Is there any update on the removal of the hybrid system of 6064 and conversion? 
Seems like it's been away forever at this point!

(09 Sep 2020, 4:32 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Is there any update on the removal of the hybrid system of 6064 and conversion? 
Seems like it's been away forever at this point!

Looks like its still 'progressing': https://twitter.com/MartijnGNE/status/1319344413676625925?s=20

(23 Oct 2020, 8:24 am)ne14ne1 wrote Looks like its still 'progressing': https://twitter.com/MartijnGNE/status/1319344413676625925?s=20

Does look like much change since last pic few months back

(23 Oct 2020, 8:34 am)JP6004 wrote Does look like much change since last pic few months back

How hard can it be, they're just swapping an engine! /s

From what I understand, the Volvo hybrid system is very complicated as the electric motor is completely separate from the engine unlike some other hybrid systems so basically the whole drivetrain has to be swapped out

Bustimes shows 6064 tracking on 25’s since 12pm, not 6064 I assume.

Are we any closer to 6064 returning?

(06 Dec 2020, 9:59 am)Michael wrote Are we any closer to 6064 returning?

Maybe someone with Facebook could submit a question for Dan and MG’s Facebook live event.

(06 Dec 2020, 10:14 am)ne14ne1 wrote Maybe someone with Facebook could submit a question for Dan and MG’s Facebook live event.

I would but I'll end up missing most, if not all of it as I'm at work.

(06 Dec 2020, 10:19 am)Michael wrote I would but I'll end up missing most, if not all of it as I'm at work.

You’ll be able to watch it back afterwards.

It’s getting there...

https://twitter.com/martijngne/status/13...88450?s=21

(23 Dec 2020, 3:37 pm)ne14ne1 wrote It’s getting there...

https://twitter.com/martijngne/status/13...88450?s=21

Shouldn't be long now....maybe next stop paint shop 

It’s back on the road


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

(21 Apr 2021, 9:51 pm)TEN 6083 wrote
It’s back on the road


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hopefully it will return soon then

Wonder if they are testing it before they send it back up to the North East

(21 Apr 2021, 11:36 pm)Micheal Aaron Parker wrote Wonder if they are testing it before they send it back up to the North East

East Yorkshire are testing it on P&R service 165 before sending back to Go North East whenever that will be - https://www.flickr.com/photos/128789124@...9004593598

Could they not try making one fully electric?

Never really enjoyed these. They were intensely unreliable on the 21 (an issue that has only really just been resolved) but pleased to see they’ve got some life in them yet!

(23 Apr 2021, 10:02 pm)Ambassador wrote Never really enjoyed these. They were intensely unreliable on the 21 (an issue that has only really just been resolved) but pleased to see they’ve got some life in them yet!

I must admit, I do prefer a B5LH over a B9.
I just love the instant, silent torque of the electric motor, then the diesel engine kicking in once it's on the move. They're actually one of the only deckers where I prefer sitting downstairs because I like the sound of them!

(23 Apr 2021, 10:02 pm)Ambassador wrote Never really enjoyed these. They were intensely unreliable on the 21 (an issue that has only really just been resolved) but pleased to see they’ve got some life in them yet!

Indeed, which was something of a shame given how revolutionary they seemed when they were brand new. You and I will know better than most that the 21 was mishandled for years. The bizarre decisions to allocate Omnicities, the ageing Tridents, the Vykings - which simply weren't suited to our infrastructure - then the ex-London Presidents in 2011 undoubtedly set the 21 back a long way in the eyes of the average punter. It's amazing to think that two of the Lolynes that lasted right up to nearly the end of the DDA non-compliancy period in 2016, 3875 and 3878, had spent over twelve years running between Newcastle and Chester in various capacities, having transferred from Winlaton in the summer of 2004. They were still running with their original interiors too. I personally liked them, but I can still smell the foist on a damp morning.

6064 has now been converted to Euro 6 diesel, and is undergoing some 'live testing' in service at East Yorkshire (predominantly the Park & Ride service in Scarborough) prior to its return to Go North East.

Go North East: 6064 / NK62CLZ by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(03 May 2021, 5:09 pm)Dan wrote 6064 has now been converted to Euro 6 diesel, and is undergoing some 'live testing' in service at East Yorkshire (predominantly the Park & Ride service in Scarborough) prior to its return to Go North East.

Go North East: 6064 / NK62CLZ by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

When is 6064 expected to be returning to Go North East?

She looks in very good nick mind considering the hammering they’ve taken on the 21 then the Coaster routes

So is this bus now more Environmentally unfriendlily or do the alliterations not make much difference?

(04 May 2021, 10:50 am)Rob44 wrote So is this bus now more Environmentally unfriendlily or do the alliterations not make much difference?

“Now Euro 6” so guessing when new with its Hybrid system it was Euro 5?

but is Euro 6 better than euro 5 with hybrid system? When it pulls away for a bus stop the engine is emitting fumes to those who as standing there where with the hybrid it was omitting nothing till the engine kicked in?

(04 May 2021, 10:55 am)Rob44 wrote but is Euro 6 better than euro 5 with hybrid system? When it pulls away for a bus stop the engine is emitting fumes to those who as standing there where with the hybrid it was omitting nothing till the engine kicked in?

Yes, a Euro 6 diesel bus is cleaner than a Euro 5 Hybrid.

cheers dan

Ideally we’d have Euro 6 hybrids (if not zero emission vehicles) for all new non-express purchases, rather than Euro 6 diesel-only with stop/start.
Like you say new hybrids would idle and travel for periods on battery power reducing emission & noise pollution in our towns and cities. They’d give a much more peaceful experience for the passengers too, and drivers seem to report a smoother drive & more instant torque.

Of course unlike in Central London, operators aren’t stipulated to purchase/operate hybrids here, so they aren’t chosen due to the higher purchase (& maintenance?) costs. Instead we spend the money on frills and creature comforts in attempt to increase customer numbers.

It does sound like a backwards step for operators to be removing these earlier generation hybrid systems & turning the vehicle into a diesel-only system, but if it reduces emission output then it’s a good thing.
As we’ve discussed before unfortunately these Gemini2 hybrids didn’t last very long in electric-only mode and then momentarily lost momentum while switching over to the Diesel engine.
Some Gemini3 hybrids would be very welcome though.
I can dream.

Speaking of hybrids etc, I wonder how that trial Enviro400MMC is doing in Brighton which runs on diesel, and then switches to electric mode when it reaches the geofence of town/city centres.

(04 May 2021, 1:27 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Ideally we’d have Euro 6 hybrids (if not zero emission vehicles) for all new non-express purchases, rather than Euro 6 diesel-only with stop/start.
Like you say new hybrids would idle and travel for periods on battery power reducing emission & noise pollution in our towns and cities. They’d give a much more peaceful experience for the passengers too, and drivers seem to report a smoother drive & more instant torque.

Of course unlike in Central London, operators aren’t stipulated to purchase/operate hybrids here, so they aren’t chosen due to the higher purchase (& maintenance?) costs. Instead we spend the money on frills and creature comforts in attempt to increase customer numbers.

It does sound like a backwards step for operators to be removing these earlier generation hybrid systems & turning the vehicle into a diesel-only system, but if it reduces emission output then it’s a good thing.
As we’ve discussed before unfortunately these Gemini2 hybrids didn’t last very long in electric-only mode and then momentarily lost momentum while switching over to the Diesel engine.
Some Gemini3 hybrids would be very welcome though.
I can dream.

Speaking of hybrids etc, I wonder how that trial Enviro400MMC is doing in Brighton which runs on diesel, and then switches to electric mode when it reaches the geofence of town/city centres.

Would've been more interesting if the B5LH's would've been converted to being fully electric rather than diesel but I imagine the cost for this would've been extremely high.

(04 May 2021, 4:34 pm)Malarkey wrote Would've been more interesting if the B5LH's would've been converted to being fully electric rather than diesel but I imagine the cost for this would've been extremely high.

It would’ve been yeah. Mind, they’d have had to find a lot more room for the increase in batteries needed to make it a full EV.

If you search YouTube for ‘Vantage Power London Bus’ you should find videos of Gemini1’s and a President which were fitted with Vantage Power diesel-electric hybrid systems.
Apart from the 3 or 4 vehicles trialled Im not aware of any others that were done however.
Maybe it was too expensive or they didn’t have any uptake. Certainly weird watching/hearing an old Gemini1 and President pulling away almost silently. I quite liked the sound of the diesel suddenly starting back up. It almost sounded like it took a couple of turns for it to fire back up. Odd but kinda cool.