OC500 disposal

[TP1462]

Manheim now have some of the disposed 12xx OC's on their website being listed as experssion of interest for scrap only, the CNG systems have been decommissioned.

All non starters they’ve had the alternator, ac compressor, drivers seat and fan drive removed also seems like the fluids have been drained too


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[Enviro 500]

Apparently 1895 was recently put into storage despite being of a later batch. Any idea why?

[Merc1107]

Years ago it was stated the Airport line would require an additional 30 or buses for the new network that would result. Presumably the delivery of these buses is taking place at the moment, and so some buses are being put aside until the line and new bus network comes into play.

[sylar]

Apparently 1895 was recently put into storage despite being of a later batch. Any idea why?

Could be a mechanical issue thats not worth cost or the time to repair, it appears 2798 was delivered to Bayswater to replace 1895.

If I remember correctly there were a couple of 0405NH Gassies that were withdrawn early due to mechanical issues and replaced with new B7s at the time.

[TP1462]

It’s still got 12 months rego


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[wayfarer]

It really makes me feel older now that I see 0405s in the hands of private operators picking the kids up from school swimming etc, now they are getting rid of the 500s I've really seen it all now..

I remember seeing the first new 0405s trickling onto the roads back in 1999 and thinking how sleek and modern they looked in comparison to the rest of the fleet. And it really doesn't seem like it was THAT long ago!? (It was about time as there hadn't been a major replacement of buses in over 6 years at that point) and how well the rode and performed (bags of it) in comparison to the mainstay Renaults and still plentiful 305s they were replacing. Not only that but they had air conditioning that could literally grow icicles in the bus it got that cold, compared to the 'saloon cooling' in the Renaults that was sort of blew a suggestion of cold air on you, of course on 35 degree plus days it did nothing much but move warm air around the cabin, and the old Mercs? well they only had the good old 4-40 cooling - 4 windows open at 40 miles an hour. I don't many enthusiasts liked the chair cushions compared to the thick, couch like padding in the old Merc and Renault seat cushions, but I guess moving with modern sanitary requirements - The modern thin squabs are much easier to clean and disinfect than the old open cell foam seats when bodily fluids decide they no longer wish to be bodily..

To me they are still modern buses, and the way they are built they can be rebuilt and overhauled and turned back into basically a brand new bus unlimited times. And as far as I'm concerned the private operators sure got a smashing deal on these and should be glad to have them.

[Merc1107]

The only let-down of the NH was the driver's seat ... The same crude thing one found in even the oldest O305s - not sure what the logic behind that was, or even why a retrofit to something superior wasn't done during the refurbishment process. While I never felt uncomfortable in that old-school seat, the newer, more supportive air-cushioned ISRI are vastly more comfortable for (most) drivers when setup correctly.

Otherwise, while they're not rocketships compared to the latest generation buses, in terms of performing consistently; accelerating and braking the same every time, without fail and without irritating computer intervention ("brake blending" and the bus stop/door brake on a certain other ubiquitous make - evidently neither programmed with much thought to passenger comfort), they're absolutely magic. I would happily drive one, diesel or gas (the naturally-aspirated variety) any day of the week over almost anything newer.

Despite their long lives with their first owner, with some examples clocking up a staggering 1.5mil kilometres before withdrawal, it's quite impressive so many are continuing their lives elsewhere in a variety of different roles.
Some of the OCs will probably come close to those sorts of miles too, although they obviously won't see second lives unless repowered (I do, however, understand Western Europe's CNGs have often wound up heading East after their first lives).

[Enviro 500]

I hope there can be some inspiration to turn the decommissioned OC500LEs into crisis accommodation for homeless from this video.

https://youtu.be/KJQxUFYEih8

[Tp2323]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... =undefined

[Merc1107]

Ahhh 1236. That was a very nice one.

[Tp2323]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... =undefined

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... =top_picks

[user3492984653]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... =undefined

Last time I was there, he also had 1855, 1265 and 1600 in varying states. TP 69, a Renault PR100.2, sits off to the side.

Here is 1855:


And 1600:

[Tp2323]

He should speak to bpswa

[Enviro 500]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... =undefined

Last time I was there, he also had 1855, 1265 and 1600 in varying states. TP 69, a Renault PR100.2, sits off to the side.

Here is 1855:


And 1600:

Does he have some sort of workshop?

[user3492984653]

He does have a workshop, and apparently another yard at Perth Airport although he claimed it isn't open to the public.

This place is pretty much a junkyard, unlikely any bus here will be preserved unfortunately, although it is worth a try. I did take some parts of 1236 home and shall preserve them as long as I can.

[Enviro 500]

On his FB profile it looks like he's a JDM sports car fan.

Anyway, I wonder if he's keen on the CAT-spec buses when they're due for retirement. I think 101-114 registration will be expiring in the next couple months. Not sure if they'll be renewed at all given they're over 17 years old.

[Merc1107]

Unless there is some incredibly serious fault that will prevent those buses passing inspection, I do not see why their registration would not be renewed and the buses remain in service until their replacements arrive. Registration can easily be cancelled early and the difference paid out. It's not the automatic death sentence some make it out to be.

[Enviro 500]

I'd be kinda sad to see the CAT gassies retire as they had that unique look. The rear design foreshadowed how the Optimus rear would look. Wish the single piece windscreen was carried over too.

I used to take these in the CBD when they were relatively new. In recent years, I have travelled on 101 and 102 doing 935 and 34 respectively.

[Merc1107]

Wish the single piece windscreen was carried over too.

Absolutely. It's surprising the difference this makes for forward visibility when driving. The placement of the dash switches on these seemed to differ somewhat (in a good way, I felt), and the slightly reduced size of the vehicle helped a lot with manoeuvrability and general performance.

The (presumably) imminent withdrawal of these 100's does make me wonder what will be done about the Fremantle CATs; will they be withdrawn without a special-liveried replacement, or will some other buses be repainted?
This also gives rise to the question - will the Fremantle CAT even be returned to its prior timetable (i.e. Blues every 10mins, Reds every 20mins) now that patronage is returning to pre-COVID levels, and tourists are once again beginning to appear?

[Enviro 500]

I suspect the Claisebrook B7s may be redeployed to Palmyra for the Freo CAT when 114-116 retire without having done a paid route. After all, 2139-45 are approaching the 10-year age limit stipulated by PCC.

[Enviro 500]

Apparently 112 (CAT02) has just been laid up. Wonder if it is bound for Manheim.

[Merc1107]

Apparently 112 (CAT02) has just been laid up. Wonder if it is bound for Manheim.

Seeing as that's where they're being sold (if they are still trying to flog all of them at auction or this one hasn't been kept for spares), that seems like a reasonable guess to me.

[Enviro 500]

Apparently 112 (CAT02) has just been laid up. Wonder if it is bound for Manheim.

Seeing as that's where they're being sold (if they are still trying to flog all of them at auction or this one hasn't been kept for spares), that seems like a reasonable guess to me.

Apart from 112, all other CAT-spec OCs have been renewed for another year. At least I still get to see them in action. However, to actually board one of them when I want to seems to be elusive. Most of the active ones are those at Malaga. I seldom head down to RO side so I don't know about the ones there. Palmyra seldom deploys 113 or 117 on Perth-bound routes (111, 114, 115, 160, 910) from what I've realised. Seen 101-103 on several occasions but not on any services (usually 930 and 935) that I'd take.

[busdriver12]

Seen 101-103 on several occasions but not on any services (usually 930 and 935) that I'd take.

You won't see them on a 930 as that's operated by Swan.

[Enviro 500]

Seen 101-103 on several occasions but not on any services (usually 930 and 935) that I'd take.

You won't see them on a 930 as that's operated by Swan.

930 is Transit Systems while 935 these days mostly Volvo fleet from RCDEP. I travel mostly on these two bus routes to get to work.