(16/05/2015 08:29)bolton bus basher Wrote: [ -> ]22219 is one of the best X-BNE's i have ever been on as i got it on Bank Holiday Monday on the 112 and i thought highly of it overall
I actually thought it was easily the worst one I've been on when it was in Stockport. Maybe it's had some work done on it.
(16/05/2015 08:45)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]I'm trying to recall now - with so few of these left. Are the X-reg batch the last with bench seats, or the first with individual seats? Notwithstanding, I've said before (though moreso to do with First), that its a shame that decent padded seats from old buses could not be kept to replace worn or just moulded plastic seats in newer buses. Certainly, I wasn't impressed with three of the Stagecoach buses I was on yesterday. It was almost as if someone had gone through the fleet and removed padding over the last few days. 19334 is just a heap all round; very rattly. 19277 was structurally stronger, but could also do with re-upholstering. Even 17006 (all day 205/6 working) required a seat change to get a comfy one. Much prefer 17002/10.
The X reg MANs have the grey plastic seating with the grey/orange stripe fabric - although odd ones have recieved the blue beach ball fabric.
22236 is still very active at AZ spending most daytimes on the 347 and surprisingly it turned up a few times on late evening 237's. It's a cracking bus and much more powerful than the cheap plastic Enviro200's (not to mention quieter).
Like wise 17002 is also a pleasure to travel on, considering it's the oldest? In the Manchester fleet it knocks floors off the older 57/08 Enviro400's.
(16/05/2015 11:56)gilbert Wrote: [ -> ]I actually thought it was easily the worst one I've been on when it was in Stockport. Maybe it's had some work done on it.
I think a lot of them recieved attention at some point while at Wigan/Middleton. Many years ago when AZ had quite a few MANs the X reg ones always seemed dogged with gearbox problems with several setting off in second or third gear. Negotiating the BT roundabout on 346's used to be a noisy affair
the S and T reg ones never seemed to have that problem they just hated hills.
(16/05/2015 08:45)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]I'm trying to recall now - with so few of these left. Are the X-reg batch the last with bench seats, or the first with individual seats? Notwithstanding, I've said before (though moreso to do with First), that its a shame that decent padded seats from old buses could not be kept to replace worn or just moulded plastic seats in newer buses. Certainly, I wasn't impressed with three of the Stagecoach buses I was on yesterday. It was almost as if someone had gone through the fleet and removed padding over the last few days. 19334 is just a heap all round; very rattly. 19277 was structurally stronger, but could also do with re-upholstering. Even 17006 (all day 205/6 working) required a seat change to get a comfy one. Much prefer 17002/10.
I agree fully regarding what you said with the Seats, we had the same debate at some point about Arriva in Merseyside as the older Pointer Darts had the nicer Bench Seats compared to the new examples with Urban 90 Seats
There's also a particular driver at HE (not on here I don't think) that actually prefers taking the older Tridents at HE out in service especially when he's on an allnighter as he likes driving them as to him they perform better than the Enviro400s
Noted 16949 out on both Saturday and Sunday. By Sunday it had been stripped of the Salford Uni ads, leaving a very odd two-toned paint job, especially noticeable on the sides.
There had been reports some time ago that it was no longer the "official" Salford Uni bus, so I wonder if the removal of the ads means that it won't be at Middleton for much longer?
(16/05/2015 08:14)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]FTR, from a combination of the FleetCard and local sightings/reports, I understand the following as the full list of buses still on SGM premises but not in service:
Reserve: 17066/484, 22216/7/29/31/3/5/8, 33865-76, 39642, 47752/75
For cascade*: 17486/93/4/511/27/67/75/614/7/24/7/70, 47470
For general disposal (scrap?): 13995/6, 22130/8/56/80-6/9/212/27/8, 33780
* Includes three Tridents last reported at Gillmoss for RR & 17617 (see Scania1996's message).
In addition, 22219/36 are officially in reserve. However, I saw 22236 on the 347 on Weds, and 22219 on 156 yesterday.
Updates welcome
That is really helpful Dentonian.
Can anyone help me with the fate of three ex-Bluebird vehicles:
33856/58 - I think one was in the batch sold to Ensign, but I am not sure which. What happened to the other one.
33861 - does anyone know what happened to this one?
Thanks,
Ian
(19/05/2015 07:45)Owl Wrote: [ -> ]That is really helpful Dentonian.
Can anyone help me with the fate of three ex-Bluebird vehicles:
33856/58 - I think one was in the batch sold to Ensign, but I am not sure which. What happened to the other one.
33861 - does anyone know what happened to this one?
Thanks,
Ian
33856 and 33861 went to Ensign, not sure what happened to 58 though. In other news 17617 has now left Wigan not sure where to though
33858 went to PVS in Period 9.
17617 was due for cascade to Midlands.
Any idea when new enviro 400MMC and Enviro 300 come to wigan for 32/x34 and any route for enviro 300?
thank you
Martyn