Prepared on Notepad by Ian Smith,

This page created 24th January 2016.

Arriva the Shires large Volvo single-deckers


Bus histories

These histories are not complete. They are being gathered as I process information gleaned from a variety of sources. Particularly useful have been:
  • LOTS, in TLB, Annual Reviews, LBM, Fleetbooks...
  • www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk, for VIN data
 
       RDS 83W  8/80     Volvo B58-56 15584, Duple Dominant 052/8005, B53F
                         new to Hutchinson, Overtown
                         bought by Irvine, Salsburgh
 88                      bought by Buffalo, Flitwick
                         overall ad for Autotrader
                 9/91    at Showbus, Woburn
                 */92    in service on 65 to Maulden: Autotrader ad
                         in service on 43 to Luton: Autotrader ad
                         repainted red/yellow
                 */95    in service on 46 to Hemel Hempstead
  358            5/95    bought by Luton & District
                         repainted blue/yellow/stone, branded "LDT Training Services"
  1203                   renumbered
                 1/98    trainer

       RDS 84W   9/80    Volvo B58-56 16487, Duple Dominant 052/8006, B53F
                10/80    displayed at Duple show, Barrhead
                11/80    new to Hutchinson, Overtown
                12/83    in service, Hutchinson
                10/86    bought by Golden Eagle, Salsburgh
 44              4/90    bought by Buffalo, Flitwick
                         painted white, red/yellow flash
                 5/94    in service on 343 to Dunstable
                11/91    in service on 46 to Luton
                         repainted yellow/red
                 */95    in service on 46 to Luton
 359             5/95    bought by Luton & District
                 */96    trainer
                         repainted blue/yellow/stone, branded "LDT Training Services"
                 9/96    at Showbus 96, Duxford
 1204                    renumbered
                 9/97    at Showbus 97, Duxford
                 1/98    trainer 
                 3/00    sold to Hardwick (Carlton)


       EYH 802V  6/80    Volvo B58-61 15091, Duple Dominant coach body 049/7098, C50F
                 6/80    new to Grey Green, London N16
                 */92    in service, Armstongs
                         bought by Parfitts, Rhymney Bridge
       NIW 2309  5/94    rebodied: East Lancs EL2000 B9301, B53F 
                 6/94    in service, Parfitts 
                11/94    in service, Parfitts 
       GHB 574V          reregistered
 360             */95    bought by Luton & District
                         repainted blue/yellow/stone, branded "Luton & Dunstable"
                 */95    in service on 20
                 8/96    in service on 5 to Town Centre  
 3058                    renumbered
                 7/00 GR
                      GR in service on 351 to Rickmansworth: West Herts College blue/green 
                 3/01 LN in store
                 9/01 LN immobile at LN: WHC blue/green 
                 2/02    bought by Northern Blue, Burnley
                 7/02    in service, Burnley: white/blue
       UIL 7814          reregistered
                 3/04    in service, Northern Blue
                 7/06    in service, Northern Blue


       E637 NEL  3/88    Volvo B10M-61 16199, Plaxton coach body 8812VMH3C828, C53F
                 3/88    new to Kings Ferry
                         fire-damaged
                         chassis bought by Buffalo Bus, Flitwick
                 */91    rebodied: East Lancs B1403, 	B55F 	
       NIB 8459  */91    reregistered
                 */92    in service on 30 to Wolverton: white, red/orange flash
                         repainted red/orange
                         in service on 46 to Hemel Hempstead
                 6/94    in service, Bletchley
 355             5/95    taken over by Luton & District
                         repainted blue/yellow/stone, branded "Luton & Dunstable"
                 8/96    in service, Luton
 3077                    renumbered
                      LN
                 7/00 LN into store
                 8/00    bought by Buffalo, Flitwick
                         bought by Gunn (Safeway), Yeovil
                12/02    in service, Safeway: white, blue skirt
                         repainted cream/red
                 3/04    in service, Safeway, Yeovil
                 4/05    in service, Safeway, Yeovil

       F314 RMH  8/88    Volvo B10M-56 18294, Plaxton Derwent II 8811VUL2B566, B54F
                 8/88    new to Buffalo, Flitwick: white
                 9/91    at Showbys, Wobern: white
                 */91    in service on 600
                         in service on 46 to Hemel Hempstead: white, orange/red flash
                         repainted orange/red
                 */94    in service on 66 to Milton Keynes
                 7/94    in service on 600 to Bedford
                 4/95    in service on X66 to Milton Keynes
 351             5/95    taken over by Luton & District
                         repainted blue/yellow/stone, branded "Luton & Dunstable"
                 */96    in service on X66, Luton 
 3078                    renumbered
                 3/98    in service on 38 to Luton
                 7/00 LN
                12/00 LN into store 
                 9/01 LN immobile at LN
                11/01 AY removed to store at Aylesbury
                 2/02    sold to Hardwick (Carlton)

31     F151 KGS 10/88    Volvo B10M-56, Plaxton Derwent II 8811VUL2B557, B54F
                10/88    new to Buffalo, Flitwick: white, orange/red flash
                 5/89    in service on 46 to Luton
                         in service on 38, Milton Keynes
                         in service on 343 to London Colney
                         repainted orange/red
                 4/95    in service on 96 to Milton Keynes
 352             5/95    taken over by Luton & District
                 */95    in service on X66 to Milton Keynes
                         repainted blue/yellow/stone, branded "Luton & Dunstable"
                 8/96    in service, Luton
                11/97    LDT rebranded as Arriva the Shires
3079                     renumbered  
                 */00 LN in service on 38 to Dunstable, still blue/yellow
                 7/00 LN into store
                 8/00 CO transfer to Arriva Colchester
                 */01    repainted turquoise / cream
                 1/01 GR transfer (Garston)
                 3/02 HH transfer (Hemel Hempstead)
             by 10/04 GR transfer
                 1/05 HH transfer
                 1/05 HH used on Hemel 4/5, 6
                 2/05 HH used on 2
                 4/05    in service on 352 to Watford Town Centre
                 6/05 HH 
                11/05 GR transfer into store
                12/05 HH return into store, withdrawn
                 1/06    sold for scrap 
                 2/06    bought by Hulme Hall Coaches, Cheadle
                         Hulme Hall Coaches: cream, maroon roof, black skirt
                         sold for scrap (Carlton) 

       F152 KGS 10/88    Volvo B10M-56 18581, Plaxton Derwent II 8811VUL2B556, B54F
                10/88    new to Buffalo, Flitwick: white, orange/red flash
                 */90    in service on 46 to Hemel Hempstead
                 */91    in service on 600 to Bedford
                 5/92    in service on 343 to Dunstable
                 */93    in service on 343, St.Albans
                 6/93    in service on 70 to Leighton Buzzard
 353             5/95    taken over by Luton & District
                         repainted blue/yellow/stone, branded "Luton & Dunstable"
                 */95    in service on 48
                         in service on X69 to Leighton Buzzard
                11/97    LDT rebranded as Arriva the Shires
3080                     renumbered
                 7/00 LN into store
                12/00 LN reinstated
                 */01 LN repainted turquoise / cream
                 2/01 AY transfer (Aylesbury)
                 3/01 AY into store
                 4/01 AY ..and out
                 8/01    in service on 61 to Luton Bus Station
                 9/01    in service on 39 to Dunstable
                 3/02 AY
                 8/02 AY
                10/03 AY in service on 66 to Aylesbury
                10/03 AY unusual on 500
                 6/05 WB
                 6/06    in service on 326 to Micklefield
                 9/06 WB out of use, withdrawn
                10/06    sold for scrap

       F153 KGS 10/88    Volvo B10M-56 18798, Plaxton Derwent II 8811VUL2B558, B54F
                10/88    new to Buffalo, Flitwick: white, orange/red flash
                         in service on 46 to Hemel Hempstead
                         in service on 46 to Luton
                         in service on 343 to St.Albans
 354             5/95    taken over by Luton & District
                 */95    in service on 66 to Milton Keynes
                 */95    in service on 63 to Bedford
                         repainted blue/yellow/stone, branded "Luton & Dunstable"
                 */96    in service on 20 to Luton
3081                     renumbered
                 */00    in service on 39 to Dunstable
                 7/00 LN 
                 8/00 CO transfer to Arriva Colchester
                 6/01 GR transfer (Garston)
                 3/02 GR
                 */02 GR in service on schools 846: turquoise/cream
                 3/03 HA transfer (Harlow)
                 */03 HA in service on 501, Harlow
                 8/03 GR transfer
                 6/05 GR
                 7/05 GR in service on schools 874: turquoise/cream
                10/05 GR into store
                 1/06    sold for scrap
                 2/06    bought by Hulme Hall Coaches, Cheadle  

37     L133 HVS 10/93    Volvo B10B-58 YV3R13F1XPA000437, Alexander Strider AF07/593/1, B50F
                10/93    new to Buffalo Bus, Flitwick for 89: white/orange/red
                 7/94    in service on 182 to Hitchin
                 7/94    in service on 89 to Henlow Camp
 350             5/95 HI taken over by Luton & District: blue, yellow, stone "Hitchin & District"
                 */96    in service on 100
                 9/97    at Showbus 1997
 3089            9/99    at Showbus 1999, showing 97 to Stotfold
                 7/00 HI
                11/01 HI rebranded as Arriva the Shires: turquoise/cream
                 3/02 HI
                 9/02 HI at Showbus 2002
                 9/02 HI in service on 101 to Hitchin
                 */03 HI in service on 101 to Stevenage: blue/cream scoop
                 1/05 GR transfer (Garston)
                 6/05 GR
                11/05 GR in service on 809 Schools Service
                 4/06 GR in service on Hemel 4
                 5/06 GR in service on W1 to South Oxhey
                 6/06 GR in service on 7 to Garston
                11/06 GR in service on 321 to Luton
                 6/08 GR
                11/08 GR withdrawn into store..
                11/08 LD change store (Luton-Dunstable)


E564 BNK 2/88 Volvo B10M-56 15719, Plaxton Derwent II 8811VUL2B553 new to Sampson's, Hoddesdon 2/88 in service on TS2 to Upshire VPB 64 */89 taken over by Arriva East Herts & Essex 3324 renumbered repainted turquoise/cream in service on 501 to Brentwood */01 GR in service on Watford 2 8/01 GR used on 321 10/01 GR used on Watford 5 11/01 LD transfer, trainer (Luton-Dunstable) 1/02 GR transfer, bus 3/02 GR 2/05 HI transfer (Hitchin) 6/05 HI 6/05 sold Redline Bennett's Warrington 7/09 on charter, Lancashire 5/11 Rallybeam, Framlingham 12/12 scrapped E565 BNK 2/88 Volvo B10M-56 15718, Plaxton Derwent II Pn 8811VUL2B551 2/88 new to Sampson's, Hoddesdon VPB 65 */89 taken over by Arriva East Herts & Essex (Countybus) */91 in service on TS to Tesco: white, marked Sampson 3325 renumbered in service on 501 to Harlow 9/92 in service on 500 (Townlink) CO (Colchester) CO painted in Arriva turquoise/cream 5/01 GR transfer to Arriva the Shires, trainer (Garston) 6/01 NG transfer into store (Stevenage, Nye Green): repainted white, grey skirt 11/01 LD transfer, trainer (Luton-Dunstable) 3/02 LD trainer 4/05 trainer 6/05 LD trainer 8/07 trainer by 7/08 sold for scrap
A855 UYM 5/84 Volvo B10M-61 6084, Plaxton coach body 8412VZH1C775, C49Ft 5/84 new to Grey Green, London N16 855 3/92 rebodied with East Lancs EL2000, #B1712, B49F 4/92 in use on 20 93-95 used on 179, 20 VEL855 11/96 HA transfer to County Bus, Harlow in service on 500 to Romford Station 9/97 CO transfer to Arriva Colchester 3315 2/01 NG transfer to Arriva The Shires, withdrawn (Stevenage) 4/01 TS trainer 3/02 TS trainer 6/02 TS repainted in white, grey skirt 3/04 TS trainer 6/05 TS trainer 12/06 TS trainer/classroom: downseated to 25+tables c8/07 sold for scrap A856 UYM 5/84 Volvo B10M-61 8095, Plaxton coach body 8412VZH1C776, C49Ft 5/84 new to Grey Green, London N16 856 3/92 rebodied with East Lancs EL2000, #B1716, B49F 93-5 used on 179, 20 VEL856 11/96 HA transfer to County Bus, Harlow 11/97 CO transfer to Arriva Colchester 3316 2/01 NG transfer to Arriva The Shires, withdrawn (Stevenage) 3/01 TS trainer 3/02 TS trainer 3/04 TS trainer 6/05 TS trainer 6/08 TS trainer 1/09 GR withdrawn 3/09 sold 3321 B861 XYR 5/85 Volvo B10M-61 10268, Plaxton coach body 8512VPH2C760, C49Ft 5/85 new to Grey Green, London N16 861 4/92 rebodied with East Lancs EL2000, #B1715, B49F 93-5 used on 179, 20 VEL861 4/97 HA transfer to County Bus, Harlow 3321 8/97 CO transfer to Arriva Colchester 3321 5/01 NG transfer to Arriva The Shires, withdrawn (Stevenage) 10/01 repainted in grey/white training livery 10/01 LD transfer, trainer, Luton-Dunstable 3/02 LD trainer 12/03 GR transfer into store (Garston) */04 GR return to training 6/05 GR trainer 6/08 GR trainer 3/09 sold
M234 TBV 1/95 Volvo B10M-55 41989, Alexander PS 29PS/1993/118, DP48F 1/95 new to Stagecoach Ribble #434 bought by Blazefield for Lancashire United #234 4/02 in service, Lancashire United Burnley & Pendle 934 transfer to Sovereign (Stevenage) 3330 1/05 SV taken over by Arriva the Shires (Stevenage Babbage Rd) 4/05 SV in service on 301 to Stevenage: full Sovereign livery 6/05 SV 5/06 SV still in Sovereign livery 6/06 SV repainted turquoise/cream 3/07 SV in service on 4 to Broadwater 7/07 in service on 100, Luton Airport 4/08 in service, Luton 6/08 SV 6/08 WB transfer (Wycombe): repainted interurban blue/blue 7/08 WB in service on 52 to High Wycombe 8/08 WB involved in RTA: smashed front 10/09 sold for scrap M782 PRS 1/95 Volvo B10M-55 41990, Alexander PS 29PS/1993/119, DP48F 1/95 new to Stagecoach Ribble #428 bought by Blazefield for Lancashire United #235 Burnley & Pendle 982 transfer to Sovereign (Stevenage) */04 in service on 855, Stevenage 3331 1/05 SV taken over by Arriva the Shires (Stevenage Babbage Rd) */05 SV in service on 5, Stevenage 6/05 SV 5/06 SV still in Sovereign livery 6/06 SV repainted turquoise/cream 7/06 SV in service, Stevenage 5/08 WB transfer (Wycombe): repainted interurban blue/blue 6/08 WB 5/09 WB in service on 800 to Reading 7/09 WB in service, High Wycombe 10/09 WB withdrawn 10/09 sold "for scrap" PJZ 9464 bought by Warrington Coachways: reregistered: blue/blue/white< by 3/13 sold for scrap (Carlton) M783 PRS 1/95 Volvo B10M-55 41845, Alexander PS 29PS/1993/120, DP48F 1/95 new to Stagecoach Ribble #429 bought by Blazefield for Lancashire United #429 9/03 in service, Lancashire United Burnley & Pendle 983 transfer to Sovereign (Stevenage) 3332 1/05 SV taken over by Arriva the Shires (Stevenage Babbage Rd) 6/05 SV 5/06 SV still in Sovereign livery 6/06 SV repainted turquoise/cream 6/06 SV in service on 315 8/06 in service on 301, St.Albans 5/08 WB transfer (Wycombe): repainted interurban blue/blue 5/08 WB in service on 850 to High Wycombe 6/08 WB */08 WB in service on 800 to High Wycombe 9/08 WB in service, High Wycombe 2/09 WB in service on 37 to Maidenhead 4/09 WB in service on 800 to Reading 10/09 sold "for scrap" 2/12 with Griffiths MSU 953 10/12 with Griffiths 8/13 with Clynnog & Trefor: Griffiths white 7/14 with Clynnog & Trefor: white
N621 FJO 2/96 Volvo B10B-58 YV3R13F1XTA002389, Plaxton Verde 9611.9VEL4604, B51F 2/96 new to City of Oxford #621 Wycombe Bus #621 */00 in service on 329 to High Wycombe: Wycombe red/white/blue 3841 12/00 WB bought by Arriva the Shires (Wycombe Bus Station) 3/02 WB turquoise/cream WB in service on 329 to High Wycombe: turquoise/cream 2/04 WB in service on 74 to Slough: turquoise/cream 6/05 WB in service on 328 (Reading - High Wycombe): turquoise/cream 6/08 WB 7/09 WB in service on 329 (Reading - High Wycombe): turquoise/cream 9/09 WB accident damaged 9/09 sold for scrap N622 FJO 2/96 Volvo B10B-58, YV3R13F19TA002402, Plaxton Verde 9611.9VEL4605, B51F 2/96 new to City of Oxford #622 Wycombe Bus #622 3842 12/00 WB bought by Arriva the Shires (Wycombe Bus Station) 3/02 WB turquoise/cream 6/05 WB turquoise/cream 6/08 WB 4/10 WB withdrawn 5/10 HA reinstated: loan to Arriva East Herts & Essex (Harlow) 6/10 WE withdrawn into store (Ware) 5/11 sold to Ensign Bus (Purfleet) 6/11 bought by Poynters, Wye, Kent N623 FJO 2/96 Volvo B10B-58 YV3R13F17TA002401, Plaxton Verde 9611.9VEL4668, B51F 2/96 new to City of Oxford #623 Wycombe Bus #623 3843 12/00 WB bought by Arriva the Shires (Wycombe Bus Station) 5/01 WB in service on 329: turquoise/cream 3/02 WB turquoise/cream */02 WB in service on 306 6/05 WB turquoise/cream 7/06 WB in service on 326 to Booker: turquoise/cream: The Thames Valley line 2/08 WB in service on 850 to High Wycombe: turquoise/cream: The Thames Valley line 6/08 WB 11/09 WB withdrawn 2/10 WB stored N624 FJO 2/96 Volvo B10B-58 YV3R13F13TA002377, Plaxton Verde 9611.9VEL4669, B51F 2/96 new to City of Oxford #624 Wycombe Bus #624 3844 12/00 WB bought by Arriva the Shires (Wycombe Bus Station) 12/00 WB 3/02 WB turquoise/cream 10/03 WB in service on 329: turquoise/cream, branded for 328/329 6/05 WB turquoise/cream */06 WB in service on 362: turquoise/cream, branded for 328/329 3/08 WB in service on 800: turquoise/cream, branded for Thames Valley line 6/08 WB 4/10 WB withdrawn 5/10 HA reinstated: loan to Arriva East Herts & Essex (Harlow) 6/10 WE withdrawn into store (Ware) 8/10 repainted all-red: donated to sports in Milton Keynes N413 NRG 10/95 Volvo B10B-58 YV3R13F12SA002045, Plaxton Verde 9511.9VEL4069, B49F 2/96 new to City of Oxford #625 Wycombe Bus #625 3853 12/00 WB bought by Arriva the Shires (Wycombe Bus Station) 3/02 WB turquoise/cream 6/05 WB turquoise/cream 6/08 WB 4/10 WB withdrawn 5/10 WB reinstated 5/11 sold for scrap N414 NRG 10/95 Volvo B10B-58 YV3R13F14SA002046, Plaxton Verde 9511.9VEL4070, B49F 10/95 new to City of Oxford #652 Wycombe Bus #626 3854 12/00 WB bought by Arriva the Shires (Wycombe Bus Station) 9/01 WB at Showbus 2001, Duxford 3/02 WB turquoise/cream */02 WB used on 301 to Flackwell Heath 9/02 WB at Showbus 2002, Duxford 6/05 WB turquoise/cream 2/08 WB in service on 328: unbranded 3/08 WB in service on 850: branded for the 328/329 Thames Valley line 6/08 WB 7/08 WB in service: branded for the Thames Valley line 3/10 WB withdrawn 5/10 WB reinstated 2/11 at Hardwick's, (Carlton) for scrap N415 NRG 10/95 Volvo B10B-58 YV3R13F14SA002077, Plaxton Verde 9511.9VEL4071, B49F 10/95 new to City of Oxford #653 Wycombe Bus #627 3855 12/00 WB bought by Arriva the Shires (Wycombe Bus Station) 2/01 WB in service on 328 to Reading, turquoise/cream, unbranded WB used on 922 schools service */01 WB in service on 317 to Maidenhead, turquoise/cream, unbranded 3/02 WB turquoise/cream 6/05 WB turquoise/cream */06 WB in service on 328 to High Wycombe: turquoise/cream: The Thames Valley line 5/06 WB in service on 328: interurban blue/blue, digital display 6/06 WB in service on 328: interurban blue/blue, digital display 10/06 WB caught fire in Marlow: destroyed

Photographic References

For a key to the references see the bibliography.

I have not found any printed photos of these Volvos. There are a few pictures on the internet.


Ian's Bus Stop Volvo index. Volvo sd bus. bus histories. photo refs.