Whippet NX & Flixbus

Sunday 25 September 2022 – Showbus 50 Rally, Hertfordshire County Showground Whippet Coaches FX23 (BL17 XBB) is a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in June 2017 that was originally used on National Express service work. Now carrying Flixbus livery with rear end Union Flag and London related graphics.

Tuesday 11 May 2021 (1143) – Whippet Coaches Limited of Swavesey, Cambridgeshire has now ceased to be a contracted operator for National Express and is now operating services for Flixbus. BL17 XAX, a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in June 2017, had worked for National Express and carried fleet number NX19. It now carries Flixbus livery and fleet number FX19. After an initial start with domestic coach services in Britain which stalled due to the Covid-19 lockdown, Flixbus re-introduced services in April 2021 operating on Saturdays and Sundays only from London to Sheffield-Leeds-Bradford; London to Bristol-Cardiff-Bridgend-Swansea; London-Birmingham-Manchester; and London-Leicester-Loughborough-Derby.

Tuesday 11 May 2021 (1143) – After an initial start with domestic coach services in Britain which stalled due to the Covid-19 lockdown, Flixbus re-introduced services in April 2021 operating on Saturdays and Sundays only from London to Sheffield-Leeds-Bradford; London to Bristol-Cardiff-Bridgend-Swansea; London-Birmingham-Manchester; and London-Leicester-Loughborough-Derby. Whippet Coaches Limited of Swavesey, Cambridgeshire has now ceased to be a contracted operator for National Express and is now operating services for Flixbus. Two Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410s that had previously worked on National Express services are seen here at the Swavesey property. Left is BL17 XAX (new in June 2017) formerly fleet number NX19 now in full Flixbus livery and the fleet number FX19. On the right is BV67 JZT (new in January 2018) still in base white but with Flixbus fleetnames. It had previously carried fleet number NX31 although the NX prefix has been removed.

Sunday 8 August 2021 (0953) – After Whippet Coaches Limited of Swavesey, Cambridgeshire ceased to be a contracted operator for National Express the company became a contractor to Flixbus. A number of coaches once operated on the former National Express contracts, with NX as a prefix to the fleet number, were transferred to Flixbus work becoming pre-fixed with FX. FX21 (BL17 XAZ), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in June 2017, had previously been numbered NX21 and was seen at the company’s garage.

Sunday 8 August 2021 (0949) – After Whippet Coaches Limited of Swavesey, Cambridgeshire ceased to be a contracted operator for National Express the company became a contractor to Flixbus. A number of coaches once operated on the former National Express contracts, with NX as a prefix to the fleet number), were transferred to Flixbus work becoming pre-fixed with FX. FX28 (BV67 JZN), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410 new in January 2018, had previously been numbered NX28 and was seen just after it had departed the company’s garage close to where the white car is on the left of the photograph. The improved A14 highway and the Cambridge Services service area can be seen on the right. A rather striking suspension footbridge spans the main highway (three lanes each way), two local roads (one lane each way) and an exit slip road from the eastbound A14 (two lanes).

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1910) – Whippet Coaches FX29 (BV67 JZP) seen at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge when working the 1450 Manchester to Paris Flixbus service N603 – just 7 minutes late. It is a Caetano Levante bodied bodied Scania K440 new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. Earlier in the day this coach had substituted Neoplan Tourliner FX33 (OU22 ZWW) which had worked from Paris at 2225 Friday evening but was taken out of service due to a fault with the entrance door. FX29 worked to Manchester and back to Trumpington from where FX33 took over the onward run to Paris. The destination display permanently showed service number N603 and Paris. Beneath the latter it scrolled via Birmingham, Cambridge, Stratford and Greenwich.

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1926) – Two Whippet Coaches vehicles working for Flixbus seen at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge Furthest from the camera is FX33 (OU22 ZWW), a Neoplan Tourliner new in early 2022, with FX29 (BV67 JZP), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. FX33 had worked from Paris at 2225 on Friday evening but was taken out of service at Cambridge Services due to a fault with the entrance door. FX29 continued to Manchester and then returned from there at 1450 arriving back at Trumpington at 1907 from where FX33 took over for the run to Paris.

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1908) – Whippet Coaches FX29 (BV67 JZP) seen at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge when working the 1450 Manchester to Paris Flixbus service N603 – just 7 minutes late. It is a Caetano Levante bodied bodied Scania K440 new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. Earlier in the day this coach had substituted Neoplan Tourliner FX33 (OU22 ZWW) which had worked from Paris at 2225 Friday evening but was taken out of service due to a fault with the entrance door. FX29 worked to Manchester and back to Trumpington from where FX33 took over the onward run to Paris. The destination display permanently showed service number N603 and Paris. Beneath the latter it scrolled via Birmingham, Cambridge, Stratford and Greenwich.

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1907) – Whippet Coaches FX29 (BV67 JZP) seen arriving at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge when working the 1450 Manchester to Paris Flixbus service N603 – just 7 minutes late. It is a Caetano Levante bodied bodied Scania K440 new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. Earlier in the day this coach had substituted Neoplan Tourliner FX33 (OU22 ZWW) which had worked from Paris at 2225 Friday evening but was taken out of service due to a fault with the entrance door. FX29 worked to Manchester and back to Trumpington from where FX33 took over the onward run to Paris. The destination display permanently showed service number N603 and Paris. Beneath the latter it scrolled via Birmingham, Cambridge, Stratford and Greenwich.

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1908) – Whippet Coaches FX29 (BV67 JZP) seen at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge when working the 1450 Manchester to Paris Flixbus service N603 – just 7 minutes late. It is a Caetano Levante bodied bodied Scania K440 new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. Earlier in the day this coach had substituted Neoplan Tourliner FX33 (OU22 ZWW) which had worked from Paris at 2225 Friday evening but was taken out of service due to a fault with the entrance door. FX29 worked to Manchester and back to Trumpington from where FX33 took over the onward run to Paris.

Sunday 8 August 2021 (0953) – After Whippet Coaches Limited of Swavesey, Cambridgeshire ceased to be a contracted operator for National Express the company became a contractor to Flixbus. A number of coaches once operated on the former National Express contracts, with NX as a prefix to the fleet number, were transferred to Flixbus work becoming pre-fixed with FX. Two Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410s are seen here at the company’s garage. Left is BV67 JZT (new in January 2018) which had previously carried fleet number NX31. The NX prefix has been removed but FX not substituted. Right is FX21 (BL17 XAZ) (new in June 2017) had previously been numbered NX21.

Sunday 8 August 2021 (1322) – After Whippet Coaches Limited of Swavesey, Cambridgeshire ceased to be a contracted operator for National Express the company became a contractor to Flixbus. A number of coaches once operated on the former National Express contracts, with NX as a prefix to the fleet number, were transferred to Flixbus work becoming pre-fixed with FX. Three Caetano Levante bodied Scania K410s seen here at the company’s garage. Nearest the camera is FX19 (BL17 XAX) (new in June 2017, formerly fleet number NX19). In the background (left) is BV67 JZT (new in January 2018, previously NX31. The NX prefix has been removed but FX not substituted). Centre is FX21 (BL17 XAZ) (new in June 2017, previously NX21).

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1917) – Whippet Coaches FX33 (OU22 ZWW), a Neoplan Tourliner new in early 2022, seen at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge taking over the working of the Manchester to Paris Flixbus service N603. This coach had worked from Paris at 2225 on Friday evening but was taken out of service at Cambridge Services due to a fault with the entrance door. Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 FX29 (BV67 JZP) continued to Manchester and then returned from there at 1450 arriving back at Trumpington at 1907. FX29 was new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. Just before departure the destination display was changed to show service number N603 and Paris. Beneath the latter it scrolled via Birmingham, Cambridge, Stratford and Greenwich.

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1918) – Two Whippet Coaches vehicles working for Flixbus seen at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge Nearest the camera is FX33 (OU22 ZWW), a Neoplan Tourliner new in early 2022, with FX29 (BV67 JZP), a Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. FX33 had worked from Paris at 2225 on Friday evening but was taken out of service at Cambridge Services due to a fault with the entrance door. FX29 continued to Manchester and then returned from there at 1450 arriving back at Trumpington at 1907 from where FX33 took over for the run to Paris.

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1928) – Whippet Coaches FX33 (OU22 ZWW), a Neoplan Tourliner new in early 2022, seen at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge taking over the working of the Manchester to Paris Flixbus service N603. This coach had worked from Paris at 2225 on Friday evening but was taken out of service at Cambridge Services due to a fault with the entrance door. Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 FX29 (BV67 JZP) continued to Manchester and then returned from there at 1450 arriving back at Trumpington at 1907. FX29 was new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. The Tourliner features a wheelchair lift positioned over the leading rear axle.

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1918) – Whippet Coaches FX33 (OU22 ZWW), a Neoplan Tourliner new in early 2022, seen at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge taking over the working of the Manchester to Paris Flixbus service N603. This coach had worked from Paris at 2225 on Friday evening but was taken out of service at Cambridge Services due to a fault with the entrance door. Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 FX29 (BV67 JZP) continued to Manchester and then returned from there at 1450 arriving back at Trumpington at 1907. FX29 was new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. Just before departure the destination display was changed to show service number N603 and Paris. Beneath the latter it scrolled via Birmingham, Cambridge, Stratford and Greenwich.

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1918) – Whippet Coaches FX33 (OU22 ZWW), a Neoplan Tourliner new in early 2022, seen at the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge taking over the working of the Manchester to Paris Flixbus service N603. This coach had worked from Paris at 2225 on Friday evening but was taken out of service at Cambridge Services due to a fault with the entrance door. Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 FX29 (BV67 JZP) continued to Manchester and then returned from there at 1450 arriving back at Trumpington at 1907. FX29 was new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. Just before departure the destination display was changed to show service number N603 and Paris. Beneath the latter it scrolled via Birmingham, Cambridge, Stratford and Greenwich.

Saturday 23 July 2022 (1930) – Friendly waves from the drivers on Whippet Coaches FX33 (OU22 ZWW), a Neoplan Tourliner new in early 2022, seen leaving the Trumpington Park and Ride site, Cambridge after taking over the working of the Manchester to Paris Flixbus service N603. This coach had worked from Paris at 2225 on Friday evening but was taken out of service at Cambridge Services due to a fault with the entrance door. Caetano Levante bodied Scania K440 FX29 (BV67 JZP) continued to Manchester and then returned from there at 1450 arriving back at Trumpington at 1907. FX29 was new in January 2018 for the National Express contracts the company operated at the time. The Tourliner features a wheelchair lift positioned over the leading rear axle.