Worth noting that Dennis MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer 542 (NA52 AXG) has now been withdrawn from service at Crook and is in storage at Saltmeadows Road.

Also - to make Michael's life easier - I have added 'DDA' to the bodywork section of the fleet lists to mark the now DDA-compliant Volvo B10BLEs.

(26 Aug 2015, 5:19 pm)tyresmoke wrote Well you never know   If you don't ask you don't get. Look what happened with the X93...

New buses for the 85/685...?

(26 Aug 2015, 4:26 pm)Michael wrote on your pic of the B8BLE, it shows a cadet, which one is it?

Missed this earlier but found it while going back and deleting all of the repetitive and off-topic posts within this thread over the past few weeks...

The interior shot would have given the game away - it's 8250 (NA52 BVG) and 8251 (NA52 BVH). 

(26 Aug 2015, 6:06 pm)Dan wrote Missed this earlier but found it while going back and deleting all of the repetitive and off-topic posts within this thread over the past few weeks...

The interior shot would have given the game away - it's 8250 (NA52 BVG) and 8251 (NA52 BVH). 

Also visible in the interior shot is withdrawn Lolyne 3877, looks like they're already stripping it's advertisement boards?

(26 Aug 2015, 6:07 pm)R852 PRG wrote Also visible in the interior shot is withdrawn Lolyne 3877, looks like they're already stripping it's advertisement boards?

You don't miss much! 

Yeah, there's quite a bit to be stripped off all of the withdrawn vehicles. There's a couple of the Volvo B7/Gemini and Scania OmniDekkas going around with no advertisement boards, so I guess they must be short of 'em!

As Dan mentioned that the B8RLE was going to be used to compare it to the Streetlite Micro-Hubrid, could it be possible that, after its trial on the Prince Bishops, it will move to either Stanley or Chester-le-Street for use on the C&C, Red Kites or both?

(26 Aug 2015, 10:08 pm)S813 FVK wrote As Dan mentioned that the B8RLE was going to be used to compare it to the Streetlite Micro-Hubrid, could it be possible that, after its trial on the Prince Bishops, it will move to either Stanley or Chester-le-Street for use on the C&C, Red Kites or both?

With new buses just purchased for the routes only a few months ago, I'm not sure...

(26 Aug 2015, 2:23 pm)Michael wrote If it is, it means they're changing or getting rid of the Highwayman brand... as a few people predicted... when it was announced they wanted to the change the services.

I wonder if anymore have being done... hence the post from Citaro... with the shiny red bus being a ex highwayman scania.

Black cats pushed back again with repaint and new branding

(27 Aug 2015, 12:20 am)R852 PRG wrote With new buses just purchased for the routes only a few months ago, I'm not sure...

Does a demonstrator mean that they are looking to buy new buses for a route all of the time?

(27 Aug 2015, 7:02 am)S813 FVK wrote Does a demonstrator mean that they are looking to buy new buses for a route all of the time?

Not all the time. Some routes have a range of factors that could test a vehicle, this could be a route with heavy traffic, tight estates, fast runs, short steep hills or long climbs.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:08 am)GMitchelhill wrote Not all the time. Some routes have a range of factors that could test a vehicle, this could be a route with heavy traffic, tight estates, fast runs, short steep hills or long climbs.

Just look at YJ62 FFB on the Diamonds a couple of years ago...

The routes had only just got the mercs a year previous. Hardly going to upgrade a service again a year later.

(27 Aug 2015, 1:32 am)Acky81 wrote Black cats pushed back again with repaint and new branding

i have a feeling it could of being dropped, it seems to be getting pushed away all time.


With only one gold merc remaining to be repainted... will rest of them finally get branded over the weekend?


When will GNE announce whats happening with the Silver Citaro's at Deptford?

Go North East

20/‪‎20A‬/X20 cannot serve Carville high st due to RTC all service to operate via A690 to/From Durham To Sunderland Rd.

(27 Aug 2015, 8:37 am)Michael wrote When will GNE announce whats happening with the Silver Citaro's at Deptford?

Patience is required i think

(27 Aug 2015, 8:37 am)Michael wrote i have a feeling it could of being dropped, it seems to be getting pushed away all time.


With only one gold merc remaining to be repainted... will rest of them finally get branded over the weekend?


When will GNE announce whats happening with the Silver Citaro's at Deptford?

my fingers are crossed for the X35 upgrade

(27 Aug 2015, 10:35 am)cbma06 wrote my fingers are crossed for the X35 upgrade

Won't be enough with just Deptford's Silver Citaro's as the PVR is 7 for the X35, they could always use some of the Citaro's from Diamond although that depends on the services new PVR, if changes happen... i do hope the X35 will be upgraded to Citaro in the future though... i really think the Fast Cats brand will be better on the Citaro.

Random question... How many buses are aloud to be stored at SM?, this is because quite a few have being withdrawn and stored at the depot, was just wondering if they have a limit.

Has 4932 returned to Riverside yet?

6071 has not had its destinaion updated yet. Just departed Metrocentre on a 10A still displaying a white number on a coloured background.

Does anyone know why NA52 RMZ was on the Coast Road

(27 Aug 2015, 1:10 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Does anyone know why NA52 RMZ was on the Coast Road

Empty movement to (or from) Percy Main?

(27 Aug 2015, 1:10 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Does anyone know why NA52 RMZ was on the Coast Road

I saw it the otherday with L plates on, clearly being used on driver training duties again. Must be whilst its not needed at Hexham during school holidays

5318 has now joined 5311/5315/5329/5330 in Crusader livery

(27 Aug 2015, 1:15 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Empty movement to (or from) Percy Main?

It didn't go that way though so I am confused. It did travel through Newcastle though it had 4 employees on

It looks like 9108 was parked up in Park Lane at some point today, for driver familiarisation.

(27 Aug 2015, 3:20 pm)R852 PRG wrote It looks like 9108 was parked up in Park Lane at some point today, for driver familiarisation.

It is now out in service.

(27 Aug 2015, 3:25 pm)Dan wrote It is now out in service.

That was quick!

(27 Aug 2015, 3:25 pm)Dan wrote It is now out in service.

Might have a day out tomorrow then, will you be able to let us know what time journeys it'll do? 
Please

(27 Aug 2015, 3:30 pm)Michael wrote Might have a day out tomorrow then, will you be able to let us know what time journeys it'll do? 
Please

Won't be able to find out in advance but can check at about 12 if I get a moment (certainly didn't today!)

(27 Aug 2015, 3:34 pm)Dan wrote Won't be able to find out in advance but can check at about 12 if I get a moment (certainly didn't today!)

No probs, someone else might report it to.

(27 Aug 2015, 3:25 pm)Dan wrote It is now out in service.

Apologies about the shadows - only had ten minutes to jump off the Metro, grab my camera and find a place to take some photographs.

Go North East: 9108 / BA15BXS by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 9108 / BA15BXS by Daniel Graham, on Flickr