(18 Jun 2025, 1:05 pm)WestDurhamSwift wrote [ -> ]3/4 of the Enviros are currently VOR, the X21 Streetdecks seem to be the stop gap.
Really need something more sutiable, surely cost wise the amount of issues with buses that run on that route its wise to invest.
The StreetDecks should be nowhere near the X10....backup should be Crusader or TVT B9TLs!
As I'e said before, I know GNE could re-shuffle the X30/X70 interworkings to reduce the low height PVR (basically allowing x8 StreetDeck and x8 E400MMC to be swapped giving Riverside flexibility) but I doubt GNE would trust them on some of the steep climbs around Derwentside!
Think only long term solution would be a solid batch of new UltroLiners or E400MMC for the X10 & X21 with x2 spares. Both routes carry good loads and if they rotated them around properly to spread the wear & tear out a bit like what Arriva do at Ashington, it would give GNE options to cascade them after 5 years...or possibly longer if the rotation helped.
(18 Jun 2025, 4:05 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]The StreetDecks should be nowhere near the X10....backup should be Crusader or TVT B9TLs!
Think only long term solution would be a solid batch of new UltroLiners
So if they should be nowhere near the X10, how would a new batch of the same vehicles solve the problem?
(18 Jun 2025, 7:26 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]So if they should be nowhere near the X10, how would a new batch of the same vehicles solve the problem?
The newer UltroLiners (StreetDecks) come with more powerful Cummins options
(18 Jun 2025, 8:17 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]The newer UltroLiners (StreetDecks) come with more powerful Cummins options
Didn't 6377 come with a more powerful engine? A bus which failed to reach Middlesbrough on trip 1 on Tuesday, and looks like it broke in Peterlee at lunchtime on Monday.
The diesel Streetdeck doesn't seem to have been popular literally anywhere else for express work, so I'm not sure GNE buying a bespoke batch for the X10/21 given their experiences with their current versions is on the cards really.
(18 Jun 2025, 8:55 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]Didn't 6377 come with a more powerful engine? A bus which failed to reach Middlesbrough on trip 1 on Tuesday, and looks like it broke in Peterlee at lunchtime on Monday.
The diesel Streetdeck doesn't seem to have been popular literally anywhere else for express work, so I'm not sure GNE buying a bespoke batch for the X10/21 given their experiences with their current versions is on the cards really.
It did.........but Cummins is more trusted and proven as shown in the E400/E400MMC.
GNE's issue has been lack of fleet rotation. If you look at Arriva Ashington, their E400MMC get a similar hammering. But the big difference is that Arriva utilise their's correctly.
- Easy work = X21/35, X22
- Harder work = X14, X15, X18, X20
GNE could easily do this with newer vehicles now that the X21 is at Riverside. Heck could even throw the 10/10A/10B/12 into the mix.
I agree the actual X10 route would suit a coach......but I don't think the logistics are economically workable incluuding gettimg 53 seaters and upping frequency.
Don't volvo do a B8 double decker now?
(19 Jun 2025, 10:40 am)F114TML wrote [ -> ]Don't volvo do a B8 double decker now?
Only on a tri-axile which would have no future re-sale or cascading potential.....which coaches do, but the logistics / feasbility would be difficult to achieve.
Followed a NIS ex-London E400 earlier and I genuinely thought it was missing it's rear reg plate.
Turns out it was hidden behind muck and grime near the rear blind.
A speed camera wouldn't have had any chance in getting the reg number - assuming it could get any speed up like.
(19 Jun 2025, 4:31 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Followed a NIS ex-London E400 earlier and I genuinely thought it was missing it's rear reg plate.
Turns out it was hidden behind muck and grime near the rear blind.
A speed camera wouldn't have had any chance in getting the reg number - assuming it could get any speed up like.
I took pity on a bus today.
I was waiting to turn right out of Craghead crossroads as a bus from the "Voyager Bus and Coach" company was slowly limping up the hill, doing a duty on behalf of Go North East on the 16A,
I probably could have easily made my manoeuver out of the junction, but I decided to wait, as if I caused the bus to brake, the poor thing might never have gotten started again.
(19 Jun 2025, 5:07 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]I took pity on a bus today.
I was waiting to turn right out of Craghead crossroads as a bus from the "Voyager Bus and Coach" company was slowly limping up the hill, doing a duty on behalf of Go North East on the 16A,
I probably could have easily made my manoeuver out of the junction, but I decided to wait, as if I caused the bus to brake, the poor thing might never have gotten started again.
When those buses first came to GNE, they were so powerful, now they're pitiful.
(19 Jun 2025, 5:07 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]I took pity on a bus today.
I was waiting to turn right out of Craghead crossroads as a bus from the "Voyager Bus and Coach" company was slowly limping up the hill, doing a duty on behalf of Go North East on the 16A,
I probably could have easily made my manoeuver out of the junction, but I decided to wait, as if I caused the bus to brake, the poor thing might never have gotten started again.
You would think they would at least give them a fresh lick of paint and some new seat trim, with them all virtually being in frontline service daily on the Diamond or XLINES X5/X15
(19 Jun 2025, 6:41 pm)WestDurhamSwift wrote [ -> ]You would think they would at least give them a fresh lick of paint and some new seat trim, with them all virtually being in frontline service daily on the Diamond or XLINES X5/X15
Or fixed the coving spelling errors!
(18 Jun 2025, 4:05 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]The StreetDecks should be nowhere near the X10....backup should be Crusader or TVT B9TLs!
As I'e said before, I know GNE could re-shuffle the X30/X70 interworkings to reduce the low height PVR (basically allowing x8 StreetDeck and x8 E400MMC to be swapped giving Riverside flexibility) but I doubt GNE would trust them on some of the steep climbs around Derwentside!
Think only long term solution would be a solid batch of new UltroLiners or E400MMC for the X10 & X21 with x2 spares. Both routes carry good loads and if they rotated them around properly to spread the wear & tear out a bit like what Arriva do at Ashington, it would give GNE options to cascade them after 5 years...or possibly longer if the rotation helped.
Hopefully when/IF they do order replacements for the X10 they will not brand them so they can be rotated onto other routes without being instantly spotted, everything corporate like stagecoach do but make the saloons comfortable for the passengers/drivers, branding is more hassle than its worth
Looks like one of the loan E200MMC's is now at Deptford, its parked up in the parking area in Park Lane with the X20 on the back destination board.
(20 Jun 2025, 5:27 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]Looks like one of the loan E200MMC's is now at Deptford, its parked up in the parking area in Park Lane with the X20 on the back destination board.
Yes the only ,E200 on loan left
Just chatted with a PM fitter doing a swap out when passing on an evening dog walk. By the way he was describing, sounds like PM could possibly be getting the current Angel StreetDecks when they're replaced by EV's.
I hope just got his wires a bit crossed
as PM's B9TLs have been good workhorses - although no doubt 6101-17 would give good service elsewhere and fill some much needed gaps.
What works are getting done at Saltmeadows? a lot if concrete is getting lifted???
5454 is in Sunderland doing the 24s. Seen it but couldn't get a photo.
(23 Jun 2025, 9:38 am)alexanderdennis0312933 wrote [ -> ]5454 is in Sunderland doing the 24s. Seen it but couldn't get a photo.
[
attachment=10989]
Not the best but got a quick snap of it.
A few cancellations on the 21 today
6316 was due on the long run to Brandon before being pulled onto the X10
6354 got pulled onto the 21 and starting from Gateshead 35 mins late, ran to Brandon bypassing Birtley and large parts of CLS but arrived on time
(24 Jun 2025, 3:18 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]A few cancellations on the 21 today
6316 was due on the long run to Brandon before being pulled onto the X10
6354 got pulled onto the 21 and starting from Gateshead 35 mins late, ran to Brandon bypassing Birtley and large parts of CLS but arrived on time
Not making excuses for GoNorthEast, but it's more likely because of the absolute chaos in Durham today with issues on the A1(M) and a second incident on Sniperly roundabout at the opposite side of Durham.
Unsure why the swap happened earlier in the day though.
Aye. That accident at Sniperly caused half hour delays around 4pm. Particularly bad as Dryburn road is closed north (out) bound so traffic is diverted already.
The incompetence has reached new levels. 6361 failed at Peterlee on the X10 today after running out of fuel.
I've noticed recently that the Streetdecks tend to get swapped off around 18:00, often then dropping onto the next board, which I now assume is for a refuel. Evidently someone has gambled on this one being able to make it for one more trip, and it's backfired rather embarrassingly.
(24 Jun 2025, 7:50 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Not making excuses for GoNorthEast, but it's more likely because of the absolute chaos in Durham today with issues on the A1(M) and a second incident on Sniperly roundabout at the opposite side of Durham.
Unsure why the swap happened earlier in the day though.
Driving hours ?
(25 Jun 2025, 9:46 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]The incompetence has reached new levels. 6361 failed at Peterlee on the X10 today after running out of fuel.
I've noticed recently that the Streetdecks tend to get swapped off around 18:00, often then dropping onto the next board, which I now assume is for a refuel. Evidently someone has gambled on this one being able to make it for one more trip, and it's backfired rather embarrassingly.
must admit it is a canny daily mileage
(25 Jun 2025, 9:46 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]The incompetence has reached new levels. 6361 failed at Peterlee on the X10 today after running out of fuel.
I've noticed recently that the Streetdecks tend to get swapped off around 18:00, often then dropping onto the next board, which I now assume is for a refuel. Evidently someone has gambled on this one being able to make it for one more trip, and it's backfired rather embarrassingly.
If GNE can't sustain the X10 properly and are comstantly putting put 4 pot heaps of *****, they should give it up and allow Stagecoach Transit or Arriva Durham County & Tees the chance to run it properly.........both having depots in Teesside
(26 Jun 2025, 11:36 am)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]If GNE can't sustain the X10 properly and are comstantly putting put 4 pot heaps of *****, they should give it up and allow Stagecoach Transit or Arriva Durham County & Tees the chance to run it properly.........both having depots in Teesside
Even if they had a depot in Peterlee where buses could be swapped or basic on the go engineering such as a coolant top up rather than wait for assistance from Riverside.
Alternatively, use vehicles which are better suited to longer distance high speed running rather than a small engine at high/max revs for prolonged periods of time.
(26 Jun 2025, 5:12 pm)morritt89 wrote [ -> ]Even if they had a depot in Peterlee where buses could be swapped or basic on the go engineering such as a coolant top up rather than wait for assistance from Riverside.
Alternatively, use vehicles which are better suited to longer distance high speed running rather than a small engine at high/max revs for prolonged periods of time.
The Enviros are fine, it's the lack of fleet rotation / suitable backups which are killing them!
I wonder why GNE are sending StreetDecks on it though rather than TVT / Crusader B9TLs?
(26 Jun 2025, 8:21 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]I wonder why GNE are sending StreetDecks on it though rather than TVT / Crusader B9TLs?
To be honest I had the same thought. The B9s can do a day on it on one tank of fuel, and even at their age are surely still more suited than some pretty knackered StreetDecks. After all, Arriva are still utilising slightly younger B9s on the X93/4 on a daily basis.
(26 Jun 2025, 8:31 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]To be honest I had the same thought. The B9s can do a day on it on one tank of fuel, and even at their age are surely still more suited than some pretty knackered StreetDecks. After all, Arriva are still utilising slightly younger B9s on the X93/4 on a daily basis.
GNEs B9s like to overheat when on long journeys at high speed.
(23 Jun 2025, 2:07 pm)F114TML wrote [ -> ]Not the best but got a quick snap of it.
Why was 5454 in Sunderland bit of a distance from Percy main