Full Route Visual | Arriva Leicester 104 - Thorpe Astley to Leicester | 4753 (FJ06 ZSY)

Next up in our re-uploads with just new music series is the 104 back to Leicester from Thorpe Astley, the first bit to Fosse Park being a brand new extension at the time, having replaced the 52 in the June 2018 changes - it might take twice as long to get into town now but if I lived in Thorpe Astley, I'd actually be happy for the 104 taking over because it meant DB250s, and on common occasions due to the 29/29A needing them as well now, SB200s.
Experiences: Prior to filming the visuals, I had never been on the actual 104 before, however, back in 2007 or 2008 I did catch a bus from Thorpe Astley to Leicester when it was the 15, meaning it went around the estate, then straight to Leicester via the ring road and Hinckley. The bus was a P-CAY Volvo Olympian, which I think was my only ever ride on any of Leicester's Olympians.
How I felt: The route goes into deepest, darkest Braunstone so I was quite nervous. However, outbound it was pretty cool going under the Lubbesthorpe Way bridge, up the ramp then over it. This wasn't possible between April 2017 and June 2018 as Arriva re-routed Thorpe Astley's previous service, the 52 via Hinckley Road and Braunstone Way, however, I would found the narrow Braunstone Way pretty cool but unless it reverted back to the 15 as that then carried on and finished at Fosse Park, it was either one or the other.
4776 also passes by in this visual (R.I.P).
Songs used:
1: DJ Ajay - Void
• DJ Ajay - Void
2: Song: RetroVision - Over Again (feat. Micah Martin) [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds.
Video: • RetroVision - Over Aga...
Download: ncs.io/OverAgain
Yes, the first song's already in the X84 visual to Rugby. You know what this means, that'll be re-uploaded as well soon.

[@Lewbo93]

Shame the 104 now no longer runs to Thorpe Astley - only has the Centrebus 40 and the new Vectare NovusDirect from New Lubbesthorpe to Leicester, and the NovusRetail from New Lubbesthorpe to Fosse Park

[@leicestertravels4705]

The NovusDirect’s a lot quicker so that probably drew more people to it.

[@Lewbo93]

@@leicestertravels4705 Oh yeah for sure - just a shame that in order to get down Fosse Park now you either have to wait for the 40, or get the Novus into town and the 104 out

[@MegaBreadvan]

@@Lewbo93 I used to live in Braunstone and worked for Midland Fox back in the 90's. Really can't believe how much bus services have gone backwards in that area now.

[@CS_22]

Ah I like the 104. One of the few routes I’ve done fully not purposely. Great route. I adore these DB250s

[@leicestertravels4705]

I know. It’ll be sad when they go probably next year. I remember when they were allocated to routes 44, 44A, 47, 48, 49 and 49A and to get one on the 84 or 85 was the best treat ever.

[@CS_22]

Speaking of good buses, first just did a major misallocation. 32646 (The heritage B7) on the 13! The 13 is always run by branded 66972/3, so even if something which isn't them 2 like a Streetlite, it's rare.

[@leicestertravels4705]

Wow. I think it was stupid that they removed the branding from 63356 and 63357 and applied it to 66972 and 66973. Why the sudden seat downgrade?

[@CS_22]

leicesterbusadventurer I don't. The Urbans are much better quality than the Streetlites. Also the 13 has a few hills I think and they aren't the best with hills are they.

[@leicestertravels4705]

@@CS_22 I suppose but Streetlites have the big leather seats. Since there's no fast roads on the route anyway that's all I care about.

[@e400ev3]

amazing visual :)

[@leicestertravels4705]

Thanks

[@MegaBreadvan]

When I first moved to Braunstone, this route was the 4... was before ASDA and when it was operated by D12/D13 Fleetlines. It terminated in the Southgates depot "coach park" on the corner of Peacock Lane & Southgates Street.

[@leicestertravels4705]

Wow. I can’t believe this year marks 10 years since Southgates closed.

[@MegaBreadvan]

@@leicestertravels4705 Now I really do feel OLD! I used to work in the print room there a few mornings a week back in the 90's. :)

[@leicestertravels4705]

Wow. I felt old last November when it marked 10 years since the M-GRY and N-VVO Scanias left. I was quite a frequent visitor to The Narborough Road area back in 2005 and they’re the one thing I always remember (besides the good music that was out at the time). It’s also weird that this summer will mark 7 years since the Olympians left.

[@MegaBreadvan]

@@leicestertravels4705 We rallied Scania 4174 when it was new back in 1994. Have to admit I prefer the original Leyland Olympians over the Volvos. The latter came into service around the time I left the UK. So apart from visits back to Leicester over the years, I didn't see much of those.

[@leicestertravels4705]

I only got to ride one Olympian and that was 12 years ago so I don’t remember it much. It was one of the P-CAYs and I got it back to town from Meridian on the 15. My neck of the woods was more Lowlanders and Geminis. And yes, I’ve seen pictures of a new looking 4174 on rally. Then it was given road safety branding, slightly different to the one 4161 and 4167 had.

[@iknowiamiwill423]

Nice beastly ride

[@20sTransportSounds]

Great visual! Gosh your routes are scenic ;-;

[@leicestertravels4705]

Really? This one’s far from scenic. And thanks.

[@20sTransportSounds]

Compared to mine anyway

[@iknowiamiwill423]

Hey Jamie!

[@20sTransportSounds]

Southleicesterbusenthusiast Hi

[@busman252]

Great video:) just had a look at the route and it's one of them around the houses ones, not really fair on Thorpe Astley tbh

[@leicestertravels4705]

Thanks, and yeah, especially as the old 52 was more direct.

[@busman252]

@@leicestertravels4705 is there any reason Leicester has 2 bus stations

[@leicestertravels4705]

Busman252 Because before services going to Oadby and Wigston (31, 31A, 44, 44A, 49, 49A, 49B) picked up on Charles Street opposite the old Haymarket Bus Station and it resulted in congestion which probably cost people changeovers for the services that continued to SMBS (47, 48, 84, 85, X3). Where the latter 3 (the former 2 use Haymarket now) drop off outside Primark used to be the main stop for Beaumont Leys bound 54s and the start of the 74.

[@busman252]

@@leicestertravels4705 ahh I see, quite logical tbf

[@nathanalfred.3861]

Yesterday I rode 4763 fj06zsl to swadlincote and ith had the old local pins paint but the it broke down and it was the 3rd to breakdown around coalfille

[@leicestertravels4705]

3rd? Any idea what the others were? And here’s me thinking they were applying bits off 4776 to make it better.

[@nathanalfred.3861]

But it the fastest gemini I had ever rode and the diff screams so it's fine and it was leaking brake fluid

[@nathanalfred.3861]

The others were steetlites and anothe gemini FJ06ZSU

[@nathanalfred.3861]

The streetlites broke down

[@leicestertravels4705]

Nathan Alfred. Maybe they have improved it. The Streetlites don’t surprise me and tbf 4749’s been off the road for a few weeks. I want to know what’s happened to 4201 and 4204. 4204 it says hasn’t ran since September 10th and I haven’t seen 4201 since May or June.