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Post by vjaska on Apr 18, 2017 19:09:30 GMT
Sounds ok doesn't seem to have a all electric mode like the first generation E400H's, Would Tfl not accept a contract renewal with retrofitted hybrids as the full allocation ? Possibly will accept it (assuming the test running phase is deemed ok) The problem is what will be retrofitted, although the 6 test buses are old, going to need something newer if serious numbers are to be done (Vantage are hoping to be able to do least 1000 buses if it works). I guess probably looking at euroIV and euroV buses with big engines which probably means Volvo B9s Possibly some of the euroIV buses will not be suitable because they lack other things which later became part of TfL spec such as air cooling. I have read a production version of the conversion is about £70k per bus. Over a 5 year contract, means you are having to payback £1200 per month to cover the cost. Of course the alternative is a new bus, so have to weigh this extra cost vs the higher cost of a new bus. By the time refurb cost is added to the older bus, and allowance for more spare parts of the non converted mechanicals on the older bus, the cost vs new might not be that far apart. Until there are some accurate fuel consumption figures from test buses it's going to be difficult to know if this is going to work economically. Euro IV buses do have air cooling as it was introduced on some Euro III buses and even the early Euro IV buses like E1-39 have air cooling. From what I hear, if successful, Vantage are looking to begin converting Enviro 400's & B9TL's with the technology.
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Post by sid on Apr 19, 2017 16:48:23 GMT
Sorry to hijack the thread, nice video, bus did seem quick. I also came across another video recommended whilst watching your video. It was bad enough these guys sneaked in. But they made the matter worse by playing around with the controls of the bus, especially in the cab. What these guys do not realise is, action like this only makes things harder for enthusiasts if they would want to visit garages etc. They did this at Edmonton garage, thank goodness the buses were isolated. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn5IAEV6i_UJust a bit of mischief really, just as well they weren't vandals.
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Post by sid on Apr 19, 2017 18:52:09 GMT
youtu.be/T6S_9qjqFC0This bus I have been waiting ages to get on and ride, but my wait had finally come to an end. This vehicle was out in public service two days before filming - day 1, only briefly, and day 2, didn't run at all. I took a Southern train to Clapham and then as soon as I left the station, I saw what I thought was WVL95. It wasn't, it was actually WVL96, so viewers and bus enthusiasts, don't be fooled into thinking that WVL96 was also converted into hybrid, it was just WVL94/95. I checked LVF to find out that WVL95 was at Aldwych on its way to Wandsworth, so I thought I might take the risk and meet it halfway at Vauxhall - EH2 took me there. I had about 2 minutes to spare until the bus turned up, looking shinier than ever and with its gleaming new Vantage Power stickers! I took the bus up to Wandsworth then back again to Westminster. Quite unexpectedly, I bumped into one of my favourite bus and train YouTubers, LondonBusExplorer, and we talked about all our opinions on different buses and routes, one of our opinions being how fast the bus accelerated and how weird it felt being on a 15 YEAR OLD hybrid bus! Anyway, enjoy the video and comment what you think about the conversion! WVL94 is shown as withdrawn on LVF? I actually thought it was an April fool when I heard about these conversions but it sounds good from your video. I'll have to try and get a ride myself although no doubt the lower deck rear seats will all be taken lol!
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Post by CarpeDiemTraveller on Apr 19, 2017 20:05:11 GMT
youtu.be/T6S_9qjqFC0This bus I have been waiting ages to get on and ride, but my wait had finally come to an end. This vehicle was out in public service two days before filming - day 1, only briefly, and day 2, didn't run at all. I took a Southern train to Clapham and then as soon as I left the station, I saw what I thought was WVL95. It wasn't, it was actually WVL96, so viewers and bus enthusiasts, don't be fooled into thinking that WVL96 was also converted into hybrid, it was just WVL94/95. I checked LVF to find out that WVL95 was at Aldwych on its way to Wandsworth, so I thought I might take the risk and meet it halfway at Vauxhall - EH2 took me there. I had about 2 minutes to spare until the bus turned up, looking shinier than ever and with its gleaming new Vantage Power stickers! I took the bus up to Wandsworth then back again to Westminster. Quite unexpectedly, I bumped into one of my favourite bus and train YouTubers, LondonBusExplorer, and we talked about all our opinions on different buses and routes, one of our opinions being how fast the bus accelerated and how weird it felt being on a 15 YEAR OLD hybrid bus! Anyway, enjoy the video and comment what you think about the conversion! WVL94 is shown as withdrawn on LVF? I actually thought it was an April fool when I heard about these conversions but it sounds good from your video. I'll have to try and get a ride myself although no doubt the lower deck rear seats will all be taken lol! Sometimes it runs on N87 too! I don't think WVL94 or W(H)VL94 (should I say) has started service yet!
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Post by vjaska on Apr 19, 2017 23:26:27 GMT
youtu.be/T6S_9qjqFC0This bus I have been waiting ages to get on and ride, but my wait had finally come to an end. This vehicle was out in public service two days before filming - day 1, only briefly, and day 2, didn't run at all. I took a Southern train to Clapham and then as soon as I left the station, I saw what I thought was WVL95. It wasn't, it was actually WVL96, so viewers and bus enthusiasts, don't be fooled into thinking that WVL96 was also converted into hybrid, it was just WVL94/95. I checked LVF to find out that WVL95 was at Aldwych on its way to Wandsworth, so I thought I might take the risk and meet it halfway at Vauxhall - EH2 took me there. I had about 2 minutes to spare until the bus turned up, looking shinier than ever and with its gleaming new Vantage Power stickers! I took the bus up to Wandsworth then back again to Westminster. Quite unexpectedly, I bumped into one of my favourite bus and train YouTubers, LondonBusExplorer, and we talked about all our opinions on different buses and routes, one of our opinions being how fast the bus accelerated and how weird it felt being on a 15 YEAR OLD hybrid bus! Anyway, enjoy the video and comment what you think about the conversion! WVL94 is shown as withdrawn on LVF? I actually thought it was an April fool when I heard about these conversions but it sounds good from your video. I'll have to try and get a ride myself although no doubt the lower deck rear seats will all be taken lol! WVL94 & 95 were marked withdrawn before it came to light they were actually being converted to hybrids as far as I'm aware. Once WVL94 goes out into service, it won't be marked as withdrawn anymore.
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