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April 2007
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Unusual Visitors
07-04-07
Major engineering work in the Basingstoke area over the Easter weekend has brought a mixture of interesting vehicles to Reading. First Great Western services between Reading and Basingstoke were replaced by buses calling at Reading West, Mortimer and Bramley (Hants). South West Trains were replaced between Andover and Farnborough/Woking and also between Winchester/Micheldever and Farnborough/Woking. Virgin Trains were diverted past Basingstoke and Winchester and replaced by buses operating between Reading, Basingstoke and Winchester. In addition South West Trains services between Winchester and Reading are being replaced by buses from 6th until 15th April. The Thames Valley Park and Thames Water courtesy services are being relocated to alternative stops whilst the replacement buses are in operation.
Stagecoach have a small fleet of exHong-Kong Leyland Olympians in South West Trains livery (mostly based at Winchester) for rail replacement work. 13629 is seen above arriving at Reading Station today.
Assisting the dedicated vehicles today were at least two from the Megabus fleet. 13631 is seen above complete with a fully programmed destination display. These vehicles make an usual sight in the town centre, although perhaps fitting because there are now scheduled Megabus departures from Calcot.
Whilst Countywide's buses are familiar from their operation on the 72, their coaching fleet is somewhat unfamiliar. Their front line fleet is made up of four DAF SB3000 / Ikarus 350s, of which the newest is YJ51 EKK seen above.
Weavaway are regular performers on rail replacement work, and Plaxton Cheetah YN06 CYX was included with several of the VanHools today.
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