and August 12th, YT11LSD became a regular part of service (although I can confirm this has now left), and since the arrival of the VHs the allocation has become somewhat irregular with more SPs, VLPs and 55-reg SLEs on the route.

Now whether the above will actually happen (although I can almost guarantee the curtailment won't) or not is somewhat uncertain. BT do have a tendency to mix the buses around on a day-to-day basis but because this is a hybrid it may be a different scenario.

More about the bus, it comes with the new Veolia Transdev merger styling, with the "name of one and the colours of the other" - hence the Transdev name remains albeit with a Veolia style interior and exterior branding. It is remarkable that London United have kept more of the 'Transdev traits', such as the yellow branding and turquoise interior, rather than London Sovereign which is actually still technically Transdev.

But, I must say, these are positive steps for Sovereign. Some of the displaced SLEs have already gone for refurbishment, and the others will soon follow suit. These will replace most of the older Volvo B7TLs creating a nearly full Scania allocation for the non-hybrid routes. In 2015, the 114 will be tendered and upon the contract being retained (or not, but I hope Sovereign do retain it) it is imagined that a large new batch of buses will be ordered for both the 114 and 292, similar spec to the VHs.

The new logo should also be applied to the 11-reg DEs at SO and BT, which have been without logos for 2 years. Whether the legals and other branding changes too, we'll just have to see.


Thanks for reading this post, and if you haven't gone on these buses I seriously recommend you do!
Oh, and, typical WLTM style, they do have that 'rubber smell'...

LJN 2013