I've just been thinking - you know how leading drivers need to be available at all hours - does that make it a zero hour job?

It's just one of those technical questions that pop into your head from time to time.

(29 May 2014, 4:59 pm)Marcus wrote I've just been thinking - you know how leading drivers need to be available at all hours - does that make it a zero hour job?

It's just one of those technical questions that pop into your head from time to time.

No, they are only available when they are at work.....in between their start and finishing times.

Cant see anything on the website, so maybe GNE are totally unaware of it...
Newbottle St in Houghton is closed on Sunday, which will mean the usual stack of diversions.

(29 May 2014, 6:37 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Cant see anything on the website, so maybe GNE are totally unaware of it...
Newbottle St in Houghton is closed on Sunday, which will mean the usual stack of diversions.

Same with the Road coming into Washington Galleries if you were on the X1 coming from Newcastle or Easington Lane, No Idea why though as there was just a Yellow Sign at the bottom of the Junction with Road Closed June 1st on it.

Services in Washington will most likely divert via the Retail Park and onto the Motorway at the Bottom of Albany and go round the Back of Durham House/Job Centre before Resuming Normal Route from the bottom of that Junction.

Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 7076 in the Driver Training fleet has been withdrawn. I'm not sure whether the registration plate (YSU 876) will be held on retention much like 340GUP or not...

In addition, the following vehicles have been sold:

• Volvo B10BLEs 4837, 4838 and 4839
  
• Dennis SPDs 8221 and 8231

(29 May 2014, 9:02 pm)Dan wrote Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 7076 in the Driver Training fleet has been withdrawn. I'm not sure whether the registration plate (YSU 876) will be held on retention much like 340GUP or not...

In addition, the following vehicles have been sold:

• Volvo B10BLEs 4837, 4838 and 4839
  
• Dennis SPDs 8221 and 8231

Hopefully those Renowns have gone to a nice company...

As an aside, who tends to buy these buses?

A member of another forum has asked where he could buy a double-decker for conversion to a living van.

I mentioned Ensignbus, (as they seem to take many of the London buses), but do GNE simply ship their discards to Purfleet or do they place them with local operators for use within the region?

The person seeking the double-decker is based in Anglesey.

(29 May 2014, 9:33 pm)G-CPTN wrote As an aside, who tends to buy these buses?

A member of another forum has asked where he could buy a double-decker for conversion to a living van.

I mentioned Ensignbus, (as they seem to take many of the London buses), but do GNE simply ship their discards to Purfleet or do they place them with local operators for use within the region?

The person seeking the double-decker is based in Anglesey.

I think it ultimately depends on which party offers the most money for the vehicle in question.

As you'd expect, if Ensign offered more money than a local operator who was interested in the vehicle, Ensign would probably get it.

(29 May 2014, 9:42 pm)Dan wrote I think it ultimately depends on which party offers the most money for the vehicle in question.

As you'd expect, if Ensign offered more money than a local operator who was interested in the vehicle, Ensign would probably get it.

Indeed, for example the last round of Olympians to go (P-SGPs/R-LGHs) mostly stayed local, with Stagecarriage, Nightingale, Weardale and Stanley all getting some. Others ended up with dealers elsewhere.

Can't say Go North East will be too happy about this photo reaching the public domain, but nevertheless, as we expected, DiagTest have now uploaded their first photograph of 4949 prior to work commencing on the vehicle from today.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/110217213@...299552012/

(30 May 2014, 7:28 am)Dan wrote Can't say Go North East will be too happy about this photo reaching the public domain, but nevertheless, as we expected, DiagTest have now uploaded their first photograph of 4949 prior to work commencing on the vehicle from today.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/110217213@...299552012/

Cant view it, as its privite

(30 May 2014, 8:03 am)Michael wrote Cant view it, as its privite

Didn't take long for the photo to be taken down!

(30 May 2014, 8:05 am)Dan wrote Didn't take long for the photo to be taken down!

Did u see how bad the damage was before they took it down?

(30 May 2014, 8:26 am)Michael wrote Did u see how bad the damage was before they took it down?

I did and I got a screenshot too, but if it has been taken off Flickr, I'm not going to re-upload it here.

Didn't look too bad, just a bit frazzled.

(30 May 2014, 8:05 am)Dan wrote Didn't take long for the photo to be taken down!

Not surprised. Is the photo taken on a GNE site?

(30 May 2014, 8:29 am)aureolin wrote Not surprised. Is the photo taken on a GNE site?

Yes, Riverside.

(30 May 2014, 8:29 am)Dan wrote I did and I got a screenshot too, but if it has been taken off Flickr, I'm not going to re-upload it here.

Didn't look too bad, just a bit frazzled.

That's good, if theres now much damage

(30 May 2014, 8:29 am)Dan wrote Yes, Riverside.

Would be very suprised if GNE allow contractors to take photographs on site, without prior consent. I know we only allow it if we provide consent in writing, and escort whoever is taking the photos.

No further Volvo B10BLEs have arrived for repaint, but Scania L94 4955 has. The original batch of "Fast Cats" branded L94s are all due a 'freshen up repaint'. The branding will not be altered from its present form.

(30 May 2014, 9:32 am)Dan wrote No further Volvo B10BLEs have arrived for repaint, but Scania L94 4955 has. The original batch of "Fast Cats" branded L94s are all due a 'freshen up repaint'. The branding will not be altered from its present form.

Thanks for the update on repaints, thought they were due a re-paint, =)

least the inside branding will go to.

Will they get a good clean inside to while its there?

A brand new Mercedes Citaro has arrived at Riverside. Don't think it's going to be here long...

(30 May 2014, 11:40 am)Dan wrote A brand new Mercedes Citaro has arrived at Riverside. Don't think it's going to be here long...

What colour is it? I take it its a new purchase and not there for a pit stop

(30 May 2014, 12:19 pm)JP6004 wrote What colour is it? I take it its a new purchase and not there for a pit stop

It is not a new purchase, and it's a grey-ish colour. Will upload a photograph in about 20 minutes.

(30 May 2014, 12:38 pm)Dan wrote It is not a new purchase, and it's a grey-ish colour. Will upload a photograph in about 20 minutes.

Any idea what its for?

(30 May 2014, 12:38 pm)Dan wrote It is not a new purchase, and it's a grey-ish colour. Will upload a photograph in about 20 minutes.

If you think the Mercedes - Benz Citaro K is grey-ish you should get your eyes tested, I looks purple to me

(30 May 2014, 12:43 pm)JP6004 wrote Any idea what its for?

Not for service work - just for GNE to have a look at.

(30 May 2014, 12:44 pm)mrnut85 wrote If you think the Mercedes - Benz Citaro K is grey-ish you should get your eyes tested, I looks purple to me

It has a slight purple tinge, but it's definitely grey...
The photograph on The Northern Road Transport Trust makes it look a lot more purple than it actually is...

(30 May 2014, 12:49 pm)Dan wrote Not for service work - just for GNE to have a look at.


It has a slight purple tinge, but it's definitely grey...
The photograph on The Northern Road Transport Trust makes it look a lot more purple than it actually is...

Its a mixture of purple and grey to me, looks like a demo bus, wonder where it will end up

(30 May 2014, 12:52 pm)Michael wrote Its a mixture of purple and grey to me, looks like a demo bus, wonder where it will end up

Photograph on the link below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...118544009/

All the information you need is in the caption.

(30 May 2014, 1:35 pm)Dan wrote Photograph on the link below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrah...118544009/

All the information you need is in the caption.

Shame if it doesn't enter service, tbh is their much difference between euro 5 and euro 6 engine, expect for the price

(30 May 2014, 1:38 pm)Michael wrote Shame if it doesn't enter service, tbh is their much difference between euro 5 and euro 6 engine, expect for the price

I guess that's what the engineers at Riverside will be finding out over the next few days!