INTRODUCTION and EDITORIAL
GREATER LONDON AREA Route Developments
COUNTRY AREAS Route Developments
12
WELCOME!
This is a special on-line edition of “The London Bus” - the magazine of the London Omnibus Traction Society. It is published to show prospective new members the quantity and quality of the information available, and hopefully to allay any doubts that membership of our society really does offer excellent value for money!
The London Bus is published 12 times each year and dispatched to members by First Class post. It is an A5 sized magazine with a glossy full-colour cover, typically containing 40 pages of up to date news, including service changes, vehicle allocations and much more, and 8 full colour photographs.
All other pages on this electronic magazine are taken directly from the January 2008 edition of The London Bus, although some personal details have been removed.
Please use the index on the left to navigate around, and don't forget, if you like what you see, please join us by simply completing the application form and sending it to us.
For further information, please see our main site at www.lots.org.uk.
LOTS
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THE LONDON BUS The monthly newsletter of the London Omnibus Traction Society website at www.lots.org.uk ------------------------ISSN 0263-3329 -------------------------- |
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Managing Editor: David Stewart, xx Kathleen Avenue, Wembley, HAO 0xx or e-mail via <lotsed@tesco.net> I finalise the newsletter, deal with the photographs and any general items for TLB such as Society Matters, appeals, advertising and promotion of events. Member's Reports can be made to individual section sub-editors (each section is headed by their contact details). Otherwise, there is also a general e-mail address on <lotsed@tesco.net> or an answerphone on 020 7582 9777. Use these services to give reports for TLB or for Society officers. Please note the closing dates at the foot of page 1, though we can usually include late items in the following two days if layouts allow it. Production will NOT be delayed for items received too late.
The Editors reserve the right to defer items to achieve page layouts or target dates, or to allow time for confirmation where appropriate. Every effort is made to ensure factual accuracy but the Editors and the Society cannot accept responsibility for errors of fact subsequently discovered.
TLB is compiled by the Editors and published by LOTS for the information and personal use of the members of LOTS, in return for payment of the membership subscription. It is copyright to LOTS, and the current issue of TLB is for private circulation to LOTS members only, but in certain circumstances may be sold to non-members at a premium price. Where relevant to their specific coverage, items may be repeated in fellow publications. Otherwise it is not permissible to copy information from TLB or any LOTS publications for any further use or sale, including via the Internet, without having first received prior permission from the Society via the Managing Editor.
LOTS general office: is at Unit N305 Westminster Business Square, 1-45 Durham Street, Vauxhall, London SE11 5JH and this is where we deal with Membership, Postal Sales, TLB/LBM Distribution, Admin., and stock control. Any queries over membership, renewals or changes of address, should be sent by post to our Vauxhall address, marking the envelope "Membership". If any problems are then encountered such as missing or blank pages, or non-arrival of TLB/LBM, mark envelope Distribution. For publication orders or queries over orders, mark the envelope "Postal Sales". These services should be preferably accessed by post, please, although in an emergency the general e-mail address at <lotsed@tesco.net> can be used and information will be passed on as soon as practicable.
Please do NOT use the Vauxhall address for TLB items - please address the Editors direct.
Membership and Subscription Information: The LOTS/TLB/LBM annual rates (incl. 1st class postage) are: UK rate - £19 LOTS/TLB; £34 LOTS/TLB + LBM; £20 LBM only.
Overseas rates are £25, £40, £24 respectively, to allow for overseas postage.
Rates include twelve consecutive issues of TLB, and/or four consecutive issues of LBM. Subscrip-tions may commence in any month of the year.
Other specialist services: Please include a stamped self-addressed envelope if you want a reply.
LBM (London Bus Magazine): Write via our Vauxhall address, mark envelope for 'LBM Editor'.
TLB Backnumbers from Charlie Turton, xxxxxxxx, xxxxxx, xxxxx, xx1 23xx.
LOTS Members Information Service (your requests for historical info. on London bus matters): Les Stitson, , xxxxxxxx, xxxxxx, xxxxx, xx1 23xx..(E-mail on lots.infosvs@btinternet.com )
LOTS Ombudsman: (complaints and problems about LOTS services): David Kemp, , xxxxxxxx, xxxxxx, xxxxx, xx1 23xx..
(don't forget an s.a.e.)
Printed by Ludo Press, 18 Wimbledon Stadium Business Centre, Riverside Road, London SW17 0BA
This issue was finalised on Sunday 6th January and was due for posting on Wed.16th January.
Closing date for TLB522 is Friday 1st February, and due for posting on Wed.13th February.
Later closing dates: Fridays 29Feb, 04Apr, 02May.
Editorial
Happy New Year to everyone and many thanks to those who sent good wishes. I intend to continue with TLB production as normal through 2008, as long as my health holds. My suggestions nearly two years ago in TLB500 that ‘new blood’ ought to volunteer itself for all or any editorial positions had a negative response. Perhaps during the coming year thought could be given to the eventual need for such new blood. Anyone not willing to give a lot (and it is a lot) of commitment, and for a long time, need not apply!
2008 will be ‘the year of the hybrid and alternative fuels’, of that there is no doubt. TLB520 p18/19 contained details of what is due, and examples of Wrightbus’ new lighter Gemini double-decker are expected as well. Nevertheless and amongst the hype, it must be remembered that they will only represent about 0.6% of the total London fleet. Also, reliability is likely to be an issue, if experiences with existing hybrids are anything to go by.
On the 1st July 2008, it will be the 75th anniversary of the formation of ‘London Transport’ in 1933, through its various changes of entity, LPTB/ LTB/ LTE/ LRT/ TfL. We wonder if the present regime will celebrate this anniversary, as did its predecessors in 1983 with the 50th.
Important note to LBM Subscribers: Apologies to those of you who were expecting London Bus Magazine No.142 to arrive this month. There has been some confusion over the relative completion dates of TLB521 and LBM142 which means that we would be unable to despatch LBM142 until later in January. To send LBM out separately would incur a net extra cost of around £650 in postage and packing costs, therefore LBM142 will be held back to be despatched with TLB522 in February.
Index
Pages 4-5 Pages 6-12 Pages 13-16 Pages 17-30 Page 31 Page 31 Pages 32-37 Pages 38-39 Page 40 |
General & Industry News Greater London Area - Route Developments Country Area – Route Developments Current vehicle news – all operators The ‘Where are they now?’ column - subsequent London vehicle disposals A curtailed section on Service Vehicles Publicity News Rail Replacements Fares & Ticketing; Adverts & Members’ Appeals |
This issue’s news highlights
** Wrightbus unveil a new lighter and quieter double-deck bus, mainly for London (p.5).
** Arriva buy the T-GM Group (p.4).
** Some interesting London route tender results – some surprising operator changes (p.9,10).
LOTS Meetings
Society Meetings: At Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London WC1. Doors open from 6pm. sales stand from 6.30pm, event begins at 7.30 and is finished by 10pm. There is no charge.
Monday 21st January: Colour slide presentation on Green Line from the 1970s to the present day, by Rev. Nicholas Molony.
Monday 18th February: David Ruddom presents another of his fascinating surveys of transport along the major radial roads, this time 'From the Gallows to Hell Fire'. For the uninitiated, that's Marble Arch to West Wycombe along the old Uxbridge and Oxford Roads.
Later meeting dates for 2008: 17Mar, 21Apr, 19May, 23June(AGM), 30June ('pre-LEZ' bus rides), 22Sept, 20Oct, 24Nov, 22Dec. No meetings in July or August, as is now usual.
The LOTS Autumn Transport Spectacular will again be held at Harrow Leisure Centre this year. The later date seemed to be popular in 2007 so we have booked Saturday 22nd November 2008.
Coming Events
Note that these events are publicised as a service to the readership, on behalf of organisers; LOTS has neither involvement nor responsibility for any event noted. We usually confine ourselves to those events with an expected London bus interest or within easy access from the London area.
Saturday 9th February: Transport Collectors' Fair at the Hythe Centre, Thorpe Road, Staines, open 1030-1530, entry £2. Bus 441C from Staines Station at x10 and x40 past from 1010 to 1510, calling at the Bus Station a few minutes later. Buses back from 1026 to 1456 then 1535. Local fares payable on the 441C – it is NOT free. Regular buses 41/43/441 also pass the Centre.
Saturday 16th February: The Arriva Bus Station and Garage at Hawkhurst, Kent, a rare survivor of a traditional 1950s style Bus Station, is to close after operation on this date. It is intended that a selection of vintage buses would be on display and to offer free local rides.
Sat.16th Feb: Special day at East London SD Garage- see ELBG notes in Vehicle News and page 40.
Saturday 23rd February: Transport Bazaar at St Stephen's Hall, Park Avenue, Enfield, open 1100 to 1600, entry £2. Buses 329 and W8 stop outside.
Sunday 6th April: The Cobham Bus Museum Spring Gathering moves back to Wisley this year, as the Longcross site is not available. There will be frequent bus services between Weybridge Station, the Bus Museum and the rally site just off the A3 south west from Junction 10, M25. Entry price is held at £10, and includes unlimited bus rides, car parking and up to two accompanied children under 16. The event is planned to feature some 300 buses and coaches, a big collectors’ market, and a special limited edition EFE models available from the Cobham Shop marquee on the site.
All London buses, taxis and London-connected commercials are welcome – just turn up on the day – no fees, no entry forms. Stalls can be reserved by emailing <stallholders@lbpt.org> or downloading a form at <http://www.lbpt.org/> The Spring Gathering is a fundraising event for the
London Bus Preservation Trust, operators of Cobham Bus Museum.
Advance notice of planned running days in 2008: 27April East Grinstead, 11May Slough & Windsor, 18May Sevenoaks, 01June Uxbridge & Northwood, 08June Hertford & Stevenage, 22June Hemel Hempstead, 06July Gravesend, 10Aug Worcester Park area, 07Sept Dorking, 05Oct Amersham.
Other notable events include other Cobham Bus Museum events on 15June and 25Aug; North Weald is 06July; Showbus at Duxford on 28th Sept; NLTS events at Theydon Bois on Sat17May and at Chingford on 07Sept. Other major rallies in the south include a return to Netley (08June), Weymouth (22June), Alton (20July), Worthing (27July), Leighton Buzzard (17Aug), whilst running days are due at Portsmouth (06July ‘Queen Mary’ operation), Eastbourne (20July) and Southampton (14Sept); the HCVS London to Brighton run is on 4th May.
Due to the London LEZ beginning in July, there is to be a “pre-LEZ” Open Day and running day at Bow Garage on Sat.28th June, and of course LOTS will have its annual summer “London bus rides” evening on Mon.30th June, intended to be with “non-LEZ” compliant buses.
Publications
Please address your orders to LOTS Postal Sales, Unit N305 Westminster Business Square, 1-45 Durham Street, Vauxhall, London SE11 5JH. Make sure that the 'Postal Sales' name is included prominently, so we can give the order the best attention. Please try to enclose proof of membership (e.g. a recent TLB address label) to claim your members post-free prices, and do not staple cheques! Our sales officers normally despatch orders at least once per week, but on some occasions it may take longer to fulfil your order. An updated Sales List was included with TLB519. You may use this to order items, or of course a letter telling us what you need is quite acceptable!Recent LOTS publications:
SUP-37U: Greater London Route Working Index, 24th November 2007. (£2.50).
TLB Extra 1977 and TLB Extra 1978 - All the LT and LCBS vehicle news for the years in question, in TLB style. 72 pages, 34 B&W pictures. (£5.00 for each).
Recent and new titles from other publishers:
The latest Greater London Bus Map (No.29 December 2007) from Mike Harris (£1.50).
Trolleybuses in North East London (LTPS). An A4 book, 144-pages, the fourth of the series, covering Hackney, Walthamstow and everything trolleybus east of Aldgate. (£18.00).
NTM Tramcar Rolling Stock Handbook This is a pocket book from the National Tramway Museum at Crich with 96-pages and all colour pictures (Venture Publications) (£7.95).
[PHOTOS ARE REPRODUCED IN FULL COLOUR, IN HIGH RESOLUTION ON THE GLOSSY COVER PAGES OF THE ORIGINAL MAGAZINE]
