(27 Aug 2015, 7:49 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Its not permanently restricted to 45mph,  In all new Volvo Buses there is a set limiter where I believe its located somewhere on the dash. from there you can set the limiter from example 15mph up with the maximum confirmed by Volvo speed is 60mph on the B8RLE so you just need to adjust the limiter to the maximum 60mph to get the full out of this High Quality vehicle.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:10 pm)R852 PRG wrote According to a post on Facebook, 4966 has returned to Riverside from Hexham this afternoon. Can Dan the main Man confirm?

(27 Aug 2015, 8:22 pm)Dan wrote Yes, it has. In theory should see 5148 off!

(27 Aug 2015, 8:26 pm)G-CPTN wrote We used to reckon:- "20 inches one bum, 20 bums one ton." - but that was a rule of thumb that has been exceeded by people being heavier these days (at least heavier than 8 stone, though it included women and children).

I notice that the chassis is rated at 18 tonnes (also the maximum for two-axle double deckers - though I see that Volvo quote 18 tonnes for the B9TL ?) but I haven't found any unladen weights yet.

If you average passengers at 12 stone (though many might be heavier so you might have to allow for 15 stone average to remain within the GVM) then a full load (without luggage) should be within 10 tonne - that only leaves 8 tonne for unladen weight.
I believe that B9TLs are about 11 or 12 tonnes unladen (with extra bodywork of course).

I wonder if any bus has ever been caught being overweight?

(27 Aug 2015, 8:10 pm)R852 PRG wrote According to a post on Facebook, 4966 has returned to Riverside from Hexham this afternoon. Can Dan the main Man confirm?

(27 Aug 2015, 8:29 pm)NK53 TKT wrote What will replace it? Assuming not 9108 

(27 Aug 2015, 8:31 pm)R852 PRG wrote No good asking me, Mr. Graham or Mr. 5284 could possibly tell you.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:32 pm)NK53 TKT wrote It could be trialled on the 688.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:29 pm)NK53 TKT wrote What will replace it? Assuming not 9108 

(27 Aug 2015, 8:36 pm)Dan wrote Replaced by an MPD from Peterlee.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:42 pm)G-CPTN wrote I think I saw it in Hexham today - 618? - still with adverts on both sides for East Durham College IIRC.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:44 pm)Dan wrote 618 is there for a new scholars contract (interworking with service 688),
Both 618 and 619 have the pink East Durham ads.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:34 pm)R852 PRG wrote Don't think that will happen. 9108 will most likely see use on trial on another mainstream route. I'm putting my money on the ''Coaster'' or the ''Citylink''.

(27 Aug 2015, 9:28 pm)Jimmi wrote The thing with the B8 only being able to achieve 45mph, pretty much the whole 20/20A route is 50mph so it's pretty pointless it being able to do more than 50mph, that said it would be better if it could actually do 50mph.

Hope to sample it myself tomorrow.

(28 Aug 2015, 2:37 pm)Transbus574 wrote 4932 has arrived at saltmeadows for repaint

(28 Aug 2015, 2:37 pm)Transbus574 wrote 4932 has arrived at saltmeadows for repaint

(28 Aug 2015, 2:41 pm)Michael wrote Was reported a couple days ago

(28 Aug 2015, 2:52 pm)Dan wrote What wasn't reported is the fact it has been repainted into Go North East's corporate livery.

Let the speculation commence on what is to come for the Highwayman...?

(28 Aug 2015, 3:10 pm)Michael wrote Well i did ask the other day if it was going in to corporate livery....


I think well see the brand dropped off the scania's and replaced by new/newer buses in the future, allowing a full re-brand on the routes - allowing only the 96/96A/97 as the branded routes, if changes happen.

The above, like said all depends on what is replaced in the fleet.

Edit: added something in!

(28 Aug 2015, 3:10 pm)Michael wrote Well i did ask the other day if it was going in to corporate livery....


I think well see the brand dropped off the scania's and replaced by new/newer buses in the future, allowing a full re-brand on the routes - allowing only the 96/96A/97 as the branded routes, if changes happen.

The above, like said all depends on what is replaced in the fleet.

Edit: added something in!

(28 Aug 2015, 4:02 pm)Davie wrote 5286 Is the latest Citaro to be repainted https://flic.kr/p/xUKYQu

(28 Aug 2015, 4:08 pm)Diamond One wrote apparently all Y reg ones are going into red due to them being too old now