(25 Feb 2014, 6:01 pm)tyresmoke wrote Cheers that makes sense! Am I right in thinking the 24X's are on 57 boards? Passed 7464 in Shotton this morning with a decent load.

The 24X is actually on the X24A RTC.  Quite a waste of paper during term time.

VDL Gemini 7624 and ADL E400 7501 should swap back over tomorrow...

(28 Feb 2014, 6:58 pm)coldav wrote The new depot at Ashington opens tomorrow (Saturday 1 March).

Seen at Ashington today were driver trainers 9990 at the old depot and 9991 at the new depot.

is ashington moving depot

http://www.muckle-llp.com/news/arriva-no...own-centre

http://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.u...RIEQS04F00

http://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.u...D-4907.pdf

http://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.u...D-4904.pdf

http://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.u...211715.pdf

.

Old (current) Arriva depot Ashington:-
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=lin...ra=ls&z=18


Site of new depot:-
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=lin...ra=ls&z=18

(01 Mar 2014, 6:06 pm)G-CPTN wrote Old (current) Arriva depot Ashington:-
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=lin...ra=ls&z=18


Site of new depot:-
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=lin...ra=ls&z=18

well i didn't know that thank you very much

Arriva have honestly made the best decision ordering B9TL'S for the X18. They'll get a good 7 year use out of them on the X18. It has been mentioned that the low gear ratios have caused the GNE B9's on the TTX to have a bit of trouble on the A19 but they haven't done too badly and have done way better than what any other 'modern' bus would do. As long as the oil is regularly topped up and they're well looked after, they'll do as well as what the DB250'S have done on the X18.

On another note, how did the VDL DB300 trial go on the X93? I haven't heard any opinions yet but in my opinion, they probably would've coped OK despite having the same engine as the E400 due to the lighter bodyweight of the Gemini 2. I strongly suspect that winth the imminent order of B9's for the X18, the 4 VDL DB250's will either operate the X20 or they will make up the 4 vehicles at Whitby to operate the X93.

(02 Mar 2014, 11:46 am)Davey Bowyer wrote Arriva have honestly made the best decision ordering B9TL'S for the X18. They'll get a good 7 year use out of them on the X18. It has been mentioned that the low gear ratios have caused the GNE B9's on the TTX to have a bit of trouble on the A19 but they haven't done too badly and have done way better than what any other 'modern' bus would do. As long as the oil is regularly topped up and they're well looked after, they'll do as well as what the DB250'S have done on the X18.

On another note, how did the VDL DB300 trial go on the X93? I haven't heard any opinions yet but in my opinion, they probably would've coped OK despite having the same engine as the E400 due to the lighter bodyweight of the Gemini 2. I strongly suspect that winth the imminent order of B9's for the X18, the 4 VDL DB250's will either operate the X20 or they will make up the 4 vehicles at Whitby to operate the X93.

Again, as we don't know an order date for the Volvos for the X18, we don't know what they will be. Although each Europe-based manufacture can still built 200 Euro5 vehicles this year, it all depends how many orders had already been placed for B9TLs this year it could end up being B5TLs.

The DB300 has proved to be superior to the E400s, and likely (due to them being ex-London) the B7TL/Geminis will likely end up also being trumped by the DB300. As for the DB250s, they are well and truly knackered hence their recent use on local Ashington work only - so likely they'll remain on services such as the 30 34 and 35/35a, maybe escaping onto the 20/X20 every now and then (although I can see the 20/X20 becoming the home of the older E400s alongside the 14/X14).

(01 Mar 2014, 4:17 pm)tyresmoke wrote VDL Gemini 7624 and ADL E400 7501 should swap back over tomorrow...

I've never saw 7501 out at all

(02 Mar 2014, 12:00 pm)Tom wrote I've never saw 7501 out at all

Been out most of this last week - Blyth have sorted the issue out with it (problems with the AdBlue tank I believe), however won't be too long before its dumped in Redcar depot again.

(02 Mar 2014, 11:56 am)Kuyoyo wrote Again, as we don't know an order date for the Volvos for the X18, we don't know what they will be. Although each Europe-based manufacture can still built 200 Euro5 vehicles this year, it all depends how many orders had already been placed for B9TLs this year it could end up being B5TLs.

The DB300 has proved to be superior to the E400s, and likely (due to them being ex-London) the B7TL/Geminis will likely end up also being trumped by the DB300. As for the DB250s, they are well and truly knackered hence their recent use on local Ashington work only - so likely they'll remain on services such as the 30 34 and 35/35a, maybe escaping onto the 20/X20 every now and then (although I can see the 20/X20 becoming the home of the older E400s alongside the 14/X14).

They haven't done too badly the 57 reg DB250'S considering the route that they've been used on. But in accordnace with the debate we had on GNE using coaches on the TTX when the B9's are up for replacement, the TTX, X15 and X18 are more suited to coaches due to the higher gearing ratios. But they've done well to last 6 years on that route.

(02 Mar 2014, 12:00 pm)Tom wrote I've never saw 7501 out at all

7501 is now on the X18!

(02 Mar 2014, 11:56 am)Kuyoyo wrote Again, as we don't know an order date for the Volvos for the X18, we don't know what they will be. Although each Europe-based manufacture can still built 200 Euro5 vehicles this year, it all depends how many orders had already been placed for B9TLs this year it could end up being B5TLs.

Not strictly true, each builder can build 200 of a particular specification, so if they have 2 less seats for example another 200 could be built as they are to a different specification

(03 Mar 2014, 1:00 pm)V8MJH wrote Not strictly true, each builder can build 200 of a particular specification, so if they have 2 less seats for example another 200 could be built as they are to a different specification

And not strictly true, as if that were so, the 24 Sapphire vehicles for the 5/5a and X3/X3a/X4/4 would be Pulsars given they are a different specification to the normal Pulsars internally. Also, UK manufactures can built unlimited Euro5 vehicles this year.

(03 Mar 2014, 12:21 pm)coldav wrote 7501 is now on the X18!

7624 should (but I'm not betting on it) be back at Blyth now and 7501 should be at Ashington as a swap for a Volvo B7 to be at Whitby. I'm not sure whether any are in service yet though.

Been going through the advertisements that usually gets put through the letter box this morning from the postman before their all go into the recycle bin, came across a white envelope which says open me now for £1 off any East Durham day or week triple ticket, opened it and it all folds out with the Arriva triple ticket prices and map, looks like Arriva trying to get the word out to Peterlee area residents about the East Durham day or week triple ticket.

(03 Mar 2014, 1:07 pm)tyresmoke wrote 7624 should (but I'm not betting on it) be back at Blyth now and 7501 should be at Ashington as a swap for a Volvo B7 to be at Whitby. I'm not sure whether any are in service yet though.

Will 7501 remain in it's ''Sightseeker'' branding for the time being?

(03 Mar 2014, 3:55 pm)Tom wrote Will 7501 remain in it's ''Sightseeker'' branding for the time being?

Think so Tom! I'm guessing they'll leave it branded until they sort a long term solution for the X93.

(03 Mar 2014, 3:55 pm)Tom wrote Will 7501 remain in it's ''Sightseeker'' branding for the time being?

The upper part has already been covered by adverts for forthcoming films.

First Volvo B7TL should reach Redcar by next week.

so who is getting the Volvo B7TL's

(04 Mar 2014, 8:55 am)James Moss Mccrossan wrote so who is getting the Volvo B7TL's

They're down to go to Durham (6) and Ashington (3), though this will be dependent on the results of a trial on the X93. Withdrawn as a result will be DAF DB250's 7459-64 and Olympian 7367, Spectras 7482/3

Ridiculous replacing the low floor deckers at Durham. Why couldn't they give them to Northumberland to replace their three remaining Prestiges and three could have replaced B10BLEs to replace Prestiges at Stockton.

(04 Mar 2014, 5:45 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Ridiculous replacing the low floor deckers at Durham. Why couldn't they give them to Northumberland to replace their three remaining Prestiges and three could have replaced B10BLEs to replace Prestiges at Stockton.

It would only be a temporary move and I'm not sure 3 months will make a huge difference - ultimately the new deliveries for Jesmond will enable the above moves to happen but we shall wait and see.

It will be a shame to see the 6 DLA's leave, despite what people think of them they are pretty good! But I suppose they are getting old so....

(04 Mar 2014, 9:13 am)tyresmoke wrote They're down to go to Durham (6) and Ashington (3), though this will be dependent on the results of a trial on the X93. Withdrawn as a result will be DAF DB250's 7459-64 and Olympian 7367, Spectras 7482/3

I suppose the B7's they could be used on the 35 as a upgraded?

Very bumpy ride on 1463. Feels like the gearbox is having a few problems. Hopefully it'll be looked at once Jenson Button is finished with it.

Sapphire 1518 has a fuel leak in Durham Bus Station, so we've had to be transferred onto the next no. 7.

It was pretty much an all out war between the passengers who were on 1518 and the people queuing in the Bus Station to get onboard.

(05 Mar 2014, 3:54 pm)Tom wrote I suppose the B7's they could be used on the 35 as a upgraded?

Don't think there will be enough...

First one to be identified is 7484 LJ51DHP at Ashington.
6 are intended to be used on X93 I am told.

(05 Mar 2014, 11:38 pm)tyresmoke wrote Don't think there will be enough...

First one to be identified is 7484 LJ51DHP at Ashington.
6 are intended to be used on X93 I am told.

Have these been converted to single door?