(30 Oct 2022, 11:31 pm)Storx wrote There's only space for 14 singles in the new Blyth plans so that wouldn't work.

Can't see any investment in the 306/308 though it's not due until 2026 and Arriva don't withdraw buses early or displace them either unless they're knackered. Personally I have a feeling the X7/(X8)/X9 will be the routes that get the investment (don't think the X8 will exist as it is) because of the train line and they're the routes which will be impacted the most.

Not to mention they're allocated (on paper) the oldest Deckers, 7601 - 7608 which were originally bought for them hence them being branded in them all their life.

7501 - 7517 need put into a spare role though or withdrawn completely, they're all wrecked. They definitely shouldn't be replacing the ALX's (they'll be replaced by London cascades imo).

It's the Solo's that need to go though as they're junk at both Ashington and Durham.

Yeah, I was aware of the Blyth plans and the limit on single decks - wasn't sure if plans had changed since then. It still works though, let's assume they bin the 55 or run that from Ashington, the PVR of the 51/52/53/54 is 13 (currently 12 because the 53 is terminating short once per hour). You'd just have to use a decker as an extra spare. 

Yeah I did think about the X7/8/9 getting new vehicles in my original post, I don't know the area well and was under the impression they might not perform as well as the X10/11 or 306/308. Indeed, I recall when they were in the Quorum plum livery. I can certainly see the X8 being withdrawn as otherwise the PVR's too high. The new plans allow 43 double deckers - the PVR of the 306/308, X7/8/9 an X10/11 is 40. If you got rid of the X8 then you'd cut a chunk out of the PVR of 14 on the X7/8/9 circuit, which would probably be about right. 

I don't think they should be replacing them but I reckon they might given they've already sent 7511/12 down there. Or they may leave them on the 43/44/45 another year - they had ex-London W/X-reg ALX400's before so have always had an old clapped out fleet.

I think all the 08 plate Solo's have been withdrawn (at least on paper). Are the 59-plate and 11-plate any better given they're a touch younger?