I don't believe there's a thread for general Potteries waffle but I would like to ask if anybody knows when the 12 B7L's are transferring from Leicester to Adderley Green if it hasn't happened already?
They are all still in service as the remaining Enviro400's have yet to either arrive or enter service.
Quote from: stuartn on March 15, 2014, 04:25:28 PM
They are all still in service as the remaining Enviro400's have yet to either arrive or enter service.
The remaining E400s are mostly stored at Sheffield and Rotherham at the moment
Quote from: Tony on March 15, 2014, 04:50:09 PM
Quote from: stuartn on March 15, 2014, 04:25:28 PM
They are all still in service as the remaining Enviro400's have yet to either arrive or enter service.
The remaining E400s are mostly stored at Sheffield and Rotherham at the moment
Can we assume that they are stored in NON-refurbished /"original" condition?
- and how many are there up there?
Any answers gratefully received -(Ta.)
Quote from: DD12 on March 15, 2014, 09:02:17 PM
Quote from: Tony on March 15, 2014, 04:50:09 PM
Quote from: stuartn on March 15, 2014, 04:25:28 PM
They are all still in service as the remaining Enviro400's have yet to either arrive or enter service.
The remaining E400s are mostly stored at Sheffield and Rotherham at the moment
Can we assume that they are stored in NON-refurbished /"original" condition?
- and how many are there up there?
Any answers gratefully received -(Ta.)
No, there are about 9 in South Yorkshire refurbished, and 4 more still at Thorntons being refurbished to come. Just been told all the ones that were at Rotherham have now congregated at Sheffield
Quote from: Tony on March 15, 2014, 09:08:48 PM
Quote from: DD12 on March 15, 2014, 09:02:17 PM
Quote from: Tony on March 15, 2014, 04:50:09 PM
Quote from: stuartn on March 15, 2014, 04:25:28 PM
They are all still in service as the remaining Enviro400's have yet to either arrive or enter service.
The remaining E400s are mostly stored at Sheffield and Rotherham at the moment
Can we assume that they are stored in NON-refurbished /"original" condition?
- and how many are there up there?
Any answers gratefully received -(Ta.)
No, there are about 9 in South Yorkshire refurbished, and 4 more still at Thorntons being refurbished to come. Just been told all the ones that were at Rotherham have now congregated at Sheffield
Thanks Tony, - "almost instant" answers + info on your forum again!
33506 33550 33556 33565 33569 33571 are some currently stored at Olive Grove, Sheffield. They are in an area of the depot called "Top Park" alongside the scrap line of B10BLE's
Back in Potteries...
32633 is in new livery
32054 was on 25/A's today
32055 and 32056 were on football shuttles today
PMT liveried OmniCity on 101's yesterday. Think it was on a late night board too
There is info. about proposed network changes on www.route-one.net this week.
Someone in the Yahoo First-Group-Fans group, has reported that 4 Olympians are now in a Barnsley scrapyard, including two in the new livery!
He has listed 34285, 34286, 34288, and the other one must be 34158.
If anyone knows different, please let us know!
Does anybody know if the earlier planned transfer of B7L's from Leicester to Potteries has taken place yet?
At least 1 B7L is in service at PMT
Quote from: Ashley on May 02, 2014, 09:17:25 PM
Does anybody know if the earlier planned transfer of B7L's from Leicester to Potteries has taken place yet?
I have only four Volvo B7L's down as being moved to Potteries so far:
66302 (KV02 VVD),
66307 (KV02 VVJ),
66311 (KV02 VVN),
66313 (KV02 VVP).
Volvo B7RLE's 66841 (MX05 CGF), 66845 (MX05 CGU) and 66962 (KX05 MHY) have also moved over with similar B7RLE's 66963 (KX05 MHY) and 66964 (KX05 MJE) due soon.
Well today won't be a waste of a journey by the sounds of it. Cheers chaps
Quote from: stuartn on May 03, 2014, 12:45:37 AM
Quote from: Ashley on May 02, 2014, 09:17:25 PM
Does anybody know if the earlier planned transfer of B7L's from Leicester to Potteries has taken place yet?
I have only four Volvo B7L's down as being moved to Potteries so far:
66302 (KV02 VVD),
66307 (KV02 VVJ),
66311 (KV02 VVN),
66313 (KV02 VVP).
Volvo B7RLE's 66841 (MX05 CGF), 66845 (MX05 CGU) and 66962 (KX05 MHY) have also moved over with similar B7RLE's 66963 (KX05 MHY) and 66964 (KX05 MJE) due soon.
66964 has already moved. I understand that it, and 66307 are currently away at Rotherham for repaint.
66302 66303 66841 66845 all noted in service today, all allocated to Newcastle.
66302 66841 66845 on 20/34/34A, 66303 on 25's)
34158 is still in service to end the mixed stories
Only one noteworthy working today
6500x on an all night 21 board (never seen an OmniCity on there)
Also, I think the evening allocation of the 25 has converted to single deckers, 60189, 66842, 66847, 66852 out on that tonight
Alexander bodied Volvo Olympians P185 TGD, P186 TGD & P188 TGD are all now at PVS for scrap. Sensible painting P186 TGD then!
Isn't 60176 a bigger waste of paint? One fleetlist has it in reserve, another withdrawn and I've never seen it in service
Are the older Leyland ones still running?
Quote from: bob on May 05, 2014, 09:52:48 PM
Are the older Leyland ones still running?
No both off the road, and believed both destined for preservation
Low floor deckers used on schools then?
Quote from: 47609FireFly on May 05, 2014, 08:51:22 PM
Alexander bodied Volvo Olympians P185 TGD, P186 TGD & P188 TGD are all now at PVS for scrap. Sensible painting P186 TGD then!
34285 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/61188429@N06/13915741068/
34286 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/61188429@N06/14104867962/
34288 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/61188429@N06/14104978512/
Any olympians at all left in service? The L-PWR one? The one remaining M-DUS one which was still listed in fleet lastttime I looked? The other P reg DP seated one?
31518 34158 34311 30029 30031 plus the Citybus are currently listed as active but no definate fleetchanges have been posted anywhere since february until I saw some of the Leicester arrivals on saturday with more confirmed in Rotherhams paint shop. However the current situation is you'll be very lucky to get an Olympian out now. It's also almost impossible to get an ALX400 on a public service on the times I go up there but part of me also thinks all the Olly's have gone
There are stories floating around that Newcastle are to lose their Optare Solo's. Are they being replaced or just released for scrap due to possible upcoming service cuts. Personally I'd assume the latter unless Potteries are getting newer vehicles from elsewhere rather than factory fresh. Does anybody know any more?
Potteries are said to be getting some new Streetlites diverted from Leicester.
;
Their have been deckers on the 101 recently - I saw 32635 on Wednesday .
Quote from: mikestone on May 11, 2014, 11:26:10 PM
Potteries are said to be getting some new Streetlites diverted from Leicester.
63171 – 63180 Streetlite Max DF for Leicester .
Quote from: mikestone on May 11, 2014, 11:26:10 PM
Potteries are said to be getting some new Streetlites diverted from Leicester.
;
Their have been deckers on the 101 recently - I saw 32635 on Wednesday .
It really does seem needed up there... I have heard some earlier solos are being withdrawn at another part of First bus presumably as they are not DDA compliant and/or are in poor condition. If solos were going to be withdrawn then the caetano nimbus darts at Worcester would be good buses to transfer in.
Are people not upbeat about the upcoming network review changes then? I would have thought that it was one of the regions that have seen all the thinning out of the network that is going to happen and that there is only scope to expand.
I'd really like to see Potteries start to repaint and refurb the existing fleet at the very least even if new buses are not coming... A bit of paint and new moquette can go a long way to vastly improving an operation...
Just came across this on flickr. Anyone know which route this is being painted up for. At first, I thought First were repainting NXWM buses!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbalme/14174415213/in/photostream/
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 06:40:10 PM
Just came across this on flickr. Anyone know which route this is being painted up for. At first, I thought First were repainting NXWM buses!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbalme/14174415213/in/photostream/
Quote from this pic
"Apparently for new route 3, Crewe-Keele University being an amalgam of present routes 20 and 25"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34487875@N07/13919272167/
The 25 is a decker operated route though isnt it? How crap are first upgrading a route with 12 yr old buses lol. Wonder what theyll do with the gemini deckers...
Quote from: John on May 12, 2014, 06:49:04 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 06:40:10 PM
Just came across this on flickr. Anyone know which route this is being painted up for. At first, I thought First were repainting NXWM buses!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbalme/14174415213/in/photostream/
Quote from this pic
"Apparently for new route 3, Crewe-Keele University being an amalgam of present routes 20 and 25"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34487875@N07/13919272167/
Thanks for that John. So at least 2 b7l's and one Scania are so far in the livery. Got to be honest, I prefer the smart new FirstBus livery to this amalgamation. Do we think it's a good route alteration then?
In fairness Bob, vehicle appearance and presentation is far more important than vehicle age...
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:22:04 PM
Quote from: John on May 12, 2014, 06:49:04 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 06:40:10 PM
Just came across this on flickr. Anyone know which route this is being painted up for. At first, I thought First were repainting NXWM buses!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbalme/14174415213/in/photostream/
Quote from this pic
"Apparently for new route 3, Crewe-Keele University being an amalgam of present routes 20 and 25"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34487875@N07/13919272167/
Thanks for that John. So at least 2 b7l's and one Scania are so far in the livery. Got to be honest, I prefer the smart new FirstBus livery to this amalgamation. Do we think it's a good route alteration then?
In fairness Bob, vehicle appearance and presentation is far more important than vehicle age...
And on a route past a University - capacity which if these 43 seaters are replacing 75 seaters not good. The deckers can struggle some days
Quote from: Tony on May 12, 2014, 07:24:52 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:22:04 PM
Quote from: John on May 12, 2014, 06:49:04 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 06:40:10 PM
Just came across this on flickr. Anyone know which route this is being painted up for. At first, I thought First were repainting NXWM buses!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbalme/14174415213/in/photostream/
Quote from this pic
"Apparently for new route 3, Crewe-Keele University being an amalgam of present routes 20 and 25"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34487875@N07/13919272167/
Thanks for that John. So at least 2 b7l's and one Scania are so far in the livery. Got to be honest, I prefer the smart new FirstBus livery to this amalgamation. Do we think it's a good route alteration then?
In fairness Bob, vehicle appearance and presentation is far more important than vehicle age...
And on a route past a University - capacity which if these 43 seaters are replacing 75 seaters not good. The deckers can struggle some days
If the frequency is being increased though... And students notoriously prefer standing!
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:35:16 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 12, 2014, 07:24:52 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:22:04 PM
Quote from: John on May 12, 2014, 06:49:04 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 06:40:10 PM
Just came across this on flickr. Anyone know which route this is being painted up for. At first, I thought First were repainting NXWM buses!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbalme/14174415213/in/photostream/
Quote from this pic
"Apparently for new route 3, Crewe-Keele University being an amalgam of present routes 20 and 25"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34487875@N07/13919272167/
Thanks for that John. So at least 2 b7l's and one Scania are so far in the livery. Got to be honest, I prefer the smart new FirstBus livery to this amalgamation. Do we think it's a good route alteration then?
In fairness Bob, vehicle appearance and presentation is far more important than vehicle age...
And on a route past a University - capacity which if these 43 seaters are replacing 75 seaters not good. The deckers can struggle some days
If the frequency is being increased though... And students notoriously prefer standing!
The route is also being lengthened to call in the Hospital as well, so people will be on these buses for longer
Quote from: Tony on May 12, 2014, 07:55:44 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:35:16 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 12, 2014, 07:24:52 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:22:04 PM
Quote from: John on May 12, 2014, 06:49:04 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 06:40:10 PM
Just came across this on flickr. Anyone know which route this is being painted up for. At first, I thought First were repainting NXWM buses!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbalme/14174415213/in/photostream/
Quote from this pic
"Apparently for new route 3, Crewe-Keele University being an amalgam of present routes 20 and 25"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34487875@N07/13919272167/
Thanks for that John. So at least 2 b7l's and one Scania are so far in the livery. Got to be honest, I prefer the smart new FirstBus livery to this amalgamation. Do we think it's a good route alteration then?
In fairness Bob, vehicle appearance and presentation is far more important than vehicle age...
And on a route past a University - capacity which if these 43 seaters are replacing 75 seaters not good. The deckers can struggle some days
If the frequency is being increased though... And students notoriously prefer standing!
The route is also being lengthened to call in the Hospital as well, so people will be on these buses for longer
If put at a higher frequency though to compensate then it could help restore ridership lost by First's frequency cuts? Or am I wrong on that?
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:56:57 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 12, 2014, 07:55:44 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:35:16 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 12, 2014, 07:24:52 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:22:04 PM
Quote from: John on May 12, 2014, 06:49:04 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 06:40:10 PM
Just came across this on flickr. Anyone know which route this is being painted up for. At first, I thought First were repainting NXWM buses!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbalme/14174415213/in/photostream/
Quote from this pic
"Apparently for new route 3, Crewe-Keele University being an amalgam of present routes 20 and 25"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34487875@N07/13919272167/
Thanks for that John. So at least 2 b7l's and one Scania are so far in the livery. Got to be honest, I prefer the smart new FirstBus livery to this amalgamation. Do we think it's a good route alteration then?
In fairness Bob, vehicle appearance and presentation is far more important than vehicle age...
And on a route past a University - capacity which if these 43 seaters are replacing 75 seaters not good. The deckers can struggle some days
If the frequency is being increased though... And students notoriously prefer standing!
The route is also being lengthened to call in the Hospital as well, so people will be on these buses for longer
If put at a higher frequency though to compensate then it could help restore ridership lost by First's frequency cuts? Or am I wrong on that?
No, I fully agree with you, but 'First...... increasing capacity' is not something often said in the Potteries
Quote from: Tony on May 12, 2014, 08:00:22 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:56:57 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 12, 2014, 07:55:44 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:35:16 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 12, 2014, 07:24:52 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 07:22:04 PM
Quote from: John on May 12, 2014, 06:49:04 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 12, 2014, 06:40:10 PM
Just came across this on flickr. Anyone know which route this is being painted up for. At first, I thought First were repainting NXWM buses!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidbalme/14174415213/in/photostream/
Quote from this pic
"Apparently for new route 3, Crewe-Keele University being an amalgam of present routes 20 and 25"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34487875@N07/13919272167/
Thanks for that John. So at least 2 b7l's and one Scania are so far in the livery. Got to be honest, I prefer the smart new FirstBus livery to this amalgamation. Do we think it's a good route alteration then?
In fairness Bob, vehicle appearance and presentation is far more important than vehicle age...
And on a route past a University - capacity which if these 43 seaters are replacing 75 seaters not good. The deckers can struggle some days
If the frequency is being increased though... And students notoriously prefer standing!
The route is also being lengthened to call in the Hospital as well, so people will be on these buses for longer
If put at a higher frequency though to compensate then it could help restore ridership lost by First's frequency cuts? Or am I wrong on that?
No, I fully agree with you, but 'First...... increasing capacity' is not something often said in the Potteries
No, I can imagine! The thing is, the Potteries really should be making money but it has just been cut after cut after cut. Restoring frequencies initially using DDA compliant single decks, even if short-term before putting geminis back on, may be a way of trying to up the quality of the operation. I've never been up to the Potteries to know but from pictures on this site etc, it doesn't look a quality op.
Upping the quality? The single deckers are older than the deckers, theyve not as far as I know had an interior refurb either. Yes theyve been resprayed but so have the deckers. Fail to see how its anything other than a reduction in quality to be fair. Yes a smartly presented bus is important, but fleet age is as well! The potteries dont have anything newer than 6 yrs old and thats only a small proportion of the fleet! Even arriva arent that bad
Clearly this has now become the slag off First club as well as the slag off Arriva club...
Yea right.....
New style 'Potteries' livery colour coded/branded for Route 25
https://www.flickr.com/photos/58277338@N04/14190846876/in/photolist-nhB4Du-dgrBSH-nx3YdQ-e3b65V-nBZNnJ-gvtkZ6-nrVyw3-dv8AQc-ac3xz8-a8F59p-a8HMFm-9W7uzm-9wZ3xd-9wZ1yE-hcB6AR-iUU18t-crymtu-fVnApd
Quote from: Winston on May 18, 2014, 06:16:06 PM
New style 'Potteries' livery colour coded/branded for Route 25
https://www.flickr.com/photos/58277338@N04/14190846876/in/photolist-nhB4Du-dgrBSH-nx3YdQ-e3b65V-nBZNnJ-gvtkZ6-nrVyw3-dv8AQc-ac3xz8-a8F59p-a8HMFm-9W7uzm-9wZ3xd-9wZ1yE-hcB6AR-iUU18t-crymtu-fVnApd
Thanks for posting the link. It certainly looks really smart and you wouldn't guess it was 12 years old now... I wonder if eclipses could become the new Potteries standard, particularly if there is no sign of new buses! I wonder if the plan is ultimately to try and brand each route like this?
Anyone know if it has had an internal refurb as well as the repaint?
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 18, 2014, 06:41:48 PM
Quote from: Winston on May 18, 2014, 06:16:06 PM
New style 'Potteries' livery colour coded/branded for Route 25
https://www.flickr.com/photos/58277338@N04/14190846876/in/photolist-nhB4Du-dgrBSH-nx3YdQ-e3b65V-nBZNnJ-gvtkZ6-nrVyw3-dv8AQc-ac3xz8-a8F59p-a8HMFm-9W7uzm-9wZ3xd-9wZ1yE-hcB6AR-iUU18t-crymtu-fVnApd
Thanks for posting the link. It certainly looks really smart and you wouldn't guess it was 12 years old now... I wonder if eclipses could become the new Potteries standard, particularly if there is no sign of new buses! I wonder if the plan is ultimately to try and brand each route like this?
Anyone know if it has had an internal refurb as well as the repaint?
I think there are a number of routes that are due to be branded, possibly involving up to 31 buses. The front colour will be changed to suit each different route accordingly
Not seen any mention of an internal refurb so far
What colour is the "Unbranded" buses, for say when one breaks down? Or have I misread it and the "Cherry Red" is Unbranded?
Quote from: Liverpool Street on May 18, 2014, 10:26:24 PM
What colour is the "Unbranded" buses, for say when one breaks down? Or have I misread it and the "Cherry Red" is Unbranded?
I assume standard First colours will be for the non branded stuff / spares. The 'Cherry Red' front is the first route to be colour coded with more routes to follow in different colours
Potteries is getting streetlits this year?
@stuartn If so, nice to see some investment.
Thanks for the info Winston. 31 smart branded eclipses would look brilliant hopefully refurbed. Maybe if Leicester are getting streetlites as I thought then more eclipses can be moved over to Potteries and refurbed...
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 18, 2014, 11:23:01 PM
Potteries is getting streetlits this year? @stuartn If so, nice to see some investment.
Thanks for the info Winston. 31 smart branded eclipses would look brilliant hopefully refurbed. Maybe if Leicester are getting streetlites as I thought then more eclipses can be moved over to Potteries and refurbed...
Further up this thread, it's quoted that the Potteries Streetlites will be diverted from Leicester
Quote from: Winston on May 18, 2014, 11:28:23 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 18, 2014, 11:23:01 PM
Potteries is getting streetlits this year? @stuartn If so, nice to see some investment.
Thanks for the info Winston. 31 smart branded eclipses would look brilliant hopefully refurbed. Maybe if Leicester are getting streetlites as I thought then more eclipses can be moved over to Potteries and refurbed...
Further up this thread, it's quoted that the Potteries Streetlites will be diverted from Leicester
Aah right Winston I see now... 10 being diverted would certainly make a difference and give a real boost to the new First approach with individual route branding...
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 18, 2014, 11:37:13 PM
Quote from: Winston on May 18, 2014, 11:28:23 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on May 18, 2014, 11:23:01 PM
Potteries is getting streetlits this year? @stuartn If so, nice to see some investment.
Thanks for the info Winston. 31 smart branded eclipses would look brilliant hopefully refurbed. Maybe if Leicester are getting streetlites as I thought then more eclipses can be moved over to Potteries and refurbed...
Further up this thread, it's quoted that the Potteries Streetlites will be diverted from Leicester
Aah right Winston I see now... 10 being diverted would certainly make a difference and give a real boost to the new First approach with individual route branding...
Stuartn reckons 12 Streetlites are now due, so maybe things have changed again or they have tagged another two on before/after the batch that were due for Leciester
Looks like the offspring of a NXWM and first bus...
Quote from: stuartn on May 18, 2014, 11:42:57 PM
It was on another post about the first group order for 2014, it said 12 streetlites for Potteries and 10 for Leicester.
Thanks Stuart :) It seems as if allocations for streetlites are still very much in the air.It still doesn't really seem certain as to how many Worcester will get...
it's like Leicesters Enviro400s they were supposed to be branded in bunches but they are allover the place with around 18 of the 35 branded but only 33 are on the road as 33508 and a branded 22 are both off the road.
Quote from: stuartn on May 18, 2014, 11:49:37 PM
it's like Leicesters Enviro400s they were supposed to be branded in bunches but they are allover the place with around 18 of the 35 branded but only 33 are on the road as 33508 and a branded 22 are both off the road.
In fairness though it appears as if they are upping their game across the Midlands and the country as a whole d and c excepted...
Quote from: stuartn on May 18, 2014, 11:42:57 PM
It was on another post about the first group order for 2014, it said 12 streetlites for Potteries and 10 for Leicester.
Stuart,
Are you sure? The list from 'First Group Fans' posted on here doesn't allocate any to Potteries only Leicester
http://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?topic=2537.15
Another revised list here also doesn't still doesn't show anything allocated for Potteries
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=65668&page=234
According to an article in the sentinel, the big changes are obviously colour branded routes, it also mentions 'double deckers to be introduced on busier services" if b7rles are going on the 25s, wonder where the deckers are going to be employed? The 20? Maybe the Uttoxeter services?
Some Potteries info in this week's route one. New streetlites are coming, routes are being renumbered for a network relaunch in the Summer and other eclipses are being repainted. Best Impressions are also involved in the branding etc of vehicles.
http://www.route-one.net/issues/539/index.html#/14/
Have any Ultralows or Fiolines been withdrawn recently? Just so I can update my list for my next jaunt up there
Quote from: Ashley on May 21, 2014, 10:14:48 PM
Have any Ultralows or Fiolines been withdrawn recently? Just so I can update my list for my next jaunt up there
I have received a new First Group fleetlist correct as as 28 May 2014 today, so the last 3 months changes for Potteries are listed on the front of the main site, and the fleetlist here http://wmbusphotos.com/FirstPotteries/fleetlist.html has been updated to 28/5. I will do Worcester/Hereford and Leicester tomorrow
Of the ex Leicester B7L's transferred to Newcastle...
66306 66307 66308 66309 66311 are now in service in the new red livery
66310 was already in use the last time I went up about 6 weeks ago still adorning "Leicester" fleetnames which have now been removed
Didn't see 6f302 or 66303 about today so at a guess they've gone into the paintshop and as for 66303 to have it's seats cleaned which on that note I would like to ask when all these Volvo's moved from Leicester, why did nobody remove all the graffiti from the buses?
Quote from: Tony on June 16, 2014, 10:27:41 PM
Quote from: Ashley on May 21, 2014, 10:14:48 PM
I have received a new First Group fleetlist correct as as 28 May 2014 today, so the last 3 months changes for Potteries are listed on the front of the main site, and the fleetlist here http://wmbusphotos.com/FirstPotteries/fleetlist.html has been updated to 28/5. I will do Worcester/Hereford and Leicester tomorrow
Thanks Tony for providing this useful/valuable service -
it's much appreciated.
Details of the new potteries network should be available on first pmt site from tomorrow :)
Details of revised new network postponed until a week today
Ohh wonder why that is
Surprised no-one has mentioned this so far: http://www.potteriesbuses.com/
Details of new services...
Definitely has a best impressions look to it and every route has a colour.
What I find strange is that those timetables are only temporary until September-all of them so presumably more changes then? Perhaps the summer is the transition to the "new" First Potteries business.
Do we reckon overall improvements or not?
Wonder what theyre going to use the deckers on
I see a few services axed and a few of the older fleet members for the scrapman. Fair play it's a very simplified network but that will take me a while to fathem out
65567 has risen from the depths of long term reserve and is back in traffic at Adderley Green, was on 6's today
A number of buses now in the new red livery that I noted today, not previously noted
66305 66312 66838 66843 66849 65706 65727 65732
A number of surplus First Potteries buses are being disposed of through a "Truck & Plant Assets" online auction. Vehicles available in the auction, which closes on August 6th, are as follows (link below):
http://whitelabel.globalauctionplatform.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/truck-and-plant/catalogue-id-truck-10015?CategoryUrl=cars-and-commercial-vehicles&clienturl=truck-and-plant
LOT 1: 40137 - R979 NVT (Plaxton bodied Dennis Dart)
LOT 4: 40153 - T364 NUA (Alexander bodied Dennis Dart)
LOT 5: 61529 - R117 GSF (Wright bodied Scania L113)
LOT 6: 65562 - R262 DVF (Wright bodied Scania L113)
LOT 7: 60078 - R441 ALS (Wright bodied Scania L113)
LOT 8: 60079 - R442 ALS (Wright bodied Scania L113)
LOT 9: 60083 - S353 MFP (Wright bodied Scania L113)
LOT 11: 61238 - S683 BFS (Wright bodied Scania L113)
LOT 12: 60058 - S816 AEH (Wright bodied Scania L113)
LOT 13: 60061 - S819 AEH (Wright bodied Scania L113)
Good to see First finally selling on redundant assets and attempting to get a better price for them, than that offered by the scrap man.
What are the deckers being uaed on thesr days?
Quote from: Bob on August 02, 2014, 10:02:02 AM
What are the deckers being uaed on thesr days?
I do not know what has happened since the major service changes last week but prior to that the Geminis after transfer to Adderley Green were working some 101s to Stafford and 32s to Uttoxeter. The ex-Leicester ALX400s were at Newcastle on the 25 but now??? No schools at the moment and the 25 is now part of the 3 network from Keele to Crewe Leighton Hospital and I think is exclusively sd.
I hope to be in Hanley sometime this week so will update after that visit.
I would assume the 32 and 101 are seeing gemini's still. I cant see the 3/x3 being fully sd. I too don't know the gen since the changes but ill be up there the weekend after next
Aren't the 06 plate omnicities allocated exclusively for the 101 or has that changed
The last time I was in Hanley was 27th May. On that date I saw 2 Geminis and 4 Omnicities on the 101. At that time the 06 plated Omnicities were in the throes of repainting into new FB colours so I only saw the four on the 101. I saw only one Omnicity on the 32 and 3 Geminis. There were Omnicities on the 6, 7 and 26 including 3 of the 32 branded 04 plated examples. 65035 - 38 had lost there 101 branding on repaint. I would imagine 65001 - 5 and 65039 - 42 would have lost or will lose their branding on repaint.
Ah cool. The 101 can get quite busy to be fair.
Part of me reckons a few omnicities will go into the new nx inspired livery, is there a name for this livery? IM assuming 60171 has been debranded or is a repaint candidate also
Does anyone know if there are plans to colour code any of the other buses for the other routes? Other than the darts/geminis and omnicities I reckon the rest will go without repaint at all as it's pretty old now!
I wondered if geminis could also receive the route branded/colour coded livery?
As I said in an earlier post I took a trip to Hanley and Newcastle yesterday to see how things were settling down after the recent changes to the network. My first comment is that there seemed to be more Arriva vehicles around at both places though I suspect that is because there were fewer First buses. That said Hanley Bus Station was busy with the normal jams as incoming vehicles could not get to their stands because of reversing departing buses. I do think it could have been designed better!
The entire Potteries First network has been recast from 22 July with a considerable amount of route renumbering. It soon was evident that the ex London Darts 41492 to 41540 with gaps are no longer used on the Bentilee routes 1 and 2. 8 of them had been heavily branded for these routes and I saw 7 of them on pretty well every other route other than the 1 and 2. Also - and it took me a while to realise this - the 1 and 2 no longer serve the Bus Station. Looking at the timetable they stop over in Lower Hall Street which is the other side of the old Bus station. as I did not have a lot of time I did not venture out of the BS but caught up with some of the 1s which now work into Newcastle.
The two main routes are the 3 and 4 which are termed 'The Cherry Routes'. The 3 is a joining together of the old 20 to Crewe and 25 to Keele University whilst the 4 is pretty well the old 34. The 3 is every 10 minutes from Keele to Kidsgrove with every other bus going through every 20 minutes to Crewe and Leighton Hospital. The 3s that terminate at Kidsgrove work back to Newcastle and Hanley as 4s. I have no idea what the pvr for these two routes is but i reckon I saw 38 buses working the two routes. Newcastle depot still operate all workings on the routes. The backbone of the allocation are the red or cherry painted Eclipse Volvos from both Manchester and Leicester. From observation the following are in the new livery which is the new Firstbus one but with the front half of the bus painted like NX current livery - 65705/06, 65727/8, 65730 -3, 66302 -9, 66311 - 4 (66314 now here ), 66838/41/43/45/49 and 66962 - 4. I did not see 66306 which has been reported earlier as repainted nor 66840 or 66847. 65729, 66310, 66839, 66842, 66851 and 66852 are definitely just in the new FB livery, no colour coding. There were a few other buses on these route including DDs including 37159 and 34311, a 20 year old Olympian on a short 3 from Keele to Kidsgrove. Not what one would expect on a flagship route but at least it ran....... I did not have time to walk up to Newcastle depot .
On the DD front I saw in service only one to the ex Leicester Volvos, 32055 was on the 9 along with 37159. Of the Geminis there were 3 on the 32 and 3 on the 101 along with Omnicities. All non-repainted Omnicities, 65001 - 5 and 65039 - 42 have been de-branded from the 32 and 101 and were working the 6 and 7 as well as the 5 on the 101 and 3 on the 32. I did not note any further repaints into the new livery apart from the Cherry Line vehicles. Although all routes in the new network have colour references there is no move to use these colours on the vehicles apart, again, from the Cherry 3 and 4.
The only ex Eastern Counties Scanias that i saw in service were 65561, 65564 and 66572.
I hope this is of interest.
so 65572 has been reinstated again then?
Quote from: Ashley on August 06, 2014, 10:55:43 PM
so 65572 has been reinstated again then?
Yes. It was on the 18 to Leek Haregate.
I thought it was absolutely appalling that there did not appear to be any "where to catch your bus in Hanley" information given the number of routes not serving the bus station, in some cases in one direction only.
It's not the end of the Leyland in the Potteries yet.
Amazingly 30031 has just been MoT'd again and will be kept as a 'spare' bus for the next term
Quote from: DD12 on April 26, 2014, 03:34:11 PM
Someone in the Yahoo First-Group-Fans group, has reported that 4 Olympians are now in a Barnsley scrapyard, including two in the new livery!
He has listed 34285, 34286, 34288, and the other one must be 34158.
If anyone knows different, please let us know!
If you enter - Express Motors P658UFB into Flickr, you will see how smart this now looks !
SO why didn't First send this one down to Cornwall - ie ready to replace a more grotty one when it has an expensive component failure ??
40137 was sold via the above mentioned online auction to linburg, sheffield
It would seem that Eastern Counties are also painting their vehicles into the same livery currently being rolled out at Potteries, if this is of interest to anybody, so far Ipswich based B7RLE's 66950 66981 and 69008 wear the new livery. I know its not Potteries related as such but I thought it may be worth a mention
Quote from: Ashley on August 29, 2014, 09:21:41 PM
It would seem that Eastern Counties are also painting their vehicles into the same livery currently being rolled out at Potteries, if this is of interest to anybody, so far Ipswich based B7RLE's 66950 66981 and 69008 wear the new livery. I know its not Potteries related as such but I thought it may be worth a mention
Various vehicles are in the new livery at Ipswich, 3 E200s (44517-9), 8 B7RLEs I think (66850, 66950/9/81, 69007-9/11) and 2 B7TL deckers (32487/90) although 32490 hasn't returned yet. Best liveried vehicle by far at Ipswich is B7TL 32479 in Eastern Counties livery, used to love seeing that livery when on holiday in Norfolk and Suffolk as a child, First have done a really good job of that one.
65578 reinstated at AG
Also an OmniCity in new livery but didn't get the number
First Potteries Streetlites are now rolling off the production lines, two here are already at Heysham Docks
63172 - http://malsfotofile.smugmug.com/HeyshamDocks/First-Group/28199298_xDfKFr#!i=3534961028&k=ZPhK5XF&lb=1&s=A
63173 - http://malsfotofile.smugmug.com/HeyshamDocks/First-Group/28199298_xDfKFr#!i=3534960999&k=MMWsR5q&lb=1&s=A
What route are the streetlites intended to go on anyone know?
Quote from: Bob on September 15, 2014, 01:06:28 AM
What route are the streetlites intended to go on anyone know?
Match the colour of the front part of the bus to the colour on this site: http://potteriesbuses.com
I'd say "Raspberry Line" 6 / 6A / 6B
63171 was parked in the bus station layover bay this morning, probably for drivers to have a look and type train. I did notice two cones placed either side of the rear.
Is there any gen from up Hanley duck? :)
63171 was in service today
Are streetlites planned to be used on a particular route?
PD0000003/20 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle, Bus Station and Longton Interchange given service number 22 effective from 30-Nov-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.
PD0000003/33 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Clayton Village and Biddulph Wharf Road given service number 99 effective from 30-Nov-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.
PD0000003/38 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bradeley School and Trentham, Pacific Road given service number 21/21A effective from 30-Nov-2014. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/46 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Staffordshire, Hanley bus station and Staffordshire, Leek, Haregate given service number 18 effective from 30-Nov-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.
PD0000003/48 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Staffordshire, Stoke-On-Trent Hanley, Bus station and Staffordshire, Stafford, Rail Station given service number 101/X101 effective from 30-Nov-2014. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/50 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Hanley Bus Station and Uttoxeter Bus Station given service number 32/32A effective from 30-Nov-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.
PD0000003/140 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between HANLEY BUS STN and HANLEY BUS STN given service number 38 effective from 30-Nov-2014. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/163 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Longton and Discovery Academy given service number DA1/DA2 effective from 30-Nov-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.
PD0000003/164 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Longton and Discovery Academy given service number DA2 effective from 30-Nov-2014.
PD0000003/171 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between LONGTON and NEWSTEAD given service number 22A effective from 30-Nov-2014. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/174 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Newcastle
Finish Point: Hanley Bus Station
Via: Bradwell, Wolstanton
Service Number: 17
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date:
Other Details: Monday to Saturday
PD0000003/175 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Hanley Bus Station
Finish Point: Milton
Via: Hanley, Baddeley Green, Milton
Service Number: 43
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 30-NOV-2014
Other Details: Monday to Saturday
PD0000003/176 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, FIRST POTTERIES, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Keele
Finish Point: Leighton Hospital
Via: Keele, Newcastle, Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall
Service Number: 3
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 30-NOV-2014
Other Details: Daily
Quote from: Bob on October 09, 2014, 10:19:16 PM
Are streetlites planned to be used on a particular route?
I saw 63171 again today, rear number display had 6A. Couldn't see the destination as I weren't there long, was running late so dropped off, picked up and went
Last Sunday deckers 32633 & 32634 were on the 101 to Stafford. Are these replacing the usual Scanias on this route.
Quote from: ade on October 22, 2014, 02:22:26 AM
Last Sunday deckers 32633 & 32634 were on the 101 to Stafford. Are these replacing the usual Scanias on this route.
The Geminis at AG are for the 32 and 101 mostly with displaced OmniCities more frequently used on Stoke local services so not a rare feat but a Gemini on the above services is much better than the norm
40007 61239 and 61244 have gone for scrap
Few obs from today
40029 now in new livery for whichever *line* uses Solos
37156 - 60 have gained Potteries fleetnames
Also of interest, some 3 journeys interwork with the 4
Apart from that, just another day in Stoke, still to travel on one of the new Streetlites
Edit
53208 - late night 1's - definately a change bus and noteworthy
The 2000 and 2100 101's from Hanley come off 32's , there may be other journeys but the 101 hasn't had any Geminis on today and now I've got 32634 back to Stafford with a hoover that's worse than 4518 plus mega wind
61145 back in traffic on 7's today
Anyone know if all of the streetlites are/have been in service yet?
Quote from: DiamondDart on November 09, 2014, 10:03:05 PM
Anyone know if all of the streetlites are/have been in service yet?
They've been out for a few weeks now, been up two Saturdays on the trot and not sampled one
Quote from: Ashley on November 10, 2014, 07:08:51 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on November 09, 2014, 10:03:05 PM
Anyone know if all of the streetlites are/have been in service yet?
They've been out for a few weeks now, been up two Saturdays on the trot and not sampled one
They're not all in service, there was one in the show at the NEC
Quote from: Tony on November 10, 2014, 07:18:28 PM
Quote from: Ashley on November 10, 2014, 07:08:51 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on November 09, 2014, 10:03:05 PM
Anyone know if all of the streetlites are/have been in service yet?
They've been out for a few weeks now, been up two Saturdays on the trot and not sampled one
They're not all in service, there was one in the show at the NEC
I hadn't seen that photo at that point but when observing in Longton on Saturday all the 6's were in pairs and trips which made me think they were all out but to rephrase my original comment, some but not all of the new lamposts are in use here
There's an internet rumour that 32630 and 37146 are coming here from Leicester in return for two vehicles
Quote from: Ashley on November 26, 2014, 06:21:57 PM
There's an internet rumour that 32630 and 37146 are coming here from Leicester in return for two vehicles
Indeed, 66842 is now at Leicester's Abbey Lane depot and it is thought that 32630 is now at PMT.
Few observations for today 29th November
32630 has been allocated to Adderley Green, saw it on the 9A today
18 branded OmniCity on the 2
2 B7L's on the 22 today
34311 was out on the 3/4
EDIT
Either 40007 or 40011 hasbeen reinstated at Newcastle, noted on 72's today
60196 reinstated at Adderley Green, was on the 1 tonight
Was in the Potteries last Saturday and saw one or two 'strangers,. 40805, 50281 and 50296 from Midland Red West (Hereford) were all at Hanley Bus Station, the two Solos freshly painted in new Sky Blue front livery for the 43. Saw 9 Streetlites, all on the 6/6B/26 routes to Longton, Blythe Bridge/Weston Coyney. 63171-8/80 are all painted for these Raspberry Line Routes. 63180 is along-term loan I believe - it is registered DRZ 9713 and has detail differences from the main batch. I assume 63179 is the Euro Expo Show bus and has not yet been delivered.
37146 and 32630 were seen on the 3/4 Cherry routes so are presumably both at Newcastle.
Potteries obs for 17/1/14
60015 reinstated at Adderley Green
60069 60072 Adderley Green to Newcastle
42893 now in a Turquoise line type livery, there's a photo on Flickr somewhere, I just saw the rear in the dark
Noteworthy workings
65564 - 2005 101 ex Hanley
2 Geminis and a Solo - 1
Omnicity on late 98/99
42892 and 34311 - late 3/4
Solos 53119 53122 53124 - Norwich to Adderley Green
one of the yellow & red buses they wee on 26 service if I recal https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanjack/16419339467/
Quote from: Solo1 on February 23, 2015, 07:26:29 PM
one of the yellow & red buses they wee on 26 service if I recal https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanjack/16419339467/
Yep that's the beast that is 60171. OmniCities 65026 and 65027 also wear this livery minus 26 branding
42353 and 42356 expected to move to Potteries from store at Worcester, Apparently they will have DDA modifications.
60063 on ebay for £3,700
Edit
Does anyone know why 60208 has come back from the dead after nearly 2 years out of use or was it engine failure like 60176?
Edit #2
Just a second query, one would assume 60057 60058 and 60062 are withdrawn as I haven't sighted these since last summer.I haven't seen 60013 60073 60074 or 60081 for a while but what would I expect if I don't live there or only go every couple of months
Also info from Yorkshire Bus Spotters Facebook page suggests the withdrawal of 34311 at the end of March, maybe 31518 too so the fleet can go 100% low floor. They advise that enquiries from preservationists should be made shortly for 34311 as it would be the first Volvo Olympian in Yorkshire Rider livery preserved. Thought that may interest one or two
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on March 08, 2015, 07:21:21 PM
60063 on ebay for £3,700
Edit
Does anyone know why 60208 has come back from the dead after nearly 2 years out of use or was it engine failure like 60176?
Edit #2
Just a second query, one would assume 60057 60058 and 60062 are withdrawn as I haven't sighted these since last summer.I haven't seen 60013 60073 60074 or 60081 for a while but what would I expect if I don't live there or only go every couple of months
Also info from Yorkshire Bus Spotters Facebook page suggests the withdrawal of 34311 at the end of March, maybe 31518 too so the fleet can go 100% low floor. They advise that enquiries from preservationists should be made shortly for 34311 as it would be the first Volvo Olympian in Yorkshire Rider livery preserved. Thought that may interest one or two
Talking of First West Yorkshire, Gemini 37674 has been painted in Yorkshire Rider livery. Looks brilliant!
Quote from: Cheese on March 19, 2015, 01:25:45 PM
Talking of First West Yorkshire, Gemini 37674 has been painted in Yorkshire Rider livery. Looks brilliant!
Just looked on the web for a picture, that one will be remembered the most I reckon, looks good
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on March 19, 2015, 06:23:26 PM
Just looked on the web for a picture, that one will be remembered the most I reckon, looks good
Would love FSY to paint a Gemini in either SYT or one of the Mainline liveries, colours that I grew up with in Sheffield. Although I really like the SYPTE liveried one.
Quote from: Cheese on March 19, 2015, 07:41:18 PM
Would love FSY to paint a Gemini in either SYT or one of the Mainline liveries, colours that I grew up with in Sheffield. Although I really like the SYPTE liveried one.
I quite like the Doncaster Transport one. Mainline for 2015 perhaps. FSY have almost got rid of that era completely through investment and throwing stuff in the bin (only one set of B10roller blinds from Halfway remains) but I reckon I should go to bed hijacking what's essentially my own thread lol
A few withdrawals showing on the uk buses First Midlands fleetlist
Darts 40030 40376 40378 41500 41502 41512 51514 41520 42726
Scanias 60057 60059 60062 60081 60196 60015
They are also rumoured to be getting "more Streetlites" this year
Any confirmation?
All the S-AEH Scanias are out of service now. The rest of that list looks accurate bar the five 41xxx Darts - they are among the most modern of Potteries' Darts (albeit 03-plates), are DDA compliant and in the new livery. Wires crossed there, I suspect, although the SCC bodies are not noted for build quality and they could have perhaps developed serious structural faults?
The word re some more StreetLites this year is also good gen apparently. Potteries has considerable work to do if it is to meet January 2016's DDA requirements for single-deckers. None of the L113s comply (although they are down to penny numbers now) and a considerable number of earlier L94s don't either. That's before you come to midis...
Then the Alexander B7TLs will also need upgrading before January 2017. Potteries would also benefit from more double-deckers from elsewhere as overcrowding is an issue on a couple of services where they mix with single-deckers.
Quote from: barry619 on March 27, 2015, 11:26:12 AM
All the S-AEH Scanias are out of service now. The rest of that list looks accurate bar the five 41xxx Darts - they are among the most modern of Potteries' Darts (albeit 03-plates), are DDA compliant and in the new livery. Wires crossed there, I suspect, although the SCC bodies are not noted for build quality and they could have perhaps developed serious structural faults?
The word re some more StreetLites this year is also good gen apparently. Potteries has considerable work to do if it is to meet January 2016's DDA requirements for single-deckers. None of the L113s comply (although they are down to penny numbers now) and a considerable number of earlier L94s don't either. That's before you come to midis...
Then the Alexander B7TLs will also need upgrading before January 2017. Potteries would also benefit from more double-deckers from elsewhere as overcrowding is an issue on a couple of services where they mix with single-deckers.
Cheers for that one Barry. I wouldn't mind but the 101 ought to be solid deckers, the 3/4 could do with more deckers as well.
The 101 scanias only get busy in the peaks. I work in stafford n they go past every 20 mins throughout the day theres always plenty of seats left. Maybe a decker timed to run on busiest peak trips but wouldnt need much more than that
Quote from: Bob on March 27, 2015, 10:10:51 PM
The 101 scanias only get busy in the peaks. I work in stafford n they go past every 20 mins throughout the day theres always plenty of seats left. Maybe a decker timed to run on busiest peak trips but wouldnt need much more than that
They may not be that busy in Stafford but try getting a seat at the Hanley end most days and nights
Been on it on a sat loads of times
The 101s would benefit from 'deckers (and there was a rumour about a year ago that it was going to happen) at the northern end of the route as Ashley has said, as it's the quickest way from Newcastle to Hanley and also generates signifiant demand in Stone. There are also strong numbers to Trentham Gardens at times. The 101s are a prime candidate for 'flagship' treatment along the lines of Stagecoach Gold, Sapphire, etc.
Those 3s which go to Crewe pass under a bridge in Kidsgrove which is too low for the B7TLs, which limits double-deckers' use to the 'branch' which goes to Talke Pits and then back to Hanley via Newcastle. That said, it would be a worthwhile improvement if they at least converted this section to full-time DD working. The 32A journeys to Alton Towers are also a problem and will get worse during the summer; there are a number of B7TLs at Adderley Green for this service, but not enough to cover ever duty. Again, more needed.
If it works, the following Twitter pic gives an indication of why the 32/32A bunch should be double-deckers:
https://twitter.com/GBlazer82/status/581544370236563456 (https://twitter.com/GBlazer82/status/581544370236563456)
They used to use the G-XRE Olympians on the Crewe route. I think they may have been low height
Potteries definitely needs investment though. Prior to the handful of streetlites the newest vehicles were generally the 06 plate omnicity's. The average fleet age must be shocking lol
Quote from: Bob on March 28, 2015, 09:45:25 AM
Potteries definitely needs investment though. Prior to the handful of streetlites the newest vehicles were generally the 06 plate omnicity's. The average fleet age must be shocking lol
The fleet might be old yes but the main thing Is that its reliable for its age. Potteries drivers wouldn't mind abit of investment but they're not keen on OmniCities or Streetlites but do Like Wright Eclipse products or "smileys" as they call them
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on March 28, 2015, 10:01:24 AM
The fleet might be old yes but the main thing Is that its reliable for its age. Potteries drivers wouldn't mind abit of investment but they're not keen on OmniCities or Streetlites but do Like Wright Eclipse products or "smileys" as they call them
Not keen on strsetlites eh? A arriva cannock driver on the 1 said in his 13 yrs there they were the worst bus hed ever driven. Do they not suffer many breakdown issues up there then?
Quote from: Bob on March 28, 2015, 10:24:44 AM
Not keen on strsetlites eh? A arriva cannock driver on the 1 said in his 13 yrs there they were the worst bus hed ever driven. Do they not suffer many breakdown issues up there then?
In the two years ive been going up to stoke ive seen two breakdowns, a Marshall Dart and a B7RLE. Unless I miss all the fun
Blimey. That puts arriva to shame
Info from a Yahoo group reports that Streetlite 63250 is at Heynsham Docks due here. How many are on order?
Edit
It is in the same livery as the ones already here and also branded for service 6. Apparently it has a different engine to the others as well
63250 now in service
53120 is another ex Norwich Solo transferred here
60015 and 60196 back in use. I know Tony's most recent fleetlist displays these as withdrawn but I personally dont think they were withdrawn
34311 was out on the 3/4
18 branded OmniCity on 32/101 tonight
Also of note, I didn't see any ALX200 Darts and there were noticeably fewer Flolines and Ultralows out compared to what I normally see, could be a school holiday thing but hope this is of interest
There have been quite a few of the older L94 Scanias which have been taken out of service and stored inside at Adderley Green only to be returned to use a few weeks/months later. I imagine that it happens when an in-service bus develop a defect or requires substantial work for MoT and that one of the then-stored examples is cheaper to fix and put back on the road.
The same happened with the seven or eight L94s which were moved from Northampton after First vacated the depot there. They had been out of use for many, many months (and well over a year in one case) but a small number were slowly resuscitated and put into service in Stoke to replace 'native' Scanias which were too expensive to fix/MoT. Presumably some of the better ones will be modified before January to satisfy DDA requirements.
There is just one ALX200 Dart remaining in service, at Adderley Green, and it is one of the ex-York T-NUA examples. The surviving Olympian is in use most days on either the Cherry routes or the 98/99 services, remarkable given its age although it is in very good condition and will perhaps make a good buy for a Yorkshire preservationist in time...
StreetLite 63250 is the same one that was displayed at the NEC last November and has been renumbered because it's a Euro 6 example, thus putting it into the same series at those which will be delivered as part of this year's order.
Quote from: barry619 on April 17, 2015, 11:09:14 AM
There have been quite a few of the older L94 Scanias which have been taken out of service and stored inside at Adderley Green only to be returned to use a few weeks/months later. I imagine that it happens when an in-service bus develop a defect or requires substantial work for MoT and that one of the then-stored examples is cheaper to fix and put back on the road.
The same happened with the seven or eight L94s which were moved from Northampton after First vacated the depot there. They had been out of use for many, many months (and well over a year in one case) but a small number were slowly resuscitated and put into service in Stoke to replace 'native' Scanias which were too expensive to fix/MoT. Presumably some of the better ones will be modified before January to satisfy DDA requirements.
There is just one ALX200 Dart remaining in service, at Adderley Green, and it is one of the ex-York T-NUA examples. The surviving Olympian is in use most days on either the Cherry routes or the 98/99 services, remarkable given its age although it is in very good condition and will perhaps make a good buy for a Yorkshire preservationist in time...
StreetLite 63250 is the same one that was displayed at the NEC last November and has been renumbered because it's a Euro 6 example, thus putting it into the same series at those which will be delivered as part of this year's order.
@barry619 cheers for that. Do you know how many Streetlites Potteries are having? I would guess a number similar to the remaining fleet of Darts/Scanias
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on April 17, 2015, 12:07:32 PM
@barry619 cheers for that. Do you know how many Streetlites Potteries are having? I would guess a number similar to the remaining fleet of Darts/Scanias
There are various rumours about how many there might be for Potteries but all I know for sure is that there will be 'some'. As for replacing all those which will be unuseable by way of DDA come January with new buses, I doubt that will happen as the finances are unlikely to stack up. More likely a combination of StreetLites, DDA conversion work and cascades from elsewhere.
Quote from: barry619 on April 17, 2015, 04:46:13 PM
There are various rumours about how many there might be for Potteries but all I know for sure is that there will be 'some'. As for replacing all those which will be unuseable by way of DDA come January with new buses, I doubt that will happen as the finances are unlikely to stack up. More likely a combination of StreetLites, DDA conversion work and cascades from elsewhere.
DDA modifications to the Scanias will probably happen, wouldn't mind a few cascades but we'll see I suppose
60074, 60201 - Newcastle to Adderley Green
32055 back at Newcastle
Solo was on the 3 earlier
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on April 30, 2015, 10:25:56 PM
Four words, squeeze up me duck :D I wasn't the photographer, mine died so I was just cold and Solo spotting
They went from one extreme with solos to the other extreme with the Olympian on there today!
I didn't bother with the solo but had a nice quick bash on the Olympian though :-)
Quote from: the trainbasher on April 30, 2015, 10:28:34 PM
They went from one extreme with solos to the other extreme with the Olympian on there today!
I didn't bother with the solo but had a nice quick bash on the Olympian though :-)
I saw the Olympian twice. But a bit of Scania bashing makes going up there worth going :)
Heard on the grapevine that First Potteries are planning to put their 2015 Streetlite intake onto the Stafford to Hanley service and the OmniCities to be withdrawn. No I haven't got my dates mixed up
Have they changed the number for the 101 (Stafford-Hanley), as all First Potteries OmniCities i've seen, have been displaying "10 Hanley"?
Quote from: Alex on May 02, 2015, 12:32:09 PM
Have they changed the number for the 101 (Stafford-Hanley), as all First Potteries OmniCities i've seen, have been displaying "10 Hanley"?
Yes they have, no idea why
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on May 01, 2015, 12:36:25 PM
Heard on the grapevine that First Potteries are planning to put their 2015 Streetlite intake onto the Stafford to Hanley service and the OmniCities to be withdrawn. No I haven't got my dates mixed up
Really? What a downgrade. Those Scanias are great buses, plenty of space inside, comfy, smooth and quiet. Everything a streetlite aint lol
Quote from: Bob on May 02, 2015, 05:12:22 PM
Really? What a downgrade. Those Scanias are great buses, plenty of space inside, comfy, smooth and quiet. Everything a streetlite aint lol
I believe it has something to do with poor fuel efficiency (3 mpg so I'm told), poor reliability and running costs. They want to keep the Flolines for as long as they can I believe because they are reliable and the drivers like them. The OmniCities are good yes, however there is a saying "It's hard to find a good OmniCity" and I personally think the legrooms crap apart from the obvious places.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on May 02, 2015, 06:49:22 PM
I believe it has something to do with poor fuel efficiency (3 mpg so I'm told), poor reliability and running costs. They want to keep the Flolines for as long as they can I believe because they are reliable and the drivers like them. The OmniCities are good yes, however there is a saying "It's hard to find a good OmniCity" and I personally think the legrooms crap apart from the obvious places.
Someone is pulling your pisser if you've been told 3mpg... :o You'd be looking more at 7-8mpg on work like that. However the OmniCitys are almost nine years old and must have done colossal mileage given that they have been on the Staffords from new. There is no way they are going to be withdrawn as they have another six years' depreciation left on them and that's not going to be written off over nine or ten buses, or however many of them there are.
That said, the rumour of StreetLites has been going round (from drivers, mind) for some time and may even have the slightest grain of truth to it. However they are asking for trouble with StreetLites on Staffords if it comes to pass as they aren't going to stand up to that kind of work for more than a few years. The Micro Hybrid thing in them is not suited to interurban duties either, if its maximum benefit is to be derived.
As for whether drivers like buses or not... I'm not so sure that that's one of the things First consider when deciding what to get rid of and keep. The knackered old Darts wouldn't still be around if it was.
Can you imagine how noisy a streetlite would be on the fast stretches of the A34. Totally npt suited to that sort of work
Potteries 16th May
43877 - 3 (all night if not swapped by now)
18 branded OmniCity - daytime 10
32630/37156 - late 10's/32
65706 - 22
41493 - late 2's
AG Solo 53119 - Newcastle 17
31518, 34311 - Newcastle to Cornwall
53119 Adderley Green to Newcastle
60012, 61237 - withdrawn
Unknown B7RLE VOR with accident damage
Three unknown Solos also withdrawn
30031 is being preserved by management and was present at the POPS rally yesterday
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on May 18, 2015, 06:08:43 PM
31518, 34311 - Newcastle to Cornwall
30031 is being preserved by management and was present at the POPS rally yesterday
Fascinating! - Thanks for all your updates Ashley.
Quote from: DD12 on May 19, 2015, 10:49:53 AM
Fascinating! - Thanks for all your updates Ashley.
Cheers
@DD12 , try my best to see as much as I can when I go up
Quote from: Matt on May 24, 2015, 11:27:57 PM
PD0000003/140 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between HANLEY BUS STN and HANLEY BUS STN given service number 38 effective from 19-Jul-2015.
PD0000003/175 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Hanley Bus Station and Milton given service number 43 effective from 19-Jul-2015.
Cancelling the 43? Not sure what they were smoking to make that decision.
Cant believe they renumbered the 101 to the 10.101 was a great route number, instantly recognisable etc! Bit like the stupid west midlands reviews by the sounds of it
Quote from: Bob on May 25, 2015, 08:46:07 AM
Cant believe they renumbered the 101 to the 10.101 was a great route number, instantly recognisable etc! Bit like the stupid west midlands reviews by the sounds of it
Everyone still refers to it as the 101. Newcastle bus station signs still show 101. The route itself just seems to feel quicker every time.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on May 25, 2015, 08:52:51 AM
Everyone still refers to it as the 101. Newcastle bus station signs still show 101. The route itself just seems to feel quicker every time.
Never quite sure how old members are,but anyone with a real sense of history,or anyone interested enough to have read the history of PMT,will know the Stafford - Hanley route was route 10 for far more years than it was route 101.
Please try to read up a bit about the histories of operators instead of concentrating just on the minutiae of the present.
Wasnt it 260 as well and an X variant previously? Not on about the history just that 101 was a really recognisable number etc :-)
The breakdown of this year's order has been posted on another forum and it indicates that no new buses are due for Potteries.
That poses the very difficult question as to what exactly they are planning to do with the 50 non-DDA compliant and life-expired single deckers which still remain in use. It seems that the 10 StreetLites were an aberration and now it's back to relying on cast-off, unwanted scrapyard fodder from elsewhere.
No wonder they have been losing passengers at the rate of a million per year.
Couldnt a lot be converted to meet the requirements? Potteries obviously doesnt make much money then by the look of it
Quote from: barry619 on June 19, 2015, 07:44:49 PM
The breakdown of this year's order has been posted on another forum and it indicates that no new buses are due for Potteries.
That poses the very difficult question as to what exactly they are planning to do with the 50 non-DDA compliant and life-expired single deckers which still remain in use. It seems that the 10 StreetLites were an aberration and now it's back to relying on cast-off, unwanted scrapyard fodder from elsewhere.
No wonder they have been losing passengers at the rate of a million per year.
Perhaps they will be a target for the ever acquisitive Rotala or D&G,stranger things have happened.
Quote from: barry619 on June 19, 2015, 07:44:49 PM
The breakdown of this year's order has been posted on another forum and it indicates that no new buses are due for Potteries.
There are 11 x Streetlite DF Max still unallocated i.e. 66317-66327. Some of the new Streetlites could always be releasing older examples for cascade
Ypu know you've made it when your deemed successful enough to receive second hand streets####s! Lol
On the heels of other depot closures, it's been announced that the Newcastle depot is to close and be merged with the Adderley Green depot from 05/09/15.
Was suppposed to close years ago
Yes, but only because they had found another site when closure was mooted a while ago. Now it appears to have fallen victim to yet another round of cuts and will not be replaced.
First are maybe struggling up there a bit. The fleets mainly old and tired. They upgraded the crewe route with 11/12 year old single deckers ffs lol
Quote from: Bob on June 29, 2015, 08:56:52 PM
First are maybe struggling up there a bit. The fleets mainly old and tired. They upgraded the crewe route with 11/12 year old single deckers ffs lol
To be honest,Potteries cannot be much financially......even Arriva,in their Wardle disguise,could not wait to be rid ,and they basically ran the cheapest buses they could string together.
Problem is,if the Midlands division shrinks too much then it becomes too small to be viable,probably even putting Leicester and Worcester at risk.
There were quite a few complaints about Wardle buses breaking down
42353 and 42356 now in use at Potteries.
Edit
Have since found out a third ex Hereford Caetano is here but dumped in Adderley Greens scrap line until fixed.
One of the three was driven north, the other two were towed up.
Also, 60193 has had Wifi fitted and I am told it works.
Quote from: arrifirststage on June 29, 2015, 09:23:24 PM
To be honest,Potteries cannot be much financially......even Arriva,in their Wardle disguise,could not wait to be rid ,and they basically ran the cheapest buses they could string together.
Problem is,if the Midlands division shrinks too much then it becomes too small to be viable,probably even putting Leicester and Worcester at risk.
It seems that the Wardle operation was poorly managed with commercial routes introduced which hadn't been thought through properly, and so they never stood a chance of succeeding. That's evidenced by the amount of work which was abandoned when D&G took over Wardle, and it will continue soon with another route for the chop by D&G.
The Potteries is a very different place to what it was in the PMT heyday of the late 1980s, and as virtually all the employee-intensive industry has closed the demand for bus service has tumbled. That said the local council's policies have done nobody any favours as it has permitted the opening of various out-of-town retail parks and warehousing areas, which are simple to reach by car and have drawn jobs and shoppers away from the town centres.
Not sure Worcester is at risk... there is a suggestion somewhere else that four of the StreetDecks for Leicester are now going to Worcester instead. The first production StreetDecks for First can't be far off as they were in build two months ago.
An arriva garage badly managed with poorly performing comerciall routes? Wednesfield anyone?
42353 was noted on the 10 today.
Talk elsewhere on the interweb that towards the end of the year.Adderley Green may receive some E300's from Worcester. Other rumours about getting the non DDA stuff out are to transfer Solo's from Hereford to AG when the closures take place. Add to that Bradford's B7L's and Huddersfields 53 plate B7RLE's. Just putting it in a nutshell. However I reckon I'm wasting my time because nobody reads this unless they want to remind me I'm mad and/or have a crack at First.
Personally can see Potteries gaining the 4 VX53 E300's from Worcester and also the Solos from Hereford and several from Worcester (displaced by Caetano Darts). Also can see the Short Streetlites moving to PMT ...
Investment in new buses at potteries is a joke
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on July 11, 2015, 09:52:37 PM
42353 was noted on the 10 today.
Talk elsewhere on the interweb that towards the end of the year.Adderley Green may receive some E300's from Worcester. Other rumours about getting the non DDA stuff out are to transfer Solo's from Hereford to AG when the closures take place. Add to that Bradford's B7L's and Huddersfields 53 plate B7RLE's. Just putting it in a nutshell. However I reckon I'm wasting my time because nobody reads this unless they want to remind me I'm mad and/or have a crack at First.
I certainly read Firstgroup news avidly.despite,or perhaps because of,their fluctuations I find Firstgroup to be far more interesting than NXWM with their diet of unbroken ADC buses and never ending madcap branding.
At present.First,Arriva and Stagecoach carry far more to excite the real bus enthusiast than the mere bus spotters who throng round NX.
Quote from: jc on July 11, 2015, 11:19:59 PM
Personally can see Potteries gaining the 4 VX53 E300's from Worcester and also the Solos from Hereford and several from Worcester (displaced by Caetano Darts). Also can see the Short Streetlites moving to PMT ...
:-X :-X
Is that you, Mr Eggleton?
Quote from: arrifirststage on July 12, 2015, 09:26:26 AM
I certainly read Firstgroup news avidly.despite,or perhaps because of,their fluctuations I find Firstgroup to be far more interesting than NXWM with their diet of unbroken ADC buses and never ending madcap branding.
At present.First,Arriva and Stagecoach carry far more to excite the real bus enthusiast than the mere bus spotters who throng round NX.
First may be making cuts but they're not all bad and the fleet is still very much a mixed bag, soon to change. Stagecoach and Arriva are similarly as interesting. But I can't jump on the MMC hype yet.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on July 12, 2015, 11:09:10 AM
First may be making cuts but they're not all bad and the fleet is still very much a mixed bag, soon to change. Stagecoach and Arriva are similarly as interesting. But I can't jump on the MMC hype yet.
Sounds like you are a bus enthusiast .............not just a spotter like 90% of the posters on here.
Quote from: arrifirststage on July 12, 2015, 11:21:46 AM
Sounds like you are a bus enthusiast .............not just a spotter like 90% of the posters on here.
Stagecoach at the moment seem to be the only ones who are looking to actually grow in this country.
Quote from: arrifirststage on July 12, 2015, 09:26:26 AM
I certainly read Firstgroup news avidly.despite,or perhaps because of,their fluctuations I find Firstgroup to be far more interesting than NXWM with their diet of unbroken ADC buses and never ending madcap branding.
At present.First,Arriva and Stagecoach carry far more to excite the real bus enthusiast than the mere bus spotters who throng round NX.
@arrifirststage as your interests clearly lie elsewhere, maybe being a member of a 'West Midlands Buses' forum isn't for you, especially when the bulk of content centres around NX the dominant operator in the area. First & Stagecoach are barely represented within the West Midlands, hence the lack of posts / interest.
If you're not happy with the content of this forum, don't read it!
Quote from: Tony on July 12, 2015, 11:52:19 AM
Stagecoach at the moment seem to be the only ones who are looking to actually grow in this country.
I am sure you are right ,but this is probably to to the existing circumstances in the industry.
First cannot expand due to financial constrictions......not the fault of the present management.It is amazing to reflect that the old hierarchy left the Company in such a poor state,yet one still received a knighthood....shows the worthlessness of these honours.
Arriva are not a British Company so God only knows how their mind works,GoAhead seem to be having troubles of their own,especially in the North East....and NX seem to have a what we have we hold and bugger any expansion which would not generate margins as great as in the Midlands.
Smaller operators like Rotala will eventually find they have bitten off more than they can chew and even the publicists and marketing darlings of Wellglade have gone very quiet.
This presents Stagecoach with the opportunity to get things probably on the cheap......North Devon and Plymouth spring to mind.......and good luck to them,they have been consistently well managed.
Incidentally,with the reduction in local authority budgets,are we nearing the time when all subsidies will be withdrawn?
Quote from: arrifirststage on July 12, 2015, 12:34:41 PM
I am sure you are right ,but this is probably to to the existing circumstances in the industry.
First cannot expand due to financial constrictions......not the fault of the present management.It is amazing to reflect that the old hierarchy left the Company in such a poor state,yet one still received a knighthood....shows the worthlessness of these honours.
Arriva are not a British Company so God only knows how their mind works,GoAhead seem to be having troubles of their own,especially in the North East....and NX seem to have a what we have we hold and bugger any expansion which would not generate margins as great as in the Midlands.
Smaller operators like Rotala will eventually find they have bitten off more than they can chew and even the publicists and marketing darlings of Wellglade have gone very quiet.
This presents Stagecoach with the opportunity to get things probably on the cheap......North Devon and Plymouth spring to mind.......and good luck to them,they have been consistently well managed.
Incidentally,with the reduction in local authority budgets,are we nearing the time when all subsidies will be withdrawn?
While a lot First Group issues can be blamed on the previous management, they can't use that excuse that ever. I believe the current management should have taken far more decisive steps by now. They should never have sold off profitable UK bus operations such as Wigan & London (which was a good source of midlife buses) and left heavily loss making operations such as FSE to soldier on draining any growth at the large subsidaries. The £100 million raised barely put a dent in group debt, I still think they should have sold off Greyhound (non core) & left the biggest subsidaries UK bus & Student intact.
Arriva have been loosing a large number of Tfl contracts and appear to being attacked heavily by small independents at Midlands.
NX are expanding just not really in the UK, NX are focusing expansion on contract wins rather than acquisitions & prioritising reducing group debt further. German Rail / Malta / Bahrain & Morocco rings any bells.... The UK bus market is mature, with fewer opportunities for expansion on scale
Quote from: Winston on July 12, 2015, 01:56:02 PM
While a lot First Group issues can be blamed on the previous management, they can't use that excuse that ever. I believe the current management should have taken far more decisive steps by now. They should never have sold off profitable UK bus operations such as Wigan & London (which was a good source of midlife buses) and left heavily loss making operations such as FSE to soldier on draining any growth at the large subsidaries. The £100 million raised barely put a dent in group debt, I still think they should have sold off Greyhound (non core) & left the biggest subsidaries UK bus & Student intact.
Arriva have been loosing a large number of Tfl contracts and appear to being attacked heavily by small independents at Midlands.
NX are expanding just not really in the UK, NX are focusing expansion on contract wins rather than acquisitions & prioritising reducing group debt further. German Rail / Malta / Bahrain & Morocco rings any bells.... The UK bus market is mature, with fewer opportunities for expansion on scale
Do you have any views on the likelihood or otherwise of ALL subsidies being withdrawn due to io cal authority monies being squeezed?
Some Counties,I think probably Shropshire,are moving or have already moved,in that direction.
Quote from: arrifirststage on July 12, 2015, 06:26:50 PM
Do you have any views on the likelihood or otherwise of ALL subsidies being withdrawn due to io cal authority monies being squeezed?
Some Counties,I think probably Shropshire,are moving or have already moved,in that direction.
I don't see how local authorities could ever remove ALL subsidies for services, especially where there are no alternatives if they didn't operate. I expect there to be further year on year transport budget cuts for subsidised services until such time that local authority budgets are no longer cut.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on July 12, 2015, 11:09:10 AM
First may be making cuts but they're not all bad and the fleet is still very much a mixed bag, soon to change. Stagecoach and Arriva are similarly as interesting. But I can't jump on the MMC hype yet.
First is a world of contrasts: you have the basket cases such as Potteries and Devon, the bits that seem to perform well, are growing and have reasonable fleets such as Bristol, Leeds and Manchester, and then there are also areas such as East Anglia and Sheffield, where management is working very hard and investing lots of time and money to improve things.
There are actually some highly-competent busmen at First: James Freeman, Marc Reddy, and dare I say it Nigel Eggleton, among others, and I am sure that Freeman and Reddy, at least, will go to the top at some point. The big challenge First has is keeping hold of its younger talent and not allowing them to be attracted elsewhere, either within the bus industry or outside it.
Is there an unusual workings thread for 1st potteries?
Quote from: 4006 on July 25, 2015, 04:18:51 PM
Is there an unusual workings thread for 1st potteries?
@4006 theres just a blanket one for First bus in general mate :)
Quote from: Dom on July 25, 2015, 04:24:29 PM
@4006 theres just a blanket one for First bus in general mate :)
Cheers Dom is this the general?
Anyways if anyone interested 32635 on the 10 in Stafford today.
Quote from: 4006 on July 25, 2015, 10:52:53 PM
Cheers Dom is this the general?
Anyways if anyone interested 32635 on the 10 in Stafford today.
Nothing unusual about this - there's often a couple of Geminis on the 10
There are at least two duties on Saturdays which interwork between the 32A (which requires Geminins) and the 10s, hence the common appearance of DDs in Stafford on Saturdays. When Newcastle closes I imagine that B7TLs will become even more common on the 10s.
40010 has gone for scrap, seen behind a PVS wrecker up in Yorkshire.
40026 40027 40805 withdrawn
40173 earmarked for preservation by an AG driver upon withdrawal
63096 - 63100 Manchester to Potteries
Apparently a clear out of scrap vehicles has happened, not sure how true that is but Ultralow 61237 S681BFS was also taken to the scrapman in Barnsley last week.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on August 01, 2015, 08:30:44 PM
40026 40027 40805 withdrawn
40173 earmarked for preservation by an AG driver upon withdrawal
63096 - 63100 Manchester to Potteries
Is 63097 still on loan to Kernow? It was up until very recently unless it has come back.
Quote from: Cheese on August 02, 2015, 08:13:37 PM
Is 63097 still on loan to Kernow? It was up until very recently unless it has come back.
I've been quoted from three sources it's at AG. They should be entering service tomorrow.
The other recent transfer rumour involves 18 vehicles coming in from Bracknell. Hmmm...
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on August 02, 2015, 09:10:22 PM
The other recent transfer rumour involves 18 vehicles coming in from Bracknell. Hmmm...
I've seen suggestions that Potteries could be receiving 18 x E300's from Wyvern, displaced by new Streetdeck / Streetlites & closure of HD. I don't think there would be 18 spare buses at Bracknell, as some routes & vehicles are moving in to Slough depot. The majority of the Bracknell fleet that may be surplus will be Tridents & Citaro's.
Quote from: Winston on August 03, 2015, 09:52:35 AM
I've seen suggestions that Potteries could be receiving 18 x E300's from Wyvern, displaced by new Streetdeck / Streetlites & closure of HD. I don't think there would be 18 spare buses at Bracknell, as some routes & vehicles are moving in to Slough depot. The majority of the Bracknell fleet that may be surplus will be Tridents & Citaro's.
The first idea is more plausible but there seems to be a sudden interest in Potteries.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on August 03, 2015, 01:14:56 PM
The first idea is more plausible but there seems to be a sudden interest in Potteries.
Probably because the fleet age must be horrendous???
40175 65578 - withdrawn
37159 66852 - VOR
Decker 37160 was on the 10 yesterday. Not seen a decker on this for a while. Deckers have been appearing on the 6/6B more regularly I've noticed. 63096/098/100 have been seen on 6/6B & 26. However nicer liveried Streetlites 63171+ are not seen so much on those routes these days. So what routes are they ending up on?
Quote from: ade on August 16, 2015, 09:33:50 AM
Decker 37160 was on the 10 yesterday. Not seen a decker on this for a while. Deckers have been appearing on the 6/6B more regularly I've noticed. 63096/098/100 have been seen on 6/6B & 26. However nicer liveried Streetlites 63171+ are not seen so much on those routes these days. So what routes are they ending up on?
Every time I go up theres deckers on the 10. As for the Raspberry line Streetlites I couldn't say unless they're just using deckers for extra capacity during the summer.
When the news about the garage closure was announced, there was an article on the stokesentinel.co.uk site (29/6/2015) that also mentioned that "four nearly new buses were being acquired at a cost of £600,000".
Can anyone tell me what these are please ?
Quote from: DD12 on August 17, 2015, 06:50:30 PM
When the news about the garage closure was announced, there was an article on the stokesentinel.co.uk site (29/6/2015) that also mentioned that "four nearly new buses were being acquired at a cost of £600,000".
Can anyone tell me what these are please ?
One would presume that this meant the five ex-Manchester Streetlites which are in use at Potteries (63096-63100) which transferred towards the end of last month.
Planned Potteries fleet as of January - usual disclaimers etc...
Solo: 53041/043/058-060/063/063, 53118-120/122-124, 53155, 53207-209, 53405, 53828-830;
Dart: 41493-502/512/514/520-522/540, 42552-554, 42892-894, 43875-877;
Scania L94: 65705/706/727-733;
Scania OmniCity: 65001-005/026/027/033-042;
E300: 67601-604/631-641;
B7L: 66309-314;
B7RLE: 66838-841/843/845/849/851/853/962-964;
StreetLite Max: 63096-100/171-179/250;
B7TL: 32053-057/075-080, 32627/630/632-635/639, 37146/156-160.
Total 144 for a 129 PVR. Note that 66302-308 are to transfer back to Leicester despite carrying Cherry Routes livery.
Potteries recent gen
The withdrawn line up (everything on death row listed for completeness)
Solo - 40015 40019 40020 40021 40024 40026 40027 50281
Dart - 40155 (last ALX200), 40373 (rear held up with tape), 40378 40805
Scania - 60013 60176 60189 60196 60201 65568 65572 65578
Anything not listed above as withdrawn but still showing on main fleet list has already gone for scrap.
A couple I'm not sure about are 40175, 60173, 60175
42552 42554 have arrived from Hereford, one had to get a tow en route but both are in service.
60006 and 60068 have MOT's until next summer with 60202 and 60205 are next for renewal.
Not been up since the changes but I have read of R-SBA Darts and Ultralows on the 3/4. Cherry routes Volvos not straying that much, reports of them on the 2 and 22 plus 65035 on the 22 on Friday. Apart from that, business as usual just less Scania beasts.
I hear that all the remaining Flolines active/withdrawn will receive DDA mods for further use in Scotland.
Solos 40015 40024 40028 50281 have moved to First Lanarkshire's Blantyre depot.
Scanias 60013 60074 60176 60189 are now at Caledonia depot.
Quote from: T840MAK on September 14, 2015, 07:51:01 PM
Solos 40015 40024 40028 50281 have moved to First Lanarkshire's Blantyre depot.
Scanias 60013 60074 60176 60189 are now at Caledonia depot.
When did these move as I was coming back from Scotland on Friday and around the glasow area on the motorway there where 3 or 4 wright bodied vehicles head north 3 on tow one on the back off a lorry . could not id as they where on northbound carriageway . an I was on the southbound wonder if I was these
Quote from: Cedric on September 14, 2015, 10:18:30 PM
When did these move as I was coming back from Scotland on Friday and around the glasow area on the motorway there where 3 or 4 wright bodied vehicles head north 3 on tow one on the back off a lorry . could not id as they where on northbound carriageway . an I was on the southbound wonder if I was these
Most likely you would have seen the above mentioned vehicles.
Quote from: Cedric on September 14, 2015, 10:18:30 PM
When did these move as I was coming back from Scotland on Friday and around the glasow area on the motorway there where 3 or 4 wright bodied vehicles head north 3 on tow one on the back off a lorry . could not id as they where on northbound carriageway . an I was on the southbound wonder if I was these
Not sure, as Ashley says its probably them that you saw however I only know what's moved, not when it's moved.
They must be rather hard up for buses in Scotland if they're taking Potteries' old junk, unless they are for spares recovery and then scrap? Certainly none of those mentioned are DDA compliant and they are all old and very, very 'well used'.
Quote from: barry619 on September 15, 2015, 09:26:59 AM
They must be rather hard up for buses in Scotland if they're taking Potteries' old junk, unless they are for spares recovery and then scrap? Certainly none of those mentioned are DDA compliant and they are all old and very, very 'well used'.
I think I agree with you as I said in my pervious post they where going north and I was going south on the motorway, also it was just north of Glasgow around 10 to 11 am
Quote from: barry619 on September 15, 2015, 09:26:59 AM
They must be rather hard up for buses in Scotland if they're taking Potteries' old junk, unless they are for spares recovery and then scrap? Certainly none of those mentioned are DDA compliant and they are all old and very, very 'well used'.
Possibly just a temporary thing until the DDA deadline actually comes in, or until a PVR drop or when new vehicles arrive. I'm not too sure on the circumstances however I was told in the past that the Scanias were moving up there, wasn't aware of the Solos though.
That would be logical. Certainly the Solos have been worked almost to death at Potteries, and the Scanias have been used and abused too. One of those mentioned is an S-registered one and I can't see why they would spend money converting something like that to DDA. No doubt all will become apparent, eventually...
Streetlite 63097 was noted parked at AG depot this afternoon, not sure when this arrived from Kernow.
To try and help with Ashley's query, 60175 was noted I'm service today so not gone. I'm unsure of 40175 s whereabouts. This was observed twice by me in the disposal corner at AG during August but had gone by the time AG merged with NE. I'll keep an eye out for this and 60173 which I haven't seen for a while.
Ben
Quote from: DVXXII on September 18, 2015, 07:49:06 PM
Streetlite 63097 was noted parked at AG depot this afternoon, not sure when this arrived from Kernow.
To try and help with Ashley's query, 60175 was noted I'm service today so not gone. I'm unsure of 40175 s whereabouts. This was observed twice by me in the disposal corner at AG during August but had gone by the time AG merged with NE. I'll keep an eye out for this and 60173 which I haven't seen for a while.
Ben
Glad 60175's still going, cheers!
65568/65572 are the latest transfers to Glasgow from The Potteries.
53041 reported as in service here.
Went up to Potteries today, have to say I was surprisingly impressed with the operation. Only saw a couple of old Scanias, even one of them was smartly repainted. The Caetano darts were nice, OmniCitys which I usually dislike still very smart inside (even had one of the red and yellow examples). I thought it was interesting as well the number of 2004/5 Scanias with non First bus interiors, reminds us of the emergency purchases to get around maintenance and fleet issues back then wasn't it?
Overall impressed with the operation although D and G were probably overall smarter, love the Orange ONE and the NINES identities and they seemed very well used as well! Smarter than Wardles ever were, only messy looking MPD was one in Arriva style Wardle livery still but other than that, top marks.
First's ex Manchester StreetLites had been lettered up nicely for the Potteries as well
Haven't seen anyone pick up on this but Newcastle travel shop is now shutting in November plus more improvements to the Raspberry routes are being planned to improve reliability, everything I caught was smack on time though.
Would just like to see more newer buses being fed into the operation, start painting buses fronts to match the route colour etc eg like the Cherry or Raspberry lines.
Any deckers out and about?
Quote from: Bob on September 28, 2015, 08:56:07 PM
Any deckers out and about?
Most of them probably out as normal.
Quote from: DiamondDart on September 28, 2015, 08:46:24 PM
Went up to Potteries today, have to say I was surprisingly impressed with the operation. Only saw a couple of old Scanias, even one of them was smartly repainted. The Caetano darts were nice, OmniCitys which I usually dislike still very smart inside (even had one of the red and yellow examples). I thought it was interesting as well the number of 2004/5 Scanias with non First bus interiors, reminds us of the emergency purchases to get around maintenance and fleet issues back then wasn't it?
Overall impressed with the operation although D and G were probably overall smarter, love the Orange ONE and the NINES identities and they seemed very well used as well! Smarter than Wardles ever were, only messy looking MPD was one in Arriva style Wardle livery still but other than that, top marks.
First's ex Manchester StreetLites had been lettered up nicely for the Potteries as well
Haven't seen anyone pick up on this but Newcastle travel shop is now shutting in November plus more improvements to the Raspberry routes are being planned to improve reliability, everything I caught was smack on time though.
Would just like to see more newer buses being fed into the operation, start painting buses fronts to match the route colour etc eg like the Cherry or Raspberry lines.
Nice to see somebody else agrees with me that Potteries isn't falling on it's arse but do some things well. I've never seen a member of the public go into the Newcastle office.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on September 28, 2015, 09:06:51 PM
Most of them probably out as normal.
Nice to see somebody else agrees with me that Potteries isn't falling on it's arse but do some things well. I've never seen a member of the public go into the Newcastle office.
Had a fair few going into the Potteries office at Newcastle this afternoon, more than at Hanley!
Didn't seem to be any deckers on the 10 sadly, 32 group seemed to have a few plus the 4(A). The 32 certainly looks well used.
What's left seems ok at Potteries and will obviously be fairly modern post 1/1/16 out of necessity to meet DDA. The marketing and maps is all good quality and customer service seemed generally very good with drivers at Hanley helping with customer service and queries as well, possibly why people weren't walking up to information office!!
The OmniCitys look very smart repainted, as do the deckers, still the odd few older buses still limping around (whyever did they repaint the non DDA W reg solos?!) that are going anyway?!
I still think D and G are the ones to watch, they're expanding, First have tended to contract. I did notice that between First and D and G they largely cover everything, just the 4/5? at Hanley run by little blue Primos and a longstanding independent I gather plus the odd Arriva appearance. Nice bus station I think as well...
Quote from: DiamondDart on September 28, 2015, 09:15:47 PM
Had a fair few going into the Potteries office at Newcastle this afternoon, more than at Hanley!
Didn't seem to be any deckers on the 10 sadly, 32 group seemed to have a few plus the 4(A). The 32 certainly looks well used.
What's left seems ok at Potteries and will obviously be fairly modern post 1/1/16 out of necessity to meet DDA. The marketing and maps is all good quality and customer service seemed generally very good with drivers at Hanley helping with customer service and queries as well, possibly why people weren't walking up to information office!!
The OmniCitys look very smart repainted, as do the deckers, still the odd few older buses still limping around (whyever did they repaint the non DDA W reg solos?!) that are going anyway?!
I still think D and G are the ones to watch, they're expanding, First have tended to contract. I did notice that between First and D and G they largely cover everything, just the 4/5? at Hanley run by little blue Primos and a longstanding independent I gather plus the odd Arriva appearance. Nice bus station I think as well...
I personally think D&G are slowly swallowing First Potteries up. First's operation seems to be shrinking with D&G getting bigger.
RE your comments about 32 having a few deckers, I should hope so what with how busy they get with Alton Towers being close to the route ;)
Quote from: T840MAK on September 28, 2015, 10:06:23 PM
I personally think D&G are slowly swallowing First Potteries up. First's operation seems to be shrinking with D&G getting bigger.
RE your comments about 32 having a few deckers, I should hope so what with how busy they get with Alton Towers being close to the route ;)
I was reading though about how Alton Towers has still been very quiet even on from the "Smiler" accident which could have impacted First's loadings. The Geminis just look stunning in the Olympia livery though, seems to be what the livery was made for! I think it will be interesting to see how things pan out, two routes are basically "on trial" and on record as such so they could go if loadings don't meet explanations.
I still think the network guide (great feature) with proper maps (great feature) is still quite complicated though, maybe scope for further simplifying the network...
Quote from: DiamondDart on September 28, 2015, 08:46:24 PM
Went up to Potteries today, have to say I was surprisingly impressed with the operation. Only saw a couple of old Scanias, even one of them was smartly repainted. The Caetano darts were nice, OmniCitys which I usually dislike still very smart inside (even had one of the red and yellow examples). I thought it was interesting as well the number of 2004/5 Scanias with non First bus interiors, reminds us of the emergency purchases to get around maintenance and fleet issues back then wasn't it?
Overall impressed with the operation although D and G were probably overall smarter, love the Orange ONE and the NINES identities and they seemed very well used as well! Smarter than Wardles ever were, only messy looking MPD was one in Arriva style Wardle livery still but other than that, top marks.
First's ex Manchester StreetLites had been lettered up nicely for the Potteries as well
Haven't seen anyone pick up on this but Newcastle travel shop is now shutting in November plus more improvements to the Raspberry routes are being planned to improve reliability, everything I caught was smack on time though.
Would just like to see more newer buses being fed into the operation, start painting buses fronts to match the route colour etc eg like the Cherry or Raspberry lines.
Think the Raspberry routes will benefit from timing changes to improve reliability. Today the 6/6a's were running in tandem on a number of occasions in the direction of Hanley despite being scheduled 10 minutes apart.
From different reports it seems 53041 to 43 are here with sightings of all in service (I've personally seen 53041/2) I also have seen 53059 at the depot but not yet in service.
The expected arrival of some Worcester E300s later in the financial year will further improve the fleet profile to an acceptable standard. Hopefully First don't rest on their laurels in the coming years though as a large proportion of the fleet will have 5-8 years service life remaining, which will soon become an issue unless addressed in the intervening years.
Ben
Quote from: DVXXII on September 30, 2015, 08:04:24 PM
Think the Raspberry routes will benefit from timing changes to improve reliability. Today the 6/6a's were running in tandem on a number of occasions in the direction of Hanley despite being scheduled 10 minutes apart.
From different reports it seems 53041 to 43 are here with sightings of all in service (I've personally seen 53041/2) I also have seen 53059 at the depot but not yet in service.
The expected arrival of some Worcester E300s later in the financial year will further improve the fleet profile to an acceptable standard. Hopefully First don't rest on their laurels in the coming years though as a large proportion of the fleet will have 5-8 years service life remaining, which will soon become an issue unless addressed in the intervening years.
Ben
Yeah, they seemed to be the routes with most tendency to run together, saw 2 StreetLites leaving Hanley virtually together the other day, the Rasberry and Cherry routes seem to load well. I just wish they'd repaint more buses' fronts to match the lines they spend time on, I think it would be possible otherwise they become a bit meaningless if your tangerine line bus is just a standard looking First Olympia livery.
I think you're spot on about the age profile, post DDA it'll be good but right across First group there are a huge number of 2001-5 buses that will need replacing starting in the next 5 years. It will be interesting though to see where average vehicle life settles down at with DDA met whether some buses return to having longer lives? Although tbh anything non DDA is a minimum of 15 years old and probably needing replacement anyway...
I hope First don't rest on their laurels, D and G are expanding with intention up there, they were lucky they only had the Arriva Wardle op to contend with between 2011 and 2015 as opposed to D and G otherwise they could well have kicked First more when they were out of form...
Quote from: DiamondDart on September 30, 2015, 08:19:59 PMIt will be interesting though to see where average vehicle life settles down at with DDA met whether some buses return to having longer lives? Although tbh anything non DDA is a minimum of 15 years old and probably needing replacement anyway...
First have missed a trick in the past by not gutting and refurbishing some what are now life-expired Wright-bodied B10BLEs and L94s. Had they done this at about 12-13 years old, coupled with some cheap Northern Irish plates, new destination blinds, eLeather seats, DDA conversion and so on they'd have got another 10 years out of many of them, chassis and body frame condition dependent. They are heavy-duty, well-built buses which are easily capable of 20+ years' hard work if looked after. Instead they have been used and abused and are now fit for little other than scrap. Some of those which remain with Potteries are awful.
Contrast that with the StreetLites and E200s: Wrights insist that the StreetLite is an 18-year bus, but the condition of some of those which are just a few years old suggest that many of them and the E200s will be scrapyard fodder by the time they're 15, if they even last that long, although I can see that the economic benefits of running a Micro Hybrid StreetLite with its low fuel consumption and enhanced BSOG payments (for now...) more than make up for a shorter service life.
18 year life for a streets###e? Lol
Quote from: Bob on October 01, 2015, 06:14:57 PM
18 year life for a streets###e? Lol
18 years? Don't make me laugh!
When Sheffield's Streetlites were first delivered they only had a 5-8 year service life expected on them until Wrightbus fiddled around with them even more ;)
People seem to like them though. I don't see the attraction, I find them slow, hard ride, and very noisy, not in a good way like a leopard or ailsa etc, just in a screechy unpleasant way. They judder horribly and jerk badly if accelerated too much for example slowing at an island and accelerating out of it. I think they're pretty poor
Quote from: Bob on October 01, 2015, 09:41:31 PM
People seem to like them though. I don't see the attraction, I find them slow, hard ride, and very noisy, not in a good way like a leopard or ailsa etc, just in a screechy unpleasant way. They judder horribly and jerk badly if accelerated too much for example slowing at an island and accelerating out of it. I think they're pretty poor
I travelled on one of Arriva's Monday morning on my way to Walsall to pick up 1781 for Dundee and it did none of those things, only thing that wasn't smooth was the downward gearchange when slowing
The driver of 3308 on Wednesday which didn't do the jerk thing but was noisy and a bit juddery said he'd been driving another example earlier that day and people had complained about being thrown forward when it jerky. I personally think they're noisy and not particularly good especially for a so called premium route, or what's left of it. Incidentally have you seen the letters complaining about Arriva and the 1 & 2 in this week's chronicle?
Quote from: Bob on October 01, 2015, 09:41:31 PM
People seem to like them though. I don't see the attraction, I find them slow, hard ride, and very noisy, not in a good way like a leopard or ailsa etc, just in a screechy unpleasant way. They judder horribly and jerk badly if accelerated too much for example slowing at an island and accelerating out of it. I think they're pretty poor
Kind of like
@Tony I've travelled on far too many of them just getting home what with Sheffield preferring to put the Streetlites out on duties that remain out until midnight for their increased fuel efficiency and slow is one problem I've definitely not found with them, probably shouldn't be making this public as the driver can get into a lot of stick for it but we have managed to take one past its supposed limiter as an attempt to make up time after it spent 10 minutes trying not to start up! Not got any ride quality problems and but I can see where you're coming from re the jerkiness - although as our drivers are getting used to the new gearbox set up (which vastly improves their performance on hills - not often you get 25-30mph out of a bus going up quite a long & steep hill!) there's less jerking as they're preventing it more.
Quote from: T840MAK on October 01, 2015, 09:03:04 PM
18 years? Don't make me laugh!
When Sheffield's Streetlites were first delivered they only had a 5-8 year service life expected on them until Wrightbus fiddled around with them even more ;)
At no time have StreetLites ever had a 5-8 year service life projected, at least in the real world.
The jerkiness when slowing was purported to be caused by the Micro Hybrid system, which is logical.
Quote from: barry619 on October 02, 2015, 09:22:55 AM
At no time have StreetLites ever had a 5-8 year service life projected, at least in the real world.
The jerkiness when slowing was purported to be caused by the Micro Hybrid system, which is logical.
The initial estimates on their projected service life was 5-8 years through what was happening with the prototype Streetlite we had, LK62FUJ, if no changes were made. Sheffield is a very hilly city and the hills had taken their toll on the bus within its first couple of weeks of service - it was trialled on Sheffield's hilliest route, like most demonstrators that visit the area are, so that First know how to specify vehicles in their order - the 51 is a seriously trecherous route with the amount of hills that it uses and has killed numerous B6s, B7s, Tridents and even B10s. Wrights learned from the problems that LK62FUJ was having and made suitable modifications to all of First's production examples and once the first 37 had been delivered to us the prototypes recieved modifications to bring them to the same standard as the production versions.
The production versions that First have recieved since 2013 are different to how their initial 4 were delivered.
Hills don't kill buses, contrary to popular enthusiast belief. There are hills in Hong Kong which make anything Sheffield may have look like a speed bump, yet they have no difficulty getting 18 years' service and above from many models, including Darts.
They may slightly reduce engine life, and potentially transmission life due to increased retarder use causing greater heat build-up, but nothing more. Remove the expired one, drop a new one in and away you go.
I also struggle to comprehend how some minor changes to a bus (and not completely rebuilding it) can massively extend a 'projected service life'. Then again, enthusiasts often know better than manufacturers do.
The StreetLite is not a vehicle which can be majorly re-engineered 'on the fly', as an Olympian or similar could be. Not only is it designed and produced to very fine tolerances in terms of load bearing and available space but there are various Type Approvals to consider which preclude doing so. You can alter the driveline performance via computer (or perhaps change Cummins for Daimler, or vice-versa), or retrofit Micro Hybrid (one of Bristol's is currently having this done) but not a lot more.
Quote from: barry619 on October 02, 2015, 01:19:50 PM
Hills don't kill buses, contrary to popular enthusiast belief. There are hills in Hong Kong which make anything Sheffield may have look like a speed bump, yet they have no difficulty getting 18 years' service and above from many models, including Darts.
They may slightly reduce engine life, and potentially transmission life due to increased retarder use causing greater heat build-up, but nothing more. Remove the expired one, drop a new one in and away you go.
I also struggle to comprehend how some minor changes to a bus (and not completely rebuilding it) can massively extend a 'projected service life'. Then again, enthusiasts often know better than manufacturers do.
The StreetLite is not a vehicle which can be majorly re-engineered 'on the fly', as an Olympian or similar could be. Not only is it designed and produced to very fine tolerances in terms of load bearing and available space but there are various Type Approvals to consider which preclude doing so. You can alter the driveline performance via computer (or perhaps change Cummins for Daimler, or vice-versa), or retrofit Micro Hybrid (one of Bristol's is currently having this done) but not a lot more.
There is also no way First Group, or any of the other big groups, would buy a £100,000 vehicle and depreciate it over 8 years
They are horribly noisy though, noisier than any volvo/volvo decker, any sb120, dart, and even an old sb200 ( and they are noisy ) . I can't find anything nice about them. Some of Cannocks now rattle as badly as nx enviro 200 . Poor all over I think personally. Their introduction on the 1 & 2 obviously didn't make journeys sparkle, had they done so they wouldn't of had to cut the services lol
Well I apologise if what you're reading you believe to be incorrect - but this is information that was given by an engineer when they were delivered and have nothing to do with my own personal opinion...
And yes, I am aware hills don't kill buses, I'm not that stupid.
Quote from: T840MAK on October 02, 2015, 04:47:16 PM
Well I apologise if what you're reading you believe to be incorrect - but this is information that was given by an engineer when they were delivered and have nothing to do with my own personal opinion...
If you were told by a garage spanner monkey then any info they give is usually best treated the same as that from drivers. It is often suspect, either because they don't know as much as they think they do, or because they are feeding you BS on purpose for whatever reason.
Quote from: T840MAK on October 02, 2015, 04:47:16 PM
And yes, I am aware hills don't kill buses, I'm not that stupid.
But you did say that hills 'take their toll' on buses. They do not.
Quote from: barry619 on October 02, 2015, 05:01:51 PM
If you were told by a garage spanner monkey then any info they give is usually best treated the same as that from drivers. It is often suspect, either because they don't know as much as they think they do, or because they are feeding you BS on purpose for whatever reason.
But you did say that hills 'take their toll' on buses. They do not.
Maybe I misunderstood or have forgotten what was said - it was two years ago now.
Re the hill point, I simply presumed that people understood what I meant -really shouldn't do that tbh.
Although with the state of some of the roads around here then they do take their toll on the buses, what with all the rattling ;)
Further to my sighting of 53059 at AG depot earlier this week, saw it heading away from the depot this morning at 7:30 with a uniformed driver, presumably to take up service. This makes 4 ex FMR solos into service in the last week or so.
40173 P126NLW the remaining ex London Marshall Dart has been in the far corner of the depot in the same position for days now, so is likely to have been withdrawn from service. I'm sure I read somewhere that a driver plans to buy this on withdrawal.
Ben
Quote from: DVXXII on October 02, 2015, 05:48:24 PM
Further to my sighting of 53059 at AG depot earlier this week, saw it heading away from the depot this morning at 7:30 with a uniformed driver, presumably to take up service. This makes 4 ex FMR solos into service in the last week or so.
40173 P126NLW the remaining ex London Marshall Dart has been in the far corner of the depot in the same position for days now, so is likely to have been withdrawn from service. I'm sure I read somewhere that a driver plans to buy this on withdrawal.
Ben
I heard this too. Personally don't see the appeal myself.
Ex FMR solo 53058 has been reported elsewhere as being observed in service, although not seen by myself.
At AG yesterday noted that withdrawn 40373 has had a couple of windows put through by the local youths. Not in the normal withdrawal part of the depot, but seen in the corner backing onto the Esso garage with stickers in the window presumably stating not for service were 40023/9 and 53207/9. The latter two are a surprise being some of the newest solos in the fleet and one would assume DDA compliant. But of course the stickers may correspond to something different and not mean these 4 are for withdrawal
Quote from: T840MAK on September 14, 2015, 07:51:01 PM
Solos 40015 40024 40028 50281 have moved to First Lanarkshire's Blantyre depot.
Scanias 60013 60074 60176 60189 are now at Caledonia depot.
These all show either not traced (i.e. consigned for scrap at around the middle of September) or SORN on the vehicle enquiry website, so it would appear that they either didn't go to Scotland for service or there was a change of plan when they got there/were examined.
Only one X-FFA Solo is still taxed.
Quote from: barry619 on October 04, 2015, 10:27:07 AM
These all show either not traced (i.e. consigned for scrap at around the middle of September) or SORN on the vehicle enquiry website, so it would appear that they either didn't go to Scotland for service or there was a change of plan when they got there/were examined.
Only one X-FFA Solo is still taxed.
Interesting - the original plan was for them to see service slightly longer to cover for new deliveries but none have been out yet. Must have been a plan change for them, or they're only being used as and when required as long as they have tax & MOT. I'll keep my eye out for any further news on them.
whats the quickest way from wolves/Birmingham to Newcastle?
Quote from: Trident 4194 on October 04, 2015, 03:44:43 PM
whats the quickest way from wolves/Birmingham to Newcastle?
NXWM 54 from Wolvertrampton to Stafford (1 hour and 5 minutes) and First 10 from Stafford to Hanley (1 hour and 14 minutes), although if you want Newcastle Bus Station then it's an hour.
Quote from: Trident 4194 on October 04, 2015, 03:44:43 PM
whats the quickest way from wolves/Birmingham to Newcastle?
NX 325
Quote from: BN on October 04, 2015, 07:02:42 PM
NX 325
I think he meant the Staffordshire Newcastle, not the one full of Geordies ;)
Quote from: T840MAK on October 04, 2015, 09:13:19 PM
I think he meant the Staffordshire Newcastle, not the one full of Geordies ;)
Train to Stoke on Trent then the 3 to Newcastle
63096 is on the 10
Noted yesterday at the depot that 40023/9 40173/373 had gone from where they had been parked for a number of days. All but 40173 had withdrawn stickers in the window before they disappeared.
First are reported to be opening an outstation in Newcastle. The reason for the U turn is because of negative feedback from passengers on the 22, 72 and 97 which have been subject to regular delays since the closure of Newcastle depot in September. Six buses and 15 drivers will be based as the new outstation.
Only First could make a mess up like that with a single depot city ::)
My impression is that the raft of depot closures around First was imposed by the top management rather than local MDs.
MAYBE once a depot closure has been done, it is easier to set-up a minimum-cost outstation if desired (perhaps ?).
I'm very glad that the MD is flexible enough in his thinking, and I think there MAY be a case for a minimum-cost outstation in "my" area to help support service reliability( - which I perceive as "seriously failing" because of worsening, serious traffic delays), - POSSIBLY using drivers from the main depot on a separate dedicated rota ?
There are lots of different options, but I realise they need to be "workable" and economically viable.
Quote from: T840MAK on October 09, 2015, 10:40:31 AM
Only First could make a mess up like that with a single depot city ::)
I would prefer to describe it as being flexible and reacting quickly to circumstances.............if I find I have made an error then I change my mind,what would you do?
Noted that 53060 and 63 have arrived from FMR, and are parked up in the depot. Reported on yahoo groups that 32078-81 are expected imminently at Potteries from Leicester.
Ben
Not even 10 Flolines/Ultralows out today. Very sad face.
Seen newly arrived 32079 in service today on a 4.
41070 next to the carwash at the depot with all front panels missing, presumed withdrawn.
Also read on midland red forum that 42351/2/4 have arrived from Worcester.
60006 60068 60073 60202 - reported withdrawn
I've seen 32078/9/81 which have recently arrived from Leicester in service over the last week,.
60006 - S350 MFP made the journey "home" to Leicester on 28/10/2015. It's now in preservation with the LTHT (Leicester Transport Heritage Trust).
Saw Dart 42352 at the depot today, recent arrival from Hereford. Not for use sticker on the windscreen, but vehicle seemed intact. Not sure if this is for spares only though as it's positioned between 41070 and an unidentified Solo that are both missing panels.
Potteries down to 12 proper Scania's with the withdrawals of 60193 and 60205. This leaves,
60015, 60069, 60072, 60128, 60171, 60174, 60175, 61235, 65561, 65564, 65567
10 were out in service yesterday. 60171 was parked in garage and 65567 was unseen.
Has anyone seen 32066 in the Potteries ?
It was last allocated to Worcester, but has been "missing", and has been reported as possibly with "YOU" !
Any info. please ?
Quote from: DD12 on November 14, 2015, 09:37:16 PM
Has anyone seen 32066 in the Potteries ?
It was last allocated to Worcester, but has been "missing", and has been reported as possibly with "YOU" !
Any info. please ?
No reports of it moving from WR as far as I know.
On the subject of moves, the AG scrap line has moved closer to the main buildings away from the exposed fence.
67601 has been reported as moving over the Potteries ...
Quote from: jc on November 15, 2015, 08:23:08 AM
67601 has been reported as moving over the Potteries ...
I'm assuming this is for type training. The Streetlites for WR aren't far off ready are they?
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on November 15, 2015, 09:29:30 AM
I'm assuming this is for type training. The Streetlites for WR aren't far off ready are they?
I think the Streetlites are due end of Nov, the 4 x Streetdecks also finally enter service from tomorrow I believe
Quote from: Winston on November 15, 2015, 10:39:20 AM
I think the Streetlites are due end of Nov, the 4 x Streetdecks also finally enter service from tomorrow I believe
There was a newspaper article in the Worcester News about the investment in Worcester.
I think it's just my fondness for the old stuff is why I'm interested.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on November 15, 2015, 12:30:08 PM
There was a newspaper article in the Worcester News about the investment in Worcester.
I think it's just my fondness for the old stuff is why I'm interested.
Potteries will obviously benefit from the influx of ex WR E300's, they are still modern looking buses. However, they've had very little money spent on them since being new & have been worked pretty hard. A retrim & new paint job would drastically improve their appearance.
Quote from: Winston on November 15, 2015, 12:36:41 PM
Potteries will obviously benefit from the influx of ex WR E300's, they are still modern looking buses. However, they've had very little money spent on them since being new & have been worked pretty hard. A retrim & new paint job would drastically improve their appearance.
I agree completely. As on 67665, the Olympia livery would make you think they were almost new. Many of the seats feel nearly flat on many. But I'm sure they'll be taken in by staff as much as the B7L's have been.
Has anyone heard if the E300's are to be re-painted/re-trimmed prior to entering service? If not, I expect that they'll continue for some time in the old FG livery. It's got to be at least 2-3 years since Potteries re-painted existing vehicles in their fleet into the olympia livery - they were ploughing ahead at one time, treating about 1/2 the Omnicities plus all sorts of random solo's, darts and scania's (many less than a year before being withdrawn!). Then this abruptly stopped. Only vehicles since this time are those which were done before transfer to Potteries from another depot.
Has Potteries no longer got facilities to do this 'in house' or is there another reason for the lack of refurbishments?
Quote from: DVXXII on November 15, 2015, 04:53:56 PM
Has anyone heard if the E300's are to be re-painted/re-trimmed prior to entering service? If not, I expect that they'll continue for some time in the old FG livery. It's got to be at least 2-3 years since Potteries re-painted existing vehicles in their fleet into the olympia livery - they were ploughing ahead at one time, treating about 1/2 the Omnicities plus all sorts of random solo's, darts and scania's (many less than a year before being withdrawn!). Then this abruptly stopped. Only vehicles since this time are those which were done before transfer to Potteries from another depot.
Has Potteries no longer got facilities to do this 'in house' or is there another reason for the lack of refurbishments?
Can't personally see the E300s getting done prior to entering service but as they start to be introduced and the non DDA Scanias are withdrawn in a couple of months they may see a little bit of investment put into them to make them look slightly more presentable.
Potteries proper Scania's today.
60015 60069 60072 60128 60174 60175 - 1/2/22
60171 (me stokie lass) - 8/98
60075 - was parked at Newcastle bus station at 1215
61235 - parked in garage
65564 - 3/4
65561 - 22
67601 at Newcastle bus station for driver training.
60128 on 2/98 tonight.
18 branded OmniCity on 10/32 tonight.
Scanias so far today:
60072 60128 7/7a/8/98
60171 65564 3/4/4a
65567 72
E300 67601 is on 3/4/4a
Quote from: T840MAK on November 21, 2015, 01:32:28 PM
Scanias so far today:
60072 60128 7/7a/8/98
60171 65564 3/4/4a
65567 72
E300 67601 is on 3/4/4a
Just to add to that.
60015 - 1/2/22
60069 - parked in garage at 1530 with "2 Adderley Green" on the blinds and doors open so may have been out.
60072 60128 - 7/8/98
60171 65564 - 3/4 (60171 out all night - BEAST)
60075 60175 - parked in garage all day
60174 - not seen
61235 - 1/2/22
65561 - was on 7/8/98 but appeared just after 1800 as a 21 which is mega rare.
65567 - I saw this at 1100 on the 72, we then saw it on a 22 at Trentham approx 1440 going to Newcastle so positioned ourselves but it vanished.
Also, 32066 parked at AG patch so ready for service on Monday perhaps?
18 branded OmniCity on the 10
No deckers on the 1 weirdly, pretty much all 1/2/22/72 were solo's and MPD's
B7L on 6/26
65728 was on the 2 early evening and a B7RLE on the 1
Can't think of much else worth mentioning apart from an OmniCity now carrying an all over ad for The Stoke Senitel newspaper.
Solo X298FFA at Scotstoun depot in Scotland for spares
65567 reported on 10's all day Thursday. Could be the last time?
32080 reported on 6's yesterday.
32077 and 66308 swapped last night or this morning.
Are all of 66302-14 going back to Leicester?
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on December 01, 2015, 04:44:03 PM
32077 and 66308 swapped last night or this morning.
Are all of 66302-14 going back to Leicester?
Wasn't the plan. Originally, 7 saloons (B7L or B7RLE) were due to move from PMT to Leicester. The loadings associated with Keele may now mean more saloons are swapped with Leicester's 51 plate B7TLs.
To save a separate post elsewhere, Midlands' StreetLites 63345 and 63356 were at Mallusk, for PDI on 30/11/2015.
67602, 67603, 67604 arrived at Adderley Green this morning.
Astley, do you know if 32066 went back to Worcester yesterday? I'd heard that this would be taken in the other direction on receiving these three E300s
Quote from: DVXXII on December 05, 2015, 08:06:12 AM
Astley, do you know if 32066 went back to Worcester yesterday? I'd heard that this would be taken in the other direction on receiving these three E300s
It was driven back but broke down on the M5 near Droitwich so had to be towed the last stretch. Think it's now awaiting a repair.
Read on Midlandred.net that 3 further E300s were heading to Potteries today, following some of their new Streetlite Max's entering service.
Had a look around Again this afternoon and this appears to be true as 67631/4/5 have all shown up. 67602/4 were also in the depot but have been reported previously.
In the top corner was one of the 663xx batch of B7Ls with newly applied purple front removing it's previous cherry branding. Couldn't ID which one it was as there was no fleetnumbers applied and the front cover with registration plate was missing. Assume this is ready for transferring back to Leicester.
Quote from: DVXXII on December 11, 2015, 04:12:02 PM
Read on Midlandred.net that 3 further E300s were heading to Potteries today, following some of their new Streetlite Max's entering service.
Had a look around Again this afternoon and this appears to be true as 67631/4/5 have all shown up. 67602/4 were also in the depot but have been reported previously.
In the top corner was one of the 663xx batch of B7Ls with newly applied purple front removing it's previous cherry branding. Couldn't ID which one it was as there was no fleetnumbers applied and the front cover with registration plate was missing. Assume this is ready for transferring back to Leicester.
67631-67635 driven up this morning.
Saw 60075, 60171, 60174, 61235 out on Bentilee's yesterday. 60069 reported on there as well.
Today, 60072, 60174, 61235, 65564 reported on the same circuit. Not to say others were out.
Anybody wanting a First Potteries Floline/Ultralow I'd say to go tomorrow.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on December 11, 2015, 11:01:20 PM
67631-67635 driven up this morning.
Saw 60075, 60171, 60174, 61235 out on Bentilee's yesterday. 60069 reported on there as well.
Today, 60072, 60174, 61235, 65564 reported on the same circuit. Not to say others were out.
Anybody wanting a First Potteries Floline/Ultralow I'd say to go tomorrow.
Possibly, but there are also a few other buses that these E300s will be replacing such as the remaining non-DDA Darts and Solos. There's also the issue of how much work any of them will need before entering service, often a problem when older buses are transferred between First fleets.
Proper Scanias today:
60075 60171 61235 65567 - 1/2/22/72
60174 - 18
60128 65561 - 3/4/4a
60069 - depot
60072 60015 60175 65564 - not seen yet
E300s 67601 67631 67632 67634 scattered around in Adderley Green depot.
EDIT - 60171 swapped onto 32s...
Quote from: T840MAK on December 12, 2015, 01:10:42 PM
Proper Scanias today:
60075 60171 61235 65567 - 1/2/22/72
60174 - 18
60128 65561 - 3/4/4a
60069 - depot
60072 60015 60175 65564 - not seen yet
E300s 67601 67631 67632 67634 scattered around in Adderley Green depot.
EDIT - 60171 swapped onto 32s...
60175 - 3/4
60128 replaced by 67603 at 1800 approx
Edit
67602/3/4 reported elsewhere as being out all day.
65004 has lost its 18 branding.
66309 is the next B7L to go back to Leicester once it has it's front and rear end repairs.
40304 40375 60015 - withdrawn
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on December 16, 2015, 12:32:36 AM
40304 40375 60015 - withdrawn
Getting towards DDA compliance now! :D
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 16, 2015, 12:37:17 AM
Getting towards DDA compliance now! :D
Just 11 Scania's, one Dart and one Solo with replacements pretty much ready to roll.
I believe 2 more B7TL's, a B7RLE and the remaining 6 E300's are due in and 2 B7L's due out. So by the time I next go in the spring there will be a few required vehicles.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on December 16, 2015, 01:06:49 AM
Just 11 Scania's, one Dart and one Solo with replacements pretty much ready to roll.
I believe 2 more B7TL's, a B7RLE and the remaining 6 E300's are due in and 2 B7L's due out. So by the time I next go in the spring there will be a few required vehicles.
Is there really only that left now?
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 16, 2015, 01:08:17 AM
Is there really only that left now?
There are less than 11 Scania's in use at any one time but reports from that way are sparse. 40367 I didn't see on Saturday. 50296 is out 6 days a week no problem. 32053-57 are non DDA but personally I couldn't see them not being modded next year and kept at Potteries but First are good at surprises.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on December 16, 2015, 01:17:58 AM
There are less than 11 Scania's in use at any one time but reports from that way are sparse. 40367 I didn't see on Saturday. 50296 is out 6 days a week no problem. 32053-57 are non DDA but personally I couldn't see them not being modded next year and kept at Potteries but First are good at surprises.
I'm always surprised there are so few Potteries reports on here, except from yours and a couple of others, it's such an interesting area for buses as well!! Fleet post DDA will look pretty good if heavily dominated by 2002-2006 buses!
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on December 16, 2015, 01:17:58 AM
There are less than 11 Scania's in use at any one time but reports from that way are sparse. 40367 I didn't see on Saturday. 50296 is out 6 days a week no problem. 32053-57 are non DDA but personally I couldn't see them not being modded next year and kept at Potteries but First are good at surprises.
Barry619 did mention about this in other thread
Quote from: barry619 on November 24, 2015, 09:00:28 AM
It has been suggested that the five W-registered B7TLs which came from Leicester will not be modified and will instead be disposed of next year, which makes sense as they are hardly in the first flush of youth and there will be no shortage of 'deckers in the Midlands when Leicester's 29 StreetDecks are delivered.
Quote from: Sayeed on December 16, 2015, 02:17:41 AM
Barry619 did mention about this in other thread
But not in the PMT thread which is what the post concerns about, so it's a pretty easy mistake to make.
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 16, 2015, 02:05:07 AM
I'm always surprised there are so few Potteries reports on here, except from yours and a couple of others, it's such an interesting area for buses as well!! Fleet post DDA will look pretty good if heavily dominated by 2002-2006 buses!
Despite the reputation of the area. I agree it is an interesting fleet even now and it's not too far from Wolverhampton. I'll be sure to keep the updates coming.
60069, 60075, 65567 reported in use this week but all the E300's at AG so far all sound as though they're out.
Seen Scania 60175 on the 1/2 circuit today. Also solo 50296 continues to soldier on, appearing today on the 5.
Quote from: DVXXII on December 18, 2015, 06:30:33 PM
Seen Scania 60175 on the 1/2 circuit today. Also solo 50296 continues to soldier on, appearing today on the 5.
60072 and 60128 apparently on the same circuit today.
61235 on the 6/26 vice Streetlite
42353, 42356 also reported withdrawn. I thought these had mods put on when they transferred.
I read that these weren't molded when transferred, think this was on Midlandred.net
Did seem a bit odd to me but apparently the batch have all lead hard lives and suppose first decided not to invest in their refurbishment. As they were being made surplus due to the closure of Hereford, I can only assume they were bought in as they had valid MOT certificates, to save getting some non DDA Potteries kit through an MOT to take them up to the regulation change in January
67636 - 67641 arrived at Adderley Green this morning.
67664 "Santa Bus" has gone back to Worcester.
Some depot observations from yesterday.
Saw 67636/7/9 of the E300s reported transferred on 24/12. Also parked in the 'in use' lanes was 42354. This was parked up for a while in the withdrawn corner with heavily cannibalised solo 4002?, and has not been used for service at Potteries before . Maybe this and others of the batch are to have DDA mods after all. Parked next to the solo with a not in use sticker in the window currently is 41522. Still in the far corner missing front panel is one of the batch of B7Ls 663xx with the front repainted from red to purple - this has been in this position for at least 2 weeks now.
Reported elsewhere is one of the omnicities, 65033, has received the new purple fronted livery. This was previously in the newer 'olympia' livery. Seems strange that this has been painted again with so many vehicles still in old first group livery.
Heavily cannibalised solo wrongly reported, it's actually 40009
66309 is the B7L.
Apparently 60128 was on the 1 today.
The purple front is apparently to be the norm at First Midlands. Mind you there are still 4 Barbie OmniCities and those E300's deserve some attention.
Quote from: DVXXII on December 28, 2015, 08:22:55 AM
Some depot observations from yesterday.
Saw 67636/7/9 of the E300s reported transferred on 24/12. Also parked in the 'in use' lanes was 42354. This was parked up for a while in the withdrawn corner with heavily cannibalised solo 4002?, and has not been used for service at Potteries before . Maybe this and others of the batch are to have DDA mods after all. Parked next to the solo with a not in use sticker in the window currently is 41522. Still in the far corner missing front panel is one of the batch of B7Ls 663xx with the front repainted from red to purple - this has been in this position for at least 2 weeks now.
Reported elsewhere is one of the omnicities, 65033, has received the new purple fronted livery. This was previously in the newer 'olympia' livery. Seems strange that this has been painted again with so many vehicles still in old first group livery.
There is/was a plan to relivery and brand buses for the Stafford service, which would tie in with an OmniCity being repainted. The 'new' 25 to Keele has been mooted as the next route to get the same treatment.
From what I've heard, Potteries is to go completely raspberry with the Staffords included in that.
Quote from: T840MAK on December 28, 2015, 09:01:54 PM
From what I've heard, Potteries is to go completely raspberry with the Staffords included in that.
Worcester and Leicester have gone for purple. They're still deciding for Potteries.
http://www.firstgroup.com/potteries/news-and-service-updates/planned-changes/changes-services-10-january-2015
Seems like some decent improvements being made to Potteries services! :D
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 28, 2015, 09:36:21 PM
http://www.firstgroup.com/potteries/news-and-service-updates/planned-changes/changes-services-10-january-2015
Seems like some decent improvements being made to Potteries services! :D
It's a good idea that the 25 is back. Put the deckers where they're most needed.
The minor re-timings on some journeys I couldn't really comment on. If I lived there I probably could. However, additional journeys I can see the benefit of as you do get a fair bit of a queue and a full bus pretty quick Saturday evenings apart from the 5 which goes quiet before 1830. But this could be a sign of increasing patronage.
I did glance through the news page. It's a shame the promotional fares were only available on weekends up until Christmas and I cant imagine a huge uptake of 5 for a fiver in the quietest month of the year but fair play to them.
The piece about heated buses made me have a little chuckle lol.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on December 28, 2015, 09:48:24 PM
It's a good idea that the 25 is back. Put the deckers where they're most needed.
The minor re-timings on some journeys I couldn't really comment on. If I lived there I probably could. However, additional journeys I can see the benefit of as you do get a fair bit of a queue and a full bus pretty quick Saturday evenings apart from the 5 which goes quiet before 1830. But this could be a sign of increasing patronage.
I did glance through the news page. It's a shame the promotional fares were only available on weekends up until Christmas and I cant imagine a huge uptake of 5 for a fiver in the quietest month of the year but fair play to them.
The piece about heated buses made me have a little chuckle lol.
Additional journeys is a very good sign of things starting to pick up in the Potteries area for First after years of services being pruned back, plus repaints on the cards. The post DDA fleet won't be bad, the issue is the concentration of vehicles 10 years old and plus which will form the vast majority of the fleet.
The promotional fares is an initiative across the group, some subsidiaries are implementing the offers in different ways. Wyvern have 12 for the price of 10 on the 10 journey tickets, which serves the dual purpose of encouraging use of the app as well.
Quote from: T840MAK on December 28, 2015, 09:01:54 PM
From what I've heard, Potteries is to go completely raspberry with the Staffords included in that.
Hopefully the Staffords would get some newer buses....repainting and branding 9 year old plus un refurbished omni cities for one of their longest routes?....
Quote from: barry619 on December 28, 2015, 08:20:17 PM
There is/was a plan to relivery and brand buses for the Stafford service, which would tie in with an OmniCity being repainted. The 'new' 25 to Keele has been mooted as the next route to get the same treatment.
If the new Keele service is to be repainted next, I wonder if this is an indication that the 320XX ALX400 deckers are going to in fact get DDA mods and not be moved out. These buses have surely got to be the mainstay of this route when it gets split from the 3, unless the plan is to have the Geminis all on the 25 and the ALX400s on the 32/A
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 28, 2015, 09:36:21 PM
http://www.firstgroup.com/potteries/news-and-service-updates/planned-changes/changes-services-10-january-2015
Seems like some decent improvements being made to Potteries services! :D
Not really. Many of those trips dressed up as 'extra journeys' are actually buses heading to or from the depot that previously would have done so out of service. More cuts are on the cards for February, albeit not as severe as recent rounds.
As for Potteries' fleet, it has once again been stuffed full of buses which will all come up for replacement over a short period of time. That happened over the past few years as the policy of importing no end of cast-off junk dating from between 1997-2000 came home to roost. Bringing in 13-year old Solos, 14-year old 'deckers and E300s that in some cases are 12 years old (and all of which require repainting as a minimum) does not a good fleet make.
At least half a dozen of the 67631-41 batch have been left in depot today. The majority of the remaining Scania's are out with only 60069 and 65561 at the depot. 42354 also appears to be out in service.
42354 50296 60072 60171 60175 65567 confirmed withdrawn at end of service last night and are now in storage at Newcastle garage.
Quote from: barry619 on December 29, 2015, 11:00:32 AM
Not really. Many of those trips dressed up as 'extra journeys' are actually buses heading to or from the depot that previously would have done so out of service. More cuts are on the cards for February, albeit not as severe as recent rounds.
As for Potteries' fleet, it has once again been stuffed full of buses which will all come up for replacement over a short period of time. That happened over the past few years as the policy of importing no end of cast-off junk dating from between 1997-2000 came home to roost. Bringing in 13-year old Solos, 14-year old 'deckers and E300s that in some cases are 12 years old (and all of which require repainting as a minimum) does not a good fleet make.
I agree about loading a fleet with vehicles all of a similar age profile being a bad idea, it's better to have a managed fleet replacement policy like NX are doing or the large batch of 2003-2005 buses being slowly but surely split up at Worcester through new investment so the whole fleet doesn't become unreliable and old together. I'd think the E300's and Solos have 5 years' service left in them at the maximum, that's assuming 17/8 year service lives which is reasonable. It'll be interesting to see what if any future service cuts are, D and G seem a fairly formidable competitive force now, with a modern and pretty smart fleet. I wonder if they'll consider launching any further commercial routes or stepping into gaps created by First withdrawals.
At AG depot;
42354 back in position in withdrawn corner of the yard next to 40009. 41522 has moved from here - presumably now being worked on inside one of the engineering garages. 41540 in all over advert has spent a significant time in the depot over the last week, so is presumably suffering from some fault. In the other corner of the depot 66309(?) remains in place it has occupied for a number of weeks now. Behind this is 67638 with VOR sticker in windscreen, obviously with some fault.
As mentioned by Ashley, all the non DDA Scania's have gone from AG to NE for storage - non are visibly on site at AG.
With regards to D&G, they seem to be taking a more measured approach to building their business in Stoke than has been taken by competitors to First in the past here. Arriva (and others before them including Wardle,Bakers,old D&G Etc) seemed to go about competing with First more aggressively with varying levels of success on different corridors. This, however, has led ultimately in all cases to their demise or sale. On the other hand, D&G have retained only the routes acquired from Arriva/Bakers etc which were proving a success and expanded using Staffs CC contracts and First route abandonments in the main. This is slowly allowing them to become a powerful force in the Stoke area.
This said, it wouldn't surprise me if D&G were to 'attack' one or more of First's corridors in the not too distant future. First are clearly much less well equipped to defend a corridor than they were, say, 5 years ago (ie when they suffocated Bakers attempt to compete on the Hanley - Bentilee Routes) and I'm sure this will not have escaped D&G managements attention.
Quote from: DVXXII on January 03, 2016, 10:23:25 AM
At AG depot;
42354 back in position in withdrawn corner of the yard next to 40009. 41522 has moved from here - presumably now being worked on inside one of the engineering garages. 41540 in all over advert has spent a significant time in the depot over the last week, so is presumably suffering from some fault. In the other corner of the depot 66309(?) remains in place it has occupied for a number of weeks now. Behind this is 67638 with VOR sticker in windscreen, obviously with some fault.
As mentioned by Ashley, all the non DDA Scania's have gone from AG to NE for storage - non are visibly on site at AG.
With regards to D&G, they seem to be taking a more measured approach to building their business in Stoke than has been taken by competitors to First in the past here. Arriva (and others before them including Wardle,Bakers,old D&G Etc) seemed to go about competing with First more aggressively with varying levels of success on different corridors. This, however, has led ultimately in all cases to their demise or sale. On the other hand, D&G have retained only the routes acquired from Arriva/Bakers etc which were proving a success and expanded using Staffs CC contracts and First route abandonments in the main. This is slowly allowing them to become a powerful force in the Stoke area.
This said, it wouldn't surprise me if D&G were to 'attack' one or more of First's corridors in the not too distant future. First are clearly much less well equipped to defend a corridor than they were, say, 5 years ago (ie when they suffocated Bakers attempt to compete on the Hanley - Bentilee Routes) and I'm sure this will not have escaped D&G managements attention.
Interesting fleet observations, apparently Newcastle is rammed full of non DDA buses. You'd think the priority will now be to clear the site and sell the buses for scrap. Big piles of buses have appeared at several garages across First, in particular Scotland fleets and Muller Road. D & G seem to be faring better in Stoke than Cheshire where GHA have tended to just commercialise routes they lose on tender. It'd be good to see them further expand by acquiring Scraggs, few decent routes there. They've thinned back to what is actually viable with good buses. I reckon they're sure to try to expand further onto one of First's busier corridors or why not have a crack at Arriva Stafford? Their presence in Stafford is pretty high now.
Quote from: DiamondDart on January 03, 2016, 03:15:35 PM
Interesting fleet observations, apparently Newcastle is rammed full of non DDA buses. You'd think the priority will now be to clear the site and sell the buses for scrap. Big piles of buses have appeared at several garages across First, in particular Scotland fleets and Muller Road. D & G seem to be faring better in Stoke than Cheshire where GHA have tended to just commercialise routes they lose on tender. It'd be good to see them further expand by acquiring Scraggs, few decent routes there. They've thinned back to what is actually viable with good buses. I reckon they're sure to try to expand further onto one of First's busier corridors or why not have a crack at Arriva Stafford? Their presence in Stafford is pretty high now.
If its anything like Muller Road then Newcastle will never become anything even though I'm sure the housing people are snapping at their heels. Selling off all that you could probably buy a couple of Streetlites but anyway.
Well D&G have taken on Copelands service work and I could imagine Scraggs giving up as well. D&G have got an increasing and loyal customer base on The Orange One. So I do think this year we will see some Stokie expansion that isn't just mopping up. As for Crewe, the potential thorn in their side is Routemaster Buses who are also taking on Arriva again and have got their fleet age right down apart from 2 Leyland Olympians.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on January 03, 2016, 03:54:03 PM
If its anything like Muller Road then Newcastle will never become anything even though I'm sure the housing people are snapping at their heels. Selling off all that you could probably buy a couple of Streetlites but anyway.
Well D&G have taken on Copelands service work and I could imagine Scraggs giving up as well. D&G have got an increasing and loyal customer base on The Orange One. So I do think this year we will see some Stokie expansion that isn't just mopping up. As for Crewe, the potential thorn in their side is Routemaster Buses who are also taking on Arriva again and have got their fleet age right down apart from 2 Leyland Olympians.
Routemaster Buses are an interesting one, they're taking on the 84 (Crewe to Chester) after Arriva announced they're cutting back. However, they withdrew registration on the 8 once D and G also registered, which suggests they're not intent on taking on D and G, mostly Arriva and D and G also making the most of Arriva's cuts up there. I think it's only a matter of time before one or other of them decide to take on Arriva's 6, their last true Crewe town route!
Quote from: DiamondDart on January 03, 2016, 05:16:22 PM
Routemaster Buses are an interesting one, they're taking on the 84 (Crewe to Chester) after Arriva announced they're cutting back. However, they withdrew registration on the 8 once D and G also registered, which suggests they're not intent on taking on D and G, mostly Arriva and D and G also making the most of Arriva's cuts up there. I think it's only a matter of time before one or other of them decide to take on Arriva's 6, their last true Crewe town route!
Initially I had heard they were competing against Arriva on the 84. Using former Arriva deckers. But thanks for pointing that out.
Admittedly I've never been to Crewe properly. But as you say if Arriva only have one local service there then I don't think it would be that long before they also give it up. I do plan to try the new 84 to get the temporary loaned vehicles in the book before the DW's come so I'll have a more intelligent answer by then.
Quote from: DiamondDart on January 03, 2016, 03:15:35 PM
Interesting fleet observations, apparently Newcastle is rammed full of non DDA buses. You'd think the priority will now be to clear the site and sell the buses for scrap. Big piles of buses have appeared at several garages across First, in particular Scotland fleets and Muller Road. D & G seem to be faring better in Stoke than Cheshire where GHA have tended to just commercialise routes they lose on tender. It'd be good to see them further expand by acquiring Scraggs, few decent routes there. They've thinned back to what is actually viable with good buses. I reckon they're sure to try to expand further onto one of First's busier corridors or why not have a crack at Arriva Stafford? Their presence in Stafford is pretty high now.
I can't imagine there's a lot of scope in Stafford to be fair. In midland red days it was a hugely profitable garage, christ knows what's happened there under Arriva. Crap old buses on largely quiet routes. I'd think the only vaguely profitable ones are the Cannock Lichfield and Telford routes all of which are run from other garages....What could D & G add to Stafford?
Whatever the fault was with 67638 it has now been rectified, as I have seen it out today on the 1/2 circuit
Not even been here half an hour yet, observations so far:
67638 - 1/2/22/72
Two Streetlites on 3s
42893 - 6/6A vice Streetlite
Hanley bus station was also empty when I got there. Never seen it so quiet.
Early evening update:
66309 now missing from AG depot, 60316/317 now in its place.
Heavily stripped Solo in the dead corner next to a Barbie liveried Caetano Dart - looked to be Olympia liveried from the back
Unusual / noteworthy / weird / someone's broken the allocations:
41501 53405 63096(?) 63100 63172 65041 65042 - 3/4/4A (vice Cherry brand Volvo/Scania)
67602 - 97 (not sure what this is meant to be but I'm not sure it's supposed to be an E300)
42893 66305 - 6/6A (vice Streetlite)
42894 - 32 (vice Gemini)
37156 - 18 (vice OmniCity)
Some Solos and 67635 on 7/7A/8/8A/98/99 but I'm not sure whether this is normal or not
Think that's all, I'll amend this post if I find anything else of interest or I think of anything I've missed.
Hi Ashley
The Caetano next to 40009 is 42354. In addition to your observations I have seen 42892 on the 6/26 circuit today. Don't know why allocations are so shot since the new year. The streetlites very rarely ventured off the 6/6A/26 but they have been seen off route on a number of occasions this last week.
Quote from: DVXXII on January 09, 2016, 07:05:20 PM
Hi Ashley
The Caetano next to 40009 is 42354. In addition to your observations I have seen 42892 on the 6/26 circuit today. Don't know why allocations are so shot since the new year. The streetlites very rarely ventured off the 6/6A/26 but they have been seen off route on a number of occasions this last week.
I've noticed an unusually large amount of "unusual" workings in Potteries today - all that I've seen should be in the post above to go with yours :)
Route 3 branded Volvo MX05CGU on the 5 today, generally a solo operated route. Also noted 32627 on Bentilee shorts - seen this on here a few times in recent days, so may be carrying a fault.
Quote from: DVXXII on January 11, 2016, 06:49:11 PM
Route 3 branded Volvo MX05CGU on the 5 today, generally a solo operated route. Also noted 32627 on Bentilee shorts - seen this on here a few times in recent days, so may be carrying a fault.
For some reason Bentilee shorts seem to be either Solos, Darts or Geminis I've noticed. I guess it being on there for a couple of days may just be how it falls when it comes to allocations in the morning tbh, I can't see it being on Bentilee shorts with just a fault, usually it'd be kept in depot to try and fix said fault.
Ex PMT Dart 40137 R979 NVT has finally made an appearance with its new operator in Sheffield, been out over the last couple of days as Linburg's 81 IIG 2181 on their Tesco contracts.
Quote from: T840MAK on January 13, 2016, 08:55:44 PM
Ex PMT Dart 40137 R979 NVT has finally made an appearance with its new operator in Sheffield, been out over the last couple of days as Linburg's 81 IIG 2181 on their Tesco contracts.
Good to hear that an ex First Dart has made it onto another operator, I still think their Plaxton bodied Darts carry their years well with First standard spec interior etc, years ahead of any other group!
Quote from: DiamondDart on January 13, 2016, 09:10:05 PM
Good to hear that an ex First Dart has made it onto another operator, I still think their Plaxton bodied Darts carry their years well with First standard spec interior etc, years ahead of any other group!
They bought it in 2014. But didn't touch it for a while.
There is a picture on Flickr of 66309 in use in the Potteries with fuchsia front. Is this one planned to be swapped with a double-decker from Leicester, or are some of the red-fronted single-deckers in Stoke to gain fuchsia fronts now that the requirement for red ones has reduced, does anyone know?
Noticed this week that a second OmniCity has had its front repainted in fuscia along with 65033. I saw it a distance and I thought it was 65034 but observations on a yahoo group forum suggests this may not be the one so I'll have to keep an eye out to confirm.
32082 is now at AG depot from Leicester. I understand this was intended as a swap for 66309 which has been seen running around Potteries in the last week or so with a fucia front. Has anyone seen this arrive in Leicester?
Allocations have seemed to have become more typical following the apparent free for all that occurred in the first week of the new year. However this week I have seen OmniCity 65042 on route 5 (typically solo/dart operated) and yesterday route 6/26 branded 63179 was seen on the number 1 service.
Photoed 65034 this morning with new pink front
Thanks for confirming jc. Also saw this Sunday parked up in the depot.
An E300 which has been parked between withdrawals 40009 and 42354 for about a week is 67602. Can't imagine this is withdrawn, more likely awaiting part(s) for mechanical repairs. Would be nice if it were to be repainted at the same time. Think this would make it the first E300 in the new livery if so.
Quote from: DVXXII on January 25, 2016, 08:04:12 AM
Think this would make it the first E300 in the new livery if so.
Do you mean the dipped front livery??
As the 67665 and 67699 are both at Worcester in the 2012 livery.
Quote from: tank90 on January 25, 2016, 08:29:09 AM
Do you mean the dipped front livery??
As the 67665 and 67699 are both at Worcester in the 2012 livery.
Think he's referring to the first Transbus one - 67665 and 67699 are both ADLs.
Quote from: T840MAK on January 25, 2016, 08:32:01 AM
Think he's referring to the first Transbus one - 67665 and 67699 are both ADLs.
Not quite the first!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/neiljennings/15816464468/in/photolist-gzBuuS-gzCoQT-vrFcJ7-ohr1E6-9GTbEv-nNCbfW-uwvdD1-b5usQX-q6DvRf
The first First E300 was also the first to be in the First 2012 livery! :P
Aye that be true I forgot the former RH E300 that Diamond didn't want..................
But yes that would be one of the first ones unless any in Scotland had been painted before hand.
Quote from: tank90 on January 25, 2016, 04:44:40 PM
Aye that be true I forgot the former RH E300 that Diamond didn't want..................
But yes that would be one of the first ones unless any in Scotland had been painted before hand.
Interesting bus, longer than all the rest with high backed seats as well. Never got to ride on it unfortunately though surprising it didn't stay at Worcester seeing as that type of E300 was unusual across First at the time, before E300's went to Potteries, think Scotland East have one as well.
Quote from: DiamondDart on January 25, 2016, 08:08:03 PM
Interesting bus, longer than all the rest with high backed seats as well. Never got to ride on it unfortunately though surprising it didn't stay at Worcester seeing as that type of E300 was unusual across First at the time, before E300's went to Potteries, think Scotland East have one as well.
Pair of them at First Scotland East 62411/2 (SN03WMJ/U), not sure they have ever been in First livery, always in an overall ad livery, they might possibly be owned by Falkirk Council?
Quote from: Cheese on January 25, 2016, 08:17:54 PM
Pair of them at First Scotland East 62411/2 (SN03WMJ/U), not sure they have ever been in First livery, always in an overall ad livery, they might possibly be owned by Falkirk Council?
Those are they, look to be standard First spec though which suggests First ordered them/Transbus built as Demo's to their spec
So after recieving a barrage of abuse, general obvs from today.
66305 - 1/2 shorts
65706 - 10
43875 - 5
63097 - 3/4/4A
66309 with its fuchsia front on 3/4/4A
25 seems to mainly be deckers with just 66303 and 65041.
60316 60317 in their usual places in the yard
65034 with its fuchsia front parked up.
The two non DDA withdrawn vehicles left at AG, 40009 (which was heavily stripped) and 42354, have been moved in the last day or so. Not sure if these have been moved to join the other withdrawals at NE or been towed away for scrap. 67602 moved from between them at the weekend. Not noted out working so most likely undergoing repairs and/or repaint.
Quote from: T840MAK on January 30, 2016, 04:03:37 PM
So after recieving a barrage of abuse
Abuse from who, a driver?
Some Potteries changes coming up http://www.firstgroup.com/potteries/news-and-service-updates/planned-changes/service-changes-21-february . Looks to be mostly more pruning back.
Anyone else think the Potteries logos on the bottoms of windscreens of Eclipse/Solar bodied B7RLE/Scania's looks properly odd?!
66851 on the 10 in Stafford, very rare for a Volvo B7RLE to be in Stafford.
Not much of interest at the depot yesterday. Fuscia fronted 66309 is still here, beginning to think it's swap with an ALX400 decker from Leicester is now off the cards. 67602 is now out of the garage, but still in the old livery - was hoping this was to be the first with a new fuscia fronted livery here but it's not to be :-(
Reported elsewhere are sightings that 65035 has now had a fuscia front applied and is out in service.
Noted at the depot today that 65036 has now emerged from the paint shop with a fuscia front. They're certainly getting through these Omnicities fairly quickly. Fuscia fronted B7L 66309 has been in the depot for most of the week, presumably suffering further troubles, as it has recently been off the road for a number of weeks.
65035 also now has had a fuchsia front repainted.
65036 has had a raspberry front end repaint
65730 and 66839 on the 10 today.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on February 19, 2016, 06:51:50 PM
65035 also now has had a fuchsia front repainted.
65036 has had a raspberry front end repaint
I have seen one of the fuchsia-fronted OmniCitys this week. They are repainting the whole bus rather than just applying a coloured front. Odd that the decision has been to repaint buses that already carry the current corporate livery rather than any of the battered old heaps that are still in obsolete Barbie colours, but this is First after all.
Quote from: barry619 on February 20, 2016, 11:23:12 AM
I have seen one of the fuchsia-fronted OmniCitys this week. They are repainting the whole bus rather than just applying a coloured front. Odd that the decision has been to repaint buses that already carry the current corporate livery rather than any of the battered old heaps that are still in obsolete Barbie colours, but this is First after all.
65039-42 should be priority as these are Barbie. Then some money spent on the recently acquired Darts/Solos/E300's/B7TL's in general. Either that or some new stock.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on February 19, 2016, 06:51:50 PM
65035 also now has had a fuchsia front repainted.
65036 has had a raspberry front end repaint
65730 and 66839 on the 10 today.
Are the fuchsia fronts a different shade to the raspberry fronts
Well fuchsia is pink and raspberry is red so more a different colour than shade lol
Quote from: Bob on February 22, 2016, 01:41:43 PM
Well fuchsia is pink and raspberry is red so more a different colour than shade lol
I agree but the raspberry fronts are more a shade of pink.
Solo's 53059 and 53060 have been parked up at AG depot with 'not for service use' stickers in the windscreen for most of this week
Could be that they're both broken, or it could be to do with the suggestion that some Solos were to be swapped with bigger buses from elsewhere to better suit the two corridors that have had their frequencies reduced - reduced, that is, to suit operational requirements rather than demand and the latest step on the road to the inevitable.
Quote from: barry619 on March 07, 2016, 02:05:46 AM
Could be that they're both broken, or it could be to do with the suggestion that some Solos were to be swapped with bigger buses from elsewhere to better suit the two corridors that have had their frequencies reduced - reduced, that is, to suit operational requirements rather than demand and the latest step on the road to the inevitable.
I think there's a lot of truth regarding the comment regarding operational need over demand. Certainly on the 23 corridor the main frequency has reduced from a bus every 7/8 minutes to every 15 in the last 15 or so years. I understand that car ownership may be more prevalent nowadays but the peak journeys certainly were fully loaded with solo's used before the frequency was cut from every 10 to every 15 minutes. Dread to think what they're like now.
Even if bigger vehicles were sourced, the increase in capacity on both the 21 & 23 (which have both recently had their frequency cut) is limited due to the route of both services going under Glebe Street bridge by Stoke Station. This makes full length single deckers out of the question.
Quote from: DVXXII on March 04, 2016, 06:36:39 PM
Solo's 53059 and 53060 have been parked up at AG depot with 'not for service use' stickers in the windscreen for most of this week
53060 back out today, providing link journeys on the 26 due to the closure of Caverswall Road during the daytime.
53059 is still in the same position with a not for use sticker. Also around the depot with not for use stickers in the windscreen are 41495 and 66302
Noted today that 65037 is the latest to receive the new livery with a pinky coloured front (could be fuscia, raspberry or similar, I really can't tell the difference!). Out in service on the 101
Quote from: DVXXII on March 11, 2016, 06:46:33 PM
53060 back out today, providing link journeys on the 26 due to the closure of Caverswall Road during the daytime.
53059 is still in the same position with a not for use sticker. Also around the depot with not for use stickers in the windscreen are 41495 and 66302
Just noticed a typo, the Caetano dart out of action is 41496
Quote from: DVXXII on March 11, 2016, 06:46:33 PM
53060 back out today, providing link journeys on the 26 due to the closure of Caverswall Road during the daytime.
53059 is still in the same position with a not for use sticker. Also around the depot with not for use stickers in the windscreen are 41495 and 66302
53060 is back parked up again after its brief foray providing a link for road closures on the 26.
Another dart parked up out of use at the depot for a week next to 41496 is 43877. Reported elsewhere is that 66845 has turned up at Worcester depot on suspended tow for engine work.
63174 reported elsewhere as being on the 5 today. First one on tere.
40007 went to Worcester as a parts donor.
Very interesting to read in Buses mag that First submitted a bit for some OLEV money for 15 low carbon single-deckers for the Potteries. The article suggests StreetLites or E200 MMCs if it is successful.
Noted yesterday at AG depot was 32052, which is in overall livery promoting engineering careers at first. Scan of the net suggests this moves around regions doing promotion work. Expecting to find this parked up soon in Hanley centre.
Unusual working today is 53828 on 6/26, usually a streetlite only route.
At AG depot the two solo's that have been parked up out of use for a number of weeks (53059/60) have moved. Not seen either back in service in Potteries but will keep a look out. In the depot 41496 still in the same position, as is visitor 32052. 43877 has moved but not back out in service yet. About 6 E300s and a couple of streetlites left in with the good Friday reduced PVR
Visible At NE depot are withdrawn 42354 60175 65567 and a heavily stripped solo (think 40009) Plenty more Scania Wrights non DDA compliant buses tucked behind these but I couldn't identify which.
Quote from: DVXXII on March 25, 2016, 06:42:57 PM
Unusual working today is 53828 on 6/26, usually a streetlite only route.
At AG depot the two solo's that have been parked up out of use for a number of weeks (53059/60) have moved. Not seen either back in service in Potteries but will keep a look out. In the depot 41496 still in the same position, as is visitor 32052. 43877 has moved but not back out in service yet. About 6 E300s and a couple of streetlites left in with the good Friday reduced PVR
Visible At NE depot are withdrawn 42354 60175 65567 and a heavily stripped solo (think 40009) Plenty more Scania Wrights non DDA compliant buses tucked behind these but I couldn't identify which.
I don't believe Newcastle will be empty any time soon.
I spent a little while watching what passes for First's operation in Newcastle yesterday, having been there for matters unrelated. Observations would suggest that the best thing First could do is give up and walk away.
The standard of presentation is simply awful, both vehicles and drivers alike, and there is a huge problem with lack of discipline among driving staff. They appear to do what they want - run early, run late because they have stopped for a cigarette, don't bother to set the blind correctly (three consecutive buses leaving the bus station there had the incorrect blind showing) and there are also numerous single-deckers with non-functioning side or rear blinds - despite this being something that is mandated by the PSV Accessibility Regs. There also seems to be a complete inability to grasp the fact that if you have branded a bus up for a particular route, it is a good idea to use it on that route.
It is a shockingly poor operation and it's little surprise that they are losing passengers at the rate of a million per year.
Quote from: barry619 on March 26, 2016, 09:33:10 PM
I spent a little while watching what passes for First's operation in Newcastle yesterday, having been there for matters unrelated. Observations would suggest that the best thing First could do is give up and walk away.
The standard of presentation is simply awful, both vehicles and drivers alike, and there is a huge problem with lack of discipline among driving staff. They appear to do what they want - run early, run late because they have stopped for a cigarette, don't bother to set the blind correctly (three consecutive buses leaving the bus station there had the incorrect blind showing) and there are also numerous single-deckers with non-functioning side or rear blinds - despite this being something that is mandated by the PSV Accessibility Regs. There also seems to be a complete inability to grasp the fact that if you have branded a bus up for a particular route, it is a good idea to use it on that route.
It is a shockingly poor operation and it's little surprise that they are losing passengers at the rate of a million per year.
1) I have never noticed anything as awful as you mention about vehicle presentation, I always find their vehicles well presented with friendly drivers who generally run to time ( which is a damnsight better than First in my local area!)
2) The issue with the side/rear blinds not functioning (on the Enviro300s I have noticed it) is a software problem and not an issue with the actual blind its self - although god knows why it hasn't been fixed yet, it has been reported numerous times.
3) Branded buses being off route is irrelevant in any situation. It is a case of a branded bus on the wrong route, or no bus on said route, and I know which of these I would prefer to happen. Let's not also forget the marketing exercise that this can lead to by advertising places on other routes.
4) Completely disagree on the operation being poor.
Quote from: T840MAK on March 27, 2016, 05:52:35 PM
1) I have never noticed anything as awful as you mention about vehicle presentation, I always find their vehicles well presented with friendly drivers who generally run to time ( which is a damnsight better than First in my local area!)
2) The issue with the side/rear blinds not functioning (on the Enviro300s I have noticed it) is a software problem and not an issue with the actual blind its self - although god knows why it hasn't been fixed yet, it has been reported numerous times.
3) Branded buses being off route is irrelevant in any situation. It is a case of a branded bus on the wrong route, or no bus on said route, and I know which of these I would prefer to happen. Let's not also forget the marketing exercise that this can lead to by advertising places on other routes.
4) Completely disagree on the operation being poor.
1. No, sitting in South Yorkshire I don't suppose you have.
2. Who said anything about E300s? When a blind is blank, that means that it is not working.
3. Ah, right. Your experience in bus marketing is what, exactly?
4. I suggest you look a little bit more closely next time you are in the Potteries - if you don't upset drivers, you may have more opportunity to do so.
Don't take this personally, but as a lad in his teens I could give a monkey's what you think. First Potteries is a pathetic operation that runs with knackered, filthy buses, many of which still carry a livery that became obsolete some years ago. Many also have not been near the bus wash for some days, if not weeks. If that is what you consider a half decent outfit may I politely suggest that you never attempt to join the industry when you leave college.
Quote from: barry619 on March 27, 2016, 08:42:16 PM
1. No, sitting in South Yorkshire I don't suppose you have.
2. Who said anything about E300s? When a blind is blank, that means that it is not working.
3. Ah, right. Your experience in bus marketing is what, exactly?
4. I suggest you look a little bit more closely next time you are in the Potteries - if you don't upset drivers, you may have more opportunity to do so.
Don't take this personally, but as a lad in his teens I could give a monkey's what you think. First Potteries is a pathetic operation that runs with knackered, filthy buses, many of which still carry a livery that became obsolete some years ago. Many also have not been near the bus wash for some days, if not weeks. If that is what you consider a half decent outfit may I politely suggest that you never attempt to join the industry when you leave college.
And I suppose you know the extent that I travel do you? Rather than taking this personal, think about the facts before you post.
The point about the E300s was regarding that I've not seen the side or rear destinations working on these since they arrived from Worcester - but they were working when they were there. Saying something? No-one is stopping you from reporting it to the operator, or indeed the Traffic Commissioner (now as it falls short of legislation), so rather than moaning about it how about taking some action so there is no need to moan about it.
Don't need any experience - branding advertises other routes - say someone sitting in Chell who travels to Sneyd Green regularly, but rarely ever any further, may never heard of the 6 or the 6A routes, and so if a bus ends up misallocated it's putting the information out there. This part is common sense, however I note you make no reply to the main part of this point about the fact that a branded bus is better than no bus.
The only issues I've had with First Potteries was on my last trip - a driver which didn't like a photo of his bus being taken, and then a bus missing - the latter being the cause of a vehicle fault so excusable. Otherwise, I've always seen a reliable and punctual service with friendly drivers (note if you were to come up to Sheffield and spend a day on my local route you would see that you are completely wrong about saying this about First Potteries, where the buses often run 5 minutes early during the peaks and have been known to be up to an hour late otherwise, with drivers who are usually very grumpy. EDIT - I also forgot that the drivers generally don't give a c**p about the route they're supposed to take too...
I've not taken anything you've said personally, however I think that it's pretty low having to resort to using my age against me, and then trying to say that I shouldn't take a job in the industry simply because our views conflict. First Potteries is one of the better First operations which I have observed, although quite a large proportion of the fleet could really do with a touch up, both internally and externally - but then again I could say the thing about First's Sheffield operations four years ago, dirty, desperately in need for a repaint and a retrim inside - which is now the best performing depot in the North of England and I believe third in the group. I also have no idea where the comments about buses not going near a bus wash have come from - buses are generally washed nightly but they don't get washed as often during the winter to stop the bus from freezing up, so will of course appear less clean.
And with regards to the latter comments; you're an adult, please act like one.
Quote from: DVXXII on March 25, 2016, 06:42:57 PM
Unusual working today is 53828 on 6/26, usually a streetlite only route.
At AG depot the two solo's that have been parked up out of use for a number of weeks (53059/60) have moved. Not seen either back in service in Potteries but will keep a look out. In the depot 41496 still in the same position, as is visitor 32052. 43877 has moved but not back out in service yet. About 6 E300s and a couple of streetlites left in with the good Friday reduced PVR
Visible At NE depot are withdrawn 42354 60175 65567 and a heavily stripped solo (think 40009) Plenty more Scania Wrights non DDA compliant buses tucked behind these but I couldn't identify which.
53059/60 are both back out at Potteries. 41496 & 43877 however are still parked up in roughly the same position. 32052 has gone.
Near the bus wash are 3 solo's 53118-20 parked up with not for use stickers in the windscreen. Reported on Midlandred.net is that three solo's from the Midlands are due to go to Somerset Buses, so maybe it's these.
Quote from: DVXXII on April 09, 2016, 07:31:21 PM
53059/60 are both back out at Potteries. 41496 & 43877 however are still parked up in roughly the same position. 32052 has gone.
Near the bus wash are 3 solo's 53118-20 parked up with not for use stickers in the windscreen. Reported on Midlandred.net is that three solo's from the Midlands are due to go to Somerset Buses, so maybe it's these.
Reported on another forum is that 53118-20 have now arrived at Taunton depot.
PD0000003/155 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Hanley Bus Station and Biddulph/Kidsgrove given service number 7/27/7A/7B/7C effective from 20-Jun-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.
PD0000003/172 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between HANLEY BUS STATION and AUDLEY/KIDSGROVE given service number 4 effective from 20-Jun-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.
Quote from: DVXXII on April 17, 2016, 09:36:17 AM
Reported on another forum is that 53118-20 have now arrived at Taunton depot.
Noted 53118/20 in service in Taunton on Tuesday, didn't see 53119.
Quote from: DVXXII on April 09, 2016, 07:31:21 PM
53059/60 are both back out at Potteries. 41496 & 43877 however are still parked up in roughly the same position. 32052 has gone.
Near the bus wash are 3 solo's 53118-20 parked up with not for use stickers in the windscreen. Reported on Midlandred.net is that three solo's from the Midlands are due to go to Somerset Buses, so maybe it's these.
43877 has been back out for a couple of weeks however 41496 still remains in the same position with presumably a serious fault given the number of weeks it hasn't moved.
Reports are that 53155 is to re-enter service imminently following over a year off the road. This suffered an engine fire if memory serves. Understood to be in the new pink fronted livery.
65035 is now 101 branded. Wouldn't surprise me if others haven't also been, that is the only one I have seen today.
Seen 65034/5/6/7/8 branded.
PD0000003/13 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Hanley, Bus Station and Abbey Hulton given service number 5 effective from 30-Jul-2016. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/33 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Clayton Village and Biddulph Wharf Road given service number 99/97 effective from 30-Jul-2016. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/50 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Hanley Bus Station and Uttoxeter Bus Station given service number 32/32A/X32 effective from 30-Jul-2016. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/109 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between Hanley bus station and Longton, The Street given service number 1/2/2A effective from 30-Jul-2016. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/137 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between HANLEY BUS STATION and ENDON FOUNTAIN given service number 8/28/8a/98 effective from 30-Jul-2016. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/168 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between KEELE UNIVERSITY and LEIGHTON HOSPITAL CREWE given service number 3 effective from 30-Jul-2016. To amend Timetable.
PD0000003/172 - FIRST POTTERIES LTD, DIVIDY ROAD, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST3 5YY
Variation Accepted: Operating between HANLEY BUS STATION and AUDLEY/KIDSGROVE given service number 4 effective from 30-Jul-2016. To amend Timetable.
Caetano dart 41500 has been parked up out of use for at least a week now next to 41496. The latter has not seen service for 3 months. Don't know if this one is terminal or the part(s) it needs for repair are hard to come by.
Is there a planned due date for the 15 E200MMC's expected here do we know?
Omni city 65039 now repainted and with 101 Branding. Seen in Stafford just after 5pm
The 101 is one of their main trunk routes yet gets zero investment
63099 on the 101, first time I have seen a Streetlite in Stafford on it.
I have just updated the First Potteries, Leicester & Wyvern fleetlists on the main site to match the latest period 3 group fleetlist, the revised lists will probably show in about an hour, a test to know when they have updated is all the VINs and body numbers will be in the Leicester StreetDecks
Quote from: DVXXII on June 22, 2016, 07:25:51 PM
Caetano dart 41500 has been parked up out of use for at least a week now next to 41496. The latter has not seen service for 3 months. Don't know if this one is terminal or the part(s) it needs for repair are hard to come by.
41496 still out of action, but 41500 has been fixed and is back in service. 53155 is now back in service in the new purple fronted livery
Quote from: Tony on July 06, 2016, 08:48:29 PM
I have just updated the First Potteries, Leicester & Wyvern fleetlists on the main site to match the latest period 3 group fleetlist, the revised lists will probably show in about an hour, a test to know when they have updated is all the VINs and body numbers will be in the Leicester StreetDecks
Didn't 53118-53120 go to Taunton?
Quote from: T840MAK on July 08, 2016, 08:44:34 AM
Didn't 53118-53120 go to Taunton?
Yes but that list only goes up to February.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on July 08, 2016, 09:49:56 AM
Yes but that list only goes up to February.
I have updated the list to the end of Period 3 (which is sometime in June). The fleetlist I get from First has a column to highlight changes and for some reason those 3 weren't highlighted, but yes they have gone. so I will remove them from the fleetlist tonight.
Quote from: Tony on July 08, 2016, 09:54:01 AM
I have updated the list to the end of Period 3 (which is sometime in June). The fleetlist I get from First has a column to highlight changes and for some reason those 3 weren't highlighted, but yes they have gone. so I will remove them from the fleetlist tonight.
Just gone to look at it again just so I know I wasn't seeing things but no worries.
Scania Omnicity has now returned from the paintshop in the new livery with route 101 branding. This now leaves only 65041 in the old firstgroup livery. 65040 is also in this livery under its overall advert for the sentinel and will remain as such until the vynals are removed.
I'm hoping that the ex First Midland Red E300s are next to be treated to a refresh. These must all have at least 5 years left in them but dont appear to have been repainted since new.
I've also read reports on yahoo groups that there are plans to repaint 3 geminis in hertiage liveries this year - 1 in pre-NBC PMT colours, one in Turners of brown edge livery (who PMT took over in the late 1980s) and one in the Silver interurban PMT livery which Leyland Olympians G756-61XRE were delivered new in, in 1990. These will look great if the plans go ahead.
The Ex Midland Red E300's had a repaint in around 2008 starting with 67631 which was repainted from its Heritage livery, apart from this, it has been around 8 years for some of the older examples.
Its been reported on Midlandred.net that E300 67642 is to come to Potteries.
E300 67642 is now at Adderley Green depot.
On Saturday Alx400 decker 32054, ex Leicester, hit a low bridge on the A5009 Leek Road running empty back to the depot after being on 5's all day - usually operated by solos and darts.
Report in local paper http://m.stokesentinel.co.uk/families-call-for-action-after-double-decker-bus-hits-bridge-at-abbey-hulton/story-29570056-detail/story.htm
Quote from: DVXXII on August 01, 2016, 01:02:48 PM
E300 67642 is now at Adderley Green depot.
On Saturday Alx400 decker 32054, ex Leicester, hit a low bridge on the A5009 Leek Road running empty back to the depot after being on 5's all day - usually operated by solos and darts.
Report in local paper http://m.stokesentinel.co.uk/families-call-for-action-after-double-decker-bus-hits-bridge-at-abbey-hulton/story-29570056-detail/story.htm
67642 now in service in Potteries. On 1/2 circuit today
Volvo 66838 and another 05 plate wright bodied single decker have lost their red fronted livery with Keele Uni route branding and have had the first midlands pink front applied.
Quote from: DVXXII on August 05, 2016, 06:19:02 PM
Volvo 66838 and another 05 plate wright bodied single decker have lost their red fronted livery with Keele Uni route branding and have had the first midlands pink front applied.
About time they removed the branding.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on August 05, 2016, 08:25:19 PM
About time they removed the branding.
Agreed, as the 3 service has been split for months and the Hanely to Keele section of the former route 3 (now rt25) is predominantly operated by deckers.
I've now been able to see the other vehicle repainted is 66841
Quote from: DVXXII on August 07, 2016, 06:23:29 PM
Agreed, as the 3 service has been split for months and the Hanely to Keele section of the former route 3 (now rt25) is predominantly operated by deckers.
I've now been able to see the other vehicle repainted is 66841
66839 has joined sisters 66838/41 with a purple front.
The B7 singles with Fuschia fronts from the Cherry red fronts now all carry Leicester branding.
Quote from: T840MAK on August 17, 2016, 08:36:48 PM
The B7 singles with Fuschia fronts from the Cherry red fronts now all carry Leicester branding.
Interesting. I'd presume from this that these and others are to be displaced when the E200s start to arrive (currently estimated sometime in September). However, on yahoogroups, it was suggested that the E200s were going to displace solos. But, with the DDA compliant ALX400 deckers due to join other ex Leicester examples at Bristol, maybe these repainted Volvos are to be swapped with geminis at Leicester to maintain the number of deckers at Potteries. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Gemini 32632 went to Worcester earlier this week for repairs. Fixed 32633 came back the other way. Currently parked with out of use stickers at AG depot are 32627 and 66963. Long term resident of the 'out of use' corner, 41496, has gone. Presume inside the garage somewhere for repairs as i've not seen it about in service.
42552 out in service today freshly repainted in the livery with purple front. No potteries branding on as yet though.
66309 has been parked up for the past few days with the 3 Volvos newly repainted with Leicester branding. This has not had Leicester names added like the others but may ne parked up with the others for a reason maybe?
The repainted 66838/9/41 and 66309 that recieved branding for Leicester have gone from the corner of the depot so have presumably now moved over. I understand that 66314 and 66840 were also to have their fronts repainted and move over to Leicester too, but I have not seen these two with the others before they disappeared.
42552/3/4 now all have new livery with purple fronts and potteries branding. All are back out in service. Omnicity 65041 soldiers on in the old livery still dispite all its sisters being repainted (or in overall advert in the case of 65040). I would have thought this one would have been completed before moving on to other buses in the fleet. It does have a full rear advert, don't know if this is the reason its been overlooked?
Apparently the new E200s are arriving from late September onwards. Latest reports are that the number arriving has reduced from 16 to 9 - not sure which group is to benefit from the other 7. Apparently these will be replacing ex FMR solos. Also, all the ex Leicester Alx400s are to go, with the W reg ones withdrawn and the 51 reg ones to transfer out to another group (heard FSA and Bradford as possible destinations). There should be 4 x geminis coming from Leicester to keep the number of deckers up to cater for the term time 25 PVR, and the PVR reduction from this weekend when the Hanley to Longton corridors through Bentillee reduce in frequency will allow a greater number to leave than are coming in to replace them.
66839 & 66841 were in service at Leicester on Wednesday.
A number of the streetlites have lost the places served from their route branding, making them similar in livery now to those in the latest livery in Worcester and Leicester. Leads me to suspect that when the service revisions are introduced from tomorrow there may be a change in vehicle type allocation on some routes, have to wait and see what turns up where next week.
Quote from: DVXXII on September 03, 2016, 05:09:42 PM
A number of the streetlites have lost the places served from their route branding, making them similar in livery now to those in the latest livery in Worcester and Leicester. Leads me to suspect that when the service revisions are introduced from tomorrow there may be a change in vehicle type allocation on some routes, have to wait and see what turns up where next week.
Early observations of the 6/6a/11a(formerly 26) group of services since the changes seem to suggest that the streetlites have gone from being dedicated to this group of services. These services have generally been operated by a mixture of vehicles including streetlites, E300s and Omnicitys. The allocations for the other new services (11/12/13) have also been similar.
All of the scania/volvo singles with the red fronts I've seen have had their route lettering changed to the 3/4/4A group of services. New side stickers advertising the First week ticket have been applied to at least one of the 6717* streetlites.
Gemini 37146 has been repainted into PMT inter urban silver livery from the 1990's
Quote from: DVXXII on September 10, 2016, 12:14:56 PM
Gemini 37146 has been repainted into PMT inter urban silver livery from the 1990's
32633 meant to be going red and cream. The third one is in for paint now.
66852 is back in service after a two year holiday, apart from the body, it's a new bus pretty much.
32648 transferred to AG yesterday and was on football shuttles today.
32055 parked up at Newcastle then Hanley all afternoon
32077 on the 3/4, 32079 on the 7 circuit, 32081 on 32's.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on September 10, 2016, 08:40:36 PM
32633 meant to be going red and cream. The third one is in for paint now.
66852 is back in service after a two year holiday, apart from the body, it's a new bus pretty much.
32648 transferred to AG yesterday and was on football shuttles today.
32055 parked up at Newcastle then Hanley all afternoon
32077 on the 3/4, 32079 on the 7 circuit, 32081 on 32's.
Repainting 32633 when it was only done 3 years ago. You'd think one of the Gemini's in the old first group livery still would be better candidates. However it is not exactly surprising for First is it?!
You'd think management would use the opportunity of these heritage liveries to repaint 3 Gemini's from the old first livery. However, instead, lets repaint a vehicle done only a few years ago. Why am I not surprised....
Quote from: DVXXII on September 11, 2016, 02:14:33 PM
Repainting 32633 when it was only done 3 years ago. You'd think one of the Gemini's in the old first group livery still would be better candidates. However it is not exactly surprising for First is it?!
You'd think management would use the opportunity of these heritage liveries to repaint 3 Gemini's from the old first livery. However, instead, lets repaint a vehicle done only a few years ago. Why am I not surprised....
I think the recent livery which I call "Olympia" ( ... and may be called "Urban 1" ?) is appalling, and I personally wouldn't criticise First for repainting them first !
Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 demonstrator YK65RKK has been in service here this week, presumably as type training in anticipation of the arrival of permanent stock due for delivery in the next couple of weeks.
Quote from: DVXXII on September 17, 2016, 09:14:33 AM
Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 demonstrator YK65RKK has been in service here this week, presumably as type training in anticipation of the arrival of permanent stock due for delivery in the next couple of weeks.
I wonder if it will be on display at the depot open day tomorrow?
Quite a few single decks were parked out the way of the open day in a yard down the road today
Buses on Display at the depot:
Gemini 32627/32634 (Pre NBC Heritage Livery)/37146 (Post NBC Heritage Livery)/UNID in paint
Darts:41493/41498/41499/41500/41512/41521/41522/42552/42553/42554/43875/43876
Solo:53058/53155/53208
B10BLE Trainers:60316/60317
Streetlite:63097/63174
Scanias:65001/65002/65026/65039/65042/65733
B7RLE 66852/66965 (Leicester Heritage Livery)
Plus:
Arriva London LT840 Wright NBFL
Demonstrator YX65RKK ADL Enviro 200 MMC
Preserved 766EVT Leyland Atlantean
Preserved C120VBF Mercedes Mini Bus
Preserved S350MFP Scania L113CRL/Wright
Overall there was a great display of buses in different 'Locations' eg in paint/on pits/on jacks but you would only need a few hours at the most there.
Spotted today former long term VOR dart 41496 is now back out in service
Street lite 63101 has now arrived from Leicester, and is out today on the 6/11/11a circuit. I believe the plan was to swap this with 63250, as this is the lone euro V engined example at Potteries. Not sure if 63250 has gone to Leicester in exchange though, can anyone confirm?
Quote from: DVXXII on October 01, 2016, 01:11:19 PM
Street lite 63101 has now arrived from Leicester, and is out today on the 6/11/11a circuit. I believe the plan was to swap this with 63250, as this is the lone euro V engined example at Potteries. Not sure if 63250 has gone to Leicester in exchange though, can anyone confirm?
63250 has indeed passed to Leicester.
Noted at the depot yesterday was Gemini 32630 has now been repainted into the new First Midlands livery with pink/purple front. Reports elsewhere suggest a number of these are to be similarly treated with route 25 branding applied. 32630 has not yet received this.
Reported on yahoo groups is that 8 of the new E200s have now arrived at AG depot, with the 9th to follow next month. These are yet to enter service.
Quote from: DVXXII on October 11, 2016, 08:08:36 PM
Reported on yahoo groups is that 8 of the new E200s have now arrived at AG depot, with the 9th to follow next month. These are yet to enter service.
The registrations of the 1st 8 are;
67151 YX66WFJ
67152 YX66WFK
67153 YX66WFL
67154 YX66WFM
67155 YX66WFN
67156 YX66WFO
67157 YX66WFP
67158 YX66WFR
Quote from: DVXXII on October 12, 2016, 06:10:25 AM
The registrations of the 1st 8 are;
67151 YX66WFJ
67152 YX66WFK
67153 YX66WFL
67154 YX66WFM
67155 YX66WFN
67156 YX66WFO
67157 YX66WFP
67158 YX66WFR
In service today, got pictures of 6 of them
Quote from: John on October 18, 2016, 10:56:27 PM
In service today, got pictures of 6 of them
What are these,and the rest of them upon arrival,going to replace?
Quote from: markcf83 on October 29, 2016, 03:29:15 PM
What are these,and the rest of them upon arrival,going to replace?
The ex Hereford Solo's
Thanks Ashley.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on October 29, 2016, 07:34:53 PM
The ex Hereford Solo's
Seen in the withdrawal shed today were 7 Optare Solos. I could only id 4 of them due to their positioning ;
53060,53063,53207&53209. The eighth vehicle in the shed was a bit of a surprise - 65041. However, being the last of the Omni Cities in old livery it could be waiting for its turn in the paint queue (from Midlandred.net I understand 67651 is currently in being repainted for Worcester here at AG).
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on October 29, 2016, 07:34:53 PM
The ex Hereford Solo's
Any idea what's happening with the ex Hereford Solos, transferred elsewhere in the group?
Quote from: DiamondDart on October 30, 2016, 03:03:05 PM
Any idea what's happening with the ex Hereford Solos, transferred elsewhere in the group?
Would be a shame if they couldn't be placed elsewhere. Nice clump of Solo's the Wyvern ones.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on October 30, 2016, 07:21:13 PM
Would be a shame if they couldn't be placed elsewhere. Nice clump of Solo's the Wyvern ones.
I agree; - we could do with them "coming back" to Worcester to replace the slightly older ones -
- I don't imagine they had a hard life at Hereford !
Quote from: DiamondDart on October 30, 2016, 03:03:05 PM
Any idea what's happening with the ex Hereford Solos, transferred elsewhere in the group?
The ex-Hereford Solos at AG were officially withdrawn at the weekend. I believe they were held in reserve until then in case they were needed during an event at Alton Towers. At the moment there is no new home for them to go to, but that can always change. Sending one to Worcester would be nice, but not 53059 as that's a shed!
Three double-decks will be arriving at AG from Leicester soon (may already be there), and in turn three older double-decks will move from AG to Bradford.
37158 is now back home after being on loan to Worcester.
Quote from: AdamH on November 10, 2016, 10:06:49 PM
The ex-Hereford Solos at AG were officially withdrawn at the weekend. I believe they were held in reserve until then in case they were needed during an event at Alton Towers. At the moment there is no new home for them to go to, but that can always change. Sending one to Worcester would be nice, but not 53059 as that's a shed!
Three double-decks will be arriving at AG from Leicester soon (may already be there), and in turn three older double-decks will move from AG to Bradford.
37158 is now back home after being on loan to Worcester.
32647/49/50 transferred from Leicester this morning.
Talking of Geminis, 32639 has been repainted in Urban2.
Reported on midlandred.net is that solo 53064 has re entered service there this week. Apparently this is being exchanged with 67643 but this is yet to leave Worcester. It also mentions the other withdrawn solos, so presumably the ones that were recently in the withdrawal shed listed earlier, are going/gone to First South Wales - I haven't been able to see if these have left yet.
There are 3 ALX400 deckers parked up withdrawn, it was too dark for me to ID but one is definitely missing parts so probably the end of the road for one of the W reg examples
Quote from: DVXXII on November 18, 2016, 06:11:09 AM
Reported on midlandred.net is that solo 53064 has re entered service there this week. Apparently this is being exchanged with 67643 but this is yet to leave Worcester. It also mentions the other withdrawn solos, so presumably the ones that were recently in the withdrawal shed listed earlier, are going/gone to First South Wales - I haven't been able to see if these have left yet.
There are 3 ALX400 deckers parked up withdrawn, it was too dark for me to ID but one is definitely missing parts so probably the end of the road for one of the W reg examples
Saw 32056 (3/4) and 32057 (32) on Wednesday so maybe 32055's bitten the dust.
32054 in corner minus engine. 32078/9/80 next to it assuming these are moving and more Geminis coming.
Quote from: staffsdave on November 18, 2016, 09:06:52 PM
32054 in corner minus engine. 32078/9/80 next to it assuming these are moving and more Geminis coming.
32077-81 were meant to be going to Bradford. 32077 already left.
32647-50 all now at AG and in use. Didn't see required 32650 on Wednesday though.
As mentioned, 32078/9/80 all parked up with not for use notices, be heading Bradford soon. Also noted 32632 has received the new livery. However 65041 is still in the old livery unlike all its sisters.
There are still 4 solos in the withdrawal shed. All are in the old livery. These could not be identified because of the drivers cars parked in front.
Quote from: DVXXII on November 18, 2016, 06:11:09 AM
Reported on midlandred.net is that solo 53064 has re entered service there this week. Apparently this is being exchanged with 67643 but this is yet to leave Worcester.
67643 now in service at Potteries
Quote from: DVXXII on November 19, 2016, 01:25:52 PM
As mentioned, 32078/9/80 all parked up with not for use notices, be heading Bradford soon.
These 3 have left AG depot over the last couple of days, presumably to Bradford as planned. Not sure if 32081 also made the trip as unlike these 3 it's been out in service this week.
53041 has been repainted into the new livery. Plans were to withdraw this I believe when the 9th E200 came to join the other 8. However I read elsewhere it's instead been retained for the new 100 service starting next month
Quote from: DVXXII on November 25, 2016, 09:02:11 PM
These 3 have left AG depot over the last couple of days, presumably to Bradford as planned. Not sure if 32081 also made the trip as unlike these 3 it's been out in service this week.
53041 has been repainted into the new livery. Plans were to withdraw this I believe when the 9th E200 came to join the other 8. However I read elsewhere it's instead been retained for the new 100 service starting next month
Checked today and 32081 is still at AG available for service use.
The solos in the reserve shed are now down to 3. I could only see the fleetnumber of one of the trio - 53058.
Recent arrival from Leicester 32649 is the latest Gemini to receive the new livery. Out today on route 6
Quote from: DVXXII on November 19, 2016, 01:25:52 PM
As mentioned, 32078/9/80 all parked up with not for use notices, be heading Bradford soon. Also noted 32632 has received the new livery. However 65041 is still in the old livery unlike all its sisters.
There are still 4 solos in the withdrawal shed. All are in the old livery. These could not be identified because of the drivers cars parked in front.
65041 is out on 6/6a/11 circuit today freshly painted into the new livery. It does not carry Route 101 branding like much of the batch does
Able to confirm that the following are now in South Wales after transfer-53042/58/59/60/63.
Quote from: DVXXII on November 28, 2016, 07:28:29 PM
Recent arrival from Leicester 32649 is the latest Gemini to receive the new livery. Out today on route 6
Sister 32648 has also received the new livery. Seen yesterday on football shuttles
32635 is the first Gemini to recieve 25 branding.
32632 32647 also 25 branded
The last three scanias. 60015 60171 61235 have gone for scrap.
32054 has disappeared from the corner of the depot where it had been dumped since it's engine had been removed. It has been reported it has been sold for scrap, but I'm not sure which dealer has taken it.
32056 which was withdrawn following the DDA regulation changes at the start of January has disappeared this week, presumably for scrap.
It had been parked up in the corner of the yard and had slowly had various parts removed in the intervening weeks.
What's the status of 32057 currently?
Quote from: markcf83 on January 29, 2017, 06:39:53 PM
What's the status of 32057 currently?
Showing on the latest fleet list as 'Long Term Reserve'
Quote from: Tony on January 29, 2017, 06:50:58 PM
Showing on the latest fleet list as 'Long Term Reserve'
According to the midlandred.net forum, it has been at Worcester to donate it's engine, and some front-end body parts.
It was parked outside at the beginning of last week, so I guess it's next trip will be to the breakers.
Thanks for that.
67159 has arrived at AG to complete the batch of new E200s due this financial year, and entered service towards the end of last week . It carries registration number YY66PXP.
Which B7TL ALX is parked against the back fence at AG?
32081 still in service, sighted yesterday on the 99 I'm told.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on February 02, 2017, 08:32:31 PM
Which B7TL ALX is parked against the back fence at AG?
32081 still in service, sighted yesterday on the 99 I'm told.
It is 32056. When this disappeared the other week from the yard and I couldn't see it in the sheds I thought it'd left for scrap. However it must have been hiding somewhere as it's now back in the yard minus engine. So I can't imagine it'll remain there for long.
Other observations today are 42894 has developed a fault and is parked up with front panels missing. Also the all-over advert for the Stoke Sentinel on 65040 has been removed and it's been repainted into the same livery as it's sisters. It and 65041 are not branded for route 101 like the rest. Dart 41540 also carried overall advertising for the Sentinel too but I couldn't find this one so can't confirm if this has returned to fleet livery or not.
To confirm dart 41540 still has it's overall advert livery. 32056 still remains in the withdrawn/out of service corner and is in a very sorry state. This is blocking in 37157 which has been parked up for a while with a fault. 66964 has also been in the corner for over a week. 42894 has moved inside to receive attention, not seen it back out yet so it's still work in progress presumably. Also in this corner for a few weeks is preserved Bristol RE PVT207L, adding a nice piece of nostalgia to the yard
Quote from: DVXXII on February 26, 2017, 01:31:25 PM
...32056 still remains in the withdrawn/out of service corner and is in a very sorry state...
...42894 has moved inside to receive attention, not seen it back out yet so it's still work in progress presumably...
32056 has been sold to Alpha Recovery for scrap, just waiting for them to collect it. 32057 is still owned by Potteries but is stored at Worcester after the engine was removed and adapted to fit 66963 by Worcester engineers.
42894 will be transferring back to First Midland Red in mid-April along with 42892 and 42893. The Potteries fleet size will reduce by about 15/6 vehicles with service cuts due towards the end of April, so expect more disposals.
Quote from: AdamH on March 18, 2017, 08:48:12 AM
32056 has been sold to Alpha Recovery for scrap, just waiting for them to collect it. 32057 is still owned by Potteries but is stored at Worcester after the engine was removed and adapted to fit 66963 by Worcester engineers.
42894 will be transferring back to First Midland Red in mid-April along with 42892 and 42893. The Potteries fleet size will reduce by about 15/6 vehicles with service cuts due towards the end of April, so expect more disposals.
With those cuts, what will it take Potteries fleet size down to?
PVR will drop from 120 to about 105. Add in a few spares and the fleet should be about 112.
Quote from: AdamH on March 18, 2017, 11:17:26 AM
PVR will drop from 120 to about 105. Add in a few spares and the fleet should be about 112.
6% spares, no you need a few more than that, specially on a fleet with the average age of Potteries.
Quote from: Tony on March 18, 2017, 11:25:32 AM
6% spares, no you need a few more than that, specially on a fleet with the average age of Potteries.
10% is a good figure, with a decent fleet but you could squeeze to 12% with an older one.
Quote from: BN on March 18, 2017, 11:29:40 AM
10% is a good figure, with a decent fleet but you could squeeze to 12% with an older one.
It can also depend if you have other garages that can help out in times of trouble. NXWM works on a lower percentage than Xplore Dundee as they cannot just borrow a bus from a few miles away
Quote from: AdamH on March 18, 2017, 11:17:26 AM
PVR will drop from 120 to about 105. Add in a few spares and the fleet should be about 112.
There's hardly anything left of Potteries after years of endless cuts, I wouldn't be surprised to see it follow the same fate as First Borders and be sold off.
Quote from: AdamH on March 18, 2017, 11:17:26 AM
PVR will drop from 120 to about 105. Add in a few spares and the fleet should be about 112.
I reckon it will be 115 allocated. 112 is too low....
Quote from: Winston on March 18, 2017, 12:11:35 PM
There's hardly anything left of Potteries after years of endless cuts, I wouldn't be surprised to see it follow the same fate as First Borders and be sold off.
if it's sold who do you think will buy it
http://m.stokesentinel.co.uk/first-potteries-to-pull-out-of-longton-bus-station-to-improve-journey-times/story-30211063-detail/story.html
Quote from: AdamH on March 18, 2017, 08:48:12 AM
42894 will be transferring back to First Midland Red in mid-April along with 42892 and 42893. The Potteries fleet size will reduce by about 15/6 vehicles with service cuts due towards the end of April, so expect more disposals.
Saw 42894 in Shelton last Friday running out of service with a driver (not engineer) at the wheel so it has been fixed now presumably.
32056 disappeared again from scrap corner last week, not sure if it's gone inside again for further part removals or gone for scrap.
Saw 67639 out on Saturday sporting the new livery. No fleet names applied yet. 1st one of the E300s at Potteries to receive the new livery.
32056 was caught by the camera, in Alpha Recovery's yard, on March 10th: https://www.flickr.com/photos/northeast_rail_photos/32978836960/sizes/h/
41502 and 53207 have joined 66964 in the corner of the garage with faults. I should imagine both will be repaired but with imminent PVR cuts, it wouldn't surprise me if soke of the ex London darts and Essex solos get withdrawn if they fail in the future
67640 is now out in the new livery, minus fleet names and branding.
Unusual working yesterday was one of the new enviros, 67157, seen on a 6A.
67641 also was out yesterday on the 3. It too has been repainted in the new First local livery with fuchsia front. Unusually it has a large fleet number at the front at top of the nearside windscreen. Looked odd. It was in Hanley Bus Station around 4.00 pm.
41502 was noted today leaving AG. It was being moved by Mansfield Group on suspended tow. I'm not certain of the destination, but I'd expect this will turn up later today at Worcester. They seem to inherit our more challenging repair projects in recent times.
Quote from: DVXXII on April 13, 2017, 11:50:12 AM
41502 was noted today leaving AG. It was being moved by Mansfield Group on suspended tow. I'm not certain of the destination, but I'd expect this will turn up later today at Worcester. They seem to inherit our more challenging repair projects in recent times.
Correct, 41502 arrived at Worcester depot on tow at about lunch time today. I noted it over a pit already with part of the engine removed a few hours later.
Dart 42893 also arrived at Worcester today, but under it's own power. I believe this was exchanged for Enviro300 67647 but I can't confirm that yet.
66964 arrived at Worcester earlier in the week. I understand this is also for engine work.
Another E300, 67642, was seen today at the depot in the new livery. Didn't notice 62647 about the yard, but it could've been in one of the sheds or even out in service
42892 was seen leaving AG around lunchtime yesterday for Worcester. This is the last of the 3 ex Midland Red darts scheduled to return to Worcester depot.
All 3 recent arrivals from FMR 67647/8/9 have been out in service last week.
Since the service cuts on 24/4, all the solos remaining at Potteries seem to have been taken out of service. I visited the depot yesterday and there were 3 in the withdrawn corner all with not for use stickers displayed - 53124,53041&53207. The rest were nowhere to be seen.
Along with the 3 solos was 41520. I imagine that this is awaiting attention and not withdrawn
Five former Potteries Solos are now running in South Wales after being transferred. They are 53208, 53405, 53828/29/30. I presume they were made available after recent changes.
What is the official name for First Potteries?
Quote from: YN63 BYJ on May 06, 2017, 02:59:13 PM
What is the official name for First Potteries?
First Potteries on the legal lettering
Quote from: John on May 06, 2017, 03:31:02 PM
First Potteries on the legal lettering
OK, how long has this name been registered?
Another E300 to receive the new livery is 67643. Darts 42552/3/4 have had their stoke station branding removed following service cuts that reduced the PVR of the 21/21a
101 branded 65035 on the 6 on Monday night.
101 branded 65033 on the 6 yesterday
66302 and 66305 have had their fronts painted to pick from red and had their branding removed. Presumably this is in preparation for the moving of all Volvos at Potteries to Leicester.
Parked up at Newcastle garage on Sunday were darts 41494/8 and more oddly Streetlites 63096/7/9. The latter have all been in service in the last week and i was not aware of any plans to move these to another operator.
Quote from: DVXXII on July 18, 2017, 06:44:55 AM
Parked up at Newcastle garage on Sunday were darts 41494/8 and more oddly Streetlites 63096/7/9. The latter have all been in service in the last week and i was not aware of any plans to move these to another operator.
63096 was back out yesterday in service on 6/11 circuit, so not sure why this and the other two Streetlites were at Newcastle garage over the weekend, however they appear to in fact be staying
Quote from: DVXXII on July 18, 2017, 06:44:55 AM
66302 and 66305 have had their fronts painted to pick from red and had their branding removed. Presumably this is in preparation for the moving of all Volvos at Potteries to Leicester.
Parked up at Newcastle garage on Sunday were darts 41494/8 and more oddly Streetlites 63096/7/9. The latter have all been in service in the last week and i was not aware of any plans to move these to another operator.
Any idea what vehicles are replacing the Volvos at Potteries, if they're leaving?
Courtesy of the Midlandred.net forum, 66305 has arrived from Potteries as a spare whilst newer B7RLE's arrive for the 144.
I guess (and numbers are pretty similar) that it'll be Volvo B7RLE's/B7L's at Potteries to Leicester, releasing their 59 platers to Worcester, in turn cascading Enviro300's from Worcester to Potteries.
Quote from: PM on July 20, 2017, 03:33:48 PM
Any idea what vehicles are replacing the Volvos at Potteries, if they're leaving?
Courtesy of the Midlandred.net forum, 66305 has arrived from Potteries as a spare whilst newer B7RLE's arrive for the 144.
I guess (and numbers are pretty similar) that it'll be Volvo B7RLE's/B7L's at Potteries to Leicester, releasing their 59 platers to Worcester, in turn cascading Enviro300's from Worcester to Potteries.
They could send 51 & 54 plate Dennis Trident 2s to Taunton along with E200s and also E300 (PT59 JPT) to save the E300s at Worcester
Quote from: Sayeed on July 20, 2017, 10:03:58 PM
They could send 51 & 54 plate Dennis Trident 2s to Taunton along with E200s and also E300 (PT59 JPT) to save the E300s at Worcester
Worcester does need its current decker allocation though, Taunton has had ex Essex E200's moved in, I wasn't aware it needed additional vehicles?
Looks like more cuts in November - D&G have registered two new services at short notice.
First have withdrawn the 11A which D&G have replaced with route 10. They are also removing many Sunday services and early morning/Evening journeys, some of which D&G are picking up. Details are on First Potteries website.
Quote from: DVXXII on October 21, 2017, 09:29:13 AM
First have withdrawn the 11A which D&G have replaced with route 10. They are also removing many Sunday services and early morning/Evening journeys, some of which D&G are picking up. Details are on First Potteries website.
http://www.route-one.net/magazines/emag/routeone713/pubData/source/routeone713.pdf ---> comments on page 14, from the MD of Potteries, regarding the cuts.
PD0000003/178 Registered
FIRST POTTERIES LTD
Route: Keele to Hanley City Centre via Newcastle, Stoke
Service number: 25
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 11 Jun 2018
PD0000003/48 Registered
FIRST POTTERIES LTD
Route: Staffordshire, Stoke-On-Trent Hanley, Bus station to Staffordshire, Stafford, Rail Station via Trentham Gardens, Stone-By-Pass
Service number: 101
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 11 Jun 2018
PD0000003/38 Registered
FIRST POTTERIES LTD
Route: Bradeley School to Trentham, Pacific Road
Service number: 21 (21A)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 11 Jun 2018
PD0000003/21 Registered
FIRST POTTERIES LTD
Route: Hanley Bus Station to Longton, Interchange via Fenton, Blurton
Service number: 23 (23a)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 11 Jun 2018
PD0000003/137 Registered
FIRST POTTERIES LTD
Route: HANLEY BUS STATION to ENDON FOUNTAIN via SMALLTHORNE - NORTON
Service number: 8 (8a, 98)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 11 Jun 2018
Enviro300 67665 noted yesterday in N-U-L, still with Worcester Fleetnames
https://www.flickr.com/photos/john-s-91/27621389417/
Does anyone know if Adderley Green is doing another open day later this year? Just wondering as I missed last year's and they did one the year before but couldn't get to that one either.
32627 (KP54 LAO) has been painted from Barbie livery straight into the Fuschia-front; presumably to be branded for the 25 alongside some of the other Geminis.
Quite a few repaints since I've returned to Potteries:
32627 (KP54 KAO)
32633 (KP54 LAE)
32647 (KP54 AZN)
32650 (KP54 KBO)
37158 (AU07 DXV)
67604 (VX53 VKB) (still in the yard at the minute from what I can see)
67660 (VX05 LWD)
67661 (VX05 LWE)
67665 (FN08 AZZ)
Only Barbies left are about 15 Enviro300s, as 32081 (the sole ALX400) has recently been withdrawn I believe.
Quote from: PointerDart on October 03, 2018, 05:45:47 PM
Quite a few repaints since I've returned to Potteries:
32627 (KP54 KAO)
32633 (KP54 LAE)
32647 (KP54 AZN)
32650 (KP54 KBO)
37158 (AU07 DXV)
67604 (VX53 VKB) (still in the yard at the minute from what I can see)
67660 (VX05 LWD)
67661 (VX05 LWE)
67665 (FN08 AZZ)
Only Barbies left are about 15 Enviro300s, as 32081 (the sole ALX400) has recently been withdrawn I believe.
32081 is still shown as 'in service' on the latest fleetlist I received from First yesterday
Quote from: Tony on October 03, 2018, 06:30:13 PM
32081 is still shown as 'in service' on the latest fleetlist I received from First yesterday
Oh I see; I'd heard that it was going before September as a rumour so they'll probably keep it on while the other deckers are being repainted. Last time I saw it it was sounding a bit sick and it used to be better than a lot of the 54-plates.
Still though, nice how quickly they've been with turning repaints over recently. Fuchsia front-livery (not sure of the name) feels nicer than both Barbie and Olympia. Begs the question whether Cherry Scanias will be re-done and the 18-branded Scanias as well? Plus the PMT Scanias as the livery isn't holding up too well on them.
Quote from: PointerDart on October 03, 2018, 10:41:51 PM
Oh I see; I'd heard that it was going before September as a rumour so they'll probably keep it on while the other deckers are being repainted. Last time I saw it it was sounding a bit sick and it used to be better than a lot of the 54-plates.
Still though, nice how quickly they've been with turning repaints over recently. Fuchsia front-livery (not sure of the name) feels nicer than both Barbie and Olympia. Begs the question whether Cherry Scanias will be re-done and the 18-branded Scanias as well? Plus the PMT Scanias as the livery isn't holding up too well on them.
The livery is known as Urban 2.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on October 04, 2018, 11:52:35 AM
The livery is known as Urban 2.
I thought there would be some sort of name; thank you!
Quote from: Tony on October 03, 2018, 06:30:13 PM
32081 is still shown as 'in service' on the latest fleetlist I received from First yesterday
Just seen it on 25s this morning (well, heard before seen tbh)
E200MMC 67156 just seen at Stafford station on the 101, don't recall seeing one of these on the 101 very often.
Quote from: Cheese on November 13, 2018, 04:35:51 PM
E200MMC 67156 just seen at Stafford station on the 101, don't recall seeing one of these on the 101 very often.
Saw another one on the 101 about 4pm today heading towards Hanley. Meanwhile there was an Enviro300 on the 21/21A.
Scania 65027 noted on 101s yesterday freshly painted in Crimson and Cream. Suits the bus very well 🙂
Quote from: staffsdave on November 24, 2018, 07:05:31 AM
Scania 65027 noted on 101s yesterday freshly painted in Crimson and Cream. Suits the bus very well 🙂
Similar to the Crimson and Cream B7TL I take it? :)
Enviro300 67604 back out in service today after its repaint; been sat in the depot for a while beforehand.
Another E300 transferred to the Potteries fleet, this time in the form of 67659 (VX05 LWC).
OmniCitys 65031 and 65032 are now in Stoke from Essex according to a Facebook post
Quote from: John on March 17, 2019, 08:17:17 AM
OmniCitys 65031 and 65032 are now in Stoke from Essex according to a Facebook post
Here is a picture of the pair parked up at Adderley Green depot today (Apparently there are 3 more to arrive at Stoke)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/95376697@N08/47358686002/in/photolist-2f9VDp1-2dQHiJx-Rn2Kik-26QR4do-27Baovd-T3cLgi-rvseFf-q5FDV7-koyjmW-dmgCBp-cwP1mw-bkafmL-9RdKBU/
The batch of 5 from Essex (65028-65032) are rumoured to replace the current roster allocated for route 18 (i.e. 65001-65005).
Also heard that the E200 MMCs are to be leaving for Leicester - makes sense with some losing their branding for links between Hanley and Stoke Station.
Quote from: PointerDart on March 18, 2019, 05:44:17 PM
The batch of 5 from Essex (65028-65032) are rumoured to replace the current roster allocated for route 18 (i.e. 65001-65005).
Also heard that the E200 MMCs are to be leaving for Leicester - makes sense with some losing their branding for links between Hanley and Stoke Station.
Thanks for the added info!
Wouldnt surprise me as the E200MMC's will probably be needed for Leicester with the upcoming Leicester LEZ.
As well as the E200MMC'S from Stoke, it is also rumored that Leicester will receive 14 Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban 2 from First West of England (They will presumably be upgraded to Euro 6 spec similar to the 12 that Worcester received for Birmingham LEZ)
Quote from: willr7 on March 18, 2019, 05:59:25 PM
Thanks for the added info!
Wouldnt surprise me as the E200MMC's will probably be needed for Leicester with the upcoming Leicester LEZ.
As well as the E200MMC'S from Stoke, it is also rumored that Leicester will receive 14 Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban 2 from First West of England (They will presumably be upgraded to Euro 6 spec similar to the 12 that Worcester received for Birmingham LEZ)
Why would one introduce an alien type to Leicester, like the E200MMCs? Surely it makes more sense to bring in additional kit similar to what they already have...
44515 from Worcester noted passing Crewe station on the 3 this evening.
https://www.firstgroup.com/potteries/news-and-service-updates/planned-changes/timetable-changes-29-september-2019
;
Staffordshire website refers to the 32 becoming "Kingfisher" but nothing on first website.
http://www.ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/firsteastengland.pdf
I see in the above fleet list that 32635 is shown as withdrawn -- can anyone tell us why that is please ??
Quote from: mikestone on September 07, 2019, 11:07:22 PM
https://www.firstgroup.com/potteries/news-and-service-updates/planned-changes/timetable-changes-29-september-2019
;
Staffordshire website refers to the 32 becoming "Kingfisher" but nothing on first website.
Timetables on first website now posted as Kingfisher
Quote from: DD12 on September 17, 2019, 12:48:37 PM
http://www.ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/firsteastengland.pdf
I see in the above fleet list that 32635 is shown as withdrawn -- can anyone tell us why that is please ??
Been off the road for ages, parts taken out including the engine. Believe fire damage from early this year
Quote from: PointerDart on September 17, 2019, 02:53:14 PM
Been off the road for ages, parts taken out including the engine. Believe fire damage from early this year
Thanks PointerDart !
I have read somewhere that Potteries are, or were, to get 10 Alexander E400 Hybrids (from Glasgow), for conversion to Diesel (only).
Have any of these arrived please ? - or any news of this ?
Quote from: DD12 on September 17, 2019, 10:29:02 PM
I have read somewhere that Potteries are, or were, to get 10 Alexander E400 Hybrids (from Glasgow), for conversion to Diesel (only).
Have any of these arrived please ? - or any news of this ?
Plans have changed, they're staying up in Glasgow for the time being according to the Firstbus Enthusiast group, where fleet movements are posted by staff.
Quote from: Nathan on September 17, 2019, 10:54:01 PM
Plans have changed, they're staying up in Glasgow for the time being according to the Firstbus Enthusiast group, where fleet movements are posted by staff.
Thanks Nathan !
Rail forum implied the 101 was going double deck, with its reduction to half-hourly.
65027 suffering today, with a row of seats collapsing as it turned a bend in Hanley. Luckily no one injured but very close to crushing the feet of two elderly women. What was worse was the depot instructed the driver to keep going and cordon the seating area off. Very concerning.
32648 is parked tonight on "the patch" at Worcester -- any facts about that would be very welcome !!
It was observed by me being towed down the M6 yesterday morning.
That could be the start of your Tridents to go. Sadly that could mean Leicester's 32643-6 are leaving soon for Worcester.
37157 is the first Gemini to be repainted into 'The Kingfisher' livery for the 32. Looks brilliant
https://www.flickr.com/photos/34487875@N07/48831899367/in/feed
Now that the Leek Link Scania's are all in service, the next route to receive a new identity is the 101, presumably using the current allocation of Scania's. Here is the proposed livery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/43152696@N08/49391220141/in/datetaken/
Similar colours to Leicester's Braunstone Bus & Worcester's Riversider liveries.
Quote from: willr7 on January 16, 2020, 08:18:32 PM
Now that the Leek Link Scania's are all in service, the next route to receive a new identity is the 101, presumably using the current allocation of Scania's. Here is the proposed livery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/43152696@N08/49391220141/in/datetaken/
Similar colours to Leicester's Braunstone Bus & Worcester's Riversider liveries.
It's not a 'proposed' livery. It's an actual one. You will see a photo of one of them appear on the main site in around an hour
Quote from: Tony on January 16, 2020, 08:23:08 PM
It's not a 'proposed' livery. It's an actual one. You will see a photo of one of them appear on the main site in around an hour
Thank You Tony
http://wmbusphotos.com/FirstPotteries/65035.html
New 101 livery as promised
I thought the 101 had gone DD?
.
44511 now here from Worcester.
Quote from: mikestone on January 31, 2020, 07:47:41 PM
I thought the 101 had gone DD?
.
44511 now here from Worcester.
There were talks of it from what I'd heard. 44511 has been here since before Christmas
Quote from: PointerDart on February 01, 2020, 04:07:51 PM
There were talks of it from what I'd heard. 44511 has been here since before Christmas
records show on midlandred.net that it passed to alderley green garage in July last year
Quote from: Rich-82 on February 01, 2020, 05:32:01 PM
records show on midlandred.net that it passed to alderley green garage in July last year
All First fleet moves for the last 4 years are on the main site
http://wmbusphotos.com/Fleetchanges/First.html
All taken from official first group information
It isn't on the Potteries fleetlist on here though.
32639 has re-appeared after being absent for a number of months. Not quite sure why - just never saw it out in service for ages
Meanwhile 65034, 65035 and 65038 currently comprise the Knotty (101) fleet, with 65042 now branded as a Spare Bus. I'm assuming 65033 and 65036 will shortly follow as these have been MIA for a while as well
Quote from: PointerDart on February 10, 2020, 10:49:31 PM
32639 has re-appeared after being absent for a number of months. Not quite sure why - just never saw it out in service for ages
Meanwhile 65034, 65035 and 65038 currently comprise the Knotty (101) fleet, with 65042 now branded as a Spare Bus. I'm assuming 65033 and 65036 will shortly follow as these have been MIA for a while as well
Do you know what happened to 65037? (I believe it is Withdrawn)
Quote from: willr7 on February 11, 2020, 07:14:03 PM
Do you know what happened to 65037? (I believe it is Withdrawn)
Yes, showing on the group fleetlist this month as transferred from reserve to ELV (End of life vehicle)
Quote from: Tony on January 16, 2020, 09:52:01 PM
http://wmbusphotos.com/FirstPotteries/65035.html
New 101 livery as promised
Have these buses had a refurb also? You would think so after 14 years
Quote from: Bob on April 22, 2020, 08:50:19 AM
Have these buses had a refurb also? You would think so after 14 years
Yes, new seat covers etc, quite nice inside
Thats good they really needed it. The Scanias on the Leek route look fantastic inside
Quote from: Bob on April 22, 2020, 10:07:13 PM
Thats good they really needed it. The Scanias on the Leek route look fantastic inside
Haven't been on one of those although they probably had a slightly less arduous life being Park & Ride buses in Chelmsford or Colchester (can't remember which) for a good while.
Quote from: Cheese on April 23, 2020, 01:25:43 PM
Haven't been on one of those although they probably had a slightly less arduous life being Park & Ride buses in Chelmsford or Colchester (can't remember which) for a good while.
Chelmsford, Arriva operate the Colchester P&R.
Does anyone know if First have put 32081's old ticket machine in 32643?
Quote from: LazyGuy222 on May 30, 2020, 08:38:30 PM
Does anyone know if First have put 32081's old ticket machine in 32643?
Yes it is in 32643, saw it yesterday on the 6 with the bustimes.org tracker showing as 32081
Once again, the First Potteries fleet has completely disappeared from the bustimes.org/vehicles tracking map. All vehicles, barring the odd anomaly, had been showing daily for the last few weeks or more but the map around Stoke has been blank since 3rd June.
Does anyone know why this is, and what (if anything) can be done to rectify the situation? This service is so useful for knowing when your bus is actually going to show up, especially if you're having to rely on bus travel in these current times for work etc.
Quote from: DVXXII on June 05, 2020, 12:13:12 PM
Once again, the First Potteries fleet has completely disappeared from the bustimes.org/vehicles tracking map. All vehicles, barring the odd anomaly, had been showing daily for the last few weeks or more but the map around Stoke has been blank since 3rd June.
Does anyone know why this is, and what (if anything) can be done to rectify the situation? This service is so useful for knowing when your bus is actually going to show up, especially if you're having to rely on bus travel in these current times for work etc.
Before it started working again, I contacted the person who runs the website asking about why Potteries wasn't showing. A few days later it worked again.
You can contact them by scrolling right to the bottom of the bustimes page and pressing contact.
Quote from: LazyGuy222 on June 05, 2020, 09:19:46 PM
Before it started working again, I contacted the person who runs the website asking about why Potteries wasn't showing. A few days later it worked again.
You can contact them by scrolling right to the bottom of the bustimes page and pressing contact.
Thank you, did just that and potteries reappeared yesterday afternoon
Will Alton Towers buses be running again from 4th July?
65026 seen today on the 4 repainted into standard Fuchsia front livery, no longer in red and yellow PMT heritage colours
Seems like 65037 found its way to Plaxton - it's on the right in the top photo here (13th July 2020):
http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/2001-2129/2136.html
Looks in a bad state (at least at the back with the paint wearing off)
Quote from: James3694 on July 14, 2020, 11:37:00 PM
Seems like 65037 found its way to Plaxton - it's on the right in the top photo here (13th July 2020):
http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/2001-2129/2136.html
Looks in a bad state (at least at the back with the paint wearing off)
Been this way for a year or so now. Hope it gets fixed soon cos it was one of the better ones within the batch
Quote from: PointerDart on July 15, 2020, 12:15:22 PM
Been this way for a year or so now. Hope it gets fixed soon cos it was one of the better ones within the batch
If it's going to be fixed it will be a very expensive job. Not much of it is actually there
Quote from: Tony on July 15, 2020, 02:59:00 PM
If it's going to be fixed it will be a very expensive job. Not much of it is actually there
That's a shame
Just look for first 65037 on YouTube and you'll see this won't be going back into service
I guess it must have developed some faults or some pretty major components failed, given if it's been like that for a year or so, even last year it would have only just turned 13 years old which is still newer than some buses still in use with other operators.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxWCf_5JMoU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQF6uPKsiV4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlYEnqkvFU
Quote from: Jack D on June 25, 2020, 03:31:00 PM
Will Alton Towers buses be running again from 4th July?
Still no sign although Hulleys and Notts and Derby have already started and D&G start on 27th
32635 has made an appearance after a year or so off the road - still sounding as unhealthy as ever
At Adderly Green there are a lot less stored vehicles since the kast time I was here. All the ex First Manchester/Diamond loanees have now moved on. Also VOR 65692,65706, 65706 have gone too. Still present are withdrawn E300s 67602, 67631, 67639 and 67649 along with Sheffield streetlite 63386 which has been here for months now. New addition is Volvo B12 20612
Former Sheffield 37120 B9TL has joined the fleet - seen on the 25. Presuming to help provide another decker for the new timetable and X25 service
66805 MX05CCU has turned up at AG in the new yellow & green training livery
32646 (46) KP54AZL has appeared in Stoke today, running on route 25 today
Quote from: PointerDart on November 30, 2020, 08:50:23 PM
32646 (46) KP54AZL has appeared in Stoke today, running on route 25 today
From what I can understand from various (conflicting in some cases) Facebook posts.. the 2 B9TL's are only on hire to Potteries and due to return very soon.
Potteries is gaining 2 older double deckers from Sheffield (however only 1 is here), because of this.. 32646 is on loan to Potteries until the 2nd one arrives. Makes sense as it has been at Potteries to have some minor work done! It won't be repainted (despite the fact it's no longer in Leicester, as Nigel himself said, it's not justified to repaint such old vehicles), however, it might get some kind of Vinyl wrap / recover maybe?
It will then go to Worcester (and in Worcester, another decker will leave there once it does arrive)!
Quote from: Glenfieldmathk1 on December 01, 2020, 06:44:05 PM
From what I can understand from various (conflicting in some cases) Facebook posts.. the 2 B9TL's are only on hire to Potteries and due to return very soon.
Potteries is gaining 2 older double deckers from Sheffield (however only 1 is here), because of this.. 32646 is on loan to Potteries until the 2nd one arrives. Makes sense as it has been at Potteries to have some minor work done! It won't be repainted (despite the fact it's no longer in Leicester, as Nigel himself said, it's not justified to repaint such old vehicles), however, it might get done kind of Vinyl wrap / recover maybe?
It will then go to Worcester (and in Worcester, another decker will leave there once it does arrive)!
Surely would have made more sense to cut out the middle man and send the Leicester B7TLs to Potteries and then send the ALX400s to Worcester?
On a separate note, First seems to have re-introduced the X25 after being scrapped before lockdown due to low numbers, but no announcement or timetables, nor a change to the registration for either 25 or the cancelled X25 on VOSA's website.
Does anyone have any info on the ex Diamond (loan) Volvo B7RLE's that are to replace E300s at AG?
All information is here;
http://quack77.uk/fleetlists/fleet-changes.php?ownerid=43
The B9TLs have returned to Sheffield with ex-Doncaster ALXs in service in the Potteries in their place.
Hi All in the Potteries !!
Can anyone tell me what's happening with 32646 ? - - according to the bus times tracker, it hasn't been used for a long time, - so if it's being worked-on, what's being done to it ??
Thanks.
Quote from: DD12 on January 09, 2021, 07:08:50 PM
Hi All in the Potteries !!
Can anyone tell me what's happening with 32646 ? - - according to the bus times tracker, it hasn't been used for a long time, - so if it's being worked-on, what's being done to it ??
Thanks.
It was on loan from Leicester while we were waiting for the 3 ALX400s before it went down to Worcester. It was tracking as 32649. Wasn't in the yard on Tuesday and haven't seen it in service since Christmas
Quote from: PointerDart on January 09, 2021, 08:07:09 PM
It was on loan from Leicester while we were waiting for the 3 ALX400s before it went down to Worcester. It was tracking as 32649. Wasn't in the yard on Tuesday and haven't seen it in service since Christmas
I Heard it has gone to Worcester now!
Quote from: Glenfieldmathk1 on January 09, 2021, 11:14:10 PM
I Heard it has gone to Worcester now!
Soon it'll be going around the Wrekin.
...
Sorry, I'll see myself out.
Thanks PointerDart and Glenfieldmathk1, for your replies, -- I have now seen 32646 is at Worcester garage (Midland Red code WR) !! -- still in Leicester City livery.
Thanks also to ellspurs, -- I must google the meaning / history of "all around the Wrekin" - sometime !!
In what must presumably delayed publication ever this weeks N&P has the registration of route DA3 from October 2014!
.
On line it says the registration was received the day before it began?
I caught 69155 on the 101 today Stoke- Stafford? Not down as allocated to first potteries?
Quote from: Trident 4194 on July 29, 2021, 07:50:55 PM
I caught 69155 on the 101 today Stoke- Stafford? Not down as allocated to first potteries?
They are Potteries buses. Recent transfers from Manchester via Diamond NW
Quote from: Trident 4194 on July 29, 2021, 07:50:55 PM
I caught 69155 on the 101 today Stoke- Stafford? Not down as allocated to first potteries?
Definitely shown as allocated to Adderley Green on the First Group fleetlist on the main site
http://wmbusphotos.com/FirstUK/Firstindex60001-69999.html
First Potteries are now using the same style of destination blinds as Worcester and Leicester.
Must say I much prefer the new style as it stands out more. Any ideas on what font First use in these boards as I'm looking to recreate them for myself?
66805 seen just in Wolverhampton, any ideas on where its going
Looks like the The Kingfisher has been fished from the pond...
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/774420687447916556/1009176367889403944/unknown.png)
Quote from: the trainbasher on August 16, 2022, 08:09:12 PMLooks like the The Kingfisher has been fished from the pond...
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/774420687447916556/1009176367889403944/unknown.png)
I have a feeling D&G will step in as a result and increase or amend the 32(X).
two new Streetdeck's are showing on bus times for the Potteries with a 3-tone blue livery. These being:
35939 BN72 TTX
35945 BN72 TUO
Quote from: twbc99 on November 23, 2022, 06:07:12 PMtwo new Streetdeck's are showing on bus times for the Potteries with a 3-tone blue livery. These being:
35939 BN72 TTX
35945 BN72 TUO
There's more listed on buslistsontheweb.
I take it that's the B7TLs' days numbered.
Quote from: leicesterbusadventurer on November 30, 2022, 07:45:02 PMThere's more listed on buslistsontheweb.
I take it that's the B7TLs' days numbered.
That is my thought as well. Looks like the E400's are almost ready for service as well as 33830 has tracked from the bus station to the depot this afternoon.
Enviro 200 44515 (MX10 DXU) caught fire earlier today while on service 6 in Fenton
More information from Stoke Sentinel here: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/live-updates-first-bus-engulfed-8481261.amp (https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/live-updates-first-bus-engulfed-8481261.amp)
I had noticed there seems to.be a lot of DD working on the 101 to Stafford but was surprised to see five of the six workings today were deckers according to bustimes, so presumably this is booked.
.
Anyone know since when please?
Quote from: mikestone on August 03, 2023, 07:13:44 PMI had noticed there seems to.be a lot of DD working on the 101 to Stafford but was surprised to see five of the six workings today were deckers according to bustimes, so presumably this is booked.
.
Anyone know since when please?
I was on jury service at Stafford Court last week & the week before and every day it was 5 or 6 doubles. I managed to photograph all but two of their streetdecks in Stafford, and I did see one of the missing two
Quote from: mikestone on August 03, 2023, 07:13:44 PMI had noticed there seems to.be a lot of DD working on the 101 to Stafford but was surprised to see five of the six workings today were deckers according to bustimes, so presumably this is booked.
.
Anyone know since when please?
When I have looked on bus times there does seem to be a decker or two on the 101. This has possibly increased with the holiday timetable on the 25 so more decker's are free to work the 101.
63096, 63098, 63099, 63100 have moved from Adderley Green to Oldham.
Quote from: John Stait on October 02, 2023, 10:25:55 AM63096, 63098, 63099, 63100 have moved from Adderley Green to Oldham.
Are these loans or permanent?
Branded 63100 has moved back to Adderley Green and has been replaced at Oldham by 63097 which is in Olympia livery.
Another Streetdeck has arrived in the Potteries from York. This being 35932 MF72 WBM in Unibus livery.
E200 MMC 67180 seems to be the first of the eclipse vehicles to be repainted into the standard potteries livery.