LTSV Latest Data - Detail View

This page shows the most recently added or edited database records.

Photos Added

Count	Photo	Details	Added
1		By Ray Monk Just visible on brand new 9195F at Acton Works on 30th March 2024 is another change to the livery. On the rear corner is a grey diamond with a graphic of a petrol pump. Similar stickers were applied to most London buses a few months ago, and their purpose is to inform fire-fighters what power source the vehicle has if they need to attend a fire. Other colours are used for hybrid, electric and gas-powered vehicles. Despite the 'budget' livery, the white bumpers and smart wheeltrims suggest that these are not basic specification vehicles.	30/03/2024
2		By Ray Monk A close-up view of brand new Ford Transit Connect crew van 9194F at Acton Works on 30th March 2024 shows the plain blue roundel on the bonnet, and the TfL lettering squeezed in behind the side windows. Other lettering (fleetnumbers and tyre pressures) and notices (eg Do not slam doors) are fairly standard, so this suggests that the blue skirt livery is now defunct. Note that the vans include a mix of some with roof bars and some without (as on 9195F on the right).	30/03/2024
3		By Ray Monk Backing onto the railway at Acton Works lorry yard on 30th March 2024 were ten brand new Ford vans (with another nine on the other side). All were Ford Transit Connect crew vans with LD24Oxx registrations and TfL lettering. Unless these are for some new function that we don't yet know about, I suspect that this will be the new default livery for vehicles used by LUL, LBSL and TfL itself (perhaps also Trams). Seen here are (right to left) 9217F, 9198F, 9208F, 9200F, 9191F, 9205F, 9206F, 9203F, 9201F and 9192F. The fact that there are ten gaps within the number range suggest that more of this type are on the way.	30/03/2024
4		By Ray Monk It has been over three years since the last bulk delivery of new vehicles for the central fleet, the hiatus presumably being due to the financial difficulties resulting from the COVID pandemic. There had been some speculation as to whether normal renewal would ever resume, given that some of the work is now perhaps performed by contractors or using hired vehicles. Finally, at the end of March 2024, a large batch of new vehicles was delivered to Acton Works, and it was pleasing to see that these have continued the use of the fleetnumbering series that was started in 1939. This view taken at the south end of the Acton Works lorry yard on 30th March 2024 shows nine of the new vans (another ten were on the other side and are coming up next). All of the vehicles were Ford Transit Connect crew vans, which is curious as this type has not been very common since the Mk2 version was introduced in 2014. The vans all had an 'economy' livery of all white with plain blue roundels and TfL lettering. Nearest the camera is 9213F with 9202F, 9209F, 9204F, 9215F, 9210F, 9194F, 9195F and 9192F beyond.	30/03/2024
5		By London Transport The last of the publicity shots shows leased Ford Transit Mk2 van 3293F at Parsons Green in about 1985. This photo was presumably taken to show the new lettering promoting LRT Builders, as it tried to become a more commercial operation by seeking outside work.	30/03/2024
6		By London Transport Renewal of London Transport's bus recovery fleet started in April 1982 with the delivery of 2372L, the first of an eventual six Leyland Freighter units that were considerably larger than the Ford D-series lorries they replaced. The new trucks also stood out by wearing red livery instead of the standard grey. 2372L was seen at Chiswick Works when new, with a few Ford D-series lorries visible behind. Uniquely, 2372L was later used by London Underground (presumably to recover service vehicles rather than trains!) and it was given the new white/blue livery in about 1991.	30/03/2024
7		By London Transport Another new Bedford TL lorry at Chiswick Works in about 1980, this being 12.5 ton dropside lorry 2267B. LT's Bedford TL lorries were very varied and 2267B was one of six of the TL1260 model of which just two (this and 2268B) had a single-cab and a dropside body with tail-lift. Most of the TLs were withdrawn before the end of the 1980s, suggesting that they were perhaps not as robust as the Ford and Dodge lorries also bought at the same time. The Shillibeer livery bus in the background is probably mobile cinema and exhibition bus RCL2221.	30/03/2024
8		By London Transport Jumping ahead a bit, we received a handful of colour 'publicity' shots dating from the 1980s. First up is this view of Bedford TL lorry 2265B at Chiswick Works, presumably soon after it was delivered in September 1980. The TL model was a successor to the TK type and London Transport bought 17 in 1980/1981 to various configurations. 2265B was the largest, being a 16-ton dropside lorry based on the TL1630 variant.	30/03/2024
9		By London Transport Another semi-posed shot at Parsons Green in about 1950 shows various building department lorries about to start the morning run-out. Unfortunately, due to angles or lowered tail-boards, none of the vehicles can be positively identified, although the lorry loaded with sacks near the gate is probably Austin K4 904AS. Note the cement mixer loaded onto a step-frame rigid trailer.	30/03/2024
10		By London Transport A couple of the official photos recently received were said to show the early morning run out from Parsons Green Depot and were probably taken in about 1950. Five service vehicles are visible in this view, while it is possible that some of the cars on the right were also LT vehicles. The identity of the half-tilt dropside at the gate is not discernible, but it is being followed by Austin K4 dropside bolster lorry 908AS. Note that both lorries have staff in the load space, which must have been a hairy ride. In the loading bay are Bedford KZ van 839B, Albion KN127 lorry 369A and what is possibly Bedford OLBD lorry 820B.	30/03/2024
11		By London Transport This photo was marked as showing '1951 Aluminium coach being transported from Acton Works to Aluminium Centenary Exhibition - Festival Hall - South Bank, May 14 1955'. Undertaking the move is Scammell tractor NCF120, which was fleetnumber M8427 in the famous Pickfords fleet. Note that the carriage appears to be loaded onto two four-wheel flat trailers, with a long draw-bar between them.	30/03/2024
12		By London Transport London Transport bought 79 examples of the attractive Austin LD between 1955 and 1966, most being 1-ton vans like 1051AS seen when new. This van was used by the publicity department from various bus garages until it was withdrawn in 1966. Note that the department name is shown on a removable plate, making it easier to cater for transfers or loans.	30/03/2024
13		By London Transport Yet to gain fleetnumbers, this is 1034F, a Ford Thames E83W Utilecon new in June 1955 and photographed about then at Chiswick Works. A Utilecon was a van with side windows which enabled it to also be used as a minibus, and Clive Greedus wrote an article about their use by LT back in 2011. 1034F was the last of LT's Utilecons, following on from a batch of 16 similar vehicles 6 years earlier. All were withdrawn in 1960/1961, meaning that 1034F was kept for less than 6 years.	30/03/2024
14		By London Transport This photo, most likely taken at Lillie Bridge depot in about 1951, shows Leyland Hippo tipper 951L parked next to a rail-mounted steam crane. The fact that the tipper is backed-up to the cab of the crane makes me think that perhaps the staff visible were shovelling coal out of the tipper into the crane. 951L was the only Hippo in the London Transport fleet, and the only 3-axle tipper until the delivery of 2538M in 1993. It was new at the end of 1950 (around the same time as a fleet of 7 slightly smaller Leyland Beaver tippers), and surprisingly only lasted until 1955.	30/03/2024
15		By London Transport 925B was one of three Bedford KZ vans delivered in 1949 for use as railway breakdown vans. As such they carried the attractive red and cream livery rather than the rather drab overall green worn by similar vehicles. As can be seen, the van was initially allocated to Neasden Depot, though it had moved to Hainault Depot by the time it was withdrawn in 1964. The projection above the windscreen is an illuminated 'LT URGENT' sign.	30/03/2024
16		By London Transport Another official view of an ex-War Department AEC Matador breakdown tender, in this case 751P of Dalston Garage. Note that the crane jib on the rear could be rotated through 180 degrees for travel. Three of the Matadors survived into the 1970s but 751P was sold in 1969.	30/03/2024
17		By London Transport The eight AEC Matador breakdown tenders London Transport bought from the War Department in 1947 were used to deal with various incidents involving buses, including turn-overs. This official photo shows 748P demonstrating the method of righting a bus, in this case an LT-class six-wheeler. 748P was bought in December 1947, but did not enter service until January 1949, following some modifications. It was initially allocated to Cricklewood Garage, and the railway line visible in the background makes me think this is where the photo was taken.	30/03/2024
18		By London Transport With partially enclosed rear wheels and what appears to be an opening roof, this is 419M, a Morris S2 van with a 12hp engine that was new to London Transport in August 1939. It was photographed at Chiswick Works when new, lettered for the Parsons Green Building department.	30/03/2024
19		By London Transport The first of several official 'publicity' shots recently obtained shows AEC Regal stores lorry 396W at Chiswick Works and was most likely taken in June 1939, just after it had been converted from Green Line coach T279. The lorry is unregistered and has a shiny coat of green paint, complete with a cream cab roof. The latter was presumably an effort to avoid heat build-up but it appears to have been dropped quite soon afterwards. Note the rather odd-looking drop-side doors half-way along the open bodywork. T279 served for 8 years, while 396W managed to last for 25 years, during which time it was modified with a rear loader and converted from petrol to oil engine. It was finally withdrawn in 1964.	30/03/2024
20		By Ray Monk Back to Bexleyheath again, for another Arriva London hire! KS23WXZ is a Citroen C4 car in unmarked red and was photographed on 19th January 2024.	28/03/2024
21		By Malcolm Millichip Several bus companies have started using their crew ferry vehicles to advertise for bus driver recruitment. Notably, Go-Ahead London has a number of Mercedes Vito minibuses now adorned with large blue adverts, while Metroline has a few with smaller adverts on the door. Seemingly a one-off is the treatment given to Metroline AY23KVM, one of eight Ford Puma cars acquired in 2023. All were delivered in an unmarked dark red livery, but this example has since been given this pale-blue all-over advert (the rear is in bright red). It is presumed that the advert is applied using self-adhesive vinyls, as are the adverts carried by many London buses. The car is based at Brentford and was photographed at Richmond Bus Station on 17th January 2024.	28/03/2024
22		By Derek Everson A well-timed catch at High Wycombe Bus Station on 16th January 2024 shows Arriva the Shires Ford Transit van BG72JNK passing Carousel Buses Mercedes Sprinter KT68XOZ. Both are used as engineering support vehicles from garages in the town.	28/03/2024
23		By Derek Everson RATP-Dev took a batch of 30 Dacia Sandero cars in 2019/2020 for use as crew ferries. These are the only Dacia vehicles to have been used as service vehicles and they were obviously successful as a further 11 followed in 2022. The cars in the second batch were in the same white, but lacked the company lettering and fleetnumbers carried by the first batch. NU72GBO is one of 9 that are based at Hounslow Heath Garage, where it was photographed on 12th January 2024. Thanks to some 'inside' information, we know that this car is allocated fleetnumber D75137.	28/03/2024
24		By Ray Monk Arriva London added almost 40 Seat Ibiza cars to its fleet in 2022/2023, all in plain white and used as crew ferry vehicles from various garages. Dartford (which also had two slightly older Seat Ibizas in a curious gold livery) received two of the new cars, including BG23LBU seen at Bexleyheath bus stand on 10th January 2024. The car behind is also a Dartford crew ferry, being another in the seemingly endless stream of short-term hires. Blue YC21HJN is a BMW X2 hybrid.	28/03/2024
25		By Ray Monk Unmarked BG23KYA is a Seat Arona car used by Arriva London as a crew ferry vehicle from its Dartford Garage. As such, it often turns up at Bexleyheath, as here on 3rd January 2024.	28/03/2024
26		By Ray Monk Arriva London acquired at least seven white Seat Arona cars in 2023, and has also hired a number of similar cars in other colours over the past few years. BJ23RXG is one of two based at Dartford and was photographed at the bus stand in Bexleyheath on 3rd January 2024. Sister BG23KYA was parked nearby - see the next photo.	28/03/2024
27		By Paul Nicholls Volkswagen Caddy Maxi crew van 8999VW is one of many vehicles that congregate at Griffith House at night before going to work. On 22nd December 2023 it was photographed parked in East Tilbury, perhaps its daytime home.	28/03/2024
28		By Ray Monk One interesting find at Acton Works on 16th December 2023 was this box trailer, still displaying pre-2003 Engineering services lettering. Numbered CBT57, this is the last survivor of eight Cobul box trailers bought in the 1990s (in this case 1993). Based for a long time at Lillie Bridge for use by the ventilation team, it is believed to have been withdrawn by 2015 (along with the Mercedes Sprinter mobile generators that used to tow it). By 2021 it was dumped in the lorry yard at Acton Works. It would appear that it has recently been cleaned up, perhaps ahead of a sale. Parked behind is Indespension fuel tanker trailer T70, which has also been out of use for some time.	28/03/2024
29		By Ray Monk Of the four Mitsubishi Outlander cars delivered in 2019/2020, this is the easiest to see. 9054MIT is usually to be found at Harrow-on-the-Hill Station (or in the adjoining car park). On 16th December 2023 Ray photographed it in the DSM Van Yard at Acton Works alongside various LUL Ford Transit vans.	28/03/2024
30		By Ray Monk Ray visited Acton Works on 16th December 2023 and found no new service vehicles present. The hiatus in fleet renewal has now being ongoing for about 3 years, with hardly any new deliveries. How long this continues remains to be seen, although there is speculation that there will be increased use of contractors and/or hired vehicles in the future. One of the vehicles Ray did find was 8378F, a Ford Transit Connect Mk2 van new in spring 2017 and allocated to nearby Hearne House. The Transit Connect is now a rarity in the central fleet, with no more than 4 in use.	28/03/2024
31		By Simon Dixon Found in Milton Keynes on 2nd December 2023, this Mercedes Citan van is not a service vehicle as such, although it does have the red Buses roundel as well as TfL lettering. BTC Technical Solutions provides engineering support to the Bus, Truck and Coach industry (hence the name) and are based in South Ockendon, Essex.	28/03/2024
32		By Peter Terry Also seen at Lakeside Bus Station on 2nd December 2023 was FE23ZZC, one of at least 14 Vauxhall Combo vans added to the Arriva London fleet in 2023. This one is based at Grays. Just visible in the background is preserved former Southend Leyland Fleetline bus 233 (MRJ233W).	28/03/2024
33		By Paul Nicholls Many enthusiasts were at Lakeside Bus Station on 2nd December 2023 to see the various special buses being used on the Ensignbus running day, one of which (RTL453) is in the background here. The subject however is LC66FKH, one of a pair of Renault Kangoo vans acquired by Ensignbus in about 2018. Similar LC66FKJ appears to have been disposed of in 2022. Ensignbus was bought by First in February 2023, although this has not (yet) led to any visible changes.	28/03/2024
34		By Andrew Lidinson These two Ford vans were found at the Inverness Depot of Stagecoach Highlands on 24th November 2023, with Transit Mk8 SP71ZSN to the fore and Transit Connect SR19LWP beyond. The revised font used by Stagecoach for its fleetnames is notable.	28/03/2024
35		By Simon Dixon 8993F is a high-roof Ford Transit van often to be found parked at Griffith House. It is believed to be the Pumps and Drainage Rapid Response Vehicle, which makes me wonder if it gets called out more after there has been heavy rain. It was certainly damp when Simon caught it passing Charing Cross Station on 1st November 2023.	28/03/2024
36		By Derek Everson Whilst visiting Perivale CELF on 21st November 2023, Derek found Renault Grand Scenic car MF70NFE, seemingly out of use. First licensed in September 2020, the first report of this car only came in August 2023, when it was seen working from Brentford. By early October 2023 it had moved on to Perivale. The Grand Scenic was once Metroline's standard crew ferry type, but perhaps the latest variants have proved to be unsuitable...	30/11/2023
37		By Derek Everson Another view of Thorntons low-loader NK66NYH loaded with Metroline LT645 at Perivale CELF on 21st November 2023. Note that the trailer now seems to actually be on the ground. This is presumably part of the unloading process, as the only way I can see this being done would be by lowering the trailer to the ground, then detaching either the front or rear end to allow the bus to be driven off.	30/11/2023
38		By Derek Everson I have mentioned the mid-life refurbishment of LT-class buses recently, with a photo showing an Arriva LT about to be towed from Eastleigh back to London. While Go-Ahead London and Arriva have been using Hants and Dorset Trim, Metroline has been sending their LTs even further, to Thorntons Bus Refurbishment of Ashington in Northumberland! When Derek visited the CELF in Perivale on 21st November 2023, he found freshly-overhauled LT645 on the back of a Thorntons low-loader headed by Volvo FH NK66NYH. It is not known if all such movements are done by lorry, but the driver did mention that he was taking another bus back north that day. He also added that getting under the railway bridge at Perivale was very tight! The ground clearance on the trailer also looks tight, and I would imagine there must be a facility to raise the suspension to clear bumps and humps!	30/11/2023
39		By Derek Everson One more visit to Hatton Cross Bus Station, this photo being taken on 21st November 2023. As usual, a gaggle of Abellio cars was parked along the far side. Five are already in the LTSV database, while the other two (grey Vauxhall Astra MT68FNA and red Kia Ceed RE67CUH) will be added if second sightings prove that they are Abellio vehicles. Of the other vehicles, the three Ford Fiestas are notable for their bonnet lettering. Blue FH61EDU shows TW5, TW being the company's internal code for Twickenham (TfL code TF). Black ML13FNK shows 482 HA, with HA being the company code for Hayes (TfL code WS). However, Hayes closed in 2021 and route 482 (and this car) now work from Dawley Road. Finally black GJ13SRX shows 482 WS, which is odd that in that Abellio seemed to refer to Hayes as either HA or WS. Plus of course it is also out of date!	30/11/2023
40		By Derek Everson About 15 years ago, Arriva London standardised on silver 3-door Vauxhall Corsa cars (very like the one shown here) for crew ferry use. Most were only kept for a few years before being replaced by newer examples, while over the past couple of years Arriva has switched to using Seat cars instead. The car shown here though has nothing to do with Arriva. Photographed at Staines Bus Station on 21st November 2023, NG08HTJ is used by White Bus Service. It has company labels in the front and back windows, and appears to have a fleetnumber in the offside top of the front windscreen, although the angle makes this impossible to read.	30/11/2023
41		By Malcolm Millichip Go-Ahead London has been using some white Ford Transit Custom vans with EA69M-- registrations lately, which I suspect are transfers in from other Go-Ahead companies. The first was EA69MXE at Orpington from late-2022, this one being given company lettering. EA69MWJ was then noted at Camberwell in August 2023, although it appears to have since been delicensed. Two more were reported in November 2023, first being EA69MXB, most likely at Morden Wharf. Finally (for now) EA69MWK was seen attending to a Go-Ahead London SE-class bus that had broken down in a very awkward position in central Richmond on 17th November 2023. The van is presumed to be based at Putney, but more reports (and of course photos) of any of these vehicles would be useful.	30/11/2023
42		By Steve Warman Although I no longer cover Metrobus vehicles in the database, I will still show the occasional photo. On 16th November 2023 Steve caught the Ford Transit Connect crew van twins (8101 and 8102) at Redhill Station. The presence of the City Circle coach behind suggests that a railway replacement service was in operation.	30/11/2023
43		By Lee Thatcher Another Hatton Cross line-up, this time from the back, on 14th November 2023 and taken in a brief lull of a rainstorm. Four Abellio cars were present, with previously unreported Kia Ceed hatchback RJ66YXC nearest. Actually, this a Kia Cee'd, the apostrophe being dropped from the name in 2018, and it is (according to the DVLA) silver! The DVLA reports the second car as being green, which is almost as debatable. This is Vauxhall Astra WG67EPU, which was unwittingly photographed at Fulwell Garage back in June. For the record, the other two cars are brown Fiesta GN13MUO and Astra HK67ERJ, the last being the only one to officially be black!	30/11/2023
44		By Ray Monk As has been noted before, the short bus-only road at Cheviot Road in Norwood has saw-tooth parking bays for buses and/or crew ferry vehicles, though it seems these are used by neither. Seen there on 11th November 2023 was Abellio London Seat Leon car KW65ZVP. This model was popular with Arriva London for a while before they switched to the Seat Ibiza and Arona models. KW65ZVP joined Abellio by mid-2022 but has yet to get any names or logos.	30/11/2023
45		By Lee Thatcher Ford Transit van LN15CYC was number 7990F in the LUL fleet from June 2015 until February 2020, being one of the last disposals before the COVID lockdowns took effect. With LUL it had mainly been a night-time vehicle, working out of Lillie Bridge. it is slightly ironic then that this photo of it in its new 'civilian' guise should also be taken at night. The van was found parked in Hounslow on 10th November 2023, when it retained its blue skirt and fuel filler lettering.	30/11/2023
46		By Ray Monk Metroline disposed of the two 2018 Ford Tourneo Custom minibuses used as crew ferries from Holloway Garage (HT) in October 2023. Two Renault Grand Scenic cars had also been seen at HT in the summer but these appear to have moved elsewhere. Curious about what was currently in use, Ray paid a visit to the garage on 3rd November 2023 and found Ford Puma car AY23KWN. This had been delivered in August 2023, about four months after seven other Pumas with AY23K-- registrations. KWN had then spent a couple of months seemingly parked up at the CELF in Perivale before being moved to Holloway. There may be more crew ferry vehicles at HT so any reports would be appreciated.	30/11/2023
47		By Peter Terry Peter was in Croydon on 27th October 2023, but the weather was still grim. On Hogarth Crescent (a little north of West Croydon) he found several buses working rail replacements and these were accompanied by Abellio LRR Nissan Primastar van LL72YBB in its unmistakable livery.	30/11/2023
48		By Peter Terry On a murky 26th October 2023 Peter caught Dynes Recovery KY19JRV bringing an Arriva London Wright StreetLite bus into Thornton Heath Garage. The bus is SLS13, one of several made redundant at Norwood when route 450 was retendered to Go-Ahead London. Most of the buses have now transferred to Thornton Heath for use on route 410.	30/11/2023
49		By Andrew Lidinson Hatton Cross is usually good for a few service vehicles, and there are three line-ups of Abellio cars there in today's batch of photos. These also serve to show how the Abellio fleet is gradually moving away from being dominated by Ford Fiestas. This first view was taken on 24th October 2023 and features a couple of Fiestas on the left (both with 'local' lettering/numbers on their bonnets). In the middle is a recent addition in the shape of Kia Ceed estate AJ17MJK, still in unmarked black. On the right are Vauxhall Astra SG67VFV and Ford Galaxy ET11KWV. Following the management buy-out of Abellio's UK bus and rail operations in early 2023, I had expected the name to be changed. The Abellio name belongs to NS (Dutch Railways), the previous owners, and is still used for operations in Germany. The new owner was called Transport UK Group and this name has recently been seen applied to a new bus on delivery to what was Abellio London. Having said that, several other buses in the same batch still had Abellio London names applied, so we shall have to wait and see.	30/11/2023
50		By Derek Everson This chunky lorry was photographed at the Transportfest event at Brooklands on 22nd October 2023 and is a Scammell Constructor dating from 1958. Nothing to do with LTSV really though, nor is the Land Rover parked on the right, despite the MLK354L registration being in series with several LT Ford Transit vans and many LT DMS and FS class buses.	30/11/2023
51		By Derek Everson Several other preserved service vehicles attended the event at Brooklands on 22nd October 2023 and here we have the curious combination of AEC Regent tree-lopper 971J and Leyland Titan breakdown tender 1279LD. These two vehicles would not have met during their LT careers, since 971J was withdrawn and sold in 1963 while 1279LD was delivered in early 1964. Although I recently commented that 1279LD looked to be in fine condition, this view highlights a couple of areas that still need attention, such as the front nearside pillar around the mirror and indicator and also the base of the panels on the side of the cab. I have never commented on the non-matching front windscreens that featured on the LT Titans, whereby the offside screen had a metal surround and a top-mounted wiper, while the nearside had rubber surround and a bottom wiper. It seems obvious now that the offside screen is in fact top-hinged, to allow it to be opened for ventilation. Finally, you may have noticed that 1279LD has a tax disc that shows expiry in May 2006! The requirement to display the current tax disc was dropped quite a few years ago, and 1279LD is in fact currently licensed, with a new V5C having been issued at the start of October 2023. 971J is also taxed, which is not bad for an 87 year old.	30/11/2023
52		By Derek Everson Another view of preserved AEC Regent breakdown tender 830J in the sunshine at Brooklands on 22nd October 2023. This vehicle has not been seen outside of the LT Museum sites for many years, and it was brought to Brooklands on a low-loader. This photo usefully shows the hinged door to access the crew compartment, the large sliding door in the side of the van portion, and also the fold-back hinged doors in the rear. The offside has just one door, for the driver.	30/11/2023
53		By Derek Everson London Transport introduced six breakdown tenders in 1949/1950 that were rebuilt from STL-class double-deck buses. Two were withdrawn in the 1960s but the remainder lasted into the 1970s and all four ended up being preserved. Plans were hatched in mid-2023 to try and get all four vehicles together for the Transportfest event at Brooklands in October. This was intended to mark the 90th anniversary of these vehicles first entering service (as buses) and there was also to be a road-run through central London the day before. Sadly, things did not quite work as planned. 739J was not able to be made ready in time, while the LT Museum's 830J was not roadworthy. Adding to the problems, a large demonstration in London on the day of the roadrun forced the planned route to be curtailed. Things went a little better on the Sunday, with three Regents lined-up and the weather being kind. This photo taken on 22nd October 2023 shows (left to right) 738J, 830J (which came on a low-loader) and 832J. Resident AEC Militant breakdown tender 1456MR can also just be glimpsed parked behind. Note that 738J and 830J were both displaying period trade plates instead of registrations. 738J had carried 866GF from 1962 until 1964, while 830J had 305LA from 1977 until withdrawal in 1980. 832J had its original registration (JJ4379) as this was carried for most of its time as a service vehicle. Note also that the headlights on 830J are different to those on the other two. Other photos suggest that the headlights were changed sometime between 1963 and 1973. As for getting all four Regents together, there is always next year!	30/11/2023
54		By Derek Everson A line-up of four White Bus service vehicles at the Horsell base on 22nd October 2023 features three that have already been shown on LTSV. The newcomer is the blue car registered LC08ETF, and this introduces another new make to our photos, being a Chevrolet Matiz. The last Chevrolets on LTSV were a trio of American-built vans operated by LGOC/LPTB in the late 1920s and early 1930s. This new example is a very small car and the design, perhaps unsurprisingly, had origins elsewhere, having been introduced by Daewoo of South Korea. Daewoo went bankrupt in 1999 and the automotive division was sold to General Motors in 2002, with products being re-badged variously as GM Korea, Chevrolet or Holden.	30/11/2023
55		By Derek Everson In a livery that I would describe as antiseptic blue, this is CK62XNJ, a Citroen C1 car used by White Bus Service and seen at their Horsell Garage (near Woking) on 22nd October 2023. Although the body is unmarked, the windscreen has a White Bus label and also the fleetnumber 92.	30/11/2023
56		By Ray Monk The Seat Arona is a subcompact crossover SUV, although mechanically it is almost identical to the Seat Ibiza hatchback. Arriva London took delivery of quite a lot of Ibizas for use as crew ferries during 2023, along with a smaller quantity of Aronas. This photo of Arona BG23KYJ and Ibiza BJ72SVY at Norwood Garage on 14th October 2023 shows many of the differences between the two models.	30/11/2023
57		By Google For comparison with the July 1957 view, I generated this contemporary image using the Globe View tool in Google Maps, the angle being as similar as possible. Notably the large buildings in the background (pub centre left and flats centre right) are visible in both views. The canopies of the platforms at West Kensington station are much more apparent in the modern view, while the drastic changes to Lillie Bridge depot are apparent. Aside from the construction of the Ashfield House office tower block, all railway tracks at this end of the depot are long gone. Just left of centre is the low-level parking area, built on the alignment of the tracks to the goods depot, and now accessed by a ramp somewhere off the bottom of the view. More service vehicles are parked in the area previously occupied by sidings, while the small garage buildings are again long gone. This does mean that the old access road bridge crossing the District Line is fully visible.	30/11/2023
58		By Clive Greedus Collection Just for a change, here is an older photo, and a rather interesting one to boot. Taken in July 1957, seemingly from a quite tall crane or gantry, it is a view over the western end of the Lillie Bridge Depot complex, looking towards West Kensington Station. This area is much changed today, so I have added a contemporary view for comparison. The sidings, containing a variety of wagons plus a rail-crane with a grab-bucket, represent the far end of this large depot, while the tracks curving across the left are those which joined the District Line (just west of West Kensington Station) to West Kensington Goods and Coal Depot. These tracks were at a lower level, which partly explains the curious low-level parking area in this area today. On the right are several garage-like buildings, outside of which several service vehicles were parked. Of note are the four lorries, three of which each has a different length of canvas tilt cover. Somewhere near the small van in front of the tree, there was a bridge that crossed the District Line and joined West Cromwell Road. It is not known if this was the main road entrance to the depot, as there was also access from Lillie Road at the south end. The bridge is still in situ today, but no longer used for vehicles. There is still an LT-era sign at the West Cromwell Road gate reading 'No Entry, One Way Only', so perhaps this was just an exit. In any case, once the goods depot closed in 1965 it was possible to build a new roadway (running across the mid-left of this view) joining to Beaumont Avenue and hence coming out alongside West Kensington Station. In recent years, this has become the only road access, following the closure of the Lillie Road entrance.	30/11/2023
59		By Dave Wolstencroft Metroline crew ferry vehicles seem to be moving around a bit lately. MD69OCR was one of two Renault Grand Scenic cars noted at Holloway Garage in June 2023, and which may have been previously based as Kings Cross Garage. However, both have since been seen several times parked up at the CELF works in Perivale. Dave photographed MD69OCR at the latter location on 7th October 2023.	30/11/2023
60		By Ray Monk Another grey Abellio Audi A1 car was found in the far corner of Southall Garage on 7th October 2023, GJ23PXL being parked near the bus-wash. Also in this corner was Ford Transit crew van YT56XNF, which has been with Abellio since at least 2011. It has not been reported on the road since 2019 though it is still licensed.	30/11/2023
61		By Ray Monk The second engineering van at Southall Garage (GW) on 7th October 2023 was MX17AEJ, a short Peugeot Expert - note the lack of rear overhang. This van started a new series for engineering vehicles, being numbered 6900.	30/11/2023
62		By Ray Monk As well as the new Audi cars, Ray and Dave's visit to Abellio's Southall Garage on 7th October 2023 offered the opportunity to obtain better photos of the two engineering vans based here. Both are silver with an orange stripe and yellow 'masks' on the front. Both were lettered for Engineering Support, which spoils my observational theory that the orange-striped livery is for 'Technical Engineering Support' vehicles. Both the Southall vans are also to the same basic design, although they are two different lengths and branded under two different makes. LB17YAD seen here is long Citroen Dispatch (note the rear overhang) and is numbered 6908. This photo also shows the large open yard in which most of the buses are parked.	30/11/2023
63		By Ray Monk Ray and Dave were granted permission to take photos inside Southall (Great Western) Garage on 7th October 2023. Several new and newish cars were noted, which may or may not be service vehicles (such as white Nissan Leaf electric car LS71PHN in the background here). However, there was a small batch of Audi A1 cars all in grey with GJ23xx registrations that did appear to be in use as crew ferries. GJ23TSZ was trying to hide between two of the short (single-door) Enviro 200 buses that are based here.	30/11/2023
64		By Ray Monk Following reports of some new crew ferry cars at Abellio's Southall garage this autumn, Ray and Dave visited on 7th October 2023. Several Audi cars were noted, a make that has only appeared once before on LTSV. A1 hatchback GJ23ODN in unmarked grey livery was caught leaving the garage.	30/11/2023
65		By Ray Monk Ford Transit Custom crew van 8400F is one of the most visible LUL service vehicles. It is often parked in front of Frank Pick House at Acton (being visible from passing trains), whilst it is also seems to be very active in the Bollo Lane area during the day. In fact it has accrued an impressive 162 sightings on LTSV, only a handful of which were not in Acton. I have included this photo of the van taken at Frank Pick House on 7th October 2023 because of a minor livery embellishment. It had gained a red star either side of the LUL logo on the front, these showing the number 2 on the left and 5 on the right. The significance of this is not known. Could it be 25 years since Lifts and Escalators moved into Frank Pick House perhaps? This photo also provides another comparison between the original Ford Transit Custom design (as on 8400F) and the revised design introduced in 2017 (as on 8757F on the right).	30/11/2023
66		By Ray Monk MAN LE demountable lorry 2587 was new in 2006 and for the next eight years was a fairly regular sight in the lorry yard at Acton Works. However, in about 2014 it was nominated as the vehicle to be paired with body DB25 as the LUL Emergency Control Unit. As such it was given emergency style markings and kept in a dedicated shed elsewhere in the works, only coming out during incidents or major events. By 2023 the lorry was 17 years old and ripe for replacement, so newer MAN demountable WU67AJY was assigned to the role. 2587 was moved to the lorry yard pending disposal, as seen on 7th October 2023. It was loaded with curtain-sided body DB15, itself over 30 years old and also due for the chop, most likely having been replaced by new lorry KM72XPV. It is worth mentioning that 2587 is/was the last normal lorry to be numbered in the original number series that was started in 1939. Lorries delivered since 2008 have been un-numbered, although an exception was made for the ten ERU tenders delivered in 2017 and numbered 2603 to 2612. Also, the note in the windscreen of 2587 appears to read 'DO NOT USE BEFORE DISCO', although the wipers obscure the last line so I may have mis-read it!	30/11/2023
67		By Ray Monk A rear view of recently-delivered Volvo FE lorry KY73JXF at Acton Works on 7th October 2023 shows that it has a fairly normal dropside body along with a rear tail-lift.	30/11/2023
68		By Ray Monk The newest lorry in the central fleet at present is Volvo FE KY73JXF, delivered in September 2023. It differs from the other Volvo lorries new earlier in the year in that it has a low-profile cab, which is actually just a normal cab but mounted further forward and lower down. It was seen in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 7th October 2023.	30/11/2023
69		By Ray Monk 8706VW is from a batch of ten Volkswagen vans delivered in autumn 2018 and seemingly attached to the District Line, with most being based at either Barking (Wakering Road) or Earls Court Gardens. The Barking vans can be easily seen during the day, but the Earls Court ones tend to be hidden away in the small shed, only coming out at night. In fact, it was assumed that the Earls Court shed was so small that only Caddy vans could fit within, although one sighting of 8706VW seems to suggest that it was seen inside. Anyway, on 7th October 2023 8706VW was caught paying a visit to Acton Works, being photographed in the DSM van yard.	30/11/2023
70		By Ray Monk With virtually no new vehicles entering the central fleet over the past three years, the use of some hired vehicles has become inevitable, both for new roles and to replace existing vehicles that were withdrawn or away for repairs. Most of these hires are believed to operate anonymously, meaning that they are virtually impossible to keep track of. Even when vehicles are labelled, there doesn't seem to be much point in adding them to the database, as they may only be used for a short period. On 7th October 2023, this Ford Transit Custom crew van (LC23ENR) was found parked outside the Emergency Response Unit building at Acton Works, with appropriate labels applied.	30/11/2023
71		By Ray Monk On a visit to Acton Works on 7th October 2023, Ray found Renault Kangoo Maxi vans 8716R, 8717R, 8719R and 8720R all parked together. Here we see 8717R, with 8716R on the left and Ford Transit crew van 8672F on the right.	30/11/2023
72		By David Cooper Ray has sent me no fewer than ten photos of this truck, all taken at Acton Works over the past four years. However, I was holding out for a photo of it taken somewhere else, to provide a bit of variety. My chance finally came when David found the truck parked in Crayford on 4th October 2023. 8992F is a Mk8 Ford Transit dropside with a tail-lift and standard LUL livery.	30/11/2023
73		By Peter Terry Trams VW Caddy van 9163VW was found parked at Wandle Park Tram Stop on 28th September 2023. Although it was new over three years ago, there are (so far) only three vehicles known to have higher fleetnumbers.	30/11/2023
74		By London Spotter Citroen Dispatch van MJ17USE has been with Abellio London for at least the past 2 years but it has been a bit elusive, with few sightings and no photos. Until now. The van is based at Walworth Garage, which also has similar LG19BFU, this most likely being the white van just visible behind. Interestingly, the latter has a green stripe and 'Engineering Support' lettering, while MJ17USE has an orange stripe and 'Technical Engineering Support'. I'm not too clear on what the distinction is. On 27th September 2023, MJ17USE was found parked in the front yard at Walworth Garage. This area was formerly occupied by an LT building (either offices or a canteen), this being demolished a few years back to provide more parking spaces. This included access to the railway viaduct arches beyond, though as seen here, care must be taken due to the low-height of the arches.	30/11/2023
75		By Lee Thatcher 8687VW is not a rare vehicle, having chalked up 61 sightings on LTSV over the past 5 years, most of which were in the car park at Acton Works. However, on 18th September 2023 it was found parked on a residential street between Chiswick and Kew.	30/11/2023
76		By Ray Monk Ray has photographed this TfL Renault Kangoo van (9117R) in the front car park at Acton Works on several occasions, most recently on 2nd September 2023. It may have initially been based at Chancel Street in Southwark, but the truth is that we don't have solid allocation information for any of this batch (9114R to 9118R).	30/11/2023
77		By Phil Hambling Parked outside the recently opened Cannon Street entrance to Bank Station on 23rd August 2023, 9074VW is one of the Incident Response Units based at nearby Aldgate Bus Station.	30/11/2023
78		By Temihems Seen parked outside Canary Wharf Station on 2nd July 2023 (in a bay marked as being for DLR Vehicles Only) was DLR Keolis Amey van 022 (GJ23UUX). This Peugeot Partner electric van was new that March and seems to have been a replacement for earlier GF18NFT, a similar but diesel Partner van that had also carried the fleetnumber 022.	30/11/2023
79		By Ray Monk The other BYD E6 electric car allocated to Goat Road (OU19FDD) was being charged when we visited on 19th September 2023. Although not checked, this is presumed to have a label in the back window showing it to be FV-2.	26/09/2023
80		By Ray Monk One of the last locations we visited on 19th September 2023 was Goat Road in Mitcham, home since March 2023 to a small Go-Ahead London operating base. There were no buses at all present at the time, and no sign of the two vans that had been seen here earlier in the year. Fortunately, both of the crew ferry cars were on site. This photo of the rear of OU19EWL shows the fleetnumber FV-1 applied by means of a label in the rear window. Beyond is the fence along Goat Road itself. This has recently had hoardings applied to it, reducing the view into the yard considerably. The hoardings are advertising the redevelopment of an adjoining industrial estate and looking at the plans, it would appear that this will include absorbing the space currently used for bus parking. It may therefore be that this location only has a limited life span.	26/09/2023
81		By Ray Monk Most of the Dacia Sandero cars that were allocated to Epsom Bus Garage were moved to Tolworth when it was closed in 2021. Seen at Tolworth on 19th September 2023 were two of the cars, D75101 (MJ69ZJY) on the left and D75106 (MJ69ZDM) on the right. Reflected in the window in between is the rear of resident engineers van R70040 (MF20RZL), while similar R70032 (MF20RYU, latterly at Hounslow Heath) was also present.	26/09/2023
82		By Ray Monk Brentford Garage and its surroundings are currently being redeveloped, and the area is a bit of a building site. This photo, taken for us by a member of staff on 19th September 2023, confirms that the garage does have two engineering vans allocated. Both are Ford Transit Connect vans, with AX19FLA on the left and newer AV72ZPB on the right. There was no sign of the various crew ferry vehicles allocated here, while I'm not sure what the curious-looking vehicle immediately behind AX19FLA is.	26/09/2023
83		By Ray Monk Seen on the Uxbridge Road in Southall/Hanwell on 25th September 2023 was Dynes Recovery DAF AY22UKT with an E200 bus on tow. Just visible in the right background is a white Abellio Ford minibus parked for crew changes at the bus stop, while the location of the old Southall Bus Garage is in the left background.	26/09/2023
84		By Ray Monk We had visited Abellio's Southall Garage on 19th September 2023 and noted a couple of Audi cars that may have been in use as crew ferry vehicles. Ray returned on 25th September and, though he did not see the Audis, he did find out where the Ford Transit Custom minibuses work to. This photo shows EO22KHT parked at a bus stop marked as St Bernard's Gatehouse, Windmill Park. This is on the main Uxbridge Road, is the first stop after Ealing Hospital and is virtually opposite the old Southall bus garage. This may be a recent change as I'm sure that crew changes used to be done at the next stop (after the railway bridge). EO22KHT is the last of Abellio's four white minibuses to be shown on LTSV. When they were acquired, we assumed that they were hires to enable COVID-related social distancing. However, their continued use suggests that they are permanent additions. Do I need to comment on the fact that EO22KHT is missing one wheeltrim?!	26/09/2023
85		By Colin Smith I was very surprised to see this photo, showing that a fifth new lorry has been delivered to LUL at Acton. Not only that but it is the first 73-reg service vehicle to be reported. As with the lorries delivered earlier this year, KY73JXF has a white cab, blue bodywork and TfL (rather than LUL) lettering. It is a 2-axle dropside truck with tail-lift, the latter still in sparkling white when seen, and is based on a Volvo FE250 chassis cab. Note that the cab is low-profile, mounted lower and further forward than standard. The cutout in the cab door shows where the wheelarch would normally come to, while the front looks odd without any sort of bumper at the bottom. Speculating a bit, it could be that this lorry is intended to replace one of the two vehicles used by lifts and escalators (RK14ETT and RK14ETU), and perhaps the lower cab was specified so that it could fit inside Griffith House or other height-restricted locations. Time will tell. Photographed in the lorry yard at Acton Works on 24th September 2023.	26/09/2023
86		By Dave Wolstencroft Plough Lane Garage, coded PL but referred to by Go-Ahead London as Waterside Way, technically closed in March 2023, with its routes redistributed to Merton Garage and the new base at Mitcham, Goat Road. Much of the location has since been taken over by construction materials firm Cappagh, but Go-Ahead has retained a small part of the yard and it was understood that this was to house some of the fleet of buses used for commercial services. Dave visited on 22nd September 2023 and found no commercial buses present, though there were three double-deck trainers parked (an E and two ENs). Also present was Mercedes Vito minibus RK68GVT, latterly allocated to Croydon. A return visit will be required to determine whether this becomes a permanent reallocation.	26/09/2023
87		By Thomas Young The large Arriva bus garage at Tottenham never seems to have any service vehicles inside these days, which is unusual. The crew ferry cars that used to be common here are no longer required, but there must be an engineering van or two. Reports would be welcomed. A recent discovery was of a small parking area at the back of the garage, accessed by a cul-de-sac called Library Court, off Tottenham High Road. The area is marked as being reserved for crew ferry vehicles, though in reality it appears to mainly be used by staff cars. When we visited on 21st September 2023, there was one service vehicle present, lurking in the far corner and trying to look anonymous! Seat Ibiza BJ23OTF has previously been noted at Edmonton Garage, and indeed it still had windscreen labels showing fleetnumber EC212.	26/09/2023
88		By Thomas Young If, like me, you are familiar with a lot of current vehicle designs, you might do a double take when you see this one. It looks like a Ford Transit Connect, but then again it doesn't! AV23LBN was added to the allocation at Metroline's Potters Bar Garage in mid-2023 and it is badged as a Ford Tourneo Connect. It turns out that it is the first example seen of the third generation Connect model, initially only available in passenger-carrying Tourneo format. The new design was introduced in 2021 and is based on the fourth generation Volkswagen Caddy design of 2020. It is the first outcome of a new partnership between Ford and Volkswagen, and it remains to be seen if this is carried over to the Transit Connect cargo variants. Just visible on the left of this view taken on 21st September 2023 is Ford Transit Custom minibus AY71JDZ.	26/09/2023
89		By Peter Terry Peter has had several encounters with Norwood's new engineering van lately. Vauxhall Combo van FL23JCU was new in June 2023 as a replacement for older FD17KKH and, as with most of the recently delivered engineering vans, it has full Arriva lettering. It was photographed on Selhurst Road at Norwood Junction on 21st September 2023.	26/09/2023
90		By Dave Wolstencroft Night visits to Cam Road at Stratford can be productive, since all vehicles entering or leaving Stratford Market Depot go this way. Photography is not normally possible however, as the vehicles are on the move and the road is not very well lit. When Dave visited on the night of 20th September 2023 he found 8271VW parked outside the depot for some reason. More curiously, 8271VW is one of a batch of VW Caddy Maxi crew vans new in late 2016 that are mainly allocated to Hainault Depot.	26/09/2023
91		By Peter Terry Dynes Recovery DAF 530 AY23VTM (named Lottie) was caught in Whitehorse Road, Croydon on 20th September 2023 having just picked-up Arriva London bus HA36.	26/09/2023
92		By Ray Monk We currently have no fewer than 23 service vehicles allocated to London Trams, although only a handful can normally be found at the main depot in Therapia Lane. And I should point out that seeing these can involve some undignified peering through bushes and fences on the side of a busy road with no pavement! Still, repeated visits do seem to be the only way to get to see their vehicles. On 19th September 2023 Ray did well to obtain this view of Renault Kangoo Maxi van 8658R without any of the obstructions getting into the frame.	26/09/2023
93		By Thomas Young This is the best photo I could manage of unique vehicle HX15OTK. Normally kept at the back of RATP's Fulwell Garage, it is a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter flatbed truck with a large tail ramp (the yellow visible above the cab), and it was added to the fleet in about August 2021. We know that it has been allocated fleetnumber FB10000, though we still don't know whether it carries any markings, nor what role it serves. It was photographed from the other side of Wellington Road using my super-zoom on 19th September 2023.	26/09/2023
94		By Ray Monk At Abellio's Fulwell (Twickenham) Garage, a far corner of the yard is given over to service vehicle parking. Seen there on 19th September 2023 were two of the Ford Fiesta cars that still form the bulk of the Abellio crew ferry fleet, along with venerable Ford Tourneo Connect minibus EJ57WVE. New in 2007, the latter has been with Abellio since at least 2012, making it one of the longest-serving members of the fleet. Also visible is one of the remaining Ford Transit Mk6 crew vans, believed to be out of use. We did not get an ID on this vehicle but it is presumably either YS55NHH or YT06DDX.	26/09/2023
95		By Ray Monk Over the past few years, Abellio has been acquiring more modern second-hand cars to replace the large quantity of Ford Fiestas added about 10 years ago. Many have been Vauxhall Astras, and most (thankfully) have been given company fleetnames. Silver FG68WDF was seen at Fulwell (Twickenham) on 19th September 2023.	26/09/2023
96		By Ray Monk RATP acquired three of these Citroen Berlingo vans from new in 2018, all being operated in anonymous white livery. LC18GJO is the only one remaining, and is allocated company fleetnumber ST75069. It appears to have taken over from LC18GHF as the van based at the former NCP/NSL garage in Twickenham, as seen here on 19th September 2023. Once coded NC when it ran TfL services, this location has been retained for engineering, training and storage purposes.	26/09/2023
97		By Ray Monk The RATP garage at Hounslow Heath changed code from HH to WK a few years ago. This reflects its origins as the Westlink low-cost unit in the late 1980s. The location is well known for having lots of crew ferry vehicles allocated, though when we visited on 19th September 2023, only one was visible. Dacia Sandero car D75139 (NU72GBX) was squeezed between two of the large Renault Master vans. R70034 (nearest) is the van used by the local engineers, while R70039 beyond is lettered as an Incident Support vehicle and can turn up at various RATP garages.	26/09/2023
98		By Ray Monk Spring Grove in Lampton is one of the newer London bus garages, having only opened in 2019. It was previously a base for coach company Westbus, co-owned with Metroline since 2005. Westbus moved to the former First London depot in Hayes (Rigby Lane), allowing Metroline to use Spring Grove to run TfL services. Coded SG, it currently works routes 81 and 120 using a fleet of about 30 double-deck buses. It is technically an outstation of Brentford Garage (AH) and has no on-site engineering facilities. Basically just an open parking yard, the base was initially shared with another coach company (Imperial?), while there are some commercial auto firms at the bottom end of the site, meaning that you can walk or drive through the yard. Doing so on 19th September 2023, we hadn't expected to find any service vehicles but came across Ford Puma AY23KUE parked amongst the staff cars.	26/09/2023
99		By Ray Monk On 19th September 2023 Ray and I joined Dave and his friend Steve for a day out. Taking advantage of Dave's driving, we called in at 17 bus garages, an itinerary that would have been impossible to do in one day using public transport. First surprise was this Ford Transit Connect van found at the back of the yard at the former West Perivale Garage. AV18ZTU was no doubt new in mid-2018 along with three similar vans for Metroline, but we somehow managed to miss this one. Perhaps it was kept at one of the Falcon Coachworks premises, since it carries their lettering. It was most likely here for disposal.	26/09/2023
100		By Malcolm Millichip Malcolm found this Renault Trafic minibus MD23RHZ parked at Richmond Bus Station on 18th September 2023. It is most likely allocated to Brentford Garage for crew ferry runs in connection with bus route 190. I have described the livery as Maroon, although Renault refer to it as Carmine Red, and it looks to be the same as found on the Grand Scenic cars also used by Metroline.	26/09/2023

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