(18 Nov 2016, 2:52 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote Dan, I know 6143 will withdraw an Olympian at Stanley but what about the remaining ones? As all the Omnidekka's have arrived now haven't they?

The entry into service of 6139 earlier this year allowed the withdrawal of one Volvo Olympian - this is still outstanding. It was initially retained in Stanley's fleet while 6009 transferred from Stanley to Washington (as a paint float), though wasn't withdrawn when 6009 returned to Stanley for other reasons.

The transfer of 6032 from Washington to Stanley following service changes will result in the withdrawal of a further Volvo Olympian.

The entry into service of 6141 and 6142 at Washington should release two Volvo B7s to Stanley (which hasn't yet happened in reality), again, allowing the withdrawal of two Volvo Olympians.

The entry into service of 6143 at Stanley should release similar 6132 to Percy Main, in return releasing 3888 to Stanley, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of Stanley's final Volvo Olympian. 6143 should have gone to Stanley yesterday, and will undergo some final preparation for service and will undergo inspection at Stanley prior to entering service.


Scania OmniDekka 6145 will directly replace non-DDA Trident 3866, whilst Scania OmniDekka 6146 will replace 6135 at Crook, which in turn transfers to Chester-le-Street to replace 3872. There is no requirement to replace Riverside's three Volvo Olympians, as these vehicles aren't to be used on normal commercial service work.

(18 Nov 2016, 9:49 pm)Michael wrote They do but it depends on how the old bus is.. some of the Omnidekka's from Brighton have had a referb but some haven't.

(18 Nov 2016, 9:53 pm)S813 FVK wrote From photos that i have seen, the interiors seem to be in a really good condition so probably didn't need redoing - im sure if they were bad they would have done something though.

Pity the same couldnt be said about the Omnidekkas though.

It's not based on age, but more so the quality of the existing seat moquette paired with being able to allocate the resource to a job like this.

Over the summer months this year when most of the Scania OmniDekkas were initially delivered to Go North East, the company had taken on a lot of extra work and there was a requirement to get the buses out in service as soon as possible.

There isn't as much pressure to get them out in service now, as there isn't a great deal of extra work being done at present, and there's a number of extra buses in the fleet which have been temporarily retained (hence why 6141 - 6146 have all been re-trimmed).

The existing Scania OmniDekkas in the fleet will all be returning to Saltmeadows Road for body repairs and the rear of the bus painted blue. Depending on other jobs which may take priority, the seats should also be re-trimmed whilst the buses are there too. Angel 3962/65 are also booked in for re-trim, but a mutually-convenient time between the depot and Saltmeadows Road needs to be found before this work can be undertaken, as it requires the bus to be off the road for about a week.

(19 Nov 2016, 1:00 am)Ray wrote Hi,

If I remember correctly I recently read that 5317 has been fitted with a new exhaust system. I managed to catch up with it at Metrocentre on Thursday out on test with a few hi-vis on board which I'm thinking will be related to the work done or is it something different?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpbsp/31099310615/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpbsp/30985671921/

(19 Nov 2016, 7:27 am)LeeCalder wrote It is on road tests, as they are only trialling the new exhaust system. You may have noticed some water barrels on the bus as well, they are being used to simulate the weight of passengers.

Yes, 5317 has been fitted with a new Eminox exhaust system which produces less air pollution.

Staff from Go North East and Eminox have been PEMS testing 5317 this week since it returned following the installation of the modifications.