(05 Oct 2014, 6:35 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The issue here is something we raised last night - they don't have enough spares to enable something like this to be repaired properly. If it happened today, then the masking tape to hold it together is understandable. The fact at present there is an example long-term VOR, they can't exactly allow one to go away to Thorntons for a minor seat repair when they then have to put standard-spec or MAX-spec examples out in its place.

Ah right ok, didn't realise one was off the road, however as this was on Sunday, I would have thought they would have had at least one other one to cover it, while the depot could have tried to do something better than tape over it? 
Can't help but think that giving them only one spare was a bad decision, especially when more than half of them are nearly 7 year old...

1575 has entered service today on the U1

Photo @ Steven Hodgson

(07 Oct 2014, 5:13 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 1575 has entered service today on the U1

Photo @ Steven Hodgson

When will they be launched on the 23?

Richard Smiles reports the following movements, which 'officially' commence from 05/10/14:


0211
Whitby > Redcar
Replaces 1737 for Disposal
 
1583
Wright Factory > New for Jesmond
Reserve (Prepare for Service)
 
1587
Wright Factory > New for Jesmond
Reserve (Prepare for Service)
 
1737
Redcar > Awaiting Disposal
MOT Expired
 
4038
Awaiting Disposal > Stockton
 
4052
Jesmond > Awaiting Disposal
MOT Expiry 11 October 2014
 
4062
Stockton > Awaiting Disposal
 
4648
MAX Refurbishment > Redcar
Not sent for refurbishment
 
4650
MAX Refurbishment > Whitby
Not sent for refurbishment
 
4651
Redcar > Bus & Coach World
 
4653
Bus & Coach World > Reserve Fleet
 
4655
Whitby > Bus & Coach World
 
4659
Bus & Coach World > Reserve Fleet
 
7487
Redcar/Whitby > Under Repair
 
7488
Redcar/Whitby > Under Repair
 
7490
Redcar/Whitby > Jesmond
Replaces 4052 for Disposal
 
7511
Bus & Coach World > Ashington
 
7512
Bus & Coach World > Blyth
 
7513
Bus & Coach World > Ashington
 
7514
Ashington > Bus & Coach World
 
7517
Ashington > Bus & Coach World

Fleet movements (with ever, thanks to Richard Smiles)

0211 Finally added to fleet at Redcar
1583 Added to fleet (Reserve)
1587 Added to fleet (Reserve)
1737 Redcar to Disposal (MOT expired)
4038 Disposal to Stockton
4052 Jesmond to Disposal (MOT expires 11/10/2014)
4062 Stockton to Disposal
4648 Under Repair to Redcar (not sent for MAX refurbishment)
4650 Under Repair to Whitby (not sent for MAX refurbishment)
4651 Redcar to Bus & Coach World (MAX Refurbishment)
4653 Bus & Coach World to Ashington
4655 Whitby to Bus & Coach World (MAX Refurbishment)
4659 Bus & Coach World to Ashington
7487 Whitby to Under Repair
7488 Whitby to Under Repair
7490 Whitby to Jesmond (replacing 4052)
7511 Bus & Coach World to Ashington
7512 Bus & Coach World to Blyth
7513 Bus & Coach World to Ashington
7514 Ashington to Bus & Coach World
7517 Ashington to Bus & Coach World
7610 Blyth to Ashington

Those shwon in bold aren't shown on the allocation movement sheets.

(07 Oct 2014, 5:23 pm)Dan wrote Richard Smiles reports the following movements, which 'officially' commence from 05/10/14

Fleet lists updated to show all of the quoted movements, minus 7490 which is still in service at Whitby in reality.

The two Omnis with 'cancelled refurbishments' are believed to have been sent to Bus & Coach World, Blackburn, in reality - so I've updated the fleet lists to show the delayed refurbishment and that they've gone again.

7436 is now at Belmont depot.

I'm surprised about 7610 why is that happening, ca anyone shine any light on this

7512 is shown as being at Blyth, and I saw a report of a Max Enviro on the X4 today so I assume it was this one. I'm not sure what that has to do with 7610 going the other way though?

(07 Oct 2014, 7:13 pm)Jimmi wrote 7436 is now at Belmont depot.

As is 7439 although it's been on the pits having work done.  On another note 7442 which has been VOR for almost a year now looks as though it is almost ready to come back onto the road.

Expect delays to services 6 & 7 in the coming months as works are due to begin to replace the T junction at Sunderland Bridge with a roundabout.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11...blackspot/

Does anyone know anything about the rummors of buses being exchanged with buses from Coventry

1440
1512

The plan for the pair, when not needed on X3/X4 or 5/5a is for 1440 to be allocated to the 63 (presumably the board that works an X3A on weekday afternoons), and for 1512 to either be on the 27 board it was on today (xx25 from Middlesbrough Bus Station, works the 1710 X5) or the 9/27a board that works the 0705 X5 from Easington.

7436 is now at Belmont depot.

Photo can be seen here

1575 on service U1 today
Photo can be seen here

(09 Oct 2014, 4:55 pm)Jimmi wrote Photo can be seen here

1575 on service U1 today
Photo can be seen here

How many of the Streetlites have now entered service - and is there a reason (perhaps besides waiting for the upcoming service changes) why they're not on the 23..?

How many of the Streetlites have now entered service - and is there a reason (perhaps besides waiting for the upcoming service changes) why they're not on the 23..?

I've only seen 1575 and 1578 in service on the U1.

Is it possible that they could be doing a launch for them like they are for the 306 examples on Tuesday.

Or could be a case of waiting for them all to enter service or wait until the service changes.

Saw more almost full Darts on the 64 in Durham this afternoon. I really think another service should be sent up to Framwellgate Moor to combat the heavy loadings, possibly service 6 as I think if it was extended to Fram they could swipe a large number of New College students from the X21.

(09 Oct 2014, 4:59 pm)Dan wrote How many of the Streetlites have now entered service - and is there a reason (perhaps besides waiting for the upcoming service changes) why they're not on the 23..?

Think it's just the two I've seen. There's been nothing but streetlites operating the U1 all week, so I'll see what's on it in the morning.

I'm not sure why they're running around on the U1. Perhaps a bit confusing to the customer, when a bus in a different livery and without operator logos turns up, when they're expecting am Arriva bus?

(09 Oct 2014, 8:50 pm)aureolin wrote Perhaps a bit confusing to the customer, when a bus in a different livery and without operator logos turns up, when they're expecting am Arriva bus?

Its been happening on the X18 for 4 weeks now, and if branding / logos aren't applied until the new timetable starts, it will still be happening for another 4 weeks. I noticed today that 7533 has Arriva Durham County as the operator name on the legal lettering beside the door, as did its sister new E400 (not sure which one) which appeared in Berwick on the X15...

The Traveline North East Journeyplanner website has been updated with the new X18 / X15 route which appear to be starting on 17th November. Still no official announcement of any changes though...

On a more positive note, Jesmond's Streetlites are now receiving branding:

The branding on 1584 is shown below:
https://flic.kr/p/pAzEnP
https://flic.kr/p/pjnb8E

(10 Oct 2014, 6:51 am)Dan wrote On a more positive note, Jesmond's Streetlites are now receiving branding:

The branding on 1584 is shown below:
https://flic.kr/p/pAzEnP
https://flic.kr/p/pjnb8E

Looks good.

(10 Oct 2014, 6:51 am)Dan wrote On a more positive note, Jesmond's Streetlites are now receiving branding:

The branding on 1584 is shown below:
https://flic.kr/p/pAzEnP
https://flic.kr/p/pjnb8E

I hope the EcoCity's get some sort of similar branding, but with the inter workings and Sunday workings I can't see that happening most of all I'd like the wifi back 

The former MAN gas bus demonstrator WX61FXO is now in Faverdale in Arriva Eco livery awaiting vinyls.

(10 Oct 2014, 3:23 pm)John_R wrote The former MAN gas bus demonstrator WX61FXO is now in Faverdale in Arriva Eco livery awaiting vinyls.

It looks very strange without vinyls. It's also got a corking moquette on the seats!

(10 Oct 2014, 7:08 pm)MrPottski wrote It looks very strange without vinyls. It's also got a corking moquette on the seats!

I'd have expected it to be re-trimmed before entering service - assuming it still retains the same moquette shown below?

Bus Eireann MGV1 (WX61FXO). by Fred Dean Jnr, on Flickr

1575 was running the U1 again today, but 1578 was sat in Durham bus station around 5pm.

I'd have expected it to be re-trimmed before entering service - assuming it still retains the same moquette shown below?

Wow! those seats look comfortable, I'd certainly do the 21/X21 if it has these seats. Assuming they are still going on the 21/X21.

I was being deafened by a Solo this afternoon whilst waiting for the 7 in Darlington.

(10 Oct 2014, 7:10 pm)Dan wrote I'd have expected it to be re-trimmed before entering service - assuming it still retains the same moquette shown below?

Bus Eireann MGV1 (WX61FXO). by Fred Dean Jnr, on Flickr

Yes, same ones. It also still has the large coach style mirrors on the front, no doubt they'll be removed before entering service. A terrible night time shot of said vehicle:

(10 Oct 2014, 7:10 pm)Dan wrote I'd have expected it to be re-trimmed before entering service - assuming it still retains the same moquette shown below?

Bus Eireann MGV1 (WX61FXO). by Fred Dean Jnr, on Flickr

Yes, same ones. It also still has the large coach style mirrors on the front, no doubt they'll be removed before entering service. A terrible night time shot of said vehicle: [attachment=5978]

I know that the 3 ecocities will be 4812/3/4 but does anybody know which vehicle will carry each fleet number yet?