(24 Jul 2017, 7:21 pm)Michael wrote Thanks busmanT, glad they're doing all of them. (well except for the Connections 4 Citaro's and i think 5337/5338).

I think the 28 does, surprisingly, include 5337/8 based on calcuations I have just done:

75 Citaros in the fleet, 36 have been refurbished leaving 39 unrefurbished examples. Taking 28 away from 39 leaves 11, the number of Citaros branded for 'Connections4'.

(26 Jul 2017, 9:47 am)S813 FVK wrote I think the 28 does, surprisingly, include 5337/8 based on calcuations I have just done:

75 Citaros in the fleet, 36 have been refurbished leaving 39 unrefurbished examples. Taking 28 away from 39 leaves 11, the number of Citaros branded for 'Connections4'.

Must of miscounted then, haha

Wonder if the Omnicities wil go next year?

(26 Jul 2017, 9:47 am)S813 FVK wrote I think the 28 does, surprisingly, include 5337/8 based on calcuations I have just done:

75 Citaros in the fleet, 36 have been refurbished leaving 39 unrefurbished examples. Taking 28 away from 39 leaves 11, the number of Citaros branded for 'Connections4'.

(26 Jul 2017, 9:53 am)Michael wrote Must of miscounted then, haha

Wonder if the Omnicities wil go next year?

You will need to get your shoes and socks off next time Michael 

(26 Jul 2017, 9:53 am)Michael wrote Must of miscounted then, haha

Wonder if the Omnicities wil go next year?

It is unlikely that the Omnicity will be refurbished, as they will be over 11 years old (first are 56 plate).

(26 Jul 2017, 4:48 pm)busmanT wrote It is unlikely that the Omnicity will be refurbished, as they will be over 11 years old (first are 56 plate).

The age of 5337/5338 is the main reason why I am surprised that they are being refurbished. Perhaps they, along with 5324, will be moving out of Washington given that after refurbishment, they will be of a higher specification than the vehicles they will be substituting for unless they were to omit the fitting of USB sockets which is unlikely I think.

Hello all , i have some thoughts id like to share
5298-5302 - X84/X85 ( after refurbishment )
5303 branded tynedale links
5304 - spare for X84/X85/680
5305-5309 & 5325-5327 staying on the 35

(27 Jul 2017, 2:05 pm)Citaro5326 wrote Hello all , i have some thoughts id like to share
5298-5302 - X84/X85 ( after refurbishment )
5303 branded tynedale links
5304 - spare for X84/X85/680
5305-5309 & 5325-5327 staying on the 35

Any idea of timescale from now, before we might see these vehicles both back from refurbishment and onto their new routes?

Will 5303 which you indicate may go onto Tynedale Links, be refurbished also?

Here are some ideas me and my mate have come up with
5298-5305 - 35
5328-5334- hexham
5335/5336 to washington
Or
5324-5331- 35 or
5325-5332 - 35
Or
5305-5309/5325-5327 -35

---

(27 Jul 2017, 2:42 pm)thetravelman wrote Afternoon, Citaro5326

Any idea of timescale from now, before we might see these vehicles both back from refurbishment and onto their new routes?

Will 5303 which you indicate may go onto Tynedale Links, be refurbished also?

5298-5302 - Tynedale Express X84/X85
5303 - Tynedale Links ( 680 )
5304 - Spare for both

5300,5318,5317,5292 all down backburn on Facebook pictures on North East Bus enthusiasts group.

5315 back from refurb amd in service today. Not many crusaders to go now

Anybody noticed that 4971 has developed this judder when excelerating

Was on 5382 yesterday and the noise from back end when under piower was terrible sounded like it was ready to break into bits

From Dan's photo on Flickr:

Go North East has taken delivery of a further five Volvo B11R/Caetano Levante 2 coaches for its National Express Coaching Unit, operating out of Chester-le-Street Depot.

7133 (BV17 GVD)
- 7134 (BV17 GVE)
- 7135 (BV17 GVF)
- 7136 (BV17 GVG)
- 7137 (BV17 GVJ)

They are all expected to enter service on Monday 31st July 2017.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...ateposted/

6078 is now branded for the Tyne Valley Ten.

The positive aspect of the new TEN livery is that the B9TLs will be kept 'longer'.

(30 Jul 2017, 8:14 am)G-CPTN wrote The positive aspect of the new TEN livery is that the B9TLs will be kept 'longer'.

Yea I agree, can't see them being taken away from the TEN anytime soon.

With the 2nd batch of Citaro's going for refurbishment, will we see any fleet changes? (apart from 5298 - 5304 going to Hexham)


Has 5425 re-entered service yet?, haven't read anything on it returning to service.[url=http://www.northeastbuses.co.uk/fleet/item.php?operatorF=2&fleetnoF=5425#][/url]

(30 Jul 2017, 4:01 pm)Michael wrote With the 2nd batch of Citaro's going for refurbishment, will we see any fleet changes? (apart from 5298 - 5304 going to Hexham)


Has 5425 re-entered service yet?, haven't read anything on it returning to service.[url=http://www.northeastbuses.co.uk/fleet/item.php?operatorF=2&fleetnoF=5425#][/url]

No, not yet, but should not be too long.

Have the last 3 B10's been withdrawn yet?

(30 Jul 2017, 5:52 pm)Michael wrote Have the last 3 B10's been withdrawn yet?

No, not yet. Though I'm bound to have missed something, the news/fleet lists have now been updated.

Main points of note:
- Various repaints (5210 and 6132 into fleet livery; 6072, 6078 and 6083 join 6071 in Tyne Valley TEN livery; and 6085 into two-tone black/orange for a promotional livery to advertise the N56 service)
- Several vehicles are in a float/reserve capacity over the summer due to higher PVR for Metro Replacement which begins tomorrow (6011, 6013, 6029, 6032, 6036 and 6038, as well as 4898 and 4922*).
- Acquisition of 5x new coaches for National Express core fleet to displace the 5 remaining ex-Yourbus coaches (two to National Express duplicate fleet to replace 7095/97 which will be withdrawn; two to a newly-created Special Events/Private Hire fleet; and one to Driver Training which will allow 7077, 7092 and 7093 to be sold).

* 4922 MOT expires early next month, but should be used next week on a Misc Works board which does not need to be allocated a double-deck vehicle during the school holidays.


Now that we are nearing the completion of the original batch of 36x Mercedes Citaro refurbishments, it is likely that we will now start to see some Scania L94s withdrawn (replaced one by one, with the return of Citaros) and the creation of a new float/reserve refurbishment fleet which will consist of younger Scania L94s, in line with the next batch of 28x Mercedes Citaro being released for refurbishment.

(30 Jul 2017, 7:18 pm)Dan wrote No, not yet. Though I'm bound to have missed something, the news/fleet lists have now been updated.

Main points of note:
- Various repaints (5210 and 6132 into fleet livery; 6072, 6078 and 6083 join 6071 in Tyne Valley TEN livery; and 6085 into two-tone black/orange for a promotional livery to advertise the N56 service)
- Several vehicles are in a float/reserve capacity over the summer due to higher PVR for Metro Replacement which begins tomorrow (6011, 6013, 6029, 6032, 6036 and 6038, as well as 4898 and 4922*).
- Acquisition of 5x new coaches for National Express core fleet to displace the 5 remaining ex-Yourbus coaches (two to National Express duplicate fleet to replace 7095/97 which will be withdrawn; two to a newly-created Special Events/Private Hire fleet; and one to Driver Training which will allow 7077, 7092 and 7093 to be sold).

* 4922 MOT expires early next month, but should be used next week on a Misc Works board which does not need to be allocated a double-deck vehicle during the school holidays.


Now that we are nearing the completion of the original batch of 36x Mercedes Citaro refurbishments, it is likely that we will now start to see some Scania L94s withdrawn (replaced one by one, with the return of Citaros) and the creation of a new float/reserve refurbishment fleet which will consist of younger Scania L94s, in line with the next batch of 28x Mercedes Citaro being released for refurbishment.

Thanks for update.

I'm glad they're refurbishing all of the Citaro's. (apart from the Connections 4).

Hopefully the 8 See it do it Citaro's (the ones currently allocated to the 35) go Blue...

(30 Jul 2017, 7:52 pm)Michael wrote Thanks for update.

I'm glad they're refurbishing all of the Citaro's. (apart from the Connections 4).

Hopefully the 8 See it do it Citaro's (the ones currently allocated to the 35) go Blue...

5305-5309 and 5325-5327 blue for the 35 will make it good for me , 5308 is knackered it sounds like a shed but rest are fine

I don't know how much of an influence it has, but i think they should keep the 35 and 36 as two separate colours (preferebly something other than gold) but retaining the Seeit Doit brand.

I would consider doing this purley for differentiation between the two services, mainly down to the different level of service being provided (35 having a much higher specification compared to the 36).

May be easier to keep them the same colour for the timetables though although that could be an issue which I think, with a bit of redesigning, could be avoided.

(30 Jul 2017, 8:55 pm)S813 FVK wrote I don't know how much of an influence it has, but i think they should keep the 35 and 36 as two separate colours (preferebly something other than gold) but retaining the Seeit Doit brand.

I would consider doing this purley for differentiation between the two services, mainly down to the different level of service being provided (35 having a much higher specification compared to the 36).

May be easier to keep them the same colour for the timetables though although that could be an issue which I think, with a bit of redesigning, could be avoided.

Not sure what colour, the brand is rubbish on gold... Maybe on Red or Black?

Are Stanley due to lose a vehicle due to the loss of the 689 (to Hexham)? 
Thanks, Peter

(31 Jul 2017, 9:10 am)peter wrote Are Stanley due to lose a vehicle due to the loss of the 689 (to Hexham)? 
Thanks, Peter

Yes - 649 is due to transfer to Percy Main to displace 639 to Deptford. This will allow a Scania L94 at Deptford to move into float/reserve for further Mercedes Citaro refurbishments.

Also outstanding is the transfer of 6013, 6032 and 6038 to Riverside for Metro Replacement, as well as the withdrawal of 4899 and 4929 at Riverside following the return of Crusader refurbishments. 4927 should also be withdrawn come Friday, when 5314 returns to service following completion of MOT test, but again may be kept in service given that there's a lot going on at Riverside at the moment (Metro Replacement, repaints, etc).

Riverside and Stanley may exchange 3x Olympian and Trident over the summer months. This would give Riverside an extra three low-floor double-decks to play with over the summer for Metro Replacement, when the Jewish Scholars service does not operate, with the step-entrance Volvo Olympian being used on staff shuttle 'taxis' only. Unsure at this stage whether this will go ahead or not, however.

Wasn't sure where to stick this but is there a rule on middle door use on Vykings. I know the 21 had certain stops.

The Metro Replacement is rammed, we terminate at Regent Centre and a full standing load and they only open the front door. When challenged driver says 'sorry I'm not allowed'

(31 Jul 2017, 4:58 pm)Ambassador wrote Wasn't sure where to stick this but is there a rule on middle door use on Vykings. I know the 21 had certain stops.

The Metro Replacement is rammed, we terminate at Regent Centre and a full standing load and they only open the front door. When challenged driver says 'sorry I'm not allowed'

It's for disabled folk, probably is a rule in all fairness. From what I've heard anyway.



Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

(31 Jul 2017, 6:06 pm)Jamie M wrote It's for disabled folk, probably is a rule in all fairness. From what I've heard anyway.



Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

But when the Vykings were on the 21, they used to open at pretty much 90% of stops.

(31 Jul 2017, 4:58 pm)Ambassador wrote Wasn't sure where to stick this but is there a rule on middle door use on Vykings. I know the 21 had certain stops.

The Metro Replacement is rammed, we terminate at Regent Centre and a full standing load and they only open the front door. When challenged driver says 'sorry I'm not allowed'

I find that ridiculous. If a bus has a centre exit they should use it to speed up boarding/alighting. (I think all new buses ordered should have them but I know many disagree. I just think when in London its all so much easier and quicker, and the lower saloon generally feels more spacious).