(04 Jan 2015, 10:08 am)GuyParkRoyal wrote 7454 is the winner for me the acceleration from a standing start was so impressive even on the incline towards the Red Lion in Birtley. On the negative side the noise from the engine bay on 7454 became irritating to the point that I would not like to do a long journey on that bus.Nice to hear that 7454 is still performing well, and that it's "replacement " if you will managed to keep to time.
7515 was rather boring it got me from Morpeth to Alnwick on time even with two minuets wait in Felton to time correct. Despite the refurbished interior and the wifi there was nothing else about 7515 to excite me.
I did notice a considerable variation in the performance of the Arriva Enviro 400's with 7515 manging the route but lacking at times. 7517 started to struggle as soon as it reached the slight incline beyond Brunton Lane and seemed to lack power for the remiander of the journey. When 7519 turned up I noticed serious paint blistering around the doors and windows and thought is this going to be a disappointing journey. 7519 did not disappoint it manged the journey from Rothbury to Morpeth with ease with a decent speed on the steep up hill sections.
Interesting that you also found performance variation between the E400's, something I've noticed before as well. It is good, I think, that some of the unrefurbished E400's are in a good, or better condition than those refurbished as they should provide good stand ins.