Arriva North West - Southport Depot

[H101GEV (Administrator)]

RE: Arriva North West - Southport Depot
Sampled a few more Southport Marshalls today, leaving just the elusive 7664 to ride. This has been in the same position within Canning Road for the last few days, so here's hoping it hasn't been withdrawn just yet.

Of today's rides, 7652 was a solid performer despite a squeak near the front of the bus. As always for the 7651-56 batch, it was very tidy internally and retained the vast majority of original glass. It's clear that 7651-56 take some beating. They're conditionally better than most and generally sound riders. The quality of 7654 and 7655 compared with almost all of those that were at Green Lane and formerly Skelmersdale is incredible. 7673, however, was entirely different: a bit of a shed with a bad idle vibration and rough ride.

Also went on the new kid on the block, 2239. I have to say, this is one of the better X-ANCs I have ridden: it's actually quite smooth. The downside though is the condition, significantly vandalised at the rear and looks out of place in Southport with its old livery and unrefurbished interior. A retrograde step really replacing Marshalls with these, age aside.