First Bus - Potteries

[DVXXII]

32056 which was withdrawn following the DDA regulation changes at the start of January has disappeared this week, presumably for scrap.
It had been parked up in the corner of the yard and had slowly had various parts removed in the intervening weeks.

[markcf83]

What's the status of 32057 currently?

[Tony]

What's the status of 32057 currently?

Showing on the latest fleet list as 'Long Term Reserve'

[DD12]

Showing on the latest fleet list as 'Long Term Reserve'

According to the midlandred.net  forum, it has been at Worcester to donate it's engine, and some front-end body parts.

It was parked outside at the beginning of last week, so I guess it's next trip will be to the breakers.

[markcf83]

Thanks for that.

[DVXXII]

67159 has arrived at AG to complete the batch of new E200s due this financial year, and entered service towards the end of last week . It carries registration number YY66PXP.

[Ashley 60171]

Which B7TL ALX is parked against the back fence at AG?

32081 still in service, sighted yesterday on the 99 I'm told.

[DVXXII]

Which B7TL ALX is parked against the back fence at AG?

32081 still in service, sighted yesterday on the 99 I'm told.

It is 32056. When this disappeared the other week from the yard and I couldn't see it in the sheds I thought it'd left for scrap. However it must have been hiding somewhere as it's now back in the yard minus engine. So I can't imagine it'll remain there for long.

Other observations today are 42894 has developed a fault and is parked up with front panels missing. Also the all-over advert for the Stoke Sentinel on 65040 has been removed and it's been repainted into the same livery as it's sisters. It and 65041 are not branded for route 101 like the rest. Dart 41540 also carried overall advertising for the Sentinel too but I couldn't find this one so can't confirm if this has returned to fleet livery or not.

[DVXXII]

To confirm dart 41540 still has it's overall advert livery. 32056 still remains in the withdrawn/out of service corner and is in a very sorry state. This is blocking in 37157 which has been parked up for a while with a fault. 66964 has also been in the corner for over a week. 42894 has moved inside to receive attention, not seen it back out yet so it's still work in progress presumably. Also in this corner for a few weeks is preserved Bristol RE PVT207L, adding a nice piece of nostalgia to the yard

[AdamH]

...32056 still remains in the withdrawn/out of service corner and is in a very sorry state...
...42894 has moved inside to receive attention, not seen it back out yet so it's still work in progress presumably...

32056 has been sold to Alpha Recovery for scrap, just waiting for them to collect it. 32057 is still owned by Potteries but is stored at Worcester after the engine was removed and adapted to fit 66963 by Worcester engineers.

42894 will be transferring back to First Midland Red in mid-April along with 42892 and 42893. The Potteries fleet size will reduce by about 15/6 vehicles with service cuts due towards the end of April, so expect more disposals.

[winston]

32056 has been sold to Alpha Recovery for scrap, just waiting for them to collect it. 32057 is still owned by Potteries but is stored at Worcester after the engine was removed and adapted to fit 66963 by Worcester engineers.

42894 will be transferring back to First Midland Red in mid-April along with 42892 and 42893. The Potteries fleet size will reduce by about 15/6 vehicles with service cuts due towards the end of April, so expect more disposals.

With those cuts, what will it take Potteries fleet size down to?

[AdamH]

PVR will drop from 120 to about 105. Add in a few spares and the fleet should be about 112.

[Tony]

PVR will drop from 120 to about 105. Add in a few spares and the fleet should be about 112.

6% spares, no you need a few more than that, specially on a fleet with the average age of Potteries.

[BN]

6% spares, no you need a few more than that, specially on a fleet with the average age of Potteries.

10% is a good figure, with a decent fleet but you could squeeze to 12% with an older one.

[Tony]

10% is a good figure, with a decent fleet but you could squeeze to 12% with an older one.

It can also depend if you have other garages that can help out in times of trouble. NXWM works on a lower percentage than Xplore Dundee as they cannot just borrow a bus from a few miles away