(07 Dec 2014, 8:30 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I saw either 7626 or 7627 on the X2 yesterday when I was heading to Gateshead! Haven't seen 7618 or 7619 of recent, although I think I may have seen 7626 during the week. I guess I'll just have to note which ones I see out and about.

I saw 7619 on the 64 one day last week.

64? Thats a very unusual working! Those VDL DB250's that transfered from Northumberland have been very useful for stepping in for those Gemini's, I prefer them anyway; more character!

(07 Dec 2014, 8:47 pm)NK05 GWZ wrote 64? Thats a very unusual working! Those VDL DB250's that transfered from Northumberland have been very useful for stepping in for those Gemini's, I prefer them anyway; more character!

Only had 7627, haven't been on 7626 yet! - every time I use the X2 it's either 7618 or 7619. I was thrilled last week when I got 1423 to Durham, and 1450 back! Rarely get the Stockton runs!

(07 Dec 2014, 8:50 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Only had 7627, haven't been on 7626 yet! - every time I use the X2 it's either 7618 or 7619. I was thrilled last week when I got 1423 to Durham, and 1450 back! Rarely get the Stockton runs!

The Stockton runs all tend to run together, and the Durham runs all run together. So you could have three Stockton runs, then five Durham runs. 

(07 Dec 2014, 8:52 pm)Tom wrote The Stockton runs all tend to run together, and the Durham runs all run together. So you could have three Stockton runs, then five Durham runs. 

That would explain it then! I nearly always get on the 10:56, 11:26 and 11:56 to Durham from Chester, and they are normally VDL Geminis!

(07 Dec 2014, 8:53 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote That would explain it then! I nearly always get on the 10:56, 11:26 and 11:56 to Durham from Chester, and they are normally VDL Geminis!

Yeah!
The VDL Geminis are horrid in my opinion. 

(07 Dec 2014, 8:54 pm)Tom wrote Yeah!
The VDL Geminis are horrid in my opinion. 

I miss the DAFs! - nice to have a good old banger to wake you up on a Saturday morning!  

(07 Dec 2014, 8:56 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I miss the DAFs! - nice to have a good old banger to wake you up on a Saturday morning!  

I'd rather spend two hours on a Solo. 

(07 Dec 2014, 8:54 pm)Tom wrote Yeah!
The VDL Geminis are horrid in my opinion. 

Surely have to be better than the older E400's? The ones I've been one have been anyway

(07 Dec 2014, 9:01 pm)mb134 wrote Surely have to be better than the older E400's? The ones I've been one have been anyway

Still can't believe I haven't gone up to Haymarket for the Sapphires and MAXs yet! I'm so behind!

(07 Dec 2014, 9:03 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Still can't believe I haven't gone up to Haymarket for the Sapphires and MAXs yet! I'm so behind!

You aren't missing much - they are rattly, and nothing exciting. 

(07 Dec 2014, 9:01 pm)mb134 wrote Surely have to be better than the older E400's? The ones I've been one have been anyway

Yes 100%. I hate E400s all round. 

(07 Dec 2014, 9:03 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Still can't believe I haven't gone up to Haymarket for the Sapphires and MAXs yet! I'm so behind!

If you do go to get one, try and get one of the newer ones (09/14/64 plate), the older ones are slow and freezing cold

(07 Dec 2014, 9:04 pm)Tom wrote Yes 100%. I hate E400s all round. 

Despise the older ones with a passion, how can a bus be that cold!! 
If I'm honest some are alright, the majority are hideous though

(07 Dec 2014, 8:56 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I miss the DAFs! - nice to have a good old banger to wake you up on a Saturday morning!  

Should be only one left in the North East now.... 13 in the whole of the UK!

Possibly 7618 and 7620 away then - given that Jimmi can account for 7619, I can account for 7626, while Marcus can account for 7627?

Last photo of 7618 online is from last month, and the last photo of 7620 is from late-October.

(07 Dec 2014, 12:40 pm)John_R wrote Just been past Faverdale Depot and there is a now a Max Omnicity branded for X26/7 and also a CX05xxx unbranded.

They are all there ready to go for tomorrow. 5 X66 branded, 2 X26/7 branded, a couple dual branded and as you said, one left to sticker but I don't think that will go out.

(07 Dec 2014, 6:19 pm)Jimmi wrote There is no buses for the Darlington Park and Ride, I think you park in the college car park, get a ticket then get on service 9/10 and the ticket is exchanged for a return or something like that.

bang on Jimmy. You can also use them on the 1 which terminates at the college.

(07 Dec 2014, 8:32 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yes it would be handy for the next week perhaps if people could note the ones they see so we can work out which ones are around.... I think two may be away for engine work. They may well go straight for refurbishment once finished? Just a guess, though.

7618 and 7620 are away for engine overhaul according to engineers, presumably they will be refurbished at the same time.

(08 Dec 2014, 1:52 am)palatine3833 wrote 7618 and 7620 are away for engine overhaul according to engineers, presumably they will be refurbished at the same time.

Cheers that answers that question

MAX Omnicitys at Darlington.

One got pulled off the X66 at around 9am in Darlington.

The unbranded example was present but didn't see if it went onto service.

Seems to be issues on the X26/X27 as the 0920 hasn't arrived yet.

Looks like the older Darts have been withdrawn, 4001 is still in service on the 2 today.

Some serious problems with the X26/X27 today, ex Classic Solo 2503 has had to be thrown out on there and 2863 is also on.

Also seems like every bus getting dumped onto stand "L" 1711 is now on there which was on the 2.

Also 4813 Is on the 21/X21 and left stand "H" over 10 minutes late and is stopped practically on the mini roundabout on Tubwell Row.

What the hell is going on Darlington depot.

Although this is not, perhaps, the correct thread, I cannot find a more appropriate one. 
I read that First Bus has won its case regarding wheelchair spaces (as discussed much earlier in this thread).

Bus companies are not required by law to force parents with buggies to make way for wheelchair users in designated bays on vehicles, senior judges ruled.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-30376446

See# 4344 and #4351

(08 Dec 2014, 10:33 am)Jimmi wrote Some serious problems with the X26/X27 today, ex Classic Solo 2503 has had to be thrown out on there and 2863 is also on.

Also seems like every bus getting dumped onto stand "L" 1711 is now on there which was on the 2.

Also 4813 Is on the 21/X21 and left stand "H" over 10 minutes late and is stopped practically on the mini roundabout on Tubwell Row.

What the hell is going on Darlington depot.

As everyone said SCANIAS ARE NOT SUITED TO X26/7, there is roadworks at Tesco at catterick and if you venture up there you see various scanias on the route parked up as they can't go anywhere 

4813 was complaining because he had no running card 

1711 went back on to service 2s

4644 has no branding and currently on X66

4656 lives up to its name and is like a rocket, but having major trouble with its doors

Ye Stuart It took me ages to get out of tesco in catterick yesterday afternoon I can probably imagine what the drivers of x26/7 are goin through. I think arriva need to get the ecocity allocations right on the 2/11 and yes I know the 21 needs four of them

Some MAX Omnicity photos are now on my Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@N02/

MAX Omnicitys I saw in service today.

4643 - MAX generic livery (on service X26)
4644 - MAX base livery (on service X66)
4647 - MAX X26/X27 livery (on service X26)
4648 - MAX X26/X27 livery (on service X26)
4649 - MAX X66 livery (on service X66 - was replaced by 4644 at around 9am)
4651 - MAX X66 livery (on service X66)
4655 - MAX X66 livery (on service X66)
4656 - MAX X66 livery (on service X66)
4657 - MAX X66 livery (on service X66)

The generic MAX exmples have some writing with Darlington above the windows and on the rear it has a route map which displays both the X26/X27 and X66.

Belmont depot have now received 2 of their E200s

http://https://www.flickr.com/photos/sim...978422465/ - both parked up outside the pits
http://https://www.flickr.com/photos/sim...977764442/ - interior view

(08 Dec 2014, 9:36 pm)palatine3833 wrote Belmont depot have now received 2 of their E200s

http://https://www.flickr.com/photos/sim...978422465/ - both parked up outside the pits
http://https://www.flickr.com/photos/sim...977764442/ - interior view

On one of the photos it looks like they have plugs?

Only 34 seats on these Enviros, it's bad enough having 38/40 seater Darts on the 64

(08 Dec 2014, 9:48 pm)mb134 wrote On one of the photos it looks like they have plugs?

Looks like it - you can see better in the original size view: https://www.flickr.com/photos/simplybuse...1/sizes/o/

They look smart externally, but those seats look a bit uncomfortable..