Stagecoach - Maerdy Mountain Road (Volvo Country, or I thought it was)
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MARTIN BRAY
Jul 23, 2011, 4:46:40 PM7/23/11
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As Barrie predicted, cloudless skies over Aberdare Garage at the crack of dawn. This is how the morning went, with a few horrible surprises.
0540 Bridgend, 20388
0700 Porthcawl 20385
0800 Porthcawl 20391
0815 Penygraig 20387, to be replaced at Aberdare Bus Station by 20392
0900 Porthcawl 47350 (failure of 20387?)
1400 Porthcawl 47204 off 60 which was replaced by 33280. No sign of 47350 returning?!
Pictures enclosed.
Regards
Martin Bray, Swansea, UK Stagecoach Cymru... http://www.stagecoach-cymru.co.uk Welcome to Margam Depot...http://www.margam-depot.co.uk |
Luke
Jul 23, 2011, 5:22:46 PM7/23/11
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Is this an unsuitable route for low floor vehicles? Only ever seen photographs of these on it.
Barrie Gilbert
Jul 23, 2011, 5:58:33 PM7/23/11
to Welsh Bus Photographs
Cracking shots of 20385 Martin.
Low floor Darts (and Solos) can be used on the route, but low floor
12m vehicles seem to pose a problem. Both the second hairpin on the
way up from Aberdare and the junction in Ystrad appear particularly
tight for a long vehicle. I understand that Enviro300 27700 was not
successful when trialled last year. It'll be interesting to see if
Stagecoach trials one of the 12m Alexander ALX300-bodied MANs, in the
process of being transferred from the Manchester fleet, as possible
replacements for the B10Ms.
Low floor Darts (and Solos) can be used on the route, but low floor
12m vehicles seem to pose a problem. Both the second hairpin on the
way up from Aberdare and the junction in Ystrad appear particularly
tight for a long vehicle. I understand that Enviro300 27700 was not
successful when trialled last year. It'll be interesting to see if
Stagecoach trials one of the 12m Alexander ALX300-bodied MANs, in the
process of being transferred from the Manchester fleet, as possible
replacements for the B10Ms.
Martin Bray
Jul 24, 2011, 2:48:17 AM7/24/11
to Welsh Bus Photographs
After looking at your picture last week, I looked at the map and
sundial and naively believed that sun shots were only on at certain
times of the day but when I arrived at the location and parked up,
where you must have done, I realised that by walking around the 'Z'
bend, that shots for Aberdare bound buses were on till approx midday
and outward bound services, all day. I never stayed long enough to
recreate your shot which presumably was taken in the afternoon and
liable to being bowled out by traffic going the opposite way. Thar
second hairpin is real tight and on a cant as well, so on my next
visit, I'll leave the car in the usual place and walk down to the
second hairpin and stand on the bank. I bet the shots from here are
very atmospheric and on full lock. I wouldn't mind a picture of a
grounded versa at this place. lol.
I forgot to mention that the 172 drivers appear to be the same one's
most days and are all very friendly with the smiles and waves, which
in a lonesome place like that is very welcoming. The 172 is a cracking
route for pictures and I dare say that there are some good pictures to
be taken on the other side of the mountain, the Rhondda and Ogmore
Valleys.
On Jul 23, 10:58 pm, Barrie Gilbert <barry.374gilb...@btinternet.com>
wrote:
sundial and naively believed that sun shots were only on at certain
times of the day but when I arrived at the location and parked up,
where you must have done, I realised that by walking around the 'Z'
bend, that shots for Aberdare bound buses were on till approx midday
and outward bound services, all day. I never stayed long enough to
recreate your shot which presumably was taken in the afternoon and
liable to being bowled out by traffic going the opposite way. Thar
second hairpin is real tight and on a cant as well, so on my next
visit, I'll leave the car in the usual place and walk down to the
second hairpin and stand on the bank. I bet the shots from here are
very atmospheric and on full lock. I wouldn't mind a picture of a
grounded versa at this place. lol.
I forgot to mention that the 172 drivers appear to be the same one's
most days and are all very friendly with the smiles and waves, which
in a lonesome place like that is very welcoming. The 172 is a cracking
route for pictures and I dare say that there are some good pictures to
be taken on the other side of the mountain, the Rhondda and Ogmore
Valleys.
On Jul 23, 10:58 pm, Barrie Gilbert <barry.374gilb...@btinternet.com>
wrote:
PETER MORGAN
Jul 24, 2011, 2:50:40 AM7/24/11
to welsh-bus-...@googlegroups.com
Varteg Hill to bleanavon with an Enviro much better location lol
Pete
Pete Morgan
From: Martin Bray <martin...@btinternet.com>
To: Welsh Bus Photographs <welsh-bus-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, 24 July, 2011 7:48:17
Subject: Re: Stagecoach - Maerdy Mountain Road (Volvo Country, or I thought it was)
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Martin Bray
Jul 24, 2011, 2:56:14 AM7/24/11
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Hey Pete, what about having a word with your fancy lady at Cwmbran and see if she'll loan you a B10M for the day for pictures. I reckon you could fill the bus with photographers, drop us off at the locations and do run pasts, that's in between your 24/7 duties. Lol.
I'm waiting to hear from her regarding 52401.
I'm waiting to hear from her regarding 52401.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
From: PETER MORGAN <peter.m...@btopenworld.com>
Sender: welsh-bus-...@googlegroups.com
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:50:40 +0100 (BST)
ReplyTo: welsh-bus-...@googlegroups.com
Luke
Jul 24, 2011, 8:50:29 AM7/24/11
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ADL's full length Enviro 300s apparently don't have a very good turning circle, but I'm sure there'll be some sort of modern 12m that will work as these B10Ms are 12m I believe. Perhaps they should look at the Wright Eclipse 2s which they trialled on some routes, as I think the Volvo B7RLE has a great turning circle. Or even an Enviro 300 on that chassis, as they're available but not many have been made so far.
David Beilby
Jul 24, 2011, 9:46:50 AM7/24/11
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Sometimes you get exceptional and very unusual conditions. Here a
dual-purpose National is making its way to Porthcawl on 28th February
1981. Down in the valley was dull and dank, up here on the hillside
there is a bit of snow and a National apparently on its way to Heaven!
dual-purpose National is making its way to Porthcawl on 28th February
1981. Down in the valley was dull and dank, up here on the hillside
there is a bit of snow and a National apparently on its way to Heaven!
This is one of my favourite shots.
Regards,
David Beilby
Luke
Jul 24, 2011, 1:15:24 PM7/24/11
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Wouldn't fancy doing that in icy conditions!
Barrie Gilbert
Jul 24, 2011, 1:36:31 PM7/24/11
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That's a superb shot David. It reminds me of a witch's cauldron down
below.
It would be good to see a shot of one of the LAX-E short ECW-bodied
Bristol RESLs up on the mountain, given that they were regular
performers on Service 172 in the late 60s, 70s and early 80s.
Luke, Stagecoach's Alexander PS-bodied Volvo B10Ms are 11m, rather
than 12m. Large capacity saloons meeting today's full DDA
requirements are built around the 12m mark as standard. I agree that
Volvo's B7RLE has a good steering lock. You only have to see the pair
used by First Cymru on the Fabian Way Park & Ride service negotiating
the roundabout at St Mary's Square, Swansea as testimony.
below.
It would be good to see a shot of one of the LAX-E short ECW-bodied
Bristol RESLs up on the mountain, given that they were regular
performers on Service 172 in the late 60s, 70s and early 80s.
Luke, Stagecoach's Alexander PS-bodied Volvo B10Ms are 11m, rather
than 12m. Large capacity saloons meeting today's full DDA
requirements are built around the 12m mark as standard. I agree that
Volvo's B7RLE has a good steering lock. You only have to see the pair
used by First Cymru on the Fabian Way Park & Ride service negotiating
the roundabout at St Mary's Square, Swansea as testimony.
Martin Bray
Jul 24, 2011, 3:14:42 PM7/24/11
to Welsh Bus Photographs
I can understand where you're coming from. I use the Rhigos Mountain
Road every day and I got stuck on top of it last January for the first
time ever. Must be an absolute nightmare in a bus full of kids.
On Jul 24, 7:14 pm, AJ <backif...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Went over to Aberdare from Maerdy just after the road reopened following the
> heavy snow in the attached coach - was an experience (that I wouldnt want to
> repeat!) to say the least!
>
> 383KViewDownload- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Road every day and I got stuck on top of it last January for the first
time ever. Must be an absolute nightmare in a bus full of kids.
On Jul 24, 7:14 pm, AJ <backif...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Went over to Aberdare from Maerdy just after the road reopened following the
> heavy snow in the attached coach - was an experience (that I wouldnt want to
> repeat!) to say the least!
>
> On 24 July 2011 18:36, Barrie Gilbert <barry.374gilb...@btinternet.com>wrote:
>
>
>
> > That's a superb shot David. It reminds me of a witch's cauldron down
> > below.
>
> > It would be good to see a shot of one of the LAX-E short ECW-bodied
> > Bristol RESLs up on the mountain, given that they were regular
> > performers on Service 172 in the late 60s, 70s and early 80s.
>
> > Luke, Stagecoach's Alexander PS-bodied Volvo B10Ms are 11m, rather
> > than 12m. Large capacity saloons meeting today's full DDA
> > requirements are built around the 12m mark as standard. I agree that
> > Volvo's B7RLE has a good steering lock. You only have to see the pair
> > used by First Cymru on the Fabian Way Park & Ride service negotiating
> > the roundabout at St Mary's Square, Swansea as testimony.
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "Welsh Bus Photographs" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to
> > welsh-bus-...@googlegroups.com.
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > welsh-bus-photog...@googlegroups.com.
> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/welsh-bus-photographs?hl=en.
>
>
>
> SJI1622.jpg
>
>
>
> > That's a superb shot David. It reminds me of a witch's cauldron down
> > below.
>
> > It would be good to see a shot of one of the LAX-E short ECW-bodied
> > Bristol RESLs up on the mountain, given that they were regular
> > performers on Service 172 in the late 60s, 70s and early 80s.
>
> > Luke, Stagecoach's Alexander PS-bodied Volvo B10Ms are 11m, rather
> > than 12m. Large capacity saloons meeting today's full DDA
> > requirements are built around the 12m mark as standard. I agree that
> > Volvo's B7RLE has a good steering lock. You only have to see the pair
> > used by First Cymru on the Fabian Way Park & Ride service negotiating
> > the roundabout at St Mary's Square, Swansea as testimony.
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> > "Welsh Bus Photographs" group.
> > To post to this group, send email to
> > welsh-bus-...@googlegroups.com.
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> > welsh-bus-photog...@googlegroups.com.
> > For more options, visit this group at
> >http://groups.google.com/group/welsh-bus-photographs?hl=en.
>
>
>
> 383KViewDownload- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Martin Bray
Jul 24, 2011, 3:19:40 PM7/24/11
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Nice picture David. I bet the 172 drivers can tell a tale. They must
be experts in driving in snow and ice. Does anyone know if any buses
did get stuck on top of the Maerdy Mountain Road?
> 10826.jpg
> 100KViewDownload
be experts in driving in snow and ice. Does anyone know if any buses
did get stuck on top of the Maerdy Mountain Road?
> 100KViewDownload
> > --
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> > .- Hide quoted text -
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
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Jeff Peck
Jul 24, 2011, 3:33:32 PM7/24/11
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David,
is there any chance of a higher res copy of this picture, it is superb.
cheers Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Beilby" <da...@beilby.gotadsl.co.uk>
To: <welsh-bus-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: Stagecoach - Maerdy Mountain Road (Volvo Country, or I thought
it was)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> On 24 Jul 2011, at 07:48, Martin Bray wrote:
>
>> --
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>> Groups "Welsh Bus Photographs" group.
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>> .
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>
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Luke
Jul 24, 2011, 4:31:56 PM7/24/11
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Barrie - ah interesting, I always assumed they were 12m like the coach versions. That roundabout on Princess Way is certainly a good example of their steering lock. They're great considering Darts more than a metre shorter have failed many a time either reversing or mounting the curb. It was in interesting period during the time the bus station was being rebuilt and the Neath Port Talbot services mostly terminated there, seeing them trying to swing around that roundabout.
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