I want to apologise first of all - I know this is the first post since the middle of August. The whole blogging team have been extremely busy and so they don't have the time to write a post. So a lot of posts coming up may be late ones, such as this one which should have been published a mere two months ago.

Let's start with the second service change (first one being route 640 in Harrow earlier that week) of the Autumn. This one is a double decker route between White City and Clapham Junction Bollingbroke Grove. Known to many as the 49, it changed hands from London United RATP Group's Shepherd's Bush Garage (S) to Abellio London from their Battersea (QB) garage on the early hours of 6th September 2014.

Route 49 has a relatively long history. Starting back in 1933 running between Shepherd's Bush Green and Lewisham Green via it's current route today to Clapham Junction, then via Wandsworth and Streatham. The Peak Vehicle Requirement (PVR) of the route was 60 - it was a very long route.

In 1935, the route was cut back to Crystal Palace from Lewisham, this section being replaced by a brand new route called the 94 (Note this 94 has nothing to do with today's 94, which only started in the late 1980s). Skipping shy of just 20 years later, the route was converted to RTL operation in 1953. By now there had been some slight modifications in the routing, which were relatively small. Merton (AL) provided most of the buses for the route on a daily basis. 

In 1958, an extension to the route was granted. Route 49 was extended north from Shepherd's Bush Green to Harlesden, Willesden Junction Station via the current 260 route on Sundays only. Moving into the early '70s, in 1971 route 49, was cut back on the southern leg to Streatham Station. The new leg was replaced by new and still exists today, route 249. At the same time, the RT AEC Regent type was replaced by the AEC Routemaster (RM) which formed the new allocation for route 49.

Later in the same decade, in 1978, route 49's Sunday extension to Willesden Junction Station was withdrawn and route 12 was re-instated to run back to Harlesden. In 1984, Shepherd's Bush (S) were given a new allocation for route 49 consisting of 10 RMs. In 1987, route 49 was converted to One-Man operation using DMS type double deckers. 
In 1991, route 49 was cut back to Clapham Junction. Ever since, it hasn't been extended nor has it been cut back. MCW Metrobuses were allocated to the route. On contract renewal in 1999, the route was lost from Go-Ahead (London General) to London United. However, the new buses for route 49 were not ready and so an emergency contract was issued to Armchair from their Brentford garage (AH), of which today is owned by company giant Metroline. The route was converted to single deck operation with ALX200s on the emrgency contracts, before brand new Dennis Darts were introduced with London United.

In 2004, route 49 was converted back to double decker operation due to overcrowding. Brand new Volvo B7TL bodied East Lancashire Vykings were purchased to make up the new allocation. A mixture of VEs and VLEs were bought, however the VLEs were released in 2008 for other purposes, being replaced by Scania OmniCities SP29-37. Also route 49 was extended near the end of 2008 to serve the new White City Bus Station when the then-new Westfield Shopping Complex opened. London United after losing the 49 have transferred VE1-6 to Edgware (BT) on Sovereign half of the group, to replace and withdrawn SLE1-6 on route 114, as well as SLE44. VE7-10 transferred to Tolworth (TV) for route 131 and 662. The TAs at the moment are still present at Shepherd's Bush (S) and are spotted on route 94. The SPs have moved to various destinations. SP29 transferred to Hounslow Heath (HH) as a top-up. SP30-35 transferred to Hounslow (AV) to replace the TAs there. SP36 and SP37 transferred to Stamford Brook (V) for route E3's PVR increase. 

Here is the fleetlist for the LU buses:

PG04 WGN - VE1
PG04 WGP - VE2
PG04 WGU - VE3
PG04 WGV - VE4
PG04 WGW - VE5
PG04 WGX - VE6
PG04 WGY - VE7
PG04 WGZ - VE8
PG04 WHA - VE9
PG04 WHB - VE10

YN08 DHU - SP29
YN08 DHV - SP30
YN08 DHX - SP31
YN08 DHY - SP32
YN08 DHZ - SP33
YN08 MRU - SP34
YN08 MRV - SP35
YN08 MRX - SP36
YN08 MRY - SP37

Now it brings us to 2014, where after 15 years at Shepherd's Bush (S), the 49 makes a new chapter as Abellio won the new contract, with new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrids (2465-86). Here is the fleetlist for the new buses:

SL14 LOA - 2465
SL14 LOD - 2466
SN64 OER - 2467
SN64 OES - 2468
SN64 OET - 2469
SN64 OEU - 2470
SN64 OEV - 2471
SN64 OEW - 2472
SN64 OEX - 2473
SN64 OEY - 2474
SN64 OEZ - 2475
SN64 OFA - 2476
SN64 OFB - 2477
SN64 OFC - 2478
SN64 OFD - 2479
SN64 OFE - 2480
SN64 OFG - 2481
SN64 OFH - 2482
SN64 OFJ - 2483
SN64 OFK - 2484
SN64 OFL - 2485
SN64 OFM - 2486

Here are some photos of route 49 at London United:

 In the last week of London United operation, seen here is VE8 (PG04 WGZ) on route 49 at White City Bus Station. The bus is seen ready to depart to Clapham Junction, Bollingbroke Grove.

Seen here at Shepherd's Bush Station on the last week of London United operation is SP36 (YN08 MRX) on route 49 towards Bollingbroke Grove.

Seen in 2013 is London United's VA85 (V208 OOE) at Clapham Junction serving route 49 on the bus's final days. ©EHBusman1958

 Also seen at Clapham Junction is a bus from the 2002 batch ordered for route 148's introduction, before the batch was re-allocated to route 220 in 2009. However, as all three routes [49, 148 and 220] were from the same garage, often there were strays on route 49 of the newer batch. Ever since these VAs have been withdrawn. ©EHBusman1958

Seen at Clapham Junction is London United's VE5 (PG04 WGW) on route 49. The bus is now at Edgware (BT) on route 114.

©EHBusman1958

Here in the more central parts of route 49, is seen ADH20 (SN60 BYS) which is a hybrid from route 94. This was a very rare working, until after it was announced that Abellio had won the new contract - so hybrid strays became extremely commonplace.

Here are some photos of the new service at Abellio:

Above is seen for the first ever time, a Poppy bus on route 49. This is 2460 (SL14 DDY) seen on the route. 

Below is seen 2478 (SN64 OFC) on route 49 towards Clapham Junction, Bollingbroke Grove.

If there is anything wrong in this post, please do tell one of the staff members!

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Update from 30th November 2014: Please note that a decision was taken for the future of All Over London and as a result this blog has now merged with The West London Bus Blog, and all blogging will continue on from there. We thank you for your custom through the years.

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Stagecoach's Bow (BW) garage in East London has seen not one, but two changes recently. The count will be three by the end of summer and Bow (BW) will become almost a fully-hybrid garage bar the route 277, between East India (Leamouth, Billingsgate Market) and Highbury & Islington Station.

"Bow-ismaster"

First up is route 8, who was converted to Borismaster operation upon contract renewal on the 28th June 2014. Route N8, which is the 8 but extended eastwards to Stratford, where a less frequent service extends beyond to Hainault, The Lowe was also converted. As explained in a post published back in the Spring containing facts about routes, 8, 10 and 38, this part of the post will just show observations made of these new Borismasters.

More Borismasters were painted black for the FIFA World Cup 2014, which has already ended with Germany taking the cup, these are LT252-255 and LT268-270. There are also some silver Borismasters now on route 8, and your original red one too. LT256, 271 and 272 were painted silver, for Year of the Bus celebrations. Route 8 is the first route to have Borismasters that are all built to Euro 6 specification. 

The whole route is allocated LT239-272, and any Borismaster not mentioned above with special promotions/ advertisements are all over red. This route (The 8) is Stagecoach's first route to be converted, the next one will be route 55 which has just had it's contract retained by Stagecoach with new LTs next February. 

One thing that really did get several enthusiasts excited was the ride on route 8 between Bow Church and Old Ford via the A12, this being the fastest stretch on any Borismaster route. How good is the ride? I'll leave you to judge that yourself!


Some photos are provided here of the new LTs on route 8.

©EHBusman1958

First up is Silver/ Chrome Borismaster LT272 (LTZ 1272) seen on route 8 towards Tottenham Court Road Station. A simpler red strip has been adopted in comparison to the first silver bus LT150. Currently the route 8 is cut off between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road due to Crossrail works even though the 25 and 55 still serve Oxford Circus. 

Seen below is the traditional red Borismaster, LT240 (LTZ 1240) seen also heading westbound towards Tottenham Court Road.

©EHbusman1958

©EHbusman1958

Seen above is LT252 (LTZ 1252) on route 8, this time heading eastbound to Bow Church. This one is a black Borismaster, which Adidas has placed some adverts on several buses on routes 8 and 38. 

So far, LT257 has been involved in an incident and will be off road for the time being. Several other buses have also had electrical faults and have already proved unreliable. So if you do travel on route 8, you may be lucky enough to catch the last of the conventional buses on the route (usually an Enviro 400 Hybrid, whether from the 15 or 205). However the last chance to get an 04-reg Trident has already gone, all the buses are up in Scotland on Commonwealth Game shuttles. 

"Regent Spark"

Route 205 has an allocation change, to brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrids, as part of Stagecoach's huge fleet shuffle and update - to oust out old ALX400s around the Stagecoach fleet such as 51-reg Tridents still running on Central London routes such as 55 or suburban routes such as the 472.

The 205 was to receive it's batch from the stream in August/ September - however Stagecoach decided to convert the 205 to hybrid operation earlier, using the batch from what was suppose to go to Plumstead (PD) for the 122 and 472, instead. The batches were swapped and now route 205 is allocated 12304-12327.

It's thought the buses make the route look smart, I can certainly agree. Regular users of the 205 route are already familiar with hybrid workings on route 205 before 2014, from the hybrids on route 15 between Trafalgar Square - Blackwall which is allocated the 61-reg hybrids. There were concerns over the interior of these buses (the 61-reg have the green interior that doesn't seem to be favoured) whereas the blue one is in style to enthusiasts. These, like the new arrivals have the standard blue interior.

The hybrids, built to Euro VI specifications seem to be in favour by most enthusiasts and users of the route. One general passenger said:

"I like the new 205 buses, they are more comfortable and stylish than the old ones, not that I didn't like the old ones - they were lovely and spacious although the seats were rather uncomfortable, too hard. This gives Regent's Park the spark".

It's been recommended to go on these hybrids on route 205 between Paddington, Eastbourne Terrace and Bow Church.

Here is the fleetlist of the new buses:

SN14 TXZ - 12304
SN14 TYA - 12305
SN14 TYB - 12306
SN14 TYC - 12307
SN14 TYD - 12308
SN14 TYF - 12309
SN14 TYG - 12310
SN14 TYH - 12311
SN14 TYK - 12312
SN14 TYO - 12313
SN14 TYP - 12314
SN14 TYS - 12315
SN14 TYT - 12316
SN14 TYU - 12317
SN14 TYV - 12318
SK14 CSX - 12319
SN14 CSY - 12320
SN14 CSZ - 12321
SK14 CTE - 12322
SK14 CTU - 12323
SL14 LRO - 12324
SL14 LNP - 12325
SL14 LNR - 12326
SL14 LNT - 12327
SL14 LNU - 12328
SL14 LNV - 12329
SL14 LNW - 12330
SL14 LNX - 12331
SL14 LNY - 12332
SL14 LNZ - 12333

Finally, here's some photos of the new hybrids at Bow (BW):

©Jacob Cartmann

Above, is seen at Edgware Road Station is 12322 (SK14 CTE) near the start of route 205 at the western end, Paddington on the route going to Bow Church Station. There seems to be a confusion with the registration plates (whether they are SN14, or SK14) as 12322 is SK14 CTE but 12321 is SN14 CSZ.

Seen below is 12331 (SL14 LNX), at Paddington Station heading on route 205 towards Bow Church DLR Station. Note that the buses are currently absent of hybrid stickers. 

©Jacob Cartmann

©Jacob Cartmann

Above is 12319 (SK14 CSX) on route 205, along Praed Street nearing Edgware Road Station. 

Final photo here is 12314 (SN14 TYP) seen along Praed Street in Paddington once again, nearing Edgware Road. This completes the set of SK/SN/SL registration plates. 

©Jacob Cartmann

"Cascade to Upgrade"

The new hybrids on route 205 have allowed route 277 to get newer buses, to get an upgrade to newer and refreshed 09-plate Scania Omncities fresh off route 205. Route 277 is Bow's suburban route and is currently allocated Alexander Dennis ALX400s that are mainly 2003-2004 built. However, their day has passed and it is time for them to leave London service. 

The Scania Omncities will be refurbished first before entering service on route 277, allowing the Tridents to either be withdrawn or go around the company to displace the older Tridents. More information will be confirmed soon by Stagecoach themselves.

Here's some photos of the reshuffle on route 277:

©Jacob Cartmann

©Jacob Cartmann

Stagecoach's 15107 and 15108 (LX09 FZD and LX09 FZE) are seen with brand new white-on-black blinds on stand whilst both serving route 277 at Highbury & Islington Highbury Corner on a mid-August's afternoon.

Well, that's all folks. Sorry for the delays in the post. 

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Route 7 and N7, between Russell Square and East Acton (Route N7 extended to Northolt Station) is operated by Metroline Travel. The route was allocated Scania N230UD/ East Lancs Olympuses until now. The 7 has become the second route to be allocated Wright Gemini 3's with a Volvo B5L Hybrid chassis. 


Like all Central London routes nowadays, they are being retained/ won with specified brand new hybrid buses of some sort. Whether it's Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrids or the Borismaster, or the Borismaster's sister for that case, the brand new Wright Gemini 3, that is route 7's new allocation for the next 7 years or so, relieving the SEL's of their duties on route 7.

Metroline SEL746 (LK07 BBJ) in Oxford Street, on route 7.
©Jacob Cartmann 

Metroline VWH2013 (LK14 FBG) in Oxford Street, on
route 7. ©Jacob Cartmann

The 7 was originally to get Wright Gemini 2s, the hybrid Volvo B5L hybrid version, however the body version was upgraded to the third generation of these vehicles. Recently, just after the Stagecoach order for route 53, the Metroline ones came in early June at the CELF centre. Dave spotted them on the line-up.

Then, on the 25th June 2014, I was out doing observations on the 112 at Brent Cross around after school hours. When it had reached 1600, I walked from Etheridge Road to Tilling Road via Templehof Avenue. Sounds boring, doesn't it? As I was walking, I saw VWH2001, the first ever Metroline Gemini 3 on it's first ever journey in London on school route 611. I ran down to Tilling Road bus stop and was lucky enough to catch the bus, and become one of it's first ever passengers. 

Now, I must say the ride was actually quite smooth and quiet. I went upstairs to find the rather small windows surrounded me. I wasn't as impressed by this, but having taken VWH2002 another day to a meet-up with Lawrence I sat on the bottom deck, and the large windows make it worthwhile. Back on VWH2001, the speakers were crystal clear, they sounded like the ones you'd get on a Mercedes Citaro. Unlike the Gemini 2 hybrids, in comparison the journey was a lot quieter. The engines were way too loud on the lower deck, plus the cooling fans and the air conditioning made a journey on a Gemini 2 hybrid horrible. However, on this was just one quiet sound that was ongoing. The engine system, by Cummins, is similar to the Borismasters (Another similarity to take note of, folks). However, I can't really say the exterior is what it's cracked up to be. I really hate the rear, though. It has a reminiscent of a Borismaster. In my personal opinion, the Gemini 3 is a vehicle that has it's perks but also has quite a lot of downs too. As the generations of Gemini's progressed, I think the quality of the vehicles have gotten worse.

Metroline's VWH2001 (LK14 FAA) is seen on it's first ever journey, marking the beginning of a new era. It's seen on route 611. 

These new buses are numbered VWH2001-2023. The fleetlist is provided here:

LK14 FAA - VWH2001
LK14 FAF - VWH2002
LK14 FAJ - VWH2003
LK14 FAM - VWH2004
LK14 FAO- VWH2005
LK14 FAU- VWH2006
LK14 FBA- VWH2007
LK14 FBB- VWH2008
LK14 FBC- VWH2009
LK14 FBD- VWH2010
LK14 FBE- VWH2011
LK14 FBF- VWH2012
LK14 FBG- VWH2013
LK14 FBJ - VWH2014
LK14 FBL- VWH2015
LK14 FBN- VWH2016
LK14 FBO- VWH2017
LK14 FBU- VWH2018
LK14 FBV- VWH2019
LK14 FBX- VWH2020
LK14 FBY- VWH2021
LK14 FBZ- VWH2022
LK14 FCA- VWH2023

Here are some photos of the new buses in action:

©Jacob Cartmann

Metroline's VWH2013 (LK14 FBG) is seen at the Oxford Street stand, as the route is currently withdrawn between Russell Square and Oxford Circus. I've got both front and rear photos of the brand new Gemini 3's on route 7. 

The Metroline batch seem to be favoured more than it's Stagecoach rivals on route 53, although the rear seems to be less favoured in the fact that it has a reminiscent of a rear of a Borismaster. 

These buses have already made it to routes 7, N7, 611 and 297's night service.

©Jacob Cartmann

©Jacob Cartmann

 VWH2001 (LK14 FAA) is seen once more at Oxford Circus stand on route 7 this time, complete with roundels, stickers, logos with the new Metroline white logo and fleetnumbers.

The SELs will now be allocated to routes 79, 297 (Whole) and continue their work on route 611. Here is some last looks at the SELs on route 7:

©Jacob Cartmann

Some buses on route 7 were repainted some time ago, others actually had a proper refurbishment. One of the repainted ones is SEL750 (LK07 BBO) seen at Great Titchfield Street/ Photographer's Gallery on a service to East Acton seen in the image above.

In the image below shows an actual refurbished SEL in service on route 7, this one is SEL746 (LK07 BBE), the first one to be refurbished. I've been on this one on route 297 after refurbishment, it's a lovely bus. Note the tiny roundels, and the retention of the gold advert frames. New seats were installed, a repaint was done, a spring clean to the whole bus and engine, and better lighting installed.

©Jacob Cartmann

©Jacob Cartmann

Finally, seen above is the sole Darwen Olympus SEL809 (LK08 DVY) seen on route 7. This bus was purchased as a one off for route 611. I apologise for the bad lighting on this photo, but I still thought it was worth pulling out due to it's uniqueness.

Before the post ends, route 7 also got 3 new StreetLites. No, not the East Acton - Russell Square one that you must be thinking of, I'm talking about First Berkshire's 7 series route 7 between Uxbridge Station, in West London, and Slough Bus Station, just west of the M25, past Heathrow.

Most of the routes at First's Slough Depot received Enviro 200s and Volvo 7900 Hybrids to replace older stock such as Marshalls, Citaros (The 02-reg) and ALX200s (In this case ALX200s on route 7) to oust them elsewhere, however route 7 instead got StreetLite Max brand new, numbered WM61390 - 61392 .

©Jacob Cartmann

Here is SN14 EBC (WM63190) at Uxbridge Station waiting for departure time at Uxbridge Station. The bus has on-board WiFi and leather seats, First's more recent standards for a bus. Surely TfL could catch up on this? What are your thoughts on these new buses? Comment below!

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Epsom Buses also had something else happening in their fleet. Whilst Metrocities are coming in, double decker flagship routes 406 and 418 got a frequency and PVR increase. To cover the PVR increase, new buses were ordered. Read on to find out more.

Brand new double deck Enviro 400s were purchased for routes 406 and 418, as they are having a frequency increase from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes. These buses are also Euro VI, and are numbered DD14-DD18. These buses will supplement existing Enviro 400 (DD01-10). 

Both routes run between Epsom, Clock Tower and Kingston, Cromwell Road Bus Station. They mainly parallel each other most of the journey, however route 406 goes via Ewell, High Street whilst route 418 goes via West Ewell instead.

These buses have already been spotted on other routes such as the 467, which runs between Epsom, Clock Tower and Hook Parade, and route X26 between West Croydon and Heathrow Central, the longest route in London which takes about 2 hours end to end during peak times.

The existing buses, DD01-10 are benifiting from a all-over refurbishment including new seats, repaint, spring clean of the dashboard and re-done flooring.

Something to note about the new Enviro 400s is, like other buses within the company, there are no advert frames - however the windows are tinted slightly to a darker colour if you look closely.

Here is the fleetlist of the new buses:

SL14 LND - DD14
SL14 LNE - DD15
SL14 LNF - DD16
SL14 LNG - DD17
SL14 LNH - DD18 

And to round off this rather short post, here are some photos of the new Enviro 400s on routes 406 and 418. 

Believe it or not, not all the Enviro 400s actually gained logos, stickers or anything like that. To give an example of what I'm talking about, Lee Thatcher spotted DD15 (SL14 LNE) at Kingston, Cromwell Road Bus Station (Noting there are two bus stations at Kingston, the other one being Fairfield Bus Station which is the less busier one) whilst embarking on a journey on route 406 towards Epsom, Clock Tower. Note it's devoid of any logos, legals, stickers or adverts. The bus has no signal to who owns it, unless you know where to look!

©Lee Thatcher

Second up on the same day, same place is DD16 (SL14 LNF), on sister route 418 towards Epsom, Clock Tower. Buses from Kingston or Epsom on the overlapped sections on route 406 and 418 are now every 10 minutes compared to the previous 15. Unlike DD15, this bus does have some identification - there are logos on this bus, the one on the side being rather small.

©Lee Thatcher

Finally, last but not least is DD17 (SL14 LNG), the last one in this batch to enter service back on route 406, having spent a number of days on route 467 (Hinchley Wood School/ Epsom - Hook) at Cromwell Road Bus Station.

©Lee Thatcher

Thanks to Lee Thatcher for allowing the All Over London Blog to use his photos.

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