Diamond bus reviews

[Jack]

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

Corrected it, it literally skipped my mind that 30811 is branded.

[MasterPlan]

The current 002 branding is horrible as was the previous yet short lived version, the overall green was the best 002 branding.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/101550299@N05/16340577532

I have to say, I don't remember that one! When were they changed?

I do agree though, much better branding.

[MW]

https://flic.kr/p/24nSLEn

Good bus. Fast. Weird brakes. Takes getting used to. Pulls all the way to 60. To the point that I don't believe that it's actually 60, it's that quick!

Apparently a posh bus according to passengers lol

Glad I didn't get my allocated former Central Bus 21107 now!

[Jack]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/101550299@N05/16340577532

I have to say, I don't remember that one! When were they changed?

March/April 2015 was when the All-Over green was being phased out. 30806 then moved to KR. 30807-30811, 30880/1 then had the green 002 branding, not the one that's going now. Then they all got debranded in late 2016/early 2017 and had the branding that currently is going round on the 002. Only 30808/810/11 got rebranded, it was 30952's first ever 002 branding. 30807/9 and 30880/1 never got rebranded. Hopefully you understand, I've put it into a confusing way of explaining!

The allover green was the best 002 branding there is. The current and the previous version aren't as good.

[MasterPlan]

March/April 2015 was when the All-Over green was being phased out. 30806 then moved to KR. 30807-30811, 30880/1 then had the green 002 branding, not the one that's going now. Then they all got debranded in late 2016/early 2017 and had the branding that currently is going round on the 002. Only 30808/810/11 got rebranded, it was 30952's first ever 002 branding. 30807/9 and 30880/1 never got rebranded. Hopefully you understand, I've put it into a confusing way of explaining!

The allover green was the best 002 branding there is. The current and the previous version aren't as good.

Yeah, I remember the previous branding to this one, which also included the 'Every 15 mins', which is not mentioned anymore for some reason. Just a big 7 for 7 days a week...

[Jack]

21107 - E200

Horrible Stumpy E200. Only good thing is it has warm heating and comfy seats = 2/10


20974 - Streetlite WF

Horrible Streetshite. WF examples are as bad as a Stumpy E200. Bouncy suspension, was pretty much jumping over the speed bumps on Bromford Drive. Comfy seats and warm heating = 2/10


30404 - Versa

Hate this and 30405. Fairly fast down the long roads on the 82, dodgy leather seats, makes a loud screeching sound. Brakes loud, suspension bouncy and an awful gearbox. The Citaro's and 16 plate Streetlites are better buses = 4/10

[Dom]

21107 - E200

Horrible Stumpy E200. Only good thing is it has warm heating and comfy seats = 2/10


20974 - Streetlite WF

Horrible Streetshite. WF examples are as bad as a Stumpy E200. Bouncy suspension, was pretty much jumping over the speed bumps on Bromford Drive. Comfy seats and warm heating = 2/10


30404 - Versa

Hate this and 30405. Fairly fast down the long roads on the 82, dodgy leather seats, makes a loud screeching sound. Brakes loud, suspension bouncy and an awful gearbox. The Citaro's and 16 plate Streetlites are better buses = 4/10

Do you like anything?

[Jack]

Go back a few pages and you'll see I've praised Diamond vehicles - mainly Tividale surprisingly.

[sonic84]

I was on one of the Diamond Solos on the 13 heading towards Merry Hill this morning. It struggled going up Beecher Road East. All 4 passengers on board commented they thought it would stop completely. Unfortunately didn't note down the fleet number.

[Jack]

30889 - Big Dart

Had a ride on this vile ex Hanson 52 plate big Dart on the 55. Squeaks like mad, awful suspension, brakes make a racket. Doors take a decade to open and the bus was very sluggish. Thing wreaked of diesel and rattled over the slightest bump. I hope I never the pleasure again. Central Buses Darts are better motors than this shed.

0/10

[Trident 4194]

30889 - Big Dart

Had a ride on this vile ex Hanson 52 plate big Dart on the 55. Squeaks like mad, awful suspension, brakes make a racket. Doors take a decade to open and the bus was very sluggish. Thing wreaked of diesel and rattled over the slightest bump. I hope I never the pleasure again. Central Buses Darts are better motors than this shed.

0/10

I wouldn't be so sure. Central's darts will soon be like that once those mechanics have got their hands on it!! Maintenance is a major issue with this company. Most buses have a different fault with them

[Jack]

I wouldn't be so sure. Central's darts will soon be like that once those mechanics have got their hands on it!! Maintenance is a major issue with this company. Most buses have a different fault with them

Oh yes I know, apart from the Centro's in limp mode, this is one of the worst conditioned Diamond bus I've ridden in a while. Shame they don't scrap most of their fleet, I'd start with the KS03 Slowlo's.

[Jack]

30808 - Plaxton Centro/B7RLE (002 branded)

I deceided to hop on this when it appeared on Moor Street, it's been a while since I've ridden a 002 Centro baring in mind. Comfy seats like ex-Redditch B7's. Few missing pieces of branding. By the time we got to Bradford Street it cut out but the driver did get it going. Then an alarm wouldn't stop beeping. This reminded how crap most of the Centro's are now. The brakes were good, the suspension was bouncy, the engine sounded all over the shop and the gearbox made weird sounds when it was idling.

3/10

[MW]

30808 - Plaxton Centro/B7RLE (002 branded)

I deceided to hop on this when it appeared on Moor Street, it's been a while since I've ridden a 002 Centro baring in mind. Comfy seats like ex-Redditch B7's. Few missing pieces of branding. By the time we got to Bradford Street it cut out but the driver did get it going. Then an alarm wouldn't stop beeping. This reminded how crap most of the Centro's are now. The brakes were good, the suspension was bouncy, the engine sounded all over the shop and the gearbox made weird sounds when it was idling.

3/10

The beeping is an eco sensor. Let's them know how well they're driving. And of course you already know about the stop start retrofit programme.

[Jack]

The beeping is an eco sensor. Let's them know how well they're driving. And of course you already know about the stop start retrofit programme.

Oh yes their stop start retrofit, presume all buses will have it  :P