First West of England (Bristol, Bath & The West)

[Class 33]

I don't mind the other Eclipse's, which have more openable windows, lower back seating, and the heating NOT on during warm weather! If they had some of these on the 71 & 71 I wouldn't have a problem with them.

Wonder which services will use the ex-Glasgow Tridents? They should be about tomorrow, whatever services they're used on. Do these have different seating and different engine sounds to the very similar looking ALX 400 Volvo B7's that we currently still have in Bristol?

 

[THarris123]

The 70/71 are not really hilly routes and not in comparison with stuff like the X2/3 or the 231 or 265. Would sooner the 59 plates were on the 265 and 55 plates (with their bus seats) on the 70/71.

That's a fair point actually. There are worse hills than the Ashley Down/Muller Road hill (don't know whether that's the right hill on 70/71??). I'm not keen on the 55 plates being on the 265 and 231, but there better than Darts. I think we'll see something new on the 265 soon.

Would Streetlites be OK for 70/71 I wonder? I expect the new ones will go on there if they are ok.
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I don't mind the other Eclipse's, which have more openable windows, lower back seating, and the heating NOT on during warm weather! If they had some of these on the 71 & 71 I wouldn't have a problem with them.

Wonder which services will use the ex-Glasgow Tridents? They should be about tomorrow, whatever services they're used on. Do these have different seating and different engine sounds to the very similar looking ALX 400 Volvo B7's that we currently still have in Bristol?

I agree on the Eclipse front. The 55/54 plate Eclipses are my favourite out of the lot, solely because of the windows. Can they modify the windows at all to add in more? How easy is it?

I dont think anyone's really sure on what these heaps (i.e. Tridents) will go on. Personally, I think some will be moved into Bath to replace the stuff lost there (and will go on 15/X39/319) and the rest could (although I'm not certain) go on the 72. More realistically they will end up on 50/51, with a couple going into Bath.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

That's a fair point actually. There are worse hills than the Ashley Down/Muller Road hill (don't know whether that's the right hill on 70/71??). I'm not keen on the 55 plates being on the 265 and 231, but there better than Darts. I think we'll see something new on the 265 soon.

Would Streetlites be OK for 70/71 I wonder? I expect the new ones will go on there if they are ok.
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I agree on the Eclipse front. The 55/54 plate Eclipses are my favourite out of the lot, solely because of the windows. Can they modify the windows at all to add in more? How easy is it?

I dont think anyone's really sure on what these heaps (i.e. Tridents) will go on. Personally, I think some will be moved into Bath to replace the stuff lost there (and will go on 15/X39/319) and the rest could (although I'm not certain) go on the 72. More realistically they will end up on 50/51, with a couple going into Bath.

I'd be surprised if Tridents head to Bath; keep them all in HE for maintenance reasons? I'm expecting them to just be added to the pool of 50/51/90 workings.

I was hoping for Streetlites on 70/71 and perhaps you still might. Think Midlands is due it's Streetlites next. Don't know where HEs are headed for anyway! I don't see them altering the windows on Eclipses any time soon. Lot of expense for the 10 warm days a year we get!

In other news, 66106 was over the pit at Weston Island so expect it to return to WS!

 

[THarris123]

I'd be surprised if Tridents head to Bath; keep them all in HE for maintenance reasons? I'm expecting them to just be added to the pool of 50/51/90 workings.

I was hoping for Streetlites on 70/71 and perhaps you still might. Think Midlands is due it's Streetlites next. Don't know where HEs are headed for anyway!

In other news, 66106 was over the pit at Weston Island so expect it to return to WS!

Flipping hell - 66106 is returning!!! I'd never belived it. I have to admit that's my second favourite B10 (to 66160). Much better than 66100/7/8 and so pleased it is returning, but really shouldn't they be thinking about DDA compliance now?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Flipping hell - 66106 is returning!!! I'd never belived it. I have to admit that's my second favourite B10 (to 66160). Much better than 66100/7/8 and so pleased it is returning, but really shouldn't they be thinking about DDA compliance now?

I'm taking it that the damage was not extensive (despite the other party sadly sustaining serious and ultimately fatal injuries) and so they can get another year out of it. Looked under repair not being cannibalised.

 

[swifty]

Wonder which services will use the ex-Glasgow Tridents? They should be about tomorrow, whatever services they're used on. Do these have different seating and different engine sounds to the very similar looking ALX 400 Volvo B7's that we currently still have in Bristol?

Don't expect to see them out any time soon, they're in a terrible state and need a bit of work by all accounts. You may be lucky and see one or two tomorrow, but they're nothing special. The door conversion is terrible and they're still to London layout inside!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Don't expect to see them out any time soon, they're in a terrible state and need a bit of work by all accounts. You may be lucky and see one or two tomorrow, but they're nothing special. The door conversion is terrible and they're still to London layout inside!

Not checked but isn't the lower deck capacity on some quite small (like 24 seats)? I seemed that the ones that went to Taunton of the same batch were a long time getting on the road?

 

[winston270twm]

Not checked but isn't the lower deck capacity on some quite small (like 24 seats)? I seemed that the ones that went to Taunton of the same batch were a long time getting on the road?

I believe that batch were cascaded to Glasgow from London quite early on, Glasgow did the single door conversions at Larkfield. Later London cascades either went via FSY Rotherham Works or were converted to single door & refurbished by outside contractors who did a much better job

 

[swifty]

Not checked but isn't the lower deck capacity on some quite small (like 24 seats)? I seemed that the ones that went to Taunton of the same batch were a long time getting on the road?

They've basically panelled over the door and stuck 3 tip up seats where it was, and left everything else as it was for London.

 

[freetoview33]

Better than nothing I guess

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They've basically panelled over the door and stuck 3 tip up seats where it was, and left everything else as it was for London.

Just had a look at the Glasgow fleetlist. The ALX ones are 69/72 seaters whilst the Plaxton examples are anything between 59 and 64 seaters!

Seems like only 5 mins since Hengrove got shot of its last lacklustre Tridents to FHD and now it gets some hammered ex London and Glasgow ones. See another Marshall Dart has disappeared from HE - can't be many left now (thankfully).

 

[freetoview33]

Any more news about this new service 83?

 

[swifty]

Just had a look at the Glasgow fleetlist. The ALX ones are 69/72 seaters whilst the Plaxton examples are anything between 59 and 64 seaters!

Seems like only 5 mins since Hengrove got shot of its last lacklustre Tridents to FHD and now it gets some hammered ex London and Glasgow ones. See another Marshall Dart has disappeared from HE - can't be many left now (thankfully).

The Presidents aren't the best for seating capacity, but then the majority are SWB aren't they?

I think there's at least 2 still going at LH, 41490 was on the 81 the other day along with 41727 on the 17. Personally I thought these two weren't that bad actually, probably why they're the only ones still going!

 

[freetoview33]

Also Faresaver are continuing the 635 between Marshfield and Chippenham. Not sure if a through link will still be possible

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The Presidents aren't the best for seating capacity, but then the majority are SWB aren't they?

I think there's at least 2 still going at LH, 41490 was on the 81 the other day along with 41727 on the 17. Personally I thought these two weren't that bad actually, probably why they're the only ones still going!

59 seats in a Decker is still minimal, even if SWB. Is 41200 still enjoying it's Bristolian return at HE?

I'm assuming that WC are funding a new 635 with Faresaver?

 

[swifty]

59 seats in a Decker is still minimal, even if SWB. Is 41200 still enjoying it's Bristolian return at HE?

I'm assuming that WC are funding a new 635 with Faresaver?

I'd assume so, I really didn't think it would have continued. But all credit to Faresaver they've put the First 35 timetable on their timetable page and there looks to be a 5 minute connection window in each direction at Marshfield.

 

[stait.john]

Yes 41200 is still at HG, I had it for a round trip on the 36 on Saturday, I wasn't impressed however as the 36 in front of me (48219) had broken down in Baldwin Street so I had a 40 minute gap there and back! 41200 is a lovely bus to drive I have to say, plenty of power and lovely and smooth.
John

 

[ValleyLines142]

If you've looked at some of the other posts regarding Hengrove transfers and the Wells thread, you would see that 69435/6 and 69459/60 have been transferred into Hengrove to run the 70 & 71. The 59 plate Eclipses will be used on these services.

Oh I must have missed this! Easily done on this thread

Will be trying the 71 this week. I do prefer double deckers though so will probably opt for the X74 between UWE and The Centre.

 

[swifty]

I forgot to mention on Friday that mobile ticketing has now gone live in Bristol & Bath but only for students . How do they check you're actually a student when using the tickets, do you have to show a Student ID or could anyone use it? I'm glad to see First have also introduced an academic year ticket which is only slightly more expensive than Wessex.

As well as Bristol & Bath, Devon & The Buses of Somerset also participate in mobile ticketing.

 

[stait.john]

MONDAY 15th SEPT HENGROVE SIGHTINGS

Well I was quite surprised today, 4 Geminis on the 70/71: 32331, 32637, 37001 & 37318. 2 of the 5 72 boards were Geminis too, 32338 & 32347, the other 3 being 69451, 69452 & 69454. Streetlite 47463 was on 70/71 too. Recently acquired Dart 40956 was on the 90. The 520 board was graced by 42710. At least 1 B6BLE on the 75/76 too, and 37597 was on the 903.

John

 

[Class 33]

MONDAY 15th SEPT HENGROVE SIGHTINGS

Well I was quite surprised today, 4 Geminis on the 70/71: 32331, 32637, 37001 & 37318. 2 of the 5 72 boards were Geminis too, 32338 & 32347, the other 3 being 69451, 69452 & 69454. Streetlite 47463 was on 70/71 too. Recently acquired Dart 40956 was on the 90. The 520 board was graced by 42710. At least 1 B6BLE on the 75/76 too, and 37597 was on the 903.

John

Well would you believe it. Gemini's on the 70 and 71! And on the 72 as well! Great to hear that the 70 & 71 may well not apparantly be strictly Eclipse's only after all!

I don't usually get a chance to see or get a journey on a 70 or 71 on normal Mondays and Tuesdays when I am working. But it's possible later in the week. I'm going into town from work on Thursday. And I'll be pleasantly surprised if when waiting for a bus back home that a double decker turns up on a 70 or 71! Whatever, I'll keep a look out for what buses are on the 70 & 71, and the 72.

As for the 72, I'm not going to have a chance to get a full ride on this till October.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

MONDAY 15th SEPT HENGROVE SIGHTINGS

Well I was quite surprised today, 4 Geminis on the 70/71: 32331, 32637, 37001 & 37318. 2 of the 5 72 boards were Geminis too, 32338 & 32347, the other 3 being 69451, 69452 & 69454. Streetlite 47463 was on 70/71 too. Recently acquired Dart 40956 was on the 90. The 520 board was graced by 42710. At least 1 B6BLE on the 75/76 too, and 37597 was on the 903.

John

So they've been staunchly single deck on the 70 and when the increase the frequency by 50%, that's when deckers appear! Were they working the full route to TM?

I did half expect them to appear on the 72 tbh but I'd have bet £20 Scottish pounds that they'd not appear on the 70/71 especially now. Given the movement of Eclipses, it's even more surprising!!

All we need now is 39133 to operate the 376 and I'll be asking for sedation

 

[Class 33]

MONDAY 15th SEPT HENGROVE SIGHTINGS At least 1 B6BLE on the 75/76 too

John

I seen a B6 BLE on the 76 today too. And shortly after an Eclipse and an ALX 400 Volvo B7 on the 75's.

Wouldn't have thought the 72 would justify the use of double deckers though. Though with the axing of Wessex's 15 the UWE to Redland and Clifton part of the route could become well used.

 

[stait.john]

LH based 37628 was also on the 70 at one point today as was Streetlite 47553!

John
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Oh and 48219 was the B6 on the 75/76, working 41/75 board. Just one decker on the 90 today too (37588)

 

[ValleyLines142]

Ooh this is all so exciting!! I can't wait to get back to uni on Tuesday and check these out!!

 

[DaveHarries]

I also saw 37618 approaching Temple Meads around 9pm on Monday evening.

Dave

 

[ValleyLines142]

I also saw 37618 approaching Temple Meads around 9pm on Monday evening.

Dave

On the 70/71?

 

[THarris123]

We'll there you go. I'd never have thought that. That will definitely mean more deckers for Bristol next year. Personally, I was expecting the 72 to have deckers and the 70/71 to have solely Eclipses. Very surprising indeed!

First have obviously started to listen to some of the public, at last. More buses in Wells (only 1 more - from me moaning all the time), deckers on the 70 from a lot of people moaning, the introduction of 520 from the public moaning and they're even beginning to listen to Writhlington's constant ramblings and moans. Well done us and the general public I say!!

 

[DaveHarries]

On the 70/71?

It was on the 71 but went OOS as I drew up behind it.

Dave

 

[Class 33]

Can't wait to see and ride some double deckers on the 70 and 71. I purposely made a bit of a detour walking to and from my place and the Filton Road bus stop this morning and this evening, to see if I could see any 70's and 71's. Only walking along a very short stretch of Filton Avenue mind. Didn't see any this morning about 6:40am(there should have been a Northbound and Southbound 70 passing at near enough that time). Didn't have time to hang about. Didn't see any this evening either. From a distance though and from the side I did see two Gemini's back to back heading North. One of them was probably a 73, the other may well have been a 70 or 71 unless one of them was a late running 73.

What a pleasant surprise that after all, it's not going to be boringly and uninterstingly strictly Eclipse's ONLY on the 70 & 71! And that double deckers are being used! I guess First Bristol must have abandoned that silly "health and safety" nonsense about not using double deckers on the route/s serving Temple Meads! I can start getting the 70(and the new 71) again now instead of avoiding them because they're bloody Eclipse's!

Also I might well be able to get a ride on the 72 a lot earlier than I thought I'd be able to(into October). As I finish work early on Thursday and meeting someone in town, I will have a bit of time to kill beforehand. So that would give me enough time to make a route diversion to the UWE and then get the 72 from there to the Centre!

Exciting stuff!