I always hated the Vykings (see previous postings under GNE and how they've never got bus type right on the Angel)

Anyhow, had 3963 and it was far nicer than I remember. Certainly felt more powerful than the Hybrid duds. Though in solidarity and tribute to days gone by on the Angel...no one used the middle door

(30 Apr 2016, 10:35 pm)Ambassador wrote I always hated the Vykings (see previous postings under GNE and how they've never got bus type right on the Angel)

Anyhow, had 3963 and it was far nicer than I remember. Certainly felt more powerful than the Hybrid duds. Though in solidarity and tribute to days gone by on the Angel...no one used the middle door

Don't you mean 3983? (Sorry to be pedantic!)?

(30 Apr 2016, 11:07 pm)Davie wrote Don't you mean 3983? (Sorry to be pedantic!)?

I do! No apologies needed (though in my old age defence 3963 Twas also once Angelic   )

(30 Apr 2016, 9:40 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Its been in Service more than 1 day, It entered service on the same day as 8300 and that was around Tuesday or Wednesday.

8301 is still to enter service.

I think you may be mistaken.

8294, 8296, 8298, 8299, 8300 and 8301 all transferred from Riverside to Washington on 17th April. 8294, 8299, 8300 and 8301 were all used on service 88 that Sunday, on the day of the changes.

8294, 8296, 8298, 8299, 8300 and 8301 were all allocated to service 88 on the Monday, during the full PVR. 4964 and 8328 covered for 8295 and 8297 which were awaiting transfer.

8295 transferred to Riverside following PSV test before start of service on 24th April (entering service the same day), and similarly, 8297 transferred to Riverside following PSV test on the afternoon of 28th April (entering service on 29th April).

8301 is currently VOR though, which, given the fact you were on holiday around the time of the service changes, probably explains why you haven't seen it yet.

(01 May 2016, 6:29 am)Dan wrote I think you may be mistaken.

8294, 8296, 8298, 8299, 8300 and 8301 all transferred from Riverside to Washington on 17th April. 8294, 8299, 8300 and 8301 were all used on service 88 that Sunday, on the day of the changes.

8294, 8296, 8298, 8299, 8300 and 8301 were all allocated to service 88 on the Monday, during the full PVR. 4964 and 8328 covered for 8295 and 8297 which were awaiting transfer.

8295 transferred to Riverside following PSV test before start of service on 24th April (entering service the same day), and similarly, 8297 transferred to Riverside following PSV test on the afternoon of 28th April (entering service on 29th April).

8301 is currently VOR though, which, given the fact you were on holiday around the time of the service changes, probably explains why you haven't seen it yet.

I may be mistaken, Though I get the 88/88A more than 3 times a day and it past me the other day while I was coming home the ofher night. For my own record i seen it the same day 8300 entered service.

Did 5423 (NK16 BYD) get branded up today, as i didn't know SM was open on a bank holiday

Dans post in the April thread - post on 29-04-2016 at 14:58, page 69 -

I understand 5423 (NK16 BYD) will be the first example to be branded up on Monday, so I'd probably disregard the rumours suggesting one of these will make an appearance at the Metrocentre Bus Rally on Sunday.

Think he may of meant tuesday ... forgetting it was a bank hol

(02 May 2016, 2:39 pm)Michael wrote Did 5423 (NK16 BYD) get branded up today, as i didn't know SM was open on a bank holiday

Dans post in the April thread - post on 29-04-2016 at 14:58, page 69 -

I understand 5423 (NK16 BYD) will be the first example to be branded up on Monday, so I'd probably disregard the rumours suggesting one of these will make an appearance at the Metrocentre Bus Rally on Sunday.

(02 May 2016, 5:59 pm)pdiddy wrote Think he may of meant tuesday ... forgetting it was a bank hol

Branding's not my department so I can't confirm until tomorrow morning when I go to Saltmeadows.

Screen Services (the company who prints and applies Go North East's vinyls) are pretty flexible and arrange to come out to buses when it suits them. The lads weren't busy, so were due to come in today. Gateshead Council can open up Saltmeadows Road on request.

(02 May 2016, 6:02 pm)Dan wrote Branding's not my department so I can't confirm until tomorrow morning when I go to Saltmeadows.

Screen Services (the company who prints and applies Go North East's vinyls) are pretty flexible and arrange to come out to buses when it suits them. The lads weren't busy, so were due to come in today. Gateshead Council can open up Saltmeadows Road on request.

That's not bad, if not today hopefully tomorrow, looking forward to seeing it on the Streetlites and them entering service.

(02 May 2016, 6:23 pm)Michael wrote That's not bad, if not today hopefully tomorrow, looking forward to seeing it on the Streetlites and them entering service.

Yes, 5423 is all branded up.

(03 May 2016, 6:57 am)Dan wrote Yes, 5423 is all branded up.

Cheers Dan.

Do you know how many are supposed to be entering service this Saturday?

Have anymore Redarrows been branded?

Indigo Solo 678 appears to be heading to Riverside depot, was following it accross Redheugh onboard a rattly pile of crap on the 45.

The NSA's on 6001 aren't working

How did the N56 NSA testing come along this morning Mr Graham, seen 5420 at The Galleries/Springwell and Wrekenton this morning on my commute to work on 6042.

(03 May 2016, 11:46 am)GMitchelhill wrote Indigo Solo 678 appears to be heading to Riverside depot, was following it accross Redheugh onboard a rattly pile of crap on the 45.

Think it was out route learning today. Going across redheugh bridge it would be on the 91

(03 May 2016, 8:52 pm)Malarkey wrote How did the N56 NSA testing come along this morning Mr Graham, seen 5420 at The Galleries/Springwell and Wrekenton this morning on my commute to work on 6042.

Reasonably well - just a bit of a pain having to endure seven hours on a Streetlite. At least the plugs were working and didn't go off once, though! The new bus seemed to turn heads in Sunderland, Houghton-le-Spring and Durham. Quite a few enthusiasts managed to get a photo of the bus too, though I only recognised Big Lugs out of them all.

I've never actually used the N56 in service before, so it was interesting for me to be able to cover the route on a bus (albeit not in public service!) The Streetlites are limited to 50mph whereas the Versas currently allocated can get up to about 55. Was a tad boring pottering along the A1231 between Washington Galleries and Ferryboat Lane at 50mph when I'm now used to doing that at 70, on a daily basis. Can't imagine it would affect the timekeeping of the N56 that much though, as I doubt drivers are particularly pushed for time in the dead of night. 

Think it'll be really helpful having Next Stop Announcements on the N56. I know I've always found them useful when travelling when it's dark. Perhaps the infamous "Please remain seated until the bus has stopped" audio announcement would have been beneficial for those using the service that have had a bit too much to drink! 

(03 May 2016, 10:30 pm)dannygee wrote Think it was out route learning today. Going across redheugh bridge it would be on the 91

One of Percy Main's "indiGo" branded Optare Solos was out and about in Sunderland last week as well, with Driver Training shown on the destination.

(04 May 2016, 6:10 am)Dan wrote Reasonably well - just a bit of a pain having to endure seven hours on a Streetlite. At least the plugs were working and didn't go off once, though! The new bus seemed to turn heads in Sunderland, Houghton-le-Spring and Durham. Quite a few enthusiasts managed to get a photo of the bus too, though I only recognised Big Lugs out of them all.

I've never actually used the N56 in service before, so it was interesting for me to be able to cover the route on a bus (albeit not in public service!) The Streetlites are limited to 50mph whereas the Versas currently allocated can get up to about 55. Was a tad boring pottering along the A1231 between Washington Galleries and Ferryboat Lane at 50mph when I'm now used to doing that at 70, on a daily basis. Can't imagine it would affect the timekeeping of the N56 that much though, as I doubt drivers are particularly pushed for time in the dead of night. 

Think it'll be really helpful having Next Stop Announcements on the N56. I know I've always found them useful when travelling when it's dark. Perhaps the infamous "Please remain seated until the bus has stopped" audio announcement would have been beneficial for those using the service that have had a bit too much to drink!  

Don't lie, we all know everyone goes at least 80MPH along those roads! 

New Prince Bishops livery on 5423:




It looks alright on the Steetlite

Thanks to the The Northern Road Transport Trust and Mark Williams for the photo. =)

(Also forgot how to have the image on the page instead of clicking the link)

(04 May 2016, 6:22 am)Michael wrote (Also forgot how to have the imagine on the page instead of clicking the link)

Sorted.

Right click the image, click 'Copy Image URL' then paste that onto the forum but type [ IMG] before the link and [ / IMG] (without the spaces) before and after it.

(04 May 2016, 6:24 am)Dan wrote Sorted.

Right click the image, click 'Copy Image URL' then paste that onto the forum but type [ IMG] before the link and [ / IMG] (without the spaces) before and after it.

Cheers Dan, saved it in my draft box on here haha.

(04 May 2016, 6:22 am)Michael wrote New Prince Bishops livery on 5423:




It looks alright on the Steetlite

Thanks to the The Northern Road Transport Trust and Mark Williams for the photo. =)

(Also forgot how to have the imagine on the page instead of clicking the link)

Looks very smart indeed 

Wright Streetlite WF demonstrator at Saltmeadows today.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpr_bus_ph...208964723/

5255 has just returned to Washington Depot with traction from Ian Bradley Recovery.

(04 May 2016, 2:39 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote Wright Streetlite WF demonstrator at Saltmeadows today.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpr_bus_ph...208964723/

Wonder what route that will be trailed on? One of the indiGo routes maybe to compare against the Solos.

Dan, due to the new Friday Night kick offs being introduced in the Premier League, if Newcastle (or Sunderland for that matter)managed to survive relegation and played on a Friday next season, would 1 if not more, B9s be allocated to the N56?

(04 May 2016, 3:47 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Dan, due to the new Friday Night kick offs being introduced in the Premier League, if Newcastle (or Sunderland for that matter)managed to survive relegation and played on a Friday next season, would 1 if not more, B9s be allocated to the N56?

I doubt it because they'll finish at 21:45 if they're 8 kick offs. Probably no need really.

(04 May 2016, 3:42 pm)Tom wrote Wonder what route that will be trailed on? One of the indiGo routes maybe to compare against the Solos.

More likely id imagine, Tynedale Links is too demanding for a Voith in my opinion.

EDIT The WF Streetlite in the pic above is the one Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire had on trial at Carlisle a few months ago.

(04 May 2016, 3:51 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote More likely id imagine, Tynedale Links is too demanding for a Voith in my opinion.

EDIT The WF Streetlite in the pic above is the one Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire had on trial at Carlisle a few months ago.

Indeed it is: https://flic.kr/p/EyDhro

(04 May 2016, 3:56 pm)Jimmi wrote Indeed it is: https://flic.kr/p/EyDhro

I've just read the comments in your pic and shows how popular it was with Stagecoach!