(22 Jan 2016, 4:50 pm)Mark P wrote 4513 still hanging in there. On it's old stomping ground of 81/81A today.

Noted at least two streetlights and 7489 on 22/64/64A today too.

4513's back on the road?! It was in the corner with 4507/11 last week, with just 4515 out.

(23 Jan 2016, 12:53 am)GX03 SVC wrote As mentioned before, 7415 attended the MAX launch at Woodhorn on Thursday.



Taking it to the MAX by Thomas Simms, on Flickr

Spare us The Cutter!

(23 Jan 2016, 11:57 am)Cock Robin wrote 4513's back on the road?! It was in the corner with 4507/11 last week, with just 4515 out.

Amazing how we are squeezing the last breaths out of these old stalwarts. Interesting how we have Dormanstown Streetlites running on 22/64/64A. Is the X3/4 PVR lower on a Saturday or is it they are juggling fleet to meet the PVR?

7507s destination needs sorting...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dansnorthe...datetaken/

(23 Jan 2016, 4:41 pm)S813 FVK wrote 7507s destination needs sorting...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dansnorthe...datetaken/

The depot are aware.

(23 Jan 2016, 11:59 am)Cock Robin wrote Spare us The Cutter!

Constructive comments as always from you...

(23 Jan 2016, 12:12 pm)scania driver wrote Amazing how we are squeezing the last breaths out of these old stalwarts. Interesting how we have Dormanstown Streetlites running on 22/64/64A. Is the X3/4 PVR lower on a Saturday or is it they are juggling fleet to meet the PVR?

Yeah 4513 has just come back out this week - I guess not for long given 4726 entered service yesterday, and 4721 is also ready at Redcar.

The Streetlites regularly get used in other work when not required on X3/X4 as they have 2 spares (one being 1440). Stockton only have the one (1512) which usually appears on the town services 9/27/27A when not required.

(23 Jan 2016, 7:17 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yeah 4513 has just come back out this week - I guess not for long given 4726 entered service yesterday, and 4721 is also ready at Redcar.

The Streetlites regularly get used in other work when not required on X3/X4 as they have 2 spares (one being 1440). Stockton only have the one (1512) which usually appears on the town services 9/27/27A when not required.

Think I snapped 4721 in Middlesbrough this morning, along with 4726.

Any news on 4700 Tyresmoke?

(23 Jan 2016, 9:04 pm)Multi21 wrote Any news on 4700 Tyresmoke?

That's the only one outstanding now. Should be with us shortly given all the others are now accounted for.

(23 Jan 2016, 7:17 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yeah 4513 has just come back out this week - I guess not for long given 4726 entered service yesterday, and 4721 is also ready at Redcar.

The Streetlites regularly get used in other work when not required on X3/X4 as they have 2 spares (one being 1440). Stockton only have the one (1512) which usually appears on the town services 9/27/27A when not required.

Thanks for that Scott, and for a sensible reply as opposed to some of the bickering that seems to be blighting these pages lately.

(23 Jan 2016, 5:24 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Constructive comments as always from you...

Lack of sense of humour (or musical knowledge to give you the benefit of the doubt) from you.

(23 Jan 2016, 12:12 pm)scania driver wrote Amazing how we are squeezing the last breaths out of these old stalwarts. Interesting how we have Dormanstown Streetlites running on 22/64/64A. Is the X3/4 PVR lower on a Saturday or is it they are juggling fleet to meet the PVR?

Only the 64/64A at Redcar has a lower PVR on a Saturday.

I have to say the X12 diversion is absolutely doing me in. I actively avoid it at peak times because Gateshead flyover is rammed solid.

Why it can't just replicate the outbound diversion I don't know.

Using the 21, the added time is barely noticeable as you don't get stuck on the West St lights (esp if someone alights at Civic Centre)

(25 Jan 2016, 4:57 pm)Ambassador wrote I have to say the X12 diversion is absolutely doing me in. I actively avoid it at peak times because Gateshead flyover is rammed solid.

Why it can't just replicate the outbound diversion I don't know.

Using the 21, the added time is barely noticeable as you don't get stuck on the West St lights (esp if someone alights at Civic Centre)

Baffles me why it's even diverting at all. It's adding no more than a minute on to GNE services that I've used, which now have to divert down Jackson Street.

(25 Jan 2016, 10:27 pm)Adrian wrote Baffles me why it's even diverting at all. It's adding no more than a minute on to GNE services that I've used, which now have to divert down Jackson Street.

It is indeed a waste of time

I've used it a couple of times and what has been concerning is the lack of training on the diversion to drivers.

I used it in the first Monday (ex 7.35 from Birtley) and he had to get advice from the shuttle driver then still asked passengers. Southbound, drivers don't have a clue, stay in wrong lanes, cut across traffic. It's a pain and the southbound journey ends waiting at the cannon for 10 mins to let the shuttle catch up.

(25 Jan 2016, 10:27 pm)Adrian wrote Baffles me why it's even diverting at all. It's adding no more than a minute on to GNE services that I've used, which now have to divert down Jackson Street.

Totally agree.

4813 now FINALLY has WiFi!

Next stop announcements aren't set up yet though.

1407 has received a skirt repaint, leaving just 1409/10/20 totally in the original livery.

Eco Green Service 23 branded StreetLite 1578 now has a white front screen.

1309 was taken away from Faverdale this morning for scrap.

(27 Jan 2016, 1:20 pm)Jimmi wrote Eco Green Service 23 branded StreetLite 1578 now has a white front screen.

White screens look so much better than orange I must admit

(27 Jan 2016, 1:56 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote White screens look so much better than orange I must admit

It certainly suits the Eco Green livery much better. Sadly I only managed to get a terrible photo of some of the front of the bus in the rain and I got the timings mixed up when it came back so I just missed it.

(27 Jan 2016, 1:20 pm)Jimmi wrote Eco Green Service 23 branded StreetLite 1578 now has a white front screen.

(27 Jan 2016, 11:07 am)Kuyoyo wrote 1407 has received a skirt repaint, leaving just 1409/10/20 totally in the original livery.

Looks smart doesn't it! Matches most of the others now... seen here at Liverton Mines - photo by my sparkly colleague  
1420 isn't totally in the original livery though - it still wears its Dalton Park advert on the rear end....


ANE-1407-NK09BPV-Liverton-Mines-270116 by Alex K, on Flickr

I somehow managed not to see that one, today, despite a trip to Sunderland with part of the journey back on the 23, as I stopped off at my Mother in Law's on the way home.

I do prefer those to the orange displays - they show up a lot better in poor conditions. They go well with the lights on the streetlites, too and they're so distinctive and bright that you can tell the bus is coming from a long way off, even in heavy fog.

(27 Jan 2016, 4:36 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I somehow managed not to see that one, today, despite a trip to Sunderland with part of the journey back on the 23, as I stopped off at my Mother in Law's on the way home.

I do prefer those to the orange displays - they show up a lot better in poor conditions. They go well with the lights on the streetlites, too and they're so distinctive and bright that you can tell the bus is coming from a long way off, even in heavy fog.

Unless it is Hexham fog and you think the NCC gritter is a bus!
Those lights didn't do gcptn any favours at all.

(27 Jan 2016, 4:41 pm)Andreos1 wrote Unless it is Hexham fog and you think the NCC gritter is a bus!
Those lights didn't do gcptn any favours at all.

Unfortunately I'd just come out of Pop Recs Ltd when I took that photo and it was coming up the road as soon as I set foot out of the door, so I had no time to prepare the camera, so it's looks a fair bit darker than it actually was at that point as it was not set on the right shutter speed, although it was lashing it down at the time as well.

The 16.55 X12 has just gotten a bit lost. Took a wrong turn off Wellington Street towards the Tyne Bridge and ended up having to loop around Hills St up to Gateshead.

This diversion strikes again!

(27 Jan 2016, 5:06 pm)Ambassador wrote The 16.55 X12 has just gotten a bit lost. Took a wrong turn off Wellington Street towards the Tyne Bridge  and ended up having to loop around Hills St up to Gateshead.

This diversion strikes again!

X12 diversion changed as of Monday to operate in both directions via Prince Consort Road, then into Gateshead Interchange via the A184 roundabout. Shuttle bus will therefore finish as of Saturday so anyone who wants a photo - last day will be Saturday 30th.