Tribute to some of the Bus interchange

Due to the building work, part of the Bus interchange has to be handed over to the builders resulting in Bus stop movements to a place which isn't good for photos as there is loads of other traffic on that road. Here are a selection of photos I've managed to capture of the Bus types in service or are declining rapidly. The original style E300s have been declining so fast as of recently it's only been 27522 in service this is due to the type being withdrawn from service to become trainers their replacements being the GX58s which alongside some Doubles, replaced them on the 1/1A.

The Buses featured are 27523, 15506, 36122, 27571, 489, 19655, 28607 and 15331.

This was my last ever photo of original style E300 27523 (GX06 DZE) it was used in service for a bit and it was then withdrawn here it is at stop K on the 1A.

Scania E400s on the 51/251/252 worked from stop H like 15506 (GN09 BDF) photographed on the route earlier this week.

My E200 example isn't an E20D but these later variants of  Euro 4 E200 Darts sound very similar to the Euro 5s. The 98 also went from stop H Hastings based 36122 (GN10 JCY) works the service.

These replaced the original style E300s 27571 (GX58 GKA) works the 1/1A at stop K it's a shame the blind didn't come out.

My Brighton&Hove example sees the Beach Bus Gemini 2 489 (BJ63 UJT) work the 12A from stop J sadly, I won't be seeing this unless I go to Brighton as 489 and 490 have been replaced by standard liveried Geminis from the same batch.

L is for Loop and what a decision it was for the route to work from stop L. Loop branded E400 19655 (SP60 DPY) works the service it has been quite common for these to go off route.

Scania E300 28607 (GN61 EVL) also works a clockwise Loop from stop L. 

Whilst I've been unable to get MMCs on that side a poorly 15331 (YN67 YLD) waits for help.

I really hope this is temporary but I've done this incase it isn't temporary.

The sun is back for full sun Buses

When the clocks go forward and the sun is out you know what that means full sun bus photos for longer. With the main interchange being unsuitable for full sun photos and the fast approaching closure of part of it. I used spots where you can get full sun photos until mid afternoon when shadows would make it impossible. Here are some Buses soaking up some sun whether it's full sun or a brief sunny spell. 

Scania E400 15545 (GN59 EWU) soaks up some sun before doing the 51

The Scania E300s like it as well like 28609 (GN61 EVP) working the 5A

Meanwhile, ADL E400 19668 (SP60 DTO) enjoys some sun after finishing the 51 it would work a short working after

Waves in full sun Scania 15336 (YN67 YLJ) works the Wave 99 it doesn't go all of the way to its normal terminus

One of the other MMCs picks up for a Wave 99 this one doing the whole journey

If Loops are behaving and are actually on their route then they would enjoy the sun as well like  E400 19652 (SP60 DPU)

It's starting to become a challenge now in this spot as an MMC works the Wave 99

Old Breeze Scania E400 15503 (GN09 BCY) enjoys a brief bright spell the sun

Another Scania this time 15504 (GN09 BCZ) as it enjoys some sun

During a brief spell of  hazy sun is Scania 28610 (GN61 EVR) note the black window surrounds have returned it's seen after completing a 54

Here's to the many more to come!

Rail Replacement 17/3/18

I've been hiding away at home when there has been Rail Replacement Buses in my local area until yesterday. I knew nothing about it until I saw a few Buses go past me when I was on the Bus which weren't from the area. I knew I had to get down to that station and get those photos. This particular Replacement had a big surprise on it which was one of the Winchester MMCs which was on loan to Portsmouth for the day for the rail showed up and I was so surpised that it showed up in Eastbourne.

The Rail Replacement was between Eastbourne and Lewes and the local Companies were using Buses on it as well as Southern Transit, Stagecoach South and Go-Ahead London. This led to the train station being turned into a Bus park/Bus station for the day. The main stars in the station were East Lancs 755 and E200 403 both belonging to Seaford and District a really friendly and popular independent in East Sussex. They stood out the most from everyone else that was there. Here are the Buses fleet numbers I was able to photograph. 

Seaford and District:

403

755

Stagecoach South: 

10893

Southern Transit 

TA386

Brighton&Hove

404

This used to be with Go-South Coast in Dorset is Seaford and District East Lancs 755 (SE51 SEA).

The biggest surprise of the afternoon was Winchester MMC on loan to Portsmouth for the Rail 10893 photographed with 403 behind I wasn't expecting this to show up.

After an absence from Eastbourne Rail Replacement, Southern Transit Trident ALX400 TA386 (Y386 NHK) waits for its next journey.

After last weeks failed photo of a Bus in BH4 I was able to get a good photo of one of route 6 branded Buses with BH4 route 6 branding Brighton&Hove Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 404 (BJ11 XHD) drops off passengers. 

My aim for sometime was to get a photo of the Seaford and District E200 after I missed it last week, I was able to photograph it this week here is 403 (YX09 FLK) about to work its next trip.

Compass Bus return to the 125

A small post on an operator stepping in to take over Seaford and Districts normal Bus services. Back in April 2017, Worthing based independent Compass Bus decided to give up the 125 service linking Eastbourne with Lewes which led to Seaford and District taking over. However, Seaford and District operation of the route was only temporary as at the start of the year they were to give up their normal services to focus on other things they do like hires, the open top tour, rail replacement and school services. This led to Compass expanding into Kent as well as some more work in East Sussex. What was a surprise, was the fact that Compass decided to take over the 125 like they never gave the service up. The main allocation for the route is Mini Enviro200s however, nearly any Single-Decker could appear on the route. Some of these mini E200s were originally on Brighton City services until they lost nearly all of their Brighton work. Here is Compass: The 125 in the first month after the takeover.

Mini E200 4108 (GX62 CJU) loads for a 125

 My first ever photo of an 15 plate Compass E200 sees 4118 (YY15 NHL) resting before taking up a 125. They tend to get the Bus for the 125 in early and it sits in the Cornfield Road stop doing nothing for a long time.

Mini E200 4118 (YY15 NHL) rests before taking up a 125

Another Mini E200 this time 4112 (GX13 FSN) loads up for a 125

What is interesting is that these 3 E200s are from different batches the GX62s, the GX13s and the YY15s.

Buses in the coldest week

It is so surprising how many people interested in Buses from what I've seen on Facebook have braved the freezing cold temperatures to do what they like doing. I was also brave enough to take on the "Beast from the East" despite it being really cold to take some Bus photos. I managed to get quite a few despite fearing that I wouldn't be able to get that many due to the weather.

Buses photographed 26/2/18:

27581

19662

36901

15504

36903

15335

19653

19656

Buses photographed 28/2/18:

15332

15772

27517

It comes from the best batch of ADL E300s the GX58s 27581 (GX58 GKO) it has to look the best with its replacement seat cushions and the new livery is seen on the front it's seen on the 1A

E400 19662 (SP60 DRX) works the Loop

A screaming heap of a Bus E200 36901 (GN13 HHS) picks up for a 1X

Knowing it can breeze around whatever the weather is former Breeze Scania E400 15504 (GN09 BCZ) on the 1

Also on the 1X is E200 36903 (GN13 HHU) a former Loop Bus

Scania MMC 15335 (YN67 YLH) rests before taking up a Wave 99

Seen on the Loop is branded E400 19653 (SP60 DPV)

From the same batch as 19653 is unbranded 19656 (SP60 DPZ) it's photographed having just finished a short working of the 51

Old and new: Wave 99 MMC 15332 (YN67 YLE) is photographed infront of old Wave 99 Scania 15772 (GN61 EVV)

Former Wave 99 Scania E400 15772 (GN61 EVV) is seen covered in muck on the 51

A dying breed in service in the South East is the original style E300 one of the endangered Buses is 27517 (GX06 DYW) picking up for a 1A

Temperatures will be starting to pick up which is something. 

MMCs: First month in service

In just under a weeks time on the 15th of this month it will mark the MMCs first month in service on the Wave 99. One of the MMCs below isn't on the 99 in the photo instead it's on the 5A this is the unbranded one 15328 (YN67 YLA) the other MMC 15331 (YN67 YLD) was broken which is why it was doing nothing in the photo. I'm not really that keen on them as they have fans on which is really common for a Scania with any type of bodywork. However, apart from that there is a few good ones.

Some have had their problems however, they have continued the best they can. I've mentioned before how luxury they are in terms of comfort and they still have the new Bus smell. With some of the photos, rain was an issue but it can't be helped sadly and at this time of year it rains alot I just hope for better photos when it isn't raining. 

The Eastbourne trio 15328/9 15330 (YN67 YLA/B/C): 

The unbranded MMC does the 99 when there isn't a branded one available 15328 (YN67 YLA) picks up for the 99 it was covering for 15330 which was doing something else.

When not covering for a branded MMC on the 99 15328 (YN67 YLA) can be found on a wide range of routes which run from its home garage here it works the 5A.

I tried to get a car flashing its lights out of the photo so I photographed 15329 (YN67 YLB) from the ground.

15330 (YN67 YLC) picks up for a Wave 99 .

 The Hastings group of 9 15331/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9 (YN67 YLD/E/F/G/H/J/K/L/M):

15331 (YN67 YLD) was having an off day in this photo here it is waiting for help

This one has been a bit camera shy lately as this is the only photo I have of it at the moment and I'm hoping for some more photos of it very soon 15332 (YN67 YLE) picks up for a Wave 99 on its first day in service.

This close up shot of 15333 (YN67 YLF) is picking up for a Wave 99.

Advertising the high backed seats like some of the others is 15334 (YN67 YLG) as it loads for a Wave 99.

15335 (YN67 YLH) is seen picking up for a Wave 99.

15336 (YN67 YLJ) is seen looking all smart in its branding as it picks up for a 99.

15337 (YN67 YLK) picks up in the rain on a Wave 99. 

This angle is unique 15338 (YN67 YLL) rests before another 99.

The last in the batch 15339 (YN67 YLM) also rests before it takes up a Wave 99.

Here's to the many more photos of them to come.

Wave MMCs into service at Stagecoach South East

Monday the 15th January saw the entry into service of the brand new Scania MMCs on the Wave 99 following a series of launches which took place along the route last week. The Buses feature high back seating using the new style Stagecoach interior, free internet and charging points for mobile phones. The branding is the same version to what the fully ADL MMCs on the Wave 100/101/102 carry with the same Wave logo and style of branding. The only thing that is different is the destinations.

There were a few other people who like Buses photographing  and riding them in service as they're new Buses, they will have a few other photographers wanting some photos of the luxury Buses. Here is some photos that I managed to capture of some of the MMCs as I was there for a short time, I didn't complete the batch I will try and get photos of other batch members another time. 

MMC 15331 (YN67 YLD) was the first MMC photographed here it is picking up for a Wave 99 

Meanwhile, the MMC after 15331 which is 15332 (YN67 YLE) is photographed before taking up another Wave 99 

Moving onto the last 2 in the batch we have 15338 (YN67 YLL) waiting to take up a Wave 99. The older Scania wanted to hide behind it

The last in the batch is 15339 (YN67 YLM) here it is resting before taking up another Wave 99 

What has happened with the previous allocation of GN61s?

The previous Buses which were the GN61 Scania N230UDs have mostly found new homes. 15770/1 (GN61 EVT/U) both remain at Eastbourne for the time being and can be found mainly on the 51. 15772/3 (GN61 EVV/W) have joined 15770/1 (GN61 EVT/U) at Eastbourne whereas 15774/5/6/7/8/9 (GN61 EVX/Y EWA/B/C/D) now work from Herne Bay.