(09 Aug 2015, 11:25 am)Dan wrote Power sockets aren't working on Sapphire 1530. The chrome does look really good though.

I had to do a bit of a double-take when the announcement said "Your next stop is more cock" (Moorcock)..!

Been a few problems with the announcements already and I have only been on for five minutes... Next Stop is Burnhope Way roundabout on the audio for the 'This is Peterlee Bus Station' screen, for example.

The screen keeps on going a funny colour too when it changes slide. It does that on the Streetlites too, which is strange...

Check out some of the spellings

Three Horsehoes
Hostpital

And the pronunciation Sea Ham

I am planning on doing a tour of Northumberland tomorrow:

Would it be better for me to do the x15/x18 to Berwick or the 685 to Carlisle

(09 Aug 2015, 7:12 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote I am planning on doing a tour of Northumberland tomorrow:

Would it be better for me to do the x15/x18 to Berwick or the 685 to Carlisle

That's a hard one! The Northumberland Coastline is stunning, and if the timings work out you could possibly have a ride on the 14 to Rothbury, then the Spirit Buses to 15 to Alnwick which will be ending for the winter at least soon? Possible to have a ride on some of Travelsures offerings too, but the X18 is stunning.

Carlisle has had a fleet of new Solos but I suppose they'll always be there.

(09 Aug 2015, 7:24 pm)Tom wrote That's a hard one! The Northumberland Coastline is stunning, and if the timings work out you could possibly have a ride on the 14 to Rothbury, then the Spirit Buses to 15 to Alnwick which will be ending for the winter at least soon? Possible to have a ride on some of Travelsures offerings too, but the X18 is stunning.

Carlisle has had a fleet of new Solos but I suppose they'll always be there.

What ticket would I need to ride on them, I was thinking about a explorer, the way I have it planned in my head I would get:

07:44 service 7 from Darlington
09:11 service X12 from Durham
10:33 service X15 to Berwick Arrive at 12:57

Then on the way back

14:02 X18 to Newcastle
18:10 x21 to Durham
19:15 7 to Darlington

That would give me about a hour to do whatever in Berwick

(09 Aug 2015, 7:47 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote What ticket would I need to ride on them, I was thinking about a explorer, the way I have it planned in my head I would get:

07:44 service 7 from Darlington
09:11 service X12 from Durham
10:33 service X15 to Berwick Arrive at 12:57

Then on the way back

14:02 X18 to Newcastle
18:10 x21 to Durham
19:15 7 to Darlington

That would give me about a hour to do whatever in Berwick

If you were doing that you would need an explorer yeah. Or if you just got the X12 you could get a all zone Arriva ticket.

(09 Aug 2015, 7:48 pm)Tom wrote If you were doing that you would need an explorer yeah. Or if you just got the X12 you could get a all zone Arriva ticket.

I miss the last x12 when I do that though unless I get the x18 first

(09 Aug 2015, 7:53 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote I miss the last x12 when I do that though unless I get the x18 first

That'll work out cheaper for you I think.

Yeah, I've just worked it out 7.70 day ticket and I can do it like this:

07:14/07:29 service 7
08:41- X12 to Newcastle
10:03- X18 to Berwick

Then return

15:12 X15 to Newcastle
18:00 X12 to Durham
19:15 7 to Darlington

Do Carlisle! Maybe I'm biased though...

Looking at around £7-8 return or an Explorer. That, or if you get a Stagecoach service (0845 or 0945 from Eldon Square) you can get a North West Explorer which gives you unlimited travel in Carlisle and beyond. Could do the "Marra Express" Stagecoach Gold 300 to Workington and back.

Here's my other plan

07:29- 7 to Durham
08:41- X12 to Newcastle
09:45- 85/685 to Carlisle

Then return

15:07- 685/85 to Newcastle
17:40- X9 to Middlesbrough
19:12- X66 to Darlington

Could I get to Workington and back in 3 hours? If so how much would it be as I don't think I can get a north west explore in Darlington

(09 Aug 2015, 8:09 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote Here's my other plan

07:29- 7 to Durham
08:41- X12 to Newcastle
09:45- 85/685 to Carlisle

Then return

15:07- 685/85 to Newcastle
17:40- X9 to Middlesbrough
19:12- X66 to Darlington

Could I get to Workington and back in 3 hours? If so how much would it be as I don't think I can get a north west explore in Darlington

Sounds spot on that. You won't be able to get a NW Explorer unless you're on a Stagecoach 685 (which the 0945 is). Cheapest to do a North West Explorer (£10.80) for a return to Workington.
You *just* (by 5 minutes) miss the return bus at Workington so you can cosily do it in 4 hours (getting back 1557 for the 1607 685), that or bailing at Flimby (or even Scaryport Maryport) will see you back for 1457.

Could even do a return to Dumfries on the 79 if you're brave!

(09 Aug 2015, 8:24 pm)northern156 wrote Sounds spot on that. You won't be able to get a NW Explorer unless you're on a Stagecoach 685 (which the 0945 is). Cheapest to do a North West Explorer (£10.80) for a return to Workington.
You *just* (by 5 minutes) miss the return bus at Workington so you can cosily do it in 4 hours (getting back 1557 for the 1607 685), that or bailing at Flimby (or even Scaryport Maryport) will see you back for 1457.

Could even do a return to Dumfries on the 79 if you're brave!

Cheers I'll do that then I think, if I get a explorer in Darlington then I could easily get a go north east bus to Durham when I get back to Newcastle from being to Carlisle


New plan of action:
07:29 to Durham
08:41 to Newcastle
09:45 to Carlisle
12:10 to Workington

Then return
14:33 Workington to Carlisle
16:07 Carlisle to Newcastle
18:32 Newcastle to Durham
20:15 Durham to Darlington

Can any body tell me what the PVR is of the 17/17A/17B

(10 Aug 2015, 8:52 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote Can any body tell me what the PVR is of the 17/17A/17B

4 on the 17, 3 on 17A and 17B doesn't exist now
Currently booked for 1 Pulsar and 6 Cadets

(09 Aug 2015, 11:25 am)Dan wrote Power sockets aren't working on Sapphire 1530. The chrome does look really good though.

I had to do a bit of a double-take when the announcement said "Your next stop is more cock" (Moorcock)..!

Been a few problems with the announcements already and I have only been on for five minutes... Next Stop is Burnhope Way roundabout on the audio for the 'This is Peterlee Bus Station' screen, for example.

The screen keeps on going a funny colour too when it changes slide. It does that on the Streetlites too, which is strange...

The chrome looks good but it doesn't work. Bit pointless then!

This morning 1724 has been taken away from Faverdale by Alpha.

2837 has either been debranded and repainted or just debranded: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gne-bus-ph...301617179/

Looks like the former to me.

(11 Aug 2015, 2:52 pm)S813 FVK wrote 2837 has either been debranded and repainted or just debranded: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gne-bus-ph...301617179/

Looks like the former to me.

Looks like it has been repainted to me.

(11 Aug 2015, 2:52 pm)S813 FVK wrote 2837 has either been debranded and repainted or just debranded: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gne-bus-ph...301617179/

Looks like the former to me.

It is a full repaint

(11 Aug 2015, 2:52 pm)S813 FVK wrote 2837 has either been debranded and repainted or just debranded: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gne-bus-ph...301617179/

Looks like the former to me.

Yep full repaint and new branding to come, linked to the X4/X5 losing their Quorum brand and going MAX, indeed 7604 is away for refurb at the moment.

Also of note is that 4511 has returned to use at Redcar, and they're also still using 4501!

(11 Aug 2015, 3:33 pm)tyresmoke wrote Also of note is that 4511 has returned to use at Redcar, and they're also still using 4501!

Extra bus ready for the increased PVR with the 81/81a diversion next week one would assume

659 (W659 CWX) entered service today on 46/48

Photo @ Steven Hodgson

Does anybody know which X14 from Morpeth to Newcastle is the MPD operated run, the 8 minutes past or the 38 minutes past? Cheers

(11 Aug 2015, 10:19 pm)mb134 wrote Does anybody know which X14 from Morpeth to Newcastle is the MPD operated run, the 8 minutes past or the 38 minutes past? Cheers

The xx08

(11 Aug 2015, 10:24 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The xx08

Cheers, I know which to avoid then

(11 Aug 2015, 10:29 pm)mb134 wrote Cheers, I know which to avoid then

MPDs are brilliant! Sitting at the back next to the emergency exit will sort (and make) any back problems!!! 

(12 Aug 2015, 9:55 am)GX03 SVC wrote MPDs are brilliant! Sitting at the back next to the emergency exit will sort (and make) any back problems!!! 

See my upcoming (two journey) review for how much I wanted to jump out of said emergency exit this morning...

just to let everyone know if you have plans to go on blyth's number 1 or 2 bus they are all over the place today as there are traffic lights near there depot.

(12 Aug 2015, 2:08 pm)buss14 wrote just to let everyone know if you have plans to go on blyth's number 1 or 2 bus they are all over the place today as there are traffic lights near there depot.

Everything has been all over the place today,

My X22 from Newcastle was diverted through Wide Open and Seaton Burn, following an X10 and X11 (running 8 and 18 minutes late respectively), the Morpeth express services were hit massively by whatever was going on on the A1, took my friend nearly an hour to get to Morpeth from Newcastle on his X14.

Actually, the X21/22 seemed to do quite well, from what I saw. The 35/35A seems to have been super unreliable as well...

(11 Aug 2015, 3:44 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Extra bus ready for the increased PVR with the 81/81a diversion next week one would assume

Or covering for 1435.