|
Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Sept 1, 2024 7:55:52 GMT
I was out and about today for one purpose : to track down DE20105 and DE20106 SN10CCJ/K These SN10 batch of vehicles have a very special place in my heart. In the early 2010’s the C1 was one of my most used routes and back then I had been on nearly every single one of that batch. DE20105 was the very first one of the batch I went on back in early 2011 (when it was less than a year old 😭😭 they’re now over FOURTEEN), and it never crossed my path again since. DE106 was my favourite of the batch and every time I went on this bus on it on was absolutely heaving, so I’ve had some memorable journeys on this vehicle. The C1 used to be an extremely busy route, much busier than it sadly is now. Now with the 419 getting MMCs soon on its tender renewal and these buses now over fourteen years old, their days are surely numbered. So I had to find these two buses as a matter of urgency, and hope they’d be out as not all are used on weekends with lower PVRs. DE20105 SN10CCJ - 419Mercifully when I got into London this morning I saw DE20105 had been pushed straight out onto the 419, so headed straight to Waterloo for a train to Barnes Station, and it turned up as soon as I left the station, couldn’t have time it any better. I went round to Roehampton on this, got off, waited at Norley Vale for it to reenter service again. I got a very strange look from the driver when I waited at the bus stop for it to go back to Richmond, but never mind 😂 it’s still a very good bus this. Very nippy and in good condition especially given its age. There were also few rattles which is amazing for an old E200, but the low speed limits along the 419 probably helped with that, where we weren’t then going over bumps so quickly. DE20103 SN10CCE - 419As I got off at Richmond, DE20103 was getting ready to leave so I took this one again a few stops back to Manor Circus. This one is very much the runt of the batch, very sluggish and very harsh and vibrate-y like a typical E200. 1707 LV73FHD - R70Next from Manor Circus I took my first Kite, 1707 on the R70. Before I went on one I really hoped I’d like it, because of how much I dislike the Electroliner DD. Because it’s a single decker, it doesn’t have the pathetic small windows which is what I hate most about the DDs, so I was optimistic. The TUK interiors on these are FANTASTIC. It makes the bus look so upmarket, with the comfy red seats, wooden floor and wooden wall panels at the front, with the very nice large new-style iBus display. Unfortunately once I’d stopped being blindsided by the interior, I realised I sadly also really didn’t like these buses. The build quality of these is frankly unforgivable, nearly every panel and pole rattled like an old E200 and the bus is barely 6 months old. So like the double decker, it languishes as my least favourite electric single decker of the 3 main ADL/Wright/MCV+Volvo manufacturers. It’s just that the glitzy TUK interior masks how poor these buses really are imo, when I see these with Metroline with their very dated interior, I’m sure I’ll probably now dislike them profusely. (Although they’re considerably better than the god awful Metrocities) It was nearly 10:30 by this point and there was no sign of DE20106 going out, so by then id resigned myself to the disappointment that I wouldn’t get on it today MCM30085 BV66GXZ - 117Next it was over to West Middlesex Hospital (via the H22) to get the 117, as until today I’d never ever been on one of the RATP MCM Citaros in their 8 years of service. I got MCM30085 and I really really liked this buses so much. It reminds me of being in Berlin and the bus was so powerful and still looks like a really modern design today. I was intending on doing an e2e on this bus to Staines, but as I got to Hounslow I saw - to my huge excitement - that DE20106 had indeed entered service on the 110 by late morning and was going heading to Hammersmith. I rapidly changed plan and bailed out at the Treaty Centre, ran to Hounslow main line station to get the train to Kew Bridge and intercept it there. Thankfully I did and got there 5 minutes before ‘106 rolled into Kew Bridge station. King’s Road was remarkably quiet so we got to Hammersmith very quickly. So then I thought of something in hindsight very silly to do, take the bus all the way back to Hounslow in the other direction, seeing it was likely going to be my last time on this vehicle. DE20106 SN10CCK - 110I mentioned this in the RATP thread but my god the 110 is an absolute monster of a route. At 12 miles it’s certainly at the long end by TfL’s standards, but I’ve done e2e’s on 12 mile routes and they didn’t necessarily feel that long. But my god the 110 did. This journey on DE106 took 95 minutes, the longest (by time length) E2E I’ve ever done in London. Even the 142 and 285 which I’ve done e2e only took just over an hour. With such indirect routing it really is a long slog, even with low traffic levels which we mercifully had. But I’m glad anyway, doing that long a journey was certainly a good send off, to what is highly likely going to be my last journey on DE20106. A piece of advice if you’re mad enough to want to do an e2e on the 110 : just don’t!! 😂 or if you really are that much of a masochist, at least make it an early Sunday morning job 🤣🤣 DXE30356 YX19OLM - H37After this it was back to Richmond, and I took the H37 as I unsurprisingly wanted a fast journey. The last time I went on this route was when it had the Optare Tempos!! I forgot how quick this route is, and it really is rapid. Just 16 stops separating Hounslow and Richmond town centre. There’s absolutely no doubt as to why it’s so popular. Nearly every H37 toward Hounslow was packed full, and I initially just missed an H37 that was already packed leaving Hounslow, but thankfully after a 7 minute wait another one came, and my bus was much quieter all the way to Richmond. I certainly see this route as West London’s 227, they both have very similar purposes in their different areas and are both extremely busy and successful routes Other journeys not worth talking about: LX61DBV 19844 - D7 SN17MVT DLE30068 - H22 LK10BXR VW1047 - 190 LTZ1000 LT1000 - 267 LB69JPO BCE47017 - 94 BU16UXL 13127 - 135 You have given thoughtful accounts of those rides, including some from distinctive batches such as the Kite and the Citaro. I would have classified LT1000 as worth talking about, being at least numerically the last one
|
|
|
Post by DE20106 on Sept 1, 2024 8:10:00 GMT
You have given thoughtful accounts of those rides, including some from distinctive batches such as the Kite and the Citaro. I would have classified LT1000 as worth talking about, being at least numerically the last one Oh no not really, it was only up the road from Stamford Brook bus garage to Hammersmith bus station for onward travel. But I did see it was LT1000 rolling in so thought it’s probably one I should get on 😂 just like any other LT though and the iBus announcements were messed up
|
|
|
Post by VMH2537 on Sept 1, 2024 12:56:43 GMT
Another chaotic day trying to travel out of West Enfield.
From attempting to reach Grange Park station, to only find out the 13:03 train has been delayed. I've decided to wait, being hopeful the delay won't be long. This was until I checked on Realtime trains the train hasn't even approached Watton & Stone. No expected arrival time was displayed either which didn't help.
Realising my train won't arrive anytime soon, reaching Wood Green was probably the only viable option where I can access the Piccadilly Line. Oh wait, the 125 wasn't coming for 30 minutes until they arrived in two bunching together. It's almost to say as, how does this happen on a Sunday with reduced frequencies.
This came on eventually, but whilst reaching Wood Green. Didn't help this T on the 329 was essentially a oven forcing me to sweat non stop all the way. Was also full at capacity taking the pax from the people who couldn't bother with the Great Northern delays. Yet alone two people screaming on the phone didn't help.
It's really a shame half of Enfield has to suffer for two whole weeks from the abysmal 30 minute Great Northern service, let alone cancelling services over the weekend due to a 'planning error', 'someone pressed the fire alarm stopping the train" etc. I wonder whose idea was it to trim the service into half. *Cough *cough. Is this the same operator who thinks it's okay to operate 6tph on the Thameslink metro services north of St Pancras towards St Albans?
For those who say, oh you can get the Overground from Enfield Town or the Rail Replacement? For starters, the Rail Replacement is a joke from bunchings in pairs, no ibus for real live arrivals let alone not enough capacity available during the peaks. Is 6bph really okey? Replacing 18tph usually provided north of Arnos Grove. The Overground from Enfield Town is also at a clown 2tph off-peak, so I don't know how that helps. There were talks of increasing the off-peak frequency to 4tph pre-covid with the new trains, but this didn't happen. Instead favouring DLR increases and soon a East London line increases. Its almost some people in TfL or the transport industry have things against Enfield. Did they also award contracts to Sullivan and RATP to the 125? Well done for grid locking the borough.
|
|
|
Post by TA1 on Sept 1, 2024 13:10:26 GMT
Another chaotic day trying to travel out of West Enfield. From attempting to reach Grange Park station, to only find out the 13:03 train has been delayed. I've decided to wait, being hopeful the delay won't be long. This was until I checked on Realtime trains the train hasn't even approached Watton & Stone. No expected arrival time was displayed either which didn't help. Realising my train won't arrive anytime soon, reaching Wood Green was probably the only viable option where I can access the Piccadilly Line. Oh wait, the 125 wasn't coming for 30 minutes until they arrived in two bunching together. It's almost to say as, how does this happen on a Sunday with reduced frequencies. This came on eventually, but whilst reaching Wood Green. Didn't help this T on the 329 was essentially a oven forcing me to sweat non stop all the way. Was also full at capacity taking the pax from the people who couldn't bother with the Great Northern delays. Yet alone two people screaming on the phone didn't help. It's really a shame half of Enfield has to suffer for two whole weeks from the abysmal 30 minute Great Northern service, let alone cancelling services over the weekend due to a 'planning error', 'someone pressed the fire alarm stopping the train" etc. I wonder whose idea was it to trim the service into half. *Cough *cough. Is this the same operator who thinks it's okay to operate 6tph on the Thameslink metro services north of St Pancras towards St Albans? For those who say, oh you can get the Overground from Enfield Town or the Rail Replacement? For starters, the Rail Replacement is a joke from bunchings in pairs, no ibus for real live arrivals let alone not enough capacity available during the peaks. Is 6bph really okey? Replacing 18tph usually provided north of Arnos Grove. The Overground from Enfield Town is also at a clown 2tph off-peak, so I don't know how that helps. There were talks of increasing the off-peak frequency to 4tph pre-covid with the new trains, but this didn't happen. Instead favouring DLR increases and soon a East London line increases. Its almost some people in TfL or the transport industry have things against Enfield. Did they also award contracts to Sullivan and RATP to the 125? Well done for grid locking the borough. I was the 12:33 from Grange Park, the delay isn’t the fault of GN, A Grand Central train 1A60 was diverted via Hertford North but came to a stand between Watton & Stevenage, the route became blocked despite being bi-directional as a down service destined for Stevenage was signalled all the way to Langley South, there’s two junctions in the area. So until the GC train moved no services can move. The GN inner service will revert back to pre-covid frequency in May 25, remember service frequencies are being controlled by the DFT.
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Sept 1, 2024 13:49:13 GMT
Another chaotic day trying to travel out of West Enfield. From attempting to reach Grange Park station, to only find out the 13:03 train has been delayed. I've decided to wait, being hopeful the delay won't be long. This was until I checked on Realtime trains the train hasn't even approached Watton & Stone. No expected arrival time was displayed either which didn't help. Realising my train won't arrive anytime soon, reaching Wood Green was probably the only viable option where I can access the Piccadilly Line. Oh wait, the 125 wasn't coming for 30 minutes until they arrived in two bunching together. It's almost to say as, how does this happen on a Sunday with reduced frequencies. This came on eventually, but whilst reaching Wood Green. Didn't help this T on the 329 was essentially a oven forcing me to sweat non stop all the way. Was also full at capacity taking the pax from the people who couldn't bother with the Great Northern delays. Yet alone two people screaming on the phone didn't help. It's really a shame half of Enfield has to suffer for two whole weeks from the abysmal 30 minute Great Northern service, let alone cancelling services over the weekend due to a 'planning error', 'someone pressed the fire alarm stopping the train" etc. I wonder whose idea was it to trim the service into half. *Cough *cough. Is this the same operator who thinks it's okay to operate 6tph on the Thameslink metro services north of St Pancras towards St Albans? For those who say, oh you can get the Overground from Enfield Town or the Rail Replacement? For starters, the Rail Replacement is a joke from bunchings in pairs, no ibus for real live arrivals let alone not enough capacity available during the peaks. Is 6bph really okey? Replacing 18tph usually provided north of Arnos Grove. The Overground from Enfield Town is also at a clown 2tph off-peak, so I don't know how that helps. There were talks of increasing the off-peak frequency to 4tph pre-covid with the new trains, but this didn't happen. Instead favouring DLR increases and soon a East London line increases. Its almost some people in TfL or the transport industry have things against Enfield. Did they also award contracts to Sullivan and RATP to the 125? Well done for grid locking the borough. There’s temporary lights at Arnos Grove and congestion in Southgate on Tuesday which was presumably contributing to bunching on that day from what I saw regarding the Piccadilly Line replacement service. Not sure how much bph your expecting for the replacement service but they generally don’t match anywhere near the frequency of the Underground replacement services. When a Brixton to Victoria replacement service used to exist, it was never 2-3 minutes and was roughly 6bph from memory
|
|
|
Post by busoccultation on Sept 1, 2024 14:11:02 GMT
I was the 12:33 from Grange Park, the delay isn’t the fault of GN, A Grand Central train 1A60 was diverted via Hertford North but came to a stand between Watton & Stevenage, the route became blocked despite being bi-directional as a down service destined for Stevenage was signalled all the way to Langley South, there’s two junctions in the area. So until the GC train moved no services can move. Of course a Class 180 broke down and that means you'll be going nowhere
|
|
|
Post by borneobus on Sept 1, 2024 20:06:32 GMT
In a quest to travel end2end on every London bus routes there are many ways one could prioritise rides: 1) By location (I’ve cleared routes in Uxbridge, Hayes, Southall, Heathrow but still 14 left in Harrow – ouch!) 2) By London Borough ( ronnie has mentioned ‘by borough’ and it’s a great metric – one left in Hillingdon [395] but 59 remain in Lambeth which articulates the scale of the e2e challenge) 3) By Bus Type e.g. NRM (although I mostly avoid ‘em) …and many other variations. I mention this as I’m targeting diesel and hybrid routes that are converting to EV, and this provides context for my most recent day out. Incidentally, I’ve nothing against riding on EVs but I’m trying to make the most of and enjoy ‘legacy’ fuel buses before they disappear from London streets. Badly jet-lagged I woke up at ‘Stupid O’clock’ and left home at ‘Silly O’clock’ arriving at Woolwich via the Elizabeth Line just after 0630 where first target of the day was a 54 that conveniently commences its southbound route at Woolwich Station. 54 / 11305 / Woolwich Station – Elmers End Interchange / 0643-0747 / end2endMost days TL allocate a couple of diesel Enviro 400s to the route and today was no different. I would have much preferred a diesel ride but both buses were headed towards Elmers End and whilst I would have probably waited for 20-30 minutes, it was going to be 70-80 minutes and waiting would negate the benefit of arriving at WWC so early. Overall, a very pleasant end2end on a MMC SO68 plated bus and good ride quality in a well-maintained bus. As for the route best to split it into three: a) through mostly lovely locales from Woolwich, past Charlton Park, Vanbrugh Park, across Blackheath (thankfully avoiding the shocking queue on the A2) b) the run from Lewisham Centre south to TL (no driver change) and c) roads uniquely served by the route along Beckenham Hill Road (past the station of the same name), Beckenham Place Park and down into Beckenham itself and finally on to Elmers End. Fairly lightly loaded, interesting to note that many of the pax boarded Woolwich / Blackheath and stayed on all the way ‘til Beckenham where the bus emptied. 289 / T297 / Elmers End Interchange - Purley Station / 0755-0913 / end2endOne of the key aspects of end2ends is to make best use of shared termini and linking routes with the opportunity at Elmers End 54 -> 289. Not nearly enjoyable as the 54, a dozen hard years of London service were plainly visible and audible on T297 and the run into West Croydon via Addiscombe really isn’t the best. Once past West Croydon Bus Station we were regulated for six minutes at Montague Road. I was going to take another picture to add to the one at Elmers End, but it was horrible into sun but still an opportunity to talk to the driver who’s been supporting the TH EV project delivering new ES from EC & N…he mentioned that the 255 should transfer ‘soon’ and one significant job outstanding at TH is to decommission and remove the massive diesel tank that takes up more space than one bus. At Thornton Heath pond we were regulated for a further four minutes, the weekday roads eerily quiet in late August but that would change. Then south on Purley Way past the site of London’s first airport that closed as long ago as 1959 and the Chinese Supermarket ‘Wing Yip’ founded by Woon Wing Yip who travelled to the UK in a boat from Hong Kong, also coincidentally in 1959 with £10 in his pocket and who is now on the Sunday Times Rich List. At Waddon, the traffic was positively vile as huge arctics battled to make lights that changed back to red seemingly instantaneously: a piece of horrendous traffic light sequencing; it took the best part of 20 minutes to get thru those lights and then I’d forgot that ‘Fiveways’ awaited (also grim). Finally, Purley after 78 minutes. 312 / ENL65 / Purley High Street - St. George's Walk 0958/1014Two novelties in Purley: the first seeing ‘new’ route 439 for the first time, the second seeing a 312 in Purley for the first time. Onwards to Croydon on ENL65 that possesses a deafening rattle when idling and I was dreading an extended driver change at TC, but it was swift and efficient: almost as good as the Jamaican Relay team…when they don’t drop the baton…but overall I was glad to disembark this bus still stencilled as ‘DX’. 50 / HV12 / Park Lane / Fairfield Halls - Clapham Road / Stockwell Station 1018/1124 end2endI knew this would happen. I could see a trio of 75s and a pair of 50s parked-up facing south on Park Lane with the lead 50 being a HV with an ES immediately behind. I hurried across the road in the hope of making the HV and with a minute to spare did and very pleased it was acceptably ‘old’. The route was quiet and the driver ‘self-regulated’ on the uniquely served, long and straight Melfort Road that becomes Norbury Crescent that was a sustained 12mph crawl. Streatham was quiet and well-behaved, at least traffic-wise and west of Streatham Hill parked-up 57 EVs were noted at Clapham Park, and I noticed a very significant development being built comprising many new apartments; as it’s a little bit of a trek to Clapham South, Balham and Streatham Hill stations TfL should enjoy some increased bus numbers from/to Clapham Park. The run-in to Stockwell Station was all fine and I just had to wait a couple of minutes for a 155, operated by MHV92 and the trip to Elephant & Castle was uneventful. The plan at E&C was simple; wait for a hybrid to operate the 363 and then from Crystal Palace take a 3 to Victoria where I had some non-bus related chores to attend to. That plan was nearly scuppered by the sight of Enviro 400 9524 operating on the 196. I weakened to the point of boarding 9524 for a couple of stops but I wondered if the old girl would make Norwood Junction and walked back to E&C. That diversion cost me a hybrid MMC on the 363, back at E&C I ‘burnt’ a second hybrid MMC on the 363 due to a schoolboy error: “Inability to locate the first stop”. Finally, after a number of Electroliners, MMC 2596 appeared and I was located at the ’correct’ stop. 363 / 2596 / Elephant & Castle / London Road - Crystal Palace Parade / 1225-1313 end2endPleasant route, well it is south of Peckham particularly the uniquely served roads (Wood Vale north of the South Circular and Sydenham Hill south of the South Circular). Always a pleasure to visit Crystal Palace and the Bus Station was fairly busy with punters waiting for 3/157/322 etc. 3 / LT714 / Crystal Palace Bus Station - Victoria Bus Station / 1325-1435 end2endIMHO New Routemasters don’t look ‘right’ on 215/313/H91 etc. but in fairness they do look ‘right’ on the ‘three’. Busy throughout, with many tourists who appeared to be ‘enjoying’ travelling on the upper deck of a red London bus: the first batch alighting for LU at Brixton, the second boarding at Imperial War Museum. Victoria wasn’t having the best of days with roads closed but we’ll forgive Victoria this time… Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Busboy105 on Sept 1, 2024 22:00:55 GMT
Did the new 310 today.
HV174 (102)- Albert Road to Muswell Hill Stopped at the Post office before continuing HV163 (102)- Muswell Hill to Golders Green Station (overtake 174 which are a bit weird) 37535 (310)- Golders Green Station to Stamford Hill (was actually pretty busy and it wasn't even just enthusiasts who was out; there were punters on the route. Interesting to see how it does in peaks if the 210 does burst and the 310 is there to pick up scraps. However I do think that it parallels the 210 and the 253 too much, it could be rerouted to add unique links. At least there's a consultation which is live which I advise people with a good opinion to contribute) LT237 (254)- Stamford Hill Broadway to Lea Bridge Roundabout (had to run as the 253 just left the Stamford Hill stop, I did miss but luckily a 254 was there undergoing a driver change) 13152 (308)- Lea Bridge Road/Wattfield Road to Woodbine Place E280 (101)- Woodbine Place to Beckton Bus Station Walked to Beckton station DLR- Beckton to Bank changing at Canning Town Northern line- Bank to King's Cross St Pancras Victoria line- King's Cross St Pancras to Finsbury Park Piccadilly line- Finsbury Park to Wood Green HV223 (221)- Wood Green bus garage to Cline Road Walked home
|
|
|
Post by Busboy105 on Sept 6, 2024 23:04:47 GMT
Last day of the 549 today (or yesterday. I didnt get time to do it on Friday) .Thinking I might do the rest of the Mon- Saturday services after I do this.
Walked to Bounds Green Station Piccadilly line- Bounds Green to Finsbury Park Victoria line- Finsbury Park to Walthamstow Central HA47 (SL2)- Walthamstow Bus station to High Road South Woodford Walked into South Woodford station 36261 (549)- South Woodford Station to Loughton Station (filled with enthusiasts. Wasn't as crazy as the videos I've been seeing. Probably because the gremlins haven't gone home from school yet) 36666 (167)- Loughton Station to Hainault Street 10308 (169)- Hainault Street to Barking station Walked to Barking station Overground- Barking to Blackhorse Road Victoria line- Blackhorse Road to Bounds Green HV218 (221)- bounds green station to Cline Road Walked home
|
|
|
Post by Busboy105 on Sept 14, 2024 21:55:15 GMT
First week of the W12/W13/W14 changes and I thought I'd head over to see how it's gone so far. Personally, I think these changes are a whole lot of codswallop that didn't need to happen but hey here we are.
Walked to Bounds Green station
Piccadilly line- Bounds Green to Finsbury Park Victoria line- Finsbury Park to Walthamstow Central 12151 (20)- Walthamstow Bus Station to Whipps Cross/ Wood Street Walked to the bus stand for the W14 and turns out it doesn't actually stop at the bus stand but at Hainault Court further up the road 37551 (W14)- Hainault Street to Loughton Station (only 4 passengers got on the route. I can see this being binned soon) Walked to Loughton station Central line- Loughton to Woodford 19849 (275)- Woodford Station to Cross Road 37723 (W12)- Cross Road to Walthamstow Bus Station (got a bit packed around South Woodford. Can only imagine what it's like in the peaks especially with the W14 being nerfed. Also very long and very tedious. Definitely top 3 worst bus journeys for me) SEe161 (W15)- Walthamstow Bus Station to Oliver Road Walked to Leyton Asda 86124 (W13)- Leyton Mills to Kirkdale Road (nice to ride a MCV. Didn't think it'd fit around Grove Green road)
After this I decided to head over to Canning Town to do the 309 rerouting as I wasn't going to do it on its own. Central line- Leytonstone to Stratford Jubilee line- Stratford to Canning Town 37757 (309)- Canning Town Bus Station to Treviot Estate (was supposed to get off at Leven Road but forgot to get off and the idiot driver didn't hear me spam the stop button so had to walk back to the main road 16994 (D8)- St Leonards Wharf to Stratford Bus Station Walked to Stratford station Overground- Stratford to Highbury & Islington Victoria line- Highbury & Islington to Finsbury Park Piccadilly line- Finsbury Park to Bounds Green Walked home
Just noticed I went on a lot of Stagecoach buses today barring the one GAL electric.
|
|