First Wells Depot

[Private Baxter]

Well there were other rumours that another vehicle may turn up in Wells.

I'd like to think that 66723 was the float vehicle - biggest pile of s**t that I've seen in Firsts fleet, although it is improving now. Let's put it this way - the drivers found a good way to make it go up hills - go half way up, turn off the engine, then restart it and it flies up the hill.

It'll be ashame to lose 66724 and I'm a bit annoyed we're keeping 66720, which as you rightly says is already out of Barbie colours and is quite tidy compared to some of them. 66721 really deserves a refurb/repaint.

I've not had the pleasure of 66723 for a long time, but will take your word for it. Externally it looks pretty awful.

It's the same with 66727, why send that to Bath when others actually needed repainting? I know there are other mechanical things to consider, but it's still quite an expense.

In wells yesterday I noticed 67 being operated by mendip community transport. I'd quite forgotten about that. Its future seems uncertain.

 

[THarris123]

I've not had the pleasure of 66723 for a long time, but will take your word for it. Externally it looks pretty awful.

It's the same with 66727, why send that to Bath when others actually needed repainting? I know there are other mechanical things to consider, but it's still quite an expense.

In wells yesterday I noticed 67 being operated by mendip community transport. I'd quite forgotten about that. Its future seems uncertain.

Well it does when Mendip Community Transport get involved. The school 67s are leaving pupils behind at bus stops and same applies with some of the other journeys. People are not happy with it at all. And yet the quiet end of 67 is operated by Crosville with a bigger bus. Absolutely insane.

 

[THarris123]

Just seen 66720 and 66721 at the back of the depot with a van parked up in front of it - looks to me like the seating is getting done.

 

[Private Baxter]

Well it does when Mendip Community Transport get involved. The school 67s are leaving pupils behind at bus stops and same applies with some of the other journeys. People are not happy with it at all. And yet the quiet end of 67 is operated by Crosville with a bigger bus. Absolutely insane.

Oh so it's not even the whole route it does? I did have a look at the full timetable, and it did look rather confusing, even for me!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So no changes are to happen in Wells to the services (which I'm a bit surprised about - I guess they have delayed the changes or realised there isn't the potential for 126).

66720 and 66721 are staying in Wells and being repainted/refurbished into Mendip Xplorer livery.

66723 and 66724 are leaving for Lawrence Hill/Marlborough Street.

Is this not a salutary lesson in rumours? Delayed the changes? Perhaps the rumour was just that - ill founded, ill informed.

Airport buses heading for the 126? The usual rule of thumb - if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Well it does when Mendip Community Transport get involved. The school 67s are leaving pupils behind at bus stops and same applies with some of the other journeys. People are not happy with it at all. And yet the quiet end of 67 is operated by Crosville with a bigger bus. Absolutely insane.

Remind me who is supporting it? Is it the county council or some of the parishes/district council?

I guess the latter as SCC were quite happy for there to be no service

 

[THarris123]

Remind me who is supporting it? Is it the county council or some of the parishes/district council?

I guess the latter as SCC were quite happy for there to be no service

Mendip Community Transport are running it commercially between Wookey Hole and Wedmore and Crosville bit is still supported by SCC. SCC purchased a new bus for Mendip Community Transport last year, so technically it is still all funded by SCC.

 

[THarris123]

Is this not a salutary lesson in rumours? Delayed the changes? Perhaps the rumour was just that - ill founded, ill informed.

Airport buses heading for the 126? The usual rule of thumb - if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

I think you'll find that these are more than just rumours. These are actual plans by management, but they've either realised its a stupid idea or delayed the changes. I was admittedly surprised to hear of the changes to 126. I'll be surprised if Wells don't get more work in September of some sort. Bath are short and I really can't see Weston bringing in 30 drivers for April.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think you'll find that these are more than just rumours. These are actual plans by management, but they've either realised its a stupid idea or delayed the changes. I was admittedly surprised to hear of the changes to 126. I'll be surprised if Wells don't get more work in September of some sort. Bath are short and I really can't see Weston bringing in 30 drivers for April.

So Andrew Sherrington has told you these actual plans? Or is it "a source"?

I can see the remaining 126 board heading to Wells but as for recruitment at Weston, there may be a few Crosville drivers looking for a new employer anyway.

 

[THarris123]

So Andrew Sherrington has told you these actual plans? Or is it "a source"?

I can see the remaining 126 board heading to Wells but as for recruitment at Weston, there may be a few Crosville drivers looking for a new employer anyway.

I can't really reveal that, but they were actual plans and ideas nonetheless.

I don't know about the other 126 board. 66726 is supposed to be on that and so it stays at Weston. I think Wells might have to cover it for a bit, like what happened last year when 375/377 went, but long term I think Weston will keep it. Obviously there will be drivers heading to First from Crosville, but I really don't think 30. At maximum 20. I'm sure Mr Hanson has got his work cut out.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I can't really reveal that, but they were actual plans and ideas nonetheless.

I don't know about the other 126 board. 66726 is supposed to be on that and so it stays at Weston. I think Wells might have to cover it for a bit, like what happened last year when 375/377 went, but long term I think Weston will keep it. Obviously there will be drivers heading to First from Crosville, but I really don't think 30. At maximum 20. I'm sure Mr Hanson has got his work cut out.

No wonder I get narked - from you on 9th March

"I don't think the 54 reg B7s (66720/1/3/4) in Wells are to be done in Xplorer livery and rumours go that they will join the others in MS. The ex Airport B7s are rumoured to move to Weston and Wells."

A day later, it's gone 180 degrees and a day after that, they weren't rumours but actual plans. Plans that have been completely scrapped!

Do you see the issue with rumours and sources?

 

[henairs]

66726 back on 126 today but sounding a little groggy but I'm no mechanic so probably okay as it was good for time.
66720 had a quick return trip to Shepton on 175 at 1440 from Wells due to 69442 requiring fuel replenishment after which it resumed on diagram with 66720 stepping down.
Cheers, Mike R

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

66726 back on 126 today but sounding a little groggy but I'm no mechanic so probably okay as it was good for time.
66720 had a quick return trip to Shepton on 175 at 1440 from Wells due to 69442 requiring fuel replenishment after which it resumed on diagram with 66720 stepping down.
Cheers, Mike R

66720 must've regained its seats then - they were still on the ground outside the depot at 1200!

 

[henairs]

66720 must've regained its seats then - they were still on the ground outside the depot at 1200!

Yes indeed, 66721 did have seats piled on top of others when I took a look at Depot late morning. At that point 35163 was out front but by 1625 it was parked next to 721 with 720 not visible but possibly inside the small shed as doors were closed by then. Earlier the shed was empty when doors were open.
Cheers, Mike R

 

[THarris123]

Yes indeed, 66721 did have seats piled on top of others when I took a look at Depot late morning. At that point 35163 was out front but by 1625 it was parked next to 721 with 720 not visible but possibly inside the small shed as doors were closed by then. Earlier the shed was empty when doors were open.
Cheers, Mike R

66720 was in the workshop when we got back at about 5.20.

 

[THarris123]

No wonder I get narked - from you on 9th March

"I don't think the 54 reg B7s (66720/1/3/4) in Wells are to be done in Xplorer livery and rumours go that they will join the others in MS. The ex Airport B7s are rumoured to move to Weston and Wells."

A day later, it's gone 180 degrees and a day after that, they weren't rumours but actual plans. Plans that have been completely scrapped!

Do you see the issue with rumours and sources?

Yes I do see, mainly as you continually point it out to me. I am stating that these are just rumours and I will continue to post rumours, as there's still potential for them to come true.

 

[henairs]

66720 was in the workshop when we got back at about 5.20.

Cheers Tom, thought that was you I saw a couple of times yesterday, hope you had a good day out, Cheers, Mike R

 

[Private Baxter]

Well there were other rumours that another vehicle may turn up in Wells.

A dart for 175 perhaps?

 

[THarris123]

A dart for 175 perhaps?

No think bigger (but not as big as a decker).

 

[Private Baxter]

No think bigger (but not as big as a decker).

Another B7 of some description? One of the remaining B7Ls perhaps. Fingers crossed it isn't.

 

[Private Baxter]

Or a bendy! ??????

 

[Whiteway215]

Or a bendy! ��

Plenty of those spare in Bath!

 

[THarris123]

Or a bendy! ��

Oh yeah I didn't think of that one. No it isn't a bendy, nor a coach or decker.

Its a single deck saloon currently based in Bristol that has quite a high potential to move. Rumours are that there might also be another one joining the Wells fleet as well, but I can't see that happening.
There is one specific saloon in Bristol that doesn't quite fit in with the rest of its type and is a bit younger than the rest that I can definitely see moving, but very unsure of anything else.

 

[Private Baxter]

Oh yeah I didn't think of that one. No it isn't a bendy, nor a coach or decker.

Its a single deck saloon currently based in Bristol that has quite a high potential to move. Rumours are that there might also be another one joining the Wells fleet as well, but I can't see that happening.
There is one specific saloon in Bristol that doesn't quite fit in with the rest of its type and is a bit younger than the rest that I can definitely see moving, but very unsure of anything else.

Ok, well my guess is that you are talking of 69253. I think only one extra bus to join 66720/1 should be enough.

 

[henairs]

Ok, well my guess is that you are talking of 69253. I think only one extra bus to join 66720/1 should be enough.

Well I think that's a good guess as 69253 has worked in Wells before when it had a short loan spell from Bath back in June 2012.
I was fortunate enough to have 3 runs on it in that period all on 173 workings.
Old Plymouth machine if I remember correctly.
Cheers, Mike R

 

[henairs]

Well I think that's a good guess as 69253 has worked in Wells before when it had a short loan spell from Bath back in June 2012.
I was fortunate enough to have 3 runs on it in that period all on 173 workings.
Old Plymouth machine if I remember correctly.
Cheers, Mike R

Just checked my records and I had runs on 173 with it in June, October and November so whether a long loan spell or two separate loan spells.
As its an 07 plate the younger bit ties up as well. Mike R

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Well I think that's a good guess as 69253 has worked in Wells before when it had a short loan spell from Bath back in June 2012.
I was fortunate enough to have 3 runs on it in that period all on 173 workings.
Old Plymouth machine if I remember correctly.
Cheers, Mike R

69253 was delivered new to First Bradford with other members of the batch (69245-53) before heading off to Plymouth for Ugobus services. After they got pulled, the batch headed to Southampton (69249-52 since moved to Cymru) but 69253 was for some reason, sent to FSA instead.

A few other Ugobus vehicles have also ended up with FSA too

 

[Private Baxter]

Well I think that's a good guess as 69253 has worked in Wells before when it had a short loan spell from Bath back in June 2012.
I was fortunate enough to have 3 runs on it in that period all on 173 workings.
Old Plymouth machine if I remember correctly.
Cheers, Mike R

You're right, it moved to Bath in April 2012, but was a regular choice to send down to Wells to provide cover over the following few years and was seen quite regularly on 173. It transferred to Marlborough Street a year or so ago but has always been a bit of an oddity in these parts.

 

[henairs]

You're right, it moved to Bath in April 2012, but was a regular choice to send down to Wells to provide cover over the following few years and was seen quite regularly on 173. It transferred to Marlborough Street a year or so ago but has always been a bit of an oddity in these parts.

Well I'm sure Wells would be quite happy to have it back if it occurs. Mike R

 

[Private Baxter]

Well I'm sure Wells would be quite happy to have it back if it occurs. Mike R

I'm sure they would. It's a decent enough machine and would fit in well. Wells has often provided a home for some of the more 'out of place' buses.