Optare Excel

[Ashley]

saw 707 on the 28 and 687 on the 25 today

[4006]

They are also used on the 11,26,27,27A,32,33,25,25A,62,62A,81,82,255 on occasions

[Ashley]

Nothin really changes in Wolverhampton, you could get any type of bus on any route in most cases, thats how its always been

[John]

707 is next to go to LH by the end of the week I hear.

Has 707 been withdrawn yet, with the influx of ex-Bordesley Mercedes? As it is the last Excel currently still in service that I need to get a picture of.

[danny]

Personally i think its amazing that the exell has remained in wolverhampton all their lives, has one ever been trialed or been on short term transfer to another garage in their careers :)

[John]

Personally i think its amazing that the exell has remained in wolverhampton all their lives, has one ever been trialed or been on short term transfer to another garage in their careers :)

When the 4** first came to the West Midlands from London in 2003, Birmingham Central had a few and I think they were used on the old 44.

They only lasted a few Months, 401 entered service at Central in August 03, and left in December.
401, 407, 411, 412, 413, 414 were all at Central in 2003.

[winston]

Personally i think its amazing that the exell has remained in wolverhampton all their lives, has one ever been trialed or been on short term transfer to another garage in their careers :)

When the 4** first came to the West Midlands from London in 2003, Birmingham Central had a few and I think they were used on the old 44.

They only lasted a few Months, 401 entered service at Central in August 03, and left in December.
401, 407, 411, 412, 413, 414 were all at Central in 2003.

BC's were used on the 636 to increase capacity, Solo's were used prior to this

[John]

BC's were used on the 636 to increase capacity, Solo's were used prior to this

Oh right, cheers Winston. What replaced the Excels on the 636 then? Or was this when the 636 left Central?

[danny]

Cheers guys i remember the solos but not the excel, personnally do prefer the longer versions, how many were ordered and was it part of a mass optare deal as they took on the spectra and the solo at around the same time

[winston]

BC's were used on the 636 to increase capacity, Solo's were used prior to this

Oh right, cheers Winston. What replaced the Excels on the 636 then? Or was this when the 636 left Central?

Now your asking....... wasn't it 6 ex Travel London ALX200 Dart SLF's?

[danny]

I think it did have alx200 at some point sure theirs a photo of it somewhere

[John]

I think it did have alx200 at some point sure theirs a photo of it somewhere

It has the ALX200's after it left Perry Barr for West Bromwich. The ALX200's followed the 636 from West Bromwich to Bordesley and to Birmingham Central, then they returned to West Brom as West Brom transferred B6LE's to Central for the 636.

[Ashley 4569]

With 687 and 711 about to be withdrawn if they haven't been already. Will anybody miss them? General thoughts of the ones we've had with NXWM. Personally I do and will miss them a lot as I've grown up with them on ny local routes

[Bob]

Worst buses in the nx fleet lol my least favourite. But theyve lasted

[The Real 4778]

I saw 417 being towed along the A38 near Burton yesterday about 1435, on its final journey to Barnsley I expect.

Personally I thought these buses were quite pretty, although they did have a slightly peculiar stance with their front and rear overhang.  It was always a novelty to see them when visiting Wolvo as they were unique to the city. 

I made a special effort to ride one last year and the old girl seemed to be showing her age on the run back home from Merry Hill.  Like the new crop of Optares here in Derby they seemed to have a reputation for flimsy build quality that led to squaeks and rattles.  But they put in a decent working life for TWM so they earned respect, and I shall miss their quirkiness.