(29 Jul 2015, 5:53 pm)mb134 Seems a bit strange, they were vehicles that were used on the 501/505/518/X15/X18 until last year, what state were they meant to be in?!

What other vehicles are available for the service?

(29 Jul 2015, 5:53 pm)R852 PRG Seems like a bit of a flimsy reason.

(29 Jul 2015, 5:47 pm)Kuyoyo Since then, I've heard differently - 7453-6 will be staying South of the Tyne as Engineering don't trust Ashington to look after them after the state they were in their final days there.

(29 Jul 2015, 6:48 pm)Kuyoyo Sorry, I maybe should have explained a bit more. As we are aware from many previous posts, Ashington didn't look after the Lowlanders (both the Y-reg and 7453-6) as well as they maybe should have. Hence the many mentions of them on work like 34, 35 and X21/X22 in their final 18 months at Ashington. Since they arrived at Durham, they've been looked after by Durham's engineering team and are in a reasonable state (however I've not been on one for a while, nor have I been on 7455 recently - that was sluggish the one time I've had it at Durham). As for their future, I've heard different to what Scott mentioned but I'd rather not say in case that doesn't turn out as planned.

(29 Jul 2015, 6:48 pm)Kuyoyo As for their future, I've heard different to what Scott mentioned but I'd rather not say in case that doesn't turn out as planned.

(29 Jul 2015, 8:44 pm)solsburian With the changes to the 57/57a will there be a reduced service to Cramlington through Seghill?  That would be pretty bad if that's the case 

(29 Jul 2015, 8:47 pm)Tom Yeah service 57A will only operate hourly through Seghill as the 57 will operate to Cramlington Hospital.

(29 Jul 2015, 8:50 pm)solsburian Thanks for that, I don't think that change will go down very well, especially during the peaks.

(29 Jul 2015, 7:42 pm)mb134 From what I've heard in the past, of all the depots to criticise other depots, Durham shouldn't be it. I've heard that the Lowlanders they had prior to Ashington sending theirs down were very unreliable, which must be due to how well they look after them surely?! 

I can only say what I have heard and experienced, but I was on 7454 a couple of weeks before it went to Durham and it performed exceptionally on an X15. They also seem to be doing something to their older Sapphire E400's, most of the ones I've been on recently have performed very well.

I do, however, know that they weren't the buses they once were when they left Ashington, as you pointed out they frequently appeared on the X21/22, but at the same time, every time I got one I was still impressed.

(30 Jul 2015, 6:57 am)tyresmoke X20 would only need 4, though I suppose the other two could go on the X14 binning the Scanias to Darlington?
All theoretical of course given none of this will happen...

(30 Jul 2015, 3:36 pm)Michael PB0002717/306 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Marske Estate and Stokesley given service number 81/81a effective from 17-Aug-2015. To amend Timetable.

Reason for the change here - https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east/updates/dunsdale-closure/

(29 Jul 2015, 4:44 pm)Tom I don't understand how the 58 will work either.

Will it be: Nelson Village-Beacon Lea-Cramlington then either Hollywell or New Hartley?

(30 Jul 2015, 11:15 am)palatine3833 The condition that the Lowlanders were sent in was absolutely disgusting.  The main problem with the Lowlanders is that the chassis' are rotting away.  The reason people criticise Ashington's maintenance is mainly because two of the 57-plates have had to have work done to the rear interior as the floor collapsed (a sign the bus definitely hasn't been looked after IMO)

(03 Aug 2015, 8:23 am)mb134 Are the new timetables for the Northumberland changes out today, seem to recall something saying they were, just can't find it anywhere...