Sadly going

©JoanPix (Flickr Blog This)

It seems the Plymouth skyline is seeing more changes this year than it has for a long time. After the sad loss of the Millbay Silo earlier this year it seems we are about to loose another skyline landmark. The massive crane above is apparently the biggest in Western Europe. Well it wont be for much longer as its going to be taken apart later this year. Dutch heavy lifting specialist Mammoet is coming in to do the job in September, and it will last well into October.
It seems that the equipment is being put together in Holland and will be floated across to Plymouth - should be quite a sight!
Still, its sad to see yet another Plymouth landmark bite the dust.

Life after Plymouth M221EAF

© BristolRE2007 - Peter Horrex.

M221EAF was one of the very early low floor buses. It was operated by Western National with funding from Devon County Council and ran in the wonderful badger n flags livery.

It has since then gone on to Centrewest (First London) and I believe its currently up with First Midland Red?

It was purchased for the 118 service from Tavistock to Barnstable. This was later replaced by the 86 from Plymouth. Later this year FDC withdraw the 86 and the service reverts back to 118 from Tavistock and will be operated by Hookways Coaches. Quite what it will use on the service remains to be seen!

[This posting was actually planned for yesterday but my computer wasnt having it!]

Enviros

©Terry Partridge

This week has seen the new Enviros out on the streets, well most of them anyway. Terry Partridge managed to catch most of them on camera so here is 142, the highest numbered bus of the batch on Royal Parade. They are on the 40,41 and 42 routes.

Target Travel P150LMA

P150LMA is a rare Marshall Minibus, Marshalls attempt at providing competition for the Dennis Dart. The fact that so few were built provides you with all the info you need to know as to whether they were successful or not! This one is actually chassis number MM006 (MM001-3 have never been built or at least traced) so its a very early example. It has reached Target from Chester City Transport via First who recently took over the municipal bus company there. It has been repainted very smartly into First livery as it often runs routes subcontracted by FDC to Target.
Today though it has been on the 52A and tonight I decided to forego my usual comfortable Pink Solo and have a go on the Marshall - I can see why they were not popular!
Very rattly, and bumpy, a lot worse than a Dart. This particular example also smelt bad. A very distinct, almost 'burning' smell filled the back of the bus. Not very pleasant at all. I have always found Target buses to be in good condition and clean and comfortable. This was very much the exception. When I saw my usual Solo heading off towards Crownhill driven by the nice lady driver I was very tempted to get of the Marshall and wait for her to come back!
Tomorrow though I am on the Taxibuses as Im leaving work early. Then in the evening I am riding on a very special Dennis Dart (never thought I'd ever say that about a Dart!) - more on that later!