First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[MrKnow]

Indeed. The A17 should be a mix of Tridents and Scanias, all in Atlantic Coasters livery, but I've never seen a full house!

it should be but First being First can't seem to keep route branded buses on the routes they're intended for! might I suggest they might benefit from painting one of the Millennium bodied Tridents in the Atlantic Coaster livery as they do seem rather more suited to the A17 then a lot of other rural routes in Cornwall due to their long length.

 

[MrKnow]

Volvo B7TL 30879 seen in Helston on the 1512 service 36 to Truro. Trident 33071 on service 37.

Trident 33171 on service U4 1505 Penryn Campus to Penzance.

Helston seems to be the dumping ground for deckers in Cornwall. Today I attempted a trip from Redruth - The Lizard, the original bus I was supposed to have (33068) was swapped leaving me waiting at Redruth for over half an hour after it should have left. Once we got going funnily enough we passed another Trident 33238 on the back on a Jose Recovery truck which must have been the earlier 37 bus going the other way as the blind was still displaying 37 Redruth. By time I got to The Lizard the bus was almost 45 minutes late after the driver who took over in Helston negotiated some shall we say hair raising moments whilst trying to against all odds make up the time on Cornwall's congested rural roads!

 

[Whiteway215]

@Blackpudding There is a photo of 30880 on flickr.

@Whiteway215 Those coaches you first mentioned are all waiting in a queue for an extensive refurbishment, 20358 is at Camborne for some reason, really it should be with the others at Penzance.

62238 is pending sales

32930 & 53013 are both for the MAN engine, though 32930 is owned by the Cornish Embassy.

Sooner or later the last few nimbuses bar 42358 should all be up in Penzance in storage awaiting transfer

and is 30878 really a trainer? It says on the official website that 30875, 30879, & 30880 are the only trainers being made out of the ALX400s. Though I can confirm the registration of 30878 is now L10PCV.

I only saw 30878 as I was leaving and it was parked at the far side of the yard. From what I remember I would say it was not marked up as a training vehicle. But then again I don't know what identification Kernow put on their training buses. However I can say 30878 carried L10PCV and looking at my notes again 30875 was definitely parked up in the withdrawn/stored compound. That would suggest 78 has been substituted for 75 as a trainer but perhaps we will find out the official version in due course.

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

I was hoping we could get 32757 & 32759 back from Hampshire & Dorset, and possibly receive 32763 - 32768, as then we could do some up in green and some for atlantic coasters, or just have them all in green! It'd definitely help out with services! Though apart from 32757 & 9 possibly returning in the future, I don't ever see the others coming down here!

 

[Blackpudding]

I saw it last week I think with W--- DWX plate still attached.It was in Camborne earlier today but I never checked the registration.

I'm on the case!

Good man!

 

[83G/84D]

No sign of Volvo B7TL 30880 at Camborne this morning but 30878 seen as L10 PCV. Evidence that it has seen use as a training bus in that it had sticky patches on the rear conjusive to where ‘L’ plates have been attached.

My first sighting today of E200MMC 44966 since it received collision damage earlier this year plus 3 Tinner E400MMC’s out of action at Camborne.

 

[83G/84D]

Green E400MMC 33309 seen working the 1305 U1 service from Truro today.

 

[busKernow]

Helston seems to be the dumping ground for deckers in Cornwall. Today I attempted a trip from Redruth - The Lizard, the original bus I was supposed to have (33068) was swapped leaving me waiting at Redruth for over half an hour after it should have left. Once we got going funnily enough we passed another Trident 33238 on the back on a Jose Recovery truck which must have been the earlier 37 bus going the other way as the blind was still displaying 37 Redruth. By time I got to The Lizard the bus was almost 45 minutes late after the driver who took over in Helston negotiated some shall we say hair raising moments whilst trying to against all odds make up the time on Cornwall's congested rural roads!

Yes Helston Area does look a little Neglected for now but it will see new buses as more are coming .

 

[Goldfish62]

Yes Helston Area does look a little Neglected for now but it will see new buses as more are coming .

Oh do tell..

 

[Busaholic]

Yes Helston Area does look a little Neglected for now .

The town as well as the buses.

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

If more new/used buses are on the way, I will be hoping for a batch of Scanias!

 

[CD]

Trident 33127 currently at Taunton depot on its way from Yorkshire to Kernow.
Dart 42924 also there now complete with BoS stickers.

 

[Accelerator59]

If more new/used buses are on the way, I will be hoping for a batch of Scanias!

Doubt it! I remember FK saying that they mainly prefer ADLs.

 

[83G/84D]

Volvo B7TL 30880 confirmed today as L12 PCV and still in use as a training bus. Trident 33052 now carries a rear advert for Newquay and Paignton Zoo's although I doubt it will get to the latter. Trident 33084 is stopped with an oil pressure problem.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Doubt it! I remember FK saying that they mainly prefer ADLs.

Can't see Scanias heading to Kernow. The only reason Bristol has them is their reduced height can meet the height restriction for metrobus services, or for the natural gas powered option. Otherwise, it is the ADL version for First - one that Kernow has quite a number of!

 

[goldisgood]

Can't see Scanias heading to Kernow. The only reason Bristol has them is their reduced height can meet the height restriction for metrobus services, or for the natural gas powered option. Otherwise, it is the ADL version for First - one that Kernow has quite a number of!

Are you sure about that? I've heard that the ADL integrals can't be fitted with guide wheels which is why Cambridge busway uses Scanias.

 

[Whiteway215]

Volvo B7TL 30880 confirmed today as L12 PCV and still in use as a training bus. Trident 33052 now carries a rear advert for Newquay and Paignton Zoo's although I doubt it will get to the latter. Trident 33084 is stopped with an oil pressure problem.

33052 was my bus on the A2 yesterday evening from St Ives. As it pulled away I noticed its new rear advert for the zoos. Pity they couldn't paint the rest of the bus though! Does it win first prize for the ropiest paintwork, with some London red colour showing in places! Seemed to go well though.

 

[Whiteway215]

Does 30880 carry specific markings indicating it's a trainer?

 

[swifty]

Are you sure about that? I've heard that the ADL integrals can't be fitted with guide wheels which is why Cambridge busway uses Scanias.

Indeed - the choice of Scania was nothing to do with height and all to do with the guidewheels.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Indeed - the choice of Scania was nothing to do with height and all to do with the guidewheels.

Are you sure about that? I've heard that the ADL integrals can't be fitted with guide wheels which is why Cambridge busway uses Scanias.

Gents - now you say that, I think you're right (though Stagecoach do have a lot of Scanias that don't have guidewheels ). I did think it was to do with the Ashton Avenue bridge height but now you mention it, I seem recall the guidewheel issue. Thanks for the correction

 

[Blackpudding]

Volvo B7TL 30880 confirmed today as L12 PCV and still in use as a training bus.

Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

In other news.. I believe Western National's 633 (L633 VCV) is in preservation! Only a minor fault to fix before she can hit the road again!

 

[83G/84D]

Does 30880 carry specific markings indicating it's a trainer?

Not a specific colour scheme but signs indicating to other road users it is a driver training vehicle. I can post photos later today or go back to post #6416 on page 214. It’s still pretty much the same as far as I can see.

 

[Whiteway215]

Not a specific colour scheme but signs indicating to other road users it is a driver training vehicle. I can post photos later today or go back to post #6416 on page 214. It’s still pretty much the same as far as I can see.

Thank you

 

[83G/84D]

33052 was my bus on the A2 yesterday evening from St Ives. As it pulled away I noticed its new rear advert for the zoos. Pity they couldn't paint the rest of the bus though! Does it win first prize for the ropiest paintwork, with some London red colour showing in places! Seemed to go well though.

Trident 33056 is looking shabby as well.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Trident 33056 is looking shabby as well.

Been mentioned (and illustrated) on here before - post 6707. Very poor condition - looks awful, sounds like a bag of spanners

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

Nothing much has been happening recently, so I'll just shed light on a few things

11038 is apparently going to be looked at and repaired soon.

33099 is stored, awaiting repairs. Same goes for 33180. They should be looked at once the other tridents have arrived and are in service (only waiting on one or two more of them)

Also, I've heard at some point in the future, 43810 and 43878 will be going to Somerset, though confirmation is needed.

53205 and 53827 will be the next ones to go up to Taunton.

Speaking of solos, has anyone seen 53505 in the new paint yet?

 

[83G/84D]

Nothing much has been happening recently, so I'll just shed light on a few things

11038 is apparently going to be looked at and repaired soon.

33099 is stored, awaiting repairs. Same goes for 33180. They should be looked at once the other tridents have arrived and are in service (only waiting on one or two more of them)

Also, I've heard at some point in the future, 43810 and 43878 will be going to Somerset, though confirmation is needed.

53205 and 53827 will be the next ones to go up to Taunton.

Speaking of solos, has anyone seen 53505 in the new paint yet?

53505 was repainted some time ago then had a serious mechanical issue and it is thought to be under repair.

 

[MB162435]

Vamooz Trident 33176 on Falmouth P&R duties today between Prince of Wales pier and Ponsarden P&R

 

[ClawzOneThirty]

@83G/84D I would suspect nothing less from an ex Regal Busways solo! Their idea of maintenance is appalling!