First Greater Glasgow

[route101]

Anyone know the history of the 62 plate E200s at Blantyre? I was on one on the 205 route today. Have they always been with First Glasgow?

 

[GusB]

Anyone know the history of the 62 plate E200s at Blantyre? I was on one on the 205 route today. Have they always been with First Glasgow?

It'd be helpful if you could post fleet or registration numbers. "62 plate" is a rather vague description.

 

[route101]

It'd be helpful if you could post fleet or registration numbers. "62 plate" is a rather vague description.

SH 62 is all I can remember.

 

[lastbus]

SH 62 is all I can remember.

Would’ve been 44527, 44529 or 44530 which I believe came from slough to Glasgow.

 

[GusB]

SH 62 is all I can remember.

Would’ve been 44527, 44529 or 44530 which I believe came from slough to Glasgow.

They're "SN62", which is why I couldn't find anything by doing a registration search on Buslistsontheweb.co.uk

The First group list for that type shows they were new to First Hampshire & Dorset.

 

[cnjb8]

Anyone know the history of the 62 plate E200s at Blantyre? I was on one on the 205 route today. Have they always been with First Glasgow?

A large batch of SN62 E200s were allocated to Slough and Southampton from new, but after the closure of Bracknell depot, resulting cascades meant most Southampton examples went to Slough or other First companies around 2016. Glasgow’s examples came around 2017/18 when First Berkshire made many cuts to their routes.
I’m sure someone will correct me but I think this is correct!

 

[LT02 NVV]

I think that the Caetano Nimbus Darts will most likely stay a bit longer (maybe 2 or so more years at most), someone did say something here that the reason that Glasgow got a lot of them to use in service , was so they could replace older used midi-buses (like the Marshall Capital Darts), because of the fact that the Nimbus Darts (despite being first in service around 2002/2003), have a lower mileage count than most of the buses they replaced.
The reason why was due to the fact that MyBus used them on the Bailiwick of Jersey, then sold them off, then, where bought by another First Subsidiary (I think Kernow or First Somerset & Avon), before their use with First Glasgow (with some being used with First Scotland East).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Nov 2021 ==

A large batch of SN62 E200s were allocated to Slough and Southampton from new, but after the closure of Bracknell depot, resulting cascades meant most Southampton examples went to Slough or other First companies around 2016. Glasgow’s examples came around 2017/18 when First Berkshire made many cuts to their routes.
I’m sure someone will correct me but I think this is correct!

I remember that one of them did get some use at the Dumbarton Depot for The One Services I believe sometime around 2019, I think the reason was because one of the E300 was out of service after it got damaged, and the E200 was a temporary replacement.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think that the Caetano Nimbus Darts will most likely stay a bit longer (maybe 2 or so more years at most), someone did say something here that the reason that Glasgow got a lot of them to use in service , was so they could replace older used midi-buses (like the Marshall Capital Darts), because of the fact that the Nimbus Darts (despite being first in service around 2002/2003), have a lower mileage count than most of the buses they replaced.
The reason why was due to the fact that MyBus used them on the Bailiwick of Jersey, then sold them off, then, where bought by another First Subsidiary (I think Kernow or First Somerset & Avon), before their use with First Glasgow (with some being used with First Scotland East).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Nov 2021 ==


I remember that one of them did get some use at the Dumbarton Depot for The One Services I believe sometime around 2019, I think the reason was because one of the E300 was out of service after it got damaged, and the E200 was a temporary replacement.

The Nimbus Darts were used by Connex on Jersey and were well maintained and light mileage machines. They are probably getting to the point of replacement even though they had less taxing early lives. They were sold via Ensign and First picked them up. They were split between First Midland Red (Hereford and Worcester) and First Eastern Counties (Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft) before they were then all sent to First Kernow for a few years before heading to Scotland.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

It was a good idea for First to buy some shorter E200MMC like they did on 241, 242, 254. It would be nice if they could have got some more to replace all of the remaining darts to standardise the fleet a bit more. However I can see them getting more newer Streetlites if they become available. It makes sense to invest in younger smaller buses so they don’t have to keep replacing them so regularly.

 

[Strathclyder]

The 'classic' E200s transferred to Glasgow in late 2017/early 2018 are as follows:

SN62 AYV (44527)
SN62 AYZ (44528)
SN62 AZA (44529)
SN62 AZB (44530)

All 4 currently work in Lanarkshire (Blantyre or Overtown) after stints at other depots.

I remember that one of them did get some use at the Dumbarton Depot for The One Services I believe sometime around 2019, I think the reason was because one of the E300 was out of service after it got damaged, and the E200 was a temporary replacement.

SN62 AYV (44527) was temporarily transferred from Lanarkshire to Dumbarton in May 2018 to cover for the loss of E300 SN62 AKG (67740), the bus that ran into a concrete streetlight supporting base on the citybound sliproad linking Victoria Park Drive South with the Clydeside Expressway at the end of April that year. It moved back out to Lanarkshire after E300s from Scotstoun/Caledonia were moved west to Dumbarton by the start of 2019.

 

[FrankieB86]

With the diversions coming to an end soon, would First ever consider permanently rerouting the X4 or even the 1C/D through the current diversion route?

 

[Tom Gallacher]

With the diversions coming to an end soon, would First ever consider permanently rerouting the X4 or even the 1C/D through the current diversion route?

What would be the benefit of this?

 

[PaulMc7]

With the diversions coming to an end soon, would First ever consider permanently rerouting the X4 or even the 1C/D through the current diversion route?

It would possibly keep them on time out of the City Centre due to having loads more recovery time at Oswald Street but it would be a nightmare at peaks plus you'd lose a lot of people to the train due to not being able to go further than Central Station.

Pre COP26 I noticed a lot more people going beyond Central Station especially for Ingram Street to access George Square.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

The service 1 group and X4 are only taking layover time at Oswald Street for the duration of COP26.

These services have been built up over the years and have become a success so the route in and out of the city should remain as is.

 

[PaulMc7]

The service 1 group and X4 are only taking layover time at Oswald Street for the duration of COP26.

These services have been built up over the years and have become a success so the route in and out of the city should remain as is.

The 1s are arguably up there for the best services in the network but at times the X4 is really hit and miss in terms of passengers numbers. I could see the every 30 mins frequency sticking after Covid especially if the driver situation doesn't get much better.

 

[FrankieB86]

I don’t stay in the area. So I'm not sure about the route, logistics and success of each route.

The reason I asked is that there seems to be a lot of moaning about the network, the reliability, and the need for change.

With the enforced diversion there was very little complaining on here so if it didn’t result in complaining on here, I just wondered if First would be considering it.

 

[92002]

With the diversions coming to an end soon, would First ever consider permanently rerouting the X4 or even the 1C/D through the current diversion route?

Given that the diversion route takes around 20 minutes longer to the city. The simple answer would seem to be no.

 

[GusB]

It's time for a reminder about the need to be respectful when replying to posts. Whether or not you agree with a particular comment or question that another forum member has posted, it is entirely possible to reply without being rude or disrespectful.

Our forum members are from a broad range of backgrounds, cover a wide age range and have differing levels of knowledge. Please bear this in mind when responding, and if you do think a particular idea isn't viable, it is better to explain why instead of dismissing it out of hand.

We would also ask you to report any posts that you feel to be offensive rather than replying directly in the the thread. This prevents any situation escalating.

 

[Scotrail314209]

I think keeping the 1 service on the Expressway is a better thing to do rather than sending it via the Clyde Tunnel and M8. The M8 can get particularly nasty in the mornings and evenings now, granted the Expressway isn't the best for traffic during the peaks but it means there will be much less delay than going via the M8.

It might work off-peak, but why fix something that isn't broke.

 

[92002]

I think keeping the 1 service on the Expressway is a better thing to do rather than sending it via the Clyde Tunnel and M8. The M8 can get particularly nasty in the mornings and evenings now, granted the Expressway isn't the best for traffic during the peaks but it means there will be much less delay than going via the M8.

It might work off-peak, but why fix something that isn't broke.

One of the main problems Eastbound on the expressway is car drivers not joining the left turn lane for the M8. They invariably stay in the inside expressway lane till the last minute and then expect to push their way into the line. Causing widespread congestion.

Could be solved by putting in bollards like on the Kingston Bridge. Alternatively just not allow access from there to the M8. Which can be quite a busy part of the road. With M8 Traffic trying to exit for St George's Cross.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I see the E200EVs have entered service on the 9/9A today. They look very smart.

Have the current branded B7RLEs been withdrawn with immediate effect?

 

[route101]

I see the E200EVs have entered service on the 9/9A today. They look very smart.

Have the current branded B7RLEs been withdrawn with immediate effect?

I guess the 9 branded B7RLES will filter onto other routes.

 

[ScotRail158725]

I see the E200EVs have entered service on the 9/9A today. They look very smart.

Have the current branded B7RLEs been withdrawn with immediate effect?

Yes.

69077/079 stying at Caledonia
69083/084/087/096 training fleet
69099 to Dumbarton to replace a VOR B7RLE there
69101 to Scotstoun to replace a VOR B7RLE there
all 9 branded B7RLE upwards from 102 except 111 are moving to Scotland East to replace ALL Solars

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Yes.

69077/079 stying at Caledonia
69083/084/087/096 training fleet
69099 to Dumbarton to replace a VOR B7RLE there
69101 to Scotstoun to replace a VOR B7RLE there
all 9 branded B7RLE upwards from 102 except 111 are moving to Scotland East to replace ALL Solars

Thanks for that.

 

[90sWereBetter]

all 9 branded B7RLE upwards from 102 except 111 are moving to Scotland East to replace ALL Solars

I know the Solars are getting on a bit, but Scotland East were piling them through the paint shop a few months ago and the newest batch are only marginally older than their forthcoming replacements (indeed, the youngest Solar 65754 (SN06AHK) was registered only a month before 69102).Seems quite a surprising move, unless First are trying to remove all Scania single deckers from service as a non-standard type nowadays,

 

[Volvodart]

They are up to 18 months newer. There have been regular complaints on twitter about the condition of the Scanias.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

They are up to 18 months newer. There have been regular complaints on twitter about the condition of the Scanias.

Not sure the B7RLEs replacing them will be much better. Those 9 branded ones are threadbare. Unless they are looking to retrim them but I highly doubt it.

 

[Volvodart]

The complaints were more of a mechanical nature.

 

[Rgy88]

Yes.

69077/079 stying at Caledonia
69083/084/087/096 training fleet
69099 to Dumbarton to replace a VOR B7RLE there
69101 to Scotstoun to replace a VOR B7RLE there
all 9 branded B7RLE upwards from 102 except 111 are moving to Scotland East to replace ALL Solars

Is 111 withdrawn for good?

 

[ScotRail158725]

Is 111 withdrawn for good?

Yes