|
Post by driver6540 on Jun 13, 2014 20:34:01 GMT 1
Following on from a successful trial of a Volvo B5TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 3, Lothian buses have ordered 25 of these, which will be delivered within the next couple of months. they will be to standard Lothian spec, 11.4 m LWB examples and are expected to be deployed on the "long-distance" 26 Clerwood-Seton Sands service.
|
|
A1YBG
Forum Member
METRO Here to get you there. Arriva Buses Here to get you there. Arriva need to get original slogans
Posts: 1,935
|
Post by A1YBG on Jun 13, 2014 21:28:15 GMT 1
That's news from a a month ago aha. Least it's showing someone will buy them and I actually quite like the stair windows altho I think should curve up to the top deck (just angle the left window) rather than just to rectangle just plonked there.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using proboards
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Jun 15, 2014 23:54:16 GMT 1
That's news from a a month ago aha. Least it's showing someone will buy them and I actually quite like the stair windows altho I think should curve up to the top deck (just angle the left window) rather than just to rectangle just plonked there. Sent from my GT-N7100 using proboards If I'd have known about it a month ago, I'd probably have posted it a month ago. aha. t'only reason i did post is, i've a genuine affection for Lothian Buses and thought I'd "share my love" for them with others.
|
|
|
Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Jun 21, 2014 23:21:55 GMT 1
These are likely to see off the remaining Tridents from mainstream services. Ever since the collapse of TransBus, Lothian have concentrated on Volvo buses apart from the 15 Hybrid Enviro400s, I think purchased through Scottish Bus Funding.
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Nov 25, 2014 23:39:29 GMT 1
The aforementioned Volvo B5TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 3's entered service on Monday 24th of this month. They are numbered 401-425 and are primarily for route's 3/33.
|
|
A1YBG
Forum Member
METRO Here to get you there. Arriva Buses Here to get you there. Arriva need to get original slogans
Posts: 1,935
|
Post by A1YBG on Nov 26, 2014 9:00:35 GMT 1
The aforementioned Volvo B5TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 3's entered service on Monday 24th of this month. They are numbered 401-425 and are primarily for route's 3/33. And what an improvement on the demo. The glass stair case now flows along the stair line Rather than square windows and the livery been modified to blend in with the design of the bus. Sent from my GT-N7100 using proboards
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Nov 28, 2014 19:56:00 GMT 1
And Lucky me, gets to ride one next week. I'm in Edinburgh tues to fri, and my B&B is smack on the 3 route.
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Dec 6, 2014 22:04:46 GMT 1
And Lucky me, gets to ride one next week. I'm in Edinburgh tues to fri, and my B&B is smack on the 3 route. Update, Now back from the fantastic city which is Edinburgh. And yes, I did manage to sample some new B5TL's, namely 403/408/409 and 411. My B&B was situated at Craigmillar Park which is on the 3 Mayfield-Princes street-Clovenstone route. This route is currently operated in the majority by the B7TL's of 55/56 reg vintage, although i also had an 09 plate B9TL Gemini2 on this route (misallocation?). From what i gathered from an enthusiast up there, less than a dozen of the new buses have entered service so far, which explains why this route wasn't run in it's entirity by them. Although, the others will be in service soon providing the full PVR for this route. There's always something special about a brand new decker, and with these being full Lothian spec buses, they truly are superb. I was able to compare them back-to-back with the older Volvo Gemini's on this route, and i have to say i was very impressed. Performance-wise, given the smaller engine they actually gave the impression they performed better on the climb up from the South Bridge than the older bigger engined variant's. The engine was very quiet and gearchanges were seamless. The lower cabin really seems to benefit from the glass staircase, giving a really light airy feel to the lower deck. I didn't go upstairs, so cant comment on the top deck, but i'm led to believe there's a glass panel along the roof, which should provide the same level of comfort as the lower deck. Another benefit of the glass staircase is, Think summer months, think scantily clad young females, I'll leave it at that!. Overall then, a fantastic first experience of Lothian's new deckers, TBH any journey on any Lothian Bus is a treat for me. Lothian, just don't do bad buses.
|
|
A1YBG
Forum Member
METRO Here to get you there. Arriva Buses Here to get you there. Arriva need to get original slogans
Posts: 1,935
|
Post by A1YBG on Dec 6, 2014 23:05:58 GMT 1
U can see the glass roof in this pic. flic.kr/p/qbbhBM Sent from my GT-N7100 using proboards
|
|
|
Post by timelesstable on Dec 7, 2014 8:21:30 GMT 1
U can see the glass roof in this pic. flic.kr/p/qbbhBM Sent from my GT-N7100 using proboards Are these full height like the local First kit or are low height ala Arriva?
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Dec 7, 2014 20:40:50 GMT 1
U can see the glass roof in this pic. flic.kr/p/qbbhBM Sent from my GT-N7100 using proboards Are these full height like the local First kit or are low height ala Arriva? Full height, standard Lothian spec.
|
|
|
Post by timelesstable on Dec 8, 2014 8:28:49 GMT 1
Are these full height like the local First kit or are low height ala Arriva? Full height, standard Lothian spec. Thanks I wasn't sure from the angle of the picture, although the window arrangement did suggest full height.
|
|
|
Post by timelesstable on Dec 8, 2014 8:29:07 GMT 1
Are these full height like the local First kit or are low height ala Arriva? Full height, standard Lothian spec. Thanks I wasn't sure from the angle of the picture, although the window arrangement did suggest full height.
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Jan 21, 2015 23:32:51 GMT 1
Apparently, Lothian Buses have sacked four directors of the company. Each was alleged to have been on salary's of £230k p/a. The reasons for the dismissal's are bitter infighting between themselves, which was threatening to impinge on the good name of council owned Lothian Buses. It is unknown whether CEO Ian Craig will survive in his position, as trade unions representing platform staff are threatening to strike, unless he too is sacked.
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Aug 3, 2015 20:52:44 GMT 1
July has been a busy month for LB, with the introduction of no less than 32 new deckers entering (or being prepared for) service. The first batch is 426-437, which are Volvo B5TL's with the latest Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 bodywork. These are dedicated "Airlink 100" buses and are painted in a new blue/gold livery. 551-570 are Volvo B5LH Hybrids and have similar bodywork. The latter batch, part funded through government grant's are based at Longstone depot and will operate primarily on the 34 Riccarton-Ocean Terminal route.These new buses will effectively spell the withdrawal of the 51 reg SWB Tridents currently on the 34. Credit to Stuart Montgomery for the above info.
|
|
|
Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Aug 8, 2015 23:14:51 GMT 1
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Aug 9, 2015 23:39:09 GMT 1
The "streetdeck" and Eclipse Gemini 3 bodies are effectively the same, It's only the chassis/engine that differentiates them. The Streetdeck is an integral built on a Mercedes-Benz/Daimler chassis, whereas the Eclipse Gemini 3 comes with either the latest Volvo B5TL or B5LH Hybrid chassis, although the Gemini 3 can be specced with any euro 6 engine/chassis combo, it is likely the bulk of orders for this bus will be for the Volvo option, as it was with the Eclipse Gemini and subsequent Gemini 2 variant. Lothian Buses now have 2 versions of the latest Eclipse Gemini 3, 10 conventional B5TL's for the "Airlink 100", and 22 B5LH Hybrids partly government funded, these are adding to the total number of hybrid buses in Lothian's fleet which currently stands at 85.
|
|
|
Post by Burnside on Aug 10, 2015 11:20:40 GMT 1
Slight correction, the Streetdeck is indeed an integral, but it has a Wrightbus built chassis. Mercedes/Daimler only provide the engine.
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Aug 10, 2015 20:18:08 GMT 1
Slight correction, the Streetdeck is indeed an integral, but it has a Wrightbus built chassis. Mercedes/Daimler only provide the engine. Thanks for your correction, It would appear i slightly misread the article where i got this info from, as upon further reading the latest Eclipse Gemini is only for Volvo Euro 6 products. Sorry for my inaccuracy, I'm still getting used to my new glasses.
|
|
|
Post by westyorkshirebus on Aug 10, 2015 22:42:19 GMT 1
I'm wondering how difficult it is for new enthusiasts to get into the hobby and know what everything is now. With integrals, Gemini 3 and/or streetdecks which have two distinct looks etc.
Back only a few years ago you had mostly chassis/body combinations and if it was an integral it generally always was (like a citaro or a solo), you didn't get identical buses that could be either.
The only confusing thing was remembering which East Lancs or Wrightbus bodywork name went with which chassis.
|
|
|
Post by Burnside on Aug 11, 2015 17:25:57 GMT 1
Although some East Lancs double deckers used to be very similar looking to those built by Alexander, Optare bodied some Olympians using the Roe jigs giving them an identical appearance which wasn't massively different from the ECW design, and of course it could be difficult to tell which chassis was under the body when looking at a vehicle with Duple Dominant or Plaxton Supreme/Paramount coachwork, so it's actually nothing new i don't think.
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Aug 11, 2015 21:03:16 GMT 1
I'm wondering how difficult it is for new enthusiasts to get into the hobby and know what everything is now. With integrals, Gemini 3 and/or streetdecks which have two distinct looks etc. Back only a few years ago you had mostly chassis/body combinations and if it was an integral it generally always was (like a citaro or a solo), you didn't get identical buses that could be either. The only confusing thing was remembering which East Lancs or Wrightbus bodywork name went with which chassis. Quite right, From a distance (or with my bad eyesight) even the new Wrightbus Streetdeck/Gemini design looks very similar to the new ALD Enviro E40D MMC. I always thought the original Eclipse Gemini design with its "Nokia face" was simply unique and way ahead of its time looks wise compared to its rivals, But the new design with its square angular sharp edged styling just looks autonomous and "boxy" just like a typical ALD product. Even MCV's decker (TFL), and Optare's Metrodecker(?) dont break any new ground appearance wise. Just about the only new decker on the market, (If it is still being sold) with any hint of originality looks wise is the Polish built Scania Integral and thats only because like all Scanias, it's bloody ugly.
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Aug 11, 2015 21:16:07 GMT 1
Just to point out, with reference to my last post, I was referring purely to the similarities of modern decker design and agreeing with the point westyorkshirebus made with regards to identification. I will state that whilst the aesthetics may not be my cup of tea (personal opinion), i still think the modern build quality evident in the aforementioned buses is far superior to the halcyon days of when i got into this hobby, late 60's/70's early 80's etc. Could i also respectfully say, We are going a little off-topic, This is the "Lothian Buses" thread.
|
|
|
Post by westyorkshirebus on Aug 11, 2015 23:48:58 GMT 1
One model which looked modern was the Olympus, it's a shame it barely got going.
We are heading into not a very golden era for double deck design I feel. The new streetdeck looks awful like a boxy East Lancs design from the 80s. Forward vision from the front upstairs is also apparently compromised. I can just about live with the new MMC design from AD. Then you've got Wrightbus and others taking elements from the New Routemaster such as the tiny windows and curvy roof line. Surely those design features should be kept for the NRM to keep it distinctive.
|
|
|
Post by driver6540 on Sept 21, 2016 22:01:30 GMT 1
Lothian are in the process of introducing 30 brand new open topper deckers for their tour operations. These are Volvo B5LH/Gemini 3's and are the first of their type to be manufactured by Wright's. They will be split in groups of 10 for the city-sightseeing tour, Edinburgh tour and Majestic tour, and will be liveried accordingly. The incumbent ALX400 and President open toppers will all be withdrawn when the new buses enter service. Rather surprisingly, for Lothian a decker shortage has led to the return to public service of preserved Leyland Olympian 322 (E322 MSG) and Royale 285 (P285 KSX), It's believed these will be pressed into duty on limited peak time services.
|
|