But surely there would have been a branded vehicle sitting spare in the depot, too? Going for the unbranded spare because it was parked closest to the depot exit just seems lazy.

Then the moans would begin about a X21/X22 vehicle on the X18.

It's a Sapphire ffs.

7518 was parked closest to the depot exit. Plus, it's the highest-spec spare vehicle, so it doesn't make much of an impact if allocated to other services.

That is the worst excuse I think I've ever heard! Laziness at it's finest. 

Arriva paid money to have them branded, use them!

Then the moans would begin about a X21/X22 vehicle on the X18.

It's a Sapphire ffs.

Where does the X18 come into this?

I hate to sound patronising but we are discussing 7518 being allocated to services X21/X22 or however it works on a Sunday.

I should probably say that I agree with your point that it is a Sapphire vehicle allocated to a Sapphire service - doing the job it was intended to do. However, we all know that on Sundays, the PVR of most services is reduced. In this instance, however, it would have been more sensible to allocate an X21/X22 branded vehicle rather than the spare. 

To be honest, why can't they just add route vinyls for the X21/X22 onto 7518 anyway. They are the only Sapphire routes at Ashington and even if it was to appear on a different service, it would still be classed as a rare/odd working (even if it does happen quite often).

1452 is spending the morning on 5/5A due to 1556 breaking down. It's on 1050 5 from Middlesbrough

1452 is spending the morning on 5/5A due to 1556 breaking down.  It's on 1050 5 from Middlesbrough

Typical you're on Sapphire a week and you're breaking our buses already?! :p What's up with it?

1456 on 17a

But surely there would have been a branded vehicle sitting spare in the depot, too? Going for the unbranded spare because it was parked closest to the depot exit just seems lazy.

May be to get the mileage up? If branded ones are always used in preference its never going to do anything. Its not as though the branded ones are going to appear on the 'wrong' route so I can't see that it matters.

X3/X4 Streetlite on a 22.

2843 on 1/5/5A/19 replacing a pulsar that's been involved in a accident at bishop earlier this morning

7539 out all night on X12

7539 out all night on X12

2840 on the X12 Shuttle.

1790 (u/allox) and a decker on 115.

1923 on loan to Redcar operating the 63 all day

Typical you're on Sapphire a week and you're breaking our buses already?! :p What's up with it?

Away you had to know it was going to happen! The battery went on it and wouldn't start again!

7539 out all night on X12

Arriva North East 7539 (NK15 DZR) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

Last Saturday afternoon I caught the GNE No 1 from Chowdene to Newcastle and as we approached the Cannon a single deck Arriva X12 was pulling out of Lowreys Lane turning right onto Durham Road. Later at Gateshead Interchange I saw presumably the same bus parked with its indicator showing 'X12 Low Fell The Cannon'. This seemed an unusual operation for an Arriva bus especially as it has no stops between Gateshead and the Cannon.

Last Saturday afternoon I caught the GNE No 1 from Chowdene to Newcastle and as we approached the Cannon a single deck Arriva X12 was pulling out of Lowreys Lane turning right onto Durham Road. Later at Gateshead Interchange I saw presumably the same bus parked with its indicator showing 'X12 Low Fell The Cannon'. This seemed an unusual operation for an Arriva bus especially as it has no stops between  Gateshead and the Cannon.

Shuttle service for High West Street closure in Gateshead. No X12s will call at Gateshead.

Shuttle service for High West Street closure in Gateshead. No X12s will call at Gateshead.

..and although this shuttle service is in operation, several X12s have been sighted this week still going through Gateshead Interchange!

Nine times out of ten it's been a Pulsar (so presumably a Stockton turn) although yesterday at about 15:00 it was a Gemini, so would have been a Durham turn.

09 reg Pulsar on 4's in Darlington this morning. THAT should be fun!

09 reg Pulsar on 4's in Darlington this morning. THAT should be fun!

Can't be worse than when they used to send a EcoCity round there on a morning.

I'm told...
2851 on X1.
4645 on 1/5/5A/19

Can't be worse than when they used to send a EcoCity round there on a morning.

I'm told...
2851 on X1.
4645 on 1/5/5A/19

2849 on 2's (Mr Pottski) now replaced by 1509
4645 on 1/5/5A/19 (as Jimmi said)
1426 was on the 4's replaced by 2865 which then broke down, which then got replaced by 4654 which has the developed a fault

2850 on X75/X76
2865 now on 3s


Jimmi 2851 is on 9/10 just seen it now

1423 on 17

1423 on 17

And now 1409 is on 17As

7477 on the MAX X12 seen departing Chester le Street for Newcastle at15:40.

7477 on the MAX X12 seen departing Chester le Street for Newcastle at15:40.

Just passed it in sedgefield bound for Middlesbrough

A X3/X4 Streetlite on 64/64A. 1440 on 63.

1759 over the pits at Redcar, 2827 in the yard. Apparently two 110xs on 94/5.

1759 over the pits at Redcar, 2827 in the yard. Apparently two 110xs on 94/5.

1759 is at Stockton for test tomorrow, or should be. Was there for chassis wash last Wednesday

1423 on 17

Arriva North East 1423 (NK09 EJY) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

And now 1409 is on 17As

Arriva North East 1409 (NK09 BPY) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

A X3/X4 Streetlite on 64/64A. 1440 on 63.

1440 on 63 Monday night as well.