(20 Nov 2013, 5:51 pm)Tom wrote - All, or most ''Citylink'' bendy buses.
- All 52' reg ''Washington Street Shuttle'' and ''Venture'' branded MPD's.
- 501/2/3/10 should be withdrawn and replaced with newer ''Venture'' MPD's.
- All Lolynes and Olympians should be withdrawn as a result of new deckers arriving, with Presidents and Vykings taking a back seat role.


Yeah, it does! - I've saw mainly 8228/8293 on there, and also 5229 a couple of times. Normally leave with very few seats, too! 8228 was previously used on the 688, but only really needed a MPD.

74 is generally always an MPD when I see it. 8228/8293 should be allocated to the 2 school boards in theory, not sure what they work onto though.

(20 Nov 2013, 5:53 pm)Michael wrote Ye, it looks like it does, known me i'll of worked it out wrong haha

Is the 74 the busiest of tynedale links services?

From my sightings, yeah, I'd say so! Most of the other ones are just local Hexham services!

(20 Nov 2013, 5:53 pm)tyresmoke wrote 74 is generally always an MPD when I see it. 8228/8293 should be allocated to the 2 school boards in theory, not sure what they work onto though.

Ah, well I always see it on a Saturday, so maybe that's why?

(20 Nov 2013, 5:51 pm)Tom wrote - All, or most ''Citylink'' bendy buses.
- All 52' reg ''Washington Street Shuttle'' and ''Venture'' branded MPD's.
- 501/2/3/10 should be withdrawn and replaced with newer ''Venture'' MPD's.
- All Lolynes and Olympians should be withdrawn as a result of new deckers arriving, with Presidents and Vykings taking a back seat role.

Thanks =), i totally forgot, which ones were going.

also the SPD should be gone to when the deckers are in service... thankfully.

(20 Nov 2013, 5:56 pm)Michael wrote Thanks =), i totally forgot, which ones were going.

And of course, SPD's! Forgot about them!

(20 Nov 2013, 5:57 pm)Tom wrote And of course, SPD's! Forgot about them!

We can't forget that!

(20 Nov 2013, 5:51 pm)Tom wrote - All, or most ''Citylink'' bendy buses.
- All 52' reg ''Washington Street Shuttle'' and ''Venture'' branded MPD's.
- 501/2/3/10 should be withdrawn and replaced with newer ''Venture'' MPD's.
- All Lolynes and Olympians should be withdrawn as a result of new deckers arriving, with Presidents and Vykings taking a back seat role.

I thought it was all SPD's rather than the Lolynes?

(20 Nov 2013, 5:51 pm)tw4083 wrote This is the Euro6 version of the Optare Solo SR body style.

Are you sure? The Optare specification sheet for the Solo SR only mentions Euro 5?
http://www.optare.com/images/brochures/Solo%20Spec.pdf

(20 Nov 2013, 5:51 pm)Tom wrote - All, or most ''Citylink'' bendy buses.
- All 52' reg ''Washington Street Shuttle'' and ''Venture'' branded MPD's.
- 501/2/3/10 should be withdrawn and replaced with newer ''Venture'' MPD's.
- All Lolynes and Olympians should be withdrawn as a result of new deckers arriving, with Presidents and Vykings taking a back seat role.

Given that the "Venture" upgrade is the prime topic of conversation this evening, see this post for the predicted specific fleet movements.

The majority of Olympians should be withdrawn when the "Cobalt Clipper" B9s enter service. The remaining Olympians will be withdrawn with next year's investment, and Lolynes may be looked at too (given that they're non-DDA). If it was a toss-up out of Lolynes and Renowns, I think Renowns may be withdrawn before Lolynes however. As we all know, plans are fluid, and many factors have to be taken into consideration. The Lolynes should be fine for scholar use until their "age limit" calls.

As we already know, Solars are directly replacing SPDs in the fleet so that they will all be withdrawn by January 2014.

(20 Nov 2013, 5:53 pm)tyresmoke wrote 74 is generally always an MPD when I see it. 8228/8293 should be allocated to the 2 school boards in theory, not sure what they work onto though.

I believe the 74 and Hexham's scholar services interwork, hence the weekday usage of either 8228 or 8293 on the 74. If they're both on the road, 8293 is typically allocated to service 74, while 8228 is typically allocated to service 688.

(20 Nov 2013, 6:05 pm)Dan wrote Are you sure? The Optare specification sheet for the Solo SR only mentions Euro 5?
http://www.optare.com/images/brochures/Solo%20Spec.pdf


Given that the "Venture" upgrade is the prime topic of conversation this evening, see this post for the predicted specific fleet movements.

The majority of Olympians should be withdrawn when the "Cobalt Clipper" B9s enter service. The remaining Olympians will be withdrawn with next year's investment, and Lolynes may be looked at too (given that they're non-DDA). If it was a toss-up out of Lolynes and Renowns, I think Renowns may be withdrawn before Lolynes however. As we all know, plans are fluid, and many factors have to be taken into consideration. The Lolynes should be fine for scholar use until their "age limit" calls.

As we already know, Solars are directly replacing SPDs in the fleet so that they will all be withdrawn by January 2014.

Thanks, If all of the Olympian's aren't getting withdrawn, which depot will they go to, will they stop at Stanley?
Hopefully they will be kept for reserve.

The Renowns on the Lime are good buses, the 1998 ones are brill

(20 Nov 2013, 6:16 pm)Michael wrote Thanks, If all of the Olympian's aren't getting withdrawn, which depot will they go to, will they stop at Stanley?
Hopefully they will be kept for reserve.

I think that level of information is beyond any of us enthusiasts!
I imagine the Olympians will go to whichever depot has the scholars which require them.

(20 Nov 2013, 6:19 pm)Dan wrote I think that level of information is beyond any of us enthusiasts!
I imagine the Olympians will go to whichever depot has the scholars which require them.

XD, maybe!

It's worked out good for the SPD getting withdrawn.

Maybe a couple of the older buses will get withdrawn to?

(20 Nov 2013, 6:19 pm)Dan wrote I think that level of information is beyond any of us enthusiasts!
I imagine the Olympians will go to whichever depot has the scholars which require them.

I was thinking about that and a number of scholars are interworking now, so got no further forward

(20 Nov 2013, 6:22 pm)Michael wrote Maybe a couple of the older buses will get withdrawn to?

Maybe a little too hopeful considering the Lime order didn't go through this year.

(20 Nov 2013, 6:25 pm)Dan wrote Maybe a little too hopeful considering the Lime order didn't go through this year.

, shame!

I noticed today several- if not all red arrows B9s have lost the horrible red square behind the blue number making it much easier to see the route number. Does anyone know if theres a plan to change all the other blinds to look like this?

8293 is often found on the service 74 1235 dep from Eldon Sq, on arrival at Hexham it parks at the bus station and then works one of the school services, I think it works the one to Haltwhistle and 8228 works the one out to Hexhamshire I think it goes to Whitley Chapel

The New Solo SR's look very smart and I prefer the New Rear compared to the Nexus/Sunderland Connect Examples.

(20 Nov 2013, 6:36 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote I noticed today several- if not all red arrows B9s have lost the horrible red square behind the blue number making it much easier to see the route number. Does anyone know if theres a plan to change all the other blinds to look like this?

No there is not, if fact going to be more with colour - Whey Aye 50 for starters with a blue background like the Coaster (should be uploaded any day)

On the sign software the numbers are actually white not blue!

(20 Nov 2013, 6:47 pm)citaro5284 wrote No there is not, if fact going to be more with colour - Whey Aye 50 for starters with a blue background like the Coaster (should be uploaded any day)

On the sign software the numbers are actually white not blue!

So why didn't the Saltwell Park/Drifter Streetlites have a colour number?

(20 Nov 2013, 6:47 pm)citaro5284 wrote No there is not, if fact going to be more with colour - Whey Aye 50 for starters with a blue background like the Coaster (should be uploaded any day)

On the sign software the numbers are actually white not blue!

Its a shame the laser/diamond citaro's couldnt have a colour remotly similar to their brands as they dont look the same with they orangey/yellow numbers.

(20 Nov 2013, 6:19 pm)Dan wrote I think that level of information is beyond any of us enthusiasts!
I imagine the Olympians will go to whichever depot has the scholars which require them.

I reckon Stanley would be a good bet as their scholars will be Durham CC tenders as opposed to Nexus. That's not to say some Nexus contracts are still in effect as high floor...

You can usually find around 6 or 7 Yellow Olympians parked up at St Bedes school in Lanchester, when Stanley had the Palatine 1's there were 2 workings from Durham around 4pm, one went to Stanley the other to Consett plus one from Consett college to Stanley which went via Consett bus stn direct to Stanley all 3 workings came off Lanchester school workings. not sure if they still apply though.

Ah right, didn't think about that


Wonder when we will see the Washington Street Shuttle removed from the GNE site.

I opened the 39 timetable and its still classed as Doxford Clipper.

Does all the Venture buses interwork?

Does anyone know when we get the results for the changes to the X3,9,26,36/36A,X36?
Got a answer from GNE... Hello. We are currently analysing the results of the consultation. As soon as this has been done the details of any changes will be put on the web site.


Have 5384,5387,5388,5389,5390 entered service yet?

8293 is generally used on the H11 Whitley Chapel contract, it then runs light onto the first service 686, back to Ovington, light back to Hexham, the 11:05 74 to Newcastle and back, then sits spare before doing the Whitley Chapel contract in the afternoon.

8228 generally does the H53 Haltwhistle contract, does the 08:55 688 to Allenheads and stays on there until 15.10 ish, then does the H53 again in the afternoon.

With regards to busy Tynedale routes, the 688 can be just as busy as the 74, it all depends when you see it and in what context.

(20 Nov 2013, 6:47 pm)citaro5284 wrote No there is not, if fact going to be more with colour - Whey Aye 50 for starters with a blue background like the Coaster (should be uploaded any day)

On the sign software the numbers are actually white not blue!

It would appear the Red Arrows B9's only show the White "X1" When going to Newcastle, But when heading to Easington Lane it Displays the "Red Box" with the Number Inside of it.

Another GNE cock up. Nexus livery Solo 625 on 14.30 27X from Newcastle was stopped at Heworth allegedly because they needed that vehicle for a different route. The replacement MPD took so long to arrive that the passengers were kicked off, several having to pay again to travel on the non-GNE 515, and the un-identified MPD omitted the loop to Hebburn and returned to Newcastle. Yet again the convenience of the operator takes precedence over the needs of the passengers and GNE are giving more strength to the ITA proposals for the Quality Contract, which would presumably impose fines for such incompetence. Perhaps there should be compensation for delays as on the railways - I've just received £32 of vouchers from Northern Rail for a cancelled train.

(21 Nov 2013, 3:32 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Another GNE cock up. Nexus livery Solo 625 on 14.30 27X from Newcastle was stopped at Heworth allegedly because they needed that vehicle for a different route. The replacement MPD took so long to arrive that the passengers were kicked off, several having to pay again to travel on the non-GNE 515, and the un-identified MPD omitted the loop to Hebburn and returned to Newcastle. Yet again the convenience of the operator takes precedence over the needs of the passengers and GNE are giving more strength to the ITA proposals for the Quality Contract, which would presumably impose fines for such incompetence. Perhaps there should be compensation for delays as on the railways - I've just received £32 of vouchers from Northern Rail for a cancelled train.

Wonder what the stakeholders in the 'partnership' supporting this service would have to say about it?

(20 Nov 2013, 2:48 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote 3 Street Shuttle MPD's on the M2/M3 if anyone wants some photos for there archives etc.

Just to confirm the Remaining Street Shuttles in Service are 524/526/530 and 531. 524/26 were on the W6 while 530/531 were on the M2/M3 Today. I would hurry up and get some pics as they'll probs be Withdrawn over the Weekend.

My Gran's just told is how much of a fright she and my granda got off the next stop announcements on the 58. Think they need turning down a fair bit considering my granda's a little hard of hearing

(21 Nov 2013, 4:44 pm)Adam wrote My Gran's just told is how much of a fright she and my granda got off the next stop announcements on the 58. Think they need turning down a fair bit considering my granda's a little hard of hearing

Probably the reason they're so loud is for elderly people, so they don't miss their stop.