News
from Oxford, High Wycombe
& the surrounding areas
last updated Sunday, November 22nd 1998 - 2200hrs
Editorial
Disaster
struck today with my Digital Camera. So, sorry but no local pictures this week.
However whilst I was in Kenya last week I finally identified several ex UK deckers at work
in the Nairobi area which turned out to be of great interest. See below.
Another
unexpected addition to the Oxford Tube fleet was on hand at Stagecoach's Horspath depot.
This was Leyland Tiger 75, 9737VC, with Plaxton Paramount 3500 C53F bodywork.
A notice inside declared this vehicle to be one of two, without toilets, helping to
maintain service
on the Tube. Only small notices in the front and side windows gave any external indication
that
this coach was in use on the Tube, otherwise it was in Stagecoach Express livery.
Further
deliveries of M A N saloons include 934, 935, 936, 939 and 941. All are in Orange
livery
and have vinyls applied for the Blackbird flyer.
Dart/Alexander
ALX200 817 was seen on the 77A today, Sunday in place of the more normal decker.
Ex Stagecoach Oxford 806, R706YUD was seen in service with Red & White by Mike Willis
at
Crosskeys on 9/11/98 in Blackwood 11/11/98. It had Stagecoach Red & White legal
lettering but
Stagecoach Oxford fleetnames!. Thanks to mike for this news.
IN THESE TIMES OF CHANGE SUCH INFORMATION IS REALLY USEFUL
Please let me know of any other arrivals in your area.
(BUSWAYS, CAMBUS, DEVON etc etc)
Although Oxford 966 remains at Wycombe, M357, the London Metrobus has now returned to Stockwell.
STOP PRESS |
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We hope
you continue to like this short section, which will give us the opportunity
to comment on the local scene in an informal way. Please e-mail Malcolm Crowe with
any comments.
ex Oxford Bus Company VRs found in Kenya.
Some of the photos are not up to standard due to the direction of the sun - sorry !
Waiting for homebound workers, ex Oxford VR 481 is seen near Nairobi Airport on 19/11/98.
507, renumbered 407 for a short time before withdrawal is seen behind 481 waiting for
homebound workers
from Homegrown, a supplier of flowers and fruit to Marks & Spencer. The livery is
almost "as was" and these
buses are well maintained. It would appear that heavy duty springs have been fitted to the
front axle.
The local roads are often very poor with enormous potholes.
ex Oxford 507's interior is clean and tidy. The only trace of original
ownership is seen in the
"No Smoking signs" etc as can be seen below.
Oxford Bus Company Kenya style !
An as yet unidentified VR which will have to await my next visit !
This ex Manchester Atlantean turned out to be ex 4404.
Another as yet unidentified ex UK bus. A further Manchester Atlantean !
The ever increasing form of public transport in Kenya is the
"Matatu". All sorts of Minibuses are used
and a big thing is the carriage of all types of "luggage" on the roof rack.
Accidents are frequent and over loading a regular feature. The locals pack in three to a
seat.
This can mean up to 30 people on a 16 seater plus luggage.
This forms strong competition for the recently sold Stagecoach Kenya Bus operation.
Sorry about the lack of local photos, my digital camera played up !
Back to normal next week, hopefully !
Photo Miscellany
contains updated photos which are added from time to time.
New photos were added on 16/4/98.
Take a look at our picture report from Manchester,
featuring ex-Oxford buses!
THE OXFORD BUS MUSEUM
An interesting report appears in
latest issue of Preserved Bus
about the recent recreation of Route 75 Oxford-High Wycombe.
Look in our archive pages for our own pictures of the event.
Why not take time out to visit us ?
A VR meet was held on the 22nd March 1998 - and you can see photos
of each VR that attended.
Visitors to this News page since 17th March 1998.
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