WM Bus Photos Forum

West Midlands Buses in Discussion => National Express West Midlands => Topic started by: Solo1 on June 07, 2015, 05:37:36 PM

Title: 4001
Post by: Solo1 on June 07, 2015, 05:37:36 PM
which bus will the reg of 4001 & 2 be going on to
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Tony on June 07, 2015, 05:42:04 PM
Quote from: Solo1 on June 07, 2015, 05:37:36 PM
which bus will the reg of 40012 be going on to

T165 BBF (Optare Solo?)  8)
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: The Real 4778 on June 08, 2015, 07:55:17 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 07, 2015, 05:42:04 PM
T165 BBF (Optare Solo?)  8)

Judging by the OP, that should be AUREOL, shouldn't it!
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stevo on June 10, 2015, 08:06:43 PM
4001 was expected to arrive at Wythall this afternoon from Miller Street though hadn't arrived when I left at about 4pm.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Tony on June 10, 2015, 08:32:00 PM
Quote from: Stevo on June 10, 2015, 08:06:43 PM
4001 was expected to arrive at Wythall this afternoon from Miller Street though hadn't arrived when I left at about 4pm.

Was still at Miller Street when I popped in at 14:00, tracker is still showing at Miller Street, but it could have been taken out the bus!
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: don on June 12, 2015, 08:51:52 PM
It wasn't there when I left Wythall on Wednesday about 1630 - however I wasnt aware it was meant to!!
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Tony on June 12, 2015, 08:56:23 PM
Quote from: don on June 12, 2015, 08:51:52 PM
It wasn't there when I left Wythall on Wednesday about 1630 - however I wasnt aware it was meant to!!

Still at Miller Street this morning
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stevo on June 13, 2015, 09:52:56 PM
Quote from: don on June 12, 2015, 08:51:52 PM
It wasn't there when I left Wythall on Wednesday about 1630 - however I wasnt aware it was meant to!!
That's what I thought I heard but maybe I misunderstood.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: MrBevan2000 on June 17, 2015, 07:53:53 AM
It's still at Miller Street with 4004 parked next to it.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stevo on June 17, 2015, 03:05:25 PM
It's awaiting new tyres as the ones currently fitted are not going with the vehicle. It's now expected to arrive at Wythall this Friday or soon after.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: MrBevan2000 on June 17, 2015, 03:09:49 PM
Quote from: Stevo on June 17, 2015, 03:05:25 PM
It's awaiting new tyres as the ones currently fitted are not going with the vehicle. It's now expected to arrive at Wythall this Friday or soon after.
Any idea what day or time it's suppose to leave?
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stevo on June 17, 2015, 10:14:11 PM
Sorry - all I know is that it could well be this Friday but might be next week.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: spudnick on June 19, 2015, 08:11:44 PM
Saw 4001 today at Alcester Lanes End around 12:00  heading in the direction of Wythall followed by one of the museums BCT liveried half cabs (JOJ something).
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: filbus1 on June 19, 2015, 08:19:34 PM
Quote from: spudnick on June 19, 2015, 08:11:44 PM
Saw 4001 today at Alcester Lanes End around 12:00  heading in the direction of Wythall followed by one of the museums BCT liveried half cabs (JOJ something).
It's now in preservation at Wythall. The Other bus was Guy / Metro Cammell 2976 JOJ 976
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Tara4352 on June 19, 2015, 08:38:22 PM
Quote from: filbus1 on June 19, 2015, 08:19:34 PM
It's now in preservation at Wythall. The Other bus was Guy / Metro Cammell 2976 JOJ 976
Wil,that be used on the bus rides
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Gareth on June 19, 2015, 08:42:05 PM
I suppose it's too early to say. All depends on what the long term plan is for the vehicle. Also the type of MOT (I think) determines what type of work it can carry out. Such as only certain vehicles can take fare paying passengers. Other buses can carry people, like the free car park shuttles, but they cannot charge.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: filbus1 on June 19, 2015, 10:13:58 PM
Quote from: Gareth on June 19, 2015, 08:42:05 PM
I suppose it's too early to say. All depends on what the long term plan is for the vehicle. Also the type of MOT (I think) determines what type of work it can carry out. Such as only certain vehicles can take fare paying passengers. Other buses can carry people, like the free car park shuttles, but they cannot charge.
It would be good to have a vehicle with wheelchair access available for use on the rides. As far as I know it will be bought up to the standard to carry fare paying passengers.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Squiz1971 on June 20, 2015, 02:25:37 PM
Quote from: Gareth on June 19, 2015, 08:42:05 PM
I suppose it's too early to say. All depends on what the long term plan is for the vehicle. Also the type of MOT (I think) determines what type of work it can carry out. Such as only certain vehicles can take fare paying passengers. Other buses can carry people, like the free car park shuttles, but they cannot charge.
Some of the other buses at Wythall are either I think Class 6 or Class 5 MOT'd depending on what they are needed for during the year but I could be wrong of course. I think I saw on the website years before saying about which bus needs which class of MOT or that some buses were downgraded to the other MOT class.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: P419 EJW on June 20, 2015, 07:08:52 PM
A short video clip of 4001 arriving at Wythall, it's new home. Click here to view (https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=932768006779279).
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: DavieDD2 on June 20, 2015, 07:26:29 PM
I wonder if Dundee Museum of Transport or an individual up here will take 4002, it was launched in Dundee at the same time as 4001 was in the Midlands.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: lynx1103 on June 21, 2015, 11:04:17 AM
 I would really like a B10L to be preserved being the 1st low floor single deck for TWM.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: DavieDD2 on June 21, 2015, 01:32:11 PM
7122 (P122 KSL) is preserved at DMoT, it was the very first B10L introduced when TWM took over Tayside in 1997.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stevo on June 21, 2015, 08:13:53 PM
Quote from: Squiz1971 on June 20, 2015, 02:25:37 PM
Some of the other buses at Wythall are either I think Class 6 or Class 5 MOT'd depending on what they are needed for during the year but I could be wrong of course. I think I saw on the website years before saying about which bus needs which class of MOT or that some buses were downgraded to the other MOT class.
You're quite right. The class 6 fleet can be used on the scheduled services and on private hire, while class 5 can carry passengers but no fares can be charged.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stuharris 6360 on June 21, 2015, 08:15:07 PM
Doesn't it still have the MOT from NE?
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Tony on June 21, 2015, 08:26:12 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on June 21, 2015, 08:15:07 PM
Doesn't it still have the MOT from NE?

It still has four weeks left on the current MoT
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: filbus1 on June 21, 2015, 08:34:21 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on June 21, 2015, 08:15:07 PM
Doesn't it still have the MOT from NE?
No, it goes for MOT etc. next month according to my Wythall friends
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Squiz1971 on June 21, 2015, 09:06:54 PM
Quote from: Stevo on June 21, 2015, 08:13:53 PM
You're quite right. The class 6 fleet can be used on the scheduled services and on private hire, while class 5 can carry passengers but no fares can be charged.
Cheers @Stevo I thought I was right but wasn't quite sure which MOT was for which fleet type
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: CL on June 21, 2015, 09:31:47 PM
Probably wishful thinking, but I sure do hope that 4001 will be repainted back into it's original livery.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stuharris 6360 on June 21, 2015, 09:33:27 PM
Quote from: clayderman on June 21, 2015, 09:31:47 PM
Probably wishful thinking, but I sure do hope that 4001 will be repainted back into it's original livery.

Your not the only one to wish that @clayderman!
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: filbus1 on June 21, 2015, 09:37:00 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on June 21, 2015, 09:33:27 PM
Your not the only one to wish that @clayderman!
It is going back into it's original livery as it first entered service, information from Lloyd Penfold at Wythall
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stuharris 6360 on June 21, 2015, 09:37:49 PM
Quote from: filbus1 on June 21, 2015, 09:37:00 PM
It is going back into it's original livery as it first entered service, information from Lloyd Penfold at Wythall

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Gareth on June 21, 2015, 10:47:44 PM
The bus was certainly striking and eye catching when new. From it's new livery, to the huge WM logo on the rear. The only thing that I never really liked was it's temporary fleetnumber '1'.
If Wythall should chose to put her in 'almost new' condition of around a year later, and 4001 fleetnumber that's fine by me 😃
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stuharris 6360 on June 21, 2015, 10:51:05 PM
Quote from: Gareth on June 21, 2015, 10:47:44 PM
The bus was certainly striking and eye catching when new. From it's new livery, to the huge WM logo on the rear. The only thing that I never really liked was it's temporary fleetnumber '1'.
If Wythall should chose to put her in 'almost new' condition of around a year later, and 4001 fleetnumber that's fine by me 😃

Why did it carry the number 1 only temporarily, what made NE make it 4001.

Surely starting again from 1 to signify the big change should have been kept and the rest of the Spectras numbered 2 - 22.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: filbus1 on June 21, 2015, 10:52:30 PM
Quote from: Rhys S on June 19, 2015, 08:38:22 PM
Wil,that be used on the bus rides
Eventually, yes
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stuharris 6360 on June 21, 2015, 10:57:15 PM
Are paper blinds going to be reinstalled
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Gareth on June 22, 2015, 01:20:52 AM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on June 21, 2015, 10:51:05 PM
Why did it carry the number 1 only temporarily, what made NE make it 4001.

Surely starting again from 1 to signify the big change should have been kept and the rest of the Spectras numbered 2 - 22.

I'd imagine that had the double deck fleet continued on from Spectras 1 and 2 within a few years there would have to be a load of renumbering. When 1&2 were new there were still mini buses in the 200 series and midi buses well into the 500 series. To me, 4001+ was the most logical, following on from the Scania's but with a big enough gap and new 4 prefix to signify the change.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: 2900 on June 22, 2015, 11:10:19 AM
Look forward to going back in time when 4001 is restored to original spec, if I remember rite the paper blinds were motorised.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: CL on June 22, 2015, 04:24:03 PM
Quote from: filbus1 on June 21, 2015, 09:37:00 PM
It is going back into it's original livery as it first entered service, information from Lloyd Penfold at Wythall
Yes! My wish has been granted. :P - however, and I hope this isn't too contradictory, but leaving it in the NX Livery would've been fine, as it's the last livery that bus has worn... Still, excited for the return of the Low Floor livery, mark I.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stevo on June 22, 2015, 07:55:47 PM
If I remember right its first livery announced that it was the UK's first low-floor double decker or something like that, and restoring that livery demonstrates why it has been saved.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Trident 4609 on June 22, 2015, 08:01:45 PM
Quote from: Stevo on June 22, 2015, 07:55:47 PM
If I remember right its first livery announced that it was the UK's first low-floor double decker or something like that, and restoring that livery demonstrates why it has been saved.

I am also happy that it is being restored to original condition. It was in a bit of a sorry state before it was withdrawn with badly etched upper deck windows

Cheers for the info @Tony.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: DavieDD2 on June 22, 2015, 08:05:11 PM
Certainly looked better at launch...
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Tony on June 22, 2015, 08:11:14 PM
Quote from: Nathan on June 22, 2015, 08:01:45 PM
Despite not actually being the first low floor decker in the UK....

I am also happy that it is being restored to original condition. It was in a bit of a sorry state before it was withdrawn with badly etched upper deck windows

It was the first low floor 'decker in the UK, just not the first to run in service.
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Bryan on June 22, 2015, 08:31:31 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 22, 2015, 08:11:14 PM
It was the first low floor 'decker in the UK, just not the first to run in service.

Am I correct in thinking it was Abus of Bristol that just beat National Express in getting their slightly later vehicle in service first?
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Trident 4609 on June 22, 2015, 08:39:10 PM
Quote from: Bryan on June 22, 2015, 08:31:31 PM
Am I correct in thinking it was Abus of Bristol that just beat National Express in getting their slightly later vehicle in service first?

Yes you are correct @Bryan. R222 AJP is the bus!

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/wanderer30/7523127638/

Photo courtesy of 'Wanderer 30'
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Tony on June 22, 2015, 09:18:26 PM
I have put a couple of Ronnie Morgan's photos of it in original livery on the bottom of its page on my website
http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/4001-4224/4001.html
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Stuharris 6360 on June 22, 2015, 09:23:30 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 22, 2015, 09:18:26 PM
I have put a couple of Ronnie Morgan's photos of it in original livery on the bottom of its page on my website
http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/4001-4224/4001.html

Brilliant photos @Tony
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: CL on June 22, 2015, 09:38:03 PM
Maybe a silly question, especially for a preservation organisation - but, would Wythall restore the rollerblinds?
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Tony on June 22, 2015, 09:40:12 PM
Quote from: clayderman on June 22, 2015, 09:38:03 PM
Maybe a silly question, especially for a preservation organisation - but, would Wythall restore the rollerblinds?

That won't be as easy as it seems, as the blinds on spectras were motorised number blinds, similar to current London ones, but the destination ones were hand wound. I suspect TWM had the only four track motorised number blinds in the country, so finding a replacement might not be easy
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: domino.99 on June 22, 2015, 10:05:10 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 22, 2015, 09:40:12 PM
That won't be as easy as it seems, as the blinds on spectras were motorised number blinds, similar to current London ones, but the destination ones were hand wound. I suspect TWM had the only four track motorised number blinds in the country, so finding a replacement might not be easy

I know it's not it's full original state but couldn't they just do windy blinds for the numbers aswell?
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Tony on June 22, 2015, 10:07:59 PM
Quote from: Dom on June 22, 2015, 10:05:10 PM
I know it's not it's full original state but couldn't they just do windy blinds for the numbers aswell?

You have to find a way of winding them then, It can be done, but again is not easy
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: domino.99 on June 22, 2015, 10:13:57 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 22, 2015, 10:07:59 PM
You have to find a way of winding them then, It can be done, but again is not easy

Dosen't it have the clips at the front of the upper deck?
Title: Re: 4001
Post by: Liverpool Street on June 25, 2015, 12:09:06 PM
I await eagerly the restoration of R1 NEG.

'Beast' is merely an understatement for this vehicle.

A modern day classic.

Many drivers hated them, not me. I enjoyed the madness of the dashboard, the size of the steering wheel, the quirky destination displays, the inability to switch the thing off if you've just started it on a cold morning, the lack of lower window, the shady interior with lack of lighting, the tiny impossible to break mirrors, the sound of the thing, the lower saloon windows being larger then the upper, the speed, the laughable brakes...
These had character right from the factory. You'll never get one of your Enviros to be the same.

I might be biased as its a 'somewhat' descendant from the Metrobus, but all the same, like those these are fullmof character.