A tale of two Geminis
Two of the latest additions to the Bromley Bus Preservation Groups's fleet have arrived in the form of ex Arriva London Geminis VLW80 and DW96.
Despite their external similarities, these are two very different vehicles with two very different histories.
VLW80 is a Volvo B7 and was new to Arriva London North at their Wood Green Garage in 2002. It worked solidly from there until it's withdrawal in 2016. It was subsequently sold to a dealer up north and has somehow managed to remain in completely as withdrawn condition, even down to things like stickers and adverts.
DW96 is a DAF DB250 and was new to Arriva London South, originally at their Beddington Farm Garage, where it predominantly replaced Volvo Olympians on route 403. It transferred, along with the route, to South Croydon in 2011 upon closure of Beddington Farm. It remained at Croydon up until withdrawal from service in 2018 and was stored at Edmonton until preservation in 2019.
This is more than likely the first time these two vehicles have ever met - quite literally chalk and cheese (to coin a phrase)
A tale of two Geminis
Two of the latest additions to the Bromley Bus Preservation Groups's fleet have arrived in the form of ex Arriva London Geminis VLW80 and DW96.
Despite their external similarities, these are two very different vehicles with two very different histories.
VLW80 is a Volvo B7 and was new to Arriva London North at their Wood Green Garage in 2002. It worked solidly from there until it's withdrawal in 2016. It was subsequently sold to a dealer up north and has somehow managed to remain in completely as withdrawn condition, even down to things like stickers and adverts.
DW96 is a DAF DB250 and was new to Arriva London South, originally at their Beddington Farm Garage, where it predominantly replaced Volvo Olympians on route 403. It transferred, along with the route, to South Croydon in 2011 upon closure of Beddington Farm. It remained at Croydon up until withdrawal from service in 2018 and was stored at Edmonton until preservation in 2019.
This is more than likely the first time these two vehicles have ever met - quite literally chalk and cheese (to coin a phrase)