(19 Feb 2016, 2:59 pm)mb134 wrote I know it was half term this week, but on Monday I used the X21 for only the third time since December, and the amount of passengers surprised me. It would have been the 14:54 from Newcastle, and when I boarded in Bedlington, both decks were at least half full.

In my view, they could use the ones that have less problems as spares, however I've got no clue where the worst ones (7501/4 seem to be the main culprits) would go.

In my experiences, peak time on the X21/22 starts earlier and finishes later than most other services. The amount of passengers that get on/off in Bedlington in peak time surprised me, although I guess that is down to the fact most residents there commute to Newcastle to work, with very little on offer in the town itself?

Hmm... I don't think many people would want to vist Bedlington and Ashington who don't live or know people who live there, especially as there isn't that much on offer to see in those places that couldn't be gotten elsewhere, mainly in regards to shopping and such. This is probably why it's been deserted when I've been using the services as I imagine most of the passengers would be heading in the opposite direction to me, at 10am more passengers are probably heading into Newcastle than there would be from Newcastle.

1517 & 1595 on the Sapphire 6.

(18 Feb 2016, 7:33 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote Eventually replaced 2843

In other news 1906 could have spent it's last day in Darlington today (will confirm tomorrow) as it was replaced by 1414 on the 12/12A around 3pm

1906 must have been out in service this morning, as it was driven back to Faverdale by a fitter at around 11am.

1512 replaced 1404 on X66/X67 earlier. 1404 is now on 17s

1479 on the Sapphire 7.

(19 Feb 2016, 3:47 pm)John_R wrote 1906 must have been out in service this morning, as it was driven back to Faverdale by a fitter at around 11am.

Ah that explains why 4809/10 were on the 12/12A

(19 Feb 2016, 3:46 pm)Lee wrote 1517 & 1595 on the Sapphire 6.

Meanwhile 7521? Was on the 48.

(19 Feb 2016, 3:47 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 1512 replaced 1404 on X66/X67 earlier. 1404 is now on 17s

Me and Davie saw 1404 on the X67 earlier heading to Darlington.

(19 Feb 2016, 4:34 pm)DanPicken wrote Me and Davie saw 1404 on the X67 earlier heading to Darlington.

It was taken off the X66 at 1422. It then replaced something on the 17 that left Kingsmead at 1414 (en-route breakdown as it arrived in Middlesbrough 20-ish late) then worked the 1530 to Sober Hall.

(19 Feb 2016, 4:09 pm)Davie wrote Meanwhile 7521? Was on the 48.

It was on the 6, this afternoon, so back to normal.

(19 Feb 2016, 4:08 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote Ah that explains why 4809/10 were on the 12/12A

1906 was in space 1 in Faverdale tonight. Can't see that going anywhere in service tomorrow.

2850 on the 26A.

1439 on X93

(19 Feb 2016, 8:17 pm)MrPottski wrote 1906 was in space 1 in Faverdale tonight. Can't see that going anywhere in service tomorrow.

Probably get 1406 back on Sunday and send 1906 to Yorkshire tiger

7489 on 64/64a
1454 on 17, 1494 on the regular 17a turn

is there a reason why 4516 W292 PPT is on 35 in ashington

1415 is out on the X12 again today while 1512 is Middlesbrough Spare Bus. So, I expect it's a normal Pulsar on the S1 today

(20 Feb 2016, 10:36 am)aliance wrote is there a reason why 4516 W292 PPT is on 35 in ashington

Depot loan from jesmond as ashington are short of buses with plenty of there deckers VOR

2849 spending the day on Sapphire 7 leaving Darlington 12:07

(20 Feb 2016, 12:06 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote 2849 spending the day on Sapphire 7 leaving Darlington 12:07

That'll be fun and uncomfortable

(20 Feb 2016, 12:07 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote That'll be fun and uncomfortable

Left with a standing load I know that much

(20 Feb 2016, 10:39 am)Kuyoyo wrote 1415 is out on the X12 again today while 1512 is Middlesbrough Spare Bus. So, I expect it's a normal Pulsar on the S1 today

Would that really be rare or odd though? I'd hope it'd be allocated to the X12 when required, if it's not already on the X66/X67.  

(20 Feb 2016, 12:06 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote 2849 spending the day on Sapphire 7 leaving Darlington 12:07

That's a shocking allocation. I'd hope it'd be taken off asap, rather than spending day on there.

(20 Feb 2016, 12:15 pm)Adrian wrote Would that really be rare or odd though? I'd hope it'd be allocated to the X12 when required, if it's not already on the X66/X67.  





That's a shocking allocation. I'd hope it'd be taken off asap, rather than spending day on there.

There's 2 Solos on the Jesmond 43.

2 Solo's on the 43/44/45

#Jesmondattheirbest

(20 Feb 2016, 12:15 pm)Adrian wrote Would that really be rare or odd though? I'd hope it'd be allocated to the X12 when required, if it's not already on the X66/X67.  


That's a shocking allocation. I'd hope it'd be taken off asap, rather than spending day on there.

And some people think that the X21/X22 is the only Sapphire route with allocation problems... I'd argue that the 7 has more problems with allocations than the X21/X22, it just seems like the X21/X22 is worse because us lot in County Durham and Darlington don't whinge on about it all the time!!!

And Darlington ! Running a Solo - 2849 - on the 7, whatever the reason (or excuse) is absolutely deplorable ! No doubt we'll get the better this that no bus at all c**p.

(20 Feb 2016, 12:21 pm)Jimmi wrote And some people think that the X21/X22 is the only Sapphire route with allocation problems... I'd argue that the 7 has more problems with allocations than the X21/X22, it just seems like the X21/X22 is worse because us lot in County Durham and Darlington don't whinge on about it all the time!!!

Really? I get to see the 7 come and go most of the day, and I'd say the allocations are pretty good. Although the decision not to go 100% decker was daft.

(20 Feb 2016, 12:21 pm)scania driver wrote And Darlington ! Running a Solo - 2849 - on the 7, whatever the reason (or excuse) is absolutely deplorable ! No doubt we'll get the better this that no bus at all c**p.

I can't understand it. The frequency of services in and around Darlington town centre, it should be easy enough to double swap something, to get a more suitable bus on the 7. 

It's the passengers I feel for. It's a long old route for the inevitable standees.

(20 Feb 2016, 12:21 pm)scania driver wrote And Darlington ! Running a Solo - 2849 - on the 7, whatever the reason (or excuse) is absolutely deplorable ! No doubt we'll get the better this that no bus at all c**p.

Darlington only have so many full size single deckers and chances are they are all already been allocated, so chances are the Solo was the only thing spare. Seems like Darlington have very little in the way of spare buses, when I used to go past the depot on the Scarlet Band 16 most of the time about all there would be is the odd bus VOR and what was awaiting scrap.

I'd still rather have a Solo on the 7 than nothing as not only would it put people 15 minutes behind but chances are the next bus would end up being rammed and it would be typical that the run behind would be a Pulsar.

(20 Feb 2016, 12:27 pm)Adrian wrote Really? I get to see the 7 come and go most of the day, and I'd say the allocations are pretty good. Although the decision not to go 100% decker was daft.

I can't understand it. The frequency of services in and around Darlington town centre, it should be easy enough to double swap something, to get a more suitable bus on the 7. 

It's the passengers I feel for. It's a long old route for the inevitable standees.

Been a fair few odd workings recently, even when you discount the Belmont Sapphire spares.

Problem with swapping something off another service is all the other services with full size buses is another route would get something unsuitable in return (Solo), probably the 5 as it is scheduled to depart around the same sort of time. Could have maybe taken an EcoCity off the 2 I suppose but still not ideal having a Solo on there.

It didn't seem like the 7 needed a full double decker allocation at the time the Enviro 400's entered service although the service does seem to be getting busier, hopefully it may go full double deck operation in the future...

(20 Feb 2016, 10:39 am)Kuyoyo wrote 1415 is out on the X12 again today while 1512 is Middlesbrough Spare Bus. So, I expect it's a normal Pulsar on the S1 today

1491 is allocated to the S1 today