(13 Jun 2015, 9:35 pm)Davie wrote I wish I'd seen that 

We all would like to see that.

Surprised I haven't bashed my head on the roof getting up on a Sapphire Enviro 400 yet although I came close at banging my head at the rear downstairs when I was getting interior shots of 7540 when it was parked up in Darlington Town Centre for the launch.

(13 Jun 2015, 9:41 pm)Jimmi wrote We all would like to see that.

Surprised I haven't bashed my head on the roof getting up on a Sapphire Enviro 400 yet although I came close at banging my head at the rear downstairs when I was getting interior shots of 7540 when it was parked up in Darlington Town Centre for the launch.

I bashed my head on 7534? At the Metrocentre bus rally 

(13 Jun 2015, 9:51 pm)Adam wrote 6010 is also on my "hit list". I will track it down one day and ride it.

Just so you can actually pinpoint who I am (if you can remember seeing me), I was wearing a stripy T-shirt that was predominantly white, jeans and blue Adidas Gazelles





It wasn't funny. It bloody hurt haha

I hope the bus is alright...

(13 Jun 2015, 9:51 pm)Adam wrote It wasn't funny. It bloody hurt haha

It's not when people get hurt... It's hilarious

(13 Jun 2015, 9:53 pm)Jimmi wrote It's not when people get hurt... It's hilarious

Can't wait to be on a bus with you, then you bang your head on something, Jimmi...

(13 Jun 2015, 9:53 pm)Jimmi wrote It's not when people get hurt... It's hilarious

It's by not as funny when it's yourself 

---

(13 Jun 2015, 9:55 pm)R852 PRG wrote Can't wait to be on a bus with you, then you bang your head on something, Jimmi...

Please make sure the bus doesn't get hurt, Marcus 

(13 Jun 2015, 9:55 pm)R852 PRG wrote Can't wait to be on a bus with you, then you bang your head on something, Jimmi...

This only applies to the low height Enviro 400s and I doubt you'll be on a 7 with me at any point soon although there is always the ones on Tyneside where you may catch me banging my head.

I am usually quite slow at getting up on double deckers, especially the E400s to reduce the chances of embarrassment. Very little headroom at the back downstairs, I was feeling claustrophobic getting interior shots back here

Davie


My plan for Wednesday:
56 Wrekenton - Sunderland 
78 Sunderland - Consett*
X71 Consett - Newcastle**
45 Newcastle - Metrocentre*
67 Metrocentre - Q.E Hospital 
X25 Q.E Hospital - Wrekenton***
* Hoping a Streetlite is allocated to that specific service
** Hoping it's an Omnidekka 
*** Hoping its a lolyne


I've changed my mind, I'm doing this tomorrow, if anybody is free and interested, Please feel free to join me, my only request is please don't bash your head like Adam 

(13 Jun 2015, 10:03 pm)Jimmi wrote This only applies to the low height Enviro 400s and I doubt you'll be on a 7 with me at any point soon although there is always the ones on Tyneside where you may catch me banging my head.

I am usually quite slow at getting up on double deckers, especially the E400s to reduce the chances of embarrassment. Very little headroom at the back downstairs, I was feeling claustrophobic getting interior shots back here

It's the wing mirrors that I always look out for.

Either when they're pulling up close to the path or when rushing off.

(13 Jun 2015, 10:32 pm)Adam wrote I've did that as well. Was back in the days of the Solars in the Orbit livery. My grandparents took me and my cousins out for the day and I did stot my head as I got off the 52 at Heworth.

That one hurt more.

#TallPeopleProblems
#HashtagsOnNEB

I've done that 100 times over, not literally 100, I remember doing it on a A Fab Fifty Six decker and the river was very concerned,  I'll give him credit, I just laughed it off 

(13 Jun 2015, 10:32 pm)Adam wrote I've did that as well. Was back in the days of the Solars in the Orbit livery. My grandparents took me and my cousins out for the day and I did stot my head as I got off the 52 at Heworth.

That one hurt more.

#TallPeopleProblems
#HashtagsOnNEB

I haven't done this... Yet! Came close a few times mind.

(13 Jun 2015, 10:35 pm)Davie wrote I've done that 100 times over, not literally 100, I remember doing it on a A Fab Fifty Six decker and the river was very concerned,  I'll give him credit, I just laughed it off 

The river was concerned?! Christ it must have been bad.

(13 Jun 2015, 10:39 pm)LeeCalder wrote The river was concerned?! Christ it must have been bad.

Nah, he was a rare canny driver

mmi
I haven't done this... Yet! Came close a few times mind.

The key word there is "yet" is hope if you do bash your head, make sure the bus is ok

My outing today:

45 - 5415 - Rowlands Gill to Metrocentre
X66 - 5391 - Metrocentre to Gateshead
X10 - 6046 - Gateshead to Middlesbrough
X4 - 1581 - Middlesbrough to Redcar Clock
22 - 4715 - Redcar Morrisons to Middlesbrough
X9 - 6044 - Middlesbrough to Heworth Metro
Metro - 4018/4004 - Heworth - Haymarket
47 - 6117 - Eldon Square to Rowlands Gill

I was planning on travelling to Whitby on the X4, then back to Middlesbrough on the train, but decided against this idea because it involved an extra hour and twenty minutes on the bus to Whitby and another hour and a half wait for the train.

Redcar has changed since the last time I was there. Maccy D's has gone but a KFC has opened. There used to be a computer shop named 'Chips' located on a side street leading down to sea front which I remember from my youth. Sadly that has now closed although there's another independent gaming shop located opposite. Likewise, there used to be a fun fair located to the north of the town next to the boating lake. This has now been replaced by a skate park.

I never been on a 'Temsa' before. I suppose it was nice to ride a bus I'm not familiar with. Looks very heavy duty though.

(13 Jun 2015, 10:52 pm)MurdnunoC wrote My outing today:

45 - 5415 - Rowlands Gill to Metrocentre
X66 - 5391 - Metrocentre to Gateshead
X10 - 6046 - Gateshead to Middlesbrough
X4 - 1581 - Middlesbrough to Redcar Clock
22 - 4715 - Redcar Morrisons to Middlesbrough
X9 - 6044 - Middlesbrough to Heworth Metro
Metro - 4018/4004 - Heworth - Haymarket
47 - 6117 - Eldon Square to Rowlands Gill

I was planning on travelling to Whitby on the X4, then back to Middlesbrough on the train, but decided against this idea because it involved an extra hour and twenty minutes on the bus to Whitby and another hour and a half wait for the train.

Redcar has changed since the last time I was there. Maccy D's has gone but a KFC has opened. There used to be a computer shop named 'Chips' located on a side street leading down to sea front which I remember from my youth. Sadly that has now closed although there's another independent gaming shop located opposite. Likewise, there used to be a fun fair located to the north of the town next to the boating lake. This has now been replaced by a skate park.

I never been on a 'Temsa' before. I suppose it was nice to ride a bus I'm not familiar with. Looks very heavy duty though.

Redcar has changed a bit since I first started going when I was little on the train with my parents, one big change was the big Morrisons which was built near the train station and Safeway is now Tesco which is near Morrisons.

Often went to Redcar with my parents when I was a kid, always get the train direct to Redcar, would go round the shops, go on the seafront, head into the amusements and play on the 2p machines and then we'd usually go to the car boot sale at Redcar Racecourse then get the train home.

Happy memories

Know what you mean about Tesma's looking heavy duty although I don't think they are actually bad buses, if only the seating layout wasn't all over the place and were a bit more comfortable.

(13 Jun 2015, 11:01 pm)Jimmi wrote Redcar has changed a bit since I first started going when I was little on the train with my parents, one big change was the big Morrisons which was built near the train station and Safeway is now Tesco which is near Morrisons.

Often went to Redcar with my parents when I was a kid, always get the train direct to Redcar, would go round the shops, go on the seafront, head into the amusements and play on the 2p machines and then we'd usually go to the car boot sale at Redcar Racecourse then get the train home.

Happy memories

Know what you mean about Tesma's looking heavy duty although I don't think they are actually bad buses, if only the seating layout wasn't all over the place and were a bit more comfortable.

Yeah Redcar was somewhere my parents used to take me when I was a nipper along with Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Seaburn and Seaton Carew. We used to go to Scarborough sometimes too but, obviously, not as often as the places I've mentioned. The amusement arcades were probably the highlight of my outings back then as well. Whitby, as far as I remember, never had any amusements and I recall being bored whenever we went. Perhaps that influenced my decision not to go there today.

(13 Jun 2015, 11:11 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Yeah Redcar was somewhere my parents used to take me when I was a nipper along with Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Seaburn and Seaton Carew. We used to go to Scarborough sometimes too but, obviously, not as often as the places I've mentioned. The amusement arcades were probably the highlight of my outings back then as well. Whitby, as far as I remember, never had any amusements and I recall being bored whenever we went. Perhaps that influenced my decision not to go there today.

Amusements were my favourite part of my trips to Redcar.

I can imagine you being bored as a nipper in Whitby as there is nothing really exciting in Whitby for children I think, I think there is very little amusements in Whitby and I may even be imagining these. If my parents took me there I would probably found it a bit boring although I may not have as I quite liked being out and about, even enjoyed going to places like Ikea when I was a kid, although I don't enjoy going to Ikea so much now. This ambition to explore places in the UK is probably part of the reason why I like this hobby so much and quite like going new places, looking forward to my Moorsbus outing next month.

(13 Jun 2015, 9:22 pm)citaro5284 wrote Got to say, the driver was a complete ass!

Glad it's not just me who thinks that about red Seat Leon drivers..! At least I know I'm walking to the Team Valley again next week! 

Where's the in-depth description of the scran you had, like, citaro5284?

(14 Jun 2015, 6:50 am)Dan wrote Glad it's not just me who thinks that about red Seat Leon drivers..! At least I know I'm walking to the Team Valley again next week! 

Where's the in-depth description of the scran you had, like, citaro5284?

Aye, start walking!!

Had nothing to eat, just 2 latte's 

(14 Jun 2015, 6:55 am)citaro5284 wrote Aye, start walking!!

Had nothing to eat, just 2 latte's 

Two at once??

(13 Jun 2015, 10:32 pm)Adam wrote I've did that as well. Was back in the days of the Solars in the Orbit livery. My grandparents took me and my cousins out for the day and I did stot my head as I got off the 52 at Heworth.

That one hurt more.

#TallPeopleProblems
#HashtagsOnNEB

Maybe that's why the purple Solars have such a bad reputation for their mirrors falling off?

I can be minding my own business, signal for the bus to stop at the side of the stop and either suddenly feel the need to duck as it hurtles towards me, or have to take a step back.

The getting off and smacking them - that knacks.

#wingmirrorissues.
#hashtagsonNEB

Think i may start reviewing not every journey but at least the journey where i get a bus that i haven't reviewed as it will start to get a bit repetitive after a while.

08:09 #825 South Stanley - Lanchester: Volvo Olympian NC Palatine 2 3823 (S823 OFT)
15:23 #825 Lanchester - Flint Hill: Volvo Olympian NC Palatine 2 3823 (S823 OFT)
Quite a nice start to the week for me. Although it might not be the best Olympian based at Stanley in my view, it certainly beats the likes of 3814 and 3822! It is comfortable and is very tidy inside eventhough the seats are filled with dust but that isn't a massive problem providing you don't smack them really hard. I must comment on how good the engine sounds with that squeal!

Both journeys were brilliant too - the driver even managed to swing round at the top of South Moor without a struggle too as other drivers don't give it as much swing as needed or none at all. Thats obviously discounting the times when cars go over the white line not expecting a bloody big bus to come around as all other services turn right rather than left. 

Coming home is the best bit as thats when you get to do a bit of two-fingering at times going up the bank. Especially if either the 823 or 828 is allocated 3814 - not too good if we have it though . We didn't overtake any other vehicles tonight. Mainly because we were late getting on the bus because the bus had been brought down to the school but the driver was nowhere to be seen. He did eventually appear in the van along with the usual supervisor who is there with a battery pack just in case one of the buses has trouble starting. Anyway, when we got doing, we went up the bank at a reasonable speed and the driver gave it a good pounding between the crossroads at Maiden Law to the Morrison Busty Roundabout. Nowt more exciting until Holly Hill Gardens when he took the 'shops' route rather than go straight along the bottom like the 78 does. When we got to Stanley, we went around the roundabout as normal and there was a 43 waiting to get out (was heading to Durham). Now with the service not stopping in Stanley Bus Station itself, the driver slowed down to let this 43 out. The roundabout was clear so much to my surprise, the driver of the 43 told the driver of 3823 to carry on which is quite surprising since that roundabout is a bugger to get onto when coming out of that specific exit. It was just a standard journey all the way to Flint Hill after that. 

15:59 NIS Flint Hill - Stanley Travel Depot: Volvo B7TL Plaxton President 6021 (LK03 NJY)
I love this bus - so smooth and is a really fast accelerator. I can tell it has power and would fly up banks which is unusual for an ex-London vehicle. Shame there are no massive banks on the trip back to the depot though so I can't really make a brilliant review. The bus wasn't in its usual immaculate condition though as it had just returned from Byker where it had been based for last week covering for S2 STX which had developed a mechanical fault. I think its amazing how drivers seem unable to misjudge the swing into the depot as its such a small gap to get something of that size in and out. Doesn't help when you end up holding traffic coming down from Consett up while people going up in the Consett direction don't stop and let them in. Nowt really exciting about this journey but like i said at the start, briliant bus.

Pretty much everytime I have gotten the Arriva X66 from Middlesbrough/Stockton to Darlington on an early evening journey there is always been some weird people on-board. Tonight we had someone singing and talking about the mafia in New York City and all sorts of other random crap, was slightly worried when the time came for him to get off and he was stood behind me.

Also the seats behind the drivers cab are pretty uncomfortable.

So, as my latest journeys included more than one bus, I'm writing a review...

1055 - 1100 #30 (Ashington Fifth Ave -- North Seaton Colliery B&Q) - Phoenix Coaches 909 (A12 PNX) Mercedes Vario / Plaxton Cheetah
A short ride on this rather comfortable Mercedes Vario, I'd certainly choose this over the usual Solo, sadly come the 1st January these vehicles will no longer be able to operate the route under DDA guidelines. The driver was very friendly and helped some older passengers off the bus, as the steps were proving difficult. The driver dropped me off at the lay-by opposite B&Q, so I could continue my journey on foot.

Unfortunately, the bus went past while I was walking towards the postal office, and a few words were uttered under my breath. This meant that the bus wasn't going to be in the lay by at B&Q for my return to Ashington.

As the planned journey didn't go to plan the following had to occur.

1110 - 1115 #000 (North Seaton Ind Est Postal Office -- North Seaton Alexandra Road/College Road) - On Foot
A short-ish run/sprint to the bus stop here.

1117 - 1123 #35a (North Seaton Alexandra Road/College Road -- Ashington Bus Station Sports Direct Stand) - Arriva Northumbria 1579 (NK64 EEA) Wright StreetLite Micro-Hybrid
Yet another short journey, this time to the bus station, so I could get some lunch. The bus was about 3/4 full, but I managed to get a seat further up the bus.

1142 - 1144 #X21 (Ashington Laburnum Terrace -- Ashington Fifth Ave) - Arriva Northumbria  750? (NK57 ???) ADL Enviro400 / Dennis Trident 2
I managed to get the seat behind the driver, after some old person couldn't decide between priority seats or the very front seats   . Some pillock in a pick up truck nearly crashed into the bus after they did a dangerous overtake when the bus had just set off, causing the driver to slam the brakes and do a rather aggressive sound of the horn. When we managed to get to Fifth Ave without anymore idiots, some pensioner who clearly can't ride a bike was straddling in the road to close to the bus stop to overtake. 

This all occurred because some pillock couldn't afford 10-15 minutes sat where he should be.

Here are today's journeys:


08:09 #825 South Stanley - Lanchester: Go North East Volvo Olympian NC Palatine 2 3831 (S831 OFT)
I'm quite happy that this turned up, Sits in between 3813 and 3823 on my favourite list. Plenty of power and what an engine this has - shame the driver didn't take it up the shops but i reckon it was only because the 78 was infront so drivers just tend to follow it unless their brains are in scholars setting rather than the 78 setting. Anyway, on the whole, it handled banks really well but the journey was really boring - to be honest, none of us can really be arsed to talk on a morning!

15:23 #825 Lanchester - Flint Hill: Go North East Volvo Olympian NC Palatine 2 3832 (S832 OFT)
Certainly one of the lower performing Olympians based at Stanley. Lacks power and is in no real hurry to get up banks but it was certainly hammered by the female (usually the man doing the hammering if you get what i mean ) driver, who was really canny to, gave it a good thrashing making the journey even better. No pausing around the rounadbout either and we flew along the bypass to go towards Tanfield Lea. The driver was also really helpful when we got to Flint Hill - something others usually aren't. I will use one of my google map edits along with a mini-explanation beside the picture. Overall, this was a brilliant journey even if the vehicle wasn't perfect!

(16 Jun 2015, 9:57 pm)S813 FVK wrote Here are today's journeys:


08:09 #825 South Stanley - Lanchester: Go North East Volvo Olympian NC Palatine 2 3831 (S831 OFT)
I'm quite happy that this turned up, Sits in between 3813 and 3823 on my favourite list. Plenty of power and what an engine this has - shame the driver didn't take it up the shops but i reckon it was only because the 78 was infront so drivers just tend to follow it unless their brains are in scholars setting rather than the 78 setting. Anyway, on the whole, it handled banks really well but the journey was really boring - to be honest, none of us can really be arsed to talk on a morning!

15:23 #825 Lanchester - Flint Hill: Go North East Volvo Olympian NC Palatine 2 3832 (S832 OFT)
Certainly one of the lower performing Olympians based at Stanley. Lacks power and is in no real hurry to get up banks but it was certainly hammered by the female (usually the man doing the hammering if you get what i mean ) driver, who was really canny to, gave it a good thrashing making the journey even better. No pausing around the rounadbout either and we flew along the bypass to go towards Tanfield Lea. The driver was also really helpful when we got to Flint Hill - something others usually aren't. I will use one of my google map edits along with a mini-explanation beside the picture. Overall, this was a brilliant journey even if the vehicle wasn't perfect!

You dirty man

Sorry for the delay:

08:09 #825 South Stanley - Lanchester: Go North East Volvo Olympian NC Palatine 2 3830 (S830 OFT)
15:23 #825 Lanchester - South Stanley: Go North East Volvo Olympian NC Palatine 2 3830 (S830 OFT)
A nice turnout again. Still waiting for an Omnidekka to turn up though! Anyway, the driver was really friendly and cheery - had him before and he has been the same and if we were to have a permanent driver, he would be my choice. It just makes the journey more enjoyable. He was also the first driver of an AM journey to go up around the shops (Hollyhill Gardens West) this week. The journey like any others were quiet in terms of people speaking (not so much for the yung un's though but hey ho) meaning I could get a good listen to the engine which sounded really different compared to the others but still had that background iconic Olympian sound. It is always good to hear different sounds coming from the same vehicle type. Less boring imo. 

For the PM journey we went back to the usual, same old, 'i can't wait to get rid of you lot' kind of driver (which i suppose is normal for a scholars service ) and 3830 didn't power its way up Maiden Law/Howden Bank at a reasonable speed but didn't struggle either. The driver missed out the shops and the stop at St Stephens Church meaning he had to let everybody who got off there around the corner on Durham Road (the stop before where i departed the bus myself) which, as you would have guessed, didn't receive too much of a good reception. A fantastic journey in both directions and a contrast of drivers too with the former being much enjoyable than the latter!

I forgot to include this in my review yesterday but i can now conclude that Stanley Travel's Volvo B7TL Plaxton President 6021 (LK03 NJY) is a fantastic bus. Yesterday, we took a bit of a detour around Dipton and exited via the road the 44 uses to get to Catchgate and the road includes a steep(ish) bank which the bus flew up. From what i could tell all the speedo did was rise all the way up and then we got stuck behind one of the council vans with a trailer, slowing us right down.

08:07 #88 Inverness Road - Temple Park Road 8295

Not much to say really just a normal ride on a Versa.

15:20 #816 St Wilfrid's turning circle - Link Road 3869

This made for a very comfortable ride as lately my scholars seems to be getting a few Lolynes. It was only ruined by a girl in my year imitating me as I can have a slight twitch - if it hadn't of been a girl I would of pushed her head off the little bar thing on top of the seat.

(17 Jun 2015, 9:01 pm)danpick wrote 08:07 #88 Inverness Road - Temple Park Road 8295

Not much to say really just a normal ride on a Versa.

15:20 #816 St Wilfrid's turning circle - Link Road 3869

This made for a very comfortable ride as lately my scholars seems to be getting a few Lolynes. It was only ruined by a girl in my year imitating me as I can have a slight twitch - if it hadn't of been a girl I would of pushed her head off the little bar thing on top of the seat.

hahahaha, I've just nearly wet myself reading that! I could just imagine you smashing someone's head off the back of a seat