(25 Jul 2014, 6:14 am)Dan wrote Following on from discussion in the Rare & Odd Workings thread, I've managed to ask a few questions and (thankfully) get an answer, as to which Dennis Trident vehicles are currently on loan to other depots from Percy Main. I have outlined these below:

To Deptford

• Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3858 (V858 EGR)
  
• Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3859 (W859 PNL)
  
• Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3870 (W174 SCU)
  
• Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3871 (W181 SCU)
  
• Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3874 (W184 SCU)

These vehicles are covering for Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 6008, 6020, 6028, 6099 and 6100 which are currently at Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. During school holidays when branded vehicles are unavailable, Volvo B7TLs frequently crop up on "Prince Bishops" service 20 and "Laser" service 35 - two services which often require additional capacity. Should any branded vehicles therefore be unavailable, the Dennis Trident vehicles on loan can be allocated to the aforementioned services. Likewise, should any branded vehicles be unavailable for "Fab Fifty Six" service 56, the first point of call should be to always ensure this service is operated by a double decker. I'd imagine it's quite likely that they will also be utilised on the air show services this weekend too.

To Washington

• Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3803 (V858 EGR)

This vehicle is covering for Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 6027, 6029 and 6032. I do not believe it saw service yesterday, but should be utilised on "Red Arrows" service X1 when a branded vehicle is unavailable so that the service always remains operated by a double decker.


Given that Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3873 (W183 SCU) is currently at Saltmeadows for repaint into corporate livery, Percy Main is currently seven Tridents down to what they would usually have during school term time. Although the number of vehicles on loan to other depots is higher than we originally thought, my views on the subject have most definitely not changed. It goes without saying that they still have three outstanding Dennis Trident vehicles as well as the three Volvo B7TL vehicles. These six vehicles should be shared between "DFDS Seaways" service 327 and "Cobalt Clipper" services 309/310 - the latter of which is minus its two red spare B9TLs (6116/17). It is very rare for "DFDS Seaways" service 327 to demand ten vehicles (including the four branded vehicles), so both services should always be allocated double decker vehicles - providing none of their remaining double decker vehicles are VOR.