As mentioned earlier in the Flickr Accounts Thread, I'm planning a Day Trip to various Areas in the North East, here is what I have came up with, any suggestions or tweaks to the trip are welcomed.

07:57 - GNE 50 - Lambton to Durham

08:50 - GNE X21 - Durham to Bishop Auckland
10:04 - GNE X21 - Bishop Auckland to Durham
11:00 - GNE 15 - Durham to Consett
12:00 - GNE 78 - Consett to Stanley
13:00 - GNE X43 - Stanley to Metrocentre
13:43 - GNE 10 - MetroCentre to Hexham
15:45 - GNE X85 - Hexham to Newcastle
16:45 - GNE X1 - Newcastle to Washington Galleries

(27 Oct 2014, 8:37 pm)aureolin wrote Keep an eye out for Freight too, if the runs are active at the time!

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/a...59?stp=WVS&show=freight&order=wtt

Nah, sorry. Can't see any on there during the time period I'm there, thanks anyway though Adrian. Hopefully I'll upload them all tomorrow night!

(27 Oct 2014, 10:42 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote As mentioned earlier in the Flickr Accounts Thread, I'm planning a Day Trip to various Areas in the North East, here is what I have came up with, any suggestions or tweaks to the trip are welcomed.

07:57 - GNE 50 - Lambton to Durham

08:50 - GNE X21 - Durham to Bishop Auckland
10:04 - GNE X21 - Bishop Auckland to Durham
11:00 - GNE 15 - Durham to Consett
12:00 - GNE 78 - Consett to Stanley
13:00 - GNE X43 - Stanley to Metrocentre
13:43 - GNE 10 - MetroCentre to Hexham
15:45 - GNE X85 - Hexham to Newcastle
16:45 - GNE X1 - Newcastle to Washington Galleries

Haven't got timetables to check:

43/44 - Durham to Stanley
78/V8 - Stanley to Consett
685 - Consett to Hexham
X85 - Hexham to Newcastle
owt - Newcastle to Metrocentre

Any good?
Saves doubling back on yourself at Consett/Stanley.

(27 Oct 2014, 10:42 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote As mentioned earlier in the Flickr Accounts Thread, I'm planning a Day Trip to various Areas in the North East, here is what I have came up with, any suggestions or tweaks to the trip are welcomed.

07:57 - GNE 50 - Lambton to Durham

08:50 - GNE X21 - Durham to Bishop Auckland
10:04 - GNE X21 - Bishop Auckland to Durham
11:00 - GNE 15 - Durham to Consett
12:00 - GNE 78 - Consett to Stanley
13:00 - GNE X43 - Stanley to Metrocentre
13:43 - GNE 10 - MetroCentre to Hexham
15:45 - GNE X85 - Hexham to Newcastle
16:45 - GNE X1 - Newcastle to Washington Galleries

Could be improved by doing this:

#50 0731 Lambton to Durham 0810
#X21 0820 Durham to Bishop Auckland 0852
#X1 0916 Bishop Auckland to Darlington 0955
#X66 1020 Darlington to Middlesbrough 1105
#X1 1135 Middlesbrough to Durham 1247
#15 1300 Durham to Consett 1340
#45 1403 Consett to Newcastle 1504
#X85 1510 Newcastle to Hexham 1557
#85 1627 Hexham to Newcastle 1718
#X1A 1725 Newcastle to Washington 1802
#M3 1802 Washington to Lambton 1805

Would need an explorer but has loads of variety in there.

@Andreos - The 689 only runs once a day, so is a nightmare to work around.

Quite easy to plan around it if you're travelling on a Saturday (I speak from experience), as there's a larger number of journeys. I'd suggest that would be the route that's most important for Adam to squeeze in.

For the record, Tom, I think you've left your connections a little bit too tight... 0 minutes between the X1 and the M2/M3 :p

@Tom

It is just once a day during the week.
Saturdays see four return journeys from Consett.

So if Saturday is the day Malarkey does his run, he could use the Consett - Hexham trip without much problem.

(28 Oct 2014, 7:12 am)Dan wrote Quite easy to plan around it if you're travelling on a Saturday (I speak from experience), as there's a larger number of journeys. I'd suggest that would be the route that's most important for Adam to squeeze in.

For the record, Tom, I think you've left your connections a little bit too tight... 0 minutes between the X1 and the M2/M3 :p

Yeah I have. I think Adam was wanting to go on a Mon-Fri. Generally if I'm doing a big trip I'll get the 1041? from Hexham.

(28 Oct 2014, 12:23 am)Tom wrote Could be improved by doing this:

#50 0731 Lambton to Durham 0810
#X21 0820 Durham to Bishop Auckland 0852
#X1 0916 Bishop Auckland to Darlington 0955
#X66 1020 Darlington to Middlesbrough 1105
#X1 1135 Middlesbrough to Durham 1247
#15 1300 Durham to Consett 1340
#45 1403 Consett to Newcastle 1504
#X85 1510 Newcastle to Hexham 1557
#85 1627 Hexham to Newcastle 1718
#X1A 1725 Newcastle to Washington 1802
#M3 1802 Washington to Lambton 1805

Would need an explorer but has loads of variety in there.

@Andreos - The 689 only runs once a day, so is a nightmare to work around.

While that is a great plan for a Day Trip, I am currently focusing on replacing all GNE Photos that I Deleted hence why I have tailored the Trip to be the way it is, I could still Purchase an Explorer and use the Arriva Services between Bishop and Durham rather than wait for the X21, Only want to go up Bishop to Photograph 571/572, but with the 18's coming into Bishop within a few minutes of each other it would allow for a quick turn around, this may then allow me to have a bit extra Photography time up at Consett/Stanley.

(28 Oct 2014, 7:12 am)Dan wrote Quite easy to plan around it if you're travelling on a Saturday (I speak from experience), as there's a larger number of journeys. I'd suggest that would be the route that's most important for Adam to squeeze in.

For the record, Tom, I think you've left your connections a little bit too tight... 0 minutes between the X1 and the M2/M3 :p

(28 Oct 2014, 10:15 am)Tom wrote Yeah I have. I think Adam was wanting to go on a Mon-Fri. Generally if I'm doing a big trip I'll get the 1041? from Hexham.

Haven't picked a Day yet to go out and do this Trip, but I think may end up doing it on a Weekend but that all depends on the Weather and if I have anything else planned.

(28 Oct 2014, 10:44 am)NEBCD Malarkey wrote While that is a great plan for a Day Trip, I am currently focusing on replacing all GNE Photos that I Deleted hence why I have tailored the Trip to be the way it is, I could still Purchase an Explorer and use the Arriva Services between Bishop and Durham rather than wait for the X21, Only want to go up Bishop to Photograph 571/572, but with the 18's coming into Bishop within a few minutes of each other it would allow for a quick turn around, this may then allow me to have a bit extra Photography time up at Consett/Stanley.


Haven't picked a Day yet to go out and do this Trip, but I think may end up doing it on a Weekend but that all depends on the Weather and if I have anything else planned.

The 18's come within 2 Minutes of each other at 27/57 and 29/59, Then there is an Arriva Service 6 which comes in at 38 Minutes Past, getting back into Durham for 10:14am, this would therefore allow me to catch the 15A on the half hour, resulting in me being Half an Hour ahead of my Original Plan.

(28 Oct 2014, 11:24 am)NEBCD Malarkey wrote The 18's come within 2 Minutes of each other at 27/57 and 29/59, Then there is an Arriva Service 6 which comes in at 38 Minutes Past, getting back into Durham for 10:14am, this would therefore allow me to catch the 15A on the half hour, resulting in me being Half an Hour ahead of my Original Plan.

Do you have many photos in Peterlee?

Something like this?

#M2A 0753 Lambton to Washington 0756
#X1 0759 Washington to Newcastle 0827
#685 0845 Newcastle to Hexham 0936 (Stagecoach)
#689 1041 Hexham to Consett 1135
#78 1200 Consett to Stanley 1225
#43 1245 Stanley to Durham 1314
#6 1322 Durham to Bishop Auckland 1358
#X21 1434 Bishop Auckland to Durham 1506
#24 1522 Durham to Peterlee 1614
#X21 1642 Peterlee to Sunderland 1708
#2C 1723 Sunderland to Lambton 1757

(28 Oct 2014, 11:28 am)Tom wrote Do you have many photos in Peterlee?

Yeah I have quite a few, I only need to Photograph 538/545 and 546 out of the GNE Vehicles which are Based at Peterlee, Although it is likely they could pop up in Service at Deptford following Maintenance, so I if I am lucky I might not even need to go to Peterlee, The reason I left Peterlee out of the Trip is due to having to sit a Bus for an Hour to Durham which I don't fancy doing to be Honest, i'd rather to that part another day so I can fit in more time over Consett/Stanley and Hexham.

I'll do a full edit of my Planned Trip when I get back Home later on as I have an Appointment in Sunderland later on, I will also put a list of what I have to Photograph on also. 

You might hit on lucky and catch the Peterlee based vehicles in Durham!

(28 Oct 2014, 12:25 pm)Andreos1 wrote You might hit on lucky and catch the Peterlee based vehicles in Durham!

Good Point, There is that as well which I hadn't thought about.

Had 91131 on the way to Newcastle, and I think I had 91124 on the way back, but I'm not 100% sure what it was as I just made a beeline for the Quiet Coach, and thus didn't catch the fleetnumber.

To view my photos from today, please click the link - https://www.flickr.com/photos/127739730@N02/

Well, tomorrow I'm off down to London.

I'm on the 08:38 (1E04) East Coast from Durham all the way to King's Cross. I think we arrive late morning, and then we're going to see the Shard, do a few other random bits and pieces, then we're seeing Billy Elliot: The Musical in the evening. Should be pretty jam-packed!

Then, on Thursday morning my dad and me are going to the London Transport Museum (he actually suggested it - which surprised me as he's a die-hard football fan and isn't interested in transport whatsoever!). Hopefully I'll pick up a few bits of merchandise, etc. Then I think we'll be going to a few shops like Harrods and Hamleys (I know it's a toy store, and I'm a teenager - but there's something magical about the place that I've experienced everytime I've walked inside it, probably just memories). Then for lunch I think my mam has got us a reservation at some nice restaurant near Leicester Square, then we'll likely make our way to the Haagen Dazs cafe.

We'll have to be back at King's Cross for 16:00, because I want to take a few photographs (probably the only thing I want while I'm down there!) of the different services, etc. We're on the 16:30 (1S25) East Coast, but we're only going as far as York (I'm under the impression my parents did this so I could take a few photographs at York), and we'll disembark at 18:32. To finish, we'll get on the 19:02 (1S52) CrossStinky service back to Durham, and I think we arrive back for 19:50.

I've put this in this thread because, well, I've got my Oyster Card at the ready! - hopefully I'll finally get to see how the Borismasters have gotten on since I was last on one!

I don't think I'll have wi-fi down there, but we're staying in a pretty good hotel, so fingers crossed! I doubt I'll have any time to make any posts on here because our schedule is so tight. Hopefully I'll get a few nice photos of buses while I'm down there, though!

(28 Oct 2014, 6:27 pm)Marcus wrote Well, tomorrow I'm off down to London.

I'm on the 08:38 (1E04) East Coast from Durham all the way to King's Cross. I think we arrive late morning, and then we're going to see the Shard, do a few other random bits and pieces, then we're seeing Billy Elliot: The Musical in the evening. Should be pretty jam-packed!

Then, on Thursday morning my dad and me are going to the London Transport Museum (he actually suggested it - which surprised me as he's a die-hard football fan and isn't interested in transport whatsoever!). Hopefully I'll pick up a few bits of merchandise, etc. Then I think we'll be going to a few shops like Harrods and Hamleys (I know it's a toy store, and I'm a teenager - but there's something magical about the place that I've experienced everytime I've walked inside it, probably just memories). Then for lunch I think my mam has got us a reservation at some nice restaurant near Leicester Square, then we'll likely make our way to the Haagen Dazs cafe.

We'll have to be back at King's Cross for 16:00, because I want to take a few photographs (probably the only thing I want while I'm down there!) of the different services, etc. We're on the 16:30 (1S25) East Coast, but we're only going as far as York (I'm under the impression my parents did this so I could take a few photographs at York), and we'll disembark at 18:32. To finish, we'll get on the 19:02 (1S52) CrossStinky service back to Durham, and I think we arrive back for 19:50.

I've put this in this thread because, well, I've got my Oyster Card at the ready! - hopefully I'll finally get to see how the Borismasters have gotten on since I was last on one!

I don't think I'll have wi-fi down there, but we're staying in a pretty good hotel, so fingers crossed! I doubt I'll have any time to make any posts on here because our schedule is so tight. Hopefully I'll get a few nice photos of buses while I'm down there, though!

Believe me, you'll love the Haagen Dazs cafe - I recommended it to you didn't I?

(28 Oct 2014, 6:34 pm)Tom wrote Believe me, you'll love the Haagen Dazs cafe - I recommended it to you didn't I?

You did, yeah! When I mentioned it to my mam, she told me she had already planned to fit it in!

Enjoy it Marcus!

Finally got round to posting what I did on my Explorer yesterday. Had a nice five-day weekend (Fri-Tues) so on Tuesday I decided to have a trip out on the buses with a mate from Carlisle.

SNW 27141 685 0640 Greenhead to Hexham (Monument)
GNE 559 688 0728 Hexham (Monument) to Hexham Bus Station
GNE 5230 X85 0730 Hexham Bus Station to Eldon Square
SNE 12065 40 0842 Newcastle Blackett Street to Wallsend Interchange (my first ever trip on a Newcastle E400, let alone hybrid!)
GNE 5153 17 0914 Wallsend Interchange to Howdon
Metro 4031 4030 0943 Howdon to Whitley Bay
ANE 7801 308 1006 Whitley Bay to Newcastle Haymarket
ANE 7466 X13 1035 Newcastle Haymarket to Cramlington
ANE 4517 52 1140 Cramlington to Killingworth Bus Station (sounded knackered - driver was cutting power off going up hills and the cooling fans were going mad)
SNE 19149 62 1210(?)Killingworth Bus Station to Four Lane Ends
ANE 1483 55 1228 Four Lane Ends to Haymarket
ANE 1768 X14 1247 Haymarket to Regent Centre
ANE 7617 X10 1309 Regent Centre to Cramlington
ANE 7490 43 1328 Cramlington to Regent Centre (absolutely brilliant vehicle!)
ANE 2846 553 1403 Regent Centre to Freeman Hospital
SNE 19380 38 1414 Freeman Hospital to John Dobson Street
GNE 6051 X1 1455 Eldon Square to Gateshead Interchange
GNE 5348 X66 1509 Gateshead Interchange to Metrocentre (must have been big delays on the service as there were four vehicles at/near Gateshead at the same time, mine was full and standing!
SNE 22069 7 1525 Metrocentre to Fawdon (that bank near from the Tyne to Lemington is mesmorising!)
Metro 4013 4078 1622 Fawdon to Haymarket (front seats!)
ANE 1481 NIS Haymarket - Eldon Square, X85 1720 Eldon Square to Hexham Dickson Drive, NIS Hexham Dickson Drive to Hexham Bus Station (knew the driver)
ANE 1495 85/685 1841 (25 late) Hexham Bus Station to Greenhead

Great day. Not just because of the variety and routes I've been, but because of the fact it was Omnicity-free!!!

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/The%20Zone%202014.aspx

Stockton High Street between 10am-2pm. Anyone heading over for this? 

I'm going to leave work just after 10 I think, so I'll be heading over.

Stockton High Street between 10am-2pm. Anyone heading over for this?

 I'm going to leave work just after 10 I think, so I'll be heading over.

I may head over to Stockton for this if I have time.

I will be there at 10 - I finish work at half 8 so go before it gets crowded then go home and bed.

An trip to Waterstone's for a textbook was this morning's excuse for a wee trip out:

09:28 #X25 Eighton Banks - Newcastle Blackett Street (3872)
10:05 #10A Newcastle Eldon Square - Metrocentre (6082)
10:30 #X43 Metrocentre - Stanley (3823)
11:00 #78 Stanley - Consett (4903)
11:45 #15A Consett - Durham (6012)
12:23 #50 Durham - Chester-le-Street (3804)
13:10 #X25 Chester-le-Street - Eighton Banks (3868)

(01 Nov 2014, 2:37 pm)Adam wrote An trip to Waterstone's for a textbook was this morning's excuse for a wee trip out:

09:28 #X25 Eighton Banks - Newcastle Blackett Street (3872)
10:05 #10A Newcastle Eldon Square - Metrocentre (6082)
10:30 #X43 Metrocentre - Stanley (3823)
11:00 #78 Stanley - Consett (4903)
11:45 #15A Consett - Durham (6012)
12:23 #50 Durham - Chester-le-Street (3804)
13:10 #X25 Chester-le-Street - Eighton Banks (3868)

Hey, you got another Olympian on the X43!

(01 Nov 2014, 2:39 pm)Marcus wrote Hey, you got another Olympian on the X43!

I know, I was dead chuffed. I will genuinely miss them when they go. They're fantastic buses

(01 Nov 2014, 4:01 pm)Adam wrote I know, I was dead chuffed. I will genuinely miss them when they go. They're fantastic buses

I remember when 3821 and 3822 were moved from Chester to Stanley, I was gutted! However, 3825 stayed and was allocated to the 887, my scholars, until it left for Stanley.

(01 Nov 2014, 11:50 am)aureolin wrote

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/The%20Zone%202014.aspx

Stockton High Street between 10am-2pm. Anyone heading over for this? 

I'm going to leave work just after 10 I think, so I'll be heading over.

Yes I will head across when I finish work at 1247

(01 Nov 2014, 4:05 pm)Marcus wrote I remember when 3821 and 3822 were moved from Chester to Stanley, I was gutted! However, 3825 stayed and was allocated to the 887, my scholars, until it left for Stanley.

3825 is brilliant. Love it to pieces and certainly one of the best buses at Stanley. Shame its not low floor  . 3822s fan belt (i can only assume its that) keeps slipping causing it to carry a squeeling sound like 3823 and 3828 - its annoying so i hate it 

Had a short(ish) trip out today;

#X25 - Chester to Wrekenton
(10:40 --- 11:00) GNE 3878
#56 - Wrekenton to G'head
(11:06 --- 11:25) GNE 6094
#X66 - G'head to MetroCentre
(11:39 --- 11:50) GNE 5390
#100 - MetroCentre to NCL
(11:55 --- 12:10) SNE 27508
#100 - NCL to MetroCentre
(12:14 --- 12:29) SNE 27510
#X66 - MetroCentre to G'head
(12:42 --- 12:55) GNE 3971
#21 - G'head to Chester
(13:08 --- 13:43) GNE 6065

On 6094, it was so packed I had to stand at the very front, and on Jackson Street people were being refused. When then going across for the X66, I put a £2 coin on the tray for the 90 pence fare. The driver very rudely told me 'nee way am a changin' that, y'll have ta get tha next'un'. After working out what he had said, I left 5339 and went to get some change. Then I got on 5390.

Was very pleased with my two journeys with Stagecoach. As it was the 100, I was expecting it to wait for ages until nobody else could get on. Surprisingly, I got on first, then a few other people until there was seven of us, and he pulled out.

Even quieter coming back - there were only 5 of us!

Then the day was spoilt by the arrogant driver on 3971. I handed over my fare and heard the ticket machine spring into life, but no ticket came out. I told him, and he sarcastically responded 'oh dear, what a tragedy - we'll all end up dead!'. I then told him that if an inspector were to get on, and I didn't have a ticket, I could be £20 odd lighter in my wallet! Rude bastard. The woman behind me, who spoke her mind, said he was very unpleasant and shouldn't be in a job.

Overall....6/10.

(08 Nov 2014, 2:13 pm)Marcus wrote Then the day was spoilt by the arrogant driver on 3971. I handed over my fare and heard the ticket machine spring into life, but no ticket came out. I told him, and he sarcastically responded 'oh dear, what a tragedy - we'll all end up dead!'. I then told him that if an inspector were to get on, and I didn't have a ticket, I could be £20 odd lighter in my wallet! Rude bastard. The woman behind me, who spoke her mind, said he was very unpleasant and shouldn't be in a job.

Overall....6/10.

Put a complaint in.