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Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - August 2014

Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - August 2014

RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 11:41 am)Marcus wrote Andreos - what will the FPF make of the cadets??

Chester and Cadets. What a combination!
Will see how long it is before they burn out.

Can't see the Cadets appearing on owt but the 71. Imagine them on the 28, 34 or x25?!
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
RE: Go North East - Latest
Noticed that 4841 and a couple of the Toon Link ex-Arriva B10BLE's are in awful condition. They were making that horrid screeching sound yesterday, similar to what the dual door Renowns made.
RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 12:00 pm)Marcus wrote Oh, they'll roll back down Pelton Fell Bank!!

Flexibilty at the depot will go right out of the window - whereas now, vehicles can pretty much cope on any of the routes.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
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RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 11:59 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Chester and Cadets. What a combination!
Will see how long it is before they are burnt out by the residents of Fencehouses, who will love them dearly!

Can't see the Cadets appearing on owt but the 71. Imagine them on the 28, 34 or x25?!

Surely more appropriate? Wink
RE: Go North East - Latest
Was looking over the old OK Motor Services/Travel stuff in the bygone era forum earlier. Makes me wonder, bar East Durham, will GNE ever try and run competitive services around the Durham villages again?
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RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 1:13 pm)aureolin wrote Was looking over the old OK Motor Services/Travel stuff in the bygone era forum earlier. Makes me wonder, bar East Durham, will GNE ever try and run competitive services around the Durham villages again?
Would be a good idea to bring back again the OK Motor Services livery not just in Durham but to at least one or 2 routes in South Tyneside that isn't branded aka 5 or 9 I remember once when I was a kid I rode a OK Motor Service bus from Hebburn College after seeing my mam in a drama class I still remember the vehicle Alexander Dennis Dart Dash I remember riding it with my nana (mams mam) and I really enjoyed the ride it was as it said on the tin it was OK there was several liveries I liked when I was a kid but OK really stranded out really well
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RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 1:39 pm)Racer_Experience wrote Would be a good idea to bring back again the OK Motor Services livery not just in Durham but to at least one or 2 routes in South Tyneside that isn't branded aka 5 or 9 I remember once when I was a kid I rode a OK Motor Service bus from Hebburn College after seeing my mam in a drama class I still remember the vehicle Alexander Dennis Dart Dash I remember riding it with my nana (mams mam) and I really enjoyed the ride it was as it said on the tin it was OK there was several liveries I liked when I was a kid but OK really stranded out really well

I'm not too fussed on the livery if I'm honest, more the possibility that competitive services are introduced. Unfortunately GNE pretty much abandoned the area after phasing the OK Travel name out, and then the subsequent flogging of the Bishop Auckland depot to Arriva.

I'd personally suggest that having a full operating centre further south than Chester le Street would solve more problems than it would create. Would also allow them to again compete in the area, as I appreciate it's just not efficient to do so when buses are potentially running light from Chester le Street.
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RE: Go North East - Latest
Just got back from the lakes for a few days... so i haven't really being posting/checking but i'm gutted they starting to withdraw the lime B10's.
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RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 4:12 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I wonder how the B7TL would cope with the 309 / 310 particularly with Today's changes leaving only one red Spare B9TL.

It wouldn't. Have you saw the seeting arrangements?
You'd be better off with a Renown. (either 4911, 4912 or 4913).
RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 4:57 pm)Tom wrote It wouldn't. Have you saw the seeting arrangements?
You'd be better off with a Renown. (either 4911, 4912 or 4913).

Aye, I agree there like. I don't know whether they'll stick with it or not. I think that if it doesn't work out initally, what they could do is operate via Ridley Park rather than Broadway and run it a few minutes before the 308 about 5 mins before the next one meaning that not only would it be gaining custom, it would be gaining a good reputation if the 308 infront is running late.
RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 7:27 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Aye, I agree there like. I don't know whether they'll stick with it or not. I think that if it doesn't work out initally, what they could do is operate via Ridley Park rather than Broadway and run it a few minutes before the 308 about 5 mins before the next one meaning that not only would it be gaining custom, it would be gaining a good reputation if the 308 infront is running late.

Considering 3943 is never on the Red Arrows, it could be swapped with a President?
RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 7:37 pm)Tom wrote Considering 3943 is never on the Red Arrows, it could be swapped with a President?

It has made quite a few appearances on it recently.
Usually on the same board on a morning - never see it later in the day though.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 10:29 am)Dan wrote Originally released for repaint and subsequent transfer following the arrival of "Nexus" branded Optare Solo SR M890/Optare 632 (NK61 FEV) at Percy Main which had been pending transfer since 27th July 2014, but couldn't transfer due to being on long-term VOR prior to that date, Dennis MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer 548 (NA52 AXO) has now (finally) been transferred to Deptford Depot. This follows on from repairs at Hexham Depot, where it also saw subsequent allocation to service, and an overnight stay at Riverside Depot. At Deptford Depot, this vehicle has released DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 8272 (NK54 NLC) to Chester-le-Street Depot, where it will be allocated to service 71. As such, a "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown has been withdrawn from service.


A number of miscellaneous services (which include scholar and workers services) were up for tender from Nexus, operational from Monday 1st September 2014.

For the forthcoming academic school year, to enable the withdrawal of further high-floor Volvo Olympian vehicles, Go North East has mainly lost these tendered services to other operators - with these services then being gained by smaller independent operators such as Gateshead Central Taxis, Weardale, and Jim Hughes.

As such, a large number of buses have been re-allocated to different depots this morning, ahead of the new academic school year starting tomorrow.

Following the loss of contracts at Riverside Depot:
  • Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 6015 (V315 LGC), 6023 (V923 KGF) and 6031 (V331 LGC) have all been transferred from Riverside Depot to Percy Main.
  • As such, this has released Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3803 (V803 EBR), 3860 (W806 PNL) and 3861 (W861 PNL) from Percy Main Depot to Stanley Depot.
  • This has in turn allowed for the transfer of Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine 2 3819 (S819 OFT), 3824 (S824 OFT) and 3825 (S825 OFT) to Riverside Depot, leading to the ultimate withdrawal of similar 3815 (S815 FVK), 3817 (S817 FVK) and 3818 (S818 OFT).
  • Volvo B7TL/East Lancs Vyking 3979 (PJ02 PZF) has been transferred from Riverside Depot to Deptford.
  • This has released Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 6028 (V328 LGC) from Deptford Depot, and it has transferred to Washington Depot, where it will be allocated to a newly gained scholar service.

Following the loss of contracts at Percy Main Depot:
  • Dennis Trident/East Lancs Lolyne 3873 (W183 SCU), 3874* (W184 SCU) and 3880 (W176 SCU) have all been transferred from Percy Main Depot to Stanley.
  • As such, Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine 2 3814 (S814 FVK), 3828 (S828 OFT) and 3829 (S829 OFT) have all been withdrawn.
* This vehicle is currently VOR and unable to transfer, so one of the Volvo Olympians mentioned above will remain in service temporarily.

Following the loss of contracts at Stanley Depot:
  • Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4914 (X914 WGR) has transferred from Stanley Depot to Deptford.
  • This has released Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4934 (Y934 ERG) from Deptford Depot to Chester-le-Street, where it will become a reserve. As such, a "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown has been withdrawn from service.

As mentioned previously, Go North East could be gaining a few additional contracts, and a number of vehicles have been temporarily held on retention at their current depots (ultimately meaning two Olympians have been retained), just in case. If Go North East does not gain these contracts, these vehicles will simply be re-allocated as originally planned.


Following the loss of services 37/73 last month, "Nexus" branded Optare Solo SR M890/Optare 635 (NK61 FJP) and 636 (NK61 FMD) have been allocated to service 38, converting this service to a cheaper minibus operation. This has in turn allowed for DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 8273 (NK54 NLD) to transfer from Deptford Depot to Chester-le-Street, where it will be allocated to service 71. As such, a "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown has been withdrawn from service.


Stanley has also lost Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4905 (W905 RBB). This vehicle has transferred to Deptford Depot, releasing Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4935 (Y935 ERG) from Deptford Depot to Chester-le-Street Depot. This vehicle, or 4934 (which, as noted above, is a reserve), will be allocated to a scholar service for St. Bedes, and will also be allocated to the additional peak-time X21 services.


I'd imagine that the three "Lime" branded Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown vehicles to be withdrawn are 4850 (R856 PRG), 4851 (R851 PRG), and 4852 (R852 PRG), given that they are the oldest - though Chester-le-Street may instead withdraw any of the other examples in that batch which are in a worse condition. This should be confirmed on the Go North East Fleet News tomorrow morning. I will update our fleet lists at some point today to reflect the information above.

So if 8272 and 8273 what does 29 use
RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 7:56 pm)Acky81 wrote So if 8272 and 8273 what does 29 use

Anything as its not a branded route
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RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 7:56 pm)Acky81 wrote So if 8272 and 8273 what does 29 use

(31 Aug 2014, 8:01 pm)Michael wrote Anything as its not a branded route

The PVR of service 29 is 8.
Of the eight boards, five are allocated DAF SB120s whilst three are allocated Scania L94s.

Deptford previously had nine DAF SB120s when service 38 was also allocated two of these vehicles. Now they have seven to cover a requirement of five.
RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 8:06 pm)Dan wrote The PVR of service 29 is 8.
Of the eight boards, five are allocated DAF SB120s whilst three are allocated Scania L94s.

Deptford previously had nine DAF SB120s when service 38 was also allocated two of these vehicles. Now they have seven to cover a requirement of five.

Ah oh well, still should be enough
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RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 8:52 pm)Michael wrote Ah oh well, still should be enough

8268 8269 8270 8271 ??? That's only four
RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 10:24 pm)Acky81 wrote 8268 8269 8270 8271 ??? That's only four

4934 4935 to Chester good vehicle
And we get 4914 from Stanley x reg terrible moves for deptford
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Re: RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 10:29 pm)Acky81 wrote Forgot 8258 8259 and 8267
And now you've got your seven buses to cover a PVR of five Cadets on the 29 Wink
RE: Go North East - Latest
(31 Aug 2014, 10:31 pm)Dan wrote And now you've got your seven buses to cover a PVR of five Cadets on the 29 Wink

Result!! I've noticed a few deckers on the route lately