(13 May 2014, 7:19 pm)Marcus wrote Personally I think that's a great idea. It would mean better vehicles that Tridents, and I think it would make a nice livery as well. Just out of interest, are the 327's drivers contracted by DFDS or are they from Percy Main?

(13 May 2014, 7:20 pm)Tom wrote Yeah - There aren't many demanding routes at Percy Main anyway, so if like 3866/3867 they get used on other services then they should also be fine. And I'm not sure but I think they are just from Percy Main?

(13 May 2014, 6:37 pm)Marcus wrote Haha! Or the Post Office?

(13 May 2014, 5:45 pm)Marcus wrote I live next to the Durham Cricket Ground, and I would love to see a livery that has little pictures of various village landmarks (eg Lumley might be the Warrior's Arms, Craghead would be the Punch Bowl) and their names hovering over. Perhaps still in it's distinctive Lime green paint though.

(13 May 2014, 8:04 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Ye Olde England or The Co-op!

(13 May 2014, 8:17 pm)Marcus wrote We seem to be forgetting Back Lane!

(13 May 2014, 8:24 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote and the sewage works!

(13 May 2014, 8:04 pm)busman101 wrote You'd have to board the bus windows up to be realistic for the Warriors Arms in Lumley ! I like the comments on the Volvo's - especially as another very regular Lime user, as I suspect that they could run for a while longer on the route. It does go to show just how good the Volvo B10 product was as they've probably been the longest lasting single deck bus since the Leyland National.

The branding ideas are interesting, but it does need to be a bit generic as it is a "sum of the parts" route, despite their being a lady travelling from Consett to Sunderland on the bus I was on yesterday (from overhearing her phone call)

(13 May 2014, 8:32 pm)Marcus wrote Haha! Riding Hill or the Methodist Church?

(13 May 2014, 8:04 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Ye Olde England or The Co-op!

(14 May 2014, 6:11 pm)Racer_Experience wrote Since I haven't been in the North East for the past few days has anyone seen 5210 been branded or Simplicity versas finally been branded

(14 May 2014, 6:11 pm)Racer_Experience wrote Since I haven't been in the North East for the past few days has anyone seen 5210 been branded or Simplicity versas finally been branded I finally did my Borismaster mission by accident due to me and my ma accidently ended up in Camden I think GNE should get enviros 400 the newstyle ones some for X1 and X21 while some of the Borismasters could be ordered for 21 while some of the hybrids can go on 27 as Dan said as he quoted "Hybrids are suitable for 27" some of the buses down here in London reminds me of that time me and my mate Chris went on a Volvo Plaxton President on metro replacement then a few weeks later I went on a similar one a few weeks later on then Angel Service 22 and I quoted much better now

(14 May 2014, 6:20 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote We won't get any Borismasters until there due be Withdrawn from Service in London, by that time they'll be Knackered anyway, just keep dreaming Bazza, As for the Versas/5210 neither have been Branded as of Yet. I think it is likely that the 27 will get Hybrids.

(14 May 2014, 6:20 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote We won't get any Borismasters until there due be Withdrawn from Service in London, by that time they'll be Knackered anyway, just keep dreaming Bazza, As for the Versas/5210 neither have been Branded as of Yet. I think it is likely that the 27 will get Hybrids.

(14 May 2014, 6:11 pm)Racer_Experience wrote Since I haven't been in the North East for the past few days has anyone seen 5210 been branded or Simplicity versas finally been branded I finally did my Borismaster mission by accident due to me and my ma accidently ended up in Camden I think GNE should get enviros 400 the newstyle ones some for X1 and X21 while some of the Borismasters could be ordered for 21 while some of the hybrids can go on 27 as Dan said as he quoted "Hybrids are suitable for 27" some of the buses down here in London reminds me of that time me and my mate Chris went on a Volvo Plaxton President on metro replacement then a few weeks later I went on a similar one a few weeks later on then Angel Service 22 and I quoted much better now

(14 May 2014, 6:33 pm)Marcus wrote I too can see Gemini 2s/E400s (although I don't think the latter suit GNE, to me they're more of a Stagecoach-like vehicle) on the Crusader. Maybe not anytime soon though.

(14 May 2014, 9:13 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I'd say that GNE would probably want to stay loyal to Volvo but they could be tempted by the MK2 E400 despite not ordering any Dennis double deckers since 2001. The new E400 could probably cope with most of the routes with the exception of the TTX. On another note, they could order 17 and allocate the nearly 6 month old B9TL's on the X1 slightly upgrading it from either the 56 or 309 and 310. The 56 is more demanding than the Clippers and although the B9 is justified for small sections of the 309 route, the 10 less bhp wouldn't really be a miss. So:

- 17 E400's ordered for 309 / 310 or 56 with 16 B9's to Washington leaving 1 spare.

- 7 of the current Red Arrows stock going to Crook for the X21.

- Other 7 going to Riverside for Crusader with a further 7 E400'S ordered. 3963 will act as a spare with 6084 or 6101 acting as a spare for the TTX.

- 3943 relieved for Red Arrows duties also acting as a spare for the Crusader.

- Due to the route being more of an urban type, GNE could give power sockets a miss on the Crusader.

In summary:
- 6118 to 6134 to either Deptford or Percy Main
- 6102 to 6117 or 6085 to 6100 to Washington
- 6001 to 6007 to Crook
- 6049 to 6055 to Riverside
- 3943 to Riverside
- 6084 or 6101 to Riverside
- 6135 to 6141 to Riverside.
- 3963 acting as a spare for the Crusader replaced by 6084 or 6101.

(14 May 2014, 7:58 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Are the Boris Buses any good?

(14 May 2014, 10:32 pm)G-CPTN wrote Borismaster video

Do they operate only on electric? Or does the diesel engine keep cutting-in?
Is the diesel engine audible? I have only ever ridden on the original Quaylink buses - not on any of the hybrids.

(14 May 2014, 9:21 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote I highly doubt this would ever happen, what would be the point in Ordering E400's for the 56/309 and 310 when have just received New Buses, It would be illogical and pointless along with being a complete waste of Money.

(14 May 2014, 10:32 pm)G-CPTN wrote Borismaster video

Do they operate only on electric? Or does the diesel engine keep cutting-in?
Is the diesel engine audible? I have only ever ridden on the original Quaylink buses - not on any of the hybrids.

(15 May 2014, 8:45 am)DavidP wrote the upper deck seats at least are a lot more uncomfortable and closer together than the Volvo B9 and AD400.

Cheers
David

(15 May 2014, 8:50 am)G-CPTN wrote There appears to be a lot of 'lost space' due to multiple exits and two staircases, so the remaining space needs to be crammed with seats reach capacity.