I was going to also suggest the W1/W1A & 333.

I was going to ask whether Percy Main would have enough vehicles or are more due there since they have the Whitley Bay services and the 42A route starting soon, from what I've heard (Not sure how true/accurate this is) that the 42 which currently terminates at Benton Asda, is going to be the one used now as 42A, obviously they will have an allocation of vehicles to meet the current PVR of the 42, but surely this will increase since the 42A will be going to Dinnington.
Another thought was would any of Riversides Solo's move over to Percy Main, since they wont be operating the 353. Unless of course depending what happens with the Kingston Park to Dinnington section of the 353 route?

Dan - Are anymore of these Solo's due to come up from Go Cornwall or is this just a one off?

Is there actually a timetable anywhere for the T1/T2? I just know the T1 gets into Lanchester at around 15:15.

No, not that I know of. It stops at a lot of the stops and isn't displayed on the stop timetables. Drivers love the shift because you only ever pick up from Tesco, even there it's not rare to be carrying only thin air.

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I've seen it in Lanchester at around 09:10 in the morning a few times and at around 09:35 in Consett Bus Station when I've been heading to Consett and Hexham on the 15 & 689.

Probably is a timetable, it's probably just not on stops or anything as it's a free service that doesn't need to be registered with VOSA? Probably the same way that the Eden's and Stagecarriage's Asda Free Bus Services work?

Dan - Are anymore of these Solo's due to come up from Go Cornwall or is this just a one off?

Nine in total.

Confirmation here: http://www.plymothiantransit.com/2017/02...pdate.html

Nine in total.

Confirmation here: http://www.plymothiantransit.com/2017/02...pdate.html

I am going to hazard a guess that it will be these 9 (with 208 already confirmed as being one):

206 (706) - WK58 EAE
207 (707) - WK58 EAF
208 (708) - WK58 EAG
209 (709) - WK58 EAJ
220 (710) - WK59 CWU
221 (711) - WK59 CWW
222 (712) - WK59 CWX
223 (713) - WK59 CWY
224 (714) - WK59 CWZ

I am going to hazard a guess that it will be these 9 (with 208 already confirmed as being one):

206 (706) - WK58 EAE
207 (707) - WK58 EAF
208 (708) - WK58 EAG
209 (709) - WK58 EAJ
220 (710) - WK59 CWU
221 (711) - WK59 CWW
222 (712) - WK59 CWX
223 (713) - WK59 CWY
224 (714) - WK59 CWZ

That is the same 9 I was going to list, going by what is on their fleet list. So 4x SE710s and 5x M850s?

Nine in total.

Confirmation here: http://www.plymothiantransit.com/2017/02...pdate.html

Interesting, Thanks Dan.

I assume the smaller ones will be used on smaller routes.

Thanks for the info Dan!

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Looks like the Blaydon Racers Citaro's are getting the same treatment as the Durham Diamond Citaro's -

5275 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...ateposted/ - Photo by Dan

Thanks for the info Dan!

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Looks like the Blaydon Racers Citaro's are getting the same treatment as the Durham Diamond Citaro's -

5275 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...ateposted/  - Photo by Dan

They are.  All ex Durham Diamonds and 5275 to 5283 are now fitted with wifi.  
Next to be fitted with wifi are Citylink 57 and Quaylinks.

They are.  All ex Durham Diamonds and 5275 to 5283 are now fitted with wifi.  
Next to be fitted with wifi are Citylink 57 and Quaylinks.

Cool, thanks for the extra info Citaro, will the Citylink 57 Citaro's get a refurbish at a later date?

Is 5331 getting wi-fi? because it wasn't been done with the rest of its fleet

That is the same 9 I was going to list, going by what is on their fleet list. So 4x SE710s and 5x M850s?

4 M710SE's and 5 M925's is whats coming, The M925's feature the optional 201hp , 5.9L Cummins ISBe in them instead of the standard Mercedes, As they were new for long distance service's at Western Greyhound.

4 M710SE's and 5 M925's  is whats coming, The M925's feature the optional 201hp , 5.9L Cummins ISBe in them instead of the standard Mercedes, As they were new for long distance service's at Western Greyhound.

They are M950s not M925s - same length as the majority of Arrivas solos.

Least the last remaining MPD's should go.

They are M950s not M925s - same length as the majority of Arrivas solos.

There M920's, plus a .3m longer overhang due to the Cummins

Due to this, They should be around the same size internally as a M925.

There M920's, plus a .3m longer overhang due to the Cummins  

Due to this, They should be around the same size internally as a M925.

Fair enough, as they were marketed as M920s, its probably best just to stick with M920.

5281 has been debranded and replaced 5310 on service 27.

You never guess what..

Durham bus station [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

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About blinking time.

About blinking time.

It's a huge thing mind. Not practical for on the go, only practical for the dinner table! It's as bad as the 309/310 - just a note of caution for big and little [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

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It's a huge thing mind. Not practical for on the go, only practical for the dinner table! It's as bad as the 309/310 - just a note of caution for big and little [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

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Aye, just scouring the PDF of those is major headache, even on the laptop

5462 is at Heysham Docks now.

Source: https://flic.kr/p/QzUQjx

Details, details

Further streetlites to enter service at Riverside are:

5453: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/32...otostream/
5454: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/31...otostream/
5456: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/32...otostream/
5460: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bazza90/32...ateposted/

At least one of the Scanias on the X84/X85 has  (for some considerable time) a 'noisy' transmission, (a groaning whine above 25mph).

I would suggest 'final drive' (rear axle) though it might be the actual gearbox (difficult to differentiate without 'tests' - or experienced opinion).

Some on here have predicted the end of the B9TLs on the TEN, but IMO they are just fine (apart from the occasional cooling system overflow).

Details, details

Well, that was embarrassing. It didn't actually add my pic. I've tried again and it's just been eaten. 

This added, though

Attached Files

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Screenshot_20170204-190720.png (Size 140.58 KB Downloads 20)

5281 has been debranded and replaced 5310 on service 27.

a debranded 5281 seen on 97A today

Some on here have predicted the end of the B9TLs on the TEN, but IMO they are just fine (apart from the occasional cooling system overflow).

What???? (Not at you by the way)

The only 2x that people would most likely concerned about due to the 'extra piece of equipment' allowing them to bail out 6043-48 would be 6071/84.

I can't imagine GNE removing the B9TLs of the TEN yet not until next year at least unless a cascade is in the pipeline and GNE have decided not to make 'fuel savings' from other potential easier routes in terms of new buses.

What???? (Not at you by the way)

The only 2x that people would most likely concerned about due to the 'extra piece of equipment' allowing them to bail out 6043-48 would be 6071/84.

I can't imagine GNE removing the B9TLs of the TEN yet not until next year at least unless a cascade is in the pipeline and GNE have decided not to make 'fuel savings' from other potential easier routes in terms of new buses.

Same as the Cobalt Clipper B9's.

I think the only reason that the TEN has been suggested for an investment is because there are not enough vehicles with the same features to cover the PVR. Percy Main do have enough, it just means losing one of their spares.

I think the only reason that the TEN has been suggested for an investment is because there are not enough vehicles with the same features to cover the PVR. Percy Main do have enough, it just means losing one of their spares.

Not for or against any particular route receiving investment and I'd actually be sad to see the B9TLs go and be replaced by Streetdecks.

But, it would be like Arriva back in 2013 buying B5LHs for the X10/X11 instead of the 308 which is a more urban style route with more stop start and fewer demanding sections of route.

Although the TEN isn't too challenging of a route between Newcastle and Crawcrook, the sections between there and Hexham as well as between Greenside and Blackhall Mill can get a bit choppy and that is what the B9TL is suited for. Using a Streetdeck on them sections of route will only save a small fortune as opposed to a more urban style route with fewer challenging sections and more 'plonking around the doors'.

Plus, why did GNE intend to retrofit flywheels on brand new vehicles? Although they were new vehicles at the time, GNE only ordered deckers from Wrightbus and considering what was on the market at the time the orders got placed around the summer of 2013 (production of liightweight DB300s coming to a close and no Streetdeck or B5TL Gemini 3 established and latter would only in testing stages), the B9TL was the only vehicle available to order from Wrightbus and that alone with GNE's relationship may (although not certain) have had some influence on the order.

At the end of the day, it would work out either way whatever route provided a cascade (if any) but one option would additionally release extra spare vehicles for Riverside / Hexham (as well as making up TEN PVR) and allow an additional year or two 'grace period' for suitable replacements for 6043-48 to be found with extra suitable spare vehicles available in the short term.

I'll leave it at that and see what materialises between now and May if anything.

Not for or against any particular route receiving investment and I'd actually be sad to see the B9TLs go and be replaced by Streetdecks.

But, it would be like Arriva back in 2013 buying B5LHs for the X10/X11 instead of the 308 which is a more urban style route with more stop start and fewer demanding sections of route.

Although the TEN isn't too challenging of a route between Newcastle and Crawcrook, the sections between there and Hexham as well as between Greenside and Blackhall Mill can get a bit choppy and that is what the B9TL is suited for. Using a Streetdeck on them sections of route will only save a small fortune as opposed to a more urban style route with fewer challenging sections and more 'plonking around the doors'.

Plus, why did GNE intend to retrofit flywheels on brand new vehicles? Although they were new vehicles at the time, GNE only ordered deckers from Wrightbus and considering what was on the market at the time the orders got placed around the summer of 2013 (production of liightweight DB300s coming to a close and no Streetdeck or B5TL Gemini 3 established and latter would only in testing stages), the B9TL was the only vehicle available to order from Wrightbus and that alone with GNE's relationship may (although not certain) have had some influence on the order.

At the end of the day, it would work out either way whatever route provided a cascade (if any) but one option would additionally release extra spare vehicles for Riverside / Hexham (as well as making up TEN PVR) and allow an additional year or two 'grace period' for suitable replacements for 6043-48 to be found with extra suitable spare vehicles available in the short term.

I'll leave it at that and see what materialises between now and May if anything.

I don't understand this B5LH nonsense will hills - the angels do hill sections along the X21 every evening and sundays with no problems at all!
Not directing this at you, but if there was such an issue with hybrids or non-B9 vehicles being on more "demanding" parts of routes, why would a depot allocate such vehicles?

This is an arguement that people always bring up about hybrids on the northerns, and I'm always short of finding the logic behind the argument.

Maybe I'm being ignorant of some important fact, but when a depot could be allocating streetlites or solars or whatever else is lurking (to a route with throughfares or whateve), it would pick the hybrid if there was fundamental problems with the terrain for the vehicle.

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