Bus Related Outings and Reviews
Bus Related Outings and Reviews
(21 Mar 2016, 8:49 pm)South Tyne Lad Ive got my outing planned for Hexham and the new Solos, It has been rescheduled for Saturday due to meeting with my mates on Thursday night.
My outing is as follows
1135 74 Eldon Square - Hexham 1301 ( Hoping the driver will be early en route to get a photo on the route )
Photograph buses in Hexham Bus Station 1300 - 1510
1510 AD122 Hexham - Haltwhistle 1606
1620 681 Haltwhistle - Alston 1708
Get a photo of the ( Hopefully ) Solo in Alston
1715 X81 Alston - Hexham 1805
1822 685/85 Hexham - Eldon Square 1918
Then head home.
Hoping I have good drivers so if there early they will let me get a photo en route.
I'm lucking forward to it
I will be out on Thursday just not too far, Maybe Ashington or Metro Replacements
Anyone who wants to tag along is welcome, Just look for a 13 year old boy taking photos
(21 Mar 2016, 8:49 pm)South Tyne Lad Ive got my outing planned for Hexham and the new Solos, It has been rescheduled for Saturday due to meeting with my mates on Thursday night.
My outing is as follows
1135 74 Eldon Square - Hexham 1301 ( Hoping the driver will be early en route to get a photo on the route )
Photograph buses in Hexham Bus Station 1300 - 1510
1510 AD122 Hexham - Haltwhistle 1606
1620 681 Haltwhistle - Alston 1708
Get a photo of the ( Hopefully ) Solo in Alston
1715 X81 Alston - Hexham 1805
1822 685/85 Hexham - Eldon Square 1918
Then head home.
Hoping I have good drivers so if there early they will let me get a photo en route.
I'm lucking forward to it
I will be out on Thursday just not too far, Maybe Ashington or Metro Replacements
Anyone who wants to tag along is welcome, Just look for a 13 year old boy taking photos
(21 Mar 2016, 9:00 pm)Jimmi I will probably spot you as I am looking to do the following on Saturday (subject to change):
0805 7 Aycliffe - Durham (Arrive 0845)
0850 15 Consett (Arrive 0930)
0945 689 Hexham (Arrive 1039)
1110 AD122 Haltwhistle (Arrive 1208)
1249 685 Hexham (1322)
1422 10 Corbridge Hill Street (1432)
1510 687 Hexham Bus Station (1527)
1530 882 Hadrian Hotel (1544)
1552 AD122 Hexham Rail Station (1602)
1607 74 Newcastle (1729)
Then whatever home.
(21 Mar 2016, 9:01 pm)Tom Sounds good, some nice scenic rides there especially the 681/X81 and AD122 - but just to let you know the AD122 is very expensive (day ticket is £12!!) so god knows how much a single will be.
(21 Mar 2016, 9:00 pm)Jimmi I will probably spot you as I am looking to do the following on Saturday (subject to change):
0805 7 Aycliffe - Durham (Arrive 0845)
0850 15 Consett (Arrive 0930)
0945 689 Hexham (Arrive 1039)
1110 AD122 Haltwhistle (Arrive 1208)
1249 685 Hexham (1322)
1422 10 Corbridge Hill Street (1432)
1510 687 Hexham Bus Station (1527)
1530 882 Hadrian Hotel (1544)
1552 AD122 Hexham Rail Station (1602)
1607 74 Newcastle (1729)
Then whatever home.
(21 Mar 2016, 9:01 pm)Tom Sounds good, some nice scenic rides there especially the 681/X81 and AD122 - but just to let you know the AD122 is very expensive (day ticket is £12!!) so god knows how much a single will be.
(21 Mar 2016, 9:14 pm)South Tyne Lad You'll probably see me in Hexham Bus Station. Never tried the 681/X81 or the AD122 yet. Never knew it was that expensive!
(21 Mar 2016, 9:32 pm)Tom Might be worth going on the GNE live chat or Facebook to check the fare - to be fair it's pricey but a brilliant ride. Have a feeling it might be above £10 though for a single.
(21 Mar 2016, 9:14 pm)South Tyne Lad You'll probably see me in Hexham Bus Station. Never tried the 681/X81 or the AD122 yet. Never knew it was that expensive!
(21 Mar 2016, 9:32 pm)Tom Might be worth going on the GNE live chat or Facebook to check the fare - to be fair it's pricey but a brilliant ride. Have a feeling it might be above £10 though for a single.
Tomorrow will be the first chance that I have really had to take advantage of my staff pass, so my plan is as follows...
0717 #21 Barley Mow to Newcastle Eldon Square operated by Go North East (Arrive 0753)
0800 #X85 Newcastle Eldon Square to Hexham Bus Station operated by Go North East (Arrive 0847)
1002 #X84 Hexham Bus Station to Newcastle Gallowgate operated by Go North East (Arrive 1100)
1106 #Metro St James to Tynemouth (Arrive 1131)
1148 #900 Tynemouth to Whitley Bay operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1157)
1301 #900 Whitley Bay to Tynemouth operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1316)
1326 #Metro Tynemouth to North Shields (Arrive 1329)
1400 #Ferry North Shields to South Shields (Arrive 1407)
1412 #20 South Shield to Park Lane Interchange operated by Go North East (Arrive 1443)
1556 #8 Park Lane Interchange to Chester-le-Street operated by Go North East (Arrive 1655)
I have no set plan after my journey on the 8, however, I'm guessing my plan will go out the window in Newcastle due to the roadworks in Low Fell...
(22 Mar 2016, 11:05 pm)LeeCalder Tomorrow will be the first chance that I have really had to take advantage of my staff pass, so my plan is as follows...
0717 #21 Barley Mow to Newcastle Eldon Square operated by Go North East (Arrive 0753)
0800 #X85 Newcastle Eldon Square to Hexham Bus Station operated by Go North East (Arrive 0847)
1002 #X84 Hexham Bus Station to Newcastle Gallowgate operated by Go North East (Arrive 1100)
1106 #Metro St James to Tynemouth (Arrive 1131)
1148 #900 Tynemouth to Whitley Bay operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1157)
1301 #900 Whitley Bay to Tynemouth operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1316)
1326 #Metro Tynemouth to North Shields (Arrive 1329)
1400 #Ferry North Shields to South Shields (Arrive 1407)
1412 #20 South Shield to Park Lane Interchange operated by Go North East (Arrive 1443)
1556 #8 Park Lane Interchange to Chester-le-Street operated by Go North East (Arrive 1655)
I have no set plan after my journey on the 8, however, I'm guessing my plan will go out the window in Newcastle due to the roadworks in Low Fell...
(22 Mar 2016, 11:05 pm)LeeCalder Tomorrow will be the first chance that I have really had to take advantage of my staff pass, so my plan is as follows...
0717 #21 Barley Mow to Newcastle Eldon Square operated by Go North East (Arrive 0753)
0800 #X85 Newcastle Eldon Square to Hexham Bus Station operated by Go North East (Arrive 0847)
1002 #X84 Hexham Bus Station to Newcastle Gallowgate operated by Go North East (Arrive 1100)
1106 #Metro St James to Tynemouth (Arrive 1131)
1148 #900 Tynemouth to Whitley Bay operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1157)
1301 #900 Whitley Bay to Tynemouth operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1316)
1326 #Metro Tynemouth to North Shields (Arrive 1329)
1400 #Ferry North Shields to South Shields (Arrive 1407)
1412 #20 South Shield to Park Lane Interchange operated by Go North East (Arrive 1443)
1556 #8 Park Lane Interchange to Chester-le-Street operated by Go North East (Arrive 1655)
I have no set plan after my journey on the 8, however, I'm guessing my plan will go out the window in Newcastle due to the roadworks in Low Fell...
(22 Mar 2016, 11:17 pm)Jimmi Not sure what traffic and timekeeping on the 21 is like for that time of the morning but with only a 7 minute connection between the 21 and X85 I can see where things may go wrong there.
If I stick to my plan I will be leaving Whitley Bay around 10 minutes before you arrive, where I am then heading up to North Shields on the 17.
(22 Mar 2016, 11:17 pm)Jimmi Not sure what traffic and timekeeping on the 21 is like for that time of the morning but with only a 7 minute connection between the 21 and X85 I can see where things may go wrong there.
If I stick to my plan I will be leaving Whitley Bay around 10 minutes before you arrive, where I am then heading up to North Shields on the 17.
(22 Mar 2016, 11:19 pm)LeeCalder It should be fine, not a problem if I miss it like, I'll just head elsewhere.
(22 Mar 2016, 11:19 pm)LeeCalder It should be fine, not a problem if I miss it like, I'll just head elsewhere.
Thank you to those who offered suggestions for a potential trip to the North East I was going to do today. Unfortunately due to plans my trip was cancelled though I was still free today so decided not to waste an opportunity to get out and about, just a little more local. Local to me anyway. Hopefully this review will be a little more interesting as I imagine the subject, trentbarton, is a little more interesting than First Potteries.
I started my day by heading to Derby, a key hub for trentbarton. I can't apologise for my spelling of the brand name here; the lower case, compound version of their name is now their official title found on all of their branding and publications - I like it though.
259 - Y259 DRC Optare Excel Route D1: Derby Meteor Centre - Derby City Centre
My first bus of the day was not strictly a trentbarton bus, but a Notts & Derby one. Notts & Derby are a sister subsidiary to trentbarton within the Wellglade group and they can be perceived as the low-cost operation of the group. They specialise in contractual services including for large companies such as JCB and Rolls Royce with a few commercial services; though many have holes in the timetable where vehicles drop away to operate school contracts etc. One of their services provides the park & ride for Derby's Meteor Centre, a retail park not far from the city centre. 259 wears an unusual livery related to Derby College shown here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ipswichbus...542857395/
It's easy to see where they got their inspiration...
(22 Mar 2016, 11:05 pm)LeeCalder Tomorrow will be the first chance that I have really had to take advantage of my staff pass, so my plan is as follows...Looks fun, I have will be 900 bashing next week.
0717 #21 Barley Mow to Newcastle Eldon Square operated by Go North East (Arrive 0753)
0800 #X85 Newcastle Eldon Square to Hexham Bus Station operated by Go North East (Arrive 0847)
1002 #X84 Hexham Bus Station to Newcastle Gallowgate operated by Go North East (Arrive 1100)
1106 #Metro St James to Tynemouth (Arrive 1131)
1148 #900 Tynemouth to Whitley Bay operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1157)
1301 #900 Whitley Bay to Tynemouth operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1316)
1326 #Metro Tynemouth to North Shields (Arrive 1329)
1400 #Ferry North Shields to South Shields (Arrive 1407)
1412 #20 South Shield to Park Lane Interchange operated by Go North East (Arrive 1443)
1556 #8 Park Lane Interchange to Chester-le-Street operated by Go North East (Arrive 1655)
I have no set plan after my journey on the 8, however, I'm guessing my plan will go out the window in Newcastle due to the roadworks in Low Fell...
(22 Mar 2016, 11:05 pm)LeeCalder Tomorrow will be the first chance that I have really had to take advantage of my staff pass, so my plan is as follows...Looks fun, I have will be 900 bashing next week.
0717 #21 Barley Mow to Newcastle Eldon Square operated by Go North East (Arrive 0753)
0800 #X85 Newcastle Eldon Square to Hexham Bus Station operated by Go North East (Arrive 0847)
1002 #X84 Hexham Bus Station to Newcastle Gallowgate operated by Go North East (Arrive 1100)
1106 #Metro St James to Tynemouth (Arrive 1131)
1148 #900 Tynemouth to Whitley Bay operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1157)
1301 #900 Whitley Bay to Tynemouth operated by Arriva North East (Arrive 1316)
1326 #Metro Tynemouth to North Shields (Arrive 1329)
1400 #Ferry North Shields to South Shields (Arrive 1407)
1412 #20 South Shield to Park Lane Interchange operated by Go North East (Arrive 1443)
1556 #8 Park Lane Interchange to Chester-le-Street operated by Go North East (Arrive 1655)
I have no set plan after my journey on the 8, however, I'm guessing my plan will go out the window in Newcastle due to the roadworks in Low Fell...
Kinky buses?!
Oh my.
I think they actually over-egged that one somewhat.
"Mum. MUM! What does kinky mean?"
"I think, in this case, it might refer to all the dents in the bus from reversing in the bus station."
"What else does it mean?
"I suggest you look it up in a dictionary."
"I don't do dictionaries."
"That's your lookout, then."
Today so me go seek 9104 and then another ride on 9102. Well this is what i did
6096 56
640 700
4025 metro
4033 metro
19432 22
9104 A3
4069 metro
142063 northern
6092 56
28029 4
640 700
4047 metro
9102 20
548 38
5217 20A
542 238
4945 20
36088 5A
36084 5A
28023 13
8273 33
4937 38
T206clo scholars
5324 61
34605 18
4903 99.
Today was my trip to get a ride on 9104. I began my day on 6096 this was half empty then boring old journeys on the metro once on 9104 it felt ok.
Well to tired to review but here is my review
(26 Mar 2016, 3:12 pm)LeeCalder I've had a brilliant day out in Tynedale, I already have a photo of the new Solo SR's from Hexham but decided I would venture further for photos.
I ended up in Haltwhistle, Bellingham, Wall and Halton Lea Gate.
(26 Mar 2016, 3:12 pm)LeeCalder I've had a brilliant day out in Tynedale, I already have a photo of the new Solo SR's from Hexham but decided I would venture further for photos.
I ended up in Haltwhistle, Bellingham, Wall and Halton Lea Gate.
(26 Mar 2016, 4:21 pm)Jimmi Saw you as I came into Hexham on the first 689 this morning.
I've done Hexham, Haltwhistle, Corbridge and Wall, as I sampled the PCL Travel 880 from Hexham.
Now on-board 667 on the 74 to Newcastle, WiFi works brilliantly!
(26 Mar 2016, 4:21 pm)Jimmi Saw you as I came into Hexham on the first 689 this morning.
I've done Hexham, Haltwhistle, Corbridge and Wall, as I sampled the PCL Travel 880 from Hexham.
Now on-board 667 on the 74 to Newcastle, WiFi works brilliantly!
(26 Mar 2016, 4:33 pm)LeeCalder I seen you board the AD122, was it a good journey?Yeah I did Hexham Rail Station - Haltwhistle on the 11:10 journey from Hexham. Lovely route, scenery is great I'd strongly recommend it!
(26 Mar 2016, 4:33 pm)LeeCalder I seen you board the AD122, was it a good journey?Yeah I did Hexham Rail Station - Haltwhistle on the 11:10 journey from Hexham. Lovely route, scenery is great I'd strongly recommend it!
(26 Mar 2016, 4:37 pm)Jimmi Yeah I did Hexham Rail Station - Haltwhistle on the 11:10 journey from Hexham. Lovely route, scenery is great I'd strongly recommend it!
Not even half way through the route yet but I'd strongly recommend the 74 as well.
May do a review of today's outing as it has been a good one today.
(26 Mar 2016, 4:37 pm)Jimmi Yeah I did Hexham Rail Station - Haltwhistle on the 11:10 journey from Hexham. Lovely route, scenery is great I'd strongly recommend it!
Not even half way through the route yet but I'd strongly recommend the 74 as well.
May do a review of today's outing as it has been a good one today.
(26 Mar 2016, 5:00 pm)South Tyne Lad How was the journey on PCLs Dart?
I had a good day today and it was nice meeting you for the first time : )
I might do a review too
(26 Mar 2016, 5:00 pm)South Tyne Lad How was the journey on PCLs Dart?
I had a good day today and it was nice meeting you for the first time : )
I might do a review too
(26 Mar 2016, 5:22 pm)Jimmi Basically felt just like a pretty standard Dart of that era really. Seat at the back was surprisingly more comfortable than normal as it's like the back seats on Enviro 200's seemed to have more padding than normal. Got off in Wall and managed to get a photo before he left which is nice as it means I have a photo of that somewhere other than Hexham Bus Station.
It was a pleasure to meet you, pleased you had a good day
Hoping this rain eases off a bit, still on the 74.
Review from me will be dependent on time as I want to get my photos on Flickr first and then of course I don't want to be up too late as I'm up early again tomorrow morning to head to Kirkby Stephen.
(26 Mar 2016, 5:22 pm)Jimmi Basically felt just like a pretty standard Dart of that era really. Seat at the back was surprisingly more comfortable than normal as it's like the back seats on Enviro 200's seemed to have more padding than normal. Got off in Wall and managed to get a photo before he left which is nice as it means I have a photo of that somewhere other than Hexham Bus Station.
It was a pleasure to meet you, pleased you had a good day
Hoping this rain eases off a bit, still on the 74.
Review from me will be dependent on time as I want to get my photos on Flickr first and then of course I don't want to be up too late as I'm up early again tomorrow morning to head to Kirkby Stephen.
(26 Mar 2016, 3:12 pm)LeeCalder I've had a brilliant day out in Tynedale, I already have a photo of the new Solo SR's from Hexham but decided I would venture further for photos.
I ended up in Haltwhistle, Bellingham, Wall and Halton Lea Gate.
(26 Mar 2016, 3:12 pm)LeeCalder I've had a brilliant day out in Tynedale, I already have a photo of the new Solo SR's from Hexham but decided I would venture further for photos.
I ended up in Haltwhistle, Bellingham, Wall and Halton Lea Gate.