FMR Mercedes Citaro acquisitions

[willr7]

64033 was parked in the corner of the patch this evening and I was able to look at the rear end.
Two things were note worthy --
-- The rear window looked a right mess (under the artificial light) as the previous "decoration" had not been removed adequately.

-- it also featured two versions of the fleet number :-
- one low-down on the right-hand rear, and one high-up on the same side --
the latter one is prefixed ES.
(However this prefixed number didn't look to me like it had just been applied -- ?? )
I'm wondering now if was applied by it's previous owner (?) , or, by FMR, because it could "mean" Engineering Spare !

After looking at pictures of the Citaro's that came from Bracknell depot, all the blue citaro's appear to have had two letters (for example ES) before the fleet number, unfortunately I do not know what the letters were meant to mean to mean OR why FMR have still kept the fleet number with letters on...

[willr7]

Three slightly separate comments, sorry if they have been answered elsewhere or they are obvious/stupid questions.

- I see the fleetlist shows 13 Mercs but there are only 8 '64' streetlights, does that mean there are other vehicle to go? Maybe the last of the Enviro 300s?

- this is the second batch of major refurb vehicles from Thorntons for Midland Red, is this happening more widely for other areas/by other operators to reduce new vehicle spend? Presumably it gives significant lifespan increases competing what must be quite costly work? If it continues would it not be cheaper to bring skill in house to complete such overhall work?

- I am suspecting this all may mean quite a wait for the previously mentioned updated coaches and some newer DDs to appease @DD12 although it seems that the majority of need for DDs is for schools work?

I can't help you with your last 2 questions Matt but i'll give the first one a go! 4 of the 8 Streetlite's are moving to Leicester (4 will stay), 6 of the 8 solo's will either be Withdrawn OR Transferred/Sold? (2 will be kept - presumably for service 31) And presumably the 6 E300's that are left will move up to Stoke... In total that is 16 vehicles but I should imagine that the PVR has dropped since the recent network changes so there would be no need to keep 3 vehicles that will not be replaced by Citaro's... Hope that makes sense

[DD12]

…… I'm wondering now if was applied by it's previous owner (?) , or, by FMR, because it could "mean" Engineering Spare !

After looking at pictures of the Citaro's that came from Bracknell depot, all the blue citaro's appear to have had two letters (for example ES) before the fleet number, unfortunately I do not know what the letters were meant to mean to mean OR why FMR have still kept the fleet number with letters on...

Thanks very much willr7 !

[willr7]

Thanks very much willr7 !

Your Welcome

[Matt]

Thanks for your reply willr7, it seems Mr Eggleton has since spotted our sumising and has provided an answer to 2 of the 3 points via Adam's post on the other thread.

My second comment is more commercial and thus probably not something discussed publicly and thus difficult to have an answer to unless you're within the businesses in question!

Three slightly separate comments ...

I can't help you with your last 2 questions Matt but i'll give the first one a go! 4 of the 8 Streetlite's are moving to Leicester (4 will stay), 6 of the 8 solo's will either be Withdrawn OR Transferred/Sold? (2 will be kept - presumably for service 31) And presumably the 6 E300's that are left will move up to Stoke... In total that is 16 vehicles but I should imagine that the PVR has dropped since the recent network changes so there would be no need to keep 3 vehicles that will not be replaced by Citaro's... Hope that makes sense

[AdamH]

64021 and 64035 arrived at Worcester yesterday (6th November).

[AdamH]

Two more arrived at lunch time today, these are 64014 and 64016. Both are in standard Urban 2 livery.

The second photo below shows 64014 parked with some of the others that have already arrived. 64016 was indoors being a bit camera shy.

[Birmingham_Bus]

Two more arrived at lunch time today, these are 64014 and 64016. Both are in standard Urban 2 livery.

The second photo below shows 64014 parked with some of the others that have already arrived. 64016 was indoors being a bit camera shy.

Any idea when they will be entering service ? Looking forward to seeing these on the 144, if the plan is still for some to be emission trapped for use into Birmingham City

[DD12]

That's a surprise, I didn't expect any of the older ones for a few weeks (at least) !

We certainly have had a lot of vehicle changes and investment, since Mr.Eggleton took the helm !

The Mercedes single-deckers have "always" been amongst the smartest (I think), and it will be great to see them on the streets of Worcester …..

(How many years now, since the end of the "Whoosh" examples ? )

[willr7]

That's a surprise, I didn't expect any of the older ones for a few weeks (at least) !

That exactly what I was thinking! Thanks for the pictures Adam!