(17 Nov 2015, 4:43 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote The Blaydon Racers is a totally different kettle of fish to the Red Arrows. The Red Arrows is one of GNE's main money makers. This coupled with:
- Could do with a brand update from the NSA's and perhaps (which is nothing wrong with) the livery.
- The B9s were ordered before (with the exception of the 21 and 47), plug sockets became standard on most decker routes.
- B9s are proven and reliable.
- Unless Streetdecks were ordered for the Pronto and the alleged fuel savings outweiged the purchase cost, then new vehicles aren't fully justified on the X21. However, due to the significant revenue generated by the X1, the purchase and running costs of a 'ROBUST' double decker such as the E400MMC (ADL / ADL and Cummins or ADL / Scania) could be justified.
- The E400MMC has been taken to like a duck to water by many operators and the classic version (Euro 5) has already been sampled on the X1 whilst covering for a long term VOR.
Even though Volvos are outstanding Performance, presumably mechanically wise and a pleasure to ride on, I cant say that Volvo have excited the market with the B5TL like the B9TL did.
Even though last year people quoted that it was sluggish on the X21, I have to say Volvo have significantly improved with their production examples, with a Lothian Airlink example performing very well on both fast and slow sections of route 100 with only one gearbox slipup on route and the Gemini 3 bodywork is a work of art to go with it.
ADL have done a smart move in keeping the same 6 Cylinder Cummins ISB in their E400 MMC, proven, robust ( Cant say the same for Euro 4s! ) and suitable for all types of terrain that is why NXWM have favoured them for inner city routes aswell as Johnsons for their express X20 from Statford Uopn Avon to Birmingham.
Unfortunately as much as I love Volvo and the quality that goes In them, I cant see any new Volvos on the streets of the North East for a long time coming unfortunately, ADL have won this battle.