(31 May 2014, 9:51 am)Dan wrote "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4896 has arrived at Saltmeadows for repaint into corporate livery. I should hope that Saltmeadows will do all of the paint prep today, ready for repaint on Monday.

Going fast, How many is that now? *lost count*

(31 May 2014, 9:57 am)Michael wrote Going fast, How many is that now? *lost count*

4896, 4901 and 4902 now.

I'd imagine 4897 will be repainted next week, followed by 4898 the next, 4899 and then 4900.

(31 May 2014, 9:58 am)Dan wrote 4896, 4901 and 4902 now.

I'd imagine 4897 will be repainted next week, followed by 4898 the next, 4899 and then 4900.

Alright cheers, sorry i'm terrible at renembering whats in for re-paint and how many have being done

Think we will get a fleet update from GNE next week, hasn't being once since start of the month, although nothing much has moved, it's more for the repainting side.

(31 May 2014, 10:01 am)Michael wrote Alright cheers, sorry i'm terrible at renembering whats in for re-paint and how many have being done

Think we will get a fleet update from GNE next week, hasn't being once since start of the month, although nothing much has moved, it's more for the repainting side.

There should have been one this week with the news regarding sales and the withdrawal of the coach, but seems it didn't get uploaded! I didn't get a reply from the guy who does the fleet lists either, as I got in touch with him regarding the vehicle history section for our fleet lists. He must be a bit busy at the moment.

(31 May 2014, 10:04 am)Dan wrote There should have been one this week with the news regarding sales and the withdrawal of the coach, but seems it didn't get uploaded! I didn't get a reply from the guy who does the fleet lists either, as I got in touch with him regarding the vehicle history section for our fleet lists. He must be a bit busy at the moment.

Hopefully a more packed one next week, lets just hope he is up to date with the re-paints etc

(31 May 2014, 9:51 am)Dan wrote "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4896 has arrived at Saltmeadows for repaint into corporate livery. I should hope that Saltmeadows will do all of the paint prep today, ready for repaint on Monday.

. Any idea if the order has been placed on their replacements yet?, or when they're due?

(31 May 2014, 10:38 am)Marcus wrote . Any idea if the order has been placed on their replacements yet?, or when they're due?

Although I do not believe the order has been placed yet because Go North East have not started their next financial year yet, the repainting of the Volvo B10BLEs certainly does suggest that the "Lime" will receive investment this year, and depending on when they are ordered, they should be delivered between August and December.

(31 May 2014, 10:44 am)Dan wrote Although I do not believe the order has been placed yet because Go North East have not started their next financial year yet, the repainting of the Volvo B10BLEs certainly does suggest that the "Lime" will receive investment this year, and depending on when they are ordered, they should be delivered between August and December.

Ah right that gives me plenty of time to get my whack out of those Renowns

(31 May 2014, 10:44 am)Dan wrote Although I do not believe the order has been placed yet because Go North East have not started their next financial year yet, the repainting of the Volvo B10BLEs certainly does suggest that the "Lime" will receive investment this year, and depending on when they are
ordered, they should be delivered between August and December.

Thank god the lime does need upgrading I was on a Lime bus the day after the may 4th bus rally in Sunderland heading to Herrington Country Park and the interior was clean the driver was a legend overall canny journey but I wonder if when Citaros or whatever single decker is ordered for that route will the brand be the same colour as of now p.s reason why am not saying double deckers is because it goes under a low bridge saying that though one of my mates named Anth photographed a single decker on 8 but had to throw it off at Chester-le-Street to be replaced by a single decker can anyone name the low bridge routes from each depot by memory 28/28A 8/78/78A 19 88 4 2A/2C 700 60

(31 May 2014, 11:36 am)Racer_Experience wrote Thank god the lime does need upgrading I was on a Lime bus the day after the may 4th bus rally in Sunderland heading to Herrington Country Park and the interior was clean the driver was a legend overall canny journey but I wonder if when Citaros or whatever single decker is ordered for that route will the brand be the same colour as of now p.s reason why am not saying double deckers is because it goes under a low bridge saying that though one of my mates named Anth photographed a single decker on 8 but had to throw it off at Chester-le-Street to be replaced by a single decker can anyone name the low bridge routes from each depot by memory 28/28A 8/78/78A 19 88 4 2A/2C 700 60

I hadn't realised there was a low bridge on "Drifter" service 60's route. This low bridge must be between Seaham and Parkside, given that "Fab Fifty Six" B9TLs were allocated to the route the other day (although terminating at Seaham)?
See photos here and here.

(31 May 2014, 10:54 am)Marcus wrote Ah right that gives me plenty of time to get my whack out of those Renowns

There'll be no difference in the ride quality, but in case you're out and about, I think recently repainted 4902 is on the 78 which is Consett-bound and is roughly at CLS now?

(31 May 2014, 11:45 am)Dan wrote There'll be no difference in the ride quality, but in case you're out and about, I think recently repainted 4902 is on the 78 which is Consett-bound and is roughly at CLS now?

Yeah, just rode it into Chester. Feels strange after riding them so many times in the Lime livery to then just have them in red...

(31 May 2014, 11:36 am)Racer_Experience wrote Thank god the lime does need upgrading I was on a Lime bus the day after the may 4th bus rally in Sunderland heading to Herrington Country Park and the interior was clean the driver was a legend overall canny journey but I wonder if when Citaros or whatever single decker is ordered for that route will the brand be the same colour as of now p.s reason why am not saying double deckers is because it goes under a low bridge saying that though one of my mates named Anth photographed a single decker on 8 but had to throw it off at Chester-le-Street to be replaced by a single decker can anyone name the low bridge routes from each depot by memory 28/28A 8/78/78A 19 88 4 2A/2C 700 60

The Lime uses single deckers as a result of Pelton Bridge, where my late grandad lived and I used the buses on a regular basis from there. The Waggonway is for the same reason. I think the 4 and 2A/2C are restricted because of a bridge somewhere between Washington and Houghton?

(31 May 2014, 12:11 pm)Marcus wrote The Lime uses single deckers as a result of Pelton Bridge, where my late grandad lived and I used the buses on a regular basis from there. The Waggonway is for the same reason. I think the 4 and 2A/2C are restricted because of a bridge somewhere between Washington and Houghton?

Penshaw Bank Top, underneath the old Leamside Line.
It is a very similar set up/situation to the bridge at Pelton.

I used the 310 yesterday morning to get to Battle Hill from North Shields. The usual driver changeover occurred at North Shields, however another changeover occurred at the junction of Verne Road and Norham Road (close to Percy Main depot). Any ideas?

Maybe the first changeover was the 'wrong' driver (correct driver not available on time) and the second changeover was to rectify that?

Either that or the driver didn't have the correct ticket . . .

Of course the first replacement driver might have been taken ill (I've had 12 hours of vomitting and diahorrea with attendant acid reflux - thankfully now stable, but a sore oesophagus - now dosing with Gaviscon).

(31 May 2014, 12:08 pm)Marcus wrote Yeah, just rode it into Chester. Feels strange after riding them so many times in the Lime livery to then just have them in red...

Managed to catch up with it later, and got a relatively poor photo (as shown below):

See full version here.

Sun is against the 2A/2C, 8/78 etc until they leave Sunderland so I stood no chance of getting a decent photo.

(31 May 2014, 5:22 pm)Dan wrote Managed to catch up with it later, and got a relatively poor photo (as shown below):

See full version here.

Sun is against the 2A/2C, 8/78 etc until they leave Sunderland so I stood no chance of getting a decent photo.

Looks fine to me - but then again I don't take photos and have no idea what makes them good or bad.

(31 May 2014, 5:40 pm)Marcus wrote Looks fine to me - but then again I don't take photos and have no idea what makes them good or bad.

I suppose it depends on whether you a seeking a record of fact or a 'portrait'.

(I hesitate to refer to these as snapshots, as many grabbed shots can turn out to be supremely successful.)

(31 May 2014, 5:22 pm)Dan wrote Managed to catch up with it later, and got a relatively poor photo (as shown below):

See full version here.

Sun is against the 2A/2C, 8/78 etc until they leave Sunderland so I stood no chance of getting a decent photo.

Seeing as Stanley seem to have the majority PVR for Sunday Limes (I think Chester only do a couple of buses) you may have a chance tomorrow, Dan?

[quote='Dan' pid='45065' dateline='1401536320']

I hadn't realised there was a low bridge on "Drifter" service 60's route. This low bridge must be between Seaham and Parkside, given that "Fab Fifty Six" B9TLs were allocated to the route the other day (although terminating at Seaham)?

Low bridge is in dawdon (mount stewart street), drifter buses go under this bridge. Years ago before asda/bus station buses used to run to/from dawdon via tempest road, new strangford road, princess road, queen street, wynyard street, king edward road, mount stewart street, alexandra street, queen street then left at the fire station.

(31 May 2014, 11:36 am)Racer_Experience wrote Thank god the lime does need upgrading I was on a Lime bus the day after the may 4th bus rally in Sunderland heading to Herrington Country Park and the interior was clean the driver was a legend overall canny journey but I wonder if when Citaros or whatever single decker is ordered for that route will the brand be the same colour as of now p.s reason why am not saying double deckers is because it goes under a low bridge saying that though one of my mates named Anth photographed a single decker on 8 but had to throw it off at Chester-le-Street to be replaced by a single decker can anyone name the low bridge routes from each depot by memory 28/28A 8/78/78A 19 88 4 2A/2C 700 60

The 19 did get deckers every now again. Usually on the short workings from Northumberland Park to Cobalt South. Mind if one had to do the full route, it would use the East Howdon Bypass to go around the low bridge.

(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

7076 is parked at the rear of Riverside Depot tonight showing reg no R139ABT. It would appear that YSU876 has been retained.