(22 Nov 2016, 5:36 pm)Tom wrote One problem with that - it would be deroofed!

Where?

(23 Nov 2016, 6:20 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I'll see if I can match that on Saturday

I had an idea of somewhere, albeit not particularly exciting but it went out of the window due to it arriving into Middlesbrough 20 minutes late as I wanted to go for a ride. Might be taking another attempt at 9098 on Saturday.

(23 Nov 2016, 6:27 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Where?

It goes along Eastfield Avenue on the way to town which has a low bridge

(23 Nov 2016, 6:28 pm)Tom wrote It goes along Eastfield Avenue on the way to town which has a low bridge

Just re-route it  

I had forgotten as when I went on it for the first time there was a fair on the green next to Eastfield Avenue so it was closed

(23 Nov 2016, 6:30 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Just re-route it  

I had forgotten as when I went on it for the first time there was a fair on the green next to Eastfield Avenue so it was closed

Haha. I don't know what passenger numbers have been like on the Q3 recently to justify a double decker though like. Normally no more than 5 people on Wallsend-St Peters.

(23 Nov 2016, 6:34 pm)Tom wrote Haha. I don't know what passenger numbers have been like on the Q3 recently to justify a double decker though like. Normally no more than 5 people on Wallsend-St Peters.

At peak times Great Park-Haymarket it can be horrendous, that's why they put a vyking on a journey in the evening with SAGE

(23 Nov 2016, 6:35 pm)NK53 TKT wrote At peak times Great Park-Haymarket it can be horrendous, that's why they put a vyking on a journey in the evening with SAGE

Yeah I can't see double deckers working the Q3 though.

(23 Nov 2016, 6:27 pm)Jimmi wrote I had an idea of somewhere, albeit not particularly exciting but it went out of the window due to it arriving into Middlesbrough 20 minutes late as I wanted to go for a ride. Might be taking another attempt at 9098 on Saturday.

I have a few, Mostly in the County Durham / Teeside area. There's one only accessible by car and unfortunately that's the best one too, So i'll see what happens.

I'll be around on Saturday too, Feel free to say hi if you see me.

Currently on 3962 which obviously has a major issue. Every time we stop the driver has to seriously rev and nothing kicks in. It's about 40c on here too. She can't seem to get an answer from control

They really are a bit knackered some of these Angels

(23 Nov 2016, 7:14 pm)Ambassador wrote Currently on 3962 which obviously has a major issue. Every time we stop the driver has to seriously rev and nothing kicks in. It's about 40c on here too. She can't seem to get an answer from control

They really are a bit knackered some of these Angels

Not surprised with 3962, it's been on some long routes in it's time with GNE.

Here's my effort with the demo - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...ateposted/ - complete with a wild Jimmi onboard.

(22 Nov 2016, 7:16 pm)thetravelman wrote How likely are GNE to go for ADL though, it doesn't seem to be a manufacturer that they prefer or is it more on the basis of affordability.

Maybe because Brian Souter (Stagecoach) is a major shareholder in ADL  - Hence, Stagecoach's loyalty to ADL models in their fleet - Therefore, is this an adverse influence in GNE's decisions to invest in ADL buses?!

(23 Nov 2016, 10:45 pm)Venturego wrote Maybe because Brian Souter (Stagecoach) is a major shareholder in ADL  - Hence, Stagecoach's loyalty to ADL models in their fleet - Therefore, is this an adverse influence in GNE's decisions to invest in ADL buses?!

But doesn't the other compaines within the Go Ahead group buy from ADL?

(23 Nov 2016, 10:45 pm)Venturego wrote Maybe because Brian Souter (Stagecoach) is a major shareholder in ADL  - Hence, Stagecoach's loyalty to ADL models in their fleet - Therefore, is this an adverse influence in GNE's decisions to invest in ADL buses?!

But the Go Ahead Group voiced their opinions when ADL were asking Bus companies about the design of the then "future" MMC models, so surely it must just be a case of affordability?

(23 Nov 2016, 10:45 pm)Venturego wrote Maybe because Brian Souter (Stagecoach) is a major shareholder in ADL  - Hence, Stagecoach's loyalty to ADL models in their fleet - Therefore, is this an adverse influence in GNE's decisions to invest in ADL buses?!

No other large company has this approach, Arriva and First both buy ADL products, why would GNE be any different?

(23 Nov 2016, 9:45 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Here's my effort with the demo - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...ateposted/ - complete with a wild Jimmi onboard.

I tried the demo last night from Gateshead to Heworth. Really good ride, check out the Alexander Dennis promotional video that they are playing.

Charles

Currently on enviro 400mmc lovely bus running 30 minutes late at peterlee now

It seems that this demo vehicle has been plagued by late running.

(24 Nov 2016, 11:33 am)Ryan99 wrote Currently on enviro 400mmc lovely bus running 30 minutes late at peterlee now

It's an Enviro400 City.

(24 Nov 2016, 11:51 am)G-CPTN wrote It seems that this demo vehicle has been plagued by late running.

Honestly don't know what is causing it to run late, think it's on the same board as yesterday. I got the 12:00 departure from Middlesbrough yesterday and it arrived nearly 20 minutes late and departed 10-15 minutes late, not helped that the X7 was on the stand at Middlesbrough upon arrival then the driver decided to take the route to Billingham Town Centre that has the level crossing and sure enough, we just hit it and got stuck there for 5-10 minutes.

All of the Prince Bishops branded vehicles received the updated cant rail design (as trialled on 5432) last night.

Just arrived in the depot at Crook ....


Mercedes-Benz Citraro
BT66TZE

Unfortunately it's not for us. It's on demo for Weardale 101 service

What times will Enviro400 City be between Heworth and Newcastle tomorrow please?

(24 Nov 2016, 5:39 pm)Ds1197 wrote What times will Enviro400 City be between Heworth and Newcastle tomorrow please?

It won't be known until it is allocated tomorrow morning.

(24 Nov 2016, 5:39 pm)Ds1197 wrote What times will Enviro400 City be between Heworth and Newcastle tomorrow please?

It's been on 10:30 from Newcastle each day so far. Hoping to try it on there tomorrow myself.

(24 Nov 2016, 12:05 pm)Jimmi wrote It's an Enviro400 City.
Honestly don't know what is causing it to run late, think it's on the same board as yesterday. I got the 12:00 departure from Middlesbrough yesterday and it arrived nearly 20 minutes late and departed 10-15 minutes late, not helped that the X7 was on the stand at Middlesbrough upon arrival then the driver decided to take the route to Billingham Town Centre that has the level crossing and sure enough, we just hit it and got stuck there for 5-10 minutes.

The 9am from Middlesbrough is notorious for being delayed on run down from Newcastle due to heavy traffic. The 9am is then one of the busiest runs of day on X9.

(24 Nov 2016, 12:05 pm)Jimmi wrote It's an Enviro400 City.
Honestly don't know what is causing it to run late, think it's on the same board as yesterday. I got the 12:00 departure from Middlesbrough yesterday and it arrived nearly 20 minutes late and departed 10-15 minutes late, not helped that the X7 was on the stand at Middlesbrough upon arrival then the driver decided to take the route to Billingham Town Centre that has the level crossing and sure enough, we just hit it and got stuck there for 5-10 minutes.

Having driven this service in the past, I can honestly say that the cause of the delay is more than likely congestion on the A19.  It is a nightmare road, with severe delays commonplace. Volume of traffic is bad enough, but add an RTA or even a broken down vehicle, and things come to a standstill.  Its very difficult to keep on time when there is only a 10 minute turn around at each end. Also, remember today there have been severe problems on the Metro, so more people could have been using their cars onnthe A19.

(24 Nov 2016, 5:43 pm)R838PRG wrote It's been on 10:30 from Newcastle each day so far. Hoping to try it on there tomorrow myself.

Does that mean 9.00 out of Middlesbrough? Trying to catch it saturday morning... might try for the 9.10 out of Billingham.

They painted 693/694 and installed WIFI to them quickly.

Least they look to be ready for the Peterlee changes which are coming up soon.

In case anyone wants it, 9098 is on the same board again today, 10:30 X9 from Newcastle then 12:00 return from Middlesbrough.

(25 Nov 2016, 10:01 am)Jimmi wrote In case anyone wants it, 9098 is on the same board again today, 10:30 X9 from Newcastle then 12:00 return from Middlesbrough.

Pulled in to Heworth at 1100 heading south. 

On a different note, an Optare bus in Saltmeadows seemed to be getting a shade of paint applied that looks like it belongs on the 28. Didn't get to have a proper look unfortunately.