MidlandRed.net

DD12 wrote: ↑

22:21 Saturday 9th September 2017

I see in the current fleet list that 67653 is now listed as in store !

Can anyone ( - like Adam ) - tell me WHY (?) - - when according to my reckoning, WR is SHORT of buses ?

I was thinking that maybe it has been classed as in "store" while it is being repainted into urban 2 livery?? Or perhaps it has received accident damage or an engine problem?? Or they just haven't realised that they need as many buses as they can get at the moment, they even have a bus on loan...

DD12 wrote: ↑

22:44 Saturday 9th September 2017

That's fascinating ! -

Some time ago, I read a "post" by an enthusiast, that suggested he thought that these (6669x) Plaxton Centro bodied Volvos are SHORTER than their Wright bodied equivalents - does anyone know if that's correct ? -

IF it is NOT correct, then that should imply that the Wright bodied B7RLEs coming from Leicester could also be used !! (?)

I believe the 59-reg Wright body vehicles are slightly longer but it's not a huge amount.

The VIN plate on 69453 states that its 12150mm in length, which is just shy of 40 foot.

This contrasts our Plaxton-bodied Volvo's 11951mm (just over 39 foot) and our Enviro's 11860mm (just shy of 39 foot).

So yes, this batch of B7RLE's are indeed slightly longer. Fortunately though, as these boast the usual impressive turning capabilities of a Volvo service bus, the additional length shouldn't prove to be any more troublesome at the turning on Smallbrook Queensway than any other conventional bus.

Thanks for the info Red Midland.

Saw 69453 on a 44 in Barnards Green this evening, great looking motor in the flesh. Also 32066 on I guess the afternoon school 365.

99% sure I saw 67653 out and about today . . . .

Yes, I saw it out yesterday...

Surely it can't be too much longer until the first refurbished volvo's arrive (it feels like we've been waiting for months now)

willr7 wrote: ↑

20:26 Friday 22nd September 2017

Surely it can't be too much longer until the first refurbished volvo's arrive (it feels like we've been waiting for months now)

I agree ! - I'm getting impatient

I WAS hoping that 5 or 6 would be ready for service from around October 15th, but I have only heard, (so far), of up to 4 having left Leicester. - (?)

That's annoying