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Last update
11th August 2009 |
Commercial route H1 started on 3rd September
2001, mainly using two Titans (T379 and T573) and a Metrobus (M802) in
dedicated livery, all ex-London. Double deck operation continued to
dominate for some while, although typical allocation today is
drawn from the broader and increasingly single deck fleet. Three Northern Counties
Olympians are now the standard offering.
High operational standards, a hint of tradition, and good quality front blind
displays are all features of the typical offering. A heritage fleet
is also owned, and has featured on "running days" on the H1 and
other services. Some are pictured on our sister fotopic site.
An increasing operation in the Thurrock area is where a some of the fleet
can be seen in operation, but watch out for Imperial on TV advertisements
too!
As mentioned above,
Imperial have a decided enthusiasm for preserving ex-London vehicles,
and operate them as the heritage fleet. Having said that there is
cross-over, and it's not unusual to see green Darts on commercial
television, nor RM1641 on the H1, as witnessed in August 2005. RM909
has also seen service, and may be owned or just borrowed. |
RM1641
RM909 |
641DYE
WTS418A
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An example of the heritage fleet is
RM1641, turned out with gold-leaf Imperial logos, the style of which
suits the vehicle perfectly
(R Hudson). |
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Leyland Titan
Disappearing fast from service everywhere, Imperial
still operate Titans. Initially part of the regular fleet, appearances
are now more sporadic in actual service on the H1. |
T379
T573
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KYV379X
NUW573Y
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One of the vehicles to
initiate the H1 was well turned out T573, named "Spirit of Loughton".
(R Hudson). |
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Leyland Olympian/Northern
Counties
Route H1 received an upgrade in November 2007, and part
of the package was the introduction of more modern vehicles. Not
exactly new, but when turned out to the high standards that Imperial
offer, the compromise is small. They have London heritage, having
worked for Kentish bus in the early days of route tendering. |
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G515VBB
G517VBB
G521VBB
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The position of the staircase gives
away the duel door origins of these vehicles, even though they have
since been converted to single door. 521, branded for the H1, is shown
on 2007 Christmas special service H2. (R Hudson). |
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MCW Metrobus
Metrobuses once dominated the Imperial fleet, but like
the Titans, have very much declined. Many may in fact have actually
now left. M's 802, 1434 and 1440 are ex-London, others are from further a field. M116
carries an original Manchester blind layout, whilst GBU2V's has been
modified a little. |
M116
HM520
M802
M1434
M1440 |
SND116X
SAG520W
KYX802X
C629VMX
C440BUV |
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Pride of the fleet has to be M3,
complete with white on black blinds, to the original 3-piece layout. A
side destination blind is carried, but only ever used by one driver! (R Hudson). |
MCW Metrobus MkII
A number of these vehicles have comer and gone, some
have had, unusually for Imperial, quite a provincial look and
heritage. Conversely, the remaining one operated in London under Harrow Buses, but
had London-style front blind boxes added by Ensignbus. |
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M1453 |
E453SON |
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The provincial look, which is how the
vehicle operated with London Buses in Harrow, was reduced whilst at
Ensignbus by the fitment of LT blind layouts, which have been retained
at Imperial. (R Hudson). |
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Leyland Olympian/ECW
Recently placed into service, and featuring a new variation
of
the livery. The latter vehicle is ex-Lothian Regional Transport. |
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A321YWJ
B760GSC |
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A regular on the H1, having replaced
the MKII metros, is impressive looking A321YWJ. (R Hudson) |
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The blind layout and long wheelbase
betray the Caledonian heritage of B760GSC. The vehicle also features high-back
seats and dual doors. (R Hudson) |
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Leyland Olympian/Roe
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B275LPH |
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(R Hudson) |
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Leyland Atlantean/Roe
It's a very long time since one of these appeared in
Harlow, although they were of course plentiful on town services back
in the late 70's and early 80's. Imperial have an ex London Country
example, and although the livery is frightful, one hopes that Imperial
have ideas about bringing it back to something close to it's original
colours. |
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XPG201T |
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This vehicle has been used on school
services in other parts of Essex, but makes an unusual out of service
appearance in Harlow in November 2007. (R Husdon) |
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Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton
Pointer II
A recent arrival, and regular on the H1 represents the
first low floor vehicle in the fleet. |
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R181VLA |
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A vehicle with a one-piece number box
has never been an obstacle for Imperial. R181VLA is seen on Velizy
Avenue headed for Loughton. (R Husdon) |
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Dennis Dart/Plaxton
Pointer
A number of these Darts are owned. They are
regularly featured in TV commercials, but appearances on the H1 do occur. |
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D431
DL261
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K417MGN
K431ORH
N261PJR |
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An example of a Dart on the H1 is
represented by D822 (no longer in the fleet) seen here leaving the Harlow
bus station. (R Hudson). |
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After a spell in cream and lime
green, DL261 has resurfaced in all over green. (R Hudson). |
Dennis Dart/Northern
Counties
Also 9m, one time London Northern, and in service
with Imperial. |
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L104HHV
L107HHV |
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The livery and exterior condition of
these retired London buses is a credit to the operator. Making a not too
rare single deck appearance on the H1 is DN107. (R Hudson). |
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Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall
Capital
Also one time London, this time ex-Metroline, a number
of these Darts have started to appear with various Essex independents.
Imperial is no exception, having taken a number into stock. |
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S520KFL
S526KFL
R710MEW
R874MCE |
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During recent history, the H1 has terminated
variously at Old Harlow, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Templefields, or
the Bus Station. Unfortunately, blinds have made no distinction
between them, as shown on S526KFL. (R Hudson). |
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R710MEW has been out-shopped in a new
mainly green livery. Note the London-style lower case destination and
token via point on the side. (R Hudson) |
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