Tuesday’s (22nd July) three counties bash
Jul. 27th, 2008 12:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
suzyscottdotcomOn Tuesday 22nd July, I had (what ended up being) the first of two Intalink Explorer trips out this week… pushing back the boundaries in many ways, and also visiting areas I’d not stopped off at since last year. OK, I’ll probably be back here next week, but… if it’s a case of trying to do everything in one day, I’ve split some of the other bits. Some of the finds (information wise) help towards future trips too.
Firstly, another one of these weekly routes that I’d not done myself yet. Richmond’s Service 23 runs from Royston to Hitchin for market day traffic on Tuesdays, and follows a route through Reed End, Therfield, Kelshall, Sandon, Roe Green, Redhill and Rushden Turn, which is also done by the Monday 25 to Buntingford, and the Wednesday 24 to Royston, save for the double-run into Wallington, which is done by the 23 only. We left with Solo YJ 05 XMZ again, and had around 23 people on the bus, at various stages throughout the trip. The bus is seen at St Mary’s Square, Hitchin, in this picture.
I was surprised to see Red Kite using this Volvo Citybus on similar weekly Service 77 to Toddington, which looks vaguely like the Go-North East livery… but not quite!
So, next bus was Arriva Service 100 to Luton Airport, and Stevenage depot had at least two of these older 2/3/4/5 branded Volvo B10BLE/Alexander ALX300 out on Routes 100-102 today. Here, 3453 is seen turning into St Mary’s Square, Hitchin…
… and from the rear, at Luton Airport. It was one of quite a few strays today.
Since the last visit last Winter, the NCP Parkway Station shuttle bus Darts have been replaced with some First FTR Streetcars – a posh word for an articulated Volvo.
After stopping to pick up an early lunch, I waited for Arriva 61 through to Aylesbury, which was this Dennis Lance SLF/Wright Pathfinder 3377.
This was a long run through Luton Railway Station, Galaxy Centre, Dunstable, Totterhoe, Eaton Bray, Ivinghoe, Marsworth, New Mill, Tring and Aston Clinton to Aylesbury, with the end-to-end journey time of 97 minutes. After this amount of time on early low-floor technology, it was good to get out into Aylesbury. Bus station is currently being partially rebuilt, as well as being underground. I tried some pics, but to no avail. Additionally, the leaflet stand had some of them coated in a layer of concrete and cement dust! When I was browsing this, I was approached by someone looking for the timetable for the bus to Bedgrove (what is branded Blue Route 2), so I handed her one of those, to great appreciation!
Had a quick stop at the Tourist Office before running back downhill to the bus station, and taking former Green Line 724 (now replaced by the Citaro’s) DAF/Plaxton 3449 on Service 500 back out via Aston Clinton and Tring, then on via Northchurch and Berkhampstead to Hemel Hempstead bus station.
When I got to Hemel, had a browse through the leaflets, as per usual (there were some service changes here just a few weeks ago). Now, remembering I’d already been approached at Aylesbury, I was surprised to be approached by someone in the queue while I was browsing, asking for a bus to Chesham (now the 52/62, as well as the T1 starting next week, so I handed her over a 52/62 booklet, and the new Hemel guide also has the T1 in it). Again, she was happy, as this saved her queuing. Did they think I worked for the company?
I spotted the Dart/Plaxton that has been repainted as an overall advertisement for Green Line London Express service 758, except it’s in red. Take a look…
… This was then followed by uno Scania YR 56 NRZ on Service 634 direct to Hatfield and Stevenage, so I took this to the Hatfield Galleria. As I was boarding, an elderly couple asked me if this bus was going via St Albans – it wasn’t, but I said they should wait for the 300/1 which was parked behind this, and due on the stance anytime soon. It wasn’t till I got on that I realised the white and green top I had on was vaguely similar to Arriva corporate colours – but not intentionally. So that might explain it… since my last visit, the 634 has been split into two to comply with revised drivers hours legislation, so the 634 runs from Hemel rail station to Stevenage bus station, with the 635 doing the bit beyond to Lister Hospital, with peak extensions to Hitchin.
After a browse around the Galleria, I went for the uno 341 back to Hertford bus station. KF 52 NBM. The driver got lost on a diversion, and we ended up doing some bits of Herts that weren’t on the bus map! Never mind, everyone got dropped off, and I got back to Hertford, Bus Station in time for the 331(x) home! Evening peak is very busy, so not all vehicles could make it to their allocated stances.
When the 331(x) came in, it was this shorter-than-usual DAF/Wright Cadet 4521, usually to be found in Welwyn.
Very good day out, and you can see all the pictures here.
Firstly, another one of these weekly routes that I’d not done myself yet. Richmond’s Service 23 runs from Royston to Hitchin for market day traffic on Tuesdays, and follows a route through Reed End, Therfield, Kelshall, Sandon, Roe Green, Redhill and Rushden Turn, which is also done by the Monday 25 to Buntingford, and the Wednesday 24 to Royston, save for the double-run into Wallington, which is done by the 23 only. We left with Solo YJ 05 XMZ again, and had around 23 people on the bus, at various stages throughout the trip. The bus is seen at St Mary’s Square, Hitchin, in this picture.
I was surprised to see Red Kite using this Volvo Citybus on similar weekly Service 77 to Toddington, which looks vaguely like the Go-North East livery… but not quite!
So, next bus was Arriva Service 100 to Luton Airport, and Stevenage depot had at least two of these older 2/3/4/5 branded Volvo B10BLE/Alexander ALX300 out on Routes 100-102 today. Here, 3453 is seen turning into St Mary’s Square, Hitchin…
… and from the rear, at Luton Airport. It was one of quite a few strays today.
Since the last visit last Winter, the NCP Parkway Station shuttle bus Darts have been replaced with some First FTR Streetcars – a posh word for an articulated Volvo.
After stopping to pick up an early lunch, I waited for Arriva 61 through to Aylesbury, which was this Dennis Lance SLF/Wright Pathfinder 3377.
This was a long run through Luton Railway Station, Galaxy Centre, Dunstable, Totterhoe, Eaton Bray, Ivinghoe, Marsworth, New Mill, Tring and Aston Clinton to Aylesbury, with the end-to-end journey time of 97 minutes. After this amount of time on early low-floor technology, it was good to get out into Aylesbury. Bus station is currently being partially rebuilt, as well as being underground. I tried some pics, but to no avail. Additionally, the leaflet stand had some of them coated in a layer of concrete and cement dust! When I was browsing this, I was approached by someone looking for the timetable for the bus to Bedgrove (what is branded Blue Route 2), so I handed her one of those, to great appreciation!
Had a quick stop at the Tourist Office before running back downhill to the bus station, and taking former Green Line 724 (now replaced by the Citaro’s) DAF/Plaxton 3449 on Service 500 back out via Aston Clinton and Tring, then on via Northchurch and Berkhampstead to Hemel Hempstead bus station.
When I got to Hemel, had a browse through the leaflets, as per usual (there were some service changes here just a few weeks ago). Now, remembering I’d already been approached at Aylesbury, I was surprised to be approached by someone in the queue while I was browsing, asking for a bus to Chesham (now the 52/62, as well as the T1 starting next week, so I handed her over a 52/62 booklet, and the new Hemel guide also has the T1 in it). Again, she was happy, as this saved her queuing. Did they think I worked for the company?
I spotted the Dart/Plaxton that has been repainted as an overall advertisement for Green Line London Express service 758, except it’s in red. Take a look…
… This was then followed by uno Scania YR 56 NRZ on Service 634 direct to Hatfield and Stevenage, so I took this to the Hatfield Galleria. As I was boarding, an elderly couple asked me if this bus was going via St Albans – it wasn’t, but I said they should wait for the 300/1 which was parked behind this, and due on the stance anytime soon. It wasn’t till I got on that I realised the white and green top I had on was vaguely similar to Arriva corporate colours – but not intentionally. So that might explain it… since my last visit, the 634 has been split into two to comply with revised drivers hours legislation, so the 634 runs from Hemel rail station to Stevenage bus station, with the 635 doing the bit beyond to Lister Hospital, with peak extensions to Hitchin.
After a browse around the Galleria, I went for the uno 341 back to Hertford bus station. KF 52 NBM. The driver got lost on a diversion, and we ended up doing some bits of Herts that weren’t on the bus map! Never mind, everyone got dropped off, and I got back to Hertford, Bus Station in time for the 331(x) home! Evening peak is very busy, so not all vehicles could make it to their allocated stances.
When the 331(x) came in, it was this shorter-than-usual DAF/Wright Cadet 4521, usually to be found in Welwyn.
Very good day out, and you can see all the pictures here.
