Was in Carlisle today.
The midday X75 to Stranraer was being operated by an old low floor s/d (V or W reg) and not the usual X75 branded coach.
The 79/179/379 had at least 2 old volvo/alexander s/ds on it (1 P reg, 1 R reg). Anything to do with fall out from the Olympics?
And 2 Tridents on the 61 - 17017 and a MX55 reg.
Seems like Stagecoach are using there reserves for the period of the olympics.
Watch the clear out after the Olympic's and to an extent after the Paralympic Games .
Stranraer's X75 just gets whichever tacho fitted vehicle is available and working, V reg MAN ALX's have done it a few times now, as have B10M's, their 500 branded Plaxton Profile, and other coaches. It is supposed to be a Plaxton Interurban (52360) but has had unbranded 54reg Profile's and the 500 branded 07 Profile.
24121 and 24122 are in Liverpool for the Olympics and Paralympics, so at least 1 B10M should be on 79/179/379 each day now, 2 when the MAN Enviro300's are being MAN Enviro300's (would rather sit in the workshops than be in service).
17017 and 18357 will be working off Carlisle for the rest of summer holidays. They're not needed on 104 while schools are off, so they're put to use mainly on 61/61A, a nice easy city route for them.
The X75 Stranraer was today worked by 500 Dumfries-Stranraer branded 53303.
A lot of Solos were about today - 47016 on the 94 which is normally 20904 when the schools are on; 47018 on the 62; 47020 on the 38; 47022 on the 69; 47474 on the 685 Brampton. I think 47721 would have been on the 77 at Keswick as 47722 was on the 77A (from Penrith) the other day, also the only short Dart still about 34221 would have been on the 80 at Annan.
The other working on the 38 was 20133 - the two 38s are usually Dart SLFs but with three away, this was probably the best run to put a B10M on.
The "Trident" 104s were worked by 20544 and 20944 but the 1205 Center Parks came in with 16338 and was changed over for 16343. Regular bus 24123 was missing.
Trident 17017 was on the 61 as usual but I think 18357 was on the 1215 554 to Keswick - hope it made it. Also on the 61 was 34714 branded for the 76 - very unusual to see a branded bus on the wrong route - while unbranded 34703 and 34716 were on the 76.
34717 was covering for one of the Enviro300s on 79/179 but I saw four of the others - 24116-119 but 24120 may have been on the 1400 as I had to be away before that came in. The other B10Ms I saw were 20128 on the 93 and 1215 38; and 20977 on the 600. I did not see 20540, 20904 or 20959 but there were probably two of these at Penrith for the 106 and 508.
So considering there are five low-floor buses away at Gillmoss, Carlisle seems to be coping quite well.
Hope this is of interest.
20904 is on "Able to Play", so 94/97 is taking a minibus allocation for the next few weeks.
Short Dart 34079 has been out, but not much. It isn't in the best condition, has had a few issues already, adding to its unsuccessful career after London. 34218 due out soon if not already, I've not seen or heard of it appearing out yet. Would have made more sense if 34214/9 just stayed on so 34079 (no wheelchair ramp) and 34218 didn't have to come into service for the Olympics, could be other plans for those Darts though.
(31/07/2012 17:03)cumbria0902150 Wrote: [ -> ]Short Dart 34079 has been out, but not much. It isn't in the best condition, has had a few issues already, adding to its unsuccessful career after London. 34218 due out soon if not already, I've not seen or heard of it appearing out yet. Would have made more sense if 34214/9 just stayed on so 34079 (no wheelchair ramp) and 34218 didn't have to come into service for the Olympics, could be other plans for those Darts though.
I see on the Period 3 fleetcard (thanks Michael Bonwick) that 20219 and 20965 are now allocated to Carlisle. Are either of these in service yet?
Yes, both out in service.
They're nothing to do with Olympics though, but due to the Sainsbury's contract resuming. (Staff for the new Carlisle store are being transported down to Morecambe for training ahead of the opening).
Glad you like the fleetcards!
(22/07/2012 21:00)cumbria0902150 Wrote: [ -> ]Last I checked, only one of them was on the road. They're very unreliable, with one being off the road for about 4 months now. You'll most likely find the route will have 1 council Trident, 1 Stagecoach Trident, and 2 Volvo Olympians, or maybe 2 Stagecoach Tridents and 1 Volvo Olympian.
The Council Tridents are being replaced at the start of September. Good riddance too. Only good thing about them is the coach style seating.
I was able to ride 18278 on Thursday. It was unique as route X35 was topped up by 2 indigenous Tridents and an Olympian. I had been shocked in Kendal to see a J-reg Olympian, and a few minutes later H-reg Leyland Olympian 14259! Mind you, although I didn't butt in, I heard an enthusiast say 18 new buses are due, but I didn't hear where exactly for. Kendal does seem to need them!
(04/08/2012 21:22)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ] (22/07/2012 21:00)cumbria0902150 Wrote: [ -> ]Last I checked, only one of them was on the road. They're very unreliable, with one being off the road for about 4 months now. You'll most likely find the route will have 1 council Trident, 1 Stagecoach Trident, and 2 Volvo Olympians, or maybe 2 Stagecoach Tridents and 1 Volvo Olympian.
The Council Tridents are being replaced at the start of September. Good riddance too. Only good thing about them is the coach style seating.
I was able to ride 18278 on Thursday. It was unique as route X35 was topped up by 2 indigenous Tridents and an Olympian. I had been shocked in Kendal to see a J-reg Olympian, and a few minutes later H-reg Leyland Olympian 14259! Mind you, although I didn't butt in, I heard an enthusiast say 18 new buses are due, but I didn't hear where exactly for. Kendal does seem to need them!
There is also a F-reg Olympian as seen
here Cracking buses!
There's a pair of F regs actually.
The 18 new vehicles referred to are presumably those currently away at the Olympics, which will make Morecambe their home. All of Morecambe's oddity Olympians will be withdrawn along with a number of Tridents.
It's unknown where they'll go at this stage, but the last I heard Kendal were to keep 3 Volvo Olympians and get 5 Tridents (presumably S reg). Sadly that will be the end of the Leylands.
I would imagine 16664 will be one of Kendal's Volvos soon; the OD there is keen on his special liveries.