I've probably left it a bit late really to start this topic about the 43** numbered Dennis Tridents, as their time here on the streets of Coventry is quickly running out now ? As Tony Hunter has already mentioned, the schools breaking up and also the PVR of the company dropping by over 100 vehicles, will no-doubt be what sadly causes them to all go ? Anyway folks, Spot 'em, Jot 'em and Photograph 'em while you still can !!! I myself managed to see (and photograph) a good number of them in Town this afternoon and the 43**'s seen were:
4362 - 18/18A
4370 - 18
4371 - 21
4372 - (Out Of Service) Standing outside at the top end of the yard at Wheatley Street Garage.
4373 - 6
4374 - 10
4375 - 4
4376 - 6A
4378 - 6
4380 - 6
4381 - 10
4395 - 6
4396 - 16A
4358, 4379, 4398 and 4399 were nowhere to be seen today (must have all been in the Garage ?), although i fortunately managed to capture those four Buses a few weeks back ! (Hopefully not for the last time ???).
4372 and 4404 have finished
I did happen to see 4404 standing directly infront of 4372 today Tony, but had no idea at all that it (or 4372) were both withdrawn from service ? Am very surprised and especially sorry to hear that 4404 has now been withdrawn from service, but "THANK YOU" for letting us know about that, as i do appreciate it ! (It only seems like yesterday when 4404 actually arrived brand new at Wheatley Street and if i remember rightly, it stood out from all the other new deliveries in that 4396 - 4404 batch, because it was minus its "TRAVEL COVENTRY" transfer on the front of it when it was delivered !).
While briefly passing through Town just before 6pm tonight, i saw On-Loan Trident 4362 going around Ironmonger Row and down The Burges on the 10 route to Eastern Green ! (I don't know if any other 43**'s were out in service at all today ?).
Quote from: Coventry Transport Dude on July 27, 2019, 10:36:18 PM
While briefly passing through Town just before 6pm tonight, i saw On-Loan Trident 4362 going around Ironmonger Row and down The Burges on the 10 route to Eastern Green ! (I don't know if any other 43**'s were out in service at all today ?).
Is the other red, 4358, still about?
Quote from: paulb1973 on July 27, 2019, 10:45:56 PM
Is the other red, 4358, still about?
I haven't seen it out and about at all Paul, even when i was in Town for a few hours on Friday photographing the 43**'s, but hopefully it is still here ? The last time i actually saw it was about 2 or 3 weeks ago on the Keresley Road, as i was talking to the Driver of it when he stopped outside the Shepherd for a couple of minutes ! I'm hoping that it will have still been out and about in service since then, although its days on the road now are sadly well and truly numbered at the minute ???
I found some old photo's earlier this afternoon of an on-loan Trident (4338) on the 36 route back in about 2002 time (i think it was ?) and it was one Bus that i'd completely forgotten about ever being here ! I took some photo's of it on the Keresley Road and then jumped on it for a trip down to Keresley Village and back, taking a few more photo's of it down at the terminus in Keresley Village itself. Can you remember it being here PaulB1973 and if so, do you know / have a note of how long it was here on-loan for ???
4358 - 6
4374 - 5
4375 - 21
I don't know whether any other 43**'s were out today at all, as i was only in Town for just over half an hour and just happened to spot the three old Tridents listed here above !
Quote from: Coventry Transport Dude on July 28, 2019, 09:27:21 PM
I haven't seen it out and about at all Paul, even when i was in Town for a few hours on Friday photographing the 43**'s, but hopefully it is still here ? The last time i actually saw it was about 2 or 3 weeks ago on the Keresley Road, as i was talking to the Driver of it when he stopped outside the Shepherd for a couple of minutes ! I'm hoping that it will have still been out and about in service since then, although its days on the road now are sadly well and truly numbered at the minute ???
I found some old photo's earlier this afternoon of an on-loan Trident (4338) on the 36 route back in about 2002 time (i think it was ?) and it was one Bus that i'd completely forgotten about ever being here ! I took some photo's of it on the Keresley Road and then jumped on it for a trip down to Keresley Village and back, taking a few more photo's of it down at the terminus in Keresley Village itself. Can you remember it being here PaulB1973 and if so, do you know / have a note of how long it was here on-loan for ???
Sorry for the delay in replying - mmm, you've got me there, I don't recall 4338 operating in Coventry but if you have pictures of it, all the better. Coventry's allocation of Tridents over the years has been fairly static without too many transfers to and fro. 4319/22 were Coventry based for a few years but ended moving back west eventually. And of the current transferred in 43xx stock, 4377 has had a very short life here, but will still have served NX for a long time.
Quote from: paulb1973 on July 30, 2019, 08:15:24 PM
Sorry for the delay in replying - mmm, you've got me there, I don't recall 4338 operating in Coventry but if you have pictures of it, all the better. Coventry's allocation of Tridents over the years has been fairly static without too many transfers to and fro. 4319/22 were Coventry based for a few years but ended moving back west eventually. And of the current transferred in 43xx stock, 4377 has had a very short life here, but will still have served NX for a long time.
When 4319 and 4322 left Coventry back in 2015, i didn't realize at the time that they'd both been here for over 6 years ! (4319 arriving in January 2009 until November 2015 & 4322 also in January 2009, but leaving in April 2015 !). I'm hoping that they're both still running up in Wolverhampton, although their days in service now must be numbered ???
Regarding 4338, i've been looking through my old notes and i first saw it here in Coventry on the 36 route on October 10th, 2002. It caught me a bit by surprise really, mainly because i didn't even know it was here ? (I saw it coming down the Keresley Road and heading towards its stop by Sadler Road, on its way towards Town and Little Heath). It was later on that day that i then went for a trip on it down to Keresley Village and back, taking some photo's of it at the terminus there and also on the Keresley Road itself by the Shepherd. It must have been here in Cov for at least a couple of weeks, as i saw it again in the Burges two days later (Oct. 12th) on the 23 to Allesley Park and then on October 22nd, i caught it home from Town, as it was on the 36 route again ! (If you're still working along the Keresley Road area Paul, i'll bring the photo's down to you one morning to quickly show you them !).
4381 - 5
4378; 4395 & 4398 are also unlikely to run again
4381 on 23 today
Quote from: Tony on August 01, 2019, 06:05:57 PM
4378; 4395 & 4398 are also unlikely to run again
Thank you Tony for letting us all know about these latest Dennis Trident withdrawals, as your help is always much appreciated and my thanks also must go to local enthusiast Chris Wookey, for the heads up he gave on 4378 and 4395 now being parked up out at the top end of Wheatley Street Garage yard ! Withdrawn 4372 and 4404 are still there also, parked up down behind them !
Was only in Town for just over an hour today, but fortunately some 43**'s were out in service and they were:
4371 - 5
4376 - 10
4381 - 6
4396 - 16A
Quote from: Coventry Transport Dude on July 31, 2019, 02:41:26 PM
When 4319 and 4322 left Coventry back in 2015, i didn't realize at the time that they'd both been here for over 6 years ! (4319 arriving in January 2009 until November 2015 & 4322 also in January 2009, but leaving in April 2015 !). I'm hoping that they're both still running up in Wolverhampton, although their days in service now must be numbered ???
Regarding 4338, i've been looking through my old notes and i first saw it here in Coventry on the 36 route on October 10th, 2002. It caught me a bit by surprise really, mainly because i didn't even know it was here ? (I saw it coming down the Keresley Road and heading towards its stop by Sadler Road, on its way towards Town and Little Heath). It was later on that day that i then went for a trip on it down to Keresley Village and back, taking some photo's of it at the terminus there and also on the Keresley Road itself by the Shepherd. It must have been here in Cov for at least a couple of weeks, as i saw it again in the Burges two days later (Oct. 12th) on the 23 to Allesley Park and then on October 22nd, i caught it home from Town, as it was on the 36 route again ! (If you're still working along the Keresley Road area Paul, i'll bring the photo's down to you one morning to quickly show you them !).
You were spot-on regards 4338 and its brief visit to Coventry in 2002 - and I have seen photographic evidence now! It seems it was based here for a week or two at the very least.
9/9A - 4362
4370 - 10
4371 - 16A
4396 5 1009 TS
4379 6 0902 TF
4381 9A 0947 LA (it had 9 on the back!)
4376 10 1012 EG
4358 10
4370 10
4380 4
4399 10
Sorry to dishearten you
@Coventry Transport Dude but 4358 didn't seem in the best condition today. Most of the dozen ish Tridents I rode today seemed pretty good mechanically, but 4358 had a bit of a clunky gearbox. I've rode worst (a Stagecoach one that every gear change forced it to jolt forward a metre or so!) but it was in the worst condition compared to the others sadly. NX dot seats made the interior failed decent for a bus of its age though, and external livery pretty smart too. No sign of 4362 and it hasn't showed up on bustimes for a while
Quote from: Dylanbusboy45 on August 08, 2019, 06:51:26 PM
Sorry to dishearten you @Coventry Transport Dude but 4358 didn't seem in the best condition today. Most of the dozen ish Tridents I rode today seemed pretty good mechanically, but 4358 had a bit of a clunky gearbox. I've rode worst (a Stagecoach one that every gear change forced it to jolt forward a metre or so!) but it was in the worst condition compared to the others sadly. NX dot seats made the interior failed decent for a bus of its age though, and external livery pretty smart too. No sign of 4362 and it hasn't showed up on bustimes for a while
I promise you Dylan that your news about 4358 hasn't disheartened me (lol), as i enjoy reading about and hearing peoples opinions on any of the West Midlands buses really, but as for 4358, i guess its clunky gearbox makes it kind of distinctive and gives the bus a bit of character ? It's nice sometimes when a certain vehicle sounds (or performs !) differently to the rest of the batch, as that particular vehicle then becomes something that you'll hopefully never forget, even in years to come ? Sadly for 4358, it probably won't have many days left on the road now, so you probably caught it just in time ??? (Hope you still get time to see and ride on 4362 before it comes off the road ?).
I'm pleased to hear that You and my good friend JoNi from the block, have between you both, seen eight 43**'s out in service today ! (Good news that is !).
Quote from: Coventry Transport Dude on August 08, 2019, 10:50:55 PM
I promise you Dylan that your news about 4358 hasn't disheartened me (lol), as i enjoy reading about and hearing peoples opinions on any of the West Midlands buses really, but as for 4358, i guess its clunky gearbox makes it kind of distinctive and gives the bus a bit of character ? It's nice sometimes when a certain vehicle sounds (or performs !) differently to the rest of the batch, as that particular vehicle then becomes something that you'll hopefully never forget, even in years to come ? Sadly for 4358, it probably won't have many days left on the road now, so you probably caught it just in time ??? (Hope you still get time to see and ride on 4362 before it comes off the road ?).
I'm pleased to hear that You and my good friend JoNi from the block, have between you both, seen eight 43**'s out in service today ! (Good news that is !).
Oh that's good then, it does make it more distinctive I guess yes, though I can't personally compare it to any other 435x, I had one not long ago but can't remember what it was like! That's exactly what I thought with regards to its time left, I haven't got 4362 at Coventry but did find it at Birmingham Central where it didn't stay long at all!
Indeed a good amount of the older 43s were out yesterday, I may come back in a few weeks but I'm sure there won't be too many left then
4399 - 13 today. Sounds like a tank.
Seems to be using air when doing lots of braking as the warning alarm came on.
Quote from: Sandy Lane on August 09, 2019, 02:09:11 PM
4399 - 13 today. Sounds like a tank.
Seems to be using air when doing lots of braking as the warning alarm came on.
I know exactly what you mean there regarding 4399's sound, as i caught it up to Ball Hill a month or two ago and although i was sitting upstairs at the back, i could still clearly hear how differently it sounded, compared to all the other Dennis Tridents in the Coventry fleet ?
4370 - 4
4381 - 5
4396 - 4
(All three seen and photographed at the Arena Tesco Bus Park !).
I photographed 4381 when it came into the Bus Park off the Foleshill Road just before 4pm and more pics were taken off it loading up at its stop there, but i'm sorry to say that this Bus was going nowhere afterwards, as it had an air leek and sadly couldn't continue on in service for its 4pm departure ! The few passengers that it had on it all stayed on board until the next No.5 (4832) arrived 30 minutes later ! With the Bus now going nowhere, this gave me plenty of time to get more photo's of it from all different angles etc, but also time to have a chat with the Driver of it as well. I felt sorry for him really when the Bus developed this air leek problem, as he seemed all set to get going, but then after calling the Garage sweetheart (Sue Duffy) to report the problem, all he could do then was just hang around and wait for a replacement Bus to arrive ? He was great to talk to though, as he was telling me about the Bus itself and what it was like to drive, of which he said it was a bit heavy on the steering. I don't know what his replacement Bus was (as i had to eventually leave before it arrived !) and i hope it wasn't too long in arriving after i'd gone, but my other obvious concern as well was for 4381 itself, as had i just witnessed it coming out of service for the last time ? (All depends now on whether the guys down at Wheatley Street think it's worth fixing ???).
If anyone happens to see 4381 out in service after today, then please post a mention of it on here, as i'd be interested to know its immediate fate now ??? (Really hope somebody spots it out in Town tomorrow and beyond, as that would be great !!!!!).
4396 - 21
4370 - 12X
Had a ride on 4399 on the 23 hospital route
Leaving Asda the route goes on Skipworth Rd. By heck I have never seen so many hard speed bumps so closee together on one road before. The bus and pasengers take a hammering even at slow speed. Poor old 4399.
Also no bus stops on Skipworth which is puzzling.
Quote from: Sandy Lane on January 14, 2020, 09:39:54 PM
Had a ride on 4399 on the 23 hospital route
Leaving Asda the route goes on Skipworth Rd. By heck I have never seen so many hard speed bumps so closee together on one road before. The bus and pasengers take a hammering even at slow speed. Poor old 4399.
Also no bus stops on Skipworth which is puzzling.
Skipworth Rd is a Hail and Ride section of route, so there's no need for any stops. This is like the currecnt 17A route in Stourbridge. The 17A operate a hail and ride route along Junction Rd, Sweerbrier Drive andarine Crescent and also along another part of the route. Which I can't rember.
Quote from: Bus Man K2 on January 15, 2020, 10:14:03 AM
Skipworth Rd is a Hail and Ride section of route, so there's no need for any stops. This is like the currecnt 17A route in Stourbridge. The 17A operate a hail and ride route along Junction Rd, Sweerbrier Drive andarine Crescent and also along another part of the route. Which I can't rember.
Thanks, does make sense. Wonder if it puts people off using the bus?
Quote from: Sandy Lane on January 15, 2020, 09:11:51 PM
Thanks, does make sense. Wonder if it puts people off using the bus?
In case of 23 its more likely to be the poor service. The Allesley Park residents newsletter also commented on the shabby old buses used on the route. Bluecoats school children were walking back to town after school as there was insufficient capacity......