(31 May 2016, 12:28 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Think I may have jumped to an option slightly too soon, it's actually not too bad really apart from the noise from the back when stationary, some of the roads on this route are shocking. Still on it as it's 20 odd minutes late so I have not got off in Knaresborough like originally planned and instead staying on until Harrogate. Now arriving in Harrogate.
I agree on the roads, most are only country lanes too.
It was 10 late leaving York so it's picked up more delays along the way.
I'm about 10 minutes from Harrogate bus station.
(31 May 2016, 6:56 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote [ -> ]First ever photo on Flickr of Transdev's New Little Explorers was uploaded by me today! Quite Privileged in a way.
Here it is in the small village of Aldbourgh https://www.flickr.com/photos/140662069@...ed-public/
Also met up with Matthew today ( NEBs Jimmi ) in Harrogate later on and we spent about a hour and a half before I headed off to Leeds.
So look out for his photos too of them 
Might write a review later if I can be bothered.
Surprised at the lack of photos and such of them so far, considering a few seemed pretty intrested before today. It's bad when someone from a different region is the first to get a photo online, think I was the first to get a Palladium standard Blackpool Transport Volvo B7RLE/Plaxton Centro in service on Flickr.
Was good to see you again today, kept me amused for some of my long outing today, finally heading home on the 5A now.
A selection of photos will be on my Flickr tonight (providing it isn't broken again!), with some luck there will be some online between around 21:30 and 22:00.
Anyone have any experience of the 5:07 97 starting Sunniside...?
Sounds like a funny joke, I know, but I feel like I should attempt it soon.
(31 May 2016, 8:22 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote [ -> ]Nice to meet you again too
I was expecting a lot of enthusiasts ( especially from Yorkshire ) to turn up but it was only us two!
It certainly seemed like it was just us, I didn't see anyone else besides you either. Was also underwhelmed when the 36 was upgraded earlier in the year, only saw two or three that day and one of them was a friend tagging along with me for the whole day, admittedly the 36 was upgraded on the Sunday and I made a trip the following day.
Does seem to be a lacking of photos of it so far, it was left for me to be the first to post it in a Transdev Enthusiast's Group (although I did see some photos of photos on a camera). Have had notifications from Facebook and Flickr pretty much non-stop within the last half hour. Here is my Little Explorers photo:
https://flic.kr/p/HyVCwU There is some more photos from today on my Flickr.
Today was quite short of an outing.
10 : 14 35 5307 Wheatsheaf sunderland depot to Boldon Asda.
This journey was alright the journey sailed by quite fast with a few kickdowns after diwnhill.
11 :03 x34 19641 Boldon Asda to Newcastle Pilgrim street.
This is my favourite e400 as it gets to good speeds ,and today it done just that with a few mental kickdowns.
12 : 00 12 19209 Monuement to Byker Morrisons
I missed 22011 on the 12 which was most disappointing but awaited the next bus which was another 12 in the form of 19209 i enjoyed several minutes upon this bus.
12 :10 32 35194 Byker shops to newcastle market street.
I was pleased 35194 was next as i haven't been on a 351 series dart for a while so glad to catch up with it.
12 : 15 1 6010 Newcastle pilgrim street to Gateshead interchange.
I was pleased this turned up as its one of the better examples, this was just a short journey.
12 :50 49A 5281 Gateshead interchange to metrocentre.
I planned to get a 49 to metrocentre so was glad a citaro was allocated, the driver gave several kickdowns to this beast.
13:20 x66 5394 metrocentre to Gateshead interchange
This was my ride back a very nice ride with only 7 passengers aboard,we also left metrocentre the way the 100 does.
13 :40 metro 4026 Gateshead to seaburn
Just a normal metro journey that slipped by pretty quickly,did enjoy this more than the usual carriages i venture on (4086,89).
A good day in all i hopefully try something simmilar on another outing.
Thanks for reading
And our journeys out today were nowt to write home about. A couple of shuffles back and forth on the 22, one to Peterlee (needs must) and one a lot more local.
The two highlights of the day
1. Ending up ahead of time and having to stop for a while on 1519 because that bus don't half shift.
2. While waiting for a bus which turned out to be rather late (though since the update, the app has been terrible for tracking and didn't think to inform us it would be 10 minutes late until we'd already left the house, 5 minutes before we thought it was due) noticing loads of snails on the back of the plexiglass windows of the bus shelter - it's one that butts up to a hedge, so makes a nice hideyhole for them. The boys were fascinated by their feet!
Incidentally, yesterday, we all went out as a family and left the car at home. Big'un subjected husband to a tame version of a "scenic route" home - via Stanley on the 6 and 16, then taking the unusually late running 59 instead of waiting for a 22. H was less than impressed with the Omnidekka, but only bothered by the hard seating on the Merc. He found the Solo hot and really needed the loo, by then! I think he'd rather eat his own eyeballs with a blunt knife and fork than do it all again.
Trip: 1/6/16
Time Taken: 4:40 -> 23:30 (18 hours 50 minutes [Door-To-Door])
97 Sunniside - 05:20 -> Newcastle
Got up at 4:40 AM to hike up to Sunniside Front Street to get the first bus of the day. There were a few people on it, obviously all workers. After a 25 minute ride, I got off at Market Street and continued on to Haymarket by foot. Town was dead at this stage, could even hear a pin drop.
309 Haymarket - 06:15 -> North Tyneside Hospital
This was perhaps the most boring of all rides today. It was extremely dull, not helped by the sea fog. Many people took this to Cobalt/Silverlink. I decided that Blyth wasn't on my TO-DO list today, so alighted at North Tyneside Hospital.
17 North Tyneside Hospital - 07:44 -> North Sheilds
I rushed to get on this service since I've not yet had the great pleasure of taking a Dual Door Renown. It was a few minutes later, so I talked to the Driver. He showed me how the steering wheel was disintegrating in his hands, staining them black only after 15 minutes of driving it. He told me they were soon to be gone. The bus sounded ill as it was pulling itself throughout the housing estates. I alighted at North Sheilds Metro.
METRO - North Sheilds Metro - 07:24 -> Whitely Bay
1 - Whitley Bay - 07:38 -> North Sheilds
INTERLUDE
Photography:
Whilst waiting for the 9, after killing some time on the Metro/1, I decided to take a few pictures. Here's the best one I took in my opinion.
9 North Sheilds Metro - 9:07 -> Whitley Bay
This is always one of my favourite trips given the unique trip through the Tyne Tunnel. This bus shifted, nobody alighted.
INTERLUDE
[b][u]Photography + Lunch:[/u][/b]
Took myself to eating some Greggs and having 10 minutes to capture some buses.
I really don't like the livery for these B9s, too obnoxious. However, I feel for the first time I have mastered a B9 turning in without clipping off the roof in my shot. Pretty proud.
20 Sunderland Interchange - 9:02 -> Durham Bus Station
The Streetlite was quiet enough to allow me to sleep. No recollection of anything on this trip.
INTERLUDE
Photography:
I stopped for 15 minutes in Durham to picture a few buses turning in. I tried picturing as they left, but I couldn't find a decent spot.
15 Durham Bus Station - 10:30 -> Consett Bus Station
Quite a quick trip, given the temporary lighting all over the 691. The bus was a bit sluggish up the hills, but not as sluggish as some of the Stanley based B7/Presidents!
INTERLUDE
Photography:
I managed to capture quite a collection of Stanley's buses in this time. I had almost 40 minutes spare and found two nice spots to snap some buses leaving and entering. Here are a few:
78 Consett Bus Station - 13:00 -> Stanley
Bus: 5402
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamiepic/27373099826
Standard trip.
INTERLUDE
Photography:
I decided to try and catch some pictures of buses at Stanley, but I ran out of time. Here are one or two of my favourites from this interlude.
8 Stanley Bus Station - 13:40 -> Chester-le-Street
I decided to head over to Chester-le-Street as I needed to charge my phone. Everything was smooth, except for those gear changes when accelerating. Swiftly arrived in Chester-le-Street 30 minutes later.
INTERLUDE
Photography:
I've had very little time to take any pictures in CLS in past times, so now seemed a good time to fix this. I took a picture of 6038 replacing 8303 and the JCN eclipse MK1 on the 21:
X21 Chester-le-Street - 14:27 -> Newcastle
Only took 30 minutes on the return, flew down the A1(M), overtaking a 50 Omnicity whilst at it.
METRO Monument - 15:03 -> Park Lane
Fell asleep for most of this, but can't imagine it was at all interesting on the trip.
INTERLUDE
Photography:
Found myself back at Park Lane with 30 minutes this time. I loitered, whilst capturing a few more buses. Here are a selection:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamiepic/26797728573 - NK11FXB on 2A
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jamiepic/27308977892 - NK53TKE on 238
9 Sunderland Interchange - 16:03 -> Jarrow [WITH VIDEO]
This was quite a comical trip, I recorded inside the Washing-Machine-esque machine as it reached 50MPH. I felt the bus was just going to snap.
27 Jarrow - 16:50 -> Gateshead Interchange
Quite a brisk trip towards Gateshead - hardly any people about. Nout to say about this one.
X71 - Gateshead Interchange - 17:17
I prefer Stanley's President Tridents, but this'n is decent enough. It gets shifting and doesn't smell awful. Enjoyed a smooth ride to near my house.
INTERLUDE
Dinner:
I made myself dinner, even though I was up at 4:40 AM \o/
X70 Sunniside - 17:11 -> Gateshead Interchange
Walked all the way to past Sunniside to be greeted with the sound of 3889 - A president/trident. One of the best ones also, but I still liked 3888 the most. The objective was to get a snap of the sunset over at West Rainton.
METRO - 19:40(ish) - Gateshead Interchange -> Park Lane
I didn't fall asleep this time, although I would have had a more interesting journey if I had. Bleak evening horizon over East Boldon.
20 Sunderland Interchange - 20:05 -> West Rainton
This was extremely busy with people coming from Doxford International.
20 West Rainton - 20:51 -> Sunderland Interchange
The shoot was unsuccessful on two counts:
1) I missed the sunset - There was blue sky also!
2) I'd not accounted for the time it takes to move away from the housing part of W.R.
Brisk journey back. I think the driver wanted to be home quicker!
METRO Sunderland Interchange - 21:33 -> Monument
A total of 3 people on the whole metro train. Only way back to Monument, avoiding the 56 - which my friends tell me is one to avoid on any evening.
INTERLUDE
Photography:
90 minutes of night shots in town. I came across some slightly drunken people, but on the whole quite. I've never been out for shots at this time before - certainly was odd. The movements caused some rather nice looking blurs at times with the light/dark capture. Here are some shots I like:
This is where the issues with a mobile phone really start to show, however I do think they were good for a first attempt.
6 Newcastle Eldon Square - 23:15 -> Sunniside
The last possible ride home and quite a rare working, especially at this time. A suitable way to end the day!
Comment
I did become quite bored a lot during this trip, but on the whole, I enjoyed it. Not many people at all will even be able to get that 05:20 97, or are crazy enough to - but that's life! Please leave feedback on the images et cetera. I don't know how to manage night-shots at all and want general feedback on the locations I took pictures from.
Had a great day out today with a North East Explorer.
07:51 X21 4934 Chester-le-Street Black Horse to Newcastle Eldon Square
As my outings tend to be restricted to Saturdays only, with the only opportunities for a weekday outing being in the school holidays, I decided I would catch one of the duplicate X21 runs through to Newcastle, rather than the usual Streetdeck. After waking up at about 06:30, I left my house at about 07:25, arriving at the Black Horse bus stop soon after. I had a wait of around five minutes, before I sighted one of the Scania L94UB saloons that usually operates this board (I think it goes back to the depot two or three times over the course of the day). Had one of the long-serving drivers behind the wheel, one of those faces that you see a lot of over the years and get used to, he used to take me to school a lot on the 21 and X25 (driving unit 1) prior to the rota amalgamation in July 2014, but now I see him, like all of the drivers, on every route. Was a nice trip through to Newcastle, made a change to the usual Streetdeck that I have now become fairly accustomed to on the X21.
08:38 X10 7607 Newcastle Haymarket to Cramlington Manor Walks
As I'd bought an Explorer, I decided I'd head north after arrival in Newcastle; crossing to Haymarket and observing the selection that was before me. A Coastliner Hybrid B5LH and Streetlite were present, along with two Sapphire Enviro400s, a MAX Pulsar and a Gemini on the expresses to Blyth, a Jesmond OmniCity on the 43 to Cramlington and a couple of Solos on the local services. I opted to catch the MAX Gemini, 7607, on the X10. The VDL DB300s are a mixed bag for many. Some seem to have a bitter disliking for them, while some appreciate them for the service they have provided over the last few years. 7607 being one of the older batch of DB300s, new in 2009 in the batch that consisted of 15 vehicles registered on 59-plates (7601-7615). I've made a few journeys on the MAX Geminis at Blyth before, and found this one was quite enjoyable. Managed to get up to some speeds when heading up the motorway.
09:16 X8 1503 Cramlington Manor Walks to Blyth Bus Station
My last experience of a MAX Pulsar was, to my memory, was 1408 on the X16 up to Morpeth. The 09-plate Pulsars are known for their ability to pull like a train with what at times seems like unlimited power, but as Blyth only have an allocation of 6 Pulsars (1493 and 1501-1505), I knew I wouldn't be able to land an 09-plate on the X8 that I chose to connect onto after alighting 7607 at Manor Walks. I observed the Gemini depart, returning the middle finger to two ghastly, chavvy girls of around the same age as me (was a completely random thing for them to do, I just looked up to see them banging on the front window and sticking their fingers up; the pride of Cramlington). 1503 soon arrived, and I boarded to find a rather chirpy chap was behind the wheel. Was a smooth and punctual ride into Blyth, and I alighted in the bus station.
10:10 308 7802 Blyth Bus Station to Whitley Bay Town Centre
Following about twenty minutes of photos in Blyth, during which time I photographed 7458 (T313 FGN - a unique vehicle in the Arriva fleet, having been acquired from Classic I believe, and the only remaining ALX400 from it's batch, carrying a pre-millenial registration plate) parked up out of service, but annoyingly missed one of the Commanders on the 1. I don't recall ever making a journey behind one of the Commanders, something I shall have to put right soon, as I'd like to see what they're like for myself. As they have effectively a Cadet body and Pulsar chassis, I'd be willing to bet they're a fantastic ride. Two of the trio are driven by 3-speed gearboxes, while one of them has a 4-speed. After a sufficient amount of time in Blyth, I decided my next move would be one of the Coastliner Hybrids on the 308 down to Whitley Bay. I find that these Hybrids, which are exactly the same as the fifteen that Go North East use at my nearest depot, Chester-le-Street, on the 21 service, are in finer fettle than their equivalent at the competing company. 7802 provided a good ride down the coast, I observed that the Optare Metrorider that is used as the ''Butty Bus'' is still kicking around.
10:48 17 5153 Whitley Bay Town Centre to North Shields Town Centre
The next ride was ex-Oxford Bus Company Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 5153. Part of a batch of a batch of twenty one B10s that migrated north from Oxford a few years ago, 5153 is now a resident at Percy Main, having been modified to be DDA-compliant last year, in order to carry on it's service life for a while longer until newer vehicles joined the fleet. 5153 was one of the lucky ones, as some of it's siblings were in too poor a shape to justify being kept. As this one was still required for haulage, I thought I'd take the chance to have a ride on it before it goes. I noted how clean the interior was, still retaining red and yellow stopping bells from it's career in Oxford, which I thought was quite nostalgic. While I was expecting this to be very laggy and dragging along like a dog on a leash that doesn't want to go for a walk, I was quite surprised at how quick off the mark it was, with it's gearbox hardly slipping at all.
11:18 310 6113 North Shields Town Centre to Newcastle Haymarket
After alighting 5153 in North Shields, I photographed 5166, another ex-Oxford B10BLE, on Rudyerd Street with a 9 for Sunderland. Volvo B9TL 6113 arrived with a 310 back to Newcastle, and I decided I'd catch this as far as Battle Hill Drive, then one of the Percy Main Solo SRs across to Wallsend on the indiGo 40/41 services. I am a fan of the B9TL; they're powerful, provide a smooth journey, and are overall a pretty good bus. About twenty years into the future, I can see the vehicle type being held in the same regard as the Leyland Olympian by enthusiasts in the north east, much like the Dennis Trident Enviro400s could be seen in the same light as the Leyland Atlanteans that once roamed the streets of Newcastle. I was expecting a driver changeover to take place near Percy Main, but the driver continued onwards to Newcastle, as did I; I was too comfortable where I was to be bothered to alight at Battle Hill Drive.
12:13 6 3831 Newcastle Eldon Square to Metrocentre Interchange
When I got back to Haymarket, I was overjoyed to see a Yellow Bus Olympian was on Percy Street. To my jubilance, it was 3831; arguably the best of the Volvo Olympians left in service. My last ride on an Olympian was at the Metrocentre Rally, where I had a ride out on 3818, one of the three at Riverside that are confined to the Jewish scholars, when it was taken out for a spin by Ben Stoves. Of the five still left in service at Stanley, my opinion is that 3831 is the best. It feels the most powerful and is just an amazing ride when you have the right sort of driver on it. The classical Volvo/ZF driveline produces a beastly sound from the high horsepower engine, and the ZF was clearly heard on 3831. It will be a sad day when the last Olympian is withdrawn from public service, and with the news of more Scania OmniDekkas due to arrive from Brighton & Hove, these fine machines have been finally sentenced to the scrapyard.
12:50 6 3832 Metrocentre Interchange to Newcastle Eldon Square
As I received a tip-off that 3832 was on the Red Kite 45/46/47 services, I realised it was to be the 12:44 departure from the Metrocentre back to Newcastle, so I decided I'd stick around for it. As we approached the Metrocentre, I noticed that 3814 was also out in service, standing in the Newcastle-bound stand with the 6. I couldn't believe my luck, as 3814 is the only one of the Olympians that is required for haulage, but it departed just as I got to the exit doors. Bugger. I stuck around for about fifteen minutes, and 3832 fortunately showed up. I was really tempted to get 4923, one of the only remaining unrefurbished B10BLEs which is imminently due to be withdrawn, on the 67 service, but stuck with 3832. The Olympians are fewer in number, although the B10s are going thick and fast. 3832 is renowned for being a bit of a boneshaker, and one of the poorer performers, much like 3822, which has a belt that is always slipping, but it sounded almost as good as 3831 when I took my seat right next to the engine (seat had no padding - which was a shame), although 3831 is always going to be my favourite of the Olympians. Even if 3822 is a former Chester-le-Street resident...
13:21 T&W Metro 4047 + 4065 Haymarket to South Shields
As I was on an Explorer, I decided I would go for a trip on the Metro. As I'd not done the Coast line from Newcastle to South Shields in some time, I decided to have a trip to South Shields. Walked through to Haymarket Metro from Eldon Square and descended into the station. Fortunately, a service to South Shields was imminently due. I always have a tendency to live in hope of 4001 whenever I travel on the Metro. It carries the iconic yellow and cream Tyne & Wear PTE livery that it wore when the Metro opened in 1980, and retains the interior to match it. Although I've heard the unrefurbished sets are awful to ride on, it's something I'd still love to do, just so that I've done it. I have a thing for unrefurbished things; such as Tridents 3875 and 3878 at Chester-le-Street. It is the nostalgic atmosphere that one feels on them, if anything. After a nice ride from Haymarket, I arrived into South Shields just after ten-to-two.
14:02 T&W Metro 4034 + 4058 South Shields to Gateshead
After walking out of the Metro station, observing a boisterous fruit seller shouting his offers at people (much like the guy in Durham), and then out onto Kepple Street to find that the place looked worse than Stanley and Peterlee, I retreated back to the Metro station. The set I had just come in on was now on it's way back to do another run around the coast circuit, and the next set came in about five minutes later, comprising of 4034 and 4058. I am a rare user of the Metro system to begin with, only ever when on an Explorer, and that tends to be restricted to the Green line (Airport-South Hylton). A fun fact; when the extension to Sunderland was opened in 2002, the Metro became the first light rail system in the UK to bring in the Karlsruhe Model, which involves a tram/train/light rail system/whatever (as long as it's two different things that run on rails) operating on the same set of tracks, as the Metro shares some sections of the Green line with the Durham Coast Line.
14:47 X25 6038 Gateshead Interchange to Chester-le-Street Red Lion
One of my driver friends contacted me, telling me that he was due to be the 14:25 X25 from Newcastle. I therefore alighted the Metro at Gateshead Interchange, and waited around the stand for the 14:35 X21 to Langley Park. On schooldays, this journey finishes at Chester-le-Street at 15:06 and operates a scholars duty, unless the boards have changed. During the holidays, it does a return trip to Langley Park. Running twelve minutes late when it got to Gateshead, I was quite happy to see it was Crook-based Volvo B7TL 6038. A vehicle that only visits Chester-le-Street for maintenance, it occasionally sees use in service at the depot. I was amazed at how quickly it climbed the arduous Old Durham Road, must be one of the fastest ex-London Presidents I've encountered in some time. My friend was relieved by another driver at Chester-le-Street for the run to Langley Park, and I decided to head to Durham next. He's on a backshift today, so he won't be finishing until later tonight. My thoughts are with him.
15:23 X12 7620 Chester-le-Street Red Lion to Durham Bus Station
The next move was my second DB300 of the day, 7620, on the 15:26 X12 through to Durham. All of the MAX X12-branded DB300s feel the same to me, with only their livery and differing ages (7609 and 7610 being 59-plates, and 7618-20/26/27 on 61-plates) being the distinguishable factor for me. As I've done the Chester-le-Street-Durham route via the A167, Pity Me and Framwellgate Moor more times than I'd like to think, the route does hardly anything for me. It's just an opportunity to sit down and spend about fifteen-twenty minutes on my phone, or flick through my photos from the day so far. Upon arrival at Durham, I got a few photos and had a wander down North Road, before returning to the bus station for about ten to four.
15:55 21 6068 Durham Bus Station to Chester-le-Street Clifford Terrace
The last journey of the day came in the form of Volvo B5LH 6068, almost identical (aside from the higher roof option that Go North East's are) to the Coastliner Hybrid I sampled earlier in the day. I don't use the Hybrids anywhere near as much as I used to these days, and I pity the drivers who have to drive them for sometimes up to five hours. While they still hold some appeal to me, as they were one of the things that re-sparked my interest in buses back in late 2012, just after starting secondary school, they've deteriorated in condition, with gearboxes sometimes randomly banging around, and rattles becoming more prevalent with each journey I make on one. Let's not forget the brilliantly cleaned interior... I alighted at my local bus stop at about 16:15, and walked home from there.
Was a great day out. Two Olympian rides and a B10BLE. Thanks for reading.
I was pleased to finally get a ride on 3814 on the 6 between Newcastle and the MetroCentre this afternoon, still need to clear 3832 off for haulage. Had Davie and Daniel Picken sat next to me on that journey plus they were also on my X15 from Morpeth - Newcastle.
Was hoping to ride JH Coaches Enviro 200 today but unfortunately I missed it in Wrekenton as the 68 arrived late, especially as we got stuck behind a Quaylink Versa at Felling Square.
Got PCL Travel's service S1 from Morpeth - Stannington. Got this photo:
https://flic.kr/p/GRgq3j. I am slightly disappointed with the shadowing as I wanted a shot from this side to show the branding as for some reason it's only branded on this side, would have looked great if I photographed it on the opposite side of the road. [emoji20]
Another annoyance was going to Stockton for a photo of SN51UHC but a Solo turned up instead, so that was a waste of time.
Also got 7423 on the X12, thought it wasn't great, seemed pretty slow on the A167 and the legroom upstairs was terrible unless you sat at the back, guessing all MAX refurbishment's are now getting USB charging points as there was some in the backs of the seats on 7423 plus 1411 which I had on the X16.