South West Transport News

05/11/2016

https://www.flickr.com/photos/busboy16164/albums/72157676164584455

14/09/2016

A chance to celebrate the end of Bristol VR operation in Torbay. The end of an era; 38 years of memories.

28/07/2016

Some ex-South West motors!

02/05/2016

So, today marks 40 years of 'the worlds most successful intercity train' - and indeed it is. Designed as a stop-gap whilst British Rail failed at the APT project, the HST has exceeded all expectations, and most of all, stood the test of time extremely well. Even among today's Hitachi 395s, Voyagers, Adelantes and Pendolinos, the HST fits in as a perfectly modern asset to British Railways and the same applies inside. The majority look far superior inside to any other intercity train, and will provide a much better ride with 1970s build quality, and no underfloor engine vibrating the entire carriage, as per a somewhat newer contraption that I shall not name. HSTs are a credit to their designer, and all operators that either have, or still do use them.

Whilst the MTU engine that was fitted to most HSTs is hated by a lot of people, I personally don't mind them as they were the way forward to extend the life of these fine machines. Without them, they would not be around today. I have to admit, in their 'old' age, the MTUs are starting to sound quite beastly, and have become a lot more interesting than they were when first fitted.

East Midlands Train's HSTs are by far and away the best, with the Paxman VP185 engine sound utterly hellfire, and the interiors still carrying the original seating which is far more comfortable than anything made today.

I have had many great times on a HST, from being soaked by the sea whilst window hanging at Dawlish Sea Wall to great laughs aboard them, and above all, many thousands of miles travelled up and down the country.

05/04/2016

Flickr updated with yesterdays adventures to Merseyside & Chester...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/busboy16164/

Explore Kameron Allan's 28,746 photos on Flickr!

26/03/2016

Plymouth based Dennis Trident 17058 T658KPU departed yesterday afternoon for it's new life in Chesterfield. It's pictured here at Sedgemoor Services taking a quick break!

17/03/2016

Cheltenham Races 17/03/2016

https://www.flickr.com/photos/busboy16164/albums/72157665475552670

14/03/2016

Some photos from Oxford on Saturday! :)

04/03/2016

Unfortunately, another Devon run page has decided to steal my photo of the first ever Falcon trip, prior to departure from Plymouth. It's disgusting that people help themselves to photos with no credit at all, whilst some of us actually make the effort to be up at 3am to capture shots like this...

18/02/2016

http://thegreatwesterner.railmiles.me/ My Railmiles - feel free to add!

RailMiles is a journey collation system for rail enthusiasts

14/02/2016

So, I am proud to announce that I am the very first to 'Fly the South West Falcon' this morning, on the 03:30 Plymouth to Bristol. Been aboard for 28 minutes and I'm extremely pleased with it! Very comfortable, quick, handy USB & Mains chargers. The first vehicle on is 54323 YY65VXZ.

I'm afraid phone shots will have to do for now - proper camera ones up later :)

31/01/2016

A selection of photos from the launch of Stagecoach's new vehicles in Plymouth, back on Friday - as well as some of the Enviro200MMCs out on the road.

19/01/2016

Further photos of the new arrivals at Plymouth, and some of the ageing Tridents can be found on my flickr photostream https://www.flickr.com/photos/busboy16164/?

Explore Kameron Allan's 28,448 photos on Flickr!

18/01/2016

Coming soon to Plymouth... http://swtransportnews.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/new-year-new-buses.html

17/01/2016

You wouldn't believe that Stagecoach South West was once home to some of the eldest vehicles in the group nowadays, as within just a few years they have slashed their age profile. The recent acquisition of Plymouth has allowed this to continue, and today I managed to catch 4 65 platers together. These being ADL E40D SN65ZHB & SN65ZHD, Volvo B11RT Plaxton Elite YX65VXV, and Elite Interdeck 54273 YX65VXP. The two Enviros and the Elite were delivered this week, and will shortly enter service, and the Megabus vehicle is a few weeks old, and the batch in which its part of will all move to Plymouth shortly.

01/01/2016

Happy New Year!

29/12/2015

Just two days to go before the DDA deadline...

25/12/2015

Merry Christmas to you all! Thanks to all blog readers, Flickr viewers and Youtube watchers for taking an interest in my content this year, and I hope 2016 will be as exciting as this year was!

19/12/2015

I would like to wish all of my blog readers, facebook 'likes', Youtube Viewers and Flickr viewers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for 2016.

Also, please check out a bus photography new page I have become involved with: https://www.facebook.com/Louis-Kameron-Bus-Photography-1607262792892647/?fref=ts

18/12/2015

A round up of the last month on the South West transport front...

22/11/2015

15660 WA10GHO was the first of ten Alexander Dennis Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UDs to be transferred from Exmouth to Torquay, and was pressed into service almost straight away on the interworked Sunday 11/22/23 service. Throughout the day, the aged Dennis & Transbus Tridents have departed Torquay for Exeter and Plymouth.

05/11/2015

Riverlinks new buses!

05/09/2015

04/09/2015

Stagecoach fleetlist now updated...

18/08/2015

An update from last night, the vehicles today transferred to Plymouth from Wigan,and arrived around 18:15 were:
17002 S802BWC
17005 S805BWC
17670 V170DFT
33865 AJ54AMJ
33870 RR57BLU
33874 VV08BLU
33876 WW58BLU

Also transferred, but a couple of hours behind was 33869 PP57BLU.

Photos taken at A38 Buckfastleigh.
(C) SWTN AND NOT TO BE DOWNLOADED OR USED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION.

18/08/2015

With many thanks to John Glover from Stagecoach Manchester, I can bring you photos and details of the vehicles that are due to transfer to Stagecoach Plymouth this morning from Wigan.

These are:
17002 S802BWC
17670 V170DFT
33865 AJ54AMJ
33869 PP57BLU
33870 RR57BLU
33874 VV08BLU
33876 WW58BLU
33780 X59RCS
33782 TT57BLU

Also expected are a number of Dennis Trident/ALX400s from Fife which departed for Leyland yesterday, and will continue on their long journey today.

14/08/2015

A sad end to a well respected Southampton independent...

01/07/2015

Currently aboard brand new Stagecoach South West Optare Solo M9250SRL YJ15ABX 48012 out on the E to Exwick. Quite impressed!

11/06/2015

Latest arrivals in the South West!

13/05/2015

Finding an interesting bus in Torbay is becoming increasingly challenging, however First continue to provide one every day in the form of Volvo Olympian 34003 K803ORL. This fine machine, and the last survivor of the batch works the Dartmouth Academy school bus which serves almost the whole of Torbay…

11/05/2015

The latest vehicle to have arrived at Buses of Somerset ;)