Arriva North West - Winsford Depot

[Metroline1511]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot

(16/03/2014 18:59)R311 WVR Wrote:  Winsford are getting Buses with the same chassis as the VLWs, The B7TL but with ALX400 Bodywork from Southport when they get there new buses.

I'd quite like all Winsford double-decks to be Volvo B7TL-ALX400s. This would enable ex-London DLAs to be cascaded or withdrawn, and VLWs to join others elsewhere, such as on route 81 in Liverpool. This would make it easier to locate and ride one.

[childwallblues]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot

(12/04/2014 19:08)Metroline1511 Wrote:  I'd quite like all Winsford double-decks to be Volvo B7TL-ALX400s. This would enable ex-London DLAs to be cascaded or withdrawn, and VLWs to join others elsewhere, such as on route 81 in Liverpool. This would make it easier to locate and ride one.

I am sure that you would likke the B7s from Speke or Southport but then probably every other depot would feel the same. Personally I hope that they stay within Merseyside as loads on most of the single deck routes could justify them. It could be significant that 4209-13 are only on loan on Speke so maybe some/all of the B7 could be staying there after their replacement on the 86.

[CX54 DKD (Moderator)]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot
The current plan is for the Southport B7s to move to Winsford when their new deckers for the 375/385 arrive. The VLWs at Speke were originally destined for Southport to replace DLAs on school services and are only meant to be temporary loans for Speke. Not forgetting that plans can and do change though.

[Metroline1511]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot
In a way it is fair enough if the VLWs are only temporarily at Speke. My main interest is that Arriva aim to unite as many as possible at one shed, be it Winsford, Speke or anywhere else. If they are destined for school services, I should perhaps try to ride one at Winsford or Speke before any more Enviro400s arrive.

[MPTE1955]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot
There at 2 VLWS at Bootle as well, by and large they work 60 or 61, sometime others but mainly those, if you waited at Bootle Strand long enough, odds are that one will turn up sooner or later whether it be one of Speke's or Bootle's.

[H101GEV (Administrator)]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot
It's worth saying that Speke's VLWs won't be going anywhere in the near future unless something else arrives to replace them. The depot is short in general having lost two Bendibuses to fire, two Prestiges which are withdrawn and two loaned Marshall Darts in recent months. It remains to be seen whether they will go to Southport or not.

[33109]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot
Are winsford deffo keeping hold of 4215/16?

Let's hope so coz their gorgeous buses & if you take 4216 as an example v reliable too.

[Olympian]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot

(14/04/2014 09:03)33109 Wrote:  Are winsford deffo keeping hold of 4215/16?

Let's hope so coz their gorgeous buses & if you take 4216 as an example v reliable too.

Both in the yard today when i passed, one looked like it had been towed in, so not that reliable.

Oly

[MPTE1955]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot
I wouldn't exactly say that they were gorgeous, they are an improvement on DLA's but that's about it, there is nothing special about them in any way. They have been refurbished to a usual high standard, well usual high standard from the guys at St Helens for one's that were done there but ultimately they are just buses that have had a hard life in London.

[33109]

RE: Arriva North West - Winsford Depot
Aye maybe not that different from a DLA but coz they've been re-furbished to a high standard Joe public like em.

Yh not reliable as in 4215 but 16 seems have faired well so far.