Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Garthdee Community Council are back at it with their petty moan about the 1 missing out a stop on Garthdee Road. Claiming that First are putting no regard to residents, despite that fact that directly across the road on the side where the houses are the 2 serves the stop frequently...
The marks are indeed from the E500s, and yes the B7LAs get round there fine, but i don't think anything bigger would. It's also at quite an odd angle on a hill.
I've mentioned earlier, but the E500s tore a hole in the road at the corner of Gibson Street & University Avenue when they worked Glasgow's 4/44 service. The lack of a steered tag axle makes them horrendous on full lock turns. They must scrub the tyres on that axle really badly.
I've mentioned earlier, but the E500s tore a hole in the road at the corner of Gibson Street & University Avenue when they worked Glasgow's 4/44 service. The lack of a steered tag axle makes them horrendous on full lock turns. They must scrub the tyres on that axle really badly.
Never had the opportunity while they were at glasgow but always got told they could understeer in the wet quite easily, I doubt first will go down the route of more 500s again, apparently fuel economy vs capacity needs couldnt be justified for them in glasgow
The marks are indeed from the E500s, and yes the B7LAs get round there fine, but i don't think anything bigger would. It's also at quite an odd angle on a hill.
I've mentioned earlier, but the E500s tore a hole in the road at the corner of Gibson Street & University Avenue when they worked Glasgow's 4/44 service. The lack of a steered tag axle makes them horrendous on full lock turns. They must scrub the tyres on that axle really badly.
Never had the opportunity while they were at glasgow but always got told they could understeer in the wet quite easily, I doubt first will go down the route of more 500s again, apparently fuel economy vs capacity needs couldnt be justified for them in glasgow
Fuel Economy is far superior now that the A/C has been deactivated with Hopper windows and normal box heater units fitted, tbh the set up they have now works far better at keeping them at a good temperature.
In all seriousness 18M Citaros are the best option on the market for the 1/2, although i'd remove 4 forward facing seats in the front section and replace them with 3 tip-ups (like they did to our Artics in 2015). As it increases the overall capacity by about 10, which on a route like the 1/2 is quite significant.
Hypothetically, if the route were to navigate Ellon Rd onto Balgownie Rd instead of N Donside to Scotstoun Rd, would that solve the issue of that tight turn? As far as I can tell theres only 1 set of stops missed on scotstoun.
Hypothetically, if the route were to navigate Ellon Rd onto Balgownie Rd instead of N Donside to Scotstoun Rd, would that solve the issue of that tight turn? As far as I can tell theres only 1 set of stops missed on scotstoun.
While that could be an option it would see the 7/8 minute frequency halved in quite a significant section of the route and put far too much strain on the 2.
That's not even getting on to Holburn Street and the RGU site which would also present some issues, especially at RGU where a 21M Citaro would most certainly get beached!
While that could be an option it would see the 7/8 minute frequency halved in quite a significant section of the route and put far too much strain on the 2.
That's not even getting on to Holburn Street and the RGU site which would also present some issues, especially at RGU where a 21M Citaro would most certainly get beached!
All I want is some flat, unobstructed ground, no weak or low bridges, no traffic, red lights and It’d be nice if I had someone to bring me a costa’s when things get too stressful, why can’t things never be straight forward...phheww
The 1 gets cut short to Braehead and will operate in a clockwise loop, frequency reduced (15 > 20).
The 2 gets a frequency increase (15 > 10)
NEW Service 3 to Dubford replacing the 20 which reverts to it's previous route serving Hillhead.
The 1 & 3 would combine to create a 10 Minutes frequency clockwise round the Garthdee/Auchinyell Loop, with the 2 Every 10 minutes the other way.
Between Holburn Street and North Donside Road the 1/2/3 would offer a 5 minute frequency, with the 1A (same route as the current service) operating between the 1/2/3 to offer a 5 minute frequency to RGU. This would be increased in the busy morning peak.
I've attached a map below of how the 1/2/3 would look in the Bridge Of Don Area.
Cutting the 1 short to Braehead is very likely going to happen soon anyway as it would allow scope for the 8 to grow. Ever since the 8 and 18 started serving Danestone the 1 saw a massive drop in numbers from the area as passengers migrated to the faster 8/18.
I'm not too sure what bus types would be best as the 1/1A/3 would still need the Artic/E500 capacity for RGU, but the 2 would get away with normal deckers.
The 1 gets cut short to Braehead and will operate in a clockwise loop, frequency reduced (15 > 20).
The 2 gets a frequency increase (15 > 10)
NEW Service 3 to Dubford replacing the 20 which reverts to it's previous route serving Hillhead.
The 1 & 3 would combine to create a 10 Minutes frequency clockwise round the Garthdee/Auchinyell Loop, with the 2 Every 10 minutes the other way.
Between Holburn Street and North Donside Road the 1/2/3 would offer a 5 minute frequency, with the 1A (same route as the current service) operating between the 1/2/3 to offer a 5 minute frequency to RGU. This would be increased in the busy morning peak.
I've attached a map below of how the 1/2/3 would look in the Bridge Of Don Area.
Cutting the 1 short to Braehead is very likely going to happen soon anyway as it would allow scope for the 8 to grow. Ever since the 8 and 18 started serving Danestone the 1 saw a massive drop in numbers from the area as passengers migrated to the faster 8/18.
I'm not too sure what bus types would be best as the 1/1A/3 would still need the Artic/E500 capacity for RGU, but the 2 would get away with normal deckers.
If buying new and right now where cash was no issue and the 500’s were displaced and the BL7A’s removed.
Considering the tight turn at balgownie rd, 1/citaro 18m, 3/500mmc 12.8m(steered tag), and I’m sure ensignbus could source enough B9TL’s for the 2, put them through a good refurb.
I’d put the 500’s through a coach style refurb like harrogates b5tl geminis and move them back to glasgow and compete with stagecoach to try and reclaim old ground in cumbernauld at a reduced cost.
If buying new and right now where cash was no issue and the 500’s were displaced and the BL7A’s removed.
Considering the tight turn at balgownie rd, 1/citaro 18m, 3/500mmc 12.8m(steered tag), and I’m sure ensignbus could source enough B9TL’s for the 2, put them through a good refurb.
I’d put the 500’s through a coach style refurb like harrogates b5tl geminis and move them back to glasgow and compete with stagecoach to try and reclaim old ground in cumbernauld at a reduced cost.
If money was not an option you'd be better having E500MMC on the 1/1A/3 with E400MMC on the 2. That way the fleet is standard.
E500s on the 1/1A/3 with Geminis on the 2 would be much better and more realistic thought. The Geminis currently on the 19 which are due to be displaced next year could be moved on to the 2. The Artics in theory still have 2 years left (they'll probably be gone before then). E500s have around 6/7 years left, again in theory.
As for the Harrogate style interior... NO JUST NO. Haha
The Enviro500s are limited to 46MPH so not idea for Express Motorway work. Although if the limiter was raised to 60MPH they'd be ideal.
If money was not an option you'd be better having E500MMC on the 1/1A/3 with E400MMC on the 2. That way the fleet is standard.
E500s on the 1/1A/3 with Geminis on the 2 would be much better and more realistic thought. The Geminis currently on the 19 which are due to be displaced next year could be moved on to the 2. The Artics in theory still have 2 years left (they'll probably be gone before then). E500s have around 6/7 years left, again in theory.
As for the Harrogate style interior... NO JUST NO. Haha
The Enviro500s are limited to 46MPH so not idea for Express Motorway work. Although if the limiter was raised to 60MPH they'd be ideal.
Honestly not the seating arrangement but definitely the 6700 seating, first have those seats on the vantage B5LH’s on the manchester to ellenbrook busway.
I’ve never sat on them but they look damn comfy, perfect for an affluent area like peterculter where people would I think like a more upmarket seat...
Honestly don’t have a problem with any modern bus design, but i’d set first apart with new gemini’s from stagecoach’s 727 route mmc’s, not to mention lothians punters seem to be over the moon with the new geminis...
View attachment 53192
Honestly not the seating arrangement but definitely the 6700 seating, first have those seats on the vantage B5LH’s on the manchester to ellenbrook busway.
I’ve never sat on them but they look damn comfy, perfect for an affluent area like peterculter.
They look like sweat ridden targets for vandals with the appearance of a cheap plastic bag.
If they were Fabric with just ELeather around the head rest area then yeah i'd agree it's ideal for the 19, but not that nasty tat. Putting deckers with 2x1 upperdeck seating on the 19 would also require a frequency increase. The current Geminis are more than comfortable for the journey.
Could York's currently park and ride bendibuses be transferred up to Aberdeen when the routes are converted to e-bus operation eventually? I think conversion is planned.
Could York's currently park and ride bendibuses be transferred up to Aberdeen when the routes are converted to e-bus operation eventually? I think conversion is planned.
Could York's currently park and ride bendibuses be transferred up to Aberdeen when the routes are converted to e-bus operation eventually? I think conversion is planned.
The capacity on the York Citaros is significantly lower than the B7LAs. Also moving them to Aberdeen just so they could move the E500s to Bath would be rather costly with little real benefit. They'd be better just sending the Citaros to Bath and leaving the E500s here.
I think the best option for now would be the idea i mentioned last night with a 1/2/3 set up and then allocating the E500s with the 12 Geminis from the 19 on short workings and other decker duties.
The capacity on the York Citaros is significantly lower than the B7LAs. Also moving them to Aberdeen just so they could move the E500s to Bath would be rather costly with little real benefit. They'd be better just sending the Citaros to Bath and leaving the E500s here.
I think the best option for now would be the idea i mentioned last night with a 1/2/3 set up and then allocating the E500s with the 12 Geminis from the 19 on short workings and other decker duties.
Depends if they want that seating capacity of the e500 and are happy to take the hit on fuel but you've a fair point. As for the cost of sending fleet round the country, doesn't seem to be a consideration!
Depends if they want that seating capacity of the e500 and are happy to take the hit on fuel but you've a fair point. As for the cost of sending fleet round the country, doesn't seem to be a consideration!
As i say, fuel costs is less of an issue now the A/C has been replaced with the much better box heater / hopper window set up. I believe fuel costs are not much more than that of a B9TL now.
As i say, fuel costs is less of an issue now the A/C has been replaced with the much better box heater / hopper window set up. I believe fuel costs are not much more than that of a B9TL now.
The cummins 8.9 340hp versus volvos 9.4 260hp, having a smaller engine pumping out more power that a larger unit producing less power, adding in the benefit of the B9 bus as a whole being lighter I'd suspect given the amount of miles each bus does throughout a year of its life the tri-axles will be substatically heavier to fuel, even .5mpg can increase fuel consumption into the thousands of £'s
The cummins 8.9 340hp versus volvos 9.4 260hp, having a smaller engine pumping out more power that a larger unit producing less power, adding in the benefit of the B9 bus as a whole being lighter I'd suspect given the amount of miles each bus does throughout a year of its life the tri-axles will be substatically heavier to fuel, even .5mpg can increase fuel consumption into the thousands of £'s
Aberdeens Enviro500s put out 380BHP, not that it makes much difference to the point you make though.
That aside lets not forget that the Enviro500s are more reliable and more liked than our B9TLs are. I'd hate to image the maintenance costs of the B9TLs considering the amount of fuel injectors and engine rebuilds they go through. To be honest in general B9s are plagued with engine issues, the Cummins ISL units are far more durable.
If i'm not mistaken though the original point about fuel was in comparison to the York Citaros. As i say normal Geminis on the 1/2 are just not an option.
Aberdeens Enviro500s put out 380BHP, not that it makes much difference to the point you make though.
That aside lets not forget that the Enviro500s are more reliable and more liked than our B9TLs are. I'd hate to image the maintenance costs of the B9TLs considering the amount of fuel injectors and engine rebuilds they go through. To be honest in general B9s are plagued with engine issues, the Cummins ISL units are far more durable.
If i'm not mistaken though the original point about fuel was in comparison to the York Citaros. As i say normal Geminis on the 1/2 are just not an option.
Many of stagies or firsts downsides from there vehicles are there maintenance levels, just under 2 years service at firsts ex-cumbernauld depot, a short spurt at parkhead, nearly 5 years at stagies cowdenbeath/dunfermline and 1.5yrs at lothian.
Without a dout lothian’s engineering team are second to none, had a few service drives of there Voith/B9’s and B7’s and they were practically faultless, albeit glasgows ZF/B9s when I drove them at 2 years old were quiet and smooth, if anything Cumbernauld had there trans set for town work, not express stuff, it made them particularly sluggish, yet they were reliable at that age., drivers used to clamber for one on the backshift as opposed to the older tridents.
Stagies 200MMCs at dunfermline, had them producing faults even under there 2 year warranty, I remember vividly 26013 had a faulty radiator warning light for low water, it turned out that it never got sorted inside the warranty because dunfermline didnt have enough reliable buses to operate a sufficient service if it were taken off the road.
It litterally drove me insane the amount of 200/300 and 400s that had emission system issues leading to derates, on both euro 4 and 5 ISB engines, I once asked an engineer at dunfermline what the emission light issue ment, they said the the adblue dosing unit has common blockage problems(which I assume consulting with cummins may have helped), I particularly had an underlying feeling it was simply clogged DPF units, many a time at lothian do they have there buses going through parked regeneration yet not once had I ever seen stagecoach bother about it, I’ve also experienced recent one of first glasgow 400’s with a similar feeling of derate.
In most but not all depots I assume that individual teams/management are doing better at what they do with the budgets that are set by directors etc.
