(01 May 2016, 8:42 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Got there for around 2:30PM and spent most of my time playing around with 7603 which I thank the driver for letting me do, Though if Tommy didn't lock himself in the bloody cab I probably would have had a lot more time in it!  

Anyways putting that moment of madness aside, I took some photos from the GNE lineup and various other Preserved Vehicles and other Independents, Also took a lot of the Arriva Lineup too though I pulled the short straw with Tommy and ended being locked out the cab by him and having to take the photos of nearly every single blind on the log.

Thanks for the good day

Mecca Bingo Blyth. 

Few more on there too, don't know why Frequenta was on the Northumbria log though? 

(01 May 2016, 8:44 pm)4691 wrote Spent an enjoyable afternoon at the rally. A few different independents and loved the line up of preserved NE buses; had a great ride on the South Sheilds Atlantean.

I was disappointed in the presentation of some of GNE's offerings - 4898 was a disgrace! Loop and Green Arrow Scanias already look quite rough, and wheels were filthy. Incidentally, why did GNE take off the wheels trims a couple of years ago, eg.. all Volvos used to come with them fitted from new. They also used to keep wheels clean in painted silver.  Compared to First's buses and most Transdev fleets, GNE don't look as smart, well presented and professional. I thought Arriva's fleet put them to shame today.

Yes, and notice how Arriva's were all recently branded buses too. I thought their presentation was fantastic, and it was a nice selection of vehicle types too.

I had thought the Loop and Green Arrow were the best presented vehicles, apart from the three from the 2016 order. I don't understand why they keep bringing the oldest buses in the fleet along, when whether they like it or not, the buses on display are representing the company.

Arriva weren't even meant to bring the Max pulsar I think, a gas bus was meant to be coming along but it failed.

I think a Sapphire 7 was due too, but it never came.

(01 May 2016, 8:42 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Was a good day today, Though I didn't get there as early as other forum members did due to me having football at 10 in the morning!

Got there for around 2:30PM and spent most of my time playing around with 7603 which I thank the driver for letting me do, Though if Tommy didn't lock himself in the bloody cab I probably would have had a lot more time in it!  

Also spent a bit with Lee in 1405, Battery was a bit dead in this one I believe and the destinations couldn't be started up as usual though came on later on.

As the MAX X75/76 Omnicity was being readied for a run I had a little moment of madness and went to the Frequenta Solo and let myself in ( which I regret doing )
One other enthusiast who I recognised from the first Saturday of the Tynedale Links Solo's in operation decided to have a full on rage with me from 1405 for nothing, I didn't bloody touch anything.
One of the Arriva Drivers who had a cockney accent came over and I apologised and he was fine with it, Though for the enthusiast to shout his head off at me wasn't needed, I still don't know why he done it in the first place.

Anyways putting that moment of madness aside, I took some photos from the GNE lineup and various other Preserved Vehicles and other Independents, Also took a lot of the Arriva Lineup too though I pulled the short straw with Tommy and ended being locked out the cab by him and having to take the photos of nearly every single blind on the log.

Met Sean Harris aka Northern156 for the first time today, We chatted for a minute or two before going separate ways.

Also seen Daniel Graham and some other enthusiast's with him for the first time, I don't know if there NEB Members or not.

Other's seen today were Davie, Dan Picken , Kieron Matthews outside the Bus Station , Steven Hodgson , Bazza's Mate who I still don't know the name of and Jimmi.

Been nice meeting new people and talking to ones I already know and I hope to see you out and about or at the Durham Rally which Is coming up.

Might upload some of the photo's to Flickr tonight though I'm quite tired so see what happens.

Thanks for the good day

Kevin Barras is probs who you're on about.

I didn't yet feel part enough of any of this to say hello to any faces I recognised, but it was alright I guess. As others has commented it was pretty average just to walk around, maybe wish I stayed beyond the rain but whatever. I'll be curious for the durham one which I will also attend.

Probably won't go to Durham but what's the one after - Seaburn?

(01 May 2016, 9:04 pm)Jackamcardle wrote Arriva weren't even meant to bring the Max pulsar I think, a gas bus was meant to be coming along but it failed.

I think a Sapphire 7 was due too, but it never came.

As I explained to some of the people I showed around the Gemini. 1405 was a replacement for 2807 as it wasn't ready to be presented yet! We actually went through four Frequenta Solos at Darlington this morning which is why Blyth, Durham and The other Darlington bus were there long before Darlingtons solo and Stocktons 1405. Originally it was supposed to be 2850 that came with 1405. 1528 was a coin toss I think as we brought an Enviro 400 last year! 

Around the same number of buses will be present at Howlands on father's day I believe.

(01 May 2016, 9:51 pm)Tom wrote Probably won't go to Durham but what's the one after - Seaburn?

There's the Whitley Bay rally on Sunday July 17th.

Not certain if I'm going to bother with that one or not as last year I didn't feel it was totally worth the 3 hour journey (in EACH direction) I had to make to attend the rally. Wasn't helped by the fact that when I arrived the only ride outs where the two preserved buses The Eden had and GNE provided a TTX B9 and a Toonlink OmniCity.

(01 May 2016, 9:51 pm)Tom wrote Probably won't go to Durham but what's the one after - Seaburn?

Won't Whitley Bay the next rally, after Durham?

I won't be attending Durham either, as I shall be attending the Peak Park rally instead, and hopefully get a ride on the Ulsterbus Tiger which went out on a run too late for me today, as I left at 4pm with 7603.

(01 May 2016, 9:56 pm)Jimmi wrote There's the Whitley Bay rally on Sunday July 17th.

Not certain if I'm going to bother with that one or not as last year I didn't feel it was totally worth the 3 hour journey (in EACH direction) I had to make to attend the rally. Wasn't helped by the fact that when I arrived the only ride outs where the two preserved buses The Eden had and GNE provided a TTX B9 and a Toonlink OmniCity.

(01 May 2016, 9:57 pm)Davie wrote Won't Whitley Bay the next rally, after Durham?

Ah yeah forgot about that one. Will probably go to that one then as it's not far from me.

Bet you won't be doing the 1 all the way from Wrekenton again haha - must have took nearly 2 hours from Wrekenton to Whitley Bay. And we know how much you love the Omnicities 

(01 May 2016, 10:02 pm)Tom wrote Ah yeah forgot about that one. Will probably go to that one then as it's not far from me.

Bet you won't be doing the 1 all the way from Wrekenton again haha - must have took nearly 2 hours from Wrekenton to Whitley Bay. And we know how much you love the Omnicities 

Christ no! Never again on one of them heaps!! X1 and 309 are fine with me.

(01 May 2016, 10:00 pm)GMitchelhill wrote I won't be attending Durham either, as I shall be attending the Peak Park rally instead, and hopefully get a ride on the Ulsterbus Tiger which went out on a run too late for me today, as I left at 4pm with 7603.

That Ulstrbus Tiger passed us on the A1 on our way in and I seriously thought it was going to end up with a bump - the guy driving it was struggling to get across into the right lane to get off again.

Really enjoyed the rally today. Got there for 0800 and met up with Adrian to watch everything coming in.
Then met up one by one with the clan from here. Wandered around and jumped from clique to clique. Jollied around on a few shuttles too.

Weather was utter rubbish to start off with but it did get better!
Nice meeting some new faces today, too.

Gave a fellow forum member a lift to Newcastle afterwards, then went to Jesmond depot for a few photos, then Walkergate, then Percy Main before going to Maccies at Silverlink for some food, then went via the Tyne Tunnel (never done it by car before) heading back home.


Many thanks to all who I seen/spoke to today, really was good fun.

(01 May 2016, 10:16 pm)northern156 wrote Really enjoyed the rally today. Got there for 0800 and met up with Adrian to watch everything coming in.
Then met up one by one with the clan from here. Wandered around and jumped from clique to clique. Jollied around on a few shuttles too.

Weather was utter rubbish to start off with but it did get better!
Nice meeting some new faces today, too.

Gave a fellow forum member a lift to Newcastle afterwards, then went to Jesmond depot for a few photos, then Walkergate, then Percy Main before going to Maccies at Silverlink for some food, then went via the Tyne Tunnel (never done it by car before) heading back home.


Many thanks to all who I seen/spoke to today, really was good fun.

It was great meeting you today, Sean.

(01 May 2016, 10:17 pm)Davie wrote It was great meeting you today, Sean.

Likewise

Same here, Great meeting you Sean

(01 May 2016, 3:10 pm)Jackamcardle wrote On the other hand, I did think that Go North East made a much better effort with the amount of buses this year, and all of the drivers were very friendly (particularly Mark and the driver that me and Marcus had on the Olympian, think it was Ben or Jack) and let you look around the buses and changed the destination displays.

That would have been myself Ben i drove the majority and my friend Jak drove the rest. It was my first year as a driver to the Metrocentre Show. I did bring 5288 from Stanley & 5221 from Riverside after arriving at the coach park. It was nice to meet a few forum members. For ones that didn't know/don't know who i was i was wearing the orange hi-viz with Go North East on. I picked up onna few points that some enthusiasts would have liked some buses on shuttles that didn't move at all. If any of these were GNE vehicles please do ask one of us and we would have been happy to assist in operating a shuttle with a vehicle you all wanted. I am aware that the Renown,Vyking & both Scania's didn't do any shuttles and there was a reason for one of those not doing one but the other 3 i felt many would have had rides on them numerous times so would not really need a shuttle with the said buses. Anyway was a good day in my eyes and nice seeing the ones i saw.

Till next time!
Ben

(02 May 2016, 8:43 am)Versa5389 wrote It was my first year as a driver to the Metrocentre Show. I did bring 5288 from Stanley & 5221 from Riverside after arriving at the coach park.

Thanks for bringing some buses along for us, Ben!

(01 May 2016, 9:51 pm)Tom wrote Probably won't go to Durham but what's the one after - Seaburn?

Whitley Bay

(02 May 2016, 8:51 am)Dan wrote Thanks for bringing some buses along for us, Ben!

My pleasure Dan!

Uploaded my first photo from yesterday onto Flickr now, With some extras to read about in the description for the mechanical side etc

https://www.flickr.com/photos/140662069@...ed-public/  Hope you enjoy it  

(02 May 2016, 12:01 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Uploaded my first photo from yesterday onto Flickr now, With some extras to read about in the description for the mechanical side etc

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K9...2/advanced  Hope you enjoy it  

Wrong link, I think?? 

(02 May 2016, 12:10 pm)Adrian wrote Wrong link, I think?? 

Haha indeed it is    Will edit it now.
Silly me!

(01 May 2016, 7:46 pm)Malarkey wrote Despite the rain and poor organisation of how Vehicles were parked up, I must say very close together, actually thought I was at Durham Rally for most of the event, and a lack of stalls and further lack of quantity when it came to model buses, I still managed to spend £51 on three GNE Models to add to my collection. Negatives out of the way I quite I enjoyed the 2 Hours I spent at the Rally with plenty of new additions to the preservation scene on display which did not disappoint me one bit.

I got to then MetroCentre at around 10:30am and was greeted by 3469 (AUP 360W) as I came down into the Coach Park, which resulted in many enthusiasts scrambling into position for photos, myself included. I then made my way up the left hand side where A-Line etc were parked up before heading over to the right side where you will find the usual ex Busways Vehicles, before having a look around the stalls, after buying a few models I continued my way up to the top bumping into Mr Fozz on my travels, I also spoke with and old gentleman who told me quite few stories of the Northern Vehicles during his childhood whilst attempting to get a photo of (FJ61 EXO) which I photographed yesterday also.

I then took a trip back to the early 2000s as I photographed what had be my highlight of the day in 4708 & 4855, I boarded 4855 and spoke with the owners of both Vehicles, and praised them for there efforts over the winter months along with thanking them for bringing back some great memories of my childhood, which they appreciated and thanked me for my kind comments.

After that I had look around the Arriva & Go North East Vehicles on show, along with photographing 3656 which also looks fantastic before heading back down the bottom, where I was greeted by the Yorkshire Coastliner and United Leyland Olympian ECWs coming in, which was the other highlight of my day before opting to head back home so I could watch the football, not before catching 4896 on the 46, 5210 on the 10B and a brief chat with Jack McArdle in the Bus Station, to then catch a late running 13:18pm X88 back to Washington.

Overall I thought it was a good rally and I am looking forward to Durham next month.

I am pleased that 4855 was well received by the many people who took the time to come and have A look at her. Next event will be Durham.

Photos from yesterday - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...2160369429

Here’s my review of the North East Bus and Coach show. I do not think many of you will like the opinions I put forward and I apologise in advance if I cause any upset.

My day started with GNE 4935 a Wright Solar bodied Scania working the 10.50 67 service from Deckham to the Metrocentre. The bus was lightly used and was on time. It was the usual cross Gateshead suburban service. A boring but handy service if you are travelling to the Metrocentre and beyond. We arrived at the Metrocentre without any problems and I made my way over the bridge to the rally. The weather was thankfully improving.

The first thing I noticed was that the bays nearest the entrance to the coach park were empty. Straight away this gave a bad impression. This space should have been utilised by a stand manned by people welcoming visitors to the rally and providing information. Instead it looked as though vehicles had not turned up or were late. Undeterred I took a slow walk up to the top of the displays of vehicles to where GNE and Arriva had their vehicles parked. Where was Stagecoach though? Despite the intermittent light rain it was busy with enthusiasts and families. There was a good turn out of vehicles both active as psvs and preserved. There was also a good representation of operators from the North East. The organisers had done a good job in displaying the vehicles in categories e.g. Northern, Busways and independent operators.

What I did notice was the lack of information and displays whilst walking along the rally. No-one was handing out any flyers or publicity material. There did not appear to be a brochure giving details of the event. I’d been to the 500 Group’s Teesside Running Day the previous Sunday. There for £5.00 you could buy a colour brochure giving details of the vehicles, routes and timetables. The brochure also provided a route map and details of which vehicles would be working a particular route at a given time. I found this most informative and very useful in planning my day on Teesside.

I understand the Metrocentre rally is a lot bigger and work on compiling and preparing a brochure or guide would take some time and effort. However it would be very useful for rally visitors, a good proportion of whom are not enthusiasts but families going to the Metrocentre for shopping and leisure. It would also raise funds for the NEBPT as many people would be prepared to pay the cover price to purchase a copy. One group, The North East Electric Traction Trust did have some good publicity displays outside their vehicle.

Having reached the top of the coach park I started methodically photographing each vehicle in turn as I made my way gradually back towards the rally entrance. This took me a good hour or so. Eventually I made my way down to the stalls. I can only say the amount and variety of stalls was quite disappointing given that the Metrocentre rally is meant to be the biggest in the North East. Last year I felt there were a lot more stalls selling far more material. To give an example there was only a single book stall this year. Where were the PSV Circle or Omnibus Society? I would have expected them to attend this prestigious event. Surely it’s a good location to attract new members especially younger enthusiasts with their parents? Last year the PSV Cirlce’s book stall appeared to do a good trade. There was however a stall selling bus photos and what I can only describe as celebrity bric-a-brac. Call me uneducated if you wish but I cannot see the connection between North East bus services and Elvis Presley.

Moving past the stalls I continued photographing the vehicles. When I’d finished photographing it was about 12.30 so I decided to get some lunch in the Metrocentre and have a look around the shops. I found a quiet seat on which to have my lunch. Sitting nearby were a pair of “enthusiasts” slagging a local independent bus operator. The operator in question then came talk to them and they were as nice as nine pence. Sorry, but what a pair of two-faced so and so’s. That really annoyed me, I’m not going to name any names though. After lunch I returned to the rally as I was looking forward to taking a few good vintage bus trips.

Last year I went up to Tanfield Railway and had an enjoyable look round. I also travelled over to Scotswood and back. I went to join the queue and asked when the next bus was due and what route it was taking. I was told that the service this year was only going to Dunston and Swalwell. What was the reason for this, perhaps it was the traffic or the arduous uphill climb to Sunniside? This only increased my sense of disappointment. There seemed only to be one harassed looking old guy with a clip-board organising the bus service. Perhaps a display board with a printed timetable, route and vehicle details would have been a good idea. NEBTs Routemaster was parked alongside, perhaps they could have had a stall. Since they had a captive audience in the queue, they probably would have got good sales of their merchandise if they did put a stall out.

I took the first bus that arrived this was a smart orange Alexander Y which was at last week’s Teesside event. I was reminded of the Alexander Ys North Eastern Bus Services used to operate on their 92 service in the 1980s. What annoyed me though was some guy thinking he was a comedian making loud sarcastic comments at the start of the journey. Sorry fella, but if you want to be centre of attention get yourself on stage at the Comedy Club. Give him his due he quietened down and politely talked to his friends for most of the journey.

Now you can say I’m a philistine but Swalwell in my opinion just does not have the same attraction in terms of scenery as the countryside around Tanfield. Dunston Health Centre does not have the aesthetic value of Causey Arch. In short it was a bloody boring journey. A good thrash up Lobley Hill and through Streetgate, now that would have been exciting. The view down the Tyne from Scotswood Bridge, that’s worth looking at. To make matters worse we got stuck in traffic on our way back to the coach park. At this point I was getting rather fed up. I was thinking this day could not get any worse. On arrival back at the coach park what did I see…

Only that magnificent flower of the bus enthusiast community the Cling-Ons. There they were standing in a circle chatting, in all their scruffy unshaven semi-idiotic glory. What an advertisement for bus enthusiasts to all and sundry! My god, who let them stand at the entrance to the rally? If you want to scare away interested members of the public then that’s the way to do it! Fighting off a deepening feeling of heart-rending woe I decided to have another walk up to the top of the rally and back. Despite it being about 13.40 with an improvement in the weather the rally was a lot quieter than earlier. Many people just seemed to have drifted away. I got a few more photos on the way. I was in two minds to try another bus trip but just could not motivate myself to enjoy the sight of the Western Bypass.

I’d noticed when we passed Kingsmeadow School that there was an 11 a side youth league match in progress. Utterly dispirited with the bus enthusiast scene I caught a GNE Citaro working the 49. I watched the remainder of the exciting game which cheered me up. Whilst the rally had many interesting vehicles from plenty of operators I felt the organisation was lacking in certain areas. Compared to last year it was a bit of an anti-climax. I continue however to have the greatest of respect for those preservationists who work hard and will continue to give the movement my support.

Thank you for reading, I apologise if you found the tone too negative but I wanted to get my feelings across.

Charles

Mod note: I've moved the discussion around the future of these kind of events to a new thread, which can be found here.

@Charles41 - you may wish to move segments of your post there. I didn't want to move the lot, as it was a review of the rally too.