KICKDOWN: Trent Barton Hugo Spare Scania L94UB Wright Solar [669 - FH05 TKK]

Recorded on 26/01/23. This is a video of Hugo-liveried Scania Solar 669 (FH05 TKK) on its old route between Sawley and East Midlands Airport. The best moments of this video occur at the timestamps below:
4:18 - Kickdown at A50 roundabout
10:34 - Kickdown in Castle Donnington

Some other notable moments:
0:15 - Loud gear changes & mega thrash
1:16 - Marina fast section
3:24 - Kickdown up the bridge
7:15 - Uphill thrash
7:33 - Howling ZF & rapid take-off
11:37 - Powerful uphill acceleration
12:07 - Fast airport approach section
15:05 - Loud differential sounds & squeaky wipers

This was my third time onboard 669 and this journey was, undoubtedly, one of the best I've ever done. As seen in this video, there are plenty of kickdowns and thrashes. To top it off, the driver was incredibly friendly and he was happy to talk to me a little when waiting at the East Midlands Airport Coach Park. And, upon departure, he gave me a little wave.

In spite of Trent Barton's decline, it's the drivers that uphold the 'really good bus company' slogan. A lot of the drivers I encounter are quite friendly and I just want take a moment to appreciate their dedication and enthusiasm.

Of course, the other stand-out aspect of this journey was the bus itself. 669 started life, back in 2005, as a red spare based at Nottingham Manvers Street depot. In 2012, it was repurposed for the Skylink Nottingham route (the service it was operating on in this video). Once the Enviro 200 MMCs replaced the Scania Solars on Skylink, 669 became a spare vehicle again but was instead based at Sutton.

However, in October 2022, it made its return to Nottingham - replacing The Sixes Base Livery Spare Solar 657 (FN04 HSG). 669 has been spotted across the Nottingham network, on routes ranging from the Indigo to the Mainline. Nowadays, it is regularly used on Skylink Express and The Keyworth - covering for 625 (FJ03 VWM) and 730 (FJ09 BXK) respectively.

Over the years, a total of 10 Scania Solars have been branded for the Skylink Nottingham route. 637 (FD53 WWJ), 662 (FN54 AEZ), 663 (FN54 AEB), 665 (FH54 VRX), 668 (FH05 TKJ) and 669 were part of the initial batch of vehicles in 2012. In 2014, the frequency of the service was increased to every 20 minutes. This resulted in 601 (FJ03 VVM) and 631 (FJ03 VWY) joining the six other Solars. In 2014, 601 was replaced with 625 (as 601 didn't have a luggage rack fitted). Finally, in 2015, the Coalville branch was overlaid onto the existing route. This saw 666 (FH54 VRY) become the last Solar to receive the Skylink Nottingham livery.

Scania Solar numbers are dwindling nowadays across the Wellglade subsidiaries. Only four remain in public service at Trent Barton (at the time of release). So, I will forever treasure moments like this, even when the Scania Solar era draws to a close.

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