(05 Mar 2016, 5:37 pm)G-CPTN wrote I cannot imagine that it is confined to the Tynedale Express solars, but does the roof panel problem also include the Eclipses?

Sometimes it can but its more common in Solars because there's more of them

What is going to happen to the old Deckers at Crook now the new 16 reg ones are about to enter service.

(05 Mar 2016, 7:24 pm)BUSFAN wrote What is going to happen to the old Deckers at Crook now the new 16 reg ones are about to enter service.

Don't think anything's been confirmed about the Future of the Pronto B7TLs but id put a bet they will probs become Red Spares.
Red Spare 6038 is staying at Crook as a Spare

(05 Mar 2016, 7:24 pm)BUSFAN wrote What is going to happen to the old Deckers at Crook now the new 16 reg ones are about to enter service.

3 are getting withdrawn, 1 is going to replace something else in the fleet for a short period of time and another 2 are going to be float vehicles short term as we have some vehicles having work done under Group projects.

(05 Mar 2016, 7:26 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Don't think anything's been confirmed about the Future of the Pronto B7TLs but id put a bet they will probs become Red Spares.
Red Spare 6038 is staying at Crook as a Spare

Cheers for the info a while back i was told that some Mercs were going to Crook for the pronto service but guess now 16 reg Buses are arriving this will not be the case.

(05 Mar 2016, 7:30 pm)citaro5284 wrote 3 are getting withdrawn, 1 is going to replace something else in the fleet for a short period of time and another 2 are going to be float vehicles short term as we have some vehicles having work done under Group projects.

One to replace 6020?

(05 Mar 2016, 7:30 pm)citaro5284 wrote 3 are getting withdrawn, 1 is going to replace something else in the fleet for a short period of time and another 2 are going to be float vehicles short term as we have some vehicles having work done under Group projects.

Thanks for the info Citaro.

Surprised 3 are getting withdrawn, thought they would of replaced the Loylnes however with amount complaints on here about them, not surprising!

(05 Mar 2016, 7:51 pm)Michael wrote Thanks for the info Citaro.

Surprised 3 are getting withdrawn, thought they would of replaced the Loylnes however with amount complaints on here about them, not surprising!

6037 was really struggling with the hills, today. I can't see that having much future.

(05 Mar 2016, 7:57 pm)BusLoverMum wrote 6037 was really struggling with the hills, today. I can't see that having much future.

How any miles will a V-reg vehicle have accumulated?

Will a Volvo B7 have reached its 'end of life'? - I expect that the answer is 'no', and these will go on to serve smaller operators.

(05 Mar 2016, 8:04 pm)G-CPTN wrote How any miles will a V-reg vehicle have accumulated?

Will a Volvo B7 have reached its 'end of life'? - I expect that the answer is 'no', and these will go on to serve smaller operators.

Probably a hell of a lot more than the 51 reg car we got rid of at just shy of 125K, at just shy of 10 years old! I'd be guessing 7 figures, in fact.

I'm sure they'd suit an operator like Garnett's, after a thorough overhaul, but their days of 400 miles a day are well and truly over.

(05 Mar 2016, 7:57 pm)BusLoverMum wrote 6037 was really struggling with the hills, today. I can't see that having much future.

Try catching 6009, 6013 or 6030 when on service 15, lucky if they reach 10mph getting up to iveston.

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(05 Mar 2016, 7:36 pm)DanPicken wrote One to replace 6020?

3873 needs replacing at stanley.

(05 Mar 2016, 9:23 pm)wise owl wrote Try catching 6009, 6013 or 6030 when on service 15, lucky if they reach 10mph getting up to iveston.

Or even 6042 on the x1

(05 Mar 2016, 7:51 pm)Michael wrote Thanks for the info Citaro.

Surprised 3 are getting withdrawn, thought they would of replaced the Loylnes however with amount complaints on here about them, not surprising!

6021 has already gone, wonder which other 2 are.

(05 Mar 2016, 9:27 pm)wise owl wrote 6021 has already gone, wonder which other 2 are.

It has but Citaro was talking about the current 6 branded ones still in service.

Wonder what the 'Group projects' are. Nothing that we don't already know about?

(05 Mar 2016, 7:51 pm)Michael wrote Thanks for the info Citaro.

Surprised 3 are getting withdrawn, thought they would of replaced the Loylnes however with amount complaints on here about them, not surprising!

It might not be surprising but I wonder if in hindsight GNE might of made a mistake of not ordering new vehicles for the X21 sooner than they have so the current vehicles would not of been on such a long demanding route for so long? Just seem strange some buses are being withdrawn whilst others of the very same type has just recently received red re-paints! 

Still, if they are not needed and if they can still be able to sold on to another operator or for scrap at a decent price whilst not hampering the service due to a lack of spare buses then I suppose its good business sence.

When did the trident/plaxtons become stanley based?

(05 Mar 2016, 7:51 pm)Michael wrote Thanks for the info Citaro.

Surprised 3 are getting withdrawn, thought they would of replaced the Loylnes however with amount complaints on here about them, not surprising!

I've heard that 6024/40/1 are gone, gutted 6024 was good.

(05 Mar 2016, 10:56 pm)S813 FVK wrote Wonder what the 'Group projects' are. Nothing that we don't already know about?

Enthusiasts will know of one - the GKN flywheel modifications. Volvo B7TL 6020 was originally the float vehicle for this purpose, but was absorbed into the main service fleet at Chester-le-Street in November as a replacement for Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3868 (W178 SCU), which was withdrawn due to engine issues.

6024, 6037 and 6041 are the examples which have been withdrawn. 6035 is due to transfer to Stanley as a temporary replacement for 3873. 6034 and 6040 will become the temporary float vehicles for group projects - based at Deptford and Washington respectively. I'd anticipate that the depots will make every effort to allocate these vehicles to scholars only, given that they won't be painted and will retain their blue livery.

6021 has been dismantled for spare parts at Saltmeadows Road. 6024 and 6037 may well be sold to Ensignbus, depending on the condition of these vehicles. 6041 is going to be donated to a third party, but there's a nice story that comes with this that Go North East may wish to do a story on, so I'll not give the game away just yet.

I thought maybe Weardale would have ended up with the old Pronto Deckers as over the years with having such close ties with GNE they have had quite a large amount of former Nortthern/GNE deckers.

(06 Mar 2016, 5:58 am)DanPicken wrote I've heard that 6024/40/1 are gone, gutted 6024 was good.

6024 was the one we had yesterday to Bishop Bus Station too.

Riverside have started Route-Learning on South Tyne 88/88A using around 10 drivers in Solo 638.

(06 Mar 2016, 10:15 am)South Tyne Lad wrote Riverside have started Route-Learning on South Tyne 88/88A using around 10 drivers in Solo 638.

Cheers for the info, I still think its odd, its moving to Riverside though, not sure why i think it is.



I can't remember off top of my head.... so sorry if its been answered.... 


Have we got an official date on when the routes will change depots, if so what day is it?

(06 Mar 2016, 1:09 pm)Michael wrote Cheers for the info, I still think its odd, its moving to Riverside though, not sure why i think it is.

I can't remember off top of my head.... so sorry if its been answered.... 

Have we got an official date on when the routes will change depots, if so what day is it?

Yes - the VOSA registrations confirmed this: Sunday 17th April. Route training started on all routes today, so SouthTyneLad was quite quick off the mark!

It's just a case of shuffling the pack a bit, utilising resources more effectively.

(06 Mar 2016, 1:16 pm)Dan wrote Yes - Sunday 17th April. Route training started on all routes today.

It's just a case of shuffling the pack a bit, utilising resources more effectively.

, thanks Dan, day before my birthday! 

Is the C&C Streetlites moving to Chester or will they remain at Stanley? - it was never confirmed that's all.

(06 Mar 2016, 1:18 pm)Michael wrote , thanks Dan, day before my birthday! 

Is the C&C Streetlites moving to Chester or will they remain at Stanley? - it was never confirmed that's all.

Like I say, it's just a case of shuffling the pack a bit.

As Chester-le-Street will lose service 50 to Washington, they'll need something to replace it (and that'll be all car workings on the 8/78).

(06 Mar 2016, 1:21 pm)Dan wrote Like I say, it's just a case of shuffling the pack a bit.

As Chester-le-Street will lose service 50 to Washington, they'll need something to replace it (and that'll be all car workings on the 8/78).

Cheers, sorry, i know its probables of been answered already but my memory seems to be meh atm. 


I hope we get to see Omnicities on the 5 then...

(06 Mar 2016, 1:26 pm)Michael wrote I hope we get to see Omnicities on the 5 then...

I think they'll get 5243-5246 from the 19 with 5247 & 5248 acting as spares. In return, 4978-4982 will go to Percy Main for service 19.

21s doing short Gateshead runs again

(06 Mar 2016, 1:35 pm)Davie wrote I think they'll get 5243-5246 from the 19 with 5247 & 5248 acting as spares. In return, 4978-4982 will go to Percy Main for service 19.

I would hope so, i hope GNE don't go back to having 2 different vehicle types on the routes. - although the Angel does atm. 


While the brand can be mentioned to, to me i don't think it should be called "Whey aye five-0" - only way it would of worked was if, they merged the 2 routes together.. which isn't happening, could it go "Go North East"?.