Messages

Is 32645 a transfer or a loan?

I hope it's a transfer, I'd rather have a nice B7 over the Tridents currently on there

According to the posts on www.midlandred.net  (forum), it's just a loan.

(This info. is backed-up by the new edition of  British Bus Publishing's  First Bus Handbook, which has some "red-hot" allocations, including some of this batch)

Good to see a Gemini (32645) on the 144 again

I'm glad you've mentioned this bus - I had wondered if it had been taken back to Leicester.

- I like having at least one of these here at Worcester.

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!

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.)

Thanks for the updates, everyone.

Someone on another forum has heard that the Leicester Enviro 400s have had a problem with wheelchair access, and that some seats have had to be removed. (?)
If anyone has any factual info. or confirmation I'd be interested.
Ta.

[an 11 plate Gemini was at Worcester]

When First were running the buses for the 2012 Olympics, an 11 plate Gemini was at Worcester for a week or so before going on Olympic duties and saw service so I think this is the newest.

Here it is ;) -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/55059449@N06/7591648092/in/photostream/

THANKS SAYEED!
Thanks for your link to this photo that I've not seen before.

- there were two or three of the Tridents 33401-5, used on the Xmas P+Ride, either in December 2004 or 2005 or both - I can't remember exactly -
but  36168  IS the newest DD to run on normal WR routes  (including the 32  - I wish I had a photo of that!)

It's now 46 years since the Worcester garage of Midland Red/ First  had an allocation of NEW  DDs !!

One member on here is in for a massive shock! Worcester are expecting some brand new buses this year!
[/quote]

I haven't quite died from a heart attack at this news!
Although the age profile at Worcester  is probably already in-line with First's policies, the new MD  may have a new initiative in-mind  that will also improve average fleet-age! 

Also to consider, will the lighter weight buses last that long?
[/quote]

Streetlites are certainly built for it and to be fair, with bodies by wrightbus the bodywork will outlive the chassis eg b6/crusaders with corroded chassis and yet bodywork that has ages well and looks very modern.
[/quote]

It has, in my opinion,  always been a trade-off between lightweight advances and durable strong+tough+reliable  (+heavy?) - engineering !
A lot of lightweight BMMO vehicles got scrapped when they were around 11 years old, despite any aspirations of designers who may have  been influenced  by advances in World War 2 engineering.

I believe that I read that some early Streetlites had a problem linked to corrosion/ a reaction between dissimilar metals.
Forgive Me if that's wrong Wrightbus!
(I believe that the people at Wrightbus are working incredibly hard and clever, to serve the people at the companies which are trying to advance the provision of buses and therefore profit!)

I would say this has been done to make a more attractive disposal. It is certainly a more attractive purchase in its new form.

I doubt if it has been done to make it more saleable.  First must have spent alot of money on this "full Stenning" rebrand - and don't forget that many new owners bring in a new brand anyway (e.g. Rotala with Diamond).

As Winston said a few days ago, the new South West MD has been doing alot of revitalising in his territory, and this looks like a big go (perhaps an experiment) at going local.

I think it may "work both ways".
If First have an operation that they would like to sell but cannot, they can allow a new MD a blank canvas and a little bit of money to rebuild it up to the point where it IS saleable.
If I was in charge of First, I would want managers who were capable of this.

The alternative is (ultimately) abandoning and closing some more operations.

HI!  from me down in Worcester!

Thanks to all of you above who've reported on the Leicester Enviro 400s, and the likely transfers to follow.

I would not mind 'us' receiving some crumbs from Leicester's table  - ie  one or two DDdeckers!    :P

Regarding Nigel Eggleton;  Can anyone who's moved about that much be any good?
( I HOPE SO ! )

Yes he can.  It was he, along with the Oxford Bus Company MD, who transformed Diamond into a quality operation - no mean feat with People's Express!  Since then he has worked for Blazefield - a high quality group which of course was led by Giles Fearnley.  I believe it's a good move by First.

Thankyou 'JT',   
That's just the sort of thing I want to hear!

Just seen this on another website

First breaks up Region

First UK Bus has restructured its South East and Midlands Regional business into "three smaller, stronger units."


Nigel Eggleton joins from Transdev Blazefield, and becomes MD Midlands, based in Leicester.

Interesting and thanks for posting that. Interestingly, Nigel Eggleton previously ran Go West Midlands and Oxford Bus Company so he's not really a stranger to the midlands. Would be interested to see if he can use a few of the Oxford Bus methods in Leicester

Regarding Nigel Eggleton;  Can anyone who's moved about that much be any good?
( I HOPE SO ! )