08/03/2015

The Wright Changes Part 1 - Route 444 07/03/15

Tower Transit. Growing in some respects. How tight is the HO?

Standing Problems
Well, Chingford Station was very tight, to say the least! (CC Aubrey)
Tower Transit WV46107 leading 2x 444 and 2x 212s on the stand, with 1 212 and 1 444 on the main road. The main road 444 ended up on the 97 stand, sparking a tight, pointless argument between drivers moving the 97 bus to let the 444 bus through. The 97 driver moved his bus after a while.

Tower Transit WV46107 on Route 444, Turnpike Lane
Tower Transit WV46107 on Route 444, Turnpike Lane (© Aubrey)

Typical green interior, typical story with some buses not having all logos. Daimler Euro 6 engines in these, should be a better ride than the Euro 5 lot with Cummins engines.

Tower Transit WV44700 on Route 444, Turnpike Lane Station
Tower Transit WV44700 on Route 444, Turnpike Lane Station (© Aubrey)

Except this. After two years, DRZ6181 (former First Centrewest WM47400) ended up with the successor of First London (well, an uneven third), Tower Transit. This is a Euro 5 Streetlite, the former demonstrator out again roaming London's streets. Or just the North Circular Road.

Tower Transit WV46108 on Route 444, Chingford Station
Tower Transit WV46108 on Route 444, Chingford Station (© Aubrey)

Another typical lot, with some screeches. The interior is very green and grey, typically. Driver changes are at Chingford Station for this route, which seems to be a temporary measure until Picketts Lock actually starts being built as a bus garage.

Tower Transit WV46111 on Route 444, Chingford Station
Tower Transit WV46111 on Route 444, Chingford Station (© Aubrey)

Eleven of these 10.8m Streetlites are used on the 444 (WV46101-111), alongside the 10.4m ex-demonstrator.

Tower Transit VH38104 (Route 212), WV46016 (Route 444), Chingford Station
Tower Transit VH38104 (Route 212), WV46016 (Route 444), Chingford Station (CC Aubrey)

A sign of the next Tower Transit-related post is shown behind the 444 bus.
Overall, the day was predictably hectic, with drivers complaining YET AGAIN about the blind system and how to change the blinds. Newer Mobitec systems are getting annoying with drivers who aren't used to them. At least the buses ran.

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