suzyscottdotcom | Monday out in the Midlands

Further to my post last night, here's the story of what was going to be an interesting day out, returning to Coventry for the first time in just over a year, and also (finally!) my first (albeit brief) visit to Leicester.

After starting when C dropped me off, soon after I took
National Express Operations SC5 on National Express Service 787 – Royston, Tesco to Hitchin, St Marys Square
The latter was quiet, day before market day and all that.However, I crossed the road for a connection to the Service 777, both going through Luton Airport, but then in different directions.

Before getting on the next coach, snapped the ducks!

Veolia NXL3 on National Express Service 777 – Hitchin, St Marys Square to Coventry, Pool Meadow Bus Station

After some fast motorway travel, it was onto a slightly uneven A45 into Cov. Despite staying here with a friend some time ago for just over a week (five years ago it was now!) I still needed to do the place some photographic justice. Proceeded to have a look up the bus stops in Trinity Street, then browsing the shops in the pedestrian area.

The original Travel Coventry PrimeLine (now PrimeLines) buses for the Bedworth Road corridor have been replaced by new Scania’s, so these were turning up on anything. Here, this Mercedes 0405N (low floor version of the predecessor to the Citaro) has arrived from Cannon Park Shops on Service 81E, seen passing Coventry Transport Museum, the arch, and the statue.

… while this one came from Fenside on the 2…

… note the partnership logos still intact!

… Park & Ride South by Travel de Courcey…

… Stagecoach’s 48 runs to Nuneaton as PrimeLine too, now with a service continuing via all stops to Leicester…

… speaking of Stagecoach, I like the use of the red “Matrix” branding here, which stood out in a sea of two-tone blue!

After shopping, and buying a number of things (including lunch), I went back out in the rain, snapping the Lady Godiva statue. Having done my hair the night before with Lush’s Godiva bar, I promised Caroline that I would not ride around Coventry City Centre with no clothes on!

Former PrimeLine Bedworth Road branded vehicle seen here, fully repainted, but with an odd destination!

Park & Ride north now ran by Central Connect...

...deputising for a bendi Citaro on the 27...

... Coventry Transport Museum

Only had 40 minutes left, so I had a quick look around the shop… this is not for sale though!

Waited the rest of my time at the entry/exit to Pool Meadow… TDC ex London vehicle...

… ad on the back of an ALX400…

… B&Q offside ad on an ALX400, before a Gemini…

… minimalist destination display…

… artic substitution on the 21’s too!

I was awaiting the Travel de Courcey coach on Service X6, their every-90-minutes Cov – Leic express. Spotted one of the coaches at Showbus last year. Their newly reprinted timetable leaflet does state that buses can be used, but I was quite surprised to see a demonstrator on the X6!

Travel de Courcey Service X6, 404 (Demonstrator BN 09 FWR) Coventry, Pool Meadow Bus Station to Leicester, St Margarets Bus Station

The bus provided a good turn of speed when travelling along the dual carriageways etc. A brief stop at Hinckley showed a red X67 shelter – the route was previously Arriva’s, under that number.

After a brief look around Leicester (sunlight and time preventing more than a couple of pictures), had a snack in Subway. Went back (from Haymarket Bus Stn) to St Margaret’s Bus Station, thought I’d lost the camera. Went back to Subway, and found that it qas in my bag fall along. Never rmind, back again in time for this…

Stagecoach in Northampton 20914 on Service X7 from Leicester, St Margarets Bus Station to Northampton, Greyfriars Bus Station

Neither bus station was too good on pics, so just as well the next one is identical, almost!

Stagecoach in Bedford 20915 on Service “Pluto” (P1) from Northampton, Greyfriars Bus Station, to Bedford, All Hallows Bus Station

Slightly rushed shot this…
Stagecoach in Bedford 53602 on Service X5 from Bedford, All Hallows Bus Station to Cambridge, Madingley Road Park & Ride

You can see all the pictures here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hi suzy, a few feet to the left of where you stood to snap Lady Godiva I had my first kiss New Years Eve 1971. Quite unexpectedly with complete stranger, long and lingering, duck to water I guess. We parted never to meet again. Two years before I found another pair of willing lips. Did you feel any residual vibration in the area?

At about the same time Coventry was lent a Volvo single decker bus with air suspension. It ran on my route into town when I was visiting. The route was over a railway level crossing which could knock your teeth out in a standard routemaster, there were some sharp changes of direction and bumpy road surfaces. The ride on this bus was amazing, really like floating on air over the railway and took bends better than a car. They used it then handed it back and bought rubbish bone jarring hell boxes on solid wheels!!!!! Busses are such a great idea but why are they not like this magic bus? why don't they want passengers over 6 ft. tall? Suzy this is your passion, do you know the answers?

Caroline x

I take it you mean late 70's/early 80's - maybe the Volvo Ailsa, which Tayside RC took lots of. West Midlands actually did buy some, but they were used from Perry Bar depot for a few years, before being sold off to London (as "non-standard").

Coventry have just saw off the last of the MCW Metrobuses (more locally produced stuff) a few weeks ago, and now have an all-low floor fleet. The new Scania's were on the Bedworth Rd group (the original PrimeLine) which is why some older Mercedes are now on other work at Cov.

Fairly sure that this is what you mean, although this may be something else!

So I take it the only vibration was from the busses. I bow to your encyclopaedic knowledge and will go for late 70's. That would be non standard as in too comfortable for the passengers!

Have you ever considered Mastermind or should that be Mistressmind?

Caroline x

The demonstrators, certainly at least now, quite often it's a case of "Hello, would you like a bus for a week?" The other times you might get a white one, especially now, is to have a leased one from somewhere like Mistral if someone rear-ends it, meaning you claim the replacement and repair from their insurance. Some repair shops have the equivalent of a courtesy car. The only other time a white coach may appear is a loan or borrow to cover the coaching season - usually the summer.

Maybe not Mistressmind, but certainly maybe enough to do another part of my explaining the industry posts!

Monday out in the Midlands

Coventry

Re: Coventry

Re: Coventry

Re: Coventry