North East Buses

(20 Sep 2015, 10:41 am)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]As much as I'd like to see this happen, I highly doubt it would. It's possible that we'd maybe get some of these in the North East but I'd highly doubt we'd get all of them, think some would go to other Arriva divisions.

Nothing about us getting them all? Just the possible vehicles that we could get because of contract losses etc. 

As i say, i'm sure i remember Scott saying that the ones we are due will probably be 04 DLPs.

(20 Sep 2015, 10:49 am)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Nothing about us getting them all? Just the possible vehicles that we could get because of contract losses etc. 

As i say, i'm sure i remember Scott saying that the ones we are due will probably be 04 DLPs.

The one at Thorntons at present is a 52 plate VLW - Volvo B7TL Wright Gemini. VLW103 LG52DDK.
It was meant to be joined by VLW102 but I'm not sure whether it has arrived yet.

The ones for Ashington will be of the same batch though probably 03 plates. Yes they will be in MAX for the X20.

As I understand it there will be plenty more cascades out of London over the next few months, and I am sure we will be bidding for some of it. The earlier deckers have mostly been sold off with Rossendale, Nightingale, Rotala etc all taking batches of VLW/DW's.

(20 Sep 2015, 10:49 am)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Nothing about us getting them all? Just the possible vehicles that we could get because of contract losses etc. 

As i say, i'm sure i remember Scott saying that the ones we are due will probably be 04 DLPs.

well i think that will be more sensible because there are 6 DLP stock buses n thorntons

1468 has entered service at Stockton on the 15 today, it's the 0850 from Stockton to Ingleby Barwick.

(20 Sep 2015, 10:35 am)buss14 wrote [ -> ]i thought i would tell you that when i went to london three days ago i had a look at some of the depots and one of the staff had a chat with me and he said that if the north east are getting some of there buses then you are right because arriva london have lost some of their services. he said that these are the possible candidates:
58 reg Volvo b7tl
10 reg volvo b7tl
11 re enviro 400
12 reg enviro 200
07 reg scania omnicidy double dekers
04 DLP stock

Would like to see some Scania Omnideckers!

(21 Sep 2015, 7:48 am)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]1468 has entered service at Stockton on the 15 today, it's the 0850 from Stockton to Ingleby Barwick.

How do you know it wasn't out yesterday?

Currently on the 1627 7 from Durham and even with an Enviro 400 it is pretty short of seats, certainly proves that these E400's were a worth while investment.

1598 now has a map for the 22 and 24 on the rear also advertising a 15 minute frequency instead of the previous 22 line map. Also the rear screen is broken.

Seems like none of Belmont's Pulsars have working rear destination screens.

(21 Sep 2015, 3:55 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]1598 now has a map for the 22 and 24 on the rear also advertising a 15 minute frequency instead of the previous 22 line map. Also the rear screen is broken.

Seems like none of Belmont's Pulsars have working rear destination screens.

That one's been broken for a while - just a few random dots appearing and nothing else, same with the side destination display. The map must have been put on today because we caught that one on Saturday and you could guarantee big'un would have got all excited about it, even if I didn't notice it.

I did kick myself, earlier, because one of the 22s actually had the full number and destination on the back, with the number on the kerb side but I didn't pay attention to which one it was as I was too busy muttering to myself about the rain. Can rule out 1601 as that still has just a number in the middle.

I'm wonding if Arriva are re-thinking keeping the 22 and 24 completely separate, then.

(21 Sep 2015, 4:06 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]That one's been broken for a while - just a few random dots appearing and nothing else, same with the side destination display. The map must have been put on today because we caught that one on Saturday and you could guarantee big'un would have got all excited about it, even if I didn't notice it.

I did kick myself, earlier, because one of the 22s actually had the full number and destination on the back, with the number on the kerb side but I didn't pay attention to which one it was as I was too busy muttering to myself about the rain. Can rule out 1601 as that still has just a number in the middle.

I'm wonding if Arriva are re-thinking keeping the 22 and 24 completely separate, then.

When you think about it what arriva could do is upgrade the 23 to Sapphire and have them scheduled to work on a loop out of Belmont.

So, from mine and big'un's observations, today, it seems that the buses with the new 22/24 maps on the back are 1597, 1598 and 1599. 1596 still had the single map, this morning and I saw either 1600 or 1601 and that still had the old map.

I know it is 12 hours late but a Sapphire X21/X22 with a 14 reg plate broke don in Gosforth

(22 Sep 2015, 7:16 pm)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]I know it is 12 hours late but a Sapphire X21/X22 with a 14 reg plate broke don in Gosforth

Could happen to any bus even down to the slightest electrical fault. I remember being on a 2 month old Volvo B9TL (6105) when the fire warning system started beeping and the green lights on the dashboard around the rev counter started flashing. The driver was told just to continue (or something down them lines as control didn't bother replying back).

i have just been down to ashington depot and i have saw four buses not from this region. i managed to get the regs of the buses:
GN04 UEW
GN04 UEV
GN04 UEC
GN04 UED

if they are not their now they must have gone because this was at 3.30 am as i was on night shift

(23 Sep 2015, 4:46 am)buss14 wrote [ -> ]i have just been down to ashington depot and i have saw four buses not from this region. i managed to get the regs of the buses:
GN04 UEW
GN04 UEV
GN04 UEC
GN04 UED

if they are not their now they must have gone because this was at 3.30 am as i was on night shift

These are from Southern Counties. They're going through a refurbishment program at the moment - presumably at Thorntons

1798 moved under its own power again yesterday, quite admirable as it was one of the scrap heaps longest residents. Engine was removed later in the day, and it's fate awaits.....

Sapphire 24 Pulsar 1521 now has the same 22/24 rear map as the StreetLite's. Perhaps this is one reasons for the Sapphire shortages in the last few days, sure enough a standard liveried Pulsar is on the 6 today.

1790 was on the 35A yesterday. Can someone remind me why there is 3 StreetLites and 3 ALX400s on the running boards? Overcrowding? Busy service?

I paid the child return fare, basically to stand for most of the outward journey, at Pegswood (I got on at Ashington College) I managed to get a flappy seat.

For a very busy service that runs on a 15 minute frequency, they allocate a MPD. This was not at peak time. This was at 11 in the morning on a Tuesday. God knows how it would be like a couple of hours before.

On return, an ALX400, I caught a glimpse of who was on allocations. Yes, Mr Allo Cator. Renowned for allocating rather small vehicles onto busy routes.

Later in the day, I was returning from Asda. The supervisor who I speak to sometimes was there so I made my way across. There was Mr Allo Cator talking about how they should put the 35 on minibus rotas.

I was not very happy with this experience. I was travelling solo. I wouldn't have liked to have been with my mam and a pram.

I will cry if they scrap 1798, it has the worlds best seating!!!!!!!

In other news today I had 4501 on my 52 up to Killingworth from Benton Park Road it is not as good as the refurbished ones, it felt like it was crumbling. The rear light was wonky

(23 Sep 2015, 9:29 am)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Sapphire 24 Pulsar 1521 now has the same 22/24 rear map as the StreetLite's. Perhaps this is one reasons for the Sapphire shortages in the last few days, sure enough a standard liveried Pulsar is on the 6 today.

Yep, I thikn they've finished the streetlites, as apart from 1595 being used, we're back to our usual vehicles on the 22 and all the ones I've seen have the new map, including one of the ones that didn't, yesterday morning.

(23 Sep 2015, 6:20 pm)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]In other news today I had 4501 on my 52 up to Killingworth from Benton Park Road it is not as good as the refurbished ones, it felt like it was crumbling. The rear light was wonky

4501 is a very good bus but that's probably because its a B10BLE one of the best engines.

(23 Sep 2015, 6:28 pm)DanPicken wrote [ -> ]4501 is a very good bus but that's probably because its a B10BLE one of the best engines.

I forgot to mention it was 15 mins late

(23 Sep 2015, 6:28 pm)DanPicken wrote [ -> ]4501 is a very good bus but that's probably because its a B10BLE one of the best engines.

One of the better ones I've driven.
Worst was probably 4512... is that still going at Jesmond?!

As for Tommy, 35's definitely shouldn't be MPD - as you say they end up massively busy. Thankfully its not a daily occurance. If it does happen again then do report it on here...

(23 Sep 2015, 6:31 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]One of the better ones I've driven.
Worst was probably 4512... is that still going at Jesmond?!

As for Tommy, 35's definitely shouldn't be MPD - as you say they end up massively busy. Thankfully its not a daily occurance. If it does happen again then do report it on here...

Believe me that still runs at Jesmond I don't think it is as bad as 4514 though

22/24 rear map on 7539.
[attachment=7187]

(23 Sep 2015, 7:43 pm).Jimmi wrote [ -> ]22/24 rear map on 7539.

That's made big'un smile. He likes that particular bus and was a bit sad when the bridge works were over and the interworking ended.

Leaflets are being handed out on the X66 in Stockton today advertising the new X66/X67.

Quick update from me... 1903 and 1910 both now withdrawn at Stockton.
Scanias should be departing for Darlington soon, to be swapped for Pulsars which should go to refurb ready for X67 starting end October.

Another question regarding the ED1...

Although the service starts/terminates at Blaydon, why does the app only have times for it up until Medomsley?