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Post by clifton on Feb 14, 2012 22:40:44 GMT 1
440 & 441 have both been on the 278 this week. So would be a loan from Dewsbury if on the 220?
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Post by clifton on Feb 14, 2012 22:31:34 GMT 1
Yes great topic, brought back memories for me too. Also spurred me on to upload some old photos onto my Flickr account. I'm off to do them now, they should be on shortly! www.flickr.com/photos/clifton009/
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Post by clifton on Feb 14, 2012 20:09:37 GMT 1
Why would anyone want to swap E400's on the 268 for Spectra's at least six years older? [/font] Because they are warmer than the Enviro400s? ALX400 653 on the 229 last night and Plaxton President 696 was on the 229 this morning, but how many of the latter are still running from Heckmondwike? Eclipse on the 282 also this morning.[/quote] I think Hecky still have all their Presidents, there were at least 3 in the depot on Saturday night. I've seen some every day over the last week or so. Most UID, definately 691, 692 & 696. I think they also still have ALX400's 653, 654 & 656, which I have also seen out daily. Most of them have been on 220's & 229's.
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Post by clifton on Feb 13, 2012 23:06:37 GMT 1
No, how about give 163/166 the Enviro 400's, Spectras for 268 & Lowlanders to Wakefield. Good idea! I have to say I'm not a big fan of the E400's. Would rather have the Spectras at Hecky. They could take the Mr Men off the E400's & replace them with cartoon images of the rugby league players the Tempos are named after ;D
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Post by clifton on Feb 13, 2012 22:42:18 GMT 1
I still think it's odd AY getting so many new double decks and getting rid of single decks. When I first saw that they were getting new double decks I assumed the step entrance Spectras were going. Obviously some routes are converting to double deck e.g. 254/255 - although Hecky still using Eclipses on it!, 126/127. Can't see why BI needs so many double decks? It would make more sense converting the 163/166 to double deck and sending the Tempos to BI for the 195/196/496. Another option would be to put the Lowlanders 1600-1613 on 163/6 I agree the Lowlanders would be ideal. Selby could have the ex Hecky low floor Spectras. They would be better for the Leeds run.
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Post by clifton on Feb 13, 2012 22:31:48 GMT 1
Geldards have picked up about 30 new Yellow Bus contracts in the Leeds area. Will these be a reallocation of BMC's from First or CT Plus?
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Post by clifton on Feb 13, 2012 20:02:18 GMT 1
I think you could travel for free on the black one (1870) if it turned up on your route? Don't think it ran in service that much though as I think it was used mainly for publicity etc.
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Post by clifton on Feb 13, 2012 19:48:47 GMT 1
I still think it's odd AY getting so many new double decks and getting rid of single decks. When I first saw that they were getting new double decks I assumed the step entrance Spectras were going. Obviously some routes are converting to double deck e.g. 254/255 - although Hecky still using Eclipses on it!, 126/127. Can't see why BI needs so many double decks? It would make more sense converting the 163/166 to double deck and sending the Tempos to BI for the 195/196/496.
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Post by clifton on Feb 13, 2012 19:32:50 GMT 1
Yes I remember the Microriders. I went on one of the first journeys in Leeds for the launch - YR 1700 - VW Optare Citypacer (Now preserved)! Got some freebie merchandise, I think I still have it somewhere in a box. If I can find it I'll put it on the scanner & post an image. I have an old photo of the black one, 1870 FR Sherpa. I think most of the minis were D, E or F reg's. FR Sherpas, MCW Metroriders, VW Optare Citypacer's & some Merc Optare Stariders - I remember Bradford putting one of those out on the X33! I saw the original batch of FR Sherpas in the works at Thornbury before they entered service.
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Post by clifton on Feb 12, 2012 13:17:55 GMT 1
I agree that First re numbered the fleet in a chaotic manor. Which I think is difficult to fix now as:
1, If whoever came up with the current scheme is still working for First they are unlikely to admit they made a hash of it! 2, renumbering the fleet and "reusing" numbers from vehicles currently still in the fleet for different vehicles is very unlikely to happen as it was play havoc with the history (Servicing etc) of the vehicle stored on computers etc.
The numbering will probably continue in the same vein with a more logical approach to the numbering of new vehicles as has happened for some time. Eventually the vehicles numbered in the chaotic manor will be gone and the fleet will all be numbered more logically.
Stagecoach did a good job of their national numbering. Logical and not too complicated.
Lets just hope Arriva don't do it. As I think local numbering gives the different areas a local identity. Also I find it a nightmare keeping track of what I'm looking for when going to different areas where they have odd vehicles from massive batches.
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Post by clifton on Feb 12, 2012 12:14:05 GMT 1
1606 YJ06 WMF was outside the Leeds paint shop today awaiting painting. Who's is the Plaxton Paramount in the photo?
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Post by clifton on Feb 11, 2012 22:30:33 GMT 1
It was 1110 that had the accident Thanks. I guess it will go to Dewsbury now on return to service.
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Post by clifton on Feb 11, 2012 22:18:11 GMT 1
1101 / 1102 / 1105 + at least 1 other were in Heckmondwike depot this evening. Does anyone know if the one accident damaged in Halifax the other week is back in service? (+ which one it was?).
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Post by clifton on Feb 11, 2012 22:05:02 GMT 1
So far I've only seen 1544 with 254/255 branding Has anyone seen 1545 or 1546 in service as yet? 1546 was in Heckmondwike depot this morning, I assume as a spare, along with 718. Couldn't see any other Gemini's in so assume 1545 was in service. Looking at the images on the fleetlist on the Dewsbury Bus Museum website only 1544 & 1545 have 254/255 route branding. I guess 718 is staying until 1548 is delivered.
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Post by clifton on Feb 11, 2012 15:58:35 GMT 1
1801 & 1806 now working out of Dewsbury.
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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 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 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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Post by clifton on Feb 10, 2012 21:32:36 GMT 1
At least London will get all the additional congestion it will create ;D
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Post by clifton on Feb 10, 2012 21:29:45 GMT 1
718 still running out of Heckmondwike today on 225 @ 17:30 Hartshead - has been one of the new Pulsars on that every day for the last week or so. There was a Pulsar on the 225 to Brighouse leaving Leeds at 16:30 Ooops my mistake. I seem to have lost an hour today . The Spectra was on the one the hour after!
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Post by clifton on Feb 10, 2012 21:20:59 GMT 1
Arriva Belle Isle new 126/7 branded Gemini 1528 on 444/6 this morning. Dewsbury based 1807 on 126/7 It seems the route branding on the Geminis is proving to be a waste of time already. There are sufficient other double decks and unbranded Geminis at Belle Isle now to not put the route branded ones on other services.
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Post by clifton on Feb 10, 2012 21:09:07 GMT 1
718 still running out of Heckmondwike today on 225 @ 17:30 Hartshead - has been one of the new Pulsars on that every day for the last week or so. 1602 in Heckmondwike depot this evening. 653 on 229, 654 on 221 - so I take it these are staying put.
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Post by clifton on Feb 9, 2012 19:52:42 GMT 1
1610 out on 220 today. 1611 still working out of Dewsbury on 203 today.
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Post by clifton on Feb 9, 2012 19:37:59 GMT 1
As I suspected the last 4 Belle Isle ones are branded for the 126/127. A few of the Heckmondwike ones not route branded.
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Post by clifton on Feb 8, 2012 23:07:50 GMT 1
AY 1607 on 220 this afternoon. This must be about the final time these buses will be seen as a misallocation or unusual sighting now. Saw a President and Enviro400 on the 268 "hospital visitors' service this evening when 16xx Volvo B7RLEs are usually used. Have the latter moved? 1108 & 1112 were both on the 229 today. 1107 left Heckmondwike depot @ 5pm running empty towards Dewsbury.
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