(21 Aug 2015, 10:36 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote

(21 Aug 2015, 9:10 pm)Malarkey wrote Had a little ride on the StreetDeck earlier from Eldon Square to Gateshead and was not all that impressed by it if I am honest, was quite slow and rattled a hell of a lot on this short trip, think the E400MMC is way better so I do hope that GNE Purchase these instead, On the flipside of the coin, I think the StreetDeck would be a lot better if it was fitted with the Micro-Hybrid Engine which the Streetlites have on the Red Kite etc, and set up to be the same as them performance wise so it could handle the route better.


Theres no Micro Hybrid Engine, Micro Hybrid is a system added to the bus when manufactured.
The 63 Plate Streetlites have the same 5.4 Litre Cummins ISB4 engine as in the Micro Hybrid Streetlites.

The engine isn't a Micro Hybrid. The engine does however work with a Micro Hybrid flywheel. I see the Streetdeck more as a non stop start B5LH which I would class as a no go for the X21. If GNE wanted to save fuel on the X21 whilst not losing performance, ADL (I think), offer the standard E400MMC with a retrofit from GKN, who are doing the Fab 56 and Cobalt Clipper B9s.
Bar the few 57 plates which got in the wrong hands in their early years, most of the E400s are still going strong for Arriva. The E400 MMC would last a good 7 years on most demanding routes if in good hands. I don't think the Streetdeck will and if GNE go for the Streetdeck, all they'll end up doing is 'downgrading' (technically upgrading) the service with older and more reliable B9's. The only 2x routes I could see handling a Streetdeck in terms of reliability (technical and punctuality wise) would be the 309 / 310. Any others would be a big no no. 
It would make perfect sense for GNE to ditch Wrights and move to ADL. The E200 MMC seems like a Streetlite but probably far better and they'd also have the option of a Heavyweight powertrain / chassis for the TTX.

(22 Aug 2015, 9:32 am)DaveyBowyer wrote The engine isn't a Micro Hybrid. The engine does however work with a Micro Hybrid flywheel. I see the Streetdeck more as a non stop start B5LH which I would class as a no go for the X21. If GNE wanted to save fuel on the X21 whilst not losing performance, ADL (I think), offer the standard E400MMC with a retrofit from GKN, who are doing the Fab 56 and Cobalt Clipper B9s.
Bar the few 57 plates which got in the wrong hands in their early years, most of the E400s are still going strong for Arriva. The E400 MMC would last a good 7 years on most demanding routes if in good hands. I don't think the Streetdeck will and if GNE go for the Streetdeck, all they'll end up doing is 'downgrading' (technically upgrading) the service with older and more reliable B9's. The only 2x routes I could see handling a Streetdeck in terms of reliability (technical and punctuality wise) would be the 309 / 310. Any others would be a big no no. 
It would make perfect sense for GNE to ditch Wrights and move to ADL. The E200 MMC seems like a Streetlite but probably far better and they'd also have the option of a Heavyweight powertrain / chassis for the TTX.

I disagree about having an all ADL fleet but I do think GNE should for the sake of passengers go for the E400MMC

(22 Aug 2015, 2:55 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I disagree about having an all ADL fleet but I do think GNE should for the sake of passengers go for the E400MMC

well they may go for the more unusual aproach and get a streetdeck

(22 Aug 2015, 3:00 pm)buss14 wrote well they may go for the more unusual aproach and get a streetdeck

They could get a streetdeck I suppose but knowing GNE it would get sockets, NSAs and WiFi and there is a possibility of leather seats. Personally I hate leather seats and especially the wood flooring on he streetlites because when I was last on 5393my shoes stuck to the floor

Does anyone have a clue if the new 74 timetable has made any changes to reliability because on Friday nights the 16:08 from Hexham has arrived into Newcastle with me on before 18 minutes late. They chose to change earlier buses instead

Does anyone know if 5389 and 5390 have Quaylink NSAs aswell as citylink ones?

(22 Aug 2015, 3:33 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Does anyone know if 5389 and 5390 have Quaylink NSAs aswell as citylink ones?

Yes; the "Quaylink" branded Versas, the "Citylink" branded Versas, and the three red spare Versas (5389/90 and 8328) have the Next Stop Announcements programmed for Citylink and Quaylink.

(22 Aug 2015, 3:34 pm)Dan wrote Yes; the "Quaylink" branded Versas, the "Citylink" branded Versas, and the three red spare Versas (5389/90 and 8328) have the Next Stop Announcements programmed for Citylink and Quaylink.

So 8328 has citylink NSAs?

(22 Aug 2015, 3:35 pm)NK53 TKT wrote So 8328 has citylink NSAs?

Yes.

All of the Streetlites at Chester-le-Street and Stanley also have the announcements programmed for both routes: Coast & Country and Red Kite 45/46.

Why would a Chester-le-Street streetlite need red kite NSAs?

(22 Aug 2015, 3:38 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Why would a Chester-le-Street streetlite need red kite NSAs?

It's easier to load the same programme to 5395 - 5419 than to have a separate programme for each depot.

It also gives some flexibility with allocations - should Chester-le-Street's spare Streetlite ever have to be allocated to Stanley, then they'd be able to use it on the Red Kite 45/46 and still have Next Stop Announcements.

(22 Aug 2015, 3:39 pm)Dan wrote It's easier to load the same programme to 5395 - 5419 than to have a separate programme for each depot.

OK, fair point. I'll give you that

On Sundays when the 40A used to run and 547 used to be at Riverside and for example 563 is on the 40A, what would 547 do?

(22 Aug 2015, 3:46 pm)NK53 TKT wrote On Sundays when the 40A used to run and 547 used to be at Riverside and for example 563 is on the 40A, what would 547 do?

It would be spare at Riverside, though this service does not run anymore and 547 is now at Peterlee.

(22 Aug 2015, 3:48 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote It would be spare at Riverside, though this service does not run anymore and 547 is now at Peterlee.

Thanks, I do somwhat wish i did still run. I do really love MPDs . 

(22 Aug 2015, 3:52 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Thanks, I do somwhat wish i did still run. I do really love MPDs . 

Same I like MPDs , There's still a few routes that are allocated MPDs in the North East though.
Have you ever tried Arriva route 2 from Blyth to Kirkhill via Morperth? then connect with a short X14 and there you go, 2 MPDs in a few hours

(22 Aug 2015, 3:57 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Maybe I don't agree as much with that  

Oh, well it is just personal preference you know. I hate the Red Kite leather seats.

Does anyone know why the 353 allocation is Riverside and not Percy Main?

Does Stanley or Riverside have any Olympian 'allocations' or are the all in reserve

(22 Aug 2015, 4:25 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Does anyone know why the 353 allocation is Riverside and not Percy Main?

There isn't really a reason for it, all I could think of is because the last service finishes at Kingston Park so instead of running around 10 miles dead mileage across Newcastle City Centre and Suburbs to Percy Main, it would just be easier and more cost effective to only run the 3 miles dead to Riverside for the night.

(22 Aug 2015, 4:31 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote There isn't really a reason for it, all I could think of is because the last service finishes at Kingston Park so instead of running around 10 miles dead mileage across Newcastle City Centre and Suburbs to Percy Main, it would just be easier and more cost effective to only run the 3 miles dead to Riverside for the night.

Does the first leave from Kingston Park then to?

(22 Aug 2015, 4:28 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Does Stanley or Riverside have any Olympian 'allocations' or are the all in reserve

All on scholars.

(22 Aug 2015, 4:28 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Does Stanley or Riverside have any Olympian 'allocations' or are the all in reserve

Aside from their designated scholars duties (not sure if it's changed, but I believe one runs onto the evening X78 from Consett), I think they're all to be used as last resorts.

(22 Aug 2015, 4:32 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Does the first leave from Kingston Park then to?

The first actually leaves from Wideopen at 6:53 on weekdays and 7:53 on Saturdays and from Kingston Park at 10:30 on Sundays and there's a PVR of 2 with the one finishing at Kingston Park at 23:24 and the other finishing at Four Lane Ends at 23:19 same on a Saturday and Sunday.

(22 Aug 2015, 4:34 pm)Dan wrote All on scholars.

So scholars and reserve

(22 Aug 2015, 4:35 pm)R852 PRG wrote (not sure if it's changed, but I believe one runs onto the evening X78 from Consett)

Thought a Lolyne worked the evening X78?

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(22 Aug 2015, 4:38 pm)NK53 TKT wrote So scholars and reserve

Pretty much

(22 Aug 2015, 4:39 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Thought a Lolyne worked the evening X78?

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Pretty much

Thanks

(22 Aug 2015, 4:35 pm)R852 PRG wrote Aside from their designated scholars duties (not sure if it's changed, but I believe one runs onto the evening X78 from Consett), I think they're all to be used as last resorts.

819 - Olympian
820 - Dennis Trident 2
821 - Olympian
822 - Dennis Trident 2
823 - Dennis Trident ELC
824 - Olympian
825 - Olympian
826 - Dennis Trident 2
827 - Dennis Trident 2
828 - Dennis Trident 2
829 - Dennis Trident ELC

Two buses on the morning and afternoon #808 services - one each way interworks with services X70/X71 so should be allocated a Scania N94UD, and the other is standalone so should be allocated a Dennis Trident ELC.

The morning #X78 interworks with scholars service 822 and this will be the same bus which operates the 16:55 #11 Newcastle to Blackhall Mill now. The afternoon #X78 interworks with scholars service 826.

As present, the Volvo Olympians should not be allocated to normal public services, but can appear as a last resort reserve when no other low-floor vehicles are available.

(22 Aug 2015, 4:40 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Thanks

Though Stanley's regularly appear in service , Last week all were out in service at some point of the day.