Anyone know which E400s are staying on the X21/22 with 7541-52? I assumed it was 7522-26, and some sightings yesterday backed that up, though there were some pictures of the 57 plates still in service.

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Few days late with this, but the registrations for 7542-4 were meant to be NNP/R/T, however ADL messed up when registering them. In order to keep other details in the same order, they are now NNT/P/R.

7522/3/4/5/6 are staying, 7501/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/18/27/8 going. 

Interestingly, only 7552 carries a spare livery, whereas 7509/18 were the spares, so if they don't want 2 Sapphire spares, another 14 reg could go.

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7522/3/4/5/6 are staying, 7501/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/18/27/8 going. 

Interestingly, only 7552 carries a spare livery, whereas 7509/18 were the spares, so if they don't want 2 Sapphire spares, another 14 reg could go.

However, only 7518 ever carried a 'spare' livery - 7509 was fully branded. 

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However, only 7518 ever carried a 'spare' livery - 7509 was fully branded. 

I also can't see how 7509 could be classed as a spare considering it's specific route branded for that service and probably saw just as much use as the other Sapphire 57 plates, surely by this logic, does this make 1516 Darlington's Sapphire spare, considering it is also fully route branded? 

I also can't see how 7509 could be classed as a spare considering it's specific route branded for that service and probably saw just as much use as the other Sapphire 57 plates, surely by this logic, does this make 1516 Darlington's Sapphire spare, considering it is also fully route branded? 

I believe that 7509 being a 'spare' came from it being the last to be refurbished, and that it was only branded a few weeks after entering service. I think, if anything, 7509 was one of the most reliable performers, certainly I don't remember too many issues with it. 

I think, if you look at the amount of time 7509 spent on the X21/22 compared to 7518, it's clear that 7518 was the 'spare' vehicle.

I personally, with OCD..... hate the fact that we now have 17 regs in a new livery with white destination screens running alongside 14 regs liveried buses with orange destys...... For me it's a case of get the full set of buses or don't try at all.

I believe that 7509 being a 'spare' came from it being the last to be refurbished, and that it was only branded a few weeks after entering service. I think, if anything, 7509 was one of the most reliable performers, certainly I don't remember too many issues with it. 

I think, if you look at the amount of time 7509 spent on the X21/22 compared to 7518, it's clear that 7518 was the 'spare' vehicle.

From my limited experience of them, the only one's that seemed to struggle were the ones that got killed on the X93, whichever 57 plate I had on the X21 yesterday certainly wasn't struggling.

I personally, with OCD..... hate the fact that we now have 17 regs in a new livery with white destination screens running alongside 14 regs liveried buses with orange destys...... For me it's a case of get the full set of buses or don't try at all.

I *think* that only 12 were ordered as this covers the PVR of the 43/44/45. I'd hope they give the 14 plates white destinations and the new livery soon.

From my limited experience of them, the only one's that seemed to struggle were the ones that got killed on the X93, whichever 57 plate I had on the X21 yesterday certainly wasn't struggling.

At first, none of them were brilliant, especially in terms of reliability. Ashington seemed to work hard to get the best out of them. 7501-4 still aren't great, however I agree that the other ones are now in pretty good health. Certainly, the journeys I had on 7505/8/9 in the weeks before 7541-52 came were very enjoyable.

I *think* that only 12 were ordered as this covers the PVR of the 43/44/45. I'd hope they give the 14 plates white destinations and the new livery soon.

At first, none of them were brilliant, especially in terms of reliability. Ashington seemed to work hard to get the best out of them. 7501-4 still aren't great, however I agree that the other ones are now in pretty good health. Certainly, the journeys I had on 7505/8/9 in the weeks before 7541-52 came were very enjoyable.

Had 7506 on the X14 yesterday, First one in a year out of the 57 Plates Ive rode to be in Limp Mode. Absolutely dire it was, At one point crawling at 30mph up the A1.

The first round of Econospeed fitments seemed to kill a lot of the batch, But since that shambles Ashington seem to have worked wonders on most of them, Though the 3 that weren't touched in the first place ( 7511-13 ) still outperform the others in my opinion.

I also can't see how 7509 could be classed as a spare considering it's specific route branded for that service and probably saw just as much use as the other Sapphire 57 plates, surely by this logic, does this make 1516 Darlington's Sapphire spare, considering it is also fully route branded? 

I *think* that only 12 were ordered as this covers the PVR of the 43/44/45. I'd hope they give the 14 plates white destinations and the new livery soon.

I agree that 7509 is no more a spare vehicle than any other X21/2 branded example however I think the point trying to be made is that currently there is an extra X21/2 branded vehicle for the PVR as well as 7518 being the official spare. If by some miracle at any one time all vehicles were on the road - then there would be two vehicles left in the depot a X21/2 branded (7509 or any other) and the spare 7518.

It seems likely that with the less reliable 57-reg buses moving that rather than having 2 'spares' for the X21/2 and no spares for the 43/44/45 (12 new buses displace 12 buses to cover a PVR of 12) that an additional vehicle will transfer to Jesmond.

I agree that 7509 is no more a spare vehicle than any other X21/2 branded example however I think the point trying to be made is that currently there is an extra X21/2 branded vehicle for the PVR as well as 7518 being the official spare. If by some miracle at any one time all vehicles were on the road - then there would be two vehicles left in the depot a X21/2 branded (7509 or any other) and the spare 7518.

It seems likely that with the less reliable 57-reg buses moving that rather than having 2 'spares' for the X21/2 and no spares for the 43/44/45 (12 new buses displace 12 buses to cover a PVR of 12) that an additional vehicle will transfer to Jesmond.

Surely 1512 would act as a spare in some form for the 43/44/45 although it pretty much seems to be permanently on the 685 due to the Omnicitys not being very reliable and probably because it's the closest vehicle to match the spec of the Cross Pennine Omni's.

Surely 1512 would act as a spare in some form for the 43/44/45 although it pretty much seems to be permanently on the 685 due to the Omnicitys not being very reliable and probably because it's the closest vehicle to match the spec of the Cross Pennine Omni's.

Ah yes! I'd forgotten about 1512!! Perhaps then only the 12 mentioned above will transfer across!

I wonder if it will only be double-deckers withdrawn or whether 4516-8/20-21/23 will go instead (4519 has now been withdrawn hence why I haven't included it). They could potentially withdraw the vast majority of the remaining ALX400s, excluding the couple at Blyth.

On the topic of the 52/3/4. Is anything happening with regard to the new allocation of Streetlites? There are currently 9 in service at Jesmond yet the PVR of the services is 11. Perhaps it would make sense to transfer the two on the 35 to provide a full allocation - I believe at one point they were going to go MAX but with the new livery etc I doubt that'll be happening now! Similarly it would have been nice to see the X21 and X22 to Peterlee go MAX and then they could have finished the programme there.

PVR of GNR is 13 if I remember correctly, including one single deck board.

PVR of GNR is 13 if I remember correctly, including one single deck board.

I did think it had increased to 13 at some point, but then I looked through the timetable and only came out with 12! Nevermind! In that case 1512 would form part of the allocation and so my point still stands that perhaps a 13th bus will transfer from Ashington to act as a spare!

I did think it had increased to 13 at some point, but then I looked through the timetable and only came out with 12! Nevermind! In that case 1512 would form part of the allocation and so my point still stands that perhaps a 13th bus will transfer from Ashington to act as a spare!

It was mentioned on here a while back that it was a PVR of 13, 12 deckers and one saloon. 

Back in 2014 when the 57 regs were being refurbished, there was an additional one refurbished as a spare, which gained X21/X22 branding, after the severe unreliability of the vehicles back then 7518 was refurbished, so its probable that another bus will transfer like you say.

Not all the displaced E400s are going to Newcastle.

Two are going to Durham, with two Sapphire Pulsars going to Newcastle giving three single deck boards on GNR.

Not all the displaced E400s are going to Newcastle.

Two are going to Durham, with two Sapphire Pulsars going to Newcastle giving three single deck boards on GNR.

The rumour someone said to me on Facebook was one 57 plate E400 to Darlington and another one to Belmont to displace Sapphire Pulsar's to Jesmond, although I feel sending two to Belmont is a better idea as if Darlington lost a Pulsar, it would mean that if a Pulsar is off on a Sunday (or a evening), something else would have to cover a 7 board most likely a Pulsar or EcoCity as the E400's are never allocated on Sundays.

The rumour someone said to me on Facebook was one 57 plate E400 to Darlington and another one to Belmont to displace Sapphire Pulsar's to Jesmond, although I feel sending two to Belmont is a better idea as if Darlington lost a Pulsar, it would mean that if a Pulsar is off on a Sunday (or a evening), something else would have to cover a 7 board most likely a Pulsar or EcoCity as the E400's are never allocated on Sundays.

I've now seen a comment from an employee from Jesmond that the Pulsars will be two examples off the 6 due to the lower capacity of Darlington's Sapphire Pulsars. However, the plan still seems to be one E400 to Durham and 1 to Darlington with the displaced Pulsar from Darlington going to Durham - which means Durham actually end up losing 2 Pulsars and gaining one with a lower capacity. Makes far more sense to send both E400s to Durham and covert two all day 6 boards to double decker operation.

The same person also reckons it will be the two displaced 14 plate examples that end up moving south of the Tyne.

Does anybody happen to know why 7416 has never been branded?

Thanks, Peter

Does anybody happen to know why 7416 has never been branded?

Thanks, Peter

Maybe because its refurbishment was never finished. It still retains Urban90s at present.

Maybe because its refurbishment was never finished. It still retains Urban90s at present.

Ah right! Wasn't aware of that...they seem to have left it quite a while though...may end up just getting repainted into the new livery instead!

Ah right! Wasn't aware of that...they seem to have left it quite a while though...may end up just getting repainted into the new livery instead!

It seems completely forgotten about to be honest! Though, with the amount of time it seems to spend VOR, I'm not too sure there's much time to refurbish it

Ah yes! I'd forgotten about 1512!! Perhaps then only the 12 mentioned above will transfer across!

I wonder if it will only be double-deckers withdrawn or whether 4516-8/20-21/23 will go instead (4519 has now been withdrawn hence why I haven't included it). They could potentially withdraw the vast majority of the remaining ALX400s, excluding the couple at Blyth.

On the topic of the 52/3/4. Is anything happening with regard to the new allocation of Streetlites? There are currently 9 in service at Jesmond yet the PVR of the services is 11. Perhaps it would make sense to transfer the two on the 35 to provide a full allocation - I believe at one point they were going to go MAX but with the new livery etc I doubt that'll be happening now! Similarly it would have been nice to see the X21 and X22 to Peterlee go MAX and then they could have finished the programme there.

As far as I understand only the DAF ALX400's and MPD's are on the hit list this year, meaning the Volvo's will have to wait til next year. It's likely that the Cadets at Stockton will go next year too.

I've now seen a comment from an employee from Jesmond that the Pulsars will be two examples off the 6 due to the lower capacity of Darlington's Sapphire Pulsars. However, the plan still seems to be one E400 to Durham and 1 to Darlington with the displaced Pulsar from Darlington going to Durham - which means Durham actually end up losing 2 Pulsars and gaining one with a lower capacity. Makes far more sense to send both E400s to Durham and covert two all day 6 boards to double decker operation.

The same person also reckons it will be the two displaced 14 plate examples that end up moving south of the Tyne.

Plan now seems to be 1513 will transfer from Darlington to Belmont with Darlington getting 7538 in return, so my theory is the two ex Ashington E400's will end up on the 6 and the 24 will get 1513.

Plan now seems to be 1513 will transfer from Darlington to Belmont with Darlington getting 7538 in return, so my theory is the two ex Ashington E400's will end up on the 6 and the 24 will get 1513.

I don't see why they just don't transfer 7519/20/21 for 1514/5/6 then the 7 can be all decker allocated, all the pulsars would then be at Durham

An E200MMC in the new Sapphire Livery on service 700 with Arriva Southern Counties and it looks awful - https://www.flickr.com/photos/thebestint...922837792/

That's dire!

I don't see why they just don't transfer 7519/20/21 for 1514/5/6 then the 7 can be all decker allocated, all the pulsars would then be at Durham

Probably is far more fuel efficient to use Pulsar's all day, everyday though than having E400's out all day and not all of the boards really require a double decker. I did hear talk about the 7 potentially becoming fully double deck operated a while ago but can't ever see that happening myself.

I don't see why they just don't transfer 7519/20/21 for 1514/5/6 then the 7 can be all decker allocated, all the pulsars would then be at Durham

And then what would Durham do about their 6 boards that require Deckers due to interworkinf with schools?

So there's only going to be only 7539 and pulsars on service 24?


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At least 3 MMCs sitting in Ashington depot this morning. 7503/6/23/26/27 all on X21/22. Problems already?

7548 looks to have failed at Regent Centre on an X22. 7544 picking up passengers now on the X21 behind it.