Lothian Group discussion (Lothian City, Lothian Country Bus and East Coast Buses)

[OmniCity999]

This story has now appeared on Edinburgh Live:

Hardly "gutted".

Yes the engine will likely need replaced. But in the grand scheme of things, it's only the last 5 rows on both decks that are actually effected.

Let it air, strip out the interior, rebuild, refit the interior and it'll be back on the road. About 80% of the interior will be saved and since its still under warranty, repairs wont be too steep.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Hardly "gutted".

Yes the engine will likely need replaced. But in the grand scheme of things, it's only the last 5 rows on both decks that are actually effected.

Let it air, strip out the interior, rebuild, refit the interior and it'll be back on the road. About 80% of the interior will be saved and since its still under warranty, repairs wont be too steep.

That rag doesn't let the facts get in the way of a good story

 

[fgwrich]

That rag doesn't let the facts get in the way of a good story

It's a standard at.Live page so everything is told in an overly dramatic fashion. I would hardly see those images as "Shocking"!

As for the fire itself, It certainly isn't the first bus to catch fire and wont be the last - as the damage is at the rear end, then as long as there's no damage to the framework then it'll likely be repairable. After all, one well known survivor of a fire (in this case arson) is Stagecoach's 19000 / Spirit of London and that is back in service on the streets of London.

Suspected arson on 7/7 tribute bus 'Spirit of London'

Two girls are charged after a bus which replaced the double-decker destroyed in the 7 July bombing is the target of a suspected arson.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Cesarcollie]

Hardly "gutted".

Yes the engine will likely need replaced. But in the grand scheme of things, it's only the last 5 rows on both decks that are actually effected.

Let it air, strip out the interior, rebuild, refit the interior and it'll be back on the road. About 80% of the interior will be saved and since its still under warranty, repairs wont be too steep.

Depends who wins the inevitable argument over whether it’s a design fault or negligence/poor maintenance. If the latter, warranty won’t come into it!

 

[37114]

It's a standard at.Live page so everything is told in an overly dramatic fashion. I would hardly see those images as "Shocking"!

As for the fire itself, It certainly isn't the first bus to catch fire and wont be the last - as the damage is at the rear end, then as long as there's no damage to the framework then it'll likely be repairable. After all, one well known survivor of a fire (in this case arson) is Stagecoach's 19000 / Spirit of London and that is back in service on the streets of London.

Suspected arson on 7/7 tribute bus 'Spirit of London'

Two girls are charged after a bus which replaced the double-decker destroyed in the 7 July bombing is the target of a suspected arson.

www.bbc.co.uk

I recall 19000 was a special case, were it not for it's number/history it wouldn't have been repaired...

 

[Aaronb2601]

Hey. I am not sure if this has been asked but I’m just going to ask anyway. Does anyone know if the B7RLE’s will come back into service? And also the B7TL’s? I’m aware that some of them have been sold.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Hey. I am not sure if this has been asked but I’m just going to ask anyway. Does anyone know if the B7RLE’s will come back into service? And also the B7TL’s? I’m aware that some of them have been sold.

All of the B7TLs bar 763 have left Lothian, with said B7 appearing to be some form of spares vehicle?

 

[Aaronb2601]

All of the B7TLs bar 763 have left Lothian, with said B7 appearing to be some form of spares vehicle?

Ah okay, thanks for clarifying that regarding the B7TL’s. what about the B7RLE’s for example the ones registered SN04/SN55 then the newer ones, will they come back into service?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Ah okay, thanks for clarifying that regarding the B7TL’s. what about the B7RLE’s for example the ones registered SN04/SN55 then the newer ones, will they come back into service?

The 04 and 55 plates have all gone/plan to go so they won’t be back.

I’ve heard a few rumours about 136-166 going as well as they’re just lying idle. 161-166 could become part of the training fleet maybe?

1-10 might be upgraded to Euro 6 if what I’ve been told is true. An engine rebuild/replacement is on the cards. That will take a fair amount of time to complete so now is probably a good time to do it.

With the addition of the eVoRa’s that’s gonna mean there’s 70 Euro 6 single decks to use so the Euro 5 lot that’s left (1-10, 167-175, 186-190) will probably find themselves spare until a use can be found for them. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if LothianCountry or ECB gained some of the out of use Eclipse2’s.

 

[Aaronb2601]

The 04 and 55 plates have all gone/plan to go so they won’t be back.

I’ve heard a few rumours about 136-166 going as well as they’re just lying idle. 161-166 could become part of the training fleet maybe?

1-10 might be upgraded to Euro 6 if what I’ve been told is true. An engine rebuild/replacement is on the cards. That will take a fair amount of time to complete so now is probably a good time to do it.

With the addition of the eVoRa’s that’s gonna mean there’s 70 Euro 6 single decks to use so the Euro 5 lot that’s left (1-10, 167-175, 186-190) will probably find themselves spare until a use can be found for them. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if LothianCountry or ECB gained some of the out of use Eclipse2’s.

Ah okay, thanks for clarifying. Do you know when the new buses will come into service? Really hope they use some of the B7RLE’s as they are great buses, in my opinion anyway!

 

[OmniCity999]

Ah okay, thanks for clarifying. Do you know when the new buses will come into service? Really hope they use some of the B7RLE’s as they are great buses, in my opinion anyway!

A lot of B7RLE's will stay in various guises.

B8RLE'S will be ready when their ready - thats the only response I can give you.

The 04 and 55 plates have all gone/plan to go so they won’t be back.

I’ve heard a few rumours about 136-166 going as well as they’re just lying idle. 161-166 could become part of the training fleet maybe?

1-10 might be upgraded to Euro 6 if what I’ve been told is true. An engine rebuild/replacement is on the cards. That will take a fair amount of time to complete so now is probably a good time to do it.

With the addition of the eVoRa’s that’s gonna mean there’s 70 Euro 6 single decks to use so the Euro 5 lot that’s left (1-10, 167-175, 186-190) will probably find themselves spare until a use can be found for them. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if LothianCountry or ECB gained some of the out of use Eclipse2’s.

1-10 are Euro5 EEV so I dont think they'll get rebuilt.

 

[Aaronb2601]

A lot of B7RLE's will stay in various guises.

B8RLE'S will be ready when their ready - thats the only response I can give you.


1-10 are Euro5 EEV so I dont think they'll get rebuilt.

Thanks for replying. I am relatively new to this forum and have only recently started being interested in buses, so I know it must be irritating answering all these questions but thank you for taking the time to do so.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

Thanks for replying. I am relatively new to this forum and have only recently started being interested in buses, so I know it must be irritating answering all these questions but thank you for taking the time to do so.

Welcome to the forum, and this Lothian thread. Any questions, feel free to ask. There is no such thing as a stupid question in my opinion, as we all learn by asking questions.

If you're from the Edinburgh area, you might also be interested in these two threads.

First Scotland East (Midland Bluebird and West Lothian operations)

Combined thread carrying on the discussion from: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-midland-bluebird.130883/ and the First operations from here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/west-lothian-buses.166740/

www.railforums.co.uk

Edinburgh Tour Operators: Bright Bus, Lothian (Majestic, Three Bridges) etc.

It's on employment website and FIRST website for jobs looking for JOBS, you can apply now and get this new job. It must be in the jobCentre aswell.... https://www.indeed.co.uk/m/viewjob?jk=3edfbf47b70e4624&from=appsharedroid&dupclk=0 PCV Tour Bus Driver First UK Bus - Edinburgh £10.50 an...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[overthewater]

When will the B8RLE'S actually go out, Lothian seems to be sitting on brand new stock far longer than other companies, are they planning something?

Also it seems All the spare stock as been or is about to sold thus when these new buses hit the road another 30 spare buses will be freed up. Do when know which ones these will be and if these will be sold on?

 

[CN04NRJ]

When will the B8RLE'S actually go out, Lothian seems to be sitting on brand new stock far longer than other companies, are they planning something?

Also it seems All the spare stock as been or is about to sold thus when these new buses hit the road another 30 spare buses will be freed up. Do when know which ones these will be and if these will be sold on?

As far as I know it's only 04-56 plate B7RLEs and B7TLs that have been sold. 136-170 still remain as 'spare' - I do wonder what will happen with 30 of the 7900s in the meantime though.

Also, some of the heritage fleet has returned to Longstone - X777 and FSC 182.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Any news on an upcoming service change this month?

 

[overthewater]

What services bar the 36 and 12 going back to every 20mins needs to be changed?

 

[Aaronb2601]

Does anyone have any idea when the B7RLE’s will be used again?

 

[OmniCity999]

When will the B8RLE'S actually go out, Lothian seems to be sitting on brand new stock far longer than other companies, are they planning something?

Also it seems All the spare stock as been or is about to sold thus when these new buses hit the road another 30 spare buses will be freed up. Do when know which ones these will be and if these will be sold on?

We're not "sitting on new stock", theres two of them in our possession and their not officially handed over yet. Their being used for engineering training. I'll let the boss know the enthusiasts want them out ASAP.

As far as I know it's only 04-56 plate B7RLEs and B7TLs that have been sold. 136-170 still remain as 'spare' - I do wonder what will happen with 30 of the 7900s in the meantime though.

Also, some of the heritage fleet has returned to Longstone - X777 and FSC 182.

Company is keen to keep the 7900's but capacity is an issue

Heritage fleets are obtaining various test passes to keep them roadworthy.

Does anyone have any idea when the B7RLE’s will be used again?

A number of B7RLE's will be held onto long after the B8RLE's enter service, to cover any teething issues.

When we get back up to full service and out of the global pandemic a lot more of the single deck fleet will be required. Right now, we need social distancing.

It's also important to have a large single deck fleet overall as single deckers are very useful, so some will remain with the company for some time. Especially since the company is more keen to undertake private hire work.

As far as im aware, we're only actively keen to get rid of the 04 and 05/55 plate singles due to emissions. Others will be kept and retrofitted if need be, funding has been secured. Of the early B7RLE's we have under 10 left to get rid of.

 

[overthewater]

We're not "sitting on new stock", theres two of them in our possession and their not officially handed over yet. Their being used for engineering training. I'll let the boss know the enthusiasts want them out ASAP.

That's the first time anyone has actually stated how many is actually within the company at this moment of time. if everything wasn't such a state secret people wouldn't be asking.

 

[OmniCity999]

That's the first time anyone has actually stated how many is actually within the company at this moment of time. if everything wasn't such a state secret people wouldn't be asking.

but in the nicest way possible, its none of anyones business.

It's nice that you're all drip fed certain things, but its not essential

We know we're due new buses, we know their Volvo, if you want a little peek at one of them, head down to Seafield for a peak. Please do actually, as soon as someone "leaks" a photo, the sooner we can talk about them in more detail.

Any more info that im allowed to share, i will, but it's not anyones right to know all about them - if you feel so enthused about them, submit an FOI request.

There's more important issues in the world

 

[Bus9120UK]

but in the nicest way possible, its none of anyones business.

It's nice that you're all drip fed certain things, but its not essential

We know we're due new buses, we know their Volvo, if you want a little peek at one of them, head down to Seafield for a peak. Please do actually, as soon as someone "leaks" a photo, the sooner we can talk about them in more detail.

Any more info that im allowed to share, i will, but it's not anyones right to know all about them - if you feel so enthused about them, submit an FOI request.

There's more important issues in the world

My friend went down a few days ago and they were not in sight.

 

[overthewater]

Do we actually know what body type it is? That is the big question... It was claimed Alexander but now its claimed to be MVC, if its the latter then I doubt anyone will care since they will be just like Demo from last year. That is where the interest is coming from


Of course there is more important issues in the world, that why were here on this forum to get away from them,

 

[OmniCity999]

Do we actually know what body type it is? That is the big question... It was claimed Alexander but now its claimed to be MVC, if its the latter then I doubt anyone will care since they will be just like Demo from last year. That is where the interest is coming from


Of course there is more important issues in the world, that why were here on this forum to get away from them,

I can tell you, they are longer than the demonstrator, resembling the length of the East Coast B8RLE's

 

[overthewater]

So it is Alexander body then? That is why there is so much interest in this matter.

 

[OmniCity999]

So it is Alexander body then? That is why they is so much interest in this matter.

I never stated that.

 

[overthewater]

See all a state secret, If its not Alexander body no one will care, because it just like demo but just a bit longer..

 

[OmniCity999]

See all a state secret, If its not Alexander body no one will care, because it just like demo but just a bit longer..

Why does it matter if anyone cares? it takes you from point A to point B.

Honestly, if you're that interested, head down to Seafield and have a look, theres constant vehicle movements. One of them will be outside at some point.

 

[CN04NRJ]

So it is Alexander body then? That is why there is so much interest in this matter.

A stretched ~13m MCV Evora would presumably come under the definition of a 'new body' for UK type certification I'm assuming.

It was hinted in the previous thread that they were at Volvo Cambridge/Ely and were 'new body types' for the B8RLE chassis so would therefore require COIFs and/or type certification (I'm not sure if these are the same thing or how the process works).

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong on this assumption.

 

[scosutsut]

A stretched ~13m MCV Evora would presumably come under the definition of a 'new body' for UK type certification I'm assuming.

It was hinted in the previous thread that they were at Volvo Cambridge/Ely and were 'new body types' for the B8RLE chassis so would therefore require COIFs and/or type certification (I'm not sure if these are the same thing or how the process works).

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong on this assumption.

Can't answer that but any newly invented ADL body would require the same certification I guess wouldn't it.