Just got the 88A from Brockley Whins to Shields and what a ride. Was 10 minutes late and he floored it the whole way. One old lady tried to pick up a 50p that she'd dropped behind the doors much to the annoyance of the driver. Also just noticed that the Versa V1110s have one door larger than the other is this the same in other cases too.

(05 Sep 2016, 1:33 pm)EL1TE wrote New IndiGo Solo saw near Heworth, heading for Washington.

Also saw 8297 leaving Jarrow with an engineer at the wheel.

Aye, all the indiGos have transferred to Washington today. They're presently sat round the back of the depot, along with 5324.

The 681, 689 and 690 have also left SMR, so I assume they've been taken to Deptford today.

(05 Sep 2016, 3:07 pm)Adrian wrote Aye, all the indiGos have transferred to Washington today. They're presently sat round the back of the depot, along with 5324.

The 681, 689 and 690 have also left SMR, so I assume they've been taken to Deptford today.

Yes that's correct,  All three Red Solo's are now at Deptford.  They were transferred across this afternoon.

With 5324 now being spare at Washington for the 4, will gain Wi-Fi and NSA's to bring it up to same spec as the other Mercs on the 4?

(05 Sep 2016, 6:51 pm)Malarkey wrote With 5324 now being spare at Washington for the 4, will gain Wi-Fi and NSA's to bring it up to same spec as the other Mercs on the 4?

No - not yet, anyway.

Long term, possibly. A business case would have to be put together to justify spending a large amount of money on retrofitting these features - the benefit would obviously be that customers would be provided with a consistent spec.

just keep people up to date with fleet movements:


Ten new Optare Solo SR have been received, fleet numbers 681 - 690, 7 branded indiGo for Washington depot and 3 for Deptford depot currently in unbranded red.

Please see the fleet list for details of the registration marks.

Ex-Brighton Scania Omnidekka 6134: YN04 GJU has entered service at Chester le Street and 6135: YN04 GJV at Crook.

Volvo B7/Plaxton 6038 has been transferred from Crook to Chester le Street.

Volvo B10BLEs withdrawn are 4901, 4902, 4907, 4918, 4920, 4925 and 5167.

Also withdrawn is Dennis Trident/East Lancs 3864.

DFDS branded Trident 3866: 340 GUP has been re-registered W866 PNL and 3867: 524 FUP has been re-registered W177 SCU, both prior to disposal.

Ex-Oxford Volvo B10BLE 5157: T807 CBW has been sold to Central Taxis, Gateshead.

-------


Least we know what's happening to the 2 non DDA DFDS buses

(05 Sep 2016, 6:54 pm)Michael wrote just keep people up to date with fleet movements:


Ten new Optare Solo SR have been received, fleet numbers 681 - 690, 7 branded indiGo for Washington depot and 3 for Deptford depot currently in unbranded red.

Please see the fleet list for details of the registration marks.

Ex-Brighton Scania Omnidekka 6134: YN04 GJU has entered service at Chester le Street and 6135: YN04 GJV at Crook.

Volvo B7/Plaxton 6038 has been transferred from Crook to Chester le Street.

Volvo B10BLEs withdrawn are 4901, 4902, 4907, 4918, 4920, 4925 and 5167.

Also withdrawn is Dennis Trident/East Lancs 3864.

DFDS branded Trident 3866: 340 GUP has been re-registered W866 PNL and 3867: 524 FUP has been re-registered W177 SCU, both prior to disposal.

Ex-Oxford Volvo B10BLE 5157: T807 CBW has been sold to Central Taxis, Gateshead.

-------


Least we know what's happening to the 2 non DDA DFDS buses

Had them quite a bit recently, still in a decent condition so shame to see them going
Omnidekkas to replace them then? Or maybe some of the 51 reg tridents from Stanley?

At least we know what the Deptford solos will be used on Saves a lot of questions!

33, 38C and 135/136 (I guess Monday to Saturday only) for anybody who hasn't seen yet:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...447100356/

(05 Sep 2016, 7:44 pm)S813 FVK wrote At least we know what the Deptford solos will be used on Saves a lot of questions!

33, 38C and 135/136 (I guess Monday to Saturday only) for anybody who hasn't seen yet:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...447100356/

Nope - seven days a week!

If a red Solo is unavailable, the evening/Sunday Euro 5 secured work should be covered by a red Streetlite.

(05 Sep 2016, 7:44 pm)S813 FVK wrote At least we know what the Deptford solos will be used on Saves a lot of questions!

33, 38C and 135/136 (I guess Monday to Saturday only) for anybody who hasn't seen yet:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...447100356/

, looking forward to seeing what the brand is now.

I also like this:


Just 24 Mini Pointer Darts now remain in service, and by the end of this year, the number in the fleet will reduce to single figures.

(05 Sep 2016, 7:52 pm)Michael wrote , looking forward to seeing what the brand is now.

I also like this:


Just 24 Mini Pointer Darts now remain in service, and by the end of this year, the number in the fleet will reduce to single figures.

Guessing more Solo SR's are on order in that case then.

(05 Sep 2016, 7:57 pm)Malarkey wrote Guessing more Solo SR's are on order in that case then.

Hopefully.

Wonder when the next lot of new buses will arrive?

(05 Sep 2016, 7:57 pm)Malarkey wrote Guessing more Solo SR's are on order in that case then.

(05 Sep 2016, 8:01 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully.

Wonder when the next lot of new buses will arrive?

busmanT did more or less confirm further Solos joining the fleet - with some of these being deployed on services 237/238 later in the year...

http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1847&pid=179278#pid179278

(05 Sep 2016, 8:32 pm)Dan wrote busmanT did more or less confirm further Solos joining the fleet - with some of these being deployed on services 237/238 later in the year...

http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1847&pid=179278#pid179278

next batch of Solo will be 691-705, due to arrive before the end of January 2017.

(05 Sep 2016, 8:32 pm)Dan wrote busmanT did more or less confirm further Solos joining the fleet - with some of these being deployed on services 237/238 later in the year...

http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showth...p?tid=1847&pid=179278#pid179278

Ohh, i thought he was just saying it to keep the guessing going.

Hopefully some for the 38 too.

Yay I get to see more of 6038....

(05 Sep 2016, 9:32 pm)Ambassador wrote Yay I get to see more of 6038....

You had a bit of a treat on the 21 today man.... 6140 was working it!

(05 Sep 2016, 9:35 pm)Adrian wrote You had a bit of a treat on the 21 today man.... 6140 was working it!

Their other N94 was on the X21/X25s also, they both look smart which isn't what I can say of one or two of those deckers.

(05 Sep 2016, 9:39 pm)Jamie M wrote Their other N94 was on the X21/X25s also, they both look smart which isn't what I can say of one or two of those deckers.

I'd expect them to look smart externally when freshly painted - but they're all very... worn... internally. Apart from 6131-33, of course, which were re-trimmed prior to entering service.

Bit of a kick in the teeth when you get a red bus on the X21 lacking the usual features of the StreetDecks as it is, never mind a red bus with threadbare seats!

Will they bother retrimming the seats on these ones or are they just staying the way they are given how long they are probably going to be in the fleet for?

(05 Sep 2016, 9:41 pm)Dan wrote I'd expect them to look smart externally when freshly painted - but they're all very... worn... internally.

Bit of a kick in the teeth when you get a red bus on the X21 lacking the usual features of the StreetDecks as it is, never mind a red bus with threadbare seats!

I've been on CLS' first omnidekka, think YN04GJJ, didn't look or feel too bad. Got shifting and didn't feel tacky or worn. I wasn't close up to either of the newer two, but I can also say the same of a few of Stanley's interiors. GX03S(UH/VE) especially have loads of mismatch seats and generally don't feel nice to be in, although the motors are always great on those.

(05 Sep 2016, 9:45 pm)S813 FVK wrote Will they bother retrimming the seats on these ones or are they just staying the way they are given how long they are probably going to be in the fleet for?

I've been on all of Stanley's up Whickham/Dunston or Watergate bank and beyond every working day since they were introduced. As stated, I believe the motors are good/great, better than Stanley's other buses. I've only ever experienced one break down where GX03SVA was coming downhill on Watergate bank and the engine just revved high and cut. It was back up in service the next day and I believe this is a mechanical caveat with Diesel automatics. I think they'll be going strong for a while, certainly not numbered years from what I know of them. Just a few need a re-trim and they'll be top notch.

Oh and the back row of seats on all of them on the lower deck.. whoever designed the space hopefully was sacked. Waste of 4 seat spaces, neebody sits on them except for the middle area. Other than that, though.

(05 Sep 2016, 9:35 pm)Adrian wrote You had a bit of a treat on the 21 today man.... 6140 was working it!

I missed it! My pass ran out so I  Ended up taking the X12 today (cheaper!) been looking out for one. Intrigued to see how it goes in the A167 or the Harlow Green stretch

Solo 675 has lost half of its indigo branding on the lower part of the left side of the bus

(06 Sep 2016, 7:01 pm)V514DFT wrote Solo 675 has lost half of its indigo branding on the lower part of the left side of the bus

Is this a replacement panel? Stanley's are awful for that. See a lot, you certainly notice when some maroon is missing like.

Is the Indigo Washington Solo's still going to be out tomorrow?

(06 Sep 2016, 7:11 pm)Michael wrote Is the Indigo Washington Solo's still going to be out tomorrow?

No, Thursday now.

(06 Sep 2016, 7:19 pm)citaro5284 wrote No, Thursday now.

Thanks, =)

Finally caught 6140 on the 21 tonight.

Very dull buses internally, very narrow steep steps to top deck. Passengers didn't seem too impressed, few negative comments to the driver, herself telling passengers she had drawn the short straw tonight.

Didn't get a chance to experience the engine as the driver as very timid. Sooner they upgrade the 21 and get some acceptable reserves in...

(06 Sep 2016, 7:05 pm)Jamie M wrote Is this a replacement panel? Stanley's are awful for that. See a lot, you certainly notice when some maroon is missing like.

I couldnt really tell the sun was in my eyes

(06 Sep 2016, 7:19 pm)citaro5284 wrote No, Thursday now.

Now I know what I'm doing on my day off, though I won't be bothered too much by other enthusiasts, as people do tend to keep away from me lol.