darylyates17
Member
Wasn’t Heywood basically an outstation for Bolton anyway? presuming there isn’t enough space at Weston Street to include the Heywood operations.
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion
- Thread starter Leyland Bus
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
mayneway
Member
No!
Heywood actually was first used during the fire and rehire strike 12 months earlier.
Then Diamond had a paddy after loosing the final court hearing to stop franchising and de-registered the 163 and 472/4.
TFGM offered it out to pretty much all operators, all were going through savage driver shortages at the time so declined, then Go North west suddenly picked it up using agency drivers and vehicles from East Yorkshire.
once they took over Bolton the space available was at a premium as the electric chargers had been installed so Heywood remained open.
As an aside, it was strongly rumoured amongst staff at GNW at the time that the Heywood operation in the months prior to tranche one starting was all bankrolled by TFGM, including using expensive agencies.
KendalKing
Established Member
There a few at Morecambe, with 19231 being in use in full Bee Network livery.
darylyates17
Member
I knew all this but thought it was an outstation since Tranche 1 started happy to be corrected.
mayneway
Member
No problem just thought I’d surmise for those who were not sure.
toms
Member
Is this going to result in some services swapping depots (163 going to Weston St for electrification) or will it just stay the same as it has been at Heywood
MCRTransitYT
Member
I think its something to do with GNW's Agency driver problem, but am happy to be corrected.
Leyland Bus
Member
In what way?
MCRTransitYT
Member
I can't remember what exactly it was sorry
It was parked up at Lancaster bus station this afternoon between turns
mattyharding
On Moderation
I ended up on one yesterday on the 348 it was 19331
mattyharding
On Moderation
19329 my apologies
Leyland Bus
Member
No worries!
In other news, the final Diamond liveried bus with GNW left today, fire damaged 6237, on the back of a Barnsley scrap wagon.
Are you sure you mean 6237 only according to BusTimes 6237 was in service yesterday and is in Bee Network livery?
MCRTransitYT
Member
It was 6235Are you sure you mean 6237 only according to BusTimes 6237 was in service yesterday and is in Bee Network livery?
Leyland Bus
Member
It was, it was me rushing!
mattyharding
On Moderation
When they electrify Oldham will it be fully electric or partially electric?
I would have thought Oldham Depot will always be partially electric as some routes that Oldham Depot operate probably stipulate diesels for various reasons, for example without going through the rerouting process again like they did last time I don't think electrics would fit on 415 route to the low bridge on Chadderton/Middleton border on Foxdenton/Grimshaw Lane although I would have thought this would depend on what electric single decks they order for Oldham Depot and how high they are.
aswilliamsuk
Member
- Joined
- 10 Jul 2016
- Messages
- 528
The recent announcement was pretty clear that the order for 220 vehicles (whatever they are) will complete the conversion to electric of both Hyde Road and Oldham. (Certainly the total of 220 roughly matches up with what's needed at each depot to do this - it's something like a 130/90 split Hyde Road / Oldham).
mattyharding
On Moderation
So will this mean the end of B5LH operation in Oldham
Class 466
Established Member
That’s fairly obvious if the depot is going fully electric…
darylyates17
Member
I wonder if this will see off the ex Stagecoach hybrids with Metroline as well.
Everything will be ‘seen off’ eventually
gka472l
Member
Not sure if it's been reported, but the now former Metroline Manchester DEM481, is now with Diamond as 20669, still Bee Network.
Dallamlad
Established Member
No specifics confirmed publicly I don’t think but I’d guess E400EVs to stick to type.
Older stuff will be moved to other depots if needed but I actually think over the coming years a lot of the diesels will be sold to other combined authorities (Liverpool, West Yorks for example) as they role out franchising.
aswilliamsuk
Member
- Joined
- 10 Jul 2016
- Messages
- 528
I would be surprised if they don't see off both the Hybrids and the B9TLs.
mattyharding
On Moderation
I'd like to see some Yutong's both single and double
Class 466
Established Member
Metroline (as a group) do seem to prefer Volvo products over ADL, with recent withdrawals in London prioritising TE/TEH (Trident Enviro/Trident Enviro Hybrids) over any of the VW (Volvo Wrights) B9s there (even if they’re older than the ADL examples). However I do think 2026 will see out the B9s here as well as most of the Hybrids. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the B5LH MMCs moved on as well - they’re only “Paint Float” vehicles.
An observation of the past few days is that a few First Manchester Mellor's have been running round with blank front destination blinds.
Just today I had a driver with the incorrect destination blind also and when challenged he said that if he changes the blind he'd have to wait 5 minutes and then everyone would be late!
Just today I had a driver with the incorrect destination blind also and when challenged he said that if he changes the blind he'd have to wait 5 minutes and then everyone would be late!