Prepared on Notepad by Ian Smith,
This page created 27th February 2024.

Solo bus histories: Shephall Express, Docklands Minibus

Much of these histories has been collated from entries in "The London Bus" and "London Bus Magazine" by LOTS. Their histories are ongoing. Subscribe to LOTS for continuing updates.

There are pictures on the internet ($) of all of these buses, if you have the patience to Google them.

Optare Solo

        YG52 DHJ  9/02    Optare 850M SAB19000000000855 Solo 190855, B28F
                  9/02    new  to Dockland Minibuses, South Woodford
                          used on Beckton Tesco contract
                 10/02    in service on BT2 to Keir Hardie Estate: white  $
                  6/03    unusual on 167: white
                  6/03    returned off-lease to Dawson Rentals
6                 7/03    acquired by Courtney Coaches, Bracknell #6
                  8/06    in service on 6 to Windsor: white/purple $
                  8/08    at Dawson Rentals, Olney $	
                          TM Travel
                          acquired by Checkmate Transport, Mossley
                  6/09    in service, Manchester $
                  2/10    in service, Dukinfield $
                 11/11    in service, Romiley $
                 10/16    in depot, Darwen Coach Services: white $
                 10/16    in service, Darwen Coach Services: white $
                 11/16    in service, Darwen Coach Services: white $ 
 

        YG52 DHK  9/02    Optare 850M SAB19000000000879 Solo 190932, B28F
                  9/02    new to Dockland Minibuses, South Woodford
                          used on Beckton Tesco contract
                 10/02    in service on BT2 to Keir Hardie Estate: white  $
                  6/03    returned off-lease to Dawson Rentals
7                 7/03    acquired by Courtney Coaches, Bracknell #7	
                          acquired by Checkmate Transport, Mossley
                  8/09    in service, Hyde $  

		 
        YG52 DHL  9/02    Optare 850M SAB19000000000932 Solo 190879, B28F
                  9/02    new to Dockland Minibuses, South Woodford
                          used on Beckton Tesco contract
                 10/02    in service on BT1 to Beckton Tesco: pink, blue skirt
                  6/03    returned off-lease  to Dawson Rentals
               by 9/03    acquired by Norfolk Green: green/dk green skirt #610
                  5/07    in service, Wisbech $
                  4/11    in service, Kings Lynn $ 
                  9/11    in service, Kings Lynn $ 
                  9/12    in service, Kings Lynn $
                 11/12    in service, Kings Lynn $
                  4/13    in service, Kings Lynn $ 
                  6/13    on loan to Western Greyhound, Truro: Norfolk Green #610
                          bought by Western Greyhond: repainted green #810
                  8/14    in service, Western Greyhound, St Austell: green $
                          acquired by Landmark Coaches 
                 11/20    in depot, unwell $

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        YM52 TSV 12/02    Optare 850M SAB19000000001016 Solo 191016, B29F 
                 12/02    new to We Care, Stevenage
                          red, Shephall Express
                  3/03    in service on SE9 to Gt Ashby /St Nicholas, Stevenage $
                  3/03    in service on SE1 to Shephall $
                  6/03    bought by Docklands Minibuses, Silvertown: red, blue/white stripes
                  6/03    used on railway replacement
                  6/03    used on 167
                  6/03    replaced older Solos on Beckton Tesco contract service
                  9/03    occasionally on 167
                 10/06    transfer to Docklands Coaches for contract work
                          Docklands Minibuses taken over by Go-Ahead London
                          bought by South Wales Transport: white/green/green
                  5/11    in service, Neath $
                 11/11    in service, Swansea $
                          acquired by Checkmate Transport, Manchester
                  3/12    in service, Oldham: white $
                  3/13    in service: white $


        YM52 TSX 12/02    Optare 850M SAB19000000001017 Solo 191017, B29F 
                 12/02    new to We Care, Stevenage 
                  3/03    in service on SE9 to Gt Ashby/St Nicholas $
                  6/03    bought by Docklands Minibuses, Silvertown: red, blue/white stripes
                  6/03    used on 167
                  6/03    replaced older Solos on Beckton Tesco contract service
                  9/03    occasionally on 167
                  9/04    at Showbus, Duxford $
                  5/05    in service on 549 to South Woodford Station, Loughton Stn $	
                  2/06    in service on 549 to South Woodford Station, Loughton Stn $	
                 10/06    transfer to Docklands Coaches for contract work
                          Docklands Minibuses taken over by Go-Ahead London	  



Photo references


 

Ian's Bus Stop Solo Index. Docklands Solos. Docklands Solo histories. Solo photos.