(09 Aug 2015, 12:33 pm)jaimzm wrote Why don't they buy old arriva depot in peterlee or instead of using a tight space transport depot

 I was told by the GNE MD at the time that their not interested purchasing the peterlee depot, and use Deptford depot for maintenance, even though I mentioned that their could store some of the buses off service 60/61 and have some 60 and 61 commencing from peterlee in the morning and terminating the last few services down to Peterlee on evening. could of housed service X35 and even some of the X9's and X10's, would of freed up some space at Deptford depot and transfer concord depot over to Deptford.

(09 Aug 2015, 1:44 pm)cbma06 wrote  I was told by the GNE MD at the time that their not interested purchasing the peterlee depot, and use Deptford depot for maintenance, even though I mentioned that their could store some of the buses off service 60/61 and have some 60 and 61 commencing from peterlee in the morning and terminating the last few services down to Peterlee on evening. could of housed service X35 and even some of the X9's and X10's, would of freed up some space at Deptford depot and transfer concord depot over to Deptford.

Not quite that simple as Peterlee is classed at Low Cost, and the TU have an agreement about what work can be classed as that.....and I doubt them services would qualify.

(09 Aug 2015, 1:49 pm)citaro5284 wrote Not quite that simple as Peterlee is classed at Low Cost, and the TU have an agreement about what work can be classed as that.....and I doubt them services would qualify.

is there a maximum of buses that can be stored/used at a low cost unit?.

(09 Aug 2015, 1:49 pm)citaro5284 wrote Peterlee is classed at Low Cost,

Nice to know that we matter, out here

(09 Aug 2015, 1:49 pm)citaro5284 wrote Not quite that simple as Peterlee is classed at Low Cost, and the TU have an agreement about what work can be classed as that.....and I doubt them services would qualify.

Make sense but wouldn't be a bad idea tho

(09 Aug 2015, 1:10 pm)Davie wrote No. I think it interworks with service X9 Mondays - Saturdays.

Doesn't look like they do interwork unless (and quite understandably), there is a long layover at each end.

For example, an X10 leaves Newcastle at 11:00 and will get to Middlesbrough at 12:20. The next X10 out of Middlesbrough is at 12:30 meaning that it would be the next bus out and would get back to Newcastle at 13:50 . The cycle would keep going and works in the same way for the X9.

As i say, with it being such a demanding route for drivers, they may be given 40 minutes layover at each end allowing buses to alternate between the two routes.

(09 Aug 2015, 3:10 pm)S813 FVK wrote Doesn't look like they do interwork unless (and quite understandably), there is a long layover at each end.

For example, an X10 leaves Newcastle at 11:00 and will get to Middlesbrough at 12:20. The next X10 out of Middlesbrough is at 12:30 meaning that it would be the next bus out and would get back to Newcastle at 13:50 . The cycle would keep going and works in the same way for the X9.

As i say, with it being such a demanding route for drivers, they may be given 40 minutes layover at each end allowing buses to alternate between the two routes.

Thanks, I thought they did but never mind.

(09 Aug 2015, 3:10 pm)S813 FVK wrote Doesn't look like they do interwork unless (and quite understandably), there is a long layover at each end.

For example, an X10 leaves Newcastle at 11:00 and will get to Middlesbrough at 12:20. The next X10 out of Middlesbrough is at 12:30 meaning that it would be the next bus out and would get back to Newcastle at 13:50 . The cycle would keep going and works in the same way for the X9.

As i say, with it being such a demanding route for drivers, they may be given 40 minutes layover at each end allowing buses to alternate between the two routes.

As far as I'm aware the X9/X10 don't interwork so it's three buses on each service. So like in your example it leaves Newcastle at 1100 on the X10 then arrives back as the X10 at 1350 then back out at 1400 on the X10 to Middlesbrough.

(09 Aug 2015, 3:12 pm)Davie wrote Thanks, I thought they did but never mind.

I thought they did too. Never actually paid much attention but then i cast my mind back to when the coaches were on the X9 and B7s on the X10 and just had this random thought that if they didnt interwork then, would they now (obviously couldnt interwork then as neither livery had branding for both services on (although the X9 livery did state that it worked with the X10 providing a 30 minute frequency)) and it turns out, if my '10 minute layover at each end' theory is correct, they dont.

(09 Aug 2015, 3:17 pm)S813 FVK wrote I thought they did too. Never actually paid much attention but then i cast my mind back to when the coaches were on the X9 and B7s on the X10 and just had this random thought that if they didnt interwork then, would they now (obviously couldnt interwork then as neither livery had branding for both services on (although the X9 livery did state that it worked with the X10 providing a 30 minute frequency)) and it turns out, if my '10 minute layover at each end' theory is correct, they dont.

I think when the Volvo B7TLs were on the X9/X10 there may have been some swapping buses around over the day, all I remember is the 1100 X10 Newcastle - Middlesbrough and return journey used to be operated by a Volvo Olympian. Think it was something to do with fuel.

I thought the X9/X10 did interwork at Middlesbrough, as before I got on either the X9 or X10 I used to see the bus in the middle layby at about 30 minutes before departure time ,then I know that the bus was on time for the departure, GNE most of changed it awhile back.

Nine "indiGo" branded Optare Solo SR vehicles were transferred to Peterlee Depot this morning. I'd originally intended to catch these in a convoy heading into the depot, but sadly I was unable to on this occasion. As such, I settled for a wide-angle shot of the depot instead, showing the transition between the yellow Mini Pointer Darts that remained and the pink Solo SRs that had arrived by noon.

Go North East: Peterlee Depot by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

You'll have a few hours tomorrow morning to catch the remaining five Mini Pointer Darts in service at Peterlee. These five vehicles will be replaced one by one at around 11:00am, and Go North East has invited enthusiasts along to take photographs of the old and the new together at Peterlee Bus Station. Until 11:00am, Go North East are holding a private photoshoot with a VIP guest (and the five vehicles being used at this photoshoot are 657, 660, 661, 664 and 666 - currently parked up at Deptford Depot until tomorrow morning). More information on the launch to follow tomorrow, but for now, a sneak-peak at a destination that will be used at the photoshoot...

Go North East: 657 / NK15GEY by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(09 Aug 2015, 5:10 pm)Dan wrote Nine "indiGo" branded Optare Solo SR vehicles were transferred to Peterlee Depot this morning. I'd originally intended to catch these in a convoy heading into the depot, but sadly I was unable to on this occasion. As such, I settled for a wide-angle shot of the depot instead, showing the transition between the yellow Mini Pointer Darts that remained and the pink Solo SRs that had arrived by noon.

Do you know where the newer MPDs will be heading? (619 etc.)

(09 Aug 2015, 5:10 pm)Dan wrote Nine "indiGo" branded Optare Solo SR vehicles were transferred to Peterlee Depot this morning. I'd originally intended to catch these in a convoy heading into the depot, but sadly I was unable to on this occasion. As such, I settled for a wide-angle shot of the depot instead, showing the transition between the yellow Mini Pointer Darts that remained and the pink Solo SRs that had arrived by noon.

So am I right in thinking that some Solo's will be in service from start of play?

So has the mpds gone straight to deptford or salt meadows for repaint

(09 Aug 2015, 5:12 pm)Tom wrote Do you know where the newer MPDs will be heading? (619 etc.)

618/9 are going to Hexham.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:15 pm)danpick wrote 618/9 are going to Hexham.

I thought that was 618 only?

(09 Aug 2015, 5:12 pm)Tom wrote Do you know where the newer MPDs will be heading? (619 etc.)

Last i read was that 4 will head to Deptford to replace the 52 reg ones not sure about the other 2, hopefully Deptford to make the 38/238 fully MPD and brand it "Black Cats"

Idea was from cbma06. =)

(09 Aug 2015, 5:13 pm)danpick wrote So am I right in thinking that some Solo's will be in service from start of play?

Also looking at your Flickr Dan is the 901 Stadium Of Light part of having every station on the System programmed also why do they have X1 programmed?

---

(09 Aug 2015, 5:16 pm)Michael wrote Last i read was that 4 will head to Deptford to replace the 52 reg ones not sure about the other 2, hopefully Deptford to make the 38/238 fully MPD and brand it "Black Cats"

Some are going down to Oxford as Citaro said but he deleted the post.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:16 pm)Tom wrote I thought that was 618 only?

It might be but thought 619 would be there in red as back-up.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:16 pm)danpick wrote Some are going down to Oxford as Citaro said but he deleted the post.

What? I can't ever remember seeing a post about that even if he did delete it.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:19 pm)S813 FVK wrote What? I can't ever remember seeing a post about that even if he did delete it.

Yeah he did I remember it.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:16 pm)danpick wrote Also looking at your Flickr Dan is the 901 Stadium Of Light part of having every station on the System programmed also why do they have X1 programmed?

---

Some are going down to Oxford as Citaro said but he deleted the post.

Oh right i have being away so i'll of missed that post...

Well i would imagine it would be the 52 reg ones which will move down south and not the 53 reg ones.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:16 pm)danpick wrote Some are going down to Oxford as Citaro said but he deleted the post.

Plans have changed...hence why my post was deleted

(09 Aug 2015, 5:23 pm)citaro5284 wrote Plans have changed...hence why my post was deleted

Ah, thought it might of been as you weren't meant to spill the beans.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:23 pm)citaro5284 wrote Plans have changed...hence why my post was deleted

Well i hope that Deptford are still gaining the 4 from Peterlee to replace 542,544,547,548...

(09 Aug 2015, 5:12 pm)Tom wrote Do you know where the newer MPDs will be heading? (619 etc.)

A number of the older MPDs have now been withdrawn and are in storage at Saltmeadows Road.

Cascades for the newer vehicles will take place when all fourteen vehicles arrive at Peterlee, which is when I'll be able to confirm the movements.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:13 pm)danpick wrote So am I right in thinking that some Solo's will be in service from start of play?

Yes, eight vehicles will enter service from morning run-out (allowing one vehicle to remain as a spare at Peterlee). The remainder of the PVR (5 vehicles) will be made up by MPDs until approximately 11:00am, which is when it is planned to replace these vehicles at Peterlee Bus Station.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:16 pm)danpick wrote Also looking at your Flickr Dan is the 901 Stadium Of Light part of having every station on the System programmed also why do they have X1 programmed?

We are currently rolling out a new programme to all depots which is easier to manage 'behind the scenes' and should prevent route numbers being on the wrong side of the display. This involves a lot of work on weekends and requires an electrician to change switch settings on the destination displays, so will take time to roll out to all buses in the fleet (but we're getting there!)

This new programme for each depot contains a standardised list of Metro Replacement destinations (one for every station on the network - listed in order), and I have also removed the scrolling so that it is easier to read. I've never had a chance to see these destinations on a bus yet, so tried it out while I had the chance. Certainly unlikely to see that destination on an Optare Solo SR for real (especially as normal Metro Replacements would continue to Sunderland or Park Lane - rather than my local station), but that's what it'll look like if one is ever allocated to the 900/901!

The new programme for Deptford is more 'universal', so to speak, and contains destinations for Deptford, Peterlee and Washington. The programme for Deptford Depot included destinations for service X1 before I got my hands on it: they provide vehicles on service X1 on Boxing Day! All that has changed is it now has the special route number font.

(09 Aug 2015, 5:35 pm)Dan wrote A number of the older MPDs have now been withdrawn and are in storage at Saltmeadows Road.

Cascades for the newer vehicles will take place when all fourteen vehicles arrive at Peterlee, which is when I'll be able to confirm the movements.

It's been confirmed on Flickr, so I suppose it can be confirmed on here now too..!

MPD 619 is to join 618 at Hexham Depot.

https://flic.kr/p/wbEAV9

We are currently rolling out a new programme to all depots which is easier to manage 'behind the scenes' and should prevent route numbers being on the wrong side of the display. This involves a lot of work on weekends and requires an electrician to change switch settings on the destination displays, so will take time to roll out to all buses in the fleet (but we're getting there!)



4938 & 6084 still showing a dark orange number, instead of the white ones.  

3976 has front programmed as if was a side display.

3967 still with a flipdot front.  Thought the school hols would be ideal to get an LED one fitted from ex toonlink.

4940 still has flipdot.  It has been vor for several weeks. Would have been a good to time to get toonlink led into it.

(09 Aug 2015, 6:21 pm)Dan wrote It's been confirmed on Flickr, so I suppose it can be confirmed on here now too..!

MPD 619 is to join 618 at Hexham Depot.

https://flic.kr/p/wbEAV9

Was sure both were going to Hexham.