(15 Oct 2015, 4:10 pm)Kuyoyo wrote I'm amazed this has passed everyone by

Well, probably as everyone predicted it has broke down on its first day on TTX......NOT

(15 Oct 2015, 4:13 pm)citaro5284 wrote Well, probably as everyone predicted it has broke down on its first day on TTX......NOT

It was a bit late like....

(15 Oct 2015, 4:10 pm)Kuyoyo wrote I'm amazed this has passed everyone by

Really hope I don't get that on Saturday.

(15 Oct 2015, 4:14 pm)Kuyoyo wrote It was a bit late like....

Its top speed is 0.02mph less than a Volvo B9 - its delay must be related to the vehicle!!!

(15 Oct 2015, 4:28 pm)Dan wrote Its top speed is 0.02mph less than a Volvo B9 - its delay must be related to the vehicle!!!

Those 0.02mph must make all the difference from running on-time to running late

Seriously though, what is the top speed of this? Will try and get myself a ride on this in the next few days and I will report back with how I feel it actually performs on the route.

(15 Oct 2015, 4:38 pm)Jimmi wrote Those 0.02mph must make all the difference from running on-time to running late

Seriously though, what is the top speed of this? Will try and get myself a ride on this in the next few days and I will report back with how I feel it actually performs on the route.

Volvo B9 has a top speed of 55.92mph, and the StreetDeck (now) has a top speed of 55.9mph. Over the course of an hour and a half, this would equate to a difference of about 50 metres if I've done the maths correctly?

Obviously the rate of acceleration will differ, but I can't see that being the result of the StreetDeck being 20 minutes late (especially when he only lost 4 minutes on the southbound trip).

(15 Oct 2015, 4:41 pm)Dan wrote Volvo B9 has a top speed of 55.92mph, and the StreetDeck (now) has a top speed of 55.9mph. Over the course of an hour and a half, this would equate to a difference of about 50 metres if I've done the maths correctly?

Obviously the rate of acceleration will differ, but I can't see that being the result of the StreetDeck being 20 minutes late (especially when he only lost 4 minutes on the southbound trip).

He arrived on Pilgrim Street about 1702 and left at 1704. However, I have heard reports of an accident on the A66 around Middlesbrough so depends when that happened.

(15 Oct 2015, 4:46 pm)Kuyoyo wrote He arrived on Pilgrim Street about 1702 and left at 1704. However, I have heard reports of an accident on the A66 around Middlesbrough so depends when that happened.

..and it was 17:10 by the time he arrived at Eldon Square - voila, we arrive at the 20 minutes late figure I gave above! 

(15 Oct 2015, 4:50 pm)Dan wrote ..and it was 17:10 by the time he arrived at Eldon Square - voila, we arrive at the 20 minutes late figure I gave above! 

To be fair, the Streetdeck if mechanically able to cope well with constant high speeds and high temperatures, shouldn't have too much trouble on the TTX. Would be interesting to see how it would cope if Riverside rested 6084 or a B7TL on the TEN even though it would most unlikely not get upto Hexham on the full TEN for various reasons.

(15 Oct 2015, 5:07 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote To be fair, the Streetdeck if mechanically able to cope well with constant high speeds and high temperatures, shouldn't have too much trouble on the TTX. Would be interesting to see how it would cope if Riverside rested 6084 or a B7TL on the TEN even though it would most unlikely not get upto Hexham on the full TEN for various reasons.

No it would not cope

(15 Oct 2015, 5:08 pm)NK53 TKT wrote No it would not cope

Bit early to judge, but:

- Does this bus have a two way radio?

- Don't forget that whilst Riverside work the 10a / 10b and Hexham work the 10 during the day including a Sunday daytime, these all interwork during the evenings and as such, I don't think GNE would want it staying over at Hexham depot due to it being primarily used on the TTX.

Go North East

Services passing Cobalt Business Park are now suffering severe delays due to very heavy traffic on all approach roads in the area.

(15 Oct 2015, 5:13 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Bit early to judge, but:

- Does this bus have a two way radio?

- Don't forget that whilst Riverside work the 10a / 10b and Hexham work the 10 during the day including a Sunday daytime, these all interwork during the evenings and as such, I don't think GNE would want it staying over at Hexham depot due to it being primarily used on the TTX.

Could try it for a day

5284 looks rather smart, in it's new Durham Diamond livery.

(14 Oct 2015, 3:48 pm)Dan wrote These vehicles were VOR when the rest were updated, so couldn't be touched. As they're now back on the road, they should be updated soon.



http://www.northeastbuses.co.uk/news/

Was 5251 the same as the number for the coaster is with a blue background

(15 Oct 2015, 7:21 pm)dannygee wrote Was 5251 the same as the number for the coaster is with a blue background

Yep.

Overall, I quite like the new ''Durham Diamond'' brand. I think it suits the Citaros quite well, although it's still incomplete with a few transfers due to be placed still. Looking forward to seeing how the ''Northern'' brand suits some of the Scania OmniDekkas. I still can't understand some people's opposition to the splitting of the 43/44/44A. Whilst I admit, the renumbering may seem illogical to some, but when you think about other services in the area (13/14/15/15A in Durham to go with the 16/16A), it makes perfect sense. Another point I'm seeing a lot of is that ''it's a long-established route''; granted, but it's comparable to the old Arriva X1/X2 in a way. Nobody is going to use it from end-to-end, as there is a quicker alternative, the 21. Similar with the 20 and the 50; both from South Shields to Durham, but the 50 is quicker. I think splitting the services will help with both reliability and punctuality, while some passengers might be frustrated at having to change, should they travel usually from one section of the route on one side of Stanley to the other, but in the long term, I think it will work.

Also, another point worth raising: 5284 and 5291 were the first two to be repainted, and now the first two to be branded. Coincidence?

(15 Oct 2015, 4:41 pm)Dan wrote Volvo B9 has a top speed of 55.92mph, and the StreetDeck (now) has a top speed of 55.9mph. Over the course of an hour and a half, this would equate to a difference of about 50 metres if I've done the maths correctly?

Obviously the rate of acceleration will differ, but I can't see that being the result of the StreetDeck being 20 minutes late (especially when he only lost 4 minutes on the southbound trip).

How when it was on the X21/309/310 it would only do 50mph

(15 Oct 2015, 7:25 pm)dannygee wrote How when it was on the X21/309/310 it would only do 50mph

The "(now)" could be a hint that it has recently been changed to do the increased speed?

(15 Oct 2015, 7:25 pm)dannygee wrote How when it was on the X21/309/310 it would only do 50mph

Wrights have been and played around with the settings.

(15 Oct 2015, 7:25 pm)dannygee wrote How when it was on the X21/309/310 it would only do 50mph

Speed limiters are programmable (though not by the driver!), and a lower maximum than the legal limit of 90 kph (55.92mph) can be chosen by the operator.

(15 Oct 2015, 7:27 pm)citaro5284 wrote Wrights have been and played around with the settings.

Can it run Crisis now?

Who thinks it would be nice for Percy main to get some citaros back?

(15 Oct 2015, 7:32 pm)G-CPTN wrote Speed limiters are programmable (though not by the driver!), and a lower maximum than the legal limit of 90 kph (55.92mph) can be chosen by the operator.

Well how comes the driver of 7530 was doing 62mph when I was on the X18 a few month back and I was even sitting on the FWD seat above the nearside wheel?

(15 Oct 2015, 9:07 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Well how comes the driver of 7530 was doing 62mph when I was on the X18 a few month back and I was even sitting on the FWD seat above the nearside wheel?

By law, a speedometer must not under-read, but can over-read by 10% plus 6.25 mph.

Most car manufacturers will arrange that the speedometer over-reads (this gives the driver 'satisfaction').

In fact, variations in tyre wear (and pressures) can affect the actual figure indicated.

Of course the 'satisfaction' argument may not apply to commercial vehicles (and buses), but the law remains the same - 10% plus 6.25 mph is allowed.

(15 Oct 2015, 9:07 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Well how comes the driver of 7530 was doing 62mph when I was on the X18 a few month back and I was even sitting on the FWD seat above the nearside wheel?

I believe the Mercedes Citaros on service X7 can get to 60mph (possibly even more - but iirc the speed limit for buses is 60 on dual carriageways?)

I think anything which isn't limited to 62mph has to be fitted with seatbelts?

Speed limits for buses are 50mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways and 62.5mph (100kph) on motorways (although there are some variations for the motorway limits).

(15 Oct 2015, 9:25 pm)Dan wrote I believe the Mercedes Citaros on service X7 can get to 60mph (possibly even more - but iirc the speed limit for buses is 60 on dual carriageways?)

I think anything which isn't limited to 62mph has to be fitted with seatbelts?

Just to state that Dan is correct (and I am wrong WRT maximum legal speed for buses - my comments above apply to heavy goods
 vehicles):-

National speed limits.

Speed limiters.

The new Durham Diamond brand looks quite good, think it'll look better when it gets the route vinals on though.

(15 Oct 2015, 10:22 pm)Michael wrote The new Diamond Durham brand looks quite good, think it'll look better when it gets the route vinals on though.

I think it is rather strange how they have missed the route details out at this stage.