Those do breakdown a fair bit those hybrids although they handle the running better than 201-215 would. The B5 Hybrids have nowhere near the performance on country roads as the B9TLs particularly the ZF ones
The B5s still have their hybrid running gear and the extra power that goes with it, so they're alright for faster stuff.
Here's an interesting question: are the hybrid B5s better at the "faster stuff" than the straight-diesel B5s? Just thinking of a comparison between Lothian Country's B5LHs and East Coast's B5TLs...
The ZF B9s are brilliant on country work due to the 9L engine teamed with a 6 speed gearbox, its really noticable how much of an advantage the bigger engine gives over the B5s. Same with how much the 6 speed gearbox gives a better performance than 928-936 with their 4 speed Voith gearboxes
Some (but not all) of the B9s can get up to 50mph whereas the B5LHs are restricted to 42mph. On the other hand, I find the hybrids a lot quicker pulling away which does go some way to compensating for the lower top speed. Some of the B9s are very, very sluggish.
Some of the B9TLs that Lothian used to have were extremely fast at speeding up (not extreme but felt quick). I have a memory of a B5 and a B9 at a junction, the light went green and they both went ahead. The B9 got ahead quickly although I have been on some sluggish B9s as well.
Generally yes. The B5LHs with the electric motors and engine combined are more powerful than a B5TL and the I-Shift gearbox is well suited to high speed running. I'd go as far to argue that the B5LHs work better on express/rural runs than they do on start stop.
Unusual that they're restricted to 42MPH. All of the Stagecoach East Scotland B5LHs are restricted to 52MPH except one which for some reason does 57MPH.
It’s a similar circumstance to Glasgows B9TLs, the control with which engineering management are maintaining the correct software control. Engines and gearboxes haven’t been configured the same way on all vehicles, possibly some were missed if it was previously changed.
698 has been out a week or so now, just has been tracking very intermittently.
EastCoastbuses up to 57 have been in service since their repaints now. 58-60 being in the repaint process.
They're getting through those repaints of the Eclipse 3's very swiftly, only 5 more to go once 58, 59 and 60 return.
I was in Musselburgh tonight and 61 left the depot looking like it was heading for Marine. Similarly to 58 the AVL appears to have frozen. I know ECB send stuff to Marine all the time but I did wonder if there could be a high chance it’s away for repaint.
Only 2 of them are going there I believe.
Sorry my bad typing, I meant all 6 leaving - to where who knows. I remember the post saying 2 were heading to Dundee.
Yes the ex London B9TLs
All day, and I think every day too - although I think the Sunday service was something that was brought in towards the end of the 44A. One way only (Balerno bound).
Thanks.
44A replaced the old 43, which ran during the day. The 43, when it started in 1987, ran both ways but by 1993 it had become westbound only, on a 30-minute frequency. When the 44 was relaunched as a low-floor service in 1999, it was intended to withdraw the 43 but at the last minute this plan was dropped and the 43 then became the 44A, albeit on a reduced frequency (one bus an hour). As mentioned above, the 44A later went to every 30 minutes and was replaced when the "Balerno Loop" was introduced on the 44.
Good bit of information.