Birmingham Central Garage

[uniquicity]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

[Jay]

Popped into BC today to book a bit of overtime on the 900s on Sunday and found this surprise in there!
http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/0501-0830/731.html

Hi Tony

Do you know the info on the others yet?

SN 11 BWH   AD Dt   SFD1A1AR5AGY11586   AD B29F   9225/2
SN 11 BWJ   AD Dt   SFD1A1AR5AGY11587   AD B29F   9225/3
SN 61 DCF   AD Dt   SFD1A1AR5AGY11603   AD B29F   9225/6

Thanks for that tony

[winston]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

Logic would suggest that 831 would be an appropriate to follow on from the existing 801-830 batch.

Unless of course this a new numbering sequence for smaller E200's (29 seaters) and it suggests that thirty new ones could be due in the shape of 701-730? That doesn't seem that likely as NXWM presently only have 5 x Optare Solos at PB & 8 x Dart/ALX200's @ WB that size that need replacing in the near future. 

[Gareth]

732 SN11BWH, is also currently in Birmingham Centrals yard.

[winston]

732 SN11BWH, is also currently in Birmingham Centrals yard.

Thanks Gareth, no mistake on the fleet numbers then

[PM]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

Logic would suggest that 831 would be an appropriate to follow on from the existing 801-830 batch.

Unless of course this a new numbering sequence for smaller E200's (29 seaters) and it suggests that thirty new ones could be due in the shape of 701-730? That doesn't seem that likely as NXWM presently only have 5 x Optare Solos at PB & 8 x Dart/ALX200's @ WB that size that need replacing in the near future.

Unless the hotel hoppa ones will be renumbered into the same series or if more short length e200's are due for Heathrow that have been ordered?

[winston]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

Logic would suggest that 831 would be an appropriate to follow on from the existing 801-830 batch.

Unless of course this a new numbering sequence for smaller E200's (29 seaters) and it suggests that thirty new ones could be due in the shape of 701-730? That doesn't seem that likely as NXWM presently only have 5 x Optare Solos at PB & 8 x Dart/ALX200's @ WB that size that need replacing in the near future.

Unless the hotel hoppa ones will be renumbered into the same series or if more short length e200's are due for Heathrow that have been ordered?

Possible, there are currently 32 x Hotel Hoppa's plus the 5 x E200's on the BBC contract. Not aware of any new Hoppa's being due as the current fleet is 08 plate and shouldn't do high mileage

[PM]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

Logic would suggest that 831 would be an appropriate to follow on from the existing 801-830 batch.

Unless of course this a new numbering sequence for smaller E200's (29 seaters) and it suggests that thirty new ones could be due in the shape of 701-730? That doesn't seem that likely as NXWM presently only have 5 x Optare Solos at PB & 8 x Dart/ALX200's @ WB that size that need replacing in the near future.

Unless the hotel hoppa ones will be renumbered into the same series or if more short length e200's are due for Heathrow that have been ordered?

Possible, there are currently 32 x Hotel Hoppa's plus the 5 x E200's on the BBC contract. Not aware of any new Hoppa's being due as the current fleet is 08 plate and shouldn't do high mileage

No I doubt it as well particularly as cascading the hotel hoppas would require work to remove racking etc. Plus they are only 6 years old as you say so likely to stay for another few years

[don]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

Logic would suggest that 831 would be an appropriate to follow on from the existing 801-830 batch.

Unless of course this a new numbering sequence for smaller E200's (29 seaters) and it suggests that thirty new ones could be due in the shape of 701-730? That doesn't seem that likely as NXWM presently only have 5 x Optare Solos at PB & 8 x Dart/ALX200's @ WB that size that need replacing in the near future.

How about - this is an ongoing series for midi buses but as 701 - 718 are recently deceased or about to be deceased vehicles, 719 - 730 may be reserved for new replacements for the PB Solos and WB Darts. Hercules Poirot move over lol!!! Possibly completely wrong but sounds a neat theory to me!

What, to me, is more interesting is the potential that the N and D buses were leased vehicles from AD or similar - so does the AD/NX deal extend to sourcing/providing vehicles at short notice as well as new vehicles and spares, as previously reported?

[Tony]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

Logic would suggest that 831 would be an appropriate to follow on from the existing 801-830 batch.

Unless of course this a new numbering sequence for smaller E200's (29 seaters) and it suggests that thirty new ones could be due in the shape of 701-730? That doesn't seem that likely as NXWM presently only have 5 x Optare Solos at PB & 8 x Dart/ALX200's @ WB that size that need replacing in the near future.

How about - this is an ongoing series for midi buses but as 701 - 718 are recently deceased or about to be deceased vehicles, 719 - 730 may be reserved for new replacements for the PB Solos and WB Darts. Hercules Poirot move over lol!!! Possibly completely wrong but sounds a neat theory to me!

What, to me, is more interesting is the potential that the N and D buses were leased vehicles from AD or similar - so does the AD/NX deal extend to sourcing/providing vehicles at short notice as well as new vehicles and spares, as previously reported?

These 4 were sold by Newbury & District to Ensign, NX purchased them from Ensign

[don]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

Logic would suggest that 831 would be an appropriate to follow on from the existing 801-830 batch.

Unless of course this a new numbering sequence for smaller E200's (29 seaters) and it suggests that thirty new ones could be due in the shape of 701-730? That doesn't seem that likely as NXWM presently only have 5 x Optare Solos at PB & 8 x Dart/ALX200's @ WB that size that need replacing in the near future.

How about - this is an ongoing series for midi buses but as 701 - 718 are recently deceased or about to be deceased vehicles, 719 - 730 may be reserved for new replacements for the PB Solos and WB Darts. Hercules Poirot move over lol!!! Possibly completely wrong but sounds a neat theory to me!

What, to me, is more interesting is the potential that the N and D buses were leased vehicles from AD or similar - so does the AD/NX deal extend to sourcing/providing vehicles at short notice as well as new vehicles and spares, as previously reported?

These 4 were sold by Newbury & District to Ensign, NX purchased them from Ensign

Thanks, Tony.

[winston]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

Logic would suggest that 831 would be an appropriate to follow on from the existing 801-830 batch.

Unless of course this a new numbering sequence for smaller E200's (29 seaters) and it suggests that thirty new ones could be due in the shape of 701-730? That doesn't seem that likely as NXWM presently only have 5 x Optare Solos at PB & 8 x Dart/ALX200's @ WB that size that need replacing in the near future.

How about - this is an ongoing series for midi buses but as 701 - 718 are recently deceased or about to be deceased vehicles, 719 - 730 may be reserved for new replacements for the PB Solos and WB Darts. Hercules Poirot move over lol!!! Possibly completely wrong but sounds a neat theory to me!

What, to me, is more interesting is the potential that the N and D buses were leased vehicles from AD or similar - so does the AD/NX deal extend to sourcing/providing vehicles at short notice as well as new vehicles and spares, as previously reported?

These 4 were sold by Newbury & District to Ensign, NX purchased them from Ensign

Tony, they may have gone via Santander to Ensign as they had 4 x E200's as 'coming soon' due back in March

[PM]

731. That strikes me as an odd fleetnumber. Any plausible explanation from someone with better knowledge than me?

Logic would suggest that 831 would be an appropriate to follow on from the existing 801-830 batch.

Unless of course this a new numbering sequence for smaller E200's (29 seaters) and it suggests that thirty new ones could be due in the shape of 701-730? That doesn't seem that likely as NXWM presently only have 5 x Optare Solos at PB & 8 x Dart/ALX200's @ WB that size that need replacing in the near future.

How about - this is an ongoing series for midi buses but as 701 - 718 are recently deceased or about to be deceased vehicles, 719 - 730 may be reserved for new replacements for the PB Solos and WB Darts. Hercules Poirot move over lol!!! Possibly completely wrong but sounds a neat theory to me!

What, to me, is more interesting is the potential that the N and D buses were leased vehicles from AD or similar - so does the AD/NX deal extend to sourcing/providing vehicles at short notice as well as new vehicles and spares, as previously reported?

These 4 were sold by Newbury & District to Ensign, NX purchased them from Ensign

Tony, they may have gone via Santander to Ensign as they had 4 x E200's as 'coming soon' due back in March

A lot of santander buses seem to be sold via ensign eg the scania omnicitys, transdev b7rles and b9tls. Wouldn't be surprised if the omnicitys just off lease from metrobus also went via ensign....

[Rob H]

Molly (aka 4899) has had her 900 branding and name on the front re-applied also Maria (aka 4913) has had her green branding round the Destination Display re-applied aswell.

A driver accidently made a mistake this morning while working the 10:00 60E to Yardley Swan (operated by 4427) he accidently carried on to the Aldi Store just before Sheldon and turned round there to head back to Birmingham.

[John]

Molly (aka 4899) has had her 900 branding and name on the front re-applied on the front also Maria (aka 4913) has had her green branding round the Destination Display re-applied aswell.

That's good to hear. Hopefully 4909 and the E200s with the missing branding will get their respective brandings reapplied as well