First Wells Depot

[THarris123]

Passed 69444 in Congresbury yesterday morning (11th) with a fitter driving NIS.

Thanks for this. I was wondering where that had turned up. Could this be on that ends up at Hengrove?

I honestly think that if Hengrove were going to grab more Eclipses it wouldn't be many out of Wells and it would have been done by now. As far as I've seen in the last week, all except 2 (69444 and 69445) are there. It could change, however, over the weekend.

I think they're just getting in something for the time being until the Streetlites come to town.
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69444 is now back in Wells. I saw it on the 376 in Bristol this morning. It had a scratch along the drivers side which has now been sorted and painted. It looks a bit better now.

 

[swifty]

I've seen photos of both the Weston Eclipse 2s and at least 2 others (69436/56) as well as ex Berkshire Darts (40956/42115) in prep at Hengrove. A number of the Tridents are also there.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I've seen photos of both the Weston Eclipse 2s and at least 2 others (69436/56) as well as ex Berkshire Darts (40956/42115) in prep at Hengrove. A number of the Tridents are also there.

Are WS keeping there's and it's the BH/LH/WM ones that are off to HE?

Must have a wander down south Bristol....

 

[Private Baxter]

Depends how many extran eclipses they need. if, as has been noted it's actually the former MR/LH ones that are now at HE, along with one of BH's ex WS ones, then surely they shouldn't need any more, and WS should be safe. It would be a real shame if WS's newest vehicles were picked away at, when identical vehicles can be better sourced elsewhere...

Of course, that does leave us wondering, just what has BH lost recently, and what will take its place? 69437 was noted back at WS, though this could just be temporary. I From what I've read, it sounds like the original MR 12 have been reunited at HE, along with ex WS 69436.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I've seen photos of both the Weston Eclipse 2s and at least 2 others (69436/56) as well as ex Berkshire Darts (40956/42115) in prep at Hengrove. A number of the Tridents are also there.

Those the ones on David Morgan's Flickr page?

 

[THarris123]

You lot will like this - 46603 was on the 376 this afternoon. Boo, hiss!

I would have thought out of all services that could end up on, the 376 would be the last.

I had a thought earlier that 46603 could be going around and doing all the wells services, as part of a leaving present to see it off (if only) or just remind people how crap some buses were! I think I also noticed it on the 375 the other day.
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It's official. Steve White has posted on his website that 69435 and 69436 have moved from Bath to Hengrove and 69459 and 69460 have moved from Weston to Hengrove. He hasn't mentioned anything about 69457/8 moving though. It looks like Wells have been spared. Hooray!!! I would assume now that 69437 is staying permanently in Wells. By my calculation, they have the required minimum for the 70/71 (i.e. 12 Eclipses). I wonder what Bath will get. Considering they've lost 3 Deckers and 2 Eclipses to Hengrove, does this mean some of those tridents will end up in Bath for the Uni stuff (i.e. 15/18)?

 

[Private Baxter]

That's goos news for Wells then. Rather than lose any, they actually gained one.

Not so good for Bath though, where I hope their replacement will be decent. I had rather thought that things would have worked the other way round, and we would have seen the HE eclipses transferring to BH. One wonders why 69435/6 were chosen instead of 69457/8. Here we have a rare example of a number of vehicles transferring to their original depots.
(Not strictly true I realise, as the HE ones were new to MR)

 

[THarris123]

Something interesting I saw this morning - 69458 was in Wells doing one of the 376. However, this afternoon the time it would have gone out, it wasn't on that and 69441 was instead. I can't figure out whether 69458 is still in Wells. I'll have to wait and see.

I find it very interesting that 69458 is in Wells and not 69435/6. Bit odd that.

Wells definitely still has:-
66100
66107
66108
43849
46603
69438
69440
69441
69443
69446
69448
42730
42738

as I saw all these today in one way or another. Not sure about the rest though. I'll see what I can't find by the end of the week.

 

[swifty]

Something interesting I saw this morning - 69458 was in Wells doing one of the 376. However, this afternoon the time it would have gone out, it wasn't on that and 69441 was instead. I can't figure out whether 69458 is still in Wells. I'll have to wait and see.

Could have possibly been covering a failed vehicle at the Bristol end as the X49 works into the bus station.

 

[Private Baxter]

Something interesting I saw this morning - 69458 was in Wells doing one of the 376. However, this afternoon the time it would have gone out, it wasn't on that and 69441 was instead. I can't figure out whether 69458 is still in Wells. I'll have to wait and see.

I find it very interesting that 69458 is in Wells and not 69435/6. Bit odd that.

Wells definitely still has:-
66100
66107
66108
43849
46603
69438
69440
69441
69443
69446
69448
42730
42738

as I saw all these today in one way or another. Not sure about the rest though. I'll see what I can't find by the end of the week.

I think Wells still have all of theirs. I saw 69439 on 173 yesterday, and I'm pretty sure others are still about, including 69437, but that's probably just short term to cover for 69445 which presumably will be back soon. One of the Y reg B10s is there, filling in for 66106 which I understand will also be back at some point.

Other than that I have not noticed any other changes other than the arrival of another marshall dart, but I don't know what it has replaced, or if it is still there. I have not seen 41144 recently, or 66160 but I expect they are still about.

 

[matt_splat]

I believe 37 has moved down from bath as it makes more sense with bath losing the other two

58 covered on Saturday night and part of sunday due to a breakdown so a bus swap happened at the bus station

 

[THarris123]

I believe 37 has moved down from bath as it makes more sense with bath losing the other two

58 covered on Saturday night and part of sunday due to a breakdown so a bus swap happened at the bus station

That's making sense now. I wondered why I saw 69458 in the morning and not in the evening.
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I saw 69437 this morning.

Other confirmed vehicles down Wells are:
41144
41333

I thought damn when I saw them this evening.

Strange that I saw exactly the same B7s today in Wells (apart from 69437). We'll see what the rest of the week brings.

 

[Private Baxter]

I believe 37 has moved down from bath as it makes more sense with bath losing the other two

58 covered on Saturday night and part of sunday due to a breakdown so a bus swap happened at the bus station

You might be right about 69437, it would have been a bit odd in Bath, a bit like 69253, although it does make you wonder what has replaced it in BH, as they've now lost three B7s, a B10 is on loan, and I can't really see anything that has taken their place. Furthermore the extra buses in Wells don't seem to have replaced anything.

 

[CD]

Whopper 46603 paid a rare visit to Yeovil this morning. 0945 377 from Wells, 1115 back where it was swapped for 66160 for 1245 377.
69437 back "home" on 1406 376 from Oakfield Road.
41333/42738 on 161.
41144/42731/62245 on X75.
66107/69447 on 375.
42730/66100 on 173 didn't see the third.
Even had enough Eclipse 2s for 69439 to be on 377 together with 66108/66160.

 

[THarris123]

Whopper 46603 paid a rare visit to Yeovil this morning. 0945 377 from Wells, 1115 back where it was swapped for 66160 for 1245 377.
69437 back "home" on 1406 376 from Oakfield Road.
41333/42738 on 161.
41144/42731/62245 on X75.
66107/69447 on 375.
42730/66100 on 173 didn't see the third.
Even had enough Eclipse 2s for 69439 to be on 377 together with 66108/66160.

46603 was parked up in the depot as the spare this morning, so explains why it was on the Yeovil service. Yet it was on 161 this evening. Strange that 41144 and 4133 were in the depot, with 43849 on the X75 this evening. I think 42730 may have been on the 161 as well (hooray!). 43849 was on the 173 this morning - I think this was because 69446 had some problems (as it was on the service this evening)

Are 66356 and 62193 still in Wells? I haven't seen them.

 

[CD]

46603 was parked up in the depot as the spare this morning, so explains why it was on the Yeovil service. Yet it was on 161 this evening. Strange that 41144 and 4133 were in the depot, with 43849 on the X75 this evening. I think 42730 may have been on the 161 as well (hooray!). 43849 was on the 173 this morning - I think this was because 69446 had some problems (as it was on the service this evening)

Are 66356 and 62193 still in Wells? I haven't seen them.

Didn't see either today, but I didn't see one of the 173s and not all of the 376s.

 

[Private Baxter]

46603 was parked up in the depot as the spare this morning, so explains why it was on the Yeovil service. Yet it was on 161 this evening. Strange that 41144 and 4133 were in the depot, with 43849 on the X75 this evening. I think 42730 may have been on the 161 as well (hooray!). 43849 was on the 173 this morning - I think this was because 69446 had some problems (as it was on the service this evening)

Are 66356 and 62193 still in Wells? I haven't seen them.

46603 is certainly getting about a bit atm. Gosh, that makes Yeovil's fleet look almost new! All the same some very odd allocations in Wells this week.

Both 66356 and 62193 are back in Bath. The former was replaced by 62445, (filling on for 66106), whilst presumably 62193 was replaced by 60437, although some have speculated that this one is back in Wells permanently, so not sure.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

46603 is certainly getting about a bit atm. Gosh, that makes Yeovil's fleet look almost new! All the same some very odd allocations in Wells this week.

Both 66356 and 62193 are back in Bath. The former was replaced by 62445, (filling on for 66106), whilst presumably 62193 was replaced by 60437, although some have speculated that this one is back in Wells permanently, so not sure.

69437 might be permanent, or might be a loan. To be honest, it being an odd one at Bath isn't a big deal; as with 69253, it is just another Eclipse with a B7 chassis underneath.

As for 46603..... I find that any trip to Yeovil is like heading back to 2006 (in so many ways)

 

[THarris123]

Well at the end of this week it is confirmed there are 11 B7s in Wells (69437-44, 69446-8), 5 B10s (66100/7/8/60 & 62245), 41333, 41144, 46603, 43849 and 3 ALX200s (42730/1/8). This should mean that there are 3 in the depot at any one time (as the PVR is 20).

Interesting to hear that 3 drivers have left/are leaving Wells depot. This obviously now means that there isn't an overstaff issue and any drivers that had to be thrown over to Bath are now back. First show on their website that they're looking for a new driver. I'm now eating my words - I said that Wells needed something else (either 126 or a new service) - having 20 buses down there is more than enough I think.

Also interesting to see - 62245 was heading towards Bristol this morning Not In Service as I went down to Wells. Does this mean 66106 is ready to come back and 62245 is no longer needed?

 

[Private Baxter]

Well at the end of this week it is confirmed there are 11 B7s in Wells (69437-44, 69446-8), 5 B10s (66100/7/8/60 & 62245), 41333, 41144, 46603, 43849 and 3 ALX200s (42730/1/8). This should mean that there are 3 in the depot at any one time (as the PVR is 20).

Interesting to hear that 3 drivers have left/are leaving Wells depot. This obviously now means that there isn't an overstaff issue and any drivers that had to be thrown over to Bath are now back. First show on their website that they're looking for a new driver. I'm now eating my words - I said that Wells needed something else (either 126 or a new service) - having 20 buses down there is more than enough I think.

Also interesting to see - 62245 was heading towards Bristol this morning Not In Service as I went down to Wells. Does this mean 66106 is ready to come back and 62245 is no longer needed?

Thanks for the update. So Wells now has an extra bus, from what they have had for the rest of the year, unless one is due to be withdrawn soon.

62245 is in for 66106, not sure how much longer, and I still think 69437 is in place of 69445, which seems to have had a prolonged absense, but presumably will come back soon (freshly painted), and 69437 will return to Bath. Although it has been good to see it back in wells for this period.

 

[Busaholic]

[QU

As for 46603..... I find that any trip to Yeovil is like heading back to 2006 (in so many ways)[/QUOTE]

Is this a typo for 1906?!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

[QU

As for 46603..... I find that any trip to Yeovil is like heading back to 2006 (in so many ways)

Is this a typo for 1906?![/QUOTE]

You could say that.....I couldn't possibly comment

 

[Private Baxter]

Bad day for the 173 yesterday. AXL dart 42731 was working the 15.10 out of Bath, whilst marshall 41144 was on 16.10. Naturally was pretty full and I'm not sure what the passengers thought! Don't know what the other vehicle was - 46603?! Are Wells short again perhaps?

 

[47820]

A driver I know from another company said he saw two Marshall bodied Dart's and an Alexander on the 173 yesterday afternoon

 

[THarris123]

Bad day for the 173 yesterday. AXL dart 42731 was working the 15.10 out of Bath, whilst marshall 41144 was on 16.10. Naturally was pretty full and I'm not sure what the passengers thought! Don't know what the other vehicle was - 46603?! Are Wells short again perhaps?

43849 was on the 173 today. That usually appears on there. Before today, 2 B7s were out of action (69439 and 69446 - oh what a surprise). Hence the reason why the darts have been on the X75 and 173 (41333 has been on X75 two days in a row). They also appear to be using a B7 on the 375/X75 all the time now to cope with college work, again meaning that a dart is used either on 173 or X75. 43849 was also on 376 yesterday - I don't think I've seen that before.

 

[CD]

41333 was on 1445 377 Wells-Yeovil and 1635 return today.
Rather overcrowded with all the students from Strode college Street.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

41333 was on 1445 377 Wells-Yeovil and 1635 return today.
Rather overcrowded with all the students from Strode college Street.

Gleaming 69445 parked NIS in Bath today. Pointer Dart on 173 but couldnt ID but assume 43849 rather than a loanee

 

[Private Baxter]

Gleaming 69445 parked NIS in Bath today. Pointer Dart on 173 but couldnt ID but assume 43849 rather than a loanee

You beat me to it! Saw 69445 in Radstock this afternoon on the 173 to Bath. Presumably was the 13.40 departure from Wells. Only managed a glimpse, so tried to catch up with it later on the 18.15 departure from Bath only to find they had changed it to dart R609 YCR! Not amused! Sure it looks good though, and the first bus in Wells in new livery.

Other buses on 173 today were 41144 (once again), and as I travelled on it towards Radstock, I could tell it really didn't like Dunkerton Hill heading towards Peasedown. Also the HEJ was also on, though this was replaced for a later departure with 69437.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

You beat me to it! Saw 69445 in Radstock this afternoon on the 173 to Bath. Presumably was the 13.40 departure from Wells. Only managed a glimpse, so tried to catch up with it later on the 18.15 departure from Bath only to find they had changed it to dart R609 YCR! Not amused! Sure it looks good though, and the first bus in Wells in new livery.

Other buses on 173 today were 41144 (once again), and as I travelled on it towards Radstock, I could tell it really didn't like Dunkerton Hill heading towards Peasedown. Also the HEJ was also on, though this was replaced for a later departure with 69437.

I thought I saw 42109 leave Bath on a 173 but couldn't be certain that was the number. 41144 is one of the worst pieces of junk in the First fleet; I can well believe it didn't like Dunkerton (or Bath Road towards Clandown or up through the Horringtons).

 

[Private Baxter]

Two eclipses made it out on to the 173 yesterday, along with.... 46603!