|
|---|
 | Wed 22nd Oct 08 | Archive Oddities (No Place to Go). (64 images)
This gallery is dedcated to those images archived in my collecton that are too few to warrant the creation of their own themed gallery.
As a result, this gallery will contain a mix of various images, so keep checking as you never know what you will find.
Added:
DB005292-5295
|
 | Sun 5th Oct 08 | 081005: Found..... ex Ribble Leyland Leopard CCK625C - 5th Oct 2008. (9 images)
Today was my last day of my working week at the Kells Transport Museum and as i was catching a flight home at 13:30, a long lie in bed was had to start with. Once up, a trip out to Midleton was had prior to heading off to the airport.
While in Midleton, i stumbled across the shell of former Ribble 625 (CCK625C), a Weymann bodied Leyland Leopard PSU3/1R now registered as 683-JPI. This was located out of sight at a private residence in the lower garden and had been used as a stores shed for many years. It's original identity was confirmed via it's fleetnumber still being visible inside and also by the chassis number of which the plate was still present.
It is missing it's seats, engine, wheels & rear springs. However, from what i could gather, it's fate might be very near as the owners are looking to dispose of it.
|
 | Thu 28th Aug 08 | Unidentified - Can You Help. (10 images)
This gallery contains images of various things i am unable to identify at the moment - can you help.???
|
 | Thu 29th May 08 | 080529: Visit to Ocean Terminal - 29th May 2008. (16 images)
After the visit out to Edinburgh Airport, it was decided to head out to Ocean Terminal to see what ships were around.
While here, i also decided to do some more aerial photography of buses from above in the multi-storey car park.
|
 | Thu 29th May 08 | 080529: Visit to Edinburgh Airport again- 29th May 2008. (57 images)
Paid another visit to Edinburgh Airport again to photograph aircraft, which was initially done at the Turnhouse end, but after a short while i then moved to the Ingliston end at the Royal Highland Showground.
Fortunately, unlike the last time, no buses were present.!!!
|
 | Wed 21st May 08 | 080521: Visit to Edinburgh Airport - 21st May 2008. (26 images)
Ok, what more can i say. I actually did manage to get to photograph some aircraft after all.
Dull lighting conditions coupled with the need for faster shutter speeds resulted in having to use higher ISO speeds of up to 400-ISO, resulting in some grainy effects on the images.
|
 | Wed 21st May 08 | 080521: Visit to Edinburgh Airport ???? - 21st May 2008. (160 images)
Today, i decided to have a bus free photography day as i was fed up of the sight of them, and as such i decided to wander off to Edinburgh Airport to shoot some aircraft from the Ingliston side of the fence which i had identified as a potential spot.
However, upon reaching this spot, i noted there was some kind of event on at the Royal Highland Show and that there was more buses/coaches littering the car park than what you could find at a major bus rally.!!!!! Ah well, guess what happened - the Garage Cat started shooting at buses instead of planes.!!!
Bloody Buses.......................!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, and yes, a couple of Firstbus vehicles were thrown in for good measure just to wind me up.
|
 | Mon 12th May 08 | 080512: Visit to o'Sullivans of Hospital, Co. Limerick - 12th May 2008. (24 images)
Today, myself & Michael took a trip up to the premises of o'Sullivans of Hospital in Co. Limerick to look over their fleet of buses, which incidentally were up for sale as o'Sullivan's was running down their bus operations.
While on the way there, i managed to photograph a Bus Eireann 'ML-Class' minibus in Ballylanders. Upon arrival at o'Sullivans premises, i was surprised to find three Fleetines (2x ex West Midlands & 1x Cleveland Transit) and an assortment of Leyland Nationals & Lynx's, of which two of the latter were winding me up by showing me that they were ex Firstbus vehicles by means of their 5 digit fleetnumbers - this is getting bloody ridiculous now.!!!!!!
|
 | Sat 10th May 08 | 080510: Picking up a Bristol RELL from Rathangan - 10th May 2008. (9 images)
Today, myself & Michael headed up to Rathangan in Co. Kildare where a few former Citybus Bristol RELL's are stored awaiting movement down to the main museum base in Cork.
We picked up 84-DL-2360, which was ex Citybus 2538 (AXI2538), and with myself driving, i took it all the way to Cork. A superb run was had with this vehicle as it performed faultlessly on the journey down.
|
 | Thu 8th May 08 | 080508: Visit to L.P.Walsh of Cork & Trip up town with Tiger 2624 - 8th May 2008. (14 images)
Today, myself & Michael decided to take a trip up town with former 'Citybus' Leyland Tiger 2624 while out doing a road test.
We first stopped at the bus depot of L.P.Walsh, which is located in the Glanmire Ind Est at Brooklodge. Here i managed to photograph, although i did not know it at the time, a former Parks of Hamilton Jonckheere bodied Volvo.
Afterwards, we took 2624 up to the city centre and posed it around Parnell Place bus station and also at the Park & ride.
|
 | Wed 7th May 08 | 080507: Visit to Hallanhan's of Cappoquin - 7th May 2008. (7 images)
Today, myself & Michael paid a visit to Hallahan's of Cappoquin to view a Gardner Engined Leyland Tiger complete with Alexander 'P' type bodywork, which incidentally turned out to be former Grimsby Cleethorpes Transport No: 28 (E928PBE).
On the way here, we stopped off at Dungarvan were i managed to photograph two Bus Eireann vehicles, a derelict GAC RB & a serviceable DAF MB230.
While at Hallahan's, the Firstbus haunting that was plaguing me on the previous trip to Ireland was happening again - while investigating a minibus for signs of a former ID, i stumbled across it being latterly in use with First Glasgow and also the fleeetnumber of 50366 inside.
|
 | Wed 7th May 08 | 080507: Kells Transport Museum Working Week - 7th-11th May 2008. (40 images)
It was that time again, time to visit the Kells transport Museum for the usual working week which was done from Tue 6th May to Tue 13th May. Unusually, this time it was just myself as Kenny was unavailable.
Again, photography on this visit of the Museum's buses were mostly kept to those not previously photographed before. The majority of the photographs having been taken between the 7th-11th May.
|
 | Wed 7th May 08
to Tue 13th May 08 | 080507: Misc Scenic Shots Around Cork (40 images)
While at the Kells Transport Museum for my working week, i did manage to get some free time to myself. Unusually, i spent some of my photographic time actually doing some scenic shots for a change, either near the museum grounds, or when i was let loose away from the museum.
|
 | Tue 6th May 08
to Fri 9th May 08 | 080506: Vessels in the Cork Area - 6th-9th May 2008. (29 images)
No visit to the Kells Transport Museum would be complete without 'Garage Cat' managing to escape and try to photograph vessels in the Cork area.
Taken between the 6th & 9th of May, i paid my usual visit to the River Bandon down from Innishannon to see if the decommisioned vessels were still around - Unfortunately the hulk of the Fishing Vessel 'S230 - Achilles' was now gone and presumed scrapped.
Then there was a visit paid to Carrigaline where i photographed the two ferries that ply their trake the short distance between here & Passage West, before heading down to Cobh to see what i could find.
Finally i paid one of my usual visits to Kinsale, where at last, i managed to photograph one of the decommision fishing vessels that had been bugging me as i could not find out how to get to it. Now that i have found it, that just leaves one more to try and get to.
|
 | Tue 6th May 08 | 080506: Outside Bus Eireann's Capwell Depot in Cork (Again) - 6th May 2008. (30 images)
Today, i flew out from Edinburgh and headed back over to Cork again, this time for my usual working week at the museum. Unusually on this occaision, Kenny was not present so it was just me, myself & i for a change.
However, as Michael was somewhat busy in the afternoon, i decided to make myself useless and hung about outside Bus Eireann's Capwell depot in Cork for a while to photograph the buses.
|
 | Sat 3rd May 08 | 080503: Broomhouse West Halt, Edinburgh - 3rd May 2008 (13 images)
Today, myself & my brother met with Kenny at Broomhouse Halt West (Guided Busway) to photogrpah Class 52 'Western' D1015 passing westbound with the 1Z53 Edinburgh - Tame Bridge Parkway 'Pathfinder Tours' railtour.
While waiting, i photographed some of the bus action on the busway together with a few passing DMU's and a freight on the main line.
|
 | Sun 27th Apr 08 | 080427: Kells Transport Museum Visit - 27th Apr 2008. (17 images)
Having brought Leyland Tiger NXI4629 all the way from Belfast the following day, the following couple of days were spent in Cork before heading home.
On the Sunday (27th), i had my usual wander around the yard at the museum looking vehicles to photograph, which i kept generally to those i had not photographed before due to being relatively inaccessable, or were now in a different and interesting position.
Thankfully, it was a Firstbus free day...............
......... Good grief, who the hell was responsable for that.!!!!!!!!! Oops, that was me. I forgot about ex First Edinburgh 31756 (NTC135Y) being here.
|
 | Sat 26th Apr 08 | 080426: ITT 2008 Bus & Coach Rally, Cultra (82 images)
WHO LET THE FIRSTBUS INTO THE RALLY.!!!!!
After picking up Tiger NXI4629 from the Ulsterbus depot at Milewater Road, we headed to the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum were the 'Irish Transport Trust' were holding their 2008 Bus & Coach Rally, and were we were booked in with NXI4629 as an exhibit.
A good selection of buses were on display, many of which were from 'Ulsterbus' origins. However, i was totally unhappy to see yet another Firstbus in Northern Ireland, this time one on display at the rally.!!! If i go to Northern Ireland, i expect to see Ulsterbus, if i go to the republic of Ireland i expect to see Bus Eireann - I DO NOT expect to see Firstbus.!!
As i was taking NXI4629 to Cork, we could only stay until 14:00, but by that time i had photographed mostly everything anyway.
|
 | Sat 26th Apr 08 | 080426: To Belfast to collect former Citybus Leyland Tiger 'NXI4629' - 26th Apr 2008. (28 images)
Today, i was going over to Belfast for two reasons, these being: 1, to Collect former Ulsterbus Leyland Tiger 'NXI4629' and take it to Cork & 2, To go to the Cultra Bus Rally (seperate gallery).
I flew out from Edinburgh just after 6am by Easyjet, and was surprised that the aircraft was an Airbus A319 as i was expecting a Boeing 737 - Ah well, another new type of Aircraft to add to my flight log. Upon arrival at Belfast International Airport, there i was believing a was going to have a 'Firstbus' free weekend - i was wrong.!!!! Operating on the car park shuttles was one of the Wright bodied Volvo B7RLE's belonging to First Northern Ireland - Yes, First Northern Ireland.!!!!!! Who let them loose over there.??
I hung around the airport for a bit photographing some buses and looking very suspicious as usual, but no-one even challenged me asking what i was doing. I then caught the Service 300 into Belfast City Centre where i then walked from Great Victoria Street to Belfast Central where i met Michael Grimes.
We met up with Pat Moss, Ulsterbus General Manager whom collected us tand took us to Milewater Road where 'Tiger' NXI4629' was stored. While Michael was doing the paperwork, i was left to my own devices and able to photograph many of the other buses here - i guess a depot is not a depot without a 'Garage Cat' wandering around somewhere.!!!
Once everything was in Order, myself & Michael headed off to the ITT's 2008 Bus Rally at Bangor (Cultra) with NXI4629, photo's of which are in a seperate gallery. As NXI4629 was going to Cork, we could only stay here until 2pm, were we headed off on the long journey. At Dublin, a stop was made to eject Michael off the bus as he was going to catch the train to Cork, and i then carried on from Dublin to Cork on my own, arriving in Cork about 21:30 that evening - a whopping 7hrs 30min drive with a Gardner engined Tiger with a top speed of 42mph.
|
 | Mon 21st Apr 08 | 080421: Walk down 'The Glen' at North Berwick - 21st Apr 2008. (21 images)
While on break at work today, i decided to have a walk down 'The Glen' in North Berwick to do some photography of scenery for a change.
Starting from the Top at Tantallon Road, i walked down through 'The Glen', which is also known as 'Ladies Walk', and emerged out at the Golf Club down by the shore at Tantallon Terrace.
These are the images i obtained from my walk. However, it should be noted that image 'DB004568' was actually taken on the 19th Apr 2008, the only shot taken on that day, and is included here because the 'Genre' & 'Location' is relevant to this collection.
|
 | Sun 20th Apr 08 | 080420: Leith Docks Visit - 20th Apr 2008. (10 images)
Paid a visit to Ocean Terminal this evening to photograph the vessels that were around Leith Docks.
I really like the Russian ships with the Russian names.
|
 | Wed 16th Apr 08 | 080416: Buses on Glasgow's Union Street (Pt 3 - Misc Chaffeage) - 16th Apr 2008. (16 images)
Not only is Glasgow blighted by Burberry wearing & Buckfast swilling neds, it is also subjected to many smaller operators cluttering up the streets, many of whom operate a weird but wonderful fleet of different buses of different types.
This gallery contains the mixed chaffeage i managed to photograph.
|
 | Wed 16th Apr 08 | 080416: Buses on Glasgow's Union Street (Pt 2 - Arriva) - 16th Apr 2008. (18 images)
This gallery contains the buses in the Arriva Scotland West fleet which i photographed on Glasgow's Union Street.
|
 | Wed 16th Apr 08 | 080416: Buses on Glasgow's Union Street (Pt 1 - Firstbus) - 16th Apr 2008. (72 images)
After conduction my business in Glasgow, i decided to hang around Union Street to photograph the bus scene. This gallery contains those vehicles of Firstbus which i photographed.
|
 | Wed 16th Apr 08 | 080416: Dunsmore's Bus & Coach Breakers - 16th Apr 2008. (17 images)
Today i had some business to conduct in Glasgow, so it was my intention to initially go through by train. However, after thinking about it, i felt that if i went through by car i could visit Dunsmore's first before heading off to Motherwell to park the car and get the train into Central station. This was what i eventually done.
|
 | Sat 29th Mar 08 | 080329: Manchester area & Manchester Airport (14 images)
After we left Blackpool, our next port of call before heading back home was Manchester were both myself & my Brother wanted to visit the 'Ian Allan' bookshop outside Manchester Piccadilly.
To start with, we headed out to Heald Green station, where we left the car and bought single tickets to Manchester Airport where i wanted to photograph the planes from the car park again - fat chance, i never did accomplish that due to poor visibility and instead shot buses from a great height.
We then bought two return tickets from the Airport to Piccadilly and then went to the Ian Allan bookshop, where i managed to photograph a few of First's Optare Solo's outside. Afterwards, we boarded the train back from Piccadilly and alighted at Heald Green, and headed off home.
|
 | Sat 29th Mar 08 | 080329: Visit to Blackpool to Photograph the 'Riverdance'. (8 images)
After our night's stay at Preston, we headed into Blackpool first thing this morning, which also co-incided with a low tide, in order to photograph the stricken vessel 'Riverdance' which came to grief on the 31st Jan when it ran aground of the coast of Cleveleys.
While here i also managed to photograph a milkfloat and an ex Blackpool Leyland Atlantean.
|
 | Fri 28th Mar 08 | 080328: Carlisle Station - 28th Mar 2008. (16 images)
Following on from our vist to the Eddie Stobart depot, we went to Carlisle Station to photograph 57602 as intended. Unfortunately, just as we got into the station, it came through slightly early resulting me just grabbing the camera and shoot - unfortunately. as i did not even have time to change lenses, i ended up shooting it with the lens i have my circular polariser on, which cut down the lighting and resulting in a slow shutter speed for a fast moving subject.
We stayed here for a couple of hours before heading down to Preston where we retired for the night.
|
 | Fri 28th Mar 08 | Eddie Stobart Depot, Carlisle Brunthill Road - 28th Mar 2008. (9 images)
Today, myself & my brother decided to head down to Carlisle to catch the First Great Western Class 57/6 locomotive that was heading up from SW England to Kilmarnock for repainting.
On the way to Carlisle station, we popped into the Brunthill Road depot of Eddie Stobart, where we found a lot of the brand new Scania R420 6x2 tractor units parked up and awaiting acceptance for use.
|
 | Tue 25th Mar 08 | Edinburgh Park Station - 25th Mar 2008. (17 images)
Took a trip to Edinburgh Park station to photograph the 'Mud Oil' tanks to Aberdeen which is hauled by a GBRf Class 66. While waiting i also photographed some of the passing DMU's.
|
 | Fri 21st Mar 08 | Edinburgh's St Andrew Square Bus Station - 21st Mar 2008. (27 images)
After photographing buses on diversion in the city centre, the final port of call prior to packing up for the day was St Andrew Square Bus Station to photograph the comings & going of various buses/coaches that use this station.
|
 | Fri 21st Mar 08 | Buses in Edinburgh (Not technically on Diversion) - 21st Mar 2008. (59 images)
This collection was taken from my 'Buses on Diversion' collection where i photographed buses technically on diversion. To qualify for this gallery, the subject had to meet the following criteria:
1): Despite operation along what is the main diversion route for all other services, the route it was photographed on is actually it's registered route.
2): Despite on the diversion route, the subject does not operate a set route between A to B and can go by any reasonable route. Therefor, it could be argued that it may not be on diversion.
3): Buses photographed on their scheduled routes or operating in Edinburgh on a section of road that is not a diversion route.
|
 | Fri 21st Mar 08 | Buses on Diversion in Edinburgh - 21st Mar 2008. (164 images)
Due to major roadworks in Edinburgh in preparation for the forthcoming trams, which has also seen Shandwick Place (West End) shut off to all traffic for the time being, many buses are being sent alternative routes.
Today, i decided to go out along these diversion routes to photograph 'Buses on Diversion'. I decided to start at Haymarket to photograph buses at Morrision Link. As i walked around the corner at the public toilets, i bumped into Mark Hannan hanging around outside who was saying he was only there because he was bus spotting (images on his camera say otherwise as these were inside the toilets!!!!). For the rest of the day Mark then followed me around like a lost sheep. I photographed buses turning out of Morrison Link into Morrison Street, on Morrision Link itself and also on the West Approach Road including turning into Morrison Link.
After this, it was to Manor Place & Melville Street, followed by Queensferry Street/Hop Street which has been repoened to traffic again, although since this visit the traffic flow has been altered again. It was then to the West Approach Road at the Lothian Road end to obtain overhead shots before heading back to Charlotte Square and then onto Princes Street to capture more action.
|
 | Sun 9th Mar 08
to Mon 10th Mar 08 | Delivery of CSF166W to the Kells Transport Museum - 9th/10th Mar 2008. (11 images)
With the fuel problem sorted that prevented Leopard CSF166W moving over to the Kells Transport Museum in January now fixed, it was due to begin it's journey over this evening (9th). Unfortunately, as i was away with the Scottish Railfans this weekend on their 'East Midlands Tour', this meant i had to make my own way home from Doncaster first thing on the sunday morning as we would not have been due back home with the society until late sunday evening, which was no good.
Having got home, had some sleep etc etc etc, prior to heading out to pick up CSF166W, i checked the weather due to the recent stormy conditions and unfortunately there was no let up in the weather but our ferry was still sailing. Having met up with Kenny en route, we picked up CSF166W near East Calder from where it was being repaired and gave it a final check before heading off at 18:00. Despite the weather, an uneventful run was had all the way to Stranraer which seen us head out the M8 towards Glasgow and then onto the M77/A77.
At Stranraer, we were informed that due to the rough weather, there may be delays with the ferry, so bearing that in mind we immediately headed off to feed our faces as soon as we got on board, which once done, we found a seat to stretch out on and sleep for the very rough crossing. At about 04:30 i awoke to find ourselves still onboard the ferry (should have been in Belfast at 03:15) and a PA annoucement stating that due to the weather which was beyond the berthing capabilities of the vessel, it was holding position outside the mouth of Belfast Lough pending a break in the weather, which they expected at about 06:30.
After our extended sleep on the ferry, we finally alighted about 06:45 and we headed off to Cork, However a check of things after we got out the docks revealed the oil filler lid was not holding securely shut and was allowing oil throwback. This resulted in an oil top up just after Hillsborough and some very temporary methods to keep the lid secure. Afterwards, it was another uneventful journey all the way to Cork, which we reach by 13:30.
CSF166W was to be left at the main office overnight as opposed to the main yard, but we got the chance to briefly go up to the yard to see what was going on, and while on the way there, i managed to photograph a few french fishing vessels in Cork Harbour.
|
 | Sat 8th Mar 08 | Scottish Railfans Society East Midlands Trip (Doncaster) - 8th Mar 2008. (54 images)
After Barnetby, we all headed for Doncaster next, which was also where we were retiring to for the night. Prior to heading of to our hotel, we all spent a good while at the railway station. However, i decided to spend the time outside the station photographing the bus scene as opposed to the railway scene.
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 300D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Sat 8th Mar 08 | Scottish Railfans Society East Midlands Trip (Barnetby) - 8th Mar 2008. (45 images)
After we visited March, we headed on up to the busy freight hotspot of Barnetby. Once here we spent a good three hours hanging around the station doing what all enthusiasts do - logging down the numbers of passing trains.
Myself, i distanced myself from this activety by doing what i do best - photographing the passing traction.
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 300D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Fri 7th Mar 08
to Sat 8th Mar 08 | Scottish Railfans Society East Midlands Trip (Carlisle & March) - 7th/8th Mar 2008. (8 images)
Today, myself & my brother went on the Scottish Railfans Society 'East Midlands' trip. After picking up the various society members at locations around the Central Belt, we headed down the A74 and stopping at Carlisle for a break where i managed a couple of shots.
Then after this break, we continued south where we changed minibuses before first heading across to Peterborough (to dark to photograph much) and then across the March, where we managed to get permission to get round Whitemoor Yard, where i managed to photograph two RMS Locotec Class 08 shunters.
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 300D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Wed 20th Feb 08 | Gardiners of Spennymoor Visit - 20th Feb 2008. (13 images)
After our visit to the Barnsley Bus Breakers was over, we all headed back north again. As well as subjecting Mark to the usual harassment on the way up, we decided to get lost and ended up outside Gardiners of Spennymoor depot/yard (we never did find Scarlet Band, whom we were actually going to visit).
Permission was duly granted to look round at these are the images taken from our last visit of today.
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 5D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Wed 20th Feb 08 | Barnsley Bus Breakers (P.V.S) Visit - 20th Feb 2008. (30 images)
After our visit to Ripleys Yard we descended on T.Wigley's yard to ask permission. Unfortunately, like Harkwick, they have been having the same problem regarding enthusiasts, so access was not granted.
Not to be deterred, we went to P.V.S next where we were allowed in, and as a result, this gallery contains photos from this visit.
More pics can be seen at Malcolms site at:
http://413.fotopic.net
** Please consider making a small donation to contribute to the costs of bringing you these images by clicking on the PayPal donate button at the foot of this page.**
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 5D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Wed 20th Feb 08 | Barnsley Bus Breakers (G.Ripley) Visit - 20th Feb 2008. (25 images)
Today, myself & Malcolm from 'Malcolms Bus Photo's (http://413.fotopic.net) decided to pay a visit to the Barnsley Scrapyards. Although it was against our better judgement, we decided to take Mark Hannan from 'The Gaylords Omnibus Adventures' (http://northberwick-depot.fotopic.net) with us just for the sake of having someone to slag off & wind up.
After subjecting Mark to much 'slagging off' all the way down from Edinburgh, we reached the scrapyards just before noon. First port of call was to Hardwick's yard, but alas we were not granted access as they have been getting hassle from enthusiasts of late demanding that they cannot break this & that bus up, so Hardwicks would rather not let enthusiasts in for the foreseeable future to at least prevent what buses he has in becoming known to these 'so called' enthusiasts.
Next port of call after that was G.Ripley, were we were granted permission to wander round and photograph the buses, and this gallery shows the stuff i managed to photograph that was photographable.
More pics can be seen at Malcolms site at:
http://413.fotopic.net
** Please consider making a small donation to contribute to the costs of bringing you these images by clicking on the PayPal donate button at the foot of this page.**
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 5D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Mon 11th Feb 08 | Dunsmores Bus Breakers & End of Life Visit - 11th Feb 2008. (13 images)
Today, i paid another visit out to Dunsmores Bus & Coach Breakers. Unfortunately, nothing had really much changed since my last visit so i only had the opportunity to photograph a few of the new arrivals and also a few of the stuff i had not photographed previously.
Afterwards, i paid a trip out to 'End of Life Vehicles' of Rutherglen.
** Please consider making a small donation to contribute to the costs of bringing you these images by clicking on the PayPal donate button at the foot of this page.**
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 300D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Sun 27th Jan 08 | Girvan Fishing Vessels - 27th Jan 2008. (10 images)
After our stay at Carrickfergus, we caught the morning 'Stena Line' crossing from Belfast back to Stranraer and home ground.
On the way up from Stranraer, i decided to stop at Girvan to see what fishing vessels were around, and also to photograph.
** Please consider making a small donation to contribute to the costs of bringing you these images by clicking on the PayPal donate button at the foot of this page.**
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 300D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Sat 26th Jan 08 | Leaving the Kells Transport Museum - 26th Jan 2008. (6 images)
Our working week at the KTM ended on the afternoon of today, where it was our intention to drive all the way up to Carrickfergus (N.Ireland) where we would spend the night in a hotel prior to catching our ferry home the following day.
Prior to leaving the KTM though, the all clear came through to pick up another aquisition for the museum, namely a Van Hool bodied Volvo B10M-61 that was donated to the museum by 'Ovens Coaches'. We tagged along to where the bus was being picked up so we could get pictures of it, and any other vehicles around.
Once this was acheived, we headed away from Cork, making a stop at Urlingford for a bite to eat and also photograph a couple of Bus Eireann vehicles.
** Please consider making a small donation to contribute to the costs of bringing you these images by clicking on the PayPal donate button at the foot of this page.**
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 300D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Thu 24th Jan 08 | Derelict Cottage/Croft near the Kells Transport Museum - 24th Jan 2008. (9 images)
On land next 20 yards from the perimeter of the Kells Transport Museum, an old derelict cottage/croft was discovered. As this area was thick woodland, which has been partially cleared, the cottage/croft lay amidst the trees and undergrowth, out of site to all but the dedicated adventurer.
I decided to photograph this, both externally and internally, as it may make a good photographic project in the future next time i'm over with proper photographic equipment, and it is for that reason that i am regarding these shots as 'Referance Shots' only. Also included in this gallery, taken at the same time, is the small outbuilding/barn located on the private road down to the main museum gates (image: DB003804).
** Please consider making a small donation to contribute to the costs of bringing you these images by clicking on the PayPal donate button at the foot of this page.**
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 300D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Sun 20th Jan 08
to Sat 26th Jan 08 | Kells Transport Museum Working Week - 20th - 26th Jan 2008. (41 images)
It was that time again, another working week over in Cork at the Kells Transport Museum. We were supposed to be combining this with delivering Leopard CSF166W over to the museum, but prior to leaving it developed a power loss problem which we believe to be a fuel problem, so it was head over with the car instead.
My photography experience here i tried to limit to buses i had not photographed before as well as getting the new arrivals since my last visit. However, for the record, i video'd every bus here both externally & internally, and i hope to release this on DVD later. This is why i never done any 'Still' interior shots on this visit as there would be a conflict of interest.
** Please consider making a small donation to contribute to the costs of bringing you these images by clicking on the PayPal donate button at the foot of this page.**
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 300D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Wed 16th Jan 08 | Dunsmores Bus & Coach Breakers Visit - 16th Jan 2008. (26 images)
Today, myself & Kenny paid one of the regular visits to Dunsmores Bus & Coach Breakers of Larkhall.
This visit was not just to photograph buses that were photographable, but also log everything that was in the yard, a feat that we accomplished barring three vehicles that we could not get any ID's off of whatsoever.
** Please consider making a small donation to contribute to the costs of bringing you these images you like so much, by clicking on the PayPal donate button at the foot of this page.**
------------------------------------------
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 300D
------------------------------------------
|
 | Wed 2nd Jan 08 | Edinburgh Misc Wanderings - 2nd Jan 2008. (9 images)
Today, with nothing better to do, myself & my brother ventured out to various places in and around Edinburgh to see what we could find.
The first photo location for me was Port Seton Harbour to see what Fishing Vessels were around (Images DB003669 to 3672).
My next photo call was at Cloburn Quarry adjacent to Millerhill yard where i photographed just two wagon that were stabled in a consist here (Images DB003673 to 3674).
The final port of call was to the Portobello 'Secure Coach Park' just off Sir Harry Lauder Road where i photographed the ex London Leyland National now in use with Chaplins Disco's as a party bus, while also here was an ex London Country Leyland Olympian (Images DB003675 to 3677).
-------------------------------------------------------
Vessels - 4, Railway Wagons - 2, Buses - 3.
Camera/s used: Canon EoS 5D.
-------------------------------------------------------
|
 | Sun 16th Dec 07 | Birmingham City Centre Buses - 16th Dec 2007. (5 images)
After Leaving Gloucester bound for Birmingham, where we were to change trains in order to catch the Cross Country service to Edinburgh, we had some time to kill in Birmingham.
A visit was therefor made round the corner from New Street station to visit the Ian Allen bookshop on Stephenson Street, where i also managed to photograph some of the buses passing by. As the weather was a bit dull, and given that the surrounding buildings were adding to the problem by cutting down the ambient lighting further, i only managed a small selection of reasonable shots.
|
 | Sun 16th Dec 07 | DMU's at Gloucester - 16th Dec 2007. (5 images)
After the railtour the following day, it was time to head home, this time by train. The travel intenary was catching a train from Gloucester to Birmingham New Street, then catch a Cross-Country service from Birmingham New Street to Edinburgh (via the East Coast) which was done First Class.
While waiting for our train at Gloucester, i shot a few of the DMU's that were littering the station and yard.
|
 | Sat 15th Dec 07 | The Moor & More 'Pathfinder' Railtour - 15th Dec 2007. (8 images)
Today was the day of the 'Moor & More' railtour run by Pathfinder, one of their ever popular Spin n Win railtours which feature a variety of unspecified traction from classes of locomotives not normally seen on passenger turns.
Today's tour took us from Gloucester to Birmingham International behind EWS Class 66 - 66170 (with GBRf example - 66703 D.I.T). At Birmingham, 66170 left the train leaving 66703 to haul the train to Wembley and taking us there via Banbury,& Ealing. At Wembley we traded in 66703 for an EWS Class 92, namely 92029 which took us from Wembley to Dollands Moor in Kent via Denmark Hill, Maidstone East and Ashford International. At Dollands Moor, we changed traction to a pair of GBRf Class 73 'Electro-Diesels' - namely 73209 & 73205 for the trip into London Euston this time running via Tonbridge, Redhill & Croydon. At Euston, Freightliner Class 90 - 90016 took us up the WCML back to Birmingham (New Street) were EWS Class 66 - 66158 then returned us back to Gloucester.
Even though i had a decent sleep at a hotel after our marathon bus journey down to Gloucester, i spent most of the tour sleeping rather than photographing, hence the lack of content on this occaision.
Headcodes:
1Z11 Gloucester - Wembley (66170 & 66703)
1Z12 Wembley - London Euston (92029 & 73209+205)
1Z13 London Euston - Gloucester (90016 & 66158).
|
 | Fri 14th Dec 07 | Manchester International Airport - 14th Dec 2007. (7 images)
Today, both myself & my brother were heading down to Gloucester in order to do a 'Pathfinder' railtour the following day that was starting from this station. Unusually, we decided to 'bus it' all the way for a change which took us over four legs, these being 1): Edinburgh-Glasgow, 2): Glasgow-Manchester, 3): Manchester-Birmingham & 4): Birmingham-Gloucester.
As we had a bit of time at Manchester we visited one of the multi-storey car parks that overlook the airport. Although the weather was not very good, i managed to photograph a few aircraft.
|
 | Tue 6th Nov 07 | Dalmeny Station - 6th Nov 2007. (7 images)
Today, i paid a brief visit up to Dalmeny with my brother to meet a few fellow enthusiasts, and while i was here i photographed a couple of things.
The main highlight for me was managing to finally photograph the two ex South West Trains Class 158's that are now operating with First Scotrail, as these have been causing me major headaches in the past due to the fact that as soon as i put my camera away, one or the other has turned up. On this occaision both turned up at the same location and i was not even looking for them.
|
 | Thu 25th Oct 07
to Mon 5th Nov 07 | Ocean Terminal Buses & Vessels - 25th Oct/5th Nov 2007. (28 images)
On Thu 25th Oct 2007 i had a few errands i had to undertake up town at Elm Row, and rather than take the car i decided to take he bus up town. After i had done the errands i headed on down to Ocean Terminal mainly to see what new Volvlo B9TL's of Lothian Buses i could photograph on the 11's before heading home. While here, i also bumped into Richard Walter, well known bus photographer whom frequently gets his work published in the mainstream publications.
On Mon 5th Nov 2007, i also paid a visit down to Ocean Terminal again, this time to see what vessels were about. On the way back home, i also popped up to Hunter's Tryst to see what buses i could photograph - only 865.
|
 | Sat 13th Oct 07 | Appointment with a pair of Leopards - 13th Oct 2007. (17 images)
An e-mail recieved earlier in the week about a pair of Leyland Leopards located within Leith Docks, that were owned by Bredero Shaw (British Pipe Coaters), was drawing my attention that both were up for sale and that any sale is for both or none at all. Having spoke with Kenny, we made arrangements to go and view both of them early evening (16:30) today. As i was working early, i arranged to meet Kenny (and Martyn) at the allotted time at the main dock gates.
As i was finishing at 14:30 at North Berwick, i had a good two hours to waste off, so upon leaving the depot i spied one of Munro's Enviro 300's at North Berwick Rugby Club and this was duly photographed before heaing off again. At Drem, i came across 60051 stabled on an engineers train due to upgrade work on the ECML and thus i duly photograhed this and some of the wagons.
Upon getting to Seafield, i still had 45mins to waste, so a trip into Leith South Yard seen me photograph some of the 'ZCA' that were stabled here, including the long dumped 'Car Loader' Wagon. A trip into Ocean Terminal then seen me photograph one ship, the 'Aasnes' at the back of the casino.
At 16:30, i met up with Kenny & Martyn and headed deep into the dock complex were we were greeted by the two Leopards, these being ex Fife Scottish CSF166W & ex Western Scottish BSJ927T in a red & white livery and looking a bit tatty. Not only that but both had been OOU for nearly 18 months. A mechanical inspection saw that both were intact, However, bodily CSF166W was internally complete with DP style bus seats while BSJ927T was missing the majority of it's seats and a missing skylight saw water ingress rotting part of the floor.
We decided to prepare CSF166W for start-up and it started 'on the button'. After leaving it to tick over for a bit, there was no signs of water/oil leaks and we took it for a road test within the dock complex and found it to be a superb runner all round. The down side is that 'IT WILL' require an oil change and all 4 rear tyres are shot with both the inners being wrecked and the outers heavily cracked and the N/S only holding 50PSI.
We then turned our atention to BSJ927T, but it was reluctant to start as it was suffering low compression. Even with introducing a combustion agent into the air flow it was still struggling but we eventually got it going. Again once we left it to tick over and carried out checks, we found it had a slight air leak from one of the auxilliaries underneath. On taking it for a road test we moved it only a short distance before giving concerns about it banging the gears and giving off a bad vibration from the driveline. At that we aborted the road test and parked it back up. However, unlike CSF166W, this has 4 decen tyres on the rear.
At the end of the evening we were all in agreement that BSJ927T is only fit for scrap and not worth the money considering it will have to be towed out as well. On the other hand CSF166W is worth buying but any successful purchase of it would depend on two things, these being 1): Able to negotiate purchase of CSF166W only without being orced to buy the other & 2): Negotiating a deal to swap the rear tyres over between the two and at what cost (this is a tricky one as it technically puts the ball back into the owners court to say 'If you want the tyres that bad then it's buy both vehicles nor none at all' - a catch-22 situation).
|
 | Mon 8th Oct 07 | A Grande Day Out, Pt-6 (Dunsmore's Bus & Coach Breakers Visit) - 8th Oct 2007. (22 images)
Finally, we reached Dunsmores Bus & Coach Breakers at just ater 14:30. Not bad going considering what we had done 'en-route'. However, the light was starting to get bad and this would be our last port of call for our adverture. Again, access was granted to photograph the vehicles and both myself & Malcolm were surprised at the number of ex 'Yorkshire' Scania deckers that had been sent north to First Glasgow that were now here, every one of them minus their power plants and obviously sent here in that condition.
All in all, a Grande Day Out was had by all, and so ends our photographic diary of today. Also, other pictures from all of todays visits can be found on Malcolm's site at http://413.fotopic.net.
The out of sequence archive numbers for the first 6 images in this collection are due to these numbers being available for re-assignment due to the images initially allocated these numbers being delected from my archives. These were initially allocated as DB003401 to DB003406 (not all in that order though).
|
 | Mon 8th Oct 07 | A Grande Day Out, Pt-5 (Hutchisons of Overtown & Stonehouse Coaches Depot Visits) - 8th Oct 2007. (20 images)
Leaving Newmains, we decided to head straight for Dunsmore's Bus & Coach breakers as the lighting was starting to get poor. However, passing through Overtown we sighted a white decker in the yard of Hutchison's and so we decided to investigate and found it to be ex Western Scottish 'Citybus' E865ECS. Again, like before, permission to access the depot was granted.
On leaving Overtown, we passed into Shawsburn and past 'Stonehouse Coaches' depot that is located off Ayr Road. I knew of this location for long enough but have really never bothered to visit, but on this occaision we decided to pop in to photograph the fleet, again permission to photograph the buses here was granted. It should be noted, however, that i don't know how much of the sstuff here is actually owned by 'Stonehouse Coaches' as there tends to be vehicles held here or other operators at times.
Other pictures from all of todays visits can be found on Malcolm's site at http://413.fotopic.net
|
 | Mon 8th Oct 07 | A Grande Day Out, Pt-4 (McKindless of Newmains Depot Visit) - 8th Oct 2007. (48 images)
After leaving 'Golden Eagle' of Salsburgh, we headed down to Newmains and the McKindless depot located off Main Street. For Malcolm, this visit was a must in order to see the former Busways C-LFT registered Olympians that have entered service with McKindless, while for myself it was to roam around all the scrap at the back of the depot again as usual.!!!! Upon arrival at the depot, again we were granted permission to photograph he buses.
While there was quite a few C-LFT Olympians here to keep Malcolm happy, i was surprised to see quite a bit of the scrap stuff was being broken 'On Site' and a few Chassis lying around.
Many thanks go to the friendly staff at McKndless for our enjoyable visit today. Also, other pictures from all of todays visits can be found on Malcolm's site at http://413.fotopic.net
|
 | Mon 8th Oct 07 | A Grande Day Out, Pt-3 (Golden Eagle of Salsburgh Depot Visit) - 8th Oct 2007. (13 images)
Heading further west, we found ourselves heading for the North Lanarkshire village of Salsburgh and the depot of Golden Eagle Coaches located off 'Main Street' in the village. Again, permission was granted to enter the premises and photograph the vehicles currently in the depot by the staff whom seemed very pleased that we paid them a visit to photograph their fleet, especially the coaches in which they take great pride in maintaining to the highest standard.
Other pictures from all of todays visits can be found on Malcolm's site at http://413.fotopic.net
|
 | Mon 8th Oct 07 | A Grande Day Out, Pt-2 (Prentice Westwood of West Calder Depot Visit) - 8th Oct 2007. (33 images)
Following on from our visit to E&M Horsburgh, we headed the short distance west towards West Calder and to our next port of call, namely to the premises of Prentice Westwood.
One of the main reasons for today's visit was to see what scrap buses were still lying around 'The Graveyard' section, as two of the former Scottish Omnibuses Daimler Fleetlines were rumoured to still be existant having escaped the initial scrapping that occurred during 2005 of all the original former 'SBG' vehicles that had been dumped here. Both DD696 & DD712 were still to be found here, although DD696 has now suffered serious front end damage from a mechanical device.
As always, the staff at this location were very friendly and helpful and are great ambassadors for this West Lothian operator.
Other pictures of this visit can be found on Malcolm's site at http://413.fotopic.net
|
 | Mon 8th Oct 07 | A Grande Day Out, Pt-1 (E&M Horsburgh Depot Visit) - 8th Oct 2007. (27 images)
Today, myself, Malcolm (Malcolms Bus Photos) & Kenny Baird (Calder Depot) took a trip heading 'Way Out West' to chase buses. The original plan was to head straight out to Dunsmores Bus Breakers first and work our way back east. However, true to 'Garage Cat' style, as soon as we hit the road the intenary went out the window again and we decided to work east to west.
Our first port of call was E&M Horsburgh's depot located somewhere in Houton Industrial Estate in Livingston, although this visit was not actually on our original intenary plans as a 'To Do'. Once we finally located the depot, we drove right past the entrance much to the horror of Malcolm - reason was 'Mr Cat' was hot on the trail of an aroma eminating from a snack bar somewhere.!!!!
Once we found the snack bar and fed our faces, we headed back up to the depot of E&M Horsburgh, were we were granted permission from the friendly staff to get round the depot and photograph buses.
Other pictures of this visit can be found on Malcolm's site at http://413.fotopic.net
|
 | Sun 7th Oct 07 | Buses Around Edinburgh's Waverley Bridge & Bus Drivers Outing - 7th Oct 2007. (34 images)
Today, many of us Bus Drivers with Firstbus at Dalkeith, Musselburgh & North Berwick, had a 'Driver's Day Out' to Kelso for the day utilising Firstbus Volvo Olympian 30829 (R849HYG).
As i was not getting picked up until 10:30 at St Andrew Square, i arrived up town early for the sole purpose of hanging around Waverley Bridge to photograph some of the action, due to the fact that there was rail replacement coaches running as the ECML was shut for engineering works.
Kelso was a bit of a washout for buses, so myself & Malcolm (Malcolm's Bus Photo's) found a quiet pub ourselves and had a couple of drinks and a chat about future projects.
|
 | Mon 24th Sep 07 | Visit to Firstbus Livingston (Deans) Depot - 24th Sept 2007. (18 images)
Today, i had a visit out to Firstbus' Livingston (Deans) Depot as i was here on official company business.
Having brought my camera along with me, i managed to photograph some of the stuff that was 'On Depot' and especially on 'Death Row'.
|
 | Fri 21st Sep 07
to Fri 28th Sep 07 | Buses in Edinburgh City Centre, Pt-3 (Misc Operators) - 21st/28th Sept 2007. (29 images)
As well as Lothian & Firstbus, Edinburgh see's other operators, including coach operators, running in & out of the city. This gallery contains a selection of images of those operators i managed to capture.
21st Sept: Images DB003056 - 3068
28th Sept: Images DB003157 - 3166, 3189 - 3196
|
 | Fri 21st Sep 07
to Fri 28th Sep 07 | Buses in Edinburgh City Centre, Pt-2 (Firstbus) - 21st/28th Sept 2007. (52 images)
Having established from the previous gallery that Lothian Buses is the main & dominant operator in Edinburgh, it therefor comes as a surprise to know that Firstbus (one of the major UK operaors of buses & trains) is only the second biggest operator in Edinburgh.
In terms of route networks in Edinburgh are concerned, First is not a patch on Lothian in the city. This stems back to the days of old when, as SOL/Eastern Scottish/SMT before aquistion by First, they were the main operators outside the city boundaries in East/West & Mid Lothian, with services from these outlying locations being run to & from Edinburgh. As a result, this resulted in Lothian (then ECT), being able to focus solely on Edinburgh itself and build up a sizeable city route network.
Fleetwise, it is pretty mix & match of old, secondhand & new, again not a patch on Lothian. Although brand new buses are obtained, this can be few & far between at times, with many of the new-ish vehicles actually having been transferred in from other parts ofFirst. Even much of the older fleet is cast-off's from other First operations.
21st Sept: Images DB003025 - 3055 (3044 deleted)
28th Sept: Images DB003167 - 3188
|
 | Fri 21st Sep 07
to Fri 28th Sep 07 | Buses in Edinburgh City Centre, Pt-1 (Lothian Buses & it's Subsiduaries) - 21st/28th Sept 2007. (114 images)
On Friday 21st & 28th Sept, i took a wander up town to photograph buses due to having nothng more better to do with my time.
This gallery contains pictures of Edinburgh's major bus operator, namely Lothian Buses (& it's subsiduaries), an operator whom operates a modern fleet of buses with approx 75% of the service fleet being 'Low-Floor' (replacment of the remaining 'Step-Entrance' buses is well underway). This operator also operates a comprehensive network of routes & night services throughout Edinburgh & the surrounding areas.
21st Sept: Images DB002979 - 3024
28th Sept: Images DB003088 - 3156
|
 | Wed 5th Sep 07 | Edinburgh Airport - 5th Sept 2007. (48 images)
After having spent time laid up resting my ankle, which i badly injured across in Ireland and as a result seen me off my work for two weeks, it was a case of trying to get a bit of exercise into my ankle before i went back to work on the 7th Sept.
As i result i decided to take a trip out to my usaul spot at Turnhouse to photograph aircrat coming into Edinburgh. The plan was that while there was any period of inactivety, i would sit around and rest my ankle but when there was activety i would be able to stand around and get some excercise in it.
Alas, the opposite was to happen as i found that while standing around tracking the incoming aircraft with my camera, i was still a bit unsteady on my feet, and wth a slight wind, this was not helping keep the camera steady in my hand. herefor i opted o sit around and photograph the incoming aircraft and move about when nothing was happening.
|
 | Sun 19th Aug 07
to Fri 24th Aug 07 | GAC RB 'KR181' PZV-181 Stripping - 19th-24th Aug 2007. (25 images)
While over at the Kells Transport Museum, one of the main tasks was to strip GAC bodied GAC RB 'KR181' PZV-181 for spares and gradually cut it.
While the inside was being gutted of fittings & glass, the outside was being stripped of it's aluminium body panels. Once this was done, the roof was cut by firstly allowing it to collapse in on itself by cutting all the nearside pillars and then systematically cut the offside pillars.
Once the roof was collapsed, it was gradually cut into managable sections, thus leaving the lower half of the vehicle and it's mechanicals to be dealt with at some point later, either by myself & Kenny on our next visit or by Steven Payne & Aaron Donohoe.
All of these pictures are from same angles but show KR181 n various states of stripping.
|
 | Sun 19th Aug 07
to Sat 25th Aug 07 | Kells Transport Working Week Visit - 19th-25th Aug 2007. (51 images)
From the 18th to the 26th August, myself & Kenny Baird went over to the Kells Transport Museum for one of our regular working weeks.
Leaving Edinburgh at 5am on the morning of the 18th, we drove to Stranraer where we caught the 09:50 Stranraer-Belfast Stena sailing. Then we proceeded down to Cork were we arrived just after 6pm. We then settled down for the evening in readiness for our working week at the museum to begin the following day (and also photo opportunities). Most of the week was spent stripping GAC RB 'KR181' (photo's in separate collection) as well as doing other things, and on thursday & friday we were joined by Steven Payne & Aaron Donohoe whom we got on quite well with.
On friday evening though, disaster struck.!!!!!! I took the mad notion to dig out the two Nefkens from the middle yard and move them down to the lower yard so that they could be parked together. However, in my haste to photograph them induvidually after i dug them out, i misplaced my footing getting out of 941178 at the top of the hill and went down heavily on my right ankle and very badly twisted it. This technically screwed up our plans for the saturday as we were going to spend the morning working at the museum and then spend the afternoon in Cork photographing buses - alas as i was in tremendous pain, nothing much was done on saturday at all.
On the sunday, we were going to be leaving at 10am in the morning in order to get up to Belfast to catch the 17:20 ferry to Stranraer. However as i was still in pain and i am the only one who can drive between myself & Kenny, i was not relishing the drive up in all the traffic. Therefor i took the descision to leave just after midnight on the sunday morning and drive up on quiet roads hoping to hell we could get ourselves on an early ferry out of Belfast, and this was duly managed by catching the 07:35 out of Belfast and after arrival at Stranraer just after 9am, we were home for about 12:30 - earlier than planned but it allowed me to get my ankle checked out at the hospital after i got home and get it rested.
|
 | Sat 28th Jul 07 | Leyland Olympian oddities (4 images)
This gallery is dedcated to those few images of Leyland Olympian vehicles archived in my collection that, when taken, were too few to warrant the creation of their own dated themed gallery.
Now that a sizeable collection of odd Leyland Olympian images have built up, i have been able to create this gallery for actual Leyland Olympian vehicles.
added: D11 & D12
|
 | Mon 16th Jul 07 | Forth Fast Hovercraft Trial & Ocean Terminal - 16th July 2007. (7 images)
Today was the first day of the two week trial of the Hovercraft crossing across the 'Forth' between Seafield & Kirkcaldy to gauge if such a service would be viable. The service was operated by Stagecoach trading as 'Forth Fast'.
For the trial, Hovertravel of Ryde supplied their new BHT-130 craft 'Solent Express', which normally would be plying it's trade across the Solent between Southsea & Ryde.
I popped along to get a few shots of it arriving & departing, before paying a quick visit to Ocean Terminal to photograph the tug 'Kincraig'.
|
 | Sun 15th Jul 07 | Visit to the Bo'Ness & Kinneil Railway - 15th July 2007. (32 images)
Today, i paid another visit to the Bo'Ness & Kinneil Railway, initially just to pay my membership which was due. However, i decided o spend a bit of time here to photograph some of the other stock.
|
 | Mon 2nd Jul 07
to Fri 20th Jul 07 | Outside Bus Eireann's Capwell Depot in Cork - 2nd July 2007. (40 images)
Today, for the first in all the times i have been over to Cork, i decided to go out and phoograph the 'native' buses, namely Bus Eireann vehicles.
Although i was unable to get round Capwell Depot physically, i hung about outside the front of the depot photographing the comings & goings.
|
 | Sat 30th Jun 07
to Mon 2nd Jul 07 | Transport & General Photography in & Around Cork - 30th June - 2nd July 2007. (41 images)
While over vat the Kells Tranport Museum on a working weekend, i managed to get out & about to do some photography around Cork, which was manly done on Monday 2nd July, where at last i managed to photograph the native Bus Eireann buses as well as other transport subjects.
It is ironic to think that out of all the visits i have made to Cork, i have never, until now, went out my way to photograph other buses except for the KTM Collection.
|
 | Sat 30th Jun 07
to Mon 2nd Jul 07 | Kells Transport Museum Visit - 30th June - 2nd July 2007. (65 images)
This weekend, myself & Kenny Baird (http://calderdepot.fotopic.net - Calder Depot) wen over to the Kells Transport Museum for one of our regular 'museum' working periods. We flew out from Edinburgh on Fri 29th June direct to Cork by Aer Arann, thus allowing us the full day on Sat & Sun to work at the museum, with monday the 2nd July to ourselves as we were flying back that evening.
Photographs from this visit were mainly restricted to stuff i had either not photographed before, or not photographed for a while due to being inaccessable. Even though i have built up a sizeable collection of image of vehicles at the museum, there is still a lot at the main museum base i am unable to photograph due to being inaccessable for clear shots.
At last, i managed to use my EoS 5D as i brought both my 300D & 5D with me. I really feel that the 5D is not going to be a camera i will use on a regular basis for 'willy-nilly' shots though, and will be reserved more for constructive & creative work. On this note, the 300D is not dead yet, but looking at replacing it with the 30D later on as the more general photography camera.
|
 | Sun 17th Jun 07 | Visit to the Bo'Ness & Kinneil Railway - 17th June 2007. (32 images)
Today, as i had nothing better to do with my time, i decided to pop down to the Bo'Ness & Kinneil Railway to see my friend Kenneth Baird (http://calderdepot.fotopic.net - Calder Depot) whom was there doing the miniature train rides for the kids.
However, it was a sort of 'Fathers Day' event as opposed to just a normal running day at the B&KR so i had the opportunity to photograph a few interesting non railway related items as well as railway related items.
|
 | Tue 5th Jun 07 | McKindless Bus Company of Newmains - 5th June 2007. (69 images)
On my way back from Dunsmore's, it was my intention to head straight home. owever, while passing through the North Lanarkshire village of Waterloo, i stopped to photograph and chat with the driver of McKindless bus parked at he side of the road as he was driving a former Lothian Olympian.
It was the driver hat recommended i should visit the McKindless depot at Newmains, which i did. I found the staff quite helpful and enthusiast friendly at the depot. Not realising how big the place was, i thought i was only going to spend 10mins at the depot, alas i was wrong, i spent about 45mins here photographing the stuff.
Again, i was supposed to be usin my EoS5D today, but as the weather did not look too promising, i decided to use the EoS300D YET AGAIN!!!!!. I am getting the impression the 5D is allergic to light as it prefers to live in its box.
|
 | Tue 5th Jun 07 | Dunsmores Bus & Coach Breakers - 5h June 2007. (26 images)
After my visit to Coakley at Motherwell, i headed of through to Dunsmores Bus & Coach Breakers in order to phoograph anything that i thought was photographable.
Again, i was supposed to be usin my EoS5D today, but as the weather did not look too promising, i decided to use the EoS300D YET AGAIN!!!!!. I am getting the impression the 5D is allergic to light as it prefers to live in its box.
|
 | Tue 5th Jun 07 | Coakley Bus Company of Motherwell Visit - 5th June 2007. (7 images)
Today, i decided to wander out west to photograph what Buses were at Dunsmore's Bus & Coach Breakers. On my way there, i decided to pay a visit to Coakley's depot in Moherwell to see if i could photograph any of the Olympians they recently puchased from Lothian. While there was two on depot, only one was in a photographable position.
Again, i was supposed to be usin my EoS5D today, but as the weatherdid not look too promising, i decided to use the EoS300D YET AGAIN!!!!!.
|
 | Mon 28th May 07 | The Retro Retracer 'Pathfinder Railtour' - 28thMay 2007. (29 images)
On Mon 28th May 2007, Pathfinder Tours ran the 'Retro Retracer' railtour from Bristol to Leeds & return featuring classes of locomotives that played an important role in the development of freight by rail during the days of British Rail, a tour which myself & my brother were booked to travel on thoughout it's journey.
The first leg of the tour, starting at 05:09, took us from Bristol TM to Birmingham NS behind Class 59/2, 59203. At Birmingham, 59203 was traded in for Class 60, 60024, which took us onward to Worksop.
At Worksop, 60024 was then traded in for Fastline Class 56/3, 56303, which took us to Leeds where we had an hour break, which for me was used to photograph some buses (in other gallery). Incidentally, this was my second 56/3 to have travelled behind as i copped 56302 on the 'Grid Arising' Railtour (now only 56301 to get).
Afte our break, we were treated to Class 40, 40145 for our run from Leeds to Crewe. This was supposed to have been a pair of DRS Class 20's on this part, alas DRS was unable to supply the traction therefor 'preserved' 40145 was rostered instead. At Crewe 40145 handed the tour over to Class 92, 92030, for the run back to Birmingham NS, where it was then handed back over to our first loco for the day, namely 59203 to take us back to Bristol TM for 22:30 and journey's end.
Was supposed to have been using my new Canon EoS 5D on this trip, but alas, i never had it set up or had the feel for using it confidently, so again the trusty EoS 300D was still in frontline use.
Route's:
1Z59 05:09 Bristol TM - Birmingham NS. Class 59/2 - 59203.
1Z60 07:52 Birmingham NS - Worksop South Siding. Class 60 - 60024.
1Z56 10:50 Worksop South Siding - Leeds. Class 56/3 - 56303.
1Z40 15:00 Leeds - Crewe. Class 40 - 40145.
1Z92 18:12 Crewe - Birmingham NS. Class 92 - 92030.
1Z93 20:14 Birmingham NS - Bristol TM. Class 59/2 - 59203.
|
 | Mon 28th May 07 | Buses in and around Leeds Railway Station - 28th May 2007. (34 images)
While on the 'Retro Retracer' railtour run by Pathfinder Tours which took us from Bristol to Leeds , we had an hour to spend in Leeds. Using this free time i decided to wander outside the station and photograph some of the buses operating in and around the Railway Station.
Was supposed to have been using my new Canon EoS 5D on this trip, but alas, i never had it set up or had the feel for using it confidently, so again the trusty EoS 300D was still in frontline use.
All images in this gallery have been sorted into operator/fleetnumber order. Also, two different 'RAW' conversion programs were used to process the .RAW images, these being Rawshooter (used on Firstbus images) & Adobe Lightroom (used on Arriva images). When comparing the two, i was getting better conversion results using Adobe Lightroom, which is actually a reincarnation and revamp of Rawshoote, but under the Adobe banner after the rights to Rawshooter having been bought over by Adobe.
|
 | Mon 7th May 07 | Weekend Away, Pt-5 (Blackpool Trams) - 7th May 2007. (51 images)
After reurning home on sunday night after my weekend away with Malcolm, i had some personal business to deal with on the monday down in Blackpool.
This therefor gave me the opportunity to photograph some more of Blackpool's trams in action (and a couple of buses), all of which are included here for you.
|
 | Sun 6th May 07 | Weekend Away, Pt-4a (MetroCentre Bus Station) - 6th May 2007. (52 images)
Following on from the MetroCentre bus rally, i decided to pay a vsit over the road to the MetroCentre's Bus Staton for an hour to photograph the activity.
|
 | Sun 6th May 07 | Weekend Away, Pt-4 (NEBPT's 2007 MetroCentre Rally) - 6th May 2007. (104 images)
Today, myself & Malcolm attended the North-East Bus Preservation Trust's '2007 MetroCentre Bus Rally' today. I also paid a visit over the road to the bus station (Part 4a) to photograph the comings & goings once i had got bored at the rally.
|
 | Sat 5th May 07 | Weekend Away, Pt-3 (Wallsend Bus/Mero Interchange) - 5th May 2007. (21 images)
On our journey back to Newcastle, where we were retiring for the evening at seing as we were going to be going to the Metrocentre Bus Rally the next day, we stopped in at Wallsend Bus/Metro Interchange were we spent nearly an hour at photographing the comings & goings.
Upon leaving here, i also managed three photographs of vessels on the River Tyne at Hebburn.
|
 | Sat 5th May 07 | Weekend Away, Pt-2 (Barnsley Bus Scrapyards) - 5th May 2007. (32 images)
The main focus of this trip today for myself & Malcolm was to pay a visit visit the main Barnsley Bus Breakers, which for me was the first time i have vsited this place.
Despite the breakers all being located next door to one another, on a saturday they all shut around noon, so time was limited to view much o the stuff by the time we got down after our journey from Edinburgh.
|
 | Sat 5th May 07 | Weekend Away, Pt-1 (Tyne Yard, Midland Road & Woolley Edge Services) - 5th May 2007. (23 images)
Over the course of this weekend (5-7th May), i was pretty busy, and this is the first of five galleries created for my photography from this weekend.
Today (5th May), myself & Malcolm (Malcolm's Bus Photo's) decided to head down to Barnsley. While on route there, we stopped off at Tyne Yard to see what railway related items i could photograph, then during a stop at Woolley Edge Services i finally managed to photograph a 'Willi Betz' Artic.
On our way back from Barnsley, we stopped off at Leeds Midland Road and Tyne Yard (again) to see what railway related items were around.
|
 | Fri 4th May 07
to Sat 5th May 07 | Some Firstbus shots taken at work - 4th/5th May 2007. (5 images)
A few random Firstbus shots taken while out at work today due to having nothing better to do with my time.
3 Shots taken at North Berwick,
2 Shots taken at Haymarket.
|
 | Sun 29th Apr 07 | Edinburgh City Centre Buses & Bus Drivers Outing - 29th April 2007. (59 images)
Today, many of us bus Drivers with Firstbus at Dalkeith, Musselburgh & North Berwick, had a 'Driver's Day Out' to St Andrews utilising Firstbus Scania 61229 YM52UWG.
Although i was getting picked up by the bus for 10:30 at St Andrews Square in Edinburgh, i got up town early to photograph some buses beforehand. Therefor this gallery contains photo's from Edinburgh and a small selection of shots i obtained on our trip to St Andrews & Back. The Lothian vehicles are all archived in numerical fleetnumber order.
|
 | Thu 19th Apr 07 | North Berwick Depot Breaktime Boredom - 19th Apr 2007 (6 images)
Today, while totally bored sitting around on my break, i decided to photograph some of the buses inside the Firstbus depot at North Berwick.
|
 | Tue 17th Apr 07 | Musselburgh Breaktime Boredom - 17th Apr 2007. (15 images)
Today, while i was on my break between 09:19-10:33, i decided to photograph buses in Musselburgh at the juncton of High Street with Bridge Street.
Unfortunately, for where i was wanting to be was not ideal as the sun/lighting was not in my favour this early, forcing me to try other positions. Because of this, i do not like most of the results i got.
Also paid a visit to Newcraighall when i had finished work later on in the day.
|
 | Sat 7th Apr 07 | Inverclyde Area Vessels - 7th Apr 2007. (40 images)
Today, a visit was paid to the Inverclyde area to see what vessels i could see & photograph around Port Glasgow, Greenock & Gourock.
On my way home i also paid a brief visit to Prestwick Airport.
|
 | Thu 5th Apr 07 | Leith Docks Visit - 5th Apr 2007. (15 images)
Today, i had another one of my regular visits to Leith Docks to see what Vessels were floating around.
The visit today really paid off as not only did i capture one of the Grangemouth Tugs coming into Leith, i also managed to capture the departure of the Bulk Carrier 'Challenger II'
|
 | Sun 1st Apr 07 | Homeward bound from Ireland - 1st Apr 2007. (37 images)
After the week in Ireland, today was time to head home as we were catching the 08:30 Dublin - Holyhead 'Stena' sailing with the cruise ferry 'Stena Adventurer'.
Out of all the times i have sailed out of Dublin (usually on Irish Ferries vessel 'Ulysses'), this was the first time i had done it in daylight, so taking advantage of being able to wander outside on the deck of the ferry, i used this to my advantage to photograph shipping.
Once at Holyhead, we took a visit along the breakwater, and also to the back of the port, to see what other vessels we could find. After leaving Holyhead, a quick stop at Penrhos to find the long stored 'PAB' covered Hopper Wagons was made where finally we managed to find them after many previous failed attemps in the dark.
Next stop was Blackpool (Gynn Square) to see what trams we could get, and then up to Fleetwood to see if there was anything interesting 'Trawler Wise' around. Not much of interest there though, but we did manage to capture some newly delivered Wright bodied Volvo's in the ferry terminal.
After this, we headed straight for home.
|
 | Sat 31st Mar 07 | The 'Docklands Pioneer' ITG Railtour - 31st Mar 2007. (37 images)
On our way back home from our working week at the Kells Transport Museum with Kenny, we were doing the 'Docklands Pioneer' railtour today with my brother, whom we met up with at Dublin.
The first leg of the tour took us from Dublin Connolly to the Newly opened Dublin Docklands Station and back, utilising a Mk3 'push-pull' set and 201-Class loco, No:230. The main leg of the tour, utilising a Mk2 set and 141/181-Class loco's 152 & 190, took us from Dublin to Waterford via Kilkenny. On the way back from Waterford the tour headed back to Dublin Connolly via Carrick-on-Suir & Limerick Jct.
At Limerick Jct, fun and games occurred as our replacement locomotives were here, namely another 141/181-Class combination with loco's 146 & 189 this time. However, no driver had been rostered for them and our tour sat at Limerick Jct with locomotives but no driver.
After a while, It was decided that those with connections to meet after the tour got into Dublin, catch the 15:30 Cork - Dublin Heuston service to meet those connections, and as we had a hotel to get checked into for 20:00, myself, Kenny, my brother and a pile of oher enthusiasts baled onto this service. Unfortunately, from the news we heard afterwards, a driver was found just after we jumped onto the normal service train and the railtour departed twenty mins behind the service train. :-(
Route's:
B900 07:15 Dublin Connolly - Clonsilla. Loco 233 & MK3 Push-Pull set.
B901 07:55 Clonsilla - Docklands. Loco 233 & MK3 Push-Pull set.
B902 08:35 Docklands - Clonsilla. Loco 233 & MK3 Push-Pull set.
B903 09:10 Clonsilla Dublin Connolly. Loco 233 & MK3 Push-Pull set.
B501 09:58 Dublin Connolly - Waterford (via Kilkenny). Loco's 152+190 & Mk2 Set.
B451 13:45 Waterford - Limerick Junction. Loco's 152+190 & Mk2 Set.
B201 16:15 Limerick Junction - Dublin Connolly. Loco's 189+146 & Mk2 Set.
|
 | Sun 25th Mar 07 | Statewide Towing & ex Maidstone Scania near Dublin - 25th Mar 2007 (6 images)
While approaching Swords on the M1 on my journey from Belfast to Cork on Sun 25th March, myself & Kenny noticed a derelict Alexander RH bodied thingy in a field to our right with a recovery truck preparing to tow the hulk away.
At the next opportunity we came off the motorway and backtracked up minor roads to get to the scene, where photographs and a general chat with the recovery guys was had.
The recovery guys were kind enough to let me inside the bus, despite it being already hitched up, in order to get at the body plate so i could identify the bus's origins - from this plate (No: RH53 / 4687 /2) i was able to track the bus to being originally new to Maidstone Borough Transport as E701XKR, despite it now carrying the registration of 88-WW-3373.
Many thanks to the great guys at Statewide Towing of North County Dublin, whom i must say operate a very professional & friendly recovery service.
|
 | Sun 25th Mar 07
to Fri 30th Mar 07 | Kells Transport Museum Visit - 25th-30th Mar 2007 (70 images)
From the 25th to the 30th March 2007, myself & Kenny Baird went over to Ireland for a working week at the Kells Transport Museum in Co. Cork.
Work included repairing the perimeter fencing which had been pulled down, and general repairs on many of the buses. However, the bulk of the work consisted of moving buses down from the top yard to the bottom yard to allow space to be made at the top yard for the constructon of proper maintenance sheds to begin.
For me, the highlight was getting to use (and drive) the KTM's recent aquisition of a 4-axle ERF recovery truck complete with winch & towing boom as me & kenny put this to immediate use to tow the non runners down to the bottom yard on suspended tow using the boom - although it took some getting use to reversing the buses into position with the truck.
|
 | Tue 6th Mar 07 | Newcraighall & Leith Docks - 6th Mar 2007. (8 images)
Today, i paid a visit to Newcraighall to photograph some of the freight workings that pass through this station, and also paid my usual visit to Leith Docks to photograph some vessels.
Due to a corruption on my CF card, i lost three different freight workings through Newcraighall.
|
 | Sun 4th Mar 07 | Peak Rail 'Mixed Traction' Gala - 4th Mar 2007. (30 images)
Following on from my visit to the Nene Valley Railway 'Diesel Gala' the previous day, i decided to visit Peak Rail at Rowsley whom incidentally were holding a 'Mixed Traction' Gala.
Leaving Derby, i managed to photograph former San Fransisco 'Boeing Vertol' Tram 1226 which was originally purchased for use on Manchester Metrolink, but now languishes near to Derby Works. Then on route to Peak Rail, i decided to pop into the Crich Tramway Museum - unfortunately, as i reached here the weather started to rapidly deteriorate.
Rowsley, for Peak Rail, was reached at approx 12:30. However, by this time the weather had seriously deteriorated into torrential rain making photoraphy a bit of a nightmare.
|
 | Sat 3rd Mar 07 | Nene Valley Railway Spring Diesel Gala - 3rd March 2007 (59 images)
Today, i visited the Nene Valley Railway for their 'Spring Diesel Gala Event'. As i was on an early backshift the previous night, i left straight from my work to head down to Peterborough, which meant no sleep and plenty Red Bull.!!!!!!
I spent from 08:00 to 13:30 at the Nene Valley Railway, not moving very far from the Wansford end, mostly due to my sore ankle and the fact that i was making it worse with some of the slippy/muddy underfoot conditions i was walking in.
After i left, i paid a quick visit to Sibson Airfield just up the road from the NVR, then headed off to Toton Depot before booking into the Derby East 'Premier Travel Inn' which i use all the time while in the area.
|
 | Sat 24th Feb 07 | Leith Docks - 24th Feb 2007 (10 images)
Paid another general visit to Leith Docks today to see what vessels were floating about wanting to be photographed.
|
|
|
|
|---|
Garage Cat Media has merged with 'Sceptre Transport Photos' will now be known as 'Valkyrie Photo & Video'.
This will allow the ability to create dedicated transport DVD's & Photo CD's/DVD's in the very near future. |
|
|---|
Hello and welcome to my site. I am 'The Garage Cat' and in my spare time i like to do photography as a hobby and therefor this site is dedicated to my photography work, and also to my main interest of Transport Photography, a subject in which i have had some of my work published in mainstream publications and advertisements/brochures etc. That aside though, i do dabble in other aspects of photography from time to time and am willing to experiment in other areas as i'm keen to learn new tips & techniques to improve my work.
I have also decided to utilise an assumed name (The Garage Cat) for the purpose of this site rather than use my own, as with having other interests outwith of photography, it helps to keep a separate identity especially when on the internet.
Thank you for visiting my site and please call back soon. |
|
|---|
Score: 9.3 (12 votes)
Score: 9.0 (12 votes)
Score: 9.6 (10 votes)
Score: 7.3 (13 votes)
Score: 9.3 (6 votes)
|
|
|---|
71 comments in this gallery
Click here to read them |
|
|---|
?? ??? ?? - AEC Routemasters in Edinburgh
(Possible Video).
--
?? ??? ?? - North East Scotland (Fishing) Vessels
--------------------
Galleries to Add
--------------------
A lot............!!!!! |
|
|---|
| Photo Hits (today): | 100 |
| Photo Hits (this week): | 1825 |
| Photo Hits (this month): | 5367 |
| Photo Hits (this year): | 124167 |
| All-Time Hits: | 294969 |
| Collections: | 165 |
|
|
|---|
| October |
| Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
| |
|
|
