Sunday Variety

Stagecoach Stockport Switch Suspended

The cunning plan was to add all 170 electric buses to the Stagecoach fleet operated for Manchester's Bee Network. But it simply isn't going to happen for a good few years. The headline (above) quotes a "depot difficulty".

Here is the Stagecoach depot at Stockport, sheltering under the shadow of the famous railway viaduct.

A peep though the door reveals plenty of space.

Indeed, it appears that there is more than enough room for the depot to be used as a staff car park.

There are cars all around!

And there is still plenty of room. The depot has been rebuilt and is very good condition ...

... you couldn't even use the word "tired"!

GROAN!

So what is wrong with the depot?

Answer, nothing!

Those vehicles are being part-funded by the first round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas scheme via a successful bid led by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Most recently it had been envisaged that the depot work in Stockport would be complete by Q3 2025. However, a report to go before the GMCA Joint Clean Air Scrutiny Committee on 26 September notes that “challenges to site availability” have pushed that back by at least a further three years.

In an indication of the scope of difficulty in finding a suitable location for large-scale battery-electric bus operation in Stockport, the report says that TfGM continues to work with Stockport Council to source one and that the new depot is expected to be operational no sooner than late 2028.

No sooner, so could be later, much later

The Volvo BZL fleet intended for Stockport will instead be deployed from depots including Middleton – which Stagecoach operates under the second tranche of bus franchising in the city region – and Hyde Road and Ashton-under-Lyne. The latter two are currently outside the Bee Network but will move from Stagecoach to Metroline in early 2025 under the third tranche.

But there is still no explanation of the "problem" at Stockport depot.

One of fbb's correspondents has hinted (expertly) at the depot difficulty.

There is not enough electricity. The pipes delivering the electric to that part of Stockport are far too small to fill up 170 batteries overnight. The only way it could be done is to switch off the whole of the rest of Stockport overnight.

This would not be the most popular decision.

It will take at least until 2028 to upgrade the supply and, it seems, the National Grid is uneasy about spending the money.

Blog readers may remember a relatively recent BBC documentary which revealed that the UK has a shortage of generating capability and, even it extra power stations could be built in time, the National Grid would need massive investment to deliver said juice to where the chargers would need to be charging.

And that means more and bigger pylons ...

... and we know how popular they will be - and very expensive!

It's all going terribly well - as confidently predicted in this blog.

First Has Another Trainset ...

... with second-hand rolling stock!

The story so far:-

ORR will allow Grand Union Trains to run four return services a day between Stirling and London Euston, starting in 2025.

The trains would call at Larbert, Greenfaulds (for Cumbernauld), Whifflet (for Coatbridge and Airdrie), Motherwell and Lockerbie, and in England at Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes Central. 

Larbert, Greenfaulds and Whifflet would all gain their first direct services to London.

The company said it will use former Virgin Class 220/221 trains that are stored off-lease. 

Some publicity shows 225s from the East Coast main line ...

... but, pre take-over, Grand Union has said that it would use diesels because of, guess what, "power supply problems on the West Coast main line"!

First has not, so far, revealed what trains it will operate.

In the longer term, Grand Union aims to use electric or bi-mode trains, but added that “with current power supply being an issue on the WCML” it would use diesel power throughout the electrified route.

Grand Union was also planning to run from Carmarthen to London but this project appears to be stalled and is not included in the First Rail take-over.

More New Old Trains

Strange things continue to happen in the OO gauge model railway world. 

In the good old days, you either started with a Triang set ...

... or, if your parents were indulgent, you had Hornby Dublo ...

... and you grew the model from there.

Now it is much more toys for very old boys! 

Recently there has been an outbreak of real nostalgia models, dating from before the current crop of wealthy old biys were alive.

First Hattons announced their "Genesis" range of generic four and six wheel coaches in a plethora of ancient liveries.

These coaches were not models of any specific type, but acceptable examples which would pass muster for all but the most pedantic and specialist of modellers.

Then Hornby did the same.

fbb had intended to get samples of both, but Hattons sold out so quickly that he missed out! But Hattons ordered a second batch from the factories way out East. Then Hattons closed down but the "second batch" was taken over by Rails of Sheffield from whom fbb has ordered a sample due for delivery very soon. Well, the old miser has paid for it!

Both companies offered a huge range of liveries all available with optional internal lighting.

But fbb suspects that no more will be produced from either stable,

So expect a very belated contrast and compare in a future blog.

Then Rapido, well known for its eclectic range of very accurate (and very expensive) old-style models, announced something out of character.

They would be offering a truly huge range of "generic" bogie non corridor (suburban) coaches in oodles of different liveries. And they would come with lighting as standard.

Their video explains.

In a rush of financial resource from the pocket and blood to the head, fbb has ordered one. He will have to wait until later in 2025 for it to materialise, by which time he will probably have forgotten that he ordered it.

He doesn't pay for it until the model is in stock.

For comparison, here is the very first clerestory coach (pronounced "clear story" being the extra "storey" on the roof with clear glass to allow more light into the carriage) offered by Triang in the very early 1960s.

Back then we thought it was wonderful!

Two New UK Platforms ...

... but not yet open. A Puzzle Picture.

But where are they. A clue?

The bus is on route 395 to Stony Stratford.

 4 Days to Go 

 Next Ashley Down blog : Mon 30th Sept 

Sunday Variety on Tuesday

University Upgrade Uplift

There must be a huge number of bus managers and transport bloggers who are perennially excited by something. Sam Turner (of Sam's Trains fame) is one such. But now he is joined by Robert Williams of Reading buses.

His latest new bus route is upping his heart rate noiceably.

fbb thinks (so possibly unreliably!) that,  previously, service 21 (CLARET), which runs via the University, had gained extra short-workings to the hallowed halls of academe during term time. 

Now Mr Williams has made them a separate branded route.

"White Knight" is the name of the Uni Campus but fbb does not know why.

Unfortunately the on-line presentation is currently, poor. There is no proper map, just one of these ...

... which is about as much use as a chocolate teapot. The only timetable looks like this ....

... where you have to specify date and day to get the table. A chocolate coffee pot?

There is no PDF of the complete service.

Disappointing!

Puzzle Picture Answer No 1

Wigan Corporation c/o GoAhead. Here is a real one for comparison purposes.

Puzzle Picture No 2

Of course the star of the image is Ivor The Engine.

This was the product of Oliver Postgate (Noggin the Nog and Captain Pugwash) and Peter Firmin.

The other visible characters in the above picture are Edwin Jones (a k a Jones The Steam - Ivor's driver), Dai Station and Evans the Song (choirmaster). Not appearing, but probably residing in the boiler, would be Idris the Dragon.

But what is of notable interest is that an OO gauge model of Ivor and some rolling stock is being produced for Rapido Trains.

To enhance the nostalgia, cut-out figures like the originals are also included with the sets. fbb would have preferred proper 3D versions.

Talking of 3D, Rapido has been showing 3D printed mock-ups which look delightful!

fbb has fallen in love with Ivor ...

... but the loco and two goods wagons ...

... are priced at £200.

That does deserve a loud and resounding "OUCH"!!

Here is a bit about the background to the series.

And there is more!

Perhaps fbb could save up his weekly pocket money and get one for Christmas? Or for his upcoming 80th Birthday in early 2025.

A Big Technological Surprise

So no surprise there, then.

Liverpool Launches Lovely Livery

Again!

Mega Metro Merseyside Mayor Steve Rotheram is pictured with current Transport Minister the Lovely Louise in front of the "launch".

There has already been a launch of the proposed "Glider" bus network.

... also "wrapped" in Metro yellow.

Manchester Heritage Livery

from Stagecoach

To fbb the orange is a bit too red, despite the fact that it was always a deeper orange than the original SELNEC ...

... and maybe even deeper that SELNEC'S succesor brand, GMPTE.

And In Manchester Today?

So no surprise there, then.

Watching Paint Dry

fbb was intrigued by this item ...

... and decided to investigate further.

Now watch again and count the number of locomotives!

 9 Days to Go 

 Next Austria blog : Weds 25th September 

London Country Revisisted : Hitchin (3)

An fbb Bludnet - Nay A Howler!

Above is all tht is left of the now-closed hospital in Hitchin. Until 1972 it was called The Lister Hospital. In 1964 is was served by a London country bus route 808 as duly recorded in yesterday's blog. In that fateful year of 1972, the hospital in Hitchin was renamed as The Hitchin Hospital - neat name, eh?

The newly opened hospital at Stevenage was named The Lister Hospital. (This Lister guy gets around a bit. There'a another one in Chelsea, London!)

So fbb's reference to a 1973 bus route 800 ...

was misplaced, erroneous and more wally-featured that most of the old man's occasional slip ups. The 1973 800 was taking its out and in patients out to the new Lister Hospital and in Stevenage and had nothing to do with Hitchin.

Sorry, pardon!

1973 Versus 2024!

fbb will start with the easy ones first.

304

This becomes Hitchin to St Albans 304 ...

... but running to a much more understandable timetable, albeit reduced in frequency.

Centrebus is the operator.

Yep! That's all the easy ones! The 364 had disappeared from the green bus collection by 1973 and the 386 ...

...  had gone soon after 1973.

So we can now tackle the 303

No such through route exists today. You now need FOUR separate services to complete the old 303 excursion if you were foolish enough to want to get from Hitchin to New Barnet by bus!

Hitchin to Stevenage 100/101

The two offer a bus every 15 minutes compared with 1973's every 30. Arriva is the operator.

To add to the fun, Stagecoach is operating their 9B once an hour over a similar route as far as Stevenage.

Stevenage to Hatfield 301

Another Arriva Operation ...

... but running "through" only every hour compared with the 303.

Hatfield to Potters Bar 610

This is in the hands of Uno ...

... although with better vehicles these days! Again only hourly.

Potters Bar to High  Barnet 84B

Central Connect is the operator ...

... and if you wish to continue to New Barnet Station, like the 303, you will  need a Transport for London bus. As a weary slacker, fbb could not be bothered to battle with TfL's poor information to add the details.

So FIVE bus routes from FOUR different operators replace one simple London country bus service.

It is good to enjoy the benefits of modern public transport!

383

This one hurt fbb's brain! 

Sometimes, even back in green bus days, bus schedulers  knitted together lots of unprofitable bits of bus route in the hope that the sum of the parts would make a shilling or two, or perhaps lose a bit less. 

fbb thinks this 383 is one such operation.

A few buses started from Stevenage (usually n7mbered 386)  and found their way to Great Wymondley, where Church Green has a large amount of twee.

The 383 itself started in Oakfield Estate where the 1964 route, back then the titular 383, ran via Nine Springs Way.

Buses then trundled into Hitchin and back out again to Purwell Lane estate which just creeps into the 1973 Hitchin town map ...

... above, centre right. Occasional journeys then continued as on the 1963 map to the village of Weston, also served direct from Stevenage by an 807 back then.

Stevenage to Weston 391

Centrebus 91 ...

... goes thataway, but on Saturdays only, terminating at the Red Lion where Hertfordshire thoughtfully provides a stop with flag, a shelter and a very small layby.

The lady is walking dogs and baby, not waiting for a 391.

Hirchin to Oakfield Estate 80

Oakfield Estate now gets a respectable and tidy service of hourly buses to both Hitchin and Stevenage, much better than in 1973.

Again Centrebus does the honours. Which leaves us with Purwell Lane Estate.

Hitchin to Purwell Lane 97

/

Puwell Lane Estate has expanded significantly since 1973 and the time point is noted as "opp Chaucer Way" where there is little evidence of any "facilities" like, say, a bus stop sign or little luxuries like a timetable.

Arriva provides the 97 ...

... on this route with a number that looks suspiciously like that applied on a former United Counties scheme in the same area.

Again it is a much better service, tidier and easier to understand, than the former 383.

Conclusions

It would be fair to say that (almost) everywhere served by London's country buses in 1973 still has a service is 2024.

Most services offer something better than 50 years ago which should be encouraging.

The problem, however, is the mess of different operators exacerbated by the devious wiles of the tendering authority, Hertfordshire.

There is little evidence of a printed route map and printed timetables.

The mess definitely needs a rethink to re-establish an obvious network that fits together and makes sense to newcomers to Hitchin and its district bus travel.

Perhaps network franchising really is the answer - if the money is available which, according to Rachel, it isn't!

fbb has every intention of looking at buses radiating from Watford in a later series of blogs. That will be after a week in the sanatorium to recover.

And a reminder. There is no Green Line 716 these days.

Sigh, again!

 Next Variety blog : Saturday 31st August