(02 Feb 2015, 8:38 pm)Robert wrote Imagine what a MAX launch would look like in Stanley. It would just be in the car park that used to be the old bus station. 

Probably get bombed by pigeons! They really tie the place together like...

(02 Feb 2015, 8:45 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Probably get bombed by pigeons! They really tie the place together like...

Or even get the windows smashed by loose bricks and stones being thrown by the gangs that stand in the little back alleys sniffing crack.

(02 Feb 2015, 7:43 pm)Jimmi wrote I would like to see Arriva promote the X2 more as I think there could be potential to increase the numbers if more people are made aware of it's existence as some people have been stood in say Chester and jumped on an X2 on the basis that it goes to Newcastle that weren't aware of its existence.

I'd like to see a MAX launch somewhere local to the X2 route as a Stockton launch is hardly going to draw attention to people in Durham, Chester, Birtley etc. If it is possible I think Durham Cathedral would be a good place to do a launch as it would be local to the X2 and also the X12.

Erm sorry, but as Stockton lost out on the X66 launch due to the accident the day before, it's only right the X12/X2 launch takes place on Teessdie or at least Stockton gets the daytime launch.

Meanwhile, back on topic:
1512 spent the day on the 27 - normal enough but it wasn't on the board that works the PM X5, rather instead it worked a 17 and a 17A
1448 appeared on 28s presumably in place of 4501

(02 Feb 2015, 9:47 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Erm sorry, but as Stockton lost out on the X66 launch due to the accident the day before, it's only right the X12/X2 launch takes place on Teessdie or at least Stockton gets the daytime launch.



Meanwhile, back on topic:

1512 spent the day on the 27 - normal enough but it wasn't on the board that works the PM X5, rather instead it worked a 17 and a 17A

1448 appeared on 28s presumably in place of 4501

I think Stockton should get it's launch following the incident the day before which saw the cancelation of the X66 launch but I think it would still be good to have a launch in Durham or somewhere local to the X2 route as well. They have done two launches on the same day before so they could probably do two launches in different places in the same day again.

(02 Feb 2015, 5:20 pm)Jimmi wrote It's done pretty much everything but the X12/X2.

I've seen it on the 22, 24, 43, 46/48 and it was reported to be operating the Sapphire 7 one day last week.

Beats me why they ever did Pulsars for Durham. X2/12 allocation was all deckers yesterday. Should have done a couple of 7453-6 instead.

(03 Feb 2015, 3:48 pm)Cock Robin wrote Beats me why they ever did Pulsars for Durham. X2/12 allocation was all deckers yesterday. Should have done a couple of 7453-6 instead.

Talk at present their X12/X2 will be all double decker under MAX - possibility of a sixth Gemini moving south from Blyth leaving 1415/16 as spares/summer allocation if the decision to send 2 of Durham's Geminis to Redcar is taken.

(03 Feb 2015, 3:48 pm)Cock Robin wrote Beats me why they ever did Pulsars for Durham. X2/12 allocation was all deckers yesterday. Should have done a couple of 7453-6 instead.

Seems to be a reasonable possibility of another decker coming from Blyth. Of course this depends on other projects too, X4/X5 and X13 for example. This would probably leave Durham with excess Pulsars, but it may allow one to be swapped with a Stockton example to give us a spare?

(03 Feb 2015, 3:48 pm)Cock Robin wrote Beats me why they ever did Pulsars for Durham. X2/12 allocation was all deckers yesterday. Should have done a couple of 7453-6 instead.

I think they're wasted at Belmont. Should've either stayed at Ashington for the 14 / X14 or went to Redcar / Whitby to join 7401 - 7406.

(03 Feb 2015, 10:00 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I think they're wasted at Belmont. Should've either stayed at Ashington for the 14 / X14 or went to Redcar / Whitby to join 7401 - 7406.

I reckon they should have refurbished 3 of 7453-6 instead of 7511-3 for the X15 with the other being a general MAX Spare, instead of 7517 (?)

(03 Feb 2015, 10:00 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I think they're wasted at Belmont. Should've either stayed at Ashington for the 14 / X14 or went to Redcar / Whitby to join 7401 - 7406.

They've spent 7 years been hammered on the X15/X18 (and previous incarnations) and aren't capable of doing these routes anymore and Enviro's are now used on the 14/X14 now and there is no point in sending them to Whitby as they will only be used for 4 months of the year which is during the summer when the PVR is higher. At the moment Belmont are mainly using them on the X12/X2 at the moment and Belmont is now benefitting from having newer double deckers as all other double deckers (apart from the VDL DB300 Gemini's) are now around 14 years old or older.

(03 Feb 2015, 10:00 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I think they're wasted at Belmont. Should've either stayed at Ashington for the 14 / X14 or went to Redcar / Whitby to join 7401 - 7406.

I don't think they're wasted at all. They're being used every day on service work, whether it be 24/24X, X12/X2, 56/57 or anything else.

(03 Feb 2015, 10:12 pm)tyresmoke wrote I don't think they're wasted at all. They're being used every day on service work, whether it be 24/24X, X12/X2, 56/57 or anything else.

Indeed, and for some the X12/X2 is more than what they can manage (*cough* 7455 *cough*)

(03 Feb 2015, 10:17 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Indeed, and for some the X12/X2 is more than what they can manage (*cough* 7455 *cough*)

Out of interest, which ones are okay now?
I know that 7454 was good when I had it on an X15 before it left Ashington.

(03 Feb 2015, 10:20 pm)mb134 wrote Out of interest, which ones are okay now?
I know that 7454 was good when I had it on an X15 before it left Ashington.

7455 is a dog compared to 7456 now - 7456 is just above the performance of a Gemini on the X12 while 7455 is just underpowered. However, given Durham did wonders with 7432-5, shouldn't be beyond their power to get 7453-6 back to decent standards.

(03 Feb 2015, 10:21 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 7455 is a dog compared to 7456 now - 7456 is just above the performance of a Gemini on the X12 while 7455 is just underpowered. However, given Durham did wonders with 7432-5, shouldn't be beyond their power to get 7453-6 back to decent standards.

Oh god, I think I saw on here (before they went to Durham) that only two were up to the X18, and as I frequently saw 7454/5 on there I assumed these were the two. Obviously I was wrong about 7455!

Hope they do get them back up to how they used to be, they're fantastic vehicles!

Sapphire 7504 was on X15 this afternoon. Was seen in Morpeth at 16:05 heding to Newcastle

(03 Feb 2015, 10:08 pm)mb134 wrote I reckon they should have refurbished 3 of 7453-6 instead of 7511-3 for the X15 with the other being a general MAX Spare, instead of 7517 (?)

The X15 allocation should have been a coach, with disabled access, like the Plaxton Elite i at Stagecoach Scotland for one of their Interurban routes.

And also, the VOR sheets at Ashington always had a 57-reg Lowlander on them, they were useless for the all the routes. Thank god, Durham got them, and we got new buses.

2841 on X26.

Streetlite 1576 is on service 6, just left Durham now (13:35)

MAX 1415 on the U1
E200 1327 on the 49

Pulsar 1504 on X11, just passed it in Cramlington 

(04 Feb 2015, 1:37 pm)Stuart Phin wrote Streetlite 1576 is on service 6, just left Durham now (13:35)

Durham are trialling one on the 6 prior to the Sapphire examples turning up.

(05 Feb 2015, 8:54 am)tyresmoke wrote Durham are trialling one on the 6 prior to the Sapphire examples turning up.

If anyone sees one on the 6 today, please post the time you saw it and which direction it's heading in.

2862 on 1/5A

(05 Feb 2015, 12:08 pm)Jimmi wrote 2862 on 1/5A

2868 on 1/5.
1425 & an original liveried Solo on the 12/12A.

1760 may also be on the 1/5, as I saw it from a distance heading out of town on West Auckland Road, this morning, or it could possibly be in the process of moving to Blyth.

Pulsar on the 56/57/57A/86 running really late due to the incident in Bishop.

(05 Feb 2015, 11:11 am)Jimmi wrote If anyone sees one on the 6 today, please post the time you saw it and which direction it's heading in.

For the love of god don't tell me now for today.

Two Darts and a Solo were out on the 6 though.

7502 is on X20/20. 7521 is on 35(A?). Commander 1401 was seen NIS on Woodhorn Road towards Wansbeck Hospital.

(05 Feb 2015, 1:41 pm)Jimmi wrote Pulsar on the 56/57/57A/86 running really late due to the incident in Bishop.

1468 was the Pulsar on the 56/57/57A/86.

1425 on the 12A.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...262721998/