Bus-Related Outings & Reviews

[K853 MTJ]

RE: Bus-Related Outings & Reviews
I ended up here there and everywhere today, below are the reviews!

Started the day by getting a train to LSP, a Stagecoach Dart (55) on the 86H to Calderstones then an 86C (Another 55 Dart) from just up the road into Liverpool ONE. I'll not bother writing about the Darts as they were rattly, slow, scruffy and just generally crap!

Arriva North West 7617 T617 PNC
Service 82A from Liverpool ONE to Liverpool JLA
I seen this on my way into school for an exam this morning. Due to the wonders of mobile technology, I was able to work out when it was next in Liverpool, and for once my logic was spot on (12:36 journey from L1, all be it running over 5 mins late, despite arriving in town early!). Needless to say it was no different to any other time I've rode it, absolutely brilliant! Very few rattles, the occasional few came courtesy of Liverpool's diabolical road surfaces, but other than that there weren't the rattles I've become accustomed to with most Marshalls! The engine as usual was flawless, powering it along quite nicely along Speke Boulevard, and sounding brilliant! Be sad to see this go when Runcorn no longer need it!

Arriva North West 6006 BX04 MXC
Service 500 from Liverpool JLA to Liverpool ONE
Shortly before departing on my previous journey from L1, I noticed 2470 working the 500. Therefore it fell right into place that I should get 7617 to the Airport in plenty of time to get 2470 for the 500. And I did! Much to my annoyance however, 2470 was booked off and replaced by a bendy (At least I got a picture of the former working the 500!).
However I haven't rode a bendy in a while, so it was a nice chance to do so! What a brilliant bus 6006 is as well! The engine sounded exceptionally well, revving very high at some points! There wasn't 1 rattle to be heard, which I've found is unusual for this type nowadays! All in all a pleasant journey!

Lunch stop at L1 while surveying numerous Arriva and Merseytravel staff walk behind 7557, lift up the bonnet, and put it back down, shaking their heads!
Followed by a short ride on another Stagecoach Dart to Great Charlotte Street to go to the shop! Yes I was too lazy to walk before anyone says :P

Arriva North West 4097 S277 JUA
Service 407 from Sir Thomas Street to Birkenhead Bus Station
The plan was to stay around in Liverpool for a few hours then go to Birkenhead, however seeing something/someone changed my mind :P
I usually despise DLAs, but it was the first thing that came and I was curious to see how diabolical this one was. To be fair, it wasn't three bad! A little slow off the mark, but once it got going it was rather swift, sounded good as well. Rattles were non-existent, but the interior left a lot to be desired with 3 different moquettes!

Arriva North West 2479 X782 NWX
Service 495 from Birkenhead Bus Station to Birkenhead, Borough Road
Just as I got off 4097, this pulled up, happy days! The plan was to just ride it to Beechwood, but I liked it that much I stayed on for a full circular :P
The refreshed interior looks brilliant, the seat backs have been painted, all similar plastics painted, credit to Bootle! Just a shame it wasn't retrimmed in it's original moquette, would have made it look spot on then, but enthusiasts cant be choosers and all that (Doesnt have the same ring as 'beggars cant be choosers' does it?)
I love the engine on this particular Cadet over all the others, it sounds so much throatier, and sounds as if it has much more 'oomph' (To use the technical term) than other DAF Cadets.
Overall it was a brilliant ride, very few rattles, excellent engine with a thrashy driver who wasn't afraid to floor it when he could!

Arriva North West 7642 V642 DVU
Service 410 from Birkenhead Bus Station to New Brighton
Once again things just fell into place! Literally just as I was about to board a First Floline to Liverpool, I see this coming down the road. I couldn't resist a ride on a 'withdrawn bus' :P
As usual it was a great ride, few rattles, but a worn interior in need of refurb! Engine was as good as ever, just a shame the driver didn't floor it that much (He was a nice guy though, so I wasnt too bothered!!)

Arriva North West 4406 CX58 FZT
Service 432 from New Brighton to Liverpool, Whitechapel.
My favourite Enviro, but my god its not as good as it used to be! Terribly rattly downstairs, with the seats lacking padding! Decent-ish engine, but nowhere near the bus it once was!

Halton Transport 21 X967 ULG
Service 14 from Queen Square to Belle Vale
Not been on one of this batch for a while so I couldn't resist a ride! Somewhat of a disappointment to be honest. No rattles what so ever, and the interior and exterior looked pretty good, but it was really slow (DLA slow) when pulling off in traffic, and going uphill. When going downhill, or out of traffic, it was fine, but otherwise it was disappointing!

Cumfybus VX51 RBF
Service 193 from Belle Vale to Huyton Bus Station
Shed! Rattly, untidy inside and incredibly slow, even the driver was shaking his head over how incredibly slow it was. Engine sounded poorly, and the gear changes were very jerky.

Arriva North West 2721 Y721 KNF
Service 7 from Huyton Bus Station
I'd been advised by a friend to give this a try, so I was happy to see it laying over in Huyton upon my arrival. Overall it was a great ride, lovely sounding engine and gearbox (Proper ZF in there!), although I will concede the interior was in desperate need of refurb. However on the plus side there was no rattles, and the driver floored it at certain parts, which got a good ZF whine going!
Much to my dismay, it was booked off for...

Arriva North West 2994 MX59 FHB
Service 7 from Edge Lane Retail Park to Kensington Police Station
Not bad for a Pulsar! A bit rattly but it actually revved pretty high like a proper bus! One of the better Pulsars I have been on!

Halton Transport 31 DA02 PUY
Service 14 from Kensington to Hough Green
This pulled up just as I got to the stop after alighting 2994. I was hoping for one of these home so I was rather happy when it pulled up! An exceptional bus and one of the best in Haltons fleet dare I say! There wasn't 1 single rattle to be heard, rare for a Marshall! The engine was brilliant, and with a great gearbox as well, it made for a fantastic thrash through Tarbock. Perfect way to end a great day!

HTIOI :P