WrightBus StreetDeck - Discussion/Sightings/Route Allocation (Not PN gossip)

[Stu]

At the end of the day, it's just another bus.

We're just all going to wait and see what NX decide to do, once they've done all their evaluations. I can only see passenger opinions making a small contribution, no doubt much of the evaluation will be based on comparing performance against the E400, as well as opinions from drivers and engineering staff. Because after all, if it turns out to be less fuel-efficient and a pain for engineering to maintain, and thus more costly to run, then there's no point in bulk-ordering more.

So in my mind it's really too early to be speculating on how many will be coming in total and which garages they'll go to, as I bet even NX don't know yet!

[BU07 LGO]

Wonder if it will be like 4697 and 4698 where the enviro was favoured but they still ordered 4777-4781 so they had a small batch?

[j789]

The streetdecks I get to drive with First are nice buses, much better than the Streetlites. The engine copes fine with hills around Malvern and with full loads so cant see this being an issue. A couple of ours have already made it onto the 144 so who knows they might bump into each other in Brum (hopefully not literally though!!!) I have never driven an Enviro 400 so couldn't compare the two but from what I have heard from NXWM drivers, I think the Streetdeck will go down well.

[ARBB]

The streetdecks I get to drive with First are nice buses, much better than the Streetlites. The engine copes fine with hills around Malvern and with full loads so cant see this being an issue. A couple of ours have already made it onto the 144 so who knows they might bump into each other in Brum (hopefully not literally though!!!) I have never driven an Enviro 400 so couldn't compare the two but from what I have heard from NXWM drivers, I think the Streetdeck will go down well.

Basically 4800's far nicer to drive...... 6100's ok along certain parts of the route, don't like hills or pulling away at roundabouts but the heating in the cab is great.

[Liberator9]

@j789

Interesting to hear - I'm right in thinking your Streetdecks are fitted with the D854.6 four speed Voiths?

Will be interesting to see which gearbox the NX example has actually got.

[Liverpool Street]

@j789

Interesting to hear - I'm right in thinking your Streetdecks are fitted with the D854.6 four speed Voiths?

Will be interesting to see which gearbox the NX example has actually got.

Something strangulated and terrible no doubt

[Stuharris 6360]

Something strangulated and terrible no doubt

Don't know @Liverpool Street , would have thought this one would be perfect if they are trying for orders, probably the production models that won't be,

[Liberator9]

@Liverpool Street

;) Haha - Know what you mean! Rather interesting when riding an E400 (63 reg) with GoAhead - same ZF gearbox except very good on accelerating - all to do with the gearbox setup really.

Haven't heard a ZF Streetdeck - but the Voiths are pretty good - I know Brighton's versions were slow up hills though but that may've been improved in the latest versions.

[j789]

@j789

Interesting to hear - I'm right in thinking your Streetdecks are fitted with the D854.6 four speed Voiths?

Will be interesting to see which gearbox the NX example has actually got.

I know the 64 reg streetlites have Voiths but am unsure of the new 65 Streetlites and Streetdecks. I actually thought they were Mercedes engines but like I say, I am unsure of the details.

[don]

3301 looks very smart indeed. Does it have bonded glazing - i noticed this morning that Go Ahead Metrobus's WHV class have gasket glazing and look a lot less neat.

That angular front is definitely an acquired taste - there are mixed opinions - I've heard them referred to variously by very young children as Frankenstein buses (frightening I guess to them), or handsome, chisel jaw buses (by commuters) - I quite like them now - thought they were hideous when I first saw them - still object to being subjected to shallow upper deck windows though (I believe TfL are the culprits - via NBFL).

[Tony]

It has now arrived at BC and I have just been down to have a look over it.

Driver's cab is very basic with minimal dials,switches and lights (which I like)
It has a Voith gearbox for those interested in such things.
Seating is 45 over 29 with plenty of legroom for me at 6 foot.
The narrow windows which stem from the weight reduction more than TfL spec don't seem chlostraphobic or dark at all, and sat in the front corner seats the view doesn't seem to be as bad as you would think it is with those thick pillars. I haven't had chance to drive it yet, but certainly from a passenger point of view I like it.

Photos of the inside and out will be on the main site tonight

[paulb1973]

It has now arrived at BC and I have just been down to have a look over it.

Driver's cab is very basic with minimal dials,switches and lights (which I like)
It has a Voith gearbox for those interested in such things.
Seating is 45 over 29 with plenty of legroom for me at 6 foot.
The narrow windows which stem from the weight reduction more than TfL spec don't seem chlostraphobic or dark at all, and sat in the front corner seats the view doesn't seem to be as bad as you would think it is with those thick pillars. I haven't had chance to drive it yet, but certainly from a passenger point of view I like it.

Photos of the inside and out will be on the main site tonight

The only chassis/engine designation other than Wright StreetDeck is 'SA9DDRSXX15' - does that apply to this vehicle. The registration has been given out as SM65 WNC, is that correct? H45/29F seems appropriate as quite a few Wright Eclipse Gemini's are to that configuration.

[Tony]

The only chassis/engine designation other than Wright StreetDeck is 'SA9DDRSXX15' - does that apply to this vehicle. The registration has been given out as SM65 WNC, is that correct? H45/29F seems appropriate as quite a few Wright Eclipse Gemini's are to that configuration.

The chassis is a StreetDeck no code, those are just the first few charactors of the VIN
Registration is SM65 WNC

[PM]

It has now arrived at BC and I have just been down to have a look over it.

Driver's cab is very basic with minimal dials,switches and lights (which I like)
It has a Voith gearbox for those interested in such things.
Seating is 45 over 29 with plenty of legroom for me at 6 foot.
The narrow windows which stem from the weight reduction more than TfL spec don't seem chlostraphobic or dark at all, and sat in the front corner seats the view doesn't seem to be as bad as you would think it is with those thick pillars. I haven't had chance to drive it yet, but certainly from a passenger point of view I like it.

Photos of the inside and out will be on the main site tonight

Interesting observations! It certainly looks very smart from the outside and I imagine the inside will as well, especially in current NX spec interior. The main complaint with StreetDecks to date seems to be difficulty getting up hills, with suggestions they're great in the city but can't match some other types on testing hilly terrain.

[paulb1973]

The chassis is a StreetDeck no code, those are just the first few charactors of the VIN
Registration is SM65 WNC

Ah right [the only code I'd come across, I meant] I suppose the body is 'Wright StreetDeck H45/29F' - although its an integral design.