Stagecoach North East Fleet Changes

[mbonwick]

I thought that, seeing as we're spending a lot of time discussing SCNE on the SCNW thread, that I'd start a separate one. Especially as we now have a knowledgeable NE-based contact!


Am I correct in thinking that the current E400 deliveries will replace MANs which will replace B10Ms?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Another 4 E400s have turned up: 19673-6.

The displaced MAN/ALX300s appear to be moving to Stockton depot, but I don't think there's many B10Ms to replace there?

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Stockton doesn't have any B10M's at all, and hasn't ever had of what I can recall.

 

[mbonwick]

Latest fleet info I have, from the end of November admittedly, has
20550/4, 20695, 20839/43 at Stockton.

How accurate I don't know.

 

[tbtc]

What's the latest on the timing of the Enviro double deckers for the 39/40 in Newcastle?

We are meant to be getting some in Sheffield too, but I don't know whether these will be before/after Newcastle get theirs...

 

[markydh]

My understanding is that Newcastle's will arrive first in the latter half of 2011 with Sheffield's arriving by March 2012.

 

[mbonwick]

Sounds about right, I'm told the current lead time for E400s is around 9months!

I expect the standard E400s will be done first as well.

 

[markydh]

I believe Newcastle will receive E200s and South Shields will get E300s before the E400Hs come on board, though as always things do change.

 

[tbtc]

Cheers guys

 

[Mattdw92]

All of Newcastles Enviro 400's have arrived now - except 19683, which I think will be NK60DOU according to mixed sources.

List of new vehicles (if no one knows):
- 19670 NK60DNJ (arrived in Jan)
- 19671 NK60DNN (arrived in Jan)
- 19672 NK60DNO (arrived in Jan)
- 19673 NK60DNU (arrived in Jan)
- 19674 NK60DNY (arrived in Jan)
- 19675 NK60DOA (arrived in Jan)
- 19676 NK60DOH (arrived in Jan)
- 19677 NK60DOJ (arrived in Jan)
- 19678 NK60DOU (arrived in Jan)
- 19679 NK60DPE (arrived in Feb)
- 19680 NK60DPF (arrived in Feb)
- 19681 NK60DPN (arrived in Feb)
- 19682 NK60DPO (arrived in Feb)
All have been mainly operating the Two Ball Lonnen - Fenham - Newcastle City Centre - Byker - Walker - Wallsend service 12.
They seem to have been displacing the MAN's, 22011/NK03 XJA, 22012/NK03 XJB, 22014/NK03 XJD, 22015/NK03 XJE and 22016/NK03 XJF have gone to Stockton (from another source).

Noted that one of the Metrocentre Branded Enviro 300's was off today, with MAN 18.220LF/Alexander ALX300 22477 on in its place.

 

[mbonwick]

Right, here's the cascade plan for NE as I understand it

14 E400s for service 12 (arrived) displace 14 ALX300s to Stockton. These replace B10Ms and cascade B10BLEs to South Shields to replace further B10Ms.

18 E300s will (along with ?? E200s) see off the step darts and any remaining B10Ms (there shouldn't be any though).

E400Hs will cascade E400s onto other routes, ultimately displacing MAN/ALX300s. For what purpose, I don't know.

 

[markydh]

Not quite. The recent E400 arrivals have resulted in the following cascades from Walkergate.

22011 - 20 (10 MANs) to Stockton
22345 - 48 (4 MANs) to Slatyford

My understanding is that all the E400s will remain in Newcastle when Walkergate's E400Hs arrive, with some transferring to Slatyford. This will free up some MANs to allow for the withdrawal of all the B10Ms at both Newcastle depots, with some of said MANs transferring to other North East depots. It is believed E200s will arrive at some stage to displace the remaining step entrance darts.

Slatyford also has a plentiful number of T reg MANs which the local council are keen to see withdrawn from use as soon as possible as they don't meet the minimum Euro 3 standards they are looking to introduce (albeit on a voluntary basis) within the City Centre.

 

[mbonwick]

As I said, that's as I understood it and how it was originally, things may have changed (and probably have) since.

I have to agree that a start needs to be made on replacing the S/T reg MANs - along with Manchester and some other regions, they present a time bomb for age profiles.

 

[markydh]

Well it has been suggested that Slatyford might (and I hasten to add this was only idle suggestion with no basis thus far) be the recipients of E300s from the 2011/12 order. However, given the Newcastle depots haven't been the recipients of new full size single decks since 2006, instead preferring to concentrate on E400s for major routes and E200s for peripherals, I can't say I'm totally convinced. But there will come a point when the T-reg MANs, whilst still having life left in them, will need to be replaced simply due to their non-compliance with local targets/aspirations on emissions, etc.

 

[Gez.SCNW]

What's the latest on the timing of the Enviro double deckers for the 39/40 in Newcastle?

We are meant to be getting some in Sheffield too, but I don't know whether these will be before/after Newcastle get theirs...

Newcastle June onwards
Sheffield September onwards

 

[mbonwick]

Period 11 fleetcard up at http://mbonwick.bve-terminus.org

 

[markydh]

Just one thing, service 22 now has 3 E400s each day covering busier diagrams and there are also MAN diagrams on the 62/63/38/39/40.

 

[142094]

Anyone know what is happening to the old vehicles first used on the Quaylink services? Last time I saw them they were sitting on the concrete at Walkergate. Nexus said they would be used on other services after Go Ahead took over the running, but I've yet to hear of them being used.

 

[markydh]

They were used for a short while on service 18 but it was deemed a failure so they have been mothballed for several months now.

 

[142094]

They were used for a short while on service 18 but it was deemed a failure so they have been mothballed for several months now.

Sounds like a good use of resources there.

 

[markydh]

To be fair, they were only ever suited to a Quaylink style service given their rather poor top speed, which didn't matter on much of the Quaylink routes. They also had a problem with hills which excludes them from most of the other Stagecoach services they might have been able to be used on.

 

[142094]

I would have thought they weren't suited to the Quaylink service as they had problems going up Dean Street and Grey Street. Can see much other use for them apart from replacing some of the single deckers that Stagecoach use around Newcastle.

 

[markydh]

There are very few routes in Newcastle that don't include hills at some stage and they were withdrawn from use on the 18 for their total lack of seated capacity and poor time keeping. There was talk of a free city bus in Sunderland that they could be used on but that has gone quiet (though may be part of the tender changes due to announced for Sunderland in early May).

 

[142094]

I agree, although coming up from the Quayside into the centre of town must be the biggest gradient for a bus in the city, even the West Road isn't as steep as that. Most routes in the east end are on mostly level ground, trying to think of any routes which include hills and I don't think there are that many.

 

[markydh]

There are, however, only 2 routes that Stagecoach run in the east end of Newcastle that could use midibuses, the 15/15A and 18. The trial on the 18 was unsuccessful and the 15/15A is far too long a route for them. There really is no service they could be used on in Newcastle so they seem destined for long term mothballing.

 

[DannyBoy]

Hi all,

On the subject of the displaced buses from Walkergate, 22023-026 were the buses that went to Slatyford, as they decided against sending 22345-348.

 

[KendalKing]

Hi all,

On the subject of the displaced buses from Walkergate, 22023-026 were the buses that went to Slatyford, as they decided against sending 22345-348.

Thanks for the info DannyBoy

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Will there be any reductions in the number of buses in hartlepool following evening/sunday cuts?

Dave

 

[Mattdw92]

According to a contact, 19151's rear burst into flames today and may be scrapped, but doesn't look as bad as first though!

NE reserve 16707 has been on the 22's today.[/QUOTE]

 

[flymo]

According to a contact, 19151's rear burst into flames today and may be scrapped, but doesn't look as bad as first though!

Looks quite bad if the photo in the paper is anything to go by.

Not sure this will go back into service anytime soon.

 

[Mattdw92]

Looks quite bad if the photo in the paper is anything to go by.

Not sure this will go back into service anytime soon.

The image of the bus extinguished back at the depot isn't too bad considering what it looked burning!

http://www.railforums.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=4673&d=1301348783

Image was uploaded and from forum member stagecoachuk from the North West Fleet Changes feed.
... it could be salvaged from disposal, will have to wait and see.