Today its first Alexander ALX400-bodied Volvo B7TLs entered service, with VLAs 105, 106 and 107 replacing RMLs 2301, 2452 and 2512, which were driven away for storage. As can be seen from this picture, the shack-like Battersea garage is so small that not all the increased fleet that will be needed after the 19's OPO conversion will fit there, so a proportion will have to be based at faraway Norwood garage. This is why the conversion is being phased in early, even though the VLAs are not actually meant for the route. The conversion has been brought forward from 30th April, but none of the intended DWs have come yet.

VLA 106 (LJ05 BLF) is seen having taken up running number BA12 at half past six this evening. Right behind is RM 1975, one of the earlier batch of locally refurbished RMs, as BA13.

The last 19, BA8, departs Finsbury Park at 00:15 on Friday night/Saturday morning for an 01:02 arrival at Battersea.