We're driving up, now. Will most likely have something to eat before crossing over. Hopefully it'll have stopped peeing down by then.
(01 May 2016, 9:28 am)Tom Horrible weather today - will still head over when I get up though, hopefully it'll improve by then. Haven't got my camera though as I'm at my grandmas and I cba to go home and get it. To be fair it's a nightmare getting pics anyway.
(01 May 2016, 9:28 am)Tom Horrible weather today - will still head over when I get up though, hopefully it'll improve by then. Haven't got my camera though as I'm at my grandmas and I cba to go home and get it. To be fair it's a nightmare getting pics anyway.
(01 May 2016, 9:43 am)BusLoverMum We're driving up, now. Will most likely have something to eat before crossing over. Hopefully it'll have stopped peeing down by then.
(01 May 2016, 9:43 am)BusLoverMum We're driving up, now. Will most likely have something to eat before crossing over. Hopefully it'll have stopped peeing down by then.
(01 May 2016, 9:51 am)citaro5284 Big'un, Little'un and hubby......, you going to have your hands full today
(01 May 2016, 9:51 am)citaro5284 Big'un, Little'un and hubby......, you going to have your hands full today
(01 May 2016, 9:46 am)BusLoverMum Looking at the metcheck storm radar, it's a big rainy cloud passing over from the north west which looks like it should be clear of Gateshead by about 11am.
I've already attended and recognised a few people from here. I didn't hang around much since I needed to be in durham for something else.
Brilliant event so far. Weather was utter rubbish to start off with but hey ho.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
I'm heading out now, Ive just uploaded 2 Flickr post's
https://www.flickr.com/photos/140662069@...ed-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/140662069@...ed-public/
(01 May 2016, 11:43 am)Tom I got bored after 20 mins. It's even worse when you don't have a camera with you. But was good to see a few independent operators. Going to have a look round the Metrocentre and go home to watch the Leicester game.
(01 May 2016, 11:43 am)Tom I got bored after 20 mins. It's even worse when you don't have a camera with you. But was good to see a few independent operators. Going to have a look round the Metrocentre and go home to watch the Leicester game.
(01 May 2016, 3:10 pm)Jackamcardle Hate to say it, but I completely agree with you. The rally was not as good as last year, for a few reasons:
- not as many/frequent shuttle services.
- none to Tanfield Railway, don't know why, the 'organiser' said the trains went running, but I assure him they 150% were.
- not as many stalls selling photographs or other miscellaneous things related to buses.
- the 'organiser' I spoke to had no idea about anything I was asking and said he was just here to get people on and off (I'm sure there are much more friendly bus enthusiasts that would've filled that role much better)
- many buses that I was excited to see and ride on just sat in the car park all day and weren't touched.
- last year there was better weather, I know this can't be helped but it really makes a difference to the whole day.
On the other hand, I did think that Go North East made a much better effort with the amount of buses this year, and all of the drivers were very friendly (particularly Mark and the driver that me and Marcus had on the Olympian, think it was Ben or Jack) and let you look around the buses and changed the destination displays.
Like last year, Arriva failed to disappoint me. The driver from Stockton, Jason, was really patient with letting everyone in the buses and even let them switch it on and give it a cheeky rev! I was glad they brought along an Omnicity as I've never came face to face with one of Arriva's omni's. Their buses also seemed to be in an much better quality that some of Go North East's. Don't get me wrong (because I like Go North East and their buses) but Arriva Sapphire and Max seemed to have really comfy leather seats, compared to the Streetlites and Streetdeck of Go North East. Wifi has always worked on Arriva Sapphire too, which I don't know why bus wifi frequently doesn't work on go north east at all. However I must say that I haven't been on it as much as Go North East's Streetlites. I don't mean quality in terms of dirtiness or anything like that, just the comfort of the ride.
Overall it was an average rally, I will be back next year, probably wondering which red arrows B9 Go North East will be bringing for the 96th year in a row.
(01 May 2016, 3:10 pm)Jackamcardle Hate to say it, but I completely agree with you. The rally was not as good as last year, for a few reasons:
- not as many/frequent shuttle services.
- none to Tanfield Railway, don't know why, the 'organiser' said the trains went running, but I assure him they 150% were.
- not as many stalls selling photographs or other miscellaneous things related to buses.
- the 'organiser' I spoke to had no idea about anything I was asking and said he was just here to get people on and off (I'm sure there are much more friendly bus enthusiasts that would've filled that role much better)
- many buses that I was excited to see and ride on just sat in the car park all day and weren't touched.
- last year there was better weather, I know this can't be helped but it really makes a difference to the whole day.
On the other hand, I did think that Go North East made a much better effort with the amount of buses this year, and all of the drivers were very friendly (particularly Mark and the driver that me and Marcus had on the Olympian, think it was Ben or Jack) and let you look around the buses and changed the destination displays.
Like last year, Arriva failed to disappoint me. The driver from Stockton, Jason, was really patient with letting everyone in the buses and even let them switch it on and give it a cheeky rev! I was glad they brought along an Omnicity as I've never came face to face with one of Arriva's omni's. Their buses also seemed to be in an much better quality that some of Go North East's. Don't get me wrong (because I like Go North East and their buses) but Arriva Sapphire and Max seemed to have really comfy leather seats, compared to the Streetlites and Streetdeck of Go North East. Wifi has always worked on Arriva Sapphire too, which I don't know why bus wifi frequently doesn't work on go north east at all. However I must say that I haven't been on it as much as Go North East's Streetlites. I don't mean quality in terms of dirtiness or anything like that, just the comfort of the ride.
Overall it was an average rally, I will be back next year, probably wondering which red arrows B9 Go North East will be bringing for the 96th year in a row.
I'm glad I chose not to go again this year, GNE just seem to send the same selection of vehicles year in year out, while I've usually travelled on anything Arriva take. All of the other vehicles that attend I've usually seen in years gone by, nothing ever really seems to change, which is a shame.
The first year I went I found it a bit boring as I didn't do any Tours and I didn't talk to anyone, this year and last I've chatted to some enthusiasts and gone out on shuttles. I think how some people's days are spent vary on what you do in your time there, I can't imagine there is that much enjoyment to be had just wandering up and down the coach park.
Do think it was a little disappointing how most of the shuttles seemed to follow the same route, I find doing the same route over and over again rather boring, which is why I'm on the X10 now where I will change to the 21 to return to Aycliffe (providing I make it there in time) adding some extra variety.
I enjoyed my day today though.
Not a bad day out, was there about 4 hours as I wanted to go on some trips past GNE Riverside for some photos of buses parked up. Went on GNE 5288 and 6129. I was planning on going on some classic buses but I was either taking photos of other buses or over at the bus station getting photos. Also the queues for the classic buses were quite long. Had a sit in the cab of ANE 7603 (https://instagram.com/p/BE3a1zXLHIA/) and some kind gentleman took a photo of me with my iPhone when I was sitting in the cab. Got 100+ photos of the event. Was vaguely hopeful GNE would have one of the new Streetlite Prince Bishops ready but I guess that will be the Durham rally next month when there will more chance of one present.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I thought it wasn't to bad of an even to be honest. It was nice to see the appearence of some vehicles like United 251, and Northern 3269. Plus some of the regular preserved vehicles. Also nice to see the old style GNE livery make a return and that Yorkshire Coastliner Olympian was very tidy.
Was hoping some more vehicles would have went out on the shuttles. Managed the Leopard and the Streetdeck, and a little ride around the coach park onboard 4708.
As mentioned I got on the Streetdeck which is the first time I've been on one. From a passenger point of view, they're good, but from the enthusiast point of view, I found them to lack character and to be very drab.
I had a really enjoyable day. It started out quite damp, and the run in didn't quite go to plan, as it was a good steady rainfall until about 10am. There was plenty of variety though, and it was good to see some other preserved vehicles return from storage, not to mention work carried out over the winter period on others.
I'd say that seeing JFT413X (413) was the highlight for me. I'd never seen one of the two PTE Alexander bodied Scania BR112DH, so it was great to finally have that opportunity. It's a very smartly presented restoration, and is a credit to the THV group. It's a shame it didn't do a run out, but I suppose you can't have everything.
It also brought back some great memories seeing FTN708W (4708) and R855PRG (4855) lined up together, in the GNE red/blue/yellow livery. It's always been one of my favourite liveries, and it's good to see some preservation projects starting to come through in this livery.
Go North East and Arriva both brought a large selection of vehicles along, and of course both operators support remains a big part of the Metrocentre event. Both companies were very well presented, with staff more than happy to explain the ins and outs of the vehicles, and also happy to display some weird and wonderful destinations!
Whilst I don't deny that it was what the event staff were telling people, I'm not sure where they got their information from that Tanfield Railway wasn't open today? You can see for yourself here - http://tanfield-railway.blogspot.co.uk/2...nd_30.html. It did seem to be a case that there was a big lack of organisation this year, and it didn't appear that they had their usual compliment of volunteers. This is probably the reason that the usual timetable and such went out the window, which is disappointing.
All in all though, it was a really enjoyable day.
(01 May 2016, 5:15 pm)GMitchelhill I thought it wasn't to bad of an even to be honest. It was nice to see the appearence of some vehicles like United 251, and Northern 3269. Plus some of the regular preserved vehicles. Also nice to see the old style GNE livery make a return and that Yorkshire Coastliner Olympian was very tidy.
Was hoping some more vehicles would have went out on the shuttles. Managed the Leopard and the Streetdeck, and a little ride around the coach park onboard 4708.
As mentioned I got on the Streetdeck which is the first time I've been on one. From a passenger point of view, they're good, but from the enthusiast point of view, I found them to lack character and to be very drab.
(01 May 2016, 5:15 pm)GMitchelhill I thought it wasn't to bad of an even to be honest. It was nice to see the appearence of some vehicles like United 251, and Northern 3269. Plus some of the regular preserved vehicles. Also nice to see the old style GNE livery make a return and that Yorkshire Coastliner Olympian was very tidy.
Was hoping some more vehicles would have went out on the shuttles. Managed the Leopard and the Streetdeck, and a little ride around the coach park onboard 4708.
As mentioned I got on the Streetdeck which is the first time I've been on one. From a passenger point of view, they're good, but from the enthusiast point of view, I found them to lack character and to be very drab.
![[Image: 0a85ed5b4e97324e338555472f222830.png]](https://public.railmiles.me/signatures/0a85ed5b4e97324e338555472f222830.png)
