Bus scrapyards

[Whiteway215]

Does anyone know of any sources of information where bus enthusiasts can find out which scrap buses have been purchased by dealers such as Ripleys, Wigleys, PVS or Alpha?
I don't imagine the dealers themselves would be happy to reply to any enquiries directed to them.
Thanks for any thoughts or information.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Does anyone know of any sources of information where bus enthusiasts can find out which scrap buses have been purchased by dealers such as Ripleys, Wigleys, PVS or Alpha?
I don't imagine the dealers themselves would be happy to reply to any enquiries directed to them.
Thanks for any thoughts or information.

PSV Circle would be the most likely route, I’d guess.

 

[RJ]

The only ways would be to ask the dealer or bus operator.

Sometimes photographs are posted on Facebook of buses being towed by the scrap merchants. Not long ago I saw one of an Olympian being towed and I was straight on the phone to the scrap merchant to request some bits and pieces. I went up a couple of days later and the thing was just a chassis with a seat about the offside wheel arch. The bits I'd requested had been dismantled and tidily stashed in another bus for me to collect.

I'm always interested in bits from S-W reg Tridents on their way out so keep an eye out for posts on withdrawal and scrapping.

 

[richw]

I'm always interested in bits from S-W reg Tridents on their way out so keep an eye out for posts on withdrawal and scrapping.

I know someone who’s breaking a couple of 51 plate plaxton president tridents, he advertised on Facebook to contact him for any spares. Not quite what you look for so unsure if any suitable crossover spares between the years

 

[jammy36]

The only ways would be to ask the dealer or bus operator.

Ross Newman helpfully sends out a monthly list of vehicles passing through Ensignbus to various enthusiast pages - the outgoings include a list of vehicles dispatched for scrap / to bus breakers.

 

[RJ]

I know someone who’s breaking a couple of 51 plate plaxton president tridents, he advertised on Facebook to contact him for any spares. Not quite what you look for so unsure if any suitable crossover spares between the years

Thanks - I'm interested in pre-DDA fittings so would have to be something manufactured in 1999 or early 2000.

 

[Geordie driver]

I live quite near the Alpha wrap yard and often pass it walking my dogs, many of the vehicles in there I can remember driving that model when they were new, doesn't half make you feel old. Sometimes they leave buses on the grass outside when they are shuffling things around I assume.

 

[Whiteway215]

I live quite near the Alpha wrap yard and often pass it walking my dogs, many of the vehicles in there I can remember driving that model when they were new, doesn't half make you feel old. Sometimes they leave buses on the grass outside when they are shuffling things around I assume.

Do you pass on any information to anywhere on the scrap buses you see?

 

[Geordie driver]

Do you pass on any information to anywhere on the scrap buses you see?

No, sorry, I recognize the vehicles but don't really know much about them, I wasn't interested when I was driving them! I will try and take some pictures next time I am down there.

 

[Whiteway215]

I’ve often wondered whether the big groups adopt a policy on how to dispose of their scrap vehicles?
Do they wait until they have a number of scrap vehicles for sale, then offer them to a range of dealers and then accept the highest offer?
Or do they have an agreement with one particular dealer to take their scrappers away?
For example in Yorkshire the First fleets only seem to dispose to PVS. First South West seem to dispose theirs only to Dan Shears at Winkleigh.
However First West of England in recent months have sold to Ensign, Wigleys and Ripleys. So as far as First are concerned perhaps it’s just down to the local Fleet Managers what happens.

 

[bussnapperwm]

I’ve often wondered whether the big groups adopt a policy on how to dispose of their scrap vehicles?
Do they wait until they have a number of scrap vehicles for sale, then offer them to a range of dealers and then accept the highest offer?
Or do they have an agreement with one particular dealer to take their scrappers away?
For example in Yorkshire the First fleets only seem to dispose to PVS. First South West seem to dispose theirs only to Dan Shears at Winkleigh.
However First West of England in recent months have sold to Ensign, Wigleys and Ripleys. So as far as First are concerned perhaps it’s just down to the local Fleet Managers what happens.

NX seem to just sell to whoever comes up with the cash

 

[arbeia]

At Alpha at Weetslade, I have seen withdrawals of First Essex, First Devon, First West Yorkshire and Midland Scottish varieties.

 

[theblackwatch]

During the lockdown, I've started work on a project that I've wanted to do for years, detailing the disposals/subsequent history of buses from my local company. One thing I've discovered is that there was (and still is) a mass of firms at Carlton, but that withdrawn buses seemed to move between them. For example, a bus would be sold to PVS at Carlton, head off there, and then a few months later would appear in one of the other yards (eg Sykes, Goodwins, Ripleys). Is there some sort of relationship/connection between all these firms which seem to be located practically next to each other?

 

[cnjb8]

Look on Flickr, if you type in names of scrap merchants into the search bar there will be photos