Vehicles in service in TWM Livery

[Ronnoc]

They have never put the 2005-2007 toothpaste livery on the ALX400's, they should actually do that to one of them.

Why? I can see the point of heritage liveries, but there are still two buses in service in that livery anyway

I will actually find it interesting seeing an ALX400 in that livery. Since the Scania K230UBs, B10Ls, Plaxton Presidents, Gemini's, Enviros, Scanias N230UBs and the B7RLEs had that livery. I wondered why they never put those on the ALX400's.

[Tony]

They have never put the 2005-2007 toothpaste livery on the ALX400's, they should actually do that to one of them.

Why? I can see the point of heritage liveries, but there are still two buses in service in that livery anyway

I will actually find it interesting seeing an ALX400 in that livery. Since the Scania K230UBs, B10Ls, Plaxton Presidents, Gemini's, Enviros, Scanias N230UBs and the B7RLEs had that livery. I wondered why they never put those on the ALX400's.

You will need to use photoshop then, because that is one thing I guarantee you will never see in real life. Even if in the future a bus is painted in that as a heritage livery I am certain it won't be an ALX and it is so expensive to apply, you would have to get drawings done and special curved silver strips made that no preservationist would ever apply it just for the novelty

[Ronnoc]

They have never put the 2005-2007 toothpaste livery on the ALX400's, they should actually do that to one of them.

Why? I can see the point of heritage liveries, but there are still two buses in service in that livery anyway

I will actually find it interesting seeing an ALX400 in that livery. Since the Scania K230UBs, B10Ls, Plaxton Presidents, Gemini's, Enviros, Scanias N230UBs and the B7RLEs had that livery. I wondered why they never put those on the ALX400's.

You will need to use photoshop then, because that is one thing I guarantee you will never see in real life. Even if in the future a bus is painted in that as a heritage livery I am certain it won't be an ALX and it is so expensive to apply, you would have to get drawings done and special curved silver strips made that no preservationist would ever apply it just for the novelty

I don't even know how to photoshop lel, but I will try.

[Tony]

Total 31 -   (to be painted 26, to be withdrawn 5)

It seems 1662; 1673 & 1681 have run their last journies (1680 has also been withdrawn at Coventry)
Expect it to drop two more tomorrow with the withdrawal of 1672 and another WB B7 going for paint

In service in old livery to be painted
BC - 4432; 4627 (2)   + 4177 in experimental livery
PB - 4241; (1)
WA - 4133; 4307; 4308; 4329; 4331; 4332 (6)
WB - 4264; 4265; 4273; 4297 (4)
WN - 4588; 4592; 4594; 4596 (4)
YW - 4362; 4370; 4379; 4389; 4723; 4731; (6)
CV - 4398; 4404; 4409;  (3)

of these 4177; 4370; 4432 are currently carrying allover advert liveries

Vehicles that will be withdrawn in old livery
PE 1668 (1)
WN 1672; 1685 (2)
CV 1548; 1608; (2)

Vehicles currently being refurbished
BC 4613(Carlyle); 4615 (WA)
PB 4246(WA); 4276(WA);
PE 4353(WA)
WA 4130(trailways); 4137(WA); 4306 (WA)
WB 4229 (Trailways); 4270(WA)
WN 4587(WA); 4590(WA)
YW 4374(WB); 4718 (WA); 4720(WA)
CV 4415(Trailways); 4416(WA); 4419(WA)

[RW]

 My first view today of a very classy looking Arriva 'Sapphire' E400 on show in Sutton. Was very impressive. When Tony's repaint figure hits zero wonder whether NXWM will review whether any amendments could be made to the simplistic red and white livery at some point in the future.
What do we think? The red and white is simple and presumably cheap to maintain, although the use of so much white in urban areas is questionable, but could it be improved and made more 'interesting' for both those who follow the fortunes of NXWM and passengers?

[don]

My first view today of a very classy looking Arriva 'Sapphire' E400 on show in Sutton. Was very impressive. When Tony's repaint figure hits zero wonder whether NXWM will review whether any amendments could be made to the simplistic red and white livery at some point in the future.
What do we think? The red and white is simple and presumably cheap to maintain, although the use of so much white in urban areas is questionable, but could it be improved and made more 'interesting' for both those who follow the fortunes of NXWM and passengers?

I think the livery, when in good condition, is excellent and is sufficiently different from the other major groups to stand out, give a regional fleet identity, and maintain a link with the coach brand of National Express. I travelled on a number of Stagecoach Gold E400s in Torbay in the summer and was impressed although it was very obvious which vehicles were newest as the gold fades (rather like NXWMs earlier version of red). Not so sure about the faux coat of arms logos on the leather seats and floors............ I also have seen the new Arriva Southern Counties Sapphire E400s - an unashamed copy of Stagecoach's brand idea but also very nice - retaining blue though a modified version - not sure where the sapphire colour theme happens (sapphires being a purple colour?) - even the destination blinds are silvery letters on a black background (a bit like those silly TfL White on black monstrosities introduced with the new Routemaster but which are useless for people with poor sight). 

I would think NXWM would need to come up with a different livery for the gold corridors but am hopeful the red and white will remain elsewhere. Let's just hope they get Best Impressions or similar to design it - and hopefully no strange coats of arms logos - what on earth were Stagecoach thinking!!!!!

[Tony]

Total 29 -   (to be painted 25, to be withdrawn 4)

End of another two eras,
4265 has gone for repaint today ending the 'green  branding' era. 4270 now back at WB
1672 hasn't come out to play today, presumed dead ending the original low floor livery era

In service in old livery to be painted
BC - 4432; 4627 (2)   + 4177 in experimental livery
PB - 4241; (1)
WA - 4133; 4307; 4308; 4329; 4331; 4332 (6)
WB - 4264; 4273; 4297 (3)
WN - 4588; 4592; 4594; 4596 (4)
YW - 4362; 4370; 4379; 4389; 4723; 4731; (6)
CV - 4398; 4404; 4409;  (3)

of these 4177; 4370; 4432 are currently carrying allover advert liveries

Vehicles that will be withdrawn in old livery
PE 1668 (1)
WN 1685 (1)
CV 1548; 1608; (2)

Vehicles currently being refurbished
BC 4613(Carlyle); 4615 (WA)
PB 4246(WA); 4276(WA);
PE 4353(WA)
WA 4130(trailways); 4137(WA); 4306 (WA)
WB 4229 (Trailways); 4265(WA)
WN 4587(WA); 4590(WA)
YW 4374(WB); 4718 (WA); 4720(WA)
CV 4415(Trailways); 4416(WA); 4419(WA)

[Tony]

Total 29 -   (to be painted 25, to be withdrawn 4)

4137 now finished and back at the garage

In service in old livery to be painted
BC - 4432; 4627 (2)   + 4177 in experimental livery
PB - 4241; (1)
WA - 4133; 4307; 4308; 4329; 4331; 4332 (5)
WB - 4264; 4273; 4297 (3)
WN - 4588; 4592; 4594; 4596 (4)
YW - 4362; 4370; 4379; 4389; 4723; 4731; (6)
CV - 4398; 4404; 4409;  (3)

of these 4177; 4370; 4432 are currently carrying allover advert liveries

Vehicles that will be withdrawn in old livery
PE 1668 (1)
WN 1685 (1)
CV 1548; 1608; (2)

Vehicles currently being refurbished
BC 4613(Carlyle); 4615 (WA)
PB 4246(WA); 4276(WA);
PE 4353(WA)
WA 4130(trailways); 4306(WA); 4329 (WA)
WB 4229 (Trailways); 4265(WA)
WN 4587(WA); 4590(WA)
YW 4374(WB); 4718 (WA); 4720(WA)
CV 4415(Trailways); 4416(WA); 4419(WA)

[Wolves256]

Thanks for the updates Tony
I see CV still have 2 in old liv, have CV actually withdrawn 13mercs following receipt of the E400s?

[Tony]

Thanks for the updates Tony
I see CV still have 2 in old liv, have CV actually withdrawn 13mercs following receipt of the E400s?

Some have been kept as a 'paint float' to allow three deckers away at a time to get them painted quicker

[Wolves256]

Ok thanks for update
I assume when all buses are in NXWM liv the current refurb/ painting will continue at the current rate
I visited Birmingham on Saturday and the standard of fleet presentation has clearly improved in recent years, however there are a number of early NXWM liv vehicles (with the connection bars) that will need a repaint/ refurb such as the 997 E400s and 50 E400s

[Tony]

Total 27 -   (to be painted 24, to be withdrawn 3)

4588 now at Walsall, 4587 finished back at Wolverhampton, 1685 has also now retired at Wolverhampton.

Yesterday's has been updated because although Walsall parked 4329 outside the paintshop when they collected 4137, it is still in service today
4613's seats have now gone from Miller Street, so I presume the repairs to the fire damage are not far off complete

In service in old livery to be painted
BC - 4432; 4627 (2)   + 4177 in experimental livery
PB - 4241; (1)
WA - 4133; 4307; 4308; 4329; 4331; 4332 (6)
WB - 4264; 4273; 4297 (3)
WN - 4592; 4594; 4596 (3)
YW - 4362; 4370; 4379; 4389; 4723; 4731; (6)
CV - 4398; 4404; 4409;  (3)

of these 4177; 4370; 4432 are currently carrying allover advert liveries

Vehicles that will be withdrawn in old livery
PE 1668 (1)
CV 1548; 1608; (2)

Vehicles currently being refurbished
BC 4613(Carlyle); 4615 (WA)
PB 4246(WA); 4276(WA);
PE 4353(WA)
WA 4130(trailways); 4306(WA)
WB 4229 (Trailways); 4265(Trailways)
WN 4588(WA); 4590(WA)
YW 4374(WB); 4718 (WA); 4720(WA)
CV 4415(Trailways); 4416(WA); 4419(WA)

[John]

Our lone 4241 is still soldering on in its old colours. On the 7 today, even made it out on the 16 on Sunday, it seemed to be following me last week, on the same routes as me. I would like to get a drive of it this week before I'm back on the 33 next week, but somehow I don't think I'll be that lucky!

[Trident 4609]

Forgot to say 4137 was back in service on the 89 yesterday freshly repainted

[Tony]

Total 26 -   (to be painted 23, to be withdrawn 3)

4308 has now gone round to the paintshop

I suspect it is actually 25 as 1668 hasn't been out for two days at Pensnett

In service in old livery to be painted
BC - 4432; 4627 (2)   + 4177 in experimental livery
PB - 4241; (1)
WA - 4133; 4307; 4329; 4331; 4332 (5)
WB - 4264; 4273; 4297 (3)
WN - 4592; 4594; 4596 (3)
YW - 4362; 4370; 4379; 4389; 4723; 4731; (6)
CV - 4398; 4404; 4409;  (3)

of these 4177; 4370; 4432 are currently carrying allover advert liveries

Vehicles that will be withdrawn in old livery
PE 1668 (1)
CV 1548; 1608; (2)

Vehicles currently being refurbished
BC 4613(Carlyle); 4615 (WA)
PB 4246(WA); 4276(WA);
PE 4353(WA)
WA 4130(trailways); 4306(WA)
WB 4229 (Trailways); 4265(Trailways)
WN 4588(WA); 4590(WA)
YW 4374(WB); 4718 (WA); 4720(WA)
CV 4415(Trailways); 4416(WA); 4419(WA)