First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[co-tr-paul]

" And here is the spare engine...."

 

[Goldfish62]

Any suggestions for this caption competition?!View attachment 62266

"This old heap would have been in front line service for another 20 years in the Glory Days of First Devon and Cornwall."

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

"This old heap would have been in front line service for another 20 years in the Glory Days of First Devon and Cornwall."

Or indeed Western National <cough cough 20+ year old Bristol LS's https://www.flickr.com/photos/semmytrailer/3112070379/in/photolist-8LMwvn-7cCtLu-8Hi7uR-8Hxfx1-8HxrPL-8HuqyK-5K1b6R-9mdMT7-hoCVhx-p7sy2C-8H4imr-4hgHTn-8sLCK6-5WZDTS-bNEk4t-8Pf71v-hoBeZN-65KUaK-5RxrK5-8Lo1un-cFvnbA-e8EBv8-6RA3aN-8H6CKS-4hkMFA-dF76Z8-brbTqx-6PzRS5-8Huqyx-8HxfwW-8HBSuY-aNBMyt-aNBMtk-8SQJXc-8LMwvv-eTwHif-4hgHDF-GLdmj-ebbfSw-22wx5K-7dSVdU-299h4dF-5wc1j5-4vY7qK-4hkMrs-6bKYfB-84eL8T-coYJRu-3LvHFP-2ML5Zu)

 

[richw]

"This old heap would have been in front line service for another 20 years in the Glory Days of First Devon and Cornwall."

These days Bristol and North Somerset seem to take the crown for heritage vehicles, whilst Kernow has a youngish age profile!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

These days Bristol and North Somerset seem to take the crown for heritage vehicles, whilst Kernow has a youngish age profile!

Indeed, we have to rely on ex FDC/FK stuff like those W-DWX and the 56 plate and 12 plate e400s. Half expecting FK to send some Tridents north next.

A little contrast and compare...

• Since 2017, FSW have received 51 e400s, 20 e200s and 15 Solos (all to Kernow)
• Since 2017, FWoE have received 49 e400s, 2 e200s and 9 Solos

FWoE is about 50% larger in terms of fleet size but, of course, received substantial numbers of StreetLites, Streetdecks and e400s during 2013-6, and is due 77 new deckers commencing early 2020. Mind you, there are some rather pointed examples of core routes being operated by some less than modern stuff (X39 Bristol to Bath - 2009 Geminis, North Somerset Excel network - e400s from 2006 to 2013) and we certainly have a good number of 2000-2003 vintage stuff

 

[carlberry]

Any suggestions for this caption competition?!View attachment 62266

So, who's going to show me where the engine is?
or
So, if you get allocated a Trident, this is the end you're going to be spending most time with.

 

[richw]

So, if you get allocated a Trident, this is the end you're going to be spending most time with

Considering their age and intensive use I think they do well.

 

[83G/84D]

E400 33420 & Uni E400MMC 33476 seen in Camborne at lunchtime on Tinner services.

 

[co-tr-paul]

....." And this is where the water comes out. "

 

[83G/84D]

"This old heap would have been in front line service for another 20 years in the Glory Days of First Devon and Cornwall."

I appreciate that they weren’t used all year round however the open top Volvo Citybuses reached 30 years old. Pretty impressive, which isn’t a reference to their condition come the end by the way!

 

[richw]

I appreciate that they weren’t used all year round however the open top Volvo Citybuses reached 30 years old. Pretty impressive, which isn’t a reference to their condition come the end by the way!

The one that worked for Jurassic Mule needed a few hours of welding before entering service, other than that it ran superbly the whole hire period.

 

[Goldfish62]

I appreciate that they weren’t used all year round however the open top Volvo Citybuses reached 30 years old. Pretty impressive, which isn’t a reference to their condition come the end by the way!

B10s were certainly built to last!

 

[MB162435]

Uni E400 33420 and Trident 33125 on A17 services today
Trident 33002 and Atlantic Coaster 33235 on T1/T2 services
'Go Cornish' Trident 33147 on U1/U2 duties

 

[83G/84D]

Dart 42874 has been at Camborne over the weekend along with withdrawn / reserve Solo 53040. Green E400MMC 33320 is also here.

 

[richw]

Dart 42874 has been at Camborne over the weekend

I've been away for nearly 2 weeks, has Hendra Road in Truro reopened now allowing the deckers to complete the 85 route? 42874 had been the Truro to Shortlanesend Shuttle vehicle for several weeks.

 

[83G/84D]

I've been away for nearly 2 weeks, has Hendra Road in Truro reopened now allowing the deckers to complete the 85 route? 42874 had been the Truro to Shortlanesend Shuttle vehicle for several weeks.

No idea tbh as I have not been that way recently. Perhaps someone else may know. 42874 was on route 47 on Saturday according to bustimes.

 

[MB162435]

No idea tbh as I have not been that way recently. Perhaps someone else may know. 42874 was on route 47 on Saturday according to bustimes.

Apparently 42874 is being retained to cover college routes whilst some coaches are used on the St Erth to Lelant Saltings Rail Replacemnt work from today until the 31st of May. Due to platform 3 at the station for the St Ives trains being widened for the increased loading's once the park and ride facility there opens soon

 

[richw]

No idea tbh as I have not been that way recently. Perhaps someone else may know. 42874 was on route 47 on Saturday according to bustimes.

I’ll find out tomorrow. I’m on a 85!

 

[83G/84D]

Green E400MMC 33320 & blue Uni E400MMC 33479 on GWR rail replacement services at St Erth. A Jose recovery truck seen towing Solo 53505 east along the Hayle bypass early afternoon.

 

[Accelerator59]

No idea tbh as I have not been that way recently. Perhaps someone else may know. 42874 was on route 47 on Saturday according to bustimes.

It was indeed, saw it myself.

 

[83G/84D]

Trident 33125 seen on a U4 service whilst Trident 33031 was on a westbound T2 service at Connor Downs.

 

[Busaholic]

Trident 33125 seen on a U4 service whilst Trident 33031 was on a westbound T2 service at Connor Downs.

I was behind that Trident on the U4 as it went into PZ bus station this evening while the bus that could (should?) have been on it, 33302 I believe, was exiting on the 5 - definitely a first for me, a blue one on that route.

 

[Goldfish62]

I was behind that Trident on the U4 as it went into PZ bus station this evening while the bus that could (should?) have been on it, 33302 I believe, was exiting on the 5 - definitely a first for me, a blue one on that route.

There was a tweet from FK that someone had been taken ill on the intended bus so it had to be substituted.

 

[richw]

All services In and out of Truro are on divert up past the crown court and round to Trafalgar roundabout from Ferris Town for a few weeks whilst Cormac replace some cobbles in the Wilkos- Poundland area.

 

[Busaholic]

All services In and out of Truro are on divert up past the crown court and round to Trafalgar roundabout from Ferris Town for a few weeks whilst Cormac replace some cobbles in the Wilkos- Poundland area.

Cormac certainly know all about old cobblers

 

[83G/84D]

Apparently 42874 is being retained to cover college routes whilst some coaches are used on the St Erth to Lelant Saltings Rail Replacemnt work from today until the 31st of May. Due to platform 3 at the station for the St Ives trains being widened for the increased loading's once the park and ride facility there opens soon

Dart 42874 was seen entering Camborne from the Redruth direction at 1730 on Tuesday not in service. Bustimes website reports it worked Truro college service 243.

 

[MB162435]

Dart 42874 was seen entering Camborne from the Redruth direction at 1730 on Tuesday not in service. Bustimes website reports it worked Truro college service 243.

It certainly seems to be getting about these days, departing from life in Cornwall on a high by the looks of it

 

[MB162435]

The Summer timetable from the 26th May to 14th September is now available to view online via: https://issuu.com/cornwallbykernow/docs/cornwall_summer_book_for_issuu

Interesting things to note for this year is the reintroduction of the 86 service between Truro and Newquay after a few years away but this time going via Shortlanesend and then onto Perranporth after previously going via RCH Treliske in its previous form
Also the U4 is extended to Penryn Campus and also to Falmouth on Sundays, bringing back a direct service between Falmouth and Penzance not seen since Summer 2017 timetable back when it was still the 2 service
There is a new 102 service Monday to Sundays between St Austell station and the Lost Gardens of Helligan after the gardens only got a service from the 101 on Sundays only
The A4 as previously mentioned get an increased service between July and August compared to previous years
Most other changes such as the increased Sunday services on most routes and the reduction of U1 evening services are the usual Summer changes

Hard copies of the timetable will be available in a couple weeks Kernow have said

 

[83G/84D]

42874 looks rather shabby, I wonder why that one was kept rather than one of the urban ones?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

42874 looks rather shabby, I wonder why that one was kept rather than one of the urban ones?

Probably something less aesthetic like having had some spend, not needing spend or MOT/tax. It’s only around for a little longer so probably not regarded as a big deal.