Stagecoach North West Discussion

[themaster985]

They would be on a contract to Newman College in Preston that starts at Cabus. This was the last day of operation - they all have to use service buses from now on.
With regard to the two Lynx, the one staying at Deepdale Road is for a specific LCC contact which requires a vehicle with seatbelts, whilst the one for Selbourne Street is there for 68's [as is 14557], due to the increase in frequency.

Interesting to note that 14557 (107), is due to move from Deepdale Rd to Selbourne St.

I saw this bus, heading north along the A6, on Friday morning about 7.30 near Cabus, with 14535 (125).

I am surprised that two lynx's are to remain in service.

 

[mbonwick]

It's interesting that all those Solos are going into Reserve, seems a waste really.
We shall have to see where they end up long term, I would guess somewhere outside of the NW.

Dallamlad - AFAIK, the Javelins were inherited when Stagecoach took Ribble over from the NBC.

 

[driver9000]

The Dennis Javelin Duple 300 bodied buses 27035-27037 (F13x SPX) were new to Hampshire Bus and entered Lancasters fleet as 135-137 in the mid 90s I think they were swapped for Leyland Tigers with swap being made at Watford Gap services. They are now with Transdev Northern Blue. It was a shame to lose them because they were really nice to driver and were useful buses to have being 63 seaters they were perfect for the Silverdale-Ripley buses and the Ingleton-Ripley buses.

 

[mbonwick]

It was a mistake to sell them, no doubt about that. Just look at how badly overcrowded some services are - eg. the 1547 Warton service. The extra seats on the Javelins were put to good use on that service. Happy days.

Just a thought, surely there are B10Ms around with seatbelts - I know Kendal has quite a few which aren't regularly used for schools as the 63 seats of the SchoolRunners are needed.
In fact, 20661 has belts IIRC so why not swap it (and something like 20774) with 20725/another B10M?

 

[themaster985]

You are correct. Even though I was one of the drivers that did the swap, I don't have a clue as to the exact date [might have a look in some of my old roster diaries later]. They came north for use on the Blackpool - Knott End service which was transferred to Garstang after the closure of Blackpool depot. Oddly enough, I didn't take a photo of the Javelins at the swap, but here is a photo of the Leopards that were taken down.
http://www.album4103.fotopic.net/p348274.html.
Yes, I would agree with you about them being great buses to drive. They were very fast off the mark as well. Not all the passengers liked the 3x2 seating though as it meant there was a fairly narrow aisle to negotiate. We used them on an almost daily basis for nearly three years, with 900 being the replacement when a Javelin was not available.

The Dennis Javelin Duple 300 bodied buses 27035-27037 (F13x SPX) were new to Hampshire Bus and entered Lancasters fleet as 135-137 in the mid 90s I think they were swapped for Leyland Tigers with swap being made at Watford Gap services. They are now with Transdev Northern Blue. It was a shame to lose them because they were really nice to driver and were useful buses to have being 63 seaters they were perfect for the Silverdale-Ripley buses and the Ingleton-Ripley buses.

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Just had a message to say the two Preston Lynx's have arrived at White Lund as 29212 [212] & 29218 [218]. The drivers that brought them up have taken 20309 & 20725 back to Preston

 

[cainebj]

saw 20765 on 301.
40445 on annexe along with "info to go" bus.

interesting to see how many solo's have went to reserve!!!
i find it annoying that 34079 is back in reserve. its always in and out!

 

[mbonwick]

34079 is the ALX200 Dart, a bit of an oddity really. They should send it and the other one that's in Carlisle to go and join a similar fleet somewhere.

 

[Dallamlad]

So let me get this straight. Solos are going into reserve when there are still 709Ds and B6s knocking around! Why can we see this but they can't? What logical reseason could there be for having solos in reserve?

Grrrrrrrrrr. I thought they may keep a pair of Lynxes for school. Actually makes sense for once lol.

Also I've resieved this:

The Metroriders have moved to Lillhall today for store, Solos are moving the other way i.e. Preston ones are moving to Selbourne St to allow Stagecoach ones to be idspersed to Group Disposal, however now the OFT has decided to finally get involved some of the moves may be temporary, indeed the Scania Esteems moving to Selbourne St for the 19/22 will now carry on hire to Ribble Mortors Stickers.

The displaced ONs from the X2 have already reached Barrow. The older ONs off route 6 should go for disposal thge difference in numbers is caused by the 6 being cut back off Walney, to Barrow, actually saves three on the pvr with the change over bus on paper, more in practice

Lillyhall Solos are pencilled in as 47016 and 47017

33169 is off Preston strength from today along with 34079 so may move sooner rather than later.

Info provided by Lee Wardle. Pretty much what we've already seen.

This just in from Lee Wardle

"The reason for the Solos going into reserve is purley to do with the Operating allowlances they have and the investigation into Preston Bus takeover."

Makes sense now.

 

[pickles]

~~~~~

 

[Dallamlad]

I have no idea I'm afraid. Thats just copied directly from an email.

 

[pickles]

~~~~~

 

[mbonwick]

So the idea is to get the Solos on the original Stagecoach/Ribble licence out of Preston, and keep the ones on the PB licence? Obviously the Solos won't be sold, that's almost certain when SW have just had a whole load of 709Ds and O.814Ds off Manchester.

Oh, ever wondered why Manchester has had so many new vehicles over the last 2 years? Because after London was sold, Manchester became the largest/most profitable Stagecoach area.

 

[cainebj]

this is bugging me now and i'm just wondering if its bugging anyone else.

47016 PO51 WLH
47017 PO51 WLG
47018 PO51 WLF
47019 PO51 WLJ
47020 PO51 WLK
47021 PO51 WLL
47022 PO51 WLM
etc etc

something messed up a little there!

 

[mbonwick]

It's the order they were delivered in. So WLH was expected to arrive after WLG, but in the event it arrived first so got the lower fleet number.

It's a bit like the new 377/5 trains for FCC; so far 377501 and 377504 are the only complete examples.

 

[Dallamlad]

Oh interesting about Manchester. Whats Manchester set for this year?

 

[mbonwick]

Good question. I'd guess at possible replacements for the S/T/W reg Tridents, possibly some Olympian and B10M replacements.

Dunno really though tbh, just makes sense to get Manchester low floor.

 

[Dallamlad]

Yeah I agree and of course they have magic bus as well. Some low floor vehciles with magic bus which suprised me as the average fleet seems to be made up of very old cast offs.

 

[cainebj]

been told passengers on the X5 this morning had to get off at Cockermouth for a bus change.
i think it was 52628 that they had to leave behind. water alarm was going off or something lol.

 

[mbonwick]

Unusual workings are expected throughout Preston for the next few weeks as the fleet settles down.
I'm told most of the 470xx batch of Solos will go, along with the Darts already mentioned. All the depots are supposedly short of space with all the spares for disposal floating around. I'd expect Lillyhall to get busy again!

 

[K768 DAO]

...........

 

[mbonwick]

Can't see it being any newer than those, Gez at SC Lancaster says that the majority of the 470xx are for moving. This would also fit with cainbjs gen that 47004/5 and 47016/7 were to move to Lillyhall.

 

[K768 DAO]

..........

 

[mbonwick]

Couldn't agree more. The 709D was a good bus for its time and has served well. However its time is now over.

Would 4 Solos be enough to remove all the 709Ds?

 

[K768 DAO]

............

 

[cainebj]

20737 on 31.
25225 joined 35246 on 31A.
both 51 reg solo's started out on Moorclose Circular's but 47023 went over onto Seaton 47.
33167 and 33168 on Harrington and Seaton.
40033 went onto Moorclose Circular 50 to allow 47023 onto the busy service.
display on 40033 on Moorclose 50 read "Moorclose Circu 50".
16651 was on school work this morning. didnt see any other school buses.
info to go on annexe.
40013 was on annexe this morning on layover from BNG Contract.

 

[Dallamlad]

I take it the Lynxes left in Preston will be repainted. They should put School Runner branding on them like Kendal's B10Ms. Not much point but would look smart lol.

 

[mbonwick]

18358 (Wainwright) back on the 1620 556 today, I notice it has had larger fleet numbers put above the door in white and also has a half and half rear advert for mountain rescue/Wainright.

 

[pickles]

~~~~~

 

[Dallamlad]

Are you sure it was 18358 because that's not in all over body livery. I thought 18357 was on the 1620 which was the pathfinder.

 

[mbonwick]

Typo, sorry. 18357 it was indeed. I'm always getting mixed up between the vynled Tridents

pickles, thank you. If I can guess what will happen, it probably won't
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16332, one of the ex-LakesLink/X2 Olympians heading for Barrow I think, is in Newcastle at the moment, presumably for chassis repairs.