First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[richw]

So this is obviously leading to the full takeover of crosville and southern national, meaning somerset passenger solutions will also be First's.

Not really.
Crosville lost their operation licence. First have agreed to take on some of their contracts, and purchased some vehicles as part of the agreement.

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

Ah right, thanks for correcting me!

Do you know which buses they purchased yet or no? I'm thinking the V---LGC batch ALX400s and the Geminis as they look like the only money-makers in the ex-crosville fleet

 

[richw]

The V LGC due to their age will be worth little more than scrap. I don’t even know if they’ve purchased others. Merely assumed due to my contacts wording. They have moved some yellow school buses in as well from other first opcos, so won’t need 7 new vehicles.
It’s possible the beavers route is narrow and nothing in first group is suitable.

 

[carlberry]

So this is obviously leading to the full takeover of crosville and southern national, meaning somerset passenger solutions will also be First's.

The company that is closing is Crosville, not Southern National. And why would First take it over when it has no operating license from next week?

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

I was mainly talking about operations and buses only, as Somerset Passenger Solutions was a joint venture between SN & FSW, so it'd only be likely

I'm also thinking that the beaver 2 could either be parts for S554RWP, or be for rail rep or school use, though I could be wrong.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Ah right, thanks for correcting me!

Do you know which buses they purchased yet or no? I'm thinking the V---LGC batch ALX400s and the Geminis as they look like the only money-makers in the ex-crosville fleet

The Geminis are the much unloved ex London Hybrids. Doubt anyone would want them.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I was mainly talking about operations and buses only, as Somerset Passenger Solutions was a joint venture between SN & FSW, so it'd only be likely

I'm also thinking that the beaver 2 could either be parts for S554RWP, or be for rail rep or school use, though I could be wrong.

Why would First want spares for RWP? Thought it had been sold for preservation?

 

[Volvodart]

Just wondering, are 20363, 20804 & 20805 still at Penzance?

There are recent photos of 20801-3 on Flickr. The other 2 appear to be in the background of the posters other photos. 20363 can be clearly seen in another photo.

 

[richw]

Why would First want spares for RWP? Thought it had been sold for preservation?

I don’t think he’s reading anything that’s been written.
This new aquisition is for a school contract as has previously been commented.
RWP is in private ownership as you say so nothing to do with First, and why buy a decent runner to break for spares!

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

Oh I know it's been sold for preservation, I was thinking along the lines of First acquiring it by request of the owner (who is taunton depot staff, and yes it is a bad assumption but you never know)

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Oh I know it's been sold for preservation, I was thinking along the lines of First acquiring it by request of the owner (who is taunton depot staff, and yes it is a bad assumption but you never know)

I think we do know

 

[Temple Meads]

From what I've heard the Beaver is the only vehicle moving across from Crosville to BoS.

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

I'm hoping all their heritage vehicles (20+ of them) will get new homes across the country, it'll be a really sad thing if they have to be either abandoned or scrapped

 

[MB162435]

Anyone know when the E200 MMCs are due to enter service with Kernow, they just seem to be parked up at the depots at the moment, the E400s have entered service far quicker after delivery then the E200s have for some reason

 

[Busaholic]

Quite surprised to see a blue MMC showing route number 2 to Helston this afternoon: can't be that it's unable to display the right no. Now, if it had been last Sunday, I might have thought it was for historic reasons!

 

[richw]

I'm hoping all their heritage vehicles (20+ of them) will get new homes across the country, it'll be a really sad thing if they have to be either abandoned or scrapped

I imagine JJP will keep hold of them. ownership of the heritage fleet transferred from Crosville to Southern National a few months back.

 

[iantherev]

No. You’re reading too much into the situation. Southern National is to continue under the JJP Holdings management. There are Just surplus vehicles which First may be snapping up because they need them.

 

[DaveWestLondon]

I'm hoping all their heritage vehicles (20+ of them) will get new homes across the country, it'll be a really sad thing if they have to be either abandoned or scrapped

Re Crosville (and off topic!)

I think you have got this a little muddled Clawz

They have less than ten preserved vehicles including the steam bus. Some of them are owned jointly by another well known enthusiast. They are, I understand, to be retained and will possibly/probably run on Southern National discs - another and unaffected JJP holdings company.

In response to an earlier point - the only Wright hybrids in the fleet are open top and are likely to follow their closed top compatriots which were sold for scrap some time ago.

Does anyone know how long they have had the beaver that First are said to have acquired - seems to have been a very recent arrival.

David

 

[83G/84D]

Back on topic (Crosville thread on page 3 by the way), have any of the E200MMC’s entered service yet?

If so what routes are they and the new E400MMC’s operating on?

I have been on holiday up country last week and a bit out of touch with what is happening.

 

[richw]

I’ve seen e400mmcs on the 87 and 27. The 87 interworks with the 90 or 93. They arrive in Newquay as one and depart on the other.

 

[83G/84D]

I’ve seen e400mmcs on the 87 and 27. The 87 interworks with the 90 or 93. They arrive in Newquay as one and depart on the other.

Thanks, I am in Truro later this week and try to get a photo of one. Even better would be a photo of all E400MMC’s in the three colour variations.

 

[thameslink2000]

MMC 33303 was on the 21 St Austell to Newquay yesterday afternoon.

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

Seen photos of the beaver in Buses of Somerset's Taunton depot, looks rather clean & shiny for its age! Exterior has no dents or specks of dirt on it, and the interior isn't dirty either (inb4 it gets trashed on the school runs)

might go out on Tuesday to see if I can find me some E200MMCs if they're out and about!

 

[MB162435]

Green E400 MMC 33308 was on the 16:25 215 service from Truro College to Holmbush via St Austell
Mousehole Solo 53709 was also on an unidentified Truro College Service
Tinner MMC 33469 was on the 16:25 239 service from Truro College to Castle Gate via St Ives

 

[83G/84D]

Green E400 MMC 33308 was on the 16:25 215 service from Truro College to Holmbush via St Austell
Mousehole Solo 53709 was also on an unidentified Truro College Service
Tinner MMC 33469 was on the 16:25 239 service from Truro College to Castle Gate via St Ives

The Mousehole Solo was on service 243.

Camborne today:-

 

[83G/84D]

On the way back from a holiday "up north" I stopped off at the Wellingborough bus event where I caught this bus with local connections:-

 

[83G/84D]

Spot the bus spotter at Penzance a few weeks ago, anyone know who he is?

 

[busKernow]

Latest repaint for Kernow is Solo 53505 looking very smart in the new Green Livery .

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

On the way back from a holiday "up north" I stopped off at the Wellingborough bus event where I caught this bus with local connections:-

Not so local in service (I think) - whilst it was new to Western National, think it spent most of its life at Weymouth before ending up with Cawlett at Barnstaple.

However, Terry Partridge of Saltash saved her and was housed at Winkleigh, IIRC.

 

[busKernow]

Not so local in service (I think) - whilst it was new to Western National, think it spent most of its life at Weymouth before ending up with Cawlett at Barnstaple.

However, Terry Partridge of Saltash saved her and was housed at Winkleigh, IIRC.

2813 started its life in Cornwall before moving on to else where .