|
Post by ServerKing on Sept 1, 2024 4:23:49 GMT
Can I ask any of you please, how many vehicles can fit into GY? I want to do one of my "mass tendering" speculation exercises for Romford in September. Thanks! Current quota of buses is 56. Go down there dressed as an Agency driver with hi vis and look a little lost
|
|
|
Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Sept 1, 2024 7:51:14 GMT
Can I ask any of you please, how many vehicles can fit into GY? I want to do one of my "mass tendering" speculation exercises for Romford in September. Thanks! Current quota of buses is 56. Go down there dressed as an Agency driver with hi vis and look a little lost Thanks, that's a good way of being allowed inside to see for myself But yes, I believe you and shall base my predictions accordingly.
|
|
|
Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Sept 1, 2024 8:39:53 GMT
Yesterday I expressed disappointment at the risk of narrowly missing out on a Kite on route 255, as I shall almost certainly be in the area a bit too soon. Part of my reason for wanting to come early is to guarantee not missing out on a classic VH on route 432.
Well, it occurs to me that route 432 is not necessarily being lost. So, what I can do is cover other even if adjacent areas, then only come to the area early in the event that the loss of route 432 is confirmed. As it is, my prediction is that it will be retained with its current VHs for 3 years. I could even "box clever" and do route 432 and routes further east sooner, then route 255 and routes further west later.
Mind you, the likely short-lived WVLs on route 200 (and other national travel considerations for the Autumn) could favour Wimbledon & Sutton on the 28th.
|
|
|
Post by DE20106 on Sept 1, 2024 14:55:01 GMT
Yesterday I expressed disappointment at the risk of narrowly missing out on a Kite on route 255, as I shall almost certainly be in the area a bit too soon. Part of my reason for wanting to come early is to guarantee not missing out on a classic VH on route 432. Well, it occurs to me that route 432 is not necessarily being lost. So, what I can do is cover other even if adjacent areas, then only come to the area early in the event that the loss of route 432 is confirmed. As it is, my prediction is that it will be retained with its current VHs for 3 years. I could even "box clever" and do route 432 and routes further east sooner, then route 255 and routes further west later. Mind you, the likely short-lived WVLs on route 200 (and other national travel considerations for the Autumn) could favour Wimbledon & Sutton on the 28th. If the 432 doesn’t get retained with those existing 63-reg VHs for another 3 years I’ll be extremely surprised
|
|
|
Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Sept 1, 2024 16:06:50 GMT
Yesterday I expressed disappointment at the risk of narrowly missing out on a Kite on route 255, as I shall almost certainly be in the area a bit too soon. Part of my reason for wanting to come early is to guarantee not missing out on a classic VH on route 432. Well, it occurs to me that route 432 is not necessarily being lost. So, what I can do is cover other even if adjacent areas, then only come to the area early in the event that the loss of route 432 is confirmed. As it is, my prediction is that it will be retained with its current VHs for 3 years. I could even "box clever" and do route 432 and routes further east sooner, then route 255 and routes further west later. Mind you, the likely short-lived WVLs on route 200 (and other national travel considerations for the Autumn) could favour Wimbledon & Sutton on the 28th. If the 432 doesn’t get retained with those existing 63-reg VHs for another 3 years I’ll be extremely surprised Same here, and the plot has thickened now... Assuming route 432 is retained, I can wait until May or soon after, by which time route 196 returns to its roots at N. Plus riding an ES on route 50 based at TH could be more promising by then. Talking of route 196 and also route SL6, we cannot be sure whether new electric buses will arrive in time. Maybe Volvo BZLs for routes 243 & 341 will be diverted there at least temporarily. However, I think it is more likely that their current HVs would be used there, and reach GY later in the year instead. I am feeling pretty settled on the idea of Wimbledon & Sutton for September 28th now.
|
|
|
Post by ServerKing on Sept 1, 2024 16:27:22 GMT
If the 432 doesn’t get retained with those existing 63-reg VHs for another 3 years I’ll be extremely surprised Same here, and the plot has thickened now... Assuming route 432 is retained, I can wait until May or soon after, by which time route 196 returns to its roots at N. Plus riding an ES on route 50 based at TH could be more promising by then. Talking of route 196 and also route SL6, we cannot be sure whether new electric buses will arrive in time. Maybe Volvo BZLs for routes 243 & 341 will be diverted there at least temporarily. However, I think it is more likely that their current HVs would be used there, and reach GY later in the year instead. I am feeling pretty settled on the idea of Wimbledon & Sutton for September 28th now. BZLs won't be sent to Norwood for the 196, it can use Electroliners from the 417. Contract start dates don't always see the buses start the same day, electric orders seem to start later. BZL range is shorter than Electroliner and the BZLs don't arrive into AR until February / March so I am sure there will be 74 and 25 plates there. After that the HVs will go to GY (hence mild refresh of AR HVs starting with 271 and 277 so far) where they cannot wait for newer buses, the rate the DWs are dropping like flies as they are constantly hammered. No more DWs free at Enfield as some are needed for the 191. (New existing bus contract). Any 196 / SL6 transfer will affect GY if absent BZLs mean HVs can't be cascaded DWs freed from the 99 and 269 can go to the SL6 until more Electroliners arrive
|
|
DW221
Driver
Posts: 172
Member is Online
|
Post by DW221 on Sept 1, 2024 16:49:47 GMT
Same here, and the plot has thickened now... Assuming route 432 is retained, I can wait until May or soon after, by which time route 196 returns to its roots at N. Plus riding an ES on route 50 based at TH could be more promising by then. Talking of route 196 and also route SL6, we cannot be sure whether new electric buses will arrive in time. Maybe Volvo BZLs for routes 243 & 341 will be diverted there at least temporarily. However, I think it is more likely that their current HVs would be used there, and reach GY later in the year instead. I am feeling pretty settled on the idea of Wimbledon & Sutton for September 28th now. BZLs won't be sent to Norwood for the 196, it can use Electroliners from the 417. Contract start dates don't always see the buses start the same day, electric orders seem to start later. BZL range is shorter than Electroliner and the BZLs don't arrive into AR until February / March so I am sure there will be 74 and 25 plates there. After that the HVs will go to GY (hence mild refresh of AR HVs starting with 271 and 277 so far) where they cannot wait for newer buses, the rate the DWs are dropping like flies as they are constantly hammered. No more DWs free at Enfield as some are needed for the 191. (New existing bus contract). Any 196 / SL6 transfer will affect GY if absent BZLs mean HVs can't be cascaded DWs freed from the 99 and 269 can go to the SL6 until more Electroliners arrive Adding on to GY: From being pelted on the 66 to the 103 to the 370 as well, All 3 routes being actually good routes with fast speeds compared to most other London routes today! combining the fact theyre 15 years old its really not surprising theyre becoming more unreliable Most of them are actually in pretty decent condition for their age, most preform well! Better than most of the ones at AR and other garages for example… Will certainly be an end of an era for GY though, most drivers love the DWs, theyre just breaking down and being VOR too often now… the hybrids being boring from an enthusiastic pov despite that will still be a fresh start for them. At least its helped them retain the routes after all
|
|
|
Post by ServerKing on Sept 1, 2024 20:08:55 GMT
BZLs won't be sent to Norwood for the 196, it can use Electroliners from the 417. Contract start dates don't always see the buses start the same day, electric orders seem to start later. BZL range is shorter than Electroliner and the BZLs don't arrive into AR until February / March so I am sure there will be 74 and 25 plates there. After that the HVs will go to GY (hence mild refresh of AR HVs starting with 271 and 277 so far) where they cannot wait for newer buses, the rate the DWs are dropping like flies as they are constantly hammered. No more DWs free at Enfield as some are needed for the 191. (New existing bus contract). Any 196 / SL6 transfer will affect GY if absent BZLs mean HVs can't be cascaded DWs freed from the 99 and 269 can go to the SL6 until more Electroliners arrive Adding on to GY: From being pelted on the 66 to the 103 to the 370 as well, All 3 routes being actually good routes with fast speeds compared to most other London routes today! combining the fact theyre 15 years old its really not surprising theyre becoming more unreliable Most of them are actually in pretty decent condition for their age, most preform well! Better than most of the ones at AR and other garages for example… Will certainly be an end of an era for GY though, most drivers love the DWs, theyre just breaking down and being VOR too often now… the hybrids being boring from an enthusiastic pov despite that will still be a fresh start for them. At least its helped them retain the routes after all It's the end of an era when they go. The Dartford ones are quick but are being pelted up hill and down dale on the punishing hills. Aside from the 123, the 41 only climbs Hornsey Rise on the 41, but all thr AR ones need a tune up. Edmonton ones are quick on the 158 and don't hang about when running light from EC or on cameo appearances on the 217. Hybrids are fairly quick but it's not the effortless gearchanges of the Voith... they can be a little jerky, watch your shins on the stairs if you have a heavy footed driver on the 243 Electrics would suit the 66 as they are rapid. We'll see next year how the BZLs fare. As for some hoping for the BZLs to go on the SL6, there's more chance of Spurs beating Newcastle when they next meet in the Spring
|
|
|
Post by capitalomnibus on Sept 1, 2024 22:49:20 GMT
Can I ask any of you please, how many vehicles can fit into GY? I want to do one of my "mass tendering" speculation exercises for Romford in September. Thanks! Current quota of buses is 56. Go down there dressed as an Agency driver with hi vis and look a little lost PMSL, I do not think they have any agency drivers there at the moment. Even still, how would that work to count them unless it is Christmas day or 3am and even at that time, good luck on walking around the garage to count all buses.
|
|
|
Post by capitalomnibus on Sept 1, 2024 22:51:36 GMT
Adding on to GY: From being pelted on the 66 to the 103 to the 370 as well, All 3 routes being actually good routes with fast speeds compared to most other London routes today! combining the fact theyre 15 years old its really not surprising theyre becoming more unreliable Most of them are actually in pretty decent condition for their age, most preform well! Better than most of the ones at AR and other garages for example… Will certainly be an end of an era for GY though, most drivers love the DWs, theyre just breaking down and being VOR too often now… the hybrids being boring from an enthusiastic pov despite that will still be a fresh start for them. At least its helped them retain the routes after all It's the end of an era when they go. The Dartford ones are quick but are being pelted up hill and down dale on the punishing hills. Aside from the 123, the 41 only climbs Hornsey Rise on the 41, but all thr AR ones need a tune up. Edmonton ones are quick on the 158 and don't hang about when running light from EC or on cameo appearances on the 217. Hybrids are fairly quick but it's not the effortless gearchanges of the Voith... they can be a little jerky, watch your shins on the stairs if you have a heavy footed driver on the 243 Electrics would suit the 66 as they are rapid. We'll see next year how the BZLs fare. As for some hoping for the BZLs to go on the SL6, there's more chance of Spurs beating Newcastle when they next meet in the Spring The 86's electric buses got to test their legs in service on the A12 today with a diversion between Ley Street and Barley Lane.
|
|
|
Post by Dad91 on Sept 2, 2024 0:43:22 GMT
It's the end of an era when they go. The Dartford ones are quick but are being pelted up hill and down dale on the punishing hills. Aside from the 123, the 41 only climbs Hornsey Rise on the 41, but all thr AR ones need a tune up. Edmonton ones are quick on the 158 and don't hang about when running light from EC or on cameo appearances on the 217. Hybrids are fairly quick but it's not the effortless gearchanges of the Voith... they can be a little jerky, watch your shins on the stairs if you have a heavy footed driver on the 243 Electrics would suit the 66 as they are rapid. We'll see next year how the BZLs fare. As for some hoping for the BZLs to go on the SL6, there's more chance of Spurs beating Newcastle when they next meet in the Spring The 86's electric buses got to test their legs in service on the A12 today with a diversion between Ley Street and Barley Lane. how did electric buses go
|
|
|
Post by ServerKing on Sept 2, 2024 1:36:28 GMT
Current quota of buses is 56. Go down there dressed as an Agency driver with hi vis and look a little lost PMSL, I do not think they have any agency drivers there at the moment. Even still, how would that work to count them unless it is Christmas day or 3am and even at that time, good luck on walking around the garage to count all buses. Thanks for letting me know the Agency's name PMSL (Premier Managed Services Ltd)... I couldn't remember when challenged by security. I had counted 56 early Thursday morning and was sat in the cab of DW501 as they called the cops Lol it's outdated numbers from Londonbusroutes, I wouldn't wander around in the hi vis any more as the Court Order is still in place until next May Speculation can so often go wrong, we all have to see what happens and when. It's nice to see the HVs gain some fresh paint (2 so far at AR) some have looked tatty for some time...
|
|
|
Post by mkay315 on Sept 2, 2024 7:32:45 GMT
PMSL, I do not think they have any agency drivers there at the moment. Even still, how would that work to count them unless it is Christmas day or 3am and even at that time, good luck on walking around the garage to count all buses. Thanks for letting me know the Agency's name PMSL (Premier Managed Services Ltd)... I couldn't remember when challenged by security. I had counted 56 early Thursday morning and was sat in the cab of DW501 as they called the cops Lol it's outdated numbers from Londonbusroutes, I wouldn't wander around in the hi vis any more as the Court Order is still in place until next May Speculation can so often go wrong, we all have to see what happens and when. It's nice to see the HVs gain some fresh paint (2 so far at AR) some have looked tatty for some time... LMAOOOOOOO 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 the way I screamed reading this yours and capitalomnibus commentary is too much. This reminds me of the decent days in the Premier League when Martin Tyler and Andy Gray was in the box.
|
|
|
Post by sp17 on Sept 2, 2024 11:44:16 GMT
HV244 is at Milton Keynes
|
|
|
Post by PGAT on Sept 2, 2024 22:36:09 GMT
ES121-132 now registered
|
|