The End of the Benz (and B10L)

[Stuharris 6360]

I've never had the pleasure of enjoying a ride on them, guess thats something to add to my "Ride" list !

311/3 finds quite a few at the moment!

[GeminiFan1991]

311/3 finds quite a few at the moment!

My problem is that I just live fairly far from there ! The 97 is my bus, with the 11 not to far off !

[MW]

I've never had the pleasure of enjoying a ride on them, guess thats something to add to my "Ride" list !

They were excellent when they were on the 37. 1769-1787 were new to AG with 1766-8 joining when WA got its Scanias.

[Ashley 60171]

Another B6LE bites the dust in Barnsley, 635 https://www.flickr.com/photos/61188429@N06/17452221134/

credit to Stan-Butler on Flickr as always

I had a bit of a double take and four year flash back when I read 635. From the days when B6's were plentiful and had personalities. Rust In Peace

[Westy]

311/3 finds quite a few at the moment!

Prefer them to the Scanias.

Shame if they go from Walsall.

Slightly off topic, but if the recent rumours are true & we get regular double deckers on the 311/313, then it will bring back memories of the old 301.

If they hadn't closed off the Bridge in Walsall, I'd only have one bus to catch to & from work now. Happy days. :)

[2900]

635 another twm bus to never see a refurb seeing those transfers near the saloon doors takes me back to the 90s when they were new.

[BU07 LGO]

Prefer them to the Scanias.

Shame if they go from Walsall.

Slightly off topic, but if the recent rumours are true & we get regular double deckers on the 311/313, then it will bring back memories of the old 301.

If they hadn't closed off the Bridge in Walsall, I'd only have one bus to catch to & from work now. Happy days. :)

I reckon there will be some move abouts when the platinums come to Walsall.

Possibly some enviros from the 934/5/6 for 311/3?

[Ashley 60171]

635 another twm bus to never see a refurb seeing those transfers near the saloon doors takes me back to the 90s when they were new.

A few of them got a bit tatty but I did become fond of 655. 648 retained its full origins livery, albeit well kept with an internal refurb. 682 was withdrawn with origins paintwork and faded but tidy interior if you remember anything about that one @2900

[The Real 4778]

Well down to the last half dozen B10L now.
Ten Spectras.
Nine bread vans.
And the mighty Benz culled to 41 on paper, undoubtedly lower in cold fact.

Endangered species total: <66.

EDIT: Just read on the Wolvo thread that Mother's Pride and Slimcea have gone, leaving 7 of that breed.

[Stuharris 6360]

Well down to the last half dozen B10L now.
Ten Spectras.
Nine bread vans.
And the mighty Benz culled to 41 on paper, undoubtedly lower in cold fact.

Endangered species total: <66.

Don't think it will be long now, presumably spending on them is very low, and any major failure will spell the end.

As an aside, i remember the class 25s on British Rail, which towards the end, had virtually no money spent on them. Eventually only A exams were authorised for them and when they were due a more major exam, they were put in the yards next to the others and switched off for good. A sad end to a great class of locomotive!

[MW]

Don't think it will be long now, presumably spending on them is very low, and any major failure will spell the end.

As an aside, i remember the class 25s on British Rail, which towards the end, had virtually no money spent on them. Eventually only A exams were authorised for them and when they were due a more major exam, they were put in the yards next to the others and switched off for good. A sad end to a great class of locomotive!

Spending on th Plaxtons is low, so spending on the B6/10/Merc/Spectraw must be next to nothing. 4032 has its abs light come on regularly and the "fix" is turn it off and turn it on again (it's just the abs sensor), but they're not fixing it as its only got 2-3 months service left apparently.

Had it on the 11A, took it from one end of Westley Road to the other. Radio'd in and got it replaced by 4664. Not taking the risk.

[Stuharris 6360]

Would presume the "book value" for all these types and even some of the early Tridents is zero, so they don't owe anything to NE.

The Spectra's given the limited number ordered were always going to be a candidate for early withdrawl and i have to say i am quite surprised that they lasted for as long as they did. Obviously a lot of hard work from WN kept them going within what was probably a limited budget.

The B6s, B10L, and Mercs are different, ordered in such a large quantity and proved so useful moving people around. Sadly the Mercs have proved unreliable over the last few years and it seemed at times that PE couldn't repair them quick enough before others failed. Was sad to see the amount of effort put into 1645, including a replacement engine, only for it to be withdrawn within a few weeks, presumably because the amount of money spent on trying to get it reliable had become prohibitive.

I do hope that a farewell day can be organised so that we can say a proper farewell to these buses.

[Tony]

All 37 remaining Mercedes are in service today!

9 at CV
16 at PN
12 at WB

[Tara4352]

Is the farewell day still going to happen ?

[dingding]

Any idea which routes apart from the 45 the WB ones are on??

Thanks