(19 May 2014, 5:50 pm)Simmy wrote Had the first of my 3 exams today. Celebrated afterwards with a trip on the Clipper 310 and the ferry to South Shields .

=D, What were they?

Good luck

Roll on September for my 2nd year at Uni =D

(19 May 2014, 5:58 pm)Michael wrote =D, What were they?

Good luck

Roll on September for my 2nd year at Uni =D

Sent you a PM

(20 May 2014, 11:57 am)AIG20 wrote The first two of the latest batch of gas buses have arrived! However, I do not know how they have been delivered without a registration plate!

In addition, a "Sunderland Bus" branded E200 was getting a new wing mirror, and 39727 was getting a chassis wash. 36088 (NK59 BNL) is still under repaint.

Trade plates perhaps?

(20 May 2014, 11:57 am)AIG20 wrote The first two of the latest batch of gas buses have arrived! However, I do not know how they have been delivered without a registration plate!

In addition, a "Sunderland Bus" branded E200 was getting a new wing mirror, and 39727 was getting a chassis wash. 36088 (NK59 BNL) is still under repaint.

Just beat me to it!

I thought it was 36082 (BNA) under repaint? Positive I have just seen that one being rubbed down.

(20 May 2014, 11:57 am)AIG20 wrote The first two of the latest batch of gas buses have arrived! However, I do not know how they have been delivered without a registration plate!

In addition, a "Sunderland Bus" branded E200 was getting a new wing mirror, and 39727 was getting a chassis wash. 36088 (NK59 BNL) is still under repaint.

They've probably arrived on Trade Plates. As strange as it sounds this may be a positive sign. Given the mess Scania made of registering the first batch (Registration Plates out of sequence), perhaps Stagecoach will make a better job of it, by getting a block of plates in the right order through the DVLA. I hope so.

"Roadgas" are at the Wheatsheaf presently, and a man is tampering with the gas canisters.

36081 has also been repainted (I think), and I was correct in suggesting 82 is under repaint at the moment.

Still no luck with the registrations of the gas buses - will have to check back tomorrow.

(20 May 2014, 12:48 pm)Dan wrote "Roadgas" are at the Wheatsheaf presently, and a man is tampering with the gas canisters.

36081 has also been repainted (I think), and I was correct in suggesting 82 is under repaint at the moment.

Still no luck with the registrations of the gas buses - will have to check back tomorrow.

Better quality photograph of the two new gas buses:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...043203730/

36081:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...249995833/

Just a quick question, Why has this thread been moved from the Important Threads to the Normal Threads section on the Stagecoach Noth East Main Page?

(20 May 2014, 3:15 pm)peter wrote Just a quick question, Why has this thread been moved from the Important Threads to the Normal Threads section on the Stagecoach Noth East Main Page?

No idea, but I've changed it back now.

First time ive seen a gas bus on the gas refueling structure... can say it has an annoying clicking noise!

Still no reg plates on the 2 gas buses.

(20 May 2014, 5:00 pm)AIG20 wrote So, I guess two gas buses will be delivered per day (Monday to Friday). However, how do the drivers who deliver the vehicles get back home?

They might have someone following them behind, not sure though

(20 May 2014, 5:00 pm)AIG20 wrote So, I guess two gas buses will be delivered per day (Monday to Friday). However, how do the drivers who deliver the vehicles get back home?

That's how it usually works for Optare and Wrights - as I said yesterday - but cumbria0902150 said it was originally down as Sunderland receiving five per week, so ADL may work slightly differently.
Must be said that, unless those gas buses seen today arrived late last night, we didn't see Monday's delivery.

I believe the usual procedure is for the drivers of the vehicles to get the train back to where they've come from (where appropriate)? I've seen the delivery drivers being escorted out of GNE's Saltmeadows Road depot in an employee's car and can only assume the employee was taking them to the train station... A built-in cost that the operator will no doubt pay as a cost for the vehicle.

(20 May 2014, 5:11 pm)Dan wrote That's how it usually works for Optare and Wrights - as I said yesterday - but cumbria0902150 said it was originally down as Sunderland receiving five per week, so ADL may work slightly differently.
Must be said that, unless those gas buses seen today arrived late last night, we didn't see Monday's delivery.

I believe the usual procedure is for the drivers of the vehicles to get the train back to where they've come from (where appropriate)? I've seen the delivery drivers being escorted out of GNE's Saltmeadows Road depot in an employee's car and can only assume the employee was taking them to the train station... A built-in cost that the operator will no doubt pay as a cost for the vehicle.

When cars, trucks and buses are delivered to a depot or dealership, the driver often makes their way back home using whatever form of transport is available and claims it back from his company (if it hasn't been paid for already) or is given an allowance before setting off to cover the costs.
The lift to the station, bus stop or airport is often offered as a favour.

I have offered lifts myself to the drivers when they have been in the position of needing to get a train.

The drop off of vehicles, is often complementary and part of the service by the manufacturer.
Either way, any expenses incurred would be tax deductable as a business expense.

Temporary closure of Moorside Road (west side), affecting Service 5/5A

On Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May 2014, the west side of Moorside Road will be closed to facilitate essential roadworks.

Last Updated: 20 May 2014 2:06 PM

The anticipated closure period is between 0800 and 1800 on Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 May 2014, weather permitting.

During periods of the road closure, Service 5/5A buses will be unable to serve their normal bus stops around the west side of Moorside Road.

Buses will instead continue along Doxford Park Way, and operate via the east side of Moorside Road to Weymouth Road, observing all bus stops along the line of the diversionary route.

Clearly, whilst we will be endeavouring to operate services in accordance with their published timetables, as well as continuing to liaise with our colleagues at Sunderland City Council to mitigate any problems, there is the potential that some trips may be subject to delays.

Stagecoach would like to apologise for any inconvenience these essential works by Sunderland City Council may cause, and we remain grateful for customers’ patience and understanding.

Services Affected: 5, 5A

Originally Posted: 19 May 2014 2:59 PM

Still no registration plates attached to the gas buses. Quite a number of buses at the back of the depot too.

(21 May 2014, 6:49 am)Dan wrote Still no registration plates attached to the gas buses. Quite a number of buses at the back of the depot too.

All older MAN buses out the back?

(21 May 2014, 6:51 am)Michael wrote All older MAN buses out the back?

Nah, mixture of everything - one of the original batch of gas buses, two E200s and two ALX300s (in addition to the two new gas buses).

(21 May 2014, 6:52 am)Dan wrote Nah, mixture of everything - one of the original batch of gas buses, two E200s and two ALX300s (in addition to the two new gas buses).

Thanks, wont be over that way till tomorrow now

(21 May 2014, 7:34 am)AIG20 wrote There's only 22463 and two "Sunderland Bus" branded E200s around the back of the depot now - alongside those 2 unidentified Gas Buses.

In addition, Driver Trainer 20554 is on training duties for the "E" services this morning.

How exactly is 20554 on training duties for the 'E' services

22049 currently undergoing repaint at Sunderland, 36082 is still being rubbed down too.

(21 May 2014, 2:32 pm)AIG20 wrote 22049 only had a repaint last year, when it had the remains of its X34 branding removed. Though I guess it may only be getting its rear end repainted to get rid of anything left behind from the rear advertisement. This is because this vehicle was the last one I seen still including its rear advertisement.

I'm sure E200 NK59 BNA was still in the end workshop when I went past this morning, therefore 22049 must have only just arrived when you went past.

Aye, they hadn't done much work to it and there was only one rubbing it down compared to the usual gang of them that are usually kicking about when a bus is in that shed. The E200 was in the third shed up, if memory serves. The 'gang' was in there instead.

(21 May 2014, 2:38 pm)AIG20 wrote The engineers are usually sitting by those table and chairs with their legs up when I go past. Lazy buggers!

In addition, there was still no sign of any more gas buses at 1:15 this afternoon - unless more have arrived which are hidden from view.

Haha! They're not particularly enthusiast-friendly either, minus one or two of them who usually give me a wave.
They've stared at me and followed me with their eyes around the perimeter every day this week! :s

(21 May 2014, 7:54 am)AIG20 wrote Well, I seen it heading along Mill Lane, Whitburn towards South Shields with two people on board whilst on the E2. Assuming that one is the driver and the other is the instructor.

When I got off the E2 at the Wheatsheaf I seen it heading down North Bridge Street towards the City Centre, assuming that it turned around at the Marsden Grotto.

Unless, it may have been driver training instead of route learning.

Be driver assessment, I took mine on the Coast Road.

Any Buses To Replace 33101 now that it is at Hartlepool for good at south shields. Regards Robin

Just Viewed 22735 at Wallsend Bus Station Has it Moved There for good. Regards Robin

I Hope one of those 35's come to south shields if 33101 dosent come back. Regards Robin

(21 May 2014, 8:10 pm)Robinwtait.19 wrote Just Viewed 22735 at Wallsend Bus Station Has it Moved There for good. Regards Robin

Has it still got the back end advert?

(21 May 2014, 8:28 pm)AIG20 wrote I guess this may be a replacement "active reserve" vehicle for the now scrapped 21153. I wonder whether another T-reg ALX300 has been sent to replace the still active 21155 as I know that 22727-22730 will never see service again.

Here is the image by Sean Blair bellow:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/77351420@N04/14052847480/

South Shields at have 1

Still only 2 of the new gas buses arrived... still without reg plates to

The engineers are no where in sight.

Main part of the depot is quiet.. only 1 bus is parked up

Quite a few in the workshops.

(21 May 2014, 7:54 am)AIG20 wrote Well, I seen it heading along Mill Lane, Whitburn towards South Shields with two people on board whilst on the E2. Assuming that one is the driver and the other is the instructor.

When I got off the E2 at the Wheatsheaf I seen it heading down North Bridge Street towards the City Centre, assuming that it turned around at the Marsden Grotto.

Unless, it may have been driver training instead of route learning.

It will have been driver training as route learning is done while on service