(17 Jul 2014, 6:46 am)DaveyBowyer wrote But they would last 12 year though with a mid life refurb.

As I said before, the Volvo B9TLs (i.e. anything bigger than a midi-sized vehicle) have a shell life of 15 years.

Coaches would have to have a shell life of 18 years.

(16 Jul 2014, 7:01 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If coaches were bought and if a buggy bay was added:
- 6043, 6044 and 6045 would make up the PVR on the 21.
- 6046 would make up the PVR on the TEN now at 14.
- 6047 would become spare for the Red Arrows.
- 6048 would become 1 spare for the TEN.
- 1 B7 would swap with 6099 acting as another spare for the TEN.
- 1 B7 would swap with 6100 acting as another spare for the Red Arrows.
- 6116 and 6117 would swap with 3962 and 3965 and act as spares for the 21.
- 3 B7's would be released.

Don't think the newer geminis are ready to move on to next role yet 6043/6044/6045 are 2 years old and doubt it these will move on just yet there work well on X9/X10 6046 doubt that will move it is fine on X9/X10 and works really well 6047 and 6048 doubt it will move they work well on X9/X10 so therefore won't happen with the movements unless X9/X10 gets a highly investment 6100 is needed at Deptford incase of vehicle shortages so doubt this will move to Washington 3943 handles the job perfectly at Washington as it is a short route so there fore can do a canny few runs 3962/3965 are both perfect for 21 I've been on them even when one of my mates has been driving it who is lovely by the way so I doubt it 6116 and 6117 would be released to Chester-le-Street as it is needed as a spare bus for Cobalt Clipper 309/310 only time if a service needs upgraded eg lime there due for an upgrade is when the vehicles are old not like 2 years old or 6 months old

Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but is the 20 due for an upgrade this year, was talking to a driver this morning in P.L.I. and he said there would be decker on the 20 sometime this year

(17 Jul 2014, 11:04 am)marxistafozzski wrote Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but is the 20 due for an upgrade this year, was talking to a driver this morning in P.L.I. and he said there would be decker on the 20 sometime this year

I don't think so. They were given the Eminox modifications to upgrade them to Euro 5 to tie them over for the next year.

(17 Jul 2014, 11:07 am)Dan wrote I don't think so. They were given the Eminox modifications to upgrade them to Euro 5 to tie them over for the next year.

I don't really understand what you just said there mate, is that to do with the engine???

(17 Jul 2014, 11:09 am)marxistafozzski wrote I don't really understand what you just said there mate, is that to do with the engine???

See this post.

Funding was received quite a while back for the Fast Cats (not 5205-09) and Prince Bishops vehicles to undergo these Eminox modifications to upgrade them to Euro 5.

On a different note, Volvo B7TL 3983 has returned to Chester-le-Street following a brief loan to Deptford.

8271 has a notice that GNE will be running the 38C.

Also when the driver brakes, the lights keep going off.

Forgot to mention - tried connecting to the WiFi on a GNE for the first time in months earlier today.
5367 shows the WiFi is available, but will not connect.

(17 Jul 2014, 11:09 am)marxistafozzski wrote I don't really understand what you just said there mate, is that to do with the engine???

Aye, it is to do with reducing emissions and improving air quality.
DCC received the funding and then disseminated it to the operators.
The operators then get these public funds, which is then spent modernising their assets.

Whilst residents living along those routes see lower emissions; the operators can then potentially receive more money when selling on the vehicle to a third party, than they could do with a lower rated vehicle.

http://www.eminox.com/retrofit/

Out of interest, to Stanley drivers do Consett services and vice versa?

(17 Jul 2014, 4:29 pm)Tom wrote Out of interest, to Stanley drivers do Consett services and vice versa?

Yes, now that the rotas have been merged but before drivers chose to do Consett or Stanley services and only did the opposite when they were covering for a driver on a rest day (they would aim for people who were assigned to the Stanley routes first before going to Consett drivers).

(17 Jul 2014, 4:50 pm)Robert wrote Yes, now that the rotas have been merged but before drivers chose to do Consett or Stanley services and only did the opposite when they were covering for a driver on a rest day (they would aim for people who were assigned to the Stanley routes first before going to Consett drivers).

Cheers.

4968 returned to Deptford today following repaint.

4910 also returned to Riverside - and they wasted no time in getting it back out, as it appeared on the Toon Link this afternoon.

Hii, last plug for a while ;p
Pretty much every piece of Go North East history I have collected;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271551668831?s...:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Plus a few other bits of (hopefully) interest;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271547501864?s...:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271547505184?s...:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271547506043?s...:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271547507620?s...:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271550672435?s...:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271551670794?s...:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649


Plus problems on the 56 tonight with the 19.24 ex Gateshead running 15 mins late
Unusual at that time,

Rich

(17 Jul 2014, 8:23 pm)Richyyk wrote Hii, last plug for a while ;p
Pretty much every piece of Go North East history I have collected;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271551668831?s...:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Rich

Quite an Impressive Collection, would be great to add some of this to the Bygone Era if it's not already there.

(17 Jul 2014, 12:23 pm)Michael wrote 8271 has a notice that GNE will be running the 38C.

Also when the driver brakes, the lights keep going off.

Pretty standard for Cadets when they get a bit warm.

(17 Jul 2014, 5:36 pm)Dan wrote 4968 returned to Deptford today following repaint.

4910 also returned to Riverside - and they wasted no time in getting it back out, as it appeared on the Toon Link this afternoon.

Go North East: 4910 / W491SCU by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

(17 Jul 2014, 12:23 pm)Michael wrote Also when the driver brakes, the lights keep going off.

I noticed this when I followed a car being driven by a friend.

She took it to the garage and was told that "it was meant to do that".

(Whereas to me it indicated a faulty earth.)

Has anyone seen 4968 on their travels today? I've seen 4945/46 and 4970-72, but not 4968 (typical!)

(18 Jul 2014, 1:56 pm)Dan wrote Has anyone seen 4968 on their travels today? I've seen 4945/46 and 4970-72, but not 4968 (typical!)

Probs on the 99, As you did say it's likely a Solar will be on there due to MPD's been on Loan to Peterlee.

(18 Jul 2014, 2:20 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Probs on the 99, As you did say it's likely a Solar will be on there due to MPD's been on Loan to Peterlee.

Could well be, but with at least two red Solars on the 35 today, it would surprise me (given that, this week, Deptford has been alright with allocations).

(18 Jul 2014, 2:22 pm)Dan wrote Could well be, but with at least two red Solars on the 35 today, it would surprise me (given that, this week, Deptford has been alright with allocations).

Never say Never with Deptford though, wouldn't surprise me if it has crept onto the X35/X36 either, As that seen an Increase in Rare Workings in recent weeks. Usually if I was to stand Park Lane for an Hour, I probably see every Laser Solar.

The 4 is running in 3's... Dear me.

(18 Jul 2014, 2:28 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote The 4 is running in 3's... Dear me.

Due to an Incident on Houghton le Spring Front Street, According to GNE's Facebook Page, Services were diverting via Hillside Way (near The Co-op).

(18 Jul 2014, 2:35 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Due to an Incident on Houghton le Spring Front Street, According to GNE's Facebook Page, Services were diverting via Hillside Way (near The Co-op).

Wondered what was up.
Didn't think it would be schools as they finished hours ago and services should have caught up.

Quick question here,

Wouldn't it not be eaiser for the 74A/X84 to be operated by Saltmeadows on a Sunday/evening (74). It would allow for a more regular service, with both services being every two hours, and a later/earlier service to Hexham to connect with the AD122, using two of the dual door renowns?

Here is an example timetable:

74A 0820 Newcastle to Matfen 0913
74A 0917 Matfen to Newcastle 1013
74A 1020 Newcastle to Maften 1113
74A 1117 Matfen to Newcastle 1213
74A 1220 Newcastle to Matfen 1313
74A 1317 Matfen to Newcastle 1413
74A 1420 Newcastle to Matfen 1513
74A 1517 Matfen to Newcastle 1613
74A 1620 Newcastle to Matfen 1713
74A 1717 Matfen to Newcastle 1813
74A 1820 Newcastle to Matfen 1913
74A 1920 Matfen to Newcastle 2013


X84 0805 Newcastle to Hexham 0905
X84 0910 Hexham to Newcastle 1010
X84 1015 Newcastle to Hexham 1115
X84 1120 Hexham to Newcastle 1220
X84 1225 Newcastle to Hexham 1325
X84 1415 Hexham to Newcastle 1515
X84 1520 Newcastle to Hexham 1620
X84 1625 Hexham to Newcastle 1725
X84 1730 Newcastle to Hexham 1830
X84 1830 Hexham to Newcastle 1930

(17 Jul 2014, 1:31 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Forgot to mention - tried connecting to the WiFi on a GNE for the first time in months earlier today.
5367 shows the WiFi is available, but will not connect.


Aye, it is to do with reducing emissions and improving air quality.
DCC received the funding and then disseminated it to the operators.
The operators then get these public funds, which is then spent modernising their assets.

Whilst residents living along those routes see lower emissions; the operators can then potentially receive more money when selling on the vehicle to a third party, than they could do with a lower rated vehicle.

http://www.eminox.com/retrofit/

Four more WiFi enabled buses today and four more buses which would not connect.
One Gemini from the x1, seemingly has the system removed or switched off - with my phone finding everything in the vicinity bar the WiFi on the vehicle!
It wasn't the spare either (although, it has been on the x1 everyday this week!).

(18 Jul 2014, 4:07 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Four more WiFi enabled buses today and four more buses which would not connect.
One Gemini from the x1, seemingly has the system removed or switched off - with my phone finding everything in the vicinity bar the WiFi on the vehicle!
It wasn't the spare either (although, it has been on the x1 everyday this week!).

icomera have still not completed checking every vehicle, still a number of the 100+ still to do. Once they have, I would expect the wifi to be sorted. The issue has been made worse as we had a third party to fit the units, however icomera have found issues with how these have been connected up, hence why it is taking longer to get round the fleet.

Do not know if it has been mentioned, but GNE are supplying 20 double deckers + drivers to help First out for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

(18 Jul 2014, 5:08 pm)citaro5284 wrote Do not know if it has been mentioned, but GNE are supplying 20 double deckers + drivers to help First out for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Any idea if these will be red spare deckers or newer branded vehicles?