VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery http://donald1852.fotopic.net/ 158 rows en-gb 60 South Wales : Merthyr Tydfil Borough Transport Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1775637.html Another small collection, of a fleet I only visited once, in August 1985. Merthyr Tydfil's fleet was a colourful one at the time of my visit, the burnt orange, dark brown and cream livery replacing the lighter orange and white scheme. Merthyr's fleet was transferred to an arm's length fleet the following year but it's fortunes were sadly short lived. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Sunday 1 November 2009: Another small collection, of a fleet I only visited once, in August 1985. Merthyr Tydfil's fleet was a colourful one at the time of my visit, the burnt orange, dark brown and cream livery replacing the lighter orange and white scheme. Merthyr's fleet was transferred to an arm's length fleet the following year but it's fortunes were sadly short lived. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Nov 1 2009 South Wales : Rhymney Valley Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1775617.html A small collection of scanned slides, Rhymney Valley being a fleet I only visited once before its demise. Former in 1974 under local government reorganisation, the district council inherited the municipal bus fleets of Bedwas and Machen, Caerphilly and Gelligaer urban district councils. The joint fleet was treated to a smart but unusual dark brown, cream and gold livery, and ran operations throughout Rhymney and into Merthyr Tydfil and Newport. Under deregulation in 1986 the fleet passed to Inter Valley Link Limited, owned by the district council at "arms length". Competition was very strong in the South Wales Valleys, and Inter Valley Link was sold to National Welsh Omnibus Services on 21 March 1989. National Welsh subsequently went into receivership in January 1991, the first big failure of privatisation. These slides are taken on Ektachrome 100ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Sunday 1 November 2009: A small collection of scanned slides, Rhymney Valley being a fleet I only visited once before its demise. Former in 1974 under local government reorganisation, the district council inherited the municipal bus fleets of Bedwas and Machen, Caerphilly and Gelligaer urban district councils. The joint fleet was treated to a smart but unusual dark brown, cream and gold livery, and ran operations throughout Rhymney and into Merthyr Tydfil and Newport. Under deregulation in 1986 the fleet passed to Inter Valley Link Limited, owned by the district council at "arms length". Competition was very strong in the South Wales Valleys, and Inter Valley Link was sold to National Welsh Omnibus Services on 21 March 1989. National Welsh subsequently went into receivership in January 1991, the first big failure of privatisation. These slides are taken on Ektachrome 100ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Nov 1 2009 South Wales : Islwyn Borough Transport Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1774946.html Islwyn Borough Transport has operated a network of bus services around Blackwood, Pontllanfraith and surrounding towns in Caerphilly county borough for the past 34 years, having assumed the mantle from the West Monmouthshire Omnibus Board. In October 2009, IBT was the smallest of the remaining municipal bus companies however it trades as an arms-length company since the Transport Act 1985. These slides are taken on two brief visits through Blackwood in 1985 and 1994. On Wednesday 28 October 2009 a press release from Caerphilly County Borough Council confirmed that IBT is to be sold to its larger neighbour Stagecoach in South Wales. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V_ED film scanner Saturday 31 October 2009: Islwyn Borough Transport has operated a network of bus services around Blackwood, Pontllanfraith and surrounding towns in Caerphilly county borough for the past 34 years, having assumed the mantle from the West Monmouthshire Omnibus Board. In October 2009, IBT was the smallest of the remaining municipal bus companies however it trades as an arms-length company since the Transport Act 1985. These slides are taken on two brief visits through Blackwood in 1985 and 1994. On Wednesday 28 October 2009 a press release from Caerphilly County Borough Council confirmed that IBT is to be sold to its larger neighbour Stagecoach in South Wales. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V_ED film scanner

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sat Oct 31 2009 Stagecoach Western Buses and Coaches1994 and onwards http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1771755.html This collection of scanned slides covers the Western fleet after the takeover by the Stagecoach Group in July 1994. The fleetnumbers are shown without the alpha prefixes to allow the numbers to run in order although Stagecoach didn't drop the letters until mid 1995. This doesn't include the vehicles operated under the Stagecoach A1 licence which operated between January 1995 and July 1997. However it does include a selection of the older vehicles in both Western and Stagecoach stripes plus a good number of the new vehicles introduced to the fleet, which by mid 1994 needed some serious investment. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA and 200SAS slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan DMC_FZ30 film scanner. Friday 23 October 2009: This collection of scanned slides covers the Western fleet after the takeover by the Stagecoach Group in July 1994. The fleetnumbers are shown without the alpha prefixes to allow the numbers to run in order although Stagecoach didn't drop the letters until mid 1995. This doesn't include the vehicles operated under the Stagecoach A1 licence which operated between January 1995 and July 1997. However it does include a selection of the older vehicles in both Western and Stagecoach stripes plus a good number of the new vehicles introduced to the fleet, which by mid 1994 needed some serious investment. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA and 200SAS slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan DMC_FZ30 film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Oct 23 2009 Edinburgh Buses and Coaches, October 2009 - Cold, Wet, Misty, Windy, Raw, Chilled..... http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1764243.html OK, I don't "do" Edinburgh that often, as twelve years of adopted living in the West of Scotland have had their effect on me and I prefer a visit to Glasgow over a visit to our Capital City. "You'll have had your dinner" versus "You'll have your dinner" and all that. This early October visit was an attempt at a catch up and a social get together in the Hard Rock Cafe, and whilst the Hard Rock was sunny, sunny, sunny, the same could not be said out on the streets. No matter, it's impossible to deny Lothian accolades upon accolades for the presentation of their fleet, and every driver encountered was friendly and helpful..............and never once did I see a pulled down sun visor, a scowl or two fingers at the camera. Quite the reverse in fact with some very friendly faces around the Zoo area on Corstorphine Road. This isn't a great collection as there's other variety in the fleet that I missed, the low light and rain not really great for standing about too long when compared with another visit to Costa. No matter as for the umpteenth time, I'm imbued with the notion of coming back more often and staying overnight. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC FZ-30 digital camera. Sunday 4 October 2009: OK, I don't "do" Edinburgh that often, as twelve years of adopted living in the West of Scotland have had their effect on me and I prefer a visit to Glasgow over a visit to our Capital City. "You'll have had your dinner" versus "You'll have your dinner" and all that. This early October visit was an attempt at a catch up and a social get together in the Hard Rock Cafe, and whilst the Hard Rock was sunny, sunny, sunny, the same could not be said out on the streets. No matter, it's impossible to deny Lothian accolades upon accolades for the presentation of their fleet, and every driver encountered was friendly and helpful..............and never once did I see a pulled down sun visor, a scowl or two fingers at the camera. Quite the reverse in fact with some very friendly faces around the Zoo area on Corstorphine Road. This isn't a great collection as there's other variety in the fleet that I missed, the low light and rain not really great for standing about too long when compared with another visit to Costa. No matter as for the umpteenth time, I'm imbued with the notion of coming back more often and staying overnight. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC FZ-30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Oct 4 2009 Stagecoach A1 Service Buses and Coaches January 1995 - July 1997 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1761819.html Some slides taken in the couple of years after the Ayrshire Bus Owners sold out to Stagecoach. After many years of dependable service on the Ardrossan - Kilmarnock corridor and around the Three Towns, the remaining partners of the A1 Service sold their shares to the Stagecoach Group on Sunday January 29th 1995. That evening, the buses ran out of service to a newly rented depot off Princes Street, Ardrossan or to Kilmarnock's Nursery Avenue. On Monday 30th January, Stagecoach A1 took to the road, although the legal formalities took a further ten days, a new company of Stagecoach A1 Service being created on 9th February 1995. The public face of the A1 Service changed almost immediately, with a number of Leyland Titans drafted in from Stagecoach East London to cover for some of the less reliable vehicles inherited from the various A1 owners. The traditional blue livery was supplemented not just by red Titans but by a selection of Stagecoach VR's, hired Olympians and other assorted Atlanteans, Fleetlines, Leopards and a Seddon or two. In the fullness of time, a fleet of new Volvo Olympians took over the main corridor whilst older A1 vehicles were either repainted or sold off. 3rd September 1995 saw the local services of Clyde Coast taken over and integrated into the Ardrossan depot network. This included three peak hour commuter routes into Glasgow which has today evolved into today's X34/36 network. The Stagecoach A1 license was merged into the larger Stagecoach Western fleet on 23rd July 1997 and it's this period, January 1995 - July 1997 that this collection covers. These images are taken on a variety of 100ASA, 200ASA and 400ASA slides and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Tuesday 29 September 2009: Some slides taken in the couple of years after the Ayrshire Bus Owners sold out to Stagecoach. After many years of dependable service on the Ardrossan - Kilmarnock corridor and around the Three Towns, the remaining partners of the A1 Service sold their shares to the Stagecoach Group on Sunday January 29th 1995. That evening, the buses ran out of service to a newly rented depot off Princes Street, Ardrossan or to Kilmarnock's Nursery Avenue. On Monday 30th January, Stagecoach A1 took to the road, although the legal formalities took a further ten days, a new company of Stagecoach A1 Service being created on 9th February 1995. The public face of the A1 Service changed almost immediately, with a number of Leyland Titans drafted in from Stagecoach East London to cover for some of the less reliable vehicles inherited from the various A1 owners. The traditional blue livery was supplemented not just by red Titans but by a selection of Stagecoach VR's, hired Olympians and other assorted Atlanteans, Fleetlines, Leopards and a Seddon or two. In the fullness of time, a fleet of new Volvo Olympians took over the main corridor whilst older A1 vehicles were either repainted or sold off. 3rd September 1995 saw the local services of Clyde Coast taken over and integrated into the Ardrossan depot network. This included three peak hour commuter routes into Glasgow which has today evolved into today's X34/36 network. The Stagecoach A1 license was merged into the larger Stagecoach Western fleet on 23rd July 1997 and it's this period, January 1995 - July 1997 that this collection covers. These images are taken on a variety of 100ASA, 200ASA and 400ASA slides and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Tue Sep 29 2009 North East of England : Stagecoach Darlington http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1757349.html A few scanned slides from the early days of Stagecoach's Darlington operation, the creation of which is well documented elsewhere. By the time these slides were taken in April 1995, the Darlington fleet had been operating without the compnay of the Darlington Transport fleet for some five months. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Sunday 20 September 2009: A few scanned slides from the early days of Stagecoach's Darlington operation, the creation of which is well documented elsewhere. By the time these slides were taken in April 1995, the Darlington fleet had been operating without the compnay of the Darlington Transport fleet for some five months. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Sep 20 2009 North East of England : TMS Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1757345.html TMS was formed as part of the large United Automobile Company empire in 1990. United's Cleveland and Middlesbrough operations were renamed Tees & District, whilst Stockton depot operated as TMS (Teesside Motor Services) using the blue themed livery seen here. United was purchased by the Caldaire Group, then North East Bus, then Cowie, which was renamed Arriva on April 2nd, 1998, with North East Bus becoming Arriva North East. These shots were taken in April 1995 whilst passing through the area. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Sunday 20 September 2009: TMS was formed as part of the large United Automobile Company empire in 1990. United's Cleveland and Middlesbrough operations were renamed Tees & District, whilst Stockton depot operated as TMS (Teesside Motor Services) using the blue themed livery seen here. United was purchased by the Caldaire Group, then North East Bus, then Cowie, which was renamed Arriva on April 2nd, 1998, with North East Bus becoming Arriva North East. These shots were taken in April 1995 whilst passing through the area. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Sep 20 2009 Ayrshire Buses and Coaches 2009, Kilmarnock http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1752835.html A quick September visit to Kilmarnock to attempt some shots of the latest former Hong Kong Citybus Leyland Olympian school buses, with the aim of standing outside the depot and catch them returning. Such was the rain that any attempt to stand outside before 0930 would have soaked camera and photographer and some. However I did manage a visit to the depot when the weather eased mid morning, and these shots are here along with a few taken in the bus station whilst sheltering from the torrents. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Wednesday 9 September 2009: A quick September visit to Kilmarnock to attempt some shots of the latest former Hong Kong Citybus Leyland Olympian school buses, with the aim of standing outside the depot and catch them returning. Such was the rain that any attempt to stand outside before 0930 would have soaked camera and photographer and some. However I did manage a visit to the depot when the weather eased mid morning, and these shots are here along with a few taken in the bus station whilst sheltering from the torrents. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Wed Sep 9 2009 North East of England : O K Motor Services, Bishop Auckland Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1744795.html Wade Emmerson's O K Motors originate from the County Durham town of Bishop Auckland, commencing operations in the early years of the twentieth century. This was a fleet of great enthusiast interest and immaculate presentation which focussed on serving the County Durham area for many years. Deregulation saw the company expand substantially beyond their traditional boundaries into Newcastle and beyond, taking the fleet size from around seventy buses to over two hundred. The company eventually agreed terms with the Go Ahead Group in March 1995 and became a subsidiary of that company at that time. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner Sunday 23 August 2009: Wade Emmerson's O K Motors originate from the County Durham town of Bishop Auckland, commencing operations in the early years of the twentieth century. This was a fleet of great enthusiast interest and immaculate presentation which focussed on serving the County Durham area for many years. Deregulation saw the company expand substantially beyond their traditional boundaries into Newcastle and beyond, taking the fleet size from around seventy buses to over two hundred. The company eventually agreed terms with the Go Ahead Group in March 1995 and became a subsidiary of that company at that time. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Aug 23 2009 North East of England : Independent Operators' Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1744788.html A selection of the varied independent fleets that served the North East of England in the late 1980's and 1990's. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Sunday 23 August 2009: A selection of the varied independent fleets that served the North East of England in the late 1980's and 1990's. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Aug 23 2009 North East of England : Northumbria Motor Services Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1744769.html Northumbria Motor Services was made up of another segment of United Automobile Services, taking in United's operations north of the River Tyne. This particular fragmentation took place pre privatisation in 1986, as United was felt to be too large to be sold off as one entity. With depots as far afield as Whitley Bay and Berwick, Northumbria still covered a fair swatch of N.E. England and operated a fleet of just under 400 buses in the early 1990's. Northumbria's striking red, grey and white livery was not to every one's taste but I rather liked it. These shots were taken on visits to the area in September 1992 and April 1995. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Sunday 23 August 2009: Northumbria Motor Services was made up of another segment of United Automobile Services, taking in United's operations north of the River Tyne. This particular fragmentation took place pre privatisation in 1986, as United was felt to be too large to be sold off as one entity. With depots as far afield as Whitley Bay and Berwick, Northumbria still covered a fair swatch of N.E. England and operated a fleet of just under 400 buses in the early 1990's. Northumbria's striking red, grey and white livery was not to every one's taste but I rather liked it. These shots were taken on visits to the area in September 1992 and April 1995. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Aug 23 2009 North East of England : Tees and District Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1744757.html Tees and District were formally part of the large United Automobile Company, being set up in February 1990 to operate the United's Cleveland operations. With headquarters in Middlesbrough and depots including Hartlepool, Redcar, Loftus, Stokesley and of course Middlesbrough, a sizeable fleet of 200 plus vehicles were operated, including initially a large number of United's beloved and long lived Bristol LH's. Initially the livery involved adding a broad yellow band around the waist of most vehicles but a more stylised red and yellow livery was subsequently adopted. This batch of scanned slides were taken on visits to the North East in September 1992 and April 1995. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Sunday 23 August 2009: Tees and District were formally part of the large United Automobile Company, being set up in February 1990 to operate the United's Cleveland operations. With headquarters in Middlesbrough and depots including Hartlepool, Redcar, Loftus, Stokesley and of course Middlesbrough, a sizeable fleet of 200 plus vehicles were operated, including initially a large number of United's beloved and long lived Bristol LH's. Initially the livery involved adding a broad yellow band around the waist of most vehicles but a more stylised red and yellow livery was subsequently adopted. This batch of scanned slides were taken on visits to the North East in September 1992 and April 1995. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Aug 23 2009 North East of England : Busways Travel Services Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1743840.html Busways began trading in 1986 under the ownership of the Tyne and Wear PTA to take over the Tyne and Wear PTE's bus operations as per the requirements of the 1986 Transport Act. An attractive family of liveries were formed around the traditional yellow base, with blue for South Shields, green for Sunderland and maroon for the Newcastle city area. Added to that were various smart low cost units, Blue Bus Services being of particular note with their small fleet of elderly but immaculate Bristol RE's, and Favourite who operated a small Sunderland operation in an attractive orange and white livery. By the early 1990's, Busways management were becoming concerned about their vulnerability, being encircled by Northumbria, United and Go Ahead Northern. An alliance with a larger group was sought and in July 1994, Stagecoach acquired Busways. However the livery lived on until 1998 as allowed under the term of the takeover. With such a firm hold in the area, Stagecoach were in a good position to consolidate with other operators such as Darlington Transport, Cleveland Transit and Hartlepool Transport. These slides were taken on visits in September 1992 and April 1995 which hopefully show this most attractive of operations as best I can. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Friday 21 August 2009: Busways began trading in 1986 under the ownership of the Tyne and Wear PTA to take over the Tyne and Wear PTE's bus operations as per the requirements of the 1986 Transport Act. An attractive family of liveries were formed around the traditional yellow base, with blue for South Shields, green for Sunderland and maroon for the Newcastle city area. Added to that were various smart low cost units, Blue Bus Services being of particular note with their small fleet of elderly but immaculate Bristol RE's, and Favourite who operated a small Sunderland operation in an attractive orange and white livery. By the early 1990's, Busways management were becoming concerned about their vulnerability, being encircled by Northumbria, United and Go Ahead Northern. An alliance with a larger group was sought and in July 1994, Stagecoach acquired Busways. However the livery lived on until 1998 as allowed under the term of the takeover. With such a firm hold in the area, Stagecoach were in a good position to consolidate with other operators such as Darlington Transport, Cleveland Transit and Hartlepool Transport. These slides were taken on visits in September 1992 and April 1995 which hopefully show this most attractive of operations as best I can. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Aug 21 2009 North East of England : United Automobile Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1743820.html United Automobile Services or United, as it was commonly known, was a major provider of bus services across the North East and North Yorkshire for 80 years or more. Nationalised in 1948, until broken-up and privatised in the late 1980s, the company provided bus-services across England's widest geographical area, stretching from Berwick on Tweed on the Scottish border, south to Filey in East Yorkshire. By the early 1990's, the Northumberland and Scarborough areas had been hived off into two new companies, Northumbria Motor Services and Scarborough & District. In 1990, the Cleveland and Middlesbrough operations were renamed Tees & District, with the Stockton depot operating as TMS (Teesside Motor Services). United was purchased by the Caldaire Group, then North East Bus, then Cowie, which was renamed Arriva on April 2nd, 1998, with North East Bus becoming Arriva North East. These slides were taken on visits to the North East in September 1992 and April 1995. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Friday 21 August 2009: United Automobile Services or United, as it was commonly known, was a major provider of bus services across the North East and North Yorkshire for 80 years or more. Nationalised in 1948, until broken-up and privatised in the late 1980s, the company provided bus-services across England's widest geographical area, stretching from Berwick on Tweed on the Scottish border, south to Filey in East Yorkshire. By the early 1990's, the Northumberland and Scarborough areas had been hived off into two new companies, Northumbria Motor Services and Scarborough & District. In 1990, the Cleveland and Middlesbrough operations were renamed Tees & District, with the Stockton depot operating as TMS (Teesside Motor Services). United was purchased by the Caldaire Group, then North East Bus, then Cowie, which was renamed Arriva on April 2nd, 1998, with North East Bus becoming Arriva North East. These slides were taken on visits to the North East in September 1992 and April 1995. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Aug 21 2009 North East of England : Hartlepool Transport Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1743819.html Hartlepool Transport operated a very traditional fleet through the 1980's and 1990's, ECW bodied Bristol RELL6G's forming the backbone of the operation for many, many years. A true municipal operation, it became an arms length limited company by statute in 1986 and was purchased by its employees in June 1993. In December 1994, the fleet passed into Stagecoach ownership. These slides were taken on vists to the area in September 1992 and April 1995, the last visit four months into the Stagecoach era. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Friday 21 August 2009: Hartlepool Transport operated a very traditional fleet through the 1980's and 1990's, ECW bodied Bristol RELL6G's forming the backbone of the operation for many, many years. A true municipal operation, it became an arms length limited company by statute in 1986 and was purchased by its employees in June 1993. In December 1994, the fleet passed into Stagecoach ownership. These slides were taken on vists to the area in September 1992 and April 1995, the last visit four months into the Stagecoach era. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Aug 21 2009 North East of England : Go Ahead Northern Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1743815.html Go Ahead Northern was formed from Northern General Transport in the mid 1980's and was the foundation of the current Go Ahead group. Go Ahead Northern operated a wide range of local identities across the North East including the blue liveried VFM Buses and the green and grey Wear Buses scheme to name but two. These slides were taken in September 1992 and April 1995 around Newcastle, Sunderland, South Shields and Durham. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Friday 21 August 2009: Go Ahead Northern was formed from Northern General Transport in the mid 1980's and was the foundation of the current Go Ahead group. Go Ahead Northern operated a wide range of local identities across the North East including the blue liveried VFM Buses and the green and grey Wear Buses scheme to name but two. These slides were taken in September 1992 and April 1995 around Newcastle, Sunderland, South Shields and Durham. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Aug 21 2009 North East of England : Cleveland Transit Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1743806.html These slides were taken on visits through Middlesbrough in September 1992 and April 1995 and show off Cleveland Transit's smart green, yellow and white livery well. The company operated around the towns of Middlesbrough and Stockton and took over from the former Teesside Municipal Transport. In November 1994, Cleveland Transit was approached by the Stagecoach Group and in line with other adjacent municipal operator Hartlepool agreed to sell to Stagecoach. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Friday 21 August 2009: These slides were taken on visits through Middlesbrough in September 1992 and April 1995 and show off Cleveland Transit's smart green, yellow and white livery well. The company operated around the towns of Middlesbrough and Stockton and took over from the former Teesside Municipal Transport. In November 1994, Cleveland Transit was approached by the Stagecoach Group and in line with other adjacent municipal operator Hartlepool agreed to sell to Stagecoach. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Aug 21 2009 North East of England : Darlington Transport Buses and Coaches http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1743796.html A few scanned slides from a brief visit to Darlington in September 1992. Darlington Transport operated an eclectic variety of vehicles in a smart blue and cream livery including a selection of ageing Daimler Fleetline saloons, Ward Dalesmans and Seddon RU's, plus at the time of this visit, some former Nottingham Fleetlines with unusual dome conversions. The demise of Darlington's municipal fleet is well told elsewhere, various events leading to the collapse of the company on November 9th 1994, and the cessation of all services by November 11th 1994. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Friday 21 August 2009: A few scanned slides from a brief visit to Darlington in September 1992. Darlington Transport operated an eclectic variety of vehicles in a smart blue and cream livery including a selection of ageing Daimler Fleetline saloons, Ward Dalesmans and Seddon RU's, plus at the time of this visit, some former Nottingham Fleetlines with unusual dome conversions. The demise of Darlington's municipal fleet is well told elsewhere, various events leading to the collapse of the company on November 9th 1994, and the cessation of all services by November 11th 1994. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Aug 21 2009 Visiting Coaches to the Highlands, Islands and North East Scotland http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1728098.html This collections hosts visiting coaches to the Highlands and North East of Scotland as they don't easily fit any other category. Not much else to say other than there are some nice vehicles out there and generally those coaches operating tours of the North of Scotland are turned out to a decent standard. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Sunday 19 July 2009: This collections hosts visiting coaches to the Highlands and North East of Scotland as they don't easily fit any other category. Not much else to say other than there are some nice vehicles out there and generally those coaches operating tours of the North of Scotland are turned out to a decent standard. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Jul 19 2009 Hong Kong Buses and Transport 1998, September http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1702613.html A collection of slides scanned from my September 1998 visit to Hong Kong, arriving just five days after the transfer of undertaking from China Motor Bus to the newly formed New World First Bus. Perhaps not the best timing, as had I known that CMB were going to lose their franchise from 1st September, I would have booked my holiday in order to be there at the handover. However I was still able to see the first Tridents and Darts operating for New World, and plenty older CMB fleet members carrying New World branding. It was also my first time flying to the new airport at Chep Lap Kok, which had opened a few months earlier replacing the old but much loved airport at Kai Tak. The new Long Win fleet were taking delivery of Tridents to operate the new network of services although a handful of Volvo Olympians were also in service untuil the Trident order was fulfilled. Weather was mixed, which is reflected in the quality of the images seen here. The light was so poor that I had to purchase a supply of 400ASA film to compliment my supply of 100ASA film. Inevitably the grainy quality of the 400ASA film shows up badly in the scanned image. These slides are all scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Monday 25 May 2009: A collection of slides scanned from my September 1998 visit to Hong Kong, arriving just five days after the transfer of undertaking from China Motor Bus to the newly formed New World First Bus. Perhaps not the best timing, as had I known that CMB were going to lose their franchise from 1st September, I would have booked my holiday in order to be there at the handover. However I was still able to see the first Tridents and Darts operating for New World, and plenty older CMB fleet members carrying New World branding. It was also my first time flying to the new airport at Chep Lap Kok, which had opened a few months earlier replacing the old but much loved airport at Kai Tak. The new Long Win fleet were taking delivery of Tridents to operate the new network of services although a handful of Volvo Olympians were also in service untuil the Trident order was fulfilled. Weather was mixed, which is reflected in the quality of the images seen here. The light was so poor that I had to purchase a supply of 400ASA film to compliment my supply of 100ASA film. Inevitably the grainy quality of the 400ASA film shows up badly in the scanned image. These slides are all scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Mon May 25 2009 Malta Route Buses and Coaches March 1999 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1689409.html Slide scans from my March 1999 visit to Malta, a trip frustrated by the fact that Fuji, or the Royal Mail, lost several films from the holiday which have never been found. Most frustrating that some of the best shots of the holiday were lost, taken on a day when I vowed to avoid Valletta and it's bus station all day; instead choosing to walk some sections of route and exploring less well know places like Kirkop, Luqa, Zebbug, etc. For all that, they make an interesting comparison with the digital pics from March 2009 and reflect the changes in the Route Bus fleet. As in the past couple of years, it's been a pleasure looking through these slides once again whilst scanning them. These slides are taken on Fujichrome 100 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Tuesday 28 April 2009: Slide scans from my March 1999 visit to Malta, a trip frustrated by the fact that Fuji, or the Royal Mail, lost several films from the holiday which have never been found. Most frustrating that some of the best shots of the holiday were lost, taken on a day when I vowed to avoid Valletta and it's bus station all day; instead choosing to walk some sections of route and exploring less well know places like Kirkop, Luqa, Zebbug, etc. For all that, they make an interesting comparison with the digital pics from March 2009 and reflect the changes in the Route Bus fleet. As in the past couple of years, it's been a pleasure looking through these slides once again whilst scanning them. These slides are taken on Fujichrome 100 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Tue Apr 28 2009 Angus and Dundee Buses and Coaches 2009 with an April Fife visit for good measure. http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1686350.html Some shots from the April 2009 Omnibus Society Tour of Fife start of this collection, which will be hopefully supplemented by a couple of trips around Angus to catch up with activities around Angus and Dundee all being well. Moffat and Williamson's fleet truly looks the part, every vehicle being smartly turned out and trips being enjoyed on the two new low floors at Glenrothes, the Optare Versa and the MCV bodied MAN. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30. Wednesday 22 April 2009: Some shots from the April 2009 Omnibus Society Tour of Fife start of this collection, which will be hopefully supplemented by a couple of trips around Angus to catch up with activities around Angus and Dundee all being well. Moffat and Williamson's fleet truly looks the part, every vehicle being smartly turned out and trips being enjoyed on the two new low floors at Glenrothes, the Optare Versa and the MCV bodied MAN. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Wed Apr 22 2009 Malta Route Bus and Coach March 2009 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1683157.html This year's trip to Malta partially coincided with an organised visit of busfans from the UK, Europe and beyond, which allowed me to join a couple of excellent day tours - thanks Marco and Richard. Weather was bright and at times breezy.....maybe even stormy at a couple of times. Again we enjoyed the excellent hospitality at the Castille Hotel in Valletta, superbly set just a few minutes walk from the frenetic activity around the bus station. As always, the selection of refurbished route buses continues to impress, with gems like AEC Swift EBY525 surfacing for the first time in many years, allowing one to enjoy the AEC 505 gearbox music traditionally associated with the Swift. However it must be remembered that time is marching on, and the commissioned Halcrow report of 2008 may have severe ramifications on the existing set up. For those who haven't been to Malta, get there soon - it's well worth it to wallow in some superbly engineered vehicles and the hospitality on the island is most welcoming. The "future" could well be a single operator franchise of around 220 vehicles replacing the 400 or so owners of 508 route buses, and there's a tremendous cultural and vehicle heritage here that needs to be represented in preservation for future generations. There's little doubt that progress will continue towards total modernisation and there can be many benefits for the regular passenger in this. However Malta's tourism benefits from the legendary island buses and campaigning has begun to allow owners to be able to retain their vehicles if so minded as family heirlooms, currently almost impossible for them to achieve. Campaigning has also begun to convince the authorities to consider heritage services with some of the best of the old fleet. Fingers crossed that we get somewhere with this and any like minded individuals are asked to consider contacting the Transport Minister's Private Secretary on emanuel.j.delia@gov.mt in support of this approach. Enjoy. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Wednesday 15 April 2009: This year's trip to Malta partially coincided with an organised visit of busfans from the UK, Europe and beyond, which allowed me to join a couple of excellent day tours - thanks Marco and Richard. Weather was bright and at times breezy.....maybe even stormy at a couple of times. Again we enjoyed the excellent hospitality at the Castille Hotel in Valletta, superbly set just a few minutes walk from the frenetic activity around the bus station. As always, the selection of refurbished route buses continues to impress, with gems like AEC Swift EBY525 surfacing for the first time in many years, allowing one to enjoy the AEC 505 gearbox music traditionally associated with the Swift. However it must be remembered that time is marching on, and the commissioned Halcrow report of 2008 may have severe ramifications on the existing set up. For those who haven't been to Malta, get there soon - it's well worth it to wallow in some superbly engineered vehicles and the hospitality on the island is most welcoming. The "future" could well be a single operator franchise of around 220 vehicles replacing the 400 or so owners of 508 route buses, and there's a tremendous cultural and vehicle heritage here that needs to be represented in preservation for future generations. There's little doubt that progress will continue towards total modernisation and there can be many benefits for the regular passenger in this. However Malta's tourism benefits from the legendary island buses and campaigning has begun to allow owners to be able to retain their vehicles if so minded as family heirlooms, currently almost impossible for them to achieve. Campaigning has also begun to convince the authorities to consider heritage services with some of the best of the old fleet. Fingers crossed that we get somewhere with this and any like minded individuals are asked to consider contacting the Transport Minister's Private Secretary on emanuel.j.delia@gov.mt in support of this approach. Enjoy. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Wed Apr 15 2009 Malta Police Headquarters_Pulizija Ta Malta March 2009 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1677038.html We were lucky to be granted a visit to the Malta Police Headquarters in Floriana in this visit. It's a fascinating place just under the fortified walls of Floriana, and there's a selection of the vehicles operated seen here. Included are the PSV buses operated by Pulizija Ta Malta, all of which originated from the UK, plus several vehicles under restoration by the Force. The Ivecos originated from Arriva Herts and Essex whilst the Bedfords operated with Croyden Council. A big thank you to the Senior Officer who gave his time and friendship to show us around. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30 digital camera Saturday 4 April 2009: We were lucky to be granted a visit to the Malta Police Headquarters in Floriana in this visit. It's a fascinating place just under the fortified walls of Floriana, and there's a selection of the vehicles operated seen here. Included are the PSV buses operated by Pulizija Ta Malta, all of which originated from the UK, plus several vehicles under restoration by the Force. The Ivecos originated from Arriva Herts and Essex whilst the Bedfords operated with Croyden Council. A big thank you to the Senior Officer who gave his time and friendship to show us around. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30 digital camera

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sat Apr 4 2009 Malta Route Bus and Coach March 2009 - the Hidden Gems http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1676913.html This small collection contains images of former route buses stored across the island of Malta, for the most part in excellent condition and maintained in secure premises. Included are the vehicles belonging to the owner of Paramount Coaches, four of which were replaced by the Dennis Darts of 1997. Perhaps my own personal favourites are the two beauties, Bedford OB Y722 and Ford Thames FBY732, which have been beautifully restored by their owner, the current operator bus of Bedford FBY722 and Dennis Lance FBY732. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30 digital camera. Saturday 4 April 2009: This small collection contains images of former route buses stored across the island of Malta, for the most part in excellent condition and maintained in secure premises. Included are the vehicles belonging to the owner of Paramount Coaches, four of which were replaced by the Dennis Darts of 1997. Perhaps my own personal favourites are the two beauties, Bedford OB Y722 and Ford Thames FBY732, which have been beautifully restored by their owner, the current operator bus of Bedford FBY722 and Dennis Lance FBY732. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sat Apr 4 2009 Malta Private Charter Buses and Coaches March 2009 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1673487.html Malta March 2009 and I'm back there again, seeking out good noise route buses and catching up with activities on the private hire and tour scene. Cancu's open top fleet has increased since March 2008, with three of the four open topped former Glasgow Citybuses now in traffic, leaving just G524RDS awaiting licensing. Oppurtunites were also offered to visit Garden of Eden where several of their open toppers wee viewed at the depot as well as a most pleasant hurl on their Daimler CVG6. A fair number of coaches included here as well, plus some shots of the former McKindless of Bogside King Long at Zinnu's Coachworks being prepared for the Malta Freeport as an internal transport vehicle. These are all digital photographs taken with a DMC_FZ30 digital camera. Saturday 28 March 2009: Malta March 2009 and I'm back there again, seeking out good noise route buses and catching up with activities on the private hire and tour scene. Cancu's open top fleet has increased since March 2008, with three of the four open topped former Glasgow Citybuses now in traffic, leaving just G524RDS awaiting licensing. Oppurtunites were also offered to visit Garden of Eden where several of their open toppers wee viewed at the depot as well as a most pleasant hurl on their Daimler CVG6. A fair number of coaches included here as well, plus some shots of the former McKindless of Bogside King Long at Zinnu's Coachworks being prepared for the Malta Freeport as an internal transport vehicle. These are all digital photographs taken with a DMC_FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sat Mar 28 2009 Glasgow and Surrounding Area Buses in 2009 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1662441.html March saw the first visit to Glasgow of 2009 in mixed showery weather. Time wasn't really on my side for photography as I'd other plans involving route number blinds, some good food and some wine. Hic. Very pleased to catch up with the last Olympian in the First fleet still in the fadeout Barbie livery, however much it was a visual disaster from inception. Equally narked to just miss the former Lothian Olympian with Glasgow Citybus on the 17 - the joys! A further May visit in miserable weather saw me catch up with with Enviro 200's out in Lanarkshire along with the Enviro 500's on the 44/44A in the city. In June, I had visitors from Hong Kong keen to see the tri-axles in Glasgow which gave further opportunity on a day of horrendous showers and sunshine. These are all digital images taken with a Pansonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Wednesday 4 March 2009: March saw the first visit to Glasgow of 2009 in mixed showery weather. Time wasn't really on my side for photography as I'd other plans involving route number blinds, some good food and some wine. Hic. Very pleased to catch up with the last Olympian in the First fleet still in the fadeout Barbie livery, however much it was a visual disaster from inception. Equally narked to just miss the former Lothian Olympian with Glasgow Citybus on the 17 - the joys! A further May visit in miserable weather saw me catch up with with Enviro 200's out in Lanarkshire along with the Enviro 500's on the 44/44A in the city. In June, I had visitors from Hong Kong keen to see the tri-axles in Glasgow which gave further opportunity on a day of horrendous showers and sunshine. These are all digital images taken with a Pansonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Wed Mar 4 2009 Clydeside Part 3 : Clydeside 2000 November 1991 onwards http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1659854.html A start on scanning my Clydeside slides and this time, for no other reason than the box came to hand first, I've started at the end of the tale by looking at Clydeside 2000 first. In due course, I'll dig out my Clydeside Scottish and "Clydeside under Western" slides to complete the tale. The forced remarriage of Clydeside Scottish and Western Scottish in May 1989 didn't make for a happy relationship after four years apart pursuing different policies and management strategies. Upon the the privatisation of Western Scottish under a management buy out in October 1991, the Clydeside end of the show ploughed their own furrow forming Clydeside 2000 plc. Clydeside's new management and employees took a 76% stake in the new company, with Luton & District Buses purchasing the remainder. Clydeside 2000 was later taken over by British Bus in November 1994 (stakeholder Luton & District had already become a part of British Bus), which was subsequently acquired by, and merged with, the Cowie Group to become Arriva. These slides are taken on a variety of 100, 200 and 400 ASA films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Friday 27 February 2009: A start on scanning my Clydeside slides and this time, for no other reason than the box came to hand first, I've started at the end of the tale by looking at Clydeside 2000 first. In due course, I'll dig out my Clydeside Scottish and "Clydeside under Western" slides to complete the tale. The forced remarriage of Clydeside Scottish and Western Scottish in May 1989 didn't make for a happy relationship after four years apart pursuing different policies and management strategies. Upon the the privatisation of Western Scottish under a management buy out in October 1991, the Clydeside end of the show ploughed their own furrow forming Clydeside 2000 plc. Clydeside's new management and employees took a 76% stake in the new company, with Luton & District Buses purchasing the remainder. Clydeside 2000 was later taken over by British Bus in November 1994 (stakeholder Luton & District had already become a part of British Bus), which was subsequently acquired by, and merged with, the Cowie Group to become Arriva. These slides are taken on a variety of 100, 200 and 400 ASA films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Feb 27 2009 Middlesbrough - Ten Minutes Madness February 2009 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1652800.html Well it might have been nearer twenty minutes, but certainly long enough to have numb fingers in the biting wind. This visit to the North East came about through a business meeting near Redcar and a superb return flight from Aberdeen to Durham-Tees airport on one of Eastern Airways Jetstream 61's. For the local enthusiast, these will seem very mundane shots, mainly taken at the exit from Middlesbrough Bus Station in a wintry sun. Must admit it was a pleasure to hear the Mercedes 0405's and assorted DAF's with Arriva North East, and an even greater joy to see the Transporter Bridge in action, and looking far smarter than my last visit in the early 1990's. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Thursday 12 February 2009: Well it might have been nearer twenty minutes, but certainly long enough to have numb fingers in the biting wind. This visit to the North East came about through a business meeting near Redcar and a superb return flight from Aberdeen to Durham-Tees airport on one of Eastern Airways Jetstream 61's. For the local enthusiast, these will seem very mundane shots, mainly taken at the exit from Middlesbrough Bus Station in a wintry sun. Must admit it was a pleasure to hear the Mercedes 0405's and assorted DAF's with Arriva North East, and an even greater joy to see the Transporter Bridge in action, and looking far smarter than my last visit in the early 1990's. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Thu Feb 12 2009 Grampian Transport Buses and Coaches August 1986 - February 1998 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1634586.html This collection continues on from the Grampian Regional Transport/GRT fleet collection by looking at slides of vehicles operated under the Grampian Transport company name between 26th August 1986 and 26th February 1998. Grampian Transport came about through the requirement of all local authority fleets to be set up as arm's length operating PLC's, a legal requirement under the terms of the 1985 Transport Act. On 20 January 1989 the company was privatised, bought by its employees under an Employee Share Ownership Plan. While the company continued to operate as GRT in Aberdeen, its holding company GRT Group went on to acquire other bus companies, eventually becoming FirstBus plc in 1995. At the same time, GRT adopted the First Grampian fleetname, a branded subsidiary of FirstBus . In a further re-organisation of FirstBus into FirstGroup, First Grampian became First Aberdeen Ltd in 1998, but post 1998 is outwith this collection of slides. Almost immediately after formation in 1986, Grampian Transport adapted the rather bland Grampian Scottish livery by adding a seond darker green skirt to the livery along with a smart Grampian fleetname complete with thistle emblem. By this time, those vehicle still retaining the ember red band were looking rather careworn, and the orange/red band more pink in hue. As new Mercedes single deck vehicles arrived in the late 80's/early 90's, a lighter ivory was adopted with a broken green squiggle band, first seen on the celebrity Mercedes 0405 artic number 1. The ivory base and stripe layout would go on to become a corporate livery for the GRT Group, albeit with different colours for the stripes. These slides are taken on a variety of 100, 200 and 400 ASA films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. As with other collections, Agfa and Boots films have not worn as well as Fuji and Kodakchrome and that might be apparent on some of the older slides I've chosen to scan. Likewise, 200ASA and 400ASA film shows its grainy nature when scanned. Wednesday 7 January 2009: This collection continues on from the Grampian Regional Transport/GRT fleet collection by looking at slides of vehicles operated under the Grampian Transport company name between 26th August 1986 and 26th February 1998. Grampian Transport came about through the requirement of all local authority fleets to be set up as arm's length operating PLC's, a legal requirement under the terms of the 1985 Transport Act. On 20 January 1989 the company was privatised, bought by its employees under an Employee Share Ownership Plan. While the company continued to operate as GRT in Aberdeen, its holding company GRT Group went on to acquire other bus companies, eventually becoming FirstBus plc in 1995. At the same time, GRT adopted the First Grampian fleetname, a branded subsidiary of FirstBus . In a further re-organisation of FirstBus into FirstGroup, First Grampian became First Aberdeen Ltd in 1998, but post 1998 is outwith this collection of slides. Almost immediately after formation in 1986, Grampian Transport adapted the rather bland Grampian Scottish livery by adding a seond darker green skirt to the livery along with a smart Grampian fleetname complete with thistle emblem. By this time, those vehicle still retaining the ember red band were looking rather careworn, and the orange/red band more pink in hue. As new Mercedes single deck vehicles arrived in the late 80's/early 90's, a lighter ivory was adopted with a broken green squiggle band, first seen on the celebrity Mercedes 0405 artic number 1. The ivory base and stripe layout would go on to become a corporate livery for the GRT Group, albeit with different colours for the stripes. These slides are taken on a variety of 100, 200 and 400 ASA films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. As with other collections, Agfa and Boots films have not worn as well as Fuji and Kodakchrome and that might be apparent on some of the older slides I've chosen to scan. Likewise, 200ASA and 400ASA film shows its grainy nature when scanned.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Wed Jan 7 2009 Grampian Regional Transport/GRT Buses and Coaches 1981 - August 1986 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1627294.html I enjoyed four misspent years in Aberdeen as a student in the first half of the 1980's, and as a result, took a fair number of slides of the Grampian Regional Transport fleet in that time, and on many subsequent visits. Grampian's smart green, cream and ember red fleet was highly standardised on the AN68 class Atlantean when I hit town although there was a batch of very musical Leyland engined Fleetlines with the same elegant peak domed Alexander body. Minority types when I first moved to Aberdeen included Leyland Nationals and Leopards, AEC Swifts and Reliances and latterly a quartet of Bristol LH's whilst delivery of Olympians commenced in 1984. This collection contains some of my GRT slides taken between October 1981 and August 1986 prior to the formation of Grampian Transport, the arm's length company set as a requirement of the 1985 Transport Act. During that time, the attractive ember red band was dropped, the rather more bare livery initially being trialled on Atlantean 171. In time this led on to the Grampian Scottish concordat with Northern Scottish, and the simplified green and cream livery featured on the city vehicles of Northern as well as on Grampian's fleet. A revised route network reapportioning work within Aberdeen commenced on 23rd January 1983. Included are some of the colourful advertising liveries that adorned some members of the fleet in the mid 1980's after many years without any such vehicles. Atlantean 331 was delivered new in January 1983 sponsoring the Bus and Coach Council whilst older 227/228 endorsed the Grampian Scottish concept and the tickets available. It took another couple of years until 311 appeared promoting Gillanders Volvo dealership after which allover advertising became commonplace for a time. Atlantean 305 advertising P&O Ferries Shetland link was probably my all time favourite; either that or Hydrasun's 256. Also included are those vehicles in non standard route liveries such as those dedicated to the Airport service and the various Christmas specials. These slides are taken on a variety of 100, 200 and 400 ASA films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. As with other collections, Agfa and Boots films have not worn as well as Fuji and Kodakchrome and that might be apparent on some of the older slides I've chosen to scan. Saturday 20 December 2008: I enjoyed four misspent years in Aberdeen as a student in the first half of the 1980's, and as a result, took a fair number of slides of the Grampian Regional Transport fleet in that time, and on many subsequent visits. Grampian's smart green, cream and ember red fleet was highly standardised on the AN68 class Atlantean when I hit town although there was a batch of very musical Leyland engined Fleetlines with the same elegant peak domed Alexander body. Minority types when I first moved to Aberdeen included Leyland Nationals and Leopards, AEC Swifts and Reliances and latterly a quartet of Bristol LH's whilst delivery of Olympians commenced in 1984. This collection contains some of my GRT slides taken between October 1981 and August 1986 prior to the formation of Grampian Transport, the arm's length company set as a requirement of the 1985 Transport Act. During that time, the attractive ember red band was dropped, the rather more bare livery initially being trialled on Atlantean 171. In time this led on to the Grampian Scottish concordat with Northern Scottish, and the simplified green and cream livery featured on the city vehicles of Northern as well as on Grampian's fleet. A revised route network reapportioning work within Aberdeen commenced on 23rd January 1983. Included are some of the colourful advertising liveries that adorned some members of the fleet in the mid 1980's after many years without any such vehicles. Atlantean 331 was delivered new in January 1983 sponsoring the Bus and Coach Council whilst older 227/228 endorsed the Grampian Scottish concept and the tickets available. It took another couple of years until 311 appeared promoting Gillanders Volvo dealership after which allover advertising became commonplace for a time. Atlantean 305 advertising P&O Ferries Shetland link was probably my all time favourite; either that or Hydrasun's 256. Also included are those vehicles in non standard route liveries such as those dedicated to the Airport service and the various Christmas specials. These slides are taken on a variety of 100, 200 and 400 ASA films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. As with other collections, Agfa and Boots films have not worn as well as Fuji and Kodakchrome and that might be apparent on some of the older slides I've chosen to scan.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sat Dec 20 2008 Hong Kong Buses and Transport 2008, November http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1615944.html November 2008 was a superb time to visit that most fragrant of harbours, with the weather most days in the high 20's and low 30's. Perhaps if anything a bit too warm but we coped;-). New vehicles which were on the hit list included new Enviro 500's with Citybus and NWFB, which I'd seen being built at Heng Fa Chuen depot the previous year. The Citybus examples are primarily used on the network of routes serving Shenzhen Bay Port, officially a closed area to non permit/visa holders, but my brief visit went unchallenged. I had a spare entry on my China visa anyway so could have justified my presence there. The previous year had seen the preparatory work being carried out for the merger of the KCR and MTR fleets under the MTR name, which would see MTR acquire a fleet of buses for connecting services. New into the MTR fleet are a batch on Enviro 500's whilst Leyland Olympians have dropped out the other end of the fleet into storage at Fo Tan depot. New Lantao Bus also have new Gemiilang bodied MAN's NL273's which were found at Yuen Long/Shenzhen Bay Port, and at Tung Chung. KMB continue to introduce new Enviro 500's whilst aircon Olympians and Dragons from the AL and AD classes are now the oldest members of the fleet; older than many of the 190 non aircon Olympians and Dragons left. Despite their proportionally smaller and smaller numbers, the red and cream non aircon livery is still kept smart and still has a relatively high profile as almost every non aircon bus has a daily allocation, with older aircon deckers being the fleet spare capacity. We were especially pleased to travel the entire length of KMB Service 70 from Jordan to Sheung Shui on Olympian S3BL410 just weeks before this well known route was withdrawn on December 6th 2008, have outlived it's original market. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Monday 24 November 2008: November 2008 was a superb time to visit that most fragrant of harbours, with the weather most days in the high 20's and low 30's. Perhaps if anything a bit too warm but we coped;-). New vehicles which were on the hit list included new Enviro 500's with Citybus and NWFB, which I'd seen being built at Heng Fa Chuen depot the previous year. The Citybus examples are primarily used on the network of routes serving Shenzhen Bay Port, officially a closed area to non permit/visa holders, but my brief visit went unchallenged. I had a spare entry on my China visa anyway so could have justified my presence there. The previous year had seen the preparatory work being carried out for the merger of the KCR and MTR fleets under the MTR name, which would see MTR acquire a fleet of buses for connecting services. New into the MTR fleet are a batch on Enviro 500's whilst Leyland Olympians have dropped out the other end of the fleet into storage at Fo Tan depot. New Lantao Bus also have new Gemiilang bodied MAN's NL273's which were found at Yuen Long/Shenzhen Bay Port, and at Tung Chung. KMB continue to introduce new Enviro 500's whilst aircon Olympians and Dragons from the AL and AD classes are now the oldest members of the fleet; older than many of the 190 non aircon Olympians and Dragons left. Despite their proportionally smaller and smaller numbers, the red and cream non aircon livery is still kept smart and still has a relatively high profile as almost every non aircon bus has a daily allocation, with older aircon deckers being the fleet spare capacity. We were especially pleased to travel the entire length of KMB Service 70 from Jordan to Sheung Shui on Olympian S3BL410 just weeks before this well known route was withdrawn on December 6th 2008, have outlived it's original market. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Mon Nov 24 2008 Independent Operators : Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire Buses and Coaches in the 1980's and 1990's http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1605846.html This collection started out by fishing out the slides taken of Newton of Dingwall's coaches prior to the sale to the Scottish Bus Group in November 1985. In doing that, those vehicles of Dunnet, Keiss and Morrison of Castletown came to light and the collection has come to embrace the independent operators of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire....broadly speaking those operators north of Inverness until the Pentland Firth is reached. The Rapson vehicles shown are those credited to RGH Rapson of Brora; a separate collection covers Sandy Rapson's Alness based fleet post November 1985 which took up where Newton left off on the Express market and is entitled "Rapson (Sandy Rapson) Buses and Coaches, Alness and Inverness 1985 - 1993". Some of the older slides are showing their age, and there are a few slides taken on a thankfully shortlived (but ohhh so cheap!)Dixonchrome which are almost electric blue in tone, even after some tweaking in Paint Shop Pro. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 ASA and 200 ASA slides and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Thanks to friend Ewan Wood for taking several of the Dunnets shots over the years for me. Monday 3 November 2008: This collection started out by fishing out the slides taken of Newton of Dingwall's coaches prior to the sale to the Scottish Bus Group in November 1985. In doing that, those vehicles of Dunnet, Keiss and Morrison of Castletown came to light and the collection has come to embrace the independent operators of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire....broadly speaking those operators north of Inverness until the Pentland Firth is reached. The Rapson vehicles shown are those credited to RGH Rapson of Brora; a separate collection covers Sandy Rapson's Alness based fleet post November 1985 which took up where Newton left off on the Express market and is entitled "Rapson (Sandy Rapson) Buses and Coaches, Alness and Inverness 1985 - 1993". Some of the older slides are showing their age, and there are a few slides taken on a thankfully shortlived (but ohhh so cheap!)Dixonchrome which are almost electric blue in tone, even after some tweaking in Paint Shop Pro. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 ASA and 200 ASA slides and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Thanks to friend Ewan Wood for taking several of the Dunnets shots over the years for me.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Mon Nov 3 2008 Independent Operators : Orkney and Shetland Buses and Coaches in the 1980's http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1603995.html A "peerie" collection of slides scanned from my first visit to Orkney in the autumn of 1982. I just wish I'd had more sense of adventure in those days as most shots are taken around Kirkwall Bus Station before adjourning to Mrs Fowlis's guest house in Buttquoy Road. Again I guess the parsimonious nature kicked in, as there's other vehicles in the background that I could have photographed; as I've said before, slide film didn't have the disposable nature of the digital era. Also included here are a puckle of slides taken for me by a friend who visited Shetland the following year - thanks Robert. I recall the pleasure of getting a slide of Leask's ORS84H, the only semi automatic Albion Viking built for the Scottish Bus Group. What a shame such a fine motor hasn't survived. These slides are all taken on a variety of 100ASA and 200ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Friday 31 October 2008: A "peerie" collection of slides scanned from my first visit to Orkney in the autumn of 1982. I just wish I'd had more sense of adventure in those days as most shots are taken around Kirkwall Bus Station before adjourning to Mrs Fowlis's guest house in Buttquoy Road. Again I guess the parsimonious nature kicked in, as there's other vehicles in the background that I could have photographed; as I've said before, slide film didn't have the disposable nature of the digital era. Also included here are a puckle of slides taken for me by a friend who visited Shetland the following year - thanks Robert. I recall the pleasure of getting a slide of Leask's ORS84H, the only semi automatic Albion Viking built for the Scottish Bus Group. What a shame such a fine motor hasn't survived. These slides are all taken on a variety of 100ASA and 200ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Oct 31 2008 Macao's Buses and Coaches 1995 and 1996 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1595273.html My first visits to the then Portuguese territory of Macao, both taken as day trips from Hong Kong for a few hours. I didn't really do the place justice unlike my more recent visits in digital days, and never visited the island of Taipa or Coloane....just not enough confidence to find my way about. Transmac's fleet of Fuso's were supplemented by the Plaxton Pointer Darts in the 1996 visit whilst TCM underwent a livery change between the 1995 and 1996 livery. I was lucky to catch the last two Bedford SB's working with TCM over both visits. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 ASA slide filsm and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner. Tuesday 14 October 2008: My first visits to the then Portuguese territory of Macao, both taken as day trips from Hong Kong for a few hours. I didn't really do the place justice unlike my more recent visits in digital days, and never visited the island of Taipa or Coloane....just not enough confidence to find my way about. Transmac's fleet of Fuso's were supplemented by the Plaxton Pointer Darts in the 1996 visit whilst TCM underwent a livery change between the 1995 and 1996 livery. I was lucky to catch the last two Bedford SB's working with TCM over both visits. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 ASA slide filsm and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V-ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Tue Oct 14 2008 Stagecoach Visitors and Other Citylink, Megabus and Express Operators serving the Highlands http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1574550.html A few shots of various Stagecoach and other visitors on Citylink and Megabus duties around Inverness and the West Highlands. Stagecoach Scotland, Fife and Glasgow vehicles will feature on a variety of services. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30 digital camera. Saturday 6 September 2008: A few shots of various Stagecoach and other visitors on Citylink and Megabus duties around Inverness and the West Highlands. Stagecoach Scotland, Fife and Glasgow vehicles will feature on a variety of services. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sat Sep 6 2008 Kelvin Scottish Buses and Coaches June 1985 - July 1989 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1537125.html Kelvin Scottish was one of the four new companies formed by the Scottish Bus Group in mid 1985 with minds focussed on the forthcoming processes of deregulation and privatisation. Kelvin was made up of existing SBG subsidiaries Central Scottish Omnibuses, Old Kilpatrick depot and Midland Scottish Omnibuses, Milngavie, Kirkintilloch, Kilsyth, Stepps and Cumbernauld depots. Initially a two tone blue livery was adopted, not so dissimilar to Highland's coach livery, but this was soon replaced by a much more striking and handsome two tone blue and yellow livery. Initially my exposure to Kelvin was restricted to day trips to the Glasgow area and the occasional Kelvin migrant north on Citylink; however I moved to the Glasgow area in July 1987 albeit working for another one of the new SBG companies, Clydeside at their Gordon Street Head office. Kelvin Scottish's existence as an operating company was short lived, being merged with Central in July 1989 to form Kelvin Central Buses - another tale and another collection to be found on this site. As with other collections of scanned slides, the varied films I used have varying characteristics which seem all the more obvious 23 years later, especially those taken on Agfachrome 100 ASA and (shudders) Fujichrome 400 ASA. Kelvin initially used a simple numbering system with alpha prefixes for chassis type and alpha suffixes to indicate dual purpose(D), coach(C) or express type(X). This was replaced in August 1986 by a pure numeric system although the Routemaster initially continued to use the London RM numbers for a time before being renumbered in the 19xx series. Not all RM's survived long enough to receive the 19XX series, some ending up being sold on to Cumberland or broken for spares; consequently I've left the RM's in this collection under their RM fleetnumbers so all flows numerically. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 ASA, 200 ASA and 400 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Monday 30 June 2008: Kelvin Scottish was one of the four new companies formed by the Scottish Bus Group in mid 1985 with minds focussed on the forthcoming processes of deregulation and privatisation. Kelvin was made up of existing SBG subsidiaries Central Scottish Omnibuses, Old Kilpatrick depot and Midland Scottish Omnibuses, Milngavie, Kirkintilloch, Kilsyth, Stepps and Cumbernauld depots. Initially a two tone blue livery was adopted, not so dissimilar to Highland's coach livery, but this was soon replaced by a much more striking and handsome two tone blue and yellow livery. Initially my exposure to Kelvin was restricted to day trips to the Glasgow area and the occasional Kelvin migrant north on Citylink; however I moved to the Glasgow area in July 1987 albeit working for another one of the new SBG companies, Clydeside at their Gordon Street Head office. Kelvin Scottish's existence as an operating company was short lived, being merged with Central in July 1989 to form Kelvin Central Buses - another tale and another collection to be found on this site. As with other collections of scanned slides, the varied films I used have varying characteristics which seem all the more obvious 23 years later, especially those taken on Agfachrome 100 ASA and (shudders) Fujichrome 400 ASA. Kelvin initially used a simple numbering system with alpha prefixes for chassis type and alpha suffixes to indicate dual purpose(D), coach(C) or express type(X). This was replaced in August 1986 by a pure numeric system although the Routemaster initially continued to use the London RM numbers for a time before being renumbered in the 19xx series. Not all RM's survived long enough to receive the 19XX series, some ending up being sold on to Cumberland or broken for spares; consequently I've left the RM's in this collection under their RM fleetnumbers so all flows numerically. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 ASA, 200 ASA and 400 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Mon Jun 30 2008 Singapore Buses and Coaches September 1998 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1533532.html Two days in Singapore in September 1998 on route from the UK to Hong Kong. Looking back at the slides now, I really didn't do the place justice although I suppose it's easy to say that now in light of the convenience of digital photography. Weather was fair enough really, a mixture of sunshine and heavy cloud and heavy cloudbursts. Looking back now, I wish I'd taken more close ups of the Singapore Bus Services Alexander bodied PS's and also the Trans Island Alexander Strider bodied Scanias. Guess that's an excuse to go back, even if the fleet profile of SBS has changed quite remarkably! These slides are taken on Fuji 100 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V Ed film scanner Monday 23 June 2008: Two days in Singapore in September 1998 on route from the UK to Hong Kong. Looking back at the slides now, I really didn't do the place justice although I suppose it's easy to say that now in light of the convenience of digital photography. Weather was fair enough really, a mixture of sunshine and heavy cloud and heavy cloudbursts. Looking back now, I wish I'd taken more close ups of the Singapore Bus Services Alexander bodied PS's and also the Trans Island Alexander Strider bodied Scanias. Guess that's an excuse to go back, even if the fleet profile of SBS has changed quite remarkably! These slides are taken on Fuji 100 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V Ed film scanner

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Mon Jun 23 2008 Highland Scottish Omnibuses Buses and Coaches in Caithness 1980's and 1990's http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1522196.html Caithness was always the hidden gem for me as a youngster in Inverness, as their vehicles were only seen occasionally so far south, when required for maintenance. It took me well into my teens to realise that the only service linking Caithness with Inverness direct in my schooldays was the Sunday only bus to Raigmore Hospital which didn't appear in the timetable. Occasional Sunday excursions into town would see Albion Vikings and AEC Reliances parked on the riverside after hospital visiting time was over, whilst I also noted Albion Lowlanders and older AEC's down to Inverness for repaint. If only I'd a camera them. By the early 1980's my parents decided I was old enough to be allowed to wander overnight and my first trip to Thurso came in autumn 1981. Leaving Inverness on Willowbrook Ford R192 T25 at 0750 I eventually reached Thurso at 1710 on Fleetline D25, with two changes in between. Epic days and fortunately much improved today. This collection of scanned slides covers the Caithness allocation on visits there in the 1980's and 1990's, when the scream of the Ailsa and the, well, "roar" of the Fordie typified the fleet. Highland's red varies quite dramatically between film types and whilst I still think Fujichrome has captured it best, the almost orange of Ektachrome and darker red of Agfa shows here. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA and 200ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Tuesday 3 June 2008: Caithness was always the hidden gem for me as a youngster in Inverness, as their vehicles were only seen occasionally so far south, when required for maintenance. It took me well into my teens to realise that the only service linking Caithness with Inverness direct in my schooldays was the Sunday only bus to Raigmore Hospital which didn't appear in the timetable. Occasional Sunday excursions into town would see Albion Vikings and AEC Reliances parked on the riverside after hospital visiting time was over, whilst I also noted Albion Lowlanders and older AEC's down to Inverness for repaint. If only I'd a camera them. By the early 1980's my parents decided I was old enough to be allowed to wander overnight and my first trip to Thurso came in autumn 1981. Leaving Inverness on Willowbrook Ford R192 T25 at 0750 I eventually reached Thurso at 1710 on Fleetline D25, with two changes in between. Epic days and fortunately much improved today. This collection of scanned slides covers the Caithness allocation on visits there in the 1980's and 1990's, when the scream of the Ailsa and the, well, "roar" of the Fordie typified the fleet. Highland's red varies quite dramatically between film types and whilst I still think Fujichrome has captured it best, the almost orange of Ektachrome and darker red of Agfa shows here. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA and 200ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Tue Jun 3 2008 Rail Photographs around the patch http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1519667.html I'm no great rail photographer when compared to the quantity taken through the main interests of buses and trams; however I do take the occasional rail shot when in the right place and the humour takes me. This sudden flurry of shots has come about through catching South West Trains liveried 158786 on an Aberdeen - Inverness journey the same week as EWS commenced operating a weekly Elgin - Mossend freight working, first loaded journey leaving Elgin at 1457 on May 30th 2008. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera Friday 30 May 2008: I'm no great rail photographer when compared to the quantity taken through the main interests of buses and trams; however I do take the occasional rail shot when in the right place and the humour takes me. This sudden flurry of shots has come about through catching South West Trains liveried 158786 on an Aberdeen - Inverness journey the same week as EWS commenced operating a weekly Elgin - Mossend freight working, first loaded journey leaving Elgin at 1457 on May 30th 2008. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri May 30 2008 Angus, Dundee and Perth Buses and Coaches 2008, May, July and October. http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1518282.html The first visit to Dundee and Angus in May 2008, in the hope of catching up with the new Stagecoach Strathtay Enviro 300 MAN's across the patch. In that quest I reckon the camera did OK on the score. Included is one of the pair in the branded livery for the Hospital Link serving Dundee and Perth hospitals taken at Ninewells - I did consider hanging about an hour to catch the other one of the pair, but instead went back to the city centre. May weather was kind and it was a good day to be out and about. Second trip in July 2008 took in Perth and Dundee on a filthy wet day, which stymied the plans for a few scenic shots around the river. However I did get the holy grail of this particular trip in Dundee, former Stagecoach A1 Volvo B10B 21051, a vehicle I'd operated in my time as manager at Ardrossan. So not a total waste of time. Good to see so much investment in the Strathtay fleet in the past year, whilst the area retains many of the non Stagecoach spec. bought new by Strathtay. Little change in the Travel Dundee fleet in the past year but a third trip in October 2008 did come up trumps with the first two vehicles painted in corporate National Express Dundee livery. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Tuesday 27 May 2008: The first visit to Dundee and Angus in May 2008, in the hope of catching up with the new Stagecoach Strathtay Enviro 300 MAN's across the patch. In that quest I reckon the camera did OK on the score. Included is one of the pair in the branded livery for the Hospital Link serving Dundee and Perth hospitals taken at Ninewells - I did consider hanging about an hour to catch the other one of the pair, but instead went back to the city centre. May weather was kind and it was a good day to be out and about. Second trip in July 2008 took in Perth and Dundee on a filthy wet day, which stymied the plans for a few scenic shots around the river. However I did get the holy grail of this particular trip in Dundee, former Stagecoach A1 Volvo B10B 21051, a vehicle I'd operated in my time as manager at Ardrossan. So not a total waste of time. Good to see so much investment in the Strathtay fleet in the past year, whilst the area retains many of the non Stagecoach spec. bought new by Strathtay. Little change in the Travel Dundee fleet in the past year but a third trip in October 2008 did come up trumps with the first two vehicles painted in corporate National Express Dundee livery. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Tue May 27 2008 Stagecoach in the Highlands from Highland Country Buses - the transitional days May 2008 and onwards http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1512117.html The Stagecoach Group purchased Highland Country Buses and Orkney Coaches from the Rapson Group on Friday May 16th 2008. This collection covers the transitional days of the former Highland Country network from May 17th 2008 as Stagecoach assess and develop the fleet and network. Ironically, the first Highland Country bus I caught up with in Stagecoach ownership was Enviro 232 with new livery vinyls for the Culloden Battlefield visitor attractions, complete with Rapson branding - this bus had run in allover dealer white since delivery in 2007. New Stagecoach group fleetnumbers are used throughout although these numbers were not used initially. From August 25th 2008, the Highland Country depot at Seafield Road in Inverness was closed and the allocation transfered to Bluebird's depot nearby in Burnett Road. From that date, both fleets operated under Bluebird "O" discs and the former Highland vehicles are shown in the Stagecoach Blubird Inverness collection. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30 digital camera Saturday 17 May 2008: The Stagecoach Group purchased Highland Country Buses and Orkney Coaches from the Rapson Group on Friday May 16th 2008. This collection covers the transitional days of the former Highland Country network from May 17th 2008 as Stagecoach assess and develop the fleet and network. Ironically, the first Highland Country bus I caught up with in Stagecoach ownership was Enviro 232 with new livery vinyls for the Culloden Battlefield visitor attractions, complete with Rapson branding - this bus had run in allover dealer white since delivery in 2007. New Stagecoach group fleetnumbers are used throughout although these numbers were not used initially. From August 25th 2008, the Highland Country depot at Seafield Road in Inverness was closed and the allocation transfered to Bluebird's depot nearby in Burnett Road. From that date, both fleets operated under Bluebird "O" discs and the former Highland vehicles are shown in the Stagecoach Blubird Inverness collection. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC_FZ30 digital camera

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sat May 17 2008 Inverness Traction and Stagecoach IT Buses and Coaches June 1988 and onwards http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1505169.html Inverness Traction was formed in May 1988 by a group of Highland drivers, initially operating a fleet of leased minibuses in competition with the established city network in the Highland Capital. Some unusual vehicles were operated, including Freight Rovers bodied by Aitken of Linlithgow. An attractive livery of grey and pale blue was carried with a bold red and blue "IT" fleetname. Highland fought back against the interloper with some vigour and whilst both companies suffered financial losses, Inverness Traction was forced into receivership in April 1989. IT's services and leased fleet were then taken on by another newcomer in the North, Alexanders (North East) Ltd, who continued the competitive strategy in Inverness. Alexanders (North East) then went into receivership seven months later in November 1989. Stagecoach immediately purchased the assets and service network of IT in November 1989, maintaining the bold blue and red "IT" logo as Stagecoach liveried vehicles were drafted in. In turn, Stagecoach also took advantage of the Scottish Bus Group privatisation process and acquired W. Alexander and Son (Northern) Ltd in March 1991, which was renamed Bluebird Buses Ltd. Later, in September 1991, Stagecoach Bluebird took on Highland's city services in Inverness along with the Easter Ross network and Tain depot after Highland drivers walked out en masse and joined Stagecoach. The Stagecoach IT fleetname was perpetuated for a few years but gradually the Bluebird fleetname took over. This collection of scanned slides covers the early days of Inverness Traction from 1988, with a few shots taken during the few month's of Alexander (North East) ownership. It continues with the early days of Stagecoach ownership and into the full Stagecoach Bluebird fleet through the 1990's. There may be a couple of liberties taken with fleetnumbering for labelling convenience, especially in the early days of Stagecoach ownership when some vehicles carried a separate series of numbers for a short time; some vehicles are listed here with their Stagecoach Bluebird numbers although shown carrying IT or Northern Scottish numbers, to allow the photographs to flow. I've also included Aberdeen and Moray based Stagecoach Bluebird vehicles seen in Inverness on service with effect from September 1991 which will compliment the more modern digital collection. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Monday 5 May 2008: Inverness Traction was formed in May 1988 by a group of Highland drivers, initially operating a fleet of leased minibuses in competition with the established city network in the Highland Capital. Some unusual vehicles were operated, including Freight Rovers bodied by Aitken of Linlithgow. An attractive livery of grey and pale blue was carried with a bold red and blue "IT" fleetname. Highland fought back against the interloper with some vigour and whilst both companies suffered financial losses, Inverness Traction was forced into receivership in April 1989. IT's services and leased fleet were then taken on by another newcomer in the North, Alexanders (North East) Ltd, who continued the competitive strategy in Inverness. Alexanders (North East) then went into receivership seven months later in November 1989. Stagecoach immediately purchased the assets and service network of IT in November 1989, maintaining the bold blue and red "IT" logo as Stagecoach liveried vehicles were drafted in. In turn, Stagecoach also took advantage of the Scottish Bus Group privatisation process and acquired W. Alexander and Son (Northern) Ltd in March 1991, which was renamed Bluebird Buses Ltd. Later, in September 1991, Stagecoach Bluebird took on Highland's city services in Inverness along with the Easter Ross network and Tain depot after Highland drivers walked out en masse and joined Stagecoach. The Stagecoach IT fleetname was perpetuated for a few years but gradually the Bluebird fleetname took over. This collection of scanned slides covers the early days of Inverness Traction from 1988, with a few shots taken during the few month's of Alexander (North East) ownership. It continues with the early days of Stagecoach ownership and into the full Stagecoach Bluebird fleet through the 1990's. There may be a couple of liberties taken with fleetnumbering for labelling convenience, especially in the early days of Stagecoach ownership when some vehicles carried a separate series of numbers for a short time; some vehicles are listed here with their Stagecoach Bluebird numbers although shown carrying IT or Northern Scottish numbers, to allow the photographs to flow. I've also included Aberdeen and Moray based Stagecoach Bluebird vehicles seen in Inverness on service with effect from September 1991 which will compliment the more modern digital collection. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Mon May 5 2008 Malta Route Buses and Coaches March 1998 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1502975.html To compliment my March 2008 visit to Malta, this collection of scanned slides takes in Malta and Gozo ten years earlier in March 1998. Other than the four Darts and the Excel, the low floor fleet is still some five years away. Many of the familiar "faces" of the Malta bus featured here have now been replaced and it was a pleasure looking through these slides whilst scanning them. These slides are all taken on Fujichrome 100 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner Thursday 1 May 2008: To compliment my March 2008 visit to Malta, this collection of scanned slides takes in Malta and Gozo ten years earlier in March 1998. Other than the four Darts and the Excel, the low floor fleet is still some five years away. Many of the familiar "faces" of the Malta bus featured here have now been replaced and it was a pleasure looking through these slides whilst scanning them. These slides are all taken on Fujichrome 100 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Thu May 1 2008 Ayrshire Buses and Coaches 2008, April, July, September and October http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1499054.html A chance for a quick couple of hours in Ayr in April 2008, a decision made to try to avoid the heavy showers in Glasgow a quick day visit. Stagecoach Western's fleet looking smart, with new Enviro 300 investment on the Cumnock - Ayr corridors and Ayr - Greenock Clyde Coaster since my last visit. The former A1 Volvo Citybus 15246 looking very smart on Craig Tara duties after a repaint as well. A further overnight stay in July 2008 gave the opportunity to visit the two smart fleets on the Isle of Cumbrae and catch up with the current scene in Largs, including the newly introduced First Glasgow 901 service. Other places visited include Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Galston, Cumnock and Ayr on what was a revist of old haunts. Also a quick half hour hour in a sodden and dark Ayr whilst passing through on business in September 2008. Finally, an jaunt with the Omnibus Society in early October 2008 aboard Dodd's N type Tiger JEZ4096 in glorious October sunshine. The Tiger sounded fine for a 23 year old vehicle, and was immaculate in presentation. Visits took in Stagecoach Western at Ayr, Ardrossan and Kilmarnock, Ayrways and Dodds at Ayr, Shuttle at Kilwinning and Marbill at Beith plus a quick break at Irvine Cross. And at last, I caught with Craig Tara branded Olympian 13644, which has hidden from my camera this year on every visit. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Friday 25 April 2008: A chance for a quick couple of hours in Ayr in April 2008, a decision made to try to avoid the heavy showers in Glasgow a quick day visit. Stagecoach Western's fleet looking smart, with new Enviro 300 investment on the Cumnock - Ayr corridors and Ayr - Greenock Clyde Coaster since my last visit. The former A1 Volvo Citybus 15246 looking very smart on Craig Tara duties after a repaint as well. A further overnight stay in July 2008 gave the opportunity to visit the two smart fleets on the Isle of Cumbrae and catch up with the current scene in Largs, including the newly introduced First Glasgow 901 service. Other places visited include Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Galston, Cumnock and Ayr on what was a revist of old haunts. Also a quick half hour hour in a sodden and dark Ayr whilst passing through on business in September 2008. Finally, an jaunt with the Omnibus Society in early October 2008 aboard Dodd's N type Tiger JEZ4096 in glorious October sunshine. The Tiger sounded fine for a 23 year old vehicle, and was immaculate in presentation. Visits took in Stagecoach Western at Ayr, Ardrossan and Kilmarnock, Ayrways and Dodds at Ayr, Shuttle at Kilwinning and Marbill at Beith plus a quick break at Irvine Cross. And at last, I caught with Craig Tara branded Olympian 13644, which has hidden from my camera this year on every visit. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Apr 25 2008 Malta's Railway Heritage - Traces of a long gone system March 2008 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1492504.html I first became aware of the existence of the railway and tramway systems in Malta through the excellent books published by local historians Joseph Bonnici and Michael Cassar. The railway operated from the capital city of Valletta through Floriana, Hamrun and Attard to the ancient "Silent City" of Mdina, the line tunnelling under this former capital city of Malta to it's terminus at Museum Station. When launched in March 1883, the line was initially company owned but passed into government hands in February 1892 after a two year cessation of operation due to poor returns. The line functioned from 1892 until 1931, when competition from the ever increasing numbers of private bus operators forced the inevitable. One of the pleasures of visiting Malta to sample the esoteric bus fleet is the ability to get about such a small island state very easily. Buses are frequent, cheap and cover the island comprehensively. These shots show some of the remaining traces of the railway, namely the stations at Valletta, Birkirkara and Museum. Few visitors who make the necessary crossing over the ditch from the bus station at Valletta's main gate into the city are aware that the railway station is directly beneath them and is now home to the Yellow Garage. Birkirkara Station is now home to a small park (and a large number of semi ferral pussy cats), adjacent to the 71 route bus terminus whilst Museum Station is currently empty again, having been converted to a restaurant in recent years. The restaurateur owns the Peristyle Restaurant above the station at Rabat's Roman Villa's and has a fine selection of old railway prints around his main restauarant. I hope this selection of shots gives a flavour of the railway, and next year, I must make more an effort to find other remaining evidence of the line ; the ticket office at Attard and station at Hamrun for example, both of which stand. These are all digital images taken with a Canon Ixus 950IS digital camera. Sunday 13 April 2008: I first became aware of the existence of the railway and tramway systems in Malta through the excellent books published by local historians Joseph Bonnici and Michael Cassar. The railway operated from the capital city of Valletta through Floriana, Hamrun and Attard to the ancient "Silent City" of Mdina, the line tunnelling under this former capital city of Malta to it's terminus at Museum Station. When launched in March 1883, the line was initially company owned but passed into government hands in February 1892 after a two year cessation of operation due to poor returns. The line functioned from 1892 until 1931, when competition from the ever increasing numbers of private bus operators forced the inevitable. One of the pleasures of visiting Malta to sample the esoteric bus fleet is the ability to get about such a small island state very easily. Buses are frequent, cheap and cover the island comprehensively. These shots show some of the remaining traces of the railway, namely the stations at Valletta, Birkirkara and Museum. Few visitors who make the necessary crossing over the ditch from the bus station at Valletta's main gate into the city are aware that the railway station is directly beneath them and is now home to the Yellow Garage. Birkirkara Station is now home to a small park (and a large number of semi ferral pussy cats), adjacent to the 71 route bus terminus whilst Museum Station is currently empty again, having been converted to a restaurant in recent years. The restaurateur owns the Peristyle Restaurant above the station at Rabat's Roman Villa's and has a fine selection of old railway prints around his main restauarant. I hope this selection of shots gives a flavour of the railway, and next year, I must make more an effort to find other remaining evidence of the line ; the ticket office at Attard and station at Hamrun for example, both of which stand. These are all digital images taken with a Canon Ixus 950IS digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Apr 13 2008 Malta Route Bus and Coach March 2008 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1488116.html Our visit to Malta in March 2008 was again blessed with generally fine and warm weather ; a couple of very short showers dried up within minites of having stopped. This time we elected to stay in Valletta, in the attractive and stunningly set Castille Hotel just minutes from the Triton Fountain and all that bus action. New additions since the previous year include a pair of ex Stagecoach Yorkshire Alexander bodied B6's, three former TWM Lynx's, two former Preston Lynx's of which one was in service and a trio of ex London Buses LLW class Wright bodied Dennis Lances. The ex Preston Lynx was particularly stunning in it's turn out and performance whilst both B6's look very smart in the route bus colours. Some very smart rebuilds since last year as well, including the Zinnu Coachworks recreation of Indiana 424 and almost completely new structure on Dominant 594. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera, assisted on occasions with the pocket Canon Ixus 950. Sunday 6 April 2008: Our visit to Malta in March 2008 was again blessed with generally fine and warm weather ; a couple of very short showers dried up within minites of having stopped. This time we elected to stay in Valletta, in the attractive and stunningly set Castille Hotel just minutes from the Triton Fountain and all that bus action. New additions since the previous year include a pair of ex Stagecoach Yorkshire Alexander bodied B6's, three former TWM Lynx's, two former Preston Lynx's of which one was in service and a trio of ex London Buses LLW class Wright bodied Dennis Lances. The ex Preston Lynx was particularly stunning in it's turn out and performance whilst both B6's look very smart in the route bus colours. Some very smart rebuilds since last year as well, including the Zinnu Coachworks recreation of Indiana 424 and almost completely new structure on Dominant 594. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera, assisted on occasions with the pocket Canon Ixus 950.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Apr 6 2008 Malta Private Charter Buses and Coaches March 2008 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1484354.html Cancu Supreme's double deck operations dominate my 2008 look at the private charter bus and coach fleets of Malta, having successfully commenced operation of the North and South island tours. Both trips are highly recommended to any visiting enthusiasts and trippers to get a feel for the island, and the pleasant mix of Fleetline, Titan, Citybus and Routemaster should please most gricers. We were particularly impressed with the conversion undertaken by Cancu on the first ex Strathclyde Volvo Citybus whuch can be seen here - former SBL AH53 now Cancu's COY005. COY013/AH80 is also seen awaiting attention at Cancu's yard whilst the other pair, COY010/AH60 and COY011/AH46 were tucked away out of site awaiting completion. Some smart coaches as well - particularly pleased to ctach up with Garden of Eden's Javelin BCY930 in a new livery which is better know to me as Mayne's of Buckie's H10GSM. Likewise a nice record shot of Paramount's JCY905, a 1953 Leyland Tiger rebodoed by Paramount to Plaxton Paramount style in 1996. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Sunday 30 March 2008: Cancu Supreme's double deck operations dominate my 2008 look at the private charter bus and coach fleets of Malta, having successfully commenced operation of the North and South island tours. Both trips are highly recommended to any visiting enthusiasts and trippers to get a feel for the island, and the pleasant mix of Fleetline, Titan, Citybus and Routemaster should please most gricers. We were particularly impressed with the conversion undertaken by Cancu on the first ex Strathclyde Volvo Citybus whuch can be seen here - former SBL AH53 now Cancu's COY005. COY013/AH80 is also seen awaiting attention at Cancu's yard whilst the other pair, COY010/AH60 and COY011/AH46 were tucked away out of site awaiting completion. Some smart coaches as well - particularly pleased to ctach up with Garden of Eden's Javelin BCY930 in a new livery which is better know to me as Mayne's of Buckie's H10GSM. Likewise a nice record shot of Paramount's JCY905, a 1953 Leyland Tiger rebodoed by Paramount to Plaxton Paramount style in 1996. These are all digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Mar 30 2008 Rapson (Sandy Rapson) Buses and Coaches, Alness and Inverness 1985 - 1997 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1469645.html Not to be confused with longer established family member RGH Rapson of Brora, A.H. (Sandy) Rapson came to the fore following the sale of Newton's Coaches of Dingwall to the Scottish Bus Group in November 1985. A network of express services was quickly established under the High Class brand which largely mirrored what Morris Newton had operated. In turn, the company saw an opportunity to launch competitive services against Highland from Easter Ross into Inverness and an eclectic variety of vehicles were acquired for these services and for some tendered services won from Highland Council. In turn, Rapsons purchased Highland Scottish in August 1991 in conjunction with Scottish Citylink Coaches, and in March 1993, Rapson became the sole owner of the former SBG company. A true case of the wheel turning full circle. For avoidance of doubt, any Rapson shots taken prior to November 1985 are labelled under the Brora company as it was not clear as to the division of the two business's prior to that date. RGH Rapson scans will be found in the collection named "Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire Buses and Coaches 1980's and 1990's" The end of the Newton business truly saw the Alness based business under Sandy Rapson become a separate business with a clear vision for the future. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Tuesday 4 March 2008: Not to be confused with longer established family member RGH Rapson of Brora, A.H. (Sandy) Rapson came to the fore following the sale of Newton's Coaches of Dingwall to the Scottish Bus Group in November 1985. A network of express services was quickly established under the High Class brand which largely mirrored what Morris Newton had operated. In turn, the company saw an opportunity to launch competitive services against Highland from Easter Ross into Inverness and an eclectic variety of vehicles were acquired for these services and for some tendered services won from Highland Council. In turn, Rapsons purchased Highland Scottish in August 1991 in conjunction with Scottish Citylink Coaches, and in March 1993, Rapson became the sole owner of the former SBG company. A true case of the wheel turning full circle. For avoidance of doubt, any Rapson shots taken prior to November 1985 are labelled under the Brora company as it was not clear as to the division of the two business's prior to that date. RGH Rapson scans will be found in the collection named "Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire Buses and Coaches 1980's and 1990's" The end of the Newton business truly saw the Alness based business under Sandy Rapson become a separate business with a clear vision for the future. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Tue Mar 4 2008 Graham's Bus Service, Hawkhead Buses and Coaches 1982 - 1990 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1465760.html Graham's Bus Service can trace their local bus service operations back to 1922, initially based at a depot on Johnstone's Beith Road. However most of us who recall the smart orange and cream fleet will associate the fleet with the depot on Paisley's Hawkhead Road. The company is perhaps best remembered for their almost almost exclusive hold on Linwood, developed through business generated by the Pressed Steel and Talbot/Rootes car factories: however the fleet was well known throughout Paisley, Johnstone, Govan and Bridge of Weir. My first visit to Paisley was in the autumn of 1982 and I subsequently got to know the fleet rather better when I moved to Paisley in 1987, and then to Ralston in 1989. Sadly the company sold out in April 1990, replacement services being operated by both SBL and Clydeside initially. It's interesting to speculate how well Grahams would have fared today had the company not sold out, and whether the same high standards would have been acheived. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Tuesday 26 February 2008: Graham's Bus Service can trace their local bus service operations back to 1922, initially based at a depot on Johnstone's Beith Road. However most of us who recall the smart orange and cream fleet will associate the fleet with the depot on Paisley's Hawkhead Road. The company is perhaps best remembered for their almost almost exclusive hold on Linwood, developed through business generated by the Pressed Steel and Talbot/Rootes car factories: however the fleet was well known throughout Paisley, Johnstone, Govan and Bridge of Weir. My first visit to Paisley was in the autumn of 1982 and I subsequently got to know the fleet rather better when I moved to Paisley in 1987, and then to Ralston in 1989. Sadly the company sold out in April 1990, replacement services being operated by both SBL and Clydeside initially. It's interesting to speculate how well Grahams would have fared today had the company not sold out, and whether the same high standards would have been acheived. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Tue Feb 26 2008 Highland Scottish Omnibuses Buses and Coaches in Portree and on the Isle of Skye 1980's and 1990's http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1462844.html My visits to Skye have generally been day trips from Inverness or on one occasion, on route from Stornoway via Tarbert and Uig. This collection shows the various Fords and Leopards that have served the island, many of which were outstationed around the island. Also included are a couple of mainland shots which are most appropriately shown here. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200ASA slides films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner Thursday 21 February 2008: My visits to Skye have generally been day trips from Inverness or on one occasion, on route from Stornoway via Tarbert and Uig. This collection shows the various Fords and Leopards that have served the island, many of which were outstationed around the island. Also included are a couple of mainland shots which are most appropriately shown here. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200ASA slides films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Thu Feb 21 2008 Highland Scottish Omnibuses Buses and Coaches in the Oban area 1980's and 1990's http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1461820.html I only manged to reach Oban twice during Highland's fifteen year stewardship of the Oban area. The depot and local service network passed from Midland to Highland in 1970, bringing some unusual types into an already eclectic fleet, including what was Highland's first Leopard, AMS293B (JL1). Fifteen years later the area reverted back to Midland control as the Scottish Bus Group reinvented its structure in an attempt to appear leaner and more marketable in the run up to deregulation and privatisation. Control from Falkirk only lasted seven years when in 1992, fleet and network passed to the privately owned Oban and District. A small selection from these two visits plus a few slides taken on other visits to Oban showing Highland vehicles on service from Fort William. These slides are taken on 100 ASA slides film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Tuesday 19 February 2008: I only manged to reach Oban twice during Highland's fifteen year stewardship of the Oban area. The depot and local service network passed from Midland to Highland in 1970, bringing some unusual types into an already eclectic fleet, including what was Highland's first Leopard, AMS293B (JL1). Fifteen years later the area reverted back to Midland control as the Scottish Bus Group reinvented its structure in an attempt to appear leaner and more marketable in the run up to deregulation and privatisation. Control from Falkirk only lasted seven years when in 1992, fleet and network passed to the privately owned Oban and District. A small selection from these two visits plus a few slides taken on other visits to Oban showing Highland vehicles on service from Fort William. These slides are taken on 100 ASA slides film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Tue Feb 19 2008 Glasgow and Surrounding Area Buses in 2008 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1455947.html The first of hopefully several trips to Glasgow this year in February 2008, with the usual aim of being relieved of substantial sums of money in D & F Models in Bell Street. Some heavy showers meant some time boosting the profits of Cafe Nero and Starbucks : however there are some new vehicles to catch the eye. Arriva's new fleet of Volvos for Glasgow Airport service is certainly distinctive in the lime green scheme - claiming to be attractive may not necessarily follow. Also of interest are the branded First Glasgow Volvo B7's for the 747 service linking Glasgow's West End with the Airport and Braehead. For all that, one of the seemingly indestructible Citybuses did still cross my path - Glasgow just won't be Glasgow when they finally gasp their last. These are all digital images taken with a Pansonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Saturday 9 February 2008: The first of hopefully several trips to Glasgow this year in February 2008, with the usual aim of being relieved of substantial sums of money in D & F Models in Bell Street. Some heavy showers meant some time boosting the profits of Cafe Nero and Starbucks : however there are some new vehicles to catch the eye. Arriva's new fleet of Volvos for Glasgow Airport service is certainly distinctive in the lime green scheme - claiming to be attractive may not necessarily follow. Also of interest are the branded First Glasgow Volvo B7's for the 747 service linking Glasgow's West End with the Airport and Braehead. For all that, one of the seemingly indestructible Citybuses did still cross my path - Glasgow just won't be Glasgow when they finally gasp their last. These are all digital images taken with a Pansonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sat Feb 9 2008 Highland Scottish Omnibuses Buses and Coaches in Fort William and Lochaber 1980's and 1990's http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1452979.html Here's a selection of my Highland slides from the Fort William and Lochaber area taken in the 1980's and 1990's. Fords came and went, Nationals came and went to Kelvin, Leopards came from Kelvin and Fort William saw it's first double deck allocation in 1986. I just caught the last couple of vehicles carrying peacock blue in the early 1980's, Fords T111 and T112 being amongst the last vehicles in the fleet to carry the MacBrayne's inspired livery. Whilst the majority of these shots are taken within the Loachaber and Fort William town areas, I've included a few outwith the area where the connections are obviously towards the area - Urquhart Castle and Fort Augustus come to mind. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon V ED film scanner. Sunday 3 February 2008: Here's a selection of my Highland slides from the Fort William and Lochaber area taken in the 1980's and 1990's. Fords came and went, Nationals came and went to Kelvin, Leopards came from Kelvin and Fort William saw it's first double deck allocation in 1986. I just caught the last couple of vehicles carrying peacock blue in the early 1980's, Fords T111 and T112 being amongst the last vehicles in the fleet to carry the MacBrayne's inspired livery. Whilst the majority of these shots are taken within the Loachaber and Fort William town areas, I've included a few outwith the area where the connections are obviously towards the area - Urquhart Castle and Fort Augustus come to mind. These slides are taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Feb 3 2008 Oban and District Buses and Coaches 1992 - 1998 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1451555.html Oban and District was formed from the Midland Scottish fleet based at Soroba Lane depot in Oban in 1992, the network and fleet being sold off in the run up to privatisation. Oban was somewhat remote to a company with a headquarters in Falkirk and it's transfer back to Midland ownership from Highland's was always questionable. It's a small collection showing some of the fine fleet of Leopards that were operated along with some newer vehicles purchased along the way. Oban and District was purchased by West Coast Motors in 1998 and a new depot built on the outskirts of town, replacing the old Soroba Lane Depot and the overspill facility at the auction mart. These slides are taken on 100 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Friday 1 February 2008: Oban and District was formed from the Midland Scottish fleet based at Soroba Lane depot in Oban in 1992, the network and fleet being sold off in the run up to privatisation. Oban was somewhat remote to a company with a headquarters in Falkirk and it's transfer back to Midland ownership from Highland's was always questionable. It's a small collection showing some of the fine fleet of Leopards that were operated along with some newer vehicles purchased along the way. Oban and District was purchased by West Coast Motors in 1998 and a new depot built on the outskirts of town, replacing the old Soroba Lane Depot and the overspill facility at the auction mart. These slides are taken on 100 ASA slide film and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Feb 1 2008 Independent Operators : Isle of Skye and North West Scotland Buses and Coaches in 1980's and 1990's http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1448456.html This is a rather mixed bag of slides scanned from across the more rural parts of North West Scotland and Skye but expanded as it went along to include as far south as Oban and Easdale. I haven't included Oban and District here as that will form a separate small collection of it's own. The largest operator involved is Clan Coaches of Kyle of Lochalsh whose coaches were part of the express scene for a few years under the very smart Skyeways banner. On Skye there's a few shots from Cally Nicolson of Borve and Willie Sutherland of Glenbrittle - now both part of Skye's transport history. Elsewhere, I've included Westerbus in it's original form founded by Martin Taylor and in it's current form as MacKenzie and MacLennan's garage at Gairloch. Moving south, this seemed a decent enough place to include Morar Motors, Stewart of Dalavich and McColl of Benderloch. These slides are all taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Thanks to Peter Findlay for giving me the shots at Sutherland's Glenbrittle premises and for the Queen Mary of Cally Nicolson's in NBC green. Sunday 27 January 2008: This is a rather mixed bag of slides scanned from across the more rural parts of North West Scotland and Skye but expanded as it went along to include as far south as Oban and Easdale. I haven't included Oban and District here as that will form a separate small collection of it's own. The largest operator involved is Clan Coaches of Kyle of Lochalsh whose coaches were part of the express scene for a few years under the very smart Skyeways banner. On Skye there's a few shots from Cally Nicolson of Borve and Willie Sutherland of Glenbrittle - now both part of Skye's transport history. Elsewhere, I've included Westerbus in it's original form founded by Martin Taylor and in it's current form as MacKenzie and MacLennan's garage at Gairloch. Moving south, this seemed a decent enough place to include Morar Motors, Stewart of Dalavich and McColl of Benderloch. These slides are all taken on a variety of 100 and 200 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Thanks to Peter Findlay for giving me the shots at Sutherland's Glenbrittle premises and for the Queen Mary of Cally Nicolson's in NBC green.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Jan 27 2008 Independent Operators : Isles of Lewis and Harris Buses and Coaches mid 1980's and early 1990's http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1444426.html Here's a small selection of scanned slides taken on two visits to Lewis and Harris in 1987 and 1991, and supplemented by a few shots taken in 1985 by a friend (thanks Robert!). At that time, the last of the traditional Bedford SB's bought new by island operators were coming towards the end of their days and replacements included ex SBG Leopards and Ford saloons. Given that these were both quick visits, I didn't have much time to travel around the local services from Stornoway which of course I now regret - many of the Lewis services have remarkably good headways given the remote location. Planning a visit this summer which should hopefully provide a digital comparison with the slides scanned here. Some of these slides are taken in very low light at a slow shutter speed and that may reflect in the quality. These slides are all taken on a variety of 100ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Sunday 20 January 2008: Here's a small selection of scanned slides taken on two visits to Lewis and Harris in 1987 and 1991, and supplemented by a few shots taken in 1985 by a friend (thanks Robert!). At that time, the last of the traditional Bedford SB's bought new by island operators were coming towards the end of their days and replacements included ex SBG Leopards and Ford saloons. Given that these were both quick visits, I didn't have much time to travel around the local services from Stornoway which of course I now regret - many of the Lewis services have remarkably good headways given the remote location. Planning a visit this summer which should hopefully provide a digital comparison with the slides scanned here. Some of these slides are taken in very low light at a slow shutter speed and that may reflect in the quality. These slides are all taken on a variety of 100ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Sun Jan 20 2008 GaelicBus aka MacConnacher of Ballachulish Buses and Coaches 1986 - 1995 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1442673.html The history of McConnacher of Ballachulish can be traced back to 1919 when Alexander MacConnacher began hiring out a locally built Model T Ford car which was replaced two years later by the first charabanc in this part of the West Coast of Scotland. However to many of us, they are perhaps better remembered as the owners of the Gaelic Bus and Gaelic Coaches trading names and a strong competitive response to Highland's traditional operations in the Fort William area. Taking advantage of the 1986 Transport Act and Deregulation, local "Green Bus" services were registered in the Fort William town area in late 1986 as well as services to Inverness, Kinlochleven and Oban. Perhaps the most fondly remembered vehicles during the ten years of GaelicBus operation were the seven former Hutchison of Overtown AEC Reliance 760's, which gave sterling service to the company and impressively devoured the steep gradient of Lundavra Road on Fort William's Upper Achintore service. Later additions to the fleet included Leyland Nationals, Daimler Fleetlines and Bristol VR's as well as a selection of coaches. The GaelicBus era came to an end in 1996, allowing Highland full control to their local Fort William market once more. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA and 200ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Wednesday 16 January 2008: The history of McConnacher of Ballachulish can be traced back to 1919 when Alexander MacConnacher began hiring out a locally built Model T Ford car which was replaced two years later by the first charabanc in this part of the West Coast of Scotland. However to many of us, they are perhaps better remembered as the owners of the Gaelic Bus and Gaelic Coaches trading names and a strong competitive response to Highland's traditional operations in the Fort William area. Taking advantage of the 1986 Transport Act and Deregulation, local "Green Bus" services were registered in the Fort William town area in late 1986 as well as services to Inverness, Kinlochleven and Oban. Perhaps the most fondly remembered vehicles during the ten years of GaelicBus operation were the seven former Hutchison of Overtown AEC Reliance 760's, which gave sterling service to the company and impressively devoured the steep gradient of Lundavra Road on Fort William's Upper Achintore service. Later additions to the fleet included Leyland Nationals, Daimler Fleetlines and Bristol VR's as well as a selection of coaches. The GaelicBus era came to an end in 1996, allowing Highland full control to their local Fort William market once more. These slides are taken on a variety of 100ASA and 200ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Wed Jan 16 2008 Midland Scottish Buses and Coaches in the 1980's http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1429635.html A selection of my Midland slides taken in the 1980's on various trips from Aberdeen and Inverness prior to 1987 when I moved to Glasgow and hence a little closer to Midland's core area of operations. As with other slides taken over twenty years ago, the colour resolutions in various different films seem to have varied far more than one was aware of at the time, with some of the earliest Agfa slides seeming so grainy for 100ASA. This era takes us through the hiving off of parts of the Midland company to form the Strathtay Scottish and Kelvin Scottish companies, as well as the transfer of Linlithgow depot from SOL to Midland and a brief spell when former SOL Baillieston vehicles worked with Midland fleetnames before transfering to Kelvin . It also sees the arrival of the Tiger and Metrobus fleets as well as the adoption of a new Midland Bluebird fleetname and some livery changes and experiments in the late 1980's. These slides are taken on a variery of 100, 200 and 400 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner. Wednesday 26 December 2007: A selection of my Midland slides taken in the 1980's on various trips from Aberdeen and Inverness prior to 1987 when I moved to Glasgow and hence a little closer to Midland's core area of operations. As with other slides taken over twenty years ago, the colour resolutions in various different films seem to have varied far more than one was aware of at the time, with some of the earliest Agfa slides seeming so grainy for 100ASA. This era takes us through the hiving off of parts of the Midland company to form the Strathtay Scottish and Kelvin Scottish companies, as well as the transfer of Linlithgow depot from SOL to Midland and a brief spell when former SOL Baillieston vehicles worked with Midland fleetnames before transfering to Kelvin . It also sees the arrival of the Tiger and Metrobus fleets as well as the adoption of a new Midland Bluebird fleetname and some livery changes and experiments in the late 1980's. These slides are taken on a variery of 100, 200 and 400 ASA slide films and scanned with a Nikon Coolscan V ED film scanner.

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Wed Dec 26 2007 Hong Kong Jit Luen Coach and Bus Builders 2007, November http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1416850.html I was lucky to join a BusFanWorld trip to local coachbuilder Jit Luen on my visit in November 2007. Jit Luen Auto Body Works are a well established Hong Kong coachbuilding business, based at Hung Uk Tsuen near Tin Shui Wai in the New Territories. The company was established in 1978 and have offered a range of coach bodies to local operators. Bus bodies were also built for, amongst others, on Fuso chassis for Transmac in Macao in the 1980's, and on Volvo B6's for Citybus in the 1990's. The current coach body is the Jit Luen JL-09, whuch is offered on the Volvo B7, Scania, Isuzu and Irisbus C35 chassis. Our hosts allowed us free reign of the premises where we were able to see several coaches in build as well as several completed vehicles. This included the first Irisbus chassis completed by Jit Luen for cross border operator Guangdong Hung Wai. It also allowed me a chance to experiment with a new pocket camera, the Canon Ixus 950IS. These are all digital images taken with a Canon Ixus 950IS Friday 30 November 2007: I was lucky to join a BusFanWorld trip to local coachbuilder Jit Luen on my visit in November 2007. Jit Luen Auto Body Works are a well established Hong Kong coachbuilding business, based at Hung Uk Tsuen near Tin Shui Wai in the New Territories. The company was established in 1978 and have offered a range of coach bodies to local operators. Bus bodies were also built for, amongst others, on Fuso chassis for Transmac in Macao in the 1980's, and on Volvo B6's for Citybus in the 1990's. The current coach body is the Jit Luen JL-09, whuch is offered on the Volvo B7, Scania, Isuzu and Irisbus C35 chassis. Our hosts allowed us free reign of the premises where we were able to see several coaches in build as well as several completed vehicles. This included the first Irisbus chassis completed by Jit Luen for cross border operator Guangdong Hung Wai. It also allowed me a chance to experiment with a new pocket camera, the Canon Ixus 950IS. These are all digital images taken with a Canon Ixus 950IS

Published in VictoryGuy's Photo Gallery

]]> Fri Nov 30 2007 Shenzhen City Buses November 2007 http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c1414056.html A second visit to Shenzhen in November 2007, this time crossing into China by means of the new almost seamless Western Crossing through Shenzhen Bay from Yuen Long by New Lantao Bus opened in 2007. We returned by another newly opened crossing at Lok Ma Chau, served by the KCR and KMB on the HK side. This time the search was on for the a sight of the few remaining Daimler Fleetlines in service with Shenzhen Bus Group. These were rebodied in the late 1990's by Sui King Eagle in Guangzhou, and approximately 130 were built, using Fleetline chassis from Kowloon Motor Bus. Now only about a dozen remain, operating the lengthy Route 226 from Red Bay to Zoological Park alongside an assortment of older Chinese built King Long and GZ saloons. And very nice they are too, it being a real pleasure to hear classic Fleetline tune from the Gardner 6LXB engine and SCG gearbox. The gear selector remains semi automatic but with an innovative push button control rather than the traditional H shaped cast iron gate. New chassis numbers were cast into the chassis when these vehicles were built, effectively creating a brand new bus in the eyes of the Chinese authorities. A selection of other city buses shown as well, mainly operating with the massive Shenzhen Bus Group, SZ Bus, Kingswell and the Peng Yun double deckers on Routes 1 and 2. These are digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera. Sunday 25 November 2007: A second visit to Shenzhen in November 2007, this time crossing into China by means of the new almost seamless Western Crossing through Shenzhen Bay from Yuen Long by New Lantao Bus opened in 2007. We returned by another newly opened crossing at Lok Ma Chau, served by the KCR and KMB on the HK side. This time the search was on for the a sight of the few remaining Daimler Fleetlines in service with Shenzhen Bus Group. These were rebodied in the late 1990's by Sui King Eagle in Guangzhou, and approximately 130 were built, using Fleetline chassis from Kowloon Motor Bus. Now only about a dozen remain, operating the lengthy Route 226 from Red Bay to Zoological Park alongside an assortment of older Chinese built King Long and GZ saloons. And very nice they are too, it being a real pleasure to hear classic Fleetline tune from the Gardner 6LXB engine and SCG gearbox. The gear selector remains semi automatic but with an innovative push button control rather than the traditional H shaped cast iron gate. New chassis numbers were cast into the chassis when these vehicles were built, effectively creating a brand new bus in the eyes of the Chinese authorities. A selection of other city buses shown as well, mainly operating with the massive Shenzhen Bus Group, SZ Bus, Kingswell and the Peng Yun double deckers on Routes 1 and 2. These are digital images taken with a Panasonic DMC-FZ30 digital camera.