London United SP102 - YOTB Bus Liveries

London United SP102 on Route 71, Chessington South

A regular Fulwell bus, SP102, was treated to the old 2000s livery of London United for Fulwell Garage Open Day:


London United VA86 on Route 281, Kingston Cromwell Road

Which leads to this result:


London United SP102 on Route 65, Kew Green


London United SP102 on Route 65, Ealing Broadway/Haven Green

The bus has been refurbished with extra padding as well as the light grey skirt, with a white roof leading to that effect.


The rear treatment also shows the small fleet number for the rear.

Then it went on the 281:

London United SP102 on Route 281, Fulwell

And the 71, and the 391:

London United SP102 on Route 391, Kew Gardens Station

And the Fulwell Garage Open Day:


Displaying Route 131 to Kingston (Fairfield Road)


Displaying Route 681 to Teddington, Broom Road


Displaying Route 691 to Hollyfield School

A great livery application onto SP102 does mean this bus looks smart wherever it goes, and a good refurbishment means most of its problems have gone. It is currently used most on Routes 65, 71 and 281 from Fulwell Garage.

Workings on Route E3, H91, 114, 183

RATP in London have recently conjured up fairly odd unallocated workings, with the London United division substituting Scanias for Alexander-Dennis products, and the London Sovereign division substituting Scanias for Volvo/Wright products, leading to quite interesting responses by passengers!

Firstly, the three days of ADH26 on Route E3, taken of two days only:


London United ADH26 on Route E3, Chiswick (Aubrey, 02/07/14)


London United ADH26 on Route E3, Chiswick Edensor Road (Aubrey, 03/07/14)
This driver told me that these E40H were quieter, faster and better than the SPs on the route (which is true). Drivers were looking jealously at the ADH driver as they passed!

The London United division also changed SPs on the H91, but this time to single decker Enviro 200s:


London United DE4 on Route H91, Gunnersbury Station (Aubrey, 03/07/14)

But the larger shock came from further north, where Lewis was in massive awe when looking at the LVF to find VH15 on Route 114, his dream working. My dream working is nearly impossible (ADE on Route N9) due to cleaning, so that's another matter...:


London Sovereign VH15 on Route 114, Ruislip Station (Aubrey, 07/07/14)
The driver of this one seemed to gloat to the other drivers of his hybrid bus, which did seem to go faster than most other buses on Route 114.


"IT FINALLY HAPPENED!!" by Lewis JN (07/07/14)
The title of that photo just sums up Lewis's feelings of this working. Relief and joy.
"Even the general public noticed a difference - I overheard someone describe the bus as 'beautiful', so I'm not the only one of that opinion :D "


London Sovereign VH15 on Route 114, Tithe Farm (which is between South Harrow & South Ruislip) (Lewis, 07/07/14)

But just to add more oddness, a more common VH stray occurred (but still more rare than a VH on the 605):


London Sovereign VH22 on Route 183, Harrow Bus Station (Aubrey, 07/07/14)

The only reason I could think of that made the VHs go on the 183 and 114 is that the Tour de France allowed them to stray onto the route due to the reduced PVR of Route 13... I know Lewis will want more of the 114 variant of this working!

PS - the article of the initial London Overground record attempt (and success) from Aubrey's school is now on it's website - http://www.gunnersbury.com/news/?pid=60&nid=23&storyid=134

The Optare Option - New Buses on Route S1 15/06/14

Quality Line OM06 on Route S1, Mitcham Junction (Aubrey)

Along with the first diesel Optare Metrocities for London, Route S1 also had a short extension to Lavender Fields, which is a residential area near Mitcham and Colliers Wood.

Quality Line OM11 on Route S1, Lavender Fields (Aubrey)

Quality Line OM11 on Route S1, Lavender Fields (Lewis)

These buses have Mercedes engines which are like engines on the SoloSR. Drivers seem to not always like these new buses in general due to the 'numerous problems' these new buses have, 'especially Optare' buses.

Quality Line OM07 on Route S1, Lavender Fields (Aubrey)

Quality Line OM05 out of service, Lavender Fields (Lewis)

 

A journey on OM07 soon beckoned, which led to quite a sprightly ride on the bus, but with the familiar Mercedes engine noise.

 

Quality Line OM07 on Route S1, Banstead Marks & Spencer (Aubrey)

 

Whilst deliberating at Banstead, Lewis and I then stumbled on MCD01, which proved to be a different ride altogether!

It also has blinds for many of Quality Line's routes, even if they aren't complete blinds.
Quality Line MCD01 showing E16 to Ewell and 467 to Copt Gilders, Banstead Marks & Spencer (Aubrey)

Quality Line OM06 on Route S1, Banstead Marks & Spencer (Aubrey)

Eventually MCD01 was blinded for S1 to Lavender Fields, so we went back to Lavender Fields.

(Aubrey)

 

After a talk with the driver about these buses at Lavender Fields - the driver prefers the MCD01 due to the different engine which is 'better' and 'has less problems than the other Optare products that [Quality Line] have'.

 

Quality Line MCD01 on Route S1, Lavender Fields (Aubrey)

The driver gave us a thumbs up on the shot as the bus turned round the mini-roundabout at Lavender Fields.