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Sunday 21 June 2015

Mini news Round Up 21/6/15

There really isn't enough material for a major round up, but this is what has been occuring, including some news yet to be published elsewhere.

Obviously the Short Set has been grabbing all the attention this week, with the Class 37's making a spectacular entrance. That maybe a recurrng theme throughout the Summer. I make no apology for publishing this pic again as it's up there with the best I've ever taken!

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However there has been some bus news too. First of all an Olympian update from Yarmouth, and both 34109 and 34186 are currently off the road needing new gearboxes. The search is on for replacement gearboxes but finding parts with warranties is proving difficult, and at the moment there are no spare Ollies in the First fleet. As and when I get any further news I will of course pass it on, but I understand at the moment the intention is to get them both back on the road in time. Elsewhere in Yarmouth ex Leicester Gemini 32629 is back on the road after an engine transplant, and former Yarmouth Dart 42921, now at Norwich is being repainted into Urban livery and should be back out this week.

In Ipswich the 53 is being reduced to every 15 mins, which will reduce the PVR by one, thus releasing another vehicle to be transfered elsewhere. Which vehicle and type is still undecided and again as soon as I hear anything else I'll publish it.

The most interesting news of the week has come from Konect. The 20 new vehicles have been confirmed as bog standard AD E400's, not MMC's sadly. These buses will be used on Park & Ride and the 8. Interestingly the 8 is going to receive a new Express livery so that will be worth waiting for. The current E400's on the 8 will be rebranded for the 2 with the current P&R E400's replacing the Geminis in the current fleet which look likely to move to Hedingham to replace the Olympians. September is going to be an interesting month at Konect. My thanks to my contact at Konect for the information.

Nothing else of great note springs to mind except the revamped Kings Lynn Bus Station is nearing completion. I admit I have been avoiding it while it has been rebuilt, but I'll be catching up with all things Stagecoach Norfolk and Lynx once the Bus Station is open again.

I must thank Cameron for writing yesterday's post, and if anyone else wants to write posts feel free to contact me and you can join the team! Have a good week.

PS here's a trivia question for you - answer next week unless someone gets the answer before - when Maida Vale Underground Station opened in 1915 what was unique about it?



15 comments:

  1. Andrew Kleissner21 June 2015 at 15:45

    At the risk of stealing your thunder: it was the first station to be staffed exclusively by women.

    Now here's one for you: what is unique about Greenford Underground station?

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    1. Correct. As for Greenford I assume it has something to do with either it was the first station to have escalators to a platform above street level, or the new glass step free access currently under construction.

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    2. Andrew Kleissner21 June 2015 at 23:48

      You're right - you go UP the escalator to the trains (which are over-, not underground)

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    3. Greenford was also the last LU station to have a wooden escalator in service, which only came out of service last year. The new glass lift is replacing it.

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    4. Andrew Kleissner23 June 2015 at 09:04

      Now that was something I didn't know! I am amazed to hear it ... perhaps it could stay in use as it was above ground rather than in a tunnel.

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  2. I thought the 8 was having brand new buses next month, with then a further 18 specifically for park and ride?

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    1. I can only go on the information I receive, buddy. I did check if the new 8's were coing out of the 20 and that was confirmed. Maybe with the 604 not going to the City Centre from September the P&R PVR has been reduced.

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    2. Absolutely! That's an interesting point about the PVR, will be interesting to see :D

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  3. 34114 and 34111 have been on the 8/1 ALL WEEK :)

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    1. 34108 has been out and about too, seen on both routes. Let's hope those three stay in good health

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  4. Thought they were getting 18 new and 2 refurbished?

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    1. just proves what I said last week about the Streetdecks - you never really know until they arrive at the depot. Once again I can only go on the information I receive.

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  5. Hi steve galloway has got some new services from the latest tenders has the Diss to ipswich service that simmons do at the moment and a Stowmarket via rattidon to bury service

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