Does anyone know if the longer darts (42871-76) are still in service now and again? Coming from Sussex its a bit of a journey not to see anything!!
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Two B9Rs (20810/1) have turned up at Bridgwater.
Bit of a rarity actually finding it on the right route!Atlantic Coaster 32097 on service A17 earlier this morning.
To be fair, they've renewed a lot of fleet and also done quite a bit of repainting with the short Darts and e200s now being done plus the Lizard fleet.Just spent the afternoon doing my own Kernow fleet list on Excel from the available information, particular the "behind the scenes" FB page. I was surprised to find that once the impending withdrawals of Darts takes place there will only be around 20% of the bus fleet yet to be painted. The greatest number of buses still in Barbie/Olympia livery are the Tridents.
A coincidence maybe, but both on Friday and Saturday afternoons this week I saw Atlantic Coasters passing each other on Market Jew Street on the A17!Bit of a rarity actually finding it on the right route!
Also spent the afternoon updating my FSW fleet list using Steve White's First national fleet list dated Oct 2018 and later updates. According to those sources I believe FSW reckons it still has in stock 23009 (accident victim) 32808 32846 32876 32879 38004 40322 42474 42521 42522 42526 . In reality most if not all of these must have been disposed of.Just spent the afternoon doing my own Kernow fleet list on Excel from the available information, particular the "behind the scenes" FB page. I was surprised to find that once the impending withdrawals of Darts takes place there will only be around 20% of the bus fleet yet to be painted. The greatest number of buses still in Barbie/Olympia livery are the Tridents.
16 years is pretty ancient for a lightweight single deck.For those who don't have access to First Kernow - behind the scenes, in answer to a question on a thread about this particular vehicle it was advised that Dart 43810, KU52RXJ, will be going to Buses of Somerset. No mention was made about the other Darts deemed surplus by the introduction of the Optare Solos but it wouldn't surprise me to see the remaining surplus Darts redeployed, rather than scrap, if vehicle condition allows.
16 years is pretty ancient for a lightweight single deck.
Yes, fair point, although considering a number of them have never had a repaint I wouldn't expect the bodywork to be in sound condition.I agree but the 52 plate Caetano bodied Darts went to Scotland last year and yes I know some will say they have not had a hard life but Cymru are supposedly sending 03/53 plate Darts to Glasgow shortly. There has been an understandable lack of investment in smaller vehicles over the last few years which has instead been concentrated on deckers. They may be getting old but if they have been looked after properly that doesn't mean they are life expired. I would expect at least another couple of years out of them.
The problem is, now the love affair with the Streetlite has ended, there's only a few Solos coming in. Perhaps First will be getting a few more ex hire vehicles from the second hand market sometime, or just wait until SPS release all of their stock!I agree but the 52 plate Caetano bodied Darts went to Scotland last year and yes I know some will say they have not had a hard life but Cymru are supposedly sending 03/53 plate Darts to Glasgow shortly. There has been an understandable lack of investment in smaller vehicles over the last few years which has instead been concentrated on deckers. They may be getting old but if they have been looked after properly that doesn't mean they are life expired. I would expect at least another couple of years out of them.
Yes, fair point, although considering a number of them have never had a repaint I wouldn't expect the bodywork to be in sound condition.
The problem is, now the love affair with the Streetlite has ended, there's only a few Solos coming in. Perhaps First will be getting a few more ex hire vehicles from the second hand market sometime, or just wait until SPS release all of their stock!
Obviously, but if the bodywork is rotten that will also give problems.Bodywork panels are in the main easily replaced. It's the chassis that needs tlc.
It was not my intention to preach - apologies.Obviously, but if the bodywork is rotten that will also give problems.
No apology needed.It was not my intention to preach - apologies.
I'd expect a heavyweight double deck to last longer than a lightweight single deck.I am currently travelling on a 16+ year old Trident. Engine seems okay, plenty of power and moving along at a good rate of knots even uphill. On the downside everything inside seems to rattle badly, the suspension seems rock hard and so do the seats.
Incidentally on my travels today I have noted that the padded seats on the E200MMC’s are much nicer than the E400MMC’s. Anyone know why they are different?
I agree but the 52 plate Caetano bodied Darts went to Scotland last year and yes I know some will say they have not had a hard life but Cymru are supposedly sending 03/53 plate Darts to Glasgow shortly. There has been an understandable lack of investment in smaller vehicles over the last few years which has instead been concentrated on deckers. They may be getting old but if they have been looked after properly that doesn't mean they are life expired. I would expect at least another couple of years out of them.
Is it the 2003 (rather than 2005/6) Darts that are rumoured for Glasgow? I'd seen that they were mentioning Darts but not the vintage. The 52 Caetanos were notably in very good condition but I'd suggest that other 2003 Pointers aren't!
For those who don't have access to First Kernow - behind the scenes, in answer to a question on a thread about this particular vehicle it was advised that Dart 43810, KU52RXJ, will be going to Buses of Somerset. No mention was made about the other Darts deemed surplus by the introduction of the Optare Solos but it wouldn't surprise me to see the remaining surplus Darts redeployed, rather than scrap, if vehicle condition allows.
Tauntons 43823 is at Winkleigh, so presumed withdrawn. 43810 a replacement for it?
No idea CD but that's as good a call as any. Dart 42942 should still be due as well.