Just posting a few links, stories and photos which some of you may find interesting.

Feel free to share any others.

www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/remember-1981-stranded-bus-strike-1775824 CHRONICLE STORY ABOUT A NORTHERN STRIKE IN 81

www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=83048952 THE LINK HAS SOME RANDOM STUFF, BUT DOES HAVE A FEW INTERESTING PHOTOS, INC NORTHUMBRIA GETTING SOME NEW ALEXANDER OLYMPIANS, WORSWICK STREET BUS STATION PRE-WAR and MANORS STATION AFTER IT WAS BOMBED

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www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=982536&page=9 STUFF ON THE METRO

The Galleries in 1981, featuring the legendary 638 being worked by a National www.flickr.com/photos/27204054@N07/5056866397/in/set-72157624983851087/

(04 Jun 2013, 8:56 pm)Andreos1 wrote The Galleries in 1981, featuring the legendary 638 being worked by a National www.flickr.com/photos/27204054@N07/5056866397/in/set-72157624983851087/

That bus station wasn't the best mind! I think you got caught in the rain more being inside of it than out. The 638 on the other hand - possibly the most pointless route ever on paper, but realistically it was probably serving three routes within the one.

Heres another one of the Galleries www.flickr.com/photos/16314639@N02/6892399053/in/photostream/

Aye, it was a poor bus station. The photo above shows how un-protected it was.
Wonder who came up with the idea for the 638?
'Here lads, got an excellent idea - we will only need a pvr of about 8, we can share it between half of the depots, the problem drivers will be away all-day so cant hang around the depot, no-one will travel the entire route unless they want to get on the telly with Roy Castle, it will cover half the North East and travel between Ryton and Sunderland - Im gonna number it the 638!'

Would also love to know who decided to put the Sunderland bound and Ryton bound services on stands next to each other at The Galleries... Many a time myself and Im sure many others ended up going in the wrong direction!

Few bits and pieces about the East Coast franchise (and others) from Parliament.

Lords Question from 04/06/2013 - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa...0477001040

Lords Written answers x3 from 04/06/2013 - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa...0482000546

Commons debate on eastcoast from 26/03/2013 - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa...6-0002.htm

(04 Jun 2013, 10:00 pm)Andreos1 wrote Wonder who came up with the idea for the 638?
'Here lads, got an excellent idea - we will only need a pvr of about 8, we can share it between half of the depots, the problem drivers will be away all-day so cant hang around the depot, no-one will travel the entire route unless they want to get on the telly with Roy Castle, it will cover half the North East and travel between Ryton and Sunderland - Im gonna number it the 638!'

Taken from the April 1970 'Northern and Associated Companies' book of timetables, the image below shows at least one of the merged routes that eventually went on to form the legendary 638.

Wonder what made them divert it from Newcastle to Sunderland via the world?

Thinking about it, until the mid/late 70's - early 80's , there wouldn't have been roads for it to travel on (or passengers to pick up/drop off) around Wear Ind Est, Lambton, the Galleries, Oxclose, Blackfell or Harlow Green.

The October 1976 PTE booklet for the Newcastle and Gateshead area contains both the route and timetable for the 638. As far as I can see, with the obvious exception of the Crawcrook/Clara Vale extension, it's the same route. I'm still trying to figure out what services were amalgamated to form this colossal route. The 138 is an obvious candidate, but, surprisingly, there are no Sunderland-Penshaw-Harraton-Washington services or Wrekenton-Low Fell-Saltwell services. There were services operating between Wrekenton, Washington and Sunderland, but these were probably forerunners to the 187/188->56 lineage. The 638 appears to be a truly unique creation.

On another note, I think I've worked out how the 639 came about.

Im not surprised there isn't a Sunderland, Penshaw, Harraton, Washington route prior to the mid 70's - only because The Galleries wouldn't have been built and the majority of the outlying villages/districts on the route wouldn't have been there either.
Im pretty sure Lambton was only finished off in the mid 80's too.

The 138 does look like the obvious candidate as a forerunner as far as Swallwell Bank.

Even between Wrekenton - Low Fell, there would have been nothing but fields until Harlow Green was constructed, so if there was anything, it would have gone down Beacon Lough bank.

Dated 10.2.74

Northern General Transport service 138 Ryton-Winlaton-Swalwell-Whickham-Lobley Hill-Newcastle. Renumbered 638 The terminus at Ryton changed to Ryton Village then via Ryton Church and the old 138 route to Lobley Hill Road, Saltwell Road and the old 166 route to Wrekenton then Springwell to Washington.

Service 139 was changed to 639.

The 638 was extended from Washington to Sunderland on 14th August 1976.

I think you are right about Lambton (or Ayton) not being completed until the 80s. The route for the 638 between the Galleries/Town Centre Bus Station and Wear Industrial Estate doesn't mention any additional roads between those destinations in both the 1976 and 1979 PTE guides so I'm presuming the route operated direct via A1231/A195 to the Mackro interchange.

Buses from Washington to Chester (180, 181, 531, & 532) all operate northernly via the Mill House Roundabout and Portobello (181 goes via Wrekenton) as opposed to southerly via the Lambton and Ayton route. Washington Town Services (177/178) serve every other area of Washington except from Lambton and Ayton. By 1985, buses are going to through Lambton Village Centre but it'll be interesting what the 1982/3 timetables show.

That's solved that one!
So it lasted in that form for 20 odd years. Quite a long time if you think of the other services and their changes.

Very surprised there was a bus between via Harlow Green prior to the 638 though, mainly cos there wouldn't have been anything there.
The road from Beacon Lough bank towards the top of Harlow Green alongside Lyndhurst School (51/52 route) was a dead end until the newer houses were built and there obviously wasnt anything west of Wrekenton until you hit Team Valley, prior to Gateshead Council building the estate at Harlow Green and at Allerdene.

Where did the 166 go to/from?

Edit. Yeah Lambton was finished first and then Ayton a few years later.
Harlow Green school was opened in 1970

(14 Jun 2013, 12:20 pm)Andreos1 wrote That's solved that one!
So it lasted in that form for 20 odd years. Quite a long time if you think of the other services and their changes.

Very surprised there was a bus between via Harlow Green prior to the 638 though, mainly cos there wouldn't have been anything there.
The road from Beacon Lough bank towards the top of Harlow Green alongside Lyndhurst School (51/52 route) was a dead end until the newer houses were built and there obviously wasnt anything west of Wrekenton until you hit Team Valley, prior to Gateshead Council building the estate at Harlow Green and at Allerdene.

Where did the 166 go to/from?

Edit. Yeah Lambton was finished first and then Ayton a few years later.
Harlow Green school was opened in 1970

Service 166 went from Lobley Hill to Springwell, via Low Fell, Harlow Green and Wrekenton.

What a strange service Springwell to Lobley Hill...

Re 638 in early 80s, the route map of Washington in 81 (see Bygone section) has it going through Lambton

I've been meaning to put this link on too http://victoryguy.smugmug.com/Other/Go-A...2399895943&k=WPD5gRB

(14 Jun 2013, 3:01 pm)Andreos1 wrote What a strange service Springwell to Lobley Hill...

Re 638 in early 80s, the route map of Washington in 81 (see Bygone section) has it going through Lambton

Theres a back log of timetables yet to be put in the bygone era section from the server, as Brandon does the by gone section, and as Brandon has just moved and awaiting to be connected to a landline for internet use, it wont be long until all the old timetables/faretables/bus change leaflets etc... will be available for online viewing.

(14 Jun 2013, 3:19 pm)cbma06 wrote

(14 Jun 2013, 3:01 pm)Andreos1 wrote What a strange service Springwell to Lobley Hill...

Re 638 in early 80s, the route map of Washington in 81 (see Bygone section) has it going through Lambton

Theres a back log of timetables yet to be put in the bygone era section from the server, as Brandon does the by gone section, and as Brandon has just moved and awaiting to be connected to a landline for internet use, it wont be long until all the old timetables/faretables/bus change leaflets etc... will be available for online viewing.

If there's anything specific you'd like to be uploaded etc, I'm more than happy to help out this evening.
I said to Brandon that I'd help out in his absence and haven't really managed to get round to it because I've been busy with other site updates!

This just popped up on my fb wall - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=347113625391775&id=209920209111118&set=a.308879979215140.47583.209920209111118&_mn_=5&from_feed=1&refid=7&ref=stream&_ft_=qid.5890576144122816140%3Amf_story_key.-5982158660987657776 Hopefully the gid big link will work

(17 Jun 2013, 10:07 pm)Andreos1 wrote This just popped up on my fb wall - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=347113625391775&id=209920209111118&set=a.308879979215140.47583.209920209111118&_mn_=5&from_feed=1&refid=7&ref=stream&_ft_=qid.5890576144122816140%3Amf_story_key.-5982158660987657776 Hopefully the gid big link will work

Just been reading some of the comments about the photo on that the FB page.

It's a wonderful example of something I was referring to in the 'photography' thread, where a photograph of an old bus can evoke so many memories from people that used, in this particular example, the 194, but also any service stated on the destination blind. We also learn something about the historical evolution of the 194 as well as information about other local services. None of these comments seem to come from so-called bus enthusiasts with the exception of one who quite simply states that he is involved in the preservation of '4710'.

There was a photo somewhere else on a facebook group and a lass who lived in Penshaw commented on how when she was younger, her and a friend rode all the way to Easington Lane (using bus stops as a guide) on their bikes to see what was there as that was where all the buses went to!

Hopefully the disapointment of getting to 'the Lane' and seeing what was there, wasn't too much for them

Picking up on your comment on memories, does anyone think in 20 years time, a photo of a Versa working the 39 will evoke as many memories as this National on the 194?

Probably not.

Buses services change far too often for passengers to have any sense of emotional attachment. Brands, for the most part, mean nothing especially when branded buses do not appear on the routes to which they are allocated. Late night and early morning services are becoming more of a rarity. These are the types of routes that seem to evoke the most memories as people are either travelling to work with their workmates or coming home (sometimes inebriated) from social events. (There are, of course, other examples that could be used like scholar services)

Nowadays, if you start work before 8am, it's unlikely that the bus (or other forms of public transport) is suitable for your transport needs. If you are travelling back from any social occasion anytime after 10:30 pm, again, it's unlikely that the bus will be suitable. Obviously, this scenario doesn't apply to the 39 which will no doubt have both early morning and late night services, but for the towns and villages of the surrounding hinterlands, it does. The obvious transport alternative would be either car or taxi. If you are using this alternative then why would you remember the bus.

That's an interesting theory and one I would tend to agree with.

It also seems to go against the grain regarding theories about 'brand loyalty', rather than loyalty (or familiarity/affinity) towards a number or particular route.

An ex-girlfriend who didn't drive and lived in the Stanley area, often caught the bus. Can't remember the number of the service, but there was one which ran between Durham and Stanley, via Grange Villa, West Pelton and Beamish. Obviously apart from being handy, it was unique, different and one which evoked memories of when she was younger and with a parent on a day out or returning home from a friends or college.

That service doesn't exist any more, how she feels about the Diamond - who knows, but certainly adds weight to our comments.

(10 Jul 2013, 12:23 pm)Andreos1 wrote It also seems to go against the grain regarding theories about 'brand loyalty', rather than loyalty (or familiarity/affinity) towards a number or particular route.

It would also extend that to the type of bus operated on each route. I'm not familiar with what buses operated on the 194, so I'm unable to comment whether that type of bus was staple on that route. However, in Blaydon/Winlaton, the 631/632/633 was almost always an Altantean; the 648/649 a MCW Metrobus; and the 638/641 a single deckered National. United buses operating through Blaydon were usually either Bristols or ECW Leylands (or something - I'm not really that familiar with the names of specific models). Passengers could probably identify their bus by the uniqueness of its shape or sound.

Today, in my opinion, buses look and sound more or less the same. I doubt the vast amount of passengers would be able to tell the difference between models.

A nice bit of social history to get your day off to a start.

Quite a lengthy read on the BBC website, but very interesting www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23795655

(10 Jul 2013, 12:23 pm)Andreos1 wrote That's an interesting theory and one I would tend to agree with.

It also seems to go against the grain regarding theories about 'brand loyalty', rather than loyalty (or familiarity/affinity) towards a number or particular route.

An ex-girlfriend who didn't drive and lived in the Stanley area, often caught the bus. Can't remember the number of the service, but there was one which ran between Durham and Stanley, via Grange Villa, West Pelton and Beamish. Obviously apart from being handy, it was unique, different and one which evoked memories of when she was younger and with a parent on a day out or returning home from a friends or college.

That service doesn't exist any more, how she feels about the Diamond - who knows, but certainly adds weight to our comments.

718 or 719 perhaps, I used to live in Fram and was part of a drama group in Stanley and was always on those buses oh happy days

(27 Aug 2013, 9:40 pm)fozzovmurton wrote 718 or 719 perhaps, I used to live in Fram and was part of a drama group in Stanley and was always on those buses oh happy days

It was the 720 which ran through Grange Villa, West Pelton and Beamish. The 718/719 went via the same route the 43/44 does now.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1343278367...=permalink&id=226754004150470&bac=MTM4MTY5MTE0MzoxMzgxNjkxMTQzOjI6MjM3MzczOTgwMjc2MzU0NTQxNjoxMzgxNjkxMDgwOjA%3D&crsr=MTM4MTY5MTE0MzoxMzgxNjkxMTQzOjI6MjM3MzczOTgwMjc2MzU0NTQxNjoxMzgxNjkxMDgwOjA%3D&refid=7&_ft_=qid.5934318899985143733%3Amf_story_key.226754004150470#footer_action_list

Copied address on my mobile, so goodness knows if it works.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...ed-1400677

Possibly relevant to the bus incidents thread.
Came across it by accident today.

GNE's CLS Depot in 1993;

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/77751183@N...D_w_IS_all

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sassaby/se...2975062525

Some excellent photos around Percy Main.

(06 Apr 2014, 8:46 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...ed-1400677

Possibly relevant to the bus incidents thread.
Came across it by accident today.

no pun intended?

(10 Jul 2013, 12:23 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote That's an interesting theory and one I would tend to agree with.

It also seems to go against the grain regarding theories about 'brand loyalty', rather than loyalty (or familiarity/affinity) towards a number or particular route.

An ex-girlfriend who didn't drive and lived in the Stanley area, often caught the bus. Can't remember the number of the service, but there was one which ran between Durham and Stanley, via Grange Villa, West Pelton and Beamish. Obviously apart from being handy, it was unique, different and one which evoked memories of when she was younger and with a parent on a day out or returning home from a friends or college.

That service doesn't exist any more, how she feels about the Diamond - who knows, but certainly adds weight to our comments.

As said earlier, it was the 720 that you are on about. It interworked with the 704 (when it used to go down Hollyhill Gardens etc). I remember it rather well and always made sure that when going to Durham i did my best to try and get that particular service, just because of the route it took.