Uploads from BranksomeChine, tagged stagecoach, with geodata

Ride on a "North Devon" Wave

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:31:46 -0700

There is something about this livery which i really like, admittedly itc ould do with some more colour, but Hey Ho!

Whilst Elli, Myself, Sarah & Rich were in North Devon I was fairly limited in my phootgraphy time for railways and buses. Not just because it was the bank holiday weekend, but because one doesnt like to be rude whilst away with friends (And we spent far toooooo much time enjoying the local North Devon and North Cornwall Hostileries - Rude not too!).

Anyway this was a snatched shot, whilst walking back to the car, after having a wander around the farly dilapidated town of Ilfracombe and having an "OK" Cream tea (5 out of 10).

Stagecoach Devon Alexander ALX bodied trident is seen here making its way through the quiet streets of Ilfracombe on a serene Sunday afternoon. One thing that did get my goat was the complete lack of bus facilities in a town of this size. ONE bus stop by the harbour, very poor show!

Lympalong in Ledbury

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 12:55:20 -0800

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

I took this shot in the middle of September 2012, whilst visiting the historic and rather beautiful town of Ledbury in North West Gloucestershire (Herefordshire Borders).

It was pure luck that this older Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian was on the hourly 132 service to Gloucester. This vehicle is still part of the main stream fleet and is one of 5 I believe that still operate from Gloucester (Inc Ross outstation) and Stroud depots.

This wonderful and historic market town in well worth a visit, not just for the variety of buses that serve the local villages from this location, but for the wonderful and very olde worlde buildings, churches and market buildings.

apologies for the ofer exposure, but this was taken from Elli's point and press Fuji camera.

New (Old) Camera Trial Shot

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 10:33:23 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

Hello to all my fellow flickrites, I think it has been the best part of a year since I last posted a bus photo on here?!

However, one is now well and truly back in the saddle when it comes to photographing buses.

A turbulent 12 months are over, now settled in Gloucester and with a NEW job in Cheltenham, life "Finally" seems to be heading for a little bit of a settled period (Hopefully).

Anyway back to the matter in hand!

Last weekend i was offered a swap for my Nikon D40x, for an older but for me more impressive Nikon D2H, which is a professional camera and cost £3,800 brand new.

My trial shot may not look exciting, but it is taken on the way to my new job in Gotherington (North East of Cheltenham), and shows that my decision in changing cameras was the right one.

Stagecoach Cheltenham & Gloucester (Cheltenham Depot),Transbus (Plaxton) bodied Dennis Dart is seen passing the Northway Trading Estate nr Tewkesbury on its way back to Cheltenham, on the service 41 with an impressive 15 min frequency.

Hope to see all my fellow photographers soon. Next stop for me will be Brislington on the 12th, hope to see some of you there!

3 of 12, and what a fantastic looking bus!

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:50:17 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

Saturday 12th September 2009, will remain in my memory for a very long time, and when ever I think of this day, it will bring a lump to my throat and fond memories.

This day saw the launch of “Stagecoach Gold”, which is the newly revised service 94, linking the beautiful cities of Gloucester and Cheltenham. Stagecoach in the South West has always arranged great running days, and today was no exception. There were RE’s, VR’s and FLF’s linking Gloucester and Cheltenham, and we had 25 degree sunshine!

I was fortunate enough to be able to lend my driving prowess to a few very good friends, and I give thanks to Rob Sly for allowing me a circuit with 5031 (Cheltenham NBC Leaf Green Dual Door VR) on the 80, and thanks to Jason for allowing me a short play with his National 2 B.

I must mention and give special thanks to Mike Ede and the Stroud RE group, for asking me to collect one of their beloved RE’s from Gloucester Bus Station at the end of its Duties, take it to the depot in Gloucester, get her fuelled and then have the “Honour and Pleasure” of driving her out of Gloucester Depot, back to Stroud Depot to drop off another driver and then take her back to the yard. Another fantastic day and one to savour and remember forever!

I am writing this and listening to “Land of Hope and Glory” on the TV, whilst watching the “last night of the Proms”, and I can feel myself getting emotional. Here’s to lots more fantastic days like this with my best mate Mark, and with lots of very good friends making a good day into an unforgettable one!

A real Bonus shot!

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:50:10 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

A running day would not be the same without 5030 (LOL!)

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:50:25 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

An "Honour and a Privilege"

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:50:33 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

Saturday 12th September 2009, will remain in my memory for a very long time, and when ever I think of this day, it will bring back very fond memories.

This day saw the launch of “Stagecoach Gold”, which is the newly revised service 94, linking the beautiful cities of Gloucester and Cheltenham. Stagecoach in the South West has always arranged great running days, and today was no exception. There were RE’s, VR’s and FLF’s linking Gloucester and Cheltenham, and we had 25 degree sunshine!

I was fortunate enough to be able to lend my driving prowess to a few very good friends, and I give thanks to Rob Sly for allowing me a circuit with 5031 (Cheltenham NBC Leaf Green Dual Door VR) on the 80, and thanks to Jason for allowing me a short play with his National 2 B.

I must mention and give special thanks to Mike Ede and the Stroud RE group, for asking me to collect one of their beloved RE’s from Gloucester Bus Station at the end of its Duties, take it to the depot in Gloucester, get her fuelled and then have the “Honour and Pleasure” of driving her out of Gloucester Depot, back to Stroud Depot to drop off another driver and then take her back to the yard. Another fantastic day and one to savour and remember forever!

I am writing this and listening to “Land of Hope and Glory” on the TV, whilst watching the “last night of the Proms”, and I can feel myself getting emotional. Here’s to lots more fantastic days like this with my best mate Mark, and with lots of very good friends making a good day into an unforgettable one!

My Steed for my Second Turn on the 80!

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:47:49 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

The 2nd Scania Enviro leaves the Racecourse.

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:45:50 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

My Steed for my First Turn on the 80!

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:46:04 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

First RE off Gloucester, on the 97 to Cheltenham,

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:48:06 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

Bristol Boys out in force Again!

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:48:14 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

It could be 1983 all over again!

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:47:58 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

Stroud RE Group's 1003, about to take up its duties on the 97/98.

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:45:58 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

The Modern Face of Stagecoach.

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:45:43 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

The "New" face of Stagecoach

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:07:31 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

Working in London most of the week does has its advantages, like when I was asked to travel to Canterbury to deliver some important documents, what a chore having to stop and get photos for an hour (LOL) ;-).

These lovely Alexander Enviro bodied MAN's, are seen working the "On a Breeze!" service which links Broadstairs and Canterbury, the old stomping ground of what used to be East Kent, and what has now been relabelled as Stagecoach East Kent. I remember going to Canterbury, Margate, Dover etc when I was a child and seeing the wonderful red and cream liveried buses. I think Canterbury is the "Hub" of East Kent, and there were certainly a lot of buses coming in and out of the rather nice bus station.

Pictured here is brand new 15492, and is just seen approaching the entrance to Canterbury Bus Station.

What a line up ;-)

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Sun, 17 May 2009 12:49:34 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

Well what a wet day!

But no matter how much rain him above throws at us, the boys and lasses from Bristol still know how to have a great day out. The Bristol Harbourside Rally & Running Day 2009 was what one would deem as a “Wash Out”, with high winds and torrential heavy showers for much of the day, some vehicle owners, stall holders and the general public decided to stay at home (Unfortunately), which was a bit disappointing, but the SWPG was still there in force (4 Vehicles), and still managed to operate in service all day.

Well done to the lads at the BVOC (John Hitchings & his crew), who despite the torrid conditions still managed to put on a great day, and us Bristolians can be proud off!

There were only about 60 or so vehicles which turned up, even though they were turning away entries last week when numbers reached the 100 mark. What amazed me is the amount of vehicle owners, who decided to disappeared halfway through the day and go home??

Anyway I did manage to get some half decent pictures (and not one of my Tiger ;-), in between all the rain. Let’s just hope we get better weather for Cheltenham next week ;-), and it would be nice to see some of the “Lads” (You know who you are ;-) from the Potteries down for what should be a belting one off occasion.

James VR EWS539W, is seen along side a Westward Travel Lymp, a ex-Stagecoach VR EWS751W, and the Stagecoach owned Bristol FLF (Northampton Depot)

Two of a kind in Kent

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:48:05 -0800

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

Although both of these Alexander bodied Volvo Lymps were new to East Kent, and is still technically with its original owner (Rarity these days!), there is a subtle difference, even though there was only 12 months in between build dates, and that is the step arrangement, WHY???????

This shot was taken in Canterbury during the summer of 2009, after being assigned to take the company Merc to Kent from London to deliver some docs. Both of these Lymps are seen parked at the rear of Canterbury Bus Station and this shot was taken more for posterity then anything else.

The all "NEW" Tube's from Oxfordshire to London!

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:56:58 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

This wonderful Vanhool Astromega T915 bodied Mercedes (V12), is seen awaiting its passengers, at the departure point for the Oxford Tube, which is located on Buckingham Palace Road, sanwiched between Greenline Victoria, VCS and Sammy's.

I dont know how many of these wonderful coaches Stagecoach in Oxford will eventually have, but I should imagine it wont be short of 25. They carry healthy loads all day, and operate on a 12 minute frequency during the day and hourly all throughout the night (24/7). The colour scheme is very eye catching and they sound very sexy!

Duplication in Manchester

nobody@flickr.com (BranksomeChine) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:01:34 -0700

BranksomeChine posted a photo:

A boring shot I know, but we have to record these modern vehicles dont we. Before myself and Mr Amis got into this vehicle preservation malarky, we used spend most weekends travelling the length and breadth of the country chasing modern vehicles.

las I have seen the light, and am much more at home now being skint, penniless but the owners of vehicles, and I shall leave the modern vehicles to the enthusiasts who turn upo at rallies and ride on our vehicles without giving them so much as a scond thought. But like the Murphys, im not "Bitter" ;-).

All joking aside, I do try and avoid days out taking photos unless it involves a rip down memory lane and a little nostalgia.

These Plaxton bodied Dennis Tridents are seen in Central Manchester, I think working from Stockport depot, but I am sure Mr Amis will be able to complete the rest of the blanks ;-).