(31 Aug 2013, 11:35 pm)gtomlinson wrote I have fond memories of her random trips on the 28. Fantastic legroom.
Turned up on the pre hybrid 21s a fair few times too.

Then again. I liked the Optare Excels....

The Optare Excels were brilliant. I was down Blackpool a few weeks ago, and an ex-GNE Excel pulled up on service 11.

4957 was out on the 20s yesterday.
4904 is now sat in Stanley depot (presumably as a replacement for 5261)

(01 Sep 2013, 9:49 am)aureolin wrote The Optare Excels were brilliant. I was down Blackpool a few weeks ago, and an ex-GNE Excel pulled up on service 11.

See, that's one thing I never got.
They were sold, due to their apparent un-reliability, but have lasted donkeys elsewhere...

Is 4957 just on loan?

(01 Sep 2013, 11:02 am)Michael wrote Is 4957 just on loan?

On trial for use on service X7.
It was noted that she broke down whilst working service X7 a few days ago, so presumably ended up at Deptford for maintenance and in this time, Deptford have had her out on 20s.

4920 has gone in the other direction to cover for 4957.

(01 Sep 2013, 11:04 am)Daniel wrote On trial for use on service X7.
It was noted that she broke down whilst working service X7 a few days ago, so presumably ended up at Deptford for maintenance and in this time, Deptford have had her out on 20s.

4920 has gone in the other direction to cover for 4957.

How many breakdowns have their been on the X7 roughly since the service was introduced? It seems like every five minutes there's a report of one.

Oh right cheers =)


What other fleet changes has happened with the service changes..we know a couple

5261 which has gone to Percy Main
8216 transferred to Deptford from Washington..

Edit.. said 5261 which has gone to Stanley. - was meant to be Percy Main

(01 Sep 2013, 11:11 am)Michael wrote Oh right cheers =)


What other fleet changes has happened with the service changes..we know a couple

5261 which has gone to Stanley.
8216 transferred to Deptford from Washington..

We'll find out for definite tomorrow, but so far:

Solar 4957 has transferred from Washington to Peterlee. Renown 4920 has transferred from Deptford to Washington to accommodate for their loss.
SPD 8216 has transferred from Washington to Deptford, for reasons unknown.
Omnicity 5261 has transferred from Stanley to Percy Main, for use on "Coaster" service 1/1A. Renown 4904 has transferred from Gateshead to Stanley to accommodate for their loss.
"Pulse" Renowns 5160/61/62/63 have all been transferred to Saltmeadows from Winlaton, as "Pulse" services 67/69 are now under Saltmeadows operation.
Yellow Renown 5164 has also been transferred from Percy Main to Saltmeadows to act as a spare bus for "Pulse" service 67/69.
Lolynes 3803 and 3859 should be transferring to Percy Main from Chester-le-Street, for use on "Centurion" services 17/17A, as per recent scholar requirements that interwork with the 17/17A.
Olympians 3819/20 should also be transferring from Percy Main to Gateshead.

Cheers, i was hoping Deptford wouldn't get any more SPD's they already have enough


sorry i just noticed a typo in my last post..

5261 which has gone to Stanley. - was meant to say Percy Main

4957 is only a loan i asked an engineer who is also a bus spotter yesterday and he said it will move to chester-le-street 4957 is only on trial for a while

(01 Sep 2013, 11:41 am)CitaroFavourite wrote 4957 is only a loan i asked an engineer who is also a bus spotter yesterday and he said it will move to chester-le-street 4957 is only on trial for a while

Already mentioned here.

With reference to 4957's trial on the X7, I can see 4961-64 going on the WTX, With 4965/66 Going Northern. Obviously we'll have to wait and see once the Metrolink Repaints Recommence.

(01 Sep 2013, 10:46 am)Andreos1 wrote See, that's one thing I never got.
They were sold, due to their apparent un-reliability, but have lasted donkeys elsewhere...

Yeah I found that odd. Blackpool Transport seem to have them in tip top shape on fairly long runs.

I had a great ride out to Hartlepool on one in the 21A days

(01 Sep 2013, 3:13 pm)gtomlinson wrote Yeah I found that odd. Blackpool Transport seem to have them in tip top shape on fairly long runs.

I had a great ride out to Hartlepool on one in the 21A days

Nice smooth ride too despite their age. Unlike the similar ages SPDs we insisted on keeping up here, which have more rattles and squeaks than a toddlers toy chest.

Are they a lot longer than the SPDs?

Might be the design but they always looked like they'd have the turning circle of an oil tanker

(01 Sep 2013, 3:31 pm)gtomlinson wrote Are they a lot longer than the SPDs?

Might be the design but they always looked like they'd have the turning circle of an oil tanker

I'd say they were the same without looking at seating numbers.

(01 Sep 2013, 3:42 pm)aureolin wrote I'd say they were the same without looking at seating numbers.

Just had a look, the GNE SPD's hold 41 to the Excel's 40. Must just be the design/look of them (unless Blackpool Transport have done something to them)

Not strictly Go North East, but here's a picture of the Citaro K in action. Think they'd look nice with the white LED display - although, I thought it was a roller blind to start with!

Photo by: tomlondonbusblog
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomlondonbu...472535983/

(01 Sep 2013, 8:16 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Not strictly Go North East, but here's a picture of the Citaro K in action. Think they'd look nice with the white LED display - although, I thought it was a roller blind to start with!

Photo by: tomlondonbusblog
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomlondonbu...472535983/

But it is supposed to be coming on loan soon, so it does have some relevance

(01 Sep 2013, 8:16 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Not strictly Go North East, but here's a picture of the Citaro K in action. Think they'd look nice with the white LED display - although, I thought it was a roller blind to start with!

Photo by: tomlondonbusblog
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomlondonbu...472535983/

How many seats do they have though? I'm sure I seen someone mention 30. Making it 3 more than a Solo SR and only one more than an MPD.

(01 Sep 2013, 8:37 pm)aureolin wrote How many seats do they have though? I'm sure I seen someone mention 30. Making it 3 more than a Solo SR and only one more than an MPD.

Not sure. I mean, the one in the photo has double-doors, so that could be a factor?

(01 Sep 2013, 8:16 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Not strictly Go North East, but here's a picture of the Citaro K in action. Think they'd look nice with the white LED display - although, I thought it was a roller blind to start with!

Photo by: tomlondonbusblog
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomlondonbu...472535983/

Can a bus be described as sexy? Because that is.

Reminds me of the nice looking kit you get running in Spanish holiday resorts

(01 Sep 2013, 9:12 pm)gtomlinson wrote Can a bus be described as sexy? Because that is.

Reminds me of the nice looking kit you get running in Spanish holiday resorts

A bus described as Sexy that has made me LOL...

I must admit it is a nice looking bus, I like the white destination display on the front.

What exactly is the Citaro K, is it a new variation of the Citaro or is it actually a midi/mini bus whatever there called these days and is it Mercedes equivalent of an MPD or Solo/Versa, I only ask because I have little knowledge of bus manufacturers and the models they produce, if you put 10 buses in front of me I wouldn't have a clue what they were, the only buses I could positively recognise with having to look it up or think about is a Optare Solo/Versa a Wright Cadet and a Scania, lol...

Going back to the Sexy description, your right about one thing, it is neat and also reminds me of buses in Spanish Holiday Resorts...

So if it is sexy, is it sexy to the point where if it was a Woman all the boys would want a piece and be a bit of a super model lmao

Service #27 unable to serve Hedgeley Road in Hebburn due to an incident.

(02 Sep 2013, 12:39 pm)fozzovmurton wrote A bus described as Sexy that has made me LOL...

I must admit it is a nice looking bus, I like the white destination display on the front.

What exactly is the Citaro K, is it a new variation of the Citaro or is it actually a midi/mini bus whatever there called these days and is it Mercedes equivalent of an MPD or Solo/Versa, I only ask because I have little knowledge of bus manufacturers and the models they produce, if you put 10 buses in front of me I wouldn't have a clue what they were, the only buses I could positively recognise with having to look it up or think about is a Optare Solo/Versa a Wright Cadet and a Scania, lol...

Going back to the Sexy description, your right about one thing, it is neat and also reminds me of buses in Spanish Holiday Resorts...

So if it is sexy, is it sexy to the point where if it was a Woman all the boys would want a piece and be a bit of a super model lmao

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2000899/Man-admits-having-sex-with-1000-cars.html

(02 Sep 2013, 1:16 pm)Andreos1 wrote www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2000899/Man-admits-having-sex-with-1000-cars.html

Excuse my language, but that is one strange fucked up dude, I may love buses and admire them, taking my tool out and giving it to a bus would not happen...

Could see the Daily Sport headline right now if people was caught shagging a bus...

BIS ENTHUSIASTS CAUGHT ROOASTING A BUS

Go North East Enthusiast Area Fleet News

As a result of this weekend's service revisions, there have been a small number of vehicle transfers, as follows:

- Volvo B7TL 3968 and B10BLE 4845 Gateshead to Winlaton.
- Volvo B10BLE 4904: Gateshead to Stanley.
- Ex-Oxford Volvo B10BLEs 5160, 5161, 5162, 5163 Winlaton to Saltmeadows and 5164 Percy Main to Saltmeadows.
- Volvo B10BLEs 4838 and 4839 Winlaton to Chester le Street.
- Volvo B7TL 6018 Deptford to Chester le Street.
- Plaxton Trident 3885 Chester le Street to Stanley.
- East Lancs Trident 3803 Chester le Street to Percy Main.
- Volvo Olympian 3821 Stanley to Washington.
- Scania Omnicity 5261 Stanley to Percy Main.
- Ex-Beeston Volvo B10BLE 4993: S590 KJF has been sold to Alpha Recovery, Weetslade.

The new 'Tynedale Express' brand looks nice. Little bit basic, but much nicer than some recent attempts.

Photo from: Go North East Facebook Page

(02 Sep 2013, 3:52 pm)BJ10VUS wrote The new 'Tynedale Express' brand looks nice. Little bit basic, but much nicer than some recent attempts.

Photo from: Go North East Facebook Page

Simplistic and Smart, I like it a lot compared to other brands within the GNE Fleet.

(02 Sep 2013, 3:52 pm)BJ10VUS wrote The new 'Tynedale Express' brand looks nice. Little bit basic, but much nicer than some recent attempts.

Photo from: Go North East Facebook Page

Is it just me, or does it have a 'Trent Barton' look to it?