(02 Jan 2022, 5:08 pm)MurdnunoC wrote I can't remember the Leamside Terminator appearing anywhere in the Terminator franchise. What model was it? T800, T1000, T5000 etc.

I think I would genuinely love to see a fight between the Leamside Terminator and the West Rainton Predator. Perhaps someone could produce that movie someday...

It's this: 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMPT_Terminator

More Seriously, it's this:
https://live.staticflickr.com/7288/16835...ae06_b.jpg

(02 Jan 2022, 5:36 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote It's this: 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMPT_Terminator

More Seriously, it's this:
https://live.staticflickr.com/7288/16835...ae06_b.jpg

I was aware of the service.

Before it eventually became a coach-based service operated by Go North East, it was operated by OK Travel largely as a Saturday (it might have ran a couple of other days too - I can't remember) shoppers service to the Metrocentre alongside service X27 which operated between Fishburn/Hutton Henry and the Metrocentre.

Considering neither incarnation of the service exists, I think it is safe to say it wasn't particularly well used.

(02 Jan 2022, 6:00 pm)MurdnunoC wrote I was aware of the service.

Before it eventually became a coach-based service operated by Go North East, it was operated by OK Travel largely as a Saturday (it might have ran a couple of other days too - I can't remember) shoppers service to the Metrocentre alongside service X27 which operated between Fishburn/Hutton Henry and the Metrocentre.

Considering neither incarnation of the service exists, I think it is safe to say it wasn't particularly well used.

I know it got extended to Durham around 07, then to Bishop about 2009ish.
Didnt the X22 serve Leamside, Carrville & Belmont at one point?

(02 Jan 2022, 6:32 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote I know it got extended to Durham around 07, then to Bishop about 2009ish.
Didnt the X22 serve Leamside, Carrville & Belmont at one point?

Not sure about the X22 but there was an X2 which started at Belmont and went to the Metty shortly after deregulation.

There was a version of the X23 which started at Durham and served Carrville, Leamside and Great Lumley on the way to Newcastle but I presumed that was the one you were on about.

(02 Jan 2022, 6:36 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Not sure about the X22 but there was an X2 which started at Belmont and went to the Metty shortly after deregulation.

There was a version of the X23 which started at Durham and served Carrville, Leamside and Great Lumley on the way to Newcastle but I presumed that was the one you were on about.

Theres this X23 which is dated april 06 or there's the one that is now the X21.

(02 Jan 2022, 6:41 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Theres this X23 which is dated april 06 or there's the one that is now the X21.

Yeah, you're right, the X22 did serve Leamside at one point. That was when the X23 became a coach under some commuter-based branding nonsense. Can't remember whether that became before or after the failed X90.

(02 Jan 2022, 7:13 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Yeah, you're right, the X22 did serve Leamside at one point. That was when the X23 became a coach under some commuter-based branding nonsense. Can't remember whether that became before or after the failed X90.

That X23 was weird, having the fares dfferent depending on the time of day and direction of travel. 
I can vaguely remember the X90, think it went to tynemouth.
Also, the attachment you posted, doesn't open.

Opens for me. Wait a bit.

Coaster 1 withdrawn

X40 - Q3 renumbered and extended from Great Park to Kingston Park.

74 run via old 74A route via Newcastle Airport, Kingston Park and Ponteland Road, operated by Versas.

684 on evenings and weekends

(03 Jan 2022, 10:11 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Coaster 1 withdrawn

X40 - Q3 renumbered and extended from Great Park to Kingston Park.

74 run via old 74A route via Newcastle Airport, Kingston Park and Ponteland Road, operated by Versas.

684 on evenings and weekends

Why ?

(03 Jan 2022, 10:11 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Coaster 1 withdrawn

X40 - Q3 renumbered and extended from Great Park to Kingston Park.

74 run via old 74A route via Newcastle Airport, Kingston Park and Ponteland Road, operated by Versas.

684 on evenings and weekends

Why would you renumber the Q3 to the X40? Its even less of an express to anywhere than the X66...

Isn't the 684 fully secured? If its not commercially viable during the daytime, I dont see why it would on an evening or weekend. Is there anything particular on the route that people would use at these times?

For the 74 - given they've axed one in favour of the other, I assume they've kept the variant that is being used? I'm not sure what the folk of Darras Hall or Ponteland in general would find at Kingston Park, that they cannot find in Newcastle itself? There's a Waitrose and a Sainsburys there.

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132 - Edinburgh- Galashiels- Jedburgh- Otterburn - Ponteland - Kingston Park (Tudor Drive).

Since Kingston Park is seemingly where it's at nowadays, it's probably best to curtail the service there. If people want to go to Newcastle, they can get the Metro, the X40 or the 6 to Blakelaw then the X87/X88 from there.

(03 Jan 2022, 10:28 pm)Adrian wrote Why would you renumber the Q3 to the X40? Its even less of an express to anywhere than the X66...

Isn't the 684 fully secured? If its not commercially viable during the daytime, I dont see why it would on an evening or weekend. Is there anything particular on the route that people would use at these times?

For the 74 - given they've axed one in favour of the other, I assume they've kept the variant that is being used? I'm not sure what the folk of Darras Hall or Ponteland in general would find at Kingston Park, that they cannot find in Newcastle itself? There's a Waitrose and a Sainsburys there.

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In fairness, the two shops at Ponteland are pretty poor, Sainsbury's in particular, but lets be honest unless your drag them onto it most people living in Darras Hall or Ponteland will be no-where near a bus anyway and that won't ever change hence the absolutely abysmal service.

The X77/X78 do the route anyway and it's only a 5 minute walk for those wanting to go to Kingston Park anyway, a realistic change would be diverting them along Tudor Drive though but like you said there's no point.

Why catch the bus when your butler can drive you into town from Darras Hall?

(03 Jan 2022, 10:28 pm)Adrian wrote Why would you renumber the Q3 to the X40? Its even less of an express to anywhere than the X66...

Isn't the 684 fully secured? If its not commercially viable during the daytime, I dont see why it would on an evening or weekend. Is there anything particular on the route that people would use at these times?

For the 74 - given they've axed one in favour of the other, I assume they've kept the variant that is being used? I'm not sure what the folk of Darras Hall or Ponteland in general would find at Kingston Park, that they cannot find in Newcastle itself? There's a Waitrose and a Sainsburys there.

I'm proposing GNE run multiple long distance services to/from Newton Aycliffe to the likes of York, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester etc seem as we're suggesting stuff that offers little benefit to anyone and be commercial suicide

Seriously though, think 684 is at least partially funded (unsure if the Newcastle end is) and unsure why on earth the 74 would justify Versas when it doesn't even fill a Solo.

Is there anything with an X prefix that's actually an express these days in fairness?

(03 Jan 2022, 10:34 pm)MurdnunoC wrote 132 - Edinburgh- Galashiels- Jedburgh- Otterburn - Ponteland - Kingston Park (Tudor Drive).

Since Kingston Park is seemingly where it's at nowadays, it's probably best to curtail the service there. If people want to go to Newcastle, they can get the Metro, the X40 or the 6 to Blakelaw then the X87/X88 from there.

Would the destination show Tudor Drive from Edinburgh?


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(03 Jan 2022, 10:50 pm)Dan wrote Would the destination show Tudor Drive from Edinburgh?


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No. It would change as it is going over the crossing at Kingston Park so not to confuse anyone in Jedburgh who didn't know where Tudor Drive was.

I'm still confused why he wanted the Coaster 1 withdrawn?

New Service 4X
Heworth
Lingley Lane
Usworth 
Concord
Albany
The Galleries
NON STOP
Shiney Row
Herrington Burn
Newbottle
Houghton-Le-Spring



Would run during AM/PM peaks to provide extra capacity.

(03 Jan 2022, 10:59 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote New Service 4X
Heworth
Lingley Lane
Usworth 
Concord
Albany
The Galleries
NON STOP
Shiney Row
Herrington Burn
Newbottle
Houghton-Le-Spring



Would run during AM/PM peaks to provide extra capacity.

There's already a service that runs Houghton, Newbottle, Herrington Burn, Shiney Row and non stop to the Galleries - the X1. Not sure what you'd achieve by duplicating that throughout?

I can't see the Follinsby stuff changing anytime soon, given all the partnership work that GNE have been promoting with Amazon. It hardly sets the right message to then reduce the frequency in half, without barely giving it a chance.

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(03 Jan 2022, 11:13 pm)Adrian wrote There's already a service that runs Houghton, Newbottle, Herrington Burn, Shiney Row and non stop to the Galleries - the X1. Not sure what you'd achieve by duplicating that throughout?

I can't see the Follinsby stuff changing anytime soon, given all the partnership work that GNE have been promoting with Amazon. It hardly sets the right message to then reduce the frequency in half, without barely giving it a chance.

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What about an Amazon - Kingston Park service? Do you think that would work?

(03 Jan 2022, 11:15 pm)MurdnunoC wrote What about an Amazon - Kingston Park service? Do you think that would work?

Depends on what's shown on the destination display. "Bezos' Palace" might work, but if you're leaving Kingston Park displaying "Amazon" it could cause confusion given the Metro link to the rainforest.

I'm not saying decrease the 4's overall frequency I just think some extra peak time only journeys could be introduced.

For the Amazon issue, you could just send the 58 towards Follingsby rather than Heworth. Instead of turning left at Fewster Square head right along Meresyde and Lingley Lane. It would give a few areas a new bus service to Newcastle aswell or a quicker service which doesn't take an hour.

There's the 57 which has recently been increased in frequency doing the links to Heworth or the 51/52 and 93/94 depending where you are in the route, can't see anywhere really losing out.

(03 Jan 2022, 11:25 pm)mb134 wrote Depends on what's shown on the destination display. "Bezos' Palace" might work, but if you're leaving Kingston Park displaying "Amazon" it could cause confusion given the Metro link to the rainforest.

Unusual for me to make a serious point these days (must be due to the bad influence of one of the moderating team), but, theoretically, it wouldn't take much to extend the Metro from Pelaw to Follingsby Park via the old Leamside Line.

It would probably be more prudent to build the much mooted, much fabled P&R site there instead of Eighton Lodge to get the most out of the potential transport links which could be created.

Extend the 29 to the Metrocentre. Make a 29A to Allendene & Wrekenton and a 29B to Washington

(04 Jan 2022, 1:52 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Extend the 29 to the Metrocentre. Make a 29A to Allendene & Wrekenton and a 29B to Washington

Is Metrocentre still a destination where people want to go?

If you're a teenager meeting friends; or if it raining and want to spend somewhere indoors; or if you're going to for something to eat then the cinema then yes, perhaps it is somewhere people still want to go, on occasion. However, the amount of boarded up shops and the introduction of things like Jobcentres, Eye Clinics and Community Hubs into empty units suggest Metrocentre is struggling for tenants and will be for years to come. I think the future of Metrocentre will be, at best, an out-of-town version of Jarrow, Wallsend, West Denton, or Stanley only with shops which are slightly more upmarket than your B&Ms or Shoezones (both of which are present at the Metrocentre) unless drastically changes soon. The main anchors have largely disappeared leaving only M&S, Next, and Primark in the centre itself, and IKEA in the Retail Parks, and only IKEA offers something which isn't found in any other town/city centre in the North East area.

So is it really a good move to extend the 29 to the Metrocentre? I'd argue probably not, especially in a climate where bus operators are seeking to cut costs wherever possible. Plus, in the past, there was a bus between Kibblesworth and Metrocentre which, presumably, wasn't massively popular otherwise it would still exist in some form.

The 29A seems like it would be a reintroduction of the 1/24/25... lineage of bus routes. Not necessarily against that idea, however it is unlikely it would be implemented as within the last year or so GNE have merged this into what was once the 25/X25/725 service between Langley Park and Newcastle. Presumably this was done to save a bus or two so unless there are major reliability issues further south on the route, it's probably nt happening.

(04 Jan 2022, 3:02 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Is Metrocentre still a destination where people want to go?

If you're a teenager meeting friends; or if it raining and want to spend somewhere indoors; or if you're going to for something to eat then the cinema then yes, perhaps it is somewhere people still want to go, on occasion. However, the amount of boarded up shops and the introduction of things like Jobcentres, Eye Clinics and Community Hubs into empty units suggest Metrocentre is struggling for tenants and will be for years to come. I think the future of Metrocentre will be, at best, an out-of-town version of Jarrow, Wallsend, West Denton, or Stanley only with shops which are slightly more upmarket than your B&Ms or Shoezones (both of which are present at the Metrocentre) unless drastically changes soon. The main anchors have largely disappeared leaving only M&S, Next, and Primark in the centre itself, and IKEA in the Retail Parks, and only IKEA offers something which isn't found in any other town/city centre in the North East area.

So is it really a good move to extend the 29 to the Metrocentre? I'd argue probably not, especially in a climate where bus operators are seeking to cut costs wherever possible. Plus, in the past, there was a bus between Kibblesworth and Metrocentre which, presumably, wasn't massively popular otherwise it would still exist in some form.

The 29A seems like it would be a reintroduction of the 1/24/25... lineage of bus routes. Not necessarily against that idea, however it is unlikely it would be implemented as within the last year or so GNE have merged this into what was once the 25/X25/725 service between Langley Park and Newcastle. Presumably this was done to save a bus or two so unless there are major reliability issues further south on the route, it's probably nt happening.

Extending the 21 to langley park would mean you could withdraw the 25

(04 Jan 2022, 3:56 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Extending the 21 to langley park would mean you could withdraw the 25

Then you have the problem(s) of the 21 doubling back on itself at Durham (Langley Park is North West of Durham); the 21 more or less duplicating the X20; and passengers using the service from Langley Park having to do endure a lengthy tour of Durham with an added journey time of probably 30 minutes or more.

(04 Jan 2022, 3:56 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote Extending the 21 to langley park would mean you could withdraw the 25

Struggling to understand this suggestion at all. I can't think how it would ever work, given they only share two common sections of route.

What resource would you have to put into the 21 and proposed 29/29A/29B to achieve all of this, and what do you plan on save by withdrawing the 25? It feels like you're on a hiding to nothing, potentially wrecking two commercial services in order to 'improve' a secured service, but I'd be interested to see the numbers.