(03 Aug 2015, 5:35 pm)Dan wrote Don't give them any ideas!

(03 Aug 2015, 5:37 pm)Jackamcardle wrote I've got many...

(03 Aug 2015, 5:34 pm)Jackamcardle wrote I think they should certainly get Wham! To record a new track to blast at the launch - 'Wake me up before you Indi-Go-Go'

(03 Aug 2015, 1:26 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Well, we're finally sampling the street deck on the x21. Utterly underwhelming. Rattles more than a streetlites and the windows just look odd.

(03 Aug 2015, 5:30 pm)S813 FVK wrote My room currently stinks of the new foam ball i got at the Quaylink launch. Still undecided whether to take it out of its bag.

Decisions decisions!

(03 Aug 2015, 5:49 pm)aureolin wrote The staircase windows? They make no sense! It's pretty much obscured by the internal wall, between the bottom of the stairs and the lower saloon. 

I've had a few rides on it now, and I still think it feels (and sounds) like a bus that's been on the road for 6 or 7 years. I really hope GNE pass on these, as I can't think of a single route that would suit them. 

(03 Aug 2015, 5:52 pm)Davie wrote I'll happily take the Streetwreck on the 1, although I'm not fond of them, give me one over an omnicity anyday!

(03 Aug 2015, 5:52 pm)Davie wrote I'll happily take the Streetwreck on the 1, although I'm not fond of them, give me one over an omnicity anyday!

(03 Aug 2015, 5:55 pm)Tom wrote The Omnicities aren't that bad! I'm quite fond of them, apart from the horrid red ones.

(03 Aug 2015, 5:54 pm)aureolin wrote I'd rather have a toboggan down Sheriff Hill, than a Streetdeck. It'll probably be more efficient too.

(03 Aug 2015, 5:56 pm)Davie wrote It we all know my opinion on them...!

(03 Aug 2015, 5:57 pm)Tom wrote Aye we sure do, you even prefer them over the lovely 5165!

(03 Aug 2015, 5:49 pm)aureolin wrote The staircase windows? They make no sense! It's pretty much obscured by the internal wall, between the bottom of the stairs and the lower saloon. 

I've had a few rides on it now, and I still think it feels (and sounds) like a bus that's been on the road for 6 or 7 years. I really hope GNE pass on these, as I can't think of a single route that would suit them. 

(03 Aug 2015, 6:17 pm)S813 FVK wrote I am going to imagine that the event in Sunderland on Friday will be next to Sunderland Station (outside the Bridges where the 56's Sunderland launch was held).

(03 Aug 2015, 6:17 pm)S813 FVK wrote I am going to imagine that the event in Sunderland on Friday will be next to Sunderland Station (outside the Bridges where the 56's Sunderland launch was held).

(03 Aug 2015, 6:30 pm)BusLoverMum wrote So where will that guy build his sand dog?

(03 Aug 2015, 6:30 pm)BusLoverMum wrote So where will that guy build his sand dog?

(03 Aug 2015, 6:32 pm)S813 FVK wrote You don't necessarily need to be at a beach to make a sand sculpture?

Somebody made one when i was in Stockton last week and it was just sitting on the high street behind the market.

(03 Aug 2015, 6:07 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The outside windows! The ones that opened are tiny and look flimsy and the outside with the black panelling around the windows was just fugly (not helped by it being silver - hate silver cars, too - they look bald). From the inside, it just felt claustrophobic.

And yes, apart from everything having an air of not being glued down properly, the engine really vibrated when standing and sounded like a tractor.

The other buses we caught today were single deckers (a Streetlite and a couple of Pulsar 2s) so obviously all felt roomier and brighter, but the ancient Plaxton President (ex-Angel) we caught on Saturday was also brighter and airier and much less of a ear bursting boneshaker.

(03 Aug 2015, 7:12 pm)aureolin wrote I hadn't noticed those windows if I'm honest. It was just the staircase ones that stood out to me. I'm not sure I see why anyone would want to watch someone walking up stairs from outside the bus! 

ANE's Pulsar 2s are great imo. I had done the 22 from Peterlee to Sunderland on one the other week, and it's a fantastic route for them to be given some welly.

(03 Aug 2015, 7:16 pm)citaro5284 wrote I just thought windows on the staircase helped bring some light onto the staircase.

(03 Aug 2015, 7:19 pm)aureolin wrote Could that not be achieved with the installation of LED lighting? Energy efficient, and I'd assume a lot lighter than several extra glazing panels, therefore contributing towards a fuel saving?

(03 Aug 2015, 7:22 pm)citaro5284 wrote Cannot get much more efficent than free lighting from outside surely......

(03 Aug 2015, 7:19 pm)aureolin wrote Could that not be achieved with the installation of LED lighting? Energy efficient, and I'd assume a lot lighter than several extra glazing panels, therefore contributing towards a fuel saving?

(03 Aug 2015, 7:23 pm)aureolin wrote Wey it's nee good on a night is it?

(03 Aug 2015, 7:12 pm)aureolin wrote ANE's Pulsar 2s are great imo. I had done the 22 from Peterlee to Sunderland on one the other week, and it's a fantastic route for them to be given some welly.

(03 Aug 2015, 7:35 pm)pdiddy wrote The e400mmc had lights built into the staircase ?

(03 Aug 2015, 8:14 pm)BusLoverMum wrote And under the seats. Blue LEDs. The staircase has a window to the inside, like a lot of the E400s and on this one there was blue lighting which glowed from the edge of that window.

Someone's blogged the interior, including pics of the lighting, here. I doubt if GNE would order that spec interior, but it would be nice if they did
http://www.scottpoolesbusblog.com/current-events/evaluating-the-possibilities-on-the-36-with-test-bus-c

(03 Aug 2015, 8:11 pm)G-CPTN wrote WRT windows, the GNE buses seem to have glass supplied by a Gateshead firm.

Is this exclusive to NorthEast buses? - or do 'all' buses have window glass supplied by this firm?

(03 Aug 2015, 8:11 pm)G-CPTN wrote WRT windows, the GNE buses seem to have glass supplied by a Gateshead firm.

Is this exclusive to NorthEast buses? - or do 'all' buses have window glass supplied by this firm?