*Thrash* Journey on Southeastern Rail Replacement | GAL (London Central) Volvo B9TL Gemini 2 | WVN46

Описание: A journey on Go Ahead London (London Central) WVN46 (BL61ACY), a Volvo B9TL Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2 from Bexleyheath Garage, on a Southeastern Rail Replacement service from Sevenoaks to Paddock Wood.

WVN46 (BL61ACY) was new to First London as VN37944, and operated at Northumberland Park Garage. The bus was delivered there in early 2012 for the new contract of Route 357 which runs from Whipps Cross to Chingford Hatch. They were not used on the route on Sundays due to the route requiring single deckers for its extension to Whipps Cross Hospital, where there is a low bridge along the route requiring the use of single decks. On 31st March 2012 all of Northumberland Park's routes and buses transferred to Go Ahead London under the London General subsidiary, leading to the bus getting renumbered to WVN46 from VN37944. The bus appeared on other routes at Northumberland Park too, mostly the 259 and 476 as they were also allocated with WVN's (the 476 still currently uses them too). The bus was last used at Northumberland Park on 15th March 2019 on Route 191. On 11th April 2019 the bus entered service at Bexleyheath on Route 89, having been transferred there for the new contract on Route 486. Although officially allocated to Route 486, the bus is frequently used on all of Bexleyheath's double decker routes bar the 132 which now uses Electric buses, but still sees the odd use of a diesel double decker. All the diesel double deckers at Bexleyheath are mixed between their routes, so any of their double deckers can appear on the 51, 89, 486, 624, 625, 658, B16 and sometimes the 132 and 321 (night only) at any time.

Speaking of the B16, the route now has an actual partial allocation of double deckers due to some of its Enviro200's being needed for the B13, which has been won from Arriva London and operating from Bexleyheath, due to its own Enviro200 EV buses being late.

This journey was recorded between Tonbridge Station and Paddock Wood Station. This was a much better journey than the Optare Versa from Go Coach one. The bus was quite quick along the A2014 until we reached the A21 where there was quite a bit of thrash, thrashing down Pembury Bypass and continuing until we hit Pembury Interchange. The bus continued thrashing along the A228 through Pembury Northern Bypass and Maidstone Road. Finally the bus reached Paddock Wood Station via the B2017, B2160 and Commercial Road. I have never been in Paddock Wood before I took this rail replacement bus (except when passing through on the train) but I can honestly say it is a nice-looking town.

Joined by ‪@hdualersfan6120‬

Intro and Outro music: Bensound - Happy Rock

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