Vehicle Transfers

[2900]

Add 4185
(because the new buses will need to go back to Alexander Dennis for the smart Hybrid conversions, they will not initially displace 38 vehicles out)

If this smart hybrid technology proves to be successful would other MMC,s have the tech retro fitted if cost effective, I am thinking probably not , I assume these new MMC,s are pre wired up to receive the smart hybrid technology

[don]

So at the moment, based on what's moved already I'm thinking (or educated guessing - some are obvious):
2080 to WN along with 2078/9
4384 to join 4385 at YW
2143 to 2152 to CV, with 2148 already confirmed as moving
4439 to 4443 to PN
4928 to 4936 to WB to complete that block of numbers

That would make 30 vehicles.

Then it's a case of whether more Y reg Tridents will move, more 44xx will go to PN, and / or  4937 and upwards move to WB.

This is always great fun as an enthusiast, second guessing what the fleet manager will do!! My guess is that some more E400s will transfer to Covemtry as well - it remains to be seen what colour 4877 appears in but my guess is possibly 4876-4880 and maybe a few from 4896 upwards - given they have around 30 vehicles to replace there in the immediate future and another 20 odd slightly later. You could imagine 15 or more involved in this tranche. I would have expected Dundee and Coventry to be involved in the next 220 new vehicles to end of 2019.

Noting Tony's comment about cover for the new MMCs to be hybridised, but also aren't there 5 buses coming spare from the Wolverhampton/Bilston Metro replacement? Thus possibly 43 withdrawals/reserve transfers ultimately - will this include some of the poorest B7TLs at WB and AG as well as aging Tridents - I do fear for 4194's continued service.....(the bus not the person 😉 )


No doubt all speculation but a nice diversion from Christmas shopping haha.......

[Tony]

This is always great fun as an enthusiast, second guessing what the fleet manager will do!! My guess is that some more E400s will transfer to Covemtry as well - it remains to be seen what colour 4877 appears in but my guess is possibly 4876-4880 and maybe a few from 4896 upwards - given they have around 30 vehicles to replace there in the immediate future and another 20 odd slightly later. You could imagine 15 or more involved in this tranche. I would have expected Dundee and Coventry to be involved in the next 220 new vehicles to end of 2019.

Noting Tony's comment about cover for the new MMCs to be hybridised, but also aren't there 5 buses coming spare from the Wolverhampton/Bilston Metro replacement? Thus possibly 43 withdrawals/reserve transfers ultimately - will this include some of the poorest B7TLs at West Bromwich and Perry Barr as well as aging Tridents - I do fear for 4194's continued service.....(the bus not the person 😉 )

No doubt all speculation but a nice diversion from Christmas shopping haha.......

It would be a lot more difficult. These buses have a big empty space in the engine compartment where the capacitor will go

[2900]

It would be a lot more difficult. These buses have a big empty space in the engine compartment where the capacitor will go

I assume above the  gearbox the capacitor will be placed, I am more interested in the nuts and bolts of buses how they,re made up is where my interest is ,rather than the endless crap the no9 left Halesowen bus station exactly 4.5 minutes late followed by 3 more blah blah.
The only article I,ve read on smart hybrids which goes into some detail is on route one, getting rid of the 2 rear inner wheels to save 100 plus kg in weight is smart thinking , tyre pressure warning system would be a legal requirement for a bus using just 4 wheels .

[Tony]

List so far

2078; 2079 BC-WN;
2148 BC-CV(at Walsall for refurb)
4169 WN-reserve;
4171 WN-reserve(being checked out for conversion to trainer)
4185 BC-reserve (at Pensnett in service);
4193 PN-withdrawn;
4250/6 WB-AG;
4276/7 WB-PB(currently on loan to AG);
4385 BC-YW
4440/2/3 BC-PN;
4928/9/31/2/4/6 BC-WB

A couple more to add now
4141 WN - reserve
4164 WA - reserve
4171 WN - reserve (unlikely to be a trainer)
4194; 4195; 4197 PN - reserve
4233 AG - reserve
4698 YW - training fleet

[CL]

4698 YW - training fleet

Damn! Should've searched for her. The last time I saw 4698 was at the Maypole near the end of October; she was working a 49E to Longbridge.  :'( Oh well, should've known her days were numbered since 4697 moved to the training fleet.

Hoping to see her preserved one day - unless training conversion prevents this possibility? ???

[Tony]

A couple more to add now
4141 WN - reserve
4164 WA - reserve
4171 WN - reserve (unlikely to be a trainer)
4194; 4195; 4197 PN - reserve
4233 AG - reserve
4698 YW - training fleet

I've just delivered 4595 BC-WA, 4594 Should go tonight as well, 2150 BC-CV, at Walsall for repaint. 2149 should go tomorrow

[paulb1973]

I've just delivered 4595 BC-WA, 4594 Should go tonight as well, 2150 BC-CV, at Walsall for repaint. 2149 should go tomorrow

Seems 4596 has already made the journey that 4594-95 are making?

[Kevin]

Damn! Should've searched for her. The last time I saw 4698 was at the Maypole near the end of October; she was working a 49E to Longbridge.  :'( Oh well, should've known her days were numbered since 4697 moved to the training fleet.

Hoping to see her preserved one day - unless training conversion prevents this possibility? ???

I'm hoping that conversion to a trainer pretty much ensures it will be kept in a decent condition, so layer preservation would not only be possible but easier than saving from the scrap man

[Mike K]

I've just delivered 4595 BC-WA, 4594 Should go tonight as well, 2150 BC-CV, at Walsall for repaint. 2149 should go tomorrow

With 2151 and 2152 presumably also on their way to CV, will the names Tony Francis and Pat Hughes be transferred to other vehicles?

[Tony]

With 2151 and 2152 presumably also on their way to CV, will the names Tony Francis and Pat Hughes be transferred to other vehicles?

No, neither at BC employees anyway, one is at AG the other the training centre, so it doesn't make any difference which garage they are at

[jc]

4384 was out on the 18 tonight.

[2900]

I'm hoping that conversion to a trainer pretty much ensures it will be kept in a decent condition, so layer preservation would not only be possible but easier than saving from the scrap man

providing they avoid low bridges 😀

[979]

4933/5 BC - WB

[monkeyjoe]

providing they avoid low bridges 😀

Looks like someone didn't after seeing the news.