(28 Dec 2021, 7:01 pm)Dan wrote You weren’t right about the 47, no.But, if they did, CLS to Stanley for remote reliefs is less mileage than CLS to Hownsgill.
To nip this in the bud as I’m getting tired of seeing posts like this every day… It’s also ludicrous to suggest that Chester-le-Street would operate the X30/X31. It would introduce another new vehicle type into Chester-le-Street’s fleet (the X21 isn’t going to be operated by E400s - again, let’s nip that in the bud), it would introduce more remote reliefs at Chester-le-Street, and would involve a lot of route learning cost, for absolutely no benefit. The X30/1 work fine as they are from Consett.
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To be honest without the raw figures and facts, I'm sorry but I just don't see the Volvo B5TL (especially given their history) as suitable allocations to the X21 longer term. The same was argued about the initial batch of StreetDecks 6301-07 and look how they turned out?
I know that GNE aren't all of a sudden going to introduce sweeping changes for the sake of a vehicle allocation. But if they did for 'other reasons' (reliability, timekeeping) and the numbers matched up even if Consett kept the X30/X31, an E400 allocation on the X21 would make sense.
Arriva have operated the Classic versions with ZF boxes no bother on the X21/X22 and although now pushing their luck with 7529-33 and 7553-56, have done their at least 5 year span (expected on such routes going by ANE's 7453-56 and GNE's 6043-48 track records) on the X15/X18.
GNE are also soon allocating 6352-55 on the X10.
I'll put it to bed now.