Prepared on Notepad by Ian Smith,
This page created 6th November 2017.

Part4: 2003

PVL313-342 for New Cross

The next batch of PVLs arrived in December 2002 - mostly just as far as Volvo in Beddington. Four did make it to New Cross before the turn of the year. The rest should probably have gone there too, but the WVL deliveries to Stockwell were late (only 19 out of 50 on time). So in January ten of the PVLs went on loan to Stockwell, a further nine to New Cross and six to Camberwell. New Cross put its extra PVLs into service on route 321, starting the change to double-deckers, and also onto route 36, taking over Peckham's share on Sundays. Because of the shortfall, NV Olympians still had to be used as well. Camberwell used its allocation for a capacity increase on the 188. Older PVLs swapped garages, 50, 51 and 52 going from New Cross to Bexleyheath, and 92, 93 and 95 going from Stockwell to Merton.

PVL349 on 321, Eltham High Street

PVL349 and PVL346 pass on the 321, Eltham High Street, January 2015.

Bexleyheath converted the 51 to PVL from NV in February.

PVL46 on 51, Sidcup PVL260 on 51, Orpington Stn

One of Bexleyheath's originals, with centre staircase, PVL46 passes through Sidcup on a 51 to Woolwich in June 2007. PVL260, with forward staircase, stands at the southen terminus in July 2005, next to RT3148 working a 431 to Knockholt Pound on a running day.

GarageRoute noRoute
NX (New Cross)36 (Sundays)Lewisham - New Cross - Peckham - Camberwell Green - Oval - Vauxhall - Victoria - Marble Arch - Paddington - Queens Park Stn
NX (New Cross)321 New Cross Gate, Sainsbury's - Lewisham - Lee Green - Eltham - New Eltham - Sidcup - Foots Cray Tesco
BX (Bexleyheath)51Woolwich - Plumstead Common - Welling - Blackfen - Sidcup - Foots Cray - St.Mary Cray - Orpington Station

PDL28-50 for Stockwell: New Cross and Peckham get their PVLs

Another sizeable contingent of PDLs arrived in March and April 2003, twenty-three buses going to Stockwell.

They released the PVLs that should have gone to New Cross earlier. Now those went to New Cross and Peckham, displacing NV Olympians and LDP Dart SLFs. At Peckham they pushed the AVLs off the shortened 63 and equipped the replacement 363. They also replaced AVLs on Camberwell's 45. At New Cross they continued the conversion of the 321 from single-decker to double-decker operation.

The PDLs at Stockwell replaced NV Olympians from the 133 (as well as mixing with the general crowd).

PDL49 on 345 to Peckham, South Ken Stn

PDL49 on 345 to Peckham rests at South Kensington Station, October 2006. It shows the different arrangement of windows and grilles of the Trident rear.

GarageRoute noRoute
PM (Peckham)63Honor Oak - Peckham Rye - Peckham - Old Kent Road - Elephant & Castle - Blackfriars - Kings Cross Stn
PM (Peckham)363Crystal Palace - Honor Oak - Peckham Rye - Peckham - Old Kent Road - Elephant & Castle
SW (Stockwell)133Liverpool Street Stn - Bank - Monument - London Bridge - Elephant & Castle - Kennington - Brixton - Streatham
Q (Camberwell)45Kings Cross - Holborn Circus - Blackfriars - Elephant & Castle - Loughborough Junction - Brixton - Camberwell - Streatham Hill

PVL332 on 363, Crystal Palace Parade PVL330 on 363, Crystal Palace Parade

363s at Crystal Palace: PVL332 and PVL330 head for Elephant & Castle, December 2015.

PVL307 on 45 PVL313 on 45

PVL307 and PVL313 on route 45 to Kings Cross

PVL356-361 for 45 at Camberwell, PVL371-389 for 155 at Merton

October and November 2003 saw the arrival of more new PVLs, six for Camberwell to increase capacity on the 45, and nineteen for Merton to convert the 155 from single-deck to double-decker.

GarageRoute noRoute
AL (Merton)155Tooting (St G Hosp) - Tooting Bdy - Balham - Clapham Common - Stockwell - Oval - Elephant & Castle

PVL387 off 155PVL378 on 155

PVL387 turns in to Merton Garage off the 155, August 2008. PVL378 heads for Elepant & Castle on the 155 in October 2011.

Part 5: 2004-2006

Ian's Bus Stop. 2002. 2004. PVL histories. PDL histories. PVL photos.