I can only hope that I'll manage to get a photo of it on the "Lime" 8/78 service, as I believe it'll be a core route they'll be trialing it on!

She's a beauty!

(fingers crossed) Waggonway Waggonway Waggonway!

I know, no hope, though I hear we're in line for an upgrade, I believe GNE are looking at one of the Beamish Museum 1948 QL buses to swap the DAFs with

Finding 3822 looking odd in Yellow Bus branding. I cannot stand that branding, it's terrible!

I'm disliking it without the black and white stripe

Laser Citaro on the X3 tonight
Drifter Cadet on the 26A

I can only hope that I'll manage to get a photo of it on the "Lime" 8/78 service, as I believe it'll be a core route they'll be trialing it on!

She's a beauty!

(fingers crossed) Waggonway Waggonway Waggonway!

I know, no hope, though I hear we're in line for an upgrade, I believe GNE are looking at one of the Beamish Museum 1948 QL buses to swap the DAFs with

Finding 3822 looking odd in Yellow Bus branding. I cannot stand that branding, it's terrible!

The Crusader B10s are the right colour more or less...

The Crusader B10s are the right colour more or less...

Do you rate those as a bus? Are they the same ones that used to end up on the 728/709? If so...hell of a throwback!

Surprisingly relevant to previous posts, "Waggonway" branded 4987 was working "Lime" service 8/78 today, as can be seen in the photograph I captured half an hour ago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/8413576497/

Potential decent photo opp on Sunday 3rd February

With Newcastle Bank in Birtley being closed the 21 and 28 will be on diversion through the day

These services will divert via Lamesley Road (serving first westbound 28A stop), then follow Lamesley Road until reaching Coal House A1 Roundabout, then via A1 southbound back to Angel of The North and normal route on A167 Durham Road (21) or Long Bank (28).

So great opportunity to catch the 21 down the Team Valley and Lamesley, which is fairly photogenic. Car park at Lamesley St Andrews Church and Coalhouse Roundabout will be good spots. Also see how those hybrids cope with the Western Bypass hill back up to the Angel too! Opportunity to capture them on the bypass from Allerdene Railway Bridge

Potential decent photo opp on Sunday 3rd February

With Newcastle Bank in Birtley being closed the 21 and 28 will be on diversion through the day

These services will divert via Lamesley Road (serving first westbound 28A stop), then follow Lamesley Road until reaching Coal House A1 Roundabout, then via A1 southbound back to Angel of The North and normal route on A167 Durham Road (21) or Long Bank (28).

So great opportunity to catch the 21 down the Team Valley and Lamesley, which is fairly photogenic. Car park at Lamesley St Andrews Church and Coalhouse Roundabout will be good spots. Also see how those hybrids cope with the Western Bypass hill back up to the Angel too! Opportunity to capture them on the bypass from Allerdene Railway Bridge

Cheers for that. My forté has seemed as of late to capture all of these services on diversion.

Another diversion (but perhaps not as photogenic):

28th January - Bus routes in Gateshead town centre
Resurfacing work is taking place on High West Street in Gateshead from Monday, 28 January to Friday 8 February. During these works bus will divert via Arthur Street, Prince Consort Road and Regent Street (ie. around Gateshead Civic Centre) to avoid congestion.

There was a major clog up at Eldon Square this afternoon. 3803 decided to break down and parked up in one of the park-up bays. When the tow truck came, the only way to get to the bus was to park directly infront of it, closing off the bus station. Only stands H, J and the Set-Down stand were accessible. This lead to a massive queue of buses and then blocked off the exit of the Haymarket bus station. Fair to say there were many unhappy drivers.

Looks like it wasn't the only bus to break down in Eldon Square either. Found this photo by TVT Photos of 6014 broken down in the bus station too!

Has there being any more information about the changes to the TEN etc?

How long does it take GNE to take off thier timetables when they last changed...it still has From 11th Nov on the likes of the X3 etc

4 more GNE deckers at Heysham Docks today.


Go North East NK62FAA - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10632/category
Go North East NK62FDM -http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10633/category
Go North East NK62FDN - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10634/category
Go North East NK62FHE - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10635/category

These seem to be coming fast now, looks like these are gonna be really early, wonder if GNE will keep them until march or put them out when ready and move the citaros to the 27 so they can get ridf of more old buses.

4 more GNE deckers at Heysham Docks today.


Go North East NK62FAA - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10632/category
Go North East NK62FDM -http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10633/category
Go North East NK62FDN - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10634/category
Go North East NK62FHE - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10635/category

These seem to be coming fast now, looks like these are gonna be really early, wonder if GNE will keep them until march or put them out when ready and move the citaros to the 27 so they can get ridf of more old buses.

Well the driver of my 10 to Hexham yesterday said that although the deckers had already started to arrive, the changes weren't going to be made until March still.
I believe it'll be a definitive date which is already in the books.

4 more GNE deckers at Heysham Docks today.


Go North East NK62FAA - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10632/category
Go North East NK62FDM -http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10633/category
Go North East NK62FDN - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10634/category
Go North East NK62FHE - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10635/category

These seem to be coming fast now, looks like these are gonna be really early, wonder if GNE will keep them until march or put them out when ready and move the citaros to the 27 so they can get ridf of more old buses.

Well the driver of my 10 to Hexham yesterday said that although the deckers had already started to arrive, the changes weren't going to be made until March still.
I believe it'll be a definitive date which is already in the books.

I'm told the changes are planned for the 24th March, but the new B9 will be on the road before then

4 more GNE deckers at Heysham Docks today.


Go North East NK62FAA - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10632/category
Go North East NK62FDM -http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10633/category
Go North East NK62FDN - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10634/category
Go North East NK62FHE - http://maljoe.piwigo.com/picture?/10635/category

These seem to be coming fast now, looks like these are gonna be really early, wonder if GNE will keep them until march or put them out when ready and move the citaros to the 27 so they can get ridf of more old buses.

Well the driver of my 10 to Hexham yesterday said that although the deckers had already started to arrive, the changes weren't going to be made until March still.
I believe it'll be a definitive date which is already in the books.

I'm told the changes are planned for the 24th March, but the new B9 will be on the road before then

Different stories all around then - no change there! Hahah.

I haven't checked Flickr yet, so forgive me if I'm asking for the obvious here... Was the Versa Demo out today; if so, which service(s)?

Also spotted a "Lambton Worm" branded Prestige running dead to Sunderland at 8am this morning, to work the 8/78.

Edit:
43/44, just checked Flickr!

Investment to meet the particulates and emissions requirements of the Euro 5 engine standard saw 39 new vehicles introduced with the withdrawal of a similar number of older Euro 2 vehicles.

A further 80 Euro 5 buses are planned for 2012/2013 and we remain on track to achieve Euro 3 standards or above throughout our network by 2015.
----------------------------------
Glad to see more will be delivered this year, expect for the Deckers for the TEN, wonder what GNE have in mind for rest of the euro 5 standard delivery's, there have being trails but don't know how they went.

Four more B9s at Haysham docks, the first was parked up in Saltmeadows today.

NK62 FCC - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/84093...0a62_b.jpg
NK62 FDN - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/84082...8f7d_b.jpg
NK62 FGJ - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/84093...47ec_b.jpg
NK62 FEU - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/84093...109b_b.jpg

Photos by Ian Simpson

are these hybrids like the angels or ordinary like the red arrows?

Four more B9s at Haysham docks, the first was parked up in Saltmeadows today.

NK62 FCC - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/84093...0a62_b.jpg
NK62 FDN - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/84082...8f7d_b.jpg
NK62 FGJ - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/84093...47ec_b.jpg
NK62 FEU - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/84093...109b_b.jpg

Photos by Ian Simpson

are these hybrids like the angels or ordinary like the red arrows?

Just normal diesels like the Red Arrows.

PB0002400/260 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Chester - Le - Street South Burns and Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Concourse given service number 28,28A effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0002400/282 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Durham Bus Station and Metrocentre, Interchange given service number X22 effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0002400/306 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Sunderland Park Lane interchange and Metrocentre bus station given service number X88 effective from 24-Mar-2013.

PB0002400/310 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Seaham Byron Place and Durham Bus Station given service number 65 effective from 24-Mar-2013.

PB0002400/325 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between PETERLEE BUS STATION and WINGATE given service number 206 effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0002400/336 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between PETERLEE BUS STATION and PETERLEE BUS STATION given service number 209/210 effective from 24-Mar-2013.

PB0002400/375 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Peterlee Bus Station and Houghton-le-Spring The Broadway given service number 203 effective from 24-Mar-2013.

PB0002400/375 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Peterlee Bus Station and Houghton-le-Spring The Broadway given service number 203 effective from 24-Mar-2013.

PB0002400/385 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange and Peterlee Bus Station given service number 202 effective from 24-Mar-2013.

PB0002400/386 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Peterlee Bus Station and Peterlee Bus Station given service number 207/208 effective from 24-Mar-2013.
PB0002400/416 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA

Variation Accepted: Operating between Sunderland park lane interchange and Tunstall bank estate given service number 38/38A/38B effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Route and Timetable.

PB0002400/433 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Durham Bus Station and Peterlee Bus Station given service number 260/261 effective from 24-Mar-2013.

PB0002400/464 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between West Chirton Industrial Estate and Team Valley South given service number 91/91A effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0002400/481 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange
Finish Point: Houghton Le Spring, The Broadway
Via:
Service Number: 238
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays.

PB0002400/482 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Durham Bus Station
Finish Point: Peterlee Bus Station
Via:
Service Number: 259
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays.

PB0002400/483 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Seaham, Byron Place
Finish Point: Framwellgate Moor, Dryburn View
Via:
Service Number: 265
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to saturdays except public holidays.

PB0002400/484 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange
Finish Point: Peterlee Bus Station
Via:
Service Number: X7
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays.

PB0002400/485 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Peterlee Bus Station
Finish Point: Middlesbrough Bus Station
Via:
Service Number: X7
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Limited Stop
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays.

PB0002400/486 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Peterlee Bus Station
Finish Point: Seaham, Byron Place
Via:
Service Number: 202
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays.

PB0002400/487 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Peterlee Bus Station
Finish Point: Easington Village, Green
Via:
Service Number: 208
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays.
PB0002400/488 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Peterlee, Lowhills Road
Finish Point: Horden Hall Estate
Via:
Service Number: 209
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays

PB0002400/489 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Peterlee, Lowhills Road
Finish Point: Peterlee, Shotton Hall School
Via:
Service Number: 807
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Mondays to Fridays - school days only.

PB0002400/490 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Concord Bus Station
Finish Point: Metrocentre Inrechange
Via:
Service Number: X88
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Limited Stop
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

PB0003954/221 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle and Metrocentre given service number 95/95A/96/96A effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0003954/381 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Blackhall Mill race or Winlaton bus station and Wardley Terminus given service number 69/69A effective from 24-Mar-2013.

PB0003954/472 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between North Shields, Bedford Street and Wallsend METRO given service number 80 effective from 24-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0003954/525 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Durham Bus Station and Beamish Museum given service number 128 effective from 23-Mar-2013. To amend Timetable.

PB0003954/557 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Crawcrook, Main Street/Winlaton Bus Station
Finish Point: Wardley, Terminus
Via:
Service Number: 69
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Daily.

PB0003954/558 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Metrocentre Interchange
Finish Point: Wardley Terminus
Via:
Service Number: 67
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 24-MAR-2013
Other Details: Daily.

So annoyed to see that Go North East are chucking Sunderland from the X88.

I admit that I never use the service all the way back to Sunderland anyway as I get off to use the 2A/C from The Galleries as it drops me off at home, but others live near the city centre itself and waiting at the Galleries in the freezing cold isn't always ideal...
Last Sunday, the 2C was 10-15 minutes late and those who got off the X88 had to wait over 20 minutes anyway.

Customer consultations, Go North East? No?

So annoyed to see that Go North East are chucking Sunderland from the X88.

I admit that I never use the service all the way back to Sunderland anyway as I get off to use the 2A/C from The Galleries as it drops me off at home, but others live near the city centre itself and waiting at the Galleries in the freezing cold isn't always ideal...
Last Sunday, the 2C was 10-15 minutes late and those who got off the X88 had to wait over 20 minutes anyway.

Customer consultations, Go North East? No?

i thought there would be a consulation on the East Durham Brand, but looks like it neither materialise, I live in Peterlee and i told there be a consulation but then GNE decided not to change anything, cant wait until the new timetables come to hand, exspecially the X7, hope it gets onto Arrivas backs.

The X88 is mostly the only service that has not been renumbered, i thought ages ago there were going to call it the X56 since the 185,187,188 turned into the 56.

So annoyed to see that Go North East are chucking Sunderland from the X88.

I admit that I never use the service all the way back to Sunderland anyway as I get off to use the 2A/C from The Galleries as it drops me off at home, but others live near the city centre itself and waiting at the Galleries in the freezing cold isn't always ideal...
Last Sunday, the 2C was 10-15 minutes late and those who got off the X88 had to wait over 20 minutes anyway.

Customer consultations, Go North East? No?

i thought there would be a consulation on the East Durham Brand, but looks like it neither materialise, I live in Peterlee and i told there be a consulation but then GNE decided not to change anything, cant wait until the new timetables come to hand, exspecially the X7, hope it gets onto Arrivas backs.

The X88 is mostly the only service that has not been renumbered, i thought ages ago there were going to call it the X56 since the 185,187,188 turned into the 56.

Looks like a good few Peterlee services are being completely cut - unless the variation of other services make up for it... 203, 207, 210, 260/261? Quite extreme, really...

So chuffed about the X7 though - I just hope it doesn't go under the "East Durham" brand. With the cancellation of quite a few of their services, they potentially have a good few MPDs lying around spare. I can't imagine a long journey from Sunderland to Middlesbrough being oh-too-pleasing.
I'm glad that we finally have that link, and it just shows that service suggestions do get listened to! If we go back a few months ago, I suggested that the X9/X10 were re-routed to include Sunderland. Perhaps this may have seemed unfeasible, and the best workaround that they could come up with was a new X7 service. Love it!

So annoyed to see that Go North East are chucking Sunderland from the X88.

I admit that I never use the service all the way back to Sunderland anyway as I get off to use the 2A/C from The Galleries as it drops me off at home, but others live near the city centre itself and waiting at the Galleries in the freezing cold isn't always ideal...
Last Sunday, the 2C was 10-15 minutes late and those who got off the X88 had to wait over 20 minutes anyway.

Customer consultations, Go North East? No?

i thought there would be a consulation on the East Durham Brand, but looks like it neither materialise, I live in Peterlee and i told there be a consulation but then GNE decided not to change anything, cant wait until the new timetables come to hand, exspecially the X7, hope it gets onto Arrivas backs.

The X88 is mostly the only service that has not been renumbered, i thought ages ago there were going to call it the X56 since the 185,187,188 turned into the 56.

Looks like a good few Peterlee services are being completely cut - unless the variation of other services make up for it... 203, 207, 210, 260/261? Quite extreme, really...

So chuffed about the X7 though - I just hope it doesn't go under the "East Durham" brand. With the cancellation of quite a few of their services, they potentially have a good few MPDs lying around spare. I can't imagine a long journey from Sunderland to Middlesbrough being oh-too-pleasing.
I'm glad that we finally have that link, and it just shows that service suggestions do get listened to! If we go back a few months ago, I suggested that the X9/X10 were re-routed to include Sunderland. Perhaps this may have seemed unfeasible, and the best workaround that they could come up with was a new X7 service. Love it!

Just have to see if theres any further registrations etc.. through VOSA before March 24th, theres about time that GNE did a express between Sunderland and Peterlee direct, Dont know why the X7 is in 2 registrations though, the X7 registration for Peterlee to Middlesbrough has got down limitied stop and normal stopping, wonder if the normal stopping means that it goes via Hartlepool.

Must say those changes do seem interesting.

However, I'm now going to speculate on something completely different. I saw a Crusader branded 27 today (don't know which one though) and on the front destination board, the number 27 was in green. Now, does this mean that the Citaro's currently on the Ten are going to be in a silver and green livery when they transfer to the 27?

So annoyed to see that Go North East are chucking Sunderland from the X88.

I admit that I never use the service all the way back to Sunderland anyway as I get off to use the 2A/C from The Galleries as it drops me off at home, but others live near the city centre itself and waiting at the Galleries in the freezing cold isn't always ideal...
Last Sunday, the 2C was 10-15 minutes late and those who got off the X88 had to wait over 20 minutes anyway.

Customer consultations, Go North East? No?

i thought there would be a consulation on the East Durham Brand, but looks like it neither materialise, I live in Peterlee and i told there be a consulation but then GNE decided not to change anything, cant wait until the new timetables come to hand, exspecially the X7, hope it gets onto Arrivas backs.

The X88 is mostly the only service that has not been renumbered, i thought ages ago there were going to call it the X56 since the 185,187,188 turned into the 56.

Looks like a good few Peterlee services are being completely cut - unless the variation of other services make up for it... 203, 207, 210, 260/261? Quite extreme, really...

So chuffed about the X7 though - I just hope it doesn't go under the "East Durham" brand. With the cancellation of quite a few of their services, they potentially have a good few MPDs lying around spare. I can't imagine a long journey from Sunderland to Middlesbrough being oh-too-pleasing.
I'm glad that we finally have that link, and it just shows that service suggestions do get listened to! If we go back a few months ago, I suggested that the X9/X10 were re-routed to include Sunderland. Perhaps this may have seemed unfeasible, and the best workaround that they could come up with was a new X7 service. Love it!

Just have to see if theres any further registrations etc.. through VOSA before March 24th, theres about time that GNE did a express between Sunderland and Peterlee direct, Dont know why the X7 is in 2 registrations though, the X7 registration for Peterlee to Middlesbrough has got down limitied stop and normal stopping, wonder if the normal stopping means that it goes via Hartlepool.

Only time will tell..!

It also seems the 65 will go to being 265, looks like east Durham branding is on the way to the 65, massive shake up for east Durham services

Sunderland Gain

X7 - Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange -Peterlee Bus Station - Continues from Peterlee Bus Station to Middlesbrough Bus Station

238 - Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange - Houghton Le Spring, The Broadway

Sunderland also loose

202 - seems pointless to have it tbh
X88 - can get better links going other ways but shame
-----------------------------

Looks like the 69/69A will be spilt

Only 69 - Crawcrook, Main Street/Winlaton Bus Station -Wardley, Terminus
New service 67 - Metrocentre Interchange - Wardley Terminus

Other services just timetable changes

Ok guys here's my take on it.
Bearing in mind GNE took on most of the Peterlee network commercially in October (probably because they lost the tender... to Scarlet Band no doubt!), these changes were always going to come.

The 202 is going to Seaham only from Peterlee, removing the Sunderland link there. This straight away gives the X7 an advantage. This is just my thinking and got no fact behind it... but, why number Middlesbrough-Sunderland express X7 and not X8? My thinking is that once the X7 has killed off the top end of X35 (Peterlee-Sunderland) they'll re-route the X7 to cover parts of it, while the Hartlepool-Peterlee part of X35 becomes X8 and gets extended to Newcastle... thereby giving a Hartlepool-Newcastle express with a ready-made customer base to expand from. This would give an X7/8/9/10 numbering too.
It looks as though the X7 split will be down to tacho reasons, to make it "cheaper" and easier to operate from the word go.

As for the 65, becoming 265... is there a reason the dual-door B10BLEs at Percy Main haven't been branded despite being yellow? 265 would of course be inside the East Durham brand numbering system... whereas Percy Main would take on some of the ex Crusader BLEs to replace the yellow ones. The W-reg ones would presumably be used on the X7?

Four more B9s at Haysham docks, the first was parked up in Saltmeadows today.

NK62 FCC - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/84093...0a62_b.jpg
NK62 FDN - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/84082...8f7d_b.jpg
NK62 FGJ - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8361/84093...47ec_b.jpg
NK62 FEU - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/84093...109b_b.jpg

Photos by Ian Simpson

are these hybrids like the angels or ordinary like the red arrows?

Just normal diesels like the Red Arrows.

ok. thank you

I know that DCC told GNE that there still have to maintain the key links that the ex secured services served.

i wonder if this new 238 service goes the old 202 route from Sunderland to Seaham and also via Hollycarrside (38 section of route) and then the 203 route from Seaham to Houghton. I thought there might of merged the 203 and 71 together.

I travelled on a couple of the Peterlee minibus services a few weeks back and GNE had staff on the buses asking the passengers about the proposed serviice changes.

I travelled on a couple of the Peterlee minibus services a few weeks back and GNE had staff on the buses asking the passengers about the proposed serviice changes.

That be right, should of sent them through the door to door, i live in Peterlee but its where Arriva Territory is (south of Burnhope Way).

GNE most of stopped doing online consulations on there website.

Must say those changes do seem interesting.

However, I'm now going to speculate on something completely different. I saw a Crusader branded 27 today (don't know which one though) and on the front destination board, the number 27 was in green. Now, does this mean that the Citaro's currently on the Ten are going to be in a silver and green livery when they transfer to the 27?

The only green numbers in the program on Gateshead's list are for 97/98. I would suspect that there is either a problem with the colour LED's on that vehicle or the switch setting on the vehicle is incorrect so the LED'S do not show correctly. If you see it again, let me know and I will have it checked. Currently there is no colour numbers on the 27 set of destinations.