Making Hay when the sun doesn't shine - 2
The dozen 12m MCV eVoRa-bodied Volvo B8RLEs in the Stagecoach in South Wales fleet (21351-62) are now over five years old and are proving pretty reliable. Just as well given that they can be in use seven days a week on marathon TrawsCymru Services T4 (Cardiff-Pontypridd-Merthyr Tydhil-Brecon-Builth Wells-Llandrindod Wells-Newtown) and Weekday variant T14, which covers the Brecon to Hereford via Hay-on-Wye leg of what was formerly Service 39. The peak vehicle requirement is 11 and Alexander Dennis Enviro300-bodied Scania K230UBs form the back up. Both services are now operated entirely from Merthyr Tydfil depot since the forced closure of Brecon outstation a few years ago.
The Brecon Beacons remain very popular with walkers and visitors, even during the grim Winter months, and the Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon leg of the services is hourly seven days a week.
This late November 2024 shot in drizzly conditions shows 21352 on the A470 on her way to Hereford. She is passing the Storey Arms, which is an outdoor education centre at the foot of Pen-y-Fan, the highest mountain in the Beacons.
Making Hay when the sun doesn't shine - 2
The dozen 12m MCV eVoRa-bodied Volvo B8RLEs in the Stagecoach in South Wales fleet (21351-62) are now over five years old and are proving pretty reliable. Just as well given that they can be in use seven days a week on marathon TrawsCymru Services T4 (Cardiff-Pontypridd-Merthyr Tydhil-Brecon-Builth Wells-Llandrindod Wells-Newtown) and Weekday variant T14, which covers the Brecon to Hereford via Hay-on-Wye leg of what was formerly Service 39. The peak vehicle requirement is 11 and Alexander Dennis Enviro300-bodied Scania K230UBs form the back up. Both services are now operated entirely from Merthyr Tydfil depot since the forced closure of Brecon outstation a few years ago.
The Brecon Beacons remain very popular with walkers and visitors, even during the grim Winter months, and the Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon leg of the services is hourly seven days a week.
This late November 2024 shot in drizzly conditions shows 21352 on the A470 on her way to Hereford. She is passing the Storey Arms, which is an outdoor education centre at the foot of Pen-y-Fan, the highest mountain in the Beacons.