[GB] The End of Metrobus Operations - West Midlands
After a remarkable 32 year of service, the time has finally come for the iconic MCW Metrobus to stand down from National Express West Midlands. Yesterday (24th July), the final trio from Acocks Green garage, 2832, 2903 and 2988, took to the street to serve fare paying passengers for the very last time.http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4170.jpg
To mark the event, a number of guest vehicles turned up, vast majority of them being Metrobuses of course, for the occasion.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4121.jpg
To make sure the general public were aware of the occasion, the Metros were all decorated, if not remarkably so, by the garage staff.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4183.jpg
And of course, the significance of the event was not lost to those working with the type for years:
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4195.jpg
At around 1015, Metrobus 2832 leaves the garage to begin its first duty for the day, a short run to Solihull Station on the 37E.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4208.jpg
A little while after, 2903 and 2988 also turned up. The latter spent its final day of service on the anticlockwise Outer Circle service 11A (and curtail runs 11E), a 2-hour service looping around the outskirt of Birmingham.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4244.jpg
Meanwhile, 2903, the Metro having the honour of operating on the final day of Metrobus service in Walsall garage last year, takes up the duty on route 1.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4305.jpg
After spending the day on a number of Acocks Green services, such as the 72, 31E, and the 37, 2832 pulls into in Birmingham City Centre as a passenger service vehicle, along with a duplicate run by preserved Brimingham City Transport 2489 Crossley, for the very last time for its final duty on 37E, a curtailed service to Acocks Green.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4394.jpg
The Crossley turned out to be the only duplicate run of the day, as the others were prohibited for health and safety reasons. However, former Travel Coventry Metrobus 3065, now preserved, made a brief appearance, and a sneaky short duplicate alongside 2988, which is finishing its Outer Circle duty for the last time.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4444.jpg
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4455.jpg
The honour of the final Metrobus service for NXWM though, falls to Walsall veteran 2903 on the 1. It arrives at Acocks Green at 1520, concluding 32 years of service life of the type.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4479.jpg
From there, it ran dead, completely packs with passengers, back to Acocks Green garage for the very last time:
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4502.jpg
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4506.jpg
...with hundreds of well wishers coming for the send off.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4509.jpg
At 1540, the time has finally come. 2903 pulls into Acocks Green garage for the final time, bring down the curtain of the Metrobus in West Midlands.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4523.jpg
For many people in the local area, the Metrobus is not just another bus. It represents the final line of buses that has been built in the region. It was built in West Midlands, to serve the folks in West Midlands. The appreciation shown by the general public and the operating staff demonstrates how special the Metrobus has been to the locals.
Thanks for 32 years of sterling service, and RIP.
http://www.tinywong.talktalk.net/NXWM%20MCW/IMG_4513.jpg
[ 本帖最後由 NV58 於 2010-7-25 20:04 編輯 ] What a brilliant post your have here NV58. It was a good day.
I may as well post some of my pictures to share the the fellow boardmates.
2832, 2988 and 2903 getting having a final check and getting ready for the last day in operation .
http://images.fotopic.net/13dg9o.jpg
2832 the first one of the 3 also the oldest of the 3 started the day loading up outside Acocks Green garage heading for Solihull Station.
http://images.fotopic.net/13dg9t.jpg
2903 loading up at Acocks Green bus stop heading towards Town Hall.
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People standing in the road outside Birmingham Town Hall taking picture of 2903 on the service 1 for the last day.
A common scene these days on buses last day event.
http://images.fotopic.net/13dgdf.jpg
A typical Birmingham scene, now is a thing in the pass.
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2832 coming down Birmingham Corporation Street for the last time.
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A Walsall Garage Inspector took 2988 after completed another trip on the Outer Circle back to Acocks Green Garage.
http://images.fotopic.net/13dgdq.jpg
2988 cheered by the crowd as it was driven back into Acocks Green Garage.
http://images.fotopic.net/13dgdt.jpg
2903 the final Metrobus driven back to Acocks Green garage.
http://images.fotopic.net/13dgdv.jpg
2903 was also used at the last Metrobus day at Walsall Garage, but this time, the garage staff at Acocks Green made it looked so much better.
http://images.fotopic.net/13dgdw.jpg
Other Preserved Metrobuses gathered outside Solihull Station afterwards.
7007 used to be Acocks Green based seen running down memory lane operating service 37 once again followed by another Mk1 prototype 6832.
http://images.fotopic.net/13dge3.jpg
Rear profile of preserved 7007 the only surviving Metrobus Mk1 prototype fitted with Rolls Royce Eagle engine
http://images.fotopic.net/13dgef.jpg
Preserved Travel Coventry 3053 doing a trip on the old 192 service from Solihull Station back to Coventry.
http://images.fotopic.net/13dges.jpg
3053 spend a short photo stop at Hampton-in-Arden.
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Photo Coutesy of NV58
3053 arriving back to Trinity Street in Coventry.
http://images.fotopic.net/13dgea.jpg
Photo Coutesy of NV58
http://images.fotopic.net/13dged.jpg
Photo Coutesy of NV58
[ 本帖最後由 DA50 於 2010-7-27 21:04 編輯 ] Splendid shots from you guys!!!!
Off topic,
The country is getting funnier than ever. What's health and safety to do with running duplicates en-route? Great to see that some MCWs will attend Showbus this year, especially for 3053!:loveliness: Great photos everyone!
Sad that I couldn't join the day finally...:'(
(went to Cambridge instead on that day)
Hope these three buses will also be preserved.
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