Arriva Midlands North - Shropshire operations

[SouthEastBuses]

I have some questions:

1. Why are the VDL SB200 Wright Pulsar 2s never used on the 436 (Bridgnorth - Shrewsbury)? Are they too long for the route or something?
2. Can the Optare Versas ever work on X5 (Oswestry - Telford via Shrewsbury)?
3. What are the most scenic routes in Shropshire run by Arriva?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I have some questions:

1. Why are the VDL SB200 Wright Pulsar 2s never used on the 436 (Bridgnorth - Shrewsbury)? Are they too long for the route or something?
2. Can the Optare Versas ever work on X5 (Oswestry - Telford via Shrewsbury)?
3. What are the most scenic routes in Shropshire run by Arriva?

1. IIRC, the 436 is operated by Shrewsbury depot and haven't they largely standardised on Versas; don't think they have any Pulsars. Fairly certain there's no real restriction for length; travelled on a Lynx (back in the day) on that route and think Tempos were used on there in the past by some dodgy indie
2. They do fairly regularly and have done for some time
3. Bridgnorth to Kiddy or to Shrewsbury are quite pleasant and anything Oswestry/Shrewsbury countryside. The X5 is a bit dull tbh. The best routes have been lost sadly

 

[SouthEastBuses]

1. IIRC, the 436 is operated by Shrewsbury depot and haven't they largely standardised on Versas; don't think they have any Pulsars. Fairly certain there's no real restriction for length; travelled on a Lynx (back in the day) on that route and think Tempos were used on there in the past by some dodgy indie
2. They do fairly regularly and have done for some time
3. Bridgnorth to Kiddy or to Shrewsbury are quite pleasant and anything Oswestry/Shrewsbury countryside. The X5 is a bit dull tbh. The best routes have been lost sadly

1. This would make sense then. I wonder if Shrewsbury have my former lot of Versas (the KX61s and YJ61s previously at Arriva Surrey Guildford depot on routes like the 34, 35, 53 and 63)
2. So whoever runs the X5 also has Versas, or is the X5 split between Shrewsbury and the other depot I have no idea which one it is?
3. Yeah 297 is on my bucket list too

 

[RELL6L]

There are some YJ61 Versas based at Oswestry but I'm not sure they are from Surrey, looks more likely they were originally at Derby. The 436 is run by Shrewsbury and runs to Bridgnorth and then through to Wolverhampton as a 9. There used to be a small outstation in Bridgnorth but I'm not sure if it still exists. The X5 is run by Shrewsbury and Oswestry, Oswestry has Pulsars and Versas but anything can appear - including E200, Solo and the occasional decker (4106 is on it now). I recall using the 436 when it was run by EasyBus - connected in some way with EasyJet - which ran Tempos, I think they went bust. Note that this is all likely to change as Oswestry closes soon, no doubt the 2s will be run by Wrexham and the X5 entirely by Shrewsbury, I guess the other Oswestry routes will be given up.

Entirely agree with @TheGrandWazoo on the scenic bits, the best ones have gone or are operated by independents, the remaining routes tend to be on the more main roads and don't show Shropshire at its best, I've never thought the 511 to Whitchurch that exciting to be honest and agree on the X5. The 297 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and the 436 are probably the best. Good places though, Bridgnorth, Ironbridge, Shrewsbury - take time at them if you can.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

There are some YJ61 Versas based at Oswestry but I'm not sure they are from Surrey, looks more likely they were originally at Derby. The 436 is run by Shrewsbury and runs to Bridgnorth and then through to Wolverhampton as a 9. There used to be a small outstation in Bridgnorth but I'm not sure if it still exists. The X5 is run by Shrewsbury and Oswestry, Oswestry has Pulsars and Versas but anything can appear - including E200, Solo and the occasional decker (4106 is on it now). I recall using the 436 when it was run by EasyBus - connected in some way with EasyJet - which ran Tempos, I think they went bust. Note that this is all likely to change as Oswestry closes soon, no doubt the 2s will be run by Wrexham and the X5 entirely by Shrewsbury, I guess the other Oswestry routes will be given up.

Entirely agree with @TheGrandWazoo on the scenic bits, the best ones have gone or are operated by independents, the remaining routes tend to be on the more main roads and don't show Shropshire at its best, I've never thought the 511 to Whitchurch that exciting to be honest and agree on the X5. The 297 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and the 436 are probably the best. Good places though, Bridgnorth, Ironbridge, Shrewsbury - take time at them if you can.

1. This would make sense then. I wonder if Shrewsbury have my former lot of Versas (the KX61s and YJ61s previously at Arriva Surrey Guildford depot on routes like the 34, 35, 53 and 63)
2. So whoever runs the X5 also has Versas, or is the X5 split between Shrewsbury and the other depot I have no idea which one it is?
3. Yeah 297 is on my bucket list too

@RELL6L is on the money. The Versas at Oswestry and Shrewsbury are relatively native - think mainly ex Derby and possibly Thurmaston. The ones in Guildford went to Southend (many having originated there) with some to other depots like Hemel.

I think the EasyBus thing was some sort of franchise arrangement by some small firm that went pop. Think GHA then had a go til they went bust too.

Definitely, the 297 down the Severn Valley is the better one and the 436 is good. Perhaps the 576 as well but again, agree with @RELL6L in that the places like Ironbridge or Shrewsbury are lovely to walk round. Another handy, but infrequent route is the 18 from Telford to Much Wenlock.

 

[SSmith2009]

@RELL6L is on the money. The Versas at Oswestry and Shrewsbury are relatively native - think mainly ex Derby and possibly Thurmaston. The ones in Guildford went to Southend (many having originated there) with some to other depots like Hemel.

Think they may have some previously based from Burton depot too which now part of Diamond Bus.

 

[markymark2000]

2. Can the Optare Versas ever work on X5 (Oswestry - Telford via Shrewsbury)?

Versas can and do go on the X5. The 06:35 Shrewsbury to Oswestry and 07:37 from Oswestry seem to be common ones for the Versas on the X5.

 

[bussnapperwm]

There are some YJ61 Versas based at Oswestry but I'm not sure they are from Surrey, looks more likely they were originally at Derby. The 436 is run by Shrewsbury and runs to Bridgnorth and then through to Wolverhampton as a 9. There used to be a small outstation in Bridgnorth but I'm not sure if it still exists. The X5 is run by Shrewsbury and Oswestry, Oswestry has Pulsars and Versas but anything can appear - including E200, Solo and the occasional decker (4106 is on it now). I recall using the 436 when it was run by EasyBus - connected in some way with EasyJet - which ran Tempos, I think they went bust. Note that this is all likely to change as Oswestry closes soon, no doubt the 2s will be run by Wrexham and the X5 entirely by Shrewsbury, I guess the other Oswestry routes will be given up.

EasyBus was a "franchise" brand ran by The Skiers Lodge.

There was a thread about them on here (https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-and-the-skiers-lodge-ltd-t-a-easybus.134956/)