Notts & Derby 1153, Langley Mill Depot, 07-01-2017

1153-20174_01070250 VDLs are not common in the Wellglade fleet these days. This one is seen in the depot at Langley Mill.

Langley Mill Depot, 07-01-2017

2017_01070247 Glimpses through the trees! Various vehicles can be seen; from left to right we have Notts & Derby 36, 259, TrentBarton 161, Notts & Derby 35

Notts & Derby 950, Langley Mill Depot, 07-01-2017

950-2017_01070245 Once one of the mainstays of the fleet, 950 is one of the last Pointer Darts still with the company.

Notts & Derby 257, Langley Mill Depot, 07-01-2017

257-01070243 Seen parked up is another of the few remaining Excels with Wellglade. This example retains the base red livery with Notts & Derby fleetnames. Subsequent to this photo, the bus was used during a running day for the last four Excels on N&D routes around Derby, but has since been placed on ebay for disposal.

Notts & Derby 264, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

264-2017_01070233 Broadside view of the Excel as it departs for Ilkeston. the thought that these are a disappearing type makes me feel old!

Notts & Derby 264, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

264-2017_01070232 264 departs on a 59 to Ilkeston Hospital. A sight which will not be seen for much longer.

Notts & Derby 456, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

456-2017_01070227 Borrowash has its own fast service operated by Notts & Deby. 456 departs on an X17 service.

Notts & Derby 264, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

264-2017_01070225 Caught as it runs from the parking bay round to the bays, 264 is a now rare Excel.

Notts & Derby 264, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

264-2017_01070219 The driver has returned from his break, and is setting up 264 for its next journey on route 59. He's not set the display yet though!

Notts & Derby 453, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

453-2017_01070191 453 is seen having arrived with a 9A from Ockbrook.

Notts & Derby 950, Langley Mill Garage, 07-01-2017

950-2017_01070255 A final view of 950 through the tress from a departing Black Cat.

Notts & Derby 442, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

442-2017_01070165 Solo 442 departs on a service 11 to Ilkeston Hospital.

Notts & Derby 795, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

795-2017_01070161 Another case of blinking screens! This Plaxton Centro departs with what may be an X17. This vehicle was new to TM Travel, and was acquired with the company.

Notts & Derby 264, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

264-2017_01070138 Nearside portrait of the Excel while it waits between journeys on the 59.

Notts & Derby 442, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

442-2017_01070130 Side view of an Optare Solo, as 442 swings round departing with a service 11 to Ilkeston Hospital.

Notts & Derby 454, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

454-2017_01070123 Carrying a cherished plate to disuise its age, 454 departs with a 73 to Weston on Trent. This service covers villages whihc were bypassed when the 123 group became Skylink.

Notts & Derby 264, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

264-2017_01070118 A welcome sight was one of the last remaining Excels in the Wellglade fleet. It is seen laying over between journeys on the 59. I was reminded online the other day that it is 20 years since the first Exels entered service - made me feel rather old :)

Notts & Derby 766, Derwent St Derby, 07-01-2017

766-2017_01070109 Another Volvo / Plaxton new to Kinch as their 506, it is now 766 in the Notts & Derby fleet and is seen working a 59 to Ilkeston - a service which is disappearing in February.

Notts & Derby 761, 766, Derwent St Derby, 07-01-2017

761766-2017_01070108 As 761 loads for the Park & Ride, similar 766 arrives from the Bus Station with a 59 to Ilkeston.

Notts & Derby 761, Derwent St Derby, 07-01-2017

761-2017_01070107 Hainvg taken a spin round the island, 761 prepares to return to the Park & Ride site.

Notts & Derby 761, Derwent St Derby, 07-01-2017

761-2017_01070106 Delivered new to Kinchbus as their 501, this Volvo / Plaxton now carries Unibus livery. It is seen here on Park & Ride work, arriving with a fair load from the retail park adjacent the A61.

Notts & Derby 767, Derwent St Derby, 07-01-2017

767-2017_01070100 Noots and Derby have had to upgrade their vehicle stock thanks to PSVAR. This Volvo B7RLE with Plaxton Centro bodywork was new to Felix, but acquired with that company. After a spell with Kinch on Skylink duties, it know finds itself on Unibus work, and various other tendered services in the Derby area.

Notts & Derby 761, Derwent St Derby, 07-01-2017

761-2017_01070084 Now operating in Unibus livery for Notts & Derby, this vehicles was new to Kinchbus as their 501 and used on the Leicester Skylink service. Unibus are branded services operated for the University of Derby, between their campus adjacent Allestree, the city centre and the rail station, together with links to their campuses in Buxton and elsewhere.

Notts & Derby 442, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

442-2017_01070026 This Solo is seen departing on a service 11 to Ilkeston Hospital. The interior still seems to be original condition, including the pink handrails that were quite a sensation at the time!

Notts & Derby 795, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

795-2017_01070023 I'm not a fan of the Plaxton Centro's appearance - I always think the front looks like it should be the back! Here, 795 backs off stand with an unknown service.

Notts & Derby 453, Derby Bus Station, 07-01-2017

453-2017_01070039 Another one where the destination doesn't appear! Notts and Derby have had to upgrade to low floor vehicles in the face of the PSV Accessibility Regulations, and have largely used cascadedd vehicles from other parts of the Wellglade fleet. Despite veing a lower cost operation, turnout and standards still match high expectations - not always the case elsewhere. Several Solos have been given mock cherished registration plates to disguise their age slightly; this was previously FE02KFK.