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Post by rif153 on Aug 5, 2019 20:53:40 GMT
You've probably read the title of this thread, chuckled, and gone 'what a stupid idea.' In all honesty, I didn't have the conviction to create this thread for a while, I thought it'd fail due to lack of interest. I'm sure someone will come along, and say that having a favourite garage is a stupid, petty concept (I'm waiting to see who that'll be) but on the other hand all enthusiasts do have preferences when it comes to routes, vehicles, and operators so garages shouldn't be much of a stretch.
So, my favourite garage is Shepherd's Bush. This is because I like the routes, vehicles, and drivers they have at S. I use the 70, 94, and 148 frequently, and I have to say their routes are run very well, and are some of my favourite routes to use for necesarry journeys. If I were to become a bus driver, I would almost certainly drive out of S.
What's your favourite garage?
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Post by george on Aug 5, 2019 21:01:12 GMT
You've probably read the title of this thread, chuckled, and gone 'what a stupid idea.' In all honesty, I didn't have the conviction to create this thread for a while, I thought it'd fail due to lack of interest. I'm sure someone will come along, and say that having a favourite garage is a stupid, petty concept (I'm waiting to see who that'll be) but on the other hand all enthusiasts do have preferences when it comes to routes, vehicles, and operators so garages shouldn't be much of a stretch.
So, my favourite garage is Shepherd's Bush. This is because I like the routes, vehicles, and drivers they have at S. Furthermore, I use some of their routes frequently, and I have to say their routes are run very well, and are some of my favourite routes to use for necesarry journeys. If I were to become a bus driver, I would almost certainly drive out of S.
What's your favourite garage?
To me it has to be AF they don't have any old buses but soon no garages will so that doesn't matter too much. The reason I pick AF is mainly due to the variety of different types of buses they have their which makes it more interesting than just driving one type day in day out. I also think they run there routes well. My second choice would be the FW they have lots of very interesting routes IMO
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Post by YY13VKP on Aug 5, 2019 21:08:58 GMT
The obvious choice for me is C 🤣, although I do like TC, TH, BC, MB, EB, Q, SW and TF a lot, mainly due to the variety of batches and bus types they have operating from them. I would also agree with george’s comment about the variety and interesting routes FW have
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Post by ​galwhv69 on Aug 5, 2019 21:47:15 GMT
C,Q,SW,N for me!
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Post by VWH1414 on Aug 5, 2019 22:15:47 GMT
My favourite garages are (in order): 1. EW - Grew up using all of the garages routes (past & present) and commonly use all the garages routes - always enjoyed the VPLs when they were at the depot, and even the TE replacements and I like that now it has a nice little variety. 2. ON - Solely because of the 204 - I've used the 204 more recently then ever (ever since 303 removal - have to now get this and swap for 302 at Burnt Oak Station) and have been enjoying the nice selection of E400s on the routes, as well as collection of both native and ex First VWs that also appear. 3. BT - Since expanding to operate the 142/642 etc I have more commonly used its routes and the lovely ADEs - however I have used their routes for years too previously when they ran the 114 & 292 with their mixed fleet of SLEs, VLEs and VLPs. What lets BT down is the awful DEs on the 251 - some of the worst buses in my area imo, otherwise it would make 2nd. Also getting kind of tired of the 13 reg VHs too, which are getting very tired and are definitely feeling more sluggish - Though I know a lot of others like them. 4. WN - Now run what is the only route Arriva have in my area (except the 340, but I don't really use it that much) and I have always enjoyed the variety they have given out on the 221 (especially recently with HVs and Ts being more common alongside the DWs now) 5. HD - I only use 1 of their routes (186), but having used the 186 more in recent times I have been enjoying the VWs/VWHs on offer.
They are the main garages I could say I use - The only other garage I use sometimes is UX (114) - which would've made the list had it not been for the VWHs - They run the route really well but vehicle type is quite boring, if it saw more E400s (Recently has been seeing 1 a day, but would be interesting if there was more) then it would probably make the list.
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Post by busoccultation on Aug 5, 2019 22:17:46 GMT
My joint favorite garages are BK, NS and RM.
BK is my local garage and has majority of my local routes thus dependent on many of their routes and never have any issues with their drivers and how they run their services. NS has interesting varieties of routes from soon to be a local runabout 497 to a busy trunk route 86 and great service on their routes with excellent bunch of drivers. RM has the most variety of different bus types like Omnicitys, MMC's on the 165 and 372 and is the home of Spirit of London E400 and have one of the most passionate bus drivers you will find in London. Also, the maintenance and presentation of the buses for all three garages are second to none and does give a great image of those garages.
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Post by richard on Aug 6, 2019 0:24:37 GMT
For me it would be HT,AR,EC with HT the main one as I have been brought up in Archway all of my life and I remember the VPs,VPLs,and the early TEs 55 plates when they was new then AR was my favourite with a mix of DLA,VLA, VLWs on the 41. But these days everything is the same type and body I would love to go back to them days
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Post by vjaska on Aug 6, 2019 0:45:49 GMT
SW or N for me purely for the types and routes they've operated over the years. BN is my nearest garage but isn't as interesting bar the tram shed personally
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Post by lonmark on Aug 6, 2019 7:29:33 GMT
I don't work for any bus company but...
I like the old bus garage will be TB because I live in the local area and alway past this garage. I had been a visit open day bus garage of few places and one of my favorites is SW Stockwell. it is amazing and was a huge bus garage that I ever see in my life. (i know prop, not big bus garage) C is a nice bus garage as well because my partner used to work there in a few years ago before left.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2019 7:47:16 GMT
Would have to be FW/TF
I count it as one garage really as it occupies the whole of the original site. A historic garage , last Trolleybus , and by far the largest outer London garage I think ( joint TF/FW)
From here buses travel far and wide across West and SW London and into Surrey. I have a hope one day the two current separated sites will be joined up.
I also note the drivers on both sides are all friendly, and unlike some competing companies, will often to wave to each other on the road.
Second is DT as its my nearest TfL garage now.
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Post by george on Aug 6, 2019 8:42:33 GMT
Would have to be FW/TF I count it as one garage really as it occupies the whole of the original site. A historic garage , last Trolleybus , and by far the largest outer London garage I think ( joint TF/FW) From here buses travel far and wide across West and SW London and into Surrey. I have a hope one day the two current separated sites will be joined up. I also note the drivers on both sides are all friendly, and unlike some competing companies, will often to wave to each other on the road. Second is DT as its my nearest TfL garage now. I really hope they don't get joined up. makes it more interesting having two different operators in the area.
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Post by M1104 on Aug 6, 2019 9:31:11 GMT
My favourite is unsurprisingly AL where as a kid we were able to go inside the garage as far as the office to buy the old Red Rover tickets. It was great getting a closer look of the bus wash and trying to see deeper into the garage from where we were able to walk. Also if a bus was coming out the garage to start there and then we could board the bus from inside the garage, regardless of which direction it was heading towards.
Also as a kid me, my brother and our mates often would stand on the high street opposite the garage watching the buses go in and out, often waving at the drivers as they came out, some who recognised us as some of our parent's mates there working there.
Twenty odd years later when I joined the buses there was almost a drum roll in my head the first time I was able to go into the garage officially. I was finally able to see how big it really is after entering deeper in beyond the relatively small access from Merton High Street, somewhat reminiscent of Q's access from Camberwell New Road. If I didn't know any better I would have said Merton garage was what gave the writer's the idea of having Doctor Who's spaceship being bigger on the inside lol Nowadays I love the garage for the various types of double and single deckers, as well as the fact that their single decker routes get double deck workings, official or otherwise.
My close next favourite garage is Stockwell for essentially the same reasons, plus it was said that they had one of the best canteens. The regime was also a bit more relaxed there, not to say that Merton was bad it's just that Merton appeared a bit more disciplined (but fair). If I was to return to the buses (unlikely based on conditions nowadays) I wouldn't hesitate to choose Merton again, although I may equally go for Abellio's Beddington so as to sample the E40Hs, a breed I really wish Merton had.
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Post by george on Aug 6, 2019 10:07:23 GMT
Seems like SW is a firm favourite by a lot of people on here
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Post by rugbyref on Aug 6, 2019 11:28:35 GMT
The long gone MH. Muswell Hill had a nice herringbone forecourt.
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Post by M1104 on Aug 6, 2019 15:32:09 GMT
Seems like SW is a firm favourite by a lot of people on here I loved that depot also for the unique breeds they had there within their fleet, ie the long wheel based VN class Volvos single deckers, the VC class Volvos double deckers and the PDL class Tridents. Also loved where you could pick and choose your bus for the late turn second half on so many day and night routes, me for example often picking a good Metro for the 133 after most of the VCs got heavily governed (some not so bad but reduced horsepower and torque nevertheless). The main downside for me with Stockwell was getting home at night. It was easy enough for me with the N155 to Colliers Wood then the 152 or 200 if they were still running. Merton on the other hand was a few minutes on the bike. 😊
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