First Wells Depot

[THarris123]

44910 is making a guest appearance in Wells this evening.
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I'm told 35160 was on 12.40 175 today due to all the flooding and delays on services.

 

[Private Baxter]

44910 is making a guest appearance in Wells this evening.
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I'm told 35160 was on 12.40 175 today due to all the flooding and delays on services.

If two years ago, someone had said that a one year old double decker will (in two years) be working what was then the 161, I would have tried to wake myself up. Staggering!
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Was in Wells this morning. Arrived on 35166, and saw a plain white streetlite arrive on the 77, which later went out on the 29. Can I assume BoS run the same sort of system as before with the Wells/Taunton/Yeovil services, with 29 having replaced 55?

Also in the bus station was a notice regarding the future of Bakers 67. Based on my recent trip on that service, I do worry about its future. What do we think here? Might the Wookey Hole section be retained (and possibly operated by First) if nothing else?

And finally, walking past the depot, what should I see? Why, 66726! First time I've seen it since it was painted into Badgerline. Finally! It looked splendid gleaming there actually and looked right at home. From what I could tell the interior looks good too. The pink Weston Super Mare tag spoils it slightly however. It could at least have been yellow! I'm assuming it is filling in for something while another goes for repaint, as it was there all morning. That and 66724 was on 126.

Saw a good selection of the others, including recently arrived 35148 on 376, and repainted 69446 on 173 although it still has the same seating as before.

 

[THarris123]

If two years ago, someone had said that a one year old double decker will (in two years) be working what was then the 161, I would have tried to wake myself up. Staggering!
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Was in Wells this morning. Arrived on 35166, and saw a plain white streetlite arrive on the 77, which later went out on the 29. Can I assume BoS run the same sort of system as before with the Wells/Taunton/Yeovil services, with 29 having replaced 55?

Also in the bus station was a notice regarding the future of Bakers 67. Based on my recent trip on that service, I do worry about its future. What do we think here? Might the Wookey Hole section be retained (and possibly operated by First) if nothing else?

And finally, walking past the depot, what should I see? Why, 66726! First time I've seen it since it was painted into Badgerline. Finally! It looked splendid gleaming there actually and looked right at home. From what I could tell the interior looks good too. The pink Weston Super Mare tag spoils it slightly however. It could at least have been yellow! I'm assuming it is filling in for something while another goes for repaint, as it was there all morning. That and 66724 was on 126.

Saw a good selection of the others, including recently arrived 35148 on 376, and repainted 69446 on 173 although it still has the same seating as before.

Youre right about 29/77/54 - they all interwork as the same as 55 did.

66726 - might have broken down whilst heading to Wells - I've seen it happen before. It won't be covering anything. It is usually on the Weston board of 126 (as well as 60913).
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What does the sign say about Bakers 67 then? I haven't been past to really notice it yet.

 

[Private Baxter]

Youre right about 29/77/54 - they all interwork as the same as 55 did.

66726 - might have broken down whilst heading to Wells - I've seen it happen before. It won't be covering anything. It is usually on the Weston board of 126 (as well as 60913).
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What does the sign say about Bakers 67 then? I haven't been past to really notice it yet.

Thanks for your comments. I just know that with the current paint scheme going on, Weston have been swapping a few B7s and sending extra ones down when required, so wondered if they'd done the same with 66726 on a temporary basis. Either way, something looked just so familiar, and right about a Badgerline bus in Wells depot.

The notice about the 67 is on the third bus shelter and is from Somerset County Council, explaining that the funding expires on 31st December and that they don't intend to renew it, but they are keen to hear from all interested parties about its future, possible replacement and other ways to provide a basic level of service. Or something like that.

 

[THarris123]

Thanks for your comments. I just know that with the current paint scheme going on, Weston have been swapping a few B7s and sending extra ones down when required, so wondered if they'd done the same with 66726 on a temporary basis. Either way, something looked just so familiar, and right about a Badgerline bus in Wells depot.

The notice about the 67 is on the third bus shelter and is from Somerset County Council, explaining that the funding expires on 31st December and that they don't intend to renew it, but they are keen to hear from all interested parties about its future, possible replacement and other ways to provide a basic level of service. Or something like that.

Wells have enough vehicles now to cover for a bus on repaint:
35148, 35160-67
66720/1/3/4
69437-48/57/58
That's 27 for a PVR of 23

I guess Bakers and any other small operator won't want 67 anymore, so First might be the only operator that could give it a go without council support. Wookey Hole-Wedmore will probably stay, but I doubt anything else will.

 

[Private Baxter]

Wells have enough vehicles now to cover for a bus on repaint:
35148, 35160-67
66720/1/3/4
69437-48/57/58
That's 27 for a PVR of 23

I guess Bakers and any other small operator won't want 67 anymore, so First might be the only operator that could give it a go without council support. Wookey Hole-Wedmore will probably stay, but I doubt anything else will.

I believe 66724 is still based at Weston, unless you know something I don't. But otherwise spot on.
We will see what happens with 67, but I agree the eastern end is more likely to stay.

 

[THarris123]

​

I believe 66724 is still based at Weston, unless you know something I don't. But otherwise spot on.
We will see what happens with 67, but I agree the eastern end is more likely to stay.

66724 was at Wells on Friday and I believe it's still here, allocated to Wells. Has been for a while. 66725 is allocated to Weston.

66726 is still at Wells this morning - I expect with the intention of going back to Weston today.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I believe 66724 is still based at Weston, unless you know something I don't. But otherwise spot on.
We will see what happens with 67, but I agree the eastern end is more likely to stay.

Sorry to be the arch pessimist but I just don't reckon the 67 is viable. Too many passes at too low a rate. Unless the Parish and Town council lend a hand, it'll go the same way as the Nether Stowey route, I fear

 

[Marc]

Sorry to be the arch pessimist but I just don't reckon the 67 is viable. Too many passes at too low a rate. Unless the Parish and Town council lend a hand, it'll go the same way as the Nether Stowey route, I fear

the 14/15 route is too long and sparse to make work. 67 is a better porposal if consentrated on the wells end where most of the passengers are -especially on market wednesdys-

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

the 14/15 route is too long and sparse to make work. 67 is a better porposal if consentrated on the wells end where most of the passengers are -especially on market wednesdys-

Think you're mistaking what I mean. I'm not comparing the two routes per se. The 67 is undoubtedly stronger. However, First's fleet is pretty well out all day so not as if there's a school vehicle that can do an off peak service at marginal cost. Therefore, will a Wedmore to Wookey service take >£300 a day? I doubt it given the pass remuneration.

Therefore, like Nether Stowey and Kilve, you could see Wookey and Mark lose their regular services. Isle of Wedmore minibus might be the solution. Personally, I'd cull the 668 and keep the 67 in some form

 

[THarris123]

Just to clarify that the notice in the bus station states that 67 is being withdrawn from 31/12/16 and that no small commercial operators have taken an interest in operating it. People are asked to write into them with comments, how often you use the bus and any complaints. It sounds like they are looking into some sort of Isle of Wedmore type bus. Such ashame as 67 does well.
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66726 still at Wells depot, not sure why - potentially cover for 69457 that had an accident last week (?)
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Just to clarify that the notice in the bus station states that 67 is being withdrawn from 31/12/16 and that no small commercial operators have taken an interest in operating it. People are asked to write into them with comments, how often you use the bus and any complaints. It sounds like they are looking into some sort of Isle of Wedmore type bus. Such ashame as 67 does well.
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66726 still at Wells depot, not sure why - potentially cover for 69457 that had an accident last week (?)

66726 is at Wells broken down.
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47557 on 5.30 126 from Wells
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Didn't realise but 35148 has USB plugs under the seats
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A very big warning - if anyone is using 376, 172, 173 or 174 and you see 66723 turning up, please actively try to avoid it. The poor thing cannot go up hills, so if you need to get somewhere, it will be faster walking or waiting for another bus.
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69445 is back at Wells in ME livery. On 172 13.50.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Just to clarify that the notice in the bus station states that 67 is being withdrawn from 31/12/16 and that no small commercial operators have taken an interest in operating it. People are asked to write into them with comments, how often you use the bus and any complaints. It sounds like they are looking into some sort of Isle of Wedmore type bus. Such ashame as 67 does well.
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66726 still at Wells depot, not sure why - potentially cover for 69457 that had an accident last week (?)
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66726 is at Wells broken down.
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47557 on 5.30 126 from Wells
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Didn't realise but 35148 has USB plugs under the seats
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A very big warning - if anyone is using 376, 172, 173 or 174 and you see 66723 turning up, please actively try to avoid it. The poor thing cannot go up hills, so if you need to get somewhere, it will be faster walking or waiting for another bus.
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69445 is back at Wells in ME livery. On 172 13.50.

69445 is pictured on Steve White's site

Can't see too many folk stood at Binegar or Oakhill eschewing 66723 in favour of standing around for another hour

 

[THarris123]

69445 is pictured on Steve White's site

Can't see too many folk stood at Binegar or Oakhill eschewing 66723 in favour of standing around for another hour

Well where there's a choice go for another vehicle.

 

[CD]

Well where there's a choice go for another vehicle.

It cannot be any worse than 66732 ?
You want to come to Yeovil and try it on the 58 while its still here.

 

[THarris123]

It cannot be any worse than 66732 ?
You want to come to Yeovil and try it on the 58 while its still here.

66732 is my favourite vehicle. That's miles better than 66723 unless Yeovil have destroyed it. 66721 is a good vehicle and 66720 isn't bad.

 

[CD]

66732 is my favourite vehicle. That's miles better than 66723 unless Yeovil have destroyed it. 66721 is a good vehicle and 66720 isn't bad.

Im afraid 66732 was in that condition when it came from Bath to Weymouth.
66733 is far better mechanically.

 

[THarris123]

An Urban B7L is in Wells on holiday this evening - came in on 20.50 173 from Bath. I think I got the id as 66354.

 

[Private Baxter]

An Urban B7L is in Wells on holiday this evening - came in on 20.50 173 from Bath. I think I got the id as 66354.

Lovely.... I thought that lot were supposed to leave? Only 66350/1 have gone to Wales.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Lovely.... I thought that lot were supposed to leave? Only 66350/1 have gone to Wales.

Might just be covering a breakdown? As for B7Ls, whilst some are off, don't know if all are heading out?

 

[THarris123]

Might just be covering a breakdown? As for B7Ls, whilst some are off, don't know if all are heading out?

I think it's highly likely that's breakdown cover.

A few are going/have gone this year and I expect the rest to head off next year.
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66354 in Wells this morning 174

 

[childwallblues]

I noted 60914 in Bristol last Saturday. I assume that this is no longer at Wells?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I noted 60914 in Bristol last Saturday. I assume that this is no longer at Wells?

Been at Hengrove for a couple of months

 

[THarris123]

I noted 60914 in Bristol last Saturday. I assume that this is no longer at Wells?

Left in September to Bath, then to Hengrove not long after.
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The washer is broken in Wells (again - think its annual). Sounds like they don't want to fix it yet. There was a cleaning contractor in depot yesterday washing some of the vehicles, but most of them look very grubby.

 

[Private Baxter]

I was on a very packed 69446 into Wells yesterday afternoon on 376. Three streetdecks were in the depot. It really is evident of just how much that service has grown over the last few years. I think they seem to have given up on, or put on hold, the internal refurbishing and adding of windows. Nonetheless the buses that have now been repainted do look very good indeed.

 

[THarris123]

66724 is a lovely bus, possibly the best I've experienced in the fleet. On 376 this evening. How many years is that now since that last occured?

 

[Private Baxter]

66724 is a lovely bus, possibly the best I've experienced in the fleet. On 376 this evening. How many years is that now since that last occured?

Seven years I reckon. I remember when that one first arrived, it was decorated with a ribbon round it as a gift for the people of Somerset.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Seven years I reckon. I remember when that one first arrived, it was decorated with a ribbon round it as a gift for the people of Somerset.

I think they all got pulled on arrival of 69435-48 but I've slept since then!!

Can't recall any B7RLEs with the ribbon but recall 37318 having one as the first new vehicle for the East Bristol showcase corridor

 

[Private Baxter]

I think they all got pulled on arrival of 69435-48 but I've slept since then!!

Can't recall any B7RLEs with the ribbon but recall 37318 having one as the first new vehicle for the East Bristol showcase corridor

69435-48 were a direct replacement for 66716-26 and 66934-36 which all moved to Weston, October 2009.
66716-26 arrived in dark blue rail link livery but had all been repainted in to Barbie by the time they left Wells. There is probably a picture of 66724 when new somewhere. It was selected for the unveiling ceremony on the cathedral green in January 2005. Clearly I haven't slept since then.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

69435-48 were a direct replacement for 66716-26 and 66934-36 which all moved to Weston, October 2009.
66716-26 arrived in dark blue rail link livery but had all been repainted in to Barbie by the time they left Wells. There is probably a picture of 66724 when new somewhere. It was selected for the unveiling ceremony on the cathedral green in January 2005. Clearly I haven't slept since then.

I remember the batch and that livery just not that one with the ribbon though your recollection will be better than mine. Was the full batch 66716-37 with the other 11 in Bath?

The batch is well split up with examples in South Wales, Glasgow and now to be Doncaster

 

[Private Baxter]

I remember the batch and that livery just not that one with the ribbon though your recollection will be better than mine. Was the full batch 66716-37 with the other 11 in Bath?

The batch is well split up with examples in South Wales, Glasgow and now to be Doncaster

Indeed, 66727-37 went to Bath for X39, though 66735-7 left for Glasgow back in 2010. Like you say they are quite well dispersed now, although all our depots have at least two examples, although MH seems to be the main home of them now.