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Post by driver6540 on Feb 10, 2012 20:58:53 GMT 1
With all the new deliveries, and the subsequent re-shuffling going on. It's a safe bet to assume that the remaining Dart/ALX 200's will be heading for the exit door, presumeably some (If not all), For the cutter's torch. Im not particularly a big fan of these buses, But i do recognise they have been the backbone of Dewsbury's depot since their introduction. Arriva watcher's will also know these buses are the last generic link to the YWD/Caldaire days. Being the last buses currently in service to arrive wearing the beautifully simple, but ever so smart half & half red & white. Just recently i travelled on a First "P" reg Pointer/Dart and an Arriva "P" reg ALX200/Dart on the same day, And i could'nt help but think just how superior the Alexander was. Like i said above, Im no great Dart fan, But i think it's a bit of a shame that low floor one's like these are to be scrapped, when today i observed both HJC and Stott's using much older step entrance Dart's on school runs. Arriva Cymru has a small batch of ALX200's based at Llandudno also "P" reg and there are no plans for the withdrawal of these yet. And First WY continue to run their awful Plaxton bodied example's. Is it just me or does anyone else feel perhaps their demise may have come too soon. Feel free to agree/disagree. What do you think?.
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Matty
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Post by Matty on Feb 10, 2012 21:01:20 GMT 1
Good riddance. Step darts were 10X better than the horrible unreliable SLF's.
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Post by driver6540 on Feb 10, 2012 21:08:56 GMT 1
Dont really think the Arriva ALX200's i refer to suffered much from reliability problems. Are you basing your opinion on the Pointer SLF's First operate?.
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Matty
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Post by Matty on Feb 10, 2012 21:14:42 GMT 1
I always see Arriva's broke down..... All SLF Darts are the same.
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Post by driver6540 on Feb 10, 2012 21:54:21 GMT 1
Well, Like i say, Im no big fan of any Dart really. But from a passenger's viewpoint i think the SLF version was a massive improvement on the step entrance model. Also entirely subjective, I know, But i do think the Alexander ALX200 body was much better than the Plaxton/Transbus equivalent. But i realise that's only a matter of opinion. Some may prefer the ELC/Spryte or Marshall/MCV or other versions. I also think that as the biggest selling bus chassis in the uk since the Leyland National, If they were as unreliable as you suggest, Then why would they form the template for the latest Alexander product the Enviro 200. Maybe your dislike for the SLF stem's from the fact that your self proclaimed favourite operator could never afford to buy them. I'd also like to see you substanstiate your claim "statisically". Bet you cant!.
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Post by northerner on Feb 10, 2012 21:59:27 GMT 1
I was on a Selby based one not that long ago (might have been 170) and remember thinking it looked and sounded to be in a good condition for its age
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Post by clifton on Feb 10, 2012 22:31:00 GMT 1
I used to see them on the 278 on a daily basis and always thought they seemed to be in good condition taking into account their age and the miles they will have clocked up. They sounded ok too. I did they think they were a bit lightweight for a fairly long service like the 278, I think the B7RLE's are a better option for it.
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Matty
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Post by Matty on Feb 10, 2012 22:40:46 GMT 1
There was a B7RLE on the 278 yesterday so might be a regular sight soon...
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Post by clifton on Feb 10, 2012 22:44:23 GMT 1
There was a B7RLE on the 278 yesterday so might be a regular sight soon... Hope so! Have the DAF Ikarus gone now the new vehicles have arrived? |
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Post by driver6540 on Feb 10, 2012 22:53:31 GMT 1
With some B7RLE's transferring from Hecky to Dews, Plus the imminent withdrawal's of the step entrance Ikarus's and the ALX200's (Which is what this thread, was all about), It's feasible the B7RLE's will be seen on all Dewsbury's route's where the ALX200's ran.
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T101VWU
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RIP B10LA's. Never be the same again.
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Post by T101VWU on Feb 10, 2012 23:03:06 GMT 1
There was a B7RLE on the 278 yesterday so might be a regular sight soon... Hope so! Have the DAF Ikarus gone now the new vehicles have arrived? Nope! Ikarus are still running. |
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Post by clifton on Feb 10, 2012 23:10:10 GMT 1
Nope! Ikarus are still running. ;D I guess Dewsbury are still waiting for all the Olympus's to transfer from Belle Isle. |
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Post by Burnside on Feb 11, 2012 0:42:48 GMT 1
I always see Arriva's broke down..... All SLF Darts are the same. Including HJC's! |
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Post by sconehead85 on Feb 11, 2012 1:03:19 GMT 1
Arriva NW have some similar Darts but they are X-reg. There were some older ex London Darts( P852-61 RUL). London has their ADL class (ADL 61-81 and 969-983) which may see out their days in London.
Off-topic I know but the four DAF/Ikarus are now the groups last step entrance DAF SB220s.
Once the national company has removed the remaining step single decks the major cull will start of early SLF Darts- in fact it HAS started.
The majority of step sds remaining are Scanias, followed by Midlands/NE step Darts and ahandful of Volvos (5 B10Bs, plus aB6 and B10M).
sconehead85
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Feb 11, 2012 9:03:18 GMT 1
I agree with the OP that these Dart SLFs deserve a thread like this, they always seemed to me to be in a decent condition and as pointed out, they were the last buses delivered in Yorkshire Buses livery
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Post by timelesstable on Feb 11, 2012 9:59:03 GMT 1
I agree with the OP that these Dart SLFs deserve a thread like this, they always seemed to me to be in a decent condition and as pointed out, they were the last buses delivered in Yorkshire Buses livery Looks like the Yorkshire Buses Livery could be a lost one unless someone out there is prepared to save one of these. Maybe if they are that good then one deserves to find any happier resting place than those recycling centres at Carlton |
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Post by stevieinselby on Feb 11, 2012 12:37:26 GMT 1
I was on a Selby based one not that long ago (might have been 170) and remember thinking it looked and sounded to be in a good condition for its age They certainly don't seem like they're 15 years old. They're still fine for local routes pottering around suburban streets or minor lanes ... just don't put them on open roads where they max out at about 40mph. |
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Post by timelesstable on Feb 11, 2012 17:08:17 GMT 1
Already covered in the breakdowns ALX200 195 had a serious rear end failure yesterday. Could this signal a one way trip to Barnsley
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Post by guyarab on Feb 11, 2012 21:13:17 GMT 1
I enjoyed my ride on 199 today; it had the usual rattles and the rear wheels certainly didn't take kindly to pot-holes and speed reduction humps.
To me they have done their job in great style and served the company well, but I've never understood why the emergency door and its fastenings always seemed to rattle on whichever member of that batch I managed to ride.
I found them warmer in winter than the Enviro400s, they're a cold bunch!
Not a Dart, but same body make, I rode on 471 from Dewsbury on the 278 to Wakefield today and am uncertain as to why drivers dislike them; this one performed well and was not SLUGgish climbing up the cutting out of Dewsbury.
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yt03ayf
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Post by yt03ayf on Feb 11, 2012 21:18:46 GMT 1
Had 177 today on the 150, Made for a change and got some speed on it going up out of Wakefield towards Crofton
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158757
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Post by 158757 on Feb 12, 2012 2:08:37 GMT 1
Decent little buses and I'll be sad to see them go. Had their little quirks like the seat at the back by the emergency door sometimes being forward and sometimes being backwards. They always looked very presentable too.
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Post by guyarab on Feb 12, 2012 10:26:47 GMT 1
Decent little buses and I'll be sad to see them go. Had their little quirks like the seat at the back by the emergency door sometimes being forward and sometimes being backwards. They always looked very presentable too. Yes, I wonder who decided which way around those seats were to be set? |
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Matty
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Post by Matty on Feb 12, 2012 10:42:56 GMT 1
Arriva turned them round if i remember correctly.
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Post by www.buseireann.ie on Feb 12, 2012 17:53:37 GMT 1
Going slightly off topic but is related to the ALX200, how is it some buses of the same type perform much better than others. Take the 02/52 plate Spectras, why are some flyers whilst others are sluggish, especally when setting off? Really as well all buses of any kind should be capable of reaching the speed limit or at least within a reasonable point of the limit i.e 40mph on a hill with a 50mph limit. The good advantage to any Dart though is in built up areas you were guaranteed that should your kid suddenly sprint off into the road, like they sometimes do, and they did it in front of a Dart there would be little chance they'd even come close to being struck by it.
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Post by clifton on Feb 16, 2012 22:01:56 GMT 1
Arriva Cymru has a small batch of ALX200's based at Llandudno also "P" reg and there are no plans for the withdrawal of these yet. Sadly according to the latest issue of Buses mag 3 out of 4 of the Llandudno ALX200's have gone for scrap. Heres a picture of some of them taken a few years ago at LJ: www.flickr.com/photos/clifton009/6824540785/ |
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![yt03ayf Avatar](http://www.flickr.com/photos/myllennium_yt03ayf/8568678975/" title="First West Yorkshire 30821 by 39621Phots, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8528/85686789)
