First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[richw]

I think there was a new type of exhaust that needed fitting to the LK59 open tops and also CCTV, done by an external contractor as well, which was being difficult about a month ago, when they started to enter service

They arrived with the emission system that requires canisters. Believe they’re to receive conventional adblue conversions

 

[32625]

They arrived with the emission system that requires canisters. Believe they’re to receive conventional adblue conversions

Oh right, that makes sense. It was a while since I was told what it was exactly so thanks for clearing it up.

 

[Goldfish62]

They arrived with the emission system that requires canisters. Believe they’re to receive conventional adblue conversions

Were the cannisters installed for Euro VI retrofit?

 

[richw]

B9TL Geminis WX58JYF, WX57HKP, WX58JYN arrived in Cornwall yesterday from Fareham.

 

[83G/84D]

B9TL Geminis WX58JYF, WX57HKP, WX58JYN arrived in Cornwall yesterday from Fareham.

Thanks for the information, fleet numbers are 37620, 37334 and 37626.

Update:- 37626 seen at Camborne on Friday morning.

 

[buscoaster]

Interesting to see that the S1 and S2 now currently both have 1 open top on each - good to see issues seem to have been sorted at last. Typically, there seems to be a real shortage of open tops now, with a closed top on Lands Ends, closed tops on both Tin Coaster workings, closed top on the L5 and a closed top on each of the other S1/S2 workings. What a shame!

 

[Whiteway215]

Thanks for the information, fleet numbers are 37620, 37334 and 37626.

Update:- 37626 seen at Camborne on Friday morning.

Trident replacements possibly or additional school work?

 

[Goldfish62]

Trident replacements possibly or additional school work?

Maybe extra schools work, but @OntheBuses said a while back that there would be a gradual influx of B9s to replace the Tridents and start replacing the B7s, some of which are getting on a bit.

 

[Whiteway215]

37633 and 37638 are surplus at Bath so perhaps heading to Kernow?

With all the October cuts being announced by West of England and no doubt other companies the ‘gradual influx’ of B9s might become a torrent.

 

[vla50]

37633 and 37638 are surplus at Bath so perhaps heading to Kernow?

With all the October cuts being announced by West of England and no doubt other companies the ‘gradual influx’ of B9s might become a torrent.

Casual speculation on my part but with the cuts in Bath and a few weeks back the comment on potential cuts in Greater Manchester I reckon some E400s could head to Somerset.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Casual speculation on my part but with the cuts in Bath and a few weeks back the comment on potential cuts in Greater Manchester I reckon some E400s could head to Somerset.

As the remaining e400s in Bath and Wells are newer (2012 vintage), I'd be more inclined to think that it would be more likely that 2007/8 B9s would move to Somerset; that would be more in line with the age profile, impact on balance sheet etc

 

[83G/84D]

Two Tinner branded E400MMC's (33463 and 33468) are VOR at Camborne with upper deck rear windows smashed!

 

[richw]

I'd be more inclined to think that it would be more likely that 2007/8 B9s would move to Somerset;

Somerset is planned to be entirely Enviro 200/300/400 and some Solos.

 

[Accelerator59]

37396 is on the T2 today with T2 and destination on a piece of paper on the dashboard.

 

[83G/84D]

E400MMC 33455 stopped at St Erth roundabout about 20 minutes ago with hazard warning lights on, whilst working a St Ives bound T2 service.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Somerset is planned to be entirely Enviro 200/300/400 and some Solos.

In some respects, that would be quite the upgrade replacing 54/55 plate B7s with 12 plate e400s (were they to come from Bath). It might also mean the 28 continuing with the current fleet unless they draft in some newer e300s from somewhere like Oldham

 

[richw]

In some respects, that would be quite the upgrade replacing 54/55 plate B7s with 12 plate e400s (were they to come from Bath). It might also mean the 28 continuing with the current fleet unless they draft in some newer e300s from somewhere like Oldham

Why would they be 12 plate e400s?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Why would they be 12 plate e400s?

The OP had said about them coming from Bath, and their oldest are 12 plates (with the re-powered 62 plates and a few 14 plates), hence the caveat "were they to come from Bath"

 

[TechDan2002]

Trident replacements possibly or additional school work?

Seems to be a general policy emerging across First Bus of phasing out Euro III vehicles now. ‘On the Buses’ previously stated in post #18,163 that the Tridents then the earlier Mk1 B7TLs are to be gradually replaced by incoming B9’s.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Seems to be a general policy emerging across First Bus of phasing out Euro III vehicles now. ‘On the Buses’ previously stated in post #18,163 that the Tridents then the earlier Mk1 B7TLs are to be gradually replaced by incoming B9’s.

Not seems - it is policy!

As well as service cuts, they have been buying e200s from Ensign, with the aim that the last Darts can be withdrawn from the group. It would be no surprise if Tridents and Darts (and Solars/Omnicities/Omnidekkas) are extinct in First by the end of the year (with the odd exception for open toppers).

 

[Goldfish62]

Seems to be a general policy emerging across First Bus of phasing out Euro III vehicles now. ‘On the Buses’ previously stated in post #18,163 that the Tridents then the earlier Mk1 B7TLs are to be gradually replaced by incoming B9’s.

Hardly surprising given the newest Euro III buses are around 18 years old, ie life expired, plus are relative gas guzzling polluters.

Not seems - it is policy!

As well as service cuts, they have been buying e200s from Ensign, with the aim that the last Darts can be withdrawn from the group. It would be no surprise if Tridents and Darts (and Solars/Omnicities/Omnidekkas) are extinct in First by the end of the year (with the odd exception for open toppers).

And being ex London they'll be Euro VI retrofits (unless originally withdrawn so long ago that they didn't make it into the retrofit programme).

 

[83G/84D]

Two Tinner branded E400MMC's (33463 and 33468) are VOR at Camborne with upper deck rear windows smashed!

Add 33454 and 33452 to the list with the same issues. All are at Camborne waiting attention.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Hardly surprising given the newest Euro III buses are around 18 years old, ie life expired, plus are relative gas guzzling polluters.


And being ex London they'll be Euro VI retrofits (unless originally withdrawn so long ago that they didn't make it into the retrofit programme).

Indeed, most are ex London though Essex got some ex Halton ones that must’ve been sat idle for 2 years

 

[Busaholic]

Add 33454 and 33452 to the list with the same issues. All are at Camborne waiting attention.

Given this is generally a fairly rare occurrence is it known how and where it is happening, as it seems beyond coincidence for so many?

 

[83G/84D]

Given this is generally a fairly rare occurrence is it known how and where it is happening, as it seems beyond coincidence for so many?

I am trying to find out, the situation is rather curious.

Given this is generally a fairly rare occurrence is it known how and where it is happening, as it seems beyond coincidence for so many?

Vandalism overnight recently at Camborne according to what I have been told. Reports of people accessing the buses and damaging them, there are other buses affected apparently.

 

[Busaholic]

I am trying to find out, the situation is rather curious.



Vandalism overnight recently at Camborne according to what I have been told. Reports of people accessing the buses and damaging them, there are other buses affected apparently.

I imagined that was the reason, as a spate of missiles through windows while buses were in service would have rightly got media attention.

 

[Andyh82]

Whenever I’ve visited Camborne I’ve always thought how unsecured the depot looks, particularly when they park the Tinner buses up in the evening in the front bus station part rather than the main depot part

They wouldn’t get away with that in an urban area but I assumed with Cornwall stereotypically being sleepy with less crime, that’s why it’s always been ok

 

[Trainfan061193]

Marc Huws has now teased that 4 E400s are being converted to open top to allow the full Watchet to Ilfracombe route to become open top for next season. This will most likely be the 4 59 plates which were confirmed to become open top a few weeks back.

This will make you wonder what the future plans are for the two open back E200s currently on the Sunseeker between Lynmouth and Ilfracombe.

 

[Busaholic]

Whenever I’ve visited Camborne I’ve always thought how unsecured the depot looks, particularly when they park the Tinner buses up in the evening in the front bus station part rather than the main depot part

They wouldn’t get away with that in an urban area but I assumed with Cornwall stereotypically being sleepy with less crime, that’s why it’s always been ok

Western Greyhound used to think that until they suddenly didn't any longer!

 

[Fin_22]

Marc Huws has now teased that 4 E400s are being converted to open top to allow the full Watchet to Ilfracombe to become open top for next season. This will most likely be the 4 59 plates which were confirmed to become open top a few weeks back.

This will make you wonder what the future plans are for the two open back E200s currently on the Sunseeker between Lynmouth and Ilfracombe.

He said there are plans for the 200s that are private for now. There is lots of options, we'll have to wait and see