(13 Apr 2014, 10:17 am)Davey Bowyer wrote I'd say that if the Crusader is going to be upgraded that it could well potenitally be E400's. I know GNE haven't purchased any Alexander Dennis double decks since 2001 but by looking at Volvo's offering at the moment, the E400 looks to be the right choice. They may not be good for any rural, high speed or long distance routes like the X1, TTX and TEN (Full 10 to Hexham); but they'd quite happily cope with the 27. However, if Volvo don't come up with a suitable heavyweight euro 6 chassis, then it could well be that GNE may forgive Scania for the trouble that they created for GNE with regards to the fleet at Stanley Depot depending upon whether or not Scania offer a heavyweight euro 6 chassis on any bodywork (most likely ADL E400) and whether or not the offering is the same or very similar to the euro 5 offering. If the above was to happen, then it could well be that the Red Arrows might receive an upgrade with 6001 to 6007 being the oldest B9TL's in the fleet next year allowing something like the following to happen:
- 6049 to 6051 making up PVR on ANGEL.
- 6052 being fitted with Tacho, power sockets fitted and allocated to TTX to make up PVR.
- 6001 to 6005 and 6053 to 6055 allocated to PRONTO.
- 6006 acting as a spare for the above potential order.
- 6007 relieving 3941 on light duties or a last resort spare for the TEN. 6007 would fitted with a Tacho and act as a spare for the TEN and TTX.
Would it not be more likely that the Red Arrows would receive 16 new buses (14 branded with 2 red spares) which would displace 6001-6007 around the North East (to act as spares for the other 'older' double-deck services) displacing branded 3941, 3942, 3962, 3963, and 3965, as well as un-branded 3964 and 6038, from their respective depots. (Note: 3943 and a red spare at Washington would additionally be displaced by the 2 new red spares purchased.) Newer double-decks 6049-6055 would then transfer to Crook and branded for and used on service X21 displacing the Presidents which, along with the former branded spares as mentioned above, could result in a large number of elderly double-deckers to be withdrawn from service.