Messages

After months of avoiding me, I have found BX02 AUL, it was working the 2 today.

4391 and 4370 keep avoiding me! Even BX02 AUL avoids me.

4391 is always on the 76 whenever I see it.

I used to always go on the 76, I never used to see it!

What new vehicles will be coming in to YW to replace the B10L's. I never want them to be withdrawn. I think they only have 1 ZF.

Wow! Is there any progress on 4613? Any photos of her being repaired?

4391 and 4370 keep avoiding me! Even BX02 AUL avoids me.

1647 might have just done a 241. Left Halesowen from stand G at around 2:10 with 241 on the rear blind. Didn't see what was on the front/sides though.

Yes it did. It replaced 4135 on a 141 running board. Never got to Birmingham, srated on a 141 half way along the route, did the 241, but has now been taken off again and put on the 53

Surely 4135 hasn't broken down AGAIN!!!

They should probably do something, give it a Euro 6 engine!

or a better solution, turn it into coke cans!!!

Nuu, I don't want that to happen to ALX400s. I don't even think coke cans are made from fibre glass.

1647 might have just done a 241. Left Halesowen from stand G at around 2:10 with 241 on the rear blind. Didn't see what was on the front/sides though.

Yes it did. It replaced 4135 on a 141 running board. Never got to Birmingham, srated on a 141 half way along the route, did the 241, but has now been taken off again and put on the 53

Surely 4135 hasn't broken down AGAIN!!!

They should probably do something, give it a Euro 6 engine!

The fact that 1800 is on loan at YW probably confirms the fact that YW are running a bit short of Scanias at the minute due to MOTs, Services etc. Although I think 1898 and 1901 will be permanent. Caught the 6 this morning as usual, and instead of the routine Scania, 4385 turned up....suspension was awful. Hoping there's a Scania back on tomorrow.

Now I get why the Scanias nowadays come on the 3, they suit the 6, 27 and 84 best. Not 3.

What's the progress on 4613? Any photos of it currently?

I think the Omnilinks in YW should just stick to the route 6, 84 and 27, they are just get so annoying on the route 3.

4335 - 3
4358 - 76
4374 - 2
4342 - 76
4392 - 3
4394 - 3
1406 - 27
4372 - 2

Depends on the route -

the 37 and 966 go to Poplar Road first. They then head down station road towards a large island. At the island they take the second exit. Then about 100-150 metres down that road they turn right into the "station approach." They terminate at the stops at the far north end of the station. When they've had their break they head along the rest of the road. At the lights they turn right. They head down Streetsbrook Road back towards the large island. They take the second exit again back into Poplar Road.


6, 76, 49, S4

These come down Blossomfield Road - they go past the station approach road and continue to the large island. They take the 3rd exit into Poplar Road, and drop off in Poplar Road. After that they turn left, onto the Warwick Road. They turn left at the next island and head back towards the large island. There they take the 4th exit, and head up Streetsbrook Road. They turn left into the station and terminate on the eastern side of the station. Once finished there, they head down to the large island, and then do the reverse of what I've just explained. It's a bit of a long winded route, and a pain when there is traffic.

If the 6, 49 or 76 is running over 10 minutes late, the drivers may be told to just skip the station. Therefore at the large island, they head straight over towards the warwick road. Then do the right turn into it, and then right again into Poplar Road, to pick up the outbound passengers.

Hope that is clear! If you want I can do a quick map of it

A map would really help! Thanks

What if NXWM scrapped all the Omnilinks? I would be zooming around in joy!
What if they sent all the ALX400's to get Vantage Power hybrid engines? I would be driving them by the time I join NXWM
What if 4341, 4108, 4088, 4218, 4253, 4246, 4242, 4312, 4613, 4502, 4336, 4602, 4014, 4006, 4028, 4075, 4050, 4030, 4031 did not have any damage history?

This also may be a weird question but how does a bus driver memorize the routes? Does he be in training for it? Does he get a map showing where to turn?

drivers go round the route with another driver, and making mental notes of turnings, ie pubs, landmarks etc. if its a brand new route, at WB they put a bus on Sunday mornings normally and take the drivers round, pointing out landmarks and road names etc.

Personally, if i have to learn a new route, i learn it on the bus, then on a day off, i drive it as much as i can in the car and take my time to look out for the turnings and landmarks.

the worst one at WB was the 444. turnings all over the place, crossing other routes and the joke was as long as you end up in Bearwood, it didn't matter which way you went, because no one ever went the right way!

It also helps if you know the area where the route goes as well.

Thanks! I get confused in the Solihull station area, which way do the buses turn first then second?

Wow - you have a good eye for small details - I wouldn't have noticed 4363 having the wrong number plate!

I actually was on a stop waiting for the 3 to come and saw 4363 come to stop and my eyes saw BX02 AVV on it.