Oxford, High Wycombe & surrounding areas

updated - Sunday 3rd September 2000

The next update will be on Sunday 10th September 2000

Please note that any comments made in this news page are those of the Editors' and in no way constitute 
any official points of view from the bus companies mentioned,  or indeed any other official body. 
As a news page we reserve the right to make valid comments as seen from an editorial point of view.

Problems with the pictures ! - sometimes it seems that the pictures do not load.
I have found a solution which does work normally - 
RIGHT CLICK ON THE PICTURE AND THEN CLICK ON "SHOW PICTURE"
Good luck !

Last week I was on holiday in Somerset and enjoyed a ride on the West Somerset Railway. As a result my report is somewhat limited.

The picture above shows "The Hogwarts Express" (34027) approaching Blue Anchor, where it will cross with "Odney Manor" on a down train to Minehead. 

Another interesting bus under restoration at Rexquote, Bishop's Lydeard is this Bristol L5G, which was with Thames Valley and operated the Marlow service for a number of years. It was converted to one man when with Thames Valley and has been completely rebuilt by Rexquote and now awaits engine overhaul and final finishing. It is registered FM0 949.

A further view of the resurfacing of the bus only area by Oxford Station is shown in the photo below received from my correspondent Neil Gow. Many thanks Neil. The congestion caused brought the whole of the area to a standstill a week last Saturday !

The view above was taken looking towards New Road from the Station bridge. (photo Neil Gow)

Fleet News and observations week ending 2/9//00

Oxford Bus Company (City of Oxford Motor Services)

The Barton Shuttle has now finished and Mercedes 717 returned to Wycombe. 

Olympians have all but retired now after their summer workings. 214 is shown here near the station a week or more ago on the 4C. This photo provided by Neil Gow. This bus is the last one in the fleet with Cityline branding and has now been loaned to Wycombe (see below) 

Route changes in Oxford start on Monday 4th September. The 12 is extended to run to the Churchill Hospital from Brookes University at Gipsy Lane. This gives a through service from Summertown to that hospital. The 22 has also been extended and will now serve the Botley road and terminate at Harcourt Hill. Full details can be found on the Oxford Bus Company web site at http://www.oxfordbus.co.uk .

Stagecoach Oxford.  

929 was seen working the 20C a week last Saturday, yet another example of branded buses being "off route". 

Thames Valley.

I am delighted to advise that work is well in hand on the restoration of FMO949 now owned by Rexquote Heritage Services of Bishop's Lydeard. As mentioned above a full rebuild of the body has been completed and it is hoped it will be back on the road next year.

Wycombe Bus Company.

Following an unfortunate spate of accidents, three Olympians are on loan from Oxford, being 214, 221 and 222. All have been here before and have just come off Q buster duties in Oxford. 229, the Thames Valley liveried Olympian received severe roof damage at Cookham, whilst operating the 316 to Maidenhead. Volvo 623 is at Oxford for accident repairs along with another Olympian 230 !  Lynx 302 joins 301 as a branded bus for the 326.

214 is seen here in Wycombe Bus Station on Sunday evening.

528, one of the 326 branded Darts under maintenance at Wycombe.

I will be pleased to receive your reports for this section
Please send your reports to MalcolmHC@aol.com and thank you for all your sightings, they are most welcome.

  PHOTO CORNER
If anyone has a digital camera and wishes to submit photos for this page please send them to the above email.

 If anyone has any further news please email below.

Malcolmhc@aol.com 

It adds to the interest of the page which I'm sure everyone appreciates.

THE OXFORD BUS MUSEUM