(18 Jan 2015, 5:22 pm)Tommy1581 wrote https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/77351420@N04/16303419192/

RIP - Arriva's 7482 and 7483.

That's sad.

7401 at Redcar.

MAX Uniform Prediction: White shirt and black tie with "MAX" logo on it. Wouldn't like the look of dark blue or Arriva blue ties.

(20 Jan 2015, 6:40 pm)Tommy1581 wrote MAX Uniform Prediction: White shirt and black tie with "MAX" logo on it. Wouldn't like the look of dark blue or Arriva blue ties.

I'd hope not. They'll look like they're going to a funeral!

Has one of the X-GGO Darts transferred to Jesmond permanently, or is this just a loan?
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/nebp2/16138965958/

1311 has - to assist with a vehicle shortage hence the use of 1611 recently. It seems the reserve 1315 is also there.

On the subject of the X-GGO Darts, the following moves will be taking place shortly:

1313 moves to repair
1301/3 Durham to Reserve
1302/6/7 Darlington to Reserve
1304/10/2/4 Durham to Darlington

1304 replaces 2503 which is for disposal, 1310/2/4 replace their 3 sisters. Those moving into reserve are non-DDA hence DDA examples replacing them.

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(20 Jan 2015, 10:13 pm)mb134 wrote Has one of the X-GGO Darts transferred to Jesmond permanently, or is this just a loan?
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/nebp2/16138965958/

1311 has - to assist with a vehicle shortage hence the use of 1611 recently. It seems the reserve 1315 is also there.

On the subject of the X-GGO Darts, the following moves will be taking place shortly:

1313 moves to repair
1301/3 Durham to Reserve
1302/6/7 Darlington to Reserve
1304/10/2/4 Durham to Darlington

1304 replaces 2503 which is for disposal, 1310/2/4 replace their 3 sisters. Those moving into reserve are non-DDA hence DDA examples replacing them.

Service Update. Service 1 Darlington to Bishop Auckland. We are currently unable to serve Heighington Village due to parked cars blocking the road. This is also causing delays due to having two buses stuck at the scene

Service Update. Service 1 Darlington to Bishop Auckland. Now running normally after Police attended Heighington to move badly parked cars.

7401 has now arrived at Whitby Abbey for the X93 launch event.



Photos will be on my Flickr tonight.

Jimmi - is it too late for me to come? - lol

Hope 1311 is still at Jesmond on Saturday as I would like one last ride on a Plaxton Dart.

(21 Jan 2015, 5:05 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Jimmi - is it too late for me to come? - lol

Yes, it's over now.

7401 was not part of the launch it was just transporting people.

3 other examples took part in the launch.

Photos from a friend on Facebook confirm the 3 static launch vehicles as 7403/4/5.

Album of my photos from the X93 MAX launch this evening in Whitby.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...079451404/

(21 Jan 2015, 9:29 pm)Jimmi wrote Album of my photos from the X93 MAX launch this evening in Whitby.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...079451404/

all sparkly Jimmi keep up to good work

(21 Jan 2015, 9:49 pm)Racer_Experience wrote all sparkly Jimmi keep up to good work

Thank you.

I actually managed a quick ride on 7401 today and it seems really nice and despite what they looked like on photos the seats actually are quite comfortable, I am very much looking forward to them entering service, especially as I had Tesma 4720 to and from Whitby today (I don't think the Tesmas are that bad, it performed well on the hills between Boro and Whitby the big reason most of us hate them is the horrid seats)

1792 is on 57s today after a repaint and wifi fitting at Thorntons.

They should send one for an evaluation at Ashington. It would overtake every E400 and DB300 on the A1.

When I went past Ashington depot today, it looked like there was more than the one coach in the yard, have they got more than just 9990 now?

(22 Jan 2015, 5:03 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote They should send one for an evaluation at Ashington. It would overtake every E400 and DB300 on the A1.

Why should they? After all, they were purchased for the X93 and they are the last ones available in bulk. Plus, they'll be sharing the X93 with DB300s in the summer if the rumour is true.

(22 Jan 2015, 5:43 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Why should they? After all, they were purchased for the X93 and they are the last ones available in bulk. Plus, they'll be sharing the X93 with DB300s in the summer if the rumour is true.

Still think there's quite a few dealer stock Volvo B9s kicking about, actually. Granted, not enough to cover every route at Ashington...

(22 Jan 2015, 5:46 pm)Dan wrote Still think there's quite a few dealer stock Volvo B9s kicking about, actually. Granted, not enough to cover every route at Ashington...

As far as I'm aware, there's only the one left with Southdown PSV dealers. Plus, 7529-33 are easily handing the X18 routes (when they appear elsewhere it's due to Ashington's allocation standards rather than not being up to the job).

(22 Jan 2015, 6:02 pm)Kuyoyo wrote As far as I'm aware, there's only the one left with Southdown PSV dealers. Plus, 7529-33 are easily handing the X18 routes (when they appear elsewhere it's due to Ashington's allocation standards rather than not being up to the job).

Quite a few more than that.  

Whether they're already accounted for now is another matter - but Arriva could have had them a few months ago if they wanted them.

(22 Jan 2015, 6:02 pm)Kuyoyo wrote As far as I'm aware, there's only the one left with Southdown PSV dealers. Plus, 7529-33 are easily handing the X18 routes (when they appear elsewhere it's due to Ashington's allocation standards rather than not being up to the job).

These buses have ended up on other routes because the supervisors/leading drivers who do the allocations have been told to allocate them to a local route (by the depot). If you'd like to spend a day doing an allocations job, go ahead, I tell you that you'll be put off buses for life and more swear words will come out of your mouth in a day than your life.

mb134 - ill check for you - but I don't think so - I seen 9991 in there before when 9990 was in the pits.

(21 Jan 2015, 5:31 pm)Jimmi wrote Yes, it's over now.

7401 was not part of the launch it was just transporting people.

3 other examples took part in the launch.

Why didn't the people get transported on one of 7403-5? Or was there over 3 buses full?!

(22 Jan 2015, 6:16 pm)Cock Robin wrote Why didn't the people get transported on one of 7403-5?  Or was there over 3 buses full?!

Maybe because 7403-5 were all put into position at the Abbey earlier in the day - rather than having to position them with the audience there.

(22 Jan 2015, 6:14 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote mb134 - ill check for you - but I don't think so - I seen 9991 in there before when 9990 was in the pits.

That might have been it, I was passing on the main road, otherside of the car dealer and McDonalds, and had a quick glance in, could make out definitely one training coach, and what looked like at least one other a couple of buses down. 

Passed 7402 heading south between Chester le Street and Durham on the A1(M) this afternoon in the last hour or so. Have to say looked smart with the branding from what I could see.