tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post5470349003710268020..comments2024-03-25T19:07:29.729+00:00Comments on Steve's Bus & Train Page: E400H City - Copy Or Original?Steve Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-47910594429780470782016-02-02T21:16:37.086+00:002016-02-02T21:16:37.086+00:00Blimey are they! I thought the only batch of them ...Blimey are they! I thought the only batch of them was up north somewhere. In which case I have to approve of them and suggest the body is better than anything Wright are producing for that chassis right now.<br /><br />Thanks for that, Steve - great name!Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-48672992950648526942016-02-02T21:04:26.236+00:002016-02-02T21:04:26.236+00:00I went on a London United Volvo B5LH Gemini 3 the ...I went on a London United Volvo B5LH Gemini 3 the other day. It was only a few months old, but shaking itself apart.<br /><br />Personally, I don't see the point of the E400 City, the standard E400 MMC being perfectly fit for purpose. I do however prefer the seat trim of the E400 City to the dreary stuff in the NRM. It's much more in keeping with the modern TfL house style.<br /> <br />The buses on the 177 are, incidentally, Volvo B5LHs with ADL bodywork.Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-14600775026774786302016-02-02T16:04:49.209+00:002016-02-02T16:04:49.209+00:00To Anonymous who keeps posting "Who doesn'...To Anonymous who keeps posting "Who doesn't love an old Allison"<br /><br />Firstly why are you anonymous? Secondly I am aware Allison is a gearbox manufacturer but it has no relevance to the post whatsoever. Thirdly foul language will always be deleted. Fourthly if you don't like what I do feel free to contact me privately to discuss it. Cheers..Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-73325511471915248342016-02-01T23:18:41.923+00:002016-02-01T23:18:41.923+00:00I said Leon Daniels speak and to help you here is ...I said Leon Daniels speak and to help you here is his statement.<br />"Also arriving in the market is the London version of the Enviro400 City. This is ADL responding to the Mayor's call for the New Routemaster DNA to feature in other designs for for buses in London".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-53574219646211077122016-02-01T12:26:43.758+00:002016-02-01T12:26:43.758+00:00The E400City was built to meet a challenge from Tf...The E400City was built to meet a challenge from TfL to build a bus to produce a product with the "aesthetic appeal" of the Borismaster but more suited to the needs of the outer suburban routes where the more expensive Borismaster is harder to justify. In other words it is TfL approved (their Director of Buses was very complimentary on the styling at it's launch) but not TfL commissioned so there would need to be care over either party appearing to endorse or claim endorsement. The design rights of the Borismaster are owned by TfL rather than Wrights, Heatherwick or anyone else so if they want certain design features to be replicated on other designs for London they can encourage that. As for moquette that is specified by the purchaser of the vehicle, since most of the big London operators now have sizeable fleets of Borismasters (with this TfL designed moquette) then it would make sense to specify similar moquette on other vehicles to ease maintenance and TfL are likely to encourage this as it helps strengthen their brand over the image of the individual operators.<br /><br />There has been a lot of discussion of a 2 door & shorter Borismaster but nothing has yet to appear and TfL are well aware that unless they intend to buy all buses for London contracts they will not be able to specify the bus type without a cost on the contracts. To deal with this it will clearly encourage all double-deck builders to offer a 'London-style' design that carries over a consistent theme for all models. The difference between the E400H & City is purely cosmetic so it is a fairly simple option to offer for London & those that want it. Personally I think the City is a better looking front (not sure bout how the glass staircase & metal over the top deck window by the stairs) than the MMC & a diesel version is available, Blackpool Transport have already ordered some.dwarfer1979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-52372265888336252992016-01-31T21:47:08.451+00:002016-01-31T21:47:08.451+00:00Suggest you read the article again - I have repeat...Suggest you read the article again - I have repeatedly said over the last few weeks how ADL have upped their game and Wrightbus have let theirs slip, Borismaster excepted. My inbuilt dislike is of poor quality, and as I have with Wrightbus recently I will critcise anything I consider to be poor regardless of manufacturer. Not sure how many times I can say I'm a fan of the MMC.<br /><br />Heatherwick worked with TfL and Wrightbus on the final design, but there again the architect of buildings rarely does the quantity surveying as well. I was simply trying to give some background information to the Borismaster without pretending it ws a full history of the birth of the bus.<br /><br />There is nothing in print anywhere I have found, either on ADL's website or in offical publicity of the E400H to suggest TfL were involved in the design. It seems ADL simply wanted a vehicle that would appeal to the London market and they are happy to take all the credit. TfL are currently working with Wrightbus on a shorter Borismaster to go on the Volvo B5LH chasis. That is fairly easy to find, yet nothing about ADL and TfL. Of course if you know of any official documentation purtaining to such then please let me know and I'll be happy to publish it.Steve Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06852377706742868978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-68215169189803425952016-01-31T21:05:19.653+00:002016-01-31T21:05:19.653+00:00Oh dear an article spoiled by wrong information an...Oh dear an article spoiled by wrong information and attempts at sarcasm at the writers inbuilt dislike of anything ADL.<br />Capoco Design and architects Foster and Partners may have won the<br />design competition but the design contract was then awarded to Thomas Heatherwick before the built contract was given to Wrightbus.<br />London bus companies do not buy the Borismasters - they are purchased by TfL and then it is assumed rented to the companies.<br />I understand the City is a result of TfL wanting bus manufactures to build at model with "Borismaster DNA" - Leon Daniels speak.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-87052185138647129542016-01-31T13:59:15.292+00:002016-01-31T13:59:15.292+00:00And yeah, the new Volvos on the 6 are appalling co...And yeah, the new Volvos on the 6 are appalling compared to the older Presidents they replaced, and which can still be found on the 98, 260, 302 and 460. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13881556552535866846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2425346921966365551.post-5940509432103721712016-01-31T13:57:55.065+00:002016-01-31T13:57:55.065+00:00That Routemaster was one of about 50 bought back b...That Routemaster was one of about 50 bought back by TFL and refurbished by Marshalls of Cambridge around the turn of the century, for an increase of crew operation in London. Sadly, the refurbishment was not to a very high standard, which was probably one of the reasons Marshall went bust in 2002. I think the Dart engine was used because of emission regulations. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13881556552535866846noreply@blogger.com