(16 Jan 2016, 8:43 pm)LeeCalder wrote I'm referring to visitors to the area, not locals....

I'll agree with you on that one. When I go to other areas (ie not standing in Stockton or Middlesbrough all day) like my recent visit to Kent, personally I find that the branded routes are easier to look at and understand. They stand out (eg the Sapphire and Fastrack routes around Dartford and Chatham) and for me are easier to use, although some of this could be down to the upgraded publicity that goes along with these commercial brands maybe? There has to be more effort put into pushing your commercial brands after spending more than the usual amount on the rebrand I guess, so maybe that makes them easier to understand as a result?

Brands don't have to have a meaning behind them all of the time though. Look at Oyster... What's that got to do with a travel smartcard in London?

(16 Jan 2016, 9:00 pm)tyresmoke wrote I'll agree with you on that one. When I go to other areas (ie not standing in Stockton or Middlesbrough all day) like my recent visit to Kent, personally I find that the branded routes are easier to look at and understand. They stand out (eg the Sapphire and Fastrack routes around Dartford and Chatham) and for me are easier to use, although some of this could be down to the upgraded publicity that goes along with these commercial brands maybe? There has to be more effort put into pushing your commercial brands after spending more than the usual amount on the rebrand I guess, so maybe that makes them easier to understand as a result?

Brands don't have to have a meaning behind them all of the time though. Look at Oyster... What's that got to do with a travel smartcard in London?

The world (or, rather London, but it is the world to some) is your oyster.

Bwahahahahahaha!!!

Sorry. Channeling my misspent 80s yoof, now.

(16 Jan 2016, 9:00 pm)tyresmoke wrote I'll agree with you on that one. When I go to other areas (ie not standing in Stockton or Middlesbrough all day) like my recent visit to Kent, personally I find that the branded routes are easier to look at and understand. They stand out (eg the Sapphire and Fastrack routes around Dartford and Chatham) and for me are easier to use, although some of this could be down to the upgraded publicity that goes along with these commercial brands maybe? There has to be more effort put into pushing your commercial brands after spending more than the usual amount on the rebrand I guess, so maybe that makes them easier to understand as a result?

Brands don't have to have a meaning behind them all of the time though. Look at Oyster... What's that got to do with a travel smartcard in London?

For a long time, all the operators did was give a bus a lick of paint and add some decals.
Inside, the bus was no different.

I am glad to see some of the 'extras', such as seating that is different to the standard,make a return - an idea pushed way back when, with ExpressLink, Superliner etc.
However those vehicles often had uprated engines - making them standout on the longer, more punishing routes.

Blinds on the 4.
Bournmoor appears as a scrolling via point on the rear blinds ex Houghton. Not on the front though.

Ex Heworth, not on the back. Didn't get the chance to see the front unfortunately.

Noticed it today on 3 vehicles.
I saw 5368 (a 4th vehicle) in both directions.

Any ideas?

edit: I have photos, but unable to upload at the mo.
Will try in a mo.

(17 Jan 2016, 4:53 pm)Andreos1 wrote Blinds on the 4.
Bournmoor appears as a scrolling via point on the rear blinds ex Houghton. Not on the front though.

Ex Heworth, not on the back. Didn't get the chance to see the front unfortunately.

Noticed it today on 3 vehicles.
I saw 5368 (a 4th vehicle) in both directions.

Any ideas?

I'm not sure what you think you saw, but the via points are copied and pasted into each different type of display, so the via points are the same regardless of display. All that is ever changed is the terminal point, which remains static, so is sometimes abbreviated (ie Houghton-le-Spr). The rear display is slightly smaller, so the via points aren't shown 'in-sync' with the front display, which may have caused some confusion?

I'll have a look at the programme tomorrow to confirm, but I've had a quick look on Flickr and can see that Bournmoor is included as a via point in both directions on the front display (and taking into consideration what I said above, it should be on the rear display too) - see photos below:

Go North East: 5366 / BX63BDO by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5365 / BX63 BDF (Connections 4) by Lee  Calder, on Flickr

Where abouts was 561 involved in its crash?, it must of took some damage for it to be withdrawn.

Just noticed while checking the news.

(17 Jan 2016, 10:09 pm)Michael wrote Where abouts was 561 involved in its crash?, it must of took some damage for it to be withdrawn.

Just noticed while checking the news.

From what I heard the driver tried to stop, but lost control on an icy road and got stuck.

(17 Jan 2016, 4:53 pm)Andreos1 wrote Blinds on the 4.
Bournmoor appears as a scrolling via point on the rear blinds ex Houghton. Not on the front though.

Ex Heworth, not on the back. Didn't get the chance to see the front unfortunately.

(17 Jan 2016, 5:00 pm)Dan wrote I'll have a look at the programme tomorrow to confirm, but I've had a quick look on Flickr and can see that Bournmoor is included as a via point in both directions on the front display (and taking into consideration what I said above, it should be on the rear display too)

Not sure why, but there is a variance between front and back on the Heworth display. It's missed out completely on the Houghton-le-Spring display, as it coincides with the 'Places served' for this service on Go North East's website (http://www.simplygo.com/all-services/connections-4).

Will be amended the upload next month - ta for giving me the heads up. 

Fleet Update: 18/01/2016

DAF SB120/Cadets 8254 and 8255 have been withdrawn from Washington and 8254 has been sold to Alpha Recovery, Weetslade together with Dennis Trident/East Lancs 3863: W863 PNL. Also sold are DAF SB120/Cadets 8250, 8251 and 8253 to Trevor Wigley, Carlton.

This isn't necessarily a dispute but what is the difference between 'Delves Lane' and 'Delves' in Consett? I was under the impression that they were the same place.

I only ask because 6128 was allocated to service 826 tonight and I noticed its via points were Hounsgill Drive, Delves Lane and Delves.

(18 Jan 2016, 4:38 pm)S813 FVK wrote This isn't necessarily a dispute but what is the difference between 'Delves Lane' and 'Delves' in Consett? I was under the impression that they were the same place.

I only ask because 6128 was allocated to service 826 tonight and I noticed its via points were Hounsgill Drive, Delves Lane and Delves.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Delv...fd36b7c1b8

Delves Lane refers to the area immediately adjacent to Delves Lane, and Delves is the name of the estate situated to the east of Delves Lane.

I know people who live on the latter estate and they refer as to living in Delves Lane. Colloquially, the terms of interchangeable.

(18 Jan 2016, 4:47 pm)MurdnunoC wrote https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Delv...fd36b7c1b8

Delves Lane refers to the area immediately adjacent to Delves Lane, and Delves is the name of the estate situated to the east of Delves Lane.

I know people who live on the latter estate and they refer as to living in Delves Lane. Colloquially, the terms of interchangeable.

Cheers.

I believe last year's St. Bede's scholars timetable gave both 'Delves' and 'Delves Lane' as timing points, and the via points for the St. Bede's scholars services were made last year with terminal and via points coinciding with the timetable on the company's website.

This year, both estates seem to be down as 'Delves Lane' on the timetable. As you say, the names for both estates seem to be interchangeable.

(18 Jan 2016, 4:47 pm)MurdnunoC wrote https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Delv...fd36b7c1b8

Delves Lane refers to the area immediately adjacent to Delves Lane, and Delves is the name of the estate situated to the east of Delves Lane.

I know people who live on the latter estate and they refer as to living in Delves Lane. Colloquially, the terms of interchangeable.

Interesting.

As you've probably gathered already, i have always referred to that area as 'Delves Lane' and only ever said 'Delves' to shorten it down rather than directly referring to the place itself.

Thank you anyway.

The "Stopping" sign on 5401 is slightly broken...

When the bell is pushed, only the "g" illuminates.

(18 Jan 2016, 5:09 pm)LeeCalder wrote The "Stopping" sign on 5401 is slightly broken...

When the bell is pushed, only the "g" illuminates.

thanks

Ain't nuthin' but a G thang.

(18 Jan 2016, 4:54 pm)S813 FVK wrote Interesting.

As you've probably gathered already, i have always referred to that area as 'Delves Lane' and only ever said 'Delves' to shorten it down rather than directly referring to the place itself.

From Wiki:-

Delves Lane is a small village near Consett, County Durham, England, and is not far from the village of Lanchester.
There is a village hall, which was constructed in 1925.

(18 Jan 2016, 5:09 pm)LeeCalder wrote The "Stopping" sign on 5401 is slightly broken...

When the bell is pushed, only the "g" illuminates.

Same applies to 4981 thus why am not a fan of this bus as it keeps on dinging its bell even though nobody pressed it

(18 Jan 2016, 5:16 pm)Diamond One wrote Same applies to 4981 thus why am not a fan of this bus as it keeps on dinging its bell even though nobody pressed it

South Tyne Versas are the same.

(18 Jan 2016, 5:32 pm)DanPicken wrote South Tyne Versas are the same.

Not when am on there not I use that service at least once or twice a week tomorrow I'll be using it

(18 Jan 2016, 5:36 pm)Diamond One wrote Not when am on there not I use that service at least once or twice a week tomorrow I'll be using it

We've discussed this one before - had a quick rake around but can't find the post. Think Michael brought it up originally?

It happens on all of the 09-plate series Optare Versas (and possibly the 10-plate ones too?) It only happens every now and again - it sounds similar to the bell-push sound, but doesn't actually mean that the bell has been pushed. If I remember rightly, someone explained what it was...

(18 Jan 2016, 5:56 pm)Dan wrote We've discussed this one before - had a quick rake around but can't find the post. Think Michael brought it up originally?

It happens on all of the 09-plate series Optare Versas (and possibly the 10-plate ones too?) It only happens every now and again - it sounds similar to the bell-push sound, but doesn't actually mean that the bell has been pushed. If I remember rightly, someone explained what it was...

The ghost of Go Ahead Northern past......

(18 Jan 2016, 5:56 pm)Dan wrote We've discussed this one before - had a quick rake around but can't find the post. Think Michael brought it up originally?

It happens on all of the 09-plate series Optare Versas (and possibly the 10-plate ones too?) It only happens every now and again - it sounds similar to the bell-push sound, but doesn't actually mean that the bell has been pushed. If I remember rightly, someone explained what it was...

It seems to be quite common with Optare products in my experience, can often hear them on Solos, wasn't fun the day I got the Scarlet Band 33 from Ferryhill to Sedgefield and the noise was made and had to convince the driver that I hadn't pressed the bell and I didn't want to get off in Mainsforth! :s

Think it's some sort of warning noise or something like that?

(18 Jan 2016, 5:56 pm)Dan wrote We've discussed this one before - had a quick rake around but can't find the post. Think Michael brought it up originally?

It happens on all of the 09-plate series Optare Versas (and possibly the 10-plate ones too?) It only happens every now and again - it sounds similar to the bell-push sound, but doesn't actually mean that the bell has been pushed. If I remember rightly, someone explained what it was...

I think the 10-plate ones (Well the ones I've used) are usually fine.

(18 Jan 2016, 5:56 pm)Dan wrote We've discussed this one before - had a quick rake around but can't find the post. Think Michael brought it up originally?

It happens on all of the 09-plate series Optare Versas (and possibly the 10-plate ones too?) It only happens every now and again - it sounds similar to the bell-push sound, but doesn't actually mean that the bell has been pushed. If I remember rightly, someone explained what it was...

On the QuayLink Versas this does not happen, on the Lambton Worm examples this does happen

(18 Jan 2016, 6:09 pm)Jimmi wrote It seems to be quite common with Optare products in my experience, can often hear them on Solos, wasn't fun the day I got the Scarlet Band 33 from Ferryhill to Sedgefield and the noise was made and had to convince the driver that I hadn't pressed the bell and I didn't want to get off in Mainsforth! :s

Think it's some sort of warning noise or something like that?

True, when I lived on the route of the 46 this happened, it sounds a bit like McDonalds when you press the bell

6003 has advert boards.

(18 Jan 2016, 9:36 pm)DanPicken wrote 6003 has advert boards.

busmanT confirmed here that 6001, 6002 and 6003 would be fitted with advertisement holders.

(18 Jan 2016, 9:36 pm)DanPicken wrote 6003 has advert boards.

So does 8304.

Will the new solos on NTL have NSA?