North East Buses

As we seem to be able to drift off down memory lane quite a lot in the mainstream threads, I figured we could do with a thread relating to people's memories. 

Marcus

Been trying to hunt for some of the timetables from tonight's memories. I'm blown away by how fast this old X3 between Durham and Sunderland was!
https://oldtwbustime.wordpress.com/2011/...and218219/

Was speaking to my grandma the other day, about old bus services. She remembers her one and only visit to the Galleries in Washington... Even though she drove a massive Rover at one point (you wouldn't have thought it looking at her now, sorry grandma), she was a bit uneasy on the Washington area as a whole, so as she was meeting a friend there, she caught a ''bus to Houghton-le-Spring'' then ''something ending in a 4'' to Washington. She overall disliked the experience and ended up getting the same buses back.

Also, her first ever ride on the bus when she was a young girl. After her brother was born, her mam had sent her to the offices in Chester-le-Street to sort out the whole thing. She just remembered being absolutely terrified because she's never used the bus before. She lived in Birtley as a child, so I would guess it was a Northern service.

Services that served Stanley and Consett from 3rd September 2005 (NOT including scholars):

X7: Consett - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Chester-le-Street - Washington - Sunderland
X30/X31: Lanchester - Greencroft (X31) - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Shield Row - Sunnside - Gateshead - Newcastle
43/43A/43B: Stanley - Tantobie - Burnopfield - Sunniside - Whickham - Metrocentre (43/43A) - Gateshead (43B) - Newcastle 43B Sunday Only
44/44A/44B: Stanley - Annfield Plain - Burnopfield (44) - Whickham - Metrocentre - Newcastle
45/46/46A: Consett - Genesis Way (45) - Blackhill (45/46) - Shotley Bridge - Medomsley (46A) - Rowlands Gill - Metrocentre - Newcastle
73: Stanley - South Stanley - Craghead - Pelton Fell - Chester-le-Street
700: Stanley - Annfield Plain - Flint Hill - Dipton
704: Stanley - South Stanley (Hollyhill Gardens) - Stanley interworked with services 718/720
709/728: Stanley - East Stanley (709) - Beamish (709) - South Moor (728) - Grange Villa (728) - Ouston - Birtley - Gateshead - Newcastle
710/711: Stanley - South Stanley (710) - South Moor (711) - Quaking Houses
712: Stanley - Annfield Plain - Maiden Law - Burnhope
714/715: Stanley - Tantobie - Hobson (715) - Lintz Estate (714) - Burnopfield - Rowlands Gill
718/719/720: Shotley Bridge (719) - Consett (718/719) - Leadgate (718/719) - Annfield Plain (718/719) - Stanley - South Stanley (719) - South Moor (718) - Beamish (720) - Sacriston - Durham 718 extended to Consett evening to Sundays only. Interworked with services 704/720
729: Stanley - South Moor - South Stanley - Craghead - Grange Villa - Pelton - Chester-le-Street
743: Consett - Bridgehill
745/746: Consett - Delves Lane - Consett 
747: Consett - The Grove - Moorside - Castleside
750: Consett - Crookhall
756: Consett - Leadgate - Medomsley - The Dene
758/759: Consett - Bridgehill (758) - Blackhill (759) - Shotley Bridge - Blackhall Mill - Chopwell
765/766: Shotley Bridge (765) - Castleside (766) - Consett - Leadgate (765) - Delves Lane (766) - Lanchester - Witton Gilbert - Durham
770/772: Consett - Burnopfield - Sunniside - Whickham (772) - Lobley Hill - Gateshead - Newcastle
775/778: Consett - Leadgate - Catchgate (778) - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Beamish - Pelton - Chester-le-Street - Shiney Row - Sunderland
794: Stanley - Tantobie - Burnopfield - Sunniside - Whickham - Lobley Hill - Longbenton DSS Monday to Friday only
818: Stanley - South Stanley - Craghead - Edmondsley - Sacriston - Durham
933: Rowlands Gill - Burnopfield - Sunniside - Lobley Hill - Team Valley
934: Consett - Leadgate - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Sunniside - Lobley Hill - Team Valley

Apologies if i have missed any services out. Tried to combine as many as i could.

The list here looks to be 5 years old, or so.
http://www.thefullwiki.org/List_of_bus_r...e_and_Wear

I started writing but I think I'm going a bit over the top with the amount of information I've written (so far!) so I'll work on this and get back to this thread later.

(04 Aug 2015, 11:02 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Services that served Stanley and Consett from 3rd September 2005 (NOT including scholars):

X7: Consett - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Chester-le-Street - Washington - Sunderland
X30/X31: Lanchester - Greencroft (X31) - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Shield Row - Sunnside - Gateshead - Newcastle
43/43A/43B: Stanley - Tantobie - Burnopfield - Sunniside - Whickham - Metrocentre (43/43A) - Gateshead (43B) - Newcastle 43B Sunday Only
44/44A/44B: Stanley - Annfield Plain - Burnopfield (44) - Whickham - Metrocentre - Newcastle
45/46/46A: Consett - Genesis Way (45) - Blackhill (45/46) - Shotley Bridge - Medomsley (46A) - Rowlands Gill - Metrocentre - Newcastle
73: Stanley - South Stanley - Craghead - Pelton Fell - Chester-le-Street
700: Stanley - Annfield Plain - Flint Hill - Dipton
704: Stanley - South Stanley (Hollyhill Gardens) - Stanley interworked with services 718/720
709/728: Stanley - East Stanley (709) - Beamish (709) - South Moor (728) - Grange Villa (728) - Ouston - Birtley - Gateshead - Newcastle
710/711: Stanley - South Stanley (710) - South Moor (711) - Quaking Houses
712: Stanley - Annfield Plain - Maiden Law - Burnhope
714/715: Stanley - Tantobie - Hobson (715) - Lintz Estate (714) - Burnopfield - Rowlands Gill
718/719/720: Shotley Bridge (719) - Consett (718/719) - Leadgate (718/719) - Annfield Plain (718/719) - Stanley - South Stanley (719) - South Moor (718) - Beamish (720) - Sacriston - Durham 718 extended to Consett evening to Sundays only. Interworked with services 704/720
729: Stanley - South Moor - South Stanley - Craghead - Grange Villa - Pelton - Chester-le-Street
743: Consett - Bridgehill
745/746: Consett - Delves Lane - Consett 
747: Consett - The Grove - Moorside - Castleside
750: Consett - Crookhall
756: Consett - Leadgate - Medomsley - The Dene
758/759: Consett - Bridgehill (758) - Blackhill (759) - Shotley Bridge - Blackhall Mill - Chopwell
765/766: Shotley Bridge (765) - Castleside (766) - Consett - Leadgate (765) - Delves Lane (766) - Lanchester - Witton Gilbert - Durham
770/772: Consett - Burnopfield - Sunniside - Whickham (772) - Lobley Hill - Gateshead - Newcastle
775/778: Consett - Leadgate - Catchgate (778) - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Beamish - Pelton - Chester-le-Street - Shiney Row - Sunderland
794: Stanley - Tantobie - Burnopfield - Sunniside - Whickham - Lobley Hill - Longbenton DSS Monday to Friday only
818: Stanley - South Stanley - Craghead - Edmondsley - Sacriston - Durham
933: Rowlands Gill - Burnopfield - Sunniside - Lobley Hill - Team Valley
934: Consett - Leadgate - Annfield Plain - Stanley - Sunniside - Lobley Hill - Team Valley

Apologies if i have missed any services out. Tried to combine as many as i could.

It did make a lot more sense when bus numbers told you something about where the buses served eg 7xx for a lot of Co Durham. The current trend for the shortest numbers possible is potentially confusing, particularly with multiple operators. For example, ther's three 58 buses that I can think of in the Northeast. Fine for locals, but rubbish for anyone travelling through the whole region by public transport.

The 729 was operated by Classic Buses at one point (certainly was before 2000 for sure) as was the 21. Service 711 was operated by Stanley Buses using a Volvo B10M Dennis Lance(?) - i know it had a Dennis Lance body. Judt unsure of the Volvo B10M bit. Buzzfare tickets were also valid on the service.

This is the Stanley Buses vehicle i was referring to: https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=stanley+buses+711

Didn't actually realise it was ex-GNE and now i am almost sure that it is a Volvo B10M but if somebody could confirm it that would be great.

(04 Aug 2015, 11:14 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]This is the Stanley Buses vehicle i was referring to: https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=stanley+buses+711

Didn't actually realise it was ex-GNE and now i am almost sure that it is a Volvo B10M but if somebody could confirm it that would be great.

It's a Dennis Lance with Plaxton Verde body (same body as "celebrity" 21037 at Stagecoach - though that's on a Volvo B10B)

(04 Aug 2015, 11:31 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]It's a Dennis Lance with Plaxton Verde body (same body as "celebrity" 21037 at Stagecoach - though that's on a Volvo B10B)

Ah right. Should have known that - First Huddersfield used to have loads of the things.  I knew Dennis Lance came in somewhere though.

Thanks for confirming!

Right, I'll give my memories of routes and what the routes were allocated.

4/4A Bishop Auckland - Newton Aycliffe (Woodham)
Can't remember the whole of this route but it observed a rather strange route through Newton Aycliffe. This service got new Darts in 1998? and we're route branded although the branding later disappeared and later the service ended up becoming a mixed bag of everything and anything including: Darts, Prestige's, Optare Deltas, Optare Vectras and Leyland Lynx's. This service was replaced by the 5/5A in the Viva Durham changes in autumn 2006?

7/7A/713/722)723 Darlington - Durham - Newcastle (722/723 only)
Service operated as the 722/723 between Darlington and Newcastle for many years and was joint operated by Arriva North East and Go North East. At some point the 723 was split at Durham with Arriva operating the Darlington - Durham section and Go North East operating the 723 between Durham and Newcastle. As part of the Viva Durham changes the 713 was introduced to increase the amount of buses between Darlington and Durham from half hourly to every 15 minutes combined and it was also extended to Durham Arnison Centre. It was later renumbered as 7/7A. Changes in 2011 which saw the 7 cut to terminate at Framwellgate Moor and the 7A extended to Brasside, the low bridge at Brasside pretty much banished double deckers on this service for a while. In October 2012 the 7A was withdrawn and the 7 was incresed to every 15 minutes and was cut again to terminate at Durham Bus Station although two peak time journeys continued to Framwellgate Moor on a morning and two return journeys in the evening. This route has gotten much longer over the years and yet shorter at the same time!

8/8A/15/15B Darlington - Spennymoor
My first memories was when it was originally the 15/15B with the 15 terminating at Greenaways Estate in Spennymoor although this was binned when it was renumbered as the 8. The 15 was another service which got Darts in 1998 with route branding but again lost them and became a mixed bag of allocations with absolutely anything turning up although when it was the 15 I mainly remember the Optare Metroriders which I actually quite liked. In the Darlington shake up the 15 became the 8 and the end of the Metroriders with the step entrance ex Stagecoach Darlington Darts taking over as the regular allocation. In April 2011 the 8 was cut down to hourly and a 8A was introduced which ran from Darlington - Ferryhill (not serving Spennymoor) and would continue through from Ferryhill to Hartlepool as the 33 which lasted until October 2012 when Durham County Council retendered many of the contracts and the 8 basically became the 8A route so no longer did a tour of Newton Aycliffe and continued to Spennymoor via Ferryhill and Kirk Merrington as it does now.

13 Darlington - Newton Aycliffe - Bowburn - Durham
This basically followed much of the current 56 route between Durham Bus Station and Ferryhill and Bowburn Estate. I got this service once and never again, the time I got it a step entrance Dart was allocated. There was an evening and Sunday variation 13B which ran a slightly different route through Newton Aycliffe.

16 Newton Aycliffe - Darlington
This service had a few different routes at one it ran as a circular service through Newton Aycliffe. It used to run Newton Aycliffe - Mowden via School Aycliffe, Heighington (West Park was added later) then it would head past the Memorial Hospital to Darlington Town Centre then would head to Mowden. A few slight route changes occurred but it was completely revised in July 2008 where it no longer went even near the Memorial Hospital and now ran via Cockerton, Mowden and Hummersknott Avenue to Darlington Town Centre. Under Arriva operation this service was mostly Optare Metroriders until July 2008 when it became MPD operated. In May 2009 Scarlet Band took over operation of this service, to begin with it was loaned buses (can't remember what you called them but it's the ones GNE loaned when they took over the Quaylink services) MPD's often appeared to and one occasion a Mercedes Viaro turned up. The 55 reg Solos took over when Arriva took the Durham Park and Ride with a few older Solos appearing from January 2012 when Scarlet Band took on services in Teesdale. At the end of 2012 Darlington Borough Council withdrew the subsidy and the service only retained the Mowden - Darlington Town Centre section also serving North Road and Harrowgate Hill.

17A/17C Darlington - Aycliffe (Circulars)
Never actually rode this service as it didn't operate in my part of the town and also because it was operated by Green Bus. This was a circular service that via everywhere it seemed including Heighington and Aycliffe Village. Green Bus collapsed after not very long and Arriva briefly operated the services but swiftly withdrew them.

21/31/213 Darlington - Sunderland
213 ran from Darlington - Sunderland although it followed a longer route than the current 21/X21 but was timetabled to take roughly the same length of time. It went via Wheatley Hill and Woodham but Woodham was later swapped with Central Avenue when the 13 was withdrawn with service 723 running via Woodham in its place. In 2008 service changes saw it become the 21 then shortly afterwards it was split at Peterlee as the 31 between Peterlee and Sunderland. In October 2012 the 31 was withdrawn and the 21 was changed to run via Wingate instead of Wheatley Hill. The reliability in 213 days was horrendous, on one trip we ended up arriving in Sunderland really late after someone still drunk from the night before fell off the sideways seat on a Dart. Then on the journey home the bus was dumped just outside Peterlee Bus Station and we must have been left there at least half an hour possibly longer!

75/76/77 Horndale - Barnard Castle / Hurworth
Yes the 75/76 used to run to Newton Aycliffe! Both were hourly between Newton Aycliffe Horndale and Barnard Castle (combined half hourly). At some point though the 76 was replaced with the 77 to Hurworth and I think the 76 became Barnard Castle - Teesside Airport. It later switched back to the 75/76 to Newton Aycliffe. These services were curtailed at Darlington Town Centre as part of the Viva Durham changes.

91/92 Darlington - Bishop Auckland
Vague memories of this one as it didn't run round my part of the town. Another one I think that started with Darts and became a mix of different single deckers like the 4/4A.

116 Newton Aycliffe Town Service
Started as a commercial service after the 16 stopped serving Newton Aycliffe after the withdrawal of Darlington bus subsidys. This was operated by Central Coaches using some horrid Renault thing. It was withdrawn at the start of 2013 but Durham County Council saved it and gave the contract to JSB Travel who often missed out my part of town on this service.

X25 Darlington - MetroCentre - Newcastle
Saturday only shopper bus operated by Scarlet Band after the X90 was withdrawn. Never rode this and sadly it didn't last very long.

X61 Durham - Aycliffe - Darlington - Middlesbrough - Whitby - Scarborough
Express service that ran in the summer. This long route allowed for good Olympian bashing over the years although sadly Lowlander's later took over operating this route although Volvo Olympian 7367 became the regular bus for the 2011 season with Lowlander's continuing to be used as well. I used this service four times with Lowlander's 7441/7444 and two rides on 7367. On my first trip to Scarborough we had someone drinking a 2l bottle of Diet Coke with vodka in which he split some of and made the bus stink. Sadly this service bowed out on Easter Monday 2012 with Volvo Olympian 7367 doing the honours, on the return journey the driver filled the Metro tray with some sweets and a handwritten message saying something like "Thanks for using service X61 1992-2012"

X90 Darlington - Aycliffe - MetroCentre
Express service operated by Stagecoach Darlington normally using coaches although double deckers sometimes made appearances, on one of those occasions one was de-roofed at a low bridge (think it was at Metal Bridge?).


Thanks for reading, this took an absolute age to type so I hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane and I have a few stories from more recently if anyone is interested in seeing another time.

I will do a full post later when I get a chance but used all the express between Gallaries and Sunderland in the past in 2002. My girlfriend at the time lived in Concord. I was made the mistake of getting on the 186. Only done it the once. Once done the whole 638 route! Also remember the 187/188 to Concord and the evening 638 service. Used to catch that to Prestbury Road and catch SC 20 to my house from there. Unfortunately I remember the X85 on the evening was usually a few minutes late and unfortunately means I missed THE SC 20.

http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...hp?tid=455

I was going to post memories, but had a recollection the thread had already been done.

(05 Aug 2015, 10:31 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...hp?tid=455

I was going to post memories, but had a recollection the thread had already been done.

Not surprised I didn't see it if it was created over two years ago.

Other old services include:

MC1: Lanchester - Burnhope - Quaking Houses - South Moor - Stanley - Annfield Plain - Flint Hill - Burnopfield - Fellside Road - Metrocentre - Newcastle
MC2: East Stanley - Stanley - Shield Row - Tanfield Village (Sleepy Valley) - Fellside Road - Metrocentre - Newcastle

The Stanley - East Stanley circular section of the MC2 replaced the 702 which was originally operated by GNE using Metroriders before being passed to Stanley Buses who used Mercedes Varios. The MC1 used several branded Solos, some of which passed to Go North East when they took over the services. 

After the GNE takeover, the services did continue to Newcastle but as of 25th May 2008, the services no longer served Newcastle and instead terminated at Metrocentre. The MC1 was later withdrawn with the X30 being extended from Stanley back to Lanchester via South Moor and Burnhope (only difference being it doesn't go into Quaking Houses turning circle) while the Fellside Road section was replaced by the X43. The MC2 was replaced by the 143 which operated via Dunston Bank, Whickham, Broom Lane, Sunniside, Sleepy Valley, Shield Row and Stanley before continuing to do the East Stanley circular.

The 143 was then later curtailed to run from Crookgate to East Stanley only and was one of the only services marketed as 'Yellow Bus' (it was in the Diamond timetable anyway) as it used Olympians based at Stanley (interworked with scholars 828 to Stanley? possibly the East Stanley service). A while later the service was withdrawn completely and the Tanfield Village section was replaced by the X43 which was rerouted to serve Tanfield Village. The East Stanley circular was replaced by the 131 as it is today.

From 25th May 2008 - the 704 was shortened to how it currently is (Stanley - Avon Road - Stanley) and was renumbered MC4 - again using Venture branded Solo's. It was later renumbered 704 again when the other 'MC' numbers were dropped but the route didn't change and still remains like that today.

The services operated under the Venture brand using the Solo's before inheriting some of the older MPDs such as the V--- ERG's (included some 52 reg MPDs from Washington i think).

(05 Aug 2015, 10:56 am)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Other old services include:

MC1: Lanchester - Burnhope - Quaking Houses - South Moor - Stanley - Annfield Plain - Flint Hill - Burnopfield - Fellside Road - Metrocentre - Newcastle
MC2: East Stanley - Stanley - Shield Row - Tanfield Village (Sleepy Valley) - Fellside Road - Metrocentre - Newcastle

The Stanley - East Stanley circular section of the MC2 replaced the 702 which was originally operated by GNE using Metroriders before being passed to Stanley Buses who used Mercedes Varios. The MC1 used several branded Solos, some of which passed to Go North East when they took over the services. 

After the GNE takeover, the services did continue to Newcastle but as of 25th May 2008, the services no longer served Newcastle and instead terminated at Metrocentre. The MC1 was later withdrawn with the X30 being extended from Stanley back to Lanchester via South Moor and Burnhope (only difference being it doesn't go into Quaking Houses turning circle) while the Fellside Road section was replaced by the X43. The MC2 was replaced by the 143 which operated via Dunston Bank, Whickham, Broom Lane, Sunniside, Sleepy Valley, Shield Row and Stanley before continuing to do the East Stanley circular.

The 143 was then later curtailed to run from Crookgate to East Stanley only and was one of the only services marketed as 'Yellow Bus' (it was in the Diamond timetable anyway) as it used Olympians based at Stanley (interworked with scholars 828 to Stanley? possibly the East Stanley service). A while later the service was withdrawn completely and the Tanfield Village section was replaced by the X43 which was rerouted to serve Tanfield Village. The East Stanley circular was replaced by the 131 as it is today.

From 25th May 2008 - the 704 was shortened to how it currently is (Stanley - Avon Road - Stanley) and was renumbered MC4 - again using Venture branded Solo's. It was later renumbered 704 again when the other 'MC' numbers were dropped but the route didn't change and still remains like that today.

The services operated under the Venture brand using the Solo's before inheriting some of the older MPDs such as the V--- ERG's (included some 52 reg MPDs from Washington i think).

Don't forget about the FQ1 (Flippin' Quick 1).

Only two runs a day (I think). A morning peak-time journey into Newcastle and a late-night return to Oxhill. 

I know the FQ1 back to the depot used to run off the 16 service between Newcastle and Four Lane Ends. I think the FQ1 into Newcastle used to change to the 106 between Newcastle and Walker.

(05 Aug 2015, 10:56 am)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Other old services include:

MC1: Lanchester - Burnhope - Quaking Houses - South Moor - Stanley - Annfield Plain - Flint Hill - Burnopfield - Fellside Road - Metrocentre - Newcastle
MC2: East Stanley - Stanley - Shield Row - Tanfield Village (Sleepy Valley) - Fellside Road - Metrocentre - Newcastle

The Stanley - East Stanley circular section of the MC2 replaced the 702 which was originally operated by GNE using Metroriders before being passed to Stanley Buses who used Mercedes Varios. The MC1 used several branded Solos, some of which passed to Go North East when they took over the services. 

After the GNE takeover, the services did continue to Newcastle but as of 25th May 2008, the services no longer served Newcastle and instead terminated at Metrocentre. The MC1 was later withdrawn with the X30 being extended from Stanley back to Lanchester via South Moor and Burnhope (only difference being it doesn't go into Quaking Houses turning circle) while the Fellside Road section was replaced by the X43. The MC2 was replaced by the 143 which operated via Dunston Bank, Whickham, Broom Lane, Sunniside, Sleepy Valley, Shield Row and Stanley before continuing to do the East Stanley circular.

The 143 was then later curtailed to run from Crookgate to East Stanley only and was one of the only services marketed as 'Yellow Bus' (it was in the Diamond timetable anyway) as it used Olympians based at Stanley (interworked with scholars 828 to Stanley? possibly the East Stanley service). A while later the service was withdrawn completely and the Tanfield Village section was replaced by the X43 which was rerouted to serve Tanfield Village. The East Stanley circular was replaced by the 131 as it is today.

From 25th May 2008 - the 704 was shortened to how it currently is (Stanley - Avon Road - Stanley) and was renumbered MC4 - again using Venture branded Solo's. It was later renumbered 704 again when the other 'MC' numbers were dropped but the route didn't change and still remains like that today.

The services operated under the Venture brand using the Solo's before inheriting some of the older MPDs such as the V--- ERG's (included some 52 reg MPDs from Washington i think).

GNE had a service around East Stanley prior to the MC2.
I think it was a circular service between Stanley and Acton Dene, but may have interworked or ran onto another part of Stanley

(05 Aug 2015, 11:12 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]GNE had a service around East Stanley prior to the MC2.
I think it was a circular service between Stanley and Acton Dene, but may have interworked or ran onto another part of Stanley

Yes, it was the 702 but it passed to Stanley Buses as the circular only before being merged with the MC2. It mya have interworked with the 714/715 im not sure.

(05 Aug 2015, 11:16 am)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Yes, it was the 702 but it passed to Stanley Buses as the circular only before being merged with the MC2. It mya have interworked with the 714/715 im not sure.

The 712 used to interwork with the 715 on a Sunday when Stanley Taxis operated the service.

(05 Aug 2015, 11:22 am)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]The 712 used to interwork with the 715 on a Sunday when Stanley Taxis operated the service.

Ah right. To be honest, i wasn't too big on buses myself back then and certainly didn't pay attention to interworking patterns. I'm surprised i remember so much. I do have a few old running boards (one of which includes 3 early 712 journeys) which i would be quite happy to upload if anybody wants a look.

(05 Aug 2015, 11:00 am)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]Don't forget about the FQ1 (Flippin' Quick 1).

Only two runs a day (I think). A morning peak-time journey into Newcastle and a late-night return to Oxhill. 

I know the FQ1 back to the depot used to run off the 16 service between Newcastle and Four Lane Ends. I think the FQ1 into Newcastle used to change to the 106 between Newcastle and Walker.

Just found a sheet about this service. Includes the routes and the Concessionary scheme etc and also which Buzzfare zones the places were in. Got quite a few of these for various routes and i also have fare stages.

The other day, when I visited my grandma, she said she had stumbled across an old photograph/postcard featuring a bus. Upon further inspection, it is a Bristol VR sporting the livery for 1110 years of Chester-le-Street in 1983 (883 - 1983). It's destination blind is set as ''883'' and I have to say I think the livery is quite smart. The bus in question is 3342 (UTO 833S). My grandma said she could remember it going around during the celebrations at the time. I've taken a photograph of the photograph/postcard and it is attached.

On the back it reads: NORTHERN, a NATIONAL bus company, then the NBC logo. A religious cross thing with the words ''to commemorate 1110 years of Chester-le-Street'' followed by a description of the celebrations. A description of the vehicle in question is ''Northern General fleet No. 3342 Bristol V.R.T - E.C.W bodywork''. Finally at the bottom, it reads ''Specifically designed and printed as Northern's contribution to Chester-le-Street 1110 celebrations''.

(07 Aug 2015, 12:04 pm)R852 PRG wrote [ -> ]The other day, when I visited my grandma, she said she had stumbled across an old photograph/postcard featuring a bus. Upon further inspection, it is a Bristol VR sporting the livery for 1110 years of Chester-le-Street in 1983 (883 - 1983). It's destination blind is set as ''883'' and I have to say I think the livery is quite smart. The bus in question is 3342 (UTO 833S). My grandma said she could remember it going around during the celebrations at the time. I've taken a photograph of the photograph/postcard and it is attached.

On the back it reads: NORTHERN, a NATIONAL bus company, then the NBC logo. A religious cross thing with the words ''to commemorate 1110 years of Chester-le-Street'' followed by a description of the celebrations. A description of the vehicle in question is ''Northern General fleet No. 3342 Bristol V.R.T - E.C.W bodywork''. Finally at the bottom, it reads ''Specifically designed and printed as Northern's contribution to Chester-le-Street 1110 celebrations''.

The photo was taken somewhere in T&W. Note the PTE colours on the flag.

(07 Aug 2015, 1:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]The photo was taken somewhere in T&W. Note the PTE colours on the flag.

The fencing in the background looks like those of a cemetery or a church. Don't know which one.

I think it's Saltwell Road South. At the bottom of Saltwell Park.

https://www.google.com.br/maps/place/Sal...9d2f058aae

(07 Aug 2015, 2:07 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]I think it's Saltwell Road South. At the bottom of Saltwell Park.

https://www.google.com.br/maps/place/Sal...9d2f058aae

I'd thought it was possibly around Saltwell Park.

(07 Aug 2015, 2:14 pm)R852 PRG wrote [ -> ]I'd thought it was possibly around Saltwell Park.

The bus stop and/or lamp posts have been moved, but the railings and the stonework look the same as does the slight incline of hill. Play around the angles in Google Streetview and you'll more or less be able to reproduce the shot.

(07 Aug 2015, 2:07 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]I think it's Saltwell Road South. At the bottom of Saltwell Park.

https://www.google.com.br/maps/place/Sal...9d2f058aae

It certainly looks like it - but the number of services on the flag threw me.
Have you got a timetable from 83, to see what went along Saltwell Road?

(07 Aug 2015, 3:07 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]It certainly looks like it - but the number of services on the flag threw me.
Have you got a timetable from 83, to see what went along Saltwell Road?

Sure do.

29 - Gateshead - Kibblesworth
92 - Gateshead - Queen Elizabeth Hospital
638 - Ryton - Sunderland
639 - Winlaton - Ellen Wilkinson Estate

Also a couple of Works Services probably stopped there on their way to the Valley.

I couldn't really make out the services on the flag.