Page 20 - MBF Supplement Demo

London Explorer
George Marcar and Reuben Greene - Central London
Dennis Trident/ Plaxton Presidents LR03ZKR and LS53SSV were sent to the works of ADT in February for refurbishment. However, unlike most of the previous vehicles sent to ADT for work to be carried out, this pair will retain their roofs as they are destined for the Docklands & Greenwich Tour which operates through the southbound Blackwall Tunnel.
A winter 'clearout' saw the departure from the fleet of a number of vehicles, some of which had not seen service in recent times. Now gone are, AEC Routemaster/ PRV H72F (RCN692/700), Leyland Titan/ Leyland O76F (DFH428Y, XRM430Y), MCW Metrobus mk2 O91D (F151UJN), Dennis Arrow/ East Lancs O84D (S401THX, T403/4/10WYV) and Dennis Trident/ Enviro 500 O83D (SN03CDE/F).
On the plus side, three heritage vehicle have transferred here from other Explorer tours in the form of BMMO D9 O72RD (2976HA), Daimler Fleetline/ MCW H73F (OUC53R) and Leyland PD3/ NCME Queen Mary FH69F (BUF274C). In addition to this trio, the licensed heritage fleet for 2017 comprises, Leyland PD2 'RTW' H56R (KGK505), refurbished AEC Regent 3 'RT' H56R (LUC108/402), AEC Routemaster PRV O64R (WLT580), AEC Routemaster O64RD (WLT925), Leyland PD3/ NCME Queen Mary FH69F (970CUF), Leyland Titan/ PRV H68D (CUL125V) and Leyland Titan/ Leyland PO70D (KYN124X). The majority of these carry the older Explorer livery of maroon/cream or maroon with gold lining (except the two RTs which carry a red livery).
The heritage fleet is planned to operate alongside the normal tour fleet on 20 'heritage days' through the summer. The first scheduled use was over all four days of the Easter weekend, which is to be followed by the Sundays/ Bank Holidays at the beginning and end of May, every Sunday from June 25 to September 3 (inclusive), plus the August Bank Holiday Monday. At other times, these vehicles are expected to be in attendance at various rallies, running days and other special events through the summer. The Titans and DMS are based at Gravesend (along with other heritage vehicles stored out of use) and will only see very limited use in town due to low emission zone restrictions, the remainder of these vehicles are now based at Rye Lane with the main fleet.
The usual winter slowdown in deliveries means that there has been little change in the Padbus fleet since the last Supplement report. One additional bus has been received in the form of 569 (OG61SCW) DAF SB220/ East Lancs Myllennium B55F. This is currently in the reserve fleet pending planned service changes but was one of several buses loaned to Crossways in March for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Other buses loaned to Crossways at that time were: 202 (OT56HAB) Volvo B9TL/ Wright Eclipse Gemini H72F; 204 (OV54HAD) Dennis Trident/ Plaxton President H74F; 532 (OE51SBF) Volvo B10BLE/ Wright Renown B46F; 568 (OF63SCV) Mercedes- Benz Citaro LU B58F; and 610 (OL56LAK) Scania/ East Lancs Omnidekka H73F.
569 (OG61 SCW) DAF SB220/East Lancs Myllennium B55F - one of several buses loaned to Crossways in March for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Pendle Forest
Kevin Diggins - North East Lancashire
Representatives of the heritage fleet which is planned to operate alongside the normal tour fleet on 20 'heritage days' through the summer.
20
Padbus Paul Dudfield
There has been much activity in the Pendle Forest fleet since the last report.
November saw the entry into service of one of the Volvo B7RLE with Wright Eclipse 2 B43F bodies which returned from Malta Public Transport. It is numbered 91 (BG14OOZ) and was pressed into service in dealer white livery. Next came 92