North East Buses

(31 Jan 2015, 9:47 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Never had the pleasure of these but I think I once had a Optare Delta with these seats on the 213 from Sunderland - Newton Aycliffe once for about two hours and they were really comfortable.

Bet those seats were better on the X60 Newcastle - Scarborough than the Urban90's in the Lowlander's on the X61 Durham - Scarborough in the summer.

Sorry I'm wrong, my favourite seats on buses in the North East are the seats in the ex demonstrator EcoCity's on the 21/X21, always hope for an ex demonstrator as the ones in the ones delivered new to Darlington seem a bit hard and they have less POWER!
4812 https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...datetaken/
4814 https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...374062192/

Couldn't be much worse!

(31 Jan 2015, 9:57 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Couldn't be much worse!

Foldable garden chairs for be preferable for 3 hours on the X61.

Who thought them Urban90's seats were a good idea especially as the main route they were bought for was the 722/723 Darlington - Newcastle with a journey time of just under two hours. They were also used on the 75/76 Newton Aycliffe Horndale - Barnard Castle.

(31 Jan 2015, 10:11 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Foldable garden chairs for be preferable for 3 hours on the X61.

Who thought them Urban90's seats were a good idea especially as the main route they were bought for was the 722/723 Darlington - Newcastle with a journey time of just under two hours. They were also used on the 75/76 Newton Aycliffe Horndale - Barnard Castle.

Always aimed for the back row when I got one like!
10 decent seats on a double decker isn't good enough though

(31 Jan 2015, 10:24 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Always aimed for the back row when I got one like!
10 decent seats on a double decker isn't good enough though

Me too, when they were on the 75/76 I always made for the backseat even on a short journey and thankfully there wasn't many ever on it when it got round to my stop as there wasn't many stops before mine.

To let you all know I am once again organising a bus trip to Kirkby Stephen for the excellent rally on Easter Sunday (5 April).

The haulage will be H728DDL, a superb all-Leyland Olympian operated by Stagecarriage.

Fare is £10 per person, no need to book just turn up.

Departure points and times are; Middlesbrough, BBC 0850, Stagecoach Transit depot 0900, Stockton Stagecoach Office 0910, Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane 0930, Shildon Byerley Road 0950, Bishop Auckland Market Place 1000.

Connections will be made at Darlington with the 0855 train from Newcastle.

Returning from Kirkby at 1630. Send me a PM if you need any more info.

(31 Jan 2015, 10:58 pm)RGR756V wrote [ -> ]To let you all know I am once again organising a bus trip to Kirkby Stephen for the excellent rally on Easter Sunday (5 April).

The haulage will be H728DDL, a superb all-Leyland Olympian operated by Stagecarriage.

Fare is £10 per person, no need to book just turn up.

Departure points and times are; Middlesbrough, BBC 0850, Stagecoach Transit depot 0900, Stockton Stagecoach Office 0910, Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane 0930, Shildon Byerley Road 0950, Bishop Auckland Market Place 1000.

Connections will be made at Darlington with the 0855 train from Newcastle.

Returning from Kirkby at 1630. Send me a PM if you need any more info.

Where exactly is the Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane pick up point I'm just looking on Google Maps and I'm slightly confused as to where exactly it will pick up, I just want to be sure so if I do actually go I will go to the correct place on the day.

(31 Jan 2015, 11:17 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Where exactly is the Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane pick up point I'm just looking on Google Maps and I'm slightly confused as to where exactly it will pick up, I just want to be sure so if I do actually go I will go to the correct place on the day.

It's just outside the rail station where the X26 and X27 pick up. 

If required, you can get on at Bondgate in Darlington, opposite the old snooker club

(31 Jan 2015, 9:33 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote [ -> ]Anyone else care to join the revolution?

The Leather Seat Gang?

Current members: MarcTheA4 Dan mb134 Tom

Me too - live right next to the X21 - have to put up with hard leather seats everyday!

(31 Jan 2015, 10:58 pm)RGR756V wrote [ -> ]To let you all know I am once again organising a bus trip to Kirkby Stephen for the excellent rally on Easter Sunday (5 April).

The haulage will be H728DDL, a superb all-Leyland Olympian operated by Stagecarriage.

Fare is £10 per person, no need to book just turn up.

Departure points and times are; Middlesbrough, BBC 0850, Stagecoach Transit depot 0900, Stockton Stagecoach Office 0910, Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane 0930, Shildon Byerley Road 0950, Bishop Auckland Market Place 1000.

Connections will be made at Darlington with the 0855 train from Newcastle.

Returning from Kirkby at 1630. Send me a PM if you need any more info.

Will certain enthusiasts need reminding of what time 1630 is, do you think? [emoji14]

I remember the connection at Bishop Auckland being quite tight as a result of the hoo-harr with waiting for one enthusiast to show up at the end, but I managed to catch the X21 as we stopped in the bus station on the return journey - wasn't keen on having to use the stop near the Market Place as I haven't used it before. Can this be organised again if necessary - saves the walk from the Market Place? I will have about half an hour in Bishop Auckland on the morning, so Market Place is good for then.

(01 Feb 2015, 8:26 am)RGR756V wrote [ -> ]It's just outside the rail station where the X26 and X27 pick up. 



If required, you can get on at Bondgate in Darlington, opposite the old snooker club

No the train station stop is fine as I will be getting the train into Darlington that morning. Although it may be handy to drop me off there on the return so I have less walk to the town centre for a bus home.

Regarding leather seats... yesterday I was on 7530 from Morpeth to Regent Centre (couldn't handle Haymarket) on X15, I was sat on one of the rear wheel arches and all the 'seat' was was a small pad of thin leather horizontally and one vertically on the seat back. Like sitting on the floor with a blanket basically.

(01 Feb 2015, 8:55 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Will certain enthusiasts need reminding of what time 1630 is, do you think? [emoji14]

I remember the connection at Bishop Auckland being quite tight as a result of the hoo-harr with waiting for one enthusiast to show up at the end, but I managed to catch the X21 as we stopped in the bus station on the return journey - wasn't keen on having to use the stop near the Market Place as I haven't used it before. Can this be organised again if necessary - saves the walk from the Market Place? I will have about half an hour in Bishop Auckland on the morning, so Market Place is good for then.

Like Captain Mainwaring in Dads Army...no concept or understanding of the 24 hour clock

08:12 #18 Link Road - South Shields 39714
08:37 #20 South Shields - Houghton-le-Spring 4969 swapped with 4924 @ Park Lane
09:44 #36 Houghton-le-Spring - Fawcett Street 5305
11:03 #X36 Park Lane - Market Street 5205
12:05ish Metro Monument - Central Station 4080
12:58 Metro Central Station - Haymarket 4005
13:05 Haymarket - Regent Centre UNi'd Pulsar
13:17ish Metro Regent Centre - South Gosforth 4071
13:22ish Metro South Gosforth - Four Lane Ends UNi'd
13:50 32A Four Lane Ends - Percy Street 35162
15:07 X21 Eldon Square - Gateshead 6040
15:38 27X Gateshead High Street- Argyle Street 524
16:04 88A Argyle Street - Inverness Road 8300

(01 Feb 2015, 10:26 am)MrFozz wrote [ -> ]Like Captain Mainwaring in Dads Army...no concept or understanding of the 24 hour clock

Ah, but what kind of time is 16:30? Quite an abstract question when you think about it!

(01 Feb 2015, 10:30 am)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]Ah, but what kind of time is 16:30? Quite an abstract question when you think about it!

Thats 4:30 sir

(01 Feb 2015, 10:30 am)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]Ah, but what kind of time is 16:30? Quite an abstract question when you think about it!

Poor wording on my half!  

(01 Feb 2015, 10:31 am)MrFozz wrote [ -> ]Thats 4:30 sir

What kind of time is 4:30?

(01 Feb 2015, 10:31 am)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]What kind of time is 4:30?

What kinda time is any 2 numbers seperated by a :

(01 Feb 2015, 10:32 am)MrFozz wrote [ -> ]What kinda time is any 2 numbers seperated by a :

What is time? Time is only relative to the particular point of the universe in which you are positioned. 

(01 Feb 2015, 10:35 am)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]What is time? Time is only relative to the particular point of the universe in which you are positioned. 

You're being true to your name today, Mr. MurdnunoC!

(01 Feb 2015, 10:37 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]You're being true to your name today, Mr. MurdnunoC!

Well what can I say, I love the abstract and the surreal.

To use a quote from my favourite author:

"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."

(01 Feb 2015, 10:22 am)northern156 wrote [ -> ]Regarding leather seats... yesterday I was on 7530 from Morpeth to Regent Centre (couldn't handle Haymarket) on X15, I was sat on one of the rear wheel arches and all the 'seat' was was a small pad of thin leather horizontally and one vertically on the seat back. Like sitting on the floor with a blanket basically.

I find them comfier than the other seats.

Here's my best and worst seats:
Worst: Urban90 - these are the worst seats in the world, it would be better sitting on hard plastic.
9: Refurbished Sapphire and Max E400 leather seats. Very harsh on the back, arse, neck.
8: Refurbished Max Gemini 2 front seats. Basically just two bits of leather covering two seats.
7: Refurbished Sapphire and Max E400 moulded seats. Crap.
6: Arriva's S-reg Dart seats. Basically metal scaffolding with a worn cushion on the top.
5: Arriva Wright Renown - above the wheels. Crap.
4: Go North East's Mercedes Citaro seats
3: Wright StreetLite leather seats
2: Wright StreetLite leather drivers seat.
Best: Arriva's newly refurbished ALX400 seats.

(01 Feb 2015, 10:59 am)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]I find them comfier than the other seats.

Here's my best and worst seats:
Worst: Urban90 - these are the worst seats in the world, it would be better sitting on hard plastic.
9: Refurbished Sapphire and Max E400 leather seats. Very harsh on the back, arse, neck.
8: Refurbished Max Gemini 2 front seats. Basically just two bits of leather covering two seats.
7: Refurbished Sapphire and Max E400 moulded seats. Crap.
6: Arriva's S-reg Dart seats. Basically metal scaffolding with a worn cushion on the top.
5: Arriva Wright Renown - above the wheels. Crap.
4: Go North East's Mercedes Citaro seats
3: Wright StreetLite leather seats
2: Wright StreetLite leather drivers seat.
Best: Arriva's newly refurbished ALX400 seats.

Aside from being a different colour, aren't the seats in Arriva's Wright Streetlite Micro-Hybrids (in eco-green livery) and Arriva's "Sapphire" and "MAX" vehicles exactly the same?
Civic V3: http://www.isri.es/civicv3.php

Haven't got an interior shot of one of the "eco-green" liveried Streetlites, but the seats are exactly the same as the "Sapphire" branded Streetlites as far as I know... If they don't have the headrests, they're still exactly the same seats, but Civic V2 instead of Civic V3...

Arriva North East: Sapphire Launch by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

(01 Feb 2015, 11:04 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Aside from being a different colour, aren't the seats in Arriva's Wright Streetlite Micro-Hybrids (in eco-green livery) and Arriva's "Sapphire" and "MAX" vehicles exactly the same?
Civic V3: http://www.isri.es/civicv3.php

Haven't got an interior shot of one of the "eco-green" liveried Streetlites, but the seats are exactly the same as the "Sapphire" branded Streetlites as far as I know...

Arriva North East: Sapphire Launch by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

1550-73 (and 1590-600 when they all arrive) have Civic V3s with headrests
1574-89 have Civic V2s which are the same found in the Go North East examples

Also, people are seeming getting mixed up
4660-2/4 are the only Arriva North East with proper leather seats
The MAX and Sapphire vehicles plus 1574-89 have seats trimmed in e-leather - which is a man-made leather from natural leather fibre, and isn't as slippery as natural leather.

(01 Feb 2015, 11:19 am)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]1550-73 (and 1590-600 when they all arrive) have Civic V3s with headrests
1574-89 have Civic V2s which are the same found in the Go North East examples

Also, people are seeming getting mixed up
4660-2/4 are the only Arriva North East with proper leather seats
The MAX and Sapphire vehicles plus 1574-89 have seats trimmed in e-leather - which is a man-made leather from natural leather fibre, and isn't as slippery as natural leather.

Just as I thought, then...

Headrests (as per the Civic V3s) are meant to provide additional comfort. They certainly achieve this on Go North East's Volvo B9TLs which have a fabric seat moquette. I can appreciate the refurbished ALX400s being #1 over e-leather seating, even though they're standard Civic V2(?), but can't get my head around Tommy preferring e-leather on some buses over others.

The seating on GNE's Mercs is far superior to any fabric Civic V2 seating as far as I am concerned, too.

(01 Feb 2015, 11:29 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Just as I thought, then...



Headrests (as per the Civic V3s) are meant to provide additional comfort. They certainly achieve this on Go North East's Volvo B9TLs which have a fabric seat moquette. I can appreciate the refurbished ALX400s being #1 over e-leather seating, even though they're standard Civic V2(?), but can't get my head around Tommy preferring e-leather on some buses over others.



The seating on GNE's Mercs is far superior to any fabric Civic V2 seating as far as I am concerned, too.

In fairness I find the e-leather seats in Darlington EcoCitys 4801-4811 less comfortable than the likes of Sapphire 7 Pulsars.

I wish all buses could have the fabric seats like in the ex demonstrator EcoCitys 4812/4813.

The real leather seats in Omnicity's 4660/1/2/4 are very slippy especially if you sit on a sloping seat when it goes down hills you slide forward.

(01 Feb 2015, 11:36 am)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]In fairness I find the e-leather seats in Darlington EcoCitys 4801-4811 less comfortable than the likes of Sapphire 7 Pulsars.

I wish all buses could have the fabric seats like in the ex demonstrator EcoCitys 4812/4813.

The real leather seats in Omnicity's 4660/1/2/4 are very slippy especially if you sit on a sloping seat when it goes down hills you slide forward.

Can't understand that one, either! I've used both, and they're exactly the same...  
The EcoCitys may be slightly more worn than the Pulsars on the 7 (with them being older), but that's about it...

Agree about the seating on 4812/13 though - far superior to any other seating on buses in the North East in my opinion. Closely followed by the seating on GNE's Merc Citaros.

Interior shot of Arriva North East's 4810, MAN EcoCity by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Arriva North East: 4812 / WX61FXO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Interior shot of Go North East's 5368, Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

(01 Feb 2015, 11:43 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Can't understand that one, either! I've used both, and they're exactly the same...  


The EcoCitys may be slightly more worn than the Pulsars on the 7 (with them being older), but that's about it...





Agree about the seating on 4812/13 though - far superior to any other seating on buses in the North East in my opinion. Closely followed by the seating on GNE's Merc Citaros.





Interior shot of Arriva North East's 4810, MAN EcoCity by danielgrahamm, on Flickr





Arriva North East: 4812 / WX61FXO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

I have no idea why I think this either, then again I came to think this after spending an hour and a half on the X21/21 home one evening.



Don't think the EcoCity's seats are really worn as I don't think they are used on a night and only a limited number are used on Sundays on the 5/19 and 21 if a branded example is off.

4812/4813 are brilliant seats for the 21/X21 and 4814's are good too.

(01 Feb 2015, 8:55 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Will certain enthusiasts need reminding of what time 1630 is, do you think? [emoji14]

I remember the connection at Bishop Auckland being quite tight as a result of the hoo-harr with waiting for one enthusiast to show up at the end, but I managed to catch the X21 as we stopped in the bus station on the return journey - wasn't keen on having to use the stop near the Market Place as I haven't used it before. Can this be organised again if necessary - saves the walk from the Market Place? I will have about half an hour in Bishop Auckland on the morning, so Market Place is good for then.

I have a funny feeling said person won't be joining us this year....

We'll play it by ear on the day. Officially, unless you pay a departure charge you shouldn't be in the bus station which is the reason I use the Market Place as the pickup/drop off point. 

I stick to a fervent belief that the comfiest seats out there are the ones on the Angel.