First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[LAIRA]

There has been two more new arrivals at First Camborne today with Volvo B7TL 32097 and Marshall Dart 41383 present.

53701 & 65579 have also arrived at The Ride in Plymouth. 53701 may stay in Plymouth as 53205 is now in Somerset Green with Park & Ride branding

 

[mic]

hi i am new on here and First Kernow is my fav fleet when i come down on holiday try to ride on loads what buses are DDA compliance and will be staying

 

[richw]

I find the info. about 32097 particularly interesting - IF it's a permanent transfer, I believe it is the first of the KP51 batch to leave Leicester (?) and, "it isn't a Trident"!
I get the impression that "old" Tridents are not acceptably reliable enough, and that "old" B7TLs would be better when available (although spares/ parts possibly more expensive ?)
- also how would B7TLs cope with Cornwall's hills ?

Any facts anyone ?

I forgot in my last post, local operator Hopleys have a fleet of I believe 8 B7TLs, which seem to cope well from what I have seen

 

[83G/84D]

I forgot in my last post, local operator Hopleys have a fleet of I believe 8 B7TLs, which seem to cope well from what I have seen

I think Hopley's have around five or six Volvo B7TL's ex Dublin Bus.I don't recall a Volvo B7TL being based in Cornwall with First.

 

[richw]

I think Hopley's have around five or six Volvo B7TL's ex Dublin Bus.

They have 00-D-70132, 00-D-40020, 00-D-40097, ~I'm not sure of the id of the others. The ex Dublin bus are obvious by the front fog lights which Dublin bus specified.

I don't recall First having any ALX400 bodied buses in Cornwall.

 

[fgwrich]

They have 00-D-70132, 00-D-40020, 00-D-40097, ~I'm not sure of the id of the others. The ex Dublin bus are obvious by the front fog lights which Dublin bus specified.

I don't recall First having any ALX400 bodied buses in Cornwall.

Indeed, The only other Alex bodied vehicles in the Kernow Fleet are the ALX 300 Darts and the Alexander Royale Olympians - Any other Olympians RL's left?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Indeed, The only other Alex bodied vehicles in the Kernow Fleet are the ALX 300 Darts and the Alexander Royale Olympians - Any other Olympians RL's left?

ALX200 Darts

 

[South Westerly]

53701 & 65579 have also arrived at The Ride in Plymouth. 53701 may stay in Plymouth as 53205 is now in Somerset Green with Park & Ride branding

53205 is for the Dartmouth Park and Ride

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The influx of fleet has (naturally) been rather bewildering. Where are we up to now...

5 x ex Western Greyhound MPDs (Ensign)
5 x ex Western Greyhound Solos (Ensign)
3 x ex Lothian Darts (Ensign)
1 x Leicester B7TL
1 x Wyvern Solo
2 x Hampshire and Dorset Olympians
1 x Somerset and Avon B10BLE (though it was due for BoS anyway?)
1 x Bristol Marshall Dart
2 x Cymru Marshall Darts
1 x Essex Solo
1 x BoS Solo
1 x Eastern Counties Scania (L113?)

What else have I missed? There were some other Solos but were they due anyway? There are some fairly substantial cuts in Somerset in about 3 weeks' time so wonder if some may head south but all in all, it's a fair mobilisation.

I did say at Christmas that this thread was going to be the one to watch - should've put on 6 numbers at that time!

 

[KendalKing]

The influx of fleet has (naturally) been rather bewildering. Where are we up to now...

5 x ex Western Greyhound MPDs (Ensign)
5 x ex Western Greyhound Solos (Ensign)
3 x ex Lothian Darts (Ensign)
1 x Leicester B7TL
1 x Wyvern Solo
2 x Hampshire and Dorset Olympians
1 x Somerset and Avon B10BLE (though it was due for BoS anyway?)
1 x Bristol Marshall Dart
2 x Cymru Marshall Darts
1 x Essex Solo
1 x BoS Solo
1 x Eastern Counties Scania (L113?)

What else have I missed? There were some other Solos but were they due anyway? There are some fairly substantial cuts in Somerset in about 3 weeks' time so wonder if some may head south but all in all, it's a fair mobilisation.

I did say at Christmas that this thread was going to be the one to watch - should've put on 6 numbers at that time!

It be interesting to see how many, if any, come apart of FK fleet, and how many get returned to where they came from.

 

[83G/84D]

The influx of fleet has (naturally) been rather bewildering. Where are we up to now...

5 x ex Western Greyhound MPDs (Ensign)
5 x ex Western Greyhound Solos (Ensign)
3 x ex Lothian Darts (Ensign)
1 x Leicester B7TL
1 x Wyvern Solo
2 x Hampshire and Dorset Olympians
1 x Somerset and Avon B10BLE (though it was due for BoS anyway?)
1 x Bristol Marshall Dart
2 x Cymru Marshall Darts
1 x Essex Solo
1 x BoS Solo
1 x Eastern Counties Scania (L113?)

What else have I missed? There were some other Solos but were they due anyway? There are some fairly substantial cuts in Somerset in about 3 weeks' time so wonder if some may head south but all in all, it's a fair mobilisation.

I did say at Christmas that this thread was going to be the one to watch - should've put on 6 numbers at that time!

A good summary.

Only one Cymru Marshall Dart so far (41383), one rumoured to be coming (41265) but not seen yet. The Eastern Counties Scania is an L94UB. Not sure if both the H&D Olympian's have made it. 34044 has arrived other one was 34165. See my next post for another arrival.

 

[83G/84D]

Arriving at First Camborne late on Sunday or early Monday were Scania L94 65579 from Eastern Counties via Plymouth and rather surprisingly a Streelite Max 63097 from Manchester!

 

[83G/84D]

Some recent additions to the First Kernow fleet:-

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Arriving at First Camborne late on Sunday or early Monday were Scania L94 65579 from Eastern Counties via Plymouth and rather surprisingly a Streelite Max 63097 from Manchester!

That's the Streetlite I saw yesterday arriving in Bristol. A rather modern loan!!

 

[fgwrich]

I wonder if the Streetlite is a loan or the sign of further improvements to come - The newest vehicles in the fleet have to be the 12 plate Enviros transferred from Plymouth, so any sign of any Streetlite's would be a boost to the Kernow fleet, even if they are 2 years old.

 

[mic]

I wonder if the Streetlite is a loan or the sign of further improvements to come - The newest vehicles in the fleet have to be the 12 plate Enviros transferred from Plymouth, so any sign of any Streetlite's would be a boost to the Kernow fleet, even if they are 2 years old.

63097 is on long term loan till June there is said to be another gone down with it aswell

 

[83G/84D]

Another arrival at Camborne this afternoon was Solo 53701. Note destination screen!
This may be timely as earlier Solo 53803 was towed in after an altercation with a vehicle in St Day.

 

[embers25]

Arriving at First Camborne late on Sunday or early Monday were Scania L94 65579 from Eastern Counties via Plymouth and rather surprisingly a Streelite Max 63097 from Manchester!

Wow miracles do happen...a Streetlite Max in Cornwall!!! At least 1 bus of all the new influx isn't antique...it's gonna fell so out of place with all the rest of the crap so far. I realise all the influx still probably lowers the average fleet age but only from Dinosaur to antique.

 

[richw]

I wonder if the Streetlite is a loan or the sign of further improvements to come - The newest vehicles in the fleet have to be the 12 plate Enviros transferred from Plymouth, so any sign of any Streetlite's would be a boost to the Kernow fleet, even if they are 2 years old.

I've heard its a trial and if its successful we may get more. They are apparently unsure if it will cope ok with Cornwall

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I've heard its a trial and if its successful we may get more. They are apparently unsure if it will cope ok with Cornwall

It did cross my mind....didn't First Manchester send a decker down for inspection a few years ago for potential Truro P&R assessment?

Assuming that anything like a Streetlite would go to the 14/18, then I would imagine they'd be fine. The Weymouth ones have to ascend Portland, after all

 

[83G/84D]

Wow miracles do happen...a Streetlite Max in Cornwall!!! At least 1 bus of all the new influx isn't antique...it's gonna fell so out of place with all the rest of the crap so far. I realise all the influx still probably lowers the average fleet age but only from Dinosaur to antique.

I think you have to be appreciative of all the fitters and engineering staff at all the First Devon & Cornwall depots and outstations keeping such a relatively old and varied fleet (of numerous manufacturers) on the road so admirably. It is not that often that a service is cancelled, in West Cornwall at least, due to no bus being available.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It did cross my mind....didn't First Manchester send a decker down for inspection a few years ago for potential Truro P&R assessment?

Assuming that anything like a Streetlite would go to the 14/18, then I would imagine they'd be fine. The Weymouth ones have to ascend Portland, after all

The Streetlite Max seat 41 and a Volvo B7RLE 43, whilst Dart's vary but around 35 depending on length.

 

[richw]

I think you have to be appreciative of all the fitters and engineering staff at all the First Devon & Cornwall depots and outstations keeping such a relatively old and varied fleet (of numerous manufacturers) on the road so admirably. It is not that often that a service is cancelled, in West Cornwall at least, due to no bus being available.

An hour ago First cornwall posted on Facebook

U1: 15:50 service bound for Truro & and 17:24 service bound for Falmouth is not operating. Apologies if affected

I am guessing this is an Enviro gone technical?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It did cross my mind....didn't First Manchester send a decker down for inspection a few years ago for potential Truro P&R assessment?

Assuming that anything like a Streetlite would go to the 14/18, then I would imagine they'd be fine. The Weymouth ones have to ascend Portland, after all

I wouldn't think a Streetlite is big enough for the 14/18. The Eclipses run full and standing most of the day.

 

[fgwrich]

It did cross my mind....didn't First Manchester send a decker down for inspection a few years ago for potential Truro P&R assessment?

Assuming that anything like a Streetlite would go to the 14/18, then I would imagine they'd be fine. The Weymouth ones have to ascend Portland, after all

I've heard its a trial and if its successful we may get more. They are apparently unsure if it will cope ok with Cornwall

Indeed, I hope they prove themselves. The Wheel Forwards would be handy for some of the small Cornish lanes, while the larger Max Lites should be a good dart replacement!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I wouldn't think a Streetlite is big enough for the 14/18. The Eclipses run full and standing most of the day.

They replaced Eclipses on the X39 Bristol to Bath - capacity is not massively different (Eclipse 43, Streetlite Max 41) and the internal layout means they actually feel airier inside

 

[Accelerator59]

It would be nice to have up-to-date buses for the 14/18 as the B7RLEs are not far off 10 years old now.

 

[Goldfish62]

Another arrival at Camborne this afternoon was Solo 53701. Note destination screen!
This may be timely as earlier Solo 53803 was towed in after an altercation with a vehicle in St Day.

Looks like a 7.9m SL - another useful bus for Mousehole.

 

[embers25]

I think you have to be appreciative of all the fitters and engineering staff at all the First Devon & Cornwall depots and outstations keeping such a relatively old and varied fleet (of numerous manufacturers) on the road so admirably. It is not that often that a service is cancelled, in West Cornwall at least, due to no bus being available.

Totally agree...given their fleet would provide a good basis for a heritage fleet their reliability is to be commended and does indeed show just how good their fitters and engineering staff are. I also understand the financial reality of services in Cornwall but given they now have trains and buses sewn up for the next four years I'd kind of hope they improve things and also really sort out integration between buses and train as Ride Cornwall started to do. A nice refurbed train that arrives just as the nice newish streetlite leaves isn't the way forwards. Given they run everything surely they can do better to give the people of Cornwall a public transport service they can be proud of not one that is an embarrassment.

 

[matt_splat]

all very interesting I was planning on using the 87 earlier from Truro to Newquay the bus was a no show at first so I jumped on a 93 as I got to Newquay and started taking photos the fal river dart which had spent the day parked up at truro bus station after working a collage run appeared must have been a last minute replacement.

Hats off to first for doing such a great job and also Plymouth City Bus who according to the driver have managers out driving the 75 at the moment who are working rather long days. the passengers certainly seem happy with the service they are getting

 

[richw]

all very interesting I was planning on using the 87 earlier from Truro to Newquay the bus was a no show at first so I jumped on a 93 as I got to Newquay and started taking photos the fal river dart which had spent the day parked up at truro bus station after working a collage run appeared must have been a last minute replacement.

Hats off to first for doing such a great job and also Plymouth City Bus who according to the driver have managers out driving the 75 at the moment who are working rather long days. the passengers certainly seem happy with the service they are getting

I was in newquay with the camera today.

On my way back I noticed an 87 broken down in goonhavern about 1515.

 

[matt_splat]

Must have been what got the fal river dart out