(02 Oct 2016, 10:03 am)V514DFT wrote Hope the 1 gets a cascade of some sort,yes i know this is unlikely but it would be nice

Maybe a mixture of deckers and Omnicities to start off with, like they did for the X1... although i know GNE are against mixed allocations but the Red kite is mixed, never say never!

If new streetlites arrive for blaydon racers then would there be enough cascade blaydon racers citarios to go on the coasters?


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(02 Oct 2016, 10:28 am)cbma06 wrote If new streetlites arrive for blaydon racers then would there be enough cascade blaydon racers citarios to go on the coasters?


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No, the PVR of the Coaster is 14. There's only 10 Citaros.

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(02 Oct 2016, 10:30 am)Michael wrote They'll need to repaint one Citaro.

Coaster - 14 PVR

Crusader - 13 PVR

Take 5332 and then 5323 as spare.

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(02 Oct 2016, 10:32 am)Y935 ERG wrote Take 5332 and then 5323 as spare.

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Why would they replace 56 and 07 (omnicities) vehicles with 07 reg citaro vehicles (blaydon racers) which aren't renowned for their fuel economy?

(02 Oct 2016, 10:56 am)Jamie M wrote Why would they replace 56 and 07 (omnicities) vehicles with 07 reg citaro vehicles (blaydon racers) which aren't renowned for their fuel economy?

Because they're 08/58/10 plates, so they're newer.

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(02 Oct 2016, 10:59 am)Y935 ERG wrote Because they're 08/58/10 plates, so they're newer.

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I wonder what the mpg usage on the CN230 engine is. I assumed better than or similar to citaro, and as such a waste of time to transfer and or add wifi units.
If we're talking about crusader citaros, then it still seems a forum-hating-induced rant to try and remove another omnicity allocation
I saw blaydon racer citaros mentioned prior, and this makes even less sense to see. Hopefully someone with the actual facts can tell us.

(01 Oct 2016, 1:34 pm)Jimmi wrote How long I can bare one depends on how bad it rattles, sat on some for over an hour with minimum rattles and it's not bothered me but at the same time I've been drained from a 15 minute journey by the emergency exit door shaking like mad.


Fortunate that I am usually in a position to get the X22/X24 from Durham to reach the Metro, I also often have a quick trip into Newcastle afterwards so in that case I just let the Red Kite branded examples go and get on something else.

Ditto, but going via Chester incurs a greater cost for me.

The other option (which is a lot more attractive after the A1 improvements were completed), is the car.

I often used public transport to the Metrocentre in the past, only because the A1 was a pain in the backside and petrol was ridiculously expensive. Taking the car is a lot more attractive now.

(02 Oct 2016, 11:02 am)Jamie M wrote I wonder what the mpg usage on the CN230 engine is. I assumed better than or similar to citaro, and as such a waste of time to transfer and or add wifi units.
If we're talking about crusader citaros, then it still seems a forum-hating-induced rant to try and remove another omnicity allocation
I saw blaydon racer citaros mentioned prior, and this makes even less sense to see. Hopefully someone with the actual facts can tell us.

Michael started mentioning Crusaders, the plan is still Blaydon Racers AFAIK

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(02 Oct 2016, 10:59 am)Y935 ERG wrote Because they're 08/58/10 plates, so they're newer.

The age difference is pretty minimal between the Omnicitys and Citaro's so it would just be a waste of repainting and transferring the WiFi equipment into the Citaro's in my opinion.

I think the Citaro's will go onto something that currently has an allocation of older buses, Waggonway maybe?

Wish some people would think sensibly about what vehicles could be allocated to certain routes, Go North East (or most other operators) are not going to not allocate a certain type of bus to a certain route just because a few enthusiasts don't like them.

I think people are getting seriously confused here over the various rumors.....

1. The rumors of Streetlites for the 49/49A, replacing 5275-83 and 5331
2. The long rumored replacement of 5310-9/28-30 on the 27 by 6056-70 off the 21 when the time comes for them to be replaced on there (which has been hinted as late next year - by which time they have been on the route for 5 years, the time stipulated by the Green Bus Fund)

(02 Oct 2016, 11:37 am)Michael wrote It was cbma06 who mentioned the Crusader, i just said the PVR's for each service.

I mentioned blaydon racers


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(02 Oct 2016, 11:56 am)cbma06 wrote I mentioned blaydon racers


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Oops ye, just noticed i mentioned the Crusader instead of the coaster! 

Now i have no idea what i was talking about..........................

Honestly, i'm a complete idiot.

(02 Oct 2016, 11:59 am)Michael wrote Oops ye, just noticed i mentioned the Crusader instead of the coaster! 

Now i have no idea what i was talking about..........................

Honestly, i'm a complete idiot.

True 

(02 Oct 2016, 1:18 pm)citaro5284 wrote True 

Haha, its true though 

(30 Sep 2016, 10:34 pm)NK06JXC wrote With rumours consistently being speculated about the "Blaydon Racer" services getting new Streetlites, here is my prediction of what will occur.

12 Streetlites - Blaydon Racers. Fleet numbered 5442 - 5454.
Displacing - 5275 - 5283 and 5331.
5275 - 5281 transfer to Chester Le Street depot, with 5275 - 5279 gaining branding for the Waggonway Services 28/28A, and 5280 and 5281 being spares. This will allow 4956 to transfer to Stanley depot which could see the withdrawal of 4896. 4957 - 4959 to Percy Main Depot to see the withdrawal of 4915 - 4917. 4960 could transfer to Riverside along with 4926 and 4927 to see the withdrawal of 4897 and 4898. 5282 and 5283 would remain at Riverside depot as  spare vehicles, replacing 4900 and 4901. 5453 and 5454 would be designated spares for services 49, 49A, X66, 53, 54. On a Saturday, if one of these vehicles is available, it will make up the extra vehicle of the allocation on service X66.
These two vehicles will replace 4919 and 4922.

Chester-le-Street don't operate any Citaro, can't see them getting any.

---

(30 Sep 2016, 10:34 pm)NK06JXC wrote With rumours consistently being speculated about the "Blaydon Racer" services getting new Streetlites, here is my prediction of what will occur.

12 Streetlites - Blaydon Racers. Fleet numbered 5442 - 5454.
Displacing - 5275 - 5283 and 5331.
5275 - 5281 transfer to Chester Le Street depot, with 5275 - 5279 gaining branding for the Waggonway Services 28/28A, and 5280 and 5281 being spares. This will allow 4956 to transfer to Stanley depot which could see the withdrawal of 4896. 4957 - 4959 to Percy Main Depot to see the withdrawal of 4915 - 4917. 4960 could transfer to Riverside along with 4926 and 4927 to see the withdrawal of 4897 and 4898. 5282 and 5283 would remain at Riverside depot as  spare vehicles, replacing 4900 and 4901. 5453 and 5454 would be designated spares for services 49, 49A, X66, 53, 54. On a Saturday, if one of these vehicles is available, it will make up the extra vehicle of the allocation on service X66.
These two vehicles will replace 4919 and 4922.

Chester-le-Street don't operate any Citaro, can't see them getting any.

(03 Oct 2016, 11:54 pm)busmanT wrote Chester-le-Street don't operate any Citaro, can't see them getting any.

---

Chester-le-Street don't operate any Citaro, can't see them getting any.

I see your point, however, I believe that the Waggonway branded Scanias should be put in a "back seat" role, where they are used when required, rather than used on front line service.

By going off the rumours, I can see the Blaydon Racers getting 5409-5419 and that'll work out a good move due to no repaints being required etc.

My big question is will the TEN B9s be replaced or Cobalt Clipper B9s be replaced? Big decision and many pros / a few cons for both if the Red Kite did go fully double deck.

TEN for new deckers:
- Would still have shortage with 6101/02 added owing to nature of 6084 unless Streetdecks were ordered for the TTX with a spare.

- Decent spare vehicles hard to come by and would still end up in same scenario even with 6084 not being required on TTX.

Cobalt Clipper for new deckers:
- More fuel savings due to nature of routes.

- Savings may be cancelled out due to traffic light install on Norham Road most likely leading to PVR increase leading to 309/310 not being interworked bar a few occasions or 310 gets approx 15 mins layover.

- Competition with Arriva.

If the "Blaydon Racers" are getting Streetlites, i can see the Citaro's staying at Riverside for the Loop or Green Arrow.

Reason:

Depot standardization and all that... And the fact they already have a total of  33 Citaro's at Riverside seems likely they'll stay. 


Just my opinion and nothing is confirmed yet.

Following my previous prediction, I have revised my idea to this, I think that this idea is far more possible to occur:

7 Streetdecks - Tyne Tees Express
I believe that seven Streetdecks will arrive at Riverside depot to replace 6043-6048 on services X9 and X10. 6043 - 6045 will transfer to Washington depot, and will be branded as Red Arrows for services X1, X1A and 921. This will allow Volvo B7s 6011 and 6042 to transfer to Stanley depot, allowing Tridents 3887 and 3889 to transfer to Percy Main for use in the DFDS service. This will allow 3866 and 3867 to be withdrawn. 3943 will then transfer to Riverside depot to replace Volvo Olympian 3818. 6046 - 6048 will stay at Riverside and will be branded up for the TENs, allowing the Volvo B7s to replace older double deckers in the fleet. The double decker vehices these will replace are 3819, 3824 and 6030. The scholar services that these three vehices are currently allocated to will be allocated them Volvos. Red Volvo B9TL 6084 will remain at Riverside as a red spare for the TEN and Tyne Tees Express services.

12 Streetlites - Blaydon Racers
As I stated in my last prediction, I still think that twevlve Streetlites will arrive for the Blaydon Racer services. However, unlike my previous prediction, I think that 5275-5283 will remain at Riverside depot, with 5275 - 5282 being allocated to the LOOP services 93 and 94, replacing 5219-5226. 5283 and 5331 would become spare vehicles. This would allow Scanias 5219 - 5223 to replace Volvo B10s 4897-4900 and 4900. 5224 - 5226 can then transfer to Percy Main to replace Volvo B10s 4915 - 4917. The two spare Streetlites will see the withdrawal of Scanias 4929 and 4930.

17 Streetdecks - Angel
As the Volvo B5LHs currently allocated to the Angel are soon to be 5 year old, I can see Go North East purchasing seventeen Streetdecks for the 21/N21 services. This would allow the Volvo B5LHs to transfer to Riverside depot for use on Crusader service 27. This will allow Citaros 5310 - 5315 transfer to Chester Le Street depot for Waggonway Services 28/28A. This would allow 4956-4958 to replace 4926-4928 as Spare vehicles at Chester Le Street. 4959 and 4960 would replace 4931 and 4932 at Riverside. 5315 would allow 4934 to be withdrawn. 5316 and 5317 would become spare vehices and remain at Riverside to replace Scanias 4933 and 4935. 5318 would then transfer to Deptford to replace 4936. 5319 could then transfer to Stanley to replace 4896, until 5292 returns to service. 5328 - 5330 can then transfer to Hexham for use on the Tynedale Express services X84/X85, which would allow 5229, 5230 and 5231 to transfer to Deptford to replace 4937, 4945 and 4946. 5232 and 5233 would transfer to Riverside to replace 4942 and 4943. 3962 and 3965 would remain and Chester Le Street and replace 6017 and 6018.

12 Streetlites Green Arrow
I think another twelve Streetlites will arrive, again at Riverside depot, however, this time for the Green Arrow services. This would allow  4938, 4940, 4941, 4944, 4947, 4948 and 4949 to be withdrawn. 4967 and 5218 would then transfer to Deptford which would see 4954 and 4955 withdrawn. 5227 and 5228 would transfer to Chester Le Street to see 4956 and 4957 withdrawn.

I can't see the Waggonway getting an upgrade. They left those dilapidated unreliable rust bucket DAFs on for years without concern

(12 Oct 2016, 5:50 pm)Ambassador wrote I can't see the Waggonway getting an upgrade. They left those dilapidated unreliable rust bucket DAFs on for years without concern

I liked them Dafs, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

In my opinion, the Waggonway Scanias will come in useful if they are to be replaced, because they can replace older vehicles in the fleet.

(12 Oct 2016, 7:04 pm)NK06JXC wrote I liked them Dafs, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

In  my opinion, the Waggonway Scanias will come in useful if they are to be replaced, because they can replace older vehicles in the fleet.

They weren't suitable for a punishing route and were incredibly unreliable. The ex Airport bunch had no hope of making it. I'd guess Waggonway isnt too profitable (aside peak summer beamish runs) and will always end up making do. 

Saying that I've had a streetlite on there and it's been a joy

This might sound daft but could the following not happen:

- 16+2 spare deckers for Riverside / Hexham (spares fitted with Tacho)

- 6084 becomes dedicated TTX spare

- 6071 to 6083 transfer to Washington for X1

- 6001 to 6007 and 6049 to 6051 transfer to Stanley for Northerns with 6052 as spare.

- 6054 / 6055 remain at Washington and either see service go back upto every 10 minutes Mon-Fri or they just get used on Saturdays (or if needed during week). If the former, plug sockets fitted on them 2x.

- 6053 acts as a spare for Washington (no plug sockets like 6054/55.

- OmniDekkas begin to replace Presidents / Vykings thus taking a more back seat role.

- Would free up 5x B7TL Geminis or 7x if the Angel got new buses with spares.

(14 Oct 2016, 5:11 pm)L469 YVK wrote This might sound daft but could the following not happen:

- 16+2 spare deckers for Riverside / Hexham (spares fitted with Tacho)

- 6084 becomes dedicated TTX spare

- 6071 to 6083 transfer to Washington for X1

- 6001 to 6007 and 6049 to 6051 transfer to Stanley for Northerns with 6052 as spare.

- 6054 / 6055 remain at Washington and either see service go back upto every 10 minutes Mon-Fri or they just get used on Saturdays (or if needed during week). If the former, plug sockets fitted on them 2x.

- 6053 acts as a spare for Washington (no plug sockets like 6054/55.

- OmniDekkas begin to replace Presidents / Vykings thus taking a more back seat role.

- Would free up 5x B7TL Geminis or 7x if the Angel got new buses with spares.

If the 10s do get 16+2 deckers i think...

1x B9 to Percy Main to cover PVR shortfall
12x B9 to Stanley for 6
12x Omnidekka to displace Presidents within fleet
4x B7s from Riverside/ Hexham to Percy Main for DFDS (Since Dan confirmed omnidekkas going on DFDS, 4x B7TLs to go to Chester for X25)

If 21 do get deckers I would imagine it would be 2017-2018 financial year

So 17+2 spare deckers
13+2 spare B5LH to Riverside for 27
7 Citaro to X35 (X5 depending on changes)
5 Citaro to Hexham for X84/X85
5 L94 to Percy Main for 19/ Or to Chester for 28 - B10s to be displaced

With recent changes to the Sunderland area appearing on VOSA, some amends to my predication's:

As we know: Streetlites are RUMORED for Blaydon Racers...

Blaydon Racers Citaro's to be allocated to the X5/X6 along with the current ones remaining on the X7, X5/X6 will also offer WIFI.(we don't know the frequancy of each route so i can't say how many Citaro's will be allocated to X5/X6/X7.


Scania's from the X5 (Current X35) will replace the B10's and some older Scania's in the fleet

(15 Oct 2016, 12:17 pm)Michael wrote With recent changes to the Sunderland area appearing on VOSA, some amends to my predication's:

As we know: Streetlites are RUMORED for Blaydon Racers...

Blaydon Racers Citaro's to be allocated to the X5/X6 along with the current ones remaining on the X7, X5/X6 will also offer WIFI.(we don't know the frequancy of each route so i can't say how many Citaro's will be allocated to X5/X6/X7.


Scania's from the X5 (Current X35) will replace the B10's and some older Scania's in the fleet

Weren't some Solar's just repainted for the Cats Fast?

As far as I'm aware, only 5211 got fully repainted, minus the route vinyls along the top. One of the others (5204 I think) only has a couple of pawprint vinyls near side and a couple have bits of orange paint visible

(15 Oct 2016, 12:30 pm)beefcake wrote As far as I'm aware, only 5211 got fully repainted, minus the route vinyls along the top. One of the others (5204 I think) only has a couple of pawprint vinyls near side and a couple have bits of orange paint visible

5204 was also repainted from Prince Bishops. I think 5206 is the solar you are on about.

(15 Oct 2016, 12:26 pm)Andreos1 wrote Weren't some Solar's just repainted for the Cats Fast?

there was some solars got painted into prince bishop livery when the service got extended to shields, and then shortly after the streetlites arrived.