North East Buses

(13 Mar 2014, 5:28 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Very wrong, for a start the Sapphire Vehicles and the ones for the 23 are Streetlite Maxs. The vehicles leaving Redcar are Temsas not Pulsars (with 2 Streetlites replacing 2 of the DAF SB220s). Stockton are losing Prestiges only, the OmniCitys are staying at Stockton (20/X20 should be going low floor once the B7TLs enter service). The only DAF DB250s being replaced this year are the T-FGNs at Durham. All the B10BLEs will be moving south later this year (I understand at present the plan is that Redcar will gain the ALX300s plus 3 of the Wright-bodied examples while Stockton gain the remaining Wright-bodied examples).

It was only a suggestion...
And I forgot the Sapphire vehicles were Streetlites.

(13 Mar 2014, 5:35 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]It was only a suggestion...
And I forgot the Sapphire vehicles were Streetlites.

They won't replace 1101-5 and 7466-81 yet given they only arrived last year. The B10BLEs bound for Stockton should see off the remaining Prestiges not displaced by the Streetlites for the 5/5A. 4652/4/8/9 should be refurbished along with the other batch (and hopefully the OmniCity refurbishment won't end up like the B10BLEs - half fully treated, others merely repainted and some not even touched).

(13 Mar 2014, 5:59 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]They won't replace 1101-5 and 7466-81 yet given they only arrived last year. The B10BLEs bound for Stockton should see off the remaining Prestiges not displaced by the Streetlites for the 5/5A. 4652/4/8/9 should be refurbished along with the other batch (and hopefully the OmniCity refurbishment won't end up like the B10BLEs - half fully treated, others merely repainted and some not even touched).

Yeah, 4510 is still fully original.
What do you reckon the Omincities would be used on?

(13 Mar 2014, 6:05 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Yeah, 4510 is still fully original.
What do you reckon the Omincities would be used on?

From what I understand, the original plan for Stockton's OmniCitys was for them to be used on the 21a. However, that has now been revised and they are to be used on the 28s and 29s alongside the B10BLEs with B10s also working the 21a.

(13 Mar 2014, 6:11 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]From what I understand, the original plan for Stockton's OmniCitys was for them to be used on the 21a. However, that has now been revised and they are to be used on the 28s and 29s alongside the B10BLEs with B10s also working the 21a.

Thanks
When do you reckon the new buses will be in service? September?
I saw a Prestige on the 306 today, so they'll need replacing too. It think it was 4004, but not sure. They also have 4051/54?

(13 Mar 2014, 6:12 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Thanks
When do you reckon the new buses will be in service? September?
I saw a Prestige on the 306 today, so they'll need replacing too. It think it was 4004, but not sure. They also have 4051/54?

As I understand, the Sapphire vehicles for Redcar and Stockton should be here by the summer.
Jesmond have 4004/51/2. As Jesmond are getting the last Pulsars for the North East, they will likely replace those 3 in a round-about way.

(13 Mar 2014, 6:16 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]As I understand, the Sapphire vehicles for Redcar and Stockton should be here by the summer.
Jesmond have 4004/51/2. As Jesmond are getting the last Pulsars for the North East, they will likely replace those 3 in a round-about way.

Thanks again
Better get out and about more to get all of the MPDs/Prestiges that haven't been withdrawn.

No, I'm not thrashing Souters Toys again, I've clearly stated my feelings in them, good for some, not so good for others. If the B9TL order actually happens for the X18, then ANE have made a very good choice, not just based on power but also many other things too. The handing on bends and corners is effortless and it doens't feel jerky. The ZF gearbox combimed with the B9 engine holds well on gradients and makes a smoother transition from a steep to a flat gradient. Finally, with the exception of the B9 engaging 1st gear from pulling off, the gear changes are hardly physically noticeable and the power delivery is rapid but smooth.

How long do you reckon the Spectras will remain at Ashington?

(13 Mar 2014, 7:04 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]How long do you reckon the Spectras will remain at Ashington?

Not that long I shouldn't think - now 7484 is in service, likelihood is one of them has been taken off (or 7367 has come off).

(13 Mar 2014, 6:11 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]From what I understand, the original plan for Stockton's OmniCitys was for them to be used on the 21a. However, that has now been revised and they are to be used on the 28s and 29s alongside the B10BLEs with B10s also working the 21a.

Think you'll find you are wrong. Omnicities won't be staying at Stockton.

(13 Mar 2014, 7:55 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]Are they as good as the ones which featured a cameo from the bod?

As James Arthur once sang.........................

(13 Mar 2014, 9:04 pm)busman101 wrote [ -> ]As James Arthur once sang.........................

Dunno, what did James Arthur sing?

Just saw 7624 has its WiFi logo on the bus, is Arriva planning to set WiFi on all new buses?

(13 Mar 2014, 9:14 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]Dunno, what did James Arthur sing?

Can he actually sing to begin with ?

(13 Mar 2014, 10:21 pm)bcal3119 wrote [ -> ]Just saw 7624 has its WiFi logo on the bus, is Arriva planning to set WiFi on all new buses?

Think it's a targeted set of routes as I'm told 2842 has it too, strangely! More should be fitted in the next few months...

(11 Mar 2014, 10:07 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Indeed! Also in use are 1737, 1739, 4041, 4044 and 4068! lol
1711 has been withdrawn (again another reserve but was still being used...) with the arrival of 1653.

And 1309!

(12 Mar 2014, 10:09 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]They won't - along with 7436-44 and 4501/2/4-15, they will be up for replacement next year (once the Prestiges and the intended Darts for withdrawal this year, they are next on the 'hit list')

Bet you would have said that about 4051/4 going North.

(12 Mar 2014, 6:42 am)robisdave wrote [ -> ]One has to question whether Redcar will ever manage to meet it's PVR requirement without using so called "withdrawn" vehicles? Even the introduction of the new fleet later this year won't solve the problem, it didn't several years ago when they got the infamous Temsa Avenues!

Well said!

(13 Mar 2014, 5:35 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]It was only a suggestion...
And I forgot the Sapphire vehicles were Streetlites.

Mr Kuyoyo knows everything. (Or does he?....)

(13 Mar 2014, 5:59 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]They won't replace 1101-5 and 7466-81 yet given they only arrived last year. The B10BLEs bound for Stockton should see off the remaining Prestiges not displaced by the Streetlites for the 5/5A. 4652/4/8/9 should be refurbished along with the other batch (and hopefully the OmniCity refurbishment won't end up like the B10BLEs - half fully treated, others merely repainted and some not even touched).

Whereas the Cadets were ALL refurbished and are being got rid of. Typical Arriva forward planning.

(13 Mar 2014, 7:17 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Think you'll find you are wrong. Omnicities won't be staying at Stockton.

WRONG?! He CAN'T be!

(14 Mar 2014, 9:55 am)Roland Pratt wrote [ -> ]Whereas the Cadets were ALL refurbished and are being got rid of. Typical Arriva forward planning.

In fairness they were done 4 years ago and were in need of doing to replace traces of the old vinyls.

Saw a Solo being towed south on the A1 between Chester and Carrville this afternoon.

I was on the Leamside road, so was unable to id it or see if it left the A1 at Durham or carried on.

(13 Mar 2014, 9:14 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote [ -> ]Dunno, what did James Arthur sing?

Impossible - but strung out a bit (James Arthur that is !)

(14 Mar 2014, 9:55 am)Roland Pratt wrote [ -> ]Whereas the Cadets were ALL refurbished and are being got rid of. Typical Arriva forward planning.

This is just speculation. They can be made DDA compliant if they want to, but as they are almost 15 years old and nearly fully depreciated...

The refurbishment will have added significant book value so it's very unlikely that they will go next year.

(14 Mar 2014, 10:26 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote [ -> ]This is just speculation. They can be made DDA compliant if they want to, but as they are almost 15 years old and nearly fully depreciated...

The refurbishment will have added significant book value so it's very unlikely that they will go next year.

As far as I know they've decided the cost outweighs the value that would be gained from converting them to DDA spec and therefore they will have to be replaced next year (deadline for single decks over 7.5t is 1st Jan 2016). Shame because the majority are still decent to drive.

(14 Mar 2014, 10:24 pm)busman101 wrote [ -> ]Impossible - but strung out a bit (James Arthur that is !)

Had images of the Arriva Bod on a torture rack at Doxford Towers, being strung out by the powers that be!

Thank goodness its McArthur stringing things out..

As was mentioned in the Classic thread...
Volvo B7TL Geminis have started to arrive from Thorntons
7484 (LJ51DHP) has been delivered to Ashington depot and entered service on Monday.
7485 (LJ51DJU) has been delivered to Redcar but should move onwards to Ashington shortly, it is due to be used on the X93 for now though.
7494 (LF02PLJ) has been delivered to Redcar but is currently VOR with electrical defects.

Several vehicles are being fitted with wi-fi at present with stickers being added to the windows to advertise this. 2842 is one such vehicle fitted so far.

(15 Mar 2014, 10:35 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]As was mentioned in the Classic thread...
Volvo B7TL Geminis have started to arrive from Thorntons
7484 (LJ51DHP) has been delivered to Ashington depot and entered service on Monday.
7485 (LJ51DJU) has been delivered to Redcar but should move onwards to Ashington shortly, it is due to be used on the X93 for now though.
7494 (LF02PLJ) has been delivered to Redcar but is currently VOR with electrical defects.

Several vehicles are being fitted with wi-fi at present with stickers being added to the windows to advertise this. 2842 is one such vehicle fitted so far.

1209 has Wi-Fi Stickers applied as can be seen below
[attachment=5320]

(16 Mar 2014, 12:01 am)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]1209 has Wi-Fi Stickers applied as can be seen below

1207-9/13/4 have had WiFi since their refurbishment for the X66 back in 2010.

7485 can't be LJ51DJU as that's a Plaxton President Daf SB250

(16 Mar 2014, 12:56 am)Stevoj3026 wrote [ -> ]7485 can't be LJ51DJU as that's a Plaxton President Daf SB250

An open-top one, at that!

See photo below. All rights reserved by Suburban_Guard on Flickr.

Looking forward to the "new" summer operations on service X93 - not! Already the one Gemini (7494) allocated to Redcar is VOR wwith electrical problems!

(16 Mar 2014, 2:34 pm)robisdave wrote [ -> ]Looking forward to the "new" summer operations on service X93 - not! Already the one Gemini (7494) allocated to Redcar is VOR wwith electrical problems!

Considering the summer timetable is still TWO months away...