Red Rocket Variety

Ex Stagecoach Volvo 899 was rushed into service to replace failed Volvo 611 on the 10:30 Red Rocket on 25th Nov

Classic Bus North West's Red Rocket express service is going from strength to strength in passenger loadings on the morning runs to Manchester, but increasingly the Mercedes-Benz Citaros are being replaced by other vehicles in the CBNW fleet. The 10:30 morning run from Blackpool has regularly been operated by the ex Transdev Harrogate and District Volvo B6BLE 611 (W611 CWX) for the last few weeks, and other vehicles have also been noted standing in for the Citaros, either due to mechanical problems or there has also been talk of heavy fuel consumption with the bendy buses. This morning (Nov 25th) even the 10:30 ex Harrogate Volvo 611 broke down, being swifty substituted by former Stagecoach North West Volvo B10M R899 XVM, which is normally seen in use on the local Catch 22 service. Two of the Mercedes-Benz Citaros (MAL41 and MAL53) were noted laid up out of service in CBNW's storage yard at Marton on 25th November, leaving only MAL49 available for use on the Red Rocket.
 

Former Dublin Bus Volvo Olympian N325 NHG running along the Red Rocket route on Seasiders Way on Nov 25th

MAL41 on the 10:30 departure on 7th Nov, these buses are becoming an increasingly scarce sight on the Red Rocket

Ex Transdev Harrogate 611 on the 10:30 Red Rocket on 10th Nov, displaying "Sorry Not in Service" on the indicator

Two Mercedes-Benz Citaros and four Dennis Darts were noted in CBNW's storage/demic yard at Marton on 25th Nov