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First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

Goldfish62

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@richw You could be completely correct, though they could still be paying the buses off (they may be on lease while they pay them off fully)

@busKernow

P.S. I had said something along the lines of no SRs, as both demonstrators that came to us on loan had failed their tests in portloe, unless that new route idea has now been scrapped and the older solos are being replaced?
But remember one of the demonstrators was tested in Mousehole as well. The M6 desperately needs more reliable buses!
 
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TheGrandWazoo

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The 51 already goes through Portloe narrows. The new MMCs don’t fit through which is why the 22/50/51 which interwork are old Darts And Solos as they are narrower than the MMCs

Aren't the MPDs to standard width (2.55m) so the same as the MMCs? Think it is probably more a challenge of wheelbase and overhang.

Certainly, there are reports/rumours that Solos may well be obtained for the 22/50/51 but obviously of the appropriate spec in terms of wheelbase etc. The M6 could also do with new kit on there, given the reliability issues.
 

83G/84D

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Decker on fire on A39 near Treluswell...

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/live-updates-double-decker-bus-2085029

Pretty scary video of how rapidly the fire spreads within the article.

Also a couple of photos here...

https://twitter.com/bbccornwall/status/1049247274289836032?s=21

Didn’t know about this until after the U1 service I boarded had left Truro and I was due to connect with a U4 service at Tremough. Missed my connection due to Long delays in the area around Treluswell as result. the bus remains are still in situ.
Driver said bus had been to Truro college and was on its way empty to Helston at the time.

Thankfully no-one injured. Plan B in place for my day trip.
 

MB162435

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Must of been coming back from doing a Truro College service, might of been the 231. Passengers and drivers will be boycotting Tridents at this rate
 

TheGrandWazoo

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And would I be right in saying it’s the 51 plate buses that have a habit of catching fire?

You would, and only the ones from South Yorkshire (33052 was the last one) so if you're on 33031/67/68/71/84, be sure to carry a fire extinguisher with you, just to be safe!!

In all seriousness, this is probably a coincidence in many respects although older vehicles will always be more prone to fires - tired major units getting flogged when already knackered means high temperatures, build up over time of grease and other dirt. So Tridents will probably have a greater risk than a nice new mmc and its that mixed with a helping of coincidence
 

MB162435

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Looks like a U1 service to Truro also got caught up in the incident, a Uni MMC can be seen behind the road block in one of the photos on Cornwall Live
 

83G/84D

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You would, and only the ones from South Yorkshire (33052 was the last one) so if you're on 33031/67/68/71/84, be sure to carry a fire extinguisher with you, just to be safe!!

In all seriousness, this is probably a coincidence in many respects although older vehicles will always be more prone to fires - tired major units getting flogged when already knackered means high temperatures, build up over time of grease and other dirt. So Tridents will probably have a greater risk than a nice new mmc and its that mixed with a helping of coincidence

Sister Trident 33067 is on Tinner duties still. I rode on it this morning. Uni E400MMC 33479 &. green E400MMC 33311 both on T1 duties this afternoon.
 
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83G/84D

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Another view at lunchtime from a passing E400MMC on service U1:-
 

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83G/84D

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Volvo B7TL 30879 was finally in a decent position for a photo today:-
 

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Busaholic

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A bad day all round for the U services. The U4 would have been severely impacted this afternoon from about 15.50 by a serious accident on the section between Breage and Porthleven, requiring an air ambulance and several land ambulances, with road closures. I came through in my car about 15.45 with debris all over the road and the remains of a small car with, thankfully, an ambulance already in attendance and air ambulance circling, and met other ambulances coming down from the Penzance direction, but, surprisingly, no police and no fire engines; regrettably, their presence would almost certainly have been required. Anyone who knows the roads in the area will realise there's absolutely no alternative route for a full size bus if the main road is closed at Breage.

My thoughts are with the man and woman travelling in the car.
 

Goldfish62

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You would, and only the ones from South Yorkshire (33052 was the last one) so if you're on 33031/67/68/71/84, be sure to carry a fire extinguisher with you, just to be safe!!

In all seriousness, this is probably a coincidence in many respects although older vehicles will always be more prone to fires - tired major units getting flogged when already knackered means high temperatures, build up over time of grease and other dirt. So Tridents will probably have a greater risk than a nice new mmc and its that mixed with a helping of coincidence
It's why all TfL spec buses have engine compartment fire suppression equipment fitted.

There was, incidentally, a bad period several years ago when numerous Tridents in London went up in flames. Far more than the supposedly notorious Citaros.
 

richw

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It's why all TfL spec buses have engine compartment fire suppression equipment fitted.

There was, incidentally, a bad period several years ago when numerous Tridents in London went up in flames. Far more than the supposedly notorious Citaros.

These Tridents do there fire suppression speech thing when starting them up.
Stagecoach have also lost a fair few Tridents nationally in recent times. Someone has suggested there is an oil pipe directly above a turbo, which if has a slight leak may ignite, but I discounted this previously as I’d think a source of ignition would still be needed?
 

CD

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Has taken rather longer than expected but Solo 53205 finally arrived in Yeovil yesterday (8th October).
 

83G/84D

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Two Dart's left Camborne on transfer to Glasgow this morning. Green E400MMC 33311 on service T2.
 

Goldfish62

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These Tridents do there fire suppression speech thing when starting them up.
Stagecoach have also lost a fair few Tridents nationally in recent times. Someone has suggested there is an oil pipe directly above a turbo, which if has a slight leak may ignite, but I discounted this previously as I’d think a source of ignition would still be needed?
By comparison there have been 17 engine compartment fires in TfL buses over the past year (sourced from an FOI). This is of course a newer fleet and I have no idea whether there has been any dominant vehicle type.
 

Warwick

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On the naughty step again.
Not a bus enthusiast/spotter but I notice the occasional thing as a bus user. Where has that TT registered bus that was painted in GWR colours disappeared to? Where have the pink Mousehole buses gone?
 

Accelerator59

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Not a bus enthusiast/spotter but I notice the occasional thing as a bus user. Where has that TT registered bus that was painted in GWR colours disappeared to? Where have the pink Mousehole buses gone?
42860 which is TT03 TRU has been transferred to Buses of Somerset
 
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The Mousehole solos he is asking about are 53704, 53709, and 53826, I haven't seen them in a while either.

Any photos of 32762 yet or is it still in the paint shop?
 

richw

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The Mousehole solos he is asking about are 53704, 53709, and 53826, I haven't seen them in a while either.

Any photos of 32762 yet or is it still in the paint shop?

53709 has spent a while (at least 5-6 weeks) at Summercourt in the corner with a VOR sticker but it’s now gone.

53040 was on 22/50 duties today. First time I’ve seen that one for a while
 

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