(14 Aug 2020, 6:02 pm)L469 YVK wrote Well, rather than posting on the New StreetDeck / ADL E400MMC forum to keep topics relevant, I thought that I'd post my guess on here. Given the lockdown etc and the likely cost savings that will need to be made moving forward, if economic "green shoots" of recovery appear and allow Go North East to further invest in services and new vehicles, I'd predict that something akin to the following could happen but perhaps around 2022.............
New Order Option 1
The above would then mean:
- 15x ADL E400MMC or Wright StreetDeck OM936 to Washington for X-Lines X1 -- Was originally intended to receive a "heavier" vehicle type this year but forefitted due to X30 interworking pattern requirements for low height deckers.
- 17x Wright StreetDeck OM934 for Cobalt & Coast 309/310/311 - Includes 1x spare.
New Order Option 2
- 14x Wright StreetDecks (OM934) transferred from Washington to Deptford and allocated to Service 56.
- 1x Wright StreetDeck (OM934) transferred from Washington to Percy Main as additional Cobalt & Coast spare alongside new example.
- Ex Cobalt & Coast B9TLs partially repainted (Blues to Greens) with new TVT brand but silver base. These then upgrade the Tyne Valley Ten and have already been refurbished.
- Ex 56 B9TLs either refurbished and or deep cleaned. These are then transferred to Percy Main for the Coaster.
- Ex Coaster B5LHs & Ex TVT/TTX B9TLs then either cascaded elsewhere within Go North East or another Go-Ahead subsidiary.
Then same cascades as option 1 (minus X1 as that route would be unchanged under option 2).
- 18x Wright StreetDeck OM934 for Cobalt & Coast 309/310/311 - Includes 2x spares
- 14x Wright StreetDeck OM934 for service 56 - Includes 2x spares
I'd definitely lean towards option 2, unless there is an issue with the OM934 StreetDecks on the X1, which honestly I don't expect there to be, I don't think they'd bother changing them out.
I also doubt they'd put the B9s on the Coaster, assuming the trial of the hybrid removal goes well, I'd expect them to receive an interior upgrade and stay put.
I do think if the Cobalts get new vehicles, the B9s would end up on the TVT as that would save on refurb costs.