(08 Dec 2013, 8:48 pm)Tom wrote Cheers - I'll go to Stockton/Middlesbrough and Consett then on my Christmas trip out.

Generally speaking, I'd say half an hour at each location is all you need before the boredom starts to kick in and your photos start to become repetitive.
On an average Saturday, I'd say you could easily do Newcastle > Consett > Durham > Peterlee > Stockton > Middlesbrough.
That said, it depends how early you start. If it's a large one like that, I can start any time from 5am, and be out late too. Longer days are much more interesting in summer rather than winter though.

We often talk of GNE's pricing structure, but I often do 100+ miles for just £3.65.
In summer it's probably double that.
Not bad, eh?

(08 Dec 2013, 8:45 pm)aureolin wrote That's one long day, but at least you got 15 winners.

Done loads of long days.

This is the one with 75 different buses in. Cannot remember where I travelled to and from. Date was 11/04/2012 and I had 19 winners that day.

Codes:
ARN - Arriva Northumbria
CLA - Classic
CON - Connect Community Transport
GNE - Go North East
SCN - Stagecoach in Newcastle
SCS - Stagecoach in Sunderland
SSS - Stagecoach in South Shields

0703 - 17 - GNE 8213
0711 - X4 - ARN 7618*
0717 - X63 - SCN 21155
0724 - 56 - ARN 7464
0730 - 518 - ARN 7501
0736 - X10 - ARN 4005
0751 - X40 - ARN 1799
0811 - 30 - SCN 33489
0819 - 10A - GNE 6027
0840 - 49 - GNE 5156
0905 - X25 - GNE 3870
0911 - 56 - GNE 8237
0919 - 24 - GNE 3969
0944 - 21 - GNE 6019*
1000 - 58 - GNE 4951
1007 - 31 - SCN 22485
1014 - 43 - GNE 5290
1029 - S1 - CLA Y293PDN
1034 - 10A - GNE 5330
1042 - 69A - GNE 5165
1057 - 49B - GNE 5155
1103 - 100 - SCN 22028
1118 - 62 - SCN 19384
1128 - 40 - SCN 12078
1137 - X47 - SCN 22413
1152 - X87 - SCN 22034*
1158 - X88 - SCN 22480
1207 - 72 - SCN 39722
1232 - 38 - SCN 19683*
1240 - 58 - GNE 4952
1255 - 57 - GNE 5168*
1320 - 52 - GNE 8335
1333 - 27 - GNE 8217
1359 - 27 - GNE 4844
1411 - 88A - GNE 8252
1434 - 18 - SSS 39710
1445 - 12 - SSS 35195
1458 - 17 - SSS 39706
1505 - E2 - SSS 27733*
1519 - 8 - SSS 36478*
1526 - 516 - GNE 631
1543 - 88A - GNE 8250
1547 - 4 - SSS 36461*
1550 - 18 - SSS 39701*
1606 - 35 - GNE 9143 (MAN EcoCity Demo)
1616 - 3 - SSS 36477*
1624 - 27 - GNE 4907
1638 - 18 - SSS 39714
1644 - 30 - SSS 39709*
1653 - 4 - SSS 36470*
1708 - 5 - GNE 8202
1731 - 50 - GNE 4931
1748 - M3 - GNE 568*
1755 - 56 - GNE 4943
1804 - 56 - GNE 6013
1812 - 73 - GNE 636
1826 - 73 - CON YJ61JHV
1839 - 56 - GNE 5203
1859 - 3 - SCS 22464
1909 - 26 - GNE 3938
1921 - 8 - GNE 4993
1929 - 701 - GNE 629
1948 - 2C - GNE 5324
1955 - 36 - GNE 8324*
2020 - 13 - SCS 34608
2025 - 16 - SCS 22080*
2029 - 26A - GNE 8326*
2101 - 58 - GNE 5353*
2117 - 52 - GNE 8334
2133 - 94 - GNE 5226
2156 - 21 - GNE 6009*
2211 - 39 - SCN 12073
2219 - 62 - SCN 19670*
2232 - 353 - GNE 512
2243 - 53A - ARN 1774

That was a long day.

(08 Dec 2013, 8:58 pm)Dan wrote Generally speaking, I'd say half an hour at each location is all you need before the boredom starts to kick in and your photos start to become repetitive.
On an average Saturday, I'd say you could easily do Newcastle > Consett > Durham > Peterlee > Stockton > Middlesbrough.
That said, it depends how early you start. If it's a large one like that, I can start any time from 5am, and be out late too. Longer days are much more interesting in summer rather than winter though.

We often talk of GNE's pricing structure, but I often do 100+ miles for just £3.65.
In summer it's probably double that.
Not bad, eh?

Usually I work it out at how much it cost me per bus I got on.

For example my explorer on Saturday was........
£9.30 for ticket, which means it cost around 42p per bus I got on. I think overall my fares if I purchase singles would come in excess of £100.

For my record breaking 75 buses in a day. My day rover for £6.80 equalled to 9p per bus I got on.

(08 Dec 2013, 8:58 pm)Dan wrote Generally speaking, I'd say half an hour at each location is all you need before the boredom starts to kick in and your photos start to become repetitive.
On an average Saturday, I'd say you could easily do Newcastle > Consett > Durham > Peterlee > Stockton > Middlesbrough.
That said, it depends how early you start. If it's a large one like that, I can start any time from 5am, and be out late too. Longer days are much more interesting in summer rather than winter though.

We often talk of GNE's pricing structure, but I often do 100+ miles for just £3.65.
In summer it's probably double that.
Not bad, eh?

Yeah, I always make one in each holiday I get! I might just do what you said there. Seems a decent plan!

(08 Dec 2013, 9:29 pm)Tom wrote Yeah, I always make one in each holiday I get! I might just do what you said there. Seems a decent plan!

Dare you push it and add Whitby, Saltburn and Redcar in to the day?

(08 Dec 2013, 9:33 pm)andreos1 wrote Dare you push it and add Whitby, Saltburn and Redcar in to the day?

That'll be for another trip

Here is my plan:
‘’Cobalt Clipper’’ service 310 – Battle Hill Drive (0926) to Newcastle Haymarket (0949)
‘’The Red Kite’’ service 46 – Newcastle Eldon Square (0940) to Consett Bus Station (1041)
‘’Northern’’ service 15A – Consett Bus Station (1115) to Durham Bus Station (1155)
‘’East Durham’’ service 260 – Durham Bus Station (1200) to Peterlee Bus Station (1250)
‘’Wear Tees Express’’ service X7 – Peterlee Bus Station (1311) to Stockton High Street (1348)
‘’Tyne Tees Express’’ service X10 – Stockton High Street (1443) to Gateshead Interchange (1540)
‘’Coaster’’ service 1 – Gateshead Interchange (1545) to Rosehill (1620)

(08 Dec 2013, 9:50 pm)Tom wrote That'll be for another trip

Here is my plan:
‘’Cobalt Clipper’’ service 310 – Battle Hill Drive (0926) to Newcastle Haymarket (0949)
‘’The Red Kite’’ service 46 – Newcastle Eldon Square (0940) to Consett Bus Station (1041)
‘’Northern’’ service 15A – Consett Bus Station (1115) to Durham Bus Station (1155)
‘’East Durham’’ service 260 – Durham Bus Station (1200) to Peterlee Bus Station (1250)
‘’Wear Tees Express’’ service X7 – Peterlee Bus Station (1311) to Stockton High Street (1348)
‘’Tyne Tees Express’’ service X10 – Stockton High Street (1443) to Gateshead Interchange (1540)
‘’Coaster’’ service 1 – Gateshead Interchange (1545) to Rosehill (1620)

Your 46 leaves before your 310 arrives according to that mind

(08 Dec 2013, 9:53 pm)andreos1 wrote Your 46 leaves before your 310 arrives according to that mind

‘’Cobalt Clipper’’ service 310 – Battle Hill Drive (0926) to Newcastle Haymarket (0949)
‘’The Red Kite’’ service 45 – Newcastle Eldon Square (0955) to Consett Bus Station (1056)
‘’Northern’’ service 15A – Consett Bus Station (1115) to Durham Bus Station (1155)
‘’East Durham’’ service 260 – Durham Bus Station (1200) to Peterlee Bus Station (1250)
‘’Wear Tees Express’’ service X7 – Peterlee Bus Station (1311) to Stockton High Street (1348)
‘’Tyne Tees Express’’ service X10 – Stockton High Street (1443) to Gateshead Interchange (1540)
‘’Coaster’’ service 1 – Gateshead Interchange (1545) to Rosehill (1620)

Changed

(08 Dec 2013, 9:18 pm)GMitchelhill wrote Usually I work it out at how much it cost me per bus I got on.

For example my explorer on Saturday was........
£9.30 for ticket, which means it cost around 42p per bus I got on. I think overall my fares if I purchase singles would come in excess of £100.

For my record breaking 75 buses in a day. My day rover for £6.80 equalled to 9p per bus I got on.

I'd buy Explorers but it just seems so expensive really. An Explorer is like three days out to me, if I was buying a Get Around each day.

Last time I bought one, I came over rather ill in Hartlepool after just two hours of being out. Took the train home (costing even more money). I wouldn't be as annoyed if I was just £3.65 out of pocket.

They certainly allow for greater flexibility, but I love a good bargain.

The only days I don't do explorers on as a rule are Xmas / New Years Eve and on Sunday service. Only time I done an explorer on a Sunday was to go to the 500 group running day in around 2004/2005.

Never done Stockton or Boro, but I try and stay clear from Peterlee. Unless I'm with people.

Oddly enough either because I'm brave or daft. Rough areas tend not to bother me too much. I've managed to take photos in rough areas of London and Glasgow with little trouble, only time I've been frightened for my own safety was when I got caught up in riots in Manchester in 2010.

Next week will be a fairly big trip, with me visiting Gateshead (mainly for a connection onto the X66), Metrocentre (to photograph the X27), Hexham (photo MPD's, 8228 and 8293) and possibly Consett!

(14 Dec 2013, 9:41 am)Tom wrote Next week will be a fairly big trip, with me visiting Gateshead (mainly for a connection onto the X66), Metrocentre (to photograph the X27), Hexham (photo MPD's, 8228 and 8293) and possibly Consett!

Looks like there will be a few sunny days next week too, so I'll end up planning something the night before if it looks like the sun will be shining.
Weekend looks a little less sunny though, so will probably designate those days as 'catch up on everything' days (Flickr, NEB fleet lists etc)

No rest for the wicked!

(14 Dec 2013, 9:47 am)Dan wrote Looks like there will be a few sunny days next week too, so I'll end up planning something the night before if it looks like the sun will be shining.
Weekend looks a little less sunny though, so will probably designate those days as 'catch up on everything' days (Flickr, NEB fleet lists etc)

No rest for the wicked!

School for me next week sadly

(14 Dec 2013, 2:02 pm)Tom wrote School for me next week sadly

same but only til wed as am at dental hosp in NCL on thurs so will look out for odd workings

Probably the best place to stick it...

Anyone planning on going out on Boxing Day for photographs of GNE's odd workings due to depot closures that day?
My intention is to be out from first bus until last, and spending the evening in with the fam...

Just mocking up a rough plan now - should be a pretty fun day!

I tried to get some boxing day photos last year, however I didn't find myself enthusiastic about it especially since the past time I did boxing day (2004) there was much more interesting runs out because GNE didn't run services. Ended up on various vehicles of independents like Lynxes and Deltas. The first boxing day I done in 2002, I ended up on Metrobuses and Nationals.

This year and like most years since 2003, I shall be working on Boxing Day.

(20 Dec 2013, 10:38 am)GMitchelhill wrote I tried to get some boxing day photos last year, however I didn't find myself enthusiastic about it especially since the past time I did boxing day (2004) there was much more interesting runs out because GNE didn't run services. Ended up on various vehicles of independents like Lynxes and Deltas. The first boxing day I done in 2002, I ended up on Metrobuses and Nationals.

This year and like most years since 2003, I shall be working on Boxing Day.

Admittedly sounds like a great deal of fun.

I got slightly bored towards the end of the day last year but as it was my first Boxing Day, I hadn't planned what I wanted to achieve and my photograph locations were rather limited. I pride myself in being one of the only people to photograph the 59 being operated by Phoenix though!
I also had a camera which I wasn't too keen on as a lot of the photographs were pretty bad quality for the cost of the camera. I certainly shouldn't have that problem this year though.

This year is the last year where there will be as much variety as there is at present, what with the opening of Riverside in February 2014. You're looking at very few services actually being operated with the incorrect vehicle type.

I need to work out if there is a service within a few miles of my house - if there is, I may well be out, but it won't be 'enthusiast' related.

My final plan

‘’Cobalt Clipper’’ service 309 – Battle Hill (1005) to Newcastle (1026)
‘’Tynedale Express’’ service X84 – Newcastle (1040) to Hexham (1140)
‘’Venture’’ service 689 – Hexham (1241) to Consett (1335)
‘’Lime’’ service 78 – Consett (1400) to Stanley (1430)
‘’Lime’’ service 8 – Stanley (1445) to Chester-le-Street (1512)
‘’Northern’’ service X25 – Chester-le-Street (1540) to Ghead (1610)

(02 Jan 2014, 11:00 pm)Tom wrote My final plan

‘’Cobalt Clipper’’ service 309 – Battle Hill (1005) to Newcastle (1026)
‘’Tynedale Express’’ service X84 – Newcastle (1040) to Hexham (1140)
‘’Venture’’ service 689 – Hexham (1241) to Consett (1335)
‘’Lime’’ service 78 – Consett (1400) to Stanley (1430)
‘’Lime’’ service 8 – Stanley (1445) to Chester-le-Street (1512)
‘’Northern’’ service X25 – Chester-le-Street (1540) to Ghead (1610)

Sounds good. I was going to do something similar to just spent a few hours in the Consett area. I'm going to save it for the summer though I think, to get the maximum use out of an Explorer ticket.

(02 Jan 2014, 11:00 pm)Tom wrote My final plan

‘’Cobalt Clipper’’ service 309 – Battle Hill (1005) to Newcastle (1026)
‘’Tynedale Express’’ service X84 – Newcastle (1040) to Hexham (1140)
‘’Venture’’ service 689 – Hexham (1241) to Consett (1335)
‘’Lime’’ service 78 – Consett (1400) to Stanley (1430)
‘’Lime’’ service 8 – Stanley (1445) to Chester-le-Street (1512)
‘’Northern’’ service X25 – Chester-le-Street (1540) to Ghead (1610)

Look to your left as you pass through Throckley at the roundabout and you get to see the Coral shop that I currently work in, and will be running it as manager from the 9th January for a month.

Yeah, I'll be doing a lot more trips in the Summer auerolin!

And I will do Gary!

Sunderland - Newcastle (56)
Newcastle - Hexham (10)
Hexham - Consett (689)
Consett - Durham (15A)
Durham - Stanley (43)
Stanley - Chester-le-Street (78)
Chester-le-Street to Galleries (50)
Galleries to Concord (4)
Concord to Sunderland (56)


Quite a nice day out today, while the sun was shining (still very chilly). Most likely my final Get Around day for a while too what with this term being my final proper one in school, so made the most of it (out for 10 hours)!
Got some decent-ish photos along the way, and will get through uploading them ASAP. Need to warm up first though!

I've been out on a Scottish adventure today with 2 other lads, left Darlington at 7am this morning and just getting into Perth now.

Darlington-Edinburgh (EC)
Edinburgh-Stirling (SR)
Stirling-Dundee (SR)
Dundee-Glenrothes (Stagecoach Fife X54)
Glenrothes local trip to Moffat & Williamson depot using Stagecoach Solos
Glenrothes-Dundee (St Fife X54)
Dundee-Perth (Parks M9)

Tomorrow is a trip to Dundee & Aberdeen before heading back home via Megabus from Edinburgh, including an opportunity to test out Citylink Gold

As I am at the Eye Infirmary on Tuesday Morning and i'll have a Day Rover i'm hoping the Sun is out so I can do the following if the Cobalt B9's are out in Service that is, Otherwise I might just stick to Photographing the 56 B9's along the Route at Various Points.

Lambton to Sunderland (GNE 2C)
Sunderland to Eye Infirmary (SC 10)
Eye Infirmary to Sunderland (SC 10)
Sunderland to North Shields (GNE 9)
North Shields to Whitley Bay (GNE 1 or Metro)
Whitley Bay to Blyth (GNE 309)
Blyth to Cobalt (GNE 309)
Cobalt to Newcastle (GNE 309/310
Newcastle to Gateshead (GNE X1/X3 or X10)
Gateshead to Heworth (GNE 27 or X10)
Heworth to Concord (GNE 4)
Concord to Lambton (GNE 50)

(11 Jan 2014, 7:56 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote As I am at the Eye Infirmary on Tuesday Morning and i'll have a Day Rover i'm hoping the Sun is out so I can do the following if the Cobalt B9's are out in Service that is, Otherwise I might just stick to Photographing the 56 B9's along the Route at Various Points.

Lambton to Sunderland (GNE 2C)
Sunderland to Eye Infirmary (SC 10)
Eye Infirmary to Sunderland (SC 10)
Sunderland to North Shields (GNE 9)
North Shields to Whitley Bay (GNE 1 or Metro)
Whitley Bay to Blyth (GNE 309)
Blyth to Cobalt (GNE 309)
Cobalt to Newcastle (GNE 309/310
Newcastle to Gateshead (GNE X1/X3 or X10)
Gateshead to Heworth (GNE 27 or X10)
Heworth to Concord (GNE 4)
Concord to Lambton (GNE 50)

I would have pm'd you but you have disabled the feature.
You can't get to Blyth on a Day Rover.

(11 Jan 2014, 8:08 pm)andreos1 wrote I would have pm'd you but you have disabled the feature.
You can't get to Blyth on a Day Rover.

Ohh right I see as it isn't part of Tyne and Wear, so be able go as far as Whitley Bay before having to back to North Shields and get 310 to the Cobalt, that could cut an Hour or so out my trip. As the PM I was trying to Disable the Email Alerts I receive which just hasn't worked as i'm still receiving them.

(11 Jan 2014, 8:16 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Ohh right I see as it isn't part of Tyne and Wear, so be able go as far as Whitley Bay before having to back to North Shields and get 310 to the Cobalt, that could cut an Hour or so out my trip. As the PM I was trying to Disable the Email Alerts I receive which just hasn't worked as i'm still receiving them.

You can get as far as the caravan park/St Marys lighthouse basically.
if you can get the light right, there could be some decent photos with the scenery up there.