(21 Jun 2014, 4:32 pm)G-CPTN wrote What do they use in Sheffield?

(are there no hills in London?)

What about Muswell Hill?

(21 Jun 2014, 4:32 pm)G-CPTN wrote What do they use in Sheffield?

(are there no hills in London?)

What about Muswell Hill?

(21 Jun 2014, 8:52 pm)8222 wrote First have a few ALX400s at Olive Grove. They can be quite unreliable to say the least. You'll find a fair few Plaxton/Transbus Presidents. They have a fair few Wright Eclipse Geminis, a lot of Wright Renowns, Wright Eclipse Urbans. Moreover they have just put into service a lot of Streetlites, including the Micro Hybrid variant.

Stagecoach: a lot of Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrids. Not a fan of these - used them on the 120/52 and lack the kick they need to contend with the hills in my opinion. They also have the regular Enviro 400s, Alexander Dennis ALX300s, a single SB220 (which is sounding a bit knackered at the moment), some SPDs, a lot of Enviro 200s, Optare Solos (usually on SuperTram Link).

Have to say, the Stagecoach fleet are in a lot better shape compared to First, however, they seem to be upping their game. The StreetLites in Sheffield seem to be fairing a lot better compared to the Drifter, from my experience.

(21 Jun 2014, 9:52 am)DaveyBowyer wrote In all honestly with you all, GNE should allocate it to the long TEN or as many as possible and do a performance rating against the B9TL. The real challenge will be a fully laden B5 between Prudhoe and Hexham. In fact, the only B9TL route that I would deem the B5 to be capable of handling would be the 310 so practically, none taking into account that it interworks with the 309. What they could do however is this:

- 6101 to Riverside for the TTX making it upto 7 B9TL'S.

- 6102 to 6111 at Percy Main plus 6116 (spare) for the 309 with a PVR of 10 and running every 15 minutes including between Whitley Bay and Blyth. Services 309 and 310 would no longer interwork.

- 7 plus one spare (6118 - 6125) Volvo B5TL's delivered to Percy Main for service 310 .

- 2 plus two spare (6126 - 6129) Volvo B5LH's delivered
to CLS to make up the PVR and spares for service 21.

- Therefore, 5 Volvo B9TL's (6112- 6115 & 6117), and 3 Volvo B7TL's (3962 - 3963 & 3965 have been released).

- 3962 would swap with 6116 with it only acting as a spare and 6099 and 6100 would swap with 3963 and 3965.

The above would mean the following:

- 8 Volvo B9TL's (6099, 6100, 6112, 6113, 6114, 6115, 6116 and 6117) would be for the Pronto X21.

- 10 Volvo B9TL's (6102 - 6111) plus one Volvo B7TL (3962) would be for Cobalt Clipper 309.

- 7 Volvo B5TL's plus one spare (6118 - 6125) would be for Cobalt Clipper 310.

- 2 Volvo B5LH's plus two spare (6126 - 6129) would join Angel service 21.

- 1 Volvo B9TL (6101) would join the TTX and the buggy bay would be removed with extra seats.

- 2 Volvo B7TL's (3963 and 3965) would now act as spares for the Fab 56.

(22 Jun 2014, 8:50 am)morritt89 wrote Wonder if anyone can help?

I have noticed that a few Percy Main buses have had their key card readers removed. Anyone any ideas why?

Currently on 3860 on the 9 and it lacks one. A few of the dual door Volvo's lack them too.

(22 Jun 2014, 7:30 am)Greg in Weardale wrote Not particularly impressed by 9131. Didn't seem to have much go on the 11 yesterday, although there's not much chance to get going on much of that route - I didn't realise it wiggled around on such tiny roads, and it certainly doesn't suit or need deckers. It'll be interesting to see if it has enough power when it goes on X21. Also don't like the shallow top deck windows or cheap seats; nothing wrong with the staircase windows though. However, the old London/current Edinburgh style front destination is great, it's how destination displays should be, much clearer without the nonsensical scrolling of via points which no-one can be bothered to wait to read.

(22 Jun 2014, 8:57 am)DaveyBowyer wrote Heads up if you're an old schooler like me and remember the card readers!

(22 Jun 2014, 9:08 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote The ones for the cardboard Go n Save cards, that always jammed?

For 10 bonus #NEBpoints, can you remember the noise the machine made and tell us on here what that noise was?!

(22 Jun 2014, 9:08 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote The ones for the cardboard Go n Save cards, that always jammed?

For 10 bonus #NEBpoints, can you remember the noise the machine made and tell us on here what that noise was?!

(22 Jun 2014, 9:21 am)danpick wrote vzht beep vzht

(22 Jun 2014, 9:25 am)Marcus wrote Is it the same noise that the Arriva machines make? I'm not sure if we're thinking of the same thing - but are these the big boxy machines that had strips for tickets?

(22 Jun 2014, 9:31 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Excellent!
Anyone else?


See DanPicks interpretation of the noise it made

The positioning of the Go n Save machine, was positioned similar to the machines GNE use now.
The cards were made of cardboard and were pretty much the same as the Key Card - the difference being, you inserted it into the machine, rather than touch of swipe it.

With the cards being card board, they bent easily and one little kink in it, often rendered them useless - jamming the machines at times.

(22 Jun 2014, 9:45 am)Marcus wrote I've seen a photo of one, yeah

I was thinking of one like this;

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/75698454@N08/8103478510/in/search_QM_q_IS_go+north+east+cab_AND_mt_IS_all_AND_w_IS_all

I think that says 'Go 'n Save', doesn't it? That's what I was trying to describe

(22 Jun 2014, 9:58 am)Michael wrote Haha i remember those machines

(22 Jun 2014, 9:45 am)Marcus wrote I've seen a photo of one, yeah

I was thinking of one like this;

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/75698454@N08/8103478510/in/search_QM_q_IS_go+north+east+cab_AND_mt_IS_all_AND_w_IS_all

I think that says 'Go 'n Save', doesn't it? That's what I was trying to describe

(22 Jun 2014, 10:22 am)Dan wrote Crikey - I'd forgotten about those.
Don't think I ever used one mind, but it's amazing what a photo can bring back.

(22 Jun 2014, 9:45 am)Marcus wrote I've seen a photo of one, yeah

I was thinking of one like this;

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/75698454@N08/8103478510/in/search_QM_q_IS_go+north+east+cab_AND_mt_IS_all_AND_w_IS_all

I think that says 'Go 'n Save', doesn't it? That's what I was trying to describe

(22 Jun 2014, 10:25 am)Marcus wrote I can recall some of The Waggonway DAFs used to have something fitted inside their cab that looked awfully similar to the validator, even up until they were withdrawn.

(22 Jun 2014, 10:26 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote I cant open the link, it just takes me to the homepage.

But yeah, that is it (probably).


Possibly to do with their previous existence as airport buses?

(22 Jun 2014, 10:31 am)Marcus wrote Maybe try typing in 'Go North East C522LJR Cab Interior'?

I forgot they were Airport Buses - I keep on getting that batch mixed up with the ones that were branded for the X66 Shuttles with the Deltas! Weren't they purchased from another company for something? I'll check for a photo on Flickr.

(22 Jun 2014, 10:44 am)DaveyBowyer wrote Anyone know what noise this is? It's from one of the big three:

Be bm bm bm

Vroooooommmmmmmmmm

(22 Jun 2014, 10:44 am)DaveyBowyer wrote Anyone know what noise this is? It's from one of the big three:

Be bm bm bm

(22 Jun 2014, 11:06 am)DaveyBowyer wrote Nope, it's Arriva's TGX150

(22 Jun 2014, 11:09 am)Kuyoyo wrote They're TGX200s actually

(22 Jun 2014, 11:15 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote 150's/200's - who cares.
We just want to know what they sound like.