Green MPD 506 was parked in Sunderland Road Depot yesterday, with Felling Square Shuttle on the destination blind.

(06 Oct 2013, 3:06 pm)Michael wrote Which of the MPD/SPD's will be getting withdrawn first? (sorry if its being ask, i can't find it) once all the new buses are in Service?

Go North East try to withdraw vehicles in numerical fleet number order, (i.e. 501 before 502), but occasionally this does not happen.

Once all new buses are in service, all SPDs will be withdrawn, and maybe we can expect to see the start of the Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown withdrawal too - again, in numerical fleet number order.

The MPDs will be withdrawn by brand upgrade rather than by fleet number - we already know that the Versas currently allocated to "Saltwell Park" 53/54 will be transferred to Washington for use on "South Tyne" 88/88A, and this will allow the Cadets currently allocated to those services to be used on "Washington Street Shuttle" services M2/M3 (although the brand will indeed be scrapped, and they will go under GNE's corporate livery). We also know that "Northern" MPDs 603-606 are to be transferred to Washington for use on "Washington Street Shuttle" services W5/W6, again, appearing under the Northern identity.

MPDs 523-31 will therefore be withdrawn, MPDs 566-69 will be transferred to Percy Main for use on “North Tyne Links” services, allowing MPDs 504, 505, 514 and 517 to be withdrawn.

As part of the "Venture" upgrade, we should see MPDs 512, 515, 516, 518, 521, 532 withdrawn and MPDs 533, 534, 544, 545, 546, 618 and 619 transferred to Peterlee, replacing 501, 502, 503, 510, 519, 520 and 522 to withdrawn.

Remember - similar to the planned movements Rob has issued, these could change too...

(06 Oct 2013, 3:47 pm)park5354 wrote Green MPD 506 was parked in Sunderland Road Depot yesterday, with Felling Square Shuttle on the destination blind.

I wonder if 506 alongside 513 have been reinstated (again!) temporarily for 2 weeks for said shuttle service?
http://www.simplygo.com/news/closure-of-...th-october

(06 Oct 2013, 3:56 pm)Daniel wrote I wonder if 506 alongside 513 have been reinstated (again!) temporarily for 2 weeks for said shuttle service?
http://www.simplygo.com/news/closure-of-...th-october

Yup

(06 Oct 2013, 3:49 pm)Daniel wrote Go North East try to withdraw vehicles in numerical fleet number order, (i.e. 501 before 502), but occasionally this does not happen.

Once all new buses are in service, all SPDs will be withdrawn, and maybe we can expect to see the start of the Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown withdrawal too - again, in numerical fleet number order.

The MPDs will be withdrawn by brand upgrade rather than by fleet number - we already know that the Versas currently allocated to "Saltwell Park" 53/54 will be transferred to Washington for use on "South Tyne" 88/88A, and this will allow the Cadets currently allocated to those services to be used on "Washington Street Shuttle" services M2/M3 (although the brand will indeed be scrapped, and they will go under GNE's corporate livery). We also know that "Northern" MPDs 603-606 are to be transferred to Washington for use on "Washington Street Shuttle" services W5/W6, again, appearing under the Northern identity.

MPDs 523-31 will therefore be withdrawn, MPDs 566-69 will be transferred to Percy Main for use on “North Tyne Links” services, allowing MPDs 504, 505, 514 and 517 to be withdrawn.

As part of the "Venture" upgrade, we should see MPDs 512, 515, 516, 518, 521, 532 withdrawn and MPDs 533, 534, 544, 545, 546, 618 and 619 transferred to Peterlee, replacing 501, 502, 503, 510, 519, 520 and 522 to withdrawn.

Remember - similar to the planned movements Rob has issued, these could change too...

Thanks Daniel, i just couldn't remember

The SPD's time for withdrawal has came, same as most of the MPD's

I really hope they don't withdraw the B10's on the Lime - they are cracking buses.

Strange destination display on 3973 noted yesterday:

Whilst it was on service 27, it was showing 27 on offside(instead of nearside), with Newcastle filling the rest of the display(ie not on top with scrolling via on bottom).

It was seen later display NOT IN SERVICE, but not the new style, or old style. It only used top line to show NOT IN SERVICE.

Also the nearside was a different shade of orange as it has a coloured display fitted.

(06 Oct 2013, 4:17 pm)park5354 wrote Strange destination display on 3973 noted yesterday:

Whilst it was on service 27, it was showing 27 on offside(instead of nearside), with Newcastle filling the rest of the display(ie not on top with scrolling via on bottom).

It was seen later display NOT IN SERVICE, but not the new style, or old style. It only used top line to show NOT IN SERVICE.

Also the nearside was a different shade of orange as it has a coloured display fitted.

Wrong switch setting Darren,

3975 was the same - Do you know if this is now correct?

(06 Oct 2013, 4:17 pm)park5354 wrote Strange destination display on 3973 noted yesterday

I also saw this, however it was displaying South Shields rather than Newcastle. Looks like a quick last-minute job.

(06 Oct 2013, 4:39 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I also saw this, however it was displaying South Shields rather than Newcastle. Looks like a quick last-minute job.

Not a quick last minute job at all. The switch setting is incorrectly set, probably done in error by an Electrician.

(06 Oct 2013, 4:44 pm)citaro5284 wrote Not a quick last minute job at all. The switch setting is incorrectly set, probably done in error by an Electrician.

Oops, sorry!

Speaking of displays, A-Line have adopted a similar "Not in Service" screen to the Go North East one.

(06 Oct 2013, 5:34 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Speaking of displays, A-Line have adopted a similar "Not in Service" screen to the Go North East one.

Ah, you've just reminded me - I believe Go North East's new "Not In Service" screen has also been updated at Saltmeadows depot now too - I noted a few of the "South Tyne" Cadets with it on.

Daniel just checking your fleet news update, i thought the FAB 56 Solar's would of being left plain for a different brand and not go Northern.

Seem's a tad early to repaint them

(06 Oct 2013, 5:34 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Oops, sorry!

Speaking of displays, A-Line have adopted a similar "Not in Service" screen to the Go North East one.

Bloody copy cats!

(06 Oct 2013, 5:49 pm)Michael wrote Daniel just checking your fleet news update, i thought the FAB 56 Solar's would of being left plain for a different brand and not go Northern.

Seem's a tad early to repaint them

I think that 5201-10 would be better painted for TOON LINKS, allowing the ex arriva B10s 5144-50 (and 4841) to go NORTHERN red. Then when Prince Bishop replacements come 5211/12/13 could join them, allowing 4978-82 to go Northern Red for service 57.
Doing this would give a much needed upgrade to Toon Links.

5214-17 could go Highwayman allowing 4932/33 & 4938/40 to go Red .

This would then give the new Riverside Depot the batch 5201-28.

(06 Oct 2013, 5:49 pm)Michael wrote Seem's a tad early to repaint them

It will upset some by having Northern vehicles allocated on a daily basis rather than a full allocation of branded vehicles ( ), but a depot tends to only like having one vehicle missing at a time so they're not left with too much of a low spare vehicle allocation percentage.
The Fab Fifty Six has 16 branded vehicles, so that is 16 weeks - we were quoted December/January for the Fab56 B9 order, so it makes sense really.
With the amount of orders, Saltmeadows will struggle to repaint everything on time - otherwise more vehicles could have been repainted per week.

Who is looking forward to the few weeks where "Saltwell Park" branded Versas could potentially be appearing on Washington services?

(06 Oct 2013, 5:49 pm)Michael wrote Daniel just checking your fleet news update, i thought the FAB 56 Solar's would of being left plain for a different brand and not go Northern.

Seem's a tad early to repaint them

Look at the Metrolink Solars, First one them was done in June which was 4 Months ago and there still not Finished, I believe 4965/66 are still to do. So really there is no time like the present to start repainting them with Saltmeadows due get Bombarded over the Next 3 Months with all the New Buses coming in. Plus you have the Saltwell Park and Drifter Versas along with a few MPD's to also be repainted in next few weeks.

Where was it confirmed that fab 56 would be repainted during mid-October as it seems early as I thought the Deckers for 56 wouldn't arrive until late this year, like December?

Edit:

(06 Oct 2013, 6:18 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Look at the Metrolink Solars, First one them was done in June which was 4 Months ago and there still not Finished, I believe 4965/66 are still to do. So really there is no time like the present to start repainting them with Saltmeadows due get Bombarded over the Next 3 Months with all the New Buses coming in. Plus you have the Saltwell Park and Drifter Versas along with a few MPD's to also be repainted in next few weeks.

Ah true I suppose Adam.

(06 Oct 2013, 6:18 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Where was it confirmed that fab 56 would be repainted during mid-October as it seems early as I thought the Deckers for 56 wouldn't arrive until late this year, like December?

On the news article I wrote earlier.

(06 Oct 2013, 6:18 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Look at the Metrolink Solars, First one them was done in June which was 4 Months ago and there still not Finished, I believe 4965/66 are still to do. So really there is no time like the present to start repainting them with Saltmeadows due get Bombarded over the Next 3 Months with all the New Buses coming in. Plus you have the Saltwell Park and Drifter Versas along with a few MPD's to also be repainted in next few weeks.

Could they not let Deptford etc do a few re-paints or has it got to be their?

(06 Oct 2013, 6:19 pm)Daniel wrote On the news article I wrote earlier.

Any other more official confirmation?

(06 Oct 2013, 6:20 pm)Michael wrote Could they not let Deptford etc do a few re-paints or has it got to be their?

Unfortunately not. Saltmeadows or Thorntons!
Normal depots are only capable of stripping vinyls from buses or applying the odd Northern logo. :p

(06 Oct 2013, 6:22 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Any other more offical confirmation?

No. Perhaps I shouldn't have revealed the information until 20/10, eh?
Thought I'd give you all a good ol' #nebexclusive.

8259 is having a few problems. She was meant to work the 0829 38 sevice from Park Lane but an engineer is looking at her now. 628 will be its replacement if the engineer can't fix it.

8 and 78 running late, running in 2's

B10 on M1... still has info on highwayman inside

Sounds terrible

Has there been any more reliability issues with service X7 lately?.

(07 Oct 2013, 8:05 am)Michael wrote B10 on M1... still has info on highwayman inside

Sounds terrible

8242 still has crusader interior

Good job Deptford have removed the interior branding from the Fab56 Solars then, isn't it?

Will 513 be out in ''#Tynedale Links'' brand?

(07 Oct 2013, 5:22 pm)W179SCU wrote Will 513 be out in ''#Tynedale Links'' brand?

Yes. Both 506 and 513 were out as planned today. Photos to come in an hour!

Fleet news from fleet allocation list:

506 513 returned to service at Saltmeadows
3872 4844 Stanley to Chester le Street
3886 Chester le Street to Stanley

4866 is now in the withdrawn area on Fleet allocation.

Also..

Following customer requests and discussions with Northumberland County Council, we are pleased to announce that an earlier journey from Blyth will be introduced on service 309 from Monday 14th October 2013 to provide more buses for commuters.

This journey will commence from Blyth Bus Station at 0608, operating via Seaton Sluice Avenue Roundabout at 0617, Old Hartley Square at 0620 and Whitley Bay Cemetery at 0623, arriving Cobalt Buisness Park at 0642 and Newcastle Haymarket 0707.

On today's VOSA:
PB0003954/304 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Blyth Bus Station and Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station given service number 309 effective from 14-Oct-2013. To amend Timetable.


PB0003954/255 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Newbiggin Hall Est and Walbottle Campus given service number 132 effective from 07-Oct-2013. To amend Route and Timetable.


PB0003954/578 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Two Ball Lonnen, Lemington and Walbottle Campus given service number 140/143 effective from 07-Oct-2013. To amend Timetable.