Helitech 2013
View allAll Photos Tagged excel
First Eastern Counties Dennis Enviro 400MMC bodied Scania YN69 XZM at Peterborough Railway Station on the B service.
My first 'second' car, which will be making its way to the FotU on Saturday. I'll be parked in the normal car park; unless somebody takes pity on me.
There's much I could write about both the particular car and why I purchased it. It's not as tidy as this photo may suggest, but it will hopefully be a keeper. We'll see.
Daytime long exposure shot at ExCeL Marina Royal Victoria Dock, London. In the background you see the O2 and the Emirates Cable Cars.
HSS Everyone!
Optare built over 600 examples of the Excel between 1995 and 2004 (inc), sandwiched between the Sigma on 'step entrance' Dennis Lance chassis and the Tempo.
Reading Buses was a major customer, taking 48 (numbered 901-45 & 961-3) between 1997 and 2000, split over several batches. The first 45 were 11.5m examples, whilst the final three were 11.8m. When the batch of seven delivered in Autumn 1998 (925-31) came up for withdrawal and sale in late 2009, five found their way to South Wales operators in early 2010. New Adventure Travel received three and South Wales Transport received S926/30 LBL, plus older R916 SJH.
They initially entered service in Reading's cream, maroon and turquoise livery, and this gave way to all-over white before green was applied to their skirts and cove panels. This is illustrated by S930 LBL as she is captured on the West Way Metro Track in October 2010 during the 18 months that Swansea Bus Station was closed for re-development and Tesco funded a free service between its store and the temporary City Centre terminus points.
The trio passed to Ensignbus in early 2012, and S930 LBL was subsequently sold to P&O Ferries for foot passenger use at Dover Port. R916 SJH and S926 LBL were presumably sold by Ensignbus for scrap.
After initially being withdrawn a couple of weeks ago the Excels have had a revival as the new service changes has lead to more buses being needed. 225 is seen at Starr Gate afer completing it's duty on the 1. sister 224 was on the 14 as well today making the grand total of 2 excels being in service today
First Eastern Counties 36917 (YN69XZX) departs Norwich bus station on an Excel service B to Peterborough via Dereham & Swaffham.
Optare built over 600 examples of the Excel between 1995 and 2004 (inc), sandwiched between the Sigma on 'step entrance' Dennis Lance chassis and the Tempo.
Reading Buses was a major customer, taking 48 (numbered 901-45 & 961-3) between 1997 and 2000, split over several batches. The first 45 were 11.5m examples, whilst the final three were 11.8m. When the batch of seven delivered in Autumn 1998 (925-31) came up for withdrawal and sale in late 2009, five found their way to South Wales operators. New Adventure Travel purchased S925/9/31 LBL and South Wales Transport received S926/30 LBL.
Those with New Adventure Travel entered service in early 2010 at Pontypridd depot on Service 102 (Glyncoch-Pontypridd-Rhydyfelin), for which they received branding, though lasted for less than two years.
S929 LBL was one of several vehicles in the fleet to carry registration H2 KFJ over time, as illustrated in this November 2010 shot taken on Bridge Street in the town centre when heading for Rhydyfelin. It would seem that she ended her days with the company.
Having climbed out of the Minnesota River valley, our eastbound train on the Minnesota Prairie Line continues to trundle along east of Franklin. The large equipment on the left is evidence of some recent maintenance work on the Excel Energy transmission lines overhead.
It's our 19th anniversary today and Terry bought me some flowers and this lovely rose was among them :)
Optare built over 600 examples of the Excel between 1995 and 2004 (inc), sandwiched between the Sigma on 'step entrance' Dennis Lance chassis and the Tempo.
Reading Buses was a major customer, taking 48 (numbered 901-45 & 961-3) between 1997 and 2000, split over several batches. The first 45 were 11.5m examples, whilst the final three were 11.8m. When the batch of seven delivered in Autumn 1998 (925-31) came up for withdrawal and sale in late 2009, five found their way to South Wales operators. New Adventure Travel purchased S925/9/31 LBL and South Wales Transport received S926/30 LBL.
Those with New Adventure Travel entered service in early 2010 at Pontypridd depot on Service 102 (Glyncoch-Pontypridd-Rhydyfelin), for which they received branding, though lasted for less than two years.
This shot of S925 LBL was taken in August 2011 as she was passing along Gelliwasted Road in the town centre when heading for Glyncoch. Unfortunately the LED displays fitted by the company seldom yielded a destination at a fast shutter speed.
She was subsequently exported to Turin and by early 2024 was in use as a 'Discobus'.
This is a photograph of the ExCel center by the Royal Victoria Docks in Newham, London. It is, apparently, the only international convention center in London.
I waited for quite a while before getting this shot without anyone in it. Taken during my favourite blue hour.
See Wikipedia for further details: ExCel London
Technique:
Original file Jpeg, Tripod, 24-70mm lens, F14, 30s, ISO 100, 35mm, MuP (mirror lock up), cable release, NDX8 (3 stop filter).
Express Motors Optare Excels EXI 790 and Y248 DRC are pictured in Penygroes depot. The former was new as 964 to Reading Transport where it was registered X964 BPA while the latter was new to Trent Barton as their 248.
This is what I miss about First no longer operating in Plymouth, the random variety thrown up, well before 'bustimes.org' existed you never quite knew what might appear while waiting with the camera!
There were a few not so well presented buses but on the whole I always thought the Plymouth fleet was well turned out and the drivers friendly on the whole.
A none standard type vehicle within the group at this late stage it came to Devon with 3 others via Glasgow when First took over Hutchinson Coaches, Overtown.
Of course with First long gone from here the 2 services continues in the hands of Stagecoach but you won't find anything this rare operating on it these days!
Car: Lotus Excel SE.
Date of first registration: 9th January 1988.
Registration region: Guildford.
Latest recorded mileage: 9,111 (MOT 9th August 2019).
Date taken: 20th November 2019.
Album: Street Spots
Night time at the Excel Centre in the Royal Victoria Dock. I wanted to capture the three people sitting in the centre of the picture in contrast to the movement of the people walking past.
YJ51JXE one of a few Optare Excels which BA purchased new. It has been operating with Menzies at East Midlands Airport for a couple of years but has now been sold. Others of the batch have been exported far & wide but this was about to head over to North Wales to start a new life on Anglesey. Mileages on these buses were remarkably low for the age, they have had sheltered lives as many "airport" vehicles do.
An interesting one this. It appears to have been imported to the UK from Australia in 1999. Until spotting it, I had no idea that the Accent was badged as the ‘Excel’ in the Australian market. I think the colour and graphics really suit it and are so typically 90s. The owner must have really loved the car to have taken it with them to the UK and has subsequently kept it for so long. Credit to them!
Mileage in between MOTs - 3,336 Miles
Mileage at last MOT - 89,579 Miles
Last Ownership Change - 26th March 1999
P418 YGC
✓ Taxed
Tax due: 1 March 2023
✓ MOT
Expires: 9 February 2023