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Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017

Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017

RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(17 Nov 2017, 10:00 pm)mb134 wrote E500s would be longer than all. Same length (roughly) as a B10BLE iirc.

(Though out of those 2, I believe the E400 with 7 'full length' upstairs windows are longer than the B9TL)

Thanks.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(17 Nov 2017, 9:36 pm)G-CPTN wrote Which are the longest double deckers?
Some B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 seem to have a 'small' window (like the RMLs) - but are they the longest ones or shorter (because of the smaller window)?
Dennis Trident 2/Alexander Enviro 400 seems to have 7 windows all the same size.

The B9TLs are around 10.4m,Stagecoachs & Arrivas Original E400s are 10.8m then Stagecoachs E400MMCs are 10.9m/Arriva`s MMCs are 10.3m
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
6147 has been retrimmed but has not been fitted with the extended luggage racks, yet. Not able to fit that bit into the schedule for now or was there an issue with the racks?
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(17 Nov 2017, 11:01 pm)callum2015 wrote The B9TLs are around 10.4m,Stagecoachs & Arrivas Original E400s are 10.8m then Stagecoachs E400MMCs are 10.9m/Arriva`s MMCs are 10.3m

Thanks - a definitive and factual answer.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(19 Nov 2017, 9:58 am)thetravelman wrote Mercedes Citaro - 5303 looks good with its Tynedale Links branding!

5298 should arrive back next week, i think., so hopefully 5298 - 5302 are branded next week for the X84/X85.

Just spotted this on 3970's news:


Although originally intended to Riverside Depot for storage until the next Special Event following the end of the Sunderland Illuminations event, this vehicle has instead been retained at Deptford Depot where it is now classed as being "on loan". This vehicle is intended to cover for the "Prince Bishops" branded Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Max Micro-Hybrid vehicles which are off service to have an additional opening window installed at Saltmeadows Road Depot, providing better air ventilation following feedback received from customers.
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(19 Nov 2017, 10:02 am)Michael wrote
Just spotted this on 3970's news:


Although originally intended to Riverside Depot for storage until the next Special Event following the end of the Sunderland Illuminations event, this vehicle has instead been retained at Deptford Depot where it is now classed as being "on loan". This vehicle is intended to cover for the "Prince Bishops" branded Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Max Micro-Hybrid vehicles which are off service to have an additional opening window installed at Saltmeadows Road Depot, providing better air ventilation following feedback received from customers.

X66, Coast&Country and Red Kites to follow?
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(19 Nov 2017, 10:02 am)Michael wrote 5298 should arrive back next week, i think., so hopefully 5298 - 5302 are branded next week for the X84/X85.

Just spotted this on 3970's news:


Although originally intended to Riverside Depot for storage until the next Special Event following the end of the Sunderland Illuminations event, this vehicle has instead been retained at Deptford Depot where it is now classed as being "on loan". This vehicle is intended to cover for the "Prince Bishops" branded Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Max Micro-Hybrid vehicles which are off service to have an additional opening window installed at Saltmeadows Road Depot, providing better air ventilation following feedback received from customers.


*tries really hard to not add a sarcastic, flippant comment about the other feedback recieved on the vehicles - from passengers, fitters and drivers*
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(15 Nov 2017, 3:55 pm)Dan wrote Wright Streetlite 9101 has again returned to Go North East for further use. It has been in use at Washington today as a staff shuttle, but transferring to Chester-le-Street tonight (for use on service 34) in exchange for 9092 which will be used at Washington in service instead.

9092 on the 4 yesterday evening - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/

Must note on three separate occasions yesterday the driver of this did not pick up anyone at The Galleries on both the Houghton bound journey (15:00 from The Galleries) and the Heworth bound journey (16:00 from The Galleries) and finally the Houghton bound journey (16:35 from Concord), this was running over 10 Minutes late and despite the merc it was running in two with picking up all the passengers, the merc still came back to concord 2 minutes before it, this leads me to believe the existing timetable of the 4 wouldn't be achievable using the Streetlites if they were purchased for the 4 in the future, as for life expectancy I would say 10-12 Years.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(19 Nov 2017, 6:59 pm)Malarkey wrote 9092 on the 4 yesterday evening - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/

Must note on three separate occasions yesterday the driver of this did not pick up anyone at The Galleries on both the Houghton bound journey (15:00 from The Galleries) and the Heworth bound journey (16:00 from The Galleries) and finally the Houghton bound journey (16:35 from Concord), this was running over 10 Minutes late and despite the merc it was running in two with picking up all the passengers, the merc still came back to concord 2 minutes before it, this leads me to believe the existing timetable of the 4 wouldn't be achievable using the Streetlites if they were purchased for the 4 in the future, as for life expectancy I would say 10-12 Years.

The 4 is a bit of a nightmare for timekeeping though to be fair. Been on many of routes myself where the bus behind has ended up catching up and 'leapfrogging' the late runner that has been getting rammed with passengers and personally if I know that a bus is running way later than it should, I just wait for the next one as it'll be a heck of a lot quieter and quicker too!

One example is that when I got the 309 to Newcastle one Monday morning, I was waiting for the one that commenced a short trip from Whitley Bay (before the times changed in Jul 2016) and ended up turning up 10 minutes late so I let it go and waited for the one one that started from Blyth which was only 5 minutes late and despite this, the driver managed to get it back on time by 'scratching' of the 310 through Battle Hill Drive then when clear, gave the bus a bit of a right foot and ended up catching the really late 309 on the Coast Road arriving into Newcastle before it and on time too!
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(19 Nov 2017, 7:08 pm)L469 YVK wrote The 4 is a bit of a nightmare for timekeeping though to be fair. Been on many of routes myself where the bus behind has ended up catching up and 'leapfrogging' the late runner that has been getting rammed with passengers and personally if I know that a bus is running way later than it should, I just wait for the next one as it'll be a heck of a lot quieter and quicker too!

Stagecoach's 16 and 23 in Sunderland are the same, mostly run in 2's at peak times.
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(19 Nov 2017, 7:08 pm)L469 YVK wrote The 4 is a bit of a nightmare for timekeeping though to be fair. Been on many of routes myself where the bus behind has ended up catching up and 'leapfrogging' the late runner that has been getting rammed with passengers and personally if I know that a bus is running way later than it should, I just wait for the next one as it'll be a heck of a lot quieter and quicker too!

One example is that when I got the 309 to Newcastle one Monday morning, I was waiting for the one that commenced a short trip from Whitley Bay (before the times changed in Jul 2016) and ended up turning up 10 minutes late so I let it go and waited for the one one that started from Blyth which was only 5 minutes late and despite this, the driver managed to get it back on time by 'scratching' of the 310 through Battle Hill Drive then when clear, gave the bus a bit of a right foot and ended up catching the really late 309 on the Coast Road arriving into Newcastle before it and on time too!

If you think thats bad try the 56 , every morning i get it on time sometimes 2 mins early but going towards newcastle at 6:45am there is normally 2 together which says alot even though the 56 is always late 7 days a week ! Even the 35 is better for been on time / lateness too.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(19 Nov 2017, 8:26 pm)Citaro5326 wrote If you think thats bad try the 56 , every morning i get it on time sometimes 2 mins early but going towards newcastle at 6:45am there is normally 2 together which says alot even though the 56 is always late 7 days a week ! Even the 35 is better for been on time / lateness too.

The stops on Old Durham Road slow it down. Would be good for the 35 and 56 to be combined like 55 and 56.


RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(19 Nov 2017, 7:12 pm)Michael wrote Stagecoach's 16 and 23 in Sunderland are the same, mostly run in 2's at peak times.

Anywhere in peak times are usually like this but saying that I’m in a Arriva 63 and there running in pairs and it doesn’t seem that busy
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
On the 36, and it went through a massive puddle and now its beeping, sensor is going crazy
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
Is there a way of contacting GNE Hexham Depot?

Due to a collision between an HGV and a building in Princes Street, Corbridge, the road has been closed (unsafe building).
Service 686 which uses this section of road at the east end of Hill Street to and from Aydon Road will not be able to operate unless it travels along St Helen's Street and/or St Helen's Lane.

The simplest diversion would be to use Watling Street in both directions and cut out Aydon Road and St Helen's Lane
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
Looks like that service doesn't start that early, so just tweet GNE in the morning and the control room will arrange a diversion and send the info out to drivers.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(22 Nov 2017, 11:38 pm)MrBoyt wrote Looks like that service doesn't start that early, so just tweet GNE in the morning and the control room will arrange a diversion and send the info out to drivers.

I don't do tweets or facebook - only this and email.

I have flagged-down a TEN and explained the situation to the driver - who said that he would report it when he got to Hexham.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(23 Nov 2017, 11:03 am)RBZ 5459 wrote 6056 is the first one to go blue - done, or first one due in process at least!

Interesting.... Wink
Site Administrator
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(23 Nov 2017, 11:03 am)RBZ 5459 wrote 6056 is the first one to go blue - done, or first one due in process at least!

Yes, painted yesterday in addition to 5201. It had sustained accident damage so repainted ahead of the others in the batch, in line with the impending delivery of the new double-decks for the Angel. Drying off today, should be ready to return to service tomorrow all being well.

6077 painted on Tuesday and branded yesterday. Should be back out in service now.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(23 Nov 2017, 12:11 pm)Dan wrote Yes, painted yesterday in addition to 5201. It had sustained accident damage so repainted ahead of the others in the batch, in line with the impending delivery of the new double-decks for the Angel. Drying off today, should be ready to return to service tomorrow all being well.

6077 painted on Tuesday and branded yesterday. Should be back out in service now.

Does this confirm the Hybrids are moving to the Coaster with them going in to light Blue?
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - November 2017
(23 Nov 2017, 12:17 pm)Michael wrote Does this confirm the Hybrids are moving to the Coaster with them going in to light Blue?

Yes they're going to Percy Main. Considering there is about 5 a day or so VOR hope they can keep on top of them. Interesting to know if they have an extended warranty with Volvo Washington for the maintenance as the 5 years is up now.... so Percy Main might have to fix them. Think older Versa refurbs kickoff soon after the Mercs are done coinciding with Jarrow changes and cascades, not sure what's been mentioned on that front as I don't keep up with too much on the thread.


RBZ5459 | flickr | THV