(28 Oct 2016, 3:43 pm)Dan wrote 695 and 696 both carry Go North East's new corporate livery:

Go North East: 0696 / YJ13HOH by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Goes back to what I was saying yesterday about it looking like weaker brands are being removed from the network...
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=1874&pid=184222#pid184222

(28 Oct 2016, 5:59 pm)Michael wrote Will 571/572 replace 2 MPD's or will they get withdrawn?


Any chance of a update on the other Solo's, I've lost track of where the others are and how far they're away from entering service? (the likes of 698 etc)

(28 Oct 2016, 6:01 pm)Dan wrote 705 was branded yesterday and will be sent to Washington next week.

698/699/700 are a while off, yet.

(28 Oct 2016, 6:03 pm)Michael wrote Cheers, that was a quick reply haha 


What about the 3 Omnidekka's?, where are 6141/42 heading again?

(28 Oct 2016, 6:06 pm)Dan wrote 6144 will be entering service next week (3867 has now been withdrawn).

6141 and 6142 have both been repainted. 6142 has been re-trimmed but 6141 hasn't yet (all cushions presently removed just leaving the 'skeleton' of the seats behind).

6141/42 are both Washington-bound to provide a more high quality spare vehicle for the Red Arrows X1, and they will also be allocated to the X88 on Saturday and Sunday.

(28 Oct 2016, 6:06 pm)Dan wrote 6144 will be entering service next week (3867 has now been withdrawn).

6141 and 6142 have both been repainted. 6142 has been re-trimmed but 6141 hasn't yet (all cushions presently removed just leaving the 'skeleton' of the seats behind).

6141/42 are both Washington-bound to provide a more high quality spare vehicle for the Red Arrows X1, and they will also be allocated to the X88 on Saturday and Sunday.

(28 Oct 2016, 6:12 pm)Tom wrote So is another Omnidekka going to Percy Main to replace 3866 or not?

(28 Oct 2016, 6:16 pm)Michael wrote Ye, i think i read it on Flickr (although its not the best place for accurate information), it'll be 6145.

(28 Oct 2016, 6:17 pm)Tom wrote Ah right cheers

(28 Oct 2016, 6:09 pm)Michael wrote Thanks, sorry you had to repeat the information, i just couldn't remember.

Will 6141/42 be fitted with WIFI?


Out of the non DDA deckers, How many are left in service?, will they all be replaced by 1.1.17?

(28 Oct 2016, 6:12 pm)Tom wrote So is another Omnidekka going to Percy Main to replace 3866 or not?

(28 Oct 2016, 6:22 pm)Dan wrote On my phone at the moment so can't check the fleet lists (not that they're up to date at the moment - but I've been busy!)

I think there's five Olympians at Stanley to be replaced (one of which has already been replaced on paper - it's just still in service whilst work on other buses is done), as well as Tridents 3866/72.

Another OmniDekka will replace 3866, yes.

They won't have Wi-Fi. They're just in better condition internally, externally, and probably underneath! Some of the Volvo B7s at Washington are very slow on the banks, whereas these OmniDekkas will probably fly!

(28 Oct 2016, 6:25 pm)Michael wrote Not a good enough excuse Dan! 


So there's not many to be replaced, i would imagine the remaining ones will be replaced by fleet changes too?

(28 Oct 2016, 6:28 pm)Dan wrote It's the weekend now so hopefully I should get a chance at some point... I've got a list on paper on what I need to update!

7098 was repainted today - plain white for Hexham scholars, with large black Go North East logos on nearside and offside.

Not many left, and they'll all be gone by the end of the year. The Olympians in Riverside's fleet are likely to remain as they are allocated to the Jewish scholars private contract only, so no DDA requirements.

(28 Oct 2016, 6:30 pm)Michael wrote Have a break, it's the weekend!, go and get drunk etc haha 

What else is currently in for repaint? 

Sorry, i'll shut up now haha 

(28 Oct 2016, 6:32 pm)Dan wrote I'm having a break from the drink! Been a few weeks now... My liver is thanking me for it, I'm sure!

6050 came out of the paintshop this afternoon. Will probs be branded on Monday.

(28 Oct 2016, 3:43 pm)Dan wrote 695 and 696 both carry Go North East's new corporate livery:

Go North East: 0696 / YJ13HOH by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(28 Oct 2016, 7:22 pm)C522LJR wrote I'm pleased to report that Volvo B10BLE 4897 V987ETN, which was withdrawn a few days ago, has been purchased for preservation. The bus has been earmarked for preservation for some time, and I ultimately hope to restore it to it's original 765/766 livery which it wore when new.

It's pictured here at Saltmeadows this morning.

(29 Oct 2016, 11:15 am)Greg in Weardale wrote Glad to see the B10 is being preserved. There's room for all types of vehicles in preservation and these have given sterling service round here for 16+ years. In 8 or 9 years when Streetlites fall to bits someone may even want to preserve one of them!

(29 Oct 2016, 11:15 am)Greg in Weardale wrote Glad to see the B10 is being preserved. There's room for all types of vehicles in preservation and these have given sterling service round here for 16+ years. In 8 or 9 years when Streetlites fall to bits someone may even want to preserve one of them!

(29 Oct 2016, 8:14 am)Craig Smith wrote Well I for one am overjoyed that you have saved 4897. Also 4855 is now not going to be regarded as A white elephant by some who say the type is far to new to be saved.

(29 Oct 2016, 1:48 pm)V514DFT wrote Did anyone ever preserve a plaxton prestige i loved them things

(29 Oct 2016, 12:31 pm)a718abb wrote The Volvo B10BLE was one the most iconic buses that GNE has bought over the last 20 years, possibly second only to the Volvo Olympian.  Most of the B10BLE's have now been withdrawn, and in my judgement, this qualifies the brand to be an ideal candidate for preservation.  So can I say to both of you gentlemen, please keep up the good work, good luck, and I look forward to V987ETN being as well presented as R855PRG.

(29 Oct 2016, 2:41 pm)Craig Smith wrote Thanks for your kind words. We all try very hard to get these preserved buses right. If people were to see what goes on behind the shed doors they would know exactly how hard it is. Many more are still awaiting there turn in the restoration bay.

(29 Oct 2016, 2:38 pm)Craig Smith wrote Unfortunately no Northern or Arriva SB220GS,s were saved for preservation.

I had to chose what I wanted to save as I couldn't save both. I was drawn more to the Volvo than the Daf.

I could have had 4894. But the real travesty to the heritage movement was that the 5 prototypes 4820 to 4825 were all lost to Alpher and scrapped. At that time the NNRG just did not have the money to buy one. But many other groups could have saved one.

But as the saying goes.. You cannot save them all..