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| Count | Photo | Details | Added  |
| 101 |  |
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 |
| 102 |  |
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 |
| 103 |  |
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 |
| 104 |  |
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 |
| 105 |  |
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 |
| 106 |  |
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 |
| 107 |  |
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 |
| 108 |  |
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 |
| 109 |  |
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 |
| 110 |  |
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 |
| 111 |  |
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 |
| 112 |  |
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 |
| 113 |  |
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 |
| 114 |  |
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 |
| 115 |  |
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 |
| 116 |  |
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 |
| 117 |  |
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 |
| 118 |  |
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 |
| 119 |  |
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 |
| 120 |  |
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 |
| 121 |  |
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 |
| 122 |  |
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 |
| 123 |  |
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 |
| 124 |  |
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 |
| 125 |  |
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 |
| 126 |  |
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 |
| 127 |  |
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 |
| 128 |  |
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 |
| 129 |  |
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 |
| 130 |  |
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 |
| 131 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft At least 8 of these Ford Puma mild-hybrid cars have been added to the Metroline fleet this year. Seven were delivered in April, while AY23KWN came about four months later. It appears to have remained at the CELF in Perivale since August, as seen here on 18th September 2023. |
26/09/2023 |
| 132 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft The fourth LUL vehicle found at Hatton Cross on the night of 14th September 2023 was the largest and had travelled the furthest. Long-wheelbase Ford Transit van 8401F is allocated to Hainault Depot on the opposite side of London, and it has only been reported a handful of times during its 6-year career. |
26/09/2023 |
| 133 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Most night trips do not really cover the suburbs, as the chance of coming across vehicles is considerably slimmer and the distances involved greater. On the 14th of September 2023 (or more accurately the early hours of the 15th), Dave decided to call in at Hatton Cross on his way back to base, and there he found four LUL SVs parked in the bus station. Curiously all four were from different bases. Shown here is Renault Kangoo Maxi van 8559R (with sun-bleached front roundel), normally resident at Morden Station. Similar 8557R (even down to the faded roundel) from Wembley Park Station was nearby, while alongside was VW Transporter minibus 8713VW from Acton, Museum Way. |
26/09/2023 |
| 134 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Renault Kangoo Maxi vans 8935R to 8937R were all new in June 2019 and initially seemed to be allocated to Allsop Place at Baker Street. The first two are no longer kept there, although they do still turn up nearby at nighttime. This 14th September 2023 photo shows 8936R parked near the top of Baker Street, with 8937R directly behind. |
26/09/2023 |
| 135 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Also on Chapel Street on 14th September 2023 was Renault Kangoo Maxi van 8880R. 8999VW and 8370R are on the opposite side of the road. |
26/09/2023 |
| 136 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft On the night of 14th September 2023, Dave photographed this line of five LUL vans parked on Chapel Street near Griffith House. Nearest was Renault Kangoo Maxi 8366R, with 8370R, 8999VW, 8881R and 8829R in front. Note that chevron rears, once standard on Griffith House vehicles, are no longer generally applied. |
26/09/2023 |
| 137 |  |
By Ray Monk Is it time for another anonymous Dartford crew ferry car yet?! With some jolly bus drivers, this is Peugeot 508 estate car MJ22WMC in Bexleyheath on 13th September 2023. I get confused by Peugeot model designations, and the 508 seems to have no relation to the 5008. Still, at least Peugeot put the model numbers on the front of their cars as well as the (more normal) rear. |
26/09/2023 |
| 138 |  |
By Laurence Carty Another excellent view of preserved Leyland Titan breakdown tender 1279LD alongside current rescue tender 2609 at Acton Works on 12th September 2023. It would be interesting to see how each of these vehicles would look in the livery of the other! |
26/09/2023 |
| 139 |  |
By Laurence Carty 1279LD, the preserved Leyland Titan breakdown tender that recently resurfaced at the Worthing Bus Rally, paid a visit to Acton Works on 12th September 2023. It was parked alongside its modern equivalent in the form of Volvo FL rescue tender 2609 (KS66XZV) outside the ERU shed. The Emergency Response Unit is celebrating its 30th birthday this year, having been established as a single operation in 1993. |
26/09/2023 |
| 140 |  |
By Andrew Lidinson Another DLR Keolis Amey vehicle without a fleetnumber is Peugeot Partner van GJ72MJY, found at Lewisham Station on 7th September 2023. |
26/09/2023 |
| 141 |  |
By Andrew Lidinson The Mk6 Ford Transit is now becoming a rare sight as a service vehicle. Apart from the possibility of exhibition unit KJ53UNW still lingering at the Acton Museum Depot (reports please), the only other examples are three with Abellio, and it would appear that none are in active use. BP06NDZ was new in 2006 and acquired by Abellio by 2012. It was usually to be found at Hatton Cross Bus Station in use as a rest vehicle, and was no doubt home-based at Fulwell. It was also noted in 2022 and 2023 at a commercial garage in South Croydon. On 6th September 2023 it was photographed parked on Haling Park Road in South Croydon. This would seem to suggest that it had been disposed of. However, it retained Abellio lettering all round (except on the offside), and its licensing data gave no indication of a change of ownership. |
26/09/2023 |
| 142 |  |
By Ray Monk I have in the past moaned about the fact that some garages seem to use an endless stream of anonymous hired cars as crew ferry vehicles, most notably Arriva London's Dartford. However, I suspect that the bus drivers who use these vehicles do not mind at all. If the cars were bought, they would probably be lower-spec or second-hand, while some of the hired vehicles seem to be quite posh and are no doubt more comfortable. Seen at the Arnsberg Way bus stand in Bexleyheath on 6th September 2023 were two such cars, with Peugeot 5008 GD21ENX parked in front of Citroen C5 KM72PXN. |
26/09/2023 |
| 143 |  |
By Richard Davis Demonstrations of recovery equipment and techniques are a feature of the TruckFest shows, and at TruckFest South West in Shepton Mallet on 2nd September 2023, Dynes Recovery AY22UKT was teamed with Egertons Scania UK51WSX to lift an elderly Dennis Dart bus onto a flatbed recovery truck. |
26/09/2023 |
| 144 |  |
By Richard Davis Richard was at another TruckFest show on 2nd September 2023, this time TruckFest South West at Shepton Mallet in Somerset. Dynes Recovery were in attendance again and here we see their 3-axle DAF AY22UKT which carries the name John. |
26/09/2023 |
| 145 |  |
By Ray Monk Also photographed outside the offices at Acton Works on 2nd September 2023 was Ford Transit Connect van 8465F. This 6-year old van has been noted numerous times working out of Stratford Market Depot but, being generally seen on the move at night, this is the first time it has been photographed. The Transit Connect was once the standard small van for the LUL fleet, but just 4 are in stock at present. |
26/09/2023 |
| 146 |  |
By Ray Monk 8701VW is quite an elusive vehicle, with relatively few sightings since it was new almost five years ago. I suspect that it is allocated to Earls Court and hence usually hidden away in the small shed off Earls Court Gardens. It was found visiting Acton Works on 2nd September 2023. |
26/09/2023 |
| 147 |  |
By Ray Monk Seen in the front car park at Acton Works on 2nd September 2023, CJ23HBE is a Hyundai Kona electric car operated by Mitie. This firm is contracted to provide security and facilities services to LUL, and this is reflected in the dual branding applied on the sides, although from the front it could appear to be an LUL vehicle. A couple of genuine LUL service vehicles are visible in the background. |
26/09/2023 |
| 148 |  |
By Kim Rennie Dynes Recovery 4-axle Volvo FH truck KM22UUZ (named Reuben) has appeared on LTSV several times already, but this is the first view of it earning its keep. Taken outside Bow Garage on 1st September 2023, it had presumably just brought one of the allocated LT class New Routemaster buses back to the garage for attention. |
26/09/2023 |
| 149 |  |
By London Spotter The Docklands Light Railway has been receiving new service vehicles in recent months, though keeping track of them is proving difficult. Some carry fleetnumbers previously carried by older vehicles, while others have no numbers applied. One of the latter is Peugeot Expert crew van GL23VKR, seen at Stratford Station on 30th August 2023. |
26/09/2023 |
| 150 |  |
By Ray Monk TfL-liveried Toyota Yaris car 9111T was delivered in early 2020 and was soon allocated to Blackwall, Naval Row as a replacement for Toyota Prius LS13EVV (the last service vehicle to carry the white/orange TfL Streets livery). As with LS13EVV, the car is kept in a yard alongside the north portals of the Blackwall Tunnel, and can be viewed through the fence from an adjoining footpath, as here on 28th August 2023. |
26/09/2023 |
| 151 |  |
By Ray Monk The Toyota Corolla name has been in use since 1968, though (as with the Ford Transit) it has applied to various designs over the years. SC21VKN is an example of the 12th generation Corolla, introduced in 2018. This one is on hire to Stagecoach London for use as a crew ferry vehicle from Rainham Garage and it was photographed at the bus stop near Tescos in the town on 26th August 2023. Despite the global success of the Corolla model, this is only the second example known to have worked as a London service vehicle, the first being Epsom Coaches A8HRR. |
26/09/2023 |
| 152 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray was back in Rainham on 26th August 2023 and photographed some more of the hired cars used as crew ferry vehicles from the nearby Stagecoach London garage. First up is Nissan Juke YJ23DBS, one of three similar cars added to the fleet recently. It has the spattering of mud typical to vehicles working from Rainham. |
26/09/2023 |
| 153 |  |
By Lee Thatcher MF20RZG is a Renault Master van numbered R70037 in the RATP Dev fleet and allocated to Shepherds Bush Garage. On 22nd August 2023 it was caught heading up Park Lane in central London and passing one of the Stagecoach London Scania OmniCity buses now converted to part open-top for use on sightseeing tours. |
26/09/2023 |
| 154 |  |
By Lee Thatcher Lee supplied some excellent photos of bus garages for use in the new SUP45A publication. However, the print deadline had been moved forward a week and they unfortunately arrived just too late. This photo is worth showing here, since it includes a service vehicle as well as a couple of other interesting aspects. Taken on 22nd August 2023, it shows the garage at Cornwall Road in Waterloo. Opened in 1990 on the site of a long-established bus terminating stand, it initially operated single-deck buses on the Red Arrow routes, and hence was given the code RA. The Red Arrow network was reduced, debranded and finally abandoned in April 2023, the last two routes (507 and 521) being covered by changes to other services. The garage was retained and was used as a base for routes 153 and 214, both of which had previously worked from Northumberland Park. The routes both used SEe electric single-deckers similar to those on the 507 and 521, although without the large standee area. I had assumed that most of the standee SEe buses would have been moved elsewhere pending upseating and reallocation, and indeed some have been noted at Northumberland Park. However, visible here are SEe27 and SEe28, neither of which had been used for almost 4 months. The standee area is evident by the yellow handrail visible inside SEe27 on the left. Another point of interest is the red and white double-deckers parked in a line in the center. TfL has decided to develop a network of express bus routes, most of which will together form a circuit around outer London. This led to the idea of branding these services as 'Superloop', although the branding has also been extended to other express routes. The X68 was introduced in 1986 as a peak-hours only service from Croydon to Russell Square in the mornings, returning in the afternoon. It was run with normal double-deck buses that were used on other routes during the day. In July 2023 the route was renumbered to the SL6, and its buses were given the smart new red and white livery with Superloop lettering. It was planned that such vehicles would not be used on other routes, hence the buses spend most of the day just parked up. Curiously, even though the route is run by Camberwell (which is only a few miles south of here), the buses are parked at Waterloo Garage during the day, and indeed 10 were lined-up when Lee visited (the route requires 10 buses, with a total of 12 EH buses suitably reliveried). Finally, to the service vehicle. FJ64OWO is a BYD E6 electric car that has been based here (off and on) since at least mid-2017. It has never had any lettering, and it was sometimes joined by similar FJ64OWP, though I did suspect that they were perhaps owned by BYD themselves. The fact that FJ64OWO is still here suggests that it is now a Go-Ahead vehicle, and any reports of FJ64OWP being seen would be welcomed. |
26/09/2023 |
| 155 |  |
By Derek Everson Derek photographed this Ford Transit Connect van in Guildford Bus Station on 21st August 2023. Although lettered for Farnham Coaches, KR58ZGF was being used to ferry Safeguard bus drivers, and the two companies are in fact co-owned. Note that this rather elderly van has a one-piece rear door, instead of the more common twin, side-hinged doors. |
26/09/2023 |
| 156 |  |
By Ray Monk Having said that the Stagecoach London Hyundai I800 minibuses are used for longer runs, here is a photo showing one having made the shorter journey to Rainham Tescos. DV68TTO is on the left, while just leaving is DS23SRX, one of three electric Vauxhall Corsa cars recently added to the fleet. As can be seen, both vehicles have lettering that refers to 'Operations (Team) Rainham', presumably to distinguish them from vehicles for use by the engineers. The car is allocated national fleetnumber 91787, although this does not appear to be carried. Photographed on 21st August 2023. |
26/09/2023 |
| 157 |  |
By Ray Monk Another Stagecoach London hired crew ferry car seen at Rainham Tescos on 21st August 2023 was Ford Puma AO71FND. Metroline has recently taken a batch of similar vehicles, two of which appear later in today's batch of photos. |
26/09/2023 |
| 158 |  |
By Ray Monk In Rainham, between the supermarket and the petrol station both run by Tesco, is a small bus station which is frequented by crew ferry vehicles from the nearby Stagecoach London garage. The Hyundai I800 minibuses appear to be used for the longer runs (such as to Romford), with more local runs handled by cars, many of which are hired and have no markings. A typical example was Peugeot 2008 MD72TVK, seen on 21st August 2023. |
26/09/2023 |
| 159 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray travelled to Rainham (Essex) on 21st August 2023 but instead of heading to the Stagecoach garage off Ferry Lane he looked around the station and the nearby Tesco supermarket. At the former he found a gaggle of Arriva Seat Ibiza cars, parked in a small yard at the end of Old Station Lane (the station platforms are visible in the background). All the cars were from Grays garage, whose route 103 terminates nearby. It would appear that the cars are used as places for drivers to take their rest breaks as much as to ferry them to and from the garage, while looking at Google maps suggests this has been the case for at least the past few years. |
26/09/2023 |
| 160 |  |
By Lee Thatcher Seen heading west on Brentford High Street on 17th August 2023 was Trams Ford Transit Custom van 8723F loaded onto a transporter and with evidence of frontal damage. It was perhaps on its way from Acton Works to a Ford garage, though it was back at Acton looking fully recovered a couple of weeks later. |
26/09/2023 |
| 161 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft This anonymous white Peugeot Partner van OV68VZC has become a bit of a fixture at Watford Junction Bus Station lately, normally parked in a bay marked for ferry vehicles only. It is presumed to be from the Hemel Hempstead garage of Arriva Southern Counties and I suspect it is actually an engineers van. Crew ferry duties are mainly in the hands of cars or Mercedes Sprinter minibuses like the one just visible behind. Also visible is a London Overground train in the bay platforms of the adjoining station. Photographed on 14th August 2023. |
26/09/2023 |
| 162 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Another of the regular Griffith House night-time visitors is Renault Kangoo Maxi van 8364R seen parked on the pavement outside on 10th August 2023. This van is over six and a half years old and would probably have been replaced by now under normal circumstances. |
26/09/2023 |
| 163 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Ford Transit Custom crew van 8749F is one of the regular Griffith House night gang, and it was found parked nearby on Chapel Street on 10th August 2023. |
26/09/2023 |
| 164 |  |
By Ray Monk Ray passes through Bexleyheath a couple of times each week and, as often as not he finds a previously unreported crew ferry vehicle parked at the bus stand on Arnsberg Way. On 2nd August 2023 it was this silver Peugeot 308 estate car BF21VPP. |
26/09/2023 |
| 165 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft TfL Toyota Yaris car 8898T returned to Stratford City Bus Station in August 2023, being photographed there on the 18th. |
23/08/2023 |
| 166 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Dave W has had several night trips in recent weeks and in the early hours of 18th August 2023 he found 8205VW parked at the Sainsburys near Gloucester Road Station. This is one of two VW Caddy Maxi crew vans that have Incident Response Vehicle markings and which are normally kept in the basement at Palestra in Southwark. Being over 6-and-a-half years old, they would probably have been replaced by now under normal circumstances. |
23/08/2023 |
| 167 |  |
By Ray Monk Whilst adding the photo of the new Wood Green van, I realised I had not yet shown the previous resident. Vauxhall Corsa van WM16CSZ was new in mid-2016 and was based at Wood Green from at least late-2017. It seems to have never gained any lettering, nor did it have the chevrons or light-bars normally applied to engineering support vehicles. Ray photographed the anonymous van inside Wood Green garage on the 2nd of January 2020. |
23/08/2023 |
| 168 |  |
By Thomas Young Another new Vauxhall Combo van for Arriva London was found on 17th August 2023, when FL23JCV was seen at Wood Green Garage. The van itself is very like the other examples shown recently, so I have used this wider shot to illustrate more of the interior of the garage. Note the gentle curve to the long, thin sheds, the opening onto the parallel shed, and the hanging signs showing buses where to park. |
23/08/2023 |
| 169 |  |
By Thomas Young A view of the front of mystery Mercedes Sprinter van FX58ZRO in Edmonton on 17th August 2023 shows that it once had Arriva lettering above the windscreen. Motability (in the side lettering) is not a proper word, being instead a charity that provides cars to people in exchange for their Mobility Allowance benefits. And there is some weird antenna on the roof just ahead of the light-bar. So, we still don't really now whether this is a real service vehicle or not. If you see this van out and about, please let me know. |
23/08/2023 |
| 170 |  |
By Thomas Young In June 2021 I received reports of a red Mercedes Sprinter van with LBSL-style lettering and the fleetnumber E01. FX58ZRO had been new to Humber Refinery (where it was used as a fire engine!), but we didn't know who now operated it. Photos on Flickr didn't help, with one showing it inside Bexleyheath Garage, although it had initially been seen in Edmonton. On 17th August 2023 I found the van (in Edmonton again) and took a couple of photos. This rear view shows that the livery looks official, and TfL are famously very picky about letting other organisations use its roundel. Yet some of the lettering is a bit odd. The Arriva circles logo appears twice but with no mention of the Arriva name, while the 'LONDON NORTH' on the rear and 'company' on the side both appear to have bits missing. |
23/08/2023 |
| 171 |  |
By Thomas Young Following the takeover of Hackney Community Transport's TfL bus operations by Stagecoach in August 2022, their vehicles started appearing on the Stagecoach Fleet Cards. This was how we learned of two Mercedes Sprinter vans that had been acquired in 2021, as neither had previously been reported. On 17th August 2023 I visited the Walthamstow Avenue garage to try and find one of the pair. KM21OWB was indeed present, though it was not positioned well for photography. This view shows its front end, as well as the admin block of the garage, while a peer through the fence showed that the van had gained Stagecoach lettering all round, and was a high-roof van rather than a low-roof crew van. |
23/08/2023 |
| 172 |  |
By Thomas Young The condition of the road leading to Rainham Bus Garage is terrible, with huge potholes, often filled with water, and requiring slow and careful navigation. The heavy lorries using adjoining premises are no doubt partly to blame, but buses (with their lower ground clearance) have a very hard time. It could perhaps explain why the garage has had a steady influx of hired crew ferry vehicles in recent months. I wouldn't be surprised if the vehicle suspensions were shot after a few dozen passes. The parallel road (now called Steel Approach, and which used to lead to the Blue Triangle and Arriva Tour garages) has recently been resurfaced, but I suspect that access requirements will make any renewal of the road into the Albright Industrial Estate difficult. When I visited on 17th August 2023, there was a steady flow of both buses and crew ferry vehicles, the latter including the established Hyundai minibuses plus some of the unmarked hired cars. But there were also three new Vauxhall Corsa electric cars, all in white with 'Stagecoach Operations Team Rainham' lettering. DS23SRZ was caught after making the turn onto Ferry Lane, with a fairly typical splattering of mud. A Stagecoach list received a few days later showed that the new cars have been given national fleetnumbers 91786-91788. |
23/08/2023 |
| 173 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft TfL liveried Renault Kangoo van 9118R had been quite elusive at first, but in Spring 2023 it took up residence at North Greenwich Station, where it was photographed on 17th August 2023. I should point out though that it is not always there... |
23/08/2023 |
| 174 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft On the night of 16th August 2023 Dave caught this line-up of 5 LUL service vehicles near the top of Baker Street. To the fore was Renault Kangoo Maxi van 8546R, followed by similar 8936R and 8935R, regular Kangoo 8549R and Ford Transit 9015F. The Kangoos have all been shown on LTSV as being allocated to Baker Street, as they are rarely seen elsewhere, while the Transit had come down from Neasden. The premises in the background include the London Beatles Store and The Sherlock Holmes Museum! |
23/08/2023 |
| 175 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft This Ford Transit Mk8 crew van is somewhat elusive, apparently only ever being seen by Dave Wolstencroft! It was probably new in late 2020 but we only learned of its existence in autumn 2022, and it was several months until we managed to obtain its fleetnumber. It appears to reside in the north yard at Neasden Depot, making it hard to see during the day. On the night of 16th August 2023 it was one of several vehicles found parked near Baker Street Station. |
23/08/2023 |
| 176 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Toyota Yaris car 9112T is allocated to the LUL offices on Allsop Place, behind Baker Street Station, and it was photographed parked outside on the night of 16th August 2023. I like this slightly close-up view as it shows how the frontal styling has a pronounced snout, somewhat reminiscent of 1930s streamliners! |
23/08/2023 |
| 177 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Dave visited Griffith House again on the night of 16th August 2023. Among the vehicles seen was 8765F, a Ford Transit Courier van nominally allocated to Frank Pick House in Acton. |
23/08/2023 |
| 178 |  |
By Thomas Young Beddington Cross was among the last of many locations visited on 15th August 2023 (thanks to Dave for the driving). Parked outside were Peugeot Expert van 6910 (KV69NNP) and Ford Transit Custom minibus EO22KLF. Most of Abellio's current engineering van fleet are numbered in the 69xx series and all are essentially the same, despite being badged as Citroen Dispatches, Peugeot Experts or Vauxhall Vivaros. Each of these models does come in two lengths, and KV69NNP is an example of the longer variant, with more body behind the rear wheels. The minibus is another that started life in the west (Southall/Hayes) before moving to BC in 2023. |
23/08/2023 |
| 179 |  |
By Thomas Young Another recent Vauxhall Combo van for Arriva that has already been shown on LTSV, this photo of FL23TTK at the Purley Way Ibus offices on 15th August 2023 has been included as it may help visitors to find the location. The red car in the background is heading south on Purley Way, while the building behind the van is mainly occupied by Matalan. There is a sign near the parked blue car that shows that this access road is for Matalan deliveries and the Arriva Control Centre only. |
23/08/2023 |
| 180 |  |
By Thomas Young Arriva London Vauxhall Combo van FL23JDF has already been shown on LTSV, just after it was delivered to Thornton Heath Garage. I have included this photo partly because it proves that the van is indeed based there, partly because I was chuffed that it emerged from the depths of the garage just after I got my camera out (on 15th August 2023) and partly because I am trying to include photos that show a bit more of the locations. Thornton Heath is an attractive garage in as much as that it has a very wide entrance which leads onto a front yard where buses often pause before heading out. It is also south facing, something I had never really considered until I recently needed some good quality photos of London bus garages! |
23/08/2023 |
| 181 |  |
By Thomas Young Over the last year or so, at least 44 Seat cars have been added to the Arriva London fleet, all in unmarked white and with Birmingham registrations. The majority have been of the Ibiza model, with just six of the Arona. Both models share the same mechanical basis, the main difference being that the Arona is marketed as an SUV and has slightly taller bodywork. You can play spot the difference with this view of Ibiza BP72VAO (left) and Arona BG23KYJ (right) in the yard at Norwood Garage on 15th August 2023. |
23/08/2023 |
| 182 |  |
By Thomas Young This is a view of Battersea Garage as seen from Stewarts Lane (the name is perhaps better known as the name of the railway depot it leads to) on 15th August 2023. As with many modern bus garages, covered accommodation for buses is limited to the engineering bays, other buses parking in the large yard. Over 180 buses are based here, including 74 New Routemasters like LT610 seen here. However, the reason for including this photo is the white vehicle visible parked in the background amidst the staff cars. This turned out to be ex Hackney CT Toyota Hiace minibus DG53DPY, and I only noticed this since it still carried the yellow C logos on the bonnet and doors. The minibus is not believed to be an operational Abellio vehicle, though it is ironic for it to end up here, as the location has previous for using 'second-life' service vehicles. 15 years ago Ford Transit van KJ03DYH (ex Metronet) and Citroen Berlingo estate RA53WKP (ex Metroline) were both based here. |
23/08/2023 |
| 183 |  |
By Thomas Young Seen in the large yard at Abellio's Battersea Garage on 15th August 2023, this Citroen Dispatch van MT17UMJ had fleetnumber 6904 marked on the back. This suggests that it was acquired in about 2019/2020, although it had never previously been reported. A clue may be in the secondary lettering, which reads 'Technical Engineering Support', unlike other vans which just show 'Engineering Support'. There is also the matter of the side stripe. Some vans have a green stripe, some an orange one. I had guessed that the green stripe might indicate ULEZ compliance, but this now seems unlikely, and is in any case now largely irrelevant. It could in fact be a policy change. Vans numbered 6901 to 6903 have green stripes, while 6906 upwards have orange. By the way, I can now add that MJ17USE at Walworth (with an orange stripe) is numbered 6905, which completes the set of numbers 6900 to 6910. The fleetnumber for DV69EOO (at Fulwell) has not yet been reported but could perhaps be 6911. Finally, the purple bus alongside is a driver trainer. |
23/08/2023 |
| 184 |  |
By Thomas Young The second LTSV website was launched in 2008, and covered railway wagons, being extended in 2021 to cover all UK trains. There have been a few photos that could legitimately be added to both sites, but this is probably the first to combine a London service vehicle and a freight train. It was taken, almost by chance, at the entrance to Battersea Garage on 15th August 2023 and shows Abellio Ford C-Max car WM18NRE (latterly based at Beddington) arriving while Freightliner 59203 passed overhead with a train of hopper wagons. By the way, if you haven't looked at the LTSV Rail Data website, just click on the LTSV logo in the top left corner of this page. |
23/08/2023 |
| 185 |  |
By Thomas Young On 15th August 2023 I paid my first visit to Abellio's Battersea garage, and it was quite rewarding. Parked near the entrance were Ford Transit Custom minibus EO22KJF and Citroen Dispatch van LG19DJE. The former was one of four added to the fleet in 2022, which we had initially assumed to be hires to allow greater social distancing due to the COVID-19 situation. All four were initially based at west London garages (Southall and Hayes). |
23/08/2023 |
| 186 |  |
By Thomas Young The only van in the side yard at Camberwell Garage on 15th August 2023 was unmarked white HG21XTH, a Nissan NV250 (Renault Kangoo lookalike). I believe this is a Go-Ahead London service vehicle though, since similar HG21XBL was seen at the Merton head-office back in 2021. Futhermore, HG21XSA, and one other un-identified, have recently been seen in the vicinity of Silvertown and Henley Road garages. |
23/08/2023 |
| 187 |  |
By Thomas Young There is now a very small yard on the side of Camberwell Garage, with a gated entrance off the short cul-de-sac called Station Terrace. This appears to have been added when the new engineering block was built in about 2009, and it is near the point marked E on this aerial photo. When I had a look in on 15th August 2023, a Mercedes Vito minibus was present. Go-Ahead London uses loads of these minibuses as crew ferry vehicles, but Camberwell has not previously had such a requirement. RF19UZK still had the dual fleetnumbers on the rear (FV20 and DS03), which mark it out as a Silvertown/Henley Road vehicle. Perhaps it was here for maintenance, or maybe for the application of driver recruitment adverts. Further reports would be appreciated. |
23/08/2023 |
| 188 |  |
By Andrew Lidinson Seen through the trees at the bus stand on Cheviot Road in Norwood on 15th August 2023, RIG4837 is a Hyundai I30 car operated by Abellio from its Beddington. It is slightly unusual for not having been given Abellio logos, but more unusual for bearing a dateless Irish registration number. |
23/08/2023 |
| 189 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Unmarked black Peugeot 308 car MD69RNA had been added to the Arriva Southern Counties fleet a couple of years ago, initially based at Guildford. Following the closure of that garage in December 2021 it appears to have moved across to Hemel Hempstead, and was photographed in the bus station at Watford Junction on 14th August 2023. It was parked in front of anonymous white Peugeot Partner van OV68VZC, which is presumably also an Arriva vehicle. I saw the van in the same location back in May, so it has evidently been in use for a while, and it has now been added to the database. |
23/08/2023 |
| 190 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Not previously seen at Griffith House, VW Caddy Maxi crew van 9130VW had latterly been based at Dagenham East Station. Photographed on Harcourt Street on 10th August 2023. |
23/08/2023 |
| 191 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Dave Wolstencroft has now managed to photograph most of the vehicles that are regular participants in the night-time congregations at Griffith House. The majority are Renault Kangoo Maxi vans, but 8828R is an example of the shorter variant. It was photographed on Harcourt Street on the night of 10th August 2023, with Kangoo Maxi 8366R parked behind. The photo is remarkably sharp given the tenth of a second exposure. |
23/08/2023 |
| 192 |  |
By Bob Donaldson Toyota Prius 8887T was from a batch of 7 such cars (8886T to 8892T) delivered in autumn 2019 and mainly allocated to the Power Supply base at Tufnell Park. 8887T was noted there a couple of times but has been notably absent since 2020. On 10th August 2023 it was photographed in Warlingham (Surrey). |
23/08/2023 |
| 193 |  |
By Ray Monk The turnover of hired vehicles at Arriva London's Dartford Garage has continued, one of the latest being KT21DXZ. This was a Seat Arona similar to some new examples delivered to other Arriva garages in plain white. It was photographed parked behind Peugeot 5008 car GD21ENX at the bus stand in Bexleyheath on 9th August 2023. |
23/08/2023 |
| 194 |  |
By Dave Wolstencroft Go South Coast is a group of bus operators owned by Go-Ahead and with quite complicated histories. Seen in Salisbury on 8th August 2023 was their Ford Transit Mk8 van EA67YNE. It was marked as a Bus Stop Maintenance Vehicle and displayed the five main brands used by buses within the group. The moustache on the bonnet is not part of the standard livery.... |
23/08/2023 |
| 195 |  |
By Peter Terry This Land Rover Defender was photographed at an event at the London Bus Museum in Brooklands back in 2014 (note the Year of the Bus logo in the windscreen). Operated by Southern Transit and given their smart red and grey livery, the most interesting aspect was perhaps the registration number. D162FYM was originally applied to L162, a Leyland Olympian double-deck bus new to London Buses in 1987. The bus later passed to Arriva London South and was withdrawn in 2005, while the Land Rover is somewhat younger, having been new (with an unknown registration) in 1997. D162FYM is still on this vehicle but it is currently off the road. |
23/08/2023 |
| 196 |  |
By Peter Terry Seen at the Worthing Bus Rally on 30th July 2023, this Ford Transit van belongs to bus company Southern Transit and has a personalised registration that is connected to London buses. It was actually photographed in almost exactly the same place last year and this new photo has been added mainly because it is better quality! |
30/07/2023 |
| 197 |  |
By Peter Terry At the Worthing Bus Rally on 30th July 2023, preserved Leyland Titan Breakdown Tender 1279LD was carrying a portable generator to provide power to 'tea bus' RML2333. This view of the rear shows the fold-back doors, the rudimentary tail-lift and some of the interior shelving. It makes for an interesting comparison with a similar photo taken in 1970 whilst 1279LD was still with LT. |
30/07/2023 |
| 198 |  |
By Peter Terry Three of London Transport's nine Leyland Titan Breakdown Tenders were preserved, though little has been seen of any of them for a few years. 1278LD was recently recovered in poor condition and is undergoing a long-term restoration in Lincolnshire, while 1416LD was at the Pump House Museum in Walthamstow until at least 2015 but seems likely to have since moved. 1279LD has not been reported since 1994 but was said to be under restoration by bus company Southern Transit. It was therefore a pleasant surprise to see that it attended the Worthing Bus Rally on 30th July 2023. This photo taken at the rather damp event shows that the tender appears to be in good condition, though it had to run on trade plates (198DY). |
30/07/2023 |
| 199 |  |
By Ray Monk This Ford Transit van was first noted at Westbourne Park Garage in early 2023, though it may have been operated since new in late 2021. This garage passed from Tower Transit to RATP London Transit in 2021, although the vehicle was not shown on an RATP fleet list seen more recently. The reflections in this 30th July 2023 photo disguise the fact that this van carries no markings whatsoever. |
30/07/2023 |
| 200 |  |
By Ray Monk A rear view of recently delivered Volvo FMX flatbed lorry KY23LRZ at Acton Works on 30th July 2023 shows that it is almost indistinguishable from smaller KY23LNO. Indeed the main differences are at the front, where KY23LRZ has an additional axle and a much larger crane. On the right is an unidentified free-standing demountable flatbed. Loose bodies are usually left on the opposite side of the lorry yard, as seen with DB10 in 2021. |
30/07/2023 |
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