Lothian Group discussion (Lothian City, Lothian Country Bus and East Coast Buses)

[Jordan Adam]

Given they're entirely built by Wright as a pure electric integral I'm not sure how it's possible they could be made into a Volvo?

It's probably possible (anything is...) but with extensive modifications. It would probably make more sense to stick a Daimler engine in (since it's on a Streetdeck based chassis) and then sell them off cheaper. If they were to use a Volvo engine than the D5K is more logical for the size of vehicle rather than the D8K.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Given they're entirely built by Wright as a pure electric integral I'm not sure how it's possible they could be made into a Volvo?

That's why i said I don't know if it would be possible.

Maybe a Streetlite engine would work?
Its just an idea.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

That's why i said I don't know if it would be possible.

Maybe a Streetlite engine would work?
Its just an idea.

If only it were as easy as that.

As the bus is built AS an EV, I am almost certain that the chassis is different, so is the space in the back. So, to fit a regular ICE with gearbox, plus all gubbins with it, would be a task in itself. Even if that were all possible, you'd also probably lose more space within the bus itself and when you think that it has 27 seats at the moment, it makes it even less attractive.

 

[OmniCity999]

They would be good for size but apparently they have short/not so good battery life, don't know if it would be possible but converting them into smaller length Volvo B8RLE or a B8RLH.

Given they're entirely built by Wright as a pure electric integral I'm not sure how it's possible they could be made into a Volvo?

That's why i said I don't know if it would be possible.

Maybe a Streetlite engine would work?
Its just an idea.

If only it were as easy as that.

As the bus is built AS an EV, I am almost certain that the chassis is different, so is the space in the back. So, to fit a regular ICE with gearbox, plus all gubbins with it, would be a task in itself. Even if that were all possible, you'd also probably lose more space within the bus itself and when you think that it has 27 seats at the moment, it makes it even less attractive.

I don't think the B8RLH exists.

The B8RLE is the name given to the Engine & Chassis combination created by Volvo.

As Streetairs have StreetDeck / Street Air chassis components, it couldn't be a Volvo option as they don't sell engines on their own I believe.

A conversion to a Cummins engine has been investigated and has been decided to be too expensive. Although it could happen, I doubt it.

 

[CN04NRJ]

That's why i said I don't know if it would be possible.

Maybe a Streetlite engine would work?
Its just an idea.

Streetlites use either a 4 cylinder Cummins ISB or 4 cylinder Daimler engine.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The 34 is interworked with the 37 also

A photo of the 231 can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/63423816@N04/50758995421

very surreal but welcoming to see LCB back in Linlithgow, even if it’s short term this time around, hope they can gain the 231 next year when things calm down and tenders go up since the X38 is considered planted into the ground, and considering it’s broad route I’d think it’s worth something to invest into.

hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that you all stay safe and travel carefully if need be!

 

[Graham Alexand]

I don't think the B8RLH exists.

The B8RLE is the name given to the Engine & Chassis combination created by Volvo.

As Streetairs have StreetDeck / Street Air chassis components, it couldn't be a Volvo option as they don't sell engines on their own I believe.

A conversion to a Cummins engine has been investigated and has been decided to be too expensive. Although it could happen, I doubt it.

What is the Chassis/Engine for the Lothian Volvo 7900?
I thought that it was a "Volvo B8RLH"

Yeah it probably would not be cost efficient, but it could work nonetheless.

I was recently on Lothian Country 1035 (LXZ 5421) and it seems to have a weird whistle in the engine, has anyone been on it recently and/or can you identify what the whistle noise is? Thanks .

 

[cnjb8]

What is the Chassis/Engine for the Lothian Volvo 7900?
I thought that it was a "Volvo B8RLH"

Yeah it probably would not be cost efficient, but it could work nonetheless.

I was recently on Lothian Country 1035 (LXZ 5421) and it seems to have a weird whistle in the engine, has anyone been on it recently and/or can you identify what the whistle noise is? Thanks .

I've seen the 7900 chassis as B5LH, B5RLH and BRLH. The hybrid models are always B5s from Volvo so B8 can be ruled out

 

[OmniCity999]

What is the Chassis/Engine for the Lothian Volvo 7900?
I thought that it was a "Volvo B8RLH"

Yeah it probably would not be cost efficient, but it could work nonetheless.

I was recently on Lothian Country 1035 (LXZ 5421) and it seems to have a weird whistle in the engine, has anyone been on it recently and/or can you identify what the whistle noise is? Thanks .

Strictly speaking the 7900H is an integral product from Volvo so it comes as one unit, Volvo make the chassis, Engine and body. The chassis isnt described as a separate model - despite enthusiasts insisting it is.

Having said that, its a modified version of the B5LH - for the 7900H. The 7900E (the all-electric version) uses a very similar chassis, just without the engine and other related components. (obviously)

But to answer your question, the B5LH. They dont offer a B8LH.

Buses make (weird?) noises, every bus is different - its probably the turbo unit, it could be a loose intake/pipe. Turbos tend to have a whistle. If its of any concern, it'll have been dealt with.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Strictly speaking the 7900H is an integral product from Volvo so it comes as one unit, Volvo make the chassis, Engine and body. The chassis isnt described as a separate model - despite enthusiasts insisting it is.

Having said that, its a modified version of the B5LH - for the 7900H. The 7900E (the all-electric version) uses a very similar chassis, just without the engine and other related components. (obviously)

But to answer your question, the B5LH. They dont offer a B8LH.

Buses make (weird?) noises, every bus is different - its probably the turbo unit, it could be a loose intake/pipe. Turbos tend to have a whistle. If its of any concern, it'll have been dealt with.

Thank you.

Ahh yes i got my numbers muddled up, i was thinking 8 instead of 5, got it mixed up with the XLB Chassis B8L instead of the B5LH on the Gemini 3's.

I didnt have concern about the whistle, just was wondering what the noise was .

I haven't seen this for a while, is there an Update on the ADL orders for next year yet?

Thanks again.

 

[OmniCity999]

Thank you.

Ahh yes i got my numbers muddled up, i was thinking 8 instead of 5, got it mixed up with the XLB Chassis B8L instead of the B5LH on the Gemini 3's.

I didnt have concern about the whistle, just was wondering what the noise was .

I haven't seen this for a while, is there an Update on the ADL orders for next year yet?

Thanks again.

no problem!

the ADL order is still going ahead. Progress will be slow due to Covid precautions within ADL. On top of that, i believe ADL laid a number of staff off.

Chassis will go into build with Volvo in January-March.

I'd be inclined to say the first units will enter service between August 2021 and January 2022.

I'd also be inclined to say the next update we'll hear from this order is when we see photos of them online. i doubt very much that there will be any updates from the factory.

 

[figgi757]

What is the Chassis/Engine for the Lothian Volvo 7900?
I thought that it was a "Volvo B8RLH"

Yeah it probably would not be cost efficient, but it could work nonetheless.

I was recently on Lothian Country 1035 (LXZ 5421) and it seems to have a weird whistle in the engine, has anyone been on it recently and/or can you identify what the whistle noise is? Thanks .

Haven’t driven 1035 in a while, however, as much as they are all ‘the exact same bus’, each bus can sound/drive just abit different from others.

 

[Jordanscot]

Cycled past newbridge today and I noticed there’s A LOT of MCV’s at the motor coaches depot.
I thought these were entering service in January or are these here going into storage as I’m sure I read somewhere there wasn’t engineering there?

 

[CN04NRJ]

Cycled past newbridge today and I noticed there’s A LOT of MCV’s at the motor coaches depot.
I thought these were entering service in January or are these here going into storage as I’m sure I read somewhere there wasn’t engineering there?

They were supposed to enter service in January but who knows? With the latest restrictions and uncertainty on what happens after the 3 week period they may not be needed for quite some time if there's any service reductions and deckers needed on routes for social distancing?

As has been said previously the 7900s can't be stored and left as the batteries will degrade and probably easier to just store these as they're straight diesel? Don't think they've been registered yet either so could see them on 21 plates after all?

 

[ScotRail158725]

They were supposed to enter service in January but who knows? With the latest restrictions and uncertainty on what happens after the 3 week period they may not be needed for quite some time if there's any service reductions and deckers needed on routes for social distancing?

As has been said previously the 7900s can't be stored and left as the batteries will degrade and probably easier to just store these as they're straight diesel? Don't think they've been registered yet either so could see them on 21 plates after all?

a few at Seafield have been but it could be the same case as the XLBs where they were changed to 19 as they hadnt run on 68 plates

 

[Graham Alexand]

They were supposed to enter service in January but who knows? With the latest restrictions and uncertainty on what happens after the 3 week period they may not be needed for quite some time if there's any service reductions and deckers needed on routes for social distancing?

As has been said previously the 7900s can't be stored and left as the batteries will degrade and probably easier to just store these as they're straight diesel? Don't think they've been registered yet either so could see them on 21 plates after all?

They may still enter service in January, because the reduction is to a Saturday service, Lothians Saturday timetable is very similar to a week-day Monday to Friday timetable so the MCV eVoRa's may enter service at this time.

 

[CN04NRJ]

They may still enter service in January, because the reduction is to a Saturday service, Lothians Saturday timetable is very similar to a week-day Monday to Friday timetable so the MCV eVoRa's may enter service at this time.

PVR is dropping from 27 to 24 on the 30, 38, 36 and 2 is staying the same. So if they are all for Longstone, and they are going into service next month I guess we'll see some (most likely) on the 2 as well.

 

[Graham Alexand]

PVR is dropping from 27 to 24 on the 30, 38, 36 and 2 is staying the same. So if they are all for Longstone, and they are going into service next month I guess we'll see some (most likely) on the 2 as well.

Yeah.

On Bustimes.org SN58 BYU (167), SN58 BYV (168), SN58 BYW (169) have been taken off the tracker, are these Wright Eclipse 2 bodied B7RLE's going to be sold?

Oddly SN58 BYX (170) seems to still be in service.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Yeah.

On Bustimes.org SN58 BYU (167), SN58 BYV (168), SN58 BYW (169) have been taken off the tracker, are these Wright Eclipse 2 bodied B7RLE's going to be sold?

Oddly SN58 BYX (170) seems to still be in service.

The bustimes.org database only goes back around 9 months I think, so if they haven't been used in that length of time their usage history will be wiped.

Why is it strange that 170 is in use?

 

[Bus9120UK]

Why is it strange that 170 is in use?

Most likely because 170 is in the same batch as 167, 168 & 169 however I agree that it is not strange

 

[Graham Alexand]

The bustimes.org database only goes back around 9 months I think, so if they haven't been used in that length of time their usage history will be wiped.

Why is it strange that 170 is in use?

Most likely because 170 is in the same batch as 167, 168 & 169 however I agree that it is not strange

I think its strange because I thought all single decks 04-58 plates were getting Withdrawn but one is still out on service.

If you get what i mean?

 

[CN04NRJ]

I think its strange because I thought all single decks 04-58 plates were getting Withdrawn but one is still out on service.

If you get what i mean?

167-170 are Eclipse 2s.

 

[Bus9120UK]

I think its strange because I thought all single decks 04-58 plates were getting Withdrawn but one is still out on service.

If you get what i mean?

The Evora's will replace 136 - 166 (Eclipse's) - Correct me if I am wrong. As 167-170 are newer models (Eclipse 2's) they don't need to be withdrawn. There is also nothing to replace them. I get what you mean now, though

 

[Graham Alexand]

167-170 are Eclipse 2s.

I realise this.

The Evora's will replace 136 - 166 (Eclipse's) - Correct me if I am wrong. As 167-170 are newer models (Eclipse 2's) they don't need to be withdrawn. There is also nothing to replace them. I get what you mean now, though

Yeah, I take it 167,168,169 aren't getting used because the service frequencies aren't high enough yet?

 

[OmniCity999]

As mentioned in previous pages and in fact this page...

The 7900's can't be out of service for prolonged periods of time due to batteries.

Eclipse 2's are currently out of service because service levels are low. The Eclipse 2's are out of service as opposed to the 7900's because the Eclipse 2's are standard diesels.

There isn't currently enough work for all of our single decks. But there will be in the future, so a batch if vehicles needs to go out of service. It has been decided that this will be the Eclipse 2's, as they are standard diesel and not hybrid, so do not heavily rely on batteries to function.

Batteries degrade over time to a point where they cannot be used. Replacing these batteries is expensive (~£60,000 per vehicle).

These statements have been made on multiple pages and indeed different threads, I feel like we're going in circles?

At this current point, new single deckers aren't necessarily needed, due to the aforementioned low service requirements. So the new eVoRa's aren't in service yet.

When service levels pick up, we will see eVoRa's in service and some Eclipse 2's, right now service levels are low.

 

[CN04NRJ]

As mentioned in previous pages and in fact this page...

The 7900's can't be out of service for prolonged periods of time due to batteries.

Eclipse 2's are currently out of service because service levels are low. The Eclipse 2's are out of service as opposed to the 7900's because the Eclipse 2's are standard diesels.

There isn't currently enough work for all of our single decks. But there will be in the future, so a batch if vehicles needs to go out of service. It has been decided that this will be the Eclipse 2's, as they are standard diesel and not hybrid, so do not heavily rely on batteries to function.

Batteries degrade over time to a point where they cannot be used. Replacing these batteries is expensive (~£60,000 per vehicle).

These statements have been made on multiple pages and indeed different threads, I feel like we're going in circles?

At this current point, new single deckers aren't necessarily needed, due to the aforementioned low service requirements. So the new eVoRa's aren't in service yet.

When service levels pick up, we will see eVoRa's in service and some Eclipse 2's, right now service levels are low.

That being said - there are single decks on the 1 and 24 today for the first time in quite a long while (March?). Is it possible the 1/24/42/45 and possibly 48 will revert to (7900) single deck fully in the near future to allow the Evoras to enter service?

Or is that wishful thinking

 

[Bus9120UK]

That being said - there are single decks on the 1 and 24 today for the first time in quite a long while (March?). Is it possible the 1/24/42/45 and possibly 48 will revert to (7900) single deck fully in the near future to allow the Evoras to enter service?

Or is that wishful thinking

Looks like buses 170, 186-190 are now at Central since boxing day.
This only leaves 3 single decks at Marine which are not in use, 167-169.

 

[Graeme Duncan]

And 171-175 still operating from Longstone.

 

[Jordanscot]

I actually spoke to a driver at the terminus in Musselburgh earlier who said the new buses are all just about ready and they’ve been told that they ARE entering service early January!
I suppose if the 30 buses enter service on the 30, it would allow the following;

10 B7’s to be temp withdrawn from service

2 to go entirely single deck (usually 4/5 deckers on this
Maybe 8 7900’s to marine for 42 (45 doesn’t operate just now) 6 plus 2 spare
And 7 7900’s to central to give them 10 total for 12/24?

that would account for all 30 evoras!

 

[buslad1988]

I actually spoke to a driver at the terminus in Musselburgh earlier who said the new buses are all just about ready and they’ve been told that they ARE entering service early January!
I suppose if the 30 buses enter service on the 30, it would allow the following;

10 B7’s to be temp withdrawn from service

2 to go entirely single deck (usually 4/5 deckers on this
Maybe 8 7900’s to marine for 42 (45 doesn’t operate just now) 6 plus 2 spare
And 7 7900’s to central to give them 10 total for 12/24?

that would account for all 30 evoras!

Just a pre-warning; only take comments from drivers on face value. Nothing is confirmed as yet. Marine drivers have also been told to expect evora training shortly as some are being allocated there.