The Alexander Dennis facility in Falkirk, Scotland is one of those I've always wanted to visit with the view of uploading the pics here but due to the expenditure, I've always had to limit myself to searching for photos on the net, however I'm not too fussed now as the pics I have found are excellent, and the photographer has agreed for them to be shown on here, in a quite similar format to our 'Wrightbus Watch' series, we bring you ADL Falkirk Watch.
The company are the remains of Plaxton whom they know own as well as Transbus and launched their first official product the E400 in 2006, which ultimately became Britain's best selling bus. Follow us through this series as we keep up to date with the latest goings on at the factory.
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| Unidentified Metroline E200 |
At present the factory is on its annual shutdown, which saw the manufacturing process slow down before grinding to a complete halt which is made evident through the above picture which shows one of Metroline's new 10.8m E200s in very early stages of production. The vehicle is of 10 that will be delivered to Cricklewood (W) for the 112 following a revised allocation.
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| Unidentified Stagecoach London E400 |
Although not immediately evident an E400H is seen in the first stages of construction, the vehicle is part of a 30 batch initially ordered for the 205, however the 205 being a Central London route, was prioritized and given an earlier batch ordered, this new batch will be heading over to Plumstead (PD) to operate on routes 99 and 472.
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| Wrong Blindset |
An Abellio E400H is seen here albeit with the wrong blindset, thus taken from a Stagecoach vehicle, when I originally viewed this photo, I was under the impression that Stagecoach had changed their interior, but on second glance I could see that it was an Abellio vehicle. The vehicle is one of 22 vehicles that will be delivered to the operator for the 49 contract which they respectfully take over from London United come this September. The batch is numbered between 2465 & 2486. Below are some more shots from the visit.
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| Unidentified Stagecoach E400H |
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| Unidentified Stagecoach E400H |
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| Unidentified Abellio E400H |
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| Unidentified Abellio E400H |
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| Unidentified Abellio E400H |
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| Unidentified Abellio E400H |
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| Unidentified Metroline E200s |
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| Unidentified Metroline E200 |
Look out for more posts in this series!
Will all of these buses get 64-regs?
ReplyDeleteIs London Sovereign's new DLE26 being made here or somewhere else?
ReplyDeleteI would imagine that DLE26 is being manufactured at Scarborough instead of Falkirk, as most E200s are made there.
DeleteI'm in great anticipation for that vehicle myself ;-)
Same here! I just can't wait to see LS's DE's with its new fleetnames and fleet numbers! I think DE81 is gone cos according to LVF it was last seen on the H11 four days ago (11/8/2014). Plus I think most of LU and LS's E200s are made at Scarborough because it's closer to their depots.
DeleteI don't really like the White on Black blind sequence,I prefer the old Green on Black blind sequence cos it's just better. How come some buses have the new White On Black blind sequence?
ReplyDeleteIt seems more than likely
ReplyDeleteWhite blinds only happened by accident, the blinds for the LTs were white and a error occurred and the printers were stuck on white so loads of blinds were white and TfL decided to change it
ReplyDeleteAccording to LOTS.org.uk, Delivery of Abellio's new E40Hs (2465-86) for route 49 is now complete save just one (2486) and delivery of Metroline's ten 10.8m E20Ds (DEL 2062-2071) for route 112 has just begun. These should be followed very soon by one 10.8m E20D for London Sovereign and the next ten E40Hs for Stagecoach (12334-343). Other than 2465/66 (already being used) all the above will carry 64-registrations so will not be in service until September.
ReplyDelete