Now that I think about it, I think I saw that kid get on 3833 then push his way past a father and daughter before then taking two seconds to look the interior then cut in front of them as they left. I was just leaving when the memorial speech was starting, but unfortunatley I had to catch my X22 AND get something to eat . Next year I'll definatley be back for about my fourth year in a row. I did however pick up a diecast model of a Bristol Lodekka in Eastern National green (like the one Stan Butler drove in the On The Buses episodes, I think they used red RTs for the films). Hopefully next time I'll not look so anti-social and have got to know a few of you more.

Oh dear, he obviously has no manors. That's shocking. Did you get a B10BLE (4907) on the X22? I'm sure that's the one I saw.
Yeah, hopefully I'll see you and others sometime

Oh dear, he obviously has no manors. That's shocking. Did you get a B10BLE (4907) on the X22? I'm sure that's the one I saw.
Yeah, hopefully I'll see you and others sometime

Yes. Like I always say, I'd always be willing to meet up with people.

Yes. Like I always say, I'd always be willing to meet up with people.

I've sent a reply to your PM via email because you seem to have Private Messaging disabled

I've sent a reply to your PM via email because you seem to have Private Messaging disabled

Yep. I'm gonna get onto that!

Thoroughly enjoyed today, saw a few of my friends (most are not on here) but I saw Baz and Dave. Went on four Riverside tours and one EcoCity on a Metrocentre - Scotswood Bridge - Scotswood Road - Redheugh Bridge - Metrocentre tour with some photos at the Metrocentre Interchange.

Saw the white blinds Versa for the first time too today, pretty smart.
Was brilliant seeing people of all ages enjoying themselves in their hobby; will definitely do it again next year.

Thoroughly enjoyed today, saw a few of my friends (most are not on here) but I saw Baz and Dave. Went on four Riverside tours and one EcoCity on a Metrocentre - Scotswood Bridge - Scotswood Road - Redheugh Bridge - Metrocentre tour with some photos at the Metrocentre Interchange.

Saw the white blinds Versa for the first time too today, pretty smart.
Was brilliant seeing people of all ages enjoying themselves in their hobby; will definitely do it again next year.

Sadly, I didn't see you today.

Sadly, I didn't see you today.

You probably did; just I would have been wandering about!

This was my first rally and I really enjoyed myself today. Hope to go to more soon.

A huge improvement on last year's rally as there was no major name-calling to certain enthusiasts from what I saw (other than me being greeted with the word 'splendid', but that was expected). So much better than the rally down on Teesside last week too.

Started my day off on 'service 2' and I had a ride of a "Tyne Tees Xpress" B9TL brought along by Go North East.
I got back at the Metrocentre about thirty minutes later and before going for something to eat (in McDonalds! ), I took some photos. After I had something to eat, I had a ride of a preserved bus (can't remember which one it was now, but it was on a service which went to Dunston).
After this, I listened to the speech about Ian Hignett. Didn't hear much if I'm honest as I was a few steps away from everyone else, but got involved in the applause at the end. 4710 led the way to Riverside depot with Ian's favourite coach in pursuit, so I had a walk to the depot and was thankfully given the opportunity to take some photographs inside of the depot of 4710 and 7087 together posing underneath the Go North East sign at Riverside. I didn't have to walk back to the Metrocentre as I was allowed to ride 7087 back. Once the vehicle returned to the Metrocentre, it actually went out for a run of service 2 so I had another ride.
By this time, it was about 16:00 and buses had started to leave. For the next hour or so, Go North East buses started to gather at the end of the coach park for photos. Some wonderful photo opportunities there.

Had a great day - thanks to event organisers, GNE, etc.

A huge improvement on last year's rally as there was no major name-calling to certain enthusiasts from what I saw (other than me being greeted with the word 'splendid', but that was expected). So much better than the rally down on Teesside last week too.

Started my day off on 'service 2' and I had a ride of a "Tyne Tees Xpress" B9TL brought along by Go North East.
I got back at the Metrocentre about thirty minutes later and before going for something to eat (in McDonalds! ), I took some photos. After I had something to eat, I had a ride of a preserved bus (can't remember which one it was now, but it was on a service which went to Dunston).
After this, I listened to the speech about Ian Hignett. Didn't hear much if I'm honest as I was a few steps away from everyone else, but got involved in the applause at the end. 4710 led the way to Riverside depot with Ian's favourite coach in pursuit, so I had a walk to the depot and was thankfully given the opportunity to take some photographs inside of the depot of 4710 and 7087 together posing underneath the Go North East sign at Riverside. I didn't have to walk back to the Metrocentre as I was allowed to ride 7087 back. Once the vehicle returned to the Metrocentre, it actually went out for a run of service 2 so I had another ride.
By this time, it was about 16:00 and buses had started to leave. For the next hour or so, Go North East buses started to gather at the end of the coach park for photos. Some wonderful photo opportunities there.

Had a great day - thanks to event organisers, GNE, etc.

Sadly missed the GNE lineups, left at 3:45.

You weren't by chance on the TTX on the depot tour at around 11am this morning Dan, with a photo stop underneath the cherry blossom tree at the school in Dunston?

We were asked if anyone wanted a photo stop and one person took advantage (I was kicking myself after saying no). Just wondered if it was you or not.

You weren't by chance on the TTX on the depot tour at around 11am this morning Dan, with a photo stop underneath the cherry blossom tree at the school in Dunston?

We were asked if anyone wanted a photo stop and one person took advantage (I was kicking myself after saying no). Just wondered if it was you or not.

I was on that one, but it was Sean Blair who took advantage of the photo stop.
I couldn't be bothered to trek downstairs to come back upstairs again - esp. when, at the time, it looked like nobody else was getting off to take a photo.

FTAO: Photographers who attended the event...
#RalliesOnNEB is your hashtag on Flickr to appear on a special Photos tab!

I had a "Splendid" Day a the Rally, which started off on the Roundabout with Aureolin at 10:30am, I then had a slow walk up towards the GNE Buses, Stopping at the Model Stalls along the way, where I bought 2 MCW Metrobuses for £16 from Daves Diecast, I then continued on my Venture up the top, where I bumped into Anthony Armitage and Bazza, along with Gary Devlin.

I then headed back down the other side where I stopped at the Henry Cooper Coach "I think it was" where the Owner was selling a load of Go North East Models along with ones he had Repainted himself, I was rather impressed by the Route 19 Renown he did, which he was selling for £10 (Bazza ended up Buying it), whereas I on the other hand opted to Buy the Northern Metrobus and Wright Solar Fusion in it's original GNE Colours for £5 each, Dare say I got the better Deal despite regretting not buying the Route 19 Renown as it was simply superb as were the other Repaints, which I took a few photos of also.

After that I continued down towards the Shuttle Bus Stop, where I got on the Sunderland Corporation Bus to Tanfield Railway, which was a Really Nice Journey, this meant I missed the Ian Hignett Memorial, as when I came back I went to get something eat, and I didn't return until just after 1. I again walked up and back down before getting on 3833 and going round Dunston and Riverside with Ray Parnaby and I briefly seen Dan before I got on one of the other Shuttle Services, after that I decided head home.

Overall I had a Great Day I had a great day until I got back to Washington, where I ended up helping my Mother with the Shopping, only for me to leave bag on the 50, So I rang Customer Service to inform them and they got in touch with the Driver, who said he'd leave the Bag on the Bus so I could pick it up at Lambton Centre on the Return Journey, So I go up the Centre to wait for the 50, and what happens, you guessed it, The Driver took the Bag back to the Depot, This lead to me Biking it to Chester to get the Bag of Shopping, to which I was informed that it wasn't in the Depot, it was in fact in the Drivers Office on Chester Front Street above the Travel Office, You talk about bad Customer Service, this sums it up for me.

But nevertheless I am now going to sit and my SFC Boneless Chicken Box and Drink my Bottle Lucozade which I left on the Bus, and then Crack on with Uploading my Photos from Today before watch Match of the Day 2 followed by WWE Extreme Rules, quite looking forward to the WeeLC Match between Hornswoggle and El Torito, should be the Show Stealing Performance of the Night.

I was on that one, but it was Sean Blair who took advantage of the photo stop.
I couldn't be bothered to trek downstairs to come back upstairs again - esp. when, at the time, it looked like nobody else was getting off to take a photo.

FTAO: Photographers who attended the event...
#RalliesOnNEB is your hashtag on Flickr to appear on a special Photos tab!

I was amongst the four enthusiasts right at the front of the top deck...

735 photos, here we come! I can tell what my day tomorrow will consist of...

A really enjoyable day. Probably one of the best bus related days out I've had in a long time.

I was a bit keen this morning, and it started early, getting up at 6am. I was out the house and on Go North East's 0655 service 4 to Heworth, which was quite packed being a Sunday morning. Ended up getting to Heworth, and jumping on the 0722 Metro across to Gateshead, where I managed to just catch the 0740 49 to the Metrocentre, arriving about 10 to 8. Had a quick glance over the coach park from the bridge, and nothing much was happening. Just the stall with a blue roof being set up, and a few stewards hanging about. So I decided to chill out for a short while, grabbing a bite to eat from Subway, washed down with two Black coffees. That gave me a bit of a kick!

It got to about 0825 and I decided to head over to the coach park roundabout. Decided that if I stood on the Handy Drive side, I could see what's coming both ways, with the aim of catching some of the buses that tend to just sit and not move all day. This proved to be worth the 6am start.

Ended up being outside the coach park until about 1030, at which time I'd decided most of what's going to turn up, has turned up. Had a wander up and down getting a few more shots, and then decided to go and get some lunch.

After lunch, I had a ride out on 1723 on service 3, all the way to Tanfield Railway and back. It was a really enjoyable run out, and it felt good to have a proper run on a Busways bus again. Once I got back, I had another wander round the coach park, got a few more shots, and then cleared off about 1420.

I met Adam Malarkey, who ended up standing at the roundabout with me for a bit. Also had a bit chat with Bazza, who looked to be enjoying himself as a rally steward for the day. Think I seen a few others from here, but wasn't 100% sure, so didn't say anything namely Gary Mitchelhill, Kuyoyo, and tyresmoke? Didn't see many others, but I take it a few people seen me if they drove in!

P.s. photos from the day here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn...098734570/

A really enjoyable day. Probably one of the best bus related days out I've had in a long time.

I was a bit keen this morning, and it started early, getting up at 6am. I was out the house and on Go North East's 0655 service 4 to Heworth, which was quite packed being a Sunday morning. Ended up getting to Heworth, and jumping on the 0722 Metro across to Gateshead, where I managed to just catch the 0740 49 to the Metrocentre, arriving about 10 to 8. Had a quick glance over the coach park from the bridge, and nothing much was happening. Just the stall with a blue roof being set up, and a few stewards hanging about. So I decided to chill out for a short while, grabbing a bite to eat from Subway, washed down with two Black coffees. That gave me a bit of a kick!

It got to about 0825 and I decided to head over to the coach park roundabout. Decided that if I stood on the Handy Drive side, I could see what's coming both ways, with the aim of catching some of the buses that tend to just sit and not move all day. This proved to be worth the 6am start.

Ended up being outside the coach park until about 1030, at which time I'd decided most of what's going to turn up, has turned up. Had a wander up and down getting a few more shots, and then decided to go and get some lunch.

After lunch, I had a ride out on 1723 on service 3, all the way to Tanfield Railway and back. It was a really enjoyable run out, and it felt good to have a proper run on a Busways bus again. Once I got back, I had another wander round the coach park, got a few more shots, and then cleared off about 1420.

I met Adam Malarkey, who ended up standing at the roundabout with me for a bit. Also had a bit chat with Bazza, who looked to be enjoying himself as a rally steward for the day. Think I seen a few others from here, but wasn't 100% sure, so didn't say anything namely Gary Mitchelhill, Kuyoyo, and tyresmoke? Didn't see many others, but I take it a few people seen me if they drove in!

P.s. photos from the day here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn...098734570/

I believe bazza was removed from his position as a rally Marshall

A really enjoyable day. Probably one of the best bus related days out I've had in a long time.

I was a bit keen this morning, and it started early, getting up at 6am. I was out the house and on Go North East's 0655 service 4 to Heworth, which was quite packed being a Sunday morning. Ended up getting to Heworth, and jumping on the 0722 Metro across to Gateshead, where I managed to just catch the 0740 49 to the Metrocentre, arriving about 10 to 8. Had a quick glance over the coach park from the bridge, and nothing much was happening. Just the stall with a blue roof being set up, and a few stewards hanging about. So I decided to chill out for a short while, grabbing a bite to eat from Subway, washed down with two Black coffees. That gave me a bit of a kick!

It got to about 0825 and I decided to head over to the coach park roundabout. Decided that if I stood on the Handy Drive side, I could see what's coming both ways, with the aim of catching some of the buses that tend to just sit and not move all day. This proved to be worth the 6am start.

Ended up being outside the coach park until about 1030, at which time I'd decided most of what's going to turn up, has turned up. Had a wander up and down getting a few more shots, and then decided to go and get some lunch.

After lunch, I had a ride out on 1723 on service 3, all the way to Tanfield Railway and back. It was a really enjoyable run out, and it felt good to have a proper run on a Busways bus again. Once I got back, I had another wander round the coach park, got a few more shots, and then cleared off about 1420.

I met Adam Malarkey, who ended up standing at the roundabout with me for a bit. Also had a bit chat with Bazza, who looked to be enjoying himself as a rally steward for the day. Think I seen a few others from here, but wasn't 100% sure, so didn't say anything namely Gary Mitchelhill, Kuyoyo, and tyresmoke? Didn't see many others, but I take it a few people seen me if they drove in!

P.s. photos from the day here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn...098734570/

There are some good shots there - including the one that I have ruined :p

There are some good shots there - including the one that I have ruined :p

At this point, everyone rummages through the photos to find out who NEB famous Andreos is!

At this point, everyone rummages through the photos to find out who NEB famous Andreos is!

Haven't checked Malarkey's photos yet - may be in his too!
The shot aureolin has me in, is the shot I thought I would be in.

Spotted myself in this photo - https://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn...4098734570

And looking at my photo of the same vehicle, I can see you photoing the rear of it in the background.

I was amongst the four enthusiasts right at the front of the top deck...

735 photos, here we come! I can tell what my day tomorrow will consist of...

i was the one who decieded to go down stairs

Oof, I ended up uploading 70+ photos from the event:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...526955585/

Enjoy the show if you'd like to.

Haven't checked Malarkey's photos yet - may be in his too!
The shot aureolin has me in, is the shot I thought I would be in.

Just uploaded the Batch of 70 Photos from Yesterday, then i'll caption the other 50+ Photos and upload them later on

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...514152262/

Just uploaded the Batch of 70 Photos from Yesterday, then i'll caption the other 50+ Photos and upload them later on

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...514152262/

i have 200+ pics https://www.flickr.com/photos/82733418@N...523713014/ unknowns are where if they have one i don't know the fleet number

Further to the earlier Batch of photos I uploaded, I have uploaded the Rest of the Photos from Yesterday which concludes my Photos from the Rally, This will also be the last batch of photos to be Uploaded for a while as i'm having Eye Surgery Tomorrow.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...514152262/

Further to the earlier Batch of photos I uploaded, I have uploaded the Rest of the Photos from Yesterday which concludes my Photos from the Rally, This will also be the last batch of photos to be Uploaded for a while as i'm having Eye Surgery Tomorrow.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...514152262/

Snap.
Might get the chance to upload a batch or two in the upcoming school holidays, but other than that, solid revision and exam prep until June 17th for me!

Snap.
Might get the chance to upload a batch or two in the upcoming school holidays, but other than that, solid revision and exam prep until June 17th for me!

Count down the days

Count down the days

43 days... I'm certainly not counting...!

Daniel Picken got a few photos of me in Kingsleys 109.

Also, hope the eye operation goes well Adam

My photos will be uploaded sometime this week.

Further to the earlier Batch of photos I uploaded, I have uploaded the Rest of the Photos from Yesterday which concludes my Photos from the Rally, This will also be the last batch of photos to be Uploaded for a while as i'm having Eye Surgery Tomorrow.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...514152262/

Good luck tomorrow!

Will have a look to see if I feature in any of your photos too.