Random Picture of the Month (1)

Some may recognise this picture. Au's version is more upright but this is the intended angle and height  and this is different, really different to the original "day" picture.

The 'night' version

The Original. Wider, yes, but it was taken by a different camera.

The original can be seen above, and there is one obvious difference. Both times that I took the picture, an ALX400 on the 159 appeared. Both will be used for a friend's novel and there may be two versions of the cover. the "night" version and the "day" version

A little hint, it's the parent site of this blog. WLTM.

Christmas Post - London United VM1 - MCV DD103 21/12/12

69th Post, eh... Merry Christmas/Happy New Year from the WLTM Bus Blog
London United VM1 is a rare bus. One of only three built so far, the MCV DD103 is a bus that isn't normally seen. Go-Ahead have their own VM1, which runs mostly on Routes 474, D7 and 425. London United VM1 is only there for fuel consumption trials. Here are all three of the MCV DD103 so far in service:

Bath Bus Company/RATP 360 on Windsor Tour, Windsor Castle (Au)

Go-Ahead London VM1 on Route 474, Canning Town (James)

And, London United VM1:

VM1 at Southall Town Hall (Au)

VM1 ready to go back to Hounslow (James)

Rear of VM1 (Au)

Lower deck interior of VM1 (James)

Upper deck interior of VM1 (Au)

Another view of the upper deck, at Hounslow (James)

Nearside of VM1 (Au)

VM1 at Hounslow Bus Garage forecourt (James)

VM1 ready to go back to Southall (Au).

Far side of VM1 (James)

iBus on VM1 (upper deck)

The WLTM Bus Blog Team (i.e. Au and James) wishes a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

My Picture Archive Post 6

The picture archive posts have come back. Right, remember when Marshall bodied Dennis Darts ran the 95? Well, here's one on a foggy day at White City, taken on 16/11/10.

First London DML41362 on Route 95 to Southall, at White City, 16/11/10.

The Marshall bodied Darts were the workhorse of First London for many years, before tendering exercises replaced them. These also worked for Metrobus, when the Orpington operations were sold. Also, a DMS (now DMN1) was sold to Go-Ahead as part of the Northumberland Park sell off. Now, very few run in London as most of them have run off outside London. Metroline/MTL also ran a few of these as well before they got withdrawn.

Route 153 New Buses, Route 132 and Other Observations 15/12/12, 21/12/12

Route 153 has gotten the wrong buses. They are too long. But, they are new, so we are covering them before they are replaced. And Route 132 has been permanently double decked, after temporary double decking during the Olympic period. Also, there are other observations from the two days.

First is the 153, which James and I covered on 15/12/12 initially:

CT Plus DA3 on Route 153, Liverpool Street Station (Au)


Moquette on seating. (Au)


Rear window detailing. From the inside. (Au)


Interior view. (Au)


Information panel. (Au)


New Oyster sticker, including contactless payment. (Au)

DA3 leaving Barbican Station (James)

On 21/12/12, I would cover 153 & 132 on my own as I finish school a day earlier than James (as I'm older...)

CT Plus DA10 on Route 153, Liverpool Street Station, 21/12/12

Ready to go to Finsbury Park Station.


Rear of DA10, Finsbury Square (Moorgate).


CT Plus DA4 on Route 153, Finsbury Square (Moorgate), 21/12/12.


CT Plus DA6 on Route 153, Barbican Station, 21/12/12.

Afterwards, I covered the 132 at North Greenwich. I only got two pictures, as I was in a rush to get back west so I could meet James after he'd finished.

Go-Ahead London PVL161 on Route 132, North Greenwich


Go-Ahead London PVL94 on Route 132, North Greenwich

Other observations from the two days:

Metroline VP542 (iPod Advert) on Route 260, White City, 15/12/12


First DN33517 on Route 607, Shepherd's Bush Station


London United ADH16, out of service at Turnham Green, 21/12/12.
Possibly learning Route 27, as it is due the same sort of buses.


London United DE92 on Route 272, Turnham Green, 21/12/12


A different perspective. First DML44180 on Route 95 and VNW32668 on Route 607 at Shepherd's Bush. 21/12/12


Go-Ahead WVL151 (11) and Arriva T98 Vodafone Ad (133) at Liverpool Street, 21/12/12


Arriva T106 (iPod Advert) on Route 133 at Liverpool Street, 21/12/12


These Carnet validator signs still litter Moorgate Station. Taken on Platforms 9/10, 21/12/12


Go-Ahead WVL455 on Route 422, North Greenwich, 21/12/12


First DML44133 on Route 195 on a short to Ealing Hospital, 21/12/12


London United VA74 on Route H32, Southall Station, 21/12/12


First DML44131 on Route 195, short to Southall Town Hall, 21/12/12.


London United SP38 and SP107 pass each other at Heston on Route H32, 21/12/12


London United DE62, Hounslow, 21/12/12

Panorama of Hounslow Bus Station/Garage forecourt (James), 21/12/12

London United ADE34 on Route 120, picking up passengers not in stand, 21/12/12

Lineup of buses at Hounslow (James), 21/12/120

Olympic D Stock (7007) entering Hammersmith, 21/12/12

Side of D Stock 7007, with Olympic rings (James), 21/12/12

First VN37955 on Route 295, Hammersmith, short to Brook Green, 21/12/12


London United DE106 on Route 272, White City, 21/12/12


London United VA89 on Route 49, White City Bus Station, 21/12/12

Again, a very long post. We have our Christmas present coming up pretty soon...