(24 Mar 2016, 1:17 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote New Tynedale Links Solo 668 was on the 11.49 688 from Hexham to Allenheads today; all very nice apart from two of the windows which kept falling open and making the bus a fridge.
Seeing that the Euro bird symbols have been discontinued, was there ever one for Euro 6? If the Euro 5 was the bird taking off, would the Euro 6 have been the bird laying an egg? Or even what they sometimes do on your head?

Probably the bird going too near the sun and burning all its feathers off. (Though I do actually know my Hawkwind mythology enough to know that Icarus actually melted the wax holding his feathers on - the ultimate in becoming unstuck.)

Gne have updated the brand tabs on the site

Tynedale links shows the new style and colour writing.

North Tyne Links replaced by Indigo North Tyneside.


The Indigo tab for the 202 etc now shows... Indigo East Durham.


Prince Bishops yet to be changed as its still a month away before the Streetlites arrive.

The rear blind 604 is still just a number in the middle, doesn't help when you don't know which way its going.

(24 Mar 2016, 4:09 pm)DanPicken wrote The rear blind 604 is still just a number in the middle, doesn't help when you don't know which way its going.

Does that complaint apply to the Ex-London B7s and any other bus with a number-only rear display?

(24 Mar 2016, 4:09 pm)DanPicken wrote The rear blind 604 is still just a number in the middle, doesn't help when you don't know which way its going.

And, as noted previously, it's a wiring issue which requires repair by an electrician (possibly involving Hanover Displays). These things do take time, DanP.

It's far better the bus shows a route number in the middle of the full size LED display, instead of permanently showing "BUS REVERSING" regardless of whether the bus is in drive, neutral or reverse, isn't it?

(24 Mar 2016, 4:11 pm)S813 FVK wrote Does that complaint apply to the Ex-London B7s and any other bus with a number-only rear display?

Or Arriva's buses which also have full size rear displays, and are on the wrong switch setting, so permanently show a route number in the middle of the display?

(24 Mar 2016, 4:38 pm)Dan wrote And, as noted previously, it's a wiring issue which requires repair by an electrician (possibly involving Hanover Displays). These things do take time, DanP.

It's far better the bus shows a route number in the middle of the full size LED display, instead of permanently showing "BUS REVERSING" regardless of whether the bus is in drive, neutral or reverse, isn't it?


Or Arriva's buses which also have full size rear displays, and are on the wrong switch setting, so permanently show a route number in the middle of the display?

On that note, 1596, which was the one that still hadn't been set up correctly, last week, has been showing the full destination, this week.

Someone must be reading here.

9104s First day first day working for Riverside https://www.flickr.com/photos/140662069@...ed-public/

619's side blind wasn't working and it's rear blind was either turned off or not working, I passed 4931 and the front and rear blind's were blank.

(24 Mar 2016, 4:11 pm)S813 FVK wrote Does that complaint apply to the Ex-London B7s and any other bus with a number-only rear display?

Only ones that have full rear blinds.

I was desperately trying to think of a ditty that rhymed with the old Milky Way advert (Google it kids) where the red car and the blue car had a race.

Anyway, the Purple Solar and the Washington Merc had a race.... (that is as far as I could get).
...up Houghton Cut slip road and on to the A690.
Well I say a race, the NIS Merc was giving way to traffic at the bottom of the slip road, after dropping out at Houghton and was heading back to the depot.
5202 was given a free reign and entered the slip road at full pelt.
It merged in to the A690 and more or less ground to a halt.
The Merc (sensing victory), overtook the Solar and sailed past it. By the time 5202 had reached the top of the cut, the Merc was at least 4 lampposts ahead.
By the time the Solar had got to Stoney gate. 
The Merc was ready to pull on to the A19.

The ballast given to the Solar, was evened out by the headstart. But there was only one clear winner.

(24 Mar 2016, 6:12 pm)Andreos1 wrote I was desperately trying to think of a ditty that rhymed with the old Milky Way advert (Google it kids) where the red car and the blue car had a race.

I now feel old as I don't have to Google that!

Also it popped up on my Facebook timeline the other day.

Dan
3980 rear number also had the destination scrolling

Seen it on 9 before it had 9 at fsr left snd jarrow scrolling

Fantastic advert!

(24 Mar 2016, 12:55 pm)Jimmi wrote Wouldn't care but most of the ones I've been on have reached the limit of 56mph. I don't have a problem with most Solo/Solo SR's, not a fan of the Arriva 08/58 reg examples though, the noise some of them make is terrible, regretted opting for 2815 up to Shiremoor yesterday morning.

Even some of the older Arriva ones are pretty nippy - had one on the 56 a few months back and it was a fun ride over the hills.

As for the newer ones that GNE have, the Ventures make easy work of the V7/8 routes, with the only problem being the lack of capacity.

3973 has been on driver training duties today around Derwentside. Saw it passing through Lanchester at around 10:30.

On other note 4946 is back following repaint , been on the 35 today when I saw it at 3:03

(24 Mar 2016, 10:31 am)northern156 wrote Go North East 670 NK16BXM by Sean Harris, on Flickr

Sort of fluffed up the focussing but never mind.

Picture looks spot on dude. Here's my effort with the Solos (including 9104) on Thursday.

9104 on the A2 in Felling View, Walker squeezing through some traffic chicanes.


667 on the 74 to Hexham at Haugh Lane ALDI


669 on the 74 to Newcastle at Haugh Lane ALDI


668 on the 688 to Allenheads at Haugh Lane ALDI with Mr Duffy at the helm.


671 on the 683 to Newbrough at Greenbank in Hexham.


671 on the 683 to Newbrough at Fourstones Level Crossing


670 on the 185 crossing the bridge into Cumbria at Gisland


670 seen in Alston blinded up ready to work the X81 to Hexham

(25 Mar 2016, 12:31 am)GMitchelhill wrote Picture looks spot on dude. Here's my effort with the Solos (including 9104) on Thursday.

9104 on the A2 in Felling View, Walker squeezing through some traffic chicanes.


667 on the 74 to Hexham at Haugh Lane ALDI


669 on the 74 to Newcastle at Haugh Lane ALDI


668 on the 688 to Allenheads at Haugh Lane ALDI with Mr Duffy at the helm.


671 on the 683 to Newbrough at Greenbank in Hexham.


671 on the 683 to Newbrough at Fourstones Level Crossing


670 on the 185 crossing the bridge into Cumbria at Gisland


670 seen in Alston blinded up ready to work the X81 to Hexham

Nice shots, Garry!

Nice locations Gary. I particularly like the shot of 671 crossing over the lines.

Just out of curiosity, are the scrolling destinations on the 683 showing the correct direction? Just I noticed one of the new Solos displaying "Newbrough via Fourstones - Bridge End..."., when surely it should be displaying Fourstones first on the way back towards Hexham?

(25 Mar 2016, 12:00 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Just out of curiosity, are the scrolling destinations on the 683 showing the correct direction? Just I noticed one of the new Solos displaying "Newbrough via Fourstones - Bridge End..."., when surely it should be displaying Fourstones first on the way back towards Hexham?

I know I didn't dare touch the via points on the Tynedale Links network of services, given that I have no knowledge of the area, so it must have been like that for quite some time!

Will look into it next week.

(25 Mar 2016, 12:08 pm)Dan wrote I know I didn't dare touch the via points on the Tynedale Links network of services, given that I have no knowledge of the area, so it must have been like that for quite some time!

Will look into it next week.

Glad I could help!

I don't think there's a Service picture of Dan's Reverse notices so hears one displayed on 6306 https://www.flickr.com/photos/140662069@...ed-public/

(25 Mar 2016, 12:50 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I don't think there's a Service picture of Dan's Reverse notices so hears one displayed on 6306 https://www.flickr.com/photos/140662069@...ed-public/

I have photographed it, but it will be on Flickr at a later date.

Nice shot btw.

Cracking photos, Gary. I should really go chasing them myself...

Go North East: 670 / NK16 BXM by Lee  Calder, on Flickr

Today was the first day of the Hadrian's Wall service AD122, presumably 636 was not prepared in time, so 670 covered.

Seen at Housesteads this morning, was Go North East's 'Tyndale Links' branded Optare Solo SR M925 / Optare, 670 (NK16 BXM) whilst operating AD122.

(25 Mar 2016, 6:42 pm)LeeCalder wrote Go North East: 670 / NK16 BXM by Lee  Calder, on Flickr

Today was the first day of the Hadrian's Wall service AD122, presumably 636 was not prepared in time, so 670 covered.

Seen at Housesteads this morning, was Go North East's 'Tyndale Links' branded Optare Solo SR M925 / Optare, 670 (NK16 BXM) whilst operating AD122.

I thought it started tomorrow. Now there's something you don't see every day.

(25 Mar 2016, 12:00 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Just out of curiosity, are the scrolling destinations on the 683 showing the correct direction? Just I noticed one of the new Solos displaying "Newbrough via Fourstones - Bridge End..."., when surely it should be displaying Fourstones first on the way back towards Hexham?

(25 Mar 2016, 12:08 pm)Dan wrote I know I didn't dare touch the via points on the Tynedale Links network of services, given that I have no knowledge of the area, so it must have been like that for quite some time!

Will look into it next week.

Newbrough is the distant turning point from Hexham for the 683, so it has to pass through Fourstones on the outward journey (and on the return).

Where is Bridge End?

The one in Hexham is either on the north side of the Tyne - unless it refers to Whetstone Bridge by the High School (or Warden).

The 683 route does go via Hexham 'East End' (though only on the return to Hexham) - it does a loop from Hexham Bus Station to the East End back to Hexham Bus Station then heads off towards Newbrough.

683 is the only Hexham "Local" service that doesn't serve ALDI.

Additionally Solo SR 680 is seen here at Percy Main depot this evening.

(25 Mar 2016, 7:27 pm)GMitchelhill wrote 683 is the only Hexham "Local" service that doesn't serve ALDI.

Additionally Solo SR 680 is seen here at Percy Main depot this evening.

The bulk of them are getting moved over the weekend from Saltmeadows once they are branded up.

Hanover have to come in on Tuesday to most of them as Optare have got some of the wiring wrong for the next stop announcements.