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Post by wirewiper on Nov 15, 2022 11:18:48 GMT
I suspect it is s former Oxford Bus Company vehicle, they frequently specified "OXF" as part of the registration. It was indeed OBC 824 (MC52OXF). Interestingly the sale pictures show it with reg WNZ2347, unless thus is another Citaro. The current owner apparently had an "ageless" Northern Ireland registration, but it has changed back to its original registration prior to sale.
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 15, 2022 17:49:20 GMT
Thank you, I had a look at that one. Having viewed the MOT history (the reg is MC52 OXF), it is more of a project than I'm prepared to take on.
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 15, 2022 17:52:27 GMT
To be consistent it has to be something I like and can work with so am likely to go shopping for a Citaro... GNE have 15 for sale on Facebook marketplace. The interiors look very nice:
Thanks, will have a look.
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 16, 2022 11:13:53 GMT
Latest news at Replacement Bus Hire Fleet updates23065 - sat in a workshop (not the one I use for maintenance!) for a whole month and despite best efforts on my part, barely any progress was made with repairs. It has however had some work done and now has a 6 button gear selector. 23065 has now been delivered to another facility to have the necessary work and a test carried out. TA23 - stored unserviceable. Decision yet to be made on what happens next. VLA170 - continues to put in good work on hire to another operator. VLA176 - has been reinstated. It went for its annual MOT test today and passed. Next day on planned rail replacement will be on Sunday 27th November. After a lot of work, the boost circuit is now airtight, it has all 250 horses pulling and will have the speed limiter adjusted. There's one more major bit of engineering work that needs doing then it will be time to look at cosmetics. It has been a journey, getting it to where I want it to be and serves as a learning curve for the work involved in reinstating a vehicle that was dormant for the best part of four years. Other news- TA400 was loaned from Southern Transit to cover for TA23 and VLA176 which were VOR. It did some evening trips for Great Western Railway on the North Downs Line last week.
- Replacement Bus Hire is now a supplier for Abellio. Debut was on Saturday where a Shenfield to Ingatestone duty was meant to be covered. However that was changed to Newbury Park to Ingatestone to assist with the heavy flow of passengers. This was with TA400, which was returned to Southern Transit on Sunday morning.
- Three vehicles are planned to join the fleet in the near future. One will take VLA170's place, one will take MAL108's place and one will be a more standard sized single decker to cover a wider range of work than is possible with an artic.
That's all for now.
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Post by galwhv69 on Nov 16, 2022 11:24:17 GMT
Latest news at Replacement Bus Hire Fleet updates23065 - sat in a workshop (not the one I use for maintenance!) for a whole month and despite best efforts on my part, barely any progress was made with repairs. It has however had some work done and now has a 6 button gear selector. 23065 has now been delivered to another facility to have the necessary work and a test carried out. TA23 - stored unserviceable. Decision yet to be made on what happens next. VLA170 - continues to put in good work on hire to another operator. VLA176 - has been reinstated. It went for its annual MOT test today and passed. Next day on planned rail replacement will be on Sunday 27th November. After a lot of work, the boost circuit is now airtight, it has all 250 horses pulling and will have the speed limiter adjusted. There's one more major bit of engineering work that needs doing then it will be time to look at cosmetics. It has been a journey, getting it to where I want it to be and serves as a learning curve for the work involved in reinstating a vehicle that was dormant for the best part of four years. Other news- TA400 was loaned from Southern Transit to cover for TA23 and VLA176 which were VOR. It did some evening trips for Great Western Railway on the North Downs Line last week.
- Replacement Bus Hire is now a supplier for Abellio. Debut was on Saturday where a Shenfield to Ingatestone duty was meant to be covered. However that was changed to Newbury Park to Ingatestone to assist with the heavy flow of passengers. This was with TA400, which was returned to Southern Transit on Sunday morning.
- The direction of the business is changing slightly. Three vehicles are planned to join the fleet in the near future. One will take VLA170's place, one will take MAL108's place and one will be a more standard sized single decker to cover a wider range of work than is possible with an artic.
That's all for now. Good to see more progress mate. I'll be controlling at Newbury Park on Saturday, will I see you around?
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 16, 2022 12:06:30 GMT
Good to see more progress mate. I'll be controlling at Newbury Park on Saturday, will I see you around? Thanks! And unfortunately not, will most likely be steering a MEC around the lanes of Knockholt and Chelsfield!
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Post by galwhv69 on Nov 23, 2022 16:01:35 GMT
Not my tweet
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 25, 2022 14:50:35 GMT
To be consistent it has to be something I like and can work with so am likely to go shopping for a Citaro... GNE have 15 for sale on Facebook marketplace. The interiors look very nice:
Those ones have all sold out unfortunately!
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 26, 2022 21:59:43 GMT
Thanks! Will check it out and whatever else they have. Ongoing drama with 23065 means I need something to cover for it for Hampton Court next Sunday!
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Post by 6HP502C on Dec 2, 2022 2:02:24 GMT
Fleet updates
23065 - work has now commenced to get it back on the road, including repairs to the chassis, engine and interior and removal of the cassette ramp.
TA23 - stored unserviceable with a terminal fault.
VLA170 - still on hire to another operator
VLA176 - further work was required on it following its MOT. During the prep an oil filter was replaced and it had a new air dryer. It has since had a bottom end engine rebuild and the safety valves on the air tanks replaced, thereby fixing a fault that had arisen with frequent air dumps as a result of overfilling. The speed limiter has also been adjusted. Going forward it will be living an easier life. The abundance of power it now has will be used to operate at lower loads and revs, like the 06 plate WVLs did. It is a good bus and now I think I'm finally happy with it, cosmetic work has been added to the bottom of the to-do list.
VNW32423 - drafted in to cover VLA176 while life prolonging work was taking place. However it is unlikely to be required for service now.
In other news, MAL108 has reportedly been sold for export.
That's all for now.
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Post by 6HP502C on Dec 4, 2022 0:45:51 GMT
Quick update.
VLA176 withdrawn, again! Although it runs it requires a significant bit of work doing.
Replacement Bus Hire is out today on Clapham Junction to Hampton Court, allocated Mercedes-Benz Citaro. Looking forward to seeing all the action!
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Post by 6HP502C on Dec 10, 2022 13:01:04 GMT
Replacement Bus Hire news
While 23065 is being repaired, Mercedes Citaro NK08 CHC has been acquired. It was driven from Stirling to base last week. First break was in Stafford followed by a two hour snooze at Beaconsfield services. Just shy of 10 hours driving! The bus has been well cared for and it was a completely positive experience with Drew Wilson Coach Sales and Hunter's Executive Coaches. At this point I have to thank @jamdougnut for bringing this vehicle to my attention.
NK08 CHC won't be given a fleetnumber for now. It made its debut on the Clapham Junction to Hampton Court last weekend and will be out on emergency rail replacement later today.
Fleet updates
23065 - repairs underway.
NK08 CHC - serviceable.
TA23 - stored unserviceable.
VLA170 - on hire to another operator
VLA176 - VOR with replacement fuel pump and engine required.
VNW32423 - VOR with engine in terminal condition. It only did 100 miles before a wear related fault within the engine finished it which is unfortunate as it was only to be kept for a few weeks while VLA176 was worked on.
That's all for now.
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Post by LondonExplorer316 on Dec 10, 2022 20:02:56 GMT
NK08 CHC won't be given a fleetnumber for now. Would it not be best to give it its GNE fleetcode (5298)?
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tts
Conductor
Wished he got all Tridents driven like how he got TN33186 driven!
Posts: 94
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Post by tts on Dec 10, 2022 20:26:13 GMT
NK08 CHC won't be given a fleetnumber for now. Would it not be best to give it its GNE fleetcode (5298)? I'd argue 6201 is better, given it is applied on the back of the bus!
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Post by 6HP502C on Dec 16, 2022 12:17:10 GMT
Fleet updates
23065 - continues to be worked on. The pedal has been recalibrated to the correct setting so it's no longer required to resort to sorcery to get the kickdown working. The speed limiter has been adjusted and various bits of work have been done to the chassis, engine and interior to get it right. It's an ongoing project.
NK08 CHC - air dryer being replaced this week and there are plans to get rid of that pink mirror. The arm is too short for my liking. It turns out it needs to be given an identity as it is being requested by a customer. So from this point forward its fleet number will be SPV 1.
TA23 - stored unserviceable. The decision has been made to repair it and hopefully it will be in a workshop just after Christmas.
VLA170 - on hire to another operator
VLA176 - VOR, plan in place to repair oil filter casing and replace the fuel pump. Hopefully back on the road before Christmas.
VNW32423 - VOR with engine in terminal condition.
That's all for now.
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