Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[mathias]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral

(16/06/2013 19:12)buses7675 Wrote:  Although this is just my theory (and not particular to Stagecoach/Chester City Transport!) one reason for Marshall Capital Darts not lasting as well as Plaxton Pointer 2 bodies ones could be the weight of the bodywork.

The Marshall bodywork, as it has a steel frame, weighs significantly more then than the aluminum frames on Plaxton/Alexander bodywork, (same today too if you compare a Halton MCV Evolution with a similar length Enviro200 with ADL bodywork!)

Unladen Weight markings;
DartSLF 10.7m/Pointer2 (X2xx ANC) 6833kg
DartSLF 10.7m/Marshall (V6xx DVU) 7190kg
DartSLF 10.7m/ALX200 (X26x OBN) 7280kg.

As you can see, the Marshall is heavier than the Pointer2, but the ALX200 body is heavier still.
Then again, I'm led to believe the ALX200 Darts have more powerful engines to compensate for the weight?

Figures relating to ArrivaNW vehicles, so apologies for going off-topic