Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - December 2016

[Andreos1]

Won't the Northern trains have WIFI, plugs etc? or i'm i thinking of a different company?

http://maps.dft.gov.uk/northern/

At the very least, frequency between Boro and Tyneside is matched with the X9/10.

[Michael]

http://maps.dft.gov.uk/northern/

At the very least, frequency between Boro and Tyneside is matched with the X9/10.

Ah cool, might give GNE some competition although it already exists but with Northern trains gaining WIFI etc... might get people to use the service.

Glad to see the sevice increase too, about time.

[mb134]

If the coach option is not viable and similar double decker type vehicles are to be sourced for the service, would it not be better to change them say every 3  years before regular breakdowns start occurring and service reliability starts to suffer.

Changing the allocation every 3 years would surely make double deckers a worse economic investment than coaches would it not? Over a 10 year period you're nearly into your fourth set of vehicles, while coaches would probably just be being replaced. 

With the upcoming changes to Northern next year, I reckon we could see more people hit the rail network.
Whoever launches the improvements first, could end up having a massive headstart.

Yep. I also wouldn't really class GNE going for the same type of vehicles (i.e standard double deck buses) as a massive improvement, especially considering the improvements that Northern are promising within the next few years. 

Just a query, do the tables brought in on the Streetdecks lower the capacity? That's one way that I could see GNE improving the TTX, however then the capacity issue comes up again.

[C785 OCN]

WRT paper timetables at Hexham bus station. What's WRT anyone please?

[NK05 GWZ]

Can someone let me know if you see 3872 out today? Many thanks!

[G-CPTN]

WRT paper timetables at Hexham bus station. What's WRT anyone please?

With Reference To.

[RBZ 5459]

I think we will see the Enviro 400 City on the services.... but that's a massive "think" haha.

Would be nice top see a Scaniviro version or MMC appear for demonstration. That was rumored earlier in the year among drivers.

[Andreos1]

Ah cool, might give GNE some competition although it already exists but with Northern trains gaining WIFI etc... might get people to use the service.

Glad to see the sevice increase too, about time.

Theres plenty online about the spec the Connect services will be given. Granted the kit will be getting on 20 odd years old when it arrives, but as long as they work, are comfy and come with all of the added extras they've promised - it will be a definite improvement.

Changing the allocation every 3 years would surely make double deckers a worse economic investment than coaches would it not? Over a 10 year period you're nearly into your fourth set of vehicles, while coaches would probably just be being replaced. 

Yep. I also wouldn't really class GNE going for the same type of vehicles (i.e standard double deck buses) as a massive improvement, especially considering the improvements that Northern are promising within the next few years. 

Just a query, do the tables brought in on the Streetdecks lower the capacity? That's one way that I could see GNE improving the TTX, however then the capacity issue comes up again.

Genuinely have no idea. It may have been mentioned previously.
If they do lose seating capacity, I can't see it being by many.

[G-CPTN]

X84 through Corbridge towards Hexham @14:35 with X85 on the destination boards.

(X84 follows a different route through Corbridge)

[Cock Robin]

When you consider these coaches seat 79 (16 lower / 63 upper) , nat ex layout. whilst the current deckers seat 71 (43/28) and no standees, coaches will no doubt last longer.

Deckers are easier to cascade or sell on though.

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6047 screen still kaput.

[Cock Robin]

WRT paper timetables at Hexham bus station. What's WRT anyone please?

I wondered that!

[Dan]

Can someone let me know if you see 3872 out today? Many thanks!

3872 is VOR and given that 6146 has now entered service, it may just be scrapped.

[EL1TE]

Does anyone know when the Citylinks and the Q3 buses are getting sub branding back?

[Dan]

6047 screen still kaput.

Remove the 'still' from that post and your post would be correct!

The destination displays in 6046, 6047 and 6048 were all replaced and/or repaired. The faults relate to water damage - clearly the replacement display in 6047 has been water damaged again.

[GX03]

Deckers are easier to cascade or sell on though.

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I remember when I passed my Psv test I was driving a K reg ex national express Volvo coach around on tour work, 2003 this was, loads of coaches move onto pastures new after some gruelling work.

[Pulsar]

Changing the allocation every 3 years would surely make double deckers a worse economic investment than coaches would it not? Over a 10 year period you're nearly into your fourth set of vehicles, while coaches would probably just be being replaced. 

Yep. I also wouldn't really class GNE going for the same type of vehicles (i.e standard double deck buses) as a massive improvement, especially considering the improvements that Northern are promising within the next few years. 

Just a query, do the tables brought in on the Streetdecks lower the capacity? That's one way that I could see GNE improving the TTX, however then the capacity issue comes up again.

The current B9's have a capacity of 73 seats compered to 68 for the Streetdecks with tables. The enviro 400 city had a capacity of 69 seats (also with 4 tables) so although there is a difference, it is quite small and may be worth adding tables for passenger growth.

[LivingOnGNE]

When are the Mercs going on X5?

[Michael]

When are the Mercs going on X5?

I would imagine when new buses arrive, they can't cascade any Citaro's until they do, as the 4 from Peterlee are allocated to service 9. (2/4 so far due to not all of the Solo Sr's arriving from Thames Travel), while it's also more likely 2 Citaro's will be allocated to the 9 when they become available so it can become a fully Citaro route so Deptford should have services X5, 9, 35/35A/36 as Citaro's.


The Blaydon Racers were one of the Citaro routes rumoured to be getting new buses, it would seem logical because 9 Citaro's are needed at Deptford for a full allocation to the X5 (7) and 2 for the 9, with 1 spare and the Blaydon Racers is a busy route. The 35/36 were also rumoured to be getting get new buses. 


If the 35/36 got new buses, they'll be enough to upgrade the X5 (7), 9 (Only need 2 because of Citaro's from the Peterlee) and the 61 (5) and leaves 1 spare and means more services have 1 set of buses. 

Never know the 35/36 and the Blaydon Racers might both get upgraded. 


Hopefully in the next couple of months, new buses start to arrive but it's all rumours at the moment.

[L469 YVK]

I think looking at the TTX, Enviro's could last but the X9 / X10 alongside the X93 are the killer routes in the North East that have a particular niche.

Although the B9TLs have proven reliable so far on the X93 as well as the Enviros on the X18, the X9 / X10 is a constant high speed route that needs vehicles with taller gearing ratios to reduce stress on the engine plus wear and tear.

The only service vehicle that would've been capable of the above was the Palatine II with the D10-245 unit.

[Ryan99]

I would imagine when new buses arrive, they can't cascade any Citaro's until they do, as the 4 from Peterlee are allocated to service 9. (2/4 so far due to not all of the Solo Sr's arriving from Thames Travel), while it's also more likely 2 Citaro's will be allocated to the 9 when they become available so it can become a fully Citaro route so Deptford should have services X5, 9, 35/35A/36 as Citaro's.


The Blaydon Racers were one of the Citaro routes rumoured to be getting new buses, it would seem logical because 9 Citaro's are needed at Deptford for a full allocation to the X5 (7) and 2 for the 9, with 1 spare and the Blaydon Racers is a busy route. The 35/36 were also rumoured to be getting get new buses. 


If the 35/36 got new buses, they'll be enough to upgrade the X5 (7), 9 (Only need 2 because of Citaro's from the Peterlee) and the 61 (5) and leaves 1 spare and means more services have 1 set of buses. 

Never know the 35/36 and the Blaydon Racers might both get upgraded. 


Hopefully in the next couple of months, new buses start to arrive but it's all rumours at the moment.

The rumours are Durham diamonds 5284-92 to deptford ( X5 ) 2 spares , see it do it Mercs to riverside due to streetlites for 35/35A/36 
The 12 to get half the blaydon racers Mercs.