(30 Nov 2016, 1:36 pm)Michael wrote I know its late but...


Regrettably the 12:30 X10 from Middlesbrough will not be operating due to a technical fault

Starting to become very common now, let's hope new buses will be here for them next year

(30 Nov 2016, 3:07 pm)JP6004 wrote They must of forgot to give the wheels a scrub...

(30 Nov 2016, 3:18 pm)Jimmi wrote Someone told me that one had failed on the A19 yesterday as well. Beginning to look embarrassing how frequent these failures are occurring.

(30 Nov 2016, 3:22 pm)Michael wrote Getting to the point where it's getting like the B7's... next investment needs to be right so they can last longer but what can they buy expect for coaches?, nothing else is decent for the routes.

(30 Nov 2016, 3:39 pm)Buses98 wrote enviro 400mmc? they are working well for Stagecoach

(30 Nov 2016, 3:45 pm)Michael wrote Could they cope going up and down the A19 every day though?

(30 Nov 2016, 3:58 pm)Jimmi wrote This is my problem with the TTX, no bus currently produced will be able to cope with the nature of this route everyday for upto five years without them being pushed to the point that breakdowns begin to occur fairly frequently. Don't know how exactly coaches would fare on the X9/X10 but I would imagine they would fare better but sadly there is the complications with this, particularly costs, maintenance and accessibility for disabled passengers.

(30 Nov 2016, 3:21 pm)Dan wrote It was sparkling when it left Saltmeadows Road yesterday!

(30 Nov 2016, 4:14 pm)Michael wrote Newgate Street in Newcastle is closed between Clayton Street and Grainger Street due to an incident on a nearby demolition site.

(30 Nov 2016, 12:30 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote I noticed the Twitter rage this morning, made interesting viewing as I sipped my 9 o'clock brew at work this morning.

(30 Nov 2016, 4:17 pm)G-CPTN wrote The difference between a coach and a bus (apart from the body and seating) is the gearing.

It is perfectly possible to build a 'bus' with coach gearing (double overdrive ratio gearbox or lower numerical axle ratio) using standard transmission options - ie no special parts other than spares if you need to rebuild the transmission.

The disadvantage would be running in lower gears in urban areas, but the advantage would be less stress on the engine on 'fast' parts of the route (and, probably lower fuel consumption).

Of course, the compromise would be when you need to transfer vehicles onto other routes which are either hilly or congested.

(30 Nov 2016, 6:04 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote That's why id recommend buying a high performance bus as opposed to a coach for the TTX, The 280hp model of the Scania N250UD is the highest powered 2 axle Double Decker on the market, So would be as near performance to a coach as you can get, It will be more robust, And will be more suited to the demands due to the higher Power configuration and a higher Torque gearbox as opposed to the 250hp option which comes with the lesser 6HP-1200 Ecolife, So will not be as capable.

Another thing people haven't noticed is that the Scania chassis comes with a higher powered 6.7L Cummins ISBe option, It produces only 10hp less than the highest rated Scania ( Which is 280hp ) and produces near the same torque as the Scania, Despite being 2 litres less than the Scania.

Id heavily suggest getting the Scania Chassis E400MMC on trial before making decisions on what to buy.

(30 Nov 2016, 7:38 pm)mb134 wrote It still won't be as suited to running up and down the A19 every day as a coach, as coaches are literally built for that purpose. 

Of course there are obvious drawbacks to operating coaches on the TTX especially if you factor in cost, but coaches would also last far longer on the route than your Scania powered E400. Bear in mind here that the route has killed a fleet of B9TLs in 4 and a bit years. 

I'm pretty sure the coach v bus debate has been had many times before, especially when on the subject of the TTX, however now there are increasingly fewer buses that are capable of running such a route, whereas there are several options in terms of suitable coaches.

(30 Nov 2016, 6:30 pm)C785 OCN wrote In relation to the new Hexham bus station,does anyone know if paper timetables are available to pick up. Old bus station was a nightmare,never any there to collect.

(30 Nov 2016, 8:23 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote No bus will be used to that type of route, The X9/X10 is one of the most unique routes in the country.

Having Coaches reduces the capacity per hour that can be carried, As its illegal for standees in a coach, Which is a major push for the likes of Peak time journeys out of Newcastle or all day Saturdays etc,  Unless a Oxford Tube style high frecuency service is provided.

This then draws it back to Double Deckers, While everyone ( including management ) should know the Streetdeck couldn't cope when it was on trial due to it being limited to 50mph, Adding also the fact that its hairdryer wouldn't last long running constantly at high revs with a 4 speed gearbox.

The B9TL's ( if kept in good condition ) are stars, 4 and half years pounding a route like that is getting your moneys worth out of them, They aren't exactly dead yet, They'll work for a good few more years yet as spares for less demanding services.

Like I said above, Having coaches would possibly need a higher frequency service to fit everyone with spare capacity, While less Double Deckers will take the same load with still standees remaining to be taken.
That's why I suggested the Scania E400, As its nearly on par with the B9TL, So you can expect atleast another 4 and a half years out of them too, No point going for the Streetdeck as that'll only last 2 years maximum before turning into Arriva's VDL Gemini's/

Then in 2021 when they need replacing, There'll be Euro 7 Deckers with Corsa engines in them as there considered powerful enough.... ( joking, But I woudnt be surprised if it happens anyways )

(30 Nov 2016, 10:52 pm)mb134 wrote I'm really not too sure on what the loads are usually like on the TTX, however:

An Astromega TDX27, which I believe is what is used on the Oxford Tube, has a seating capacity of 91 (Stated as 63 + 26 + 1 + 1 in the brochure). This is a larger seating capacity than the longest E400. While I understand that standees aren't allowed on coaches, are there ever really that many standing loads? 

Even a Plaxton Elite i can hold 75 passengers, which I believe is similar to the seating capacity of the current B9TLs that are used on the service. 

Also, at every 30 minutes, is it really a massive issue if 2 people aren't able to board? I'm sure they'd prefer to wait half an hour and get a seat on a coach, than stand on a double decker that can barely cope with the route anyway, let alone with a standing load.

(30 Nov 2016, 11:13 pm)Buses98 wrote in my opinion in choice of buying buses for this route maybe Go North East should go for the MCV Evoseti because the ones that first have in south yprkshire are providing exceptional service and comfort on the long route. but as a lot of people say that is my opinion

(30 Nov 2016, 10:52 pm)mb134 wrote An Astromega TDX27, which I believe is what is used on the Oxford Tube, has a seating capacity of 91 (Stated as 63 + 26 + 1 + 1 in the brochure). This is a larger seating capacity than the longest E400. While I understand that standees aren't allowed on coaches, are there ever really that many standing loads?