With yesterday being another brilliant day, I chose to end the holidays on a high note with an Explorer. I normally decide my first bus of the day the night before, and it ultimately depends on timings, etc. Normally, I get a 78 or a 36 through to Sunderland and Houghton-le-Spring respectively, but the odd 21 to Durham to start the day is hardly unknown of. So, to break recent routine of the 78 and 36 direction, I went for the 10:05 21 to Durham.
After hearing my alarm buzzing, I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for the day ahead. To catch the 10:05 from Clifford Terrace, I would need to leave the house around 09:50, and as it was 09:30, I had plenty of time. Did all the usual stuff you do on a morning; brush teeth, wash face, etc. before leaving just before 09:50. I must have walked quite fast for some unknown reason, as I was at Clifford Terrace for 09:55 – usually a 10 minute walk! Sorted out a few things while waiting for my 21, when I saw an Angel come into view. I boarded the rather quiet bus and asked for an Explorer, which the friendly driver produced for me with the ticket machine. About half a dozen downstairs, and around half a dozen upstairs; unfortunately the seats at the front were taken, so I had to make do with driver's side a few seats behind the stairs. Not a bad journey on 6067, I've always been somewhat fond of this one. Not only has it always seemed quite reliable, and a regular on the runs I used to use to school and back, it is also the vehicle featured in the Corgi model.
When I walked back up to the roundabout, I saw a Yellow Bus Olympian with the destination set for the return 43 to Newcastle appear. Walking down into the bus station, I couldn't believe my luck – I'd had 3831 yesterday, 3822 last Saturday, and now I was about to have a ride on 3832! I had been planning on getting the 128 to Beamish Museum, then the 28 through to Newcastle. Nonetheless, I boarded the 10:35 43 out of Durham, which was in the stand for 10:30. Took my seat at the front upstairs on the right, at the seats with the incredible amount of legroom. Yet another brilliant journey on an Olympian, and a quiet one too! Nothing nicer than ploughing through the countryside between Durham and Stanley, upstairs with about three other people who aren't making a single noise. Pure excellence, I was torn between staying on after Stanley and getting off, but as we entered the bus station, I just decided that it would take up too much time during the precious hours I have for the day (wanting to be home for 16:00 to watch the Grand National at 16:15), so I disembarked 3832, and waited for the next X30/X31 direct to Gateshead or Newcastle.
To kill a bit of time, as I had just over 20 minutes before the X30 at 11:28, I had a wander onto the Front Street in Stanley. Had a walk past Corals to see the odds for the National, but unfortunately I couldn't catch a glimpse of anything; was all on the inside! Nonetheless, a quick trip to Gregg's again for something to eat (a Sausage, Bean and Cheese Melt) ensued before I made my way back to the bus station with over 10 minutes left. Turned on the 3G/4G/thingy on my phone and looked at the odds. I knew from experience that the best horses sometimes turned out to be the worst runners in the race itself, so I picked Cause of Causes, at 18-1 when I rang home to tell my mam of the decision. My dad and her had picked Shutthefrontdoor, and my sister had gone for Ballycasey (well, they picked it for her lol). I saw a ''Lime'' B10BLE 4853 enter on a 78 for Consett, likewise 4843 on the 78 for Sunderland. It dawned on me that this may well be my last chance to see them both, with the ''Coast & Country'' Streetlites expected to enter service at some point in the next week or so, with the ''X66'' examples, resulting in their imminent withdrawal. Anyway, I saw a Lolyne come into sight, with a flipdot on the side and an LED destination screen on the front that displayed the X30 for Newcastle; I knew this was my ride!
After those wishing to depart at Stanley disembarked Trident 3801, a very long driver changeover took place in which the bus was left with nobody in control for as many as 3 minutes, before the next driver showed. It was running a couple of minutes late as it was, however as we all boarded I noticed how friendly the next driver was, with impeccable manners and a pleasant smile. There was a family occupying the front seats upstairs, which was a bummer, as they made a huge racket with their 3 children throughout the entire journey! An old couple sat together about half-way along the upper saloon led to me sitting one set of seats behind the stairs. I must say I do enjoy the occasional run on a Dennis Trident, they may seem boring to some but for some reason it always reminds me of the fun we had on scholars last year in Year 8, as Lolynes were generally the key allocation! The family at the front made a terrible disruption throughout the journey as far as Gateshead, where they left us. Praise the lord! After that, it was a nice ride into Newcastle, pretty quiet upstairs after they had left, although there were still a fair few people upstairs. Left 3801 in Eldon Square, the time was 12:11 by the time on my phone, so I chose to make my way to Haymarket Metro for a run up to Kingston Park, and an X47 back.
Made my way into Haymarket's Metro station, where I just missed the Metro for Airport as I got to the bottom of the escalators. It was an 11 minute wait for the next train, so I killed time by walking up and down the platforms on each side of the station, when eventually a set appeared with Airport as the destination. I was only on for about 7 stops, so at first I just stood in between the doors (the train had quietened down from the rush of people into Newcastle) but when the train practically emptied at Jesmond and West Jesmond, I took advantage of the front seats of the carriage I was in (4022). As we approached Regent Centre, I considered disembarking and getting an Arriva bus back to Newcastle for some reason, but I stuck to the thought of an ALX300 back from Kingston Park, which I arrived at a few minutes later. I was pleased the train was holding the level crossing, as I could see an ALX300 with the destination set for the city centre held up just behind the level crossing gates. This gave me enough time to get to the nearest bus stop, where 22412 pulled up, halted by two others wishing to board.
This X47 had 4 people on with me when we pulled out of the stop, and I was quite pleased it was part of the batch of ''X47'' branded ALX300s. I enjoyed the journey very much, with ALX300s being amongst my favourite vehicle types, but so little rode-on during my travels, I now know if I ever need one, I can easily quench that thirst with this route, Metro there and X47 back, or vise-versa. There was a driver changeover at some point during the journey (sorry, I'm unfamiliar with the area), which was long enough to be very noticeable. However, the driver that took over seemed much friendlier than the first; and I personally think having a friendly driver is key to a good journey, be it long or short. He dropped us all off just before Monument, and I could see Monument Metro station from where I had disembarked, so I made my way to that. Knowing there were Metros every few minutes, I made my way down into the underground, and noticed a Metro was due in 3 minutes. Excellent!
This was a one-stop hop, so I didn't make any mental notes at all. Passenger numbers were good, but quite a lot disembarked at Haymarket as well. I was that busy trying to remember which Arriva services that weren't MAX or Sapphire served Regent Centre, that I forgot to even get the Metrocar numbers! After emerging from Haymarket Metro station, I made my way across into the bus station to see a Cobalt Clipper, Coastliner Streetlite and a few MAX and Sapphires boarding. I did however see a Gemini 1 bodied vehicle on the 45 to Dinnington. Don't quote me on it – but I think it was 7488? It was unattended, with nobody on but a queue had formed, so when an ALX400 appeared on the 43, I thought I'd go with that up to Regent Centre, as they're fantastic machines. A few minutes later, the 45 left, and the 43 came into the stand. I sat upstairs at the front on the right, and I saw the crew at the little island between Haymarket and Eldon Square. A brilliant run (albeit short) on 7471, there was only 1 other person occupying the upper deck with me.
The lovely noise of the engine idling when we stopped at traffic, etc. was a brilliant sound, but when I walked downstairs as we approached Regent Centre, I noticed it was crowded downstairs. Pleased I opted to sit upstairs! After watching 7471 depart for Cramlington, I walked across to the Newcastle-bound stands. A long line of buses was forming at the lights, with a MAX Gemini leading; followed by a Solo; a Sapphire; another ALX400, the list goes on! I boarded 7623, which was the MAX Gemini on the X11 that came to a halt first. I chose to sit at the rear downstairs for a change, the engine noise wasn't bad, but I've heard better, shall I say. Passenger numbers were good, a reason I chose to stay downstairs was the fact I saw the front seats upstairs both occupied. Not a bad run back into Newcastle, and I was back at the Haymarket for bang-on 14:00. Popped to Gregg's (yet again) for a regular Hot Chocolate (love hot drinks from Gregg's, even if I am rarely in the mood for one!) before walking across to Eldon Square. That island where I've seen people taking photos before was unoccupied, and I was so tempted to go across and take some photos myself, but I just couldn't be bothered lol.
It was now getting close to 14:10, after walking about for a bit, and as I descended into Eldon Square, I saw a Lowlander fly along Percy Street, no doubt on the X2. I do like the Lowlanders, they have a nice engine noise amongst other things, so I chose to get that back to Chester-le-Street. Vehicle was 7455, which was yet another nice ride with Arriva. Driver pulled into Eldon Square quite early, which is always nice. Quite good when idling, 7455 is another vehicle I can say I've tried. Rarely get Lowlanders, so this journey was something of a nice change. I was back in Chester-le-Street for 14:55, which meant I could relax about not missing the Grand National. I walked across to Cone Terrace, intending to get the GCT shuttle back, but it was nowhere to be seen (wasn't 15:00 yet, and it leaves on the dot of every 20 minutes at 00, 20 and 40 each hour).
A walk back to where I left 7455 for the next 21 back to Clifford Terrace led me to bumping into Gary Wheatley, the point supervisor in Chester-le-Street. Always waves or says hello when he sees me, he's always a pleasant guy, and he asked me where I'd been hiding (hadn't spoken to him in a while). We got talking, and he asked me if I was awaiting the new buses etc. to which I told him some of the information posted on the forum about which ones had arrived, before I saw an Angel drive along North Burns for Durham. I parted ways with him, and made my way to 6062. Not many comments to make, but I must say it was a mess inside; Metro newspapers were scattered all over the floor on all parts of the lower deck, where I sat as it was such a short journey.
My day ended at 15:20(ish), when 6062 dropped me back off at the stop I had started my day at. Yet again, a very successful day out, just a bit disappointed I don't have any photos to show. Here's a log of the day;
10:05 #21 – Chester-le-Street Clifford Terrace to Durham Bus Station – GNE 6067
10:31 #43 – Durham Bus Station to Stanley Bus Station – GNE 3832
11:30 #X30 – Stanley Bus Station to Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station – GNE 3801
12:30 Metro – Haymarket to Kingston Park – T&W Metrocars 4022 & 4024
12:48 #X47 – Kingston Park Shopping Centre to Newcastle Monument – SNE 22412
13:17 Metro – Monument to Haymarket – T&W Metrocars Unidentified
13:30 #43 – Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station to Regent Centre – ANE 7471
13:48 #X11 – Regent Centre to Newcastle Haymarket Bus Station – ANE 7623
14:16 #X2 – Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station to Chester-le-Street North Burns – ANE 7455
15:11 #21 – Chester-le-Street North Burns to Chester-le-Street Clifford Terrace – GNE 6062
Hope you all enjoyed reading.
Marcus