Troublesome Ealing Three 31/05/14

E3 - the changeover to London United was bad... Very bad! Due to circumstances partly out of their control.

For the first time in five years, my (Aubrey) local route has changed operator AND a lot of staff! It's back at Stamford Brook, where it was run until privatisation. This has led to a very interesting scenario where before I detested all but the buses, now as a common user, I detest ONLY the buses! London United having the hardest possible start to the E3 contract, and my word it was a hard start! Hammersmith Flyover was shut due to structural faults, and Sutton Court Road being shut south of Ellesmere Road (Great West Road) southbound leading to traffic being diverted via the A4 led to, ummm, EVERY single official curtailment in one day. And Stamford Brook! Duty numbers are 451-476 as far as I know.

For all I'd know, this might be the first 'in service' photo of the E3 under London United with SPs that was published onto Flickr!
Anyhow, at 10am, here is London United SP137 on Route E3, Chiswick Edensor Road


The rear of the bus - the fans are now visible due to the clean up of these buses.


London United SP157 on Route E3, Chiswick/Great West Road.
Sutton Court Road being shut meant the E3 was on diversion via the A4 leading to the massive chaos on the E3 throughout the day!


London United SP160 and SP155 both on Route E3, Chiswick/Sutton Court Road, ready to go on diversion. This was the back of a row of 4 in 2 minutes.


London United SP134 on Route E3, Turnham Green
This bus had terminated on the other side of the green, and is still stuck in traffic it curtailed to reduce the effect of the service!


London United SP161 on Route E3, Turnham Green Station
Not the best shot, but the LED back lighting of the blinds have led to a tad of blue seen on the white blinds!


London United SP149 on Route E3, Chiswick - Chardin Road Stop
The bus curtailing to Stamford Brook/Chiswick Lane, a curtailment slightly off route, but on the blinds.


Acton brings up surprises, no matter what - which is exactly why I went there!
London United SP148 on Route E3, Acton High Street, curtailed to said place. Why not avoid the traffic of Chiswick totally! The loadings of this bus on the opposite direction was high, meaning there had been a considerable wait for the E3. On the E3, a 12 minute wait is 'considerable'!


London United SP146 on Route E3, Greenford Broadway
Being a tad (very!) picky, but the blinds are already sliding downwards and are off-centre!


London United SP137 on Route E3, Greenford Broadway
Running an hour late, the driver is supposed to be on the other side of the route!
The driver - I once encountered her before on the 395 whilst with Lewis nearly a year ago, so it was very good seeing her again, on my local route as well!
All the drivers who I spoke to dreaded the following Monday, when I asked!


An out of service Arriva - Tellings Golden-Miller 3426 (awaiting service on Route E10) and London United SP159 on Route E3, Greenford Broadway
A side by side that West Londoners will have to get used to!


London United SP161 on Route E3, Greenford Broadway
Behind, visible is another E3, a usual sight!


London United SP144 and SP157 on Route E3, stuck in traffic on Sutton Court Road/Chiswick
SP144 was curtailed to Acton High Street. Can anyone answer what the white stuff on SP144 is? Bird stuff?


London United SP144 on Route E3, Chiswick/Sutton Court Road


Another offside Turnham Green Church shot of a southbound E3.
London United SP146 on Route E3, Turnham Green


London United SP145 on Route E3, Chiswick High Road
I didn't get all the curtailments...


London United SP159 on Route E3, Chiswick/Sutton Court Road
But it's so good, I got the curtailment twice!

After a week of this E3 under London United SPs, my expectations were exactly right, apart from more bunching by London United than Metroline West on the southbound pm peak.  Other than loud passengers from a certain school that you least expect on Monday, there has been good drivers, alright service. No paper eating so far! That's good at least! But someone leaving jeans on the bus - that's another story!

Asking fellow school friends passengers, I've found so far people prefer the TEs of Metroline West as a bus over the SPs due to hard vibrations when stationary and hard suspension. Lovely...

Good Luck to London United for taking such a mammoth task of trying to run such a horrendous route (operationally)! More Hammersmith Flyover closures for weekends to come until late Summer!

Bored in Perivale - Metroline CELF Visit - 24/05/14

The title is self-explanatory. Gemini 3/B5LH for the 7 was the highlight of the visit, but not much was visible parked outside the centre.

Metroline VWH2004, Perivale CELF
This bus has been ordered for the 7, when the SELs finally get off that route.


Metroline VWH2004 nearside, Perivale CELF


Metroline VWH2001, Perivale CELF


Metroline VP470, UNFIT, Perivale CELF


Metroline DP274, Perivale CELF
This bus has been the meal relief bus since route 7 started being operated by Metroline in 2007.


Metroline DEM1341, Perivale CELF


Refurbishment for the SELs continue, with SEL763. This will eventually find itself on the 79.


Withdrawn Metroline TP406, Perivale CELF


Metroline VP623 losing a lot of its lower panelling - it's inside the bus!

An easy walk-around through an interesting business park, and I'll probably visit the CELF area again soon!

Mini-NBAD (Night Buses at Dawn) 4 - 27/05/14

On our way to breaking the London Overground Challenge record (for a second time for Aubrey, the first time for Lewis), Lewis and Aubrey both ended up at Victoria Station for a small time waiting for Southern services. But first, Aubrey went to Victoria by night bus, sparking a sigh of relief.

The sigh of relief - Au finally got a photo of his second local 'N-prefix' night bus.
London General WVL8 on Route N11, Hammersmith (Aubrey)


London United ADH22 on Route 220N, Hammersmith (Aubrey)

Eventually, this led to Victoria by both Lewis and Aubrey:


Arriva London HV67 on Route N73, Victoria (Aubrey)


Arriva London LT207 on Route N38, Victoria (Aubrey)


Metroline TEH1465 on Route N16, Victoria (Aubrey)


Arriva London LT207 on Route N38, Victoria (Aubrey)


Arriva London LT231 on Route N38, Victoria (Aubrey)


Arriva London DW222 on Route N38, Victoria (Lewis)


Arriva London LT187 on Route N38, Victoria (Lewis)


Arriva London HV52 on Route N73, Victoria (Lewis)

This eventually led to another record-breaking challenge attempt - 6hrs, 40mins breaking 6hrs 52mins.