(22 Jul 2014, 7:17 am)Tom wrote Does anyone know when the buses from the Commenwealth Games get back?

(22 Jul 2014, 7:40 am)marxistafozzski wrote Which Vehicles have gone North of the Border and have GNE sent up many drivers

(22 Jul 2014, 7:45 am)Dan wrote We're bidding farewell to them in 15 minutes, fozz.
Just about all have arrived now and I shall make a post with the fleet numbers when they have gone.

(21 Jul 2014, 5:13 pm)Marcus wrote Is this for Chester's Tridents n'all? Just saying - but Chester, although they have a large quantity of buses, always find a way to run dry

(22 Jul 2014, 5:58 am)Dan wrote Apologies for the mass posting... I notice a man in a high vis is currently unlocking the gates to the former Sunderland Road depot - at the same time a digger was coming down the bank. Could be worth going for some photos if anyone is in the area, in case they are now starting work on its demolition

(22 Jul 2014, 9:38 am)gtom wrote It shouldn't be going for demolition yet as planning permission for the new Aldi store hasn't been granted yet (tho it will be)

(21 Jul 2014, 5:06 pm)Dan wrote A quote from the Commonwealth Games thread above, but more relevant to this thread now...

Schools being off means one thing for the Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne vehicles in the fleet - repaint time! 3873 (W183 SCU) is the first of a number to arrive at Saltmeadows for repaint into corporate livery.

(22 Jul 2014, 7:51 am)Michael wrote Go North East
4 mins ·
Unfortunately, due to a breakdown, service #923 scheduled to depart from Peterlee Bus Station at 0850 won't operate. Apologies.


Go North East
3 mins ·
Service ‪#‎X35‬ scheduled to depart Sunderland Interchange at 0825 won't be operating due to a breakdown. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

(22 Jul 2014, 9:57 am)aureolin wrote Is the 923 paid for by nPower?

(22 Jul 2014, 11:06 am)Dan wrote From Chester-le-Street:

• Volvo B7TL 6016
  
• Volvo B7TL 6019
  
• Volvo B7TL 6036

From Deptford:

• Volvo B7TL 6008 (replacing Volvo B7TL 6010 from Stanley)
  
• Volvo B7TL 6020
  
• Volvo B7TL 6028
  
• Volvo B9TL 6099
  
• Volvo B7TL 6100

From Stanley:

• Volvo B7TL 6009
  
• Volvo B7TL 6012

From Percy Main:

• Volvo B9TL 6116
  
• Volvo B9TL 6117

From Riverside:

• Volvo B7TL 3941
  
• Volvo B7TL 3964*
  
• Volvo B7TL 6015
  
• Volvo B7TL 6031 (replacing Volvo B7TL 6014)
  
• Volvo B7TL 6042 (replacing Volvo B7TL 6023)

From Washington:

• Volvo B7TL 6027
  
• Volvo B7TL 6029 (replacing Volvo B7TL 6011 which didn't feel too good upon arrival at Riverside this morning)
  
• Volvo B7TL 6032

*I am told that Volvo B7TL 3964 was originally meant to head up North later this week, but has gone in place of 3963 (which presumably encountered problems this morning so couldn't go up today). I'd therefore assume that 3963 will go up later this week, taking the place of 3964.

After arriving at Riverside at 08:45am, the convoy of vehicles from other depots were all given last minute checks by Riverside engineering. After this, drivers made their way to the MetroCentre Coach Park between 09:00am and 09:30am for a photoshoot. Volvo B7TL 6020 unfortunately did not participate while it received further attention from engineering. The drivers all looked very happy indeed, and they got involved in some group photographs alongside other members of Go North East staff who were present.

(22 Jul 2014, 5:38 am)Dan wrote I notice that more and more vehicles are re-gaining their external card readers too - with drivers being equally as clueless as to which reader passengers should be using!

Thankfully the plastic covering the cab door has also been replaced on the same vehicles.

(22 Jul 2014, 11:15 am)Dan wrote I could be wrong, but I believe it's operated commercially by Go North East.

Judging by information that I have available; in spring 2010, nPower re-located from Newcastle, Gateshead and Peterlee to new state-of-the-art offices at Rainton Bridge Business Park near Houghton-le-Spring.

As such, transport had to be provided from the sites nearby the previous buildings to the new building - with nPower turning to Go North East to provide said transport.

I think the contract was for Go North East to operate the services commercially, with nPower giving Key Cards to all existing and new employees who started there. In with the contract was the transport between (iirc) Newcastle Airport and nPower for conferences which are occasionally held at Rainton Bridge.

(22 Jul 2014, 1:18 pm)Dan wrote Couple of shots from the photoshoot...

Go North East: Glasgow-bound by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Go North East: Glasgow-bound by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

(22 Jul 2014, 1:44 pm)Marcus wrote Great photos Dan, you should have photo bombed that one with the drivers in

Any idea what time they'll arrive at Glasgow?

(22 Jul 2014, 1:45 pm)Dan wrote Cheers!

Hahah, I avoid the camera like the plague. Always the man behind it!

They should arrive at Glasgow within the next hour.

(22 Jul 2014, 1:51 pm)Marcus wrote Can't recognise any Chester drivers in there - but I suppose that's because of the way they're all huddled up. Did the vehicles from each depot have a driver assigned, do you reckon they might chop and change a bit when they're up there?

(22 Jul 2014, 1:55 pm)Dan wrote They were all assigned judging by the conversations I overheard both in the depot and at the photoshoot - saves the scrapping over the four B9TLs!

The buses from Chester-le-Street mightn't have actually been driven by drivers at that depot - a number of vehicles transferred to Riverside yesterday as other drivers were driving them instead. It could have included those Chester ones, I'm not sure.

(22 Jul 2014, 2:34 pm)G-CPTN wrote [quote='Dan' pid='53502' dateline='1406035119']
Couple of shots from the photoshoot...

At least one V-reg vehicle there.

I suppose if the vehicle has been well-maintained it should be as reliable as vehicles just a few months old.

Hong Kong bus companies (used to) overhaul their vehicles - body off and all mechanicals (engine, gearbox and axles) reconditioned 'as new'.

I don't know whether they still do . . .

When the Gardner engines had been reconditioned several times they were sold-on for use in 'Junks' that plied around the islands.

(22 Jul 2014, 6:35 pm)col87 wrote Hi first message on here and it not a good one about GNE the last X35 from Hartlepool Marina was late and came from Powlet Road way instead of coming from the town centre leaving a passenger on the ASDA side stranded. It just not something that should be happening also it was a prince bishop and not a fast cat which is more confusing for passengers.

(22 Jul 2014, 6:49 pm)col87 wrote Thank you Marcus have been reading the forum for about a year thought it was time to join

(22 Jul 2014, 6:56 pm)col87 wrote Well living in Hartlepool theres only Stagecoach I can use. I do like the Go North east buses though when I have been to Newcastle.