MidlandRed.net

I'm told Diamond have withdrawn ex-First Enviro300 67645 (Diamond fleet number 30934), and it is now being broken for spares.

I'm not surprised - it has not been in service for at least 18 months. Don't know what the problem was but it must have been pretty major.

I thought I hadn't encountered this for some time.

I believe that Diamond 30935 (VX54MTE), ex-First Midland Red 67646, is now allocated to Kidderminster as it is, much to my approval, a common sight on Service 303.

I did miss a photograph opportunity a few weeks ago to capture that in blue on the 303 stand with 67664 in red parked in the bay opposite, and a standard livery example squeezing through the gap. Alas I wasn’t quick enough out of my cab with my camera... delayed by one of those annoying passengers!

AdamH wrote: ↑

18:40 Sunday 10th July 2016

I did miss a photograph opportunity a few weeks ago

That's a shame.
My opportunities are similarly hindered.
I've been meaning to catch up with 67644 and the three Darts, too.
What initially alerted me to it was the driver mistakenly attempting to start it straight off the ignition switch, much to the amusement of other drivers in the vicinity.

Don't know what the problem was but it must have been pretty major

It was with Diamond that was the problem

It certainly looks to have been there sometime and is lacking at least the wheelchair ramp, the only one of the 3 that transferred to Diamond that I've driven.

I did see one on the 294 on Tuesday teatime - must be fun coming through the lanes

Bit late sorry Was informed that it's sat and withdrawn because the engine went bang in a big way. One of the connecting rods has come through the engine block.
Rogers Rescue recovered it back.

If anyone is wondering why Diamond 30935 (VX54MTE) ex First Midland Red 67646 hasn't been hanging round for a bit it's because it is have a new engine put in it could be off the road for months sadly