(09 Jul 2020, 7:46 pm)streetdeckfan wrote LOL, as if I'd use the X12, I'd rather bloody walk!
You wouldn't though would you.
(09 Jul 2020, 7:47 pm)scanialover wrote It's brings us on briefly to Arriva's X12 ? Why it carries that operating number beats me? 2 and half hours of misery riding on a Pulsar or worse. Perhaps time for an upgrade there as well?
As has been said, it's express for a couple of sections of the route. Don't see how some people find it impossible to grasp that an express route doesn't need to be 60mph "THRASHHH" running from start to finish.
(09 Jul 2020, 8:36 pm)scanialover wrote Couldn't be anymore torturous than what's been happening for years ! The route has never been properly promoted or managed. Half hearted attempts with inevitably inappropriate vehicles being flogged relentlessly. Little wonder people go by train.
I'm sorry but, while I think the B5TLs were a horrendously shortsighted decision, you cannot accuse GNE of not properly promoting the X9/X10. The liveries alone, over the years, have been some of the best we've ever seen from the company.
Equally, I don't believe that the B9TLs when new were inappropriate for the route. Were it viable to (or at this point possible to!), then a new batch of B9TLs for the TTX every 3-4 years would likely be all it needed. Unfortunately 6043-8 were probably kept on for a year or so too long, and by that time were struggling.