(03 Aug 2015, 9:46 am)S813 FVK wrote The 35/36 brand has been revealed...

Looks nice the brand if I must say so good thing it goes past my mate Paul's house

(03 Aug 2015, 8:22 am)buss14 wrote Hi
i just wanted to ask if anyone heard about where the cobalt connect 19 bus stops in ashington, because with the redevelopment of ashington bus station all services have been given temp bus stands

No bus stands have been relocated at this time - buses depart from the usual stand unless in an emergency.

Well, we're finally sampling the street deck on the x21. Utterly underwhelming. Rattles more than a streetlites and the windows just look odd.

I now have several quaylink balls in my bag. Eldest queued for his free ice cream while youngest sat by the front wheel and sang a verse of wheels on the bus. I passed on the coffee as it smelt dire and we moved away from the noise before one of us exploded. The young lads busking by monument were far more enjoyable!

Only scratched one of my leaflets which turned out to be a free ticket, so gave it away, as no use to me.

I wonder if there will be more balls at the see it do it launch.

Quite good event. Had some free ice cream and it was fantastic. Certainly the right weather for it.

Didn't see any of you guys. Well. i think i passed Lee and co. walking from the event as i was walking to it. Heard something along the lines of "Andrew, you're on sheep juice". made me laugh even if it was just some random person saying it.

(03 Aug 2015, 1:32 pm)S813 FVK wrote Quite good event. Had some free ice cream and it was fantastic. Certainly the right weather for it.

Didn't see any of you guys. Well. i think i passed Lee and co. walking from the event as i was walking to it. Heard something along the lines of "Andrew, you're on sheep juice". made me laugh even if it was just some random person saying it.

yes, I heard that too!

I would have literally took a photo of the bus before leaving when you arrived. I walked towards Monument Metro when I was leaving 

See it do it branded Merc 5303 is back in service at Deptford following repaint and rebrand.

(03 Aug 2015, 2:46 pm)Dan wrote See it do it branded Merc 5303 is back in service at Deptford following repaint and rebrand.

..on service 9 by all accounts:

Go North East: 5303 / NK08CHJ by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5303 / NK08CHJ by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Few quick notes...

Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 5161 (T811 CBW) has transferred from Peterlee to Deptford, and 5162 (T812 CBW) has transferred from Deptford to Peterlee (matching Go North East's official fleet list).

Deptford-based "Northern" branded Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 6042 (V306 LGC) has arrived at Saltmeadows Road for repaint into Go North East's corporate livery.

Stanley's final "Northern" branded Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President, in the form of 6014 (V314 LGC), has also recently been repainted into Go North East's corporate livery. With the final Plaxton President bodied Volvo B7TL undergoing repaint, the first "Northern" branded Dennis Trident/Plaxton President at Stanley has arrived at Saltmeadows Road for repaint into Go North East's corporate livery too, in the form of 3886 (NK51 UCO).

Has Scania Omnidekka 6124 made an appearance since the Metrocentre bus rally?

(03 Aug 2015, 4:02 pm)Davie wrote Has Scania Omnidekka 6124 made an appearance since the Metrocentre bus rally?

Yes. All 10 have been out in service for a number of weeks now.

I take it that its one you're looking for?

(03 Aug 2015, 4:02 pm)Davie wrote Has Scania Omnidekka 6124 made an appearance since the Metrocentre bus rally?

I photographed it in Durham on the 15 the other week.
https://flic.kr/p/vYSRTN

(03 Aug 2015, 4:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Yes. All 10 have been out in service for a number of weeks now.

I take it that its one you're looking for?

Yep

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(03 Aug 2015, 4:05 pm)Jimmi wrote I photographed it in Durham on the 15 the other week.
https://flic.kr/p/vYSRTN

Cheers for that Jimmi, good shot too.

The Tynedale changes aren't pleasing everybody.

(03 Aug 2015, 4:40 pm)G-CPTN wrote The Tynedale changes aren't pleasing everybody.

Suppose those who aren't pleased by the changes don't actually realise that the bus they've got now is better than no bus at all..?

(03 Aug 2015, 4:45 pm)Dan wrote Suppose those who aren't pleased by the changes don't actually realise that the bus they've got now is better than no bus at all..?

Only the frequency has changed on the 687 really. The 680 was always every 2 hours or so, an in fact I'd say Acomb has an improved service.

The rear of an indiGo Solo SR:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16042610@N...ateposted/

The Go North East 'East Durham' tab has been updated to show the look of the new indiGo brand:
http://www.simplygo.com/all-services/east-durham

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(03 Aug 2015, 4:01 pm)Dan wrote Deptford-based "Northern" branded Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 6042 (V306 LGC) has arrived at Saltmeadows Road for repaint into Go North East's corporate livery.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16042610@N...otostream/

(03 Aug 2015, 5:03 pm)S813 FVK wrote The rear of an indiGo Solo SR:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16042610@N...ateposted/

You have an avid interest in the destinations, so I suppose you'll have noticed the (extremely large) rear display!

Let's just say that even the partially sighted will be able to see the number from a distance when they've missed the bus...

(03 Aug 2015, 5:07 pm)Dan wrote You have an avid interest in the destinations, so I suppose you'll have noticed the (extremely large) rear display!

Let's just say that even the partially sighted will be able to see the number from a distance when they've missed the bus...

I hadn't actually noticed that but i have to say, it looks absolutely awful. Far too big. If they were the same size as the destinations on the rear of the Venture Solos (and Citylink Versas), it would look ok.

(03 Aug 2015, 5:07 pm)Dan wrote You have an avid interest in the destinations, so I suppose you'll have noticed the (extremely large) rear display!

Let's just say that even the partially sighted will be able to see the number from a distance when they've missed the bus...

I take it then Dan, that these Solos have the 144x19 screens normally found at the front as per the refurbished Sapphire Pulsars and E400s with Arriva (and the original batch of their EcoCitys likewise)?

(03 Aug 2015, 5:13 pm)S813 FVK wrote I hadn't actually noticed that but i have to say, it looks absolutely awful. Far too big. If they were the same size as the destinations on the rear of the Venture Solos (and Citylink Versas), it would look ok.

It has actually the same amount of LED's as the Venture Solo's - 160x24 believe it or not - just they are more compacted together on the Venture and Citylink vehicles.

(03 Aug 2015, 5:13 pm)S813 FVK wrote I hadn't actually noticed that but i have to say, it looks absolutely awful. Far too big. If they were the same size as the destinations on the rear of the Venture Solos (and Citylink Versas), it would look ok.

(03 Aug 2015, 5:14 pm)Kuyoyo wrote I take it then Dan, that these Solos have the 144x19 screens normally found at the front as per the refurbished Sapphire Pulsars and E400s with Arriva (and the original batch of their EcoCitys likewise)?

Actually - they are the same size as the destinations on the rear of the "Venture" branded Optare Solo SRs and "Citylink" branded Optare Versas: 160x24.

Optare could not fit that size of destination into the rear of their vehicles in 2013 (so a condensed version of the same size destination was fitted - which is why it appears to look more 'high definition' than usual 128x17 rear displays), but have since made modifications to the design, allowing the full 'normal' 160x24 LED display size to be fitted instead.

(03 Aug 2015, 5:07 pm)Dan wrote You have an avid interest in the destinations, so I suppose you'll have noticed the (extremely large) rear display!

Let's just say that even the partially sighted will be able to see the number from a distance when they've missed the bus...

To me on that photo the size of the screen probably won't make the numbers on the screen look much bigger than on the likes of the Citylink Versa's but at least they shouldn't have to shorten or use thin text on the screens to make the destinations fit which would be a task on the IndiGo network as apart from the Sunday 59 all the services will have three numbers which would take up a fair amount of space.

(03 Aug 2015, 5:18 pm)Jimmi wrote To me on that photo the size of the screen probably won't make the numbers on the screen look much bigger than on the likes of the Citylink Versa's but at least they shouldn't have to shorten or use thin text on the screens to make the destinations fit which would be a task on the IndiGo network as apart from the Sunday 59 all the services will have three numbers which would take up a fair amount of space.

The numbers look massive compared to the Versa's on these new Solo's

I still prefer the 160x24 in the Venture and Citylink vehicles. Looks far smarter.

(03 Aug 2015, 5:19 pm)citaro5284 wrote The numbers look massive compared to the Versa's on these new Solo's

Bit of a teaser....



You can see from that it's pretty similar to the rear of a "Citylink" Optare Versa - just a bit more spaced out!

Go North East: 5387 / NL63YAV by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Now i've seen that, it looks much better. Just hope i don't see it when it is blank!

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, 5:30 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!

That's funny, my room smells of that too...

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, 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'  

Don't give them any ideas!