Full rear displays, white all round.

Question is whether they'll actually use the full display, or just display the number in the centre like they do with half of them down here

From what I can see on Bustimes, all of the new E400s barring 7570 are out in service.

There's 3 spare ticket machines floating around today (assume 1801 isn't running) so one of them could be one assume another is 2703.

These new E400MMCs appear to mostly be on the X21/X22/35, with a handful on the X14/X18/X20. I guess that all the E400s are being treated as the same pool now instead of having specific routes?

Probably just keeping them close today incase something goes wrong, notice most the 14 plates are on the Berwick runs which I doubt will they will be long term.

Probably just keeping them close today incase something goes wrong, notice most the 14 plates are on the Berwick runs which I doubt will they will be long term.

In fairness to them, the 14 plates are pretty bulletproof, so likely will still see good use on the Alnwick routes for a good while yet. Far better than any other batch of 'classic' E400s in terms of reliability and consistent performance, certainly compared to the 64-plates which are incredibly inconsistent. 

Looking at what the 72-plates were on, I imagine they've just kept them off Alnwick finishes for tonight. Both Ashington start X15 boards finish there so that's likely why none are on there, given one has been allocated to every other rural hourly service.

In fairness to them, the 14 plates are pretty bulletproof, so likely will still see good use on the Alnwick routes for a good while yet. Far better than any other batch of 'classic' E400s in terms of reliability and consistent performance, certainly compared to the 64-plates which are incredibly inconsistent. 

Looking at what the 72-plates were on, I imagine they've just kept them off Alnwick finishes for tonight. Both Ashington start X15 boards finish there so that's likely why none are on there, given one has been allocated to every other rural hourly service.

Aye your probably right there, does anyone know what the 14/64 plates are actually officially going to be allocated to in the long term assuming the 35 and the X14 maybe?

In fairness to them, the 14 plates are pretty bulletproof, so likely will still see good use on the Alnwick routes for a good while yet. Far better than any other batch of 'classic' E400s in terms of reliability and consistent performance, certainly compared to the 64-plates which are incredibly inconsistent. 

Bearing in mind their original purpose for at least first three years until 7541-52 came was X21/X22

Bearing in mind their original purpose for at least first three years until 7541-52 came was X21/X22

While it was, they've now had a solid 5 years constantly popping up on Alnwick routes and are in much better shape now than the 64-plates were even a couple of years ago. The X21/22, while not as demanding as the Alnwick expresses, are still relatively strenuous routes with a mix of flat out running and constant stop/start.

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Aye your probably right there, does anyone know what the 14/64 plates are actually officially going to be allocated to in the long term assuming the 35 and the X14 maybe?

To be honest it'll probably just be a decker pool at this point. 64-plates possibly more likely to be punted onto the 35, but aside from that it's likely much more flexible than it was a few years ago with the rigid MAX/Sapphire allocations - which from an engineering POV is challenging.

Now that Northumbria have their new, and pretty smart, vehicles... Is anything new on the cards for Darlington, Stockton or Durham this or next year? Darlo's Solo's are just horrible.

Question is whether they'll actually use the full display, or just display the number in the centre like they do with half of them down here

They've been programmed in with full displays however just show the RN on the rear at the moment as they need to tweak the settings.

Blinds are the same as the existing Sapphire E400s at the depot.

Are they fitted with full rear displays or just the numbers?
Arriva have a habit of cheaping out with just the small displays

Interestingly, the 200MMCs have the small rear displays.

Now that Northumbria have their new, and pretty smart, vehicles... Is anything new on the cards for Darlington, Stockton or Durham this or next year? Darlo's Solo's are just horrible.

LOL, you should try stand up!

They've been programmed in with full displays however just show the RN on the rear at the moment as they need to tweak the settings.

Blinds are the same as the existing Sapphire E400s at the depot.

So it'll be a good 6 months before anything is done about it!

While it was, they've now had a solid 5 years constantly popping up on Alnwick routes and are in much better shape now than the 64-plates were even a couple of years ago. The X21/22, while not as demanding as the Alnwick expresses, are still relatively strenuous routes with a mix of flat out running and constant stop/start.

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The big question for the X21/X22 is given that GNE unexpectedly ended up with StreetDecks rather than E400MMCs on the X1 including extensions to Peterlee, could the X21/X22 in theory not cope with StreetDecks?

I doubt that would happen anytime soon now. But are the X21/X22 fully demanding enough for an E400MMC?

The big question for the X21/X22 is given that GNE unexpectedly ended up with StreetDecks rather than E400MMCs on the X1 including extensions to Peterlee, could the X21/X22 in theory not cope with StreetDecks?

I doubt that would happen anytime soon now. But are the X21/X22 fully demanding enough for an E400MMC?

While they would probably be fine, the Volvo B7 Gemini's were a dream on there really with their rapid acceleration, in the greater scheme of things the MMC is probably the best option. It keeps the decker fleet standardised, it allows for a more flexible allocation, and the power is there on some journeys where it's really needed.

LOL, you should try stand up!

So it'll be a good 6 months before anything is done about it!

6 months?! Bold of you to assume it will be as little time as that, took them years to fix the side desti on Pulsar 1515.

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Tbf they have invested in Darlington's fleet a fair bit over the years, services 1/5/5A/X1 in particular:

2009: Pulsar's on 5/5A at Bishop Auckland depot, at the time the 5/5A ran the Bishop to Durham stretch of what we now again know as the 6 continuing to Darlington twice hourly (also was some interworking with the 46 at the time). Also E400's for the 1/1B.

2013: Pulsar's 1506-11 for 1/5/5A working alongside existing examples.

2015: StreetLite's 1590-94 for the MAX X1.

2018: StreetLite's 1602-14 initially for 1/5/5A/12/19 but 12/19 later removed from cycle so all *should* be on 1/5/5A/X1 now but allocations are somewhat sporadic.

Also 2013 saw the gas buses introduced plus the Sapphire 7 Pulsar's 1513-1523 before some were replaced by E400s in 2015.

Belmont is the depot that could really do with the investment now South of the Tyne, seems to be a lot of cancellations on the X46 some of which are caused by breakdowns expecially with them aging ALX400 bodied B7TL's.

LOL, you should try stand up!


So it'll be a good 6 months before anything is done about it!

In fairness Arriva Northumbria is generally alright for stuff like that, the 2 Solos from Darlington with the full dispoays were setup for the 57 pretty much straight away. 

It's Durham and Darlington which are generally crap.

All the ADL Enviro 200MMC in use today were having issues with the blinds at some point, think it's depending on which route it was on, as it worked for one route, then it didn't for another. Photoed 4 of them today along with one of the E400MMC.

2701 seen at Monkseaton - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...2327846413
2702 seen between Holywell and Earsdon - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...2326650347
2703 seen at Whitley Bay - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...2328027970 (This was tracking on a spare ticket machine)
2705 seen at Whitley Bay - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...2326656332
7563 seen at Gosforth - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...2328034735

Followed 7578 into Ashington at around 2150 on the X22, some 20 minutes late...doing no more than that in MPH. 

Followed 7578 into Ashington at around 2150 on the X22, some 20 minutes late...doing no more than that in MPH. 

I saw it in Newcastle at the start of that run from town, I think every time I've seen that driver they've been running late/moving slow.

I saw it in Newcastle at the start of that run from town, I think every time I've seen that driver they've been running late/moving slow.

It takes the mick that drivers can be allowed to drive like this. They were almost coming to a stop at clear roundabouts and driving along at 15mph with an empty road in front of them...

Regarding drivers deliberately driving slow, register a complaint with the information you have. Human Resources can then potentially start investigating and building up a profile of deliberate late running and poor performance which can see the drivers employment terminated for being incapable.

I saw it in Newcastle at the start of that run from town, I think every time I've seen that driver they've been running late/moving slow.

Wonder if it was the same one who was on 7524 when that was new back in 2014, did the same thing on the X22 towards Newcastle with a massive queue for the outbound X21 awaiting him.

Regarding drivers deliberately driving slow, register a complaint with the information you have. Human Resources can then potentially start investigating and building up a profile of deliberate late running and poor performance which can see the drivers employment terminated for being incapable.

Or rather than terminate, work to try and find out what the issue is, see if there is a deliberate issue or underlying problem.

Wonder if it was the same one who was on 7524 when that was new back in 2014, did the same thing on the X22 towards Newcastle with a massive queue for the outbound X21 awaiting him.

Don't think I've seen them on Ashington work much before the start of this year, so possibly a transfer from Blyth with the 1/2? Definitely don't recognise them from original Sapphire days, though there are some I remember from then who seemed to have a phobia of the accelerator.

So it'll be a good 6 months before anything is done about it!

From the ones I've seen in passing today, at least a few look like they've had it sorted out. 7566 definitely one. 

The only ones I've seen today that finished at Alnwick yesterday, or were on the road until midnight, don't look to have had the setting changed so it may have been sorted yesterday night for what was available?

Hopefully they sort out the destination problem on the 57 soon too. I was on 2703 today and it was still paper destinations as the display only had the date on still.

Saw 2714 (YK72 OKO) heading towards Jesmond around midday today, sporting 'Jim' in the front destination panel. Think this is the last of the batch due.

2713 and 14 have entered service at Jesmond.

Does anyone know if this is the new Arriva interior on these as they're a bit of mix mash of everything.

Sapphire side panels (dark blue rather than that horrid spotty green, same colours as the seats)
Sapphire window surrounds (cream rather than the 1999 turquoise)
Sapphire step trims (cream rather than yellow)
1999 / MAX turquoise panels
1999 / MAX turquoise seat backs
MAX dark blue seats (low back)
2009 cream grab rails and flooring
Warm LED's (not the horrid natural white the 17 plate MMC's have)

It's probably the best of each of the brands, the dark blue was too much on Sapphire with the combination of the harsh natural white lighting made them feel cold imo and the old green panels and the turquoise window surrounds were just outdated and looked crap.

Does anyone know if this is the new Arriva interior on these as they're a bit of mix mash of everything.

Sapphire side panels (dark blue rather than that horrid spotty green, same colours as the seats)
Sapphire window surrounds (cream rather than the 1999 turquoise)
Sapphire step trims (cream rather than yellow)
1999 / MAX turquoise panels
1999 / MAX turquoise seat backs
MAX dark blue seats (low back)
2011 cream grab rails and flooring
Warm LED's (not the horrid natural white the 17 plate MMC's have)

It's probably the best of each of the brands, the dark blue was too much on Sapphire with the combination of the harsh natural white lighting made them feel cold imo and the old green panels and the turquoise window surrounds were just outdated and looked crap.

It's 2016 standard spec with Sapphire walls. Not sure if it's the new standard, will have to wait for further deliveries elsewhere. 

Merseyside's new Wrights earlier this year had the 2016 spec with old green walls etc.

It's 2016 standard spec with Sapphire walls. Not sure if it's the new standard, will have to wait for further deliveries elsewhere. 

Merseyside's new Wrights earlier this year had the 2016 spec with old green walls etc.

Yeah definitely it looks better than the earlier examples of MMC's lingering around imo, there seems to be more turquoise aswell replacing light grey on the back of the side destination, the fixed front seats and the front left wheel arch aswell. Just had a look to see what the older ones are like.

No doubt the next lot will be different again though, there seems to be phases where there's numerous variations with Arriva; 2005 - 2008 was particularly bad with them going round in circles.

Yeah definitely it looks better than the earlier examples of MMC's lingering around imo, there seems to be more turquoise aswell replacing light grey on the back of the side destination, the fixed front seats and the front left wheel arch aswell. Just had a look to see what the older ones are like.

No doubt the next lot will be different again though, there seems to be phases where there's numerous variations with Arriva; 2005 - 2008 was particularly bad with them going round in circles.

I agree, the greys didn't suit the interior at all.

As for the the spec, there's only been the following changes to the standard spec since 1999:

• 1999: "bridges" moquette, black flooring, yellow handrails, blue/turquoise panels, green walls
  
• 2009: "Overdrive" moquette, black flooring, mustard handrails, blue/turquoise panels, green walls
  
• 2009: "windows" moquette, grey patterned flooring, cream handrails, blue/turquoise panels, green walls
  
• 2014: blue pleather, grey patterned flooring, cream handrails, blue/turquoise panels, green walls
  
• 2015: as above with 3-pin plugs
  
• 2016: 3-pin plugs swapped for USB charging
  

2005 was when their premium spec (part of the national Operation Overdrive, locally named Viva) was launched with green interiors, teal flooring, tinted windows etc. Many MPDs, 7445/6 and the 57 plate E400s were delivered in that spec.