The 1712 number 8 from Hytlon Retail Park is now a "Black Cats" Streetlite, well it was today, sure it was a Vyking before. (although its the first time I've used it in a while).

6147 over the pits at Stanley depot, green top if I remember correctly

Always have liked the B7RLEs/Eclipses but the ones I have been on recently have been pretty awful, wonder what's happened to them? 4978 had to be replaced by 4954 today as it was really struggling, and this is on the 11 which isn't demanding at all - so dread to think how they do on the 19!

(21 Jul 2017, 8:37 pm)Tom wrote Always have liked the B7RLEs/Eclipses but the ones I have been on recently have been pretty awful, wonder what's happened to them? 4978 had to be replaced by 4954 today as it was really struggling, and this is on the 11 which isn't demanding at all - so dread to think how they do on the 19!

They've never been on the lightest routes. They've been pretty good workhorses

(21 Jul 2017, 9:53 pm)Ambassador wrote They've never been on the lightest routes. They've been pretty good workhorses

Yeah I guess that is why - the 19 won't help them at all. Maybe it is time for newer buses on the 19...

Apparently 6083 has been rebranded into Tyne Valley Ten livery according to a comment on one of my Flickr photos


Sent from my iPhone 7+ using Tapatalk

(22 Jul 2017, 8:41 am)TEN 6083 wrote Apparently 6083 has been rebranded into Tyne Valley Ten livery according to a comment on one of my Flickr photos


Sent from my iPhone 7+ using Tapatalk

It has. Was done a few days ago.

Which buses are been used on the shuttles for the Airshow today?


How many more Citaro's need to be refurbished now?

(22 Jul 2017, 10:45 am)Michael wrote Which buses are been used on the shuttles for the Airshow today?


How many more Citaro's need to be refurbished now?

Other than the B7TL President's/Vyking's and 6099, on loan to Deptford were 3889, 6078, 6123, 6140, 6142 & 6143.

(22 Jul 2017, 4:48 pm)Malarkey wrote Other than the B7TL President's/Vyking's and 6099, on loan to Deptford were 3889, 6078, 6123, 6140, 6142 & 6143.

Most probably weren't on loan - most depots provide buses and drivers for the Airshow, and they don't have to come from Deptford.

A1: 3889, 6008, 6009, 6013, 6023, 6032, 6143, 6144
A2: 6029, 6042, 6142
PR1: 3888, 3943, 3980, 3982, 6011, 6016, 6019, 6020, 6096, 6100, 6134, 6135, 6140
PR2: 3888, 3943, 3966, 3969, 3972, 3974, 3976, 3977, 3978, 3980, 6016, 6099
PR3: 3888, 3943, 3967, 3971, 3973, 3974, 3978, 3982, 6017, 6078, 6099, 6123
PR4: 3886, 6030, 6129, 6138

(22 Jul 2017, 6:32 pm)Dan wrote Most probably weren't on loan - most depots provide buses and drivers for the Airshow, and they don't have to come from Deptford.

A1: 3889, 6008, 6009, 6013, 6023, 6032, 6143, 6144
A2: 6029, 6042, 6142
PR1: 3888, 3943, 3980, 3982, 6011, 6016, 6019, 6020, 6096, 6100, 6134, 6135, 6140
PR2: 3888, 3943, 3966, 3969, 3972, 3974, 3976, 3977, 3978, 3980, 6016, 6099
PR3: 3888, 3943, 3967, 3971, 3973, 3974, 3978, 3982, 6017, 6078, 6099, 6123
PR4: 3886, 6030, 6129, 6138

Can you explain how 3888/3943 could of operated the PR1/2&3, same with 3974 on the PR2/3.

Speaking of cover and depots...who'll be supporting the upcoming major line closure.

Having driven up and down Benton Park Rd for the past week. I hope GNE drivers show a bit more 'force' than usual (a la Stagecoach) otherwise those replacements are going to be sitting in traffic for a long long time.

(22 Jul 2017, 6:49 pm)Malarkey wrote Can you explain how 3888/3943 could of operated the PR1/2&3, same with 3974 on the PR2/3.

Easy: the vehicles were allocated to whichever Park & Ride service had the biggest queue, to get people back home sooner.

Have Deptford finally withdrawn 4937, with the X36 now withdrawn?

(23 Jul 2017, 8:50 am)Michael wrote Have Deptford finally withdrawn 4937, with the X36 now withdrawn?

Not too sure but as 2 MPDs were withdrawn early at Deptford, perhaps nothing will be withdrawn due to the end of the X36. They were 2 down already so perhaps now they are balanced?

(23 Jul 2017, 11:59 am)Simmy wrote Not too sure but as 2 MPDs were withdrawn early at Deptford, perhaps nothing will be withdrawn due to the end of the X36. They were 2 down already so perhaps now they are balanced?

Ah thought it would of gone with rest of the Streetlites entering service.

The following post is a "Jimmi Style Flickr Plug" presented to you by Malarkey.

As of today the 2A on a Sunday now serves Brady Square replacing service 85 on an hourly basis and also maintains a link to area to Sunderland which is usually covered by service 8 Monday to Saturdays.

5472 can be seen here on Oxclose Road - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/

5475 can be seen here at the turning circle of Brady Square - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/

Has Hexham gained anything for the additional X85 working or will 5210 be used for now?

Are 3968 and 3970 still active as not seen either for a while ?

By chance, I experienced the newly-extended X85 today (I was west of Hexham waiting for the Arriva 685 heading east when the GNE 5229 X85 turned-up 5 minutes ahead of the expected time of the Arriva 685).
I had forgotten that today was the inaugural day (though I wasn't welcomed onboard by a glass of champagne).

Good for GNE - I hope the extension flourishes (and the revised timing is beneficial).

There is also a handy compact timetable of all local Tyne Valley GNE services (though not the TEN) - which doesn't look like a timetable - it is titled 'Explore more'.

Is a Riverside bus on what was meant to be the 15:34 11 from Newcastle as it seems to have broken down and been replaced at Lobley Hill?

(23 Jul 2017, 7:02 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote Has Hexham gained anything for the additional X85 working or will 5210 be used for now?

4943 has replaced 5233 at Hexham.

Does Riverside depot have a working on the 310, just saw a Vyking on Middle Engine Lane thats all.

(22 Jul 2017, 10:45 am)LMichael wrote Which buses are been used on the shuttles for the Airshow today?


How many more Citaro's need to be refurbished now?

There are 8 of the initial batch of 36 refurbishments to return (5313-5319, 5292), with 5298-5304 the first of the next 28 to go.

(24 Jul 2017, 6:34 pm)busmanT wrote There are 8 of the initial batch of 36 refurbishments to return (5313-5319, 5292), with 5298-5304 the first of the next 28 to go.

Thanks busmanT, glad they're doing all of them. (well except for the Connections 4 Citaro's and i think 5337/5338)


Are 5298-5304 going to Hexham then?, and are they getting the same refurbishment?


On the Go North East fleet allocation sheet, 5233 is down for scrap... not surprised tbh.

(24 Jul 2017, 6:33 pm)Rapidsnap wrote Does Riverside depot have a working on the 310, just saw a Vyking on Middle Engine Lane thats all.

Yes, I believe that the 17:43 310 ex Newcastle is worked by Riverside.

(24 Jul 2017, 3:07 pm)park5354 wrote 4943 has replaced 5233 at Hexham.

4943 was on the 74 today so not sure what was covering on the X84/X85?

Are the Hexham blinds meant to be a different format? On the X85 they have Hexham & Newbrough on the top line, then alternate better via Denton Burn, via Heddon etc.

625, 627, 631 and 632 are now fitted with wifi meaning all indiGo's at Percy Main are now installed.

(25 Jul 2017, 12:35 pm)Tom wrote Are the Hexham blinds meant to be a different format? On the X85 they have Hexham & Newbrough on the top line, then alternate better via Denton Burn, via Heddon etc.

Also seen they changed the font on the X66 too