The Wright Order For The Seven

Route 7 and N7, between Russell Square and East Acton (Route N7 extended to Northolt Station) is operated by Metroline Travel. The route was allocated Scania N230UD/ East Lancs Olympuses until now. The 7 has become the second route to be allocated Wright Gemini 3's with a Volvo B5L Hybrid chassis. 


Like all Central London routes nowadays, they are being retained/ won with specified brand new hybrid buses of some sort. Whether it's Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrids or the Borismaster, or the Borismaster's sister for that case, the brand new Wright Gemini 3, that is route 7's new allocation for the next 7 years or so, relieving the SEL's of their duties on route 7.

Metroline SEL746 (LK07 BBJ) in Oxford Street, on route 7.
©Jacob Cartmann 

Metroline VWH2013 (LK14 FBG) in Oxford Street, on
route 7. ©Jacob Cartmann

The 7 was originally to get Wright Gemini 2s, the hybrid Volvo B5L hybrid version, however the body version was upgraded to the third generation of these vehicles. Recently, just after the Stagecoach order for route 53, the Metroline ones came in early June at the CELF centre. Dave spotted them on the line-up.

Then, on the 25th June 2014, I was out doing observations on the 112 at Brent Cross around after school hours. When it had reached 1600, I walked from Etheridge Road to Tilling Road via Templehof Avenue. Sounds boring, doesn't it? As I was walking, I saw VWH2001, the first ever Metroline Gemini 3 on it's first ever journey in London on school route 611. I ran down to Tilling Road bus stop and was lucky enough to catch the bus, and become one of it's first ever passengers. 

Now, I must say the ride was actually quite smooth and quiet. I went upstairs to find the rather small windows surrounded me. I wasn't as impressed by this, but having taken VWH2002 another day to a meet-up with Lawrence I sat on the bottom deck, and the large windows make it worthwhile. Back on VWH2001, the speakers were crystal clear, they sounded like the ones you'd get on a Mercedes Citaro. Unlike the Gemini 2 hybrids, in comparison the journey was a lot quieter. The engines were way too loud on the lower deck, plus the cooling fans and the air conditioning made a journey on a Gemini 2 hybrid horrible. However, on this was just one quiet sound that was ongoing. The engine system, by Cummins, is similar to the Borismasters (Another similarity to take note of, folks). However, I can't really say the exterior is what it's cracked up to be. I really hate the rear, though. It has a reminiscent of a Borismaster. In my personal opinion, the Gemini 3 is a vehicle that has it's perks but also has quite a lot of downs too. As the generations of Gemini's progressed, I think the quality of the vehicles have gotten worse.

Metroline's VWH2001 (LK14 FAA) is seen on it's first ever journey, marking the beginning of a new era. It's seen on route 611. 

These new buses are numbered VWH2001-2023. The fleetlist is provided here:

LK14 FAA - VWH2001
LK14 FAF - VWH2002
LK14 FAJ - VWH2003
LK14 FAM - VWH2004
LK14 FAO- VWH2005
LK14 FAU- VWH2006
LK14 FBA- VWH2007
LK14 FBB- VWH2008
LK14 FBC- VWH2009
LK14 FBD- VWH2010
LK14 FBE- VWH2011
LK14 FBF- VWH2012
LK14 FBG- VWH2013
LK14 FBJ - VWH2014
LK14 FBL- VWH2015
LK14 FBN- VWH2016
LK14 FBO- VWH2017
LK14 FBU- VWH2018
LK14 FBV- VWH2019
LK14 FBX- VWH2020
LK14 FBY- VWH2021
LK14 FBZ- VWH2022
LK14 FCA- VWH2023

Here are some photos of the new buses in action:

©Jacob Cartmann

Metroline's VWH2013 (LK14 FBG) is seen at the Oxford Street stand, as the route is currently withdrawn between Russell Square and Oxford Circus. I've got both front and rear photos of the brand new Gemini 3's on route 7. 

The Metroline batch seem to be favoured more than it's Stagecoach rivals on route 53, although the rear seems to be less favoured in the fact that it has a reminiscent of a rear of a Borismaster. 

These buses have already made it to routes 7, N7, 611 and 297's night service.

©Jacob Cartmann

©Jacob Cartmann

 VWH2001 (LK14 FAA) is seen once more at Oxford Circus stand on route 7 this time, complete with roundels, stickers, logos with the new Metroline white logo and fleetnumbers.

The SELs will now be allocated to routes 79, 297 (Whole) and continue their work on route 611. Here is some last looks at the SELs on route 7:

©Jacob Cartmann

Some buses on route 7 were repainted some time ago, others actually had a proper refurbishment. One of the repainted ones is SEL750 (LK07 BBO) seen at Great Titchfield Street/ Photographer's Gallery on a service to East Acton seen in the image above.

In the image below shows an actual refurbished SEL in service on route 7, this one is SEL746 (LK07 BBE), the first one to be refurbished. I've been on this one on route 297 after refurbishment, it's a lovely bus. Note the tiny roundels, and the retention of the gold advert frames. New seats were installed, a repaint was done, a spring clean to the whole bus and engine, and better lighting installed.

©Jacob Cartmann

©Jacob Cartmann

Finally, seen above is the sole Darwen Olympus SEL809 (LK08 DVY) seen on route 7. This bus was purchased as a one off for route 611. I apologise for the bad lighting on this photo, but I still thought it was worth pulling out due to it's uniqueness.

Before the post ends, route 7 also got 3 new StreetLites. No, not the East Acton - Russell Square one that you must be thinking of, I'm talking about First Berkshire's 7 series route 7 between Uxbridge Station, in West London, and Slough Bus Station, just west of the M25, past Heathrow.

Most of the routes at First's Slough Depot received Enviro 200s and Volvo 7900 Hybrids to replace older stock such as Marshalls, Citaros (The 02-reg) and ALX200s (In this case ALX200s on route 7) to oust them elsewhere, however route 7 instead got StreetLite Max brand new, numbered WM61390 - 61392 .

©Jacob Cartmann

Here is SN14 EBC (WM63190) at Uxbridge Station waiting for departure time at Uxbridge Station. The bus has on-board WiFi and leather seats, First's more recent standards for a bus. Surely TfL could catch up on this? What are your thoughts on these new buses? Comment below!

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