(12 Oct 2015, 3:43 pm)S813 FVK wrote What is the reason behind 3874 being taken out of service? Is it having some serious work done to it or something like that?

It returned to Percy Main last month for repairs (noted on our Fleet News at the time), and has been out of service ever since. Once repaired, it will return to service at Stanley.

It is noted as off service on Go North East's Fleet Allocation for internal reasons more than anything else.

(12 Oct 2015, 3:25 pm)Jimmi wrote Although it's likely to be a rumour at this stage, it wouldn't totally surprise me if the X21 does get StreetDecks in the not too distant future.

Depends whether or not the QC's are likely to go ahead. If they do, then it will most likely be Streetdecks but if not, then I can see either the Cobalt Clipper getting Streetdecks with 10 moving to Stanley for the 6, X70, X71 alongside a new brand; and 7 moving to Crook for the X21 (Note that 6104 would be swapped with a Deptford B9 which hasn't been modified yet). In terms of spares, these could simply be made up of Omnidekkas. Or alternatively, the Red Arrows getting E400s with the power and chassis either from Cummins / ADL or Scania / ADL with 6001 to 6007 moving to Crook and the rest acting in various roles including providing a backup for the TTX without having to use the TEN allocation and allowing the B7TL Geminis to move into less demanding roles.

GNE would see far more benefits in the efficiency of the Streetdeck on the Cobalt Clipper than what they would on the X21.

(12 Oct 2015, 3:58 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Depends whether or not the QC's are likely to go ahead. If they do, then it will most likely be Streetdecks but if not, then I can see either the Cobalt Clipper getting Streetdecks with 10 moving to Stanley for the 6, X70, X71 alongside a new brand; and 7 moving to Crook for the X21 (Note that 6104 would be swapped with a Deptford B9 which hasn't been modified yet). In terms of spares, these could simply be made up of Omnidekkas. Or alternatively, the Red Arrows getting E400s with the power and chassis either from Cummins / ADL or Scania / ADL with 6001 to 6007 moving to Crook and the rest acting in various roles including providing a backup for the TTX without having to use the TEN allocation and allowing the B7TL Geminis  to move into less demanding roles.

GNE would see far more benefits in the efficiency of the Streetdeck on the Cobalt Clipper than what they would on the X21.

Explain that one?

4952 is parked up in Riverside X66 maybe?

(12 Oct 2015, 4:04 pm)DanPicken wrote One of the Great Park Fusions is parked up in Riverside X66 maybe?

No, it won't be used on the X66.

Perhaps this is the one which I'm led to believe has been sold and is awaiting collection?

(12 Oct 2015, 4:07 pm)Dan wrote No, it won't be used on the X66.

Perhaps this is the one which I'm led to believe has been sold and is awaiting collection?

Any idea who's bought it?

(12 Oct 2015, 4:11 pm)Michael wrote Any idea who's bought it?

DanPicken's edit is correct: 4952 is the one which is at Riverside, and it was moved across from Saltmeadows at 14:00 today.

I believe DiagTest purchased one (which I thought was 4950), but possibly swapped for 4952?

(12 Oct 2015, 4:16 pm)Dan wrote DanPicken's edit is correct: 4952 is the one which is at Riverside, and it was moved across from Saltmeadows at 14:00 today.

I believe DiagTest purchased one (which I thought was 4950), but possibly swapped for 4952?

Cheers, wonder why they haven't bought the other 2?

(12 Oct 2015, 3:59 pm)citaro5284 wrote Explain that one?

Volvo B9TL D9B260 260BHP:

- Torque = 1100nm @ 1200rpm (900-1500rpm)

Wright Streetdeck Daimler OM934 5.1 231BHP:

- Torque = 900nm @ 1400rpm

Therefore at higher speeds, unless the power delivery was regulated by the setup of the vehicle which means it would be very slow and struggle to keep to time, then the Streetdeck would have to work harder than the B9TL to achieve the required output. Bar the Coast Road between Station Road / Benfield Road, New York Road past the powergrid (if no muppets are doodling along at 30-40mph on an NSL road!), Blyth Road and the Links Road, the Cobalt Clipper doesn't achieve any such great speeds anywhere else bar a few X39 runs and therefore, an economic setup of a Streetdeck would be more than adequate for both the 309 / 310 but not for the X21 and even more so that the Streetdeck would have to work harder to achieve such speeds. Even though the Micro Hybrid technology would make up for the lack of efficiency at 50mph, the benefits would be seen more across an intensive start-stop route rather than an express route. Don't forget that the Streetdeck is limited to 50mph whereas the B9TL could achieve up to 62mph (the legal limit).

(12 Oct 2015, 3:22 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Passenger loadings are looking alright for the 434. I've had to provide home-printed timetables to the bus station, which have ran out immediately! Not a lot of passengers are impressed, with cross-Ashington links only being possible during the first two journeys, kids being made to pay £1.50 adult singles to get to school (used to be 55p return on Phoenix) and long waiting and connection times to 2nd half 434 journeys etc.

Not sure how accurate this is, but I've heard there was some issues with the journey on the Bedlington Station school run this morning (bus was late/didn't turn up, didn't fully understand what they were saying), do you know anything about this?

(12 Oct 2015, 4:16 pm)Dan wrote DanPicken's edit is correct: 4952 is the one which is at Riverside, and it was moved across from Saltmeadows at 14:00 today.

I believe DiagTest purchased one (which I thought was 4950), but possibly swapped for 4952?

What will DiagTest do to it?

(12 Oct 2015, 5:09 pm)NK53 TKT wrote What will DiagTest do to it?

Maybe use it for spare parts. I think they bought a Cadet too.

(12 Oct 2015, 5:11 pm)Davie wrote Maybe use it for spare parts. I think they bought a Cadet too.

The cadet they have bought is 8252 and is currently for sale in eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-VDL-DAF-S...2359c5ecf7

(12 Oct 2015, 5:02 pm)mb134 wrote Not sure how accurate this is, but I've heard there was some issues with the journey on the Bedlington Station school run this morning (bus was late/didn't turn up, didn't fully understand what they were saying), do you know anything about this?

Sounds feasible as the 09:27 & 09:55 appearances at Ashington Bus Station were about 20 minuets late.

(12 Oct 2015, 6:03 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Sounds feasible as the 09:27 & 09:55 appearances at Ashington Bus Station were about 20 minuets late.

Not great on GNE's part then, if that school service was late, doesn't set a very good first impression at all...

(12 Oct 2015, 6:09 pm)mb134 wrote Not great on GNE's part then, if that school service was late, doesn't set a very good first impression at all...

Of course, we do not now what the reason was.....maybe out of GNE's control (not saying it was), but some things are not just back and white.

(12 Oct 2015, 6:12 pm)citaro5284 wrote Of course, we do not now what the reason was.....maybe out of GNE's control (not saying it was), but some things are not just back and white.

Yeah but passengers won't care. They'll just blame it on Go North East anyway. What usually happens and annoys the hell out of me.

(12 Oct 2015, 6:12 pm)citaro5284 wrote Of course, we do not now what the reason was.....maybe out of GNE's control (not saying it was), but some things are not just back and white.

Not saying it is their fault at all, and I don't even know for sure what happened, just bad impressions is all.

Did anyone do any of the new routes today in Hexham?

Will there be NSA's recorded for the new service 30 that is being introduced?

(12 Oct 2015, 6:20 pm)Jackamcardle wrote Will there be NSA's recorded for the new service 30 that is being introduced?

I would imagine so not sure if they'll be done before the 25th October though... they have to do the new V7/V8 to, and it looks like they'll be introduced to the 6/X70/X71 to.

Go North East

#82 service unable to operate between Glebe church and Titchfield road in both directions due to RTC

#4 service unable to serve between Glebe and Cooks hall due to RTC in both directions

(12 Oct 2015, 6:29 pm)Michael wrote I would imagine so not sure if they'll be done before the 25th October though... they have to do the new V7/V8 to, and it looks like they'll be introduced to the 6/X70/X71 to.

Next Stop announcements on the X70? What buses will they be using.

(12 Oct 2015, 6:47 pm)Jackamcardle wrote Next Stop announcements on the X70? What buses will they be using.

Omnidekkas. They do have NSA systems installed (with the visual announcement system seeing use as the Bus Stopping sign too).

Just downloaded and been exploring the new app. I quite like it.

(12 Oct 2015, 9:30 pm)S813 FVK wrote Just downloaded and been exploring the new app. I quite like it.

The new app is out? I didn't know GNE kept that quiet.

(12 Oct 2015, 9:34 pm)Michael wrote The new app is out? I didn't know GNE kept that quiet.

It was only updated and released publicly this afternoon.

The real time feature is still in testing stages and there are a few 'bugs' with it which perhaps explains the lack of publicity at this stage. I'm sure some of you would have spotted some of the bugs/glitches already - I've seen a few enthusiasts twisting on Facebook about it.

(12 Oct 2015, 10:02 pm)Dan wrote It was only updated and released publicly this afternoon.

The real time feature is still in testing stages and there are a few 'bugs' with it which perhaps explains the lack of publicity at this stage. I'm sure some of you would have spotted some of the bugs/glitches already - I've seen a few enthusiasts twisting on Facebook about it.

Ah right, least they can get feedback for it though all those who have complained.. i bet they didnt even report the bugs.

(12 Oct 2015, 10:02 pm)Dan wrote It was only updated and released publicly this afternoon.

The real time feature is still in testing stages and there are a few 'bugs' with it which perhaps explains the lack of publicity at this stage. I'm sure some of you would have spotted some of the bugs/glitches already - I've seen a few enthusiasts twisting on Facebook about it.

One bug I've noticed is services showing on the wrong stands in Eldon Square and Durham Bus Station, example Newcastle X21 in Durham Bus Station is showing up on stand A when it actually uses B and also shows the wrong times in some cases.

Hopefully the bugs/glitches can be fixed soon.

One thing that i have noticed is that some points appear to be in bold. Are these the timing points (havent checked the timetables to see if the bold stops match).