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Whats your favourite type of bus for first buses?
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elarchibaldo
Member
Dont have a fleet number, but the Manchester Enviro400s, with the cummins engine.
Pyromaniac
Member
The 05 plated Volvo B7RLE's in great numbers from Basildon and Chelmsford in Essex (fleet numbers 66794 to 66830-ish and ex-Manchester). They have the rearward emergency door, the engines have some go in them (unlike newer ones) and tickover quite high. Plus the fanbelt usually emits a high squeal upon startup! 
Yep the Enviros 400s are good! I like that type.
Temple Meads
Established Member
Plaxton Premiere bodied Volvo B10M, like this one:
[/url] S312 SCV (20412) by Transport Tim, on Flickr[/IMG]
The 05 plated Volvo B7RLE's in great numbers from Basildon and Chelmsford in Essex (fleet numbers 66794 to 66830-ish and ex-Manchester). They have the rearward emergency door, the engines have some go in them (unlike newer ones) and tickover quite high. Plus the fanbelt usually emits a high squeal upon startup!
The older Volvo B7RLE's have at least 6 windows. Some 2006 - 2009 ones have 6 windows. And the Brand new Volvos have 2 windows! I live in Bristol and there is 26 of the new 2009 Volvo B7RLE's Wright Urban 2 69435 - 69460. One 2007 69253 and 35 '54 & 55 reg' Volvo B7RLE's. My favoutite one is 2004 ones!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Plaxton Premiere bodied Volvo B10M, like this one:
[/url] S312 SCV (20412) by Transport Tim, on Flickr[/IMG]
Yes nice model! I do love the railink livery like the ones in bristol. thank you for your post! Good picture.
Qwerty133
Established Member
this one because if all of their buses ended up like this they could get some decent ones. Not my photo source on attachment
VTPreston_Tez
Member
OmniDekkas as seen on the X53. The only problem is there's not enough of them
BestWestern
Established Member
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- 6,736
The best First vehicle, by some considerable margin, is the Volvo B10BLE with the superb Wright Renown bodywork. Even though they are now getting rather old, they still look superb and give an excellent ride. The newer Wright stuff rattles more and the latest B7 chassis sound like lawnmowers, the B10 is far superior. They also look very nice indeed, just a 'proper' bus rather than all smiley-faced. They'll be very sadly missed when they go, but thankfully they look to have a good few years ahead of them still.
On a slightly different note, the most entertaining vehicle to drive would have to be a good old rattly Merc 709, complete with the tingling sensation in your leg all day due to the constant vibration!
On a slightly different note, the most entertaining vehicle to drive would have to be a good old rattly Merc 709, complete with the tingling sensation in your leg all day due to the constant vibration!
Ivo
Established Member
I have become very used to 69253 of late, and I was tempted to select it for this very thread. The vast majority of the buses you have mentioned are registered to Bath (but stationed at Wells in many cases).
Most B7RLEs are good vehicles. As a rule though, I prefer the older ones; 69253 is a transition model.
That is my favoutite vehicle Volvo B10BLE. I agree with those wright eclipse sound lawnmowers! It was sad to see one go last May! It was scrapped because of engine fire 66172 W372EOW.
fgwrich
Established Member
I'll give them that! I do ironically miss the days when First's Southampton / Portsmouth Depot's provided the rail replacement buses on SWT Land. Having one of the Southampton based Wright Renown's down the M3 at god knows o clock was well, different (and much preferred over the Stagecoach rancid Enviro / Transbus Drat - a bus with a dozen wasps stuck in the exhaust).
martinsh
Established Member
See below
martinsh
Established Member
bronzeonion
Member
51/02reg Dennis Trident2 Plaxton President with the ribbon glazed windows
Plaxton Premiere bodied Volvo B10M, like this one:
[/url] S312 SCV (20412) by Transport Tim, on Flickr[/IMG]
She was running truro to falmouth rail replacement on Friday,
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk 2
I note photograph 1/2 there is taken on falmouth moor, on a Penryn trip. Not sure when she left falmouth but I also have memories of this bus, as spent most of the time here on the falmouth Penryn circular, which I used regularly to visit my gran as a young child, as it stopped outside my house and outside my grans, and it was different to the rest of the fleet at the time. We mostly had k/l reg mercs, and this was different so interested me more
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk 2
northernrail
Member
Optare Solo 40336, First Manchester,
Follows me around, often twice a day on two different routes.
Follows me around, often twice a day on two different routes.
Dennis
Established Member
Fave has to be the one and only MOD 571P
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennis_lance/7958377932/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennis_lance/4725167851/
not many of a dying breed in service these days
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennis_lance/7958377932/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennis_lance/4725167851/
not many of a dying breed in service these days
fgwrich
Established Member
Having had a pair of these to the Mad Stad last sunday, excellent choice. It also made me think of a few things, one of which is that it's a shame that theres soo many of those fairly average Alexander Tridents around compared to the better Plaxton President, and also - Now bearing in mind these were Ex London Examples, Why does First feel the need to redesign it's interiors in these new branding scheme (or why does First feel the need to go over to that rather dissapointing new livery). For an Ex London example, the interior was in very good condition, with really the only few signs of age being a few bits of the rubber joining the lino panels together had become loose, other than that, Very Good Condition overall!
Fave has to be the one and only MOD 571P
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennis_lance/7958377932/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennis_lance/4725167851/
not many of a dying breed in service these days
Good Call! Although im not sure of the status of MOD P these days, Is it still privately owned / on hire to First again, Will it return back to the Gower circuit next year?
Dennis
Established Member
Pyromaniac
Member
Sorry to break the news to you guys but MOD571P has finally earned retirement from the First empire. It has been sold to a private buyer for preservation...was there really any other option though? 
~~~
Also I am partial to Scania OmniCity's too, Essex have 5 of them out of Chelmsford (65028 - 65032) complete with leather seats (ex P&R).
~~~
Also I am partial to Scania OmniCity's too, Essex have 5 of them out of Chelmsford (65028 - 65032) complete with leather seats (ex P&R).
fgwrich
Established Member
Sorry to break the news to you guys but MOD571P has finally earned retirement from the First empire. It has been sold to a private buyer for preservation...was there really any other option though?
~~~
Also I am partial to Scania OmniCity's too, Essex have 5 of them out of Chelmsford (65028 - 65032) complete with leather seats (ex P&R).
What, this MOD - P ? Looks pretty retired / heritage to me.
Nice to hear it's been preserved at last though, it's somthing that had been coming for quite some time apparently - Sold i think in Weymouth, but leased back to First for one season down there, before moving over to the Gower Peninsula still on lease / hire to First.
(Oh and the tractor, 598P still sees use down in Bude Harbour!)
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Scania3379man
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my favourite is wright Renown B10BLE (60403 and 60404), Optare Excel 60152,60154. I like Alx300 from Stagecoach Manchester when i catch 22 route to eccles 5 years ago (22***) MX06. I like scania omnicity artic on mx05 in Bury depot.
That's all
Martyn
That's all
Martyn
Class 33
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I only really know what the First Bus scene is like in the Bristol area. Not really familiar what the scene is like in other parts of the country. So I'm referring to just the First Buses in service in the Bristol region.
Volvo B7TL's Very nice modern(ish) buses. Nice to travel aboard, nice engine sound, and a bit of charactor. Notice the service 70 pictured in this photo. Volvo B7TL's have since been taken off this route, and replaced with those truly awful Wright Eclipse "incinerator"(as I call them) single deckers! http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/7032592179/
Dennis Trident - nice modern(ish) bus again. Nice to travel on, nice engine sound, and a bit of character. Sadly there are only about three of four of these in service with First Bristol, amongst a minefield of bland and charactorless Gemini's! We need more Dennis Trident's! http://www.flickr.com/photos/68628359@N04/7939703924/
Volvo Olympian Northern Countires Palatine II - nice buses from the late 1990's. Again as with the other buses I mentioned, nice buses to travel on, nice engine sound, and a bit of character. Sadly only about two of these left now that are operating in the Bristol area. They are usually on the 342 service to Chipping Sodbury, and sometime the Bristol-Clevedon services. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/7035898925/
Enviro 400 - For very modern buses, these are surprisingly very nice. Only in operation on the X1 and 352/353 services though. http://www.flickr.com/photos/karloakley/7296846842/
The Bristol double decker scene isn't great atall now. Only a handful of nice buses left, amongst a fleet of over 100 boring Gemini's!!
But the Bristol single decker scene however is still pretty good and interesting. With several different types/makes still in operation, and some nice ones too and a fair number of them still about.
Volvo B6BLE Wright Crusader http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/6887123306/
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/7028949087/
(not sure what these few are)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tpearce/5532844152/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68628359@N04/7939728326/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eybusman/5957097230/
Volvo B7TL's Very nice modern(ish) buses. Nice to travel aboard, nice engine sound, and a bit of charactor. Notice the service 70 pictured in this photo. Volvo B7TL's have since been taken off this route, and replaced with those truly awful Wright Eclipse "incinerator"(as I call them) single deckers! http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/7032592179/
Dennis Trident - nice modern(ish) bus again. Nice to travel on, nice engine sound, and a bit of character. Sadly there are only about three of four of these in service with First Bristol, amongst a minefield of bland and charactorless Gemini's! We need more Dennis Trident's! http://www.flickr.com/photos/68628359@N04/7939703924/
Volvo Olympian Northern Countires Palatine II - nice buses from the late 1990's. Again as with the other buses I mentioned, nice buses to travel on, nice engine sound, and a bit of character. Sadly only about two of these left now that are operating in the Bristol area. They are usually on the 342 service to Chipping Sodbury, and sometime the Bristol-Clevedon services. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/7035898925/
Enviro 400 - For very modern buses, these are surprisingly very nice. Only in operation on the X1 and 352/353 services though. http://www.flickr.com/photos/karloakley/7296846842/
The Bristol double decker scene isn't great atall now. Only a handful of nice buses left, amongst a fleet of over 100 boring Gemini's!!
But the Bristol single decker scene however is still pretty good and interesting. With several different types/makes still in operation, and some nice ones too and a fair number of them still about.
Volvo B6BLE Wright Crusader http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/6887123306/
Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/7028949087/
(not sure what these few are)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tpearce/5532844152/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68628359@N04/7939728326/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eybusman/5957097230/
Ivo
Established Member
Re: the three you don't claim to recognise...
The first is a Lance. They are all gone now. The second is a Pointer Dart (surely you knew that?). The third is an ALX200 Dart.
And I know I've said this before, but there's nowt wrong with the Geminis! Why should an abundance of something make the something rubbish?
The first is a Lance. They are all gone now. The second is a Pointer Dart (surely you knew that?). The third is an ALX200 Dart.
And I know I've said this before, but there's nowt wrong with the Geminis! Why should an abundance of something make the something rubbish?
Regarding First in the West of England, these are my thoughts:
In Bath -
I quite like some of the 05 plate Darts, in particular 42906; don't like the short ones though.
The 54 plate B7RLE/Wright Eclipses are quite nice as well, although in need of some TLC and the advertising on the windows means you can't see a thing if you sit towards the rear.
Not everyone likes bendy buses but I like the 55 plate Volvo B7LA/Wright Eclipse Fusions.
My favourite have gotta be the dual door B7RLEs though. I'm not sure why they haven't had the luggage racks removed though?
In Bristol -
I do like the Wright Geminis, but only with B9TL chassis. The B9TLs are smooth, powerful and refined whereas the B7TLs have a bouncy ride, aren't as powerful and often have knackered front suspension.
The 09 plate Enviro 200s are ok as well, I don't like the interior design though.
The ALX400 bodywork seems to be pretty well built but as they are on B7TL chassis they have the same problems as outlined above.
I don't like the Volvo B6BLE/Wright Crusaders - comfortable ride but the engines are woefully underpowered and the seats fitted to some of the ones in Bristol are horrible!
I also dislike the ALX200 Darts, bouncy ride, cramped interiors
Though by far the worst buses that First has in the West has got to be these, nothing else even comes close:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/6999468609/
(not my picture)
In Bath -
I quite like some of the 05 plate Darts, in particular 42906; don't like the short ones though.
The 54 plate B7RLE/Wright Eclipses are quite nice as well, although in need of some TLC and the advertising on the windows means you can't see a thing if you sit towards the rear.
Not everyone likes bendy buses but I like the 55 plate Volvo B7LA/Wright Eclipse Fusions.
My favourite have gotta be the dual door B7RLEs though. I'm not sure why they haven't had the luggage racks removed though?
In Bristol -
I do like the Wright Geminis, but only with B9TL chassis. The B9TLs are smooth, powerful and refined whereas the B7TLs have a bouncy ride, aren't as powerful and often have knackered front suspension.
The 09 plate Enviro 200s are ok as well, I don't like the interior design though.
The ALX400 bodywork seems to be pretty well built but as they are on B7TL chassis they have the same problems as outlined above.
I don't like the Volvo B6BLE/Wright Crusaders - comfortable ride but the engines are woefully underpowered and the seats fitted to some of the ones in Bristol are horrible!
I also dislike the ALX200 Darts, bouncy ride, cramped interiors
Though by far the worst buses that First has in the West has got to be these, nothing else even comes close:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gbbuspics/6999468609/
(not my picture)
Ivo
Established Member
Those ex-Mainline things are nasty pieces of junk that should have been withdrawn a long time ago. But there are some vehicles in the Bath fleet that are comparable to them, which are these horrible things:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26024754@N07/7121468479/ (not my picture) - 67316, 67317
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23095055@N05/4172961404/ (again, not my picture) - 67337, 67338, 67340, 67341, 67342
Mid 90s Wright Pathfinder Dennis Lances. Pure rubbish - especially the Irish -registered pair (67316/7).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26024754@N07/7121468479/ (not my picture) - 67316, 67317
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23095055@N05/4172961404/ (again, not my picture) - 67337, 67338, 67340, 67341, 67342
Mid 90s Wright Pathfinder Dennis Lances. Pure rubbish - especially the Irish -registered pair (67316/7).
Surely it can't be that much longer until the Lances and S reg Darts are withdrawn? I had a Lance on the 337 Bath-Keynsham a few weeks ago. Didn't know whether to laugh or cry, especially as the timetable at the bus stop stated that the 337 was a showcase route on which the operator pledges to use 'low emission' vehicles.
I've also had S reg Darts on the X39 Bristol-Bath lately and saw a short wheelbase R reg one on it the other day! And I thought the X39 was something of a flagship route?
I've also had S reg Darts on the X39 Bristol-Bath lately and saw a short wheelbase R reg one on it the other day! And I thought the X39 was something of a flagship route?
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