(13 Nov 2020, 6:07 pm)L469 YVK wrote Out of all GNE's decker routes, I'd probably categorise the following as to whether or not they're suited to an ADL E400MMC or OM934 StreetDeck.
These are NOT order predictions / suggestions by the way but simply a categorisation of routes vs suitable vehicle types.
OM934 StreetDeck
1A/1B, 21, 25, 26/27, 56, 309/X39/310/311, X5/X15, X30(*LH*), X31, X45, X46, X47
*LH* - Would need to be low height
ADL E400MMC
10/10A/10B/10X, X21, X70/X71, X84/X85
OM936 StreetDeck
X9/X10 (but now a coach operation) and perhaps only in another set of circumstances but I won't go into that on here as it would end up off topic!
See, for me the X21 is a tricky one, for the majority of the route, the 4 cylinder StreetDeck is more than adequate, it's the motorway section that is the problem.
Then again, it seemed to only be the 16 plate StreetDecks that had an issue on the motorway, the 67 plates were much better, and I'd imagine the 20/70 plates would be even better still. I wonder if the 4 cylinder spare will find it's way down here to try it out.
Other than that, I agree with you.
Also, if I remember correctly, the reason they went with the E400 for the X30 was because it had better interior headroom than the low height StreetDeck, not that the extra power was needed, although even the E400s seem to struggle on the way up Dunston Bank!