First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[richw]

Bristol Lh FDV790V has been at the last couple of running days, I'm sure it went to Mousehole?

 

[83G/84D]

Harveys used Bristol LH PCV 178R (amongst others) which is now a travellers vehicle and ex Halifax Corporation Nimbus RJX 250 which still exists although I am not sure where it is.

Harveys also used a Wadham Stringer bodied LH, I think it was KRL 444W.

 

[Goldfish62]

Harveys used PCV 178R (amongst others) which is now a travellers vehicle and ex Halifax Corporation Nimbus RJX 250 which still exists although I am not sure where it is.

PCV178R is owned by a farmer in S Devon I believe and still very much works, being maintained by Tally Ho!. RJX250 is preserved in Halifax livery, while KRL444W (the unique Wadham Stringer bodied LHS) is sadly no more.

Two of the VOD-K WN batch used on the Mousehole route are preserved, as are 3 or 4 of the FDV-V batch.

I went on FDV787V at the PZ running day a couple of years ago and the driver had a hell of a job getting into and out of Mousehole. The bus had several scrapes by the end of the day. Brought back happy memories of my childhood, though.

 

[Busaholic]

I disagree about the 11 not requiring smallest buses. I travelled on the 11 in December and even a Vario struggled to get around some of the housing estates in part due to parked cars.
The roads are very narrow with some tight turns in places, not ideal for a Dart of any sort imo.
I think putting anything other than a Solo on the 11 is asking for trouble. A Marshall Dart would be okay on the 16 or 17 but I was told by a driver that a bus that is on the 16 is also booked on the 6 or 11 on the same day so diagrams might have to be re-jigged.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I'd love to see a Bristol LH and a Albion Nimbus again on the 6!

Both buses are still around so anyone with a bit of money could get them back for a future Penzance running Day.

When First won back the 11 and 16 from Western Greyhound their bid was based on saving a bus by turning each 16 into a 11 at Penzance Bus Station without layover time, a policy which in practice led to delays on both routes and sections of route sometimes cut, although First would never admit it. Letters to the local paper, mostly from a friend of mine, made no difference until a letter went in giving all the details of the Traffic Commissioner's office plus who at Cornwall Council, these being tendered routes, should be contacted. I can't imagine who would pen such a letter, but things changed for the better almost straightaway, and with timetable changes last summer buses no longer work through/

 

[83G/84D]

I'd love to know where the Nimbus is now, if anyone knows.

 

[fgwrich]

PCV178R is owned by a farmer in S Devon I believe and still very much works, being maintained by Tally Ho!. RJX250 is preserved in Halifax livery, while KRL444W (the unique Wadham Stringer bodied LHS) is sadly no more.

Two of the VOD-K WN batch used on the Mousehole route are preserved, as are 3 or 4 of the FDV-V batch.

I went on FDV787V at the PZ running day a couple of years ago and the driver had a hell of a job getting into and out of Mousehole. The bus had several scrapes by the end of the day. Brought back happy memories of my childhood, though.

Indeed, FDV793V is happily and safely now at home in Hampshire. Always loved that thing, and always fun to work on. It... Not making any promises might do a PZ one day, but not at the present time! FDV787V is now owned by the MD of Plymouth Citybus.

Sorry for the slight topic wander!

 

[Goldfish62]

Indeed, FDV793V is happily and safely now at home in Hampshire. Always loved that thing, and always fun to work on. It... Not making any promises might do a PZ one day, but not at the present time! FDV787V is now owned by the MD of Plymouth Citybus.

Sorry for the slight topic wander!

FDV793V was based at PZ for a while in the mid-1980s in full DG red and was a regular to Mousehole. It should certainly make a revisit.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I disagree about the 11 not requiring smallest buses. I travelled on the 11 in December and even a Vario struggled to get around some of the housing estates in part due to parked cars.
The roads are very narrow with some tight turns in places, not ideal for a Dart of any sort imo.
I think putting anything other than a Solo on the 11 is asking for trouble. A Marshall Dart would be okay on the 16 or 17 but I was told by a driver that a bus that is on the 16 is also booked on the 6 or 11 on the same day so diagrams might have to be re-jigged.

9m Solos have been regulars on the 11. WG used to use 9.8m Solos on the 11, and I even saw an ALX Dart on it before Christmas. In normal circumstances the two buses on the 6 stay on there all day, with one continuing on to the 6A in the evenings.

 

[83G/84D]

Dart on the 11, bet the driver had a challenge with that.

 

[Goldfish62]

Dart on the 11, bet the driver had a challenge with that.

Yes, it was the one and only time I've seen that.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd love to know where the Nimbus is now, if anyone knows.

I believe it's in the Halifax area, currently SORN'd.

 

[83G/84D]

All this talk of Harveys, Mousehole etc made me look into my photograph collection. I found this view of Bristol LH PCV 178R at Penzance in January 1987:-

 

[83G/84D]

This photograph of RJX 250 was taken at a Western National open day at Plymouth Laira Bridge in May 1988. By this time the Nimbus was 30 years old and in Western National service as 1567!

 

[richw]

A flickr search for Mousehole Bus brings up some great shots of many of the above mentioned buses. There are plenty of shots in the narrow bit from different sides.

The most obvious one that didn't make it to the harbour is this one

https://flic.kr/p/daU7VK

 

[Busaholic]

Dart on the 11, bet the driver had a challenge with that.

In the autumn, I saw a decker on the 11 at Greenmarket, no destination showing, of course. If I'd been in my car rather than on the way to the bank I'd have followed it to see just where it went!

 

[Penwithian]

Indeed, FDV793V is happily and safely now at home in Hampshire. Always loved that thing, and always fun to work on. It... Not making any promises might do a PZ one day, but not at the present time! FDV787V is now owned by the MD of Plymouth Citybus.

Sorry for the slight topic wander!

Great hearing all the nostalgia. Just a few photos from my collection showing former Mousehole buses at the running days at Penzance and FDV793V in Devon General poppy red at Alton Rally.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Latest registrations....

PH0004983/196 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Truro Bus Station and St Austell Bus Station given service number 27/214/215/216/217 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/498 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Truro Bus Station and Newquay, Bus Station given service number 90/91/92/94 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/500 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newquay Bus Station and St. Austell Bus Station given service number 21 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/501 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newquay Bus Station and Truro Bus Station given service number 87 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/504 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Fowey and Mevagissey given service number 24 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/505 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bodmin Morrisons and St Austell Bus Station given service number 27 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/510 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Shortlanesend
Finish Point: Tregony
Via: Truro, Probus
Service Number: 86
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 20-APR-2015
Other Details: Monday to Friday except public holidays

Looks like there's retimings to reflect the changes to WG's retimings so a game of cat and mouse ensues!

However, the introduction of another new route with a cross Truro service from Shortlanesend to Tregony..... wonder how reliable the timings on that will be?? A little surprised that they've registered on that but leaving Padstow to Bodmin alone? Is this First saying "we're happy for you to live in North Cornwall but not Truro?"

BTW, I did ask the question before but Truro is now a fully fledged depot doing the local MOTs etc. What size of allocation does it have day to day?

 

[matt_splat]

I would maybe expect them to have a go at the Padstow - Bodmin run in the future but maybe they are trying to kill Western greyhound off else where first

changes to the 94 could be extra trips on the route supprised that the 94 doesn't start in padstow in service after all if one person uses it to go fron Padstow to Truro to work surely its better then none?

 

[83G/84D]

Latest registrations....

PH0004983/196 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Truro Bus Station and St Austell Bus Station given service number 27/214/215/216/217 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/498 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Truro Bus Station and Newquay, Bus Station given service number 90/91/92/94 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/500 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newquay Bus Station and St. Austell Bus Station given service number 21 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/501 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newquay Bus Station and Truro Bus Station given service number 87 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/504 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Fowey and Mevagissey given service number 24 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/505 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bodmin Morrisons and St Austell Bus Station given service number 27 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/510 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Shortlanesend
Finish Point: Tregony
Via: Truro, Probus
Service Number: 86
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 20-APR-2015
Other Details: Monday to Friday except public holidays

Looks like there's retimings to reflect the changes to WG's retimings so a game of cat and mouse ensues!

However, the introduction of another new route with a cross Truro service from Shortlanesend to Tregony..... wonder how reliable the timings on that will be?? A little surprised that they've registered on that but leaving Padstow to Bodmin alone? Is this First saying "we're happy for you to live in North Cornwall but not Truro?"

BTW, I did ask the question before but Truro is now a fully fledged depot doing the local MOTs etc. What size of allocation does it have day to day?

The Truro Park & Ride fleet is there plus an assortment of other buses and coaches which are on paper based at Camborne.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The Truro Park & Ride fleet is there plus an assortment of other buses and coaches which are on paper based at Camborne.

That's why I was asking. It's all theoretically allocated to Camborne but wondering how many are now there?

 

[richw]

Latest registrations....

PH0004983/196 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Truro Bus Station and St Austell Bus Station given service number 27/214/215/216/217 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/498 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Truro Bus Station and Newquay, Bus Station given service number 90/91/92/94 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/500 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newquay Bus Station and St. Austell Bus Station given service number 21 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/501 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newquay Bus Station and Truro Bus Station given service number 87 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/504 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Fowey and Mevagissey given service number 24 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/505 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bodmin Morrisons and St Austell Bus Station given service number 27 effective from 19-Apr-2015. To amend Timetable.

PH0004983/510 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Shortlanesend
Finish Point: Tregony
Via: Truro, Probus
Service Number: 86
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 20-APR-2015
Other Details: Monday to Friday except public holidays

Looks like there's retimings to reflect the changes to WG's retimings so a game of cat and mouse ensues!

However, the introduction of another new route with a cross Truro service from Shortlanesend to Tregony..... wonder how reliable the timings on that will be?? A little surprised that they've registered on that but leaving Padstow to Bodmin alone? Is this First saying "we're happy for you to live in North Cornwall but not Truro?"

BTW, I did ask the question before but Truro is now a fully fledged depot doing the local MOTs etc. What size of allocation does it have day to day?

There is also a Falmouth circular number 400 and something with the St Austell Circular,
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I would maybe expect them to have a go at the Padstow - Bodmin run in the future but maybe they are trying to kill Western greyhound off else where first

changes to the 94 could be extra trips on the route supprised that the 94 doesn't start in padstow in service after all if one person uses it to go fron Padstow to Truro to work surely its better then none?

They have now opened an outstation in Newquay, so maybe more Newquay routes may come once they have established in Newquay again.

 

[winston270twm]

There is also a Falmouth circular number 400 and something with the St Austell Circular,
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


They have now opened an outstation in Newquay, so maybe more Newquay routes may come once they have established in Newquay again.

Hi Rich w,

Are you able to confirm whether the new First outstation is located in Newquay?

 

[richw]

Hi Rich w,

Are you able to confirm whether the new First outstation is located in Newquay?

I don't know sorry. A Flickr contact put up some pictures of buses in the outstation. I don't recognise the location. His photos are only visible to his friends so not much point putting a link to his photos.

 

[winston270twm]

I don't know sorry. A Flickr contact put up some pictures of buses in the outstation. I don't recognise the location. His photos are only visible to his friends so not much point putting a link to his photos.

No worries, thanks anyway

 

[Busaholic]

Shortlanesend to Tregony seems a very unlikely cross-Truro route and if (when) the Waitrose etc development and associated roadworks go ahead the traffic will be particularly nightmareish. Just can't see the traffic potential apart from school times and pass use: everyone else goes by car! Where will it turn at Shortlanesend? Round the houses on the estate with tightly-packed cars? Oh, no, sorry, those cars are mostly down in Truro during the day.

 

[richw]

Shortlanesend to Tregony seems a very unlikely cross-Truro route and if (when) the Waitrose etc development and associated roadworks go ahead the traffic will be particularly nightmareish. Just can't see the traffic potential apart from school times and pass use: everyone else goes by car! Where will it turn at Shortlanesend? Round the houses on the estate with tightly-packed cars? Oh, no, sorry, those cars are mostly down in Truro during the day.

I think we are missing something here, looking around the Internet, the people of shortlanesend are crying out for a reliable bus service. As are the people of tregony. Rather than two routes- shortlanesend to Truro, and tregony to Truro, make it into one service and diagram. More cost effective for the operator.
There is a good area a bus should turn easily just outside shortlanesend, The Allet junction has a large triangle style junction which would have room for a large bus to do a full triangle I would think.

 

[Busaholic]

I think we are missing something here, looking around the Internet, the people of shortlanesend are crying out for a reliable bus service. As are the people of tregony. Rather than two routes- shortlanesend to Truro, and tregony to Truro, make it into one service and diagram. More cost effective for the operator.
There is a good area a bus should turn easily just outside shortlanesend, The Allet junction has a large triangle style junction which would have room for a large bus to do a full triangle I would think.

I readily admit I hadn't seen the internet appeals - I think the adjective 'reliable' could be of most importance though. It'd be no good if, through poor timekeeping, both sections became unreliable. Worth a go, I guess: hadn't thought of the Allet junction as being Shortlanesend to be honest, but agree there should be room for a clockwise turn there.

 

[pne]

I'll be in Cornwall in April and plan to do a couple of Ride Cornwall days, including some First busses... as the routes served seem to change monthly, where would be a good source of information as to which number busses run from where to where at which times?

Are the downloadable PDF timetables on the First website generally kept up-to-date? Is there somewhere in Truro I can pop in on my first day and pick up information?

 

[pompeyfan]

If you have a smart phone I'd recommend the First bus App, as well as the traveline SW app.

 

[Busaholic]

I'll be in Cornwall in April and plan to do a couple of Ride Cornwall days, including some First busses... as the routes served seem to change monthly, where would be a good source of information as to which number busses run from where to where at which times?

Are the downloadable PDF timetables on the First website generally kept up-to-date? Is there somewhere in Truro I can pop in on my first day and pick up information?

Truro Bus Station is run by First and has an enquiry office. You should be able to pick up leaflets on individual routes but an up-to-date general bus timetable may well not be available. Cornwall Council's own version seems now to appear only annually, in time for the summer season, and will be horribly inaccurate by then, even if you can find one.

 

[pne]

If you have a smart phone I'd recommend the First bus App, as well as the traveline SW app.

I'll have an iPad with me, but not sure whether I'll have a data plan. But looking up things over WiFi in the evening/morning is probably better than nothing.

Thanks for the recommendations!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Truro Bus Station is run by First and has an enquiry office

That's the one near the water, right? Perhaps I'll try them then.

 

[Busaholic]

That's the one near the water, right? Perhaps I'll try them then.

That's the one, a stone's throw from M&S.