(16 Jan 2017, 8:57 pm)girlinb wrote Two more new ones spotted at Falkirk - SM66VAO E40D, probably part of the rumoured extra order for 22 or up to 33 and SN66WMV E20D for London (one of 36622-31)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/northernso...ctS-QDM9NL

(16 Jan 2017, 9:23 pm)Tamesider wrote Can you advise when 'VAO was seen at Falkirk, as a seperate report stated it was at Leyland late last week, leading to speculation that it was bound for Gillmoss. This (combined with sub-contracting to ANW for RRs being wound down) might explain why at least four Cambridge examples are rumoured to move to their permanent home very soon.

Indeed, 33 extra Enviro400MMCs have been added to this order - 10811-43. It appears they are not all for Gillmoss - some are believed to be heading to Rock Ferry depot for Stagecoach's share of the 471/472.

(18 Jan 2017, 7:31 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Indeed, 33 extra Enviro400MMCs have been added to this order - 10811-43. It appears they are not all for Gillmoss - some are believed to be heading to Rock Ferry depot for Stagecoach's share of the 471/472.

Thanks.

Is it fair to assume no more will be added to the 2016/7 order? In particular, none for Manchester. From the company's point of view, I can't see any reason why they would allocate any more to Manchester in the near future. Service cuts from 29 January, should free up the remaining Euro3 E400s for cascade, meaning no 'deckers in the (active) fleet would be more than 9 years old. There are still a few MANs more than 12 years old, but the issue with that type seems to be more to do with reliability. Then there is the accelerated decline in bus use locally, combined with the uncertainty of Franchising. Albeit, said decline and other actions around the county have made Franchising all but inevitable unless we get a Trump like shock in the Mayoral elections.

(18 Jan 2017, 9:26 pm)Tamesider wrote Thanks.

Is it fair to assume no more will be added to the 2016/7 order? In particular, none for Manchester. From the company's point of view, I can't see any reason why they would allocate any more to Manchester in the near future. Service cuts from 29 January, should free up the remaining Euro3 E400s for cascade, meaning no 'deckers in the (active) fleet would be more than 9 years old. There are still a few MANs more than 12 years old, but the issue with that type seems to be more to do with reliability. Then there is the accelerated decline in bus use locally, combined with the uncertainty of Franchising. Albeit, said decline and other actions around the county have made Franchising all but inevitable unless we get a Trump like shock in the Mayoral elections.

Is there any more news on the additional 2016/7 orders? 
Gillmoss have reportedly received three or four regd SM66 VAx & VBx series, but the fleet numbers are way off those reported originally. The lowest number is 10826, leading to a suggestion that they might not now be getting 10811-25. Meanwhile, rumours that Manchester are getting up to 22 (a much lower figure has also been quoted), have strengthened following suggestions that the B7RLEs inherited from First at Wigan, are to be disposed of, along with a number of MANs - including the E300s that only arrived from Scotland about 3 months ago. If/when they do arrive, I would guess they will be '17 regd.

(02 Feb 2017, 8:42 pm)Tamesider wrote Is there any more news on the additional 2016/7 orders? 
Gillmoss have reportedly received three or four regd SM66 VAx & VBx series, but the fleet numbers are way off those reported originally. The lowest number is 10826, leading to a suggestion that they might not now be getting 10811-25. Meanwhile, rumours that Manchester are getting up to 22 (a much lower figure has also been quoted), have strengthened following suggestions that the B7RLEs inherited from First at Wigan, are to be disposed of, along with a number of MANs - including the E300s that only arrived from Scotland about 3 months ago. If/when they do arrive, I would guess they will be '17 regd.

The Gillmoss ones have been incorrectly numbered from the sounds of things.

(02 Feb 2017, 8:45 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The Gillmoss ones have been incorrectly numbered from the sounds of things.

Certainly seems confusing, as both BLOTW and uk-buses are quoting tie-ups in line with what are actually being used on the road - albeit including some not yet reported as delivered.

(03 Feb 2017, 8:54 pm)Tamesider wrote Certainly seems confusing, as both BLOTW and uk-buses are quoting tie-ups in line with what are actually being used on the road - albeit including some not yet reported as delivered.

I'm now given to understand that both BLOTW and uk-buses are indeed correct and some early reports of registrations were, shall we say, presumptive. 

No more news on Middleton though. There has been a report of 22 buses leaving Middleton in the coming weeks and months, but it doesn't automatically follow that they will be replaced by a similar number of new MMCs. For one thing the 22 leaving are split equally between E400s and E200s. There have been a few suggestions going around, and whilst all include some new E400MMCs, it could be that they are supplemented by new E200MMCs, or even mid-life MANs from other depots. One thing does seem certain, and that is that any new buses will '17 reg, not '66.

(10 Feb 2017, 9:22 pm)Tamesider wrote I'm now given to understand that both BLOTW and uk-buses are indeed correct and some early reports of registrations were, shall we say, presumptive. 

No more news on Middleton though. There has been a report of 22 buses leaving Middleton in the coming weeks and months, but it doesn't automatically follow that they will be replaced by a similar number of new MMCs. For one thing the 22 leaving are split equally between E400s and E200s. There have been a few suggestions going around, and whilst all include some new E400MMCs, it could be that they are supplemented by new E200MMCs, or even mid-life MANs from other depots. One thing does seem certain, and that is that any new buses will '17 reg, not '66.

It does now look like all 22 will be E400 MMCs, thus increasing capacity some months after reducing frequency on their commercial services (the words Stable Door, Closed, Horse and Bolted spring to mind, but hey ho!) uk-buses quotes the registration prefixes as "SN17 xxx"

Only the briefest of details (and unconfirmed), but I believe at least some elements of the 2017/8 order are now known. Hopefully, something more official is imminent.

(13 Feb 2017, 3:01 pm)Tamesider wrote Only the briefest of details (and unconfirmed), but I believe at least some elements of the 2017/8 order are now known. Hopefully, something more official is imminent.

Presumably either one of the last of Gillmoss' orders or one of the first for Middleton; un-numbered E400 MMC, SN17 MHX was photographed at ADL on Wednesday in full livery.

Rather than copying the whole list out again (I'm away at present so doing this on my phone) - here's the Gillmoss E400MMC registrations as posted by 'mbonwick' on the Merseyside Dennis Dart Forum:

10811-10843 (SM66 VAO, VBT/U/V/X/Y/Z, VCA/C/D/E/F/G/J, VBN/O/P, VAU/V/X, VBA/B/C/D/E/F/G/J/K/L, VAY, SN17 MHV/X)
Note - the registration for 10824 (VCJ) and 10841 (VAY) are to be confirmed

(19 Feb 2017, 12:58 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Rather than copying the whole list out again (I'm away at present so doing this on my phone) - here's the Gillmoss E400MMC registrations as posted by 'mbonwick' on the Merseyside Dennis Dart Forum:

10811-10843 (SM66 VAO, VBT/U/V/X/Y/Z, VCA/C/D/E/F/G/J, VBN/O/P, VAU/V/X, VBA/B/C/D/E/F/G/J/K/L, VAY, SN17 MHV/X)
Note - the registration for 10824 (VCJ) and 10841 (VAY) are to be confirmed

I understand 10824 has been sighted as SM66 VCJ.  Also uk-buses site quotes SN17 MHY as 10844 at Middleton

(23 Feb 2017, 9:20 pm)Tamesider wrote I understand 10824 has been sighted as SM66 VCJ.  Also uk-buses site quotes SN17 MHY as 10844 at Middleton

uk-b has now changed 10841-3 to read SN17 MHV/X/Y. 10844 is now blank, but there have been two seperate reports from the Manchester end quoting SN17 MHZ and SN17 MJE as being readied for service.

(24 Feb 2017, 9:56 pm)Tamesider wrote uk-b has now changed 10841-3 to read SN17 MHV/X/Y. 10844 is now blank, but there have been two seperate reports from the Manchester end quoting SN17 MHZ and SN17 MJE as being readied for service.

Progress. 10841-3 have been corrected; 10842/3 are as initially reported; SN17 MHV/X, with 10841 now believed to be MHU. Over at Hyde Road (for Middleton), 10844/5/7 are SN17 MHY/Z/JF, so presumably 'MJE is 10846.

(28 Feb 2017, 10:02 pm)Tamesider wrote Progress. 10841-3 have been corrected; 10842/3 are as initially reported; SN17 MHV/X, with 10841 now believed to be MHU. Over at Hyde Road (for Middleton), 10844/5/7 are SN17 MHY/Z/JF, so presumably 'MJE is 10846.

Just to remind us all that 2016/7 hasn't quite finished; Latest I have for the Middleton batch is that (at least) 10844-56 are in service, with another 5 or so delivered and in preperation. That would leave about four to be delivered.