First West of England (Bristol, Bath & The West)

[freetoview33]

It was the X7 for a long while. Not sure what buses were used on it though. Thing is why was it moved to MH? As they lack space and drivers.

 

[swifty]

It was the X7 for a long while. Not sure what buses were used on it though. Thing is why was it moved to MH? As they lack space and drivers.

Most recently operated by Bristol, along with the 361/2, using B10BLEs.

The ex Aberdeen YxxxCSF batch were quite commonly used alongside the native Badgerline batch.


62245g by first bristol, on Flickr

 

[CD]

Optare Solo 53012 was outside Taunton depot this morning with it's Southampton legals partly scrubbed out.

It departed Yeovil behind a First tow truck on Monday.
It was thought to be going for scrap (front fleetnumbers removed) but it now seems its to enter service in Bridgwater replacing the ex Bath Solo 53805, which is going to Cornwall.

 

[freetoview33]

Most recently operated by Bristol, along with the 361/2, using B10BLEs.

The ex Aberdeen YxxxCSF batch were quite commonly used alongside the native Badgerline batch.


62245g by first bristol, on Flickr

I used to regularly see it when catching buses from the centre

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It departed Yeovil behind a First tow truck on Monday.
It was thought to be going for scrap (front fleetnumbers removed) but it now seems its to enter service in Bridgwater replacing the ex Bath Solo 53805, which is going to Cornwall.

I saw on the Kernow thread that 53805 was working around Newquay and it did cross my mind that this might be a replacement for it.

The Olympia livery has appeared on various machines at BoS that have either moved (60918 now at Plymouth) or been repainted (two Tridents ex London, the 5 x Yorkshire B7RLEs and a couple of B6LEs). However, whenever you think it'll die out, some antique Dart or Solo reintroduces it!

 

[Private Baxter]

Had 46264 on the 18 this morning. What an absolute banger of a bus!

This must be the last bus in the entire fleet delivered new to Badgerline? (And the last in the 46xxx series). Yes, I realise the later stuff such as the R BOUs were delivered to First Badgerline, but 46264 is the last in original livery.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

This must be the last bus in the entire fleet delivered new to Badgerline? (And the last in the 46xxx series). Yes, I realise the later stuff such as the R BOUs were delivered to First Badgerline, but 46264 is the last in original livery.

I thought that but I was then told that some of the R-BAE MPDs were Badgerline liveried. Seem to recall they included 42715 so don't know if 42718 might also have been delivered in yellow and green

 

[ValleyLines142]

Observations this evening include a monstrously rammed 37760 on the 73 loading at The Haymarket outbound, 48213 still going strong on the 24 (standing room only) and 47463 on the 75 not too full as 37587 was also on the 75 behind but....wait for it....CRYING as 41162 has just approached Temple Meads on the 2 to Stockwood. Bloody hell imagine doing that from Cribbs!

 

[83G/84D]

It departed Yeovil behind a First tow truck on Monday.
It was thought to be going for scrap (front fleetnumbers removed) but it now seems its to enter service in Bridgwater replacing the ex Bath Solo 53805, which is going to Cornwall.

53805 was in use in Newquay on Monday, I saw it on the first day of the new services there.

 

[stait.john]

B6BLE 48212 on the 90 and 48214 out on the 36 today. I wonder what will eventually replace the last remaining three at Hengrove?

 

[ryson357]

A load of people have boarded the X74 at the UWE to the Centre, which is good to see lots of people using this service!

 

[Private Baxter]

I thought that but I was then told that some of the R-BAE MPDs were Badgerline liveried. Seem to recall they included 42715 so don't know if 42718 might also have been delivered in yellow and green

Oh yeah, maybe they were. Although my memory of their arrival in the late 90s, shortly after the B10s was that they were (or at least some were) in standard First livery. I personally don't remember seeing them in Badgerline, but who knows. Either way, I'm pretty sure the P PAEs were in proper Badgerline as opposed to 'First' Badgerline.

 

[freetoview33]

47450 out on the 76

 

[ValleyLines142]

A load of people have boarded the X74 at the UWE to the Centre, which is good to see lots of people using this service!

37347 was also nicely loaded this afternoon on the X74 too!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Oh yeah, maybe they were. Although my memory of their arrival in the late 90s, shortly after the B10s was that they were (or at least some were) in standard First livery. I personally don't remember seeing them in Badgerline, but who knows. Either way, I'm pretty sure the P PAEs were in proper Badgerline as opposed to 'First' Badgerline.

I don't think (but Swifty will know better) that the P-PAEs actually carried Badgers. They were the last machines delivered before Barbie interiors and the MPDs didn't carry the yellow for long. I seem to recall that the 42109/15 might be similar in being barbie spec but arriving in Provincial red and cream before a swift paint job.

 

[swifty]

I don't think (but Swifty will know better) that the P-PAEs actually carried Badgers. They were the last machines delivered before Barbie interiors and the MPDs didn't carry the yellow for long. I seem to recall that the 42109/15 might be similar in being barbie spec but arriving in Provincial red and cream before a swift paint job.

Indeed, you are right. I thought the last buses to wear actual Badgerline livery were 251-257, whilst 258-64 all arrived in First Badgerline livery. However I can only find photos from 1997 with 251-7 also in First Badgerline livery, so I'm inclined to say they arrived wearing it.

252 https://www.flickr.com/photos/23095055@N05/3234079219/


257 Badgerline P257PAE Dennis Dart 9.8SDL Plaxton pointer. Haymarket Bristol 5.9.96 by gmptemetropolitan, on Flickr


Badgerline Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart P 259 PAE by simon_n17, on Flickr

and 258 https://www.flickr.com/photos/archlynx/14765663861/.

The 241-250 batch also seemed to have gained the First version fairly quickly, I can't quite remember if they arrived like this though?


N243LHT, Bristol, December 1997 by aecregent, on Flickr

So I'd say the last vehicles to arrive wearing a badger based livery were the 226-240 batch of Darts.

The Weston based 9.3m Darts also arrived in Badgerline livery, as did the Bristol batch in Cityline livery, before being repainted. (As did 9660-4 as well)


1717 Badgerline R717BAE Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer 2. Searle Crescent Weston Super Mare garage 27.8.97 by gmptemetropolitan, on Flickr

 

[stait.john]

42955 out on the 2 today.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

42955 out on the 2 today.

And 69460 on the 76 but chuckled to see 41162 still working hard on the 36. 66728 on the 46 - looking very rough presentation wise and a very well loaded 47564 on the 50. People standing but not chocker

 

[Private Baxter]

Indeed, you are right. I thought the last buses to wear actual Badgerline livery were 251-257, whilst 258-64 all arrived in First Badgerline livery. However I can only find photos from 1997 with 251-7 also in First Badgerline livery, so I'm inclined to say they arrived wearing it.

252 https://www.flickr.com/photos/23095055@N05/3234079219/


257 Badgerline P257PAE Dennis Dart 9.8SDL Plaxton pointer. Haymarket Bristol 5.9.96 by gmptemetropolitan, on Flickr


Badgerline Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart P 259 PAE by simon_n17, on Flickr

and 258 https://www.flickr.com/photos/archlynx/14765663861/.

The 241-250 batch also seemed to have gained the First version fairly quickly, I can't quite remember if they arrived like this though?


N243LHT, Bristol, December 1997 by aecregent, on Flickr

So I'd say the last vehicles to arrive wearing a badger based livery were the 226-240 batch of Darts.

The Weston based 9.3m Darts also arrived in Badgerline livery, as did the Bristol batch in Cityline livery, before being repainted. (As did 9660-4 as well)


1717 Badgerline R717BAE Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer 2. Searle Crescent Weston Super Mare garage 27.8.97 by gmptemetropolitan, on Flickr

Thank you very much for these! I had forgotten that buses were far less generic when First originally took over, and I think you're right, the P PAEs were in fact delivered in Badgerline livery but with First logos. That was the original design. The N KAEs all had badgers on them, up to N 241 KAE, can't speak for 242-250 either though I'm afraid. So from this, it seems there are no more original Badgerlines left, but still a few in Badgerline colours lingure on. Thanks for the confirmation about the R BAEs.

Also, judging from these pictures, the first set of P PAEs, i.e. the step entrance ones were all delivered new to MH?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Also, judging from these pictures, the first set of P PAEs, i.e. the step entrance ones were all delivered new to MH?

Think so, with the new super low floors being for WM and the 7. Clearly by his avatar, Swifty is indulging in some Badgerline era imagery too. That group had some great liveries as did GRT. What happened....

 

[swifty]

Think so, with the new super low floors being for WM and the 7. Clearly by his avatar, Swifty is indulging in some Badgerline era imagery too. That group had some great liveries as did GRT. What happened....

Oh yes! Where did it all go wrong, the Badgerline group had some crackers!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That was the original design. The N KAEs all had badgers on them, up to N 241 KAE, can't speak for 242-250 either though I'm afraid.

It was funny how the Badger (didn't he have a name?) managed to survive into the 00's on the side of some of the Darts!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Oh yes! Where did it all go wrong, the Badgerline group had some crackers!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


It was funny how the Badger (didn't he have a name?) managed to survive into the 00's on the side of some of the Darts!

I seem to think but 219 and 225 wore their Badgers quite late?

I was quite a fan of the Badgerline version of the Eastern National livery but WN's Badgers and Flags was the best. I did like the big badger version of Badgerline incl the all green version. So marketable - would be good to see it return if only for a route or two.

 

[Private Baxter]

N241 KAE at Wells (later 46241) kept its badger logo until a repaint into orange and cream Travelline livery in 2002. No idea what his alleged name was though!
Would love to see it return on a bus or two, personally I think on one of Bath's B7s would be superb.

 

[ValleyLines142]

A few observations from today include 32008 broken down at Broadmead Poundland, 37766 on the 41 (possibly replacing 32008, as Geminis aren't THAT often on the 40/41), 46264 on the 35, 47437 on the 5, 47559 and 47561 on the 50, 47452 on the 70, 47560 on the 75 (nicely loaded leaving The Haymarket towards Cribbs at 4.30ish!), 47563 and 47564 on the 90 and finally 37614 and 37764 on the X74!

 

[THarris123]

This evening was interesting going home from work...

I had 66160 on the 376 - it came into Wells as 42731 and then swapped over in the depot - which made a really nice change to seeing B7s all the time. Even though I hate most of the old stuff of Firsts and I'd love to see them replace these with better stuff, I still like a nice change on the 376 every so often - especially 66160 - my favourite B10. Haven't been on that in sometime, but still a lovely machine. I think my mood would be slightly different if it was 66100 - probably the worst B10 in the UK.

On the Wells subject, it looks like the number of vehicles being kept in the depot as spare has dropped - making me think that something has gone. Up until yesterday there were 4 left in there during the day - usually 2 Marshalls, 48217 and something else. Now 48217 is still there and 2 other vehicles - has 41144 finally gone (please, please, please!). I also still can't figure out what they're doing with 48217. I think it is just being used for spares, but I'm still not sure whether it will act as a replacement to 66106. Any ideas?

 

[Private Baxter]

he UK.

On the Wells subject, it looks like the number of vehicles being kept in the depot as spare has dropped - making me think that something has gone. Up until yesterday there were 4 left in there during the day - usually 2 Marshalls, 48217 and something else. Now 48217 is still there and 2 other vehicles - has 41144 finally gone (please, please, please!). I also still can't figure out what they're doing with 48217. I think it is just being used for spares, but I'm still not sure whether it will act as a replacement to 66106. Any ideas?

I get what you're saying.

I have never liked 66100 - ugly on the outside and uncomfortable and poorly designed on the inside. Horrendous machine. It suffered serious fire damage in 2011 and was out for nearly a year. Thought that would have been the end of it though. However I can't understand why you like 66160 so much. It's ok, but the older R BOUs are so much better. Still, that will most likely be the one that survives a little longer.

Don't know about 66106. Reports a month or so ago suggest it is being repaired, and I half expect it just to show up again soon. And that B^ is anyone's guess. No idea why it's there, has it appeared in service yet? Anyway there doesn't seem to be any need for it from what I can ntell. The number of buses in the depot has indeed increased, which is good, but I really hope 41144 has gone! Some of the worst buses within FSA do seem to be in Wells atm.

 

[matt_splat]

meanwhile some idiot at first has decided the 173 is a suitable route for Midi Darts 16:10 and 18:10 both left bath rammed and over full

 

[THarris123]

Talking of 66106, it has returned from the dead and is on the 377 today. I honestly can't believe it. You can see where the windows have been replaced in the middle. Looks quite tidy really.

 

[Private Baxter]

meanwhile some idiot at first has decided the 173 is a suitable route for Midi Darts 16:10 and 18:10 both left bath rammed and over full

That's been happening a lot lately. Really don't know why, it's no longer just a one off. They have enough B7s and B10s.

Talking of 66106, it has returned from the dead and is on the 377 today. I honestly can't believe it. You can see where the windows have been replaced in the middle. Looks quite tidy really.

Well that answers our questions then! Pleasantly surprised I must say. Expect something to disappear from Wells now, possibly that B6, which hasn't really done any thing anyway.

 

[g4mby]

66728 on the 46 - looking very rough presentation wise

And 66729 I believe, it certainly is today. A welcome change from Darts.

By the way, I saw 53401 at Bristol Bus Station one morning in the week on an X9(?) arrival. According to Steve White's web-site it's now been transferred to MH.