Essex Adventures

[Chris]

It's a long time since I've been to Southend, and even then largely only on Club tours. The recent vehicle swaps with Maidstone, and the fact it may be a slightly more manageable seaside day out than Brighton (spoiler: it was) gave a good excuse to see what was going on. 

Unfortunately, I tend to forget that Southend's "Travel Centre" faces North-South with a high building on one side, so isn't always the best place for photos. Nevertheless, I didn't do too-bad-a-job with this pair, with 4450 heading to Shoeburyness on the 2 (still showing its poppy from last November, if not before), whilst 4452 is seen in the interchange 'proper' on route 29 to Belfairs (Belgrave Road), which interworks with service 6. 

Although at first glance they are very similar (even down to the same advert), those with a sharp eye will see some very minor detail differences in the placement of the journeymark swoops between the two vehicles. 

Both taken on Saturday, 28th June. 

Chris

[Nik Anthony]

And the 'Travel Centre' actually has an enquiry office, though when I was last there it looked like it had been permanently shut for some time. Not that it makes much difference, as there is a complete lack of printed publicity from any of the operators. (It's all on the internet!!!!!) And they obviously don't care about those who do not have access to it.

Nik

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Chris

 

As it happens, I was in Southend briefly on 24.6.25, and the only one of that batch I photographed was 4471 (MX61 AXN), which was also on route 2, although you’d never guess it from my picture! I did also get a shot of the Enviro 400 in Southend colours, but that’s not relevant to the Club.

 

Dave B

 

 

Sent: 15 July 2025 13:37

[Chris]

If I'm not a regular visitor to Southend, I'm even less often in Colchester, which seems to suffer equally terribly from buses and sun not playing nicely together. I had a couple of hours there on my way back from the Omnibus Society Presidential Weekend on 29th September. 

I will admit that in my usual slapdash fashion I haven't checked whether all of these were actually in Kent or some were only in Guildford, but I shall post first and ask for forgiveness later... 

Three enviros take the stage here: recent transfer from Maidstone 4063 on service 1 to Shrub End, showing an unusual placement of last year's poppy, and the busy state of the street stands that serve as Colchester's bus station. 4055 follows, opposite the tourist information centre at the top of the town on the 2 to Horkesley Heath, and we finish with the 'hybrid' livery of 4013 on service 3 to Stanway back in the "bus station", with elements of three other companies serving Colchester surrounding it. Even more so than Southend, Arriva faces competition from First through its network in the city. 

Chris

[Chris]

A final three from Colchester, handling "other types".

4072 and 4075 were both new to Colchester for Park & Ride services, hence the air conditioning pods on the roof. The batch were transferred to Maidstone (some via Gillingham, if I remember correctly), where three still remain. 4072 and 4075 were transferred back last year, allegedly on loan, where they remain. 4072 is seen at Osbourne Street on service 8, the fourth of the four Arriva town services, whilst 4075 passes through on service 1.

The double-deck requirement is small, but a number can be found on service 8 - in perhaps a perfect illustration of Arriva's current allocation policy, split between E400s and these DB300s. 4463 started life in the North West, and made its way to Colchester via Maidstone and Southend.

All in all, for those seeking former Kent vehicles, Colchester may well be worth a day out! 

Chris