So in other words; WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you saying Scotts wrong?

As 1758, along with 1759 & 1799 are all Transbus Dart SLFs with Transbus MPD bodies. Exactly the same type as 549 to 574 of Go North East.

You can't get a MPD chassis or a SPD chassis. As these short and long chassis have been offered with other bodywork types especially the shorter Dart Chassis of which I've seen a few with Caetano Nimbus / Slimbus bodies and the Alexander ALX200 body. Also East Lancs have bodied a number of longer Dart chassis, a notable buyer being Surrey County Council who got a large batch of ELC Myllenium bodied examples to lend to operators for Surrey Council contracted routes.

The only real exception is well the Bluebird LMB, which recieved the same body as a Plaxton MPD, but cannot be called a MPD because it's not a Dart, so it's referred to as a Mini Pointer.

Well, knowing Arriva and their mix / match allocations, although not all of the 57 plate Sapphires at Ashington aren't complete and utter wrecks although there are some, I think that Arriva would most likely end up buying a whole new set of deckers for the 7 (10 required) if the 7 went fully double deck anytime soon with:

- 7534 to 7537 alongside 7540 transferring to Ashington meaning that the X21 / X22 would end up running with 7x 14 plate E40Ds, 5x 15 plate E40Ds, 1x 09 plate E40D and 2x 57 plate E40Ds with 2x or 3x 57 plates being kept as spare with the rest either going scrap, being sent around the country or staying in the region but moving to Darlo / Belmont as spares (although the 7 does have some low bridges where the full height E40D might not manage to get through according to Kuyoyo).

Not forgetting to mention though that this is based upon ADL stopping production of the Classic E400 bodywork and all E40Ds being the MMC version which will eventually happen at somepoint. Having the MMC and Classic operating on the same routes would be a bit shite and it's best to keep the vehicle types on a premium route the same or very similar for that matter. So although in theory it may be a good idea just to buy 8x new vehicles for the X21 / X22 (unless Classic bodywork), buying an additional 2x would allow a whole route to benefit from the same new vehicle type which in this instance, it would be the 7.

Of course, all of the above would depend upon:
- Further passenger growth on the 7
- Need for more single deck Sapphire spec vehicles either in the North East or nationally.


Note to mods: No propaganda to get the 57 plates shifted but would be the most likely option knowing Arriva.

Knowing Arriva, they totally let the side down yesterday (Durham depot in particular), they had all 13 6-branded Sapphires on the 6.  Completely disgraceful if you ask me.

Darlington put up a much better show of course, MAX Omnicity and Frequenta Solo on the 1/5A

Knowing Arriva, they totally let the side down yesterday (Durham depot in particular), they had all 13 6-branded Sapphires on the 6.  Completely disgraceful if you ask me.

Darlington put up a much better show of course, MAX Omnicity and Frequenta Solo on the 1/5A

Not sure on everything that went wrong with Darlington's allocations yesterday, but I believe that the Frequenta Solo on the 1/5/5A/19 yesterday went out on the 09:30 5A from Darlington Town Centre possibly because the bus which was meant to be on that run was running 15 minutes late, although said bus that was late was 21/X21 branded EcoCity 4814 so Lord knows why that was on there.

If you think Darlington was bad yesterday, Redcar had Sapphire 1440 and 1560 on the 22/64/64A whilst 1434 was on the X3.

Stockton put 1444 out at 11:05 with a few swaps of MAX X12 Pulsar's seemingly to ensure the service was leaving Middlesbrough on-time rather than keep the branded buses on running around 20 minutes late. MAX spare 1415 was on Sapphire 5/5A as I don't think some of the StreetLite's were on the road.

Belmont are usually okay with Sapphire allocations on Monday - Saturday's although what's the deal with some of the non Sapphire allocations on the 22 on some Sundays recently?

If you think that's bad from Darlington, look at today's:

1906 on 12
2866 on 2
1516 on X75/X76
4650 on 12/12A

Not sure on everything that went wrong with Darlington's allocations yesterday, but I believe that the Frequenta Solo on the 1/5/5A/19 yesterday went out on the 09:30 5A from Darlington Town Centre possibly because the bus which was meant to be on that run was running 15 minutes late, although said bus that was late was 21/X21 branded EcoCity 4814 so Lord knows why that was on there.

If you think Darlington was bad yesterday, Redcar had Sapphire 1440 and 1560 on the 22/64/64A whilst 1434 was on the X3.

Stockton put 1444 out at 11:05 with a few swaps of MAX X12 Pulsar's seemingly to ensure the service was leaving Middlesbrough on-time rather than keep the branded buses on running around 20 minutes late. MAX spare 1415 was on Sapphire 5/5A as I don't think some of the StreetLite's were on the road.

Belmont are usually okay with Sapphire allocations on Monday - Saturday's although what's the deal with some of the non Sapphire allocations on the 22 on some Sundays recently?

1551 and 1555 were off yesterday, hence 1415 & 1512 both being out. 1551 replaced 1559 mid morning after 1559 broke down in Loftus.
Back up to full strength today until 1559 came off at 1035 and 1512 went out in its place.

There was a service 6 Sapphire branded Pulsar on the X12 this afternoon, saw it pass the shop I was working in at Low Fell.

7415 has received route branding for the X20 and was finally allocated the route today.

7412 will receive full MAX branding tonight, along with 7413 and 7414.

Either 7413 or 7414 will be attending the MAX launch tomorrow, and the last non-MAX vehicle will be 7481, which will be unable to be replaced due to the launches in both the morning and afternoon.

---

7415 is operating the 1415 Ashington to Alnwick X20 service. 7412 is operating the 1445 Ashington to Newcastle X20 service.

7412 will receive full MAX branding tonight, along with 7413 and 7414.

Either 7413 or 7414 will be attending the MAX launch tomorrow, and the last non-MAX vehicle will be 7481, which will be unable to be replaced due to the launches in both the morning and afternoon.

---

7415 is operating the 1415 Ashington to Alnwick X20 service. 7412 is operating the 1445 Ashington to Newcastle X20 service.

Thanks for the update, I shall be attending the X20 MAX launch tomorrow.

What's the betting that it's going to be the full 10 work days before I get a reply from Arriva? I#ve not even had an acknowledgement.

1906 now in service at Darlington, operating service 12/12A today.
https://flic.kr/p/CnMVuf

1906 now in service at Darlington, operating service 12/12A today.
https://flic.kr/p/CnMVuf

How long will it be at Darlo?

How long will it be at Darlo?

According to the Sheffield Omnibus Enthusiast Society, it has been sold to Yorkshire Tiger (as opposed to loaned) along with 1909 and 1912, so presumably, not very long!

According to the Sheffield Omnibus Enthusiast Society, it has been sold to Yorkshire Tiger (as opposed to loaned) along with 1909 and 1912, so presumably, not very long!

No doubt it will be here until Darlington get there scanias back

sorry about asking this i know its already been asked when the MAX launch

sorry about asking this i know its already been asked when the MAX launch

Today.

sorry about asking this i know its already been asked when the MAX launch

Today. Details should be on the ane fakebook page.

Noticed 7605 over the pits at Jesmond this morning

7415 attended the MAX launch at Woodhorn today. The launch had started at revised times, due to the expected low attendance at 1100 instead of 1120.

Only four members of the public, including me and my mam, attended this event. Over 30 schoolchildren attended from Bothal Middle School.

There was a second launch at Bothal Middle School, this afternoon, which wasn't open to the public.

7415 attended the MAX launch at Woodhorn today. The launch had started at revised times, due to the expected low attendance at 1100 instead of 1120.

Only four members of the public, including me and my mam, attended this event. Over 30 schoolchildren attended from Bothal Middle School.

There was a second launch at Bothal Middle School, this afternoon, which wasn't open to the public.

They brought the launch forward from 1120 to 1100 "due to the expected low attendance"?! How do they know how many people were on their way to attend at 1120?!

What's the betting that it's going to be the full 10 work days before I get a reply from Arriva? I#ve not even had an acknowledgement.

10 working days? You're optimistic aren't you?!

I currently use the X20 5 days a week and would have had no idea of the launch if it wasn't for this thread and Arriva Facebook page. Not sure how many bus users are going to be going to Woodhorn  and standing outside on a cold Thursday morning anyway!

They brought the launch forward from 1120 to 1100 "due to the expected low attendance"?! How do they know how many people were on their way to attend at 1120?!

And even then, the attendance would have been low due to people travelling to get there at 11:20 rather than 11:00! Just adds to the list of reasons taken from thin air really.

Look at it this way, it's about 3/4 of a mile from Ashington bus station to Woodhorn Museum, it's 1/2 mile from Woodhorn Crossroads to Woodhorn Museum, there is an infrequent 1/X20 service serving Woodhorn Crossroads.

Who is going to walk to attend an event like this....

Oh, and the museum was closed yesterday too....

I would told by a person from Arriva who was present, and they said they tried to find a place where has an area indoors, as its rather cold. They couldn't find anywhere, so they had to book a place at Woodhorn Museum to hold the event, otherwise there would be no launch at all.

1906 about to get towed away by Bradley's should have been on 12/12a but developed a fault this morning and subsequently broke down

4652 is just leaving Darlington now on 1550 X26 to Colburn. Will then work 1652 X26 to Darlington and 1755 X26 to Catterick Bridge.
Now in MAX livery & refurbished interior
It's replaced 4650

4652 is just leaving Darlington now on 1550 X26 to Colburn. Will then work 1652 X26 to Darlington and 1755 X26 to Catterick Bridge.
Now in MAX livery & refurbished interior
It's replaced 4650

On its way to Colburn in Richmond Market Place

Further movements on an amended version:

1101 transferred to Yorkshire Tiger, 1103 moved from disposal to 'Under Repair'
4722 moved into active fleet at Redcar, displacing 4513 to Disposal
1906 is formally listed at Darlington
7416/7 move from reserve to Under Repair
7413 now on fleet strength as 'Under Repair'

4513 still hanging in there. On it's old stomping ground of 81/81A today.

Noted at least two streetlights and 7489 on 22/64/64A today too.

MAX X7 X8 X9 launch will be held on Thursday 28th January.

Quorum Business Park at 1200 and Blyth Market Place at 1400.

As mentioned before, 7415 attended the MAX launch at Woodhorn on Thursday.



Taking it to the MAX by Thomas Simms, on Flickr