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Northsound Radio often to live shows from King Street Depot during open days as well as storing their roadshow vehicle at the depot. They have also had a number of advertising liveries including this one on Olympian 110 (A110 FSA). The Olympian was scrapped after a spell with Glasgow.
Advertising Liveries |
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| What was the first bus to carry an "all over" advert, which bus & what advert? |
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| Depends on what you count as an advertsining livery. Atlanteans 162/3 (NRG 162/3M) carried the Silver Jubilee colours with advertising in 1977. Atlantean 331 (XSS 331Y) received allover cream Bus & Coach Council colours and Aberdeen Football Club attempted to get an allover red advert on an Atlantean after winning the European Cup but was rejected by councillors who said buses in Aberdeen should remain green and cream. Shortly after Atlantean 304 (NRS 304W) received a black scheme for Whiteheads and was followed by a host of other advertising buses. |
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| Thanks! Ha ha, bloody cooncillors!!! |
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| I can remember when I was young some of the adverts on the buses - in those days, booze & fags were de rigour:
Bells "afore ye go" (Whisky);
Abbots (whisky - is there a theme here? :-);
Carlsberg;
for some weird reason I can recall Dee Valley Caravans on the rear of some!!
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| Re the Silver Jubilee buses 162/163 how long after 1977 did they stay silver? Presumably they eventually reverted to normal GRT colours? |
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| From memory 162 lasted a few years as Bells whisky sponsored the vehicle until its next repaint when it reverted to Grampian colours. 163 only had local sponsorship so lasted around a year before reverting to fleet colours. The Bells advert was then continued on Northern NLO38.
http://donald1852.fotopic.net/p30209697.html |
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| are there any of these buses in service any where else seen a101fsa in glasgow but that was a couple of years ago now |
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| 102/5/12 were the last reported survivors with Devon & Cornwall. |
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| 102/5/12 were the last reported survivors with Devon & Cornwall. |
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| devon and cornwall seem to have a fair bit of older buses still in service from what i have seen anyway does anyone know why that is? |
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| New vehicle investment is centred on the busiest routes so the infrequent lower used routes that are a key feature of Devon & Cornwall will always see cascaded vehicles used. Saying that a large amount of the older vehicles in use after been withdrawn in the past year. |
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| when did this bus leave aberdeen? |
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| if you go onto youtube.com and type in first devon and cornwall you will see a few of the old olympians in service it has got a105fsa in service apparently it was 3 weeks ago |
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| Wow, A105 FSA still running, that's over 25 years old! Wish they were still in Aberdeen! |
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| SITE MODERATOR OR ANYONE ELSE----------IS THERE ANY WAY OF BROWSING THIS SITE BY MEANS OF NEWLY POSTED TO SAVE TRAWLING THROUGH THE WHOLE PAGE FOR FRESH POSTS?? IT IS A TERRIFIC SITE BUT IS BECOMING TIRESOME LOOKING FOR NEW POSTS NOW WITH 1200+ AND IT WOULD BE GREAT TO BROWSE THE NEW WITHOUT LOSING OLD POSTS FOR REFERENCE. |
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| Only the site owner has the facility to see comments in order of posting. Fotopic was never designed to have so much discussion threads. There are groups out there like Yahoo groups which could be set up to host such discussions if commentators on this site were willing to do so? |
| [#8864342] |
2009-10-04 19:44:42 |
Left by Duncan Coghlan (now trading as Wicked Buses) (#0) |
Reply |
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| Scotland Bus Group on Yahoo is a good one. Regularly used, with news from all over Scotland. (Sometimes with arguments!)
There is a link for it on the front page of this site.
Just goes to show how popular this site is! :) |
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| was it a101fsa and this one that went to glasgow? both now scrapped?
aberdeen kept all the e reg olympians except one. then the rest to cornwall except b121mso - with aberdeen and b118mso which crahsed. is that right? |
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| Almost. 101/10 went to Glasgow and then for scrap. 121/31 for preservation, 127 to Wyvern still current, 109/13/6-20 saw out there lives in Aberdeen before being scrapped, 125/9 were both scrapped following failure and accident respectively, 122-4/6/8/30 are stored at Kittybrewster 102-8/12/4/5 went to Devon & Cornwall though most have now been scrapped. |
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The GRT Advance livery was modified to allow application to stadard vehicles. First done was Olympian 123 (E123 DRS) which had just had front end stripes removed in 1996.
Experimentation |
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| What's the nicest livery carried by First/Grampian/ACT down the years?
Can't say I'm a fan of the current standard First livery - "Barbie" I believe it's called.
The Grampian livery post-deregulation was quite nice (circa 1985/6).
I do recall the Green & Cream of the early 70s/late 60s (hmm), but did ACT previous have a much darker green scheme, maybe just after post-war? |
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| Yes the shades of green used during the years has often varied and was certainly darker in the earlier years (as carried by restored 79 and 155). The use of a variety of green shades continued and was at its worst in the early 1980's. When Moir Lockhead was appointed GM at Grampian Transport he commented on the use of "26 different shades of green" and specified the exact two shades to be used going forward. Buses were even sent back to contractors for repaint if they came back in the wrong shade. The post dereg livery is carried on Atlantean 154 at Alford and 345 was in the process of being repainted into these colours until it mas moved out of King Street to allow demolition works. |
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| Well it was hand that Newport Transport had a similar livery to Grampian years ago! :D (See: http://donald1852.fotopic.net/p56535636.html) |
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Just applied was this wrap on Olympian 125 (E125 DRS) for Anderson Cars.
Advertising Liveries |
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| this bus is scrapped now, looks good there. |
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| funny to think this bus no longer exists |
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| there is just not buses like this one in service these days. |
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A batch of nine Volvo B6LEs were delivered to Perth in 1996 to replace Routemasters. 496 (P496 BRS) is seen here at King Street. It became an Aberdeen bus in 2006 to replace a fire victim.
The Stagecoach Connection |
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| i know its nothing to do with first but i have noticed that the buses on the 59 have all got a pice of paper with a number on it seems to go 1-9 does anyone kmow what thats all about just wandered cheers |
| [#8787711] |
2008-11-26 18:45:50 |
Left by Barber's Buses (#1238229) |
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| Well i thought it was for when the strikes were on, but the numbers seem to be up all the time. |
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| Yes, I noticed this too! Quite unusual, but I don't get it either! I remember when Stagecoach Bluebird originally launched the '737' with a few Alexander PS's (I think). They used to have boards in the drivers window saying something along the lines of 'Airport Connections' with a picture of a plane. There were also posters put up along the routes of the '737' and the '27' advertising that they went to the airport. The only example left is the one on the lower section of Anderson Drive, saying that both the '27' and the '10' go to the Airport, but neither are that frequent (the '10' stills goes there, but only early morning and late evening services go via there). |
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| As did I chaps, a "1" in the window of a SB bus today west on Union St, on the Elrick run IIRC. |
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| The number boards are for route 59 buses so that inspectors can identify which bus is which based on duty numbers as severe congestion on this route tends to make the buses run together. Allows inspectors to retime the right bus. |
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| Wish First Aberdeen would do something similar - their operational control seems non-existent! |
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| why are there buses always running together? i thought that the buses had gps so that they can keep track of them and give the drivers instructions over the radio |
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| First Aberdeen seems to have no operational control whatsoever. As seen elsewhere in this blog, First buses frequently bunch up and run together, or very close, creating huge waiting times for passengers waiting at bus stops. Two 23's very often run together, in fact not uncommon to see three buses either together or within a couple of minutes, which then creates at least a half hour or bigger gap (often worse as the next bus may be late or even not running at all). 3, 19, 17, 21 are frequent offenders, but can in fact affect any service. The control room seem unable or unwilling to actually do any control, other than pulling in buses and cutting journeys short, and even the lonely pair of inspectors who were seen occasionally (usually both together!) seem also to have disappeared. It really is shockingly bad management. |
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| and first are wandering why the passenger numbers are falling and the best of it is this has been going on for months now and the manegment dont seem bothered about it. and speaking of inspetors i havent seen one for years when the used to come on the bus and check tickets. |
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| The tracking system has yet to be installed to the new depot. |
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| will that make any difference ;) |
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| Doubt, what is needed is basic management and proactive control, which seem to be sadly lacking in the current First Aberdeen set up. |
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156 (NRG 156M), the Grampian standard peak domed Alexander AL bodied Atlantean next to a still Corporation liveried Fleetline, 111 (ERG 111D). Ironically both the vehicles ended up being bought by Highland Scottish for cannibalisation, 156 after service with Fife Scottish.
Grampian Regional Transport |
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| Are there any of these buses still around for preservation, the one-door Fleetline especially?
Earliest memories were of seeing them at the Smithfield (18) terminus, Rosehill Dr.
Or have they all long since gone to the scrappie in the sky?
Good that one dual door LWB Fleetline made it. |
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| All of the one door Fleetlines were scrapped after coming out of service with Grampian. Only one of the similar bodied Atlanteans survives, 114 (GRS 114E) still in use in England as an open top holiday camp shuttle. Atalntean 154 (NRG 154M) is preserved in 1986 Grampian Transport livery at Alford museum. |
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| Any plans to "rescue" 114 once it ends its career, or would it be too much to put a roof back on it? |
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| There are no firm plans to preserve it. Replacing the roof would be tricky as very few Alexander A bodied donors remain today. Many of the Glasgow and Edinburgh A types that kick about have larger windows than the Aberdeen examples. |
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| When did the first one-door Fleetlines leave the fleet & when did the last one go?
Any of them get painted into Grampian colours, as was done with some - all? - of the early Atlanteans of similar vintage?
Also I am pretty sure not all of these Fleetlines had the Daimler badge on the front (similar in this way to some of the early Atlanteans in fact). Was it just a case of the badges falling off (!!!) or did they come that way?
Any more one-door (or early Grampian) photos - would like to see more.
Thanks. :-) |
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| 101-7 were withdrawn in 1978 followed by 108-11 in 1979. They were all disposed of between February and September 1979. None ever received Grampian colours. They were all delivered with Daimler badges but these were removed on repaint/repair. They are longer term plans to upload more photographs to the site but most of the images date from the 1990's. |
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| Have found on another site some pics of ex-Tyne & Wear/Newcastle Alexander Atlanteans at the depot.
Although in B&W, it is clear some are in Grampian cols.
I knew I wasn't dreaming & thatI did travel on one of those!!
What was the reason for purchasing them, how many were acquired (seems quite a few - B & C reg'n) & how long did they last in the fleet. Did they all acquire Grampian livery?
Thanks. |
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| Twelve (277-88) were acquired in October 1977 as a stop gap for OPO conversion until Leyland could catch up with new vehicle orders. 283 was cannibalised for spares without seeing service. A repainting programme commenced to paint them into Grampian colours which was ended prior to the last two being completed which survived in yellow and cream T&W colours but with Aberdeen Exact Fare logos and fleetnumbers throughout. All were sold in 1980 one for preservation but sadly vandalised and scrapped. |
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| The rear number display over the years seems to have had a chequered history in Aberdeen. The open platform buses had, as did the early rear-engined deckers per the above. However I distinctly remember the rear display being taken out & replaced on some (all?) the LWB Fleetlines (probably after overhaul?) plus on the L-Reg Fleetlines as well with just their reg plate. Not sure the single deckers of my youth had a rear display either. More recent times has seen rear number diaplays, but they are either too faded to read, or are simply not entered, or have (maybe?) failed. How has ACT/GRT/GT/FB viewed the necessity of the rear number display over the years? |
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| Front side and rear displays were standard until 1973. At that point with OPO conversion it was argued that the driver did not have time to change all the different sets of blinds so the rear display was replaced by a Pay on Entry indictator and the numeral moved to the nearside in place of the detination as the numeral was deemed more important to city passengers. The pay on entry rear indicator was phased out from 1976 and early OPO deckers were rebuilt on scheduled COF rebuilds to allow more advertising space as the advert boom took off. Single decker displays were more dependent on body designs and builder specs.
Rear numerals were reintroduced in 1988 on the E reg Olympians as Moir Lockead viewed that it was important that the passengers got as much route detail as possible and adopted the Lothian destination policy for vehicles. Dot matrix displays were introduced in 1992 as they were deemed to give the bus a more high-tec look but a cost saving excercise launched in 1996 saw the reintroduction of rollerblinds with the dot matric units restricted to the side and rear to save the driver leaving his cab. Hanover dot matric units were launched in 1998 with nearside destination and numeral displays as a FirstGroup spec. |
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| I am sure in the 70s GRT had buses from other Municipals operating for them, presumably due to shortages. I am sure I recall in George St (pre-shopping precinct days!!) an Atlantean of Glasgow Corp on the 24. |
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| In 1978 Grampian received Glasgow Atlanteans 333 (NGB 112M), 334 (UGG 380R), 335 (XUS 606S), 336 (TGG 751R) on loan for two months though 333 lasted from May 78 to March 79. Tayside Ailsa 113 (NSP 313R) was also loaned for two months in 1976 on the back of demonstrator THS 273M. To add to the previous posting although an Ailsa demonsatrator (that eventually went to the Far East) it was built to SBG spec in Alexander (Midland) livery with SBG triangular display. I believe it did see some service with its SBG display used for Aberdeen. The Ailsas were for evaluation, the Atlanteans were covering for a fleet shortage. |
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| The M-Reg Atlantean espacially, did it remain in Glasgow cols (orange? - or was it yellow/green/white) throughout its stay, was there any part of it changed into Grampian standard? Did any of the loaned buses have GRT markings on them? I take it the 33x fleetnumbers were Grampian ones? Finally I can't recall, were they given GRT blinds (nos. & destinations)? |
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| It was the Glasgow yellow green white livery that was carried by the Glasgow Atlanteans. From memory i dont think there were any changes to the vehicles appearance aprt from blinds but I may be wrong. I havent seen any photos circulating of their time in Aberdeen. The 33x fleetnumbers were indeed Grampians allocated. Of the many loaned vehicles to Grampian usually only the fitting of Grampian blinds the obligatory On loan to Grampian windscreen board were most common. Later examples did carry Grampian fleetnumbers and I recall a Citybus demonstrator with Exact Fare signage. |
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| Looking at nice newly-delivered pics of 100 (ERG 100D), the first rear-engined delivery for Aberdeen Corp. Were they bought specifically with OPO in mind, but did they start off with driver/conductor before becoming OPO, or were they OPO to begin with? When was 100 delivered (date). Also were the early single deckers also introduced as OPO from the off?
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| 100 was new in May 1966. All were planned as OPO when bought but it was not until 1970 that they were fitted up and operated as OPO. All singledeckers from 1966 onwards (starting with the Tiger Cubs) were OPO from new. |
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| Re the Tyne & Wear Atlanteans that arrived in the late 70s as a "stop gap measure" for delayed local Atlanteans. At around the same time the D-reg Fleetlines were being withdrawn from service. However the T&W buses were at least as old as the Fleetlines. Why weren't the Fleetlines kept on for another couple of years? Were they just too unreliable? |
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| I believe the Fleetlines would have required COF work to continue hence why the whole batch were scrapped on withdrawal. The Tyne & Wear vehicles still had a few years left in them maky them ready replacements. |
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| How extensive were COF rebuilds? Did it require the bus to be totally stripped down to relieve it of its rear display? Or was it just the rear of the bus (& inside at the back I would guess?) that needed the work? |
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| I recall seeing a picture of one of the PRG-J fleetlines during its COF. Stripped right down panel work removed rear exposed. No wonder they were hot purchases a few years later when sold on. |
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| A good shot of some of the ex Grampian Daimlers at Barnsley scrapyards. http://adosbuspics.fotopic.net/p56897616.html |
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After GRT acquired Northampton Transport, its six Olympians were transferred to Grampian. This was 133 (A78 RRP). Although good buses to drive they didnt sit well in a mainly Alexander fleet and were quickly moved on to SMT. All have since been scrapped.
Grampian Transport |
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| I remember these & they looked "out of place" at the time. Take it Bankhead was a short working of what would normally have been Dyce, presumably. |
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| These were actually very good machines although they did need a lot of work done on them when they arrived from Northampton. They were good buses to drive once you got used to them but their very dark interior colours and angular design against the smoother Alexander bodywork saw them get the push to SMT at the first opportunity. There was a brief revision of services in 1994 which saw the 17 terminate at Bankhead via Newhills leaving the 18 to service Dyce via Stoneywood. Bankhead was added to the blinds for this. However there was a backlash from the people of Newhills and Bankhead who now had no bus service to Asda hence the services were revised yet again and Bankhead vanished from the screens. |
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| With the current proposals for the 17/21, is the same backlash going to happen again? |
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| looks like it is happining now heard on the radio today the residents want to hold a meeting with first to sort out a service to dyce |
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| Some pics have popped up elsewhere of all 6 of these Olympians, A77 RRP - A82RRP IIRC. Look smart in the newly painted livery.
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| remember these buses years ago they seemed quite powerful aswell. shame they were scrapped but i suppose you cant save them all. |
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A mid week open day was held in 1993 to celebrate Grampian 95th anniversary. On show was the recently delivered Cityranger 501 (L501 KSA) which exhibited the new GRT Advance SE spec for new buses.
Open Days |
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| Were the L-reg Cityranger's regarded as a success?
They didn't seem to last very long in Aberdeen before being moved on. |
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| The Cityrangers lasted eight years in Aberdeen and were deemed good reliable buses, though their lack of window vents, poorly maintained air conditioning units and hard seats may have made them less popular with passengers. They may very well have still been in service today had the decision not been made to convert the fleet to Volvo for engineering purposes. They have served Manchester well since leaving Aberdeen, now with window vents. |
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| Where did the M/N/P regn's go - did they end up predominantly at Manchester or are/were they dispersed amongst the fleet UK wide?
A few of the later S?/T reg'n were at First Glasgow I recall seeing a T-plate in George Sq a year ago. |
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| are the L M N P reg buses still down there and going strong? and why did first change over to wright bodied volvos? |
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| After a loan period to Scotland East all the L, M, N, P O405s settled at Manchester except a small number of N reg for Borders. Apart from a fire damage to 515 (M1 GRT/M876 TSO) which led to its scrapping they soldier on although the L reg examples are coming to the end of their life now. The Scanias were split between Glasgow and Manchester though some of the Manchester examples have spread to Potteries and Scotland East. |
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| GRT policy was to buy Mercedes O405. Moir Lockhead chose the chassis after a visit to Germany and Australia where they were in use. They were tried and trusted and stood out from anything else in the UK at that time as he wanted to symbolise that GRT was to lead the way in terms if quality. Alexander was chosen as the body builder initially given GRTs history for decades of using them. Alexander passed a lot of the r&d costs for the new Cityranger body onto GRT which were unhappy at the costs and Wright who were keen to expand offered GRT a cheaper alternative which they jumped at. Of course Optare replaced Wright on the O405 chassis as they offered a more pleasing on the eye version of the body but GRT stuck with Wright for the Scania orders. When GRT merged with Badgerline who had used the Dennis/Plaxton combination a new vehicles policy was agreed. As the Lance chassis and Verde body were not the best product on the market and the O405 had two many steps in an increasingly low floor market First opted for Volvo and Scania as the new chassis standards, Aberdeen opting for the Scania having long been an admirer in the 1980's (but while still in local authority ownership policy then was to buy British). Indeed the 1998 batch of Scanias were originally designated by First UK Bus as B10BLEs but George Mair argued for L94is instead. The B10BLEs went to Bradford and 550-61 arrived as Scanias. Of course 550-61 were then swapped for R reg B10BLEs in 2001 with Glasgow and Manchester as First aimed to contract out the engineering function at Aberdeen to Volvo but in the event problems with pension TUPE scuppered the transfer but by this point the fleet had been swapped enmass to Volvo products. |
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| what were the mercs and scanias like reliability wise compared to the volvo? i have noticed from what i can remember the wrights seem to be alot more rattily compared to the 0405 aswell |
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| The Mercs were the most reliable as you would expect from a finely tuned chassis at the end of its production. The B10BLEs have been a reliable beast too, the Scanias only had a short run of less than three years from the fleet but were powerful machines in their time. The poorest performing buses of the 90's were the Alexander Dash Darts (201-6). |
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| What was the problem with the Alexander Dash Darts? |
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| No doubt there will be a technical response to your Q, but in the meantime I'll suggest the problems were loading (were they full size?), power and possibly gear-selection issues? I used to get them all the time when they were on the 11 route and they always seemed to struggle. |
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| Sluggish vehicles that struggled on hills (especially when they moved on to the 5). Better suited to the flatter 11. They also had narrow cabs unpopular with drivers. They were 40 seaters so same seat capacity as the R-GHS B10BLEs. |
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| So is B10BLE a Firstbus designation - what does the designation mean? Interesting the designation was going to go to the Scanias before transferring over to the Volvos. |
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| B10BLE is a Volvo designation. The original order for Aberdeen was to be Scania L94's replaced by Volvo B10BLEs. |
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| And over nine years later we're still stuck with almost 100 of the noisy rattly B10BLE's....... |
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| And they are just that. Also given the hard seats and the state of the roads with potholes and speed bumps you're chancing spinal injury.
Try sitting on one for 70 minutes from Dyce to Altens and you'll see what I mean.
Ah, the glory days of the Grampian Gold service are long gone. It's changed to First shit service!
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| A quality bus service eh.....not any more!! |
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Olympian 107 (A107 FSA) gained this colour bus livery to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Aberdeens main street, Union Street. This bus is now with Devon & Cornwall.
Advertising Liveries |
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| I don't remember the 4 ever going to Bankhead (or at least displaying that in the destination display). Why did First cancel the old 3 and 4? Am I right in thinking that the new 1/2 now cover the old 1/2/3/4 routes? |
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| Also, is this Leyland Olympian, 107 (A107 FSA), still in service with First Devon & Cornwall? I remember seeing photos of when the Leyland Atlantean that was in the green 100 years anniversary livery first arrived in the First Devon & Cornwall fleet. It ran with all the livery of Aberdeen, including the web address www.firstaberdeen.co.uk (which has now been replaced by http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland/nescot/home/index.php), for a number of weeks! At least everyone in Devon now knows where Aberdeen is! :) |
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| This bus is indeed still with Devon & Cornwall and has now been fitted with an LED destination unit. |
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| The 4 never went to Bankhead. The destination blind had just had the Bankhead name added to the blind for service changes that day hence it was left lying with this false display. The 3, 4 were withdrawn to allow Overground frequencies to be applied to the service (until 2001 the service split into four at North Donside Rd creating 30 minute frequencies which would have been inadequate to cope when the 7/7A were withdrawn. The 1 to Dubford on a 30 minute freuquency was replaced by the 15 on a 30 minute frequency which changed terminal from Balgownie Drive (and is now of course the 13). Dubford was to have been served by the 25 Dubford via P&R replacing the 40 but a campaign against this caused the 11th hour change creating the 15 much to the, the 2 remained unchanged except from the frequency being enhanced from 30 to 10 (but now 12) to replace the 7/7A and 3 at Ashwood. The 3 to Ashwood was replaced by the infrequent 28 service (now withdrawn) and the 4 to Danestone was renumbered the 1 and increased in frequency. |
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| When did the 1 change from Balgownie to Denmore?
Was there any other destination before Balgownie became Denmore. Where in BoD was the terminus at Balgownie? Also saw a pic of a Daimler Fleetline LWB with 3 Braehead on the screen - I do remember seeing Braehead on the screen, but again where in BoD was the Braehead terminus back then? |
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| Do you no if there are any pictures of this bus as it is now online? |
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| 31536 as taken last year with Devon & Cornwall:
http://simon99.fotopic.net/p45378075.html
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| When did Balgownie get changed to Denmore? Also when was Braehead introduced? I saw a Fleetline with Braehead on the screen & an Atlantean with Denmore but not sure if they were taken in the 70s or early 80s. |
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| Alternate route 1 buses to Balgownie ran as Brahead 3 from 1975. Scotstown (2) and Denmore (1) appeared from 1979. The 1 replaced the Union Terrace - Denmore service 7 that operated from 1976. |
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| Just as a matter of interest, growing up I always remember the regular routes numbers running up to 25 (although not all numbers 1-25 were used). Late 80s we had into the thirties, when the competition to Banchory etc was running. OF course, one or two routes down the years have gone over 25, eg. 28 & of course we still have Airport 27. Which era had the most number of city bus routes running (late 50s seems to have been especially numerous) - the current era seems to be seeing the least number of buses/routes running around town, or am I imaging it? At "peak" how many buses would have been running at the time when bus routes were most numerous, & how does that compare to how many run about at peak today? |
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| The 80's had the most routes running although the 50's had the highest PVR (2 min frequencies on King Street at the peaks at one point). Since Overground came the number of routes has indeed diminished. |
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| When Denmore arrived, did that signal the end of Balgownie, or were there still buses that occasionally ran there after 79? |
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| After 1979 changes Balgownie did indeed cease as a destination. |
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| Balgownie did indeed cease as a destination but short workings did still operate under the guise of North donside road. |
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RM1485 (485 CLT) was originally a Greenline vehicle and came to King Street as part of Cliff Richards UK tour. It later joined Mac Tours in Edinburgh.
Routemasters |
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| Did ACT/Grampian ever consider Routemasters, be they new or second hand in the 50s-70s?
Or were they very much considered a London creation, tailored for that market?
I recall being in Glasgow in 1985 where the likes of Stagecoach & Kelvin (red/yellow livery?) were using them. Was another operator there in blue/yellow livery also - have to say they looked smart & fitted in very well (I think Routemasters would have looked nice in GRT livery with the orange band dividing cream above & green below). |
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| ACT never condered buying Routemasters having settled for the CVG6 by the time the Routemaster came on the market.
When they became available for sale on the second hand market at deregulation Grampian again turned down the chance to buy as a half cab and open door didnt fit with Moir Lockheads vision of a high quality modern bus fleet.
The red and yellow examples in Glasgow were operated by Clydeside and the blue and yellow by Kelvin though Kelvin later painted theirs red and cream. |
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| Much to my amazement, there was a Routemaster (one of these RMLs I believe) yesterday heading up Ashgrove Rd/West towards N.Anderson Drive. Anyone know who owns it & what it was doing here? Reg'n was CUV...C. In London Transport livery. Thanks. |
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| I do belive that there is somebody in the Aberdeen area that owns a London Routemaster, but I'm not sure of the reg./spesificatons. Last time I saw it, which was a few years ago, it had only just been bought and was in the livery of route no. 12/London Central (or General, I can't remember!). Would this be the same bus you saw CVG6 Fan? |
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| I think it was showing 2 on the front destination blind (didn't read off the destinations but I don't think it said Mastrick!!) but it did say 159 on the rear display. There were indeed people inside on the lower deck but it certainly wasn't in service or anything. |
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| The bus was being exhibited at the Wedding exhibition at AECC on weekend of 17/18 January. Registration CUV 223C, it was advertied "for hire". It was indeed an RML, but badged as "Airport Routmaster" with BAA on front upstairs panels. Don't know of the originality of this? |
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| Aye aye Ewen. From memory, BAA had a few Routemasters operating at LHR & the like, especially adapted. Not sure if they were for passengers, baggage, both or what - I am sure I recall a shot of one of two in Blue/White livery, also towing something behind them. Whether CUV 223C was one such I'm not sure - certainly a few of them after their days with BAA finished were taken on for normal passenger duties around London, being refurbed for the purpose. |
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| There are three Routemaster owned locally. Two unidentified examples are owned by Red Bus Art, Strathdon and used as mobile art exhibitions. The third is RML2484 (JJD 484D) which is used for private hire fpor weddings etc by an Aberdeen private owner. The ex BEA example is at Volvo, Portlethen today. |
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The most recent addition to the "hanger" is this ex Alexander (Northern) GWG 94. It is seen next to First Aberdeen 31529, better known as ACT 325.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| Classic "fitlike" destination! Logie Coldstone via Tarland. :-) Don't suppose you get that these days!!
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| i see there is a bus like this at balliter bus station just wandered if anyone knew anything about it does it run or is it waiting restoration only seen it from the road so difficult to see what condition it is in but looks not bad |
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| Stored by Bluebird for the North East Scotland Bus preservation Group. It is an Alexander bodied AEC Monocoach restored as Alexander & Sons AC68 (GWG 472). |
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| does it run or does need work done cheers |
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| I believe it is a runner but its not taxed so remains at Ballater. |
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The Red Line 1/2 was relaunched in 2005 which new Volvo B7LA artics many with new style "Something to Shout About" branding as seen here on 10161 (SV05 DXJ).
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| Back in the day, the red colour on the 1 appeared occasionally before 2001! (See: http://donald1852.fotopic.net/p56535639.html)
But sometimes they liked to mix it up with the 11's brown colours and Grampian's cream! (See: http://donald1852.fotopic.net/p56535627.html)
By the way, not trying to take people away from this great site! Just thought some people might be interested to see some more older photos (none of which are mine)! Sorry! |
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| The Bridges route was originally launched as red back with the route branding on Aberdeen Corporation Tramways prior to its return in 2001. |
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| Am I right in thinking that the tram routes - at least for a time - were "coloured-coded", or am I mistaken? |
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| During the 1920's they were. See http://www.scottishtransport.org/aberdeen_trams for more details. |
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| Probably unfeasible to see trams back in Aberdeen these days, given the increase in traffic & some tram routes (eg. George St) are built over now. Who wants the problems that Edinburgh are experiencing?! Trams were finally all withdrawn in 1958, sadly all were burnt at the stake at the Beach! |
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| does antone know why the burnt out the trams and was there any of them preserved? i think there is one at alford are there any others preserved or lying around somewhere? |
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| There's lots of info about the demise of the trams in Aberdeen, but basically they didn't run to all the new housing schemes and more importantly the rails and infrastructure needed replacing. The Council wasn't willing to invest and saw the conversion of the fleet to buses as more economical. As all municipal operators (apart from Glasgow Corporation) had already abandoned their tram systems (or were in the process of doing so) by 1958, there was no market for Aberdeen's trams so they had to be sold for scrap. The quickest way to reduce them to salvageable metal was to burn them, although many saw this as an act of vandalism at the time. None survived apart from the horse drawn car at Alford (which was preserved at that time anyway). |
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| Some Corporations, eg. Glasgow, also had trolleybuses in olden times, running alongside trams. Was the trolleybus ever considered for Aberdeen? |
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| No plans were considered as the council had already decided to focus on buses by this point. |
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| did the trolly bus ever really take off in other citys? they did not seem to last long anywhere else |
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| The motor bus was a far more versatile vehicle and most municipalities were of this view. It would have been unwise to spend money on new running stock and upgrading of old overhead wires etc for what was seen as an old fashioned transport mode. They work very well and are eco friendly compared to diesel buses. |
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| why did they stop the something to smile about branding? it looked different and grabbed attention to the bus and where it operates and how often it operates. should of kept it. |
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| Well, with the present standard of service offered by First Aberdeen, there's not much to smile about!! And most of the frequencies displayed on the buses are now wrong for much of the day anyway, as they've never bothered to change them since all the frequency reductions earlier this year! |
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A line of B10BLEs on a Sunday morning. Most have the common Wright Renown bodywork but some like 62170 (W577 RFS) were a stock built batch with Alexander ALX300 bodywork that werenew to Glasgow.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| these are good buses - they have good attractive branding for the park and ride. |
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| Agreed, among the best of the B10BLE's. Need freshening up however, especially the interiors and seating which have not been retrimmed though now over 9 years old (same with all 100 or so Aberdeen B10BLE's). |
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| Yes, that's over two thirds of the entire Aberdeen fleet now looking and feeling very shabby and uninviting inside, will continue to get worse unless very soon there is a much needed internal refurb of every R, W, X, and Y reg bus, of which there are 106 in total out of the entire city services fleet of 159. |
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| i take it the dont get looked after mechanicaly either is it just the bare minimum that gets done? |
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62175 (W583 RFS0 was one of six B10BLE repainted into this new Park & Ride livery in late 2005 as part of a rebrand to stimulate passenger numbers.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| did it stimulate passenger numbers? |
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| Sadly no, numbers at Kingswells are now at an all time low since introduction in 2001. Most days lucky if there are 100 cars parked in the 950 spaces, often much less. Even Bridge of Don end has fallen a bit of late, though far busier than Kingswells. |
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| is it likley that the council and first will invest in other park and ride sites or will they not bother? i heard few years back thet bucksburn(or might have been dyce) was meant to be getting park and ride |
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| Existing park and ride B10BLE 62170 is in King Street depot yard in a (much needed) fresh new-style Park & Ride livery, but is branded only as "Bridge of Don / Aberdeen City Centre"......does this mean the Kingswells end of the service is due to get the chop, does anyone know? |
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| Yes, I saw the repainted 62170 today as well, parked in full view alongside Mounthooly Road. The lettering on the sides and the rear is very clearly only "Bridge of Don & Aberdeen City Centre" and no mention of Kingswells. I had heard a further service review was being undertaken by First Aberdeen, but surely they are not going to pull out of Kingswells P&R altogether?? Is it a possibilty that the two P&R sites are going to be serviced separately, and not by the same vehicles / through route as up till now, hence the wording on 62170??
INFORMATION PLEASE FOLKS!!! |
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| 62170 has been lying outside the depot right up till last night displaying its new style Park & Ride livery and Bridge of Don / Aberdeen City Centre only lettering. Today however it has been put in service, with "Bridge of Don" painted out and showing "Aberdeen City Centre" only on roof lettering - not operating on Park & Ride though, but on RGU Unilink Service 9!! Watch this space! |
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| seen it on park and ride yesterday looks good are there anymore going to be done like that does anyone know? |
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| The other 5 P&R w-reg B10BLE's will presumably get the new paint job in due course, depending on the outcome of the current service review which includes Park & Ride. Bridge of Don should continue with existing service levels, but options include running the Kingswells end more separarately, on a further reduced level of service. Another favoured option was to stop the Kingswells end altogether and leave it to Stagecoach, hence the original appearing of repainted 62170 with "Bridge of Don" only lettering, but likelihood is that First will carry serving Kingswells P&R site at least for the present, but maybe reduce Service 14 instead. Time will tell. |
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Service revisions in 2004 saw the 17 upgraded to a 10 minute frequency with every fouth bus exended to Dyce beyond Newhills. This revised Overgound branding was applied as a result, seen here on 62138 (X617 NSS).
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| what buses are they going to brand the blue line 17 wiht now? |
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| Not yet agreed but would be single deck. |
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| random faces on these buses |
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| That's about a year now with no branded vehicles on the 17, mind you the 19 also been without any branding for a very long time now too. Do you think they've just lost interest and given up? |
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| to be honest i cant see them branding them now they might aswell just rip off the branding on them all and be done with it |
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| There are intentions but no plans as yet. |
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| The company is now a shambles - even things like the route branding are falling apart. |
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| The branding was removed in spring 2008 from the single deckers used on 17, because the previous operations director Ben Gilligan wanted to put the forthcoming new B9 double deckers on the 17 - indeed at that stage the First Aberdeen website was saying that the new double deckers were ordered specially for the 17 and they would be branded and the service relaunched with these new buses. When the B9's were delivered they were duly put on the 17 for a few months, but never branded, and then Mr Gilligan was "moved upstairs" by Nicola Shaw at Group, and it was decided after he was gone to use the B9's on the 19, with some duties on 25 / 27 plus pretty much any other route as required from day to day (including often one on the 17!). So the 19 branding was removed from single deckers on that route early this year, but to date after all these months nothing has been applied to the B9's. With regards to the 17, that's now a year and a half with no branding, and ironically the self same B10BLE's which had their smart 17 branding removed all that time ago are often found back on the route! So a lot of branding vinyls have been removed and presumably binned, and now two principal "colour" routes are running unmarked and have been for a very long time.....does anyone know the game plan, if there is one at all these days? |
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| do first in other parts often put wrong branded buses on other routes? |
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| Don't know about First's English operations, but there is much less branding in First Glasgow anyway, despite the huge fleet of around 1000 buses, and in First East Scotland, apart from a couple of routes with branding, everything else seems to be in a constant state of flux, with a mixture of more recent buses and old (and not so old) bangers which seem to get passed around from depot to depot until they eventually expire through lack of maintenance and attention. |
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| Wrong branding is becoming endemic - today within just a few minutes on Union Street I saw a 21 on 9, a 1&2 on 9, a 1&2 on 21, and a 3 on 21. Looks like they've just given up trying. |
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| seen 2 purple lines on the 17 yesterday or might have been friday |
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| The past few weeks have seen more wrong brandings than ever. Just about anything can turn up anywhere, even the Red Line artics on 9, 21, 27, and 40! Have also noted a 14 on the 40, and a 23 on the 13, which is particularly confusing given the overlap of these routes, in Kingswells and the Lang Stracht respectively! |
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| i bet there must be a few people who have got on the wrong bus because of all this wrong branding it seems to me that the managment are just getting paid for nothing just the odd pr stunt in the paper. i am no buisness man but if another buisness was losing customers the way first are losing passengers you would be doing everything you can to get them back but first dont seem to be bothered they arent even trying to attract more people onto the buses |
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62219 (W601 RFS) heads the B10BLEs that had been used on Firsts Late Night Service the previous night. The 3am departures of these serices are heavily used.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| late night routes are operted by deckers are they not? |
| [#8856772] |
2009-09-04 16:55:42 |
Left by Barber's Buses (#1238229) |
Reply |
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| The Late Night bus service out to Newhills/Dyce is sometimes a double decker! |
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| The late night service to newhills/dyce was operated mainly with a regular bus over the years when it was available or until they were withdrawn. in order of use were- buses 1, 320, 105, 121, 122, 137, then various riffraff to current date. |
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| Currently first mainly use B10BLEs on the nights services with some B7RLEs. Dyce is always a B9TL decker (exccept in low seasons when a B10BLE is used). Occassionally deckers feature on other routes. Bridge of Don has a duplicate at 315am to avoid using a decker. Bains use BMC Falcons on their N12/6 with a Dart as a back up and Bluebird use ex London R reg olympians and MAN 18.220 singles on theirs. |
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| Do the drivers mind operating these nightowl services? |
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| It is volunteers only and they have no problem getting volunteers. Same regular drivers who are happy to avoid the traffic congestion, the freedom to take whatever bus they want and no officialls snooping in on them! As long as you no how to handle the drunks which they do its a fine run. |
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The oldest buses in service from king Street Depot are Alexander bodied Olympians from the mid 80's. These have been retrimmed in corporate trim and are likely to see a few more years service yet.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| The oldest of these buses (B121 MSO) was 23 years old when taken out of service. Can you see the B10BLE's reaching 23 years - given that many of them are already falling apart at around 9 years!! |
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| i dont know why first dont spend a bit more money on better quality buses than going for the cheap ones all the time they would last longer and they would not have to replace them so often so would save money in the long run |
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| Stevie, this is First Group we're talking about - the cheaper and more basic the better! |
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| aye your right there lol. i was on one of the 08 buses not long ago and it was rattling about already |
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31560 (X103 NSS) one of six Alexander bodied Volvo B7TLs delivered in 2000 for capacity weekday workings on Overground routes. It had worked route 5 on this particular Saturday in May 2006.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| In "olden times" were the buses elsewhere other than King St Depot? The trams had other depots away from King St (think eg. Mannofield). In the days of combined tram/bus ops, did ACT have other depots? I can recall Gairn Terr, off Holburn St, but that was always to my knowledge an Alexander/Northern "sub" depot. I am pretty sure there was some sort of "depot" at Causewayend - again though not sure if ACT/GRT ever had buses there. Obviously more recently we have had Pittodrie & Kittybrewster, but I am thinking further back than that. Thanks. |
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| Also current is Whitecairns for special events deckers and the other heritage deckers. From 1989-91 there was also Peterhead and Fraserburgh for outstation Alexander vehicles including Atlanteans on school work. In answer to your question buses were originally operated from Canal Road (later to become a Stagecoach Bluebird depot!) before operations were gradually moved into King Street Depot which had been the main tram depot. |
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| Where exactly is Whitecairns depot? I've always lived in Aberdeen, but I've never herd of it! |
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| Whitecairns is the rented undercover farm storage area near the village of Whitecairns in Aberdeenshire used to keep the preserved deckers and open toppers. The storage facility at Kittybrewster is too low a door height to accomodate deckers. |
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| Are the Deckers visible in/around Whitecairns? |
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| No. Some of the vehicles are already moving to the new Collection Centre at Alford, (CVG6 31529/325, Albion PMA28 62121/79, Artic 10046/1 and Olympian 31557/131). |
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| Do you know if it is possible to go into the new part of the Grampian Transport Museum? If so when? I'm sure I herd something about it being open on Wednesdays or something! Any further work been done to K1 GRT or B121 MSO or E131 DRS? Is 121 still at Whitecairns? |
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| Wednesdays from 22nd April. 10046 should be repainted, not been out in public yet. 121 should still be at Whitecairns AFAIK. |
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| I got GTM's Spring Newsletter through the post this morning (having been a member last year, but yet to renew). Picture of 131 in the new building looking tiny because of the hight of the it! I read in the latest Buses magazine that (as you mentioned earlier) 131, 001, 325 and 79 are all there now. Are all the preservation fleet being moved there? It would be great to have them in a nice new, bright environment for people to few them rather than them being stuck at the back of the dark shed at King Street or in the middle of nowhere at Whitecairns! Do you know if the Atlantean that is currently in the main building at Alford will be moved to join the other buses? And will you be able to go on-board most of the fleet? (i.e. the younger buses such as 001, 121 and 131) Thanks |
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| these buses really need to be cleaned inside and maybe more new seats replaced - they have been badly vandilised inside |
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| why was service 6 removed? |
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| Part of First's plans to rationise down to a smaller number of core routes, and run less vehicles. Similarly, 24 and 28 have gone, 11 and X18 western ends have been merged into 16/A, 17 has neen cut back to Newhills from Dyce, 9 has gone for 4 months out of the year, and 20 only continues because now paid for by the University, not to mentioned reduced frequencies now on nearly every route, evening journeys further thinned out, Thursday late night shopping Park & Ride withdrawn, etc......and more to come. |
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| If you were to add up all the cuts and reductions over the past few years, it would represent a big percentage reduction in First Aberdeen mileage and coverage. Worrying thing is, the pace now seems to be increasing, with two big rounds of cuts this year alone so far, and more to come. |
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| i think these look so much better than the new deckers - from the outside. |
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| whats the more plans coming....
they should be encourageing peoople to use the bus, having to wait longer wont please people. |
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| You're so right there, but it's all going into reverse in Aberdeen city! First now have no 10 minute frequency routes, all now 12, 15, 20, or more (and that's the timetable - the reality is often a lot worse!!). Not that many years ago there was 5 mins and better on the main arteries. It's a vicious circle, the worse they make the service, the fewer people will use it, the more cuts they will make, and so on it goes. Thing is, most other cities are increasing and improving their public transport! |
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| it would be interesting to see the state of first in a few years time probobaly a bus every 30mins and about 3.50 single fare with the way they are carring on just now :) |
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| Stevie, looks like you've been reading some of the options in First Aberdeen's latest service review! |
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Representatives of the articulated fleet, the original Mercedes O405G 10046 (K1 GRT), the 2000 batch of B7LAs 10048 (W 3 FAL) and the 2005 batch 10160 (SV05 DXH).
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| Was in Auchinyell Rd today, witnessing a couple of the artics at work on the 1/2 & 9. No both crossing the Auchinyell bridge, would have been different had the old bridge still been in use. Which had me thinking. When was the old Auchinyell bridge replaced by the new one, & was there presumably a time where the "original" LWB Fleetlines (PRG...J) crossed the old bridge. Looks like the original line of Auchinyell Rd (heading from the city) meant you had to swing left onto the old bridge then right again continuing on Auchinyell Rd & Garthdee. Impression I get of the old bridge was the the buses would have struggled to cross? Or was that not the case? Also the width of the bridge suggested single file only? |
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| "No both" should have read "no bother" |
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| The old Auchinyell Bridge was replaced in 1961 (or thereabouts) by the old Aberdeen Corporation. Probably due to the very problem identifed i.e. increased traffic, especially buses running to the new housing scheme. Ironically, the bridge had to be built to cross the Deeside railway line, which then closed in 1966!
There was a plaque on the south side of the bridge stating when built etc up until about 10 years ago. The bridge was then refurbished and the plaque is now at trackbed level (or it was the last time I looked). So.... no jumbo Fleetlines would have crossed the old bridge. |
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| these buses seem to lean to one end too. |
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| how much people can the bendy buses carry? |
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| The artics only have 12 more seats than a standard single decker, and up to 20 less than a double decker. They are licenced to carry loads of standing passengers, but the drivers never allow that many on. |
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| i just dont see the point in bendys at all all for a handfull of extra seats if it was up to me i would just scrap the lot and replace them with deckers |
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10052 (W7 FAL) one of six Wright Eclipse Fusion bodied B7LAs delivered in 2000 to displace double deckers off the Gold Service 1-4 routes.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| they are not as good as the deckers though! |
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| You can say that again!! W2-7 FAL are probably the worst buses anywhere in First, and that's saying something!! |
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| better than the decker service? |
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| i think they are good looking buses....and are better than boring single decker buses - well they have so much more room on them, shame they have problems though.. |
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| They are awful buses that clog up the streets of Aberdeen, streets that in the main, cannot take them. You wouldn't take an Arctic (lorry) around Kincorth for instance, so why take an Artic round there, as they have done in the past? |
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| Yea, maybe look better than standard single deckers, but they only have 12 more seats than a B10BLE or B7 single decker, and 20 or so LESS than a a double decker (which takes up just over half the road space, and weighs 6-7 tonnes less, therefore using much less fuel and C02 than an artic and is also so much more manoeuverable). |
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| they do take up alot of space supose |
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| Hard to see what is the point of them - just a few extra seats, yet nearly twice the length, much heavier, take up road space and block lanes and junctions, more expensive to purchase, operate, and maintain, and very troublesome into the bargain. On top of all that, they are hardly the most pleasant or comfortable buses to travel in, and indeed on our bumpy and undulating roads, can be downright unpleasant - not the first time I've nearly been knocked out of my seat by what can feel like a bucking broncho! |
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| Probably part of the reason the roads are in the state they are, with these heavy artics rumbling over them! I guess however they will not learn the lesson of London & we should expect to seem them for years yet!! |
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| seen bendi buses in cults...is this for a school contract? |
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The 2005 batch of B7LAs were notable in introducing driver protection screens and CCTV as standard. Previously only a handful of B10BLEs had CCTV retro fited and cab screens had been trialled for short while on Atlanteans used on Late Night Services. However changing time now mean these will become an increasing feature of new deliveries.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| supose they are there to help the drivers from the idiots you get... |
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| is there still lots of the bendys in the workshop...or is there problems becoming more fixed. |
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| Every time they are fixed and back on the road, others are coming in with problems for attention. |
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| first seems to be improving again |
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| Not yesterday - reduced vehicles on a number of services, huge running gaps on 3, 19, 20, and 23, and at least 5 "wrong branding" buses running. |
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| I'd say operating standards and state of vehicles is getting worse rather than better. |
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62224 was and should have been W606 RFS like its sister 62223 (W605 RFS), however a clerical error meant it had been registered as X606 RFS and the registration had to be changed to reflect this months later.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| are these good running buses? |
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| the w reg singlke deck buses i mean |
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| The 30 Alexander bodied B10BLE's (29 w-reg and this single x-reg) have the very same Volvo chassis and running year as their 60+ Wright counterparts, so very little difference mechanically. However, apart from a tendency for rust bubbling through around the wheel arches and along hinges on some, their Alexander bodies are superior to the Wright Renown design, also better looking (the Renown design was an old one which was being phased out by year 2000, so all Aberdeen's ones are end of line, as by the time most were delivered the newer rounded windcreen design had been in production for sometime (as in the W-FAL's). The Alexanders also have a superior interior ambience and feel much better put together inside. |
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| I should say that not only were the Wright Renown bodies very much "end of line" by the time most of Aberdeen's were delivered in 2000 and into 2001 (some direct to Aberdeen, and some via Glasgow and Manchester when only a few months old), but so were all 100 or so of the Volvo B10BLE chassis. This B10 configuration was a low floor version of an ancient chassis / engine design, which was to all intents and purposes replaced by the then brand new B7 in 1999. So where First dug up all these B10BLE's - not only the 100 or so which came to Aberdeen - as late as 2000/01 is something of a mystery! Presumably they got them cheap to get them off Volvo's hands, and one story going around at the time was that Volvo had a huge load of these old-model chassis in storage somewhere as they couldn't get rid of them because they were so out of date even then (and that was best part of 10 years ago!!). |
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Leaning Leylands! Although they have developed a sag as the years have gone on First have retrimmed and refloored these Olympians.
Depot Views |
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| Overnight air escapes from the suspension causing the buses to lean to one side. The lean has become more visible as the vehicles have got older. |
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| When the Olympians were on the 6 coming out of the Foresterhill Bus Bay, I was always worried that they would lean so far across that they would fall over onto their side! |
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Two one door coach seated Olympians were delivered to Grampian in 1988, 31548 (E122 DRS) was originally a feature of rural services then later the Airport service. It was transferred to Mairs Coaches in 2001 then returned to First Aberdeen the following year. Now used on high capcity journies on school or student routes.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| i want this to be put back in service |
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| Hear hear, 122 & 123 are really good comfy coaches. Perfect for longer city runs. A bit of a doing up inside and they'd be perfect.
I think last time I was on 123 (quite a few months ago) the gearbox was slipping a bit though? |
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| It'll need a bit more doing up now. SCRAP!!! |
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| which ones are still in storage?
do they still run?cheers |
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| what areas did it originally serve? |
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| 122/123 were mostly used on service 29 to ellon and private hires. they did crop up on normal bus routes toward the end of their lives though. |
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Olympian 31557 (E131 DRS) was delivered new with an experimental dot matrix display. This early tecnology proved trouble some and it was replaced by this power blind as seen here. No other Aberdeens buses have received this feature, LED displays the current flavour.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| its funny how different these buses look in these coulours compared to the old colours |
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| Iooks Iike they're Ieaning against each other for support!! |
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| looks like me standing at the bar after a few lol. |
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| they do fairly tilt to one side |
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| why did they not all ge the eletronic screens? |
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| 31553 was only fitted with one because it had been cannibalised while withdrawn and the roller fittings removed. To enable its return to service it was better to purchase a new flip dot. |
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Eight long wheelbase Olympians to a similar specification as Lothian were delivered in 1988. There Lothian style destination equipment was replaced by a larger destination blinds removing the via blinds.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| the route 9 branding looks good on these buses - they should do it to more buses to advertise the route again. |
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| i think these buses should be put back in service : ) |
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| and the atlanteans aswell : ) |
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| is the advertisng for the 9 going to be what the 19 will be like? |
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| There will be no 9 route branding. |
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| They're just not interested any more. |
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| do these buses not run better than the bendi buses in service? |
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| why will there be no route 9 branding? |
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| Seems First have simply lost interest. Even the 17 and 19 have had no branded vehicles for at least a year now. |
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| The route 9 buses used to only work route 9 hence the feasibility in branding them. Service changes now mean all route 9 buses now interwork on other routes meaning that if they were branded you would have route 9 branding on the 27 and 40 too! |
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| Doesn't stop branded buses appearing on other branded routes!! Perhaps the branding should come to an end - a natural end ? |
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| Wrong branding seems to be getting worse - today within just a few minutes on Union Street I saw a 21 on 9, a 1&2 on 9, a 1&2 on 21, and a 3 on 21. Looks like they have simply given up trying. |
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| there was a green line on the park and ride the other day |
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The allover "wrapped" advert covers as much of the bus as legally possibly. The design sees the bus wrapped up in advertsining vinyl which can then be peeled off. 62195 (X689 ADK) carried this display for Venture production, one of many offshore oil related adverts to grace Aberdeen buses.
Advertising Liveries |
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| Is this bus still in this livery? (I am interested because my Dad works for Venture Production plc) How long has it been wearing/did it wear this all-over advert? |
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| It has carried this advert since August 2005 but the contract will most likely be up for renewal/ending this month. |
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| Assume the contract between Venture & First was renewed? Saw the bus in this livery today. |
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| It is not unusual for buses to carry advertising liveries after their contracts expire. The latest wrapped ads (excluding front) are for Scottish Hydro Electric, 62122/80 now done. |
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| Apparently there are now 2 Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown's in an all over advert for Scottish Hydro Electric now. Any photos of them? I briefly saw one of them on the 17 today at Duthie Park. Didn't see the front, but the side and back displays appeared to be covered over in green! At first, I had thought it had lost it's rear display, but I could just about make out "17 Dyce" on the side display. Was this a mistake? I Imagen that there is some law (e.g. the DDA Legislation) that would not allow this. |
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| saw a new venture advert on a bus today was a bit to far away to see it properly but it was blue and some writing on it dont know if it was the same bus or not though
also there is a alx400 with the all over wrap for hydro going about |
| [#8786276] |
2008-11-19 18:35:21 |
Left by Barber's Buses (#1238229) |
Reply |
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| Yes that is correct, and it is the same bus as the one that had the old one! However, there are already two window section parts missing on the right side after only 2 weeks!! |
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| The three Scottish Hydro Electric Buses (part of a national campaign with every scottish seeing buses decked out) are B7TL 31558 (X132 NSS) ex Cansco ad), B10BLE 62122 (X601 NSS) the one time Brown Line branded bus and 62180 (Y638 RSA) one time Yellow Line 23. They retain their fronts in First colours. The B10BLEs so indeed have their displays wrapped over, my understanding is the DDA law involves buses from 2001 so 62180 should indeed have its displays readable. 62195 has now received an updated Venture wrap in blue but this time the front end retains First colours. However it is just what was under the previous wrap that shows on the front so the First name is worn and the bumper is green after it took a knock and the new panel was painted green rather than reapplied under its old wrap! |
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| i see there is some campian to get rid of the all over advertising on buses by some group or another because the disabled cant see out of them |
| [#8807129] |
2009-02-13 18:04:16 |
Left by Barber's Buses (#1238229) |
Reply |
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| Volvo B9TL 37534 SV08 FXR now has Homecoming Scotland 2009 all over. But a good thing is that it does not cover much of the windows. However, at the rear downstairs is pretty dark in particular with no internal lights on! |
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| Now, apart from the Homecoming 2009 bus, only the three Hydro Electric overall ads are left (2 B10BLE's and decker 31558). Interesting that the UCAN and University of Aberdeen deckers have lost their overall ads and reverted to standard livery after such a short time. Has anyone seen 62195 recently - was the Venture overall ad, but hasn't been seen around for a while, and of course Venture is now no more since being taken over a few months ago. |
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| 62195 was in service yesterday, amazingly still in its Venture all-over ad, although that actual company ceased to exist several months ago! |
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An engine failure looked to have doomed 31553 to scrap. Cannibalisation had already begun when it was decided to rebuild the bus for futher service. After passing through Glasgows Larkfield workshops it was rebuilt gaining a new front grill (of Volvo Citybus variety) plus a dot matrix display. It is now RGU branded for route 9 but worked service 5 the day previous. It is not common for route branded buses in Aberdeen to work other routes.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| seems to be a lot more common now though? |
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| are they going to have more route 9 branded buses? |
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| No, the route 9 allocation buses also work on routes 27 and 40 as part of their duty. |
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| this bus is away from aberdeen now : ( |
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| again should come back to aberdeen : ) |
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| how do youy mean they work on 27 and 40? as in they when they finish service on the 9 it goes in service on the 27... |
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| The route 9 buses perform early morning peak extras on the 27 and 40 that then move over to the 9 when it starts around 8am. |
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| With the 9 now not running between May and September, more spare buses than ever kicking around, yet routes often run below their daily allocation of vehicles. |
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| Now we see why First never bothered branding any vehicles for the 9 RGU Unilink when the three very attractive branded Olympians were taken off it in 2007 - they'd rather just see the service wither away! Now it only runs 8 months of the year, does not run in evenings even in term time, and has had other frequency reductions for the months it does run. Presumably in the long term plan this service and a number of others just will not feature at all, once Ms Shaw and Mr Dorr are finished with the knife. |
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| is there any indication what will be cut next? |
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| what are first like running the trains? they seem to spend mone money on them |
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| Next cuts likely to be further frequency reductions, also lightly used route sections, such as Kingswells end of P&R. The trains are a different kettle of fish, as all First are doing are running services using leased trains, with a heavy government subsidy. Interestingly though, since First began running Scotrail in 2004, apart from Strathclyde electrics funded through SPT, they have not ordered a single new train from the leasing companies, and there will therefore still be no new diesel units by the time the current First franchise ends in 2014. This means that the newest diesels, the 170's, will be up to 15 years old by the end of the franchise, with the other diesel units by then up to 27 years old, and sleeper coaches ranging between 34 and 45 years old!! |
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| so basically they are running the trains like the buses spend as little as possible and charge as much as they can get away with |
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New to Crosville as DFG238 (JFM 238D) this Lodekka came to the North East to operate with Tomintoul operator Glenlivet & District until that operator ceased. It came to King Street Depot to operate a heritage service to the Grampian Transport Museum but this never materialised and has been an active rally vehicle in recent years.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| Who owns the Lodekka, where is it based now & is it still a rally participant? Was the type seen in passenger service in the NE, or was it really elsewhere in Scotland & England that it was used in passenger service? Was the Lodekka a "low bridge" specialist? |
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| The Lodekka is owned by Grampian Transport Museum, Alford ans should now be stored at its new Collection Centre. It has currently declared SORN so will not be actively attending rallies this season. The Lodekka was never purchased new by local operators but Northern did get a few ex NBC examples transferred north from elsewhere in the SBG empire in their final years.
http://sbg.fotopic.net/p31903374.html |
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A view of the shed that onced house the Corporations tram fleet at King Street. Volvo B7TL 31559 (X771 NSO) is seen on the right and spent the first five years of its life as the ARCHIE bus (immortalised as a model) to promote fund raising for Aberdeens new childrens hospital.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| i loved this bus.....the advertising on it was great |
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| Not sure if you can still get it, but the Archie bus was immortalised in a scale model - not full scale I hasten to add!! Was only limited edition as I recall, so don't know if you can get it, unless somebody sells one. |
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| 5 years for an advert is a very long time but it looked good till later on when it was pealing off... |
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Numerically Aberdeens last Atlantean, 345 (XSS 345Y) passed to the Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group following the end of Atlantean operation in normal service in 2001. It is currently being repainted into Grampian Transport livery at King Street Depot.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| how is preservation getting on with 345? i remember the atlanteans were good buses i had never been one one that broke down either what were they like to drive did they have much problems with them reliability wise? |
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| Like many of the preservation projects, the transfer of the heritage fleet away from the facilities at King Street has slowed down some projects. It is being repainted when time allows back in to Grampian Transport colours.
The Atlanteans were a very reliable and sturdy workhorse (better than the Olympians) with great reliability. They suffered slightly in their latter years due to age and neglect but were solid machines in their hey day hence why most went on to former Scottish Bus Group fleets to replace newer deckers. |
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| Could it have been possible to retrim & completely overhaul the Atlanteans, or was it simply age catching up with them in the end. Interesting that the Olympians were not so highly regarded. I guess everything, including winning bus types, comes to an end. One wonders why if the Atlantean was a highly regarded design, why production of them was stopped by Leyland (or its successor). Mind you the new deckers today look less like buses, more luxury coaches!! |
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| The Atlantean interiors were actually in better condition than the Olympians. In the end the Atlantean got the heave as the Alexander AL bodywork started to look more dated than the RH and the vehicles were starting to show their age. |
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| I have a Q re the GRS...E batch of early Atlanteans.
What was the thinking/history behind 120 & 121.
Unilke the majority of the batch (one-door, "normal" windows) 120 was dual door with normal windows, whilst 121 was one door but "Edinburgh-style" panoramic windows.
Why were these two ordered with different "spec" from the others - were they deliberately ordered this way? |
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| They were built to the same spec as the ERG-D Fleetlines except for 121 which featured the panaramic windows as a trial as Aberdeen were inrigues by this fad. It was unsuccesful and no more were ordered. 120 was rebuilt with dual doors in 1972 as an experiment to speed up boarding with a view to converting the others. The cost was prohibitive and no more were done. |
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| Ah so 120 was a one-door bus to start with, I had thought it had always been dual door. Thanks for that!
I recall a GRS.E on the 21 in the early 80s struggling up Cairncry Rd, albeit I think it had been snowing & there was a covering on the road, heading for Springhill. Were the early Atlanteans underpowered?
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| The initial Atlanteans did indeed have there flaws hence Leyland replaced it with the far superior and reliable AN68 version in the early 70's. |
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| So what was the history of the early E-reg Atlanteans. As I recalled, I remember seeing them on the 18 & elsewhere as a lad & on Cairncry (on the 14 as was) when at secondary school in the early 80s. So how long did they last in operational service before disposal. I don't recall them after c1984/5, apart from 114 which became the tour bus - was it the one that went up & down the Esplanade? |
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| 114 (later 24) was indeed used on service 12 (the summer beach shuttle) and later the the Granite City Circular Tour. It was replaced in 1992 by 231 (YSO 231T) and went on to be a shuttle at holiday camps until May 2007. 120 lasted as 20 until 1987 as a driver trainer (converted back to one door this time just the centre exit). The rest of the batch were all withdrawn in stages up to 1982. |
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| Why were the panoramic windows not deemed a success by ACT/Grampian, whereas Lothian seemed to embrace them? |
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| They weakened the structure of the Alexander bodies, Aberdeen seemed quicker to spot this than Glasgow who purchased them on in large quantities then had to withdraw them prematurely, cut them down as single deckers or strengthen them. |
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The main stay of the Aberdeen fleet from the mid 1970's to the late 90's was the Alexander AL peak domed Atlanean. 209 (ORS 209R) left Aberdeen for service with Midland Bluebird before returning to Aberdeen for independent preservation.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| Something that has always had me wondering.
Why did ACT, carried on by Grampian, switch to the peak-domed Alexander-bodied bus, when Alexander still made the curved bodies for the CVG6/Regent V/Fleetlines (that I recall as a young whippersnapper) into the late 70s?
Was there any particular reason or was it just down to cost? |
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| The Alexander A (and the long J) type bodies were replaced by Alexander by the new AD and AL (full height) bodies from the early 70's. The AL offered both curved and peak domed versions through to the end of its production in the early 80's and Aberdeen (like Dundee) opted for the peak based purely on visual preference over the curved dome (Edinburgh and Glasgow) from the first orders it placed. |
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| One thing I remember about the ORS.R - DRS.T batches of Atlanteans was the vents on the bus (I assume they were vents!) at the side of the bus at the back (ie. under the rear-most upper deck window). The R-batch had two vents (one above the other) on the left side of the bus, but the S-T reg batches had these double-vents on both sides. They disappeared altogether from the V-Reg onwards. What was the reason for these vents appearing only on certain batches of Atlanteans? |
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| These vents were for the heating system which was located under the rear seat on the upper deck on these batches you mention. Subsequent batches did not have this system positioned there and therefore vents not required. |
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| Found a website for Grampian Atlantean 270 recently (See: http://www.freewebs.com/grampian270/ )
Who owns this bus? I take it that it is not the Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group? I hope I'll be able to go to it's running day in the Summer though! Did anyone go on it last year? Surely it was good fun?! |
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| Bought from Aberdeen Journals by the owner of an oil related business in Dyce where the bus is kept. |
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| i have often seen it parked in a car park beside smart refinishers at kirkhill |
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| i see this bus will be running on the 12 july doing some old routes if anyone interested. might have a wander along myself |
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| Stevie, it is not this Atlantean, but 270 that is owned out with the ADTPG. The site address is: http://www.freewebs.com/grampian270/ to save everyone hunting! Sadly in the Summer I'm away every Sunday of the six week break, so I'll not manage to get a go on 270 then, but it looks like I should be able to get a go on it as a lift out to the Castle Fraser rally :) |
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| sorry i meant to say 270 doh!! cheers duncan:) |
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This AEC Reliance was new to Aberdeen Corporation as 40. Having left the main fleet for Grampian Fire Brigade it passed to Victoria Coaches, Peterhead. After returning to King Street it spent a while as a mobile sales unit for the Model Club before becoming fully preserved.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| I must admit I don't recall much of this bus, not as much as the NRG-H regs that preceded it. I take it it was in regular service, how long did it last in the fleet?
Must have been the only J-reg single decker in the fleet? |
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| Three AEC Reliance coaches were bought 13/4 in 1968 and 40 in 1970 as replacements for the CVD6 single deckers. They were for the tour fleet so spent more limited time in service but also had a spell on the Cairncry trial service. 13 was destroyed in a fire at King Street Depot in 1982 after it was left to sit all day with its engine running and overheated. 14 and 40 were sold locally in 1983 and did a spell with local operators until acquired for preservation. There were no other G or J registration single deckers. |
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| How long did the CVD6s last? They seemed to be around for a while until the 1960s?
Were they ever rebodied? |
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| The CVD6 single deckers lasted until 1972 when 11 (41) was withdrawn. Its longevity allowed it to live to an era when preservation was more feasible hence it and sister 14 (44) survive today.
All bar 15 were rebodied by Alexander (9/11) or had new Corporation bodies built on their Walker frames (10/2-4).
The CVD6 deckers lasted to 1964. |
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| The CVD6 Deckers were just before my time...honest! I have obviously seen some pics of them. They were of 40s vintage? Their bodies seemed more "flimsy" is that how I can put it? Maybe just the old pics make them seem that way. I suppose it was a different age, but again, I guess they were highly regarded enough to last almost 20yrs in ACT operation before the CVG6 & RegentV eventually took over. |
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| I have seen pics recently (& not long uploaded) of 14 & 40 on service on the likes of routes 6 & 24, so they did see occasional service. |
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| The CVD6s were new in 1947/8 and their refurb/ rebuild of the weaker Walker bodies allowed them to see such long service with Aberdeen and beyond. 11 (CRG 811) is seen in the link below recently at the GVVT. http://glasgowbuses.fotopic.net/p31005764.html 13/4/40 did enjoy service (often outwith tour season) on routes where shortages demanded their use. |
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While the Red Line "Bridges" service is now in the hands of artics its not the first big buses to operate this service. Back in the 1970's the route was in the hands of these "Jumbos", long wheelbase Daimler Fleetlines. Having spent its last few years in service in Norfolk, 124 (PRG 124J) had its centre exit removed during a spell with Moffat & Williamson of Gauldry, Fife.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| Aah, the sound of Gardner engines on Union St!!!
Brings back memories.
Hope the centre exit will be reinstated in the restoration. Won't be the same otherwise.
What livery is it being painted into - ACT or Grampian?
Were they exclusively used on route 1/2 or did they occasionally appear elsewhere on the network...pretty sure I saw one on route 9 (Craigshaw-Byron Sq in my day!!)
How reliable were they?
And similar question - when did the last one/s leave the fleet. I think I remember them circa 1980, but after that seemed to be predominantly Atlanteans. They didn't seem to last all that long compared to the longevity of other types operated over the years.
Thanks again! :-) |
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| There is a centre exit removed from another example sitting inside the bus for when restoration eventually commences. it is proposed to receive ACT livery. They were used on a wide range of services initially but their length made them difficult to operate on tight junctions hence they were evntually all concentrated on the 1/2 (similar to todays artics!). They were otherwise good buses and had been extensively overhauled not long before their withdrawal which helped them live on so long with independent operators in England as school buses to the mid 1990's. They left the Grampian fleet in 1982 after just 11 years service due to extensive investment in new buses under the bus grant scheme. Had the grant not existed they would have probably survived into the post dereg era. |
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| I noticed that this bus was driven to a previous rally under its own steam. Does it still have the Gardner engine (whether its own original one, or same type of engine from another example).
Loved the whine of the Gardner when the bus speeded up & when it was slowing down. |
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| Still fitted with a Gardiner engine. |
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| How is restoration coming along on this one. Daimler Fleetline LWB was my favourite - not ashamed to admit bias!! |
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| No work has been done on the Fleetline. It is deemed a long term project. |
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| Seeing Olympians from trains reminds me when I was on the Edinburgh train, must have been late 80s? I think it was Fife, there was a yard next to the rail line & there, no mistaking, was at least one ex-Grampian LWB Daimler Fleetline - there may have been more. Not sure which yard that would have been. MAy have been a Dealer, may have been a Farmers yard - but I think there were a few buses there so maybe a private operator or Dealer. I know a few buses ended up with farmers as berrypickers & the like. I saw a pic of VRS 147 or 149L in rural Aibereinshire looking very sorry for itself being used as some sort of odds 'n' sods "store". Badly rusted. No wonder some restoration projects are long-term!! |
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| The Fife yard you are thinking of was that of Moffat & Williamson who bought most of the PRG-J Fleetlines although after one door conversions most were sold on and proved great high capacity school buses in great condition after Grampian refurbished them for COF not long before withdrawal. Two (125/9) remained in Fife for many years. a large number of Aberdeen buses ended up as berry pickers. Atlantean 119 and Fleetline 123 could be seen up to the mid 90's on the A90 south of Dundee. All are now gone though. Fleetline 149 (VRS 149L) is used by Bains Coaches, Oldmeldrum as a shed. In poor condition now but so full of junk in no burry to leave. It had previously been with the local council as a road safety exhibition unit and before that a play bus at Woodhill House.
http://donald1852.fotopic.net/p29027969.html
http://www.independents.fpic.co.uk/p56263495.html |
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| Thanks for that. Was it an unusual trait for many Aberdeen buses to become berry-pickers after ending their days in service? Or did some buses in other fleets also become property of farmers? Was it just because farming was/is such a mainstay in this area that many buses ended their days on a farm? And is it something that still happens today? Get the impression that is not the case today. |
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| berry picking buses was unique to Tayside and to a lesser extent Aberdeenshire, 289 (RRG 289) going to Dyce as a berry picker and thus enabling it to live long enough to be aquired for preservation. Most farmers bought buses from local operators they could trust to buy reliable machines. Greyhound of Arbroath and McLennan of Spittalfield supplied a lot of buses to farmers and were also big purchasers of ex Aberdeen buses hence why so many ended up in Perthshire. Berry Pickers were still going strong to the mid 90's until legislation changes and the commercialisation of most farms in the area eliminated them. There are still a few going in Perthshire though, one bought a Tiger and a Metrobus from Strathtay a few years back. |
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| What was the heaviest bus to have seen service around Aberdeen? Is it the LWB Fleetline, or are today's bendies heavier? Was materials used back then heavier than modern methods used today? ps. Any work been done on it or is it still in the same condition as seen in the photo? |
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| Probably the Fleetline as materials were indeed heavier then. Still as per photo no immediate plans to change that either I believe. |
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Ferrymill Motors now undertake Aberdeens major engineering work and often loan one of their hire fleet whle undertaking maintenance. Fm7 (M677 SSX) spent a period on loan during 2006 and marked the return of the unloved Volvo B6. New to Stagecoach Western Scottish Fm7 was a regular on service 5 before moving to the summer only Park Lynx 8 service.
On hire to... |
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| Is the Park Lynx Service operating this year? I haven't seen it but there is still all the bus stop signs advertising the route and the new bus stops feature the number 8 on them! It never seemed a popular service, but it probabley needed to be more advertised! |
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| No. Aberdeen City Council given their funding predicament have decided not to fund the service anymore. |
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| Not surprised! The only people I ever saw on these buses were the drivers!! |
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| I was on not that bus, but one or two of the similar types that appeared on the 6 a few years back.Can't recall, were they L or M plated? How many of them were in service - I recall reading somewhere they were not a drivers favourite? |
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| Six were purchased from Essex, 201-6 (taking the fleetnumbers of the previous Alexander Dash vehicles, Darts N201-6VSA). These 201-6 were L671/3/5/6/7/8 RMD, new to Capital Citybus moving to Essex in 2001 after First purchased Capital. The B6 were uncomfortable buses to drive and be a passenger on with strong vibrations. Essex tried to get shot of them quickly passing them to Devon & Cornwall who rejected them point blank. After a period in storage Aberdeen niavely took them on in 2002. 205 came on as a school bus with blanked out destination display (later replaced with a Hanover dot matrix unit for service work), 201 didnt enter service for a year becoming 40964 out of sync with sisters 202-6 which were numbered 40882-6 from the start of the Voyager numbering. They retained there Essex Barbie 2 colours (although scrappy 205 did receive an Aberdeen repaint). Apart from 205 they received specially ordered roller blinds, the last such rollers ordered by Aberdeen. These were unusually in block capitals. These one track numerals also reached the dizzy heights of the 40's. A few briefly carried there Capital Citybus logos either side of the destination display. They tended to work the 28, summer 20's, the 6. Aberdeen refurbished them retrimming seats and painting handrails before they entered service. They were bought to eliminate further 709Ds and standardise the fleet more on the Volvo chassis. 40882 caught fire at Littlejohn Street on the 20 but was repairedin Feb05. After a list of complaints from drivers and passengers, Aberdeen took the first opportunity to dispose fo them and when the B7LAs arrived for the Red Line they were withdrawn with cascaded ex Red Line B10BLEs replacing them. All went to Glasgow and the last examples have only just been scrapped. |
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| I always preferd Grampain's Dash's to the ones that Bluebird have and the body that Fm7 has! This is what I mean: http://donald1852.fotopic.net/p56478309.html Re the route that N202 VSA (the bus in the photo in the link) is on, the X45. What exactly was it for and how did it get to Charlestown? The same sort of route as the 21 (bar the Kincorth bit)? I only ever saw it once, in its later days. It was an 'R' reg Dart parked in the bay on the pedestrianised part of George Street, outside 'John Lewis'. It only had the blinds on 'X45' and had no destination! Similarly, I have never herd of the 'X44 Sheddocksley City Express' (see: http://donald1852.fotopic.net/p56478296.html) What did it do? I though Sheddocksley only got the 10 and the 23! |
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| X44 ran City Centre to Sheddocksley at peak periods to tempt commuters who deemed the old 23 too slow. The X45 was launched in 1995 as an hourly service (30 min at peaks) from Broad Street to Charleston to serve the new housing estate. It ran via South College Street and Wellington Road. Off peak service withdrawn 2001 and withdrawn completely in 2002 and replaced by the 28 service until the 16 was extended to Charleston in 2004 and replaced in 2008 by the 21. |
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Like 56 (SRS 56K) this AEC Swift has an Alexander W body but retaining the original Alexander W front. It was one of many Aberdeen vehicles sold to the local council for non PSV uses and now preserved in the later Grampian colours.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| So were the F, H & K plates all AEC Swifts, just with different Alexander-bodied fronts to them? Why were the fronts different, as there was only a few years between them? Could they have been purchased all with the same fronts to them, or was it an ACT requirement? Or did you just accept them the way Alexander bodied them? |
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| The first batch (JRS-F) came with the standard W type body. The NRG-H batch came with a the Y type front of that time as ordered by Aberdeen, the SRS-K batch came with the revised Y type front that Alexander had replaced the previous version. |
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First Aberdeen retain four heritage buses in their ownership. Two are seen here, 62119/20 better known as Aberdeen AEC Swift 56 (SRS 56K) and Leyland Leopard 61 (HSO 61N). Both have Alexander bodywork though the former has a W type body despite the Y type front.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| I see from the fleetlist these two have been "withdrawn". Does that mean withdrawn permanently from the Heritage fleet & for disposal? |
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| Withdrawn in storage. However each season the preservation group retax a different bus to show at rallies. JRS 22F being the 2008 season vehicle so this pair will probably get a turn in a few years time. |
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| "Sea Beach" as a destination did what it said on the tin, but why was that name chosen over, say, Beach Esplanade? Would be interested in finding out the history of why Sea Beach was so called & in that order - if indeed there is anything interesting to it!! Not sure, I don't think Sea Beach appears on the destinations these days? I think the Fittie bus runs around where the Sea Beach terminus was but runs along the Esplanade to Footdee. |
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| I think it was used as when trams first started running to the beach there was nothing much worthy of note at that end apart from the "sea and the beach" and that the services used to attract a lot of visitors to Aberdeen who were unfamilour with the service network and simply looking for "sea" and "beach". The 13A is the only service serving the area today. In the timetable Sea Beach is mentioned as the timing point enroute to Footdee which is the destination. |
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| 600 posts! :)
Random Q's:
On the Kincorth Circular route, was there an actual "terminus" or did it simply route City Ctre/Kincorth/City Ctre in a non-stop loop?
Hazlehead: When was the last "scheduled" route to there (as the 4) - must be quite a while ago now? And when I used it regularly it was a single decker 99% of the time, so when did it change from double decker to single decker? Was it when the first Tiger Cubs arrived, or after that?
Summerhill: I seem to recall this route used to terminate at Woodend Hospital (this would obviously have been the "northern" end of the hospital. I recall boarding an E-Reg Atlantean on the 18 at Smithfield terminus, to get off at the other end as my Grandad was a porter at Woodend. This would have been early 70s. Am I imagining this, or was the terminus indeed at the hospital - I suppose it must have been prior to the houses going up at west Sheddocksley.
Broomhill: Where did the bus terminate? I have seen (very!) old pics of open platform buses with Broomhill on them.
Heathryfold: When I was a lad, this was the 17, which I used to see on Back Hilton Road (1970s). Where was the terminal in those days, was it indeed the end of Provost Rust Dr, or was it terminating short of that back then?
Thanks. |
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| Arbroath road was the teminus was the 15/16 kincorth circular route. You could board this service and would be permitted travel to the same stop at which you boarded whether or not it was a fare stage. Provided you payed the right fare that is! The last hazlehead as a 4 was in january 1983 before it changed to the 14. It was around this time that single deck use became less common on the route because of withdrawals and delivery of more double deckers around the early 1980s period. As for when it became mostly single deck in the first place i would imagine it to be more of the period when the aec swifts came into service 1968. The 17 would have been terminating at heathryfold road back then. |
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| billywhizz (or anyone) do you know where the Broomhill terminus was, also where in the mid 70s did Summerhill terminate - was it at Woodend Hospital? |
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Daimler CVG6 325 (CRG 325C) was the last rear entrance bus delivered to a Scottish operator. It became the first vehicle to be preserved by Grampian and been a stalwart of the rally seen every since.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| What should I see on Powis Pl this morning - none other than 325 (22 Mastrick :-) ) I presume heading to the depot - the new, SV08 FHC, preceded the old!
However I took off my earphones to listen - what engine does 325 have, as it didn't sound like the engines I used to associate with a Daimler CVG6?
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| Its been in winter storage at Whitecairns and was brought back to King Street Depot last week for MOT. Kittybrewster is now being used for parking some deckers that need storage during the day as Pittodrie can only be used for overnight parking. It should still have the same Gardner engine it has had since it came out of service. Still doing well but showing signs over over 25 years in preservation, longer than it was in regular service. |
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| Hope it doesn't spell the end for it. It's an iconic bus being the last new open platform bus delivered to a Scottish operator.
17 - Garden City - where in Torry was the terminus for Garden City & why so-called? Just as a tribute to the city for its floral displays (sadly much missing these days) or was there an area in Torry called or nicknamed "Garden City". Don't think there are any streets called that. |
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| 325 or 31529 as it now is has a safe future. There are no streets named Garden City. The area is reputedly called that due to the number of floral garden displays that existed at the time as driven by the local Councillor Garden whose constinuency it was. There are a couple of shops in that area that still use the Garden City name today. |
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| Good old 325!
What is the history of 270 (saw a pic of this in the 70s as a trainer).
If my memory serves, appears this was a single CVG6 in between a gaggle of Regent Vs:
LRG265-269
LRG270
MRS271-275?
Why was 270 not also a Regent V - mind you maybe it's an unanswerable question! |
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| Legend has it that another municipal (reputedly Dundee) trimmed back their Daimler order during production by one and the said vehicle was taken on by Aberdeen becoming 270. It was the regular on the 22 until rear ended by a fire engine which damaged the chassis leading it to become a trainer. |
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| Must have got quite a smack to put it out of use for passenger service. But I thought there had to be a story behind 270! |
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| Not this CVG6, but anyone see the EE photo yesterday of a couple of buses in Union St in the 60s?
Looked like the one heading on the 1 to King St Depot was CVG6 HRG 197. Couldn't quite tell what the one behind was |
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| Nice EE pic of a 50s bus on the 22 splashing through the puddles on Westburn Drive - a much narrower Westburn in the 50s! |
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| Yes, I saw that photo of the 22 bus driving through huge puddles! I couldn't work out where it was though! I never realised that the 22 went to Northfield! Were there any other different ones? I saw an old photo of a 24 going to Airyhall recently! Are there any routes that are still the same today? |
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| I was always amused by the Northfield - Mastrick route, as the estates are more or less next to each other - you could argue only Provost Fraser Dr separates the southernmost past of Northfield from the northernmost part of Mastrick! Don't suppose many pax stayed on the bus for its entire route! You could walk it quicker! Of course, it's more sensible than that as the bus makes its way into the city ctre. Mind you some might say the Mastrick routes now (the 3) is pretty convoluted, routing via Forresterhill Rd & the ARI. The Forresterhill Rd/Ashgrove Rd W/Forresterhill Rd section in both directions is quite awkward to negotiate - tight turns + double traffic lights. |
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| Re my previous Q about Garden City - was Tullos Circle the terminus for GC? |
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| Garden city terminus was tullos place. The route from town to garden city and back was-guild street,market street,victoria road,walker road,grampian place,tullos circle,TULLOS PLACE,balnagask road,oscar road,grampian place,walker road,victoria road,market street,guild street. |
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| they need buses like this again |
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First Aberdeen retain this Alexander bodied Daimler CVG6 for heritage purposes carrying its original Aberdeen Corporation livery. New as 325 it is currently 31529 (CRG 325C) in the main fleet and has made occasional appearances on school runs as recent as 2006 though not to Hilton School as the destination display reads - this school having been demolished over 10 years ago.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| Was "Hilton School" a "real" destination? Obviously there was a school (I went there after all!) but wasn't aware, apart from school buses, that it could be a terminus-of-sorts. Any other "unusual" destinations that you could have? I have seen pics of a bus showing 25 but for Old Abdn, 20 showing Tillydrone, 1 showing Seaton & I saw for myself on the old 13 an Olympian showing "13A" & Mastrick, heading from Bridge St to Union Terr! 9/10 occasionally ended up at Foresterhill or Cowdrey Hall only as another example. |
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| Most of these were all short workings to retime buses or school run destinations, Anderson Drive 11 and North Donside Rd 1 were other favourites for retiming. Indeed if you are out an about at 1130pm you will see plenty of short destinations as buses finish for the night with Cowdray Hall, Mounthooly, Nelson Street all appearing. The 20 though used to terminate at Tillydrone until 1967 when it was cut short at Old Aberdeen then extended to Hillhead two years later. A 1993 list shows some little/never used destination listsing on the Bright-tec displays, Balmedie, Berryden Rd, Bieldside, Bucksburn, Kings Cross, Lang Stract, Milltimber, Nigg, Parkway, Rosemount Viaduct, Stoneywood. Remember also Cotton of Balgownie appeared on the displays in the early 80's for service 2a variants and I remember one of the ex Northampton Olympians with this. |
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| I saw a 5 heading for BoD last week, but - if I recall - the destination was Fairview St or similar. Another retiming destination? |
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| A few days ago I saw 3 no. 2s (all 2005 bendies) in a row at Garthdee. the first said Urquhart Road (common enough later in the day), the 2nd said Ashwood (the usual destination), but the 3rd said North Donside Road. I don't recall ever seeing this destination on a 2 at around 17:30 before. Was it simpley because there was 3 buses together? Was it just to retime them? |
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| There is no longer a terminal at North Donside Rd but the destination is frequently used to retime buses even though they will actually go up Scotstown Rd and turn about at the Parkway. |
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| I think I remember seeing a terminus at N.Donside Rd, but what route did it serve & how did it appear on the destination boards? |
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| An early Bridges terminal, used Balgownie as a display. |
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| they should also bring these back in to service in aberdeen |
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| the council should maybe have there own bus servies in aberdeen again and make some profit too but only to reduce tyax payers money and provide good servies in aberdeen. |
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| Like Lothian Buses. Lothian compared to First is like day and night! |
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Aberdeen was a late comer to the minibus revolution. Six Mercedes-Benz 709D with Reeve Burgess Beaver bodywork were aqcuired in 1991 for the conversion of service 6 to "Beaver Bus" status. It was later converted back to big buses and two of the Beavers continue with Mairs Coaches on local work, this one being 50417 (H37 USO).
Mairs Coaches |
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| Was pics of the Beavers at work, on the 5, 6, 7, 21 & 24. They seemed to fill a niche on thinner routes that penetrated the estates & were able to route round the narrower streets. Why were they scrapped - is K402 the only remaining one still in use from the original H & K batches? |
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| The life of a minibus is normally shorter, at 7 years so for 50411 (402) still to be in use (albeit not very reliably) at 16 years is quite an achievement. All others have now been scrapped except 438 (H38 USO) which is in use on Angus local services with JP Travel on irish plates. The flooring started to rot on a lot of the K reg examples prior to their withdrawal. |
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| Any plans to reintroduce such buses in the future, or were the minis "of their time" & no longer feasible for Aberdeen ops? I found them a bit cramped, but they seemed to suit running around the estates. |
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| None. the minibus era is over. the 709Ds in their hey day were so cheap and reliable but today with low floor costs an Optare Solo is not a cheap purchase and with high fuel costs its not a high profit earner like a big bus. |
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| I saw 402...in Rosemount Pl...with passengers...stopping at a bus stop!!! :o) I therefore think it was on the 25 - if it was on the 3 it couldn't have coped!!
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Aberdeen retained Atlantean 318 (URS 318X), now 31528, as an open top vehicle. It continues to carry local ivory and green fleet colours with branding for the defunct Granite City Circular Tour. It makes occasional appearance on private hires and annually on the Christmas Lights Tour.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| Will 31528 (URS 318X) be doing it's usual Christmas Lights tour this year? Will it have the usual "Merry Christmas from First Aberdeen!" illuminated sign on the front and fairy lights around the top deck again? Always looks nice at night! How many Atlantean's are now, officially, in the First Aberdeen? (Obviously, there have been no public service Atlantean's since the early Millennium! (Sadly, I might add! :D)) |
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| Not running from 2008, the Atlantean has now been withdrawn for the winter season. There are two left in the fleet, 31528 and the First Class unit 31577 (XSS 344Y). |
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Passing through the bus wash is Volvo B7TL 31563 (X137 NSS) which was the Golden Jubilee bus for the Queens 50th anniversary in 2002.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| The Golden Jubilee bus wasn't as striking as it should have been in my view. The Atlanteans that were painted silver in 1977 were far more striking. |
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Three Mercedes-Benz 709D remain in the main fleet for servcie 24, service 28 and one spare. 50412 (K405 HRS) lost its rear end numeral repeator after becoming lodged under Asda Bridge of Dees multis storey car park in the heav winter storms of 2006.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| cant believe that the 24 service is gone now |
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| The replacement Stagecoach / City Council service 93 seems to be much more reliable. |
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| I saw a Stagecoach 709D on the 93 the other day with................0 passengers aboard!! :o) |
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| they could not run it any worse than first did |
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| At least since Stagecoach took over the contract as the 93 it runs every day, and runs pretty much to time. When First were running the 24 it latterly became a complete lottery as to whether it would turn up or when (sounds a bit like most First routes nowadays doesn't it!) as frequently both the allocated minibus and the spare had broken down or were otherwise unavailable. |
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Swhowing off the Super Square advertising that has become increasing popular in recen years is ex Manchester B10BLE 62216 (R585 SBA). This bus previously carried and advertsing livery for RGIT Montrose.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| what ever happened to this batch of buses "r585sba" and its sister buses? |
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| Deliveries of B7RLEs saw the entire batch return to Manchester with the exception of fire damaged 62144. |
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| why do they switch buses bewteen cities? whats the point in that? |
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| In our case, it was so that Aberdeen could get about 100 "last of the line" old model Volvo B10BLE's offloaded from Glasgow and Manchester back in 2001!! |
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| And now we're paying for it - these same B10BLE's are still nearly two thirds of main city fleet, most are approaching 10 years old, and have had no mid life refurb, only the odd lick of paint, and are increasingly shabby and rough. |
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| are there any plans to refurbish them or is it the usual run them for as long as possible for as cheap as possible? |
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| There do not appear to be any internal refurbishment plans for the 90-odd B10BLE's, which all date from 1997 - 2001, or the 6 B7 double deckers or the 6 older B7 artics, also from 2000 (taken together that's two-thirds of the entire city fleet all getting ever tattier and unnappealing inside, all at the same time!). By the engine sound levels and suspension rattles from many of them, there doesn't appear to be a great deal of mechanical attention either! So unless there's a change of heart, we're going to have an incresingly poor quality bus fleet! |
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| what is the average life expectancy of the b10bles? |
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| They should easily last the 16 years maximum bus age advised by Government, with a mid life refurb and decent maintenance. However, they have had neither, just quick repaints, so you dread to think what they'll be like in another 7 years or so!! |
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This Albion PMA28 was rescued from a garden in London in 1988. New to Aberdeen Corporation as 79 (RG 1173) in 1930. It was reacquired by Grampian and painstakingly rebuilt to original condition. Once completed in 1993 t originally ran as TSK 716 until the DVLA could be convinced to reinstate the original registration.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| At 5pm today I saw this wonderful bus chugging down Ashgrove Rd West, heading east. Where had it come from? Bus drivers in those days must have been midgets...either a very small cab, or a very tall driver crammed in!! The gear changes sounded like a b*gger!!! |
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| It has only recently been reinstated after a couple of months out of use. As its stored at Kittybrewster it may well have been out for a spin prior to taking in a few rallies. |
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| How did the Albion end up in a London garden, & how did it come to be spotted & recognized as a previous Aberdeen bus, & who happened to spot it? |
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| The government obtained a large number of buses from operators during the second world war for use as ARP ambulances in London. 79 was one of serveral Aberdeen buses sent south for that purpose. Following the end of the war it was purchased by a local individual for use as a shed and the growth of trees around it meant it was too expensive for subsequent owners to remove from the garden. A local enthusiast heard of the vehicle, gained access an managed to obtain a chassis number identifying it as RG 1173. Word spread back to GRT who were in a preservation mood at the time and snapped it up. Unfortunatly the removal and transport to Aberdeen saw the original Walker body collapse in leaving just the cab and chassis left. |
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Not all the 2005 batch of B7LAs are route branded. Examples like 10172 (SV05 DXX) remain unbranded and van be used on the Park & Ride 40 and Orangle Line 16 which are also deemed artic suitable routes.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| they seem to be mostly on the route 1/2 also seem to be on the 9, 27 and park and ride. im sure ive seen one heading to airyhall? is there not other artic routes? the 19 i think should have them. |
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| I doubt the Culter terminus would be much good for an Artic. |
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| does the route 1/2 still do really well...just used to be a really goods bus route but not sure if things went down hill on it? |
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| yeh its just the terminus that would be a problem wouldnt it... |
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| With Garthdee Rd closed at Auchinyell Rd closed (roadworks) just now, how are First addressing this problem? I saw an Artic on route 1, but just to Bridge of Dee. So are they turning at the roundabout at the bottom of Holburn St? |
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| theres not that much otrher citys that have the artics is there.... |
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| A handful in Scotland - basically one in Edinburgh and a few in Glasgow. Dublin tried a very small batch in 2000/01 but have ordered none since. Apart from Aberdeen, and the ftr operations of First in a few English cities, by far the largest number in the British Isles is London, but they are all being phased out there by TFL over the next few years, have been loathed universally in London! |
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| The 1 turned at the roundabout at Asda, the 2 at RGU Campus then returned the way it came. |
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| they need to use bendys on the 9 or deckers - the single deckers were too cramped to cope with the demand...ques for it were mental. |
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| The new student fare structure may well deal with that!!! |
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| i do like the bendy buses - |
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| all the buses going down to garthdee 1/2 and the 9 were all full going down there in the morning. they need some more buses on the route. |
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This former Manchester B10BLE 62193 (X687 ADK) was originally allocated to the Red Line service. It is seen here by the steam jenny.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| Nope, still here - sisters 62193/94 have gone though, as part of the 14 B10BLE's, so far, transferred south for other work as surplus to requirements in Aberdeen with the service cuts. |
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| Correction from my comment above! The photo caption is wrong, as 62197 is actually X692 ADK, and that is still with us. X687 ADK is in fact 62193, which is one of the 14 transferred south. So it depends which bus is actually in the photo! |
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AEC Reliance 14 (LRG 14G) survived spells with Scottish independents and as a berry picker before joining the ranks of preservation in 1989. Its sister 13 (LRG 13G) was less fortunate. It caught fire after overheating just meters away from this spot in 1982 and was subsequently scrapped.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| Similarly to 40, were 13 & 14 the only two of the LRG-G batch of single deckers? |
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| Re unlucky 13, was it really just a case the engine was left to run ALL DAY? Amazed nobody noticed...until the black smoke presumably! :-O |
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Detailed restoration is in the latter stages now for this 1951 Daimler CVG6. Rebuilt in 1960 with a new Alexander body it survived into the Grampian era as a trainer until 1976. The next twenty years saw it take residence in Angus first with Greyhound of Arbroath, later as a berry picker before finally entering preservation. It came back to King Street in 1997 for restoration.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| As you can tell, I'm having a quiet evening! :-)
Is this one still being preserved, once the depot - or I should say WORLD HQ - is finished? |
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| Most of the high work which required the support of the depot workshops was completed before it left King Street. Work will continue at Whitecairns on its slow but detailed restoration. |
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| Is this the bus I have seen at the SVBM Lathalmond open weekend the past 2 years? It seemed to be the only bus that had anything to do with Aberdeen that was there on Saturday 16th August 2008. Shame really. I think that we have some quite interesting buses in Aberdeen that need to be showed off more!!!! Any plans for an open day at King Street when the HQ is up and running?! Hope there is as the last open day was back in 2003 and the fleet has changed a bit since then!!!!! |
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| No this is not the bus you will have seen. Utility Daimer 155 (BRS 37) is the one based at Lathalmond fully restored in original condition. This one is 160 (DRS 360) currently under restoration to its condition following rebodying in 1960. There were plans to take Atlantean 345 (SS 345Y) down but its not ready yet. The preservation group took 325 (CRG 325C) and 22 (JRS 22F) down on the Sunday this year. There will very likely be one once the depot is complete but no planning has been done as yet. |
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| Is the credit crunch affecting restoration plans of the various buses First are hoping to bring back to pristine condition, or is it a longer game? |
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| The move to Whitecairns away from the facilities at king Street makes the restoration more awkward but work slowly continues. 131 (E131 DRS) has of course been restored externally in recent months. |
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| so what is the score with 131 is it being preserved or is it still with first for use as a school bus? |
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| thats good it has been preserved i was not sure if it was just repainted for a pr stunt or if it was actually preserved cheers for that |
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First Aberdeen are better than many other operators in keeping branded buses on those route but occasionally operational requirements mean it does happen. Yellow Line 23 branded B10BLE 62183 (X684 ADK) had been involved on route 27 earlier in the day.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| noticed the other day there was a pink line on the 16s i have noticed that branded buses tend to work other routes more than before is this only when there is no other bus avalible? |
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| Wrongly branded allocations are down to last minute break downs and availability of alternative buses. The determination of traffic office staff to minimise this is also a big factor. |
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| just been noticing that there have been quite a lot of wrongly branded on other routes latley are the short of buses or they breaking down alot? |
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| Just an indication of the big slide in operating standards I suspect. This is probably why they are leaving off the branding on some routes, its too much bother to try and get the correct buses on the correct routes. |
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| i still dont understand why it happens....is there not plenty of buses needed spare at the depot for buses taht are being repaired, broken, changing advertisements etc etc |
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One of four Olympians delivered in 1985 for Aberdeen Airport services, 31546 (B120 MSO) still make occasional runs on the Airport 27 services but more commonly works capacity workings and school runs. Its shows off its mega rear for Erskines as it awaits fuelling.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| still in service or scrapped? |
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| good avertising on the rear |
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Olympians 31548/9 (E122/3DRS) are recognisable due to their higher positioned rear upperdeck window as these were built as coaches. Both were transferred to Mairs Coaches in 2001 for school work but returned a year later for frontline services.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| are these two buses still working in aberdeen - they were really comfy! |
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| Sadly no! I'm sure if either of these two still survive either! Please, someone say they do! |
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| Withdrawn and partly cannibalized at kittybrewster as of may 2009. One of these had a blown engine i think and will not be likely to run again. |
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| 31549 (E123 DRS) has the failed engine and was always the less reliable of the pair. |
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| i think it is e123drs that has a different grille on the fromt compared to the other e reg olys was it an accident repair or was it original? |
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| 31553 gained the new grill after its original one was removed to replace an accident damaged one on another fleet member. 31553 was being cannibalised at the time until, allegedly, Moir Lockhead spotted it in the yard in pieces and ordered it to be returned to use as older deckers were still in service at that time. It went to Larkfield where it was repaired and returned and now enjoys use with Wyvern, a proud member of their fleet according to local enthusiasts. |
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| 31553 gained the new grill after its original one was removed to replace an accident damaged one on another fleet member. 31553 was being cannibalised at the time until, allegedly, Moir Lockhead spotted it in the yard in pieces and ordered it to be returned to use as older deckers were still in service at that time. It went to Larkfield where it was repaired and returned and now enjoys use with Wyvern, a proud member of their fleet according to local enthusiasts. |
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| someone should wash it..lol |
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| should be back in service |
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Four Volvo B7RLEs were diverted from a Glasow order in June 2006 to allow the launch of Line 5 as the Lime Green Line 5 following a frequency increase in 2005. The first is 69110 (SF06 GZW).
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| so this bus was only a temp in aberdeen |
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| No, still here, re-registered SV06, along with the three other 5-branded B7's. |
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| first seem to be doing well until 2008 - when it started getting rid of routes and buses |
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| Yea, after that the rot has really set in, we've the new management to thank for that! |
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While the fleet was renumbered into Voyager series in July 2003, this loaned Optare Solo in June 2006 was still allocated "Demonstrator" number 028.
On hire to... |
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| Did this bus ever get used? I remember reading in "Buses" magazine that it was only used once on Service 8. It would have been good to use on the no. 24 because I know that a lot of people struggle on the mini-buses, especially the blind man who is a reagular on the service! |
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| It was used quite a bit on the 8 during its stay (the 8 looks to have got the chop this year along with the Dial-a-Ride 600 due to council cut backs).
It was deemed to long to use on the 24 given some of the narrow streets on the route. |
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Aberdeen City Council provided funding to increase service 5 from a half hourly frequency to every 15 minutes in 2005 as in provides useful cross city links. Rebranding begun in June 2006 following the delivery of four B7RLEs. This is 69123 (SF06 HBE).
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| Hey , I am a big bus fan who also lives in Aberdeen!!! I do like these new 5's but i must say that the breaks when apllied are applied fairly qucikly and is quite hard and kind of makes everyone joult about on the bus when it stops!
I thought i would just make a comment to let you know how i felt!!
I would love it for one day that i could be able to get in the depot and take photos and work for a bus comapny in the future!!
from stuart barber, aberdeen |
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| The fierce breaks are common of all B7RLEs built in that era and are a result of the antilock break system. For a smoother break the driver would have to place the bus in to neutral before breaking which is not always possible. If you want to visit King Street Depot as it is be quick. Demolition starts next month (Jan 08). The extent of building works soon will probably see enthusiast visits being denied. |
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| Stuart you may be surprised to learn that once upon a time, you could actually take a short cut & walk THROUGH the depot from King St to Spital & vice versa. I used to do it (as did others) on Aberdeen FC match days!! Not sure you were SUPPOSED to, but no-one ever stopped you!! This was in the 70s/80s mind you, no chance of that now! |
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| when they first got those buses the reg plate was glasgow registered sf06 something i know it was glasgow buses to start with anyway i just wandered why they changed the reg plates to aberdeen (sv) plates cheers |
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| They were diverted from Glasgow as the Aberdeen order was still far down the production line (which then went to Glasgow instead). The four Glasgow examples 69110/22-4 were ready for delivery to Glasgow when they arrived but had not been registered with the DVLA so they simply gained the SV06 marks that had been earmarked for the Aberdeen order. Had Glasgow registered them with the DVLA they would have entered service with their SF06 resgistrations. |
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Showing off the different route branding applied to Aberdeen buses is B10BLE 62164 (Y629 RSA) in Torquise Line 19 colours, 62179 (Y637 RSA) in Yellow Line 23 branding and the latest addition 69122 (SF06 HBD) in Line Green Line 5 livery.
First Aberdeen 2006 |
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| the branding on the metro buses are in such a mess at the moment |
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| they used to do so well keeping the designated buses to each route on the route - which was handy because it does advertise the route and you can see it far off.. |
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| I think it all just a sign of the attitude of the current management. There are now several main "colour" routes with no branded buses at all - 9, 17, 19 - and those that are branded can turn up just about anywhere. Also, the actual branding is a hotch potch now, some routes still "Overground" (how daft is that in Aberdeen!), others with a simpler style, introduced in 2007 I think, and one (the 21) has buses with both! Then there's the now very scruffy branding on some Park & Ride buses, which was fine when introduced, but desperately needs freshening up. |
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| i rememebr seeing y629rsa in a crash in cults...is there many bus crashes/bumps... im sure ive seen a few on the 19. |
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| yeh the advertisng is really bad - you would of thought they would have put the new advertising on the buses - the 9/17/19 all should have branding on them. i think its fine to use these buses on other routes but its the state the buses are in right now thats bad.... few yrs ago would have never been in this state. |
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This First Bradford Olympian came north during the 2003 open day. It was to return to Scotland in 2006 when it passed to the First Scotland East fleet.
Open Days |
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| was it in servie in aberdeen then? |
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A mixture of Aberdeen buses at the 2003 open day. Preserved CVG6 31529, American School Bus 62228, former Aberdeen Optare Prisma 545 that visited from its new home of Manchester and ex Aberdeen Atlantean 270 now in preservation.
Open Days |
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| Does the destination blind on 325 show "Summerfield"?
Where was the Summerfield terminus & when was it a regular destination during the ACT/Grampian era, or just a "short working" of a normal route.
Also I do remember Braeside as a destination, somewhere towards Airyhall I believe. Again, where was the Braeside terminus?
Finally re old route 25, which I used to remember being Hayton-Faulds Gate, operated by CVG6 & others. Why was it changed from Hayton to Tillydrone & why has Faulds Gate always (apparently) been Faulds Gate when in fact the bus ends up at Gardiner Dr (I think it is). Did the terminus used to be Faulds Gate itself?
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| 325 is indeed believed to have Summerfield on the destination blind. The Summerfield destination was believed to have been used when the service terminated at the old Summerfield Hospital before the service was extended to Summerhill. The Braeside terminus was when the service used to veer off at Mannofield church and head up on to Springfield Rd. The 25 service used to loop Hayton/Tillydrone in two different directions. Eventually all buses were changed to loop one way and Tillydrone was chosen over Hayton as the latter had a poorer reputation in Aberdeen at the time. The Faulds Gate terminus was indeed at Faulds Gate and the destination never changes despite the service being extended. In the same way service 23 still shows Summerhill today when it should be Sheddocksley. |
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| Thanks for that. I think I do remember what you say re 25...Hayton via Hayton Rd, or via Gordons Mills Rd. Former clockwise around Tilly, latter anti-clockwise. Maybe they should revert to Hayton today, but that's another story! Re Faulds Gate, I wonder why they didn't just say KINCORTH!!! |
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| I think Faulds Gate was used to differentiate from other Kincorth terminals that existed at the time and just stuck. There are major service changes proposed for March 2008 so perhaps an opportunity to update terminal names at the same time. |
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| As I remember it the no 8 route in the 60's ran a 15 minute frequency from terminus Cairncry (actually on Long Walk Road) to Summerfield near to Woodend hospital, I also think it may also was numbered no7 going to Summerfield (not Summerhill). The no 7/8 was withdrawn and route 22/23 Northfield/Mastrick was routed for a trial period up/down N Anderson Drive and down to service Cairncry Road down to the 6 roads but reverted back to usual route. The no 7/8 always had the oldest buses usually the Weyman AEC Regent llls and Brockhouse CVG 6s. |
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| Tht's interesting Robbie. I don't remember the 7/8 but I certainly do recall the 22 on Cairncry Road. As a primary school pupil I caught this bus with the class heading for the Middle School baths in Littlejohn St. Bus did indeed route along N.Anderson Dr (between Provost Rust DR & Murdos, then Murdos roundabout, Cairncry Rd, 6-road r/about, Westburn Dr then Rd, down to Hutcheon St, Mounthooly, then West North St, where we got off. |
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| The 7 ran from around 1957-1961 replacing the 6 operating between Cairncry and Summerfield. The 8 also ran from 1957 but lasted until 1968. Falling patronage as well as the ability to cover the route by rerouting other services brought about its end. |
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| I note the comment about when the Braeside service "used to veer off at Manofield Church". I thought the Braeside destination was long gone, but I could swear I saw it on one of the new 'deckers on the 19 service just before Christmas! Would this have been a short working so that the bus came back on route into town without having to go to Cults/Culter etc? |
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| There is a lot of short destinations on the LED displays for retiming late running buses. Until last Sundays timetable ammendments late running and retiming was common on the 19. |
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| Speaking of the 19 & Culter I saw buses on evenings in recent times heading to "Culter Rob Roy". The Rob Roy statue is down & round the corner on the A93, instead of the normal Culter route, which would go up Malcolm Rd. So where did the bus terminate at "Culter Rob Roy"? As I recall there is a layby opposite the statue, on the A93 out, does it stop there? And is Rob Roy still a current destination. Finally, am I right in thinking at the normal Culter terminus, it is the only one in Aberdeen that buses have to reverse into (albeit slightly) before their return journey back into the city? |
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| Correct, Culter is one of the few reverse terminals left in Scotland (Fyvie used to be for Bluebird until a few years back). Culter Rob Roy is Rob Roy Caravan Park which is just beyond Culter an extention at peak periods. Used to operate until the 2008 changes as peak duplicates. There was only one regular passenger in its final years. Buses used to carry a DayGlo board in the windscreen until this disappear through time. Added as a destination display when the displays were updated as DDA compliany in 2007. Atlantean 255 (DSA 255T) met its maker on the approach to the park in 1988 when it hit a lorry which was on the wrong side of the road. The Driver lost a leg in the accident. Probably used today by drivers in error or to signify those retimimg by cutting short in Culter. |
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| is there not some health and saftey thing about buses reversing on a public road i am sure i heard that somewhere cant remember where though that buses have to have someone guiding them back when reversing but could be wrong |
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| Buses can not reverse back in the depot without a banksman. No restrictions on the open road. |
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| I was the 291 (Stagecoach Bluebird service) to Ellon (from Aberdeen) recently and at Methlick (I think) it has to reverse into a church car park turn round and get back on route! (It at least did this on the 08:40 - 10:13 Tuesday journey I was on! The nicer journey to Ellon if you have the time and are going that way! :D) |
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| Found some more reversing routes! The Bluebird's X7/107/117 and MW Nicoll's 113 all have to reverse to get out of Johnshaven on the Stonehaven to Montrose route! Also, Strathtay's 47 has to reverse at Ferryden Pier and at Dubton Railway Cottages! None of them I expected to happen, so caught me by surprise! |
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This one time Alexander (Fife) and latterly Lowland Daimler Fleetline came to Aberdeen in 2003 as part of the furore sourrounding the Iraq war.
Just Visiting! |
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| Did ACT/GRT ever operate buses with the triangular destination display? I don't recall that they did, other than Grampian Scottish era when Northern Scottish & GRT joined forces for a short time. Always remember a mix of NS & GRT on the 9/10 in 1983-5. |
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| The only SBG triangular screened vehicles to operate with Grampian were the Midland Bluebird & Kelvin Central MCW Metrobuses loaned during the 1990's. Used on contract work they never carried Aberdeen blinds. |
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| The Grampian Scottish buses on the 9/10s were always operated by Northern Scottish. The VRS-L fleetlines in GRT livery you may recall seeing on this route were not operated by GRT but bought by Northern and put into service as received. |
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| Thanks billywhizz. Yes, I do recall the VRS-L fleetlines (whichever ones were left by 1983/4!) operating alongside "original" NS buses when GrampianScottish came into being. Recall how strange it was seeing NS buses not in their yellow but in green/cream, & GRT bsues without the orange band. |
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Olympian 122 (E122 DRS) is seen screened up for school service 769 which served Blackburn and Bankhead taking First buses into Aberdeenshire.
First Aberdeen |
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| So are these (awful) Barbie colours here to stay, or will we ever see a return to traditional Aberdeen Green/Cream.
Sorry, today's buses are functional, but have never looked so drab.
Dirty Green/Cream was not sometimes great, but I would prefer it to what we have currently.
Another general Q - do buses still have Pittodrie as a destination? I can remember a line of buses at Ardarroch Rd waiting for the fitba crowds...albeit these days the crowds ain't what they were (no wonder!!). I think trams also diverted to Pittodrie on match days.
The route 1 certainly had some services for Pittodrie, but any others? |
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| First have recently reaffirmed that the Barbie livery is to continue although a new coach/express livery is being devised. Buses no longer have Pittodrie on the display however buses that are to be parked up overnight at Pittodrie at the depot overspill are screened up ABERDEEN FC PARK & RIDE when they come off service to allow the shuttle staff to know which examples to take down once the are fuelled up and washed and which will stay at King Street Depot.
Trams ran on a special track from Pittodrie to various parts of the city on match days, these were replaced by buses and eventually replaced by duplicates on the Bridges route and latterly on match days the 6 and 11 gain Olympians over B10BLEs to carry the additional loadings. |
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| why did the olyimpians last so long here where as everywhere else in the country seemed to have got rid of theres years ago
and why did it take so long to start buying new buses because before the 05 artics the last batch they got was the y reg b10ble where as glasgow seem to have been buying new ones every year |
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| There were small pockets of new buses bought after the 2001 B10BLEs, namely coaches and school buses. The gap was down to the fact that Aberdeen got a massive injection of new buses in 2000/1 in place of batches of around 10 annually. The Olympians have survived so long as as they are generally used for school services and do not justify the investment in new buses. Slowly school contracts have been converted to B10BLE workings or even B7LA only a few left actually require deckers. |
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This utility Daimler, 155 (BRS 37), has returned several times to King Street depot over the 30 year period since it passed to preservation. In 2003 it came for a repaint as part of the final process of a major restoration effort to return it to original condition. It currently resides at Lathalmond museum.
Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Group |
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| How many of these utility Daimlers did ACT have? |
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| Do you know if First Aberdeen/ADTPG/Grampian Transport Museum are planning to send any buses down to Lathalmond on the 17th? I see from photos of last years event that this Daimler was sitting out, but I don't know if it ran any routes at any point through out the day. A take it it's still down there, working and all? Thanks |
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| Went along on Sunday and had a great day out with lots of interesting buses around. As per usual, the Daimler was there and also 325 made a pleasant surprise! I passed it on the Megabus around the Perth turn off. I think it was going at about full power, but it was a lot slower than our (quite elderly) coach! Would be great if for the August open weekend, K1 GRT, B121 MSO and E131 DRS could go down. Just to show everyone that First does care about current preservation! |
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| 20 utility buses were delivered between 1943-5 the first buses delivered since the outbreak of war. |
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Line up of Atlanteans in the Row C corner of King Street Depot starting with Hydrasun liveried 287 (HSO 287V).
Grampian Transport |
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| I suppose the electronic displays today mean you can have an unlimited number of destinations.
However in the days of the roller blinds how many could you have?
Also Q about Heathryfold. Just looked at a Leyland National on 17 to HeathEryfold & I remember in those days the extra "E". What prompted the dropping of the "E" & what is the correct spelling of the destination - I always thought it was Heatheryfold myself. |
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| The added E was an error when the new blinds sets were made up and was corrected on all future sets without. Other famous errors were Craigiebuckle instead of Craigiebuckler on the early Hanover displays and Gathdee for the 21. This week the LED displays have been reprogramed and incorrectly show Danetone for Danestone. In publicity Ashwood has appeared as Ashford and Kincorth as Kin Corth.
The maximum number of destinations available depends on what size of font is used. Aberdeen have always been able to comfortably carry all possible destinations on the blind. The problem with longer blinds is that the driver will struggle to turn from one end to the other. Kingswells to Dubford became a tough one for drivers when the Kingswells bus changed from Balgownie Drive in 2001 being at opposite ends. |
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| how may atlanteans did they have? |
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| Over 200 deckers in the heyday, when the city services were virtually 100% double decker, so before the Olympians they would have nearly all been Altanteans when the last of the front engined buses were phased out. Interesting that the total city bus fleet is now down to around 150 buses in all, of which over 85% are single deckers! |
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Atlantean 270 (HRS 270V) is seen here freshly repainted in GRT stripes. It left Aberdeen for a career with Aberdeen Journals being converted into a exhibition unit. It has since been restored to its original Grampian Regional Transport condition and made its first appearance at Lathalmond in 2006.
Grampian Transport |
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| This is the livery I was talking about...very smart.
Interesting trait when coming off route that the route number was either moved slightly "between numbers" (as displayed by 270) or blanked out.
With most route displays electronic now, is the route number left as it is when doing a short working of a route. |
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| This livery first appeared in 1988 and was only supposed to be temporary to highlight that the E reg batch of Olympians were new vehicles. Instead the batch retained this livery on repaint and the whole fleet went on to receive it from 1989. No vehicles retain this livery and there are no plans to preserve one in this colours or indeed preserve any of the Olympians. Only the BMCs and the Olympians retain rollerblinds. The former have these left at School Bus and blank number. The Olympians are often used in service with just a route number and the destination set to yellow blank as most of todays drivers are now unfamilour with how the destinations are ordered. Many of the older drivers still follow with older tradition though. |
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| How many of the ex-Aberdeen Atlanteans ended up getting preserved and are any still in service elsewhere in the country? |
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| Survivors...
114 with Hoare, Chepstow dealer for resale.
154 preserved at Grampian Transport Museum, Alford (static exibit in deregulation colours).
209 with Aberdeen & District TPG at Whitecairns restored in Grampian RT colours.
270 privately preserved at Dyce in Grampian RT colours.
278 bought for long term preservation project in Ireland (still in City Sightseeing colours).
318 still in service with First Aberdeen as an open topper.
330 with Leicestershire Constabulary as a non PSV.
338 bought recently for preservation.
344 with First Aberdeen as the First Class Anti Vandalsim Unit.
345 undrgoing restoration in dregulation colours with the Aberdeen & Dictrict TPG.
207/8/16, 327 were exported to Malta, Kosovo, USA and Belgium for futher use.
231/62 in storage with First Devon & Cornwall.
265/71, 321 in use with Glasgow Corporation Transpoprt on the soon to end Ferry Link service.
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| Go ON....persuade your Preservation Group (or a local independent one a la 209) to rescue 114 & save it!
It's had a long career, & used to be the Aberdeen tourist open-topper.
Even as an open-topper, would be nice to see 114 in Aberdeen again.
SAVE 114!!!! ;o) |
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| Speaking of 114 (GRS 114E) I saw a recent pic of this bus as fleetnumber 24, in Grampian Transport livery, open top by this time...but at the Woodend terminus on service to Castle Street on Route 15. I had forgotten all about it in GT livery! The pic was apparently from 1990. Looked very smart, but good job it wasn't raining!! |
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| After the demise of the 12 beach service, 24 (114) used to only get private hire outings. It was painted into Grampian colours early on in the GRT days and survived until 1992 before getting Open Top Tour colours. Prior to the start of the tour it used to be allocated to the 15 (Sea Beach-Woodend) on sunny Saturdays from time to time. Its recently been retaxed by Hoare, Chepstow but no reported sigtings of it for some time. |
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Leopard 86 (ORS 86R) the regular performer on the Banchory 35 service, Atlantean 250 (DSA 250T) and Olympian 131 (E131 DRS) with its original experimental dot matrix display. It was rather problematic and replaced with powerblinds.
Grampian Transport |
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| Brings back memories seeing 131 with the D t M tr x display.:-) I noticed a couple of pics with 131 operating without its display - I mean the whole display screen had been removed from the bus. The route/destination was a sticker or similar in the window. Must have been before it had a powerblind put in in place of the electronic display. |
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| Apparently Olympian 131 was delivered without any display! (It presumably wasn't ready for fitting when the bus was delivered to Grampian) It ran mainly on the 29 (Aberdeen - Ellon) until it eventually got it's Dot Matrix display. (I may be slightly wrong on this, so I'm open for correction! :]) |
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| Looked weird...a bus in service without a display of any sort! |
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| 131 pioneered dot matrix displays in Aberdeen at a time. I can only recall Lothian trialing such displays in Scotland prior to this date. As the equipment was fairly new it was not readily available in time hence 131 came into service without any display. The screen was fairly unreliable and the bus was a regular on the Inverurie run for a while with its own boards. It then pioneered the powerblinds for Aberdeen but although nore reliable then hanover dot matrix and now LED displays have proven more cost effective in the long run. |
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| Just to prove that E131 DRS wasn't the only bus with a problematic Dot Matrix display and they weren't all that reliable or clear in the earlier days! See: http://donald1852.fotopic.net/p56535638.html |
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| i do like both style of deckers |
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Scottish Arts Councils Roe bodied purpose built exhibition unit Olympian TFS 623Y.
Just Visiting! |
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| D/decker BYX 300Y I think it was, I saw heading east yesterday on Kings Gate. Yellow, some sort of playbus. Who owns it, & what type of bus is it? I thought it was maybe a Titan?? |
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| Thats "bobby the playbus" from ellon. Which is available for hire. Its a converted MCW metrobus and is often seen out and about. |
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| Buckie Lugger took a photo of Bobby just today! See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/buckielugger/3500533757/in/photostream/
There are also a lot of other good photos in the todays collection such as some non PSV buses and a few odds from Insch and Ellon. |
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This late 1960's shot shows three Weymann bodied Daimler CVG6's including 85 (DRS 356) new as 156. Note the houses behind the yard which were later demolished to be replaced by a car show room following discovery of subsidence.
Aberdeen Corporation Transport |
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| How many ex-Glasgow CVG6s did ACT buy (or was it Grampian era) in the 70s. They were the ones with route number above the destination. And why did they buy them, when OMO was in full swing & open platform buses were on the wane. |
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| Six were purchased by ACT a month before the creation of Grampian and were joined by a further two after its formation. All entered service in the Grampian era in Grampian colours. There were problems at Leyland which delayed the order for 20 Atlanteans by over a year resulting in the purchase of these CVG6s plus a cancelled order for Nationals as a stop gap measure. |
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| Another Q, but more the route number question.
The two in the foreground were on 9 - was it still Byron Sq-Craigshaw back then?
Craigshaw was another anomoly as it was actually Girdleness Rd, Torry - I always thought Craigshaw was the other side of Wellington Rd. Was the Craigshaw terminus always in Torry? Any reason also why the Byron Sq terminus was withdrawn?
Miss the old destinations somehow...bring back Garden City!!! :-)
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| The 9 had only recently became Byron Square to Craigshaw when the photograph was taken. Craigshaw was used to differentiate between the 10 which used Torry. Craigshaw was used as a destination long after the terminal had progressed away from the original area (like so many other destinations). The first Craigshaw service was the 14 from Footdee dating back to the 1930's. Byron Square was dropped for Northfield when the routes and terminals were refreshed by the SCOTMAP revision of 1983. Services revisions in 2008 should see the Summerhill and Golf Links destinations disappear also. |
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| How many CVG6s were converted to OMO? Was it all the VRS-range only or were there others that got the treatment?
Did ACT/Grampian regard the conversion as a success?
And a general Q - at peak, what was the maximum number of city buses held by ACT/Grampian...would imagine it was in the immediate aftermath of tram scrapping? Or was it in the 60s? |
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| 298, 318-24 were all rebuilt to OPO between 1968-1972. It was not a success as drivers had to twist themselves round to take fares and following union pressure and the mounting cost of the conversion the project ceased. The fleet peak was indeed following the end of the trams. |
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| When ACT became GRT, what were the oldest double deckers still in regular service, & which were the oldest ones to be painted into GRT colours? |
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| The oldest buses at the formation of GRT was a pair of twenty yeard old Crossley bodied CVG6;s 198, 200 (HRG 198/200). They lasted only a month.
The oldest vehicles to receive GRT colours were the ex Glasgow Alexander bodied CVG6's of 1959. |
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| And what were the earliest "native" buses to receive GRT cols? I think the SRS-range (or some of them) were in Grampian cols, any earlier ones? |
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| From memory I believe you are correct. The oldest single deckers were the JRS-F batch of Swifts. |
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| Sadly no as I dont have the copyright to the other ACT pics. There are some from the Grampian era with verhicles in ACT colours that will one day when time allows get uploaded. |
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| Is there any photo's of the grampian to first days? and are there any photos of the old darts and scannias from the early firstgroup days? It would be great to see some as I haven't seen these in ages!!! |
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| There are indeed photos of these vehicles but again it will down to finding a spare moment to scan and upload these. |
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| Hopefully you will find that moment soon!!!! I would love to see them!!!! :) |
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| they should so bring these buses back in to aberdeen... |
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A 1947 Weymann bodied AEC Regent (Aberdeen standardised its fleet on AEC and Daimler). 31 (BRS 531) lasted until 1967 when sold for scrap.
Aberdeen Corporation Transport |
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| Re the Regent V on right of pic.
Were any painted into Grampian livery, when did last one leave the fleet & any sourced for preservation? |
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| Fifteen Regents survived into the Grampian era but all were withdrawn by the following year in 1976 still in ACT colours. All were eventually scrapped although two from an earlier batch, 207/9 (HRG 207/9) left ACT in 1971 for Greyhound, Arbroath, then on to a Perthshire Farmer from 1974 before being acquired for preservation in 1996. Both are in poor condition although it is proposed to scrap 207 and use it to assist 209 but it would be a massive long term project and no work has yet been done on them. Both are at SVBM, Lathalmond in undercover storage. |
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| Looking at some early 60s photos of ACT buses parked up at Castle Terr.
Was Castle Terr actually a layover, similar to Castlegate? How many buses were laid up typically at Castle Terr?
Same photo site, early shots of Smithfield terminus. I remember it at Rosehill Dr, but photos I've seen suggest it may have been sighted elsewhere in the area?
Thanks again. |
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| Smithfield terminal was originally at the top of Hilton Rd opposite Smithfield Drive. It later moved to Rosehill Drive around the time of OPO conversion. Smithfield terminal ceased in 1979.
Castle Terrace was used as an overspill for Castle Gate. Generally in sunny spells extra buses would be laid up as standy-bys as duplicates for the beach & hazlehead services which would require the use of Castle Terrace and also the Boulevard. |
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| Amazingly how the popularity of the Sea Beach to Hazlehead run seemed to wane over the years, to such an extent that Hazlehead is not a terminus anymore, despite the park still proving popular. I used to use the No.4 all the time when I played football at Hazlehead. Was always a single decker in those days (late 70s/start of 80s) & usually although not exclusively a National. Didn't realise at the time that the private bus "lane" from Queens Rd to the terminus was previously a private tramway for the Corporation. Not much clues today left of the tramway/private busway - maybe about 100m before the realigned road takes up what was the route of the private road. |
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| How did the AEC Regent V compare with the Daimler CVG6, given that ACT purchased both over the years. Was there much difference in performance between them? I take it both were highly regarded. |
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| Both types performed well and were similarly regarded. ACT had a policy of dual purchasing which allowed both types to be bought but better lead times etc resulted in more Daimlers joining the fold in latter years. |
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| Last year, I asked about the Regent Vs, & there were two from a batch released in 71 which could still be restored, with one being sacrificed (207) to assist the other (209). Has anything been progressed since then, or has the project been scrapped? |
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| If you search long enough, you can find a pic of 207 I think it is = certainly 207 or 209. Looked not as bad (from the outside albeit!) as I had imagined. However is the project still going ahead, or are both scrapped now? |
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| http://www.busweb.co.uk/svbm/Buses%20Photo%20Gallery/HRG209%202002%20RS.jpg
Taken at Lathalmond by the looks. My understanding that they were bought at the time as a long term project. i.e. save now restore later. There are no firms plans to restore. I would imagine that if there still is enthusiasm and hunger to restore once 160 is finished it would be next unless the single deck CVD6 or 289 jump the queue. Both 207/9 are as acquired. Many in the preservation world believe they are beyon restoration but then Albion 79 was far far worse. I recall 209 was still in fine fettle on the A90 back in 1988 on berry pickng duties shortly before being acquired for preservation. |
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| If you want a look at 207 ready for delivery look at http://www.brindale.co.uk/ach/prv_site/site_images_htm/vehicles/aec_regent_v_aberdeen.htm
A 60's picture can be found at my site http://robbiestransportgallery.fotopic.net/p48713111.html You can see that the front has been changed with the conductor's blind step moved to the right. I have a soft spot for 207 as most days in the 60's was the lunch time bus on the 9 going to school at Aberdeen Academy. When the 160/169 rebodied CVG6's entered service and then the move of 276/ 287 to the no9 the AEC Regent Vs moved to the 1/2 where the AEC Regent Vs 250/54 (Park Royal) and MCCW 255/269 mostly ran. Robbie |
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| Ta Robbie. I had your site on my favs for a while then deleted it for some reason - unforgiveable! I have put it back in my favs again. Would recommend the site to all, some great pics of the old buses around town. Re 207, anyone know why that batch of Vs had the slatted front grille, where all that followed had the different style of grille? Just the way AEC made them, or was it a request by ACT. And what was the later grille called, compared to the earlier slatted one? Mesh grille, or something different? |
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| According to a friend of mine the tin front radiator grills on 205/09 were similar to those supplied new to Glasgow and Liverpool Corporations, whereas most other AEC's were of slatted or mesh as per the later AEC's in the fleet, 250/55 256/269 and 270/274. I don't know the reason why they were different. Perhaps someone else will know. |
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A reserve fleet of Atlanteans were built up in the late 1980's as back up in case the company needed to respond to competitive attacks in these early post deregulation days. In the event most were not needed. Nearest the camera is 184 (KSA 184P) still in its Grampian RT livery but with the orange band painted out.
Grampian Transport |
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| is there not some competition now that Stage coach has the new culter bus service? |
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| I believe this route is subsidised by the council. |
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Midland Bluebird 302 (GMS 302S). It later became Grampian 62.
Midland Bluebird |
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| Am I right in thinking Grampian acquired this bus? |
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| It was originally loaned then later acquired as no. 62. The picture was taken when it first came to King Street Depot along with other Midland vehicles for maintenance work. It was repainted allover cream allocated to Grampian but used as a float vehicle between Grampian, Mairs & Kirkpatrick. It later passed to Leicester Citybus. |
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| Thanks - I should have read the strapline!! |
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| Dont worry, the tag line was added same time as the comment! The other missing tag lines will be added at a later date when time allows. |
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| Is that a Leopard, much loved of SMT? Did ACT/GRT ever consider Leopards over Swifts & Nationals? Or did they regard Leopards as more suited to the country routes run by Northern? |
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| The Leopard was not really suited for city work but it was for touring coaches although ACT went for the Reliance for these as it was better than early Leopards back in the late 60's. GRT swapped for the Leopard for the 1975 order with 61 (HSO 61N), followed by 60 (ORS 60R) and 86 (ORS 86R). They proved good sturdy machines and were added to with second examples in the 1980's. All three would still be alive today had an RTA not taken out 86. |
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Leyland National 3 (OLS 803T) makes an appearance at King Street Depot following repaint. Its sister 5 (OLS 805T) was later acquired by Grampian.
Midland Bluebird |
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| Aberdeen's own Leyland Nationals were pretty regular sight in the 70s & 80s.
How many originally did ACT purchase - were the "native" ones all purchased by ACT?
How loved were they - I always thought they were quite noisy, but otherwise they seemed fine, but I have heard that they were perhaps not always the most reliable? Or was that an urban myth?!
I usually recalled them on 4/5, 11 & 17. No doubt they appeared on all routes at some point in their careers.
How long did they last - I do recall them or a few of them lingering into the post-dereg era, even in post-dereg colours.
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| Three were purchased by ACT, 41-3. These were early models that suffered relaibility issues of early production Nationals and were all scrapped in 1979 after just six years service, still in ACT colours. A further 20 (62-81) were purchased in 1975/6, an order cancelled by Nottingham, and brought into speed up the OPO conversion programme that was struggling as Leyland fell behind with Atlantean production. These proved more reliable than the previous batch although the heating system was poor. They were delivered in allover cream and had to have the green and orange areas painted on by Grampian. Most were withdrawn in 1982 as Atlanteans pushed out most other types out of the fleet four being retained for contract work and three for the new Airport 27 service taken over from Northern. Many of the 1982 withdrawals went to Australia for further service in Queensland. The seven that were retained post dereg (repainted into dereg colours) to assist in the competitive assault against Northern with some making it on to rural services. They were gradually phased out of the fleet by 1992 although an ex Midland example was purchased (OLS 805T) in 1991 reregistered 158 ASV and numbered 59 gaining GRT colours and used for contract work but also service leaving the fleet for Lothian Transit in 1994. |
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| Thanks once again.
ACT acquired a few single-deckers from Leeds in the early 70s. I am sure they had the same fleet nos. as the early Nationals. What became of those buses, were they scrapped when the Nationals arrived?
Also I recall in the early 80s a few Bristols(?) from London I think.
I do recall the competition with Northern - they came onto city routes & Grampian onto some country routes. Banchory, Balmedie for example, Poertlethen/Stonehaven? Often wondered why Grampian/First now only concentrate on the City. Would services to the likes of Balmedie, Portlethen etc not work in competition with Stagecoach? Or is there some sort of "peace" agreement that Aberdeen/shire does not get the same level of competition as, say Glasgow? First stick to Aberdeen - Stagecoach (Northfield excepted!) to country? Or could competition break out again, if needed? |
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| The ex Leeds AEC Reliances were 44-7. At the time of their aquisition the highest numbered single decker was Reliance 40. Rather than give them confusing fleetnumbers 41-44 (their registrations were 44-7 KUA) they were given matching fleetnumbers with the next batch of Swifts following on from them with 48-59. When the batch of three Nationals were acquired they slotted nicely into the gap as 41-3. The Leeds machines lasted five years retaining ACT colours throughout) going to Dunsmore (dealer), Larkhall. Three escaped to Wilson, Carnwath only to return to Dunsmore for scrap after coming out of service. Four Bristol LHs (46-9) were acquired from London in 1982 to replace the unloved Ford minibuses. They were aquired for contract work but migrated to Mairs Coaches in 1987 for the Beach Buggy 57 service. 48 was the last survivor leaving Mairs in 1993. Grampian launched the following rural routes in 1986/7: 29 (Ellon), 30 (Inverurie), 31 (Stonehaven), 33 (Westhill), 34 (Newmachar) and 35 (Banchory). Both Northern and Grampian saw their profitability suffer as a result of the amount of resource required to sustain these competitive attacks hence they retreated to their core operations. Neither operator could really muster the drivers or the depot space in an oil dominated Aberdeen to launch another attack. Competition continues though with Stagecoach and First competing on key corridors in Aberdeen (Royal Deeside/Torquiose Line, X17/Salmon Line etc) and the Route 59 Bluebird service has taken significant numbers off First due to the unreliability and routing of the new Purple Line 3 service. |
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| That last sentence is interesting. My view is that First have not, despite what they have said, thought these route changes through. No.3 is a bewildering change from the perfectly fine 22 & the 12 (in my view) should never have left Ashgrove Rd W/Cornhill Rd/Westburn Dr!! I just have a nagging feeling that First may have to switch things again, especially if they are losing passengers off the Northfield/Mastrick area. No point in nice shiny buses if no-one is using them. What with Kincorth also up in arms about the changes, I wonder just who First were consulting...beancounters maybe, not the public. |
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| Re the Bristols I was surprised to see they in fact also saw service - I cannot remember seeing them in service on the route network. Pic of one at the Cornhill Road stop on route to Northfield, at the east entrance of the hospital. Front blind just had Northfield shown (no room for the route number - I think it was shown at the side behind the entrance/exit door). Also one to Leggart Av on the 6. |
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| The Bristols occasionally saw service if short of buses. There were still fitted up for one piece rollers from their London days so were only fitted with Aberdeen destination rolllers. They did have add on blinds to the destination to show the destination and route number for the 57 but drivers preferred to use the numberless version rather than wind to the end as it tended to be too far from School Bus or Contract if the Bristiol had been out on other duties. As you say the London side display had been altered for numeral rollers. |
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Rear advertisements were a feature of the Olympian fleet during the 1990's. Their flat back made for better advertising opportunities over the Atlanteans. 118 (B118 MSO) was one of two to carry ads for LA Recruitment. The Olympian was to meet its fate with a wall in Virginia Street after coming off service on route 6 in 2003.
Advertising Liveries |
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| didnt think that it went out of service that long ago the first one in the olympian fleet to go out of service? |
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Grampian Police have used buses to promote a variety of campaigns over the years. A familour sight during the 1990's was this campaign on 104 (A104 FSA) for "Say No to Strangers". The Olympian was scrapped after a period with Devon & Cornwall.
Advertising Liveries |
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| Can't say I'm all that bothered that none of the Olympians will be preserved. Didn't have the character of the older buses in my opinion.
In fact neither of the bus types featured in the photo held my interest if they passed me in the street. |
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| Worth remembering though that these vehicles have lasted longer in service that many other batches of vehicles Aberdeen have operated. 31547 (ex 121) is now approaching its 23rd year and the type have been in the city for 24 years.
In terms of vehicle types the AEC Regent lasted 36 years, CVG6 31 years, AN68 Atlanteans 28 years, CVD6 and COG6 24 years, Nationals and CWA6 21 years, CWD6 18 years, Mercedes 709Ds 17 years and counting, Fleetlines 17 years, Mercedes O405 16 years and counting, PDR Atlanteans 15 years, Metroriders and Swifts 14 years, Tiger Cubs 13 years, B10BLEs, B7LAs, B7TLs 8 years and counting all other bus types less than this. |
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| do first sell off old buses to other companys etc or do they just scrap them when they get a certain age if i had the money i would love to restore a bus back to original condition i have restored a couple of cars but i think the wife might have something to say about a double decker bus sitting in the driveway:) |
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| First resale policy is sell for preservation, non PSV use, export abroad, donate to charity or scrap. Most suffer the latter fate.
Only coaches are excluded from this policy. |
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An inside look of an early Atlantean at King Street Depot showing the original "Farecard" machine installed in 1988.
Grampian Transport |
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| Heard we are getting new ticket machines soon! When exactly are they getting installed? Are they compleatley new or are they just revised wayfarer machines? Are there going to be new farecard machines to? (I use them a lot more than coins.) |
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| Olympian 31552 is to be the trial vehicle for the scheme. Any roll out date will be dependent on how sucessful the trial is. There are longer term plans to replace the farecard machine with SmartCards. |
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| it was not that long ago they got new ticket machines why are they thining of replacing them? |
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| The Wayfarer TGX is not an authorised machine for use with the new national concession cards. Stagecoach Bluebird convert their TGX to ERG machines this week in Aberdeen. |
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| do you have any photos of old ticket machines any before the old white wayfarers if not do you know anywhere who do cheers |
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| Sorry no shots nor any links to any elsewhere. |
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| i see the 23 has got the new machines now is there anymore routes got tyhem? |
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Aberdeens bus network faced its biggest ever reliability challenge when major roadworks begun in South Market Street. Impacting on all major bus routes from July 2006 the delays continued throughout the second part of the year. First 62160 (R335 GHS) is seen here being delayed on its way to Cove.
Off Route |
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| Are there more changes planned? Possibly to 13/23 routes? Also hearing that Newhills link to Dyce may be axed, so the citizens can't go to Asda. Tillydrone also unhappy at something although may be the lateness of their buses? So what is being proposed? I think there was something in the papers but I missed it. |
| [#8796584] |
2009-01-05 14:32:54 |
Left by Barber's Buses (#1238229) |
Reply |
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| Well the 12,13/13A, 16,17/17X,21,25 : New routings Services 14, 19 and 23:Rivised Timetables!
17 - All daytime services will terminate at Newhills with the 17X being withdrawn. Service 17 will continue to Dyce in evenings and sundays! Service 21 will serve Bankhead monday to Saturday daytime only! No service 21 in evenings or sundays! |
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| I'm especially interested in the new routings, if anyone can supply these. Are they putting the 12 back where it belongs? 17/17X/21 don't particularly sound like improvements. |
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| i remember when they stopped the dyce bus from bucksburn before and it did not go down well with the locals eventually they reinstated it where did you find this out from |
| [#8797125] |
2009-01-07 10:48:05 |
Left by Barber's Buses (#1238229) |
Reply |
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| Service 12 will operate clockwise along provost Rust Drive to Granitehill Road - Quarry Road - Brebner Terrace - Springhill Road - Heathryfold Terminus and return along Provost Rust Drive. The 12 will have the destination of Heathryfold via Northfield. Service 17/17X - ALL daytime services will terminate at Newhills with 17 continuing to Dyce in evenings and sundays only. Service 21 will serve bankhead via Greenburn Drive, Bankhead Road, Bankhead Avenue towards Dyce. Towards the city it will operate via Inveruire Road. In charleston the 21 will operate around Charleston drive then onto Charleston Road. |
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| Stevie,
I am presuming Stuart got the info on the changes from here:
http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland/nescot/home/service_changes_feb_2009.pdf |
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| thanks for that duncan there is a few more changes than i thought. i bet though that the residents of bucksburn will be up in arms because they will lose the bus to asda through the day. i think they should do like the did with the 18/x18 where every second bus goes to dyce via kepplehills road then sclattie park then bankhead to dyce. but i am surprised they havent done anything with services in kincorth. all in all i dont think the changes last april was a big success |
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| So I was hearing tales yesterday of buses 1+1/2hrs behind timetable thanks to the gridlock caused by yesterday's weather. Going home yesterday, it certainly looked grim. |
| [#8805525] |
2009-02-07 10:48:25 |
Left by Barber's Buses (#1238229) |
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| Well, normally i get the 2 from college to home. But yesterday i decided to walk from Union Street - Kings Street - The Bridge of Don - Scotstown - Jesmond Drive. Took me an hour. But i managed to walk home without 1 single 1, 2, 13, 40 passing me. The traffic did not move an inch when i was walking!! |
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| Anyone any idea on how the 1st's service changes are managing just now? Are there likely to be any more changes soon? I know that both Newhills and now even Rosemount are 'up in arms' about the changes! Not helping with the new farecard system now either though! |
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| Route 13 is a bit different these days. I was at the Beach Retail Park the other day & I saw the 13A in the complex itself. Given there are also bus stops on Links Rd, Beach Boulevard, Esplanande & Commerce St, what is the route of the 13 to Fittie from/to City Ctre? Is Commerce St still used on a bus route? |
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| The old 14A bus stops still exist and something went horrible wrong when the sheids were replaced last year as the 14 and an unknown 90 are in error shown on those used by the 13A. The 13A was plannned to run daytime only following the old 14 route out of Footdee via Commerce Street but just prior to the ne network launching Aberdeen City Council announced the withdrawal of the 14A so the 13A route was changed prior to starting to return via York Street, Links Rd, retail Park as per the 14A and run all day. |
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| Not as bad as one of the new shields I remember! There was one for Bridge of Dee showing the 1, 9 and 24 stopping there, but the stop was on Fountainhall Road for Desswood Place for the 13 and 13A! Fixed now though. |
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| Noticed the info on the FA site for the Torcher Parade the other day. There was so many diversions, it needed a 6 page document! :O I never got to the parade, so didn't get to see how badly the buses were afected, but it sounded bad! Even the last 24 had to terminate at Castle Street! |
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| Updated sheilds have gone up in the city centre recently showing N1, N19, N21 night bus services. These are actually for the Hogmanay services so are therefor just a once a year operation! Despite First complaining to the council more updates to show N prefix routes have been done. |
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| How typical of this numpty cooncil. SOMEBODY get rid of Kate Dean for Gawd's sake! |
| [#8856773] |
2009-09-04 17:04:36 |
Left by Barber's Buses (#1238229) |
Reply |
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| The 13 is Dubford - City - Scatterburn and the 13A is Footdee - ASDA - City - Scatterburn |
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First Leyland Atlantean 31528 (URS 318X) made a rare appearance out on the streets of Aberdeen for the 2006 Doors Open Day free shuttle. Seen here in Broad Street.
Off Route |
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| I saw this bus twice within maybe 2 hours, going down towards Broad Street on Schoolhill on 26/06/08. Was it operating on the City Sightseeing route? It was around 6 & 7pm that I saw it from the window of Little Johns restaurant, and it was a Thursday (the tour operates late on Thursdays) so it would make a bit of sense. If it as running service 80, what was wrong with the DAF? |
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| 31528 was indeed on the tour. The DAF is currently off the road for its MOT. The Atlantean has now been fitted up with a speaker system to allow the City Sightseeing tapes to be played and will act as a back up to the DAF. |
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| 'Buses' magazine (September 2008 issue) features a photo of Leyland Atlantean 31528 (URS 318X) "working a tour in July 2008". Presumably they mean the City Sightseeing Aberdeen tour when the DAF (M647 RCP) was off the road for its MOT. Has the Atlantean been out since? When does the tour finish for the year? Has it proved popular enough to do again next year? And does the DAF have an FirstGroup fleet number? |
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| The Atlantean covers for the DAF as and when required. Since its return from MOT it has been used once to allow the DAF to be used on a private hire. The DAF has no five digit number but is known locally as OTB1. The tour operates until the 22nd September (i.e. finishes after the holiday weekend). It is subsidised by Aberdeen City Council and naturally its success is weather dependent. The three year tended expires this year so it will be up to the council to decide whether any of its scarce finances should be used to fund it next year. |
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| Heard that, as usual, there is to be an open-top shuttle bus operating on Saturday 13th September 2008 for the Open Doors Day event. Is it going to be Leyland Atlantean 31528 (URS 318X) again? What is the route going to be this year? (It isn't that clear in the ODD leaflet.) Apparently it is going to be hourly, on the hour, from "Marischal College". Presumably, it means the Broad Street bus stop facing Union Street?! |
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| Should be same route as previous years from the Marischal College side stop operating via Torry IIRC. 31528 will be used depending on availability on the day. |
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| just a quick question but what does IIRC mean |
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| If I Recall Correctly, IIRC stands for: If I Recall Correctly! ;) |
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| cheers cvg6 fan i must be showing my age:) |
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This May 2006 view of 10046 (K1 GRT) was to be its last outing of the year. After months in storage with mechanical problems it was finally rested when its tax expired at the end of the year. However the failure of Olympian 31540 saw it retaxed and returned to service in February 2007.
Off Route |
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| Controversial question - do First regret buying the Artics, as it seems they can only be used on 1/2. Surely the roads around Aberdeen, esp in the estates, are just too winding & narrow. Believe Balgownie Rd was stuck recently due to a broken down Artic blocking the path or another Artic. Presume they like them, since they bought 20? in 2005! I've seen the Artics on 16...around Kincorth must be a nightmare! |
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| The 2005 artics were purposely bought for the 1/2 and they could easily be used more on the 9 and 16. Their main problem is that the frequently lose power or cut out completely. They often break down in awkward places making it difficult for the next bus to pass, Ashwood terminus being a particularly problem. This unreliability is what frustrates First most and the fact that there does not appear to be a solution to this problem. With hindsight First would almost certainly have bought deckers for the 1/2 and if Aberdeen ever see new artics again it is likely to be ftr's although new deckers are probably more likely. |
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| is aberdeen likely to see any more of the new-style double-deck vehicles lime First operates elsewhere in the near future? Although fine enough when quiet, the newer single-deckers seem a bit small and crowded to give a pleasant journey on some routes at busy times - I never remember having to stand so often 10 years ago! |
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| Twelve Wright bodied Volvo B9TL double deckers with leather seats are due to convert the Blue Line 17/17X to double deck operation in late 2008. |
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| I noticed while passing the bus station today (27/06/08)that there was at least 3 of the new double-deckers parked in the yard. They were in "Barbie" colours, but are they going to be given 17/17X vinyls? When are they expected to enter service? Soon I hope... but I would like First Aberdeen to preserve the 'B' reg. Olympian, an 'E' reg. Olympian, and the Mercedes-Benz Cityranger Bendi-bus!!!!
And does anyone know of any similar web sites to this one for Stagecoach Bluebird, as I have noticed a few interesting recent arrivals to there fleet and would like to find out more!!!
P.S. Is there an email address I could get from you? I have many more questions to ask!!! |
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| The B9TLs are filtering into service from today (1/7) on expiry of the E reg Olympians road tax. Some will be 17/17X branded. See the First in Aberdeen website
http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland/nescot/home/first-to-know.pdf for what it will look like.
There are no plans to preserve any of the Olympians so anyone interested should start thinking now as they are destined to be scrapped. The artic 10046 is destined for eventual preservation though.
There are good Fotopic sites covering Stagecoach Bluebird. Try:
http://andrewcairns.fotopic.net/c1236187.html
http://tails-prower-2040.fotopic.net/show_group.php?id=6971
http://donald1852.fotopic.net/c446376.html
There is a message facility on the front page of this site which allows emails to be sent.
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| i think this bus should be fixed and used more - its a bit of history of aberdeen. keep it! |
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| The good news is, it was saved for preservation last summer. Can't wait to see it out in the road again. I do wonder though... won't it be a bit big for some of these rallies? I would have thought it would struggle a bit to fit in at Lathalmond, for example, if it can even get there! The roads round there are even tighter than the site itself! |
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| sad not to see this bus now a days. |
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| any pictures of its sister bus? |
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| has it been to any exhibitons yet? |
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A double demise. First withdrew service 28 in June 2006 ending bus operation in the Jesmond estate after 13 years. Normally a 709D operation lack of minibus availaility lead to Olympian operation in its final weeks. 31555 (E129 DRS) seen here, was to meet its fate in January 2007 after collision damage brought about its withdrawal.
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| hey its me stuart again!!
The 28 - was a kind of pointless service but in this photo i really cannot remeber double deckers operating the service!
And that is the street i live on going left of the photo!! I rember the good old 7 and 7A. They used to run right outsiede my house!!! They were a great service for the local people in the Bridge of Don as it would stop right outside their doors!!! |
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| During the lifetime of the 28 there were periods when there were a shortage of Mercedes 709Ds (particularly in the summer months when service 8 was in operation). This lead to the use of Olympians that had come off school work. Deckers were quite frequent in its final week. |
| [#8830583] |
2009-05-19 01:00:52 |
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