(09 Apr 2015, 7:15 pm)aureolin wrote Does anyone have any info about 7487? Last update on our fleet list was that it's under repair, but that was 6 month ago?

(11 Apr 2015, 1:07 pm)Dan wrote 7438 appears to have failed on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland. Hazard lights on, no passengers, and driver is on his phone to someone.

(11 Apr 2015, 3:01 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote There are currently 3 15-reg Sapphire E400s in Ashington depot. Dont know why, could be last minute changes?

(11 Apr 2015, 3:07 pm)mb134 wrote Could it be prep? 

Ashington would have set up the last batch /know what to do, better than any other depot?

It could also be driver training?? 

(11 Apr 2015, 3:30 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Prep is normally done at Jesmond?

I'd doubt it if Darlington have have already received a couple that they're prepping them here.

(11 Apr 2015, 3:33 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote I'll try and get fleet numbers/reg after I've had my dinner, obviously with my one year old camera.

(11 Apr 2015, 3:33 pm)mb134 wrote I was thinking more setting up mechanically etc. The only reason I could think of for them being there, other than driver type training. 

(11 Apr 2015, 3:38 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote My driver said that they've been there since this morning and he seen them again when he went and got something from the depot, they're unbranded. Hopefully they'll get a route a bit more local than Durham 

However, time will tell if they've changed the plans and send us the new ones and give greedy Durham the 57-reg ones (where they belong).

Well Davey Bowyer might be impressed if they're staying 

(11 Apr 2015, 4:01 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Well they might just end up doing this:

- 7534 to 7540 to Ashington for the X21 / X22. This then means alongside 7522-7528 and 7518 that the X21 / X22 will have an almost new fleet of buses.
- One of the best of 7501 to 7509 remain at Ashington as spare for the X21 / X22.
- Rest go to Durham for the 6 / 7.

(11 Apr 2015, 4:01 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Well they might just end up doing this:

- 7534 to 7540 to Ashington for the X21 / X22. This then means alongside 7522-7528 and 7518 that the X21 / X22 will have an almost new fleet of buses.
- One of the best of 7501 to 7509 remain at Ashington as spare for the X21 / X22.
- Rest go to Durham for the 6 / 7.

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(11 Apr 2015, 4:40 pm)Dan wrote Maybe it's just a lack of storage space at Jesmond..?

(11 Apr 2015, 4:40 pm)mb134 wrote I agree with Davey that the X21/22 needs replacements for 7501-9, however I don't think that they should then go onto a service that has newer stock currently. I think the best bet for them would be to send them onto a service that currently has old stock, but is profitable (if such a route exists). Either way, most of them are shot and only any real use on a local town/city service, not an "express" route. 

(11 Apr 2015, 5:18 pm)danpick wrote 1595 should now be at Darlington as I passed it on Durham Road.

(11 Apr 2015, 4:22 pm)Jimmi wrote Anyone know the height of the 57 reg Enviro 400's as I don't think they'd fit under Priestgate in Darlington, also do you think it's fair for the passengers on the 7 to get these old sheds in place of modern stock especially with the awful piles of garbage that came before the Pulsars. Also the Enviro 400's are no longer going on the 6 and will now be allocated to service 24 which runs on a half hourly frequency so the passenger numbers would sharp drop if those old heaps end up breaking down on there all the time.

I know the 57 reg heaps are terrible but it seems like they will be used on the X21/X22 for the foreseeable future much to your dismay.

(11 Apr 2015, 5:41 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Also, why would Arriva pay however many millions on these 5 E400s for the 7 and 2 for the 24 (now) and instead give them to Ashington, who's present standing in the North East Sapphire table I understand is terrible?

There's also the fact that since last year, Thorntons have branded all new Sapphire vehicles might explain why 7536/40 are at Ashington.