I think the shut down is only 2 or 3 weeks long so a few months' delay could not be (fully) explained by this.

22040 returned to slatyford today, she will require a repaint before returning to service though.

22472 has today entered service at Stockton - it's on the 30 minutes past the even hours from Norton Glebe.

34605 currently undergoing repaint at the Wheatsheaf.

(15 Jul 2014, 7:16 am)Kuyoyo wrote 22472 has today entered service at Stockton - it's on the 30 minutes past the even hours from Norton Glebe.

I saw what i suspect was a MAN getting towed on Portrack Lane at 11am this morning Worst possible timing it was next to a truck at the lights heading towards the A19 They both pulled away together i was driving the opposite way and i only managed to see the destination display I think the tow truck was Ian ??????????.

(15 Jul 2014, 9:14 pm)alanf wrote I saw what i suspect was a MAN getting towed on Portrack Lane at 11am this morning Worst possible timing it was next to a truck at the lights heading towards the A19 They both pulled away together i was driving the opposite way and i only managed to see the destination display I think the tow truck was Ian ??????????.

Will have been Ian Bradley - he does most of the recovery for this area, he actually waves to Arriva drivers as he gets that much work from us...!

Was on 39710 tonight and was making an unhealthy noise and black fumes coming out the back also it was on 3/4/7/8

all except one of slatyfords T-reg ALX 300s were in the back yard today getting prepped for what looks like a possible transfer, anyone got any ideas?

(16 Jul 2014, 11:53 pm)MRmoxy wrote all except one of slatyfords T-reg ALX 300s were in the back yard today getting prepped for what looks like a possible transfer, anyone got any ideas?

Possible they're getting doled out to replace B10Ms around the country.

22462 has now entered service at Walkergate

(17 Jul 2014, 5:08 pm)AIG20 wrote Information from the SNE Bus Enthusiasts Facebook Page (with thanks from "Dan's North East Bus Photos"):
*Stockton MAN ALX300 22062 is parked up in Sunderland Depot freshly repainted - meaning the 37 branding no longer exists.

*MAN ALX300s 22666 (V166 DEF), which has returned from Hartlepool; 22672 (V672 DDC) and 22673 (V673 DDC) are all parked up at the rear of Sunderland Depot - presumably withdrawn. This means that 22214/5 (T214/5 TND) are the only non-DDA vehicles left in service at Sunderland.

22672/673 have been at the back of the depot for a few days now - I must have forgotten to mention it on here but I noted it on Flickr.

An interesting bus spot starts next week: a number of Enviro 400s will be relocating up to Glasgow for the commonwealth games.

As a result, the Stockton Tridents will be moving up to Walkergate for part of their summer holidays.

This might also explain why some of the MANs are being prepped for service too...

(17 Jul 2014, 6:59 pm)JakeSavage wrote An interesting bus spot starts next week: a number of Enviro 400s will be relocating up to Glasgow for the commonwealth games.

As a result, the Stockton Tridents will be moving up to Walkergate for part of their summer holidays.

This might also explain why some of the MANs are being prepped for service too...

Indeed - either 4 or all 6 of the Tridents are departing Stockton depot at 1700 tomorrow afternoon for the journey northwards. Expect them there about 2100 (they only do 43MPH........)

Hi Dan. Is South Shields getting any more reserve buses in the Future. looking forward to getting 37143 & 37144 when they get Delivered on the 25th July. Regards Robin ps have not seen 22734 for a while.

(17 Jul 2014, 9:24 pm)Robinwtait.19 wrote Hi Dan. Is South Shields getting any more reserve buses in the Future. looking forward to getting 37143 & 37144 when they get Delivered on the 25th July. Regards Robin ps have not seen 22734 for a while.

South Shields don't require any more reserve buses as 22734 was only required while warranty work was being done to some of the 36XXX

(17 Jul 2014, 5:08 pm)AIG20 wrote Information from the SNE Bus Enthusiasts Facebook Page (with thanks from "Dan's North East Bus Photos"):
*Stockton MAN ALX300 22062 is parked up in Sunderland Depot freshly repainted - meaning the 37 branding no longer exists.

*MAN ALX300s 22666 (V166 DEF), which has returned from Hartlepool; 22672 (V672 DDC) and 22673 (V673 DDC) are all parked up at the rear of Sunderland Depot - presumably withdrawn. This means that 22214/5 (T214/5 TND) are the only non-DDA vehicles left in service at Sunderland.

22062 is back in service at Stockton today - on the 37.

Trainer 20841 seen on A19 last night around 19:40 between Sunderland and Teeside heading South. Had this been receiving attention?

Could've been transporting drivers back south after taking Stockton tridents to Walkergate

Noticed 22735 Man has a full rear advertisement does this mean an extended use is planned ??

(20 Jul 2014, 9:06 am)Pimponel wrote Noticed 22735 Man has a full rear advertisement does this mean an extended use is planned ??

22735 and several other MAN ALX300 and Trident ALX400 are covering for ADL E400 going to Glasgow from Walkergate.

27732 seems to have a suspension issue

Yeh making those sort of noises

(20 Jul 2014, 6:36 pm)AIG20 wrote Is it making horrible screeching and scrapping noises, as in the past this has been an issue to nearly all of the batch of ADL E300?

If this is the issue it could possibly be something to do with the springs as "Half Pint" mentioned a while back that "they've went through quite a lot of springs" in the past few months.

More than likely the rubber bushes that the springs sit in will be worn.

The 35 must have left about five minutes after the E2, yet I've just overtaken it. Not even that busy compared to the 35!

Two E2s just past Tesco heading to Park Lane. Timekeeping is spot on as always.

(21 Jul 2014, 5:51 pm)AIG20 wrote I was waiting for the 13:34 E6 at Marsden (towards South Shields) and it came 4 minutes early. By the time the bus (ADL Enviro 300 27728) got to the Town Hall, the driver told the person on his radio that he was actually running 15 minutes late!

Then at South Shields market I got on the E2 (ran by ADL E300 27730) at approximately 15:34. It then had a five minute layover at Chichester for a driver changeover and was 4 minutes late by the time it got to Marsden. Whilst the driver's were changing over they were complaining and moaning about the traffic on the Wearmouth Bridge and Fawcett Street delaying the buses.

Furthermore, MAN E200 39712 was sat at Chichester at 15:40 for ages whilst working the 17. The driver was for some reason standing about. I assume the replacement driver mustn't have shown up!

Well it was completely clear when I crossed (about 3 minutes before I made that post!)

Really think that South Shields is making a mountain out of a molehill with these works on the Wearmouth Bridge. No other services, besides the Economic services, appear to be suffering as badly.
I think it'll be a convenient excuse for some drivers. As sad as it is, there are drivers with that kind of attitude out there.

(21 Jul 2014, 5:54 pm)Dan wrote Well it was completely clear when I crossed (about 3 minutes before I made that post!)

Really think that South Shields is making a mountain out of a molehill with these works on the Wearmouth Bridge. No other services, besides the Economic services, appear to be suffering as badly.
I think it'll be a convenient excuse for some drivers. As sad as it is, there are drivers with that kind of attitude out there.

Imagine what it'll be on Friday through to Sunday with the Airshow being on, it'll be absolute chaos I think.

Adding to a subject brought up in the Go North East thread (see below)

(21 Jul 2014, 4:46 pm)Dan wrote To make a little feature giving the details of all 'frequently odd workings'.

Odd workings which basically happen every single day.

Here, for all to see, is the Stagecoach on Teesside 'frequently odd workings' - listed by running board (although as yet there's no Sunday one given the very limited frequently odd workings on Sundays from Stockton)

(As a heads-up, board 707/717/727/737 are presently school boards, although those will change in September when the school services changes)

(21 Jul 2014, 5:54 pm)Dan wrote Well it was completely clear when I crossed (about 3 minutes before I made that post!)

Really think that South Shields is making a mountain out of a molehill with these works on the Wearmouth Bridge. No other services, besides the Economic services, appear to be suffering as badly.
I think it'll be a convenient excuse for some drivers. As sad as it is, there are drivers with that kind of attitude out there.

It doesn't take much to end up late when the running times are tight and picking lots of people up. You should be very careful about what you say about drivers cause you never know who's reading these posts

(21 Jul 2014, 7:12 pm)mrnut85 wrote It doesn't take much to end up late when the running times are tight and picking lots of people up. You should be very careful about what you say about drivers cause you never know who's reading these posts

Running times are tight? Where's aureolin with his 'achievable timetable' line when you need him?

I am aware that management of all of the "big three" read this forum, and perhaps it'd be a good idea for management to get involved. It was a general statement about drivers (not just South Shields drivers, so don't take offence), and it comes from a disgruntled customer - I know others living on Newcastle Road who are sick and tired of the E2 at the moment too. Several Sunderland drivers are family friends, and I know many of the older drivers who work there, are not motivated. They can't wait to leave Stagecoach, but they feel they can't at the moment for financial reasons. Whenever they can, they try and get regulated - they don't try and make up time any more. I could say the same about ANE and GNE drivers too.

Other Sunderland - South Shields routes, with timings just as tight (if not tighter), are coping with the works on the Wearmouth Bridge much better than the Economic services are.

As someone who lives right next to the Wearmouth Bridge (and therefore someone who sees the level of traffic regularly), the works are not causing too much trouble - certainly not to allow for buses to be running 20 minutes late.

(21 Jul 2014, 7:28 pm)Dan wrote Running times are tight? Where's aureolin with his 'achievable timetable' line when you need him?

It's right though. It's pointless having a timetable if it's too tight to achieve. Customers get peeved off and some drivers feel under enough pressure from their peers to fly around like they're going for a fastest lap time. We all know it happens because we all see it.