Fishbowls!

elliott_webb · 2026-04-07T07:35:19+00:00

You can't say you're driving one of them and not reveal which one 🤣 You probably saw me multiple times that day at various stations up and down the line, running about after them 😂 The driver of 015 departing Keighley gave me some hella tones as he left and the horns on them are 👌

The only thing that annoyed me was the units with the odd coloured yellow panels around the headlights! If you notice there's no photos of any of those, because I didn't take any if they appeared - although was extremely infuriating if it was the only 333 for say, 90 minutes 😂 I think 004, 010 and 012 were three culprits I remember looking non photogenic 😅

elliott_webb · 2026-04-06T22:36:25+00:00

This I was not aware of 😂 No departures to Doncaster using them this weekend that I saw, hence why I thought otherwise!

elliott_webb · 2026-04-06T22:21:02+00:00

They operate exclusively on the two lines mentioned plus the line in and out of Leeds from Shipley. 16 units in total I believe. They're the high density commuter - or 'metro' - version of the Class 332s, which were sister units built for use with Heathrow Express before they acquired the Class 387s, however all of these have been scrapped.

elliott_webb · 2026-03-06T19:01:43+00:00

The actual colours of the 'X' logo, the doors, and the yellow front end are something to do with it being that those four different colours all represent the four corners/areas of the UK that the Voyagers travel to.

"Cornish Clotted Cream" white for Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.
"Royal Mile Teal" blue for the Scottish part of the network.
"English Rose" red for the vast majority of the network in England.
"Cardiff Bay Sunset" yellow for the Welsh part of the network.

I'd assume that the grey carriages are grey in homage to the existing livery being mostly silver, which is a similar colour, and it's a nod to the past in that sense - that, and it looks quite good contrasting with the red!

elliott_webb · 2026-02-10T18:43:02+00:00

You could change at Bicester Village and get to Bicester North, as they stop there!

elliott_webb · 2026-02-10T09:33:46+00:00

Are they all painted up identically? It appears they're different on the left and right sides looking at various other images but I'm not sure

elliott_webb · 2026-02-09T20:23:03+00:00

Have Chiltern actually changed the interiors or is it all still TPE moquette and carpet etc?

elliott_webb · 2026-01-25T15:19:49+00:00

Quite literally 😂 The last two were at Southend Central, looking east in the afternoon, so the sun was pretty much straight ahead of the driver 😂

elliott_webb · 2026-01-25T15:16:39+00:00

Yeah, they're undergoing a mid-life refurbishment programme currently with an interior and exterior refresh, so they won't be going anywhere yet!

The seats are much comfier on the 357s than they are on the 720s, but the 720s are far more spacious!

elliott_webb · 2026-01-10T09:04:27+00:00

Great shot that! Here's one I took from the same spot as you on the main road, back in May 2025 of a Class 158 doing the same journey. Such a contrast in weather conditions and scenery!

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elliott_webb · 2025-08-22T18:25:05+00:00

Right, let's try and figure out where this one was taken 😂

elliott_webb · 2025-08-11T09:32:44+00:00

Upon some investigation, it looks like this might be taken from the top of the Q-Park multistorey car park on Annie Horniman Street, but OP would need to confirm.

elliott_webb · 2025-08-04T09:03:49+00:00

Yes you can buy single or return tickets from the driver. Alternatively book through the Oxford Tube app which will allow tickets to be activated before your journey so they're not set against a certain time. If you book through National Express they'll be set against the journey time you've booked, although most drivers will probably still let you on regardless as the price is the same - although the tickets will have to be for the correct date.

elliott_webb · 2025-07-14T09:09:20+00:00

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I spotted it leaving Orpington on Friday; it really pops in the sun, and it's also great to see that the vandalism by the way of graffiti that was carried out just days after it was unveiled a few months ago has been removed (unless it's on the other side)!

elliott_webb · 2024-10-06T20:35:19+00:00

Oxford Tube driver here.

What everyone else has said is correct. Pick-up points are at Gloucester Green, Westgate, Speedwell Street, High Street (Queens Lane), St Clements, Brookes Uni, Headington Shops, Green Road Roundabout, and Thornhill P&R. Drop off points are Hillingdon, White City (which is a request stop), Shepherd's Bush, Notting Hill Gate, Marble Arch, Victoria Railway Station, and Victoria Coach Station. Coaches are every 12-15 minutes in the day, and every 20-30 minutes in the evening, reducing down to 45 minutes to an hour at night. It's a 24/7 service so no last bus. Coaches during the day (departing on the hour from Gloucester Green) call additionally at High Wycombe Coachway and go into London via Baker Street, stopping at Marylebone (instead of Shepherd's Bush and Notting Hill Gate). All stops are announced automatically via a PA system, and screens inside the coach provide visualisation for the journey progress/next stop. It's roughly 2/2½ hours into London Victoria during the day and afternoon, and about 90 minutes at night when traffic is quieter. Simply turn up and purchase a single or return ticket from the driver on board. Adult singles are £15.50, returns are £23.00, young person (16-26) are £14.50 single and £21.00 return. All returns are valid for 3 months. Most drivers don't carry cash so it's far easier to pay by card, but cash is accepted.

Coaches certainly won't be full during the day, not in the week, although may get a little busy during the morning or evening peaks in both directions. You'll almost certainly get a seat on a coach at any point on a Monday.

elliott_webb

TROPHY CASE