(25 Apr 2017, 4:32 pm)Jamie M wrote Given not many depots have hybrid engineers, which I understand the B5s need, who says the B5Hs can't be converted to standard B5s?
It's also noteworthy that there are 15B5s and the normal daytime PVR of the 27 is 14 (1 spare). The coaster has a normal day time PVR of 17. They'll undoubtedly want to be keeping the B5s together for standardisation.



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It can be done, But after treatment they wouldn't just be non-standard within the company, But also the whole UK. So would be very hard to sell on if GNE wanted too in the future.
The reason they would be non-standard is because of the longer overhang only found in the LH version of the B5 ( Hybrid ) This is too accommodate the Electric Traction motors without eating away at most of the cabin.

It's poverplant, The D5F is too weak to power itself on its own, So would have to be either upgraded to the D5K Euro 6 or just a bigger engine altogether, That will also set you back a bit.

All in all, Its best just to keep them as there are.

(25 Apr 2017, 5:59 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote It can be done, But after treatment they wouldn't just be non-standard within the company, But also the whole UK. So would be very hard to sell on if GNE wanted too in the future.
The reason they would be non-standard is because of the longer overhang only found in the LH version of the B5 ( Hybrid ) This is too accommodate the Electric Traction motors without eating away at most of the cabin.

It's poverplant, The D5F is too weak to power itself on its own, So would have to be either upgraded to the D5K Euro 6 or just a bigger engine altogether, That will also set you back a bit.

All in all, Its best just to keep them as there are.

So the hybrid engineers have to shift depot, too? Or train a new batch of hybrid engineers? That doesn't seem very practical.

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(25 Apr 2017, 6:04 pm)Jamie M wrote So the hybrid engineers have to shift depot, too? Or train a new batch of hybrid engineers? That doesn't seem very practical.

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All work is undertaken at the Volvo Truck & Bus Centre on Crowther Industrial Estate in Washington - not Go North East.

Suspect if the Hybrids ever moved to Percy Main, the work would alternatively be undertaken at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre Blyth. I'd imagine Riverside would continue using the Washington Centre.

(25 Apr 2017, 6:06 pm)Dan wrote All work is undertaken at the Volvo Truck & Bus Centre on Crowther Industrial Estate in Washington - not Go North East.

Suspect if the Hybrids ever moved to Percy Main, the work would alternatively be undertaken at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre Blyth. I'd imagine Riverside would continue using the Washington Centre.

Yep, Aswell as the B9's and B7's also have some work done there too, See them when I pass the place every Friday.
Edit- Also the Volvo Chassied Levante's

(25 Apr 2017, 6:06 pm)Dan wrote All work is undertaken at the Volvo Truck & Bus Centre on Crowther Industrial Estate in Washington - not Go North East.

Suspect if the Hybrids ever moved to Percy Main, the work would alternatively be undertaken at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre Blyth. I'd imagine Riverside would continue using the Washington Centre.

Makes sense, thanks.

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Will Chester lose any routes since they're gaining the 36?

I would think 8328 will transfer over as the spare for the 34/36? (as it's already in "Go North East"), they'll have a total of 11 Versa's.


Also:

Made a list of where the Citaro's could go.


The Citaro's from the 36:

Deptford’s Citaro’s 

X5 – 5285-5291
35 – 5298-5304 
61 – 5305 - 5309
9 – 5325 – 5327, 5333-5335


Spares:

5284
5336

Maybe a extra spare from the ex Blaydon Racer batch.

(25 Apr 2017, 6:09 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Yep, Aswell as the B9's and B7's also have some work done there too, See them when I pass the place every Friday.
Edit- Also the Volvo Chassied Levante's

Yes - more complex work relating to engines etc will be undertaken by Volvo instead of by Go North East's local engineering teams. Any warranty work is also likely to be undertaken on-site at Volvo, instead of a Go North East depot.

Wrights typically undertake their warranty work at a Go North East depot - they have dedicated service engineers for the North East's Wrightbus vehicles.

(25 Apr 2017, 6:13 pm)Dan wrote Yes - more complex work relating to engines etc will be undertaken by Volvo instead of by Go North East's local engineering teams. Any warranty work is also likely to be undertaken on-site at Volvo, instead of a Go North East depot.

Wrights typically undertake their warranty work at a Go North East depot - they have dedicated service engineers for the North East's Wrightbus vehicles.

I'm guessing this is what the "Customcare" vans fulfil?

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(25 Apr 2017, 6:21 pm)Jamie M wrote I'm guessing this is what the "Customcare" vans fulfil?

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Aye, There from Wrights.

(25 Apr 2017, 11:58 am)Dan wrote That being the last time it was in service! 6014 withdrawn from service after these journeys. Now at the back of Saltmeadows Road awaiting its fate...

Other points of note are the withdrawal of the remaining DAF SB120s from the fleet (all now replaced by 4961-65), and 6130 is now at Saltmeadows Road to be repainted black.

Does this also include 8266 - SB120 Wright Merit  (S1 Metrocentre) or is this Vehicle to stay longer in the fleet?

If it is Withdrawn what Vehicle will take its place?

(25 Apr 2017, 6:10 pm)Michael wrote I would think 8328 will transfer over as the spare for the 34/36? (as it's already in "Go North East"), they'll have a total of 11 Versa's.

Maybe it will transfer back to Riverside instead with it having Free WiFi and a Next Stop Announcement system fitted with another Versa being the 34/36 spare (providing they are planning on having a spare)?

(25 Apr 2017, 6:33 pm)thetravelman wrote Does this also include 8266 - SB120 Wright Merit  (S1 Metrocentre) or is this Vehicle to stay longer in the fleet?

No - that one is still going (for now!)

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(25 Apr 2017, 6:34 pm)Dan wrote No - that one is still going (for now!)

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Oh Right, Thanks Dan.

(25 Apr 2017, 6:33 pm)S813 FVK wrote Maybe it will transfer back to Riverside instead with it having Free WiFi and a Next Stop Announcement system fitted with another Versa being the 34/36 spare (providing they are planning on having a spare)?

Oh i forgot it had WIFI, a different Versa then, is there actually any spares though?

Still no NSAs on TENs.

(25 Apr 2017, 3:48 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote The majority/all of the Crusaders are a state, And have been left to long without any sort of tarting up. If 5328-30 are leaving it would be best to refurb them inside internally too, As there just as grubby as the 08 plates.

5333-36 are the best condition of the remaining non-refurbs ( bar the 63 plates ) still remaining in service, And are acceptable internally. Id say these will be last of the queue if they are to get refurbed In the future.

This can clear up the speculation of the Angel B5LH's ever cascading down to the 27 once displaced, Another candidate ive heard is the Coaster 1, Which could displace the Omnicity's to corporate roles?....

Will personally miss 5328-30 off the Crusader if they leave, Always hope for one of them three when I'm heading home on there.

Apart from the peeling paint, the one I mentioned also has a big fist sized dint in its skin. Top right hand corner if looking at the rear.

(25 Apr 2017, 7:55 pm)G-CPTN wrote Still no NSAs on TENs.

It's obvious that they have other things ahead of that, if you're concered get in touch with "Go North East",

I noticed discussion about the B7 Presidents. Has 6019 been missing in action today?

Driven towards Chester down the A183 after 7 tonight, with a fitter at the wheel.

Of course there are a number of reasons why it could have been there at that time of night, but if reliability is a concern with it's relatives, it makes you wonder...

I was on a Citylink58 Versa yesterday with no branding down the passenger side.
Are the Citylink58s getting a new brand inline with Citylink57s once the mercs have been refurbished?

(25 Apr 2017, 8:57 pm)ne14ne1 wrote I was on a Citylink58 Versa yesterday with no branding down the passenger side.
Are the Citylink58s getting a new brand inline with Citylink57s once the mercs have been refurbished?

It has been like that for a while now, think it had accident damage.

(25 Apr 2017, 9:06 pm)citaro5284 wrote It has been like that for a while now, think it had accident damage.

Ah I see. Fair enough.
Cheers.

(25 Apr 2017, 11:58 am)Dan wrote That being the last time it was in service! 6014 withdrawn from service after these journeys. Now at the back of Saltmeadows Road awaiting its fate...

Other points of note are the withdrawal of the remaining DAF SB120s from the fleet (all now replaced by 4961-65), and 6130 is now at Saltmeadows Road to be repainted black.

(Go North East) V314LGC / 6014 - Volvo B7TL by Jamie MP, on Flickr

I've shared this elsewhere, but is has marked the near end of an ear - which is front flipdots. 6012 and 4922 are the only buses that come to mind that still have them installed. I'd imagine 6012 will also find itself where 6013 should also be and 6014 currently is. 
4922 has muddled seats, combining from near-original "graffiti" style seating, with a few odd blue ones thrown in there.. 
6012 likes to steer right when the brake is applied and is rather grubby and dark inside.
I wonder what'll hit these two first - tax or just demand for scrap.

Nevermind refurbs, cleaning what they've got would do me.

6056 reeks of beer and has got empty bottle tops, mud and sweet wrappers all over it and it's only 7am!

Recurring thing with Chester (yeah I reported it!)

(26 Apr 2017, 6:03 am)Ambassador wrote Nevermind refurbs, cleaning what they've got would do me.

6056 reeks of beer and has got empty bottle tops, mud and sweet wrappers all over it and it's only 7am!

Recurring thing with Chester (yeah I reported it!)

6134 was the same this morning, filthy on the outside as well. 8am this morning.

(26 Apr 2017, 8:22 am)LeeCalder wrote 6134 was the same this morning, filthy on the outside as well. 8am this morning.

They've ordered all depots to only wash 4 days out of 7, to save over a grand a week apparently....

(26 Apr 2017, 8:45 am)RBZ 5459 wrote They've ordered all depots to only wash 4 days out of 7, to save over a grand a week apparently....

Interior cleans are contracted out to ISS, though, so these should still be getting done every night, with the Angels and Crook buses having a full valet every few weeks on a cycle. The latter point is why so many buses from Chester-le-Street have been working from Crook over the past few months. 6134/35 were both on loan to Crook recently and it's because the ISS cycle had 695 and 696 down for a full valet at the same time. If Ambassador has reported this to Go North East, I'm sure they'll be able to look into why that bus wasn't cleaned last night.

An exterior wash every other day isn't too bad during the summer months, but when it's still poor weather conditions, it's down to the discretion of the Depot Engineer to wash externally more regularly, in order to maintain the desired quality standards.

Depending on that depot's engineering budget for the month, I imagine the external cleanliness of buses is a cost vs benefit scenario, which is possibly why you notice different levels of external cleanliness depending on the depot. You see differing standards of quality at almost every bus depot, regardless of the operator... Using Arriva as an example - two similarly sized depots are Jesmond and Stockton. Jesmond stands out to me as being one of the poorer ones, with Stockton being one of the better ones. At the same time; I bet Jesmond's fleet has a higher average age than Stockton, and whilst the budgets should reflect this, Jesmond will probably have a higher engineering spend maintaining older vehicles, and this is possibly why quality lacks in some areas.

Think the big operators are all being squeezed at the moment - we're seeing many PVR reductions at Stagecoach at the moment, and upcoming fleet revisions at Arriva will see the engineering spares reduce at almost every depot.

(25 Apr 2017, 8:32 pm)Andreos1 wrote I noticed discussion about the B7 Presidents. Has 6019 been missing in action today?

Driven towards Chester down the A183 after 7 tonight, with a fitter at the wheel.

Of course there are a number of reasons why it could have been there at that time of night, but if reliability is a concern with it's relatives, it makes you wonder...

6019 was on loan to Deptford yesterday afternoon due to vehicle shortages.

(25 Apr 2017, 11:08 pm)Jamie M wrote (Go North East) V314LGC / 6014 - Volvo B7TL by Jamie MP, on Flickr

I've shared this elsewhere, but is has marked the near end of an ear - which is front flipdots. 6012 and 4922 are the only buses that come to mind that still have them installed. I'd imagine 6012 will also find itself where 6013 should also be and 6014 currently is. 
4922 has muddled seats, combining from near-original "graffiti" style seating, with a few odd blue ones thrown in there.. 
6012 likes to steer right when the brake is applied and is rather grubby and dark inside.
I wonder what'll hit these two first - tax or just demand for scrap.

BIB: Nostalgia for elephants

(26 Apr 2017, 6:03 am)Ambassador wrote Nevermind refurbs, cleaning what they've got would do me.

6056 reeks of beer and has got empty bottle tops, mud and sweet wrappers all over it and it's only 7am!

Recurring thing with Chester (yeah I reported it!)

Funnily enough, I seen an empty beer can knocking around upstairs on 6114 after the Brighton match back in August and the bus was fairly quiet. Can't understsnd how it got there unless some punter cracked it open earlier in the day whilst stuck in Seaton Sluice or it was not previously cleaned.

(26 Apr 2017, 2:50 pm)BusLoverMum wrote BIB: Nostalgia for elephants

I wanted to sound profound and you go and spoil it, what have I ever done to you to deserve this!



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