(13 Apr 2014, 10:17 am)Davey Bowyer wrote I'd say that if the Crusader is going to be upgraded that it could well potenitally be E400's. I know GNE haven't purchased any Alexander Dennis double decks since 2001 but by looking at Volvo's offering at the moment, the E400 looks to be the right choice. They may not be good for any rural, high speed or long distance routes like the X1, TTX and TEN (Full 10 to Hexham); but they'd quite happily cope with the 27. However, if Volvo don't come up with a suitable heavyweight euro 6 chassis, then it could well be that GNE may forgive Scania for the trouble that they created for GNE with regards to the fleet at Stanley Depot depending upon whether or not Scania offer a heavyweight euro 6 chassis on any bodywork (most likely ADL E400) and whether or not the offering is the same or very similar to the euro 5 offering. If the above was to happen, then it could well be that the Red Arrows might receive an upgrade with 6001 to 6007 being the oldest B9TL's in the fleet next year allowing something like the following to happen:

- 6049 to 6051 making up PVR on ANGEL.
- 6052 being fitted with Tacho, power sockets fitted and allocated to TTX to make up PVR.
- 6001 to 6005 and 6053 to 6055 allocated to PRONTO.
- 6006 acting as a spare for the above potential order.
- 6007 relieving 3941 on light duties or a last resort spare for the TEN. 6007 would fitted with a Tacho and act as a spare for the TEN and TTX.

(13 Apr 2014, 10:33 am)Marcus wrote I think I've tried to suggest that Pronto idea in the past . To be honest though, I don't think it's a case of increasing PVR, I've always thought they've wanted to give better buses to the better services. New Gemini's on the Red Arrows would allow 6001 - 6007 to go onto the Prince Bishops and allow those Scanias to be displaced to various depots that desperately require extra buses and a couple of withdrawals perhaps, 6049 - 6055 on the Pronto would mean more sturdy well built vehicles for the long, enduring route (it's destroyed the Pronto Presidents). Fair enough the TTX needs new buses fast before those Gemini's are just driven into the ground (I saw 2 of them not in service in Riverside a few days ago). As the Angel is one of my local services and I use it literaly each day (hence my avatar courtesy of Dan), it sometimes feels like Chester just throw extra buses on to keep the frequency in case of bad traffic (I know that sounds ludicrous, but the amount of red Presidents that find their way on, as well as 3965 and 3962 (which people think are just spares in case a hybrid breaks down, they are actually put on each day to increase the amount of buses), ON TOP of then having all 15 hybrids out in service, you sometimes look at about 18/19/20 buses on a busy Saturday (sometimes it's just the 17 angels, but when there's been an accident a few vehicles normally get taken out of the depot to keep up with the lateness, they don't have to worry on a Saturday because there are no scholars to run). I can tell people will disagree with what I've just said in regards to the 21, but somebody else must have noticed a strange amount of vehicles on it.

(13 Apr 2014, 10:30 am)Michael wrote not sure if the X1 would get new buses, although orders can change and new orders haven't being confirmed yet so you never know

(13 Apr 2014, 10:42 am)citaro5284 wrote A bit of a bugger when you know what potential vehicles are coming in the next year and cannot say and also having a laugh at all the different combinations you all come up with knowing what is going to happen.....

(13 Apr 2014, 10:45 am)Michael wrote Why don't u share that info :p

(13 Apr 2014, 10:48 am)citaro5284 wrote And spoil all the fun......

(13 Apr 2014, 11:04 am)Davey Bowyer wrote I'd actually say that Astromegas would be a great replacement for the TTX. Low floor, double deck, built for endurance routes and euro 6. They'd have to be on it for at least 15 year with a midlife refurbishment but it could certainly be justified if they were to be well looked after and it would certainly give the train a good run for it's money.

(13 Apr 2014, 11:09 am)Dan wrote Just a shame they're so expensive!

(13 Apr 2014, 11:17 am)Kuyoyo wrote They may be expensive, but you're paying for quality.

(13 Apr 2014, 11:23 am)Dan wrote You think it's a good idea for 'quality' to be maintained by Riverside engineering?! Hahah!

In all seriousness, I really don't think the Tyne Tees Xpress could justify seven Euro 6 Astromegas. It's a good performer, but not that good.

(13 Apr 2014, 12:01 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote I'd say that if no suitable euro 6 double decker is on the market when 6043 to 6048 come to be replaced,, then the TTX would actually justify Astromegas:

- Life span of 15 years.
- Initial outlay would be higher and midlife refurb would be needed but the above point would mittigate it.
- VERY FEW breakdowns and improved reliability.
- Appropriate gearing ratios.
- Easy Access.
- Good Capacity.
- Very Comfortable and would give train a good run for money.
- Vehicle built for long distance purposes.
- Fuel consumption not much more than a Palatine 2.

(13 Apr 2014, 12:46 pm)tyresmoke wrote Not sure on the "very few" breakdowns and good reliability. Megabus have been suffering from low availability over the last few months (just see how many times the M12 has been covered from Newcastle!) and that's on a far less intensive service than the X9/X10 are!
I reckon we're just going to have to live with the fact that nothing sustainable is available and they're going to have to make the best of what they've got. Buying new double decks every few years may turn out to be the best idea but that is expensive over time.

(13 Apr 2014, 8:55 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Here is what Services I think will get New Buses in 2014, Remember there is 80 New Buses due This Year, and This Totals 80.
(Crusader/Fab 57/Lime/Red Arrows/Red Kite/Toon Link/M2/M3)

I then think the following cascades will occur.

Crusader Citaros > Prince Bishops
Prince Bishops Solars > GNE Corporate Livery

FAB 57 Renown's > Withdrawn

Lime Renown's > Withdrawn

Red Arrows B9TL's 6001-6007 > Pronto
Red Arrows B9TL's 6049-6055 > Angel/TTX/TEN

Volvo B7TL Geminis > GNE Corporate Livery - (4 for DFDS)

Red Kite Omnicities > GNE Corporate Livery (9/17)

Toon Link Volvo B7RLE's > GNE Corporate Livery (67/69)
Toon Link Renown's > Withdrawn

Former Centurion Renown's > Withdrawn

Wright Cadet's 8242-8252 > Withdrawn
Wright Cadet's 8253-8255/60 > Spare Role Elsewhere in GNE Fleet

What do you think Citaro5284, Surely not that far off am I?

(13 Apr 2014, 9:12 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Do you not think we will start to see the withdrawal of some of the older, non dda deckers too?

(13 Apr 2014, 8:55 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Here is what Services I think will get New Buses in 2014, Remember there is 80 New Buses due This Year, and This Totals 80.
(Crusader/Fab 57/Lime/Red Arrows/Red Kite/Toon Link/M2/M3)

I then think the following cascades will occur.

Crusader Citaros > Prince Bishops
Prince Bishops Solars > GNE Corporate Livery

FAB 57 Renown's > Withdrawn

Lime Renown's > Withdrawn

Red Arrows B9TL's 6001-6007 > Pronto
Red Arrows B9TL's 6049-6055 > Angel/TTX/TEN

Volvo B7TL Geminis > GNE Corporate Livery - (4 for DFDS)

Red Kite Omnicities > GNE Corporate Livery (9/17)

Toon Link Volvo B7RLE's > GNE Corporate Livery (67/69)
Toon Link Renown's > Withdrawn

Former Centurion Renown's > Withdrawn

Wright Cadet's 8242-8252 > Withdrawn
Wright Cadet's 8253-8255/60 > Spare Role Elsewhere in GNE Fleet

What do you think Citaro5284, Surely not that far off am I?

(13 Apr 2014, 9:12 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Do you not think we will start to see the withdrawal of some of the older, non dda deckers too?

(13 Apr 2014, 9:19 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote I can see the Remaining Olympians going obviously, Perhaps we may see the first few ELC Lolynes Withdrawn as Result of the Pronto/B7TL Gemini Cascades if the Red Arrows plan was to go ahead as we have discussed quite a lot by the looks of it.

(13 Apr 2014, 9:18 pm)aureolin wrote You've just withdrawn a load of buses in your suggestion, but not said what are you replacing them with?

(13 Apr 2014, 8:55 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Here is what Services I think will get New Buses in 2014, Remember there is 80 New Buses due This Year, and This Totals 80.
(Crusader/Fab 57/Lime/Red Arrows/Red Kite/Toon Link/M2/M3)

(13 Apr 2014, 9:37 pm)Dan wrote This is common with all articulated vehicles. Although seemingly missed by most, Rob said in this post that 'the same could be said about the Solar Fusion on the X40 too'. Was this a hint? Maybe...

(13 Apr 2014, 8:55 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Here is what Services I think will get New Buses in 2014, Remember there is 80 New Buses due This Year, and This Totals 80.
(Crusader/Fab 57/Lime/Red Arrows/Red Kite/Toon Link/M2/M3)

(25 Apr 2014, 9:44 pm)Michael wrote The Lime will get 2 extra buses on the order because of its PVR.