WLTMTB are seriously busy at the moment. This post covers two ex-London General bus routes, the 85 and 265.
The first 85N on the first night of the 85's return to London United
(© Anthony)
The 85(/85N) has returned to London United after a short 14 year spell with London General. This time, however, buses actually intended for the operator are used, instead of DB250s on loan from Arriva.
London United VH45167 on Route 131, Tooting Broadway (© Anthony)
Initially, the buses were used on the 131, 613 and 662 (the other notable double decker routes at Tolworth that were not the 57).
London United VH45167 on Route 613, Tolworth Tower (© Aubrey)
A driver told us on the 131 that the lithium batteries can be notably dangerous, if handled incorrectly. But, that's an issue with all hybrids in general. They still go on the 131 etc, even after the 85 now has joined, because there are also strays of SPs on the 85:
London United SP21 on Route 85, Kingston (© Aubrey)
The VHs themselves are quite smooth, but are just like any other VH that London United/Sovereign (Gemini 3) has. Decent city buses.
London United SP20 & VH45180 on Route 85, Putney Bridge (© Aubrey)
The 85 was at London & Country from 1990 (tendered from London United) and when Arriva purchased L&C, they found out that they didn't purchase the garages, so when the Leatherhead garage shut, the 85 had to move to Fulwell (eventually transferring to London United) where it stayed until 2002, when new B7TLs (at the time) took over.
Go-Ahead London General WVL25 on Route 85, Roehampton Vale Asda (© Anthony)
The 85 since returned back to London United (for the third spell now).
London United VH45182 on Route 85, Kingston (© Aubrey)
Overall, the 85, after the first few days of bunching and usual service trouble (including a broken down VH at the south side of Putney Bridge on the first night!), the 85 is doing alright.
The 265 did the reverse of the 85 in 2002, where the route moved from London General to London United. It too now has new buses. They are Enviro 200MMCs.
London United DE20132 on Route 265, Putney Bridge (© Aubrey)
An interesting feature (that drivers mostly do not like) is the stop-start system of the engine, where the engine shuts down when the bus is stopped e.g. at a stop, like certain brands of cars that already have this technology. This means the engine does not run unnecessarily when stationary, saves fuel and reduces emissions.
London United DE20134 on Route 265, Putney Bridge (© Anthony)
However, when the bus is moving, these buses are fairly fast on the A3 section that the 265 has, and are a decent ride (even with the usual hard-ish seats) and a decent looking interior.
London United DE20131 on Route 265, Barnes (© Aubrey)
Overall, the buses will serve well for the foreseeable future on the routes that serve Roehampton and Putney.
The first 85N on the first night of the 85's return to London United
(© Anthony)
The 85(/85N) has returned to London United after a short 14 year spell with London General. This time, however, buses actually intended for the operator are used, instead of DB250s on loan from Arriva.
London United VH45167 on Route 131, Tooting Broadway (© Anthony)
Initially, the buses were used on the 131, 613 and 662 (the other notable double decker routes at Tolworth that were not the 57).
London United VH45167 on Route 613, Tolworth Tower (© Aubrey)
A driver told us on the 131 that the lithium batteries can be notably dangerous, if handled incorrectly. But, that's an issue with all hybrids in general. They still go on the 131 etc, even after the 85 now has joined, because there are also strays of SPs on the 85:
London United SP21 on Route 85, Kingston (© Aubrey)
The VHs themselves are quite smooth, but are just like any other VH that London United/Sovereign (Gemini 3) has. Decent city buses.
London United SP20 & VH45180 on Route 85, Putney Bridge (© Aubrey)
The 85 was at London & Country from 1990 (tendered from London United) and when Arriva purchased L&C, they found out that they didn't purchase the garages, so when the Leatherhead garage shut, the 85 had to move to Fulwell (eventually transferring to London United) where it stayed until 2002, when new B7TLs (at the time) took over.
Go-Ahead London General WVL25 on Route 85, Roehampton Vale Asda (© Anthony)
The 85 since returned back to London United (for the third spell now).
London United VH45182 on Route 85, Kingston (© Aubrey)
Overall, the 85, after the first few days of bunching and usual service trouble (including a broken down VH at the south side of Putney Bridge on the first night!), the 85 is doing alright.
The 265 did the reverse of the 85 in 2002, where the route moved from London General to London United. It too now has new buses. They are Enviro 200MMCs.
London United DE20132 on Route 265, Putney Bridge (© Aubrey)
An interesting feature (that drivers mostly do not like) is the stop-start system of the engine, where the engine shuts down when the bus is stopped e.g. at a stop, like certain brands of cars that already have this technology. This means the engine does not run unnecessarily when stationary, saves fuel and reduces emissions.
London United DE20134 on Route 265, Putney Bridge (© Anthony)
However, when the bus is moving, these buses are fairly fast on the A3 section that the 265 has, and are a decent ride (even with the usual hard-ish seats) and a decent looking interior.
London United DE20131 on Route 265, Barnes (© Aubrey)
Overall, the buses will serve well for the foreseeable future on the routes that serve Roehampton and Putney.
If the Lithium Batteries are handled incorrectly, what can happen?
ReplyDeleteThe voltage is enough to power a house, from what a Volvo engineer told me at WN garage.
ReplyDelete