North East Buses

(27 Aug 2015, 8:31 pm)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]I once saw a HUGE row on 6038 for the front top deck seats

The front top deck seats on 6038 are no match for the Metroland rollercoaster. I can assure you of that.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:26 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Looking at the dates you mentioned, I had been, gone and was almost on my way back with little Constantopolous when you were working there.

My days of being a punter there probably coincided with yours. I remember going often in the early 90s when the park was open 'til late on a Friday/Saturday night. Then, all of a sudden, you had to pay to be in the park and barriers were placed at both entrances. When I worked there, the park had been opened up again.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:35 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]My days of being a punter there probably coincided with yours. I remember going often in the early 90s when the park was open 'til late on a Friday/Saturday night. Then, all of a sudden, you had to pay to be in the park and barriers were placed at both entrances. When I worked there, the park had been opened up again.

Were the wristbands in from the start, or when did they come into play

(27 Aug 2015, 8:34 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]The front top deck seats on 6038 are no match for the Metroland rollercoaster. I can assure you of that.

Don't know about 6038 but I thought the Metroland Coaster was a bit crap to be honest. 

The coaster itself is still in operation. It was rebuilt and reopened this year at some theme park in Devon.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...in-8612419

(27 Aug 2015, 8:38 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Were the wristbands in from the start, or when did they come into play

As far as I know, they were always there although the barcoded version came in at a later date.

I remember going there shortly after it opened in 1988 and having wristbands but don't recall having to let ride operators scan them. I think they were coloured depending on which day it was, but, then again, I may be getting confused with Whitley Bay Leisure Pool which operated a similar system.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:38 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Were the wristbands in from the start, or when did they come into play

I may be getting mixed up, but I am sure you could buy tokens for individual rides (like Ocean Beach). The wristbands gave you unlimited rides if I remember right.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:45 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I may be getting mixed up, but I am sure you could buy tokens for individual rides (like Ocean Beach). The wristbands gave you unlimited rides if I remember right.

That sounds about right. One of my mates mam used to get us cheap wristbands through the civil service HASSRA scheme. I never bothered with tokens, but I think they were mandatory for the waltzer?

I used to always get ocean beach tokens on offer. I'm sure the chronicle used to do them 10 quid for 30 quids worth or something?

(27 Aug 2015, 8:45 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]I may be getting mixed up, but I am sure you could buy tokens for individual rides (like Ocean Beach). The wristbands gave you unlimited rides if I remember right.

You were able to buy individual tickets when I worked there and, as you say, the wristbands entitled you to unlimited usage of the rides owned by Arlington Leisure. 

The Waltzer and MontyZumas (formerly King Wiz' Castle or the soft-play area) were owned by different companies. However, when it first opened, King Wiz's Castle was part of the original set-up. The Waltzer (or the area which the walzer was located) used to be some sort of 3D attraction when it first opened.

I think the Waltzer eventually became part of the wristband deal, but this was after I left.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:48 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]That sounds about right. One of my mates mam used to get us cheap wristbands through the civil service HASSRA scheme. I never bothered with tokens, but I think they were mandatory for the waltzer?

I used to always get ocean beach tokens on offer. I'm sure the chronicle used to do them 10 quid for 30 quids worth or something?

If we had been bowling or were killing time before a film started at the old pictures, we would maybe scoot into Metroland for a quick look *perv* around. Maybe even going on a ride or two in the process.
We never got wristbands those times.

If we didn't get chatting to a stunner from Blaydon (they weren't fussy about Nike Airs then), it was generally a scoot into the game shop outside Metroland or the other side of the food village place.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:54 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]If we had been bowling or were killing time before a film started at the old pictures, we would maybe scoot into Metroland for a quick look *perv* around. Maybe even going on a ride or two in the process.
We never got wristbands those times.

If we didn't get chatting to a stunner from Blaydon (they weren't fussy about Nike Airs then), it was generally a scoot into the game shop outside Metroland or the other side of the food village place.

Microbyte?

I got my NES chipped there!

(27 Aug 2015, 8:52 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]You were able to buy individual tickets when I worked there and, as you say, the wristbands entitled you to unlimited usage of the rides owned by Arlington Leisure. 

The Waltzer and MontyZumas (formerly King Wiz' Castle or the soft-play area) were owned by different companies. However, when it first opened, King Wiz's Castle was part of the original set-up. The Waltzer (or the area which the walzer was located) used to be some sort of 3D attraction when it first opened.

I think the Waltzer eventually became part of the wristband deal, but this was after I left.

Can't remember the waltzer. Were the dodgems another company, as I can't remember going on them. I would have done, but there was obviously a reason for not.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:55 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]Microbyte?

I got my NES chipped there!

Can't remember its name.
There was one the other side of the sweet shop (the entrance to the food bit - not clockworks) and another one, near the travel agents (near Carrefour/Gateway/Asda). It may be a barbers now.

(27 Aug 2015, 9:00 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Can't remember the waltzer. Were the dodgems another company, as I can't remember going on them. I would have done, but there was obviously a reason for not.

Can't remember its name.
There was one the other side of the sweet shop (the entrance to the food bit - not clockworks) and another one, near the travel agents (near Carrefour/Gateway/Asda). It may be a barbers now.

The dodgems have always been part of Metroland as far as I am aware. Car number 3 seemed to be faster than the rest with car number 11 being the slowest. 

The shop next to the old Asda was named Maughan's Micro Computers. Microbyte was where Tucci is/was but it may have moved to the premises next door at some point (the shop inbetween Tucci and the Sweet Shop). There was certainly a computer shop located there!

(27 Aug 2015, 8:34 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]The front top deck seats on 6038 are no match for the Metroland rollercoaster. I can assure you of that.

I grew up on the doorstep of Alton towers and got in there for free many times as a teen, for various reasons.

I did the Metroland rollercoast once and once only. [sicklyshadeofgreen]

And I think Maughan Microcomputers might still be aliv and kicking. I'm sure I've seen it, fairly recently. It was still around a year ago, at the very least
http://companycheck.co.uk/company/06376218

Hilarious evening in Newcastle with Alex Cromaty, Sean White and Andrew.

Also, I will be getting my external microphone for my camera tomorrow, meaning that I will be able to take videos on my camera, without the sound being all muffled.

(27 Aug 2015, 11:00 pm)LeeCalder wrote [ -> ]Hilarious evening in Newcastle with Alex Cromaty, Sean White and Andrew.



Also, I will be getting my external microphone for my camera tomorrow, meaning that I will be able to take videos on my camera, without the sound being all muffled.

Did Andrew chase you round Central?

(28 Aug 2015, 3:17 pm)Adam wrote [ -> ]Today's been a very good day!

Got a phone call from a lady saying that my placement is going ahead, providing uni agrees to it. For my uni course, I need to be on placement for Years 2 & 3, and after countless applications, interviews, assessment centres & rejections, I've finally found one. I start on Tuesday as a "Business Improvement Assistant" to give me my poncey, pretentious title.

Also, 10 months after passing my driving test, I finally bought myself a car, ready for placement, and because my annual bus pass runs out on Monday. I pick it up next Saturday

Nice one Adam =D 


I need to find a placement for mine to, think i'll pop in to the one iv'e being at the last 2 years and work the old "please can i come back" hahaha

Following on from the Metroland discussion last night, I found a couple more photos:













Credit - Newcastle Uncovered (Facebook)

When someone was leaving the employ of Metroland for pastures new, it was customary to cake the departee with eggs and flower before chucking them into the pond featured in the first picture.

(28 Aug 2015, 6:25 pm)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]When someone was leaving the employ of Metroland for pastures new, it was customary to cake the departee with eggs and flower before chucking them into the pond featured in the first picture.

I bet that was a whale of a time! 

I'll get my coat...

(28 Aug 2015, 6:30 pm)R852 PRG wrote [ -> ]I bet that was a whale of a time! 

I'll get my coat...

I think you'd better. 

To most, they were just fish. I don't think I've ever heard anybody refer to them as whales.

Thanks to the driver on 1305 on the 12/12A for slowing down for a photo, especially with me struggling to get a gap in the traffic.

Got to York and back with Marcus and I am still in one piece!

(29 Aug 2015, 4:32 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Got to York and back with Marcus and I am still in one piece!

Did you manage to get a word in?

(29 Aug 2015, 4:45 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Did you manage to get a word in?

And what do you think....

Thank you so much Dan the Quaylink next stop announcements work again!

On 4021 and it's very smooth no rattles must be a first.

(28 Aug 2015, 6:30 pm)R852 PRG wrote [ -> ]I bet that was a whale of a time! 

I'll get my coat...

Even for your standards Marcus that was terrible.

Currently on 33101 without a doubt one of the best buses there apart from the Olympians.

The driver I had on the E6 earlier was brilliant, he seemed to be very enthusiast friendly and on the E2 me and Dan were fortunate enough to get 19642 which seemed like a good bus.