(15 Jun 2020, 5:49 pm)peter wrote The original order was for 22x vehicles for the Consett expresses (X31/45/46/47/70/71) and just 2 vehicles for the X21 to make up the PVR...now that the X21 PVR has decreased why would that change, especially when you'd have to go to the trouble of repainting all the current X21 vehicles! If the reliability of the X21 was that much of an issue, then you'd have thought the original order would have been for a full fleet of deckers for the X21 in the first place...I see your point and understand why you think it should happen, but I just don't think it's all that realistic. 

Yes that may be true, but they would save even more money by not going to the trouble of repainting dozens of B9's and Streetdecks only to replace them with B9's and Streetdecks

From what I was told, it was only about £1000 per StreetDeck to repaint them into X-Lines, assuming that is actually correct, that's a lot less than I expected

(15 Jun 2020, 6:15 pm)streetdeckfan wrote From what I was told, it was only about £1000 per StreetDeck to repaint them into X-Lines, assuming that is actually correct, that's a lot less than I expected

Definitely not correct.

(15 Jun 2020, 6:11 pm)Storx wrote X84/X85 - PVR 5
X21 Reduction - PVR 4

There's 9 buses (the reduction in the order) just saying...

The X84/X85 doesn't need deckers, so the X9/X10 deckers, once they're replaced, could easily go onto the X5/X15 at a later date, the X84/X85 was never planned to get upgraded this year and they're X-Lines. There's also 9 Streetlites at Riverside (53/54) and the 12 Red Kite Streetlites with no confirmed home yet - some of them could easily go on the X84/X85.

They were going to Deptford but with the changes happening to the services and enough buses to cover, i think they'll go elsewhere now.

(15 Jun 2020, 6:43 pm)Dan wrote Definitely not correct.

Thinking about it, the labour alone probably cost a lot more than that. So maybe they were just talking about the raw paint cost

(15 Jun 2020, 6:50 pm)Michael wrote They were going to Deptford but with the changes happening to the services and enough buses to cover, i think they'll go elsewhere now.

They were never confirmed officially were they - I thought it was just all rumours? Mind I do still think some will go to take the Mercs off the 61 and make it fully Drifter. Other than that are they really needed there? It's the only place Mercs can run now because of the upcoming LEZ.

(15 Jun 2020, 7:28 pm)Storx wrote They were never confirmed officially were they - I thought it was just all rumours? Mind I do still think some will go to take the Mercs off the 61 and make it fully Drifter. Other than that are they really needed there? It's the only place Mercs can run now because of the upcoming LEZ.

Think they were confirmed, sure it was on one of the live Enthusiast chats Dan and Martjin did, where they confirmed they would be heading to Deptford.

(15 Jun 2020, 6:55 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Thinking about it, the labour alone probably cost a lot more than that. So maybe they were just talking about the raw paint cost

It's a bit more than that for a single colour respray, never mind a livery made up of 3 colours. You'd be talking over £2000 depending on prep required etc.

At least 2 X-lines (green) Streetdecks are currently at Lawton Services (coachbuilders) in Cheshire.

(20 Jun 2020, 2:58 pm)James101 wrote At least 2 X-lines (green) Streetdecks are currently at Lawton Services (coachbuilders) in Cheshire.

Six there in total. All of the ones in England which are technically no longer Go North East’s.


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(20 Jun 2020, 4:16 pm)Dan wrote Six there in total. All of the ones in England which are technically no longer Go North East’s.


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What is the reasoning behind the 9 not being taken up by GNE from the start of the batch rather than taking them ,and surrendering the last 9 seen as though in reality these are now around a year late.

(20 Jun 2020, 6:45 pm)Stanleyone wrote What is the reasoning behind the 9 not being taken up by GNE from the start of the batch rather than taking them ,and surrendering the last 9 seen as though in reality these are now around a year late.

The last one is the 6-cylinder one, and the last two have tachographs. Aside from that, all of the ones in the batch of nine released are in the “wrong” colour.

In reality there was no benefit of taking the first nine (only six fully built, those in the country now) anyway, as it couldn’t complete an entire service upgrade.


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(20 Jun 2020, 6:56 pm)Dan wrote The last one is the 6-cylinder one, and the last two have tachographs. Aside from that, all of the ones in the batch of nine released are in the “wrong” colour.

In reality there was no benefit of taking the first nine (only six fully built, those in the country now) anyway, as it couldn’t complete an entire service upgrade.


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Makes sense, thanks for clearing that query up

(20 Jun 2020, 6:56 pm)Dan wrote The last one is the 6-cylinder one, and the last two have tachographs. Aside from that, all of the ones in the batch of nine released are in the “wrong” colour.

In reality there was no benefit of taking the first nine (only six fully built, those in the country now) anyway, as it couldn’t complete an entire service upgrade.


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What do you mean by the wrong colour? have the allocations changed since the original order or was there an issue with the colour like with the E400s?
I assume it's the former as the blue one for the X21 has already been built and I guess there isn't really a need for that one at the minute.

So the 6 cylinder and one of the 4 cylinders have the tachograph? Was that so they could be used on the X9/X10 (if that route even needs it)

(20 Jun 2020, 7:21 pm)streetdeckfan wrote What do you mean by the wrong colour? have the allocations changed since the original order or was there an issue with the colour like with the E400s?
I assume it's the former as the blue one for the X21 has already been built and I guess there isn't really a need for that one at the minute.

So the 6 cylinder and one of the 4 cylinders have the tachograph? Was that so they could be used on the X9/X10 (if that route even needs it)

On the tachograph note, if used for private hire I'd imagine. The X9/X10 dont need tachograph buses since the routes were split. I'm not a fan of this loop hole but in all honesty a few operators do this.

(20 Jun 2020, 8:11 pm)Stanleyone wrote On the tachograph note, if used for private hire I'd imagine. The X9/X10 dont need tachograph buses since the routes were split. I'm not a fan of this loop hole but in all honesty a few operators do this.

Thats what I thought regarding the X9/X10. But I think the chances of them sending out X-Lines branded StreetDecks for private hire is quite low,

(20 Jun 2020, 8:43 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Thats what I thought regarding the X9/X10. But I think the chances of them sending out X-Lines branded StreetDecks for private hire is quite low,

You’d be surprised. The existing tacho-fitted StreetDecks in the fleet have done a fair bit of rail replacement work on weekends.


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(20 Jun 2020, 8:47 pm)Dan wrote You’d be surprised. The existing tacho-fitted StreetDecks in the fleet have done a fair bit of rail replacement work on weekends.


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Aaah, I didn't think of that!

(20 Jun 2020, 4:16 pm)Dan wrote Six there in total. All of the ones in England which are technically no longer Go North East’s.


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Have the last 3 arrived in England yet?

(28 Jun 2020, 12:57 pm)Michael wrote Have the last 3 arrived in England yet?

Nope, the six which came across were those completed pre-COVID.


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(28 Jun 2020, 12:58 pm)Dan wrote Nope, the six which came across were those completed pre-COVID.


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Ah right!, thanks Dan, is it still end of next month for GNE to start getting their delivery of new buses?

So with 22x StreetDecks still due, I take it these will simply slot in to the PVR of the X31/X45/X46 (13x) & X47/X70/X71 (9x)

Still very surprised given the frequency reduction that the newer ones will unlikely be allocated to the X21.

Are 6118-21 still bound for East Yorkshire or has that since changed? What will be available for the X5/X15?

Only way I can see X-Lines spec vehicles being available for the X5/X15 would be a permanent reduction to the frequency of the Fab 56 + 6099 from Percy Main.

I reckon for simplicity sake something like this will happen

Chester Le Street (2x spare covering PVR 23x)
- 6302-03 Spare
- 6304-07 X-Lines X21
- 6315-29 Angel 21
- 6330-33 X-Lines X21 (6330 repained to X-Lines)

Consett (2x spare covering PVR 26x - excludes X30)
- 6096-6099 X-Lines X5/X15
- 6100 Spare
- 6301 Spare
- 6356-68 X-Lines X31/X45/X46
- 6369-77 X-Lines X47/X70/X71

Deptford (1x spare covering PVR 11)
- 6084 Spare
- 6085-95 Fab 56

Percy Main
- 6101-16 Cobalt & Coast 309/310/311
- 6117 Spare (But Cobalt & Coast branded)
- 6056-68 Coaster
- 6069-70 Spare

Riverside & Hexham (5x spare covering PVR 37)
- 6001-07 Crusader
- 6043-44 Spare
- 6045-47 Tyne Valley Ten
- 6048 Spare
- 6049-55 Crusader
- 6071-83 Tyne Valley Ten
- 6308-14 X9/X10
- 6334-35 Spare

(28 Jun 2020, 2:39 pm)L469 YVK wrote So with 22x StreetDecks still due, I take it these will simply slot in to the PVR of the X31/X45/X46 (13x) & X47/X70/X71 (9x)

Still very surprised given the frequency reduction that the newer ones will unlikely be allocated to the X21.

Are 6118-21 still bound for East Yorkshire or has that since changed? What will be available for the X5/X15?

Only way I can see X-Lines spec vehicles being available for the X5/X15 would be a permanent reduction to the frequency of the Fab 56 + 6099 from Percy Main.

I reckon for simplicity sake something like this will happen

Chester Le Street (2x spare covering PVR 23x)
- 6302-03 Spare
- 6304-07 X-Lines X21
- 6315-29 Angel 21
- 6330-33 X-Lines X21 (6330 repained to X-Lines)

Consett (2x spare covering PVR 26x - excludes X30)
- 6096-6099 X-Lines X5/X15
- 6100 Spare
- 6301 Spare
- 6356-68 X-Lines X31/X45/X46
- 6369-77 X-Lines X47/X70/X71

Deptford (1x spare covering PVR 11)
- 6084 Spare
- 6085-95 Fab 56

Percy Main
- 6101-16 Cobalt & Coast 309/310/311
- 6117 Spare (But Cobalt & Coast branded)
- 6056-68 Coaster
- 6069-70 Spare

Riverside & Hexham (5x spare covering PVR 37)
- 6001-07 Crusader
- 6043-44 Spare
- 6045-47 Tyne Valley Ten
- 6048 Spare
- 6049-55 Crusader
- 6071-83 Tyne Valley Ten
- 6308-14 X9/X10
- 6334-35 Spare

I personally still think 6308-14 will go onto the X5/X15, just delayed for the time being with something single for the X84/X85 instead. The B9TL's will all have Euro 6 Mods done, no way will Gateshead / Newcastle or NT Council whichever one paid for them let them go to Durham.

The X5/X15 could always be renumbered back to 15/15A. That way they can just use corporate vehicles...

Something makes me think that:

6001-6004 - X5/X15 (3 PVR + 1 spare) - small refurb (seats refurbished, USB added) - X-Lines

----------------------

6005-6007- 6049-6055 + 6149 on the 27 because if you look at the 26/27 timetable, the 26 only goes to Gateshead. Give the Ex Red Arrows a small refurb to add USB ports. Allocations would be: Crusader - 26 - Citaro/27 - B9's.


Also i seen on a Facebook post that, 6050 will be based at Washington for the next couple of weeks - not sure how true though.


----------------------------------

6150- 6156 - Loop


6157- 6161 - 5 PVR - X84 X85 - USB ports fitted

------------------


This way, it means the 56 can go back to every 12 minutes.

Martjin confirmed tonight that there will be a cascade of buses on to the 26/27 when the new buses arrive however he didn't say what buses but likely to be the Red Arrow B9's.

20:09:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_f...6581673027&id=100009920923911

(28 Jun 2020, 2:39 pm)L469 YVK wrote So with 22x StreetDecks still due, I take it these will simply slot in to the PVR of the X31/X45/X46 (13x) & X47/X70/X71 (9x)

Still very surprised given the frequency reduction that the newer ones will unlikely be allocated to the X21.

Are 6118-21 still bound for East Yorkshire or has that since changed? What will be available for the X5/X15?

Only way I can see X-Lines spec vehicles being available for the X5/X15 would be a permanent reduction to the frequency of the Fab 56 + 6099 from Percy Main.

I reckon for simplicity sake something like this will happen

Chester Le Street (2x spare covering PVR 23x)
- 6302-03 Spare
- 6304-07 X-Lines X21
- 6315-29 Angel 21
- 6330-33 X-Lines X21 (6330 repained to X-Lines)

Consett (2x spare covering PVR 26x - excludes X30)
- 6096-6099 X-Lines X5/X15
- 6100 Spare
- 6301 Spare
- 6356-68 X-Lines X31/X45/X46
- 6369-77 X-Lines X47/X70/X71

Deptford (1x spare covering PVR 11)
- 6084 Spare
- 6085-95 Fab 56

Percy Main
- 6101-16 Cobalt & Coast 309/310/311
- 6117 Spare (But Cobalt & Coast branded)
- 6056-68 Coaster
- 6069-70 Spare

Riverside & Hexham (5x spare covering PVR 37)
- 6001-07 Crusader
- 6043-44 Spare
- 6045-47 Tyne Valley Ten
- 6048 Spare
- 6049-55 Crusader
- 6071-83 Tyne Valley Ten
- 6308-14 X9/X10
- 6334-35 Spare

I notice no mention of ex-London 6149-61 in your list.  Would they be kept for general use or are they due to leave Go North East? 

Sorry if there has been an announcement which I missed earlier.

(04 Jul 2020, 3:49 pm)Metroline1511 wrote I notice no mention of ex-London 6149-61 in your list.  Would they be kept for general use or are they due to leave Go North East? 

Sorry if there has been an announcement which I missed earlier.

It’s confirmed there going on the 93/94. I think also someone has mentioned the 13/X25 as well.

---

(04 Jul 2020, 3:49 pm)Metroline1511 wrote I notice no mention of ex-London 6149-61 in your list.  Would they be kept for general use or are they due to leave Go North East? 

Sorry if there has been an announcement which I missed earlier.

It’s confirmed there going on the 93/94. I think also someone has mentioned the 13/X25 as well.

(04 Jul 2020, 4:55 pm)NewcastleOne wrote It’s confirmed there going on the 93/94. I think also someone has mentioned the 13/X25 as well.

---

It’s confirmed there going on the 93/94. I think also someone has mentioned the 13/X25 as well.

Thank you for this update.  This could be handy for my next Newcastle visit for being a Gateshead circular.

Could GNE delve into the used bus market, the reason I say this is due to Tenders in London a large batch of 11' Plate B9TL Gemini 2s have come off lease as well as fourteen 13 Plate E400 Tridents. While times are hard I cant imagine many new buses being ordered.

(05 Jul 2020, 12:39 am)Big O wrote Could GNE delve into the used bus market, the reason I say this is due to Tenders in London a large batch of 11' Plate B9TL Gemini 2s have come off lease as well as fourteen 13 Plate E400 Tridents. While times are hard I cant imagine many new buses being ordered.

Good idea but would GNE want to buy 2nd hand to then convert to 1 door (if on main services)- due to the crisis, would it be worth it? - although only 7 years old, good shout.. how much does it cost to convert to one door and then get them up to GNE standard, including the USB ports etc?
Least then, 3 of them could go on the X5/X15 for X-Lines + 1 spare.


Not sure where the rest would end up though, if they decided to take all 13.


The 3 Solar's in service at Deptford, are those temporarily in service?