End of the Tridents and Geminis

[TGZac]

With many of the Tridents and Geminis being withdrawn throughout the past few days, with alll of BC's gone, sped up by the cascades caused by electric buses entering service, the days for these types appear are numbered.

This thread is for the discussion of the rapidly dwindling number of Tridents and Geminis.

I personally have a lot of memories of the Tridents when BC had plenty of these and were the main type on the Bristol Road, however, I haven't have a ride on a Gemini yet.

[The Real 4777]

I thoroughly recommend that you undertake a journey aboard a Gemini. They are a fabulous way of getting from A to B. Old school. When emissions meant something different. 

[uniquicity]

I thoroughly recommend that you undertake a journey aboard a Metrobus. They are a fabulous way of getting from A to B. Old school. When emissions meant something different.

Fixed that for you. End of thread.

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

I never got to ride a Gemini probably never will come close when they were at WA there was on the 89 behind an E400 I had on the 302 about 8 years ago or so. Sadly the 89 was going to Wolverhampton and were going to Walsall. I also saw one on the 40 heading again opposite direction to me on President heading heading Walsall around the same time. 

Tridents are probably the Buses I have ridden most probably up there with B10L's, B6's, B7's, Omnilinks and E400H's the Volvo's and Scania's when I went to Primary School in Walsall on the Darlaston Corridoor, The B7's on the 302/311/313/29 once and then the 41, WN 79. E400H's WN1, 79, 10, 529

Tridents were the buses I first remember getting on either being a Green 79 Branded ZF Trident or a Circle Branded Voith Trident. Growing up in Moxley I used them from my Grandparents house to Darlaston, Bilston, Wolverhampton and one West Bromwich. I then used them on the 529 and 501 to visit my Grandma from Walsall who was Ill. I then rode them on the 10/10A in Walsall to go to appointments and occasionally the 301/302 when they switched sites. But mostly the 79 they have been the bus I have known for ages. It's now noteworthy with how few left there are to see them on the 79. When I was going to Secondary School from Darlaston I saw the Y Reg Batch, the Batch that are currently at YW, The 4578-4610 I think Batch it was at that time. And then in Walsall seeing them on the 529 and then eventually on the 40/41 when I was by School. 

I started College in 2020 I had no idea that the 4425-4440 batch were at WN but on the Induction Day I think I caught a Trident both ways home and back and 4535 on the 10A. In the space of two years We went from having 4310-4317 near enough with 4319/21/27 and 4535-4542 and the 4425-4448 later 4449 Batch to having E400H's being put onto the 79 with occasional B7's, E400's and then the Tridents being 4449, 4535 4594-4599 4619 and 4634 to then being 4627/28 4631/32. I remember as a Kid it was the first bus I drew in TWM Livery. And I remember also wondering what upstairs was like and Birmingham. I do now know upstairs and Birmingham. But I never caught a Trident to Birmingham X51 MMC got me there. 

I remember seeing the Walsall Road branded Tridents and thinking that's the road I go down only to find out it was the A34 later in life. The Tridents have always been the bus that has took me to things I remember, First England Game at Molienux on the 79 and then the 529 back, to Appointments, to College, to Seeing my Grandma, on trips with my Grandparents, to and from Nursery. They know probably won't take me to Job Interviews or any other Football Games. Personally I am sad to them go. I might see if I can get one on the 79 to West Brom and then either get a Gemini on the 74 to Birmingham or maybe back on the 47 to Wednesbury from West Brom to tick that of the list. I rode the Spectra's before they were retired and the Preisdents and a Metrobus once maybe back on the 339 over 10 years ago. The Spectra was on the 79 the Preisdent on the 40/41. So I will try and get the Gemini's before they go Which is better the ZF or Voith's 

[TGZac]

I thoroughly recommend that you undertake a journey aboard a Gemini. They are a fabulous way of getting from A to B. Old school. When emissions meant something different.

I honestly regret not riding 4651 or 4679 when they were doing shuttle work during the Birmingham and Black Country bus bashes last year.
The 20 (WB) is one of my locals which sees Geminis on the route regularly, so maybe I could catch a Gemini there in the near future

[Ingleboro261F]

The ones in AG especially the 03 plates from Perry Barr are some of the best vehicles I think I have ever been on in my past 6 years living in Birmingham. Highlights for me were definitely 4499 4500. Tridents on the other hand were pretty mediocre for me although the B7TL alx's I always come to love them. 

[markcf83]

Been on plenty of both over the years and they will be missed. 

[Westy]

Remember the Premier 997 ones at Walsall!

Last one I caught was last year on an 80 between West Brom & Brum, as I didnt fancy a 74 or paying on the Metro!

[Lukeee]

Always remember 4484 being a fantastic bus to drive 

[2206]

Noticed one of the 97 branded tridents turning into Adderley Street earlier from Digbeth at about 1PM. Returning to BC Garage.

[Tony]

Noticed one of the 97 branded tridents turning into Adderley Street earlier from Digbeth at about 1PM. Returning to BC Garage.

4470

[dannycantley]

4470

Before, I often took flight 4470. It felt great.

[The Real 4777]

Before, I often took flight 4470. It felt great.

Oh!

[Stu]

Before, I often took flight 4470. It felt great.

Not as great a feeling as booting out bots/spammers!

[BN]

One of the sold vehicles is being collected from WN tomorrow by Alpha recovery.