Wellglade Group

[Trainman40083]

Are N&D's ex Threes Versas staying long term? I only wonder because none have been repainted yet and it's been over a year.

Given all the work they have, and the time of year, I doubt they have time to send them away.

I

704 and 740 seem to be running on Langley mill routes with 704 being on h1 and 740 on rainbow one

I did wonder if Optare Versa 820 had come to Derby in exchange. It was on the jacks in A garage.

 

[bringiton]

I did wonder if Optare Versa 820 had come to Derby in exchange. It was on the jacks in A garage.

I'd suspect derby and Notts depots are both in good places with spares at the moment so might not of needed them. LM in comparison does look to be quite short of branded vehicles and needing spares on most routes. This could also be why 820s at Derby, just to help LM get repairs sorted quicker

Also seems a kinchbus versa has just driven through derby towards meadow road. Given its not on skylink I think it'll also be having repairs at Derby. I didn't manage to catch fleet number unfortunately

 

[Trainman40083]

I'd suspect derby and Notts depots are both in good places with spares at the moment so might not of needed them. LM in comparison does look to be quite short of branded vehicles and needing spares on most routes. This could also be why 820s at Derby, just to help LM get repairs sorted quicker

Also seems a kinchbus versa has just driven through derby towards meadow road. Given its not on skylink I think it'll also be having repairs at Derby. I didn't manage to catch fleet number unfortunately

You don't often see a Kinchbus Versa in Derby these days. But there is one today, along with a Rainbow One Enviro 200MMC.

 

[YX73OUB]

There have been some changes in the engineering department, the engineering manager that used to oversee Langley Mill & Kinchbus now oversees Derby & Kinchbus.

It could also be there for MOT.

 

[Trainman40083]

There have been some changes in the engineering department, the engineering manager that used to oversee Langley Mill & Kinchbus now oversees Derby & Kinchbus.

It could also be there for MOT.

Versa YD63 VCZ has an MOT that expires 29 April 2025, so probably is having the MOT done early

 

[Qwerty133]

Versa YD63 VCZ has an MOT that expires 29 April 2025, so probably is having the MOT done early

It may get its MOT done whilst there but presumably it is also faulty given no sane company would do an MOT almost 2 months early on a day when they lack sufficient vehicles to operate all services (to the point that a Volvo is operating the 11 for what is almost certainly the first time and the demonstrator was kept in service til the last possible second on the 9).

 

[Trainman40083]

It may get its MOT done whilst there but presumably it is also faulty given no sane company would do an MOT almost 2 months early on a day when they lack sufficient vehicles to operate all services (to the point that a Volvo is operating the 11 for what is almost certainly the first time and the demonstrator was kept in service til the last possible second on the 9).

Surely that depends upon how many other buses there are to MOT in the next 2 to 3 months.

ADL electric bus AD24 ADL has finished it's period of demonstration to Kinchbus. It was taken off route 9 earlier and has now been debranded ready for return tomorrow (Friday).

 

[Mr TrainGuy]

(to the point that a Volvo is operating the 11 for what is almost certainly the first time).

Volvos have been on the 11/12 before, however usually for short stints as opposed to full days on these routes.

ADL electric bus AD24 ADL has finished it's period of demonstration to Kinchbus. It was taken off route 9 earlier and has now been debranded ready for return tomorrow (Friday).

Probably won't be ordered by them for 2 reasons. The longer E200 EV isn't on sale at the moment and from what I've seen they certainly do not have the capacity for the longer routes (2 and 9), maybe even the 11 & 12! Also, their Government funding ran out a few days ago so persumably they had already ordered during/prior to the E100 EV being on trial.

 

[YX73OUB]

The 11/12 are very busy indeed, whenever I've ventured to the yellow and blue team for a loan spell I've always been very surprised by how busy they actually get.

The Tempos were regularly full on there.

733 was a regular (well semi) performer on there, too https://www.flickr.com/photos/midla...dS1Ro-2oiJHPN-2odPtsg-2naV6Xe-2o8gKaT-2ocnTZ2

As the picture shows. I used to enjoy having 618 on there, too - not to mention when I was asked to stay on one shift and it was agreed that I would if I could have one of the Citaros on the 11/12 late .

Surely that depends upon how many other buses there are to MOT in the next 2 to 3 months.

ADL electric bus AD24 ADL has finished it's period of demonstration to Kinchbus. It was taken off route 9 earlier and has now been debranded ready for return tomorrow (Friday).

Don't forget not all MOTs are done in-house.

Are N&D's ex Threes Versas staying long term? I only wonder because none have been repainted yet and it's been over a year.

This is an interesting point - the plans with the Versas have been subject to many revisions over the last 16 months.

Don't forget 819 remains parked up untouched, too.

 

[Trainman40083]

Volvos have been on the 11/12 before, however usually for short stints as opposed to full days on these routes.

Probably won't be ordered by them for 2 reasons. The longer E200 EV isn't on sale at the moment and from what I've seen they certainly do not have the capacity for the longer routes (2 and 9), maybe even the 11 & 12! Also, their Government funding ran out a few days ago so persumably they had already ordered during/prior to the E100 EV being on trial.

Does that suggest that an order for electric buses has been placed on a manufacturer? If not, then surely they have missed out on said funding.

 

[derbybusdepot]

704 and 740 seem to be running on Langley mill routes with 704 being on h1 and 740 on rainbow one

740 has moved to Langley Mill from Nottingham. Not sure if 704 has moved from Derby or just on loan.

 

[bringiton]

740 has moved to Langley Mill from Nottingham. Not sure if 704 has moved from Derby or just on loan.

Makes sense. 740 i presume was only there to displace 662 so it could get ready to go to TM, while also bridging the gap between 662 leaving and 739 entering service

 

[Mr TrainGuy]

Does that suggest that an order for electric buses has been placed on a manufacturer? If not, then surely they have missed out on said funding.

I feel they will have gone for Yutongs. When they trialled them, most people seemed pretty pleased with them (both drivers and passengers). There aren't many options these days with most manufacturers not offering varied length variants (ADL not offering the E200 EV, Wright not offering a shorter GB Kite etc.). Plus with the experience Yutong have in building electric buses for the UK market it makes sense they would most likely opt for them. Also strengthened that they'll have trust in them as they're getting 10 Yutong GT12 coaches for red arrow early this year.

Makes sense. 740 i presume was only there to displace 662 so it could get ready to go to TM, while also bridging the gap between 662 leaving and 739 entering service

No doubt 739 will have a long stint off after a while soon like 743 and 744 meaning spares will be required on skylink express.

 

[bringiton]

Don't forget 819 remains parked up untouched, too.

You say this...and now its been removed from bustimes, supposedly for scrap..

 

[YX73OUB]

You say this...and now its been removed from bustimes, supposedly for scrap..

Based on the state it was in last week it certainly looks like it's heading that way. It would be difficult to source the parts to get it going again now anyway, hence why it's being stripped.

Funnily enough 821 didn't turn a wheel for nearly 2 years prior to its repaint.

Anyway we all know that bustimes is almost subjective - I'll make an enquiry to the right person.

One wonders what the future holds for 817. That was one of the better ones, yet again it only got stripped down from the day I took it to Langley Mill in April 24. The emergency exit was put on to 814 because it was such a long lead time to get one sourced.

For the life that this set of buses have had it actually shows good testament that the majority have gone on to have second lives with the company.

 

[Trainman40083]

Irizar coach 73 (FJ10OXN) has passed it's MOT today.

 

[bringiton]

Irizar coach 73 (FJ10OXN) has passed it's MOT today.

Meanwhile all plaxton coaches are out!

Anyway we all know that bustimes is almost subjective - I'll make an enquiry to the right person.

Yeah I don't really believe it is since others have been in similar states and come back

One wonders what the future holds for 817. That was one of the better ones, yet again it only got stripped down from the day I took it to Langley Mill in April 24. The emergency exit was put on to 814 because it was such a long lead time to get one sourced.

It looks like it's starting to be stripped down and red parts are appearing on it (funnily enough it was the emergency exit door that looked to be one of the red parts)

 

[YX73OUB]

The door is off 814 as we needed a new emergency door for 814 when it was damaged in an accident.

 

[Trainman40083]

Meanwhile all plaxton coaches are out!

Yeah I don't really believe it is since others have been in similar states and come back

It looks like it's starting to be stripped down and red parts are appearing on it (funnily enough it was the emergency exit door that looked to be one of the red parts)

And Irizar coach 74 is in Derby bus station as a spare. Given the presence of that former Manchester Airport Hybrid Versa at Langley Mill, I guess if the right scrap bus comes available, Trentbarton might acquire more for spares. The picture someone has posted on Flickr of Threes Versa 819 on Bustimes, doesn't look that bad to me. Easily put back together if parts can be sourced.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Whilst it is good that things are much much better, there still seems to be issues. Still only 3 buses on Allestree all day today so far, and probably not the first time this week.

Over in Nottingham Keyworth only has 4 of the 5 buses running. The extra bus that should be on here is paid for with bsip funding, provided to increase reliability and the service frequency. This doesn't work if you don't have enough vehicles available for the service!

 

[Trainman40083]

Whilst it is good that things are much much better, there still seems to be issues. Still only 3 buses on Allestree all day today so far, and probably not the first time this week.

Over in Nottingham Keyworth only has 4 of the 5 buses running. The extra bus that should be on here is paid for with bsip funding, provided to increase reliability and the service frequency. This doesn't work if you don't have enough vehicles available for the service!

Ah, but the missing bus on the Allestree has changed. VGD is back on, and VGA has gone off. Must be MOT related. Re the Keyworth. Sounds like MMC 101 isn't quite right and sister 104 is off for floor and MOT. Volvo 730 came off earlier, and 725 is helping out. That all said, the company made a thing about the relaunch of the service and hasn't really delivered.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Ah, but the missing bus on the Allestree has changed. VGD is back on, and VGA has gone off. Must be MOT related. Re the Keyworth. Sounds like MMC 101 isn't quite right and sister 104 is off for floor and MOT. Volvo 730 came off earlier, and 725 is helping out. That all said, the company made a thing about the relaunch of the service and hasn't really delivered.

Yes they have to prep the vehicles for MOT, which sometimes requires more work than others. It is foreseeable though, not unforseen circumstances.

It is a waste of effort with relaunch, and of the bsip funding. Surely the simple solution would be to send one of the former keyworth Volvos back to Nottingham - I doubt they will be repainted for many months anyway.

 

[YX73OUB]

And Irizar coach 74 is in Derby bus station as a spare. Given the presence of that former Manchester Airport Hybrid Versa at Langley Mill, I guess if the right scrap bus comes available, Trentbarton might acquire more for spares. The picture someone has posted on Flickr of Threes Versa 819 on Bustimes, doesn't look that bad to me. Easily put back together if parts can be sourced.

You've hit the nail on the head in your last sentence. The parts weren't that easy to source when they were younger!

 

[Trainman40083]

You've hit the nail on the head in your last sentence. The parts weren't that easy to source when they were younger!

I suspect you see this problem where you have buses from less mainstream builders . Maybe the Optare Deltas, the Tempos and I'm sure there are more where maybe only a few hundred were built (unlike say the Enviro 200, or Wrightbus bodies. Parts soon become scarce, maybe made to order (at some cost) and whoops, someone scraps the tooling to save space. Well, it was certainly so on the railways. Then since the end of British Rail it got worse as each train operator did their own thing.

 

[YX73OUB]

I suspect you see this problem where you have buses from less mainstream builders . Maybe the Optare Deltas, the Tempos and I'm sure there are more where maybe only a few hundred were built (unlike say the Enviro 200, or Wrightbus bodies. Parts soon become scarce, maybe made to order (at some cost) and whoops, someone scraps the tooling to save space. Well, it was certainly so on the railways. Then since the end of British Rail it got worse as each train operator did their own thing.

Ref 819/7 we don't know what parts 'underneath' have been taken either.

The plight of 73 highlights the parts chain issues really well.

And then when hardly any of the components are the same on the Cummins engined examples, obviously the transmission systems are different but even things such as cab windows, interior lights etc are all different too so it makes keeping common parts harder too.

Even though the classic solos were very common in the day it is becoming difficult to source the parts for these now, too.

 

[Trainman40083]

Ref 819/7 we don't know what parts 'underneath' have been taken either.

The plight of 73 highlights the parts chain issues really well.

And then when hardly any of the components are the same on the Cummins engined examples, obviously the transmission systems are different but even things such as cab windows, interior lights etc are all different too so it makes keeping common parts harder too.

Even though the classic solos were very common in the day it is becoming difficult to source the parts for these now, too.

Ah well, they broke the first replacement ramp for 73, and had to source another. Maybe coaches 80 to 88 feared being shown up by the two Irizars so started behaving. Ah Solos, there can't be too many major operators still running the classic Solo now. Of course TM Travel have just acquired 10 that were once with Stagecoach London. One was even in A garage at Derby earlier "NRN". That all said, is there a reliable alternative to the kind of work the Solo does? Let us have a picture of a classic Solo; in this case Notts and Derby 468 at rest in Full Street earlier

 

[tram21]

ADL electric bus AD24 ADL has finished it's period of demonstration to Kinchbus. It was taken off route 9 earlier and has now been debranded ready for return tomorrow (Friday).

I coincidentally got it on its penultimate run, didn't realise I was lucky!

Photo shows the ADL E100EV demonstrator in Loughborough on the 9.

I feel they will have gone for Yutongs.

I've not heard one bad thing about Yutongs with other companies, so it'd be a good choice.

I was impressed with the ADL E100EV though, it was quite nippy on the 9 and had a lot of space inside for it's size. It will be good for rural operations.

 

[Mr TrainGuy]

I've not heard one bad thing about Yutongs with other companies, so it'd be a good choice.

I was impressed with the ADL E100EV though, it was quite nippy on the 9 and had a lot of space inside for it's size. It will be good for rural operations.

Only problem is the charge level.. but I'm sure that can be sorted out in due course. Think of the Leicester 'greenlines' Park & Ride, Hospital Hopper etc., when they first started running the battery wouldn't last the whole day but can now quite comfortably last because drivers are used to them and will have been trained on them, so I'm assuming a similar story will happen to Kinch's. The size of the E100EVs inside though, they were way too small for my liking on Kinch 9, hardly any seats and barely any standing space!

 

[Trainman40083]

Only problem is the charge level.. but I'm sure that can be sorted out in due course. Think of the Leicester 'greenlines' Park & Ride, Hospital Hopper etc., when they first started running the battery wouldn't last the whole day but can now quite comfortably last because drivers are used to them and will have been trained on them, so I'm assuming a similar story will happen to Kinch's. The size of the E100EVs inside though, they were way too small for my liking on Kinch 9, hardly any seats and barely any standing space!

Probably ideal for the Campus shuttle, maybe even the Sprint, but little else....

 

[Davidsb3]

704 and 740 seem to be running on Langley mill routes with 704 being on h1 and 740 on rainbow one

704 is now Langley Mills transferred over earlier this week