New Deliveries / New Livery & Branding Discussion

[markcf83]

It would be simple to change the 7 of 67xx to a lower number if the need arises.

However, unless there's been a change in Policy (entirely possible given new NX Bus management this year), I would doubt 6101-6148 remain unique as 'standard Crimson spec' new MMCs. Noting that Coventry need 49 odd new or transferred (long term, not v elderly Trident) vehicles perhaps we'll see some new blue MMCs in due course - although it wouldn't surprise me if they have Platinum spec as well on the Leamington corridor.

I too would be surprised if more conventional Enviros aren't ordered over time.

[Sh4318]

I never said there is a problem putting Gemini's or ALX400's on the 33. I replyed to @The Fox 4846 who said the 33/51 need an upgrade which they don't. Just because I said it still has Gemini's doesn't mean it needs upgrading!

As I said earlier, not having enough of a certain bus type for one route can be a valid reason for upgrading.

Also, buses between Perry Barr and Birmingham are every 3-4 minutes. I'd be surprised if the 33/51 weren't considered for upgrades...

[Jack]

Also, buses between Perry Barr and Birmingham are every 3-4 minutes. I'd be surprised if the 33/51 weren't considered for upgrades...

The E400's are only 6 years old. I think the E400's are fine on both. The 65/67 have more than 1 bus type on them. Get any Standard DD at Perry Barr. I don't see why the 65/67 can't be upgraded, the state of some buses on them is appalling.

[Sh4318]

The E400's are only 6 years old. I think the E400's are fine on both. The 65/67 have more than 1 bus type on them. Get any Standard DD at Perry Barr. I don't see why the 65/67 can't be upgraded, the state of some buses on them is appalling.

They are only 6 years old. But they could be cascaded onto other routes (such as the 65/67 which are allocated buses in an 'appalling state') if the 33/51 were upgraded.

Not saying they should get new buses, but you would think both routes are candidates at the very least.

I would say the 33 is a more high profile route than the 65/67, but that's another debate

[Jack]

They are only 6 years old. But they could be cascaded onto other routes (such as the 65/67 which are allocated buses in an 'appalling state') if the 33/51 were upgraded.

Not saying they should get new buses, but you would think both routes are candidates at the very least.

I would say the 33 is a more high profile route than the 65/67, but that's another debate

I don't think they're candidates. Just Crimson the ones on the 51 and they'll look as good as new like the 33's buses. I would say the 51 is more high profile than the 33.
The 65/67 are candidates, considering they are mostly ran by 16 year old ALX400 B7TLs.

[Sh4318]

I don't think they're candidates. Just Crimson the ones on the 51 and they'll look as good as new like the 33's buses. I would say the 51 is more high profile than the 33.

I think you're missing my point, but ok, let's agree to disagree.

6855 appears to have the cab side fleet number and lettering in reversed positions - the fleet number is midway along the cab side. When vehicles are lined up in a depot probably more difficult to identify from the offside. Incorrect application or change of Policy?

Something to do with the branding (if any) to be applied maybe?

[Jack]

I think you're missing my point, but ok, let's agree to disagree.

Crimson WA's E400 and they'll just look good as new like PB's did. I'm not sure what you didn't understand.

[paulb1973]

It would be simple to change the 7/8 of 67xx/68xx to a lower number if the need arises - presuming the systems in place can deal with reuse of the released numbers!

However, unless there's been a change in Policy (entirely possible given new NX Bus management this year), I would doubt 6101-6148 remain unique as 'standard Crimson spec' new MMCs. Noting that Coventry need 49 odd new or transferred (long term, not v elderly Trident) vehicles perhaps we'll see some new blue MMCs in due course - although it wouldn't surprise me if they have Platinum spec as well on the Leamington corridor.

I agree regarding the closing of spec nationally between premium and normal buses - travelling a lot on More bus (Go South Coast) recently, many of their vehicles on standard urban routes have usb and wifi and leather seats - only the longer distance routes have tables as well...

Regarding the Streetdecks, whether it's a coincidence or not, 3301 was the first BCT Metro Cammell Fleetline in 1963 - it also allows 700 vehicles before previously used 4001 occurs again. It remains to be seen whether a bulk order is placed at some stage - it would seem logical if not probable that a second supplier of double deck diesel or hybrids would be used.

Its possible in future years, the current E400 MMC Platinum buses may be superseded by newer designs, rendering the current crop a little out of date. But they'll likely remain with their current fleet numbers (NX seem cool on re-numbering buses/re-using numbers). They could in theory be down-graded and repainted into the 'normal' livery in the fullness of time - but their fleet numbers will still make them stand out. Perhaps 6101 onwards for all MMC's would have been better, regardless of specification.

It sounds like 3301 onwards was a nod to history - I always thought E200 MMC's 2201-50 at Acocks Green were the same (bearing in mind Rolls Royce engine Mk1 Metrobuses 2226-45 were based there for many years). I know some have been transferred to YW. 

I suspect they will Platinum-ise the 11/12 corridor to Leamington Spa eventually, they are half way there now.

[DeanM66A]

It sounds like 3301 onwards was a nod to history - I always thought E200 MMC's 2201-50 at Acocks Green were the same (bearing in mind Rolls Royce engine Mk1 Metrobuses 2226-45 were based there for many years). I know some have been transferred to YW. 

Go back further to when BCT had just 35 single deckers: 2231-2260 were Tigers, 2261-5 Olympics.  And YW had some Tigers for the 27.

[Stevo]

Not sure quite what you mean, but the first BCT MCW Fleetline was 3241 in 1962, part of the trial batch of ten. These led to the three-year order for 300 Fleetlines which was a bit like the current ADL order for deliveries over several years. And the 27 was worked by Selly Oak, not YW, with the Tigers, though YW did get 3 Olympics in 1963 for the new service 4 to Pool Farm. Three of those Tigers still exist - 2231, 2245 and 2257.

[don]

Not sure quite what you mean, but the first BCT MCW Fleetline was 3241 in 1962, part of the trial batch of ten. These led to the three-year order for 300 Fleetlines which was a bit like the current ADL order for deliveries over several years. And the 27 was worked by Selly Oak, not YW, with the Tigers, though YW did get 3 Olympics in 1963 for the new service 4 to Pool Farm. Three of those Tigers still exist - 2231, 2245 and 2257.

Indeed you're right - 3301 was the first of MCWs 150 of that order for 300 and was certainly one of the first of the 300 in service - the first I saw was 3302 on route 39. 3241 was the first of a trial batch of 10 (and was the fourth Fleetline chassis built) for comparison with a similar batch of Atlanteans.

[Tony]

Indeed you're right - 3301 was the first of MCWs 150 of that order for 300 and was certainly one of the first of the 300 in service - the first I saw was 3302 on route 39. 3241 was the first of a trial batch of 10 (and was the fourth Fleetline chassis built) for comparison with a similar batch of Atlanteans.

Wasn't 3251 the first of the 300 order?

[Mike K]

Wasn't 3251 the first of the 300 order?

Yes I believe it was 251GON.

[Tony]

6855 now at BC, 6856 on the M6 heading South

[Dylanbusboy45]

6855 now at BC, 6856 on the M6 heading South

When are they likely to be in service from ? @Tony