Ulsterbus Fleet News 2011

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20/12/11 - B10Ms 1632/8 have returned to service at Enniskillen and Dungannon respectively. Former Darts 649/50 (DCZ 7649/50) have passed from Edwards {Edwards Coaches}, Llantwit Fardre to Lloyd, Machynlleth, whilst Tiger 1484 (YXI 5484) has passed from Dodd's, Ayr to Abbey, Neilston, and B10M 1563 (DAZ 1563) has passed from Belle Vue, Heaton Chapel to Go South Coast.

06/12/11 - Tiger 1466 has gone to Lough Swilly. Some news of former Tigers is 1343 (TXI 1343) and 1351 (TXI 1351) passed to Thomas, Porth in August 2011, being joined by 1420 (WXI 4420) in October, whilst 1458 (YXI 1458) and 1471 (YXI 1471) had passed to Copley {JM Travel}, South Hiendley by November 2011. Long gone 540 (HAZ 3540, ex 64 KD 88) passed from Hughes {Alpine}, Llandudno to Jones, Llanfaethlu in October.

04/12/11 - Tiger 1487 returned to use again at Coleraine on 22nd November. Vehicles detaxed at the end of November are Iveco community minibus 17 (Dungannon), Tiger 1500 and B10M 1638 (both Enniskillen). Ayats 2004 and 2026 have swapped depots, with the former going to Dungannon and the latter to Derry.

01/12/11 - Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo 120 has been smartly repainted in Scottish Citylink livery.

20/11/11 - Tiger 1488, now with McGonagle, Buncrana has been reregistered 93-DL-5611.

17/11/11 - B10M/Plaxton 1638 returned to service at Enniskillen on 2nd November. Disposals see Solos 1821/6 go McGonagle, Buncrana (1826 being for spare parts).

14/11/11 - Omagh based Caetano bodied Volvo 2511 is an unusual repaint to the current bus livery. Thanks to Paul Rafferty for the picture.

11/11/11 - Former 1338 (RXI 3338) was withdrawn by 9/11 with York Pullman, York 278 and was then reregistered G768 PWT in 9/11, the Northern Ireland number being transfered to another vehicle.

08/11/11 - Some news of former vehicles is Tiger/TE 526 (PXI 5526, now 90-TS-3692) was offered for sale 10/11 by Kelleher, Tipperary; Tiger/Alexander 1461 (YXI 1461), 1470 (YXI 1470) were registered 92-C-17784 and 92-C-17783 respectively 9/11 with Kearney (Glenferry), Blarney; B10M/Plaxton 1580 (EAZ 2580, now M681 BNO) was registered 5182 PO 3/09 with Lloyd, Bagillt; 1590 (EAZ 2590) passed to McColl Coaches, Dumbarton by 6/11, ex Highland Country 52204; 1612 (JAZ 1612):  registered 96-C-23185 10/11 with Kearney; (Glenferry), Blarney; B7RLE/Wright Commuter 2201 (WCZ 2201, now SA 04 AGT) had gone from Bowman, Craignure by 12/10. On the preservation front former NIRTB Bedford OWB X337 (GZ 2248) passed to Martin, Penkridge 11/09 for preservation, ex Warstone, Great Wyrley; this bus has a replica body in a similer manner to locally preserved V957. Leopard 286 (AXI 286, now GEZ 8109) was registered AIG 286 9/11, with Nogues, Bangor whilst similar 299 (JEZ 2954, ex AXI 299) and 320 (FEZ 5461, ex BXI 320) were scrapped by 10/11, ex Harkin, Londonderry, along with RELL 2280 (TOI 2280) ex Lockhart, Londonderry. Tiger 1242 (NXI 4242) passed to McAllinney, Newtownards 8/11 for preservation ex Holder, Bude. PD2/UTA 659 (WZ 659) passed to Miller, Ballyclare 8/11 for preservation, ex Mahood, Cloughey.

 

01/11/11 - Volvo B10M 1502 has returned to service at Downpatrick, and Ayats coach 2001 to Derry. Tiger 1487 (Downpatrick) is back in Reserve, as is Solo 1865 (Newcastle). Also detaxed is Ayats 2003 (Derry) which was involved in an accident at Toomebridge. Tiger 1467 has gone the the Swilly, wth 1342/54 going to Hamill for scrap, along with B10M/Plaxton 1601.

23/10/11 - Volvo B10BLE 2850 has returned to use at Coleraine following repairs, whilst Solo 1865 has also returned to service at Newcastle along with Tigers 1486 (Magherafelt) and 1500 (Enniskillen). Volvo B9TL 2266 (Magherafelt) has been detaxed with accident damage. Sililar 2286 has moved from Derry - Derry City, with 2307 going the opposite direction. The latest sales see Tigers 1402/6 going to Hamill for scrap and 1488 to McGonagle, Buncrana.

15/10/11 - Tiger 1487 returned to use at Downpatrick on 21st September, whilst B10M 1640 returned to use at Armagh 2 days later. Unfortunately at the end of the month the Tiger fleet took another hit with 1447/67 (Coleraine), and 1500 (Armagh) being put to Reserve along with Solos 1821 (Coleraine), 1851 (Newry) , 1854 (Craigavon) and 1865 (Downpatrick), Ayats 2001 (Glengall Street), B10M/Van Hool artic 3110 (Larne) and Atlantean 4901 (Coleraine). On the move are 401 (Newcastle - GVS), 1734 (Downpatrick - Newcastle) 1773 (GVS - Downpatrick), 1854 (Derry - Craigavon) and 713 (Larne - Metro Short Strand). Tigers 1385/1450/63 have gone to Hamill for scrap, 1491/6 to Lough Swilly and 1461/70 to Kearneys of Cork, along with B10M/Plaxton 1612.

15/09/11 - Good news is the return to service of Tigers 1438 (Enniskillen), 1439 (Derry), 1445 (Larne) and 1492 (Newcastle) along with Solos 1842 (Ards), 1851 (Newry), 1858 (Enniskillen) and Ultra 2760 at Derry. Solo 1854 has moved from Derry to Craigavon and Scania 1704 from Derry - Magherafelt, this being the second of it's type to receive a conversion to 69 seat bus configuration. Also on the move is Scania 1699 from Enniskillen to Larne where it has replaced Volvo bendi 3110 which may have a buyer. Tiger 2643 has gone to the Kells Transport Museum and 1453 to Dodds of Troon, whilst re-acquired 4345/9 have repidly moved on to Hamills for scrap along with 1385 and long withdrawn Mercedes minibus 15 (IXI 7015) - last used June 2000 and rusting away in Donaghadee for many years. Finally Volvo demonstrator 2038 was returned to it's owner on 9th September; it has been sold to Travel Dundee.

07/09/11 - Former BRA Tigers 345/9 (DXI 3345/9), re-acquired in part exchange for 1448/9 and have been renumbered 4345/9. The majority of the vehicles detaxed for the summer holidays returned to use on 1st September, although a number were brought back to use earlier to help cover large private hire committments on the last Saturday of August. Scania 730 has returned to use at Larne after riot damage repairs, along with Tiger 1467 (Coleraine) and Solo 1860 (Larne). Unfortunately, service alterations at the start of September saw off a large proportion of the remaining Tiger fleet with the following going to Reserve: 1434/9/66 (Derry) 1438 (Omagh), 1440/1/3/5/6/61/86/7/8 (Coleriane) 1481 (Newry) 1491/2 (Downpatrick) 1497 (Dungannon) 1498 (Newry). Also gone to Reserve are B10Ms 1632/8/43 (Driving School) and 1601 (Lisburn), Solos 1842 (Newtownabbey) 1851 (Newry) 1858 (Enniskillen) 1863/4 (Derry) and Ultras 2733/7/41/2 (Craigavon), 2746/7/8/54/6/7/60 (Derry). The last of the 2 deminstrator Ultras, 2761, is withdrawn with engine fire damage. Extra double deckers received from Metro are 2979 (Ards), 2980-4/6 (Coleraine) and 2987 (Omagh), whilst B10Ms 1641 (Craigavon), 1653/4 (Lisburn) and 1533/4(GVS) have moved the other direction to Metro Short Strand. A mammoth set of moves has also taken place during late August / early September:

790/1 (Active Reserve (Newtownabbey) -Metro)
1724 (Armagh - GVS)
2022 (GVS - Armagh)
1775 (Coleraine - Londonderry)
1785 (Londonderry - Coleraine)
418 (Antrim - Craigavon)
453/4 (Enniskillen - Lisburn)
511 (Newry - Magherafelt)
708/9 (Antrim - Craigavon)
710 (Londonderry - Coleraine)
715 (Bangor - Newtownabbey)
719 (Newtownards - Londonderry)
765 (Enniskillen - Londonderry)
768 (Antrim - Craigavon)
772 (Larne - Londonderry)
778 (GVS - Coleriane)
779/819/20/1 (GVS - Londonderry)
827/8 (Magherafelt - Coleraine)
1500 (Active Reserve (Craigavon) - Armagh)
1678 (Glengall Street - Newcastle)
1773/83 (Downpatrick - Londonderry)
1778/9 (Londonderry - Downpatrick)
1876 (Omagh - Coleraine)
2009 (Newtownards - GVS)
2236/74 (Newcastle - Downpatrick)
2244 (Coleraine - Ballymena)
2252 (Omagh - Newcastle)
2261 (Coleraine - Antrim)
2421 (Downpatrick - Craigavon)
2511 (Londonderry - Omagh)
2765/8 Craigavon Active Reserve(Craigavon)
2780 (Newcastle - Active Reserve(Ballymena))
2784 Coleraine Active Reserve (Coleraine)
2787 (Newcastle - Active Reserve (Newtownabbey))
2820 (GVS - Active Reserve (GVS))
2830 (Coleraine - Active Reserve (Coleraine))
2988/9 Active Reserve (Newtownabbey) - Newtownards.

Finally Tigers 1483/4/5/93 have been sold to Dodds of Troon and 1333 to Pastor M. Taylor, Dunseverick.

22/08/11 - Schoolruns 341-7/55-7 returned to service on 8th August and were loaned to Citybus (Short Strand) for use during the Transplant Games. Transfers see Scania 1675 move to Derry and 1669 return to Newcastle whilst a swap round of Ayats sees 2004/21 go to Derry, 2009 to Ards and 2012 to Ballymena. Tigers 1448/9 are the latest in a long line of vehicles sold to Belfast Royal Acadamy to replace the two 'N' types. The latter are to return to Ulsterbus and will probably go straight to Hamill's. In addition 2671 (VXI 2671) which had been used as the advert at the coach park, went to Hamill's last week.

 

04/08/11 - More vehicles returned to service are B7RLE 502 and B10M 1516 at Dungannon, Solo 1886 at Newry and Scanias 2456/7 at Ards. B7R's 395/6 have been detaxed from Ards for the remainder of the school holidays, whilst Tiger 1464 (Dungannon) and Solo 1860 (Larne) are now in Reserve.

22/07/11 - Vehicles returned to service are B10BLEs 2780/7 (Newcastle) and 2829 (Coleraine), Irizars 1669/78 (on loan to Glengall Street) and Scania L94 700 at Larne. 700 replaces similar 730 which is detaxed for repairs after having been hijacked. Vehicles sold during July are Tigers 1420/1 to Ripley, Carlton (dealer); 1462 to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap and Solo 1827 to Nash, Ockley (dealer).

17/07/11 - A new demonstrator has appeared at Ballyclare, the first such arrival for some time. It is 2038 (BX10 MGE) and is a Wright Eclipse 2-bodied Volvo B7RLE, which had been Stagecoach 80013 and has been doing the rounds of Group companies for fuel trials.

06/07/11 - Former Dublin Bus Volvo Olympian 2000 (CXI 6200, 99-D-508) entered service at Coleraine on 27th June. It is now a 70 seater with side wheelchair lift. Tiger 1295 is the latest to be converted for engineering use (at Omagh) whilst Solo 1839 returned to use at Bangor on 10th June. A sole Tiger (1467) has gone to Reserve from Coleraine; however it seems that very few of the surviving Tigers will be in use come September. As usual, over 400 buses have been detaxed for the duration of the school holidays:

Gt. Victoria St.: 342/3/93/4/704/5/6/17/39/86/8/9/819/21/2/3/1537/8/2221/2/4/6/2325/2991/6/7/9
Lisburn: 203/17/8/39/40/62/3/4/728/38/56/7/82/1583/1601/15/42/60/2239/77
Newtownards: 201/2/65/6/310/720/1/3/52/4/1627/2326/2456/7/2822/3/4
Bangor: 198/9/200/715/49/2278/98/2462/3/4/5/6
Craigavon: 251/2/3/74/5/305/6/33/4/5/6/55/6/7/1589/91/2/1630/2318/9/2424/5/2737/41
Downpatrick: 194/210/1/37/8/93/4/1545/1626/9
Armagh: 224/5/6/76/7/8/92/391/783/4/1582/1628/2249/70/1/91/2/2418/68
Newcastle: 234/5/6/95/6/340/53/4/422/44/1491/1602/23/69/78/2766/77/8/80/7
Newry: 232/3/57/8/9/67/8/9/90/1/318/9/27/8/44/5/6/7/1481/98/1549/50/1624/5/1887/1904/2279/95/6/7
Dungannon: 216/22/3/83/358/9/72/3/78/86/97/8/502/816/1497/2316/7/20/1
Londonderry: 208/9/44/5/6/7/98/300/9/48/9/1434/9/66/1505/1613/4/21/1863/2242/56/7/2301/2/1511/2746/7/8/51/6/8
Omagh: 214/5/301/2/3/4/1603/16/1882/2016/2267/8/9/90/2322/3
Enniskillen: 212/3/48/9/50/307/8/11/87/8/1610/9/20/22/1916/2017
Coleraine: 204/5/21/72/3/84/5/6/316/20/1/4/5/61/2/3/74/5/711/64/1441/3/5/6/87/8/2308/9/2784/2829/20/1/2/51
Ballymena: 188/227/8/9/87/8/9/97/9/313/22/37/8/70/1/84/501/45/1484/5/1608/2245/6/7/2814/48/9
Larne: 185/6/7/230/1/312/23/39/433/4/5/700/70/1/1523/6/36/1602/2232/5/50/3111
Magherafelt: 219/20/41/2/70/1/82/350/1/2/504/6/825/6/1542/1609/17/2233/4/2313/4/5
Antrim: 206/7/43/54/5/6/60/1/80/1/708/9/32/3/4/5/69/836/40/1604/5/7/2262/3/80/1
Derry City: 1844/5/96/1917/2240/1/3/55/8
Newtownabbey: 376/99/400/1511/2/39/40/7/8/2231/48/53/4/76
Active Reserve: 1461/8/83/2733/42/2988/9


Vehicles on the move are: 2236/74/2777 (Downpatrick - Newcastle),1649 (Ards - Bangor), 1661 (Bangor - Ards), 2230 (Newtownabbey - Newcastle), 2276 (Newcastle - Newtownabbey), 1847 (Bangor - Newcastle), 1866 (Newcastle - Bangor), 1732 (GVS - Coleraine), 2014 (Coleraine - GVS), 710 (Coler aine - Londonderry), 1724 (GVS - Armagh), 1862 (Londonderry - Coleraine) and 2022 (Armagh - GVS). Tigers 1399 and 1452 have been sold to Hamill, Ahoghill as scrap, whilst 1346/82/1403/6/58/71/2 have been sold to Ripley, Carlton. 2 notable route cessations at the end if June were Goldline 295 (Enniskillen - Monaghan) and long established Interlink route 296 (Omagh - Longford).

23/06/11 - Volvo B9TL 2230 is an additional vehicle painted in the green Park and Ride Livery (branded for Cairnshill) and has moved to Newcastle. Needless to say, when observed today it was operating a 15 to Downpatrick.

20/06/11 - Tigers 340 (DXI 3340) and 385 (KEZ 2859, ex FXI 385) were the other two vehicles destroyed at Kells Transport Museum. 1353 (TXI 1353) is now with Littywood Farm, Bradley as a non psv, via Hardwick, Carlton whilst 1403 (WXI 1403) and 1471 (YXI 1471) went to Ripley, Carlton at the weekend.

17/06/11 - Some news of former vehicles: Leopard 189 (VOI 189, now GEZ 1277) passed to <Unknown>, Annan for scrap by 12/10, ex McCall's, Lockerbie. Tiger 538 (GXI 538, now 87-DL-5242) had passed to Lynch, Buncrana for scrap by 6/11, ex Reddin, Muff T10. Tiger 1344 (TXI 1344) passed to Warrington Coachways {Bennett's}, Warrington in 5/11, ex Ripley, Carlton. B10M 1566 (DAZ 1566, now L421 ORS) had gone by 4/11, ex McColl Coaches, Dumbarton and similar 1575 (EAZ 2575) passed to Highland County 52202 in 4/11, ex Bluebird Buses 52202. Rejected Volvo/Sunsundegui coach 127 (LXI 1111) is now with Regan, Wath upon Dearne in South Yorkshire. Tiger 2627 (NXI 4627) was reseated to B62F by Hann, Liverpool (dealer) but remained unsold. It returned to Donoghue, Clarenbridge by 9/10 as a source of spare parts. Its 62 belted seats are to be fitted to an ex SELB Dennis Javelin. Ultra 2723 (LAZ 2723) has passed to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap. It had latterly been used for spares at Ulsterbus Pennyburn. Finally The remains of maliciously destroyed Scania 2405 (FXI 405) have been cut up for scrap at Pennyburn.

16/06/11 - Thanks to William for this view of newly converted Volvo Olympian open topper 2000 at Coleraine. It has taken the CXI 6200 registration which was previously on the Ford Cargo recovery truck, also Coleraine based. 2000 was previously Dublin Bus RV508 (99-D-508) and was converted to open top with wheelchair access at Duncrue Street.

15/06/11 - A suspected arson attack at the Kells Transport Museum has seen the loss of former Ulsterbus/Citybus Tigers 1003, 1271, 1288, 1309, 1310, 1311, 1312 and 1313, 2620 plus another 26xx and a further as yet unidentified example.

02/06/11 - Irizar i6 coaches 133-5 (FFZ 9133-5) entered service at GVS on 1st June. They are 52 seaters and feature Scania engines. Scania L94 723 has returned to use at Ards following accident repair, whilst a number of buses were detaxed at the end of May: 23 (Enniskillen), 1448 (GVS - the last Belfast based Ulsterbus Tiger), 1493/6 (Ards), 1516 (Dungannon - requires a replacement engine), 2744 (Craigavon) and 2850 (Coleraine - with accident damage).A swap round of buses between GVS, Newcastle and Downpatrick sees 401 go from GVS - Newcastle, 1734 Newcastle - Downpatrick and 1772 Downpatrick - GVS. Tigers 1391/5 have gone to Hamill for scrap.

31/05/11 - The Goldline timetable for the Belfast - Dublin route has been revised with extra journeys running two hourly direct between Belfast and Dublin Airport only, for the duration of the summer. Unusually these are numbered X2, changing previous practice whereby Goldline routes are numbered in the 2xx series.

22/05/11 - 1347/9 (TXI 1347/9) are reported with Hulme Hall, Cheadle Hulme (via Hardwick, Carlton). 1343/6/51/82 & 1401 are five more due to go to Ripley, Carlton (probably this weekend); 13 in total are going there.

19/05/11 - B10BLE 2813 is a further malicious loss at Craigavon. The replacement for this is 2803 from GVS, whilst 2405 is replaced by 2807, also from GVS. Also withddrawn is Tiger 1449 from Ards, with accident damage. Tigers returned to service are 1493/5 - Ards (09/05), 1467 - Coleraine (11/5), 1466 - Derry (17/5) and 1464 - Dungannon (18/5). Tiger 1331 has gone to Movie Go, Carrowdore and 1344, 1404/59 to Ripley, Carlton with several more to go. The previous report of 2656 being exported by Heartlands, Tamworth was incorrect. It surrendered it engine to one of the Mark III Goldliners after which it was scrapped. A second as yet unidentified Sunsundegui coach is now with north wales operator Goodsir of Holyhead. The final 3 of the current batch of Scanias have entered service at GVS: 556 (EFZ 9556) on 5th May and 557/8 on 17th May. All are in Airbus livery.

17/05/11 - Scania 2405 was destroyed at Glengalliagh Road, Derry last night, It's remains are seen here, pictured by Stephen Baxter.

 

10/05/11 - The first of the four Volvo/Sunsundegui coaches rejected by Ulsterbus has finally surfaced, some three years later. 127 (IXI 1111) entered service with Regan {Expressway}, Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire in 4/11.

07/05/11 - Airbus liveried Scania/Wrightbus 553/4 (EFZ 9553/4) entered service at GVS on 22nd April. Buses detaxed at the end of April were Tigers 1401 (GVS), 1402 (Ards), 1451/2/3/80 (Newtownabbey Active Reserve), 1467 (Ballymena) along with Solo 1839 (Lisburn), B10M 1508 (Omagh - engine fire) and Ultra 2761 (Derry - also an engine fire). On the move are 540 (Armagh - Ballymena), 790/1 & 2989 (GVS - Newtownabbey Active Reserve), 1646 (GVS - Metro Short Strand) and 792 (GVS - Newtownabbey Active Reserve and again to Metro Short Strand ).

29/04/11 - Some news of former vehicles:

Leopard 248 (WOI 2248) passed to Scottish Borders Council {SB Buses}, Newton St. Boswells in 8/10, ex Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Tiger/Wright 537 (GXI 537) was re-registered UKZ 2805 (on paper only) in 9/07 by Transport Training Services, Nutts Corner. This vehicle later passed to Hamill, Ahoghill via Wilson's Auctions, Mallusk and has since been scrapped.
Tiger/Duiple 549 (EXI 5549) passed to T Met, Mallusk for scrap in 3/11 ex Tom McWilliams, Newtownards.
Tiger/Wright 1414 (WXI 4414) which was sold to James {Invincible/Heartlands}, Tamworth some time ago has now been re-registered PCK 335. Cityliner 2656 (SXI 2656) which was sold to the same operator in a dealer capacity was exported in 12/10.
B10M/Plaxton 1566 (DAZ 1566, now M421 ORS) has been withdrawn and offered for sale by McColl's Coaches, Dumbarton.
RELL 2395 (UOI 2395) passed to Mulpeter {Saeford & District}, Seaford in 7/10 ex Nash, Ockley. It was resold in 10/10 to an unknown owner in Tonbridge for conversion to a caravan.

23/04/11 - The remainder of the current batch of Scanias continue to enter service : 551 (EFZ 9551 - GVS - 13/04 - Airbus livery), 572 (GVS - 13/04 - Sprucefield Park nad Ride livery) and 552/5 (GVS - 20/04 - Airbus livery). 3 Tigers have returned to use during April: 1451 (Active Reserve at Newtonabbey - 06/04), 1491 (Newcastle - 11/04) and 1496 (Ards - 13/04). On the move are B7RLE 540 from Armagh - Ballymena, Scania 1662 from GVS to Bangor and B7TL 2989 from GVS to Active Reserve (Newtownabbey). Leopard Towbus 4108 (SCZ 2658, ROI 108) has been withdrawn, leaving 4199 at Derry as the only active Leopard left. Tiger 1371 has gone to Hamill for scrap.

17/04/11 - Airport liveried Scania 551 entered service at GVS on the 13th. These still feature the 'Rural' bodystyle with narrow entrance and hinged door behind the fron wheel, but have large luggage racks on the offside. The majority of seating is 2+2 with only the second and third rows from the rear being 3+2. Tiger 1430 and Volvo 2505 have gone to Heartlands, Tamworth and Leopard 1961 and Tiger 1400 have been sold to the Kells Transport Museum.

11/04/11 - Scania/Irizar 1662 has now been converted to a service bus and is repainted blue and grey. The forthcoming Airbus Scanias 551-8 will apparently be 43 seaters.

06/04/11 - Sprucefield Park & Ride liveried Scania 571 entered service at GVS on the 1st; surprisingly it is to full 'Rural' design with 55 seats in 3+2 layout and as such is unlikely to impress many motorists on it's intended service. Lets hope the forthcoming Airbuses (which should be around from early next week) are to a more appropriate specification. Tiger 2643 made a brief return to service bwteen 10th March and the end of the month when it was detaxed again, along with 1342/1459/71/1405 (Newcastle), 1343 (Newtownards), 1403/93 (Active Reserve (C’avon)), 1404/69/70 (Ballymena) ,1437 (Omagh),1451 (Active Reserve (N’abbey)), 1462 (Newry), 1463 (Armagh), 1464 (Active Reserve (C’raine)), 1466 (Active Reserve (B’mena)), 1472 (Downpatrick), 1473 (Coleraine) and 1495/6 (Craigavon).Vehicles on the move are : 515 Armagh - Newry, 525 Armagh - Ballymena, 536 Armagh - Coleraine, 418 Londonderry - Antrim, 419 Londonderry - Craigavon, 1504 Londonderry - Coleraine, 1440 Coleraine - Active Reserve (C’raine), 1544 Antrim - Downpatrick and 2988 GVS - Active Reserve (N’abbey)

29/03/11 - Derry based former tours liveried B10M/Excalibur 690 is now smartly repainted in Goldline livery.

28/03/11 - It seems that 1331 was not used at Newtownards and has been returned to store at GVS.

24/03/11 - Further new Scania/Wrightbus B55F to enter service are 563/4/6/7 (EFZ 9563) at Armagh and 568-70 at Derry, all entering service on the 24th. Also delivered is the first of the two Park & Ride vehicles, 571, although it is not yet in use. N-type 1331 has made a further return to use, this time at Ards.

18/03/11 - More new Scania's to enter service are 494/5/562/5 (EFZ 9494) at Armagh (on 14th March for 494 and 15th for the others), 500 Derry, 7th March, and 559-61 at Omagh (15th March for 559, 14th March for 560/1). Scania/Irizar 1751 has returned to service at Magherafelt following completion of repairs. Tiger 2640 was also returned to service as Duncrue Street towbus on 18th March and is suitably shortened for it's new role, being the first Q-type to receive this treatment. On the move are 409/10 Derry - Craigavon, 436 Derry - Newcastle, 464 Omagh - Newcastle, 465 Omagh - Craigavon, 503/16/35 Armagh - Ballymena, 1483 Ballymena - Active Reserve (Ballymena), 1500/2733/42 Craigavon - Active Reserve (Craigavon), 1502 Armagh - Downpatrick and 1503 Derry - Ballymena.

14/03/11 - 3 new touring coaches are due shortly and will take fleetnumbers 133-5 (FFZ 9133-5). 2 more Tigers sent for scrap to Hamill's are 1352/92. Citybus Ultra 2707 has been moved to Derry as a source of spares. B9TL 2994 is now in the dark blue Airbus livery.

04/03/11 - 3 more Scania Rurals in service are 496 (Armagh - 02/03) and 498/9 (Derry - 03/03).

02/03/11 - First of the latest batch of Scania K230/Wrightbus Solar Rural to arrive is 497 (EFZ 9497), allocated to Derry yesterday. As with previous deliveries these are B55F+18. The batch should also be allocated to Armagh, Omagh and GVS (551-8 for Airbus and 571/2 for Park and Ride - hopefully these will be to a higher internal specification). Tiger 1401 has been returned to service at GVS whilst Scania 445 also returned to use at Newcastle following accident damage repairs. A number of buses were detaxed at the end of February including the final N-type (again) 1331 from Newry, 2643 (the last of the Citybus bus seated Q-types from Magherafelt), 1379 (GVS) and 1612 (Enniskillen). Another of the diminishing band of Leopard towbuses has also gone, 1961 (KOI 9961 from Lisburn), having given a respectable 35 years service. Finally, B10M 1531 has moved from Antrim to Magherafelt.

25/02/11 - Tigers 1345/7/9/53/5/68/79/80/7/9/94 and 1456 were taken to the docks this morning. All are going to Hardwick, Carlton (dealer) and should be shipped tomorrow night.

24/02/11 - Returned to service are B10M 1610 at Enniskillen and B7R's 256 at Antrim and 340 at Newcastle, the latter 2 after accident repair. 1610 was to be the donor vehicle to provide seats for 1662 but this has now been replaced by 1612. 1397/8 (WXI 4397/8) have been re-registered 93-TS-2973 (in 12/10) and 93-TS-2974 (in 2/11) with Kelleher, Tipperary. 286 (GEZ 8109, ex AXI 286) has passed from Miller, Ballyclare to Nogues, Bangor for continued preservation.

18/02/11 - B7TL/ALX 2995 has been repainted in the new dark blue Airbus livery and is lettered for Belfast International airport.

07/02/11 - B10M/Plaxton 1599 has been destroyed by fire in Ahoghill, so the remains will not have to travel far to get to Hamills !

04/02/11 - The N-type Tiger has made a surprising comeback, with the return to service of 1331 (RXI 3331) at Newry on 2nd February. Also returned to service is 1402 at Ards, with Active Reserve 1461/9 also moving to Ards. Leyland Tiger/Alexander 'N' type 401 (JEZ 4092, ex FXI 401) has passed from Coulter, Ballymoney to Menagh, Belfast for preservation.

21/01/11 - Returned to service are 1462 - Newry, 1627 - Ards and 1839 - Lisburn. Tiger 1344 is also being prepared for return to service at Bangor where it is to replace 1662 (TCZ 1662) which is to be the prototype school bus conversion. It is to be fitted with the seats from Volvo/Plaxton 1610 which is then likely to be released for disposal. Tiger 1398 has been sold to Kelleher, Tipperary and 1433 and 2649 to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap. Scania 792 has had it's Airbus branding removed and is is now in fleet livery.

18/01/11 - Volvo 2229 is now in Park and Ride livery and is the last of 7 buses to be branded for the Cairnshill service.

09/01/11 - News of 3 former Tigers now with Spruhan, Bagenalstown is 1412 (WXI 4412) is re-registered 92-CW-1671, 1422 (WXI 4422) is re-registered 92-CW-1673 and 1460 (YXI 1460) is re-registered 92-CW-1672.

04/01/11 - Forthcoming Scanias 494-500/51-72 will take registrations EFZ 9494-500/51-72 with delivery commencing in February.

01/01/11 - Seasons Greetings and a Merry New Year from Irish Transport Heritage.

 

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