First Wells Depot

[THarris123]

69457 is in Wells depot and is in Mendip Xplorer livery. Interior not done yet.

Couldn't see 69448 or 69458

Tomorrow will be interesting if they haven't arrived

69442 was sent out on 174 earlier - think there was an incident in Shepton - hopefully with 60913

Finally figured out how they run 172 on Sundays - it's very confusing - some journeys run out of service from Wells to Paulton, others have 6 minute wait in Paulton. And even better is that the 172 uses Farrington Road down to Wells from Paulton, but runs via Hallatrow when not in service.
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In the end you had 69439, 69447 and 69445 on 172 and 60913/69442, 69438 and 69446 on 174

Watching a B7 go around Midsomer Norton Martin's is very funny - just as funny as watching a B7 go through Farrington Road and then try to turn towards Wells at the traffic lights at Farrington. Hilarious and very dangerous and stupid. "The network team" may need to be restructured

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

69457 is in Wells depot and is in Mendip Xplorer livery. Interior not done yet.

Couldn't see 69448 or 69458

Tomorrow will be interesting if they haven't arrived

69442 was sent out on 174 earlier - think there was an incident in Shepton - hopefully with 60913

Finally figured out how they run 172 on Sundays - it's very confusing - some journeys run out of service from Wells to Paulton, others have 6 minute wait in Paulton. And even better is that the 172 uses Farrington Road down to Wells from Paulton, but runs via Hallatrow when not in service.
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In the end you had 69439, 69447 and 69445 on 172 and 60913/69442, 69438 and 69446 on 174

Watching a B7 go around Midsomer Norton Martin's is very funny - just as funny as watching a B7 go through Farrington Road and then try to turn towards Wells at the traffic lights at Farrington. Hilarious and very dangerous and stupid. "The network team" may need to be restructured

The use of South Road in Norton should be straightforward enough.

Is the other bit ref: use of Farrington Road in Paulton (assume that you're talking about when it swings out of what has then become Paulton Road, Farrington just near the Indian) - I thought it odd to use it rather than run out via Hallatrow? Don't know if it's dangerous per se but a curious route choice

 

[THarris123]

The use of South Road in Norton should be straightforward enough.

Is the other bit ref: use of Farrington Road in Paulton (assume that you're talking about when it swings out of what has then become Paulton Road, Farrington just near the Indian) - I thought it odd to use it rather than run out via Hallatrow? Don't know if it's dangerous per se but a curious route choice

They're changing it to serve Hallatrow in November I'm told

 

[Private Baxter]

So it seems that Wells pvr actually only goes up by two (plus 3 for 172, minus 1 for 126), so 69448/57-8 might be all they need. 60913 might be there acting as float whilst one or more is being painted.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So it seems that Wells pvr actually only goes up by two (plus 3 for 172, minus 1 for 126), so 69448/57-8 might be all they need. 60913 might be there acting as float whilst one or more is being painted.

172-5 requires 12 and 126 is 2. So the 59s can meet the PVR but without spares

 

[Private Baxter]

172-5 requires 12 and 126 is 2. So the 59s can meet the PVR but without spares

I'm basing this on what Tharris said in the other thread that 172 actually only requires three and does not interwork with 173/4 in which case combined pvr of 172/3/4 is nine, not eleven. Think this might need to be confirmed though.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm basing this on what Tharris said in the other thread that 172 actually only requires three and does not interwork with 173/4 in which case combined pvr of 172/3/4 is nine, not eleven. Think this might need to be confirmed though.

I think he's referring to 3x172 on a Sunday. It needs 5 through the week
I reckon.

 

[THarris123]

I think he's referring to 3x172 on a Sunday. It needs 5 through the week
I reckon.

3 on Sundays, 11 on 172/3/4 Mon-Sat
2 for 126
1 for 175
3 spares

One of the W7 branded B7s is in Wells.

 

[Private Baxter]

3 on Sundays, 11 on 172/3/4 Mon-Sat
2 for 126
1 for 175
3 spares

One of the W7 branded B7s is in Wells.

Bet that's made your day! I was going to suggest that with fourteen 59 B7RLEs, and eight streetdecks, they only really need one extra bus, which could have been anything from a solo, 02 B7, or as indeed I had a hoped a Weston 54 B7RLE. Did you manage to get an ID? It will only be 66723, 4 or 5. Let's hope it stays!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Bet that's made your day! I was going to suggest that with fourteen 59 B7RLEs, and eight streetdecks, they only really need one extra bus, which could have been anything from a solo, 02 B7, or as indeed I had a hoped a Weston 54 B7RLE. Did you manage to get an ID? It will only be 66723, 4 or 5. Let's hope it stays!

I would suggest that with 172-5 (12), 126 (2) and 376 (8) that they'll need 3 spares.

On top of that, if there's a "permanent" absence (e.g. one is away for repainting - really surprised that they not refurbed 69457 when it's off the road anyway) then there's a possible paint float with the B7Ls. They may be done by Christmas!!

 

[Private Baxter]

I would suggest that with 172-5 (12), 126 (2) and 376 (8) that they'll need 3 spares.

On top of that, if there's a "permanent" absence (e.g. one is away for repainting - really surprised that they not refurbed 69457 when it's off the road anyway) then there's a possible paint float with the B7Ls. They may be done by Christmas!!

Silly me, slight miscalculation! Maybe a couple of WM B7s eventually then.

 

[THarris123]

66721 out on 173
60913 on 173
60912 on 175

So there must be a float vehicle

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

66721 out on 173
60913 on 173
60912 on 175

So there must be a float vehicle

Not quite - if there's a fourth vehicle, then we can safely say that

 

[THarris123]

Not quite - if there's a fourth vehicle, then we can safely say that

Wells fleet at the mo:
35160-7
69437-48, 69457/8 (although I haven't seen 48 or 58)
66721 66723
60912 60913

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Wells fleet at the mo:
35160-7
69437-48, 69457/8 (although I haven't seen 48 or 58)
66721 66723
60912 60913

Well, 26 for a PVR of 22 assuming that 48/58 are there now. That would allow one to be off for repaint

 

[THarris123]

We also have an Urban 54 reg B7. Not sure which though - its one of the Weston ones - could be 66720, 66727 or maybe a 55 reg one.

 

[matt_splat]

Bath run a 06:20 172 to Paulton and back it is a decker and forms a 19 later this morning the bus ran with 178 on the front

 

[Private Baxter]

Wells fleet at the mo:
35160-7
69437-48, 69457/8 (although I haven't seen 48 or 58)
66721 66723
60912 60913

Not a bad fleet at all, and maybe not even the final pick. One or two may disappear once the painting is complete. I suspect 69458 is being done as we speak. Older B7s will probably be more common on 126.

We also have an Urban 54 reg B7. Not sure which though - its one of the Weston ones - could be 66720, 66727 or maybe a 55 reg one.

As well as the two you mention, it could also be 66734, 66936 or 66956. Though that's maybe getting a bit much. Perhaps two 59s are being done atm.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not a bad fleet at all, and maybe not even the final pick. One or two may disappear once the painting is complete. I suspect 69458 is being done as we speak. Older B7s will probably be more common on 126.

As well as the two you mention, it could also be 66734, 66936 or 66956. Though that's maybe getting a bit much. Perhaps two 59s are being done atm.

69458 was spotted in Avonmouth at a commercial bodyshop who have been known for doing Stagecoach and First work. https://flic.kr/p/Lq4uPU

I saw it there with 32096 a few weeks back

 

[THarris123]

66720 is the other one

69448 and 69458 not in Wells yet
60912/3 should be off soon enough

69457 - the seats have been redone - but in fabric, not leather. It has the usual fact file advert inside as per the Streetdecks. Also has a map of Mendip Xplorer network. Windows not redone. Looks very clean and tidy on outside though.

 

[Private Baxter]

66720 is the other one

69448 and 69458 not in Wells yet
60912/3 should be off soon enough

69457 - the seats have been redone - but in fabric, not leather. It has the usual fact file advert inside as per the Streetdecks. Also has a map of Mendip Xplorer network. Windows not redone. Looks very clean and tidy on outside though.

Sounds good. I look forward to seeing these. According to Steve White 69458 is there too. Perhaps 448 is being done atm. Was 126 included on the ME network map btw? And do we think 66720/1/3 will receive the same branding?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Sounds good. I look forward to seeing these. According to Steve White 69458 is there too. Perhaps 448 is being done atm. Was 126 included on the ME network map btw? And do we think 66720/1/3 will receive the same branding?

126 does feature in the 171-5 leaflet as a Mendip Explorer route. Therefore, I'd expect the Wells vehicles incl. some older B7RLEs to end up in that livery (though I doubt the WM 126 board nor the 171 will get an ME liveried vehicle).
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66720 is the other one

69448 and 69458 not in Wells yet
60912/3 should be off soon enough

69457 - the seats have been redone - but in fabric, not leather. It has the usual fact file advert inside as per the Streetdecks. Also has a map of Mendip Xplorer network. Windows not redone. Looks very clean and tidy on outside though.

I wonder if the B7Ls will be off that quickly, if only because they'll be a requirement for refurb floats until the end of the year.

Also, looks like they have refurbed the vehicles whilst being painted. I would've been very surprised if a man and van turned up some Sunday morning with a load of new seat cushions.

Apparently, 32096 is now blue so if 69458 was in there for refurbishment (which is likely), then it is probably due imminently

 

[Private Baxter]

126 does feature in the 171-5 leaflet as a Mendip Explorer route. Therefore, I'd expect the Wells vehicles incl. some older B7RLEs to end up in that livery (though I doubt the WM 126 board nor the 171 will get an ME liveried vehicle).

126 is indeed in the leaflet. and I quite agree that neither 171 or WM board of 126 will use ME liveried buses. Apparently the 'official' bus for the WM working is 66726, and after a year doing the 7, I can't think of a better place for it.
But I suspect WM will retain another B7, perhaps something like 66725 to also operate 126 from WM.

 

[THarris123]

Dart 42907 is in Wells for some bizarre reason. Hopefully only a float vehicle - maybe to replace a B7L?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Dart 42907 is in Wells for some bizarre reason. Hopefully only a float vehicle - maybe to replace a B7L?

I thought you mentioned that two Streetdecks were VOR. Perhaps WS are just short of vehicles?

 

[Whiteway215]

Dart 42907 is in Wells for some bizarre reason. Hopefully only a float vehicle - maybe to replace a B7L?

Bath seem to have enough Darts if Wells want to borrow any more!
There was even one on the 19 today.

Are Bath's bendis working somewhere else? I haven't seen one all this week.

 

[Private Baxter]

Dart 42907 is in Wells for some bizarre reason. Hopefully only a float vehicle - maybe to replace a B7L?

I suspect it is a temporary vehicle, covering for whatever's missing. However, it might also be for 175 (which would be more suitable imo), and according to Steve White 66721 (which you noted in WS a few days ago) is now in BH. However I think allocations are a little unsettled at the moment, and all should become more clear in a week or so.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I suspect it is a temporary vehicle, covering for whatever's missing. However, it might also be for 175 (which would be more suitable imo), and according to Steve White 66721 (which you noted in WS a few days ago) is now in BH. However I think allocations are a little unsettled at the moment, and all should become more clear in a week or so.

COMEDY RUMOUR ALERT - I don't do facebook (and I'm sure some people on here do and have seen this) but this appeared "An unsubstantiated rumour I have heard is that the Streetdecks are going to Weston SM as they are deemed to not be suitable for the hills involved on 376 and that the route is to return to single deck operation."

If that is true, I'll have a Paddy Ashdown moment (i.e. eating my hat, not having a torrid affair with my secretary)

 

[swifty]

COMEDY RUMOUR ALERT - I don't do facebook (and I'm sure some people on here do and have seen this) but this appeared "An unsubstantiated rumour I have heard is that the Streetdecks are going to Weston SM as they are deemed to not be suitable for the hills involved on 376 and that the route is to return to single deck operation."

If that is true, I'll have a Paddy Ashdown moment (i.e. eating my hat, not having a torrid affair with my secretary)

Yes and I'd also heard Hengrove was being sold to Transdev because there are single deckers out on the 75, and Bath is being sold to Stagecoach because they've remembered all the routes

 

[carlberry]

Bath is being sold to Stagecoach because they've remembered all the routes

I'd prefer that to be the reason instead of the truth that it's just to anoy the users!
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If that is true, I'll have a Paddy Ashdown moment (i.e. eating my hat, not having a torrid affair with my secretary)

Is your secretary available for torrid affairs under other circumstances or have I misunderstood the statement?