(30 Aug 2015, 6:03 pm)R852 PRG wrote I don't know, I hear the NEBPT are a bit strict on what is allowed out on shuttles. You're either told if you're going out or not and if you miss your slot...

Isn't that what happened at Durham 4710 was supposed to go out 3 times and only went once which I missed as I was on the Prison Tour which no one told people about.

(30 Aug 2015, 6:05 pm)DanPicken wrote Isn't that what happened at Durham 4710 was supposed to go out 3 times and only went once which I missed as I was on the Prison Tour which no one told people about.

No, 4710 got trapped in because of the poor organisational skills.

(30 Aug 2015, 6:13 pm)R852 PRG wrote No, 4710 got trapped in because of the poor organisational skills.

Oh, Howlands was orginised quite badly needs to be somewher bigger.

I don't think Howlands was poorly organised.

I just think that it was a case of too many people trying to be in charge. At one point, there was someone trying to guide a P&R Solo into a 3 point turn. In the process he nearly organised an accident involving a group of enthusiasts, and almost guided the Solo into one of the preserved buses.

Space is tight at Howlands at the best of times. At least in the area that they were using. Given that the P&R sites don't operate on a Sunday, perhaps Sniperley would be a better venue for next year? Loads of space, and even better, the horse shoe parking bay shape is in the perfect place for the sun.

(30 Aug 2015, 7:13 pm)aureolin wrote I don't think Howlands was poorly organised.

I just think that it was a case of too many people trying to be in charge. At one point, there was someone trying to guide a P&R Solo into a 3 point turn. In the process he nearly organised an accident involving a group of enthusiasts, and almost guided the Solo into one of the preserved buses.

Space is tight at Howlands at the best of times. At least in the area that they were using. Given that the P&R sites don't operate on a Sunday, perhaps Sniperley would be a better venue for next year? Loads of space, and even better, the horse shoe parking bay shape is in the perfect place for the sun.

I don't even think it was the case of too many people trying to be in charge. As you point out, I think it was a case of too many buses being confined to such a small area which made manoeuvring a logistical nightmare. Organisational-wise, I don't think it was any different to any other event I've attended although, admittedly, I'm not there taking notes on the matter. Buses appeared and people showed up to view and take photographs. It did exactly what it said on the tin.

I've never attended the one in Seaburn before, what's the space like compared to Howlands?

I've been told by a GNE driver that the chances of them turning up tomorrow are currently 0%....

(30 Aug 2015, 10:14 pm)LeeCalder wrote I've been told by a GNE driver that the chances of them turning up tomorrow are currently 0%....

Oh well, not going anyway, my knee has got worse over the last few days so not risking it!

(30 Aug 2015, 10:14 pm)LeeCalder wrote I've been told by a GNE driver that the chances of them turning up tomorrow are currently 0%....

Don't believe everything you hear mate. I'm not sure why a company the size of GNE would run every decision by the driving staff...

I will be a Seaburn tomorrow. Will be turning up early on, but will be gone by 1pm as some of us do have to go and work. I will be wearing one of my many pony shirts. Which one I have yet to decide.

I'll be popping up sometime just after 11, as that's the earliest I can get there.

I'll be on the 0944 20 from Durham.

(30 Aug 2015, 10:19 pm)aureolin wrote Don't believe everything you hear mate. I'm not sure why a company the size of GNE would run every decision by the driving staff...

Some drivers think they know everything that is happening, when in reality they know f*** all 

Hope the weather is better at Seaburn than it is in Aycliffe right now, it's tossing it down here!

(31 Aug 2015, 6:41 am)Jimmi wrote Hope the weather is better at Seaburn than it is in Aycliffe right now, it's tossing it down here!

Forecast some showers towards the end of the show according to the BBC

It's p*ssing it down in Birtley, but according to BBC Weather it is cloudy.

Looks pretty dull in the Derwent Valley too.

Nothing at mine yet.

Just woken up to hear it chucking down. As I live a 15 min walk away from the rally, y'can put money on it being a bit wet down there today!

It best brighten up before 3814 picks me up to head down to Seaburn...

Fyi - that serves as confirmation that the driver was talking a load of bollocks.

(31 Aug 2015, 7:21 am)Dan wrote Just woken up to hear it chucking down. As I live a 15 min walk away from the rally, y'can put money on it being a bit wet down there today!

It best brighten up before 3814 picks me up to head down to Seaburn...

Fyi - that serves as confirmation that the driver was talking a load of bollocks.

Oh God 3814 the slowest Olympian. Also where's the like button gone?

It's brightening up in Low Fell, however, it is still raining.

(31 Aug 2015, 7:43 am)DanPicken wrote Oh God 3814 the slowest Olympian. Also where's the like button gone?

Don't think speed is that important when it's going to spend most of the day in a field.

(31 Aug 2015, 7:57 am)LeeCalder wrote It's brightening up in Low Fell, however, it is still raining.

So your on the 21...

I regret to announce that 4710 has encountered a problem on the mechanical side. We're getting it sorted on the pits at Chester-le-Street depot. Hopefully we'll be there later on. Can't promise anything.

(31 Aug 2015, 8:04 am)R852 PRG wrote I regret to announce that 4710 has encountered a problem on the mechanical side. We're getting it sorted on the pits at Chester-le-Street depot. Hopefully we'll be there later on. Can't promise anything.

Oh dear I was looking forward to riding 4710.

(31 Aug 2015, 8:05 am)DanPicken wrote Oh dear I was looking forward to riding 4710.

Not planning on going out on a shuttle.

(31 Aug 2015, 8:04 am)R852 PRG wrote I regret to announce that 4710 has encountered a problem on the mechanical side. We're getting it sorted on the pits at Chester-le-Street depot. Hopefully we'll be there later on. Can't promise anything.

Marcus will be loving this really - in Chester-le-Street depot at long last..!

I did hope that I could go to the rally today after careful planning, which would get me there for in about 0945-1000, but I've realised that it's Monday and Teen Cards aren't accepted until after 0900...

(31 Aug 2015, 8:11 am)GX03 SVC wrote I did hope that I could go to the rally today after careful planning, which would get me there for in about 0945-1000, but I've realised that it's Monday and Teen Cards aren't accepted until after 0900...

It's a Bank Holiday - should be the same as a Sunday...?

(31 Aug 2015, 8:12 am)Dan wrote It's a Bank Holiday - should be the same as a Sunday...?

That's what I've just realised on the back of the Card. 'Any time on Saturdays, Sunday's and Bank Holidays'.

I would have been on the 0816 X22 departure, so I've woke up and walked into Ashington (as there aren't any buses at 0800 that head north) waited then just to be refused. Then he tried to charge me £5.10.

(31 Aug 2015, 8:11 am)GX03 SVC wrote I did hope that I could go to the rally today after careful planning, which would get me there for in about 0945-1000, but I've realised that it's Monday and Teen Cards aren't accepted until after 0900...

Could you not just go later? You don't have to be there for its start time, I won't be there until after 11am.

Just a heads up for anyone planning to get the Metro it's Saturday service.