(12 Apr 2014, 9:19 am)Tom wrote Sounds like the X85 is doing all right, but the X84 always seems considerably busier to me!

It should be! X85 only really has people travelling between Hexham, Corbridge and Newcastle (in direct competition with Arriva/Stagecoach 85) whereas X84 serves the villages and don't really have many other services (ie Ovington, Wylam) as well as people travelling straight from Hexham to Newcastle.

(12 Apr 2014, 11:31 am)northern156 wrote It should be! X85 only really has people travelling between Hexham, Corbridge and Newcastle (in direct competition with Arriva/Stagecoach 85) whereas X84 serves the villages and don't really have many other services (ie Ovington, Wylam) as well as people travelling straight from Hexham to Newcastle.

And not forgetting that the X84 is essentially the same as the former 684 service - so the route was already established.

Anyone going on any bashes this (Easter) Saturday? I'm wanting to go somewhere and I might as well tag along with someone/a group of people if it saves me having to formulate a plan myself.

(13 Apr 2014, 9:29 pm)northern156 wrote Anyone going on any bashes this (Easter) Saturday? I'm wanting to go somewhere and I might as well tag along with someone/a group of people if it saves me having to formulate a plan myself.

If I've got the money to do it - this is what I have in mind...

(13 Apr 2014, 9:43 pm)Dan wrote If I've got the money to do it - this is what I have in mind...

I've been looking forward to this for a while so I'll definitely be there.

(13 Apr 2014, 9:47 pm)aureolin wrote I've been looking forward to this for a while so I'll definitely be there.

Oops, that's me forgetting which Sunday is Easter Sunday.
It's next week, not the week after (when the Olympian Day is)!

So I've got no plans for next Saturday, no... I may just use it as a final day to go out with mates before the revision starts to properly kick in and I become ignorant again.

Have edited my journey details somewhat of that "round the UK" trip I've mentioned previously...

First day being done on a Tuesday, and the next on a Wednesday.

Newcastle (0625) - Edinburgh (0807): East Coast
Edinburgh (0935) - Glasgow (1100): Citylink (Fares as low as £1)
Glasgow (1200) - Dundee (1423): Citylink (Fares as low as £1)
Dundee (1550) - Aberdeen (1710): Citylink Gold (Fares as low as £1)
Aberdeen (1915) - London (0645): Megabus (Fares as low as £10)
London (0930) - Cardiff (1300): Megabus Gold (Fares as low as £5)
Cardiff (1515) - London (1900): Megabus (Fares as low as £5)
London (2000) - Newcastle (2256): East Coast - hopefully in First Class.

I aspire to do this trip when Lothian's new buses enter service in Edinburgh and Stagecoach's new Volvo B5LH/ADL buses enter service in Dundee. There's always something new to get in London, and I fancy going to Cardiff because the TV show "Torchwood" was set there (I'm a big fan).
Aberdeen looks good for variety and Glasgow has loads of coaches from what I've seen - will be a nice opportunity to build up my photographs of those vehicle types.

Not sure what the allocations are going to be like. Obviously on the "Gold" services and East Coast train services I'll have plug sockets. I'm assuming the normal Citylink services don't have plug sockets, but does anyone know what the two normal Megabus services are usually allocated? Really could do with that overnight one being allocated an Astromega with plug sockets...

(14 Apr 2014, 10:57 pm)Dan wrote Have edited my journey details somewhat of that "round the UK" trip I've mentioned previously...

First day being done on a Tuesday, and the next on a Wednesday.

Newcastle (0625) - Edinburgh (0807): East Coast
Edinburgh (0935) - Glasgow (1100): Citylink (Fares as low as £1)
Glasgow (1200) - Dundee (1423): Citylink (Fares as low as £1)
Dundee (1550) - Aberdeen (1710): Citylink Gold (Fares as low as £1)
Aberdeen (1915) - London (0645): Megabus (Fares as low as £10)
London (0930) - Cardiff (1300): Megabus Gold (Fares as low as £5)
Cardiff (1515) - London (1900): Megabus (Fares as low as £5)
London (2000) - Newcastle (2256): East Coast - hopefully in First Class.

Wow. That's ambitious to say the least. Have you ever done an overnighter on a Megabus before? I've done it once and got about half-an-hours sleep. On that occasion it was a Compass Royston operated coach and it was cramped, stuffy, wet and generally awful. I was tired and miserable the next day and just wanted to go to bed. It made my day at The National Archive in Kew almost unbearable; every subsequent visit I went down the day before and stayed in a hostel. Because of that one allocation I've used National Express ever since - comfortable seats, plug sockets and only £3.50 difference in price!

(15 Apr 2014, 7:18 am)AdamY wrote Wow. That's ambitious to say the least. Have you ever done an overnighter on a Megabus before? I've done it once and got about half-an-hours sleep. On that occasion it was a Compass Royston operated coach and it was cramped, stuffy, wet and generally awful. I was tired and miserable the next day and just wanted to go to bed. It made my day at The National Archive in Kew almost unbearable; every subsequent visit I went down the day before and stayed in a hostel. Because of that one allocation I've used National Express ever since - comfortable seats, plug sockets and only £3.50 difference in price!

I did the 01:40am-ish Megabus from Newcastle to London, due to arrive in at around 07:00am. Was duped by a London-based coach operator and I rather unfortunately had to endure that - but it was a direct service.
Didn't get any sleep but did rest my eyes. I wasn't too bad though, especially given that I had been to Middlesbrough the previous day until the final X10 was due to leave.

Have never done that Aberdeen - London one before though, but it's a comfortable time setting off and a nice arrival time too. It's service M11 - but I really can't work out what the allocations are as Flickr has a lot of photos. Whatever it is, providing it isn't duped it looks like a double-deck coach so it will be fitted with plug sockets.

(15 Apr 2014, 7:23 am)Dan wrote I did the 01:40am-ish Megabus from Newcastle to London, due to arrive in at around 07:00am. Was duped by a London-based coach operator and I rather unfortunately had to endure that - but it was a direct service.
Didn't get any sleep but did rest my eyes. I wasn't too bad though, especially given that I had been to Middlesbrough the previous day until the final X10 was due to leave.

Have never done that Aberdeen - London one before though, but it's a comfortable time setting off and a nice arrival time too. It's service M11 - but I really can't work out what the allocations are as Flickr has a lot of photos. Whatever it is, providing it isn't duped it looks like a double-deck coach so it will be fitted with plug sockets.

Well, that's the chance you take with Megabus I suppose. I will say one thing about them - they always seem to be on time. When I used to get the 16:00 National Express service from Victoria on a Friday afternoon, it was always around 20 to 30 mins late. Megabus also have scheduled service for around 16:00 and it was always on time.

(14 Apr 2014, 10:57 pm)Dan wrote Have edited my journey details somewhat of that "round the UK" trip I've mentioned previously...

First day being done on a Tuesday, and the next on a Wednesday.

Newcastle (0625) - Edinburgh (0807): East Coast
Edinburgh (0935) - Glasgow (1100): Citylink (Fares as low as £1)
Glasgow (1200) - Dundee (1423): Citylink (Fares as low as £1)
Dundee (1550) - Aberdeen (1710): Citylink Gold (Fares as low as £1)
Aberdeen (1915) - London (0645): Megabus (Fares as low as £10)
London (0930) - Cardiff (1300): Megabus Gold (Fares as low as £5)
Cardiff (1515) - London (1900): Megabus (Fares as low as £5)
London (2000) - Newcastle (2256): East Coast - hopefully in First Class.

I aspire to do this trip when Lothian's new buses enter service in Edinburgh and Stagecoach's new Volvo B5LH/ADL buses enter service in Dundee. There's always something new to get in London, and I fancy going to Cardiff because the TV show "Torchwood" was set there (I'm a big fan).
Aberdeen looks good for variety and Glasgow has loads of coaches from what I've seen - will be a nice opportunity to build up my photographs of those vehicle types.

Not sure what the allocations are going to be like. Obviously on the "Gold" services and East Coast train services I'll have plug sockets. I'm assuming the normal Citylink services don't have plug sockets, but does anyone know what the two normal Megabus services are usually allocated? Really could do with that overnight one being allocated an Astromega with plug sockets...

I don't have a timetable to hand, but if you are going 1st class on the train, the restaurant car (on the HST sets anyway), doesn't have plug sockets.

(15 Apr 2014, 7:41 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote I don't have a timetable to hand, but if you are going 1st class on the train, the restaurant car (on the HST sets anyway), doesn't have plug sockets.

The 20:00 departure is a HST, but I'd probably go for Coach M (right at the front) rather than Coach J/CaféBAR which doesn't have plug sockets. Don't think I could be sat right next to food anyway.

(15 Apr 2014, 7:55 am)Dan wrote The 20:00 departure is a HST, but I'd probably go for Coach M (right at the front) rather than Coach J/CaféBAR which doesn't have plug sockets. Don't think I could be sat right next to food anyway.

Coach M is usually at the back, rather than the front coming North.

Either way only problem with sitting there, is you are amongst the last people to be served.
From experience, the nicer food options always seem to have been ordered by the people sitting in the carriages before coach M.

The first lot of seats in coach K are good, cos you are amongst the first to be served and will have a plug too - ah and its quiet

Sounds like a good trip Dan! I'd love to do something like that in the future, but I doubt I'll get to Dundee or Glasgow anytime soon.

M11 will be an Aberdeen based Astromega, one of the original batch. The Cardiff-London (M7?) could be anything from an Astro to an Elite to a Panther. The Citylink coaches don't have plug sockets, the Gold Elites do though.

(15 Apr 2014, 8:12 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Coach M is usually at the back, rather than the front coming North.

Either way only problem with sitting there, is you are amongst the last people to be served.
From experience, the nicer food options always seem to have been ordered by the people sitting in the carriages before coach M.

The first lot of seats in coach K are good, cos you are amongst the first to be served and will have a plug too - ah and its quiet

Where's Coach K?
http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/global/on-boa...s%20a4.pdf
I'd assume you mean Coach L judging by the seating plan.
If so, I'll have to go for that instead.

(15 Apr 2014, 8:40 am)Tom wrote Sounds like a good trip Dan! I'd love to do something like that in the future, but I doubt I'll get to Dundee or Glasgow anytime soon.

Certainly one I've tried to perfect for a long time now! If it's good, I'll probably repeat it next year.

(15 Apr 2014, 8:45 am)tyresmoke wrote M11 will be an Aberdeen based Astromega, one of the original batch. The Cardiff-London (M7?) could be anything from an Astro to an Elite to a Panther. The Citylink coaches don't have plug sockets, the Gold Elites do though.

Cheers. Fine with that! Would have preferred one of the newer ones, but either's good for me as long as they have plug sockets.

'Tis the M7, yeah. Seems that it's commonly duped judging by photos on Flickr, and I can only find Panthers working it in Megabus livery. Of course an Elite would be preferred though...

I forgot the HST sets don't have a K!
Yes, coach L is next one down from restaurant car on the HST.

(15 Apr 2014, 8:45 am)tyresmoke wrote M11 will be an Aberdeen based Astromega, one of the original batch. The Cardiff-London (M7?) could be anything from an Astro to an Elite to a Panther. The Citylink coaches don't have plug sockets, the Gold Elites do though.

M11 could be either one of Aberdeen's TD927s (50227-32) or one of their TDX27 (50244-50).

Thursday is looking rain free with a bit of sun, so Darlington, Stockton and Middlesbrough are all on the cards. Will end up getting an Explorer and heading over just before 9am I think.

I'm mainly heading over for MPDs, Cadets and Prestiges. But I'll hang around for some Sapphire Pulsars and EcoCities too.

(15 Apr 2014, 8:17 pm)aureolin wrote Thursday is looking rain free with a bit of sun, so Darlington, Stockton and Middlesbrough are all on the cards. Will end up getting an Explorer and heading over just before 9am I think.

I'm mainly heading over for MPDs, Cadets and Prestiges. But I'll hang around for some Sapphire Pulsars and EcoCities too.

That's what I'm doing on Saturday, was going to do it today, but didn't get up in time.

(15 Apr 2014, 2:55 pm)Kuyoyo wrote M11 could be either one of Aberdeen's TD927s (50227-32) or one of their TDX27 (50244-50).

I did see the TDX27s on Flickr - what I was hoping for too as I haven't been on one!

(15 Apr 2014, 8:21 pm)Tom wrote That's what I'm doing on Saturday, was going to do it today, but didn't get up in time.

Oh dear being up at quarter to 6 every morning for work has it's uses. Means I rarely have issues getting out of bed on a morning!

(15 Apr 2014, 8:17 pm)aureolin wrote Thursday is looking rain free with a bit of sun, so Darlington, Stockton and Middlesbrough are all on the cards. Will end up getting an Explorer and heading over just before 9am I think.

I'm mainly heading over for MPDs, Cadets and Prestiges. But I'll hang around for some Sapphire Pulsars and EcoCities too.

Doing this today as planned. Journey so far:

0907 Durham Bus Station - Ferryhill Market Place 0927 - ANE 7
0942 Ferryhill Market Place - Darlington Northgate 1030 - ANE 7
1120 Darlington Tubwell Row - Stockton High Street 1152 - ANE X66
1234 Stockton High Street - Middlesbrough Bus Station 1245 - ANE X66
1330 Middlesbrough Bus Station - Gateshead Interchange 1440 - GNE X10
1447 Gateshead Interchange - Riverside 1455 - GNE X66
1503 Riverside - Gateshead Interchange 1511 - GNE X66
1520 Gateshead Interchange - Central Station 1522 - Metro (Yellow)
1535 Central Station - Market Street 1538 - GNE Q1
1625 Market Street - Gateshead Interchange 1634 - GNE 58
1635 Gateshead Interchange - Washington Galleries 1700 - GNE X1

Anyone been to this bus rally before? No idea what it's like, but I've booked up some train tickets to head down there this year - including some time to get some normal photos too.

(17 Apr 2014, 10:38 am)aureolin wrote 1535 Central Station - Market Street 1538 - GNE Q1

I don't know why, but this leg of your journey made me laugh.

I presume it was to get a ride on a Quaylink Versa and not done out of sheer laziness

(19 Apr 2014, 8:25 pm)AdamY wrote I don't know why, but this leg of your journey made me laugh.

I presume it was to get a ride on a Quaylink Versa and not done out of sheer laziness

A change of plan more like. I had intended to head over to Gateshead, and then on to the X1, but decided to have a look over Newcastle instead.

Just thought I'd share what I was doing yesterday. Really, really enjoyed it!

Stagecoach Carlisle 27667 685 Greenhead to Newcastle Eldon Square
ANE 7806 308 St Mary's Place to Blyth
ANE 1742 2 Blyth to Bedlington Station
GNE 5246 19 Bedlington to Ashington Bus Station
ANE 4506 X22 Ashington Bus Station to Bedlington
ANE 7515 X22 Bedlington to Regent Centre Int
Metro 4066/4022 Regent Centre to Haymarket
ANE 1208 (BEAST!) X15 Haymarket to Morpeth Bus Station
ANE 1765 2 Morpeth to Blyth
ANE 76xx (don't remember fleet no) Blyth to Haymarket X10/X11 (again, can't remember)
Stagecoach Carlisle 27766 Newcastle Eldon Square to Greenhead.


Sean

Deciding to have a break from the revision and slot in an additional trip out given that I've got a free day ticket to use up!

Plan so far:
0642 Metro Stadium of Light to Park Lane (0648) - 4008
0712 #23 Sunderland to Peterlee (0747) - 2812
0814 #21A Peterlee to Stockton (0925) - 4038
0952 #X66 Stockton to Middlesbrough (1005) - 4656
1025 #X93 Middlesbrough to Scarborough (1232) - 7486
1340 #X93 Scarborough to Whitby (1437) - 7484
1542 #X93 Whitby to Middlesbrough (1648) - 7487
1705 #X1 Middlesbrough to Sedgefield (1743) - 7618
1758 #21 Sedgefield to Peterlee (1840) - 2848
1858 #24 Peterlee to Sunderland (1937) - 1468
1933ish #35C Park Lane to Newcastle Road (1945ish) - GNE 5306

Will update with the vehicles I get tomorrow, or alter if the plan changes...

(25 Apr 2014, 7:46 pm)Dan wrote Deciding to have a break from the revision and slot in an additional trip out given that I've got a free day ticket to use up!

Plan so far:
0642 Metro Stadium of Light to Park Lane (0648)
0712 #23 Sunderland to Peterlee (0747)
0814 #21A Peterlee to Stockton (0925)
0952 #X66 Stockton to Middlesbrough (1005)
1025 #X93 Middlesbrough to Scarborough (1232)
1340 #X93 Scarborough to Whitby (1437)
1542 #X93 Whitby to Middlesbrough (1648)
1705 #X1 Middlesbrough to Sedgefield (1743)
1758 #21 Sedgefield to Peterlee (1840)
1858 #24 Peterlee to Sunderland (1937)
1945 Metro Park Lane to Stadium of Light (1950)

Will update with the vehicles I get tomorrow, or alter if the plan changes...

I bet it'll be the only time you'll ever use Arriva for a day trip, as opposed to the Get Around?

(25 Apr 2014, 7:51 pm)Tom wrote I bet it'll be the only time you'll ever use Arriva for a day trip, as opposed to the Get Around?

Downloaded the app on my mam's phone too... I'll squeeze in another trip during summer - more Northumberland-based.
Had hoped to squeeze in a journey on a Sapphire (still ain't been on one yet), but had no luck in working it into the schedule. Getting back to Sunderland isn't the easiest of things to do!