(07 Dec 2013, 8:42 pm)Dan wrote I put the new "Venture" Solo SRs to test earlier today, on their biggest challenge... "Venture" service 689 between Hexham and Consett.
I had 647 all to myself for the full journey (excluding the old woman who got on for about 5 minutes, and alighted near Consett after boarding near Shotley Bridge somewhere).
The SR coped well on the service, and it was great to be able to ride on a bus which can actually get up to 55mph, rather unlike MPD 518 that I had last Saturday which only managed about 30! It's fair to say this was demonstrated in the timings too, for it was early all of the way!
I had a ride of a few others on locals too. They're very warm, steady buses which, for light weight vehicles, are very solidly built. I was very impressed (as were most other passengers), but I believe a few drivers weren't as keen - but perhaps that's because they underestimated how far ahead they are of the wheels and they never knew quite when to stop at Consett Bus Station!
Cannot praise these vehicles highly enough, and I think this was a very good purchase by Go North East. I hope other MPD routes in the future can justify such investment.
My photograph of 647, which features a slight autumnal background, is the first (I believe) to have been pictured in Hexham. You can view the photograph by clicking the link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/11256764543/
I'm a bit disappointed they've gone for Mercedes engines though! Just sound rough as hell when idling (much like Varios...!) but they should be reliable at least. I'm hoping this is what Darlington will get in the future with Arriva, I'm starting to favour the SR design, which of course is now standard!