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Post by vjaska on Nov 15, 2016 23:32:56 GMT
Are there any TH E400's which are actually decent ? Yes, there are plenty of decent T's at TH - like with any batch of buses, it's inevitable that will be some ropey ones
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Post by YY13VKP on Nov 17, 2016 20:28:43 GMT
Back at it again today, as I had to be on drop off and pick up duty today for my sister to/from school. Train to East Croydon (455 844) - Was packed as it was an early morning service. Train had to attach at Purley to another train from Tattenham Corner, which was very long. 433 to Selsdon Library (8777) - The first of the 433's batch, and it was actually decent. However, there were SPIDER WEBS on the bus. Don't know how they got there unless someone left a door/window open while the bus was VOR. It is developing a slight whine, but this could only be heard when the bus was accelerating, which it barely did. Dropped my sister off at school 64 to Pixton Way (T21) - These are such boring buses now, the 08 reg T's! I've been on so many of them and want a break from them but I can't catch a break! Someone left an umbrella onboard which I handed to the driver. I then saw 191 stuck up Tedder Way, so I decided to get off T21 and get that. Maybe I need to avoid these for a while before I actually want to start taking them, unless I'm running late. 359 to Addington Village (191) - Fairly empty, but great bus, as always. MUCH better than T21. Still has a lot of gaffa tape at the rear. I don't know why they hadn't replaced the light surround yet. Waited at Addington Village and was surprised to see ALL LDP's on route 130! 713 was the only different bus I saw that was on route 130. Also, I saw T144 being passed by T145. Sisters numerically but from a different batch! Also saw quite a few former Stagecoach Tridents including 18228, and a Routemaster on route 466. 130E to East Croydon ( WHV157) - Wanted a decent bus for this extra service and got treated to a brand new WHV in the form of WHV157, off route 1's batch of WHV's. I was quite surprised this has not entered service yet. The bus was really nice, but I was a bit annoyed because I had to sit right at the back and I had to crouch to get through. An Ensign MCW Metrobus passed us at Gravel Hill on route 466, and I was quite surprised to see this, as this is a very old bus, but it was packed. It was also freezing onboard as some of the windows were left open. I did film a video as it was a rare event, but instead of linking it, ill just leave the link here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYzxf9ZiHS4 Train to Kenley (377 706). It was freezing outside, but when I got on the train, it was so warm on board. I didn't want to get off... but I had to. Walked Home Walked to Kenley Station Train to East Croydon (377 432) - Nothing special to report here, apart from the fact I got the whole rear carriage to myself until South Croydon came up. 64 to Old Fairleigh Road (T145) - Firstly, I waited for a 64, but then T21 came, however the next bus was two minutes away, so I missed that and by chance, T145 was on it. T145 was actually decent, and the bus itself was pretty empty, as T21 was not far in front. The driver was told by iBus over the radio to hold at Old Fairleigh Road, which was good for me as thats where I got off. Picked up my sister 433 to East Croydon (8777) - Had this bus AGAIN after having it this morning. But as the driver (who looked a bit like Joel Dommett) stopped and was opening the door, he started blowing the horn quite a lot, and I turned to look and a boy had run in front of the bus! The driver then got up off his seat (he didn't come out of the cab) and told off the boy, before shaking his head and sitting back down. I think the drivers were told to remain alert following the incident where 8783 hit someone in that area, and he was completely right to tell the boy off. Anyway, the bus was the same as this morning. Train to Kenley (455 811) - This 455 has SO MANY DEFECTS! Whenever I go on it, theres always a problem. Today, it had a defective door, and kept having to put sand down when slowing down. Also, it had severe wheelslip when departing Kenley, and managed to cause the third rail to arc. Walked home
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Post by Danny on Nov 17, 2016 20:45:51 GMT
YY13VKP I was on the 407 the other day and a little spider lowered itslef onto the person sitting in fronts head Maybe it was 8777! Regarding the driver having a go at the boy, I was on the 367 yesterday and a man ran across from the other side of the road trying to catch the bus. A lasy then started having a go at the driver saying he was driving too fast and that he nearly ran him over, even though it was the man who decided to run infront of the bus
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Post by YY13VKP on Nov 17, 2016 20:46:48 GMT
You were on the what now?
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Post by Danny on Nov 17, 2016 20:50:44 GMT
You were on the what now? Give me a chance I pressed the send button to early
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Post by YY13VKP on Nov 17, 2016 21:01:40 GMT
YY13VKP I was on the 407 the other day and a little spider lowered itslef onto the person sitting in fronts head Maybe it was 8777! Regarding the driver having a go at the boy, I was on the 367 yesterday and a man ran across from the other side of the road trying to catch the bus. A lasy then started having a go at the driver saying he was driving too fast and that he nearly ran him over, even though it was the man who decided to run infront of the bus Must have been 8777. I was tempted to tell the driver to tell Abellio to hoover the cobwebs up, but he was slightly shocked after the boy ran in front of the bus, so I left him to it. I see so many stupid things nowadays in Croydon with crossing the road, and especially after WITNESSING someone get hit by T54 in 2014 while I was on it (thank GOD the victim wasn't killed), I would react the same way as my driver did today.
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Post by vjaska on Nov 17, 2016 22:50:56 GMT
YY13VKP - why for the love of everything did you not ride that MCW Metrobus? Not only is it a MCW Metrobus (I don't need any more reasons lol) but that Ensignbus example is a very well looked after motor - I had a nice ride on it at the Romford Running Day lol.
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Post by sid on Dec 2, 2016 21:52:52 GMT
2 Norwood Garage to Marble Arch on VLA43. A bit of wheelchair rage with the driver unable to pull in at the kerb due to STL1470 and DLA45 being parked there, driver tells the wheelchair user to speak to the inspector about it as those buses should be on the forecourt and not left blocking the stop. Anyway a nice ride on VLA43, these buses are in very good condition for their age and it will be a shame to see them go, a bit of congestion approaching Hyde Park Corner but otherwise a trouble free journey.
113 Marble Arch to Edgware Station, always a good route for a fast ride and TE878 didn't disappoint, thrashed to Finchley Road station and then a three minute wait to regulate the service then thrashed all the way to Edgware, very fast journey.
Both routes moderately busy.
240 Edgware station to Golders Green on TE894 which coped very well with the hilly terrain, quite a scenic route in places. Quite lightly loaded throughout.
102 Edgware Station to Brent Cross, fairly uneventful journey on T270.
189 Brent Cross to Oxford Circus on LT790. Glad to escape the manic shopping centre heading back the way I'd come, rather sad to see the old Hendon football ground now buried under a housing estate. Another fairly quick journey, just a bit of congestion at Cricklewood, the bus filled up at Kilburn with schools closing for the day but soon emptied out again.
I struck lucky with BYD1471 getting my first ride on one of these just from Oxford Circus to Edgware Road on the 98. The downstairs rear section is a bit odd but very generous legroom upstairs between the seats. Performed very well with some bursts of speed around Marble Arch.
Finally another first for me with a ride on a 'two door LT' in the shape of VHR45208. Apart from the lack of a rear window on the lower deck I was impressed with it, in hindsight these should have been ordered instead of the three door version.
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Post by twobellstogo on Dec 3, 2016 18:32:58 GMT
Run from home to Dartford. Arriva T301 on 428 Dartford - Bluewater Proper T986 on X55 Bluewater - Upminster Round trip on gorgeous Eastern National Bristol MW coach to/from Ongar on X21. RMC1513 on X55 Upminster - Gravesend and back to Bluewater. Currently on Stagecoach Enviro 400 hybrid 12299 on 96 Bluewater - Bexleyheath Will catch 89 or 229 home.
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Post by snoggle on Dec 3, 2016 19:22:41 GMT
123 Tube to Colliers Wood. Took 1 hour on the dot door to door which is very good. Shows how fast the Vic Line is. Tube to Morden Tube to T Hale then 123 turns up immediately. 1 hour 5 mins door to door. Another exceptional journey. 123 - 2 buses together. Opt for VLA13, turn advertised just after Charlie Browns. Thankfully another 123 and 179 were not far behind. Opted for the much quieter 179. Driver was clearly early hence we were driving so slowly the bus couldn't have pulled a skin off a rice pudding. Did eventually speed up after Gants Hill. Bizarrely VLA13 went oos up the A12 towards Newbury Park. 123 - DW328 home. Again sounded like the engine and gearbox were running on custard with rocks in it. That dreadful grinding, sludgey feeling you get with some DWs. Again crawled all the way and stopped at almost every stop. VLA7 turned at Gants Hill. So morning journeys fine, afternoon the typical shambles. VH38104 at Beacontree Avenue stand with a turned 212.
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Post by YY13VKP on Dec 7, 2016 22:51:24 GMT
Had a trip with college to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club, and used a few buses: Walked to Kenley Station. Train to East Croydon (377 706) - The train was packed due to passengers from Upper Warlingham having to use the train due to the strike and a limited service on the East Grinstead line, so they decided to take advantage of our line . The train attached to another 377/6. Luckily I was in the tenth carriage, so that the doors didn't open at Purley Oaks and South Croydon. Waited for my friend Tram to Wimbledon (2538) - Had not been on the tram down to Wimbledon for a very long time. Shame I didn't get a Variobahn though. The tram had been given its internal refresh, so that was good. We raced a Class 377 out of Mitcham Junction, and the 377 was the winner. Met my college tutor and friends. 493 to Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club and Museum ( SE179). The bus was empty and very quiet - until we boarded. I managed to get a seat right at the back but as more got on, the bus was packed. The bus did sound slightly rough, and the stop bell was quite worn down. Went into the Tennis Club 493 to Alexandra Road/Wimbledon Station ( SE190) -Turned up 5 minutes late, and we again filled the bus up. This time, we had reached the maximum capacity the 10.2m Enviro 200 could take, so some people were asked to wait for the next 493. The bus was struggling up the hill from the Wimbledon Tennis Courts, as you would expect from a full load. Most people who wanted Wimbledon Station got off at the stop before, but I stupidly decided to go one stop further, but didn't know it turned left at Alexandra Road instead of going to the station. 200 to Hall Place (E186) - Decided to head back to Croydon by bus, as I had time to spare. Surprised to see a double decker turn up for this journey, but route 200 is actually quite a nice route, especially coming into Mitcham. The bus itself was completely fine. 127 to Purley Tesco (WVL240) - Finally tried out one of the 68 family's former WVL's. But the 127 does not suit this bus very well. It was quite restricted, especially heading up a slight incline near Mitcham Junction Station. The Scania's were a lot better suited to this route IMO. The bus did remind me of a first generation DW though, which was a good thing. There was a lot of traffic coming in to Purley, and I could see the driver with his head in his hands, frustrated about the traffic . We also caught unto WVL366, which was the bus in front, and overtook it after Purley Library. 434 to Kenley Station (189) - Great bus as always! Had not had this in a while, so it was good to go on it again.
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 8, 2016 15:50:08 GMT
Yesterday- 7/12/16 DE on the 33 from Home to Twickenham DE7x on the 33 from Twickenham to Home VH on the 285 from Teddington to Kingston VH on the 371 from Kingston to Richmond SP on the 65 from Richmond to Kingston 81XX (16 reg) from Kingston to Teddington
Today 8156 on the 490 from Twickenham Green to Feltham- unfortunalty there was a bang noise coming from the mechanics of the bus, carried on for a bit and then the brakes stopped working altogether. Jumped onto a DP on the 90 running behind to Hatton Cross VH29 on the 423 from Hatton Cross to Hounslow- only ever seem to get these on the 423, they always chase me around. OT on the H37- driver claimed that there wasn't enough room for a wheelchair user to get on, even though the buggy wasn't even touching the official wheelchair area (we all know how large it is). Driver finally gave in and let her on.
MCL7 on the H37 from Twickenham to Hounslow- love citaros although these could do with a bit of tlc. SP on the 203- a noisy primary school class turned up VH on the 285 85XX on the 290
now about to get SP11 on the 110
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Post by CarpeDiemTraveller on Dec 14, 2016 7:37:50 GMT
My journey could not get any better than this:
295 - LK65 EBP Latimer Road to Royal Crescent
49 - SN64 OF? Holland Road to Carlyle Square
22 - YY66 OYF Carlyle Square to World's End Health Centre
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Post by YY13VKP on Dec 14, 2016 21:51:02 GMT
Today: Got a lift to Sutton Station Train to Wimbledon (319 443) -At least Thameslink were still running during the strikes, and I had a Class 319, which was really nice. I sat in first class as well, as it is declassified on Sutton loop trains. It was actually really nice and quiet and wasnt packed at all while travelling through rural Morden, Sutton and Wimbledon. I will really, really miss the Class 319's. I really hope Southern can take some on. Anyway, when I got to Wimbledon, there was crowd control in place, this was for strike passengers using the tram from East Croydon. Train to Kingston (455 916) - A nice retractioned unit. During the time i was waiting at Wimbledon, I saw 455 856 blinded for "West Croydon". WHAT?! I never knew SWT served West Croydon! But these blind sets are from the 90's at least, so it must be from the days that all 137 455's were based at Selhurst (or at least the 455/8's, as I saw a picture of 455 850 at Selhurst back in the 80's) Walked to college, where I was an hour late!! Left College 371 to Cromwell Road Bus Station (DE119) - Pretty nice bus, and I like the lighting on these DE's. X26 to East Croydon Station ( MCL12) -First time doing the X26, and it was pretty loaded onboard. I now see why its going to need double deckers, but I really do think new ones are required, as I don't think the existing WVL's that Metrobus are supplying will be too suited to it, especially not being built with a luggage rack onboard. It felt really quick though for a 1 and a half hour trip! Within about 15 minutes of departing Kingston, we were already in New Malden! The bus itself was sounding grumbly, just like a regular Citaro (hopefully the Citaro K's are less grumbly). These buses could have been used for another route after the X26, but I would think they would transfer to Epsom Coaches after the X26 leaves Quality Line. I will do the route again when Metrobus take over next spring. Hopefully a 434 bus will make an appearance . 312 to South Croydon Bus Garage (EMC1) - Nice to go back on an EMC again. It was bunched up behind ENL2, but I decided to knock on the door (the bus stopped to let passengers off) and the driver let me on. They are pretty quick buses, the driver was speeding through South End. Walked to discover DWL72 sitting round the side of TC 407 to Purley High Street/Purley Station ( 8821) -Firstly , 8825 showed up, but it was absolutely PACKED, right to the end! Makes me wonder why the 407 isnt a double decker route.So then 8821 turned up and was slightly empty. I was going to go on this on the way to Kenley, but then as we approached Purley, I discovered there was a 434 on the way, so I got off and waited for the 434. 434 to Kenley Station ( 190) - First time I went on it since it went missing. Its had a bit of a repaint on the front left bumper. This was actually quite packed, and mostly with School Children, but I was first on at Purley, so I grabbed a seat. The bus thankfully sounds no different, but its appearance, especially at the rear has changed, with an OLD STYLE E200 rear bumper. I created a side by side comparison of the rear of the bus before and after, and it looks very much different. Walked Home.
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Post by Hassaan on Dec 15, 2016 0:13:34 GMT
Train to Kingston (455 916) - A nice retractioned unit. During the time i was waiting at Wimbledon, I saw 455 856 blinded for "West Croydon". WHAT?! I never knew SWT served West Croydon! But these blind sets are from the 90's at least, so it must be from the days that all 137 455's were based at Selhurst (or at least the 455/8's, as I saw a picture of 455 850 at Selhurst back in the 80's) There used to be a regular Guildford to West Croydon via Sutton service run by SWT until 2004.
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