how things at NX have changed at the last few years

[winston]

Was it the 99 or 139 which continued to Rusells Hall Hospital at night??

That was the 138, Evenings and Sundays, when the 139 ran in the daytime

The first 138 of the evening only went to Brierley Hill
http://www.flickr.com/photos/john-s-91/8292741282/

Then the rest to Russells Hall
http://www.flickr.com/photos/john-s-91/8291685381/

The top pic will please Matt, surprised that NE have never considered it worth it to have a bus service between Birmingham & Russells Hall after the 138 was withdrawn.

Stu,

The majority of the 138 evening & Sunday journeys that I saw at the time were frequently carrying fresh air, hence why it was withdrawn. 

[Kevin]

What replaced 258 Birningham-Merry Hill

141? Only route I know that goes Birmingham to Merry Hill.

The 276,289,127 and 120 replaced the 258

From memory, the 238 and 258 were much the same Blackheath to Merry Hill, and when the 258 was withdrawn the 238 was increased in frequency, with the 127 taking over city - Blackheath. Then the 238 became the 289 and it all went downhill from there

[Sh4318]

The (2010) Sandwell Review that saw routes 88, 99/138, 129 & 258 withdrawn, from memory, a few people were disappointed by the withdrawal of the 88 & 258 mainly.
The 88 was replaced by the 89 between Birmingham & Londonderry
The 129 was replaced by the 127 & 128 between Birmingham & Portland Road/City Road, the 80 between Portland Road & Smethwick, Blue Gates, the 89 between Smethwick, Blue Gates & Oldbury, the 238 between Oldbury & Lion Farm & the 205 between Lion Farm & Rowley Village.
The 99/138 were replaced by the 141 between Merry Hill & Birmingham.
The 258 was replaced by the 120 between Birmingham & Bearwood (via Hagley Road), the 127 between Birmingham & Blackheath & the 238 between Blackheath & Merry Hill

[sonic84]

There was also the 136 which I think ran to Gornal Wood, as did the 137.

Yes, 136 was the peak hour variant and ran via Pensnett Trading Estate between Gornal Wood and Brierley Hill, the 137 ran via Tansey Green Road. Other than that they were the same.

There was also the 137A which ran early morning on the weekends due to not being able to run straight through the trading estate.  I believe it ran to the trading estate, then did a u-turn back towards Pensnett High Oak, and operated via Tansey Green to Gornal Wood.

Also, when the 258 was withdrawn, the 141 running via Blackheath was introduced, but also the 222 was extended from Merry Hill to Halesowen via the 139/99 route to maintain that link at a frequency of every 20 minutes, combining with the 244 to create a 10 minute frequency between Halesowen and Old Hill.

[lynx1103]

There was also the 136 which I think ran to Gornal Wood, as did the 137.

Yes, 136 was the peak hour variant and ran via Pensnett Trading Estate between Gornal Wood and Brierley Hill, the 137 ran via Tansey Green Road. Other than that they were the same.

There was also the 137A which ran early morning on the weekends due to not being able to run straight through the trading estate.  I believe it ran to the trading estate, then did a u-turn back towards Pensnett High Oak, and operated via Tansey Green to Gornal Wood.

Also, when the 258 was withdrawn, the 141 running via Blackheath was introduced, but also the 222 was extended from Merry Hill to Halesowen via the 139/99 route to maintain that link at a frequency of every 20 minutes, combining with the 244 to create a 10 minute frequency between Halesowen and Old Hill.

What now covers 258 route between Merry Hill-Rowley Regis

[D10]

There was also the 136 which I think ran to Gornal Wood, as did the 137.

Yes, 136 was the peak hour variant and ran via Pensnett Trading Estate between Gornal Wood and Brierley Hill, the 137 ran via Tansey Green Road. Other than that they were the same.

There was also the 137A which ran early morning on the weekends due to not being able to run straight through the trading estate.  I believe it ran to the trading estate, then did a u-turn back towards Pensnett High Oak, and operated via Tansey Green to Gornal Wood.

Also, when the 258 was withdrawn, the 141 running via Blackheath was introduced, but also the 222 was extended from Merry Hill to Halesowen via the 139/99 route to maintain that link at a frequency of every 20 minutes, combining with the 244 to create a 10 minute frequency between Halesowen and Old Hill.

What now covers 258 route between Merry Hill-Rowley Regis

Nothing directly. This section of old 258 route is mainly covered by parts of the 276 (Saltwells Road) and 289 (Brickhouse Farm area), but the easiest way to get from that area to Merry Hill is now the 4M.

[Sh4318]

There was also the 136 which I think ran to Gornal Wood, as did the 137.

Yes, 136 was the peak hour variant and ran via Pensnett Trading Estate between Gornal Wood and Brierley Hill, the 137 ran via Tansey Green Road. Other than that they were the same.

There was also the 137A which ran early morning on the weekends due to not being able to run straight through the trading estate.  I believe it ran to the trading estate, then did a u-turn back towards Pensnett High Oak, and operated via Tansey Green to Gornal Wood.

Also, when the 258 was withdrawn, the 141 running via Blackheath was introduced, but also the 222 was extended from Merry Hill to Halesowen via the 139/99 route to maintain that link at a frequency of every 20 minutes, combining with the 244 to create a 10 minute frequency between Halesowen and Old Hill.

What now covers 258 route between Merry Hill-Rowley Regis

Nothing directly. This section of old 258 route is mainly covered by parts of the 276 (Saltwells Road) and 289 (Brickhouse Farm area), but the easiest way to get from that area to Merry Hill is now the 4M.

The only bus in Brickhouse Farm that can get you directly to Merry Hill is the 208 (every hour)

[the trainbasher]

I'm sure our dear friend Liverpool Street will know what's changed, but what's changed since this was took?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsbusphotos/5514375097/

March 2011!

[wilmotm (Matt Wilmot)]

A Merc certainly needs preserving in that livery, it looks stunning! One must be preserved as they are pretty much unique to the Midlands

[Stu]

I'm sure our dear friend Liverpool Street will know what's changed, but what's changed since this was took?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsbusphotos/5514375097/

March 2011!

Bordesley no longer run the 636 (or was this when West Brom ran it?)
The 636 no longer exists (only as the 99)
Bordesley no longer have any Mercs
The 636/99 no longer terminates at Smallbrook Queensway (though it still serves it?)

[the trainbasher]

I'm sure our dear friend Liverpool Street will know what's changed, but what's changed since this was took?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsbusphotos/5514375097/

March 2011!

Bordesley no longer run the 636 (or was this when West Brom ran it?)
The 636 no longer exists (only as the 99)
Bordesley no longer have any Mercs
The 636/99 no longer terminates at Smallbrook Queensway (though it still serves it?)

Yes it's BY and yes to all counts.

[Sh4318]

I'm sure our dear friend Liverpool Street will know what's changed, but what's changed since this was took?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsbusphotos/5514375097/

March 2011!

Bordesley no longer run the 636 (or was this when West Brom ran it?)
The 636 no longer exists (only as the 99)
Bordesley no longer have any Mercs
The 636/99 no longer terminates at Smallbrook Queensway (though it still serves it?)

..and Mercs are no longer allowed in Birmingham on routes of a frequency of every 20 minutes or lower (636 was every 20)

[4130Quinton]

A Merc certainly needs preserving in that livery, it looks stunning! One must be preserved as they are pretty much unique to the Midlands

Personally I prefer the original version with the lower blue skirt but either look great. What about the Coventry Primeline "patchwork quilt" livery too. Only 204 of the O.405N were new to the British Isles comprising 194 to TWM (includes 1743 that arrived slightly later), 6 to Ulsterbus/Citybus, Belfast, 3 to independents and the original demonstrator. I really hope at least one is preserved as well.

[the trainbasher]

How things have changed since this was took (the Ronnie Morgan picture)

http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/0116-0422/261.html

None of the brand names exist (and in the case of metropolitan and Birmingham Coach have new owners nowadays)
None of the routes exist any more
None of the buses exist
The driver who's standing on the footpath had since left Merry Hill ( if it's who I think it is, then I know him)
The patch and where the bus is parked has had a spruce up.