Wellglade Group

[bringiton]

Solo Sr 498 is apparently on the DRT today according to bustimes if it's tracking right instead of a slimline solos or the van

Yes 498 is on drt

 

[Travelmonkey]

Still suprised me that Kinch can use a normal bus on DRT but yet within the same county council Stagecoach cannot,

 

[Qwerty133]

Still suprised me that Kinch can use a normal bus on DRT but yet within the same county council Stagecoach cannot,

The only reason that would make sense for that would be the stagecoach zone containing areas that are challenging or impossible to navigate in a full sized vehicle or the Stagecoach buses missing a feature that is required in the minimum specs for the DRT.
Councils normally only care about minimum requirements (whether in regards to number of seats, emissions (and increasingly fuel type), branding etc) and would not set maximums.

 

[Travelmonkey]

The only reason that would make sense for that would be the stagecoach zone containing areas that are challenging or impossible to navigate in a full sized vehicle or the Stagecoach buses missing a feature that is required in the minimum specs for the DRT.
Councils normally only care about minimum requirements (whether in regards to number of seats, emissions (and increasingly fuel type), branding etc) and would not set maximums.

They do have a white sprinter on rent with a rear tail lift, although it makes it impossible for a wheelchair user to use the bus interchange with that vehicle. Both drivers I had said they get less of a fine for not running the service than subbing on a normal bus, I do think Newark's smallest vehicles (besides the 2 DRT minibuses) are E200s though.

 

[Davidsb3]

Comet Volvo 750 doesn't seem to stay in service long, after it's rear end rebuild. Managed one return trip to Chesterfield today. It seems to have come out of service about 5 days on the trot.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jan 2026 ==


I'd wonder if the buses released will appear on other routes.. The Solos 2-5 aren't compliant for Sheffield.

750 keeps going into derate ( a emissions version of limp mode) and also the heating does not work so if this is proof that volvos don't like sitting around for a good while I don't know what is ahaha

 

[Trainman40083]

750 keeps going into derate ( a emissions version of limp mode) and also the heating does not work so if this is proof that volvos don't like sitting around for a good while I don't know what is ahaha

They certainly don't like being rear end shunted. So, no heating in January? Hope the drivers have gloves.

 

[derbyveg]

as all volvo b7s are non complient

717 & i believe 741 had euro 6 traps put on a few years back. When both Derby & Nottingham were planning low emissions zone, glad that was scrapped now.

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So, no heating in January? Hope the drivers have gloves.

God with recent cold spells i wouldn't ike to do a 4am start or 10pm finish with a cold bus.

 

[derbybusdepot]

717 & i believe 741 had euro 6 traps put on a few years back. When both Derby & Nottingham were planning low emissions zone, glad that was scrapped now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jan 2026 ==


God with recent cold spells i wouldn't ike to do a 4am start or 10pm finish with a cold bus.

741 sounds almost Scania like, definitely different to the others. I think it had quite extensive work done, possibly using some Scania spares?

Any confirmation on which buses have now left Kinchbus with the introduction of the Yutongs. Guessing will be 11 buses in 11 out?

Surprised mango 498 remains, you'd think Trent would like any mango liveries vehicles back.

 

[38291018]

741 sounds almost Scania like, definitely different to the others. I think it had quite extensive work done, possibly using some Scania spares?

Any confirmation on which buses have now left Kinchbus with the introduction of the Yutongs. Guessing will be 11 buses in 11 out?

Surprised mango 498 remains, you'd think Trent would like any mango liveries vehicles back.

Wouldn't be surprised if they kept it as a spare for the DRT now to get rid of the slimlines (2, 3, 4 ,5) which was used as spares for DRT and the kinch solos (478, 479) as the mango Sr is newest excluding 501, 503 which are sheffield complient so may be sent elsewhere.

 

[BusLink61]

741 sounds almost Scania like, definitely different to the others. I think it had quite extensive work done, possibly using some Scania spares?

My understanding on 741 is that it has a new scania gearbox in, which would explain why it’s more vocal than the rest. It’s been in for a number of years now, back to when it was at Derby - I first saw it operating on the Comet and the noise definitely took me by surprise!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jan 2026 ==

Four of the Ex red arrow Plaxton elites are for sale with Odyssey Coach Sales, 88 is one of the four.

I’ve found Video link to them:

 

[Trainman40083]

My understanding on 741 is that it has a new scania gearbox in, which would explain why it’s more vocal than the rest. It’s been in for a number of years now, back to when it was at Derby - I first saw it operating on the Comet and the noise definitely took me by surprise!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jan 2026 ==

Four of the Ex red arrow Plaxton elites are for sale with Odyssey Coach Sales, 88 is one of the four.

I’ve found Video link to them:

He does like showing the slightly stripped Mango Volvo, 704

 

[YX73OUB]

741 sounds almost Scania like, definitely different to the others. I think it had quite extensive work done, possibly using some Scania spares?

Any confirmation on which buses have now left Kinchbus with the introduction of the Yutongs. Guessing will be 11 buses in 11 out?

Surprised mango 498 remains, you'd think Trent would like any mango liveries vehicles back.

741 received the gearbox out of 611.

 

[Hyebone]

741 received the gearbox out of 611.

Interesting as 611 is listed on Bustimes as being withdrawn due to gearbox failure.

 

[liamf656]

Interesting as 611 is listed on Bustimes as being withdrawn due to gearbox failure.

I'd sooner try and get info from a chicken than Bustimes vehicle edits

 

[StavBered]

829 has just broken down outside of the festival inn in Trowell

 

[YX73OUB]

Interesting as 611 is listed on Bustimes as being withdrawn due to gearbox failure.

It had a brand new box in it in 2019 - I know because I picked it up from ZF when it was done.
Ahh bustimes... the Wikipedia of bus enthusiasm. I remember going out and having to strike lucky for odd sightings or relying on tip offs from colleagues or friends within the industry... anyway.

True new boxes fail... in this case bustimes is wrong (when I know it's usually super reliable......)

It was also the engineering manager of Derby at the time who told me as he knew I had a soft spot for the old girl. (611)

 

[Trainman40083]

Looks like Kinchbus Optare Solo 3, is now with Littles. I guess it will appear on the service 9, Derby to Ockbrook service in early February.

 

[38291018]

Indeed just saw the edit on bus times with the photo (click here)

I find that an Interesting move, like I know 9/9A used a van most the time with vectare anyway, but I would of thought they would of chose a normal solo over a slimline like 478 or 479 as I assume there also spare or atleast one of them now due to kinch electrics replacing them because both its newer and normal size to use elsewhere other than 9/9A like on school runs or other contracts they do or may well do in the future

 

[Trainman40083]

Indeed just saw the edit on bus times with the photo (click here)

I find that an Interesting move, like I know 9/9A used a van most the time with vectare anyway, but I would of thought they would of chose a normal solo over a slimline like 478 or 479 as I assume there also spare or atleast one of them now due to kinch electrics replacing them because both its newer and normal size to use elsewhere other than 9/9A like on school runs or other contracts they do or may well do in the future

Littles also have a Solo of their own. B25 LTL, ex TM Travel 1169.

 

[38291018]

Yes I knew there was another solo (wasn't aware if the number and reg though), just thought they would get another full size in my opinion but nice to see them continue on I guess. I'm interested to see what will happen to the other slimlines including 5 and 6 which are the ones that got refubed more recently than the others I think.

Find interesting that in the back of that picture is YAZ 8645. Is that used for parts now? Thought that would of got scrapped by now

 

[Trainman40083]

Yes I knew there was another solo (wasn't aware if the number and reg though), just thought they would get another full size in my opinion but nice to see them continue on I guess. I'm interested to see what will happen to the other slimlines including 5 and 6 which are the ones that got refubed more recently than the others I think.

Find interesting that in the back of that picture is YAZ 8645. Is that used for parts now? Thought that would of got scrapped by now

I wonder if one of the Enviro 200s will be used too. Littles have 4, but I think only 2 get used on the 14 services.

 

[38291018]

I wonder if one of the Enviro 200s will be used too. Littles have 4, but I think only 2 get used on the 14 services.

Not sure if they still have the contract but didn't they use one or two for nottingham uni

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jan 2026 ==

Not sure if it's still branded but there's a E200 on a student nottingham university service run with the route diagram on the side
Photo of the E200 I mention

 

[Trainman40083]

Not sure if they still have the contract but didn't they use one or two for nottingham uni

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jan 2026 ==

Not sure if it's still branded but there's a E200 on a student nottingham university service run with the route diagram on the side
Photo of the E200 I mention

Can't say I've seen that branded Enviro 200.

 

[Jackoram06]

704 appears to look very sorry for itself at the back of Langley Mill

 

[derbyveg]

704 appears to look very sorry for itself at the back of Langley Mill

awful brakes. Suspension that hurt your back after a few bumps but was quite a nice volvo imo.

 

[YX73OUB]

awful brakes. Suspension that hurt your back after a few bumps but was quite a nice volvo imo.

Yes the retarder and gearbox did not get on very well at all

 

[Hyebone]

in this case bustimes is wrong (when I know it's usually super reliable......)

Good to know. I'm aware it isn't the most reliable source of information.

Not sure if it's still branded but there's a E200 on a student nottingham university service run with the route diagram on the side
Photo of the E200 I mention

Interesting format for route branding considering its smack bang where an advert would be. I didn't even look at it initially

 

[YX73OUB]

Good to know. I'm aware it isn't the most reliable source of information.

Interesting format for route branding considering its smack bang where an advert would be. I didn't even look at it initially

Hopefully going forward Littles can pick a logo and stick to it

 

[43055]

Looking at bus times 839 is tracking on the V3. Presumably it is another vehicle maybe 503 which has been at meadow road since Monday.

 

[Trainman40083]

Looking at bus times 839 is tracking on the V3. Presumably it is another vehicle maybe 503 which has been at meadow road since Monday.

Well, purely by chance I saw the diagram "839" was tracking on. I was waiting for Trans Peak 811. All I can say is was a red Versa PKK.