New StreetDecks & ADL Enviro400s - X-lines fleet changes
New StreetDecks & ADL Enviro400s - X-lines fleet changes
(12 Jul 2020, 10:42 am)Michael Changed my predication's..............But StanleyOne said that.......
New buses:
21 Streetdecks + 1 Euro 6 (spare role due to it moving around the depots)
15 E400’s
Allocations:
14 Streetdecks on the X1 + 1 spare = 15
7 Streetdecks + 10 E400’s on the X31/X45/X46/X47 = 17 PVR
5 New E400’s + current 3 on the X30/X70/X71 = 8 PVR
Spares for Consett:
6335/6336/6337 – X-Lines spares for Consett
= 3 spares for a PVR 25
(12 Jul 2020, 10:42 am)Michael Changed my predication's..............But StanleyOne said that.......
New buses:
21 Streetdecks + 1 Euro 6 (spare role due to it moving around the depots)
15 E400’s
Allocations:
14 Streetdecks on the X1 + 1 spare = 15
7 Streetdecks + 10 E400’s on the X31/X45/X46/X47 = 17 PVR
5 New E400’s + current 3 on the X30/X70/X71 = 8 PVR
Spares for Consett:
6335/6336/6337 – X-Lines spares for Consett
= 3 spares for a PVR 25
(12 Jul 2020, 11:35 am)L469 YVK But StanleyOne said that.......
- Not 5 going to Hexham for X84/X85
- E400MMC Allocation being split between two depots
So based on that, that leaves 8x for Consett (X30/X70/X71) and 8x for Chester Le Street (X21) with 1x spare at each (new ones and not 6336/6337).
So if the latter is correct, GNE have done well out of the orders / swaps........
- Coaches more suited to X9 & X10
- More suitable vehicle allocated to X21
- More suitable vehicle allocated to X70/X71
StreetDecks on X1 is questionable. Worst case if another Go Ahead subsidary needs newer vehicles going forward, they can be offloaded with a further purchase of E400MMCs in the future. But they should just about be fine. Only fast section is Washington Highway.
(12 Jul 2020, 11:35 am)L469 YVK But StanleyOne said that.......
- Not 5 going to Hexham for X84/X85
- E400MMC Allocation being split between two depots
So based on that, that leaves 8x for Consett (X30/X70/X71) and 8x for Chester Le Street (X21) with 1x spare at each (new ones and not 6336/6337).
So if the latter is correct, GNE have done well out of the orders / swaps........
- Coaches more suited to X9 & X10
- More suitable vehicle allocated to X21
- More suitable vehicle allocated to X70/X71
StreetDecks on X1 is questionable. Worst case if another Go Ahead subsidary needs newer vehicles going forward, they can be offloaded with a further purchase of E400MMCs in the future. But they should just about be fine. Only fast section is Washington Highway.
(12 Jul 2020, 11:45 am)Michael It looks like allocations are going to be all over, should of just gave the B5's to the X84/X84, would be easier.... unless someone wants to sneak the list on here....I'd reckon the X1 will get new StreetDecks.
What else is there for the X1 since the E400's aren't going on it? - Streetdecks, that's one route which deserves new buses and not cast offs...
(12 Jul 2020, 11:45 am)Michael It looks like allocations are going to be all over, should of just gave the B5's to the X84/X84, would be easier.... unless someone wants to sneak the list on here....I'd reckon the X1 will get new StreetDecks.
What else is there for the X1 since the E400's aren't going on it? - Streetdecks, that's one route which deserves new buses and not cast offs...
(12 Jul 2020, 1:06 pm)L469 YVK I'd reckon the X1 will get new StreetDecks.
I've tried working allocations out but impossible and will wait until revealed. But can work out the E400MMCs from an educated guess. They'll certainly be a big help in terms of improving reliability and reducing lost mileage on the X21(?) particularly with the West Auckland extension. And the extra oooomph will help with the steeper parts of the X70/X71 too.
(12 Jul 2020, 1:06 pm)L469 YVK I'd reckon the X1 will get new StreetDecks.
I've tried working allocations out but impossible and will wait until revealed. But can work out the E400MMCs from an educated guess. They'll certainly be a big help in terms of improving reliability and reducing lost mileage on the X21(?) particularly with the West Auckland extension. And the extra oooomph will help with the steeper parts of the X70/X71 too.
(12 Jul 2020, 1:11 pm)Michael I agree on the X1 getting at least 15 of the new Streetdecks, with 1 of those Streetdecks becoming spare so depot standardisation can take place, although i do like your idea of the E400's on the X21, i don't think they'll repaint the Streetdecks in to the Green version, unless they swap the colours around.. so Blue for the X30 etc and Green for the X21 but i very much doubt that'll happen.
Don't think that'll happen anytime soon, be when the buses start to arrive next month, when everything gets revealed.
(12 Jul 2020, 1:11 pm)Michael I agree on the X1 getting at least 15 of the new Streetdecks, with 1 of those Streetdecks becoming spare so depot standardisation can take place, although i do like your idea of the E400's on the X21, i don't think they'll repaint the Streetdecks in to the Green version, unless they swap the colours around.. so Blue for the X30 etc and Green for the X21 but i very much doubt that'll happen.
Don't think that'll happen anytime soon, be when the buses start to arrive next month, when everything gets revealed.
(12 Jul 2020, 1:22 pm)streetdeckfan I genuinely hope we don't end up with the E400s on the X21, As much as I like them, I despise the fact that they're low height!Height isn't ideal but I believe both Stagecoach and Arriva have by majority stuck with low height versions (correct me if wrong) including classic variants. Only full height version examples in the NE have been Arriva 7501-7513.
If they'd ordered the full height versions I'd have absolutely no issue with the X21 getting them
(12 Jul 2020, 1:11 pm)Michael I agree on the X1 getting at least 15 of the new Streetdecks, with 1 of those Streetdecks becoming spare so depot standardisation can take place, although i do like your idea of the E400's on the X21, i don't think they'll repaint the Streetdecks in to the Green version, unless they swap the colours around.. so Blue for the X30 etc and Green for the X21 but i very much doubt that'll happen.I don't think the X21 is "just an idea" although I could be wrong. Just going off what StanleyOne said about 5x not going to Hexham and a split depot allocation as well as the rumoured X30/(X70/X71) diagrams. Plus GNE re-allocating any problematic vehicles as they have done for the X9/X10.
Don't think that'll happen anytime soon, be when the buses start to arrive next month, when everything gets revealed.
(12 Jul 2020, 1:22 pm)streetdeckfan I genuinely hope we don't end up with the E400s on the X21, As much as I like them, I despise the fact that they're low height!Height isn't ideal but I believe both Stagecoach and Arriva have by majority stuck with low height versions (correct me if wrong) including classic variants. Only full height version examples in the NE have been Arriva 7501-7513.
If they'd ordered the full height versions I'd have absolutely no issue with the X21 getting them
(12 Jul 2020, 1:11 pm)Michael I agree on the X1 getting at least 15 of the new Streetdecks, with 1 of those Streetdecks becoming spare so depot standardisation can take place, although i do like your idea of the E400's on the X21, i don't think they'll repaint the Streetdecks in to the Green version, unless they swap the colours around.. so Blue for the X30 etc and Green for the X21 but i very much doubt that'll happen.I don't think the X21 is "just an idea" although I could be wrong. Just going off what StanleyOne said about 5x not going to Hexham and a split depot allocation as well as the rumoured X30/(X70/X71) diagrams. Plus GNE re-allocating any problematic vehicles as they have done for the X9/X10.
Don't think that'll happen anytime soon, be when the buses start to arrive next month, when everything gets revealed.
(12 Jul 2020, 1:31 pm)L469 YVK Height isn't ideal but I believe both Stagecoach and Arriva have by majority stuck with low height versions (correct me if wrong) including classic variants. Only full height version examples in the NE have been Arriva 7501-7513.
(12 Jul 2020, 1:31 pm)L469 YVK Height isn't ideal but I believe both Stagecoach and Arriva have by majority stuck with low height versions (correct me if wrong) including classic variants. Only full height version examples in the NE have been Arriva 7501-7513.
(12 Jul 2020, 1:38 pm)streetdeckfan My issue with the low height vehicles is that they didn't even need to order them that low, 6337 is considerably taller and still fits under the bridge in Dunston, if you travel on 6337 and one of the new orders back to back, 6337 feels a lot more airy inside, and you don't get knocked out when you inevitably end up forgetting to duck at the top of the stairs.Low height version although a pain if tall aren't too bad. I'm 6ft1 and never had any problems on any of the low height E400s, OmniDekkas or Arriva's VDL Geminis / B5LHs based or previously based out of Blyth.
The new ones just feel cramped upstairs
(12 Jul 2020, 1:38 pm)streetdeckfan My issue with the low height vehicles is that they didn't even need to order them that low, 6337 is considerably taller and still fits under the bridge in Dunston, if you travel on 6337 and one of the new orders back to back, 6337 feels a lot more airy inside, and you don't get knocked out when you inevitably end up forgetting to duck at the top of the stairs.Low height version although a pain if tall aren't too bad. I'm 6ft1 and never had any problems on any of the low height E400s, OmniDekkas or Arriva's VDL Geminis / B5LHs based or previously based out of Blyth.
The new ones just feel cramped upstairs
Even though the X20 has already been extended to Langley Park, I think GNE missed a trick where they could have combined the X5/X15/X20 all together. The allocation of Optare Solos to the X20 is quite strange considering loadings before coronavirus were very good, with quite a few journeys I observed being overcrowded.
If they merged the X5/X15/X20 all together, these services could have benefited from a Double Decker allocaton, or atleast a full sized bus. In addition it would have offered a faster alternative for journeys between Consett and Sunderland, without having to use service 78.
I think 673 - 678 would have best remaining on the X6/X7, and possibly extending the service to South Shields via Roker/Seaburn, along the coast to compete with service E1. I will make a service suggestion for that one...
(12 Jul 2020, 2:21 pm)S830OFT Even though the X20 has already been extended to Langley Park, I think GNE missed a trick where they could have combined the X5/X15/X20 all together. The allocation of Optare Solos to the X20 is quite strange considering loadings before coronavirus were very good, with quite a few journeys I observed being overcrowded.
If they merged the X5/X15/X20 all together, these services could have benefited from a Double Decker allocaton, or atleast a full sized bus. In addition it would have offered a faster alternative for journeys between Consett and Sunderland, without having to use service 78.
I think 673 - 678 would have best remaining on the X6/X7, and possibly extending the service to South Shields via Roker/Seaburn, along the coast to compete with service E1. I will make a service suggestion for that one...
(12 Jul 2020, 2:21 pm)S830OFT Even though the X20 has already been extended to Langley Park, I think GNE missed a trick where they could have combined the X5/X15/X20 all together. The allocation of Optare Solos to the X20 is quite strange considering loadings before coronavirus were very good, with quite a few journeys I observed being overcrowded.
If they merged the X5/X15/X20 all together, these services could have benefited from a Double Decker allocaton, or atleast a full sized bus. In addition it would have offered a faster alternative for journeys between Consett and Sunderland, without having to use service 78.
I think 673 - 678 would have best remaining on the X6/X7, and possibly extending the service to South Shields via Roker/Seaburn, along the coast to compete with service E1. I will make a service suggestion for that one...
(12 Jul 2020, 1:57 pm)L469 YVK Low height version although a pain if tall aren't too bad. I'm 6ft1 and never had any problems on any of the low height E400s, OmniDekkas or Arriva's VDL Geminis / B5LHs based or previously based out of Blyth.
(12 Jul 2020, 1:57 pm)L469 YVK Low height version although a pain if tall aren't too bad. I'm 6ft1 and never had any problems on any of the low height E400s, OmniDekkas or Arriva's VDL Geminis / B5LHs based or previously based out of Blyth.
(12 Jul 2020, 2:36 pm)streetdeckfan I mean, the height can be compensated for by just ducking, which if you're used to it probably isn't /that/ big of a deal (although still stupid if there's no need for a low height vehicle!)I don't think he has. TBH, the big influence in the original ADL order for the X1 at the time was Wrightbus' troubles at the time.
What I was getting at is since GNE have both low height and a taller E400 running alongside each other, going from one to the other you can feel how much bigger the taller one feels inside, it feels a lot more open, a lot less like you're being crammed in.
If they are putting StreetDecks on the X1, it looks like MG is going back on what he said, he said they they were picking the right vehicles for the right routes, rather than worrying about fleet standardisation.
(12 Jul 2020, 2:36 pm)streetdeckfan I mean, the height can be compensated for by just ducking, which if you're used to it probably isn't /that/ big of a deal (although still stupid if there's no need for a low height vehicle!)I don't think he has. TBH, the big influence in the original ADL order for the X1 at the time was Wrightbus' troubles at the time.
What I was getting at is since GNE have both low height and a taller E400 running alongside each other, going from one to the other you can feel how much bigger the taller one feels inside, it feels a lot more open, a lot less like you're being crammed in.
If they are putting StreetDecks on the X1, it looks like MG is going back on what he said, he said they they were picking the right vehicles for the right routes, rather than worrying about fleet standardisation.
(12 Jul 2020, 2:52 pm)L469 YVK I don't think he has. TBH, the big influence in the original ADL order for the X1 at the time was Wrightbus' troubles at the time.
But with ADL's soon to be at hand, Martijn to an extent is sticking by that principle if my guess is correct. X21 vehicle reliability sorted and X70/X71 benefit from more ooomph whilst streamlining the Consett diagrams and potentially eliminating a 'pointless' extension of the X30.
(12 Jul 2020, 2:52 pm)L469 YVK I don't think he has. TBH, the big influence in the original ADL order for the X1 at the time was Wrightbus' troubles at the time.
But with ADL's soon to be at hand, Martijn to an extent is sticking by that principle if my guess is correct. X21 vehicle reliability sorted and X70/X71 benefit from more ooomph whilst streamlining the Consett diagrams and potentially eliminating a 'pointless' extension of the X30.
(12 Jul 2020, 2:52 pm)L469 YVK I don't think he has. TBH, the big influence in the original ADL order for the X1 at the time was Wrightbus' troubles at the time.X30 was extended to replace a 6 as well as the driver relief. E400s not planned for X21, not from this batch.
But with ADL's soon to be at hand, Martijn to an extent is sticking by that principle if my guess is correct. X21 vehicle reliability sorted and X70/X71 benefit from more ooomph whilst streamlining the Consett diagrams and potentially eliminating a 'pointless' extension of the X30.
(12 Jul 2020, 2:52 pm)L469 YVK I don't think he has. TBH, the big influence in the original ADL order for the X1 at the time was Wrightbus' troubles at the time.X30 was extended to replace a 6 as well as the driver relief. E400s not planned for X21, not from this batch.
But with ADL's soon to be at hand, Martijn to an extent is sticking by that principle if my guess is correct. X21 vehicle reliability sorted and X70/X71 benefit from more ooomph whilst streamlining the Consett diagrams and potentially eliminating a 'pointless' extension of the X30.
(12 Jul 2020, 3:19 pm)Stanleyone X30 was extended to replace a 6 as well as the driver relief. E400s not planned for X21, not from this batch.Are they not? Very surprised. Will be interesting to see what depot they get allocated to then. X84 & X85 are ruled out as previous. 5x will likely be going to Consett alongside 6338-40 on the X30 / (X70/X71). So that then leaves 10x.
(12 Jul 2020, 3:19 pm)Stanleyone X30 was extended to replace a 6 as well as the driver relief. E400s not planned for X21, not from this batch.Are they not? Very surprised. Will be interesting to see what depot they get allocated to then. X84 & X85 are ruled out as previous. 5x will likely be going to Consett alongside 6338-40 on the X30 / (X70/X71). So that then leaves 10x.
(12 Jul 2020, 3:14 pm)streetdeckfan IIRC, the main reliability issues with the X21 were caused by the oldest StreetDecks and since the 67 plates have allocated instead reliability has already improved. The 67 plates are also much improved from a passenger perspective as they're much nicer on the motorway stretch
(12 Jul 2020, 3:14 pm)streetdeckfan IIRC, the main reliability issues with the X21 were caused by the oldest StreetDecks and since the 67 plates have allocated instead reliability has already improved. The 67 plates are also much improved from a passenger perspective as they're much nicer on the motorway stretch
(12 Jul 2020, 3:45 pm)mb134 My experience on 6332 would not come under "much nicer on the motorway" - topped out at between 47 and 49mph and struggled to get there.
On the earlier points - I'm 6 foot 2 and I find Streetdecks far more claustrophobic than any E400 I've ever been on. I was at the back of the top deck of a Streetdeck last week and by the time I got to Chester Le Street I was fairly uncomfortable. I've been at the front of the top deck a couple of times on the B5s and while slightly better than at the back, I always find that E400s let more natural light into the top deck.
(12 Jul 2020, 3:45 pm)mb134 My experience on 6332 would not come under "much nicer on the motorway" - topped out at between 47 and 49mph and struggled to get there.
On the earlier points - I'm 6 foot 2 and I find Streetdecks far more claustrophobic than any E400 I've ever been on. I was at the back of the top deck of a Streetdeck last week and by the time I got to Chester Le Street I was fairly uncomfortable. I've been at the front of the top deck a couple of times on the B5s and while slightly better than at the back, I always find that E400s let more natural light into the top deck.
(12 Jul 2020, 3:31 pm)L469 YVK Are they not? Very surprised. Will be interesting to see what depot they get allocated to then. X84 & X85 are ruled out as previous. 5x will likely be going to Consett alongside 6338-40 on the X30 / (X70/X71). So that then leaves 10x.
But the X30 would no longer need to be extended to Consett for driver relief purposes though as it would interwork with the X70 & X71.
(12 Jul 2020, 3:31 pm)L469 YVK Are they not? Very surprised. Will be interesting to see what depot they get allocated to then. X84 & X85 are ruled out as previous. 5x will likely be going to Consett alongside 6338-40 on the X30 / (X70/X71). So that then leaves 10x.
But the X30 would no longer need to be extended to Consett for driver relief purposes though as it would interwork with the X70 & X71.
