Any word on the x1s for today?

(30 Jan 2016, 11:34 am)BusLoverMum wrote Any word on the x1s for today?

6007 departs from Newcastle at 10:45, 13:05, 15:25, 17:45, 20:00 and 22:00 towards Easington Lane.
6050 departs from Newcastle at 09:20, 11:45, 14:05 and 16:25 towards Easington Lane.

(30 Jan 2016, 12:01 pm)Dan wrote 6007 departs from Newcastle at 10:45, 13:05, 15:25, 17:45, 20:00 and 22:00 towards Easington Lane.
6050 departs from Newcastle at 09:20, 11:45, 14:05 and 16:25 towards Easington Lane.

Cheers.

Of course, he's changed his mind about catching one, now

(30 Jan 2016, 12:43 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Cheers.

Of course, he's changed his mind about catching one, now

That's because Dan took to long to reply!  

(30 Jan 2016, 2:30 am)Dan wrote Not too sure how much of a 'permanent' solution this is, but that is correct, in a bid to provide a younger vehicle and improve reliability on the 434/448 services (also why the two red Volvo B9s, 6116 and 6117, have been regularly allocated on weekdays since the contract started).

3859 has transferred to Riverside in exchange - likely to be used on scholars only, so I'm guessing a few more dual-door Volvo B7s will crop up on the TEN.

I think personally, the following should happen rather than taking straight of Riverside who already need more B9s as it is:

- 6100 transfers from Deptford to Riverside in exchange for a Vyking owing to the improved reliability of the Fab 56 where despite still running late sometimes, can easily recover time at either end due to the PVR being reduced to 14 vehicles last year increasing layover time on a 12 minute frequency. 6100 then becomes part of the TEN PVR and branded accordingly allowing 6084 (which is fitted with a Tachograph) to become a spare for the TEN / TTX alongside 3963 / 3964 as well as 3942 at Hexham.

- 3941 then could transfer to Percy Main on a more long term basis to help with the 434/448 services.

(30 Jan 2016, 12:43 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Cheers.

Of course, he's changed his mind about catching one, now

Very disappointed in Big'un!

(30 Jan 2016, 1:30 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I think personally, the following should happen rather than taking straight of Riverside who already need more B9s as it is:

- 6100 transfers from Deptford to Riverside in exchange for a Vyking owing to the improved reliability of the Fab 56 where despite still running late sometimes, can easily recover time at either end due to the PVR being reduced to 14 vehicles last year increasing layover time on a 12 minute frequency. 6100 then becomes part of the TEN PVR and branded accordingly allowing 6084 (which is fitted with a Tachograph) to become a spare for the TEN / TTX alongside 3963 / 3964 as well as 3942 at Hexham.

- 3941 then could transfer to Percy Main on a more long term basis to help with the 434/448 services.

No thanks, Percy Main are welcome to one of Deptfords Vykings though.....

(30 Jan 2016, 1:31 pm)Dan wrote Very disappointed in Big'un!

Typically, he's decided on an x1, anyhow. Just neither of those! Bloody demand avoidance.

Some of the signs in the simplicity versas are a bit out of date. One here showing the route of simplicity 36!

5166 destination on front is cutting some of the top line text off. Also seen it not in service before and it doesnt fill the whole front

(30 Jan 2016, 3:00 pm)dannygee wrote 5166 destination on front is cutting some of the top line text off. Also seen it not in service before and it doesnt fill the whole front

It was set to the wrong profile temporarily, as the DERIC+ controller on this vehicle would not load a profile with double-digits (and the destination display combo for all dual-door Volvo B10BLEs is 10) and we had no spare controllers on the night we rolled out profiling at Percy Main.

I will see if we can get this fixed now - thanks.

Does anyone know if 8270 went back on service X88, as me and Dan were on the 14:55 from Washington heading towards the Metrocentre, and it was chucking a load of white smoke, and smelt of burning (Typical Cadet). Once we reached the Metrocentre the driver was made aware, so he checked the engine and then went of to the layover bay with'Not In Service" on the blind.

(29 Jan 2016, 11:44 pm)S813 FVK wrote Well according to 'that' facebook group, 3941 has transferred to Percy Main to replace 3859 on the 434.

(30 Jan 2016, 2:30 am)Dan wrote Not too sure how much of a 'permanent' solution this is, but that is correct, in a bid to provide a younger vehicle and improve reliability on the 434/448 services (also why the two red Volvo B9s, 6116 and 6117, have been regularly allocated on weekdays since the contract started).

3859 has transferred to Riverside in exchange - likely to be used on scholars only, so I'm guessing a few more dual-door Volvo B7s will crop up on the TEN.

Would it not be more appropriate for a Dual-Door Volvo B7 to transfer to Percy Main for use on service 434, they are still younger than 3859.

Also, apart from running the Scholars service morning and afternoon, the 434 service never seems that busy, most times I've seen it pass at work, you are lucky if 4 or 5 people are on board often there is No passengers on board. This is usually between Sleekburn and Bedlington Stn, I'm not sure how busy it usually is towards Ashington and Linton.

I know even when Arriva ran this service, again in the same areas it was always almost empty.

Obviously, I don't know what its actual passenger loadings are, I am just expressing my opinion of what I see. I presume Dan or Citaro may be able to give a better indication of overall passenger numbers on this service.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:31 pm)Davie wrote Does anyone know if 8270 went back on service X88, as me and Dan were on the 14:55 from Washington heading towards the Metrocentre, and it was chucking a load of white smoke, and smelt of burning (Typical Cadet). Once we reached the Metrocentre the driver was made aware, so he checked the engine and then went of to the layover bay with'Not In Service" on the blind.

14:18 X88 from the Metrocentre was worked by 3943. 3943 was also on the 17:18 journey from the Metrocentre.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:47 pm)Jimmi wrote 14:18 X88 from the Metrocentre was worked by 3943. 3943 was also on the 17:18 journey from the Metrocentre.

There was 2 buses on today.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:48 pm)DanPicken wrote There was 2 buses on today.

Likely that one replaced the other (ie it was late running) rather than 2 vehicles being allocated to a service with a PVR of 1.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:48 pm)DanPicken wrote There was 2 buses on today.

Often seems to be the way on Saturday's at the moment as the timetable is not the easiest to keep to with traffic on the A1 and round the MetroCentre, 3943 left the MetroCentre over 10 minutes late on the 14:18 departure.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:47 pm)Jimmi wrote 14:18 X88 from the Metrocentre was worked by 3943. 3943 was also on the 17:18 journey from the Metrocentre.

It was the last one from the Metrocentre this morning, too.

Agree that it's impossible to do there and back in an hour, at the moment. The one we caught from Washington back in November ended up having to miss out concord, which probably annoyed a fair few people.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:51 pm)S813 FVK wrote Likely that one replaced the other (ie it was late running) rather than 2 vehicles being allocated to a service with a PVR of 1.

No, 2 were on we were on 8270 and 5 mins outside the Galleries 3943 passed the same at around 13:00.

(30 Jan 2016, 11:04 am)GMitchelhill wrote Try being on emergency tickets in a betting shop

i bet the driver is using Ladbrooks slips 

(30 Jan 2016, 1:34 pm)Michael wrote No thanks, Percy Main are welcome to one of Deptfords Vykings though.....

Vykings have appeared at Percy Main before i remember getting a shot of it on 307 
Evidence: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/94...ZDH-a6WpKZ taken years ago in 2013

anyhow i heard a roumor the 5 will be operated out of CLS as opposed to Riverside the 5 will interwork with something like 50 i can see 5 joining that brand now

(30 Jan 2016, 8:15 pm)Diamond One wrote i bet the driver is using Ladbrooks slips 

Vykings have appeared at Percy Main before i remember getting a shot of it on 307 
Evidence: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/94...ZDH-a6WpKZ taken years ago in 2013

anyhow i heard a roumor the 5 will be operated out of CLS as opposed to Riverside the 5 will interwork with something like 50 i can see 5 joining that brand now

Would not be a better idea in that case to move the 5 over to Deptford and have it interworking with the short 9.

(30 Jan 2016, 8:42 pm)Malarkey wrote Would not be a better idea in that case to move the 5 over to Deptford and have it interworking with the short 9.

would be better but it has been done in the past on a sunday sometimes back then a dart would either go on 9 or 88 CLS are getting some Deptford cast off's probs vykings or solars possibly presidents

8270 was parked up in the bay as the 17:18 departed, I was waiting for about an hour for it and when 3943 came, I was quite peed off...

Edit - woop 250 posts

(29 Jan 2016, 10:34 pm)Adrian wrote I'd say that was a bit speculative. I can't recall any links to Sunderland AFC when the brand was promoted, so it could mean absolutely anything. There's certainly nothing fast about Sunderland AFC, and nor did it provide any links when first launched.

Cue someone digging out timetable literature from 2009...  :s

The X35 fastcats has no relation to safc or Sunderland, it's only related at the Hartlepool end of the route.

(30 Jan 2016, 10:27 pm)cbma06 wrote The X35 fastcats has no relation to safc or Sunderland, it's only related at the Hartlepool end of the route.

actually it does the nickname for the club is black cats and on the livery it references Cats which it references Fast Cats means ready for battle to win games and the livery is black so technically its Black (base livery) cats (name of the club) Fast (speed and determined to win)

(30 Jan 2016, 7:31 pm)Davie wrote Does anyone know if 8270 went back on service X88, as me and Dan were on the 14:55 from Washington heading towards the Metrocentre, and it was chucking a load of white smoke, and smelt of burning (Typical Cadet). Once we reached the Metrocentre the driver was made aware, so he checked the engine and then went of to the layover bay with'Not In Service" on the blind.

8270 replaced another vehicle on service 4 at Concord around 10:35, and had a trip to Houghton and back before being replaced itself.

It was then allocated to service X88 for the 12:49 X88 service from Concord, and return journey, before going back to the depot. It was then allocated to service X88 again on the 14:49 X88 service from Concord, and, as you say, did not operate the return journey.

(30 Jan 2016, 7:39 pm)thetravelman wrote Would it not be more appropriate for a Dual-Door Volvo B7 to transfer to Percy Main for use on service 434, they are still younger than 3859.

Also, apart from running the Scholars service morning and afternoon, the 434 service never seems that busy, most times I've seen it pass at work, you are lucky if 4 or 5 people are on board often there is No passengers on board. This is usually between Sleekburn and Bedlington Stn, I'm not sure how busy it usually is towards Ashington and Linton.

I know even when Arriva ran this service, again in the same areas it was always almost empty.

Obviously, I don't know what its actual passenger loadings are, I am just expressing my opinion of what I see. I presume Dan or Citaro may be able to give a better indication of overall passenger numbers on this service.

It is not ideal for the depot to have to trek all the way to Ashington to replace a defective vehicle: this is probably why a younger Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7 was selected over an older East Lancs Vyking bodied example - the former is probably a lot more reliable.

In addition to that - without looking, I am unsure if there are any sort of contractual requirements with regards to capacity on service 448. 3859 seats 77 passengers, 3941 seats 74, and a Vyking seats 67 in total. It may be that 67 seats does not meet the required capacity for service 448?

As you say, it's not necessarily the 434 service which requires the double-deck capacity (if it was that busy, it wouldn't be secured by the local authority!)

(30 Jan 2016, 7:48 pm)DanPicken wrote There was 2 buses on today.

Roadworks on the A1 are causing delays to the X88 service. Where possible, Go North East is ensuring that the X88 service departs Concord on time, by deploying a spare bus and driver every trip. Drivers are also taking weird and wonderful routes to the Metrocentre (most often via Team Valley and Teams), in an attempt to combat delays.

The delayed bus then usually sits in Concord Bus Station or the depot until the next trip (becoming the spare bus), as in the above example with 8270.

While I don't think the reference is to SAFC direct, the 'black cats' idea is certainly portrayed in the livery.

(31 Jan 2016, 1:22 am)Diamond One wrote actually it does the nickname for the club is black cats and on the livery it references Cats which it references Fast Cats means ready for battle to win games and the livery is black so technically its Black (base livery) cats (name of the club) Fast (speed and determined to win)

No it doesn't , when I get back in house I will go on the laptop and I explain it to you,

With only one Loop Scania to repaint, when will the new branding be applied?

(31 Jan 2016, 11:41 am)Michael wrote With only one Loop Scania to repaint, when will the new branding be applied?

When the outside contractor that apply the vinyls are available, I'd have thought.