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Post by rich on May 2, 2011 12:59:22 GMT
They needed scrapping when Stagecoach lost the 61/62 the were never on the road with the amount of problems they had. Stephenson fountain was the one off the most not sure if this is it? Both were terrible from the start as I'm sure you'll recall for the first year and a half the allocation was almost always 2 x East Lancs LF Darts, the appearance of both was exceptionally rare (hence the Cummings 53 reg one been purchased). I think towards the end they were more reliable (presumably due to alot of work and getting used to their faults etc), although they seemed to be allocated to the 201 as opposed to 61/2s. Nasty buses! Yep remember the Darts allocated daily it was unusual to actually see a Solo run it. If I recall one was off for months with a blown turbo then i think it went again shortly after. They did have a choice of a Dennis MPD's or Solos for the contract think they should've chose the Dennis!! The 53 cummins one was a real good runner until they placed a limiter on it ;D going round the ladybower at 50 was an experience!! |
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Post by wbc on May 2, 2011 13:28:01 GMT
The 53 cummins one was a real good runner until they placed a limiter on it ;D going round the ladybower at 50 was an experience!! An excellent bus, as you say really good runner, shame Ecclesfield didn't keep it would have been much better on the 35A or SL2 than some of the current solos, from memory also very reliable as well. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2011 18:26:55 GMT
The common point where operators hate them seems to be that they operate large fleets of Volvo's. It would appear that the ability of Volvo operators to get their heads round other technology is the main problem here not the vehicles. One local large volvo operator got optare themselves to sort a solo out and they went away with their tail between there legs! but what does one expect with access panels stuck on with velcro. |
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Post by jimmy on May 2, 2011 19:04:52 GMT
One local large volvo operator got optare themselves to sort a solo out and they went away with their tail between there legs! but what does one expect with access panels stuck on with velcro. You of course refer to the panel on the front dash where gravity plays the biggest part in holding it in and the velcro just stops the wind from blowing it from underneath. Hardly a structural part or even one that is prone to knocks from the public or drivers. As for Optare "going away with their tails between their legs", it depends on what they found when they got there. I have heard of cases when this happens and it is sometimes due to the "maintenance" that the vehicle has had.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2011 19:15:47 GMT
Hardly a structural part or even one that is prone to knocks from the public or drivers Velcro ease of access to electronics which was a good job really! as they spent more time off than on |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2011 19:17:01 GMT
As for Optare "going away with their tails between their legs", it depends on what they found when they got there. I have heard of cases when this happens and it is sometimes due to the "maintenance" that the vehicle has had. They failed simple as that. |
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Post by jimmy on May 2, 2011 20:22:59 GMT
As for Optare "going away with their tails between their legs", it depends on what they found when they got there. I have heard of cases when this happens and it is sometimes due to the "maintenance" that the vehicle has had. They failed simple as that. You back up my point though. On other companies they did and do not. |
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Post by rich on May 3, 2011 12:49:04 GMT
The 53 cummins one was a real good runner until they placed a limiter on it ;D going round the ladybower at 50 was an experience!! very rare that one was off the road. Out of all the Solo engines the Cummins one is the most reliable. An excellent bus, as you say really good runner, shame Ecclesfield didn't keep it would have been much better on the 35A or SL2 than some of the current solos, from memory also very reliable as well. Very lucky that one went to Ecclesfield as it was tagged on a tracky order at the last minute. Went on it first day in service and boy you can tell the difference!! Of all the engines Solos have had the Cummins has to be the most reliable. |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 14:44:09 GMT
They failed simple as that. On other companies they did and do not. Not what i heard  |
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2011 21:34:47 GMT
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Post by metromadman on May 6, 2011 21:39:02 GMT
I believe so, however moved before the 5-digit numbering system came into place. |
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2011 21:51:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2011 22:15:10 GMT
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ateam
Inspector
"I love it when a plan comes together"
Posts: 876
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Post by ateam on May 6, 2011 22:27:25 GMT
I believe so, however moved before the 5-digit numbering system came into place. Not so sure myself, the batch continued into MV02VE-, which also never made it to SY. They were all initially allocated to First Manchester (Oldham) for the Commonwealth Games, but were quickly moved on afterwards - they spent less than a month there? Hence the Manchester registration. |
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Post by The Captain on May 6, 2011 22:50:25 GMT
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