(28 May 2014, 7:56 pm)cbma06 wrote The E1/E2 were originally the 505/506 and 538/539 service.

The E3 was put on to run Sunderland to South Shields in front of Tyne and Wear Omnibus Company X2 service, The E3 was originally a mix up with spare buses from Shields depot (minibuses were on their aswell) but when TWOC was bought by Northern and sold to Busways, busways withdrew the E3 service and had to run the X2 for a lengthy period then withdrew the X2, later in life the E3 was resurrected again and operated by Leyland lynxs from shields depot.

The E6 was put on a few times, one time with Bristol buses then later on in life with Dart buses, Busways tried to buy Catch a Bus out a few times and even when Stagecoach bought Busways out, their still tried to buy Catch A Bus out, but eventually Stagecoach got tired and start ploughing load of buses in front of Catch a Bus services in South Shields and service 6 to Sunderland and Catch a Bus bus services were running empty by Stagecoach tatics with a lot cheaper fares even though the Stagecoach buses were making aloss at least Stagecoach Busways got what their wanted in the end.

Wouldn't mind seeing Stagecoach operating a service E5 between Sunderland and South Shields along the 35 route and also maybe extending the service to Houghton, but it will never come as Stagecoach are too happy raking in the money of their own Sunderland territory.

Any pics of the old buses and routes?? As catch a bus has gone maybe renumber E6 as E3. Can't remember an x2 route to thorneyclose

Tyne and Wear omnibus x2 route was thorney close-Sunderland-South Shields-whiteleas, when busways took over the x2 it only ran Sunderland to South Shields.

(28 May 2014, 10:15 pm)cbma06 wrote Tyne and Wear omnibus x2 route was thorney close-Sunderland-South Shields-whiteleas, when busways took over the x2 it only ran Sunderland to South Shields.

To be fair can't see much demand from thorney close to white leas

I've been made aware that one or two queries have been made regarding the early Stagecoach Darlington Fleet, set up in 1994.

This was obviously a little bit before Computers & email as we have it today. In order therefore to hopefully answer what was in the initial Stagecoach Darlington Fleet, back in November 1994, I attach an early, though rather more basic Fleet List.

(28 May 2014, 8:55 pm)idiot wrote That change was great speeded up journeys I think.

But I heard a rumour that it was something to do with the corners and certain buses? Don't know how true it is.

It was to make things easier at The Blue Bell junction

(28 May 2014, 10:20 pm)Acky81 wrote To be fair can't see much demand from thorney close to white leas

TWOC X2 was trying to take passengers off the 23/24 between Thorney Close to Town/Seaburn and also trying to take passengers off the E1/E2 between Sunderland and South Shields and also trying to take passengers off Busways 16/17 between South Shields and Whiteleas which others passengers to travel to Seaburn etc..., doesn't mean the passsengers going to board the bus at Thorney Close to Whiteleas, usually the X2 leaving Thorney Close would have the destination as Sunderland then change to South Shields when it arrived at Central Bus Station etc....

(29 May 2014, 8:05 am)mrnut85 wrote It was to make things easier at The Blue Bell junction

Yes, originally the E2 at busy periods had to wait about 2 changing of lights to make the right turn going to Sunderland from the Blue Bell, same go for the E6 coming along Fulwell road to turn right onto Sea Road heading to South Shields, that's why their decided to change the route and make the E2 and E6 go straight across the lights so their wont get stuck.

(29 May 2014, 8:31 am)cbma06 wrote Yes, originally the E2 at busy periods had to wait about 2 changing of lights to make the right turn going to Sunderland from the Blue Bell, same go for the E6 coming along Fulwell road to turn right onto Sea Road heading to South Shields, that's why their decided to change the route and make the E2 and E6 go straight across the lights so their wont get stuck.

Hmm, I thought it was more to do with the *LEFT* turns that the E2 and E6 had to do at the Blue Bell. High-floor buses could manage these tight turns (just!) but low-floor vehicles had a wider turning circle and so caught the pedestrian refuge on the south exit of the junction of swept into the path of cars on the north exit. Hence just in advance of the routes being converted to low-floor operation, the routings were changed.

Does anyone know what operates on the 68 (Four Lane Ends-DSS Tyneview Park) on evenings?

(29 May 2014, 10:06 am)Tom wrote Does anyone know what operates on the 68 (Four Lane Ends-DSS Tyneview Park) on evenings?

Only one photo on Flickr which was an ALX300:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/61391443@N02/7223696364

(29 May 2014, 10:07 am)Dan wrote Only one photo on Flickr which was an ALX300:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/61391443@N02/7223696364

Oh right that would make sense then - must interwork with the short 18's to Four Lane Ends. Cheers.

(29 May 2014, 10:11 am)Tom wrote Oh right that would make sense then - must interwork with the short 18's to Four Lane Ends. Cheers.

Yes if I remember right it went out as an 18.

(29 May 2014, 10:11 am)Tom wrote Oh right that would make sense then - must interwork with the short 18's to Four Lane Ends. Cheers.

Yep, the 68 has interworked with the 18 for a good few years now. I believe the interworking happened to coincide with Stagecoach withdrawing the 18 from Benton estate due to apparent traffic issues after 3pm... Which conveniently gave just enough time for each 18 to do one round trip on the 68 then back onto the 18.

(29 May 2014, 7:09 pm)Richard Smiles wrote As a footnote to my previous message, as four of the GAS buses were registered on 27 May 2014, this is clearly in Period 2, so suspect they may well be recorded as a Period 2 movement on the Period 3 Fleet Card due for release on Monday 23rd June 2014.

Thanks for the updates Richard =)

(29 May 2014, 6:51 pm)Richard Smiles wrote Have just received the Stagecoach North East Fleet Allocation Cards Period 2 (2014/2015) and sadly, not a single mention of the New Scania GAS Buses.

So the Busways movements for Period 1 (2014/2015) to record are as follows:

21155 (R255KRG) - From Walkergate (Reserve/Spare) to Walkergate (Awaiting Disposal)
22734 (T734OEF) - From Stockton (Reserve/Spare) to Busways(Reserve/Spare), based at South Shields
22735 (T735OEF) - From Stockton (Reserve/Spare) to Busways(Reserve/Spare), based at Walkergate
33101 (R101KRG) - From South Shields (Reserve/Spare) to Hartlepool (Reserve/Spare)
33492 (R472MVN) - From South Shields (Awaiting Disposal) to Sold for Scrap

The Teesside movements for Period 1 (2014/2015) to record are as follows:

22174 (T174MVM) - From Stockton (Awaiting Disposal) to Lincoln
22495 (T495BNL) - From Stockton (Awaiting Disposal) to Carlisle
22734 (T734OEF) - From Stockton (Reserve/Spare) to Busways (Reserve/Spare), based at South Shields Depot
22735 (T735OEF) - From Stockton (Reserve/Spare) to Busways(Reserve/Spare), based at Walkergate Depot (replaces 21155)
33488 (R468SEF) - From Hartlepool (Awaiting Disposal) to Sold for Scrap, though had been transferred to South Shields for Cannibalisation.

NOTE: Though subject to confirmation, I would suspect the transfers from Stockton of 22174 & 22495 to other Depots is for either Spare Parts or possible conversion to Driver Training Vehicles.

As a result of the move in italics, SNE is down to just 1 Volvo B10B of any kind now, can you guess what that might be

(29 May 2014, 7:58 pm)Kuyoyo wrote As a result of the move in italics, SNE is down to just 1 Volvo B10B of any kind now, can you guess what that might be

Might it be the one in your avatar?

(29 May 2014, 7:39 pm)Richard Smiles wrote A little bit of light has been seen in the Tunnel. I've just had a reply from Lee Wardle with regards to 22495 (T495BNL) transferring to Carlisle.

Lee reports that Carlisle are to receive 3 MANs in total, 2 will be for active service & 1 to act as reserve, as it appears 2 of their own MANs have suffered Engine Failures.

Regarding 22172 - nothing on Lincoln's fleet card.
Got a guy who is gonna keep me posted though.

(29 May 2014, 8:00 pm)Richard Smiles wrote Cleveland Transit 21037 (L37HHN) Lives Yippee!!!

Aye, she's a tough old bird is 37! To think in 12 days time, she's been in service 20 years :O

(29 May 2014, 8:00 pm)Dan wrote Might it be the one in your avatar?

Aye, the old girl still going strong and outlives all the other B10Bs and B10BLEs.

(29 May 2014, 8:02 pm)Dan wrote Regarding 22172 - nothing on Lincoln's fleet card.
Got a guy who is gonna keep me posted though.

Wonder if they've sorted the cab door on 22174 yet? During the 2 years I was there they tried many times! lol
Interesting to see it go to Lincoln, might have to go and get a photo of it down there if it gets used.

(29 May 2014, 8:03 pm)AIG20 wrote I wonder when this will be withdrawn; and could some S/T/V plate MAN ALX300s be converted to driver trainers to replace 21037, 20121, 20841 and 20550 - 20554?

She's a pet favourite with the engineering manager and he's keeping her going at present. She's had major work paid for by Stagecoach over the last few years, and she already has her future post Stagecoach is already secured, just the question of when she's surplus to requirement then the cheque book comes out from a benefactor that myself and Richard know and she takes her rightful place in the preservation world.

(29 May 2014, 8:08 pm)AIG20 wrote I wonder how it managed the motorway?

Can't imagine it was a problem, other than being flat out at 52mph. They have huge grills on them and that one was one of the better ones for staying cool.

IS 22734 STAYING AT SOUTH SHIELDS FOR GOOD OR JUST ON LOAN. REGARDS ROBIN

(29 May 2014, 8:20 pm)Robinwtait.19 wrote IS 22734 STAYING AT SOUTH SHIELDS FOR GOOD OR JUST ON LOAN. REGARDS ROBIN

Just a loan to alleviate a vehicle shortage.

(29 May 2014, 8:08 pm)AIG20 wrote I wonder how it managed the motorway?

We won't know until Saturday, that is when it's getting collect (a driver from the East Midlands division has posted that on Stagecoach Enthusiasts tonight)

(30 May 2014, 8:33 am)Richard Smiles wrote UPDATE: Confirmation received this morning that both 33488 (R468SEF) and 33492 (R472MVN) or their remains of, have been sold to Alpha Recovery (Dealer), Weetslade for Scrap.

Have you already got a photograph or would you like me to go to Alpha and see if I can get a photo of 'em? Due a trip up anyway.

(30 May 2014, 9:43 am)Richard Smiles wrote Hi Dan,

A photo of them would be welcome, though as I understand it, they have been put through a Crusher, as only the shell was left ?

I shan't bother then! Save the trip for next month.

(29 May 2014, 8:20 pm)Robinwtait.19 wrote IS 22734 STAYING AT SOUTH SHIELDS FOR GOOD OR JUST ON LOAN. REGARDS ROBIN

It has been transferred to South Shields but shouldn't last much longer than 3 - 4 months

So stagecoach have updated the 3/13 timetable to the new style... they have decided to put the 3/13 on one timetable.

It has the current and new timetables on.. so it's 98 pages long!

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/pdfs/XMAO003.pdf

Most of the Sunderland services have had the timetable style updated (only 16,20 remain old style)

On the timetable it shows the bank holidays timetables to...


Nothing but confusing to me like!

(30 May 2014, 2:33 pm)Michael wrote So stagecoach have updated the 3/13 timetable to the new style... they have decided to put the 3/13 on one timetable.

It has the current and new timetables on.. so it's 98 pages long!

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/pdfs/XMAO003.pdf

Dreadful. Just dreadful.

(30 May 2014, 2:34 pm)Dan wrote Dreadful. Just dreadful.

Not sure why they want it that style, its horrible

Edit: they keep going back from old style to new back to old