Before going to sleep last night, I tried to make a rough draft of the day ahead, planning onwards from my #78 getting into Sunderland's Park Lane at 10:17. I was thinking of hopping off a #56 at Wheatsheaf, then walking around the perimeter of Stagecoach's depot in time for the next #56 towards Newcastle. Then, visits to Go North East's Riverside and Saltmeadows Road depots, however I realised it would be a bit of a mouthful for one day. And, there was the possibility of an Olympian showing at any point during the day, and the whole draft going out of the window. I just listed a few objectives for the day (which I didn't complete all of) and decided to make the day up as I go along, before turning off for the night at around 11:00.
I had an absolutely terrible nights sleep, I don't know how but I remember looking at my alarm and it was something along the lines of 5:39...nonetheless when I awoke, I had a shower and just about everything else you can do to give yourself a shake in the morning (that is not, I repeat NOT a reference to masturbation!!!
). Felt quite alright when I left the house at 09:25, and throughout the day I felt little drowsiness. Got to the bus stop in plenty of time for my #78 through to Sunderland, knowing the 09:34 out of Chester-le-Street (09:40 from my local hailing point [yeah I went there]) is operated by Chester-le-Street, I knew this could mean a ''Lime'' B10BLE would show. Unfortunately, I didn't get one, but did have a former Lime vehicle; in the form of 4896. Sat in the quadrant (the set of four seats that face each other, two on the left and two on the right) and let the journey go by. Some nice kick-downs throughout the journey, as well as the smoothness of a Volvo/Wright combination. After having a brief wander around Park Lane, I bought a bottle of mineral water from Gregg's, and after deciding to not take any photos outside of the interchange, I saw the loaned Vyking 3983 in the layover. I was waiting to see what it moved onto, but I was disappointed to see it go onto an X36 for Downhill, but luckily I saw a Fab56 B9TL come out of the layover bay behind it, and it made it's way to the stand. Having just bought a 90p Get Around single on 4896, I chose to get my Get Around day ticket on my second bus of the day; which turned out to be 6085. A nice touch was the fleet number of 3981 being on the day ticket, which even though isn't correct, was something rare.
It's amazing how when a 56 leaves Park Lane, it has no more than 10 people on (in my experience!), yet after hitting Wrekenton and making it's way down Old Durham Road; it's full and standing. Always seemed so surreal to me that we never have many passengers up until Concord. Back onto the review - I disembarked at Gateshead Interchange, where we waited as many as 2-3 minutes to gain access to the interchange due to about half a dozen buses queuing, and some clever driver deciding to drop off an entire load about a third of the way along the Newcastle-bound drop off point. Left 6085, and saw a Saltwell Park Streetlite on the 54 service just a few buses behind. Suddenly the long line vaporised, and Streetlite 8341 came to a stop just feet away from me. After passengers disembarked, no more than half a dozen people remained, and I boarded and sat at the very back. Still in good condition, and even though it was just a short 7 minute journey; it gave me a nice refresher of the Streetlite for the entry into service of the X66 and Coast & Country examples.
Had a walk around to Pilgrim Street from Market Street West, before making my way back and to Eldon Square bus station. Didn't see any of the motley crew at the top of Percy Street, and proceeded to board a TEN for the MetroCentre. Hopped on the waiting branded vehicle, which was 6082 on the 10B. Another B9 from today, and yet another enjoyable ride. Engine was very quiet, and the interior was rattle-free and smooth. Quiet as well, although suddenly when I walked upstairs, it seemed half of the lower deck got up and joined me. No idea why...when I got to the MetroCentre, it was boiling. Even the open window on the B9 was no good to push out the heat, and as the bottle of water I purchased in Park Lane was gone and thus irritating me, I bought yet another (jumbo size in comparison to the first) at the Gregg's just beyond the main interchange. After this; I headed across to the coach park to see if there was anything, which there wasn't. I then had some exercise from today when I walked along to Riverside (which felt far away walking there, but meters away coming back). A trio of Olympians were at the back, which I took photos of from all angles (albeit with the green fencing stuck in the way - which I imagine will somehow make the photos unworthy of uploading).
As I walked back, I saw an Olympian in service heading to Newcastle. I was guessing either the Red Kite or Diamond, as I made out a 4 on the side destination. After getting back to the MetroCentre, I hung around for it to come back. Sad isn't it haha? 10 minutes later, I saw the reflection of an Olympian pulling in on the Newcastle-bound stand. 3831 on the 44, pulling in for Newcastle. After everyone had disembarked, the driver (who seemed a lovely chap) asked me if I could help a young mother with a pushchair. I helped her squeeze it through the step-entrance doors, and she thanked me before I boarded and showed my Get Around. Driver smiled and said thanks, before I made my way to the upper saloon. Only a few were downstairs, and not many more upstairs. Sitting at the seats with the huge amount of legroom, I enjoyed every minute of the quiet and pleasant journey into the city centre. Like said many times before, Volvo smoothness was supreme. I have to say I will be sad when these Olympians are withdrawn, but on the bright side; we have those open topper Leylands on the city sightseeing.
Once we arrived in Eldon Square, I hopped off and thanked the driver, who was an old-ish guy with glasses and a pleasant attitude, before he made his way into the layover bays (he was running to good time throughout the entire journey). I decided to hop back on to sit at the very rear to get the whole engine noise. Absolutely spectacular, I even made a 5 minute recording on my phone, right next to the engine. Most enjoyable heading through the villages and fields, with the engine drowning out the talking of the OAPs. As we got close to Stanley, I chose to keep going to Durham; however, when I saw the bus station, I saw a Diamond Citaro in the layover. I knew what this meant...
Instead of heading to Durham, I chose to wait for the next 8/78 back to Chester-le-Street; and it just so happened it was a few minutes before the 8 was due at 14:45. As many as 10 minutes late............I sighted 4906 coming around the roundabout like the 8 normally does, and put two and two together. Had no idea it was 4906 until I saw it's destination screen, and I was pleased with this as 4906 is a favourite of mine. A brilliant ride back down to Chester-le-Street, like 4896 it had plenty of noise in it's engine with some nice kick-down at a few places along the route. Disembarked in my hometown of Chester-le-Street, and had a walk up to the St. Cuthberts Walk for a brief stop into Morrison's. Got some fruit, etc to help with this healthy thing I've decided to start.
Walked out with enough time to catch the free shuttle by GCT, and I have to say the passenger numbers weren't bad. I counted 7 people that boarded at Cone Terrace, one leaving us at the Black Horse, and the rest at the stop before mine at the top of Ropery Lane. Not many comments to make on SF14 HAE, it's a Bluebird...haha. Driver was alright, greeting passengers as they boarded. Probably grateful for the company with it seemingly so little-used!
Well, that's the in-depth description over. For those who failed to follow, here is a total summary of the day;
09:43 #78 - Chester-le-Street Durham County Cricket Ground to Sunderland Park Lane Interchange - GNE 4896
10:38 #56 - Sunderland Park Lane Interchange to Gateshead Transport Interchange - GNE 6085
11:57 #54 - Gateshead Transport Interchange to Newcastle Market Street West - GNE 8341
12:14 #10B - Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station to MetroCentre Transport Interchange - GNE 6082
13:12 #44 - MetroCentre Transport Interchange to Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station - GNE 3831
13:34 #43 - Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station to Stanley Bus Station - GNE 3831
14:54 #8 - Stanley Bus Station to Chester-le-Street South Burns - GNE 4906
15:36 Free Shuttle - Chester-le-Street Cone Terrace to Chester-le-Street Clifford Terrace - GCT SF14 HAE
Hopefully this review format makes a nice change, hope you all enjoyed reading.
Marcus