No idea on dates or whether this will help narrow things down but as I am going from memory alone here...

The Solars on the 93/94 were originally at Chester (displaced Prestiges from 21 series) prior to the move to Sunderland Road and subsequent repaints.

The four acquired Solars at Deptford (branded for 20/20a), were if I remember the correct order: Chester (often on 721), Washington (x3/x4), Sunderland Road (51/52), then I am not sure whether it was the 9 or x36/37 which came first, eventually ending up on the 20's

(27 May 2014, 5:25 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote No idea on dates or whether this will help narrow things down but as I am going from memory alone here...

The Solars on the 93/94 were originally at Chester (displaced Prestiges from 21 series) prior to the move to Sunderland Road and subsequent repaints.

The two acquired Solars at Deptford (branded for 20/20a), were if I remember the correct order: Chester (often on 721), Washington (x3/x4), Sunderland Road (51/52), then I am not sure whether it was the 9 or x36/37 which came first, eventually ending up on the 20's

5219-21 were new to Gateshead in January 2005 with 5219 being branded for services 93/94 under the "Kickstart" brand.
5222-28 were new to Chester-le-Street.

There's no record of movements after that for any of the vehicles - so if anyone has any recollection of the dates/movements after that..?

(27 May 2014, 5:33 pm)Dan wrote 5219-21 were new to Gateshead in January 2005 with 5219 being branded for services 93/94 under the "Kickstart" brand.
5222-28 were new to Chester-le-Street.

There's no record of movements after that for any of the vehicles - so if anyone has any recollection of the dates/movements after that..?

Yes, forgot about the couple that were on the 93/94 prior to the rest moving from Chester.

A short lived spell in GNE colours prior to the repaint into the black and then rebrand of the livery.

(27 May 2014, 5:39 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Yes, forgot about the couple that were on the 93/94 prior to the rest moving from Chester.

A short lived spell in GNE colours prior to the repaint into the black and then rebrand of the livery.

GNE's Archive has 5219's first livery down as 'Kickstart'; however, I've found a photograph of the vehicle which says 'carrying the first version of the Loop livery':
https://www.flickr.com/photos/95597126@N05/13033333444

Do you know which is correct?


Edit: From what I can gather, the ones at Chester received the 'swoop-style' version of the corporate livery too, before being repainted black in January 2008.

(27 May 2014, 5:47 pm)Dan wrote GNE's Archive has 5219's first livery down as 'Kickstart'; however, I've found a photograph of the vehicle which says 'carrying the first version of the Loop livery':
https://www.flickr.com/photos/95597126@N05/13033333444

Do you know which is correct?


Edit: From what I can gather, the ones at Chester received the 'swoop-style' version of the corporate livery too, before being repainted black in January 2008.

Yup, they were in the swoop style livery for just a short period.
Could have sworn it was prior to Jan 2008 though they went black - although Jan 08 could have been when they went into livery.
As I say, going solely off memory - I was working as a sub-contractor within an organisation that had sites across the NE, including one in East Gateshead until late 07 and I remember seeing the newly repainted black Solars which had transferred from Chester, before then.

I cant remember any specific Kickstart livery - pretty sure the original livery on each of the vehicles, was always to do with the East Gateshead partnership in an adaptation of the 'swoop' livery - prior to the two black versions.

Pretty sure the initial batch were in the first version (as per the photo) and when the frequency was increased by the Chester arrivals, then it went black.

(27 May 2014, 6:03 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Yup, they were in the swoop style livery for just a short period.
Could have sworn it was prior to Jan 2008 though they went black - although Jan 08 could have been when they went into livery.
As I say, going solely off memory - I was working as a sub-contractor within an organisation that had sites across the NE, including one in East Gateshead until late 07 and I remember seeing the newly repainted black Solars which had transferred from Chester, before then.

I cant remember any specific Kickstart livery - pretty sure the original livery on each of the vehicles, was always to do with the East Gateshead partnership in an adaptation of the 'swoop' livery - prior to the two black versions.

Pretty sure the initial batch were in the first version (as per the photo) and when the frequency was increased by the Chester arrivals, then it went black.

There's a tagline which says something about a 'Kickstart Partnership' at the very top, so they'll both be the same.

Regarding the black repaints... This photograph is the only one I can find of the initial black repaint for the Scanias, and it was taken in January 2008.

(27 May 2014, 6:07 pm)Dan wrote There's a tagline which says something about a 'Kickstart Partnership' at the very top, so they'll both be the same.

Regarding the black repaints... This photograph is the only one I can find of the initial black repaint for the Scanias, and it was taken in January 2008.

Hmm, the plot thickens.

I'm 99.9% sure they went black before Dec 07, as I had no reason to be over that way beyond then for quite a while - it was maybe 2/3 months at the very least. By that point, they vehicles would have been in the first black livery.

Anything on the fleet archive about the Chester batch transferring over? That may help narrow dates down.

Sorry to have opened up a can of worms here!

(27 May 2014, 6:16 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Hmm, the plot thickens.

I'm 99.9% sure they went black before Dec 07, as I had no reason to be over that way beyond then for quite a while - it was maybe 2/3 months at the very least. By that point, they vehicles would have been in the first black livery.

Anything on the fleet archive about the Chester batch transferring over? That may help narrow dates down.

Sorry to have opened up a can of worms here!

Nothing at all on the Fleet Archive. I find that, until 2010 or so, it wasn't particularly detailed and was quite vague.
There wasn't as many photographers as there are nowadays too (probably due to the higher expense before digital photography became popular), which makes it even harder to track down the history for each vehicle.
I think the PSV Circle has a history for each vehicle, but I didn't quite understand the document when I was given a preview of it. It was all full of information in a small black font if I remember correctly.

Hopefully, by bringing it up on here, some of the older enthusiasts/photographers will be able to answer our questions.

(27 May 2014, 6:24 pm)Dan wrote Nothing at all on the Fleet Archive. I find that, until 2010 or so, it wasn't particularly detailed and was quite vague.
There wasn't as many photographers as there are nowadays too (probably due to the higher expense before digital photography became popular), which makes it even harder to track down the history for each vehicle.
I think the PSV Circle has a history for each vehicle, but I didn't quite understand the document when I was given a preview of it. It was all full of information in a small black font if I remember correctly.

Hopefully, by bringing it up on here, some of the older enthusiasts/photographers will be able to answer our questions.

Jeffs Bus Lane may have something on too.

Just to stir the pot a bit more - not sure where all of the Prestiges ended up, but some were at Deptford for a short while.
They often appeared on the x35, including at least one, which spent time in Deptford prior to its move to Chester/Winlaton in its full Team Valley Clipper livery.
That would have been about the same time the Omnicitys were introduced to Chester, which in turn replaced the displaced Solars to Sunderland Road and all prior to Dec 2007.

(27 May 2014, 6:32 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Jeffs Bus Lane may have something on too.

Just to stir the pot a bit more - not sure where all of the Prestiges ended up, but some were at Deptford for a short while.
They often appeared on the x35, including at least one, which spent time in Deptford prior to its move to Chester/Winlaton in its full Team Valley Clipper livery.
That would have been about the same time the Omnicitys were introduced to Chester, which in turn replaced the displaced Solars to Sunderland Road and all prior to Dec 2007.

I get all my info from Jeff's Bus Lane

(27 May 2014, 6:42 pm)Marcus wrote I get all my info from Jeff's Bus Lane

As useful as it is, my main problem is that you've got to have a rough idea before you start - the movements aren't noted anywhere so you have to compare from one week to the next (unless anyone has a workaround for this?)

(27 May 2014, 6:51 pm)Dan wrote As useful as it is, my main problem is that you've got to have a rough idea before you start - the movements aren't noted anywhere so you have to compare from one week to the next (unless anyone has a workaround for this?)

Yeah, I suppose you do have to have exact dates to get be able to directly find the right fleet list. If I don't I just tend to hover around a specific area until I find what I'm after.

(27 May 2014, 6:59 pm)Marcus wrote Yeah, I suppose you do have to have exact dates to get be able to directly find the right fleet list. If I don't I just tend to hover around a specific area until I find what I'm after.

That's what I was hoping this sharing of info would do.
If we have a rough period of time, where we know buses were shifted about and repainted, then it can help narrow specific dates down.

So for example:
We know the Solars at Chester arrived in 2005, which displaced the Prestiges to other depots.
The Solars were replaced by the Omnis at Chester at some point in 2006/2007 (after the Omni's short spell at Washington - replaced by Citaros).

The Solars went black by Jan 08, following their move to Sunderland Road at some point in 06/07.

Phewf... Ready for an early night now!

(27 May 2014, 7:10 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote That's what I was hoping this sharing of info would do.
If we have a rough period of time, where we know buses were shifted about and repainted, then it can help narrow specific dates down.

So for example:
We know the Solars at Chester arrived in 2005, which displaced the Prestiges to other depots.
The Solars were replaced by the Omnis at Chester at some point in 2006/2007 (after the Omni's short spell at Washington - replaced by Citaros).

The Solars went black by Jan 08, following their move to Sunderland Road at some point in 06/07.

Phewf... Ready for an early night now!

It can be quite frustrating when you can't find what you want! When I was looking up the last Optare Solo to operate with GNE I remember checking out about a dozen fleet lists (thinking they were withdrawn several years than turned out)

(27 May 2014, 7:13 pm)Marcus wrote It can be quite frustrating when you can't find what you want! When I was looking up the last Optare Solo to operate with GNE I remember checking out about a dozen fleet lists (thinking they were withdrawn several years than turned out)

Aye, it can be.

Once you find one piece, the rest should fall into place.

Re Solo's. Was it the Pink Panther's at Percy Main? Moved from Chester after the Newton Hall service failed to take off.

(27 May 2014, 7:19 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Aye, it can be.

Once you find one piece, the rest should fall into place.

Re Solo's. Was it the Pink Panther's at Percy Main? Moved from Chester after the Newton Hall service failed to take off.

Can't remember - I do remember there was a couple of them at Percy Main. Apparently the original Solos were very popular with drivers.

(27 May 2014, 7:25 pm)Marcus wrote Can't remember - I do remember there was a couple of them at Percy Main. Apparently the original Solos were very popular with drivers.

They were - I remember them on the 81

(27 May 2014, 6:16 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote I'm 99.9% sure they went black before Dec 07, as I had no reason to be over that way beyond then for quite a while - it was maybe 2/3 months at the very least. By that point, they vehicles would have been in the first black livery.

You were right.

August 2007:
- 5219
- 5220

September 2007:
- 5221
- 5222
- 5226

October 2007:
- 5223

November 2007:
- 5224
- 5225

(27 May 2014, 7:42 pm)Dan wrote You were right.

August 2007:
- 5219
- 5220

September 2007:
- 5221
- 5222
- 5226

October 2007:
- 5223

November 2007:
- 5224
- 5225

People keep saying that
Just need to get eezypeazy convinced about QCS and admit I am right about that too!:p

Seriously though, glad you got the dates. Should be easy to get dates for the recent repaints.
How did you find out those dates?

(27 May 2014, 7:25 pm)Marcus wrote Can't remember - I do remember there was a couple of them at Percy Main. Apparently the original Solos were very popular with drivers.

One old school guy from Washington wasn't happy when he first saw them, not long after they were introduced.
They did the 194's on a Sunday and on the start of his shift at the Galleries, he was complaining constantly how ugly they were and how daft he would look driving them.

Not as daft as me a few mins later - drove past a mate who was walking by the road. Turned around to wave/acknowledge him out of the back window, except there wasn't one and I was waving to a carpeted 'wall'.
Other passengers noticed my mistake...

The Solos in Washington were quite short lived. Before the expense of fitting cctv to the rear of them, you'd rarely see one go by without someone you knew hanging from the back of it for a free ride.

(27 May 2014, 8:58 pm)aureolin wrote The Solos in Washington were quite short lived. Before the expense of fitting cctv to the rear of them, you'd rarely see one go by without someone you knew hanging from the back of it for a free ride.

Like this.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/feature...__dangers/

(27 May 2014, 9:25 pm)Jimmi wrote Like this.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/feature...__dangers/

Yep!

(27 May 2014, 8:58 pm)aureolin wrote The Solos in Washington were quite short lived. Before the expense of fitting cctv to the rear of them, you'd rarely see one go by without someone you knew hanging from the back of it for a free ride.

Yet despite only being there a short while, one still had time to crash through someone's front window in Lambton.

(27 May 2014, 9:30 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Yet despite only being there a short while, one still had time to crash through someone's front window in Lambton.

When was this, as I have lived in Lambton for 14 Years and I don't recall anything like happening, and would have of been on the main road leading up to the Village Centre for such an incident to happen, as I live just opposite the Phone Box which is on that stretch of Road.

(27 May 2014, 9:37 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote When was this, as I have lived in Lambton for 14 Years and I don't recall anything like happening, and would have of been on the main road leading up to the Village Centre for such an incident to happen, as I live just opposite the Phone Box which is on that stretch of Road.

Late 90's? The Solo's didn't last long as aureolin mentioned and came in 97/98.
It was at the Makro end of Lambton, coming from the bus link towards the roundabout.

(27 May 2014, 9:40 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Late 90's? The Solo's didn't last long as aureolin mentioned and came in 97/98.
It was at the Makro end of Lambton, coming from the bus link towards the roundabout.

Yeah I know where you mean, about 30 Seconds up the Road from where I live, this incident must of happened just before I moved then, hence why I don't remember.

(27 May 2014, 9:57 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Yeah I know where you mean, about 30 Seconds up the Road from where I live, this incident must of happened just before I moved then, hence why I don't remember.

It made the news at the time.
Have a look through the City Library to see if they have the clippings saved.
AdamY may know where to look.

(27 May 2014, 10:05 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote It made the news at the time.
Have a look through the City Library to see if they have the clippings saved.
AdamY may know where to look.

I'll have a look on Friday evening I think, as I was going to head through after work for an hour.

They're on the top floor towards the balcony edge if anyone is interested.

Just as a note: The fleet lists have 4949 and 4950 as having the same reg.

4956-4966 were introduced in 2002. These replaced (the now withdrawn Renowns - inc 340 GUP) on the 194/294.

Initially in the original GNE livery, the vehicles were repainted into the swoop livery circa 2006 and the 294 was axed. The 194 was renumbered the M1.

In 2010(?), the route was rejigged and the yellow livery was introduced.
During the summer of 2013, vehicles were gradually repainted into their new base colours, prior to the arrival of the Citaro's on the 4.

5229-5233: Were allocated to Deptford from new in 'swoop' livery and branded for x20/x50. You have the rest, although it was in x20 Prince Bishops Express before resorting to Prince Bishops.

The vehicles initially branded for Cats Fast, were at Percy Main from new on the Route19. They had special wheels fitted to the front for a busway somewhere up that way.

Again, don't have specific dates as I am going off memory alone - but hopefully it will help narrow things down somewhat.

(28 May 2014, 10:04 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Just as a note: The fleet lists have 4949 and 4950 as having the same reg.

4956-4966 were introduced in 2002. These replaced (the now withdrawn Renowns - inc 340 GUP) on the 194/294.

Initially in the original GNE livery, the vehicles were repainted into the swoop livery circa 2006 and the 294 was axed. The 194 was renumbered the M1.

In 2010(?), the route was rejigged and the yellow livery was introduced.
During the summer of 2013, vehicles were gradually repainted into their new base colours, prior to the arrival of the Citaro's on the 4.

5229-5233: Were allocated to Deptford from new in 'swoop' livery and branded for x20/x50. You have the rest, although it was in x20 Prince Bishops Express before resorting to Prince Bishops.

The vehicles initially branded for Cats Fast, were at Percy Main from new on the Route19. They had special wheels fitted to the front for a busway somewhere up that way.

Again, don't have specific dates as I am going off memory alone - but hopefully it will help narrow things down somewhat.

I've corrected the mistake regarding 4950's registration. Ta.

Just as an update to everyone; although I have not added any of the updates as given in the above quote, a large number of vehicles now have quite a comprehensive history section.

Since last night, I have mainly focussed on adding the details of all repaints I could find details of. From this - paired with Go North East's Archive - I think I will be able to piece together the majority of the movements that have occurred. Any help would still be appreciated to fill in the gaps.

I'm yet to add their former fleet numbers from London, but most of the Volvo B7TLs in the fleet now have quite a comprehensive history. A number of the Volvo B10BLEs in the fleet also have a rather comprehensive history, outlining various repaints. This also applies to some of the Scania L94s. The DAF SB120s have details for about half of their lives.