I'd also stick the Optare Tempos in that list as well, Awful things, worst things Yorkshire has ever bought new anyway. Didn't know why they didn't buy Pulsars instead. You lot up in the north east must have hated the tempos so much we got lumbered back with them,about a year later!
(28 Jul 2024, 3:59 pm)davao123 wrote [ -> ]I'd also stick the Optare Tempos in that list as well, Awful things, worst things Yorkshire has ever bought new anyway. Didn't know why they didn't buy Pulsars instead. You lot up in the north east must have hated the tempos so much we got lumbered back with them,about a year later!
In fairness the tempos only went to Durham so no other depot saw use of them
(28 Jul 2024, 4:02 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]In fairness the tempos only went to Durham so no other depot saw use of them
Stockton trialled one on service 17 and was rejected as they wouldn’t go round Ingleby Tesco I seem to recall
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(28 Jul 2024, 4:02 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]In fairness the tempos only went to Durham so no other depot saw use of them
Perhaps the other depots in NE weren't suitable for them as the tempos had extremely poor steering lock and in Yorkshire, they tried to send them to Selby just before covid, but that didn't work out, as they had issues with them in the bus station. Even at Wakefield now, I think they're still restricted on some routes.
Worst buses we have had since the ghastly Plaxton Prestige.
(28 Jul 2024, 1:29 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]The Temsa's are up there with the Prestiges and Ikarus (these are the worst) in terms of good vehicles imo.
NE wise, the 57-plate DB250s have to go down as one of the worst purchases.
Money pits from the start, reportedly they all had new gearboxes within the first few years. All were withdrawn from service after, at most, 13 years with 7453 only lasting 11 and a bit - and they were replaced by ex-London B7TLs which were around 6 years older. The E400s purchased at the same time are still going, 3 years after 7455 finally gave up.
Of course they were great on their day, but had huge reliability issues and cost a bomb to keep going.
Still having nightmares from those Tempos. Hateful machines to drive (when they actually worked).
As for the Citaro's, I've only ever driven the GNE examples and they were equally hateful (better steering lock though) - the Pulsar is far superior (and probably more reliable too and for the accountants, probably better on fuel). Don't Citaros and Tempos use the same engine?
With regards to the 57 plate DB250's, haven't other Arriva divisions had more use out of theirs than the North East?
(28 Jul 2024, 5:10 pm)morritt89 wrote [ -> ]Still having nightmares from those Tempos. Hateful machines to drive (when they actually worked).
As for the Citaro's, I've only ever driven the GNE examples and they were equally hateful (better steering lock though) - the Pulsar is far superior (and probably more reliable too and for the accountants, probably better on fuel). Don't Citaros and Tempos use the same engine?
With regards to the 57 plate DB250's, haven't other Arriva divisions had more use out of theirs than the North East?
Some of the southern divisions got longer out of theirs, Arriva Kent & Surrey just withdrew the last one standing within the group a few weeks back (6238 / YJ57BKE) and had some examples from around 2002 in use around Luton until fairly recently. Yorkshire didn't seem to do much better than us with their 06 plate examples, bowing out shortly after ours did, although got a while out of a 52 plate example.
Think it may be the same engine as a Citaro in the Tempos, or at very least they're Merc engines. The bottom part of Bishop Auckland Bus Station was likely another awkward one with the tight steering lock.
(28 Jul 2024, 6:00 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Some of the southern divisions got longer out of theirs, Arriva Kent & Surrey just withdrew the last one standing within the group a few weeks back (6238 / YJ57BKE) and had some examples from around 2002 in use around Luton until fairly recently. Yorkshire didn't seem to do much better than us with their 06 plate examples, bowing out shortly after ours did, although got a while out of a 52 plate example.
Think it may be the same engine as a Citaro in the Tempos, or at very least they're Merc engines. The bottom part of Bishop Auckland Bus Station was likely another awkward one with the tight steering lock.
1621 was the last lowlander at Yorkshire to get withdrawn, 52 plates, and was originally part of a batch that came from the midlands. The lowlanders spent their final days at Castleford and Heckmondwike depot, Lowlanders was intended for school runs at Castleford, but they was having problems with them, so e400mmcs or e400s had to cover them on schools, while lowlanders went out on normal service. But when the school runs got cut. Lowlanders was no longer needed, so got withdrawn. 1621 was the best one imo.
(28 Jul 2024, 4:45 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]NE wise, the 57-plate DB250s have to go down as one of the worst purchases.
Money pits from the start, reportedly they all had new gearboxes within the first few years. All were withdrawn from service after, at most, 13 years with 7453 only lasting 11 and a bit - and they were replaced by ex-London B7TLs which were around 6 years older. The E400s purchased at the same time are still going, 3 years after 7455 finally gave up.
Of course they were great on their day, but had huge reliability issues and cost a bomb to keep going.
It's funny, I was thinking about them but the earlier batch were generally alright, ignoring the Urban 90's. God knows what on earth happened to them as newer batches generally get better but they couldn't be any further away.
Mind speaking of East Lancs / Optare (Post 2008) / Darwin / Switch or whatever name they're going for this week aren't exactly the gleaming success story and generally produce crap. The Cityzens at Blyth weren't exactly the greatest things either and nor are some of the Solo's SR's floating around with GNE either.
The Dennis Tridents need a mention aswell as they were awful, forgot about them tbh.
(31 Jul 2024, 10:53 am)Ryland wrote [ -> ]1572 tracking on the 62
Back at Stockton I was on it and it was worst for ware to be honest struggling down Trunk Road
4712 broke down at Middlesborough on Monday Morning it got towed by Alpha
(01 Aug 2024, 2:32 pm)davao123 wrote [ -> ]4712 broke down at Middlesborough on Monday Morning it got towed by Alpha
Was back out yesterday all day on the x4
What was the deal with Arriva buying these in the first place? Just struggle to understand why didn't order Pulsars like most of Arriva did at the time.
(01 Aug 2024, 2:43 pm)davao123 wrote [ -> ]What was the deal with Arriva buying these in the first place? Just struggle to understand why didn't order Pulsars like most of Arriva did at the time.
IIRC the reason given at the time was that they were cheaper to buy and supposedly more economical to run than a Pulsar. The saying "Pay cheap, pay twice" probably applies.
Whitby working
No 8.34 x4
No 9.36 x93 Scarborough
Not the best start for whitby
(03 Aug 2024, 8:54 am)Mark66t wrote [ -> ]Whitby working
No 8.34 x4
No 9.36 x93 Scarborough
Not the best start for whitby
Especially when it's whitby's steam rally weekend
Has p1 starred yet as nothing was tracking
Just saw on North Yorkshire weather updates page that an Arriva solo has left the road between Egton and Grosmont. Driver and passengers are safe.
(03 Aug 2024, 2:30 pm)Bus Lad Roy wrote [ -> ]Just saw on North Yorkshire weather updates page that an Arriva solo has left the road between Egton and Grosmont. Driver and passengers are safe.
https://www.facebook.com/NorthYorkshireW...GPxPb5Wjil
Quite a bad one that mind, that hasn't gone through there at 10 mph. Lucky no-one was hurt.
(03 Aug 2024, 2:30 pm)Bus Lad Roy wrote [ -> ]Just saw on North Yorkshire weather updates page that an Arriva solo has left the road between Egton and Grosmont. Driver and passengers are safe.
That's great news for driver and passengers
There can replace bus if its suffered bad damage
(03 Aug 2024, 3:34 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]https://www.facebook.com/NorthYorkshireW...GPxPb5Wjil
Quite a bad one that mind, that hasn't gone through there at 10 mph. Lucky no-one was hurt.
2870 was the bus involved.
1427 was swapped off the X4 for 4707 at Redcar, with 1427 sent light to Whitby, so 2866 could be swapped off the 95 to operate the 1715 96 to Lealholmside (2870 incident occurred on the 1310 trip to Whitby).
Worse still, a Coastliner bus broke down in Sleights.
(03 Aug 2024, 4:37 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]2870 was the bus involved.
1427 was swapped off the X4 for 4707 at Redcar, with 1427 sent light to Whitby, so 2866 could be swapped off the 95 to operate the 1715 96 to Lealholmside (2870 incident occurred on the 1310 trip to Whitby).
Worse still, a Coastliner bus broke down in Sleights
Not a great day for redcar then. A lot of buses taken off the x2 to join the x4. And along with 2870. Now down another solo down. Just presuming that it may be withdrawn.
Any update on 2863. Do we know where it is?
https://www.facebook.com/share/HcoKF25EJ4dktmDK/
Updates on how the bus landed.
Random question
But why does redcar have 1556. The past 2 weekends it's not been used on the m4. Near enough most of the fleet is on the road.
Part from
1420 which hasn't tracked since 28/7
1426 18/7
1445 2/8 which appears to of broken down in the x94
And now with 2870 off the road
(04 Aug 2024, 10:02 am)Ryland wrote [ -> ]Random question
But why does redcar have 1556. The past 2 weekends it's not been used on the m4. Near enough most of the fleet is on the road.
Part from
1420 which hasn't tracked since 28/7
1426 18/7
1445 2/8 which appears to of broken down in the x94
And now with 2870 off the road
1556 probably will have failed again ?
2870 I can't see returning. Not after seeing the state it's in. I imagine another Solo will get transferred to Whitby. I imagine the Redcar one 2857 will go to Whitby and Darlo's last one 2841 will head to Redcar. That's the only logical replacements unless Northumbria can spare one.
(04 Aug 2024, 5:38 pm)Mike_98 wrote [ -> ]2870 I can't see returning. Not after seeing the state it's in. I imagine another Solo will get transferred to Whitby. I imagine the Redcar one 2857 will go to Whitby and Darlo's last one 2841 will head to Redcar. That's the only logical replacements unless Northumbria can spare one.
The Solo's need replacing ideally, I'm sure there has to be something in the pipeline. I know someone in the past has mentioned in the past that there's newer buses in the plan for the 57/57A at Ashington so I assume these are similar.
Obviously, this is wild speculation, but there's currently 3 WF Streetlite's doing absolutely nothing in Hemel Hempstead where the depot has recently closed, these should be ideal to sort out the Whitby Solo's if they could get their hands on them some how.
Similar to SLS26-30 in London being ideal for the 57/57A at Ashington which would kill off all the Solo's bar the 3 short examples for the 434.
Not that Streetlite's are any good mind but the Solo's really are that bad.
(04 Aug 2024, 6:54 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]The Solo's need replacing ideally, I'm sure there has to be something in the pipeline. I know someone in the past has mentioned in the past that there's newer buses in the plan for the 57/57A at Ashington so I assume these are similar.
Obviously, this is wild speculation, but there's currently 3 WF Streetlite's doing absolutely nothing in Hemel Hempstead where the depot has recently closed, these should be ideal to sort out the Whitby Solo's if they could get their hands on them some how.
Similar to SLS26-30 in London being ideal for the 57/57A at Ashington which would kill off all the Solo's bar the 3 short examples for the 434.
Not that Streetlite's are any good mind but the Solo's really are that bad.
However a dart (1759) has previously been used on the now 96 route. So it probably doesn't need to be a front wheel drive bus on it.
Agreed that the solos do need replacing. Granted not many routes in the north east need minibuses but say if Redcar not like 6. Then the possibility of creating a new town in redcar or whitby would be ideal. Connecting the villages that only get one bus an hour
(04 Aug 2024, 7:29 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]However a dart (1759) has previously been used on the now 96 route. So it probably doesn't need to be a front wheel drive bus on it.
Agreed that the solos do need replacing. Granted not many routes in the north east need minibuses but say if Redcar not like 6. Then the possibility of creating a new town in redcar or whitby would be ideal. Connecting the villages that only get one bus an hour
Aye possibly like, problem is, can't see it being a route which would get brand new buses. It's just a low used subsidised service. There's not many minibuses in the Arriva fleet (nationwide) now really, bar the stuff I mentioned there. It's always getting displaced stuff but obviously the displaced buses have ran out in the North East since Blyth, Jesmond and Durham have become minibus free.
Don't really expect them to come though, probably just send 2857 to Whitby and then push one of the Pulsars in reserve to Redcar. Don't believe they actually need 2857 for anything.
Speaking of Solo's appears 2853 has broken down again today at Ashington. They urgently need to go the 59 Plates, absolutely shot to bits, they're embarrassing at this stage.
(04 Aug 2024, 8:05 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Aye possibly like, problem is, can't see it being a route which would get brand new buses. It's just a low used subsidised service. There's not many minibuses in the Arriva fleet (nationwide) now really, bar the stuff I mentioned there. It's always getting displaced stuff but obviously the displaced buses have ran out in the North East since Blyth, Jesmond and Durham have become minibus free.
Don't really expect them to come though, probably just send 2857 to Whitby and then push one of the Pulsars in reserve to Redcar. Don't believe they actually need 2857 for anything.
Speaking of Solo's seen 2853 has broken down again today at Ashington. They urgently need to go the 59 Plates, absolutely shot to bits, they're embarrassing at this stage.
2863 is somewhere st the moment. Not sure whether it's in whitby depot parked up or waiting to be fixed at Redcar.
2857 a flying machine
2866 abit sluggish
I think they may just use a random full size bus on the 95 till things are sorted. Could just use a temsa as purely for the 95 and keep the solo for the 96
(04 Aug 2024, 8:09 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]2863 is somewhere st the moment. Not sure whether it's in whitby depot parked up or waiting to be fixed at Redcar.
2857 a flying machine
2866 abit sluggish
I think they may just use a random full size bus on the 95 till things are sorted. Could just use a temsa as purely for the 95 and keep the solo for the 96
Probably knackered with the rest of them, not sure whether there's a parts issue or something as 2601/2852/2859 are all knackered at Ashington, wouldn't be surprised if 53 is on the list aswell.
They're all awful up here, 2853 was broken for months and came back into service sounding absolutely attrocious and is as reliable as the 63 timetable in Redcar. God knows what's wrong with 2859 as it's been VOR for months aswell now and they've already managed to withdraw 2855/2856.
When you'd rather have a Streetlite you know things are bad. Probably though with the 95, mind I'm sure they'll want some form of spare at Whitby long term, just not sure what they could send really.