First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[Goldfish62]

37173 broke down on Tuesday morning in Plymouth and was taken to Summercourt for repair. It hasn’t been returned to us as yet.

37155 had been off the road over Christmas with a fault and was repaired and returned to us on Wednesday morning. It’s now running great again, However it has been needed for its tachograph on another duty this week due to shortage of serviceable tachograph fitted vehicles.
Dartmoor is a domestic route so doesn’t require a tachograph fitted vehicle.

Thanks for the update.

37019 was at Taunton depot yesterday afternoon for usual check over so that’s 1 accounted for.

I travelled on 37019 on my recent trip on the wonderful DART. It seemed a good performer, and no roaring cooling fan, but did leak like a sieve.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Agreed, although I anticipate they'll be only 2-3 years newer than the B7s they replace.

Notwithstanding the 2016+ intake, the earliest of which are approaching mid-life, Kernow really could do with some decent midlife cascades (as per the 12- plate E400s arriving at BoS) which wouldn't need replacing after 2-3 years, otherwise it's in danger of reverting to being First's dumping ground where worn out vehicles go to die.

That's true enough. I guess there's the challenge of a lot of deckers of which many don't do that many miles and are on college/school workings. In respect of mid-life deckers, part of the problem is the relative lack of deckers of that age in the First fleet as, 2012's 200 deckers aside, they didn't buy much other than for London between 2008 and 2013.

Some places are getting new deckers, rather surprisingly (like Potteries and Ipswich) so there's still hope for Cornwall

It's a bit wasted given the branded buses can be found spread all over Cornwall!

That's a different point though

Considering the long list of buses, particularly in Somerset that are still in 'First West of England' liveries, I doubt we will ever get to the stage where they are repainting buses out of Kernow liveries that some here may think are surplus

Branding the ones they do have, and repainting all the WoE liveried buses should be the priority

Plus better allocations on the ground day to day

I wasn't suggesting that vehicles would be getting repainted. Perhaps more that DayTripper or Unique might be quietly phased out as those vehicles are removed from the fleet and replaced by green ones. The two egg yolk fronted B9s (37327/8) were last repainted about 10 years ago so perhaps should be prioritised.

 

[83G/84D]

That's true enough. I guess there's the challenge of a lot of deckers of which many don't do that many miles and are on college/school workings. In respect of mid-life deckers, part of the problem is the relative lack of deckers of that age in the First fleet as, 2012's 200 deckers aside, they didn't buy much other than for London between 2008 and 2013.

Some places are getting new deckers, rather surprisingly (like Potteries and Ipswich) so there's still hope for Cornwall


That's a different point though

I wasn't suggesting that vehicles would be getting repainted. Perhaps more that DayTripper or Unique might be quietly phased out as those vehicles are removed from the fleet and replaced by green ones. The two egg yolk fronted B9s (37327/8) were last repainted about 10 years ago so perhaps should be prioritised.

37327 is in unbranded Lizard colours. 37388 has recently received full Lizard colours.
Two Volvo B9TL's have arrived from Solent this week, one turquoise and one in a white wrap. The two Volvo B7TL's returned from Somerset have been used for service.

 

[Goldfish62]

Two Volvo B9TL's have arrived from Solent this week, one turquoise and one in a white wrap.

Thanks for the update. You don't happen to know the identities of these?

 

[vla50]

Thanks for the update. You don't happen to know the identities of these?

37338 and 339. Not too sure on whether 348 will follow suit

 

[richw]

37338 and 339. Not too sure on whether 348 will follow suit

There’s another due from Solent next week

 

[Goldfish62]

There’s another due from Solent next week

Thanks both.

 

[fgwrich]

37327 is in unbranded Lizard colours. 37388 has recently received full Lizard colours.
Two Volvo B9TL's have arrived from Solent this week, one turquoise and one in a white wrap. The two Volvo B7TL's returned from Somerset have been used for service.

The white wrap ones (338 & 348) previously had a somewhat odd all over advert applied to them. I say somewhat odd, as it was an advert for Starling Bank* with the words "HI SOUTHAMPTON" while working and being based in Portsmouth!

*though they are an online bank, they have just opened offices in Southampton town quay.

"Hi, Southampton!"

Advertising Starling Bank, Southampton but seen in Portsmouth with Solent fleetnames is First Hampshire & Dorset 37348 (WX57 HLJ), a Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini new to First Bristol and transferred to the south coast in December 2021.

www.flickr.com

 

[baza585]

The white wrap ones (338 & 348) previously had a somewhat odd all over advert applied to them. I say somewhat odd, as it was an advert for Starling Bank* with the words "HI SOUTHAMPTON" while working and being based in Portsmouth!

*though they are an online bank, they have just opened offices in Southampton town quay.

"Hi, Southampton!"

Advertising Starling Bank, Southampton but seen in Portsmouth with Solent fleetnames is First Hampshire & Dorset 37348 (WX57 HLJ), a Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini new to First Bristol and transferred to the south coast in December 2021.

www.flickr.com

Replaced by Streetdecks from Bristol via Southampton, which haven't turned a wheel for some months.

Hoeford engineering like a challenge......

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

37327 is in unbranded Lizard colours. 37388 has recently received full Lizard colours.

I must've missed that on 37327 - as I say, they needed a coat of paint. As for 37388, I'd seen one being done but thought it was 37416 (or is that being done too?). Certainly, those ex Bolton ones could really do with a retrim internally.

The white wrap ones (338 & 348) previously had a somewhat odd all over advert applied to them. I say somewhat odd, as it was an advert for Starling Bank* with the words "HI SOUTHAMPTON" while working and being based in Portsmouth!

Just as well that the two cities get on so harmoniously

Replaced by Streetdecks from Bristol via Southampton, which haven't turned a wheel for some months.

Hoeford engineering like a challenge......

Think 35115 has been done - think that moved in August. Still, won't be as bad as the Streetdecks that were sent from South Yorkshire to Bath via Leicester

 

[83G/84D]

37416 is in unbranded Lizard green.
Just wondering what the status is on the replacement buses for Mousehole. Based on previous information delivery can’t be too far away surely?

 

[Murray J]

As for 37388, I'd seen one being done but thought it was 37416 (or is that being done too?).

Both 37388 and 37416 are in Lizard livery now, Marc Huws shared a photo of 37388 yesterday.

 

[Goldfish62]

Both 37388 and 37416 are in Lizard livery now, Marc Huws shared a photo of 37388 yesterday.

Well that certainly brightens it up. Let's hope the advertising contractors don't stick adverts in those frames.

The fares promotion info on the rear is a far neater solution than those splodges on the windows of GCB vehicles.

 

[Redmike]

Is the new green livery in Somerset route branding or is it being rolled out further?

 

[Goldfish62]

Is the new green livery in Somerset route branding or is it being rolled out further?

Mark Morgan Huws stated on Twitter recently was that it wasn't route branding, but was to denote Euro VI buses as part of the Enhanced Partnership with Somerset County Council.

 

[Whiteway215]

Noted on a Facebook post on FirstBus Enthusiasts showing cascades out of Glasgow, 37238-245 & 278 are to be additions to Kernow apparently

This was an entry on this thread dated 26 November last year.
If Bustimes is to be believed apart from two of them all are still in Glasgow service so unlikely to be heading this way anytime soon.

 

[Andyh82]

I notice on the vosa gov site, First SW have an operating centre registered at the Plymouth Citybus depot in Plymouth. Are they using it, and if so, what runs from there?

They also have one registered at Winkleigh, is this still being used?

 

[richw]

I notice on the vosa gov site, First SW have an operating centre registered at the Plymouth Citybus depot in Plymouth. Are they using it, and if so, what runs from there?

They also have one registered at Winkleigh, is this still being used?

Yes to all of the above. Duchy college contracts. Plymouth citybus also often sees a coach in situ for private hire work in that area

 

[henryb]

I notice on the vosa gov site, First SW have an operating centre registered at the Plymouth Citybus depot in Plymouth. Are they using it, and if so, what runs from there?

They also have one registered at Winkleigh, is this still being used?

Plymouth also occasionally runs the Dartmoor explorer.

 

[buscoaster]

Andy Metcalfe, in charge of fleet moves within First, posted the following on Facebook yesterday. Sorry I cannot post a link as it is in the private First Bus Enthusiast group. Terrible news!

Evening folks. This is not something I normally do but given the vehicles involved and their relative rarity now, I’m openly offering them for sale. You are invited to share if relevant but the rules of the game are simple;
* serious offers only
* highest offer coupled to most suitable bid wins
* will be sold with tyres at full cost
* must be willing and able to sign contracts quickly
* money must be available at point of invoicing
* buyers reponsibility to ensure tax, insurance etc in place and to remove quickly
Buses available
34137 L637SEU Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties Palatine II open top - MOT expires March. Location Cornwall.
66181 W381EOW Volvo B10BLE / Wright Renown - former training bus most recently used as NHS vaccination bus in Bath - MOT expired (17/1).
I will try and field questions if you have them but please respect boundary between private and personal communications. Email interest and offers to [email protected] including intention for future use and livery.
Offers to be received by Fri 20 January 2023
Cheers

 

[fgwrich]

Andy Metcalfe, in charge of fleet moves within First, posted the following on Facebook yesterday. Sorry I cannot post a link as it is in the private First Bus Enthusiast group. Terrible news!

I wonder if that means the Truronian Classic side is set to be thinned out then?

 

[Fin447]

33704 & 33734 reported to have transferred to FSW, is anyone able to confirm?

 

[Ryan H]

33704 & 33734 reported to have transferred to FSW, is anyone able to confirm?

What part cornwall or somerset?

 

[83G/84D]

I wonder if that means the Truronian Classic side is set to be thinned out then?

I don't think either of these are anything to do with Truronian and are privately owned so not sure what the link is to Truronian? Am I missing something?

What part cornwall or somerset?

I was under the impression that the primary decker in Somerset from now on was ADL Enviro 400's and Volvo's for Devon/ Cornwall so would expect these are for Taunton or Bridgwater.

 

[baza585]

33704 & 33734 reported to have transferred to FSW, is anyone able to confirm?

33734 is still in service in Pompey as I type, on the U1 according to Bus times.

 

[Ryan H]

I don't think either of these are anything to do with Truronian and are privately owned so not sure what the link is to Truronian? Am I missing something?

I was under the impression that the primary decker in Somerset from now on was ADL Enviro 400's and Volvo's for Devon/ Cornwall so would expect these are for Taunton or Bridgwater.

Yes i thought it would be for Somerset

 

[fgwrich]

I don't think either of these are anything to do with Truronian and are privately owned so not sure what the link is to Truronian? Am I missing something?

I was under the impression that the primary decker in Somerset from now on was ADL Enviro 400's and Volvo's for Devon/ Cornwall so would expect these are for Taunton or Bridgwater.

I may be wrong, but I thought 34137 had been put into the Truronian Fleet last year, following its repaint into Truronian Classic livery? Indeed they advertise a fully open top double deck vehicle on their somewhat limited website.

First South West/Kernow - L637 SEU (34137) - Penzance Bus Station

Open-top converted Northern Counties Palatine 2 bodied Volvo Olympian, new to Bristol in November 1993. Seen taking part in the 2022 Penzance running day shortly after repaint into this special Truronian livery.

flic.kr

 

[vla50]

33704 & 33734 reported to have transferred to FSW, is anyone able to confirm?

Where did you see this?

I imagine these 2 will finish off the final 2 Euro 3 DDs. Of course when the next 3 arrive they should then finally see off the Streetlites

 

[Goldfish62]

I don't think either of these are anything to do with Truronian and are privately owned so not sure what the link is to Truronian? Am I missing something?

Truronian Classic is a sub brand of Truronian.

 

[83G/84D]

I may be wrong, but I thought 34137 had been put into the Truronian Fleet last year, following its repaint into Truronian Classic livery? Indeed they advertise a fully open top double deck vehicle on their somewhat limited website.

First South West/Kernow - L637 SEU (34137) - Penzance Bus Station

Open-top converted Northern Counties Palatine 2 bodied Volvo Olympian, new to Bristol in November 1993. Seen taking part in the 2022 Penzance running day shortly after repaint into this special Truronian livery.

flic.kr

Okay looks like I missed that news. apologies.