Sheffield Omnibus Enthusiasts Society (SOES)
News Archive 2011
A selection of the top news stories reported on this website and in M&T News during 2011 are shown below.
Please note that photographs are not archived, and therefore are not included in the reports below.
20th December - New for RedLine
RedLineBuses (RLB) of Carlton have acquired Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II KU52 RXV from Dawson Rentals. This is to meet an increased PVR from January.
9th December - Tate's Travel Additions
Two further Dennis Darts have been added to the ever-expanding Tate's Travel fleet. These are ALX200 bodied 1376 (Y376 FJN) ex Stagecoach London, and Transbus MPD 1044 (CN04 NLM) ex Veolia Wales
4th December - East Midland returns
To mark what would have been the 85th anniversary of East Midland Motor Services, Stagecoach in Chesterfield have painted Dennis Dart SLF 34720 (YN05 XNZ) in to a version of East Midland livery (as used between 1956 and 1972) as shown below.
29th November - Tate's Travel Fleetnumbers
Tate's Travel have introduced fleetnumbers to their vehicles. We have updated our Tate's Fleetlist to show these.
23rd November - Demonstrator at Holbrook
Stagecoach Yorkshire's Holbrook depot will be using Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 demonstrator SN61 DFK for the next 4 weeks or so whilst modifications are undertaken on the native Hybrids.
Allocated fleet number 80016 for the duration of it's loan, the vehicle - which features leather seats, tinted windows, multi-coloured destination displays and a CD player in the drivers cab! - should only see use on service 120 (Halfway - City - Hallamshire Hospital - Fulwood). As depicted in the photograph below, it certainly stands out!
12th November - Marshall Darts for First SY
First South Yorkshire are currently taking delivery of a small batch of Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital vehicles to B27F layout new to First London. All have been refurbished and repainted by the Rotherham works prior to use, and are intended for service on routes 4/6 (Littledale - City - Millhouses/Fulwood), 56 (City - Wybourn) and 72 (City - Parson Cross). Delivered to Olive Grove to date are 41781/3/4/8 (X781/3/4/8 HLR).
5th November - First SY Fire
Volvo B10BLE 60652 (T834 MAK) suffered a fire whilst at the Lodge Moor terminus of service 51 earlier today. As seen in the image below, the majority of the damage was to the rear of the vehicle.
3rd November - further additions for Tate's
Acquired via dealer Ensign, Purfleet recently have been V674 FPO (Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbus), and YX09 HZH and YX09 HZJ (Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s). The latter pair are no strangers to South Yorkshire, having previously served with the now defunct Veolia operation in Rotherham.
1st November - New for Wilfreda Beehive
Wilfreda Beehive have acquired Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 MX61 BCV. Since this photo was taken, the vehicle has gained route branding for the Doncaster Royal Infirmary to Mexborough Montague Hospital Shuttle Service, which Wilfreda Beehive have now gained the contract for.
22nd October - Scania for G&R Travel
Sheffield based G&R Travel have recently acquired ex Arriva Northumbria Scania/East Lancs N392 OTY.
17th October - Enviro 200 Demonstrator for Tate's Travel
Tate's Travel are currently operating Alexander Dennis E200 demonstrator YX61 DOU. This vehicle has recently also seen use with Featherstone based Ross Travel.
10th October - Routemaster operation in Chesterfield and Sheffield
As part of their 'Farewell to the Track' day, Stagecoach Chesterfield will be deploying AEC Routemaster NML 657E of Stagecoach Gloucester on certain diagrams on routes 50/50A and 293 on Saturday 29th October. For full details, see our Events page.
6th October - 'decker for Hulleys
Hulleys of Baslow have added former London Central V140 LGC, a Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 to H47/25F layout to their fleet. This vehicle has been purchased specifically to operate set duties on Derbyshire County Council contracted services 273/274/275 (Bakewell/Castleton to Sheffield via Ladybower) which commence on 30th October.
18th September - Hybrids enter Service
Today, Sunday 18th September, marked the entry to service of the batch of 21 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrids at the Holbrook depot of Stagecoach Yorkshire. 8 vehicles were used on the Sunday diagrams on service 120 (Halfway - City - Fulwood), and one of the batch attended the South Yorkshire Transport Rally at Meadowhall.
The Hybrids are for use on service 120, and all should be on the road by the end of the week.
3rd September - Stagecoach Yorkshire Allocation Changes
A swap of vehicles between Ecclesfield and Rawmarsh depots is due to take place this weekend, which will see:
1st September - First South Yorkshire & The UK School Games
The UK School Games are being held in Sheffield betweenn 1st-4th September at various venues around the City. First South Yorkshire's Olive Grove depot are providing up to 32 vehicles at any one time to transport competitors and officials between the venues.
In connection with this, a number of vehicles have been added to the Olive Grove fleet, which are known to include 'dealer white' Volvo B7TL/ALX400 32000 (V143 LGC) - on loan to First from Volvo Bus, and ex London Dennis Trident/Plaxton Presidents 32957 (X957 HLT), 33029/30 (LK51 UYL/M), 33079/82 (LN51 GNK/V), 33099 (LN51 GLZ) and 33230 (LT52 WXH). The Tridents have all been converted to single door layout, refurbished and repainted, and are believed to be staying with First South Yorkshire after the UK School Games finish to replace Volvo Olympians.
30th August - First South Yorkshire Allocation Changes
A number of allocation changes have taken place during the last few weeks:
16th August - Additional Enviro 200 for Tate's Travel
Tate's Travel have announced an order for an additional Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 vehicle, which will join the three recently delivered E200s in their fleet. This latest example is due for delivery in mid-September.
9th August - Hybrids arrive for Stagecoach Sheffield
Delivery commenced today of the 21 Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrid's for Holbrook depot, with the first two vehicles arriving at Holbrook early morning. The vehicles, allocated fleetnumbers 12087-12107, will be registered with '61' plates as follows, so will not enter service until September:
YN61 BFJ/K/L/M/O/P/U/V/X/Y/Z, YN61 BGE/F/K/O/U/V/X/Y/Z, YN61 BHA.
24th July - Stagecoach Allocation Changes
The following allocation changes are to nominally occur from today:
16th July - More New Arrivals for Tate's Travel
Following delivery of their first 2 new Enviro 200s, the third and final Enviro 200 ordered by Tate's Travel has been delivered in the shape of UX11 HNV, which is a shorter model than the other two to B29F layout (the two longer ones being B39F).
A used arrival at Tate's is CN04 NLR, a Transbus Dart MPD latterly with Veolia in Wales.
14th July - End of the Road for Veolia in South Yorkshire
With effect of 24th July, Veolia are to wind down their South Yorkshire operation at Parkgate, Rotherham. All work and some staff - though no vehicles or premises - will pass to TM Travel's Halfway depot.
2nd July - New for Tates
Tate's Travel have taken delivery of two of their 3 expected Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s. Registered YX11 HNT and YX11 HNU the vehicles were delivered in 'stock white' but are to be repainted prior to entering service on new SYPTE tendered services from 24th July.
29th June - Streetlite in Sheffield
Sheffield Community Transport currently have Wright 'Streetlite' demonstrator MX60 GXE on loan.
27th June - Stagecoach arrivals and other changes
A number of Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 midibuses have recently arrived at Stagecoach Yorkshire from Stagecoach East, these being: 33297 (N199 PYJ), 33393/4/5/6 (R353/4/5/6 LER), 33398 (R365 JVA) and 33604 (R604 SWO).
Other recent allocation changes have seen:
19th June - New for Ladyline
Ladyline Coaches of Rawmarsh have acquired former Stagecoach North West Volvo B10M/Alexander PS P132 XCN via dealer Wigley, Carlton. This is to replace former RoadCar Scania/Plaxton Verde J272 UWO which has gone in the opposite direction for scrapping.
11th June - New for RedLine
RedLine Buses, based at Carlton, Barnsley, have acquired Optare Excel P273 NRH from M Travel of Castleford. This vehicle was new to East Yorkshire Motor Services and has also seen use with the Hulleys of Baslow fleet.
9th June - New at Powells
Powells of Hellaby have acquired 4 former Stagecoach group vehicles via the Carlton dealers. These are: H802 BKK - a Leyland Olympian with Northern Counties bodywork new to East Kent; L246 SDY- a Volvo Olympian with Northern Counties bodywork new to Stagecoach South; N137 AET - a Volvo Olympian with Alexander RL bodywork new to Grimsby-Cleethorpes; and a further Volvo B10M/Alexander 'PS'.
3rd June - New for Stagecoach Yorkshire
Delivery has commenced to Rawmarsh depot of a batch of 8 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 vehicles to work service 218 (Rotherham - Wath - Barnsley). The vehicles are allocated fleetnumbers 36408-15 and registered YN11 FEV/X/FFA/B/C/D/E/G. Their arrival will allow MAN/MCVs 39610-17 to transfer from Rawmarsh to Barnsley, thus allowing the removal of further Volvo B6(B)LEs from the fleet.
21st May - New for Tates
Tate's Travel have acquired 3 Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer Darts from dealer Ensign, Purfleet - Y856 TGH and Y861 TGH were new to London Central, and MP04 BLU is fron the Bluebird of Middleton (Greater Manchester) fleet.
17th May - Yorkshire Line Cease Trading
Normanton based Yorkshire Line have ceased trading, having informed their staff of this at the end of service on Monday 16th May.
11th May - Stagecoach Vehicle Fire
Volvo B6BLE/East Lancashire 'Spryte' 31933 (V133 MAK) of Stagecoach's Holbrook depot caught fire this evening whilst operating service 52 through Crookes, Sheffield. Aside from the vehicle, there are no reports of any casualties. A photograph of the incident can be found here.
6th May - Farewell Shafton Depot
The Shafton depot of Stagecoach Yorkshire closes after operation today, Friday 6th May 2011. Vehicles which 'ran out' of Shafton this morning will 'run in' to their new base at Barnsley depot at the end of their duties today. Other vehicles from Shafton depot will move over to Barnsley during the course of the day. All work currently operated from Shafton depot will be operated from Barnsley from Saturday 7th May. As a result of this extra work and extra vehicles moving to Barnsley, some services and vehicles are being located to other depots. There are also other fleet allocation changes occurring at the same time, a summary of which is presented below:
23rd April - Another Tate's Travel Acquisition
Tate's Travel have acquired Volvo B6LE/Alexander ALX200 P712 BTA from Stagecoach South West via Hardwick, Carlton (dealer).
19th April - Yorkshire Line Changes
Recent changes at Normanton-based Yorkshire Line have seen:
11th April - Tridents for First South Yorkshire
The first of an assortment of Dennis Trident with Plaxton President bodywork have started to arrive with First South Yorkshire. We are advised that the following vehicles are due: 32995/7 (Y995/7 NLP); 33029/30/31/32 (LK51 UYL/M/N/O); 33041 (LN51 DWF), 33082/3 (LN51 GNV/X); and 33084/99 (LN51 GME/GLZ). Other similar vehicles - namely 32955/7 (X611/957 HLT) and 33079 (LN51 GNK) - have also arrived at First's Rotherham depot/works, though it is unclear at present whether these are for use in South Yorkshire or merely 'passing through'.
8th April - New for Hulleys
A new addition to the fleet is a further Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolution AE56 MDN, numbered 14 in the Hulley's fleet. New to Whitelaw of Stonehouse (Scotland), this vehicle latterly served with Cavilier of Long Sutton, who were later taken over by Stagecoach in the Fens. It has replaced the previous No. 14 in the Hulley's fleet - MAN/Optare M803 PRA which has now been stood down.
2nd April - More Enviro 200s for Stagecoach Yorkshire
Stagecoach Yorkshire's Rawmarsh depot are expecting 8 further Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s for use on service 218 (Rotherham - Mexbrough - Barnsley). Allocated fleet numbers 36448-55, the vehicles are due for delivery in early May. These will be followed by 5 similar vehicles (36456-60) for Ecclesfield depot.
30th March - New for Tate's Travel
Tate's have recently added Volvo B6BLE/Wright X964 CNO (new to Dublin Bus as 00-D-70026) and Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano Compass V675 FPO to their fleet.
24th March - Stagecoach Yorkshire - Shafton Depot to Close
Stagecoach are to close their Shafton depot over the weekend of 7/8th May. All current Shafton work will transfer to the nearby Barnsley depot, with the movement of some existing Barnsley work to Ecclesfield (service 265) and Rawmarsh (services 222, 226 and 229) depots to make way for the ex-Shafton work.
18th March - Tridents for First South Yorkshire
A number of Dennis Trident with Plaxton 'President' bodywork are due to transfer from First London to First South Yorkshire (Olive Grove depot) in the coming months. Further details to follow when available.
5th March - New for Hulley's of Baslow
Hulley's of Baslow have taken delivery of a new Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 registered MX11 CZM. For further details of this new arrival, including photographs, please visit our good friends Focus Transport website.
4th March - Stagecoach Yorkshire allocation changes
The latest allocation changes reported by Stagecoach Yorkshire are as follows:
2nd March- new for Sheffield Community Transport
A recent addition to the SCT fleet is Optare Solo M950 YJ06 YSF, ex Hendersons of Hamilton. Repainted in to Travel South Yorkshire livery this vehicle is now in service with SCT.
1st March - First South Yorkshire Fleet Movements
Recent Fleet Movements are:
22nd February - Tridents from Nottingham
Two of our local operators have recently taken delivery of second hand Dennis Trident/East Lancashire 'Lolyne' from Nottingham City Transport:
18th February - new for Powells
Powells have added an additional ex Stagecoach Volvo B10M/Alexander PS to their fleet in the shape of N319 VMS, supplied by dealer Wigley, Carlton. New to Stagecoach Fife in 1995 this vehicle has also served with Stagecoach North West and Stagecoach Merseyside.
15th February - Stagecoach Yorkshire Shafton Depot
Announced today is the closure of the former Yorkshire Traction depot at Shafton by the end of May 2011. Current work will be relocated to Barnsley depot, with some existing Barnsley workings on services 222, 226 and 229 transferring to Rawmarsh depot, and service 265 running moving to Ecclesfield depot to accommodate. Shafton drivers are being offered the choice of relocating to either Ecclesfield or Rawmarsh depots.
13th February - Darts for Stagecoach Yorkshire
We understand 9 Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 are due to transfer from Stagecoach Fife to Stagecoach Yorkshire in the next few weeks. Whilst their eventual use within Stagecoach Yorkshire is unconfirmed, the identities of the 9 vehicles are:
7th February - More tri-axles in Sheffield
Another former Hong Kong tri-axle vehicle is to take to the roads of Sheffield - an area that has one of the largest (if not the largest?) concentration of such vehicles in the country? Linburg Touring of Darnall have added to their fleet G415 OKY, no stranger to this area as it latterly served at Stagecoach Yorkshire's Barnsley depot as 13601 (BIW 4977) before being re-registered to G415 OKY and sold to dealer Ensign back in August 2010.
4th February - Minor NEWs
A few new vehicles recently added to some of the local 'minor' operators fleets include:
24th January - Further Veolia Loans
Two Optare Solos have been drafted in to the Rotherham depot of Veolia to further assist with the current vehicle shortage (see 17th January entry below). Both vehicles have come from the Durham (Hetton-le-Hole) depot of Veolia:
7th January - Veolia Loans
To assist with a vehicle shortage at Veolia's Rotherham (Parkgate) depot, 4 vehicles have been brought in on loan and pressed in to service:
15th January - Arrivals at Tates Travel
Recent ex Irish additions to the Tates Travel fleet are: W962 PTW, a Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II to B39F configuration new to Bus Eireann as their DPC11 (00-D-89229) and former Dublin Bus Volvo B6BLE/Wright WV30 (00-D-70030) which still bears it's Irish identity.
Former Bus Eireann DAF/Wrights Commander 00-D-96293 has now entered service bearing UK registration X754 HKW.
13th January - Stagecoach Yorkshire allocation changes
Additional changes to those previously recorded (see 11th January entry) comprise:
12th January - First South Yorkshire SPDs
We understand that, following the rejection of any further SuperPointerDarts moving to First Somerset & Avon as was intended, the majority of this type of vehicle currently stored in a withdrawn condition by First South Yorkshire will be returned to service later this month at the expense of Volvo Olympians.
11th January - Stagecoach Moves
A number of allocation changes are due to occur during the course of this week:
3rd January - Yorkshire Line to Commence Operation in January
A new operator is to take to the streets of West Yorkshire from 31st January. Based at premises adjacent to Normanton Railway Station, the company have registered the following services:
Vehicles known to be with this operator to date are P141 TDL & P142 TDL - a pair of UVG bodied step-enterence Dennis Darts new to the Isle of Wight Council supplied by Stafford Bus Centre (dealer) and repainted in 'dealer white'; and R131 RLY, R135 RLY, R137 RLY, R150 RLY and R166 VLA, Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointers which are all on loan from Rotala Group (West Midlands).
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