News From Around The UK

A new feature I'm going to introduce to SB&TP is a regular (sometimes) look at what's happening in different areas, both on roads and rail. I know some of you aren't concerned with anything outside our area but I know there are just as many, if not more who find it interesting, so this is for you.

We start in Oxford where Stagecoach's Oxford Tube has launched a brand new fleet of Van Hool double decker coaches. The new vehicles entered service yesterday and key features include high speed 4G WiFi, extra leg room and panoramic glass roofs.  They look pretty stunning, and hopefully I'll get some pics of one or two of them while passing through London next week. For the full report and vehicle description go to the Oxford Tube website by clicking here.

Three of the new Van Hool double decker coaches for Oxford Tube. Pic from Twitter

Staying with Van Hool, and also partially Stagecoach we head North, way North to Aberdeen, where final preparations are in place for the launch of 10 hydrogen buses operated jointly by Stagecoach and First. These Van Hool monsters are due to hit the streets in the Autumn, and I have to say it just might be worth a trip up there for the braver of you as they look pretty amazing to me. You can read Bus and Coach Buyer's full report by clicking here.  So next time, like I was this morning you are feeling sorry for yourself on a hard seated Scania just hope that one day these find their way down this neck of the woods too!

One of First's new hydrogen buses for Aberdeen. Pic by Aberdeen City Council

From Scotland to Wales and Arriva have launched their latest Sapphire service in North Wales. Operating between Rhyll and Aberystwyth the service 12 has a fleet of brand new AD E400's with all the trimmings. A full report is on the North West Bus Blog, which is certainly worth the read and you can access it by clicking here.

Arriva 4545 CX14 BXH at Rhyl Arena. Pic by North West Bus Blog

Our last bus related item today is just an excuse for an Olympian pic. First Wessex launched their Summer 501 Service between Weymouth and Portland \Bill lighthouse last week, and are using this rather good looking Olympian on the service. If anyone is down in that region this Summer it's got to be worth a ride!

First Wessex 39920 L650 SEU on the 501 open top service to Portland Bill. Pic from Twitter

And finally Freightliner have announced on Twitter that all their Immingham coal services are going to operate via the Grimsby Light Railway due to the derailment of a DB Schenker Class 66 loco. I have searched for more info on this incident without any success. However the pic below accompanied the Twitter post and really only has one caption available.

Oops and double Oops