I just stumbled across this thread when browsing this section of the forum, I'll give my views on the buses used on our network.
Least Favourite Modern Day Buses
- Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Micro-Hybrid: even though they are used on my local route, the ''Coast & Country'' 78, I fail to see the appeal in the Wright Streetlite. Despite the luxuries of plug sockets and free WiFi, which is a major attraction to the average customer who is commuting to/from work; from an enthusiast's perspective, they're a bit rubbish. They just feel very much like they're built as cheaply as possible, I could compare a Streetlite to a Renown and tell you the first one is made of the same material as a Barbie Doll, and the second is built using graphene. The noise of the engine decelerating is also incredibly annoying; it also feels like it lacks power. #bringbacktheb10s
- Wright Streetdeck/Wright Gemini 3: again, it's just two Streetlites slapped together and called a double decker. It lacks power, as does the Streetlite; when I had a ride on it from Newcastle to Chester-le-Street last week, it lacked power on some of the toughest stretches of the route. I wasn't keen on it at all, it just felt so cheap. It wouldn't last long on the X21, whereas it's opponent, the Enviro400MMC; stands a chance.
- Mini Pointer Darts: I've explained in the past that I'm not a fan of the MPDs. While I admit the examples in the red corporate livery look extremely smart, and the seating in the refurbished examples is great; the bus itself it's great. I find the engine has an irritating noise that I can't pinpoint, it can also be quite loud on some of them. They rattle dreadfully as well. Some of the ''East Durham'' routes can get busy from what I've seen, and the actual size of the bus isn't fantastic either. I know it is supposed to be a minibus, but it's a peak time crusher. I'd hate to be landed with an MPD for the 85/86 in Washington on the X1 out of Eldon Square during the evening rush hour. The lack of legroom in most areas of the interior is also a downside.
Scania CN230UB/Scania OmniCity: they are just shit.
''Meh'' Buses (not good, not bad)
- Mercedes 0530N/Mercedes Citaro: while I confess that in the past I've voiced my dislike for the Citaros, as I feel they are overrated, in recent weeks when I have been making trips on them, I admit they have started to grow on me. If you sit in the right place, you're in for a comfy ride. I'm quite fond of the seats on the very back row. The engine noise isn't bad either, I have to say. I'm not particularly fond of the 07-plate Citaros on the ''Blaydon Racers'' services, while I'm a huge fan of the examples on the ''Connections4''.
- Optare Versa V1110/Optare: I admit to being quite impressed with the space-like feeling of the Optare Versa body; they look very futuristic and it's always nice to see them. They certainly stand out when compared to some of the other buses you'll find in Gateshead Interchange, for example. Although, having said that, some of them aren't in the best condition now, I'm not 100% clued up on the registrations of the Versas but I think the oldest are NK09-plates?
- VDL SB200/Wright Pulsar 2: I haven't travelled on enough of the Arriva Pulsars, despite the fleet being infested with them, to say I love them; but I've never had a bad journey on one to date. They always offer comfortable rides, and I'd say they're a nice vehicle to have as a standard fleet vehicle. Very smart on the exterior as well, I also think the seating in the ''MAX'' branded examples for the X12 is fantastic.
- MAN 18.220LF/Alexander ALX300: once more, like with the Pulsar 2s, I have always viewed the ALX300s as being the Stagecoach fleet vehicle, since being a youngster. Although for a long time what I saw the main Arriva bus as, was the Plaxton Prestiges. I always saw them in Durham whenever I visited, and they were always found on the X2 (now X12). I've never been disappointed with a journey on one of these ALX300s. I just love the lights at the front, I think they're such a distinctive characteristic of the ALX300 body. Sadly, they seem to be fewer in number these days, with the Enviro300s seemingly becoming the most common Stagecoach vehicle.
Buses that are now withdrawn
- DAF SB200/Optare Delta: I hope I got that vehicle title correct, I know they were on a DAF body and had an SBxxx number afterwards. I imagine there were different variations. I can recall the Deltas very well from when I was a young boy, with my grandad. They used to come through Pelton quite a bit, I think they would have been used on the 739/740 when I first started taking an interest in them. Fondly remember jumping on an Arriva Delta at the Black Horse in Chester-le-Street, for our first trip to Durham together. I can also recall how they sounded, spot on. Just like the ALX300s have the characteristic, when I was a young one, I used to think the front grills were a moustache.
- DAF SB200GS/Plaxton Prestige: another one that I specifically remember from when I was younger, was the Plaxton Prestige. We used to get one back up to Pelton after going to Chester-le-Street, I'm going to guess they were on the 729 (Chester-le-Street to Stanley). I just loved the sound of their engines, the classic ZF gearbox. I always look forward to a ride on a Wright Solar on the ''Loop'' services, because I know the engines in those examples sound so similar. The noise of the engine is just so good. If anything, that is what I enjoyed most about them. My maths teacher, who commutes to work on the 28A from Kibblesworth to Birtley, then the 21 to Chester-le-Street from there, proclaimed that they belonged in Beamish.
- Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine 1: I've got some great memories of the R-LGH registration Palatine 1s that were used on the scholars services at my school. I recall two in particular; 3916 and 3917. One had the registration R274 LGH, I think it was 3916. Either way, that was the one I had the most. Then there was another with something like R556 LGH. I'm sure Chester-le-Street had three though. Looking back, it's just the memories of the funny times that were had on the 885 and 887 when I first started secondary education back in 2012. They were all withdrawn from Chester-le-Street by November; when 3821, 3822 and 3825 were transferred to replace them. I can't remember for the life of me what the third Palatine 1 was... I recall my last ride on one, I think it was 3917. I'd read on Go North East's Enthusiast Area (before I found the forum!) that they had all been ''delicenced''. That didn't stop a very shabby and scruffy looking 3917 coming out and doing either of those two scholars services the next evening. I'm gutted I didn't manage to ride 3910 or 3915 when they were briefly reinstated at Stanley in January 2013.
Favourite Modern Day Buses
- Scania L94UB/Wright Solar: take this one with a pinch of salt; I only mean certain examples. The Solars on the ''Loop'' 93/94 have a fantastic ZF gearbox that I just can't get enough of. I think those on the ''Highwayman'' services also have this particular sound. I need to have a long ride on the 97 between the MetroCentre and Gateshead soon. Aside from those batches, I think the Wright Solars are a bit like marmite. Some of them are definitely starting to show their age, and some are just worn out. At the risk of inviting people to pass a comment, the Solars on the ''Prince Bishops'' services really are at the end...
- Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2: overall, the B9TLs are just fantastic buses all around. The only examples that are starting to sound rough are those on the ''Tyne Tees Express'' services... Dear god...! I also loved how some of them have been really pimped out by Go North East, with some featuring plug sockets as well as free WiFi, not forgetting head cushions. They can also tackle very hard routes and manage them; Old Durham Road can be quite a nasty climb when heading to Washington or Sunderland from Gateshead on the X1 or 56 respectively. Also, the comfort of them is just great.
- Volvo B5HL/Wright Gemini 2: the Gemini 2s on the ''Angel'' 21 are in fine form still. I've used them all countless times over the past three years, and rarely encountered any problems. They still handle the route well, in my opinion. The Next Stop Announcements don't bother to be honest, they just blend in... My only gripe is when Karen says ''Next Stop; Chester-le-Street Black Horse Public House'', it sounds like ''Next Stop; Chezer-le-Street Black Horse Public House'' - it just irritates me so much.
- Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine 2: although I am sure many would class these as ''old'' buses now, seeing as Go North East still have 3814, 3818, 3819, 3822, 3830, 3831 and 3832 in their fleet at the moment, I'm going to count them as part of the ''modern'' day fleet. They are still in fine form, with the beastly Olympian engine just always doing the job. Still a pleasure to ride, although 3832 was a bit rough the last time I had it... My personal favourites are 3830 and 3831.
.......and number one.......
- Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown: you probably saw this coming.
I just love the Renowns so much. Like I've said time and time again, it's always very nostalgic to ride them, obviously as they were on the 775/778 when I was a young boy and going out with my grandad. Not only that; they're still going strong for buses of 15-17 years of age. The only B10BLEs I have a problem with are; 4843, 4904 and 4925. 4843 for just being an awful ride in general, 4904 for being too slow, and 4925 for being too similar to 4843. The engine noise combined with the smoothness is just great. I always look forward to a ride on a Wright Renown. I'd love to drive preserved 4855 one day, just to see what they're like to drive. I know nearly all drivers just love them for how smooth and capable they are. It's a Volvo/Wright combination at it's best.
Marcus
