A Question of Choice at Alton

To most those who weren't interested in buses these Aldershot and District Dennis Loline 111's all looked very much the same. But of course they weren't and it is interesting to see how a different body-builder can alter the appearance. I don't know what others will think as the Weymann bodied bus closet to the camera bears a resemblance to the much scorned upon MCW Orion, the Alexander bus on the other hand is a lot more rounded but also looks a bit top-heavy but that is my choice as it's my stylish.

The Secret of East Yorkshire 421 CKH

This East Yorkshire Plaxton Paramount bodied Leyland Tiger leaving Sheffield for Bridlington used to be registed A521 AVN.

H For Stafford County Hospital: Arriva Volvo 3911 FJ58 HYU

Still on the 825 but not common like the VDL's, a Wright bodied Volvo does the Stafford to County Hospital shuttle. As the last leg of the longish 825 it was a terrible service some days with buses running late or not turning up at all. But workings on the old Town Service 8 from Burton Manor to Parkside have been split so that it does the first part as a new No.7 and then a hospital run before doing what is left of it to the old 8 to the north end of town. I have to say it is a very reliable service albeit only going outwards from the one stop in town at South Wales which could be quite a distance from the Market Square or Sainsburys on crutches.

I Spy with my little eye in Plymouth

Those mini-buses were a lot more boring then. Nice then that  I took my time and did something different that day with Western National Mercedes branded Hoppa C959 GAF as the picture says a lot more about Plymouth in 1990.

Benvan Soudley Valley Leyland Leopard CTH 700C

This well known Plaxton Panorama bodied Soudley Valley Leyland Leopard can be forgiven for looking a bit grubby as it was winter in the Forest of Dean.

Dennis Trident in Wolverhampton Corporation Green BL53 EDF

Last week when I went to Wolverhampton I almost left my camera at home but I'm glad I didn't as the West Midlands Dennis Trident-Alexander 4535 painted in the old Wolverhampton Corporation green and cream colours had eluded me. I had seen it several times but I was always just too late to get a photo but surprisingly that day it stopped right opposite my friends shop on of all things Route 4 which normally has branded Wright bodied Volvo single-deckers on it. Previously when I glimpsed it before it was going to Northwood Park but I expect it was covering for a breakdown.

H.Espihito Santo in Porto

A hot afternoon in Porto in 1984 and two buses of J.Espihito Santo (excuse my spelling) are waiting to depart. Both have local bodywork by UTIC but the Leyland was a lot newer than the AEC and looked very British with it's Leyland National2 windscreen.