First West of England (Bristol, Bath & The West)

[Buses in Bath]

If I remember correctly, 32001 stayed in Weston longer than the other 3 and ventured back once or twice, prior to receiving the chop. It was repainted into Urban during one of it’s stays in Weston.

I think its 32225 not 31146 that is still in service.

 

[Whiteway215]

I think its 32225 not 31146 that is still in service.

Thanks for that confirmation.

 

[Whiteway215]

Kernow have announced they are taking 65724/25 in April. Perhaps they should also take withdrawn 65726 for spares. With Discover 66885 VOR with engine fire damage this should account for all the buses FWE will save following the withdrawal of D3.

 

[BBC]

Are we saying 31143/6 are the two remaining? Thanks.

One is a 31 (forgot the full fleet number) and the other is 32225.

 

[AllanMacF]

One is a 31 (forgot the full fleet number) and the other is 32225.

Tracker is showing 31143 and 32225 are on the 4 this morning, Bob, and 30877 is on the 3 - just time to get over here!

 

[Whiteway215]

Steve reporting seven B7RLEs withdrawn! Also saying 32098 is withdrawn but that one accompanied 32004/8/9 when they transferred to Bath on Sunday so a bit of a mystery!

 

[CD]

Steve reporting seven B7RLEs withdrawn! Also saying 32098 is withdrawn but that one accompanied 32004/8/9 when they transferred to Bath on Sunday so a bit of a mystery!

Withdrawn from LH are 3 & 4 branded 31146,32073/84/93-5/8 32277 only 2 buses in this livery are still running 31143 & 32225.

Also withdrawn are B7RLEs 66728/9 66934/6/7/9 69253 only 3 remain in service at LH 66940/1 & 69448.

 

[swifty]

Also saying 32098 is withdrawn but that one accompanied 32004/8/9 when they transferred to Bath on Sunday so a bit of a mystery!

It is indeed withdrawn. No mystery though - it was the taxi back to LH.

 

[Private Baxter]

Withdrawn from LH are 3 & 4 branded 31146,32073/84/93-5/8 32277 only 2 buses in this livery are still running 31143 & 32225.

Also withdrawn are B7RLEs 66728/9 66934/6/7/9 69253 only 3 remain in service at LH 66940/1 & 69448.

That's all the barbie ones gone then. I hope they are not permanently withdrawn, and they should have a good few years left in them, though whether they stay here, who knows. MH will need something in their place though... maybe the current Bath 5 B7RLEs?

 

[Whiteway215]

It is indeed withdrawn. No mystery though - it was the taxi back to LH.

Thanks very much for that.

 

[Tommy Walters]

Withdrawn from LH are 3 & 4 branded 31146,32073/84/93-5/8 32277 only 2 buses in this livery are still running 31143 & 32225.

Also withdrawn are B7RLEs 66728/9 66934/6/7/9 69253 only 3 remain in service at LH 66940/1 & 69448.

Surprised in particular at 69253 being withdrawn! I had that down as another candidate to go to Weston for the 126 board!

This may also bring an end to any more Streetlites being moved on!

 

[Tommy Walters]

MH will need something in their place though... maybe the current Bath 5 B7RLEs?

As demonstrated today - 36822 having to be pressed onto a late afternoon 37!

 

[Private Baxter]

I dont think that leaves many singles left at MH, at least for what is required. Three remaining B7RLEs, streetlites and darts for 5. Dont know how many but doesnt seem enough

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Steve reporting seven B7RLEs withdrawn! Also saying 32098 is withdrawn but that one accompanied 32004/8/9 when they transferred to Bath on Sunday so a bit of a mystery!

With so many vehicles being withdrawn, perhaps it's there for storage pending disposal?

Withdrawn from LH are 3 & 4 branded 31146,32073/84/93-5/8 32277 only 2 buses in this livery are still running 31143 & 32225.

Also withdrawn are B7RLEs 66728/9 66934/6/7/9 69253 only 3 remain in service at LH 66940/1 & 69448.

Did seem odd that all three of those ancient B7s were repainted just a few months ago

That's all the barbie ones gone then. I hope they are not permanently withdrawn, and they should have a good few years left in them, though whether they stay here, who knows. MH will need something in their place though... maybe the current Bath 5 B7RLEs?

Are we seeing the end of Barbie....will the last few examples finally go? I have been suggesting that the older B7RLEs would go....for about 18 months.

We've got to remember that these Eclipses are now >14 years old and won't be meeting local emissions targets. Might be time to retire the Renown trainer fleet and upgrade with some Eclipses? Remember that our regular Leicester contributor mentioned that they were losing 2005 Eclipses to West Yorkshire and I was surprised that they were becoming DTVs but that was the case.

Failing that, there's always Essex where WoE like to palm off an old relic or two.

Surprised in particular at 69253 being withdrawn! I had that down as another candidate to go to Weston for the 126 board!

This may also bring an end to any more Streetlites being moved on!

69253 going to Wells has been mooted for about two years! Don't know about Streetlites not going as there are still a few Streetlite services that could be converted to deckers. In fact, you wonder if soon, it will be almost an SD free fleet, save for the X2.

 

[D2007wsm]

The board was a B7RLE all day, but there was a defect inbound on a 178 which meant it was swapped to a Scania.

If it wasn’t for the fact the 37 interworks with the 178 and there are not more lower height deckers which are not to old, the 37 would be operated by deckers.

As demonstrated today - 36822 having to be pressed onto a late afternoon 37!

I dont think that leaves many singles left at MH, at least for what is required. Three remaining B7RLEs, streetlites and darts for 5. Dont know how many but doesnt seem enough

Atm with the exception of 37003 on the Y5 and 32259, 36815, 36816 on the T1, the entire South Glos Lynx network is operating using B9 Geminis, rather than the usual assortment of Geminis turned out by Lawrence Hill. Perhaps the plan is because of the release of B9 Geminis from the 42-45, what isn’t operated by a Scania, Gas Bus or 37003 will be a B9 Gemini. This will reduce the number of singles required leaving the 5/35/37/178.

A radical idea I know, but if the number of B7RLEs is being reduced for Marlborough Street work, could 69448 be transferred to Weston to operate alongside 2 of the 69*** B7RLEs on the 126 with a Streetlite taking it’s place? A rebrand is on the cards for the 126, so the Mendip Explorers will need to be repainted too. Then if another couple of Streetlites could be found, B7RLEs could be completely removed from Lawrence Hill.

Another thing I’m wondering, if all of the Scanias head to Bath, what will be used for the 37 school services? One of the new gas busses?

 

[D2007wsm]

With so many vehicles being withdrawn, perhaps it's there for storage pending disposal?



Did seem odd that all three of those ancient B7s were repainted just a few months ago



Are we seeing the end of Barbie....will the last few examples finally go? I have been suggesting that the older B7RLEs would go....for about 18 months.

We've got to remember that these Eclipses are now >14 years old and won't be meeting local emissions targets. Might be time to retire the Renown trainer fleet and upgrade with some Eclipses? Remember that our regular Leicester contributor mentioned that they were losing 2005 Eclipses to West Yorkshire and I was surprised that they were becoming DTVs but that was the case.

Failing that, there's always Essex where WoE like to palm off an old relic or two.

69253 going to Wells has been mooted for about two years! Don't know about Streetlites not going as there are still a few Streetlite services that could be converted to deckers. In fact, you wonder if soon, it will be almost an SD free fleet, save for the X2.

The X2 can and some X2 services do operate using an E400, particularly early morning departures from Weston and evening departures from Bristol. It is only because the X2 interworks with the X8 it has to be a Streetlite. The shorter 335** can get around West Wick, Locking Castle and Weston Village fine and the longer 334/337/338** do appear to.

If the X2 interworked with something other than the X8, I would imagine the number of Streetlites could be reduced if some more E400s could be sourced. These Streetlites could then be used to see off some of the remaining B7RLEs in Bristol.

There is all ready 2 B7RLE training buses here, the 2 ex Irish dual door examples.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A radical idea I know, but if the number of B7RLEs is being reduced for Marlborough Street work, could 69448 be transferred to Weston to operate alongside 2 of the 69*** B7RLEs on the 126 with a Streetlite taking it’s place?

It could work. The 126 (3) and 5 (5) would soak up all of 69437/43-48/57/58 plus one spare in Bath. Not certain why the 126 should be rebranded though.... that seems an odd decision

Another thing I’m wondering, if all of the Scanias head to Bath, what will be used for the 37 school services? One of the new gas busses?

Would they send all the Scanias to Bath? The X39 needs 11 plus a spare. They could send all 17 (i.e. excl the m2 fleet) and they would certainly find work for them!!

This will reduce the number of singles required leaving the 5/35/37/178.

Singles are endangered. Will Bristol get a new single again??? The Darts will need replacing at some point too and they are showing their age

 

[freetoview33]

So am I right in thinking this week 20 new Citylines East buses have started and 15 old buses have currently been withdrawn.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The X2 can and some X2 services do operate using an E400, particularly early morning departures from Weston and evening departures from Bristol. It is only because the X2 interworks with the X8 it has to be a Streetlite. The shorter 335** can get around West Wick, Locking Castle and Weston Village fine and the longer 334/337/338** do appear to.

If the X2 interworked with something other than the X8, I would imagine the number of Streetlites could be reduced if some more E400s could be sourced. These Streetlites could then be used to see off some of the remaining B7RLEs in Bristol.

There is all ready 2 B7RLE training buses here, the 2 ex Irish dual door examples.

Sorry - brainf**t. I meant X8 not X2 because of Backwell Station Bridge I'm tired.

66992/3 were rather limited in their use and so conversion to DTV was a sensible solution. However, both FWY and FC are upgrading their training fleets with Eclipses so just a thought that the Renowns could be replaced?

 

[D2007wsm]

It could work. The 126 (3) and 5 (5) would soak up all of 69437/43-48/57/58 plus one spare in Bath. Not certain why the 126 should be rebranded though.... that seems an odd decision

Would they send all the Scanias to Bath? The X39 needs 11 plus a spare. They could send all 17 (i.e. excl the m2 fleet) and they would certainly find work for them!!

Singles are endangered. Will Bristol get a new single again??? The Darts will need replacing at some point too and they are showing their age

The 126 is definitely being rebranded into it’s own scheme, to highlight that route and where it serves. I cant say any more than that.

You would hope that not all of the Scanias are sent to Bath. It would possibly allow them to be used on the T2 and Y2 and as spares for the gas busses.

Personally, I can envisage when work gets done at Temple Meads and stopping arrangements can be changed, the 8/9/72 will be converted to deckers, which they need at times. The Streetlites off of the 8 and 9 then being put onto the 5 and 35. These routes can operate using deckers, but they don’t warrant them.

It’s also worth thinking about what will replace the Weston town Badgerline fleet when those Darts expire?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The 126 is definitely being rebranded into it’s own scheme, to highlight that route and where it serves. I cant say any more than that.

You would hope that not all of the Scanias are sent to Bath. It would possibly allow them to be used on the T2 and Y2 and as spares for the gas busses.

Personally, I can envisage when work gets done at Temple Meads and stopping arrangements can be changed, the 8/9/72 will be converted to deckers, which they need at times. The Streetlites off of the 8 and 9 then being put onto the 5 and 35. These routes can operate using deckers, but they don’t warrant them.

It’s also worth thinking about what will replace the Weston town Badgerline fleet when those Darts expire?

I wasn't doubting you when you said about the 126 being rebranded..... just that it seems a rather odd thing to do having been rebranded to ME not that long ago.

The 8/9/72 could well be deckered. The canopy has been an issue at TM but change the stops and that disappears. The other issue for the 8 (and 9 to an extent) is the need for a shorter wheelbase vehicle - don't know if the 65/66 plate e400s would cope?

True about the Darts in Weston. All getting to an age but I was thinking more about emissions in Bristol than anything else.

 

[carlberry]

Atm with the exception of 37003 on the Y5 and 32259, 36815, 36816 on the T1, the entire South Glos Lynx network is operating using B9 Geminis, rather than the usual assortment of Geminis turned out by Lawrence Hill. Perhaps the plan is because of the release of B9 Geminis from the 42-45, what isn’t operated by a Scania, Gas Bus or 37003 will be a B9 Gemini. This will reduce the number of singles required leaving the 5/35/37/178.

In line with this the South Glos Lynx SD was happy to visit a little bit of South Glos today as it was on the 1!

 

[Buses in Bath]

Another thing I’m wondering, if all of the Scanias head to Bath, what will be used for the 37 school services? One of the new gas busses?

The 37 school service is operated by Bath depot

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The 37 school service is operated by Bath depot

Think he's referring to the regular board that uses a T1 vehicle to do a round trip on the 37 that requires additional capacity because of schools traffic, rather than the dedicated run

 

[Buses in Bath]

Think he's referring to the regular board that uses a T1 vehicle to do a round trip on the 37 that requires additional capacity because of schools traffic, rather than the dedicated run

Just realised that. Whoops. I'm thinking of the 37A.

 

[Great_Western]

Slightly random question, are there still any Enviro 300's or Tridents left in Bristol or have they all gone now?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Slightly random question, are there still any Enviro 300's or Tridents left in Bristol or have they all gone now?

E300s have gone - think most are now with First Cymru

Tridents are still in action though not for long, I'd suggest

 

[Class 33]

Lynx liveried Eclipse single decker on the 1 today. And last week there was a 70/71 liveried streetdeck on the 1 too! Wonder how long it will be before the new Citylines East liveried gas buses stray onto other services.

 

[Great_Western]

E300s have gone - think most are now with First Cymru

Tridents are still in action though not for long, I'd suggest

Many thanks. Is there any particular route/corridor that would be most likely to get a trident?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Many thanks. Is there any particular route/corridor that would be most likely to get a trident?

They tend to be on the 75/76 but those are big PVR routes. You can also find them on the 24 - I got one on there the other week