
| Quite a newsworthy month at Western, summary of the main points below:
Major subsidence on the A78 at Skelmorlie over the weekend of the 10th May, caused major disruption to service 585, with the diversion route via Upper Skelmorlie being unsuitable for the fleet of 585 branded Enviro 300's. The reason apparently for them not being suited to the diversion is due to their turning circle. As a result of this on the Thursday/Friday all services terminated at Largs although a few Darts were used for shuttles between Largs and Greenock. On the Saturday however, the full route re-commenced, It was however being operated entirely by Darts. Ardrossan were using their 5 route 18 branded Darts and Ayr used a selction of their Darts. The Enviros returned to service on the Monday. I managed to catch up with 18 branded 35240 and Ayr based 33778 on the 585 at Saltcoats. I also pictured Olympian's 16068/74 covering for 2 of the Darts on the 18. Ayr based Artic 51097 (T97 JHN) was treated to a repaint and gained the new style X77 branding as a result. Also as a result of the repaint, it lost its allover rear ad. West Coast Motors pulled out of Citylink work and as a result, Stagecoach were awarded the majority of their former workings, with most fo the work going to Western. 52354 & 52475 were transferred from Stranraer to Glasgow for the additional work, 52349 was also transferred to Glasgow but this time from Ardrossan. They also acquired 2 Jonckheere Modulo bodied coaches from Bluebird, both 52610/1 were allocated to Kilmarnock although they very rarely spend time there with them either being camped out overnight in WCM depots up north or in Glasgow depot. The 14th May was a big day for all Scottish Bus and Coach operators, with Rangers heading south to Manchester to take part in the UEFA Cup Final. Approxiametly 400 vehicles made the journey south from North of the border, Western sent approxiametly 11 vehicles south, many of which were high capcity Artic's/Neoplan's and Panthers. Ayr based Darts 33444/6/7 were all repainted and re-trimmed. Kilmarnock based Dart 34599 was also repainted and given new LED screens, bringing the total done so far to, 34596/7/8/9. Interurban's made a return to Kilmarnock with 52421 (R121 OPS) being transferred in from Ardrossan. Also transferred into Kilmarnock from Ardrossan was Solo 47505 (SF57 DPN) |
A lineup of some of the newest members to the fleet, These new Enviro 300 bodied MAN's bring the Cumnock fleet to approxiametly 90% low floor or rather "disabled friendly" in the case of the Panthers. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Leyland Olympian 13612 (J938 MHC), Rounding the bend into Ardrossan Depot. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Leyland Olympian 13624 (TSU 368), These ex Hong-Kong vehicles are rapidly being converted to dedicated Schoolbuses in Stagecoach fleets across Scotland and further afield in England. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Leyland Olympian 13636 (G128 WGX), The latest of these Ex Hong-Kong Tri Axles to be acquired, this one being acquired from North West at the start of the year. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Leyland Olympian 13647 (H606 LNA), Nearing the end of its first year in service as a dedicated Schoolbus at Ardrossan. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Volvo Olympian 16068 (R168 VPU), The first of 2 VO's drafted in to cover for the Darts on the 18. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Volvo Olympian 16074 (R174 VPU), To find a decker working the 18 these days is virtuallly impossible but with Ardrossan using the 18 branded Darts on the 585, they had to find something to cover them. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Tranbus Trident 18002 (SF53 BZJ), Lokking very bright in its A1 livery complete with its allover Unirider rear ad as it sits waiting attention outside the workshops at Kilmarnock Depot. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Tranbus Trident 18018 (SF53 BYR), Laying over in a sunny Kilmarnock Bus Station prior to commencing an early evening service to Ardrossan on the 11. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Transbus Trident 18332 (SF55 NNZ), Showing in full detail its allover contravision advert for being awarded the UK Bus Operator of the year for 2005/6. The title was awarded to Lothian Buses in 2007. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Tranbus Trident 18371 (SF55 TZR), Leaving Saltcoats Station, not long into its long journey to Kilmarnock on the 11. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Volvo B10M Ps 20109 (N209 LTN), Parked up outside the body shop at Kilmarnock Depot prior to receiving a repaint and heading back down to its native Dumfries. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Volvo B10M/Alexander PS 20507 (M871 ASW), Ps's are considered by many drivers nowadays as being one of the best single deck buses in use in this day in age. They have certainly been earning their keep on service 4 for a good number of years. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Volvo B10M Ps 20718 (K718 DAO), Looking really smart following a much needed repaint which was carried out over the recent School Easter holidays. It makes sister Ps 20715 look pretty bad. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western MAN/ADL Enviro 300 22584 (SF08 GOX), Parked outside in the yard at Cumnock Depot. These new Enviros brought with them the end of an era at Cumnock, with them making B10M/PS's extinct from the fleet and is the only Western Depot not to have a single Ps. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western MAN/ALX300 22603 (V603 GCS), Leads the start of the "Bio Bus" fleet at Kilmarnock Depot on a glorious Sunday afternoon. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Optare Versa 25220 (SF08 GOE), Leaving Kilmarnock Bus Station on one of its last workings of the night to Onthank on service 6. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Optare Versa 25221 (SF08 GOJ), The last of the 4 new Versa's recently delivered to Kilmarnock. These new vehicles have proven to be so succesful with Stagecoach, so much so they have ordered a further 9 for its UK operations. Buy Print |
The interior of "ERG" trainer 28952 in Ayr Depot. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Scania L113CRL/NC Paladin 28952 (M952 DRG), One of the newest members in the training fleet. This ex Dumfries Scania is being used to train drivers up on the new "ERG" ticket machines which will shortly be getting rolled out across the fleet. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Volvo B6LE 31370 (P370 DSA), Laying over in Kilmarnock Bus Station. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Dennis Dart 32054 (N54 KBW), Parked up inside Ayr Depot. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Dennis Dart 32057 (N57 KBW), Laying over out in the yard at Ayr Depot. Buy Print |
Stagecoach Western Dennis Dart 32062 (N62 KBW), A pretty standard example of the batch. Buy Print |
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© 1998-2009 David Walker - All copyrights rest with the Author [ descript.ion | Buy Prints of this Collection | Index ] |