I was on one of Lee's 53 seater Van Hool Eos coaches when I went down to Silverstone on a Newmarket Holiday. It was absolutely horrible. Legroom was dreadfully terrible and the air con was broken. It was 25 degrees at the time, so everyone had to improvise by using newspapers and magazines as fans and buy at least 2 bottles of water each every time we stopped at the services. Spending 15 hours on that coach over 2 days was dreadful

Heworth, South Shields and Sunderland for me today, with a possibility of a few photos in Newcastle/Gateshead.

(25 Jan 2014, 9:39 am)Tom wrote Heworth, South Shields and Sunderland for me today, with a possibility of a few photos in Newcastle/Gateshead.

My day consists of taking Cadets to Stokesley, Thornaby and Nunthorpe...

Hey Dan you got any solid ideas about Dunfermline, was just wondering mate...

Take care

metro to park lane
26 to jarrow
27 to hebburn
88 to lukes lane
88A to hebburn
515 to heworth
94 to gateshead
21 eldon square
31 to metrocentre
10A to blaydon
49A to metrocentre
X66 to gateshead
metro to heworth
515 to hebburn
88A to scotch estate

My Scotland trip will be postponed until April, but get two nights in the Premier Inn on Princes Street, heaven

(26 Jan 2014, 7:14 pm)ADLEnviro wrote Did one of them Freedom Of The North East rail rover tickets last week.

For £92 for four days travel out of eight after 8:45 it was well worth the money.

Visited York, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Doncaster, Harrogate, Bradford and Worksop. With a few smaller places for a few minutes between changing trains. Had a great few days out and increased my timetable collection by over 500 timetables.

Hadn't heard of them before, but cracking value if it's planned well. Details here if anyone wants it - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fare...98bb8.aspx

(26 Jan 2014, 7:39 pm)aureolin wrote Hadn't heard of them before, but cracking value if it's planned well. Details here if anyone wants it - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fare...98bb8.aspx

Even better value if you totally disregard the time limits like I did in summer! Used it from half 6 in the morning each day - nee complaints

(29 Jan 2014, 4:25 am)ADLEnviro wrote I was quite shocked at the amount of conductors that had no idea where it was valid never mind the time restrictions. I was left with the impression that when you showed it you were looked upon as a railway enthusiast and classed as one of the family.

I said the same on the forum in summer - that I was shocked at how many of them just didn't have a clue. Can't say I was treated like one of the family though!

Planning a big day trip out on Saturday - imagine it'll be one of my lovely 14-hour long days...
Might I see anyone? What are your plans if so? :p

(30 Jan 2014, 5:33 pm)Dan wrote Planning a big day trip out on Saturday - imagine it'll be one of my lovely 14-hour long days...
Might I see anyone? What are your plans if so? :p

For me, a lovely day in doing French Homework and some brilliant Art Homework.

Where are you planning to do?

Uni assignment work for me... =(

(30 Jan 2014, 5:33 pm)Dan wrote Planning a big day trip out on Saturday - imagine it'll be one of my lovely 14-hour long days...
Might I see anyone? What are your plans if so? :p

No concrete plans as yet, all depends on the weather and the time I haul myself out of bed

(30 Jan 2014, 5:38 pm)Tom wrote Where are you planning to do?

I'm not entirely sure yet... Reckon Teesside will be involved though!

(30 Jan 2014, 6:00 pm)Dan wrote I'm not entirely sure yet... Reckon Teesside will be involved though!

Teesside is probably your best bet with the Tyne and Wear derby being on. I was thinking about Darlington or perhaps another trip over to Consett/Stanley.

Today I decided to have small Trip over to Gateshead/MetroCentre/Blaydon and Winlaton. In which I caught some rather "Odd Workings", Took some of Photos of 5347 in it's New X66 Branding, Had an Awful Ride on 5210 on the 49B, Got stalked by some creepy kid who also likes Buses at Winlaton, who followed back and fourth around the Terminus at Winlaton, and followed me down to the Depot and Around to where the Buses are Parked out back, and then Back up to the Terminus.

I then Confronted him, he got scared and went to the opposite side of the Terminus, before slowly creeping back Around near to where I was Standing next to the Layover for Driver Swaps, I then opted to go around to where the 32 Stops, and the Kid decided to Hide behind a Tree, and slowly as I Walked past, go Around the Back of said Tree, so that he on the opposite side of the Tree.

I continued my slow walk around to the where 32 Stops, and got on it to Blaydon, where I had a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Fries at McDonalds, And who walks into McDonalds just as I took into my Burger, The Creepy Stalker, who even notice I was there, until I on purposely Shoulder Barged as I was Walking out, Simply because he stood in my way. I then took a few Photos at Blaydon before deciding to go back Home.

(30 Jan 2014, 6:38 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Today I decided to have small Trip over to Gateshead/MetroCentre/Blaydon and Winlaton. In which I caught some rather "Odd Workings", Took some of Photos of 5347 in it's New X66 Branding, Had an Awful Ride on 5210 on the 49B, Got stalked by some creepy kid who also likes Buses at Winlaton, who followed back and fourth around the Terminus at Winlaton, and followed me down to the Depot and Around to where the Buses are Parked out back, and then Back up to the Terminus.

I then Confronted him, he got scared and went to the opposite side of the Terminus, before slowly creeping back Around near to where I was Standing next to the Layover for Driver Swaps, I then opted to go around to where the 32 Stops, and the Kid decided to Hide behind a Tree, and slowly as I Walked past, go Around the Back of said Tree, so that he on the opposite side of the Tree.

I continued my slow walk around to the where 32 Stops, and got on it to Blaydon, where I had a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Fries at McDonalds, And who walks into McDonalds just as I took into my Burger, The Creepy Stalker, who even notice I was there, until I on purposely Shoulder Barged as I was Walking out, Simply because he stood in my way. I then took a few Photos at Blaydon before deciding to go back Home.

My arm still hurts!

Joking, joking... I'm not some creepy stalker!

(30 Jan 2014, 6:38 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Today I decided to have small Trip over to Gateshead/MetroCentre/Blaydon and Winlaton. In which I caught some rather "Odd Workings", Took some of Photos of 5347 in it's New X66 Branding, Had an Awful Ride on 5210 on the 49B, Got stalked by some creepy kid who also likes Buses at Winlaton, who followed back and fourth around the Terminus at Winlaton, and followed me down to the Depot and Around to where the Buses are Parked out back, and then Back up to the Terminus.

I then Confronted him, he got scared and went to the opposite side of the Terminus, before slowly creeping back Around near to where I was Standing next to the Layover for Driver Swaps, I then opted to go around to where the 32 Stops, and the Kid decided to Hide behind a Tree, and slowly as I Walked past, go Around the Back of said Tree, so that he on the opposite side of the Tree.

I continued my slow walk around to the where 32 Stops, and got on it to Blaydon, where I had a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Fries at McDonalds, And who walks into McDonalds just as I took into my Burger, The Creepy Stalker, who even notice I was there, until I on purposely Shoulder Barged as I was Walking out, Simply because he stood in my way. I then took a few Photos at Blaydon before deciding to go back Home.

I tend to have this problem with Perrie from Little Mix. No matter how many times I tell her, she still insists on following me about.

(30 Jan 2014, 6:55 pm)aureolin wrote I tend to have this problem with Perrie from Little Mix. No matter how many times I tell her, she still insists on following me about.

I hope you don't shoulder barge Perrie in McDonalds!!

(30 Jan 2014, 6:56 pm)Dan wrote I hope you don't shoulder barge Perrie in McDonalds!!

God no. I know better than to mess with a Shields lass!

I just wish he had his Meal in his Hand and that he fell on the Floor, rather than just Stumble

(30 Jan 2014, 6:02 pm)aureolin wrote Teesside is probably your best bet with the Tyne and Wear derby being on. I was thinking about Darlington or perhaps another trip over to Consett/Stanley.

Think the convoy is leaving Stadium of Light about 1030? Should be Kingsleys, Classic etc I would imagine!

(30 Jan 2014, 8:08 pm)tyresmoke wrote Think the convoy is leaving Stadium of Light about 1030? Should be Kingsleys, Classic etc I would imagine!

Might go up to Newcastle then, do you know where the coaches will park?

My tour today using Go North East:
21 to Newastle 6067.
309 to Cobalt 5248.
19 to Cramlington 5245.
19 to Cobalt 5244.
Visit to 6106 for tea and biscuits.
80 to North Shields 566.
9 to Boldon Asda 5153 (5155 was on the stand but taken out of service due to a defect).
9 to Sunderland 6028.
X35 to Peterlee 4973.
208 to Durham 565. (I won't be doing that route again).
50 to Chester le Street 4927.

(30 Jan 2014, 8:16 pm)Tom wrote Might go up to Newcastle then, do you know where the coaches will park?

Barrack Road normally.
Derby day isn't for the faint hearted!

(30 Jan 2014, 8:22 pm)andreos1 wrote Barrack Road normally.
Derby day isn't for the faint hearted!

Aye, I'd be giving it a miss for a photo opportunity! You're best off catching them at the Sunderland end, or any other end that they depart from.

(30 Jan 2014, 8:24 pm)aureolin wrote Aye, I'd be giving it a miss for a photo opportunity! You're best off catching them at the Sunderland end, or any other end that they depart from.

Might go to Sunderland then, I better not risk it

(30 Jan 2014, 8:25 pm)Tom wrote Might go to Sunderland then, I better not risk it

Chances are they will be heading along the Felling bypass.
Standing on the footbridge by Abbotsford Road might give you a few photo opportunities, espec as the 93/94 stop there!

(30 Jan 2014, 8:29 pm)andreos1 wrote Chances are they will be heading along the Felling bypass.
Standing on the footbridge by Abbotsford Road might give you a few photo opportunities, espec as the 93/94 stop there!

Aye, possibly. Was hoping to avoid Newcastle completely tomorrow, just get the 9 to Sunderland

(30 Jan 2014, 8:32 pm)Tom wrote Aye, possibly. Was hoping to avoid Newcastle completely tomorrow, just get the 9 to Sunderland

There is a long curve in the road as it comes down to the traffic lights from Heworth and it gives ample opportunity to get your photo right too if you are on the bridge.