(28 Apr 2015, 3:07 pm)Dan The Volvo B9TLs aren't brand new, remember, they're dealer stock. Most dealer stock vehicles are painted white and it's then the responsibility of the bus operator who buys them to paint them.
The other two have already been painted red and are currently in storage around the side whilst being prepared for service. White destinations fully set up - just the little square at the back (like older B9s in the fleet), rather than the full size rear.
(28 Apr 2015, 3:07 pm)Dan The Volvo B9TLs aren't brand new, remember, they're dealer stock. Most dealer stock vehicles are painted white and it's then the responsibility of the bus operator who buys them to paint them.
The other two have already been painted red and are currently in storage around the side whilst being prepared for service. White destinations fully set up - just the little square at the back (like older B9s in the fleet), rather than the full size rear.
6104 is at GKN, think this is the first to get its flywheel sorted
(27 Apr 2015, 8:02 pm)leestransportphotos It might just be me that thinks this but:I'd agree with this. Even some of the oldest vehicles (such as B10s) seem to have had old ads stripped, and had all the glue residue removed. A quick job that improves presentation.
I feel Go North East have improved the general appearance of the inside of buses recently. Old posters/info are being removed etc (Apart from some of Washington's Presidents which still have 'Angel' plastered all over them). They look a lot less tatty but if any bus was to be improved inside it should be Chester's Solars
(27 Apr 2015, 8:02 pm)leestransportphotos It might just be me that thinks this but:I'd agree with this. Even some of the oldest vehicles (such as B10s) seem to have had old ads stripped, and had all the glue residue removed. A quick job that improves presentation.
I feel Go North East have improved the general appearance of the inside of buses recently. Old posters/info are being removed etc (Apart from some of Washington's Presidents which still have 'Angel' plastered all over them). They look a lot less tatty but if any bus was to be improved inside it should be Chester's Solars
(28 Apr 2015, 4:06 pm)aureolin I'd agree with this. Even some of the oldest vehicles (such as B10s) seem to have had old ads stripped, and had all the glue residue removed. A quick job that improves presentation.
Washington seem to have an issue in general with not maintaining what I'll refer to as 'internal content'. One of the MPDs I used at the weekend still had a notice up behind the cab from 5 month ago.
(28 Apr 2015, 4:06 pm)aureolin I'd agree with this. Even some of the oldest vehicles (such as B10s) seem to have had old ads stripped, and had all the glue residue removed. A quick job that improves presentation.
Washington seem to have an issue in general with not maintaining what I'll refer to as 'internal content'. One of the MPDs I used at the weekend still had a notice up behind the cab from 5 month ago.
(28 Apr 2015, 4:48 pm)MurdnunoC I notice quite a few of the corporate-liveried vehicles have received a paint job as of late. They look almost new whenever I pass them.
(28 Apr 2015, 4:48 pm)MurdnunoC I notice quite a few of the corporate-liveried vehicles have received a paint job as of late. They look almost new whenever I pass them.
(28 Apr 2015, 4:51 pm)aureolin Aye, tis the repaint programme to drop the 'Northern' brand. The red looks a bit brighter actually, and it certainly looks good on the Presidents.
(28 Apr 2015, 4:51 pm)aureolin Aye, tis the repaint programme to drop the 'Northern' brand. The red looks a bit brighter actually, and it certainly looks good on the Presidents.
(28 Apr 2015, 5:04 pm)Dan The interiors are being tidied up somewhat while they are at Saltmeadows for repaint. The vehicles which go to Saltmeadows for repaint are now completely stripped of any interior branding, and the new standard dark blue vinyls are applied (No Smoking, Disabled Bay, etc). I believe the seats are also checked so that if there are any worn seats, the moquette is replaced. In the past, any branding on the cove panels was typically removed but the old interior branding for general notices was retained.
(28 Apr 2015, 5:04 pm)Dan The interiors are being tidied up somewhat while they are at Saltmeadows for repaint. The vehicles which go to Saltmeadows for repaint are now completely stripped of any interior branding, and the new standard dark blue vinyls are applied (No Smoking, Disabled Bay, etc). I believe the seats are also checked so that if there are any worn seats, the moquette is replaced. In the past, any branding on the cove panels was typically removed but the old interior branding for general notices was retained.
(28 Apr 2015, 3:55 pm)DaveyBowyer As long as the bus is clean and reliable for the route served, that is what matters most. I'd rather take a B9 over a B5TL or Streetdeck anyday.
And infact, I've grown to like E400s bar the 57 reg batch at Ashington and with the exception of the TTX, the only reason why 'Cummins' breakdown for is either due to poor maintenance or wrong setup (putting economy before power). GNE do neither wrong and would look after them well. I remember one person in the days of Arriva bod when 7501 - 7506 (2 1/2 year old at the time) were at Blyth and he mentioned that the engine bay was a disgrace on them and this was when they were only tiddling up and down the Coast Road at the time.
(28 Apr 2015, 3:55 pm)DaveyBowyer As long as the bus is clean and reliable for the route served, that is what matters most. I'd rather take a B9 over a B5TL or Streetdeck anyday.
And infact, I've grown to like E400s bar the 57 reg batch at Ashington and with the exception of the TTX, the only reason why 'Cummins' breakdown for is either due to poor maintenance or wrong setup (putting economy before power). GNE do neither wrong and would look after them well. I remember one person in the days of Arriva bod when 7501 - 7506 (2 1/2 year old at the time) were at Blyth and he mentioned that the engine bay was a disgrace on them and this was when they were only tiddling up and down the Coast Road at the time.
(28 Apr 2015, 5:13 pm)cobalt309 6123 GX03SUH, 6124 GX03SUU, 6128 GX03SVC all inside the main building this afternoon. Two sanded down and the other being painted.
(28 Apr 2015, 5:13 pm)cobalt309 6123 GX03SUH, 6124 GX03SUU, 6128 GX03SVC all inside the main building this afternoon. Two sanded down and the other being painted.
(28 Apr 2015, 5:04 pm)Dan The interiors are being tidied up somewhat while they are at Saltmeadows for repaint. The vehicles which go to Saltmeadows for repaint are now completely stripped of any interior branding, and the new standard dark blue vinyls are applied (No Smoking, Disabled Bay, etc). I believe the seats are also checked so that if there are any worn seats, the moquette is replaced. In the past, any branding on the cove panels was typically removed but the old interior branding for general notices was retained.
(28 Apr 2015, 5:04 pm)Dan The interiors are being tidied up somewhat while they are at Saltmeadows for repaint. The vehicles which go to Saltmeadows for repaint are now completely stripped of any interior branding, and the new standard dark blue vinyls are applied (No Smoking, Disabled Bay, etc). I believe the seats are also checked so that if there are any worn seats, the moquette is replaced. In the past, any branding on the cove panels was typically removed but the old interior branding for general notices was retained.
Driving past GNE Saltmeadows maintenance facility I spotted several new buses including 3 of the 4 Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis destined for the 47. As you can see, one has been repainted into red and registered BG15RNJ. Photo was taken through the closed gates.
(29 Apr 2015, 12:19 am)GMitchelhill Driving past GNE Saltmeadows maintenance facility I spotted several new buses including 3 of the 4 Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis destined for the 47. As you can see, one has been repainted into red and registered BG15RNJ. Photo was taken through the closed gates.
(29 Apr 2015, 12:19 am)GMitchelhill Driving past GNE Saltmeadows maintenance facility I spotted several new buses including 3 of the 4 Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Geminis destined for the 47. As you can see, one has been repainted into red and registered BG15RNJ. Photo was taken through the closed gates.
Just to add, the Scania Omnidekkas would be perfect for the X21. I have several photos of the batch that is heading North on service 12 which runs from Brighton to Eastbourne. For those that don't know the route, it has a variety of challenging stretches like long climbs (especially out of Eastbourne towards Brighton). Twisty roads. And even sections of fast running (particularly on the approach to Brighton.).
Also since we are getting 21 of them. A rough guess would be that we are getting (using B&H fleetnumbers) - 601-616 / 619-623.
If you are wondering why there is a gap, it's because 617/618 are convertable open toppers (unless GNE plan to launch a open top service this year).
(29 Apr 2015, 12:29 am)GMitchelhill Just to add, the Scania Omnidekkas would be perfect for the X21. I have several photos of the batch that is heading North on service 12 which runs from Brighton to Eastbourne. For those that don't know the route, it has a variety of challenging stretches like long climbs (especially out of Eastbourne towards Brighton). Twisty roads. And even sections of fast running (particularly on the approach to Brighton.).
Also since we are getting 21 of them. A rough guess would be that we are getting (using B&H fleetnumbers) - 601-616 / 619-623.
If you are wondering why there is a gap, it's because 617/618 are convertable open toppers (unless GNE plan to launch a open top service this year).
(29 Apr 2015, 12:29 am)GMitchelhill Just to add, the Scania Omnidekkas would be perfect for the X21. I have several photos of the batch that is heading North on service 12 which runs from Brighton to Eastbourne. For those that don't know the route, it has a variety of challenging stretches like long climbs (especially out of Eastbourne towards Brighton). Twisty roads. And even sections of fast running (particularly on the approach to Brighton.).
Also since we are getting 21 of them. A rough guess would be that we are getting (using B&H fleetnumbers) - 601-616 / 619-623.
If you are wondering why there is a gap, it's because 617/618 are convertable open toppers (unless GNE plan to launch a open top service this year).
