David Slater (Spoddendale)'s photos

Thursday 14 November 2024 (0945) – Coach Services Limited BJ60 BYX, a Wright Eclipse bodied Volvo B7RLE new in October 2010, departing Mildenhall bus station working the 0945 service 201 to Brandon .

Thursday 14 November 2024 (0934) – Jans Coaches Limited of Soham WN64 FVS seen in Mildenhall having brought a party of schoolchildren to Mildenhall Museum. It is a King Long XMQ6900 new to Peter Carol, Bristol in February 2015 registered ROI 6774. It had later carried registration W4 HET when operated by Hardhill Executive Travel, Bathgate.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (0935) – Jans Coaches Limited of Soham WN64 FVS seen in Mildenhall having brought a party of schoolchildren to Mildenhall Museum. It is a King Long XMQ6900 new to Peter Carol, Bristol in February 2015 registered ROI 6774. It had later carried registration W4 HET when operated by Hardhill Executive Travel, Bathgate.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (0934) – Jans Coaches Limited of Soham WN64 FVS seen in Mildenhall having brought a party of schoolchildren to Mildenhall Museum. It is a King Long XMQ6900 new to Peter Carol, Bristol in February 2015 registered ROI 6774. It had later carried registration W4 HET when operated by Hardhill Executive Travel, Bathgate.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1132) – Stagecoach East (Cambus) buses travelling along the southern section of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway on Busway service A. The service has buses every 10 minutes but they face late running all the time due to traffic congestion on the non-Busway sections of route - in Cambridge city centre, St. Ives and within the Addenbrooke’s Hospital grounds. Left is 21364 (BU69 XXB), an MCV eVoRa bodied Volvo B8RLE new in February 2020, working the 1026 St. Ives to Trumpington Park & Ride service (departed St. Ives 13 minutes late now 28 minutes late). Right is 21303 (BF65 WKS), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015, working the 1056 Trumpington Park & Ride to St. Ives service (departed 8 minutes late at 1104 now about 20 minutes late). The pair are seen from the rear window of 21234 (AE12 CJV) working the 1106 Trumpington Park & Ride to St. Ives service (departed 1 minute late at 1107) and had ‘leap frogged’ 21303 so now running ahead of it. At Cambridge Railway Station 21303 left first. I was travelling to Parkside in the city centre. On my outing today I travelled on three different vehicles. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The third bus was Stephensons 802 (EU24 LWV) working the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge to Newmarket which continued as the 1300 service 16 to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital via Mildenhall.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1129) – Stagecoach East (Cambus) 21303 (BF65 WKS) seen passing under Hills Road bridge in Cambridge just after leaving the southern section of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway visible beyond. It is a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015, working the 1056 Trumpington Park & Ride to St. Ives Busway service A. The service has buses every 10 minutes but they face late running all the time due to traffic congestion on the non-Busway sections of route - in Cambridge city centre, St. Ives and within the Addenbrooke’s Hospital grounds. Having departed Trumpington 8 minutes late at 1104 it was now about 20 minutes late. Seen from the rear window of 21234 (AE12 CJV) working the 1106 Trumpington Park & Ride to St. Ives service which had departed 1 minute late at 1107 and had ‘leap frogged’ 21303 at Addenbrooke’s so was now running ahead of it. At Cambridge Railway Station 21303 left first. I was travelling to Parkside in the city centre. On my outing today I travelled on three different vehicles. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The third bus was Stephensons 802 (EU24 LWV) working the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge to Newmarket which continued as the 1300 service 16 to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital via Mildenhall.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1135) – Stagecoach East (Cambus) 21303 (BF65 WKS), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015, seen close to Cambridge railway station working the 1056 Trumpington Park & Ride to St. Ives Busway service A. The service has buses every 10 minutes but they face late running all the time due to traffic congestion on the non-Busway sections of route - in Cambridge city centre, St. Ives and within the Addenbrooke’s Hospital grounds. Having departed Trumpington 8 minutes late at 1104 it was now about 20 minutes late. Seen from the rear window of 21234 (AE12 CJV) working the 1106 Trumpington Park & Ride to St. Ives service which had departed 1 minute late at 1107 and had ‘leap frogged’ 21303 at Addenbrooke’s so was now running ahead of it. It passed us by at this point and left before us. On the right is Whippet Coaches WG117 (MX73 GDF) working the 1116 Universal service U2 from Biomedical Campus/Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Eddington. This is one of nine Mellor Sigma 12 electric buses new in September 2023 for the Universal services U1/U2 which use the southern section of the Busway. I was travelling to Parkside in the city centre. On my outing today I travelled on three different vehicles. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The third bus was Stephensons 802 (EU24 LWV) working the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge to Newmarket which continued as the 1300 service 16 to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital via Mildenhall.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1135) – Stagecoach East (Cambus) 21231 (AE12 CJJ), seen close to Cambridge railway station working Busway service A to St. Ives. The service has buses every 10 minutes but they face late running all the time due to traffic congestion on the non-Busway sections of route - in Cambridge city centre, St. Ives and within the Addenbrooke’s Hospital grounds. The tracker on the Bus Times website shows the following situation regarding this bus. In the following text the actual timings are shown in brackets following the times the bus should have run: 0621 (0621) Edison Road, St. Ives to Trumpington P&R 0755 (0800) 0806 (0807) Trumpington P&R to St. Ives, Edison Road 0933 (0956) 0936 (0957) Edison Road, St. Ives to Addenbrookes/Royal Papworth Hospital 1059 (1131). The bus was turned here rather than completing the full run to Trumpington P&R where it was due to arrive at 1105 and then depart as the 1116 service to St. Ives. It ran out of service from Addenbrookes/Royal Papworth Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station following two previous city bound service A buses in order to get back on time at the Railway Station at 1136. It was seen here from the rear window of 21234 (AE12 CJV) that was working the 1106 Trumpington Park & Ride to St. Ives service. This had departed 1 minute late at 1107 and was now 11 minutes late having got delayed within the Addenbrookes Hospital grounds. I was travelling to Parkside in the city centre. On my outing today I travelled on three different vehicles. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The third bus was Stephensons 802 (EU24 LWV) working the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge to Newmarket which continued as the 1300 service 16 to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital via Mildenhall. Two Whippet Coaches vehicles can be seen in the background.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1129) – A bollard controlled roadway used by buses on the Biomedical Campus site, Cambridge. The road links Robinson Way (where the bus I am travelling on was) with Francis Crick Avenue passing the Royal Papworth Hospital which is in the view. Little did I know that just 32 days later I would be transported to that esteemed heart hospital in an ambulance with flashing blue lights. Stagecoach East (Cambus) 21232 (AE12 CJO) seen from on board similar bus 21234 (AE12 CJV), both are Wright bodied Volvo B7RLE new in July 2012 working Busway service A journeys. 21232 was the 0956 from St. Ives to Trumpington Park & Ride and 21234 the 1106 from Trumpington Park & Ride to St. Ives. I was travelling to Parkside in the city centre on the second of three vehicles on this outing today. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The third bus was Stephensons 802 (EU24 LWV) working the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge to Newmarket which continued as the 1300 service 16 to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital via Mildenhall.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1314) – Stephensons of Essex buses passing in George Lambton Avenue in Newmarket. The roads in this area are named after famous horse racing personalities, George Lambton (1860-1945) was a local racehorse trainer. To our immediate left is Lester Piggott Way, the championship flat racing jockey (1935-2022). Our route ahead takes a left turn into Noel Murless Drive named after another famous racehorse trainer (1910-1987). Travelling on board 802 (EU24 LWV) working the 1300 service 16 from Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital sister vehicle 801 (EU24 LWT) was working the 1150 from West Suffolk Hospital/Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket. The pair are Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMCs new in July 2024. I was travelling back to Mildenhall, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1314) – Stephensons of Essex buses passing in George Lambton Avenue in Newmarket. The roads in this area are named after famous horse racing personalities, George Lambton (1860-1945) was a local racehorse trainer. To our immediate left is Lester Piggott Way, the championship flat racing jockey (1935-2022). Our route ahead takes a left turn into Noel Murless Drive named after another famous racehorse trainer (1910-1987). Travelling on board 802 (EU24 LWV) working the 1300 service 16 from Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital sister vehicle 801 (EU24 LWT) was working the 1150 from West Suffolk Hospital/Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket. The pair are Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMCs new in July 2024. I was travelling back to Mildenhall, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1344) – Stephensons of Essex 641 (YN55 NKA) seen at The Walnut Tree, Worlington working the 1250 service 16 from West Suffolk Hospital/Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket. It is an East Lancs Omnidekka bodied Scania N94 that had been new to London Sovereign as their SLE33 in October 2005. Seen from on 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, working the 1300 service 16 from Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. The cottage at the T-junction facing our bus has been quite vulnerable over the years. Quite recently a vehicle (not a bus) had failed to stop at the junction and hit the cottage, A three way traffic control had been in operation as the building was made secure. Some of the warning signs were still present. I was travelling back to Mildenhall, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1344) – Stephensons of Essex 641 (YN55 NKA) by The Walnut Tree, Worlington when working the 1250 service 16 from West Suffolk Hospital/Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket. It is an East Lancs Omnidekka bodied Scania N94 that had been new to London Sovereign as their SLE33 in October 2005. Seen from on 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, working the 1300 service 16 from Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. The cottage at the T-junction facing our bus has been quite vulnerable over the years. Quite recently a vehicle (not a bus) had failed to stop at the junction and hit the cottage, A three way traffic control had been in operation as the building was made secure. Some of the warning signs were still present. I was travelling back to Mildenhall, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1208) – Stephensons of Essex 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, arriving at Drummer Street bus station, Cambridge with the 1127 service 12 from Newmarket (which had previously worked the 0950 service 16 from West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket via Mildenhall). I would travel back to Mildenhall on this bus as it worked the 1218 service 12 to Newmarket continuing as the 1300 service 16 to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. This was the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives. On the right is Stagecoach East 86004 (BV23 NRJ) one of the thirty MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double deckers new in April 2023 working the Newmarket Road Park & Ride service PR2.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1256) – This Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D has had the distinction of working for two different companies named Stephenson. 468 (SN66 WKG) was new in September 2016 to Stephensons of Easingwold, North Yorkshire and was subsequently acquired by Stephensons of Essex. Seen in The Guineas Bus Station, Newmarket. In the background is 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, which had arrived with the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge and would go on to work the 1300 service 16 via Mildenhall to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. I travelled from Cambridge to Mildenhall on this bus but since the two services are separate I had to alight and re-board. A short time between my trips enabled a quick photocall.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1304) – Stephensons of Essex buses in Newmarket. On board 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, as it departed The Guineas bus station working the 1300 service 16 to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. The same bus had worked the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge to Newmarket. Parked on the left is 468 (SN66 WKG), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D. This bus has the distinction of working for two different companies named Stephenson. It was new in September 2016 to Stephensons of Easingwold, North Yorkshire and was subsequently acquired by Stephensons of Essex. An East Lancs Omnidekka bodied Scania was parked across the road outside the New Astley Club. I was travelling back to Mildenhall, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1035) – Flixbus coach stop sign at Parkside, Cambridge. At the time I took this photograph just one Flixbus service (006) served this stop to/from London (Victoria Coach Station) via Trumpington Park & Ride, Stevenage and Finchley Road with two trips most days (some days there are three). In addition there are two international services which call at Trumpington Park & Ride but not Parkside. (N601 Leeds-Amsterdam and N603 Manchester-Paris).

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1037) – National Express coach stop sign at Parkside, Cambridge. Taken from on board Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. In the background beyond Parker’s Piece is Park Terrace where a Stagecoach East single decker was taking a break. On the left is The University Arms Hotel which was gutted and re-built between 2014-2018 although the original façade seen here was retained. The smaller building is Hobbs Pavilion named after Sir John ‘Jack’ Berry Hobbs (1882-1963) a famous Cambridge born cricketer. He started learning the game on Parker’s Piece, the grassland space where cricket matches, concerts and gatherings are still held.