today's bus adventure had many wins
a first for me: all the timetables aligned perfectly to whenever i wanted to take a particular route! hurray. the skylink express has been on my bucket list for a while but whenever i was at EMA/in nottingham it was never convenient for me to take, and i managed to tick it off today
i set off from derby on the 32 service towards ilkeston aboard an eclipse numbered 735, registered FJ09 BXP. it's a real mishmash of stock on the 32 route, i'm suprised anything wider than a solo is used on there considering the narrow roads. initally i wanted to take the ilkeston flyer, but the service didn't show up. the 32 traversing the edge of chaddesden was rather charming, it's really something that a city can end so rapidly.
upon arrival in ilkeston, i transferred to the my15 bus to east midlands airport using versa 803, YJ11 ENF. compared to the former rainbow one and threes versas, i feel like the my15 branded ones lack personality and are a rather bit tired on the inside. something about their interiors feels so sad, but i digress. the sawley loop, although minor, was great to experience - i really didnt expect a full sized bus to be able to do that turn. i have ridden the my15 but only between long eaton and ilkeston.
i really want to come back to the airport again just to planespot because suprisingly there was a lot of activity going on - between the arrival of the my15 and departure of the skylink express i've only had about 15 minutes. but, it's time for the star of the show! i hopped onto a wright solar numbered 663, FN54 AEB. she was a bit battered and messy on the inside, but it's forgiveable as she was produced and delivered in 2004. let me tell you, you don't get these types of engine sounds elsewhere. they're one of a kind, especially when it's being thrashed at 50mph down a dual carriageway.
upon arrival into nottingham, it was time to begin the pilgrimage from the broadmarsh end of the city centre towards victoria. let me tell you, it is not fun. i can cope with it being up hill but not when there's multiple other people. i feel as though there needs to be better intergration between the two bus stations, so if by any chance anyone from nottingham city council is reading this, please consider something, thank you!
once i finally arrived at victoria bus station, enviro 200 mmc 163 YX20 OJF took me to ripley. enviros are lovely buses and i just cannot get enough of them, especially the engine sound.
and to finish my day off, 200mmc 255 YX66 WMD with it's beefy retarder picked me up and drove me back to derby
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