From the fleet news:
The seasonal Toon Tour service is not yet running, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this; open-top format Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs 3997 (897 EYX) and 3998 (794 EYD) have been reinstated at Percy Main, and 3999 (574 CPT) at Riverside. As these vehicles are something of a novelty; they are expected to be used on frontline core commercial work on sunny days, with the aim of creating some happiness and fun during the current pandemic.
Never expected to see them in service this year at all.
(13 Jul 2020, 11:07 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]From the fleet news:
The seasonal Toon Tour service is not yet running, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this; open-top format Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs 3997 (897 EYX) and 3998 (794 EYD) have been reinstated at Percy Main, and 3999 (574 CPT) at Riverside. As these vehicles are something of a novelty; they are expected to be used on frontline core commercial work on sunny days, with the aim of creating some happiness and fun during the current pandemic.
Never expected to see them in service this year at all.
No doubt see fair bit of use as weather getting this week. Wonder if it Toon Tour continues to be successful when it returns, could we see possible newer open tops acquired
(13 Jul 2020, 11:11 am)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]No doubt see fair bit of use as weather getting this week. Wonder if it Toon Tour continues to be successful when it returns, could we see possible newer open tops acquired
I was thinking about that yesterday, 3995/3996 is already set up to be open top (only the seats need changing), then only 1 other Omnidekka would need converted in to an open top, least then GNE would no presidents in the fleet.
(13 Jul 2020, 11:07 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]From the fleet news:
The seasonal Toon Tour service is not yet running, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this; open-top format Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TLs 3997 (897 EYX) and 3998 (794 EYD) have been reinstated at Percy Main, and 3999 (574 CPT) at Riverside. As these vehicles are something of a novelty; they are expected to be used on frontline core commercial work on sunny days, with the aim of creating some happiness and fun during the current pandemic.
Never expected to see them in service this year at all.
I wonder what services they'll put them on.
(13 Jul 2020, 11:16 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I wonder what services they'll put them on.
309/310/311 would be my guess at Percy Main
Riverside - No idea - shame they can't have them on the X66 down the Centrelink
(13 Jul 2020, 11:16 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I wonder what services they'll put them on.
Max them out on the X21 to Bishop Auckland
(13 Jul 2020, 11:16 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]I was thinking about that yesterday, 3995/3996 is already set up to be open top (only the seats need changing), then only 1 other Omnidekka would need converted in to an open top, least then GNE would no presidents in the fleet.
To be fair they will probs be first N94 to go, they only few years younger than presidents, sure it was mentioned they want to try get rid of the older examples soon
(13 Jul 2020, 11:21 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]309/310/311 would be my guess at Percy Main
Riverside - No idea - shame they can't have them on the X66 down the Centrelink
I'd quite like it if they put them on the 1A.
For Riverside, I wonder if they would put them on the 10?
(13 Jul 2020, 11:22 am)Adtrainsam wrote [ -> ]Max them out on the X21 to Bishop Auckland
I can just imagine them going through Woodhouse Estate, on the way back up no doubt there'd be people standing on the roundabout waiting to throw things onto the open deck!
(13 Jul 2020, 11:26 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I'd quite like it if they put them on the 1A.
For Riverside, I wonder if they would put them on the 10?
I can just imagine them going through Woodhouse Estate, on the way back up no doubt there'd be people standing on the roundabout waiting to throw things onto the open deck!
I'll be waiting for you
(13 Jul 2020, 11:29 am)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]I'll be waiting for you
I'll just have to make sure to carry a full water gun with me!
(13 Jul 2020, 11:44 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I'll just have to make sure to carry a full water gun with me!
your on!
Can their onboard audio announcement system be loaded with normal NSAs, or is it a different type of system?
3998 is out and about today on Cobalt and Coast Routes. Currently on the 311 to Hadrian Park
(17 Jul 2020, 10:39 am)Adtrainsam wrote [ -> ]3998 is out and about today on Cobalt and Coast Routes. Currently on the 311 to Hadrian Park
Shame weren't out yesterday. Was lush!
(17 Jul 2020, 10:39 am)Adtrainsam wrote [ -> ]3998 is out and about today on Cobalt and Coast Routes. Currently on the 311 to Hadrian Park
Also out now is 3999 (Better Bus Fares) on the 21, which passed Birtley 10 minutes ago for Chester le Street. No sign of 3997 yet though.
(17 Jul 2020, 3:32 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Spotted this on the GNE Facebook page:
?☀️ OPEN-TOP BUSES ☀️?
The day has finally come... we now have our open-top buses out running on some of our normal bus routes to spread some sunshine cheer.
They'll be running on the 21, 56, 309, 310 and 311 on hot days over the summer holidays.
Still hoping one finds it's way onto the X21!
3999 has turned up on the 25 today. I wonder if we will see more of this?
(19 Jul 2020, 10:14 am)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]3999 has turned up on the 25 today. I wonder if we will see more of this?
It shouldn't be! Is this a confirmed sighting or a bustimes sighting?
Bus times shows two C&C Streetlites on the 25
Bus times reporting 3999 did the first two runs on the 25.
The open top is on the 6:32am 56 from Park Lane to Newcastle... should be near Southwick Green, seen it pass the Stadium Of Light.
![[Image: 50123525087_90e229bd79_c.jpg]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50123525087_90e229bd79_c.jpg)