(16 Feb 2014, 11:32 pm)Tom wrote Where am I likely to find 8231 tomorrow?

(17 Feb 2014, 6:59 am)Dan wrote Chester.

(17 Feb 2014, 8:53 am)Tom wrote Thanks, didn't know if it was still at Washington or not!

(17 Feb 2014, 9:00 am)Dan wrote http://northeastbuses.co.uk/news/article.php?id=225

Volvo B7TL/East Lancs 3974 and 3978 and Scania L94/Wright 4944 have been transferred from Chester le Street to Riverside.

Scania Omnicity 5259 has been transferred from Percy Main to Chester le Street.

SPDs 8236 and 8238 have been withdrawn from Chester le Street.

(17 Feb 2014, 10:10 am)Dan wrote 4944 and the SPDs are the only new ones to us...

4944 (released by Omnis moving into service) allows 8229 to be withdrawn which appears to have been missed off this week's fleet news by GNE.
8236/8238 replaced by 4926/4927 (which were also released by Omnis moving into service). I suspect the Dart which will cling on for a little while longer will be 8289 - until 4931 is repaired.

(17 Feb 2014, 10:21 am)northtynelinks2 wrote Reports of this been out in service during last week. Is that just a mistake or is it not VOR?

(16 Feb 2014, 3:26 pm)Dan wrote It has not been out in service this year - I've looked through my photos and I have a photo of it at the end of December in the exact same spot it's at now.

---

Photograph below.
Looking at the photograph now (I previously chucked it in the archives as the quality wasn't particularly great, and didn't really bother looking at it), it looks like it has had minor fire damage.

(17 Feb 2014, 10:21 am)Dan wrote See quote below...
Nee wonder I rack up so many posts!

(17 Feb 2014, 5:49 pm)Dan wrote 5333 has now left Saltmeadows and should be at Deptford - think it will go to Peterlee straight away (providing it hasn't already) though?

(17 Feb 2014, 6:36 pm)Michael wrote Has 5334 gone to SM yet?

(16 Feb 2014, 11:42 pm)GMitchelhill wrote I think the better service was the X90 operated by Stagecoach Darlington, hell of a lot quicker.

(17 Feb 2014, 10:36 pm)speedwheels22 wrote Has anyone got any pics of gne running the 723

(17 Feb 2014, 10:10 am)Dan wrote 4944 and the SPDs are the only new ones to us...

4944 (released by Omnis moving into service) allows 8229 to be withdrawn which appears to have been missed off this week's fleet news by GNE.
8236/8238 replaced by 4926/4927 (which were also released by Omnis moving into service). I suspect the Dart which will cling on for a little while longer will be 8289 - until 4931 is repaired.

(18 Feb 2014, 12:16 am)park5354 wrote 8229 was on 49 today, with 5331 being on 27. Seems that engineering and supervisors see 5331 as just another red spare, as it was on 97/8 on Sunday, with b10's on 49.

(18 Feb 2014, 7:07 am)nk55 wrote Until it gets branded surely it is seen as a red spare, but riverside allocators seem shocking in my opinion, cant surely be that hard if vehicles are parked by brand to have them allocated to the right route.

(17 Feb 2014, 6:38 pm)Dan wrote I'm not sure - I will try and get an update tomorrow!

(18 Feb 2014, 8:43 am)Dan wrote 5334 has not gone to Saltmeadows, so is probably out in service today. Instead, 5338 has. As a reminder, we are expecting this vehicle to be repainted into Go North East's corporate livery for onward transfer to Stanley depot.

The vehicle 'in need' of a repaint for quite some time, which I have been hinting at by emphasising the 'in need' bit, also appears to be at Saltmeadows now (so is presumably there for scheduled repaint) - but could well be for maintenance. The vehicle in question is former "Children in Need" liveried 3964. I've got my money on this one coming out in Go North East's corporate livery likewise.

(18 Feb 2014, 9:07 am)CatsFast101 wrote Why has 5338 gone instead? Strange. Also will 5333 be out on X7's today?

(18 Feb 2014, 9:09 am)Dan wrote Not a clue!

No, it won't be. Drivers need to be familiarised with the new vehicle and they will struggle doing that when 5333 is at Deptford again! At the very earliest, next Monday.

(18 Feb 2014, 9:09 am)Dan wrote Not a clue!

No, it won't be. Drivers need to be familiarised with the new vehicle and they will struggle doing that when 5333 is at Deptford again! At the very earliest, next Monday.

(18 Feb 2014, 9:41 am)Michael wrote If its at Deptford, wonder if its out in service?, my bets its on the Silver arrow/Laser or Prince Bishops

(18 Feb 2014, 9:43 am)Dan wrote Nope, it's still sitting in the depot soaking up the sun.

Same shade as maroon/plum as the Waggonway, for anyone interested. Had hoped it would be the same shade as the Tyne Tees Xpress but nevermind..!

(18 Feb 2014, 9:44 am)Michael wrote =(, they must of ran out of paint.

Does it look nice, does the colour suit the Citaro?

(18 Feb 2014, 9:50 am)Dan wrote I think it works. Very similar to the colour below.

(18 Feb 2014, 9:43 am)Dan wrote Nope, it's still sitting in the depot soaking up the sun.

Same shade as maroon/plum as the Waggonway, for anyone interested. Had hoped it would be the same shade as the Tyne Tees Xpress but nevermind..!