Stagecoach - Maerdy Mountian Road (Volvo Country, or I thought it was)

[Barrie Gilbert]

First Cymru Wrightbus Eclipse Urban-bodied Volvo B7RLE 69302 turning on the St Mary's Square roundabout with relative ease in August 2009.

 

(c)  Barrie Gilbert

[David Beilby]

Where I live, in Greenfield near Oldham, there is a very tricky hill
used by two services worked by First.

The 180 did use Volvo B7RLEs but now has Geminis and I've noticed the
latter in particular seem to cope with the corner as well as any bus
I've ever observed on this hill, see:

http://saddleworthbuses.pikfu.net/set1006861/media68635102.html

The other service is the 350 worked by First Pioneer (the old Pennine
depot in Ashton). They use long Darts and they really struggle with
this turn. A driver I know there (who I once saw having to take a
second go at it) commented on the steering stop settings. Nonetheless
there is a huge difference.

Now a Gemini on the 172 - that would be interesting!

Regards,

David Beilby

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[Luke]

I think these vehicles are great all round. They look good, have superb manoeuvrability, fantastic brakes, plenty of power and a great gearbox for a quiet and calm ride particularly on routes where higher speeds are often maintained. Good cruisers. I also think they look great in the park and ride liveries.