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Kicking off 2026 was a trip to Basingstoke on Sunday 4th January to witness the rail replacement buses running to Andover, Farnborough, Reading, Winchester and Woking. With 11 departures every hour, something interesting was bound to turn up sooner or later. Being sufficiently west of London, Basingstoke is predominantly 'coach country' rather than say, east of Woking where it's almost all buses running the rail replacement services.
Today's delights were a pair VDL Futuras from Star Tours of Wembley, a JKT International Irizar, a pair of former Excelsior Plaxton Elites now sporting Damory branding, the Barnes '100 Years' coach which has now been repainted into full fleet livery, and a pair of Mayflower Scania deckers. It was good to see the Mayflower pair back on the road again after the devastating vandal attack that crippled the fleet back in November 2025.
In total, 36 buses and coaches from 20 different operators passed our cameras in our 3 hour visit with Aldermaston Coach Lines and Barnes providing 5 each.
During September Stagecoach Yorkshire took the tender to operate the next phase of tram replacement, while works take place along the Blue Super-tram route. They have been using a batch of Ex-Lothian B7TL's on loan from Ensign to take on the operations.
Due to an incident the night before not all of these B7TL's could operate the route during the day I visited. I had the expectation of seeing a hybrid E400 on the BL3 so I was quite surprised to see the familiar face of WA10GHO, which was new to Exeter for the 57.
I first saw it heading towards Birley Moor Road where I got probably my favourite capture from the whole weekend. The autumnal leaves contrasts really well with the blue and white of the bus.
3 of 3.
It took about an hour to extricate Standard 2 78018 out of road 3 over to road 1 for the prep and to replace it in road 3 with 6990 Witherslack Hall, including dropping back with the 2 to take coal.
So here we see 6990 in road 3 (still blowing steam) with 5305LA's Class 33 diesel D6535 and the front end of Black 5 45305 ahead of it. The Jocko 13101 is far right stabled in the Up Through. By this time we had finished prepping 78018 and had over 100psi on the boiler. Time to relax & get a drink.
If things go to plan D6535 should look a lot more presentable in a few months after bodywork replacement and repainting. Internal work including welding parts of the floor to access the wiring looms has already been carried out.
Well, the long anticipated "Woking Weekender" finally arrived and delivered a magnificent array of vehicles operating rail replacement services out to Weybridge, Guildford, Aldershot and Basingstoke throughout both days. No less than 34 different operators provided in excess of 70 buses, coaches and minibuses across both days including three 75-plates. And Burrows Coaches had "both" their East Lancs Darts out - EDIT - STOP PRESS! On Saturday it was LK55ADX and on Sunday it was J8UFX - first with the news!!
Now then, Woking is not the photographer's friend at this time of year due to high-rise office blocks surrounding the station area. Saturday started wet, eased off but remained rather gloomy all day, and Sunday was almost a write-off with clear blue skies and low sun. The one sunny spot we found came with a time limit as a ruddy great big lamppost shadow edged its way into shot therefore limiting use of that corner. All in all though, it proved to be a belter!! Maybe have it in the Spring next time please Network Rail?
Route 720 is an emergency Rail Replacement service for London Overground that is operated by Sullivan Buses' TfL and non-TfL fleet, and it runs between Watford Junction (where this is taken) and Harrow, Bus Station. This photo showcases the TfL examples of Alexander Dennis Enviro 200s: Sullivans' AE11 (CJ61 SUL) and AE13 (KR61 SUL) are seen here at Watford Junction on the route. Taken 13/02/2023.
Also engaged on Rail Replacement duties for Arriva Trains Wales is this Plaxton Paramount 3200 III-bodied Volvo B10M owned by Mainline of Gilfach Goch.
She was new to Excelsior of Bournemouth in 1990 as G506 EFX and subsequently operated in the Thamesdown fleet. Mainline has had her for 14 years and nowadays she is usually to be found operating school contracts. The current registration mark is her fourth.
In this mid January 2016 shot, she was throwing up the spray in Swansea's Dyfatty Street when heading for Llanelli.
Winter mid 1980’s Rt 80 through Donner Pass with AI Sky Replacement.
In the mid-1980s, driving I-80 through Donner Pass during winter was treacherous, characterized by massive snowpacks, whiteout conditions, and frequent chain controls. The winter of 1981-82 was particularly severe, featuring over 15 feet of snow in 12 days in March, causing avalanches and severe traffic closures on the Sierra Nevada stretch.
Conditions and Challenges in the Mid-1980s:
* Extreme Weather: Rapidly changing weather created whiteout conditions, with snow often piling up faster than it could be cleared.
* Dangerous Road Conditions: Motorists frequently encountered compacted snow, ice, and black ice, making steep descents hazardous.
* Traffic and Closures: High traffic, especially on weekends, combined with truck-related accidents, led to frequent, long-duration closures of I-80.
* Chain Requirements: Mandatory chain controls were common, causing significant delays and requiring drivers to have proper equipment to traverse the 7,000+ foot elevation.
The era was marked by high-risk travel, necessitating extreme caution, with many considering it one of the scariest drives in the region.
Well, the long anticipated "Woking Weekender" finally arrived and delivered a magnificent array of vehicles operating rail replacement services out to Weybridge, Guildford, Aldershot and Basingstoke throughout both days. No less than 34 different operators provided in excess of 70 buses, coaches and minibuses across both days including three 75-plates. And Burrows Coaches had "both" their East Lancs Darts out - EDIT - STOP PRESS! On Saturday it was LK55ADX and on Sunday it was J8UFX - first with the news!!
Now then, Woking is not the photographer's friend at this time of year due to high-rise office blocks surrounding the station area. Saturday started wet, eased off but remained rather gloomy all day, and Sunday was almost a write-off with clear blue skies and low sun. The one sunny spot we found came with a time limit as a ruddy great big lamppost shadow edged its way into shot therefore limiting use of that corner. All in all though, it proved to be a belter!! Maybe have it in the Spring next time please Network Rail?
Leyland Olympian D238 FYM Stagecoach 14168 seen here at new Brighton on the free bus service 15 from Harrison drive to the Floral Pavilion replacing D158 FYM witch has gone to Liverpool for the week end for the Liverpool giants
The first power from the start up that WC tried to replace was the 17 ex Soo GP30's. The 1948 Alco FA trucks they rode on were a pain and the group had never been rebuilt and there was some concern about "crispy" wiring in the electrical cabinets. Only three of the group received the full WC paint scheme which was a shame because they looked damn good in it. 713 leads one of its would be replacements on an X35 at Gould City. Most of these units were retired as the GP40's came on board but due to a nearly chronic power shortage a number of them were soon back in service. Five of them managed to stay in service until 2000 and IIRC three actually operated for a few weeks after the CN take over. 713 was one of the last to go. This was shot in December 1990 and at the time I'd already made peace with the fact I wasn't going to have many more GP30 opportunities...wrong again😊.
Well, the long anticipated "Woking Weekender" finally arrived and delivered a magnificent array of vehicles operating rail replacement services out to Weybridge, Guildford, Aldershot and Basingstoke throughout both days. No less than 34 different operators provided in excess of 70 buses, coaches and minibuses across both days including three 75-plates. And Burrows Coaches had "both" their East Lancs Darts out - EDIT - STOP PRESS! On Saturday it was LK55ADX and on Sunday it was J8UFX - first with the news!!
Now then, Woking is not the photographer's friend at this time of year due to high-rise office blocks surrounding the station area. Saturday started wet, eased off but remained rather gloomy all day, and Sunday was almost a write-off with clear blue skies and low sun. The one sunny spot we found came with a time limit as a ruddy great big lamppost shadow edged its way into shot therefore limiting use of that corner. All in all though, it proved to be a belter!! Maybe have it in the Spring next time please Network Rail?
YX23ORH is seen leaving Three Bridges bound for Gatwick Airport on Southern rail replacement.
Vehicle Details
Operator: Stagecoach South
Fleet Number: 11601
Registration: YX23ORH
Vehicle: Enviro 400 MMC
It was rail replacement time today (Sun 22/10/2017) on the South Western Railway mainline with Mortons Travel of Little London providing the bulk of services for stations between Basingstoke and Weybridge. There was also a Farnborough to Guildford direct service.
Here we see Mortons former Preston Bus Leyland Lynx DP45F 215 G215KRN at Fleet Station. Since I last saw this particular bus it has been repainted and very smart it looks too.
Emergency replacement of a main power pole when the old pole failed causing a loss of power to nearly 3,000 homes and businesses in Orem for about seven hours. It was a cold day with temps hovering around 7 degrees F. Big thanks to the linemen who worked all day in the bitter cold to get the juice flowing again! Orem, Utah.
Hams of Flimwell, Volvo GL 03 HAM on Rail replacement duties in the cab road at Eastbourne Railway Station
LX23BJK is seen making an appearance on Greater Anglia rail replacement from Bishops Stortford at Broxbourne Station. New to Kowloon Motor Bus company (KMB) in Hong Kong as a demonstrator in November 2018. However, due to various issues with safety inspections, it didn't enter service until September 2019. The month after, it was withdrawn the month after. Before leaving Hong Kong, it did road testing in early 2020. During 2021, it then moved to the UK with Ensign Bus. In 2023, it entered service after being refurbished and has been strictly used on the Z2 and rail replacement.
Vehicle Details
Operator: Ensign Bus
Fleet Number: 160
Registration: LX23BJK (WJ1984)
Vehicle: Six Cylinder Micro Hybrid Wright StreetDeck
A2B Travel RJ72HYG is seen in Aberdare prior to operating a Transport for Wales Rail Replacement Service to Cardiff Central
Owing to bridge works at the junction of Brighton road & Old Lodge Lane in Purley, a replacement bus is currently in operation on temporary route 599, replacing the 455 along the stretch of road to the terminus.
A PVR of one bus seen here half way along the route at Burcott road Purley.
July 2013.
A few photos showing how track replacement was carried out in the 80's, before the introduction of Track Renewel Machines and Ballast Cleaners... Maghull station - Sun 22nd July 1984
08924 and it's track crane lifts sections of old track while the PW gang take a breather. The old wooden sleepers will be replaced with concrete ones..
In use on a rail-replacement service, while the Altrincham line was being converted to Metrolink.
Manchester, Chatham Street, 11/02/1992.
Replacement Bus Hire, Copthorne, Mercedes Benz Citaro C26 RBH in Haywards Heath today 10th October, 2026, on Rail Replacement to Plumpton and Lewes. It was new to Blackpool Transport as 552 (BJ15 GOP).
There was certainly a good variety of vehicles running through Basingstoke on rail replacement duties today (Good Friday 2023). The sun made an appearance which was good to see as well!
The rather inclement weather had me pondering whether or not to venture out to Basingstoke today (05/01/2025) but in the end curiosity won again! A good few captures here for you to enjoy.
East Lancs developed the Kinetic body for MAN chassis in 2006. The single-deck version was based upon its established Esteem bodywork but retained MAN's "Lion's City" front. Sales were not significant, and other than a demonstrator, only 16 were built, and these were all for Stagecoach's Scottish operations.
Despite having its UK headquarters in Swindon, MAN's demonstrator curiously received a Swansea registration mark - CU56 AVP.
After a period on demonstration duties, she was operated for a few years by Scottish operator Whitelaws of Stonehouse. New Adventure Travel purchased her in October 2013.
She was allocated to Pontypridd depot and was usually found operating on the local services and Service X38 (Pontypridd-Bragoed). It was in Bargoed that I caught upo with in June 2015, though she was operating a Rail Replacement service on the Rhymney Valley line.
Well, the long anticipated "Woking Weekender" finally arrived and delivered a magnificent array of vehicles operating rail replacement services out to Weybridge, Guildford, Aldershot and Basingstoke throughout both days. No less than 34 different operators provided in excess of 70 buses, coaches and minibuses across both days including three 75-plates. And Burrows Coaches had "both" their East Lancs Darts out - EDIT - STOP PRESS! On Saturday it was LK55ADX and on Sunday it was J8UFX - first with the news!!
Now then, Woking is not the photographer's friend at this time of year due to high-rise office blocks surrounding the station area. Saturday started wet, eased off but remained rather gloomy all day, and Sunday was almost a write-off with clear blue skies and low sun. The one sunny spot we found came with a time limit as a ruddy great big lamppost shadow edged its way into shot therefore limiting use of that corner. All in all though, it proved to be a belter!! Maybe have it in the Spring next time please Network Rail?
Portsmouth & Southsea today (09/02/2025) to watch the rail replacement movements. Over 20 buses and coaches were utilised to run services between Portsmouth Harbour and Fareham (GWR), Havant (SWR) and Barnham (Southern). A lot of variety out today!
Our cat died a few months ago and I haven't quite gotten around to committing to getting a new cat yet, much to my wife and kids dismay. So, my oldest daughter had my wife search for LEGO cats and then had me help her build this. The design is Tyler Clites.
Kicking off 2026 was a trip to Basingstoke on Sunday 4th January to witness the rail replacement buses running to Andover, Farnborough, Reading, Winchester and Woking. With 11 departures every hour, something interesting was bound to turn up sooner or later. Being sufficiently west of London, Basingstoke is predominantly 'coach country' rather than say, east of Woking where it's almost all buses running the rail replacement services.
Today's delights were a pair VDL Futuras from Star Tours of Wembley, a JKT International Irizar, a pair of former Excelsior Plaxton Elites now sporting Damory branding, the Barnes '100 Years' coach which has now been repainted into full fleet livery, and a pair of Mayflower Scania deckers. It was good to see the Mayflower pair back on the road again after the devastating vandal attack that crippled the fleet back in November 2025.
In total, 36 buses and coaches from 20 different operators passed our cameras in our 3 hour visit with Aldermaston Coach Lines and Barnes providing 5 each.