Thought I'd see how the StreetDeck performed on the X9 this afternoon and give it a fair trial rather than just assume it will be crap and will brake down.
I will be honest when I first heard that it was going to be trialled on the Tyne Tees Xpress I didn't think it would be much cop on there although it did surprise me somewhat, didn't seem to perform too bad along the A19 and even managed to overtake a lorry. Not sure what sort of speeds it was doing but seemed fairly decent on the stretch when it rejoins the A19 after Peterlee Bus Station (Middlesbrough bound) and once it pulled off the A19 heading into Billingham. It is difficult to give a full review of the performance as there was a fair bit traffic on the A19. Overall I thought it was not too bad although the Enviro 400 MMC would possibly be a better buy for the service, although I doubt GNE will opt for that given their relationship with Wright and the StreetDeck is likely to be more fuel-efficient.
5160 on 9 is it a loan or a transfer only last time i looked on NEB News it says its at Riverside for a shuttle service yet today was on 9 operating out of Percy Main heading to North Shields when i saw it
(27 Nov 2015, 6:19 pm)Diamond One 5160 on 9 is it a loan or a transfer only last time i looked on NEB News it says its at Riverside for a shuttle service yet today was on 9 operating out of Percy Main heading to North Shields when i saw it
(27 Nov 2015, 6:19 pm)Diamond One 5160 on 9 is it a loan or a transfer only last time i looked on NEB News it says its at Riverside for a shuttle service yet today was on 9 operating out of Percy Main heading to North Shields when i saw it
(27 Nov 2015, 6:42 pm)Dan Sorry, I've been falling behind on the news page recently as I've been so busy.
It transferred to Percy Main on 14th November after the shuttle service ended - it is there to provide an extra vehicle while Percy Main's dual-door Volvo B10BLEs are undergoing DDA modifications and the "Coaster" branded Scania OmniCitys are undergoing deep cleans at Thorntons.
Volvo B10BLEs 5152 and 5166 are still at Thornton's for DDA mods. Scania OmniCitys 5251, 5252, 5261, 5262, 5263, 5265 and 5272 have all received a deep clean - I haven't been noting these as it's not the most noteworthy piece of information!
(27 Nov 2015, 6:42 pm)Dan Sorry, I've been falling behind on the news page recently as I've been so busy.
It transferred to Percy Main on 14th November after the shuttle service ended - it is there to provide an extra vehicle while Percy Main's dual-door Volvo B10BLEs are undergoing DDA modifications and the "Coaster" branded Scania OmniCitys are undergoing deep cleans at Thorntons.
Volvo B10BLEs 5152 and 5166 are still at Thornton's for DDA mods. Scania OmniCitys 5251, 5252, 5261, 5262, 5263, 5265 and 5272 have all received a deep clean - I haven't been noting these as it's not the most noteworthy piece of information!
(27 Nov 2015, 6:49 pm)R852 PRG What exactly takes place when a bus receives a deep clean? I'm guessing the seats and stuff?
(27 Nov 2015, 6:49 pm)R852 PRG What exactly takes place when a bus receives a deep clean? I'm guessing the seats and stuff?
(27 Nov 2015, 6:54 pm)Dan I'd suggest that the level of 'treatment' ultimately depends on how much money the company is handing over.
In the past, Thornton's have used some pretty heavy-duty cleaning materials. If I recall correctly, it was the articulated vehicles which had to stand for a few days just to get rid of the smell, as it was so strong. I had a bit of a snoop around 5252 not long after it was first done, and the distinct smell previously found on vehicles which had received a deep clean was not evident. The seat moquette did appear to be a lot cleaner (so was presumably washed properly), and there was no longer any grubby marks left behind from previous internal branding which had been removed.
The usual clean vehicles receive each night involves mopping down the vehicle with soapy water, and sometimes a quick dust over. In my opinion, vehicles ought to receive a deep clean on an annual basis. It would coincide nicely with when the vehicle is off the road for annual PSV test, but I'd guess that cost may prevent this.
(27 Nov 2015, 6:54 pm)Dan I'd suggest that the level of 'treatment' ultimately depends on how much money the company is handing over.
In the past, Thornton's have used some pretty heavy-duty cleaning materials. If I recall correctly, it was the articulated vehicles which had to stand for a few days just to get rid of the smell, as it was so strong. I had a bit of a snoop around 5252 not long after it was first done, and the distinct smell previously found on vehicles which had received a deep clean was not evident. The seat moquette did appear to be a lot cleaner (so was presumably washed properly), and there was no longer any grubby marks left behind from previous internal branding which had been removed.
The usual clean vehicles receive each night involves mopping down the vehicle with soapy water, and sometimes a quick dust over. In my opinion, vehicles ought to receive a deep clean on an annual basis. It would coincide nicely with when the vehicle is off the road for annual PSV test, but I'd guess that cost may prevent this.
(27 Nov 2015, 7:10 pm)pdiddy What a terrible day it's been today
I don't think that many operators have a cleaning regime that is sufficient. Some of the poles and bars on buses are absolutely manky, and you can visibly see the dirt on them. Combine that with how many folk have been to the toilet without washing their hands, sneezing full of cold, etc, and you get an idea of just how much germs you're coming into contact with.
It's perhaps worth noting,that in the QCS scheme, there'd be a stipulation that buses should be deep cleaned every 4 weeks. This can be found in Appendix S.
(27 Nov 2015, 7:10 pm)pdiddy What a terrible day it's been todayThose pesky Pronto Presidents eh!
Saw one broke in Durham Bus Station this morning then another broke down on the stand in Eldon Square which certainly caused some problems.
(27 Nov 2015, 7:10 pm)pdiddy What a terrible day it's been todayThose pesky Pronto Presidents eh!
Saw one broke in Durham Bus Station this morning then another broke down on the stand in Eldon Square which certainly caused some problems.
I think we all know now that the Pronto will certainly be getting newer stock. I wonder whether or not if GNE go with ADL for either the Pronto or any other service with cascades going to Crook, whether or not they will:
- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 5 specification (if available?) which would be the cheapest option.
- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 6 specification which would be slightly cheaper than the MMC body.
- Get the E400MMC which would be the most expensive option.
Bearing in mind that GNE have already sampled the classic body but to Euro 5 spec that time on the X1, do you think GNE would go for newer technology but with older bodywork?
(27 Nov 2015, 10:11 pm)DaveyBowyer I think we all know now that the Pronto will certainly be getting newer stock. I wonder whether or not if GNE go with ADL for either the Pronto or any other service with cascades going to Crook, whether or not they will:
- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 5 specification (if available?) which would be the cheapest option.
- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 6 specification which would be slightly cheaper than the MMC body.
- Get the E400MMC which would be the most expensive option.
Bearing in mind that GNE have already sampled the classic body but to Euro 5 spec that time on the X1, do you think GNE would go for newer technology but with older bodywork?
(27 Nov 2015, 10:11 pm)DaveyBowyer I think we all know now that the Pronto will certainly be getting newer stock. I wonder whether or not if GNE go with ADL for either the Pronto or any other service with cascades going to Crook, whether or not they will:
- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 5 specification (if available?) which would be the cheapest option.
- Get the Classic E400 to Euro 6 specification which would be slightly cheaper than the MMC body.
- Get the E400MMC which would be the most expensive option.
Bearing in mind that GNE have already sampled the classic body but to Euro 5 spec that time on the X1, do you think GNE would go for newer technology but with older bodywork?
When I saw 4978 today, with what is supposedly the finished article of the corporate livery that it gained some time ago, I wondered; what has happened to that? I haven't heard much of any other vehicles receiving the same branding, has it just been forgotten about?
