First Wells Depot

[THarris123]

69458 in Wells in new livery
69444 still at Wells
69437 at back of depot today - maybe next one?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

69458 in Wells in new livery
69444 still at Wells
69437 at back of depot today - maybe next one?

Will have a glance round Avonmouth tomorrow and see if there's one in.

 

[Private Baxter]

69458 in Wells in new livery
69444 still at Wells
69437 at back of depot today - maybe next one?

Any sign of 69448?

 

[THarris123]

Any sign of 69448?

Must be in paint shop.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

69458 in Wells in new livery
69444 still at Wells
69437 at back of depot today - maybe next one?

Evidently not yet. 69437 now at front of depot with 69442

 

[THarris123]

Evidently not yet. 69437 now at front of depot with 69442

69442 went out on 126 later in the day
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18.25 172 from Wells had 3 for Bath from Wells and even picked up 1 at Chewton for Clandown, plus me.
19.19 172 from Norton to Wells had a few for Paulton, then 1 to Wells, plus me.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
69448 now at Wells in full ME livery. That's the first of the original new to Wells B7s repainted into the livery, only the second to receive a repaint at all (69445 being the first).

 

[THarris123]

Found out two interesting things this evening whilst on 173 to Bath.

Supposedly Wells are more short of drivers at the moment than they were when timetables changed. They were about 2-3 drivers short on 4th Sept. They will supposedly 10-12 drivers short soon. Drivers are fed up with the duties. 3 have stayed at Weston rather than coming back to Wells and I know of another heading to Hengrove soon. Can't say I particularly blame them for leaving.

Also looking at the timetable and 69441 parked up at bus station this evening, it appears that a bus gets in either on 19.08 173 or 19.24 172 and then doesn't depart again until the 20.50 173. That's quite a break in Bath. The 18.30 173 from Wells gets in at 19.44 and heads out again at 19.50.

 

[matt_splat]

i think the bus you saw tom does the 20:20? 172 because by my workings that bus stays at the bath end until the end of play 23:05 departure.

 

[THarris123]

i think the bus you saw tom does the 20:20? 172 because by my workings that bus stays at the bath end until the end of play 23:05 departure.

Might be. But what bus does 20.50 173?

 

[matt_splat]

Might be. But what bus does 20.50 173?

this is what I think happens services on the left are arrivals into bath and on the right are departures from bath

172 16:21 > 174 16:38
173 / 174 16:45 > 172 16:55
172 16:51 > 173 17:10
173 17:06 > 172 17:25
172 17:27 > 174 17:45
174 17:45 > 172 18:00
172 17:57 > 173 18:15
173 18:11 > 172 18:30
172 18:31 > 174 18:50
174 18:51 > 172 19:10
173 19:08 > 173 19:30 or break – 172 20:20
172 19:24 > break – 172 20:20 or 173 19:30
173 19:44 > 174 19:50
172 20:14 > 173 20:50
172 21:04 > 172 21:10
172 21:58 > 172 22:05
172 22:48 > 172 22:55
172 23:43 > 172 23:50

 

[Micro22]

The 1908 arrival (173) driver meal break then does 2020 (172) and continues that working until the end of play at 0101

 

[THarris123]

66723 out on 376 today

66723 and 66724 have both lost their vinyls for route 3, but still have the red paint. Haven't seen 66725 in a while

45111 on 55 this morning, sounding absolutely awful - sounds like the engine of a B7L rather than a E200

 

[Private Baxter]

66723 out on 376 today

66723 and 66724 have both lost their vinyls for route 3, but still have the red paint. Haven't seen 66725 in a while

45111 on 55 this morning, sounding absolutely awful - sounds like the engine of a B7L rather than a E200

It could easily be 2005! Actually maybe not considering how much wear and tear they've suffered over the last 11 years.

It was route 7 btw but yes both now only have a red strip across the top. Last time I saw 66725 was at Bristol Parkway and was still fully branded, though that was a few weeks ago now I suppose. That route branding style looks quite dated now!

 

[THarris123]

Found out two interesting things this evening whilst on 173 to Bath.

Supposedly Wells are more short of drivers at the moment than they were when timetables changed. They were about 2-3 drivers short on 4th Sept. They will supposedly 10-12 drivers short soon. Drivers are fed up with the duties. 3 have stayed at Weston rather than coming back to Wells and I know of another heading to Hengrove soon. Can't say I particularly blame them for leaving.

Also looking at the timetable and 69441 parked up at bus station this evening, it appears that a bus gets in either on 19.08 173 or 19.24 172 and then doesn't depart again until the 20.50 173. That's quite a break in Bath. The 18.30 173 from Wells gets in at 19.44 and heads out again at 19.50.

Ignore me on the driver thing - got it wrong. They are still short (but not as much as I was told) and will lose a couple of drivers in Nov supposedly, but that's it.
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Back to the legals on the 376 Streetdecks

That's
35167 that has First Bristol legals and yet First Mendip above the doors
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
66725 is now in Wells - on 175 today
It is now fully in Barbie - it's had the 7 branding removed and the red paint too
Makes you wonder what's happening with the repaints

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Ignore me on the driver thing - got it wrong. They are still short (but not as much as I was told) and will lose a couple of drivers in Nov supposedly, but that's it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Back to the legals on the 376 Streetdecks

That's
35167 that has First Bristol legals and yet First Mendip above the doors
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
66725 is now in Wells - on 175 today
It is now fully in Barbie - it's had the 7 branding removed and the red paint too
Makes you wonder what's happening with the repaints

I don't think that red bit was painted. It was a vinyl with branding placed on top of that.

 

[Private Baxter]

Ignore me on the driver thing - got it wrong. They are still short (but not as much as I was told) and will lose a couple of drivers in Nov supposedly, but that's it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Back to the legals on the 376 Streetdecks

That's
35167 that has First Bristol legals and yet First Mendip above the doors
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
66725 is now in Wells - on 175 today
It is now fully in Barbie - it's had the 7 branding removed and the red paint too
Makes you wonder what's happening with the repaints

Unless it's filling in for something I do wonder if it's to replace 66720, which might make sense as if Wells are to repaint all their buses into ME, then better to repaint barbie buses that actually need doing rather than something in urban which can work elsewhere. Just a thought anyway.
Think I saw 66725 on X5 the other day actually, but could I suppose have been 66724.

 

[THarris123]

Unless it's filling in for something I do wonder if it's to replace 66720, which might make sense as if Wells are to repaint all their buses into ME, then better to repaint barbie buses that actually need doing rather than something in urban which can work elsewhere. Just a thought anyway.
Think I saw 66725 on X5 the other day actually, but could I suppose have been 66724.

66720 and 66721 were on 126 today

One of the 59 reg B7s could be away and maybe 66723

 

[KendalKing]

Back to the legals on the 376 Streetdecks

That's
35167 that has First Bristol legals and yet First Mendip above the doors

All the StreetDecks were carrying First Bristol legals, when they passed through Heysham on delivery.

 

[THarris123]

All the StreetDecks were carrying First Bristol legals, when they passed through Heysham on delivery.

Some have First Somerset and Avon legals and some have First Bristol legals. Then there's amixture of some carrying First Mendip above the doors and others with First West of England.

I'm still trying to find out which has which.

I think it's only 35160 and 35167 with First Bristol legals and might only be 35160 with First West of England above the doors, but I can't fully recall what has what.
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I'm told that 60912/3 have now left Wells I'm happy now
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I believe 69447 is away for refurbishment.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
There's now a Facebook page set up for First Wells depot enthusiasts. Feel free to post photos and info.

https://www.facebook.com/First-Bus-Wells-Depot-Enthusiasts-page-534605296740665/

There's also a First Mendip page
https://www.facebook.com/menipexplorer/?fref=nf

 

[Private Baxter]

I believe 69447 is away for refurbishment.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
There's now a Facebook page set up for First Wells depot enthusiasts. Feel free to post photos and info.

https://www.facebook.com/First-Bus-Wells-Depot-Enthusiasts-page-534605296740665/

There's also a First Mendip page
https://www.facebook.com/menipexplorer/?fref=nf

Is this any thing to do with you??!! Nice to see this page anyway and I'm sure I'll be following it regularly!

Pleased to hear they're making progress on the B7s, and wonder where 60912/3 are now?

 

[THarris123]

Is this any thing to do with you??!! Nice to see this page anyway and I'm sure I'll be following it regularly!

Pleased to hear they're making progress on the B7s, and wonder where 60912/3 are now?

Oh possibly. First Mendip page isn't.

I'm not sure about progress - it's taken a while for 69447 to go, so I think it could be taking a while yet for the rest to be done.

 

[D2007wsm]

60913 at least is currently in Weston. Was out on 7s Sunday and this morning is parked in the Town Centre.

 

[Whiteway215]

60913 at least is currently in Weston. Was out on 7s Sunday and this morning is parked in the Town Centre.

Has 32014 reached WsM from Bath yet as shown on Steve White's Website?

 

[D2007wsm]

I don't know about 32014 I'm afraid. I not know about 60913 because I saw it this morning and someone I know had it Sunday.

 

[THarris123]

I don't know about 32014 I'm afraid. I not know about 60913 because I saw it this morning and someone I know had it Sunday.

Could 60913 be covering whilst they repaint Streetlites?

 

[D2007wsm]

I don't think any f the Streetlites have gone to be painted yet. As far as I am aware they are a couple of deckers short, so the B7s are to cover X5s so the E400s can go onto the X1/X1A/X3/X4 circuit as singles are to small for a lot of the day.

 

[THarris123]

66723 is back in Wells and 66725 has gone off elsewhere (Weston?)

 

[carlberry]

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)

It looks like your hat (or secretary) is fairly safe as Steve Whites latest update is that one of the grey Streetdecks is now in Mendip Explorer livery.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It looks like your hat (or secretary) is fairly safe as Steve Whites latest update is that one of the grey Streetdecks is now in Mendip Explorer livery.

Best cancel that nights accommodation at the Sparkford Travel Tavern for me and the PA.

See the bus industry is following the truck sector (about 15-20 years late) and trying super single tyres too. 69447 confirmed as 4th B7 in ME colours too

 

[carlberry]

Best cancel that nights accommodation at the Sparkford Travel Tavern for me and the PA.

You do know how to treat a lady!