freetoview33
Established Member
My wishful thinking says that the X6 is moving to Bristol to create room at Weston for a big fight back next year. As I said wishful thinking!
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TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Just passed 47570 on delivery at Stonehouse on M5. Another B6 prepares to die
matt_splat
Member
- Joined
- 19 May 2012
- Messages
- 898
the X6 on a Sunday is already being ran by Bristol so makes sense to move the others I believe some enviros will move over now how about Busses of somerset moving into Weston taking the 126 and town routes under there wing and then the X1 and X5 staying as they are in the express your self livery after all Wells MOTs and major work is carried out in Bath
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Yes but you're spreading a fixed cost over fewer and fewer routes. Having lost the 112 and W5 already, it doesn't help to lose another.
Also, where's the room and drivers at LH or HE?
winston270twm
Established Member
- Joined
- 26 Oct 2012
- Messages
- 1,899
Could First be considering exiting Weston? i.e. moving the higher profile/profitable routes in to Bristol depots etc. They don't currently seem interested in the slightest in fighting off the competition from Crosville
freetoview33
Established Member
It is worrying
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32001 on the x5
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@Henbury 3 76s in a row all heading to Cribbs
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32001 on the x5
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@Henbury 3 76s in a row all heading to Cribbs
ValleyLines142
Established Member
It'd be great if the Enviro 400s that are used on the X6 (i.e. the ex-Plymouth 33411-33419 range) were moved to MH, but then they could just stay there and the X6 could have other vehicles currently at MH.
Although, imagine how spiffing it'd be if they were at MH. They could even stray out onto the (X)46/(X)47, the 42-45 or even the X7 if one of the Severn Express Geminis failed. But that's all optimistic.
To this morning, 47453 is on the 72, 37004 is on the X46 seen on diversion by UWE North and, more concerningly, 37761 has lost it's X74 branding!
This is the problem with high frequency routes! Probably won't be another one for 15-20 minutes!
Although, imagine how spiffing it'd be if they were at MH. They could even stray out onto the (X)46/(X)47, the 42-45 or even the X7 if one of the Severn Express Geminis failed. But that's all optimistic.
To this morning, 47453 is on the 72, 37004 is on the X46 seen on diversion by UWE North and, more concerningly, 37761 has lost it's X74 branding!
This is the problem with high frequency routes! Probably won't be another one for 15-20 minutes!
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freetoview33
Established Member
There was another one about 5 mins behind! It's just roadworks in town having the knock on effect
ValleyLines142
Established Member
It's a nightmare! Praying my bus later is on time as I'm on a fairly tight schedule today.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Given that there's gonna be precious few deckers on the Yate services anyway, that might be considered unlikely.
Still doesn't get away from the rather concerning erosion of Weston depot if the move of the X6 does take place. What else do they currently operate... W1, W3, W7, X1, X4/5, A2, 121, 126?
Also, the 5 and 70 were moved to HE (and 37 to BH) as LH/MH didn't have space or drivers after the X46/X49, 17, 81, 82 were introduced. They've since gained the 35 as well and are having an increased PVR for the X74 and soon to come 83 and expanded 87, so how would they also take on the X6 from WM? Meanwhile, HE has also gained the 71 and 72.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
God knows!
Either way - I am very excited.
Might hit Cribbs Causeway and go on the 1/2 home. Haven't been that way for yonks so will be nice to see! I'll probably have a fanny fit though as the 2 will probably have at least three Volvos (661xx) on it! Grr!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Assuming the deckers have been taken out of MH already, there's less likelihood of B10BLEs on there. I think Swifty is right - that's probably the reasoning behind it.
I don't know why you get so tumescent over e400s. They're not the rarest of kit - perhaps you should be at Southampton University? Loads of them on Unilink services and they're dual door too
Don't forget the W1 as well.
Before the NS changes the 361 was worked from Bristol anyway, so they're only getting back what they'd lost. Possibly the E400s at Weston made it convenient to operate from there using any spares instead of transferring those to Bristol? Who knows? Anyway I think with the earlier starts/later finishes from next week being run from the Bristol end makes sense.
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freetoview33
Established Member
I am quite baffled as to where these buses will actually be homed! I am still saying that a Patchway depot would be a good idea!
ValleyLines142
Established Member
Assuming the deckers have been taken out of MH already, there's less likelihood of B10BLEs on there. I think Swifty is right - that's probably the reasoning behind it.
I don't know why you get so tumescent over e400s. They're not the rarest of kit - perhaps you should be at Southampton University? Loads of them on Unilink services and they're dual door too
Because they're nice buses, simple as that really! (in my opinion, anyway)
They also operate in some of my favourite places, these being Blackpool, Birmingham, Brighton, Manchester and Bristol.
I'm a proud UWE student all the way - I have no regrets!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
That was my point - they're pretty ubiquitous! In fact, you've probably chosen one city where you don't see very many!!
I wouldn't wish to besmirch the academic record of UWE. Just that as a Southampton student, e400s are standard fayre though that isn't an important consideration, I accept
freetoview33
Established Member
Could the Bath outer zone be a sign that First are going to try fighting back against Faresaver? It is odd as the 35 Bristol - Marshfield will be covered by the Bath outer zone ticket.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
That was my point - they're pretty ubiquitous! In fact, you've probably chosen one city where you don't see very many!!
I wouldn't wish to besmirch the academic record of UWE. Just that as a Southampton student, e400s are standard fayre though that isn't an important consideration, I accept
There's a few in Bristol on the X1/W1/X6. That's good enough for me
I also see some of Newport's examples on the 30/X30, so I do see quite a few. In fact, if I've got time to kill and I'm feeling very 'Enviro-mental' (pardon the lame pun), then I'll hop on the X30 to Newport and get my train to Bristol from there!I wouldn't go as far as choosing my uni on the basis of that city having the most of them, although I did nearly go to Manchester which is rife with the buggers! If I wanted that, I'd have gone to a London uni I think, but even then I only like the AD examples.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
There's a few in Bristol on the X1/W1/X6. That's good enough for me
I wouldn't go as far as choosing my uni on the basis of that city having the most of them, although I did nearly go to Manchester which is rife with the buggers! If I wanted that, I'd have gone to a London uni I think, but even then I only like the AD examples.
Each to their own but you really don't get the opportunity to travel on them in Bristol, and whilst you've got a few Newport Bus ones, you've even managed to find one of the few Stagecoach firms (Cymru) without any! Do Brighton have any e400s. I know plenty of other Go Ahead fleets do, but thought it was mainly Omnidekkas and Geminis in B&H?
That being said, I do still like an Olympian though they're getting rare. To think that the first ones hit the Western National fleet in 1982 and they're still common now (though Leyland vs Volvo examples are a bit like Triggers brush!). Had TWO Stagecoach ones on one day recently (fluke - just happened) and was pleasantly surprised amongst the raft of rattly e200s
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You might think but seems that the focus at the moment doesn't extend much past Long Ashton or Keynsham.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
To be fair I don't really have the chance to travel on ANY of Bristol's routes, only the 18/81/319 between UWE and Parkway (the 83 can be added to that list soon!) and the 70/71 to Temple Meads, as well as the ocassional journey on the 1/2 through Westbury/Henbury/Southmead. I still have a lot of work left to do. I need to hit Bedminster, Hartcliffe and Hengrove on the 50/51/75/76/90, as well as Emersons Green on the 48/49, and I also need to hit Brislington, Bitton, Keynsham and beyond on the 38/39/X39/42. But I used the Enviro 400s a lot when I used to go to Hotwells to see my friend. In fact, one day I let a Dart on the X2, a Volvo on the X9 and a B7RLE on the X6 go past before finally getting an Enviro on the X1. I was only going to the bus station!
Saying that though, I am very fond of the ex-Southampton Tridents that are at Hengrove (32940 etc). They sound like some of Brighton's Tridents, and the sound of their engine brings back memories to my holidays in Brighton (which funnily enough I'm going tomorrow!). I had 32941 on the 71 the other day between UWE and Temple Meads and I loved it! And of course, NSC have got some ex-Brighton Tridents too, so that was nice to see
to think I've probably been on one of those buses on the 7 to Brighton Marina back in the day. Christ I'm only 20 and I'm getting nostalgic already! 
Stagecoach South use them on the 700; you are correct in that B & H haven't got any. Although they've got some FAB buses on the 7, that turn off and coast when stationary to save fuel! Really unusual!
TheGrandWazoo said:
I must admit I do wish I'd been in Bristol early enough to have had a journey on the 70 or the 73 on those K-LAE reg Olympians. City services on older vehicles would have been fabulous!
Still haven't seen 37760 lately, I'm scared something's happened to it!
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TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
You're not really seeing the best of them if you're only getting as far as Hotwells. Have you not done Weston, or in Manchester?
I'm not a fan of older Tridents. Think they're a bit slow and unreliable. Much more a fan of B7s TBF. However, my favourites were some Palatine 2 bodied Olympians with Cummins engines. Northumbria had a batch - lovely machines
I'm not a fan of older Tridents. Think they're a bit slow and unreliable. Much more a fan of B7s TBF. However, my favourites were some Palatine 2 bodied Olympians with Cummins engines. Northumbria had a batch - lovely machines
ValleyLines142
Established Member
I know, but unfortunately I just don't have the time (nor the money, for that matter) to venture out that far. I have indeed been to both Weston (went in August, 33828 out on the X1 and 33829 on the W1 back) and Manchester (193534 on the X50).
Need to cover some more of the Manchester routes as I've only covered them on the X50. Need to go on the 216 and the 255. With an essay I'm doing about urban regeneration in Manchester, a visit is due soon!
They are getting on a bit to be fair. I do like the Geminis though.
Hmm that would be interesting! Darts seem to be the midi bus of choice in Bristol so Solos would be unusual.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Something like the 35?
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Cash is somewhat easier these days but I've always found the money for an Explorer. Even as a student, I did but then again, I was doing a transport degree so I could also justify it.
My first trip (on an Explorer) was pre-dereg - an ECW bodied Olympian to standard NBC spec (and in poppy red). That said, I can remember VRs being delivered :cry:
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By the way, a few oddities this evening. 42115 running back to HE from Emersons down the ring road, a Streetlite running the 224 (not an X2/X3 one either) and 44522 operating the 379
freetoview33
Established Member
Or the 87?
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Think some peak journeys might struggle with a Solo.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
To be fair, it's more the time than anything. I've been stuck away in UWE doing essays and I haven't had chance to explore! Very sad really.
TheGrandWazoo said:
42115 was on the 70 the other day, leaving UWE at about 5.20. I just wanted to bury my head in my hands!!
I used the term bristol loosely as that's all I was told, but I suspect it could be classed as anywhere west of Hampshire, and seeing as Yeovil seem to be fighting back, would that make more sense?