AdamH wrote: ↑11:55 Sunday 9th September 2018
A note regarding the use of a double-deck on Service 418...
This hasn't worked out as well as hoped as most of the Seasonal Workers continue to use Service 417 which is restricted to a single-deck because of the low trees in Cradley village. Yesterday (Saturday 8th September) a manager went for a ride on a 417 through Cradley and concluded the trees wouldn't have to be cut back too much to safely get a double-deck through the village... I'm sure you can guess where this is going!
I doubt much will get done before the end of the 2018 season, but if the local authorities agree to cut back the trees you may well see all 417 workings converted to double-deck for the 2019 season, on Saturdays at least.
Thanks very much for that news Adam -- you can guess who would be "thrilled" if that happens !!
-- Does that mean that the PM 418 is likely to be a single-decker until the end of this season ??
When I saw that you had posted something new about WR's DD usage, my heart sank a bit, because along with the service cuts, I've been expecting FMR to be looking at ways to replace to replace the 3 oldest DDs which might possibly involve single-deckers, and a reduction in DDs.
I was hoping that "we" would get a couple of (new or) cascaded Euro 6 DDs that could be well-used on the short 144 and 144A, the same as now -- before or after school+college duties, but the news that two more single-deckers are to painted green and upgraded, makes that less likely.
(Although the Birmingham CAZ has just passed another stage, and has only to be "ticked-off" by parliament now).
I realise that "our" school+college services will be unchanged from the 17th, and I'm hoping that the 15.00 363 from Worcester will once again use the DD that is currently used on the 14.35 333 (- but which will become the 332, thus preventing the use of the DD).
Also, I am concerned about the fact that none of the DDs have been repainted for many years, even though they are used on public services, and I'm worried that if the WORST scenario happens, and First sell FMR to Rotala/ Diamond, THEY will try to get rid of as many (shabby, old) DDs as possible.
Returning to the 417 -- I always hope that MORE DD's can penetrate rural areas to do school-time journeys, and provide some rural public services before and after. ( - Herefordshire might be more willing to help cut trees than Worcestershire, but they cannot do much about the narrow country roads !)