(22 Jul 2013, 7:42 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]As far as I'm aware, it has always been operated by one of the Newcastle depots.
It used be seen on a daily basis, heading back along the Felling Bypass after a day at Shields
I remember having a ride of the South Tyneside CitySightseeing service as a kid, but I wasn't that into buses to divulge into which depot operated. As far as I was concerned, it was a big red bus and I liked it.
Does seem strange to me though - I know Shields is a low-floor depot (minus the Stockton Olympian which is in there at the mo, although it won't see service), but is it really worth having that status over running costs?
Maybe the allocation is from a maintenance perspective? I understand the other 4 Olympians in the North East are all at Slatyford? 14669, 14670, 14673, and 14674?
(22 Jul 2013, 8:35 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Maybe the allocation is from a maintenance perspective? I understand the other 4 Olympians in the North East are all at Slatyford? 14669, 14670, 14673, and 14674?
Possibly, but I can understand why they're all at Slaytford - they're for NewcastleGateshead CitySightseeing. You wouldn't have one of those based at Sunderland or Shields because its service is in Newcastle/Gateshead.
If not for maintenance purposes, why else would you have a vehicle that is used in service in South Shields based at Newcastle?
(22 Jul 2013, 8:38 pm)Daniel wrote [ -> ] (22 Jul 2013, 8:35 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Maybe the allocation is from a maintenance perspective? I understand the other 4 Olympians in the North East are all at Slatyford? 14669, 14670, 14673, and 14674?
Possibly, but I can understand why they're all at Slaytford - they're for NewcastleGateshead CitySightseeing. You wouldn't have one of those based at Sunderland or Shields because its service is in Newcastle/Gateshead.
If not for maintenance purposes, why else would you have a vehicle that is used in service in South Shields based at Newcastle?
All of the City Sightseeing services have been operated out of Slatyford since Stagecoach took over the franchise in 2007 (not sure before that). I imagine more than a maintenance perspective, it needs to be based at Slatyford as it will use a Slatyford driver who is used to driving the type - must be years since any of the Shields drivers have had a Ley Oly to drive. South Tyneside Council are probably paying enough for the service that Stagecoach don't need to worry about the running costs.
(22 Jul 2013, 9:32 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote [ -> ] (22 Jul 2013, 8:38 pm)Daniel wrote [ -> ] (22 Jul 2013, 8:35 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Maybe the allocation is from a maintenance perspective? I understand the other 4 Olympians in the North East are all at Slatyford? 14669, 14670, 14673, and 14674?
Possibly, but I can understand why they're all at Slaytford - they're for NewcastleGateshead CitySightseeing. You wouldn't have one of those based at Sunderland or Shields because its service is in Newcastle/Gateshead.
If not for maintenance purposes, why else would you have a vehicle that is used in service in South Shields based at Newcastle?
All of the City Sightseeing services have been operated out of Slatyford since Stagecoach took over the franchise in 2007 (not sure before that). I imagine more than a maintenance perspective, it needs to be based at Slatyford as it will use a Slatyford driver who is used to driving the type - must be years since any of the Shields drivers have had a Ley Oly to drive. South Tyneside Council are probably paying enough for the service that Stagecoach don't need to worry about the running costs.
14671 was at South Shields depot over the weekend for type training as I understand Shields drivers are covering the lunch break.
With a 21-day maintenance cycle, a contract specification stipulating open top, and it operating every day for 6 weeks, it would have to be based at slatyford, otherwise two buses would have had to be transferred across to shields. And that would have impacted on availability of open toppers for private hire work.
(19 Jul 2013, 8:23 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote [ -> ] (18 Jul 2013, 4:49 pm)Wellsey18 wrote [ -> ]10000 is working the X63 today dunno if this is for a while or just today
10000 on the X63 again today, a few normal E400s on the 39 & 40s too, so presumably a number of hybrids OTR.
Also a few notes from yesterday - 14670 was on route familiarisation in South Shields ahead of the launch of the 998 Shuttle next week. Trident 17026 was at the Wheatsheaf - reason unknown. MAN 22485 also at the Wheatsheaf undergoing repaint.
17026 is now back at Stockton depot, currently parked up against the back fence in what is termed the 'dead row'.
Sunderland ALX200 33829 on 20s today.
(25 Jul 2013, 12:54 pm)Daniel wrote [ -> ]Sunderland ALX200 33829 on 20s today.
Distinct lack of ALX300s on the service today - 35163 also on.
On another note, trainer 20551 just seen heading up towards The Wavendon on Chester Rd. Was previously on Hylton Rd, so not entirely sure of the service they're training!
Ive also just seen 20551 on chester road
, about 4 people on it
(25 Jul 2013, 1:47 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Ive also just seen 20551 on chester road , about 4 people on it
Indeed. Had a quick run out up there, ran back down to town and then had a swoop around St Mary's Way and is now heading back to the depot.
Sunderland's 36084 is currently being towed back to the depot for the second time this month after breaking down near Doxford Park
Does anyone know what stagecoach will be using on the 510 over the airshow weekend?
They should also run the 18/19 on the Sunday of the airshow, like GEN do with the 99... i think it could get decent passengers.
Olympian 16835 has just arrived at Sunderland for use on airshow shuttles this year. No sign of next arrival yet.
(26 Jul 2013, 3:15 pm)Daniel wrote [ -> ]Olympian 16835 has just arrived at Sunderland for use on airshow shuttles this year. No sign of next arrival yet.
16837/8/40 have been sighted parked in Stockton yard this morning, so could see these three join 835 or even return to use at Stockton to send the Tridents to Sunderland.
Thanks alot, i was hoping to see some the E400's =)
Shields' 33492 made a rare appearance on E1/E2/E6 today - I've certainly not seen it happen, and I can only find the one photo of it happening previously (all the way back from 2010 too!)
Meanwhile, a few Pointer 2 Darts slipped off onto the 20 again today.
All 4 Tridents, 16833/4 are in Stockton depot at present, 16834 and 17032 being refuelled the other 4 parked in the corner. No sign of 16831/6/9 of the active examples, nor of 16837/8/40.
(26 Jul 2013, 3:22 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ] (26 Jul 2013, 3:15 pm)Daniel wrote [ -> ]Olympian 16835 has just arrived at Sunderland for use on airshow shuttles this year. No sign of next arrival yet.
16837/8/40 have been sighted parked in Stockton yard this morning, so could see these three join 835 or even return to use at Stockton to send the Tridents to Sunderland.
16832/37/38/40 have been sold to Ensign and straight on to Golden Eagle Coaches, Salsburgh - so there is no possibility of any of the four turning up on Airshow duties.
Another Olympian that won't be up in Sunderland is 16831 as it's out on 58s in Stockton today.
EDIT (0907): 17032/26 (in that order) are reported to be on the 13 today, this being 17026's first service run for at least 6 weeks.
EDIT (0952): no deckers parked in Stockton depot, 17027/16834 being on the 52.