North East Buses

(12 Oct 2014, 4:31 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Will the Crusader citaro's be done after the Blaydon Racer's, don't think they've had a repaint yet?

I think they got a Warranty Repaint through Mercedes in 2012 before the B9TL's arrived for the TEN.

(12 Oct 2014, 4:47 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]I think they got a Warranty Repaint through Mercedes in 2012 before the B9TL's arrived for the TEN.

I think they might have, i was just looking at them on the fleet list and nothing is mentioned for repaints 

(12 Oct 2014, 1:48 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote [ -> ]A few things:

- Do you think that the Cobalt Clipper brand will be slightly modified with the new technology being fitted?

- Do you think that 6116 or 6117 will be re-painted if GNE are satisfied with the frequency increase between Whitley Bay and Blyth?

To answer your first question - I may be wrong, but I don't think the livery design will be altered. Go North East has a very 'green' fleet, with the majority of the vehicles in the fleet being a minimum of Euro 4 thanks to Eminox modifications. Whilst these modifications differ from the modifications that the Volvo B9TLs will receive, branding was not altered.

To answer your second question - providing that the frequency increase is successful, I do think that one (presumably 6116) will be repainted.

(12 Oct 2014, 4:31 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Will the Crusader citaro's be done after the Blaydon Racer's, don't think they've had a repaint yet?

I think some will be - those that weren't given a warranty repaint previously - although this may not follow immediately after the "Blaydon Racers" allocation are all repainted as Riverside's PVR usually increases in December to accommodate for duplicate 10A services.

Assuming one vehicle is repainted per week, Saltmeadows will be repainting the "Blaydon Racers" branded vehicles until w/c 1st December 2014. Perhaps not a great idea for Riverside's PVR to be increasing by 2 or 3 vehicles and having one bus away for repaint, on top of normal VORs.

(12 Oct 2014, 4:47 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote [ -> ]I think they got a Warranty Repaint through Mercedes in 2012 before the B9TL's arrived for the TEN.

Partly correct.

5310 - Repainted in May 2012
5311 - Repainted in May 2012
5312 - Repainted in May 2012
5313 - Repainted in July 2012
5314 - Repainted in June 2012
5315 - Repainted in March 2012
5316 - Repainted in June 2012
5317 - Repainted in July 2012
5318 - Repainted in July 2012
5319 - Repainted in July 2012
5320 - Repainted in August 2012
5321 - Repainted in August 2012
5322 - Repainted in August 2012
5323 - Repainted in August 2012
5324 - Repainted in August 2012
5325 - Repainted in April 2012
5326 - Repainted in April 2012
5327 - Repainted in April 2012

5328 upwards (ie Citaros new in 2010 onwards) did not receive a free warranty repaint at Thorntons.

(12 Oct 2014, 4:50 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]I think they might have, i was just looking at them on the fleet list and nothing is mentioned for repaints 

There was nothing on the fleet lists because I had originally thought that the vehicles were merely de-branded; however, I have had confirmation of the repaint dates since we discussed this previously. I will go back at some point to include the above dates.

(12 Oct 2014, 9:38 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Think that's something different. Our resident from Corbridge may have a greater knowledge than me, given that he'd done his research in the past about the Fab56/Cobalt Volvo B9 modifications.

The eFan Micro Hybrid System is a totally different proposal to the 'flywheel' proposal.


It simply replaces the hydraulically-driven cooling fan (and the combined water/air intake charge cooler) with electrically-powered cooling fans working on separate air-charge cooler and water radiator.

In simple terms, it replaces the drag required to constantly power the hydraulic fan from 20 kW to 3 kW with electric fans that can be switched on and off as required. This will reduce the fuel consumption.

For those wanting more information, see:-
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=925&pid=66549#pid66549

The flywheel proposal system uses an electrically-driven high speed flywheel made of carbon fibre to store the energy generated by a bus as it slows down to stop. It then uses the stored energy to power an electric motor which helps accelerate the bus back up to speed, generating fuel savings of more than 20 per cent.

(12 Oct 2014, 5:16 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]There was nothing on the fleet lists because I had originally thought that the vehicles were merely de-branded; however, I have had confirmation of the repaint dates since we discussed this previously. I will go back at some point to include the above dates.

Updated the history sections for Mercedes Citaros 5310 - 5327 to include the dates for those repaints.

(13 Oct 2014, 1:53 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Updated the history sections for Mercedes Citaros 5310 - 5327 to include the dates for those repaints.

5310 new in 2008 for Winlaton Depot as a result of new vehicles for Ten Service this bus was then debranded from Ten and Transferred To Sunderland Road depot in 2013 and then branded as Crusader in February 2014 Sunderland Road Closed and as a result Winlaton and Sunderland Road Depot decided to move to Riverside

Who does the 265 mid afternoon...Do Deptford do it on the 15:45 and 16:15 out of Durham and does it interwork with anything else?

(13 Oct 2014, 3:18 pm)marxistafozzski wrote [ -> ]Who does the 265 mid afternoon...Do Deptford do it on the 15:45 and 16:15 out of Durham and does it interwork with anything else?

I know one of them is usually a B7 decker - thats a Deptford run, gonna presume the other one is the same.

(13 Oct 2014, 3:19 pm)Robert wrote [ -> ]I know one of them is usually a B7 decker - thats a Deptford run, gonna presume the other one is the same.

The earlier one that I missed was ran by 6008, the one I just got on is 3980

So i take it that it is Deptford

(13 Oct 2014, 3:28 pm)marxistafozzski wrote [ -> ]The earlier one that I missed was ran by 6008, the one I just got on is 3980

So i take it that it is Deptford

Sure is! Must admit, i fell for the same thing a few months ago

(13 Oct 2014, 3:30 pm)Robert wrote [ -> ]Sure is! Must admit, i fell for the same thing a few months ago

So does anyone know if they run off/onto other services...

Trying to pick through the grey cells in my brain, I am sure I have seen and noted on here seeing 6099 and 6100 on an afternoon 265

(13 Oct 2014, 3:19 pm)Robert wrote [ -> ]I know one of them is usually a B7 decker - thats a Deptford run, gonna presume the other one is the same.

265 used to be ran by Deptford & CHESTER.
The 15:45 Durham-Seaham was ran by Deptford. I believe the same bus (B7 President) used to do AM run on the 265, then 835 School in Easington, before going to do X3's, then would go back to 835 PM run then to do the 15:45 265. 
The 16:07 Framwellgate Moor-Seaham was ran by Chester. The bus was officially a B10 but was often allocated a blue unbranded Omnicity a few month back. The bus used to do a morning run on the 265 and nothing unless until evening run on the 265. 

Not sure what happens now.

(13 Oct 2014, 4:04 pm)Drifter60 wrote [ -> ]265 used to be ran by Deptford & CHESTER.
The 15:45 Durham-Seaham was ran by Deptford. I believe the same bus (B7 President) used to do AM run on the 265, then 835 School in Easington, before going to do X3's, then would go back to 835 PM run then to do the 15:45 265. 
The 16:07 Framwellgate Moor-Seaham was ran by Chester. The bus was officially a B10 but was often allocated a blue unbranded Omnicity a few month back. The bus used to do a morning run on the 265 and nothing unless until evening run on the 265. 

Not sure what happens now.

But considering 6008 and 3980 are both based at deptford it should be self-explanitory of what happens now...

(13 Oct 2014, 4:15 pm)Robert wrote [ -> ]But considering 6008 and 3980 are both based at deptford it should be self-explanitory of what happens now...

Was thinking that myself...

Also back in the day, A Prince Bishops used to run 1 on a morning, which I believe ran onto the 20 when it got to Durham

3866 did today's 919.

(13 Oct 2014, 4:48 pm)danpick wrote [ -> ]3866 did today's 919.

Go North East: 3866 / 340GUP by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Travelled on the evening journey, and the service carried thirteen passengers (from Cobalt Business Park to Jarrow - few continued onwards, with only myself and another passenger making use of the connection to service 9). Ten of these thirteen passengers had bought an £18.50 "919 WeeklySaver", which was great to see. Two singles were purchased, and then there was me too.

Both the morning and evening journey interworks with service 327, and the same driver performs both journeys too. I'm thankful 3866 (340 GUP) showed up, as it allowed for a photo opportunity which mightn't happen again (with 3866 due for repaint next week).

Very well done for Go North East taking on this commercial venture - it looks as if it will be successful, and it's presumably made travelling a lot cheaper for a number of passengers!

(13 Oct 2014, 3:44 pm)marxistafozzski wrote [ -> ]So does anyone know if they run off/onto other services...

Trying to pick through the grey cells in my brain, I am sure I have seen and noted on here seeing 6099 and 6100 on an afternoon 265

Departing Seaham at 07:24am, service 265 is operated by a corporate liveried Scania L94UB/Wright Solar. A fair amount of light mileage is involved with this one, with the same vehicle performing the 09:20am service 29 departure from Doxford Park afterwards.

Departing Framwellgate Moor at 15:45pm, service 265 is operated by a corporate liveried Volvo B7TL (either East Lancs Vyking or Plaxton President bodywork). The same working used to be covered by the Volvo B7TL which was allocated to service X3. The vehicle is no longer allocated to service X3, though it still interworks with scholars before running to Framwellgate Moor. After finishing the 265, it runs to Doxford Park light and performs the 17:04 X35, as it did previously. The two red Volvo B9TLs cropped up on service X3 every now and again, hence why you've seen one of the two on service 265 previously.

The 16:07 departure is now covered by Deptford, rather than Chester-le-Street. Again, it should be allocated a Volvo B7TL (no preference on bodywork). The bus performs scholars before heading to Framwellgate, and then after the 265, it runs to Doxford Park light and performs the 17:34 X35 (previously operated by a "SimpliCity" branded Optare Versa). As stated above, and as discussed previously, this working used to be covered by Chester-le-Street and a Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown should have been allocated. When the former "Cobalt Clipper" branded Scania OmniCitys arrived at Chester-le-Street prior to getting branded, they made their way on to this departure a couple of times.

(13 Oct 2014, 8:01 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Departing Seaham at 07:24am, service 265 is operated by a corporate liveried Scania L94UB/Wright Solar. A fair amount of light mileage is involved with this one, with the same vehicle performing the 09:20am service 29 departure from Doxford Park afterwards.

Departing Framwellgate Moor at 15:45pm, service 265 is operated by a corporate liveried Volvo B7TL (either East Lancs Vyking or Plaxton President bodywork). The same working used to be covered by the Volvo B7TL which was allocated to service X3. The vehicle is no longer allocated to service X3, though it still interworks with scholars before running to Framwellgate Moor. After finishing the 265, it runs to Doxford Park light and performs the 17:04 X35, as it did previously. The two red Volvo B9TLs cropped up on service X3 every now and again, hence why you've seen one of the two on service 265 previously.

The 16:07 departure is now covered by Deptford, rather than Chester-le-Street. Again, it should be allocated a Volvo B7TL (no preference on bodywork). The bus performs scholars before heading to Framwellgate, and then after the 265, it runs to Doxford Park light and performs the 17:34 X35 (previously operated by a "SimpliCity" branded Optare Versa). As stated above, and as discussed previously, this working used to be covered by Chester-le-Street and a Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown should have been allocated. When the former "Cobalt Clipper" branded Scania OmniCitys arrived at Chester-le-Street prior to getting branded, they made their way on to this departure a couple of times.

Cheers Dan, your knowledge on local bus services is First Class...seems to be that what you dont know is probably not worth knowing

(13 Oct 2014, 7:43 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Go North East: 3866 / 340GUP by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Travelled on the evening journey, and the service carried thirteen passengers (from Cobalt Business Park to Jarrow - few continued onwards, with only myself and another passenger making use of the connection to service 9). Ten of these thirteen passengers had bought an £18.50 "919 WeeklySaver", which was great to see. Two singles were purchased, and then there was me too.

Both the morning and evening journey interworks with service 327, and the same driver performs both journeys too. I'm thankful 3866 (340 GUP) showed up, as it allowed for a photo opportunity which mightn't happen again (with 3866 due for repaint next week).

Very well done for Go North East taking on this commercial venture - it looks as if it will be successful, and it's presumably made travelling a lot cheaper for a number of passengers!

Cobalt must be very profitable for Go North East and it will get even more so if it continues to grow .

(13 Oct 2014, 9:15 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote [ -> ]Cobalt must be very profitable for Go North East and it will get even more so if it continues to grow .

Yes, in the peak periods more so. I must have seen in excess of 20 passengers boarding GNE buses in approximately 15 minutes from 1700 to 1715 at one stop alone - few will be paying single fares, but most will be loyal and have a Key Card or route specific "WeeklySaver" which is still good revenue.

In this time, an X39, 309, 80, 19 and 919 all served the stop. Neither the 19 nor the 80 picked up any passengers - but the other three did!