End of the Tridents and Geminis

[Tony]

One of the sold vehicles is being collected from WN tomorrow by Alpha recovery.

I see they're not brave enough to drive them!

[WA4317]

One of the sold vehicles is being collected from WN tomorrow by Alpha recovery.

4598 and is due out in the next hour

[The Real 4777]

By my very quick and dirty calculation there's now a mere 36 or so Tridents still nominally on the garages' books and some 54 Gemini. 

Numbers really plummeting this year, catch these stalwarts while you still can, they'll soon be gone.

[markcf83]

By my very quick and dirty calculation there's now a mere 36 or so Tridents still nominally on the garages' books and some 54 Gemini.

Numbers really plummeting this year, catch these stalwarts while you still can, they'll soon be gone.

That would seem about right. Wonder what the chances are of any making it to the end of the year.....

[Tony]

That would seem about right. Wonder what the chances are of any making it to the end of the year.....

Yes, the intention is a few will see 2025

[The Real 4777]

Seven of the nine buses out today on the WB 5 were Gemini, with 4510/14/5/8/21/6 and 4679 out for the duration when I last checked.

I can't help wondering if this is the last time the weekday score will be so good. Two years ago it was the Indian Summer of the 42XXs, with the final survivors well established.

[Justin Tyme]

Seven of the nine buses out today on the WB 5 were Gemini, with 4510/14/5/8/21/6 and 4679 out for the duration when I last checked.

I can't help wondering if this is the last time the weekday score will be so good. Two years ago it was the Indian Summer of the 42XXs, with the final survivors well established.

Absolutely!  As it happened I rode on 4679 on slightly late-running 5 from Sutton to West Brom today. It was a great run.

It says alot about Geminis and Tridents that they are still mainly used on busy all-day services, such as the 5 and 80 at West Brom, the 11A/C and 72 at Acocks Green, the 59 at Wolverhampton and the 18, 49 and 76 at Yardley Wood.  And still seven days a week.

But as The Real 4777 has said, get your rides in now!

[cris 99]

Absolutely!  As it happened I rode on 4679 on slightly late-running 5 from Sutton to West Brom today. It was a great run.

It says alot about Geminis and Tridents that they are still mainly used on busy all-day services, such as the 5 and 80 at West Brom, the 11A/C and 72 at Acocks Green, the 59 at Wolverhampton and the 18, 49 and 76 at Yardley Wood.  And still seven days a week.

But as The Real 4777 has said, get your rides in now!

4607 has been withdrawn today so nothing is safe sadly 

[The Real 4777]

As it happened I rode on 4679 on slightly late-running 5 from Sutton to West Brom today. It was a great run.

... ...

But as The Real 4777 has said, get your rides in now!

Like you I made the effort and raked-in all the Gemini working the 5 this afternoon. Some real characterful sounds amongst them!

[Wumpty]

Like you I made the effort and raked-in all the Gemini working the 5 this afternoon. Some real characterful sounds amongst them!

I still find the styling very eye catching. Unlike the Trident, that first bank of curved panels into the lower saloon is a great entrance to a modern bus. Very few more modern buses can match the Gemini interior.

[The Real 4777]

I still find the styling very eye catching. Unlike the Trident, that first bank of curved panels into the lower saloon is a great entrance to a modern bus. Very few more modern buses can match the Gemini interior.

Yes, it really is eye-catching, a great styling cue. I sat downstairs on all of them in slightly different places and was immediately struck by how the internal panels work together in that front half of the lower deck. 

It also occurred to me that when I worked in London 2007-2010 and 2014 I kinda took them for granted  - and I expect they're fully extinct on TfL routes now. 

[Wumpty]

Yes, it really is eye-catching, a great styling cue. I sat downstairs on all of them in slightly different places and was immediately struck by how the internal panels work together in that front half of the lower deck.

It also occurred to me that when I worked in London 2007-2010 and 2014 I kinda took them for granted  - and I expect they're fully extinct on TfL routes now.

From a driver's perspective (from the couple I've driven) the cab layout appears better ergonomically in the Gemini - it looks cosier and better laid out, though in fairness to the Trident, it's still a very capable machine to drive too.

[Stu]

Seven of the nine buses out today on the WB 5 were Gemini, with 4510/14/5/8/21/6 and 4679 out for the duration when I last checked.

I can't help wondering if this is the last time the weekday score will be so good. Two years ago it was the Indian Summer of the 42XXs, with the final survivors well established.

Depends on if they're Euro6 or not. Any Euro6 ones might have a bit of life left in them.

[The Real 4777]

Went for an ailing 4523 on the 451 (WB 5) this afternoon, already showing 16 late and attracting more delay when I boarded at  2/40, the sole passenger! It was running sluggishly behind and shadowing 4746, meaning a skip-stop pattern ensued and it only loaded at a few stops towards West Brom. 

Against the odds it remained in service on arrival, but converted to a 5E (New Oscott short working) by the time ASDA Queslett was eventually reached and the driver gave up on it for good at Pheasey Collingwood Drive, the brakes dragging. Shame as it sounded like it had grunt to spare. Still, it's Euro 6 so should live to fight another day.

I didn't bother with the following MMC, instead waiting for 4510 behind, which occasioned a natter with the stranded driver, who professed herself a 'noisy diesel fan!' and fond of the 45s.

Back on Sutton turf I made for another '45,' in the shape of WA's rarified beast 4566 which was sampled from Fairlawns to Walsall Bus Station and back on the 366 (WA 6), the driver giving it plenty to make up time from the two sets of temporary lights between Aldridge and the arboretum. The doors were very savage on this bus, and it had the customary rattles but felt lively under power. It was uplifting when passing fellow celeb Trident 4125 also busy on the 6.

[Ingleboro261F]

The biggest shame will be when 4500 is withdrawn as it is the best Gemini in my opinion due to its amazing ZF