Stagecoach North West Discussion

[mbonwick]

The problems mainly stem from the MAN A69 18.240 - essentially those from 2007 onwards. This is mainly E300 bodies, but some earlier models are also problematic.

The tridents passing through Carlisle are on their way back 'home' to London. How long they stay there is questionable.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The problems mainly stem from the MAN A69 18.240 - essentially those from 2007 onwards. This is mainly E300 bodies, but some earlier models are also problematic.

The tridents passing through Carlisle are on their way back 'home' to London. How long they stay there is questionable.

I had heard that the issue was lack of adequate ventilation on those vehicles leading to overheating? Is this the case or something more fundamental?

 

[mbonwick]

A combination of both. Due to the position of the barely-adequate-on-a-good-day radiator, it likes to collect all the leaves, dirt etc out of gutters which causes overheating.
However, even examples with clean radiators boil up - because of the size/poor design of the radiator.

Overheating is the main issue, but that's only in addition to the long list of other serious problems; electrical, fuel injectors, broken engine mountings etc etc

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A combination of both. Due to the position of the barely-adequate-on-a-good-day radiator, it likes to collect all the leaves, dirt etc out of gutters which causes overheating.
However, even examples with clean radiators boil up - because of the size/poor design of the radiator.

Overheating is the main issue, but that's only in addition to the long list of other serious problems; electrical, fuel injectors, broken engine mountings etc etc

It was mainly the former that I'd heard about. Swindon had a 2008 batch for the 66 that were particularly afflicted. On moving to local work, the situation improved as I think some improved ventilation was retrofitted plus the lesser amount of mud, straw etc to clog up the radiator.

Thanks for the info

 

[Ado 16]

Once is unfortunate - Twice is........

Double Decker Bus Collides With Lancaster Bridge

Bit of an expensive way to strong arm the council to remove the bridge isn't it?

 

[darrenw29]

Not as bad as 10025

 

[ALX400]

2 x Darts will be moving from PR to CY shortly.

 

[jonesy3001]

34705 and 34706 have turned up at morecambe presumably as spare buses.

 

[darrenw29]

22610 being towed back to LL tonight from Workington station. Great buses these!!

 

[mbonwick]

2 x Darts will be moving from PR to CY shortly.

So I guess 2 ALX300s will depart?

 

[Class20]

2 x Darts will be moving from PR to CY shortly.

34813 & 34814? Don't think 33177 & 33179 would move across.

Preston have both of their new Solo SRs in service, 47922 & 47923. No sign of any of the E200s or E300s yet.

 

[chiltern trev]

It was mainly the former that I'd heard about. Swindon had a 2008 batch for the 66 that were particularly afflicted. On moving to local work, the situation improved as I think some improved ventilation was retrofitted plus the lesser amount of mud, straw etc to clog up the radiator.

Thanks for the info

I read about the route 66 problem on another 'forum'. The batch did not last long on the route, I think it was only a few weeks before they were swapped off. A contributory factor that was stated was that the 66 was a 'higher speed' route and thus the faster the bus went the worse the airflow round and under the back end causing a greater suction and thus more 'muck' in the radiator and less cool air.

Now I am guessing here, but is the radiator on the left (UK nearside) which if so would be European offside (i.e. centre of road) and therefore not in the gutter and therefore less gutter muck and would be ok in Europe. In which case an example of the conversion to right hand drive maybe not having been fully thought through, or more likely, too expensive to redesign and move the radiator.

Thanks for the info.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I read about the route 66 problem on another 'forum'. The batch did not last long on the route, I think it was only a few weeks before they were swapped off. A contributory factor that was stated was that the 66 was a 'higher speed' route and thus the faster the bus went the worse the airflow round and under the back end causing a greater suction and thus more 'muck' in the radiator and less cool air.

Now I am guessing here, but is the radiator on the left (UK nearside) which if so would be European offside (i.e. centre of road) and therefore not in the gutter and therefore less gutter muck and would be ok in Europe. In which case an example of the conversion to right hand drive maybe not having been fully thought through, or more likely, too expensive to redesign and move the radiator.

Thanks for the info.

That's a fair summary of the issue, as far as I'm led to understand it. However, they were on the route for quite a few years from 2008 to 2011 when it went Gold. All too often, a Trident or a Dart would be seen deputising!

 

[mbonwick]

Now I am guessing here, but is the radiator on the left (UK nearside) which if so would be European offside (i.e. centre of road) and therefore not in the gutter and therefore less gutter muck and would be ok in Europe. In which case an example of the conversion to right hand drive maybe not having been fully thought through, or more likely, too expensive to redesign and move the radiator.

You're right. MANs desire to standardise everything down to a single Europe-wide range, with as many common parts with trucks didn't help the situation. The problems quickly became apparent, but they were unwilling to swap the radiator to the offside for the UK.

 

[Y961 XBU]

34813 & 34814? Don't think 33177 & 33179 would move across.

Preston have both of their new Solo SRs in service, 47922 & 47923. No sign of any of the E200s or E300s yet.

33177 and 33179 dont look like they will be seeing service for a while, they sat in Gillmoss both missing a couple of parts, nothing major tho

 

[Class20]

33177 and 33179 dont look like they will be seeing service for a while, they sat in Gillmoss both missing a couple of parts, nothing major tho

When I think about it I haven't seen ether for a while around Preston, so that answers that.

Just read on Stagecoach website that Chorley routes 109 & 113 are to undergo a major rejig. Stagecoach's part of the 109 will increase to every 20mins, Fishwick's will continue to operate their part of the route as normal (one bus an hour).

The 113 will have a completely revised timetable although the frequency will remain the same, which I think is a miss opportunity as I think the passenger traffic is there for a 30min frequency.

 

[ALX400]

When I think about it I haven't seen ether for a while around Preston, so that answers that.

Just read on Stagecoach website that Chorley routes 109 & 113 are to undergo a major rejig. Stagecoach's part of the 109 will increase to every 20mins, Fishwick's will continue to operate their part of the route as normal (one bus an hour).

The 113 will have a completely revised timetable although the frequency will remain the same, which I think is a miss opportunity as I think the passenger traffic is there for a 30min frequency.

Hence why the 2 darts will be moving across from Preston and the MAN's will depart in November to pastures new, it will be the 813 & 814.

Still awaiting confirmation of repalcements for the Tridents.

 

[Y961 XBU]

Wright Eclipse's 21249, 21250 and 21251 are all back at Rock Ferry Depot are where all on the 1 and 2 Services today, not sure if thr MAN Enviro 300's have gone back to Gillmoss tho.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Wright Eclipse's 21249, 21250 and 21251 are all back at Rock Ferry Depot are where all on the 1 and 2 Services today, not sure if thr MAN Enviro 300's have gone back to Gillmoss tho.

Further to what i have said i can comfirm the MAN Enviro 300's have returned to Gillmoss.

 

[jonesy3001]

22600 has been scrapped at Morecambe metals after spending the weekend at Morecambe depot.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

22600 has been scrapped at Morecambe metals after spending the weekend at Morecambe depot.

Its only 6 years old, technically speaking its still a new bus. Or have I missed something here...

 

[Strathclyder]

Its only 6 years old, technically speaking its still a new bus. Or have I missed something here...

It caught fire earlier this month, according to the caption on this photo.

 

[mbonwick]

Burned itself out at Forton Services on the way to Blackburn and a new engine...

 

[Strathclyder]

Burned itself out at Forton Services on the way to Blackburn and a new engine...

Any ideas on what's replacing it, if anything? Or is there enough slack in the fleet for it to not cause that much of a problem?

 

[Whistler40145]

mbonwick, was it on its way to Blackburn for a new engine or the fire was the result of fitting a new engine?

 

[mbonwick]

Nothing replacing it per se, more that future fleet movements will not necessarily see vehicles withdrawn from Lillyhall now.

It was definitely on its way to get a new engine as it caught fire on the southbound carriageway.

 

[TheHovisKid]

If it needed a new engine, was a flat-out trip down Motorways and across the A66 from Lillyhall to Blackburn really wise?

 

[Class20]

Enviro 300s 27113 SL14LNJ & 27114 SL14LNK have been noted in service at Preston the last couple of days.

 

[darrenw29]

One of Morecambes blue deckers is at Carlisle being repanneled and painted. Any id??

 

[jonesy3001]

16793 is the one,16795 will be next.

 

[ALX400]

There's been some changes to fleet movements, Darts will move to CY from GM..34743 already at CY with 34744 & 34745 arriving before the end of August.

Tridents will be arriving from north of the border starting with 17111 shortly then another 2