Walsall Garage

[Stuharris 6360]

I see 581 has been withdrawn without ever turning a wheel at WA

Why? 581 is the best B6 they have, it must have some SERIOUS mechanical issues  :o

No, not really.

Is that no to both as I suspect BN? It is not the best, and it has no serious mechanical issues?

Correct Tony

Surplus to requirements then?

[Ashley]

I'd rather see 581 in service compared to 244

[nitromatt1]

I'd rather see 581 in service compared to 244

It does make me wonder sometimes, what level of thought goes into vehicle withdrawals. Yet another ridiculous decision from NX.

[Ashley]

I wouldnt say ridiculous because they'll all be withdrawn soon, just a case of 581 meeting its maker, a tad too early, there could be good reason though

[mranon]

another b6 to bite the dust? no big loss really. maybe if its not that bad, it might go to reserve ready to come back out if another b6 has a major issue etc. maybe also out of walsall's allocation, 581 could be the worst out of the remaining b6's. for example, if wa's engineers have spent £££££'s refurbing replacing major components etc, then take overall condition (not seats/paint job - anyone can make a turd look good) i.e chassis structure, they would hold onto those first over any newly transferred. i know that was explained to me where i used to work on coaches. drivers moaned 2 in better nick, and newer were sold (1992 models) but 1988 were kept. as i was learning on the spanners, my boss showed me the reasons why. older ones were structually better plaxtons, and in the 5 years they had been in the fleet, both had been fitted with new engines. so it then makes sense

[Tony]

I'd rather see 581 in service compared to 244

It does make me wonder sometimes, what level of thought goes into vehicle withdrawals. Yet another ridiculous decision from NX.

Yet another ridiculous post! You don't know the condition, book value, MoT expiry date, work needed, expected time before major work is needed, and various other factors that are taken into account. Not just whether enthusiasts like the noise it makes. As 581 has spent most of its life doing 16 hour days at Walsall, and 244 has been trundling around Heathrow Airport, I would imagine 244 is much lower mileage

[nitromatt1]

I'd rather see 581 in service compared to 244

It does make me wonder sometimes, what level of thought goes into vehicle withdrawals. Yet another ridiculous decision from NX.

Yet another ridiculous post! You don't know the condition, book value, MoT expiry date, work needed, expected time before major work is needed, and various other factors that are taken into account. Not just whether enthusiasts like the noise it makes. As 581 has spent most of its life doing 16 hour days at Walsall, and 244 has been trundling around Heathrow Airport, I would imagine 244 is much lower mileage

Contradicting what "BN" said then? ::)

I have my doubts with NX, I really do.

[Tony]

I'd rather see 581 in service compared to 244

It does make me wonder sometimes, what level of thought goes into vehicle withdrawals. Yet another ridiculous decision from NX.

Yet another ridiculous post! You don't know the condition, book value, MoT expiry date, work needed, expected time before major work is needed, and various other factors that are taken into account. Not just whether enthusiasts like the noise it makes. As 581 has spent most of its life doing 16 hour days at Walsall, and 244 has been trundling around Heathrow Airport, I would imagine 244 is much lower mileage

Contradicting what "BN" said then? ::)

I have my doubts with NX, I really do.

Not contradicting what BN said at all! All he said was it had no major issues, but also that is wasn't one of the best. BN will have had no dealings with 244 so doesn't know the condition of that one. Let's just say when 244 came up from London it was given a trial refurbishment with a view to doing the complete batch. That cost around £20,000, one of the reasons why the rest of the batch were not done. When you have spent that amount of money on a bus you are likely to want to get your moneys worth out of it

[Stuharris 6360]

I'd rather see 581 in service compared to 244

It does make me wonder sometimes, what level of thought goes into vehicle withdrawals. Yet another ridiculous decision from NX.

Yet another ridiculous post! You don't know the condition, book value, MoT expiry date, work needed, expected time before major work is needed, and various other factors that are taken into account. Not just whether enthusiasts like the noise it makes. As 581 has spent most of its life doing 16 hour days at Walsall, and 244 has been trundling around Heathrow Airport, I would imagine 244 is much lower mileage

Contradicting what "BN" said then? ::)

I have my doubts with NX, I really do.

Not contradicting what BN said at all! All he said was it had no major issues, but also that is wasn't one of the best. BN will have had no dealings with 244 so doesn't know the condition of that one. Let's just say when 244 came up from London it was given a trial refurbishment with a view to doing the complete batch. That cost around £20,000, one of the reasons why the rest of the batch were not done. When you have spent that amount of money on a bus you are likely to want to get your moneys worth out of it

Hence the reason why 244 was fixed after its rta, it still has a high book value.

Oh & Tony, being as you are an Inspector, any chance of ordering some new buses for WA please?  ::) ::) ::) ::)

[Nathan4775]

Any reason why gemini 4680 I think it is has lost its advert frames an a few other bus have lost the adverts ?

[John]

Any reason why gemini 4680 I think it is has lost its advert frames an a few other bus have lost the adverts ?

No idea. 4680 did have advert frames on both sides added after repaint (as they are not painted).

I do know 4682 has never had on offside frame added ever since de-branding from the 997, it has a nearside advert frame. All the rest do have advert frames on both sides.

4737's offside advert frame is bent at the bottom towards the rear and has not had an advert for a few months now, it does look tatty without an advert

[Liberator9]

Yet another ridiculous post! You don't know the condition, book value, MoT expiry date, work needed, expected time before major work is needed, and various other factors that are taken into account. Not just whether enthusiasts like the noise it makes. As 581 has spent most of its life doing 16 hour days at Walsall, and 244 has been trundling around Heathrow Airport, I would imagine 244 is much lower mileage
[/quote]

Have to agree here with Tony; he has explained to me before as to why some of the older B6s in a seemingly better condition (i.e interiors done up well) are withdrawn whilst some of the tattier examples trundle on. It is to do with the structural condition as well, i.e what we can't see underneath the body and the paint. 581 may have severe corrosion and several minor issues with the engine that make it not viable to keep in service. 

[lynx1103]

244 is one if the nicest B6 to drive. Smooth suspension
Quiet engine noise. I think she's had a better life at heathrow
Smoother road compared to Black Country roads rough.

It wouldn't surprise me if 244 is the last B6 to be withdrawn despite being
The oldest.

Also any news on 4129 not be seen for 4 months since
Accident in July.

[nitromatt1]

Yeah I do understand entirely. These buses are getting old, it is to be expected. In the grand scheme of things, 581 outlived most B6s, so it did alright.

This is turning into a euology...

[Nathan4775]

It might be 4682, not too sure, seen it a few times on the X51 but never made a note of it. Does look a bit better without adverts on.