Diamond bus reviews

[Jack]

30206 and 30209 had different gearboxes did they not to 30211, 30212 etc? Certainly sounded different from what I recall. My favourite cadet was 30218- what a bus that was being ex ludlows made it even more special.

They sounded similar. Ex-Arriva 30215 sounded abit similar to 30206/9, but was better than the Diamond ones by a mile. Especially catching 30215 on a good route, the 40 and 229 I recall were good routes to catch it on.

[Trident 4194]

30407 and 20730 in Convoy on 4H. Bet the solos the faster one there

[Jack]

30407 and 20730 in Convoy on 4H. Bet the solos the faster one there

Diamonds B7RLE's can fly down roads. I'd like to see the fastest up Gorsty Hill.

[Trident 4194]

Diamonds B7RLE's can fly down roads. I'd like to see the fastest up Gorsty Hill.

There both incredibly fast vehicles. Would say the solo has the better acceleration, I would say the solos going to be the faster one up gorsty hill. B7RLE probably better at maintaining high speeds though

[Trident 4194]

30881 Is as bad as the rest of the 002 centros.

[Jack]

30881 Is as bad as the rest of the 002 centros.

That one use to be a favourite of mine, have you tried 30952? That's a good one.

[Trident 4194]

That one use to be a favourite of mine, have you tried 30952? That's a good one.

Through my recollection there all quite awful. 30807 is a good one- surprisingly not allocated to the 002 anymore. Coincidence?

[Jack]

Through my recollection there all quite awful. 30807 is a good one- surprisingly not allocated to the 002 anymore. Coincidence?

30952 is a good one. Not sure on 30807. 30002/3, 30120, 30302, 30922 and 30952 are better Plaxton Centro's all of them bat 30952 are allocated to the 40, notice the good ones are kept on the 40?

[Jack]

30878 - MK2 E300

Caught this earlier on the 16W from West Bromwich to Hamstead Village. Loud beast, I've always had a soft spot for this bus. Fast, warm, good brakes, smart interior like 30879, loud and whiny gearbox. Faster than 30879 and louder than 30879 too. Beast, one of my favourite Tividale buses.

10/10

[Jack]

30489 - MK1 E300

Good bus, fast and no bouncy suspension like 30488. Squeaky breaks, worn out interior.

6/10


30816 - Plaxton Centro

Great bus, very similar to 30502, fast, not stuck in limo mode and has nice fast doors. Whiny gearbox too. Interior smart and clean.

10/10

@Trident 4194 isn't this one an ex 002 branded?

[Trident 4194]

@Trident 4194 isn't this one an ex 002 branded?

No 30816 has never been branded for the 002. Motive that 30952 is now 002 branded?

[Jack]

No 30816 has never been branded for the 002. Motive that 30952 is now 002 branded?

Correct, 30816 has never been 002 branded, something popped into my head it was branded. Yes 30952 is 002 branded. Isn't it 30810/11 and 30952 left with 002 branding?

30807/8/9, 30880/1 use to branded for 002, wasn't there a few more that had it? The current 002 branding is horrible as was the previous yet short lived version, the overall green was the best 002 branding.

[V89MOA]

Isn't it 30810/11 and 30952 left with 002 branding?

30808 has it too.

[Jack]

No 30816 has never been branded for the 002. Motive that 30952 is now 002 branded?

30808 has it too.

Looking at photos it's turns out that four  Centro's have 002 branding : 30808/810/811 and 30952. 30808 missing a lot of it.

[V89MOA]

Looking at photos it's turns out three Centro's have 002 branding : 30808/810, 30952. 30808 missing a lot of it.

It's four, 30811 is also branded (you mentioned it yourself 3 posts above).