David Slater (Spoddendale)'s photos

Sunday 12 July 2026 – Former Whippet Coaches WG103 (BF63 HFB), a Wright Eclipse Urban 2 bodied Volvo B7RLE new in September 2013, seen at the Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman, the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. The museum has a refreshment area featuring outdoor picnic tables plus former First York Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated single decker 11104 (BG58 OLV) that has tables and seating under cover. Other vehicles forming part of this area are a RED Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident ‘Burgerbus’ (new to First Capital in April 2000 as their TAL942 (W942 ULL) and a BLUE Optare Versa ‘Ice Cream/drinks bus’ (former Arriva 4230 (KX62 JVW) new in February 2013). On the hot day we visited the helpful chap on the pay desk/reception when giving us the site layout details told us that the catering buses were RED for hot and BLUE for cold. Good thinking there!!

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman, the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. The museum has a refreshment area featuring outdoor picnic tables plus former First York Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated single decker 11104 (BG58 OLV) that has tables and seating under cover. Other vehicles forming part of this area are a RED Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident ‘Burgerbus’ (new to First Capital in April 2000 as their TAL942 (W942 ULL) and a BLUE Optare Versa ‘Ice Cream/drinks bus’ (former Arriva 4230 (KX62 JVW) new in February 2013). On the hot day we visited the helpful chap on the pay desk/reception when giving us the site layout details told us that the catering buses were RED for hot and BLUE for cold. Good thinking there!!

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman, the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. Former First York Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated single decker 11104 (BG58 OLV) is now fitted with tables and seating and forms part of the refreshment area facilities.

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman, the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. The museum has a refreshment area and former Arriva 4230 (KX62 JVW), an Optare Versa new in February 2013, has been converted for sales of ice cream/drinks etc. Two other vehicles forming part of this area are an Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident (W942 ULL new to First Capital in April 2000 as their TAL942), converted for sales of hot snacks and former First York Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated single decker 11104 (BG58 OLV) that has tables and seating under cover. On the hot day we visited the helpful chap on the pay desk/reception when giving us the site layout details told us that the catering buses were RED for hot and BLUE for cold. Good thinking there!!

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman, the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. The refreshment area features outdoor picnic tables with enclosed by three former buses providing the different facilities. Former Arriva 4230 (KX62 JVW), an Optare Versa new in February 2013, was now the ‘Ice Cream/drinks bus’. The other buses are a red Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident new to First Capital in April 2000 as their TAL942 (W942 ULL) now the ‘Burgerbus’ serving hot snacks and former First York Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated single decker 11104 (BG58 OLV) that has tables and seating under cover.

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman, the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. The refreshment area features outdoor picnic tables with enclosed by three former buses providing the different facilities. Former Arriva 4230 (KX62 JVW), an Optare Versa new in February 2013, was now the ‘Ice Cream/drinks bus’. The other buses are a red Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident new to First Capital in April 2000 as their TAL942 (W942 ULL) now the ‘Burgerbus’ serving hot snacks and former First York Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated single decker 11104 (BG58 OLV) that has tables and seating under cover.

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman (the gent seated by the rear of the red bus), the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. The museum has a refreshment area enclosed by three vehicles now adapted for new roles. Second from right: Former Arriva 4230 (KX62 JVW), an Optare Versa new in February 2013, has been converted for sales of ice cream/drinks etc. Centre: Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident (W942 ULL new to First Capital in April 2000 as their TAL942), now converted for sales of hot snacks Left: First York Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated single decker 11104 (BG58 OLV) that has tables and seating under cover. The two main exhibition buildings (left and right) are in the view. Far right: Former Eastern National Omnibus Company 2102 (LEV 917) is ready to take visitors on a run through the local countryside. It is an Alexander bodied Leyland PD1 that was new as a standard covered topped bus to City Coach Company, Brentwood in February 1947. That company was absorbed by Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services in 1953 and then by ENOC in December 1954. The bus was converted to open top circa 1958. An interesting article from ‘Buses’ magazine about the bus may be seen here: www.keybuses.com/article/city-seaside

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman (the gent seated by the rear of the red bus), the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. The museum has a refreshment area and former Arriva 4230 (KX62 JVW), an Optare Versa new in February 2013, has been converted for sales of ice cream/drinks etc. Two other vehicles forming part of this area are an Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident (W942 ULL new to First Capital in April 2000 as their TAL942), now converted for sales of hot snacks and former First York Mercedes-Benz Citaro articulated single decker 11104 (BG58 OLV) that has tables and seating under cover.

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero 02 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before my visit. London Transport (Green Line) RT3232 (KYY 961) displayed on the vehicle lifts. A number of vehicles awaiting restoration were stored in the workshop building. Kowloon Motor Bus Company (Hong Kong) A165, a Metsec (Metal Sections) bodied AEC Regent V. Original Hong Kong registration AD 7156 now with British registration ABW 225D. Dartford Tunnel Joint Committee (DTJC), a Strachans bodied Ford Thames Trader – one of the five such cycle carrying buses (TT1-5) bought by the DTJC in September 1963 and operated by London Transport on their behalf. I believe this was TT4 (529 FJJ). Arriva Southend 5405 (H265 GEV), an all-Leyland Olympian with high backed seats new to Southend Transport (265) in July 1990 London Transport RF79 (LYF 430) London Transport RTL1014 (KYY 712) London Transport Routemaster RM606 (WLT 606) London Transport RLH61 (MXX 261) (slightly hidden) London Transport RT44 (FXT 219) (Hidden behind the Kowloon Bus was former H C Chambers and Son, Bures KCF 711, a Roe bodied Guy Arab IV new in January 1957).

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman, the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. This view is in the main exhibition building looking from the north end.

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman, the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. This view is in the main exhibition building looking from the south end.

Sunday 12 July 2026 – The Zero2 Bus Museum, located at Great Yeldham in North Essex, opened just a few weeks before the visit I made on Sunday 12 July 2026. The museum has been created by Peter Newman, the former owner of the Ensign Bus Company/Ensignbus businesses which were sold to First Bus in March 2023. Since 1979 the Newman family have amassed a large collection of over 60 vintage buses and coaches which are now housed in the new museum. Other exhibits on display in the three buildings include ticket machines and around 10,000 model buses from all parts of the world. This view is in the main exhibition building taken from the upper deck of one of the exhibits looking from the south end.

Monday 20 July 2026 (0850) – The Flixbus service 950 from Heathrow Airport to Norwich is worked by Transport Made Simple/Central Connect/Simonds of Botesdale from the Simonds premises at Diss, Norfolk. Six trips are operated daily in each direction. Mercedes-Benz 410 (W10 VEC) was seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills as it worked the 0600 service from Heathrow to Norwich. Departing Heathrow (Central) at 0600 this trip calls at Luton Airport Parkway (0650-0655); Cambridge (0810-0820); and Thetford (0920-0925) arriving Norwich (Bus Station) at 1015. The coach was new to National Holidays in April 2017 registered NH17 VFH and was acquired by Vectare (the original name of Transport Made Simple) where it was re-registered W10 VEC. It carried the Transport Made Simple name on the rear but no names on the sides. The Loughborough base appeared in the legal name and address.

Monday 20 July 2026 (0850) – The Flixbus service 950 from Heathrow Airport to Norwich is worked by Transport Made Simple/Central Connect/Simonds of Botesdale from the Simonds premises at Diss, Norfolk. Six trips are operated daily in each direction. Mercedes-Benz 410 (W10 VEC) was seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills as it worked the 0600 service from Heathrow to Norwich. Departing Heathrow (Central) at 0600 this trip calls at Luton Airport Parkway (0650-0655); Cambridge (0810-0820); and Thetford (0920-0925) arriving Norwich (Bus Station) at 1015. The coach was new to National Holidays in April 2017 registered NH17 VFH and was acquired by Vectare (the original name of Transport Made Simple) where it was re-registered W10 VEC. It carried the Transport Made Simple name on the rear but no names on the sides. The Loughborough base appeared in the legal name and address.

Monday 20 July 2026 (0850) – The Flixbus service 950 from Heathrow Airport to Norwich is worked by Transport Made Simple/Central Connect/Simonds of Botesdale from the Simonds premises at Diss, Norfolk. Six trips are operated daily in each direction. Mercedes-Benz 410 (W10 VEC) was seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills as it worked the 0600 service from Heathrow to Norwich. Departing Heathrow (Central) at 0600 this trip calls at Luton Airport Parkway (0650-0655); Cambridge (0810-0820); and Thetford (0920-0925) arriving Norwich (Bus Station) at 1015. The coach was new to National Holidays in April 2017 registered NH17 VFH and was acquired by Vectare (the original name of Transport Made Simple) where it was re-registered W10 VEC. It carried the Transport Made Simple name on the rear but no names on the sides. The Loughborough base appeared in the legal name and address. TMS/Central Connect/Simonds 410 (W10 VEC) at Fiveways, Barton Mills - 20 Jul 2026 (

Tuesday 19 May 2026 (approx. 0816) – Transport Made Simple/Konectbus/Konectbuses 249 (LX13 CZC) seen on a damp morning in Walton-on-the-Naze when working the 0812 service 7 from The Naze to Clacton-on-Sea. It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D that was new to Stagecoach owned East London Bus (36560) in August 2013. Working a Konectbuses service the bus carried the legal name and address of Konectbus, East Dereham. In late September 2025 the Go-Ahead Group sold its Go East Anglia operations to TMS. That purchase included the Konectbus brand (in Norfolk) and the Konectbuses brand (in Essex and Suffolk). The latter had only been created a short time before when Go Ahead had merged its Hedingham and Chambers businesses owned for a number of years and managed by Konectbus. In ‘Buses’ magazine June 2026 it was reported that TMS would be rebranding its various East Anglian operations under the Central Connect name.

Tuesday 19 May 2026 (approx. 1421) – Transport Made Simple/Konnectbus/Konectbuses 262 (EU58 JCJ) seen in Walton-on-the-Naze when working the 1418 service 9 from Walton-on-the-Naze (Colombine Centre) to Clacton-on-Sea. It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200 bodied Dart that was new to Hedingham & District (L370) in January 2009. Working a Konectbuses service the bus carries the legal name and address of Konectbus, East Dereham. It has been somewhat taxing to keep up with the acquisitions, re-namings and inter-company vehicle transfers within this bus group of late. Vectare (renamed Transport Made Simple in June 2024) had acquired Central Connect in August 2023 and has now adopted that name for subsequent acquisitions - notably the former Go Ahead East Anglia business in September 2025 which operated as Konectbus in Norfolk and Konectbuses in Suffolk and Essex (the latter being the former Hedingham & District plus H C Chambers and Son). In late September 2025 the Go-Ahead Group sold its Go East Anglia operations to TMS. That purchase included the Konectbus brand (in Norfolk) and the Konectbuses brand (in Essex and Suffolk). The latter had only been created a short time before when Go Ahead had merged its Hedingham and Chambers businesses owned for a number of years and managed by Konectbus. In ‘Buses’ magazine June 2026 it was reported that TMS would be rebranding its various East Anglian operations under the Central Connect name.