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September 1999 (Issue 77)

Some thirty MAN low-floor single deckers have joined the Stockton and Hull operations in recent months, whilst the acquisition of 35 Olympians from Busways for Hull has been completed. Similarly large numbers of vehicles have left the fleet with all of the Hull Scanias and most of the Hull and Transit Dominators being disposed of. Cascaded transfers have allowed Leyland Nationals to be eliminated from the Hartlepool fleet which has also seen a significant updating of its coach fleet.

ADDITIONS TO FLEET

Delivered during April were the ten MAN18.220 low-floor single-deckers with Alexander ALX300 B42F+35 bodywork. All entered service on or before 4th May and are used extensively on Stockton area services 59/60 also see service on ‘trunk’ service 36 (Park End - Middlesbrough - Stockton - Billingham - Hartlepool).

They carry ‘Lo-Liner’ decals (now noted to be a registered trademark).

Further details as follows :

These were followed by a further batch of ten similar vehicles delivered and entering service during September. These are allocated to Stockton notionally to allow service 36 to be converted to 100% low-floor. Further details as follows :

OUT OF SERVICE

Displaced by the first delivery of new MAN single-deckers are 6 of the Dennis Dart SLFs 462-7 (R462-7 SEF), together with Dennis Dominators 215-8 (B215-8 OAJ) and Leyland Lynx 609 (F609 UVN). The Dart SLFs and the Leyland Lynx have been transferred to Hartlepool for further use whilst the Dominators have been sold. Subsequently Dominators 219/20 (C219/20 WAJ) have been withdrawn and stored.

As a consequence of the very latest delivery of MANs some eight Volvo Olympians are being transferred from Stockton to Hull comprising :

823-7 (M223-7 SVN) and 828-30 (P828-30 FEF).

Merced 811D minibuses 303/4 (HDZ 2603/4) have been withdrawn as a consequence of the withdrawal of Guisborough Town Services.

DISPOSALS

Sold to Houston Ramm, Rochdale (dealer) are Leyland Fleetlines 131/3 (GAJ 131/3V), 147 (PEF 147X), 151/2 (VEF 151/2Y) and 154/5 (YAJ 154/5Y), Dennis Dominators 215-8 (B215-8 OAJ) and Mercedes-Benz 709D staff bus 24 (F734 FDV).

Earlier disposals reported with new owners are Dominators A211 EHN and B214 OAJ, both with Maun, Mansfield.

IN STORE

The following vehicles are currently in store at Stockton :

Fleetline 135 (GAJ 135V) and Dominators 216-8 (B216-8 OAJ) and 219/20 (C219/20 WAJ) . Of these 135, 216-8 are listed as sold to Houston Ramm, 135 being in a cannibalised condition.

Mercedes 811Ds 303/4 (HDZ 2603/4) and 324 (F624 XMS) are stored ‘in reserve’.

TRANSFERS

Wright-bodied Mercedes Benz 811Ds 303/4/10 (HDZ 2603/4/10) were transferred from Darlington to Stockton where 303 has replaced recently acquired Mercedes Benz 709D 24 (F734 FDV) on staff bus duties, though it also saw use on a newly introduced ‘Teesdale Shuttle’ between Stockton and Teesdale. 24 has subsequently been sold to Houston Ramm (dealer). 304/10 replaced Alexander-bodied Mercedes Benz 811D 321/4 (F621/4 XMS) both of which have joined the ‘reserve fleet’ 321 being transferred to Darlington for storage.

Temporarily transferred to Hartlepool for a special summer service (qv) was the open-top Leyland Titan PD3/4 189 (PRX 189B, 417 DCD).

Transferred to Darlington in July/September were the final pair of Volvo B6s at Stockton, namely 403 (L103 GHN) and 408 (M108 PVN).

REPAINTS

Mar: 32, 309, 632, 325, 620, 24, 629, 324, 311(lw), 647(lw), 316, 622, 634(lw).

Apr: 510, 140, 509, 31

May: 637, 544, 605, 528

June: 530, 306, 304, 219, 542, 149

July: 613, 148, 144, 614, 142, A989 OBV, 615

August: 616, 150, 344, 345, 505(partial), 608, 126, 121, 605

September: 449, 711, 611, 408, 710, 406, 290(lw), 623(lw), 825, 824, 708

lw=lower white paintwork only

Of these 32 and 31 represent new repaints from former colours into Stagecoach livery.

304/6 (HDZ 2604/6) have lost overall ads for Durham County Council (‘Say no to strangers’)

219 (C219 WAJ) is pained overall white and is withdrawn awaiting disposal.

408 (M108 PVN) has lost its rear-ad for Cowie.

A989 OBV is the Leyland recovery vehicle, which has lost Hartlepool maroon and cream for corporate stripework.

SERVICE CHANGES

A number of the following changes are consequences of changes to Middlesbrough Council contracts.

02/05/99

Service 13/13A. Daytime Monday to Saturday service through Stainton Village reduced to hourly, provided by service 13A journeys.

Service 36. Various changes to early morning and evening peak time journeys on Monday to Saturday.

Service 39 (Hartlepool to Middlesbrough). Service withdrawn.

Service 52. 07:02 journey from Stockton to Owington Farm will not operate on Saturdays.

Service 602 (Riverside and St.Hildas). Service withdrawn.

Service 624. Sunday service withdrawn. Monday to Saturday services between Overfields and Middlesbrough withdrawn.

Service 868 (Newlands School). Service withdrawn.

06/06/99

Service 13B (Evening and Sunday) New service from Middlesbrough to Coulby Newham (Lingfield Park) via Tollesby. Interworks with 52.

Service 51A (Evening and Sunday) New service from Middlesbrough to Coulby Newham (Lingfield Park) via Green Lane. Interworks with 52.

Service 536 (Sunday morning) now terminates in a loop at Billingham.

Service 565 - extra Sunday morning journeys.

Services 603/4,652 (Sunday morning services) - will be operated by Leven Valley.

Services 612/3,622 (Evening and Sunday) - withdrawn and replaced by new circular services 610/1.

Service 626 (Evening and Sunday) - will be operated by Leven Valley on a 2-hourly frequency.

Service 983 - contract gained (ex Arriva)

11/07/99

Service 11 - re-routed via Bonny Grove Way on outward journeys.

Service 12 withdrawn (part replaced by 52A/51).

Service 24 - reduced from 6 per hour to 5 per hour between Middlesbrough and Trimdon Avenue.

Service 38 : One bus per hour diverted via Morrisons at Berwick Hills as service 38C.

Service 50 withdrawn (part replaced by 51/52A)

Service 50A/51A - now numbered 51A in both directions.

Service 51 now interworks with new 52A at Coulby Newham (Parkway Centre).

Service 52 increased from 2 per hour to 6 per hour between Middlesbrough and Hemlington.

Service 52A - new daytime service from Middlesbrough to Coulby Newham (Parkway Centre) via General Hospital and Hemlington - interworks with 51.

Services 91/91A/92/92A re-organised :

Withdrawn between Middlesbrough and Hemlington/Coulby Newham.

91 operates from Middlesbrough to High Grange via Billingham Town Centre.

91A operates from Middlesbrough to Wolviston Village via Billingham Town Centre and Wolviston Court - interworks with 92 at Wolviston Village.

92 operates from Middlesbrough to Wolviston Village via Billingham Town Centre and Low Grange - interworks with 91A at Wolviston Village.

Teesdale Shuttle service started

Summer service 401 - contract lost to Compass Royston.

02/09/99

Stokesley School service now 3 buses (321/322/323)

12/09/99

Guisborough Town Services withdrawn - operated commercially by Abbey, Skelton.

13/09/99

MacMillan service 345 extended to Ingleby Barwick.

ADDITIONS TO FLEET

The three Volvo B10MA-55/Jonckheere Modulo AC72D articulated coaches arrived in mid-May and were used for driver familiarisation before entering service on service 909 (Meadowhall) on 23rd May. They are numbered :

Delivered during April-June were ten MAN18.220 low-floor single-deckers with Alexander ALX300 B42F+35 bodywork. They have received new ‘Street Surfer’ decals complete with service details for their allocated routes - service 1 and 2.

It will be noted that 736 is registered T736 FVN and entered service later the others. This was initially caused by a shortage of chassis prompting the loan and use in service of MAN18.220/Alexander ALX300 demonstrator registered T222 TMD (Chassis no. WMAA690001H003140 Body no. 9801/1) and painted in Alexander’s ‘demo’ livery of blue and silver. A decision was taken to re-direct 727 to Stockton and number it 666 (T466 MHN) and it is reported to have been renumbered such for at least a week without leaving the depot. Delayed 736 would have become 727 - by the time this decision was reversed the originally booked registration for 736 had been surrendered - hence T736 FVN.

Further details of the batch are :

The 35 Leyland Olympians have now been received from Busways. The full list is as follows :

Leyland Olympian ONLXB Northern Counties H43/30F

More recent arrivals at Hull are Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympians 823-7 (M223-7 SVN) and 828-30 (P828-30 FEF) from Transit at Stockton.

TRANSFERS

Rendered surplus by the new MANs are five of the Northern Counties bodied Volvo B10Ms which have been transferred to Hartlepool, namely : 707-11 (M707-11 KRH).

OUT OF SERVICE

The large influx of Olympians from Busways, together with the arrival of the new MANs have resulted in the withdrawal of much of the Dennis Dominator and double-deck Scania stock.

Withdrawn and sold to Houston Ramm (dealer) are :

Dominators 206-9 (B106-9 UAT), 223-6/8/9/31 (C123-5/2/8/9/31 CAT), 233-9/41 (E133-9/41 SAT) and 252-7 (F152-7 HAT) together with Scania N112 800 (C100 HSJ) and Scania N113s 801-6 (G801-6 JRH), 807/8 (G807/8 LAG) and 809-14 (H809-14 WKH).

It should be noted that these withdrawals include the final blue-liveried vehicles in the fleet - the last examples being:

Dominators 206/9/23/8/9/31/3/52/3/6/7 and Scania 800.

Several of the above spent various periods in store at other Transit depots before disposal, 206/9/24-6/8/9/31/3/41/53 being stored at Darlington, 223/36 at Hartlepool, and 255/7 and 803/4 at Stockton.

Subsequently Dominators 245/6 (F145/6 BKH) were withdrawn, the former having suffered fire damage.

The more recent arrival of Olympians from Stockton has resulted in further Dominators being withdrawn, namely :

210 (B110 UAT), 240 (E140 SAT) and 242-4/7 (F142-4/7 BKH) (though 210 was still being used at the time of writing). This reduces the Hull Dominator fleet to just 5 examples, namely Ferrybus 232 (E132 SAT) and 248-51(F148-51 BKH).

Also withdrawn and sold to Houston Ramm (dealer) as a consequence of the ending of the contract to which they were allocated are the pair of Handirider vehicles, namely Leyland National 2 60 (B60 WKH) and Dennis Lancet 61 (YAY 21Y).

DISPOSALS

Traced to new owners are Dennis Dominator C113 CAT now with Maun, Mansfield,

Dominators E134/5/7/9/41 SAT now with Stott, Oldham and Dominators F152-7 HAT and Scanias C100 HSJ and G801-5 JRH and H812-6 WKH now with Coachmaster, Rochdale (an operational subsidiary of Houston Ramm).

REPAINTS

No details available

SERVICE CHANGES

None notified.

OTHER

The allocation of Dodge training bus 16 (D216 HHN) was short-lived the vehicle being returned to Stockton by April.

An open-day at Foster Street garage to mark the centenary of the Hull transport undertaking was held on Sunday 18th July attracting an estimated 1500 visitors.

TRANSFERS

Received from Hartlepool are Alexander-bodied Dennis Darts 457-61 (P457-61 EEF), whilst from Transit has come Volvo B6 403 (L103 GHN) and 408 (M108 PVN) and Alexander-bodied Mercedes-Benz 811D 321 (F621 XMS) though the latter vehicle was transferred to be a reserve only.

Transferred to Stockton are Wright-bodied Mercedes-Benz 811Ds 303/4/10 (HDZ 2603/4/10) whilst transferred to Hartlepool are similar306/9 (HDZ 2606/9) together with B10M coach 71 (K571 DFS) and B10M saloon 553 (N553 VDC).

OUT OF SERVICE

Withdrawn and in reserve is Wright-bodied Mercedes-Benz 811D 305/7/11 (HDZ 2605/7/11). These were the last 811s in service at Darlington.

IN STORE

Out of service and stored ‘in reserve’ at Darlington are Mercedes 811Ds 305/7/11 (HDZ 2605/7/11) and 321 (F621 XMS).

A number of Hull vehicles spent a period stored at Darlington prior to their disposal, comprising :

Dennis Dominators : 206/9 (B106/9 UAT), 223-6/8/9/31 (C123-5/2/8/9/31 CAT),

233/41 (E133/41 SAT), and 253 (F153 HAT). Of these 206/9/23-6/8/9 remained in store at the time of writing though sold to Houston Ramm (dealer) as did Fleetline 147 (PEF 147X).

SERVICE CHANGES

10/04/99

Service X90 extended to York

12/04/99

New service 533 (Croft to Richmond School)

07/06/99

New service 79 (Ovington to Teesdale School (Barnard Castle)) replacing Barnard Castle Coaches.

14/08/99

Service X90 extension to York withdrawn, evening journeys amended.

05/09/99

Revision of service 25/25A/25B to 7.5 min frequency. Service 25 variation in Branksome withdrawn. Extra peak journeys (Mon - Fri) to Yarm Road Industrial Estate and to Morton Park (Morrisons) on evenings and Sundays.

New service 16 (Market to High Grange and Faverdale depot) utilising evening staff runs and light running.

ADDITIONS TO FLEET

Hartlepool has gained its first low-floor buses with the arrival of six Alexander ALX200 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs from Transit : 462-7 (R462-7 SEF).

These have received ‘Super Low Floor’ decals together with ‘Super 6’ window decals and route details for service 6 (Hart Station - Town Centre - Fens Estate).

Received from Hull are five Northern Counties bodied Volvo B10Ms : 707-11 (M707-11 KRH), whilst a further arrivals are Leyland Lynx 609 (F609 UVN) from Transit, B10M coach 71 (K571 DFS), B10M saloon 553 (N553 VDC) and Wright-bodied Mercedes-Benz 811Ds 306/9 (HDZ 2606/9) from Darlington. 306 was subsequently placed ‘in reserve’.

Now in service with the coach fleet are former East Midland Plaxton Excalibur C53F bodied Volvo B10M-60 : 32 (J422 HDS, KSU 463, J422 HDS) (date in service 01/06/99), former Hull Leyland Swift with Reeves Burgess Harrier C37F body 31 (H71 XKH) and former Cambus is a Plaxton Paramount III 35001s C53F bodied Volvo B10M-60 : 38 (G525 LWU) (date in service 21/06/99).

A unique transfer to the Hartlepool fleet is open-top Leyland Titan PD3/4 189 (PRX 189B, 417 DCD) was allocated to Hartlepool for the summer for use on a ‘Shopper’s Shuttle’ service (further details below). It has received suitable decals on its yellow and green livery.

TRANSFERS

Displaced by the B10Ms from Hull and transferred to Darlington are the Alexander bodied Dennis Darts 457-61 (P457-61 EEF).

OUT OF SERVICE

Now withdrawn are the final Hartlepool Leyland National 2s 515-7/9 (KAJ 215-7/9W) and the remaining Wadham Stringer bodied Dennis Falcons 521/3/5 (YDC 21/3/5Y).

Also withdrawn are Northern Counties bodied Dennis Falcons 527-9 (B27-9 PAJ), Alexander-bodied Mercedes-Benz 811Ds 325 (F625 XMS), Leyland Leopard coach 33 (FSL 61W, 666 TPJ, GSL 307W), Volvo B10M coach 35 (HDZ 8683, A491 WYS, 2637 AT, A845 UGB) and Dennis Dorchester coach 42 (BUT 24Y).

Of the above 515-7/9, 521/3/5, 527/9 and 33 have been sold to Houston Ramm (dealer) whilst 35 is reported sold to Gillingham Coaches (thought to be Gillingham’s, Stanley - but needs confirmation) and 42 is reported sold to Nightingale Coaches, Stanley.

Mercedes 811D 329 (F629 XMS) spent a period ‘in reserve’ but is now reinstated. Meanwhile other 811Ds 306 (HDZ 2606) and 321 (F621 XMS) remain ‘in reserve’ at Hartlepool.

Dennis Falcon 528 (B28 PAJ) is stored ‘awaiting disposal’ at Hartlepool which also saw two of the Hull Dennis Dominators 223 (C123 CAT) and 236 (E136 SAT) stored for a time before their sale to Houston Ramm.

DISPOSALS

Earlier withdrawal, Leyland Leopard 34 (FSL 62W, 6689 DP, GSL 306W), is reported to be with local operator Skelton Coaches, whilst another local operator Abbey, Skelton has Leyland National KAJ 216W.

Leyland Nationals KAJ 215/9W are now with Batley and District in the Leeds area.

SERVICE CHANGES

02/05/99

Service 1 - 07:45 journey extended to Middlesbrough (and to Longlands and Kirby Colleges on College days only). Extra 16:18 journey from Middlesbrough to Throston Grange introduced.

04/05/99

Service 3A - extended to terminate around Jackson’s Landing.

29/05/99

(Until 04/09/99) Service 25 - ‘Shoppers Shuttle’ introduced - Mon-Sat every 20 minutes between Town Centre (Victoria Road) and Jackson’s Landing. Scheduled to be operated by open-top Leyland Titan 189 (PRX 189B).

06/06/99

Service 15 - 2310 Seaton Carew journey retimed to 2320.

Service 501 - evening and Sunday Middlesbrough journeys withdrawn.

School Holidays

Badgerbus service 402 operated.

02/09/99

Services 516/824 and 830 re-timed for High Tunstall School.

Those with access to the internet may like to know that Stagecoach Transit is now on-line. The company’s web-site can be found at :

http://www.stagecoach-transit.co.uk

Not to be left-out, CT News is also on-line and a news update service can be found at :

http://travel.to/ctnews

The assistance of all who have helped in preparing this issue of CLEVELAND TRANSIT NEWS is gratefully acknowledged.

CT News Home Page

The assistance of Mr R Cranmer (and other colleagues at Stagecoach Transit) together with Mr R Smiles, Mr P Morfitt and Mr M Barnett in preparing this issue of CLEVELAND TRANSIT NEWS is gratefully acknowledged