GNE could also the do the route like this:

51 - Newcastle - Quayside - Baltic - Gateshead College - The Sage - Gateshead - Dryden Road - Easedale Gardens - Wrekenton - Springwell Estate - Leam Lane Estate - Heworth - Felling Square - Carr Hill Road - Gateshead - The Sage - Gateshead College - Baltic - Quayside - Newcastle


52 - Opposite way

------------
13 PVR - 9 Orbit versa + 2 purple + 2 Quaylink
Q2/Q3 – 5 PVR – Quaylink Versa

2 spare Versa - Riverside/Deptford

Sorry to be so pedantic here, but you've got your 51 down as doing the current 52 route haha. Surely that would be confusing

Sorry to be so pedantic here, but you've got your 51 down as doing the current 52 route haha. Surely that would be confusing

Hahaha, well, we all know how easy people get the routes mixed up now!, i'll change it! 

Years ago, the Easedale Gardens section was served by the 25 (similar to the route the 1 does now), the 27 (current 51/52 route between Gateshead and Beacon Lough) and the 51/52, which went via Old Durham Road and Beacon Lough.

Post 86, I think they all went to/from Newcastle - not 100% sure on the 51/52. But they did go to/from Heworth, via Sunderland Road.

It will be interesting to see how current loads and seats ph, compare with those then. Frequency has changed dramatically, but for a significant period, all were deckers.

To add to that, you also had the 638 between Harlow Green and Wrekenton.

Years ago, the Easedale Gardens section was served by the 25 (similar to the route the 1 does now), the 27 (current 51/52 route between Gateshead and Beacon Lough) and the 51/52, which went via Old Durham Road and Beacon Lough.

Post 86, I think they all went to/from Newcastle - not 100% sure on the 51/52. But they did go to/from Heworth, via Sunderland Road.

It will be interesting to see how current loads and seats ph, compare with those then. Frequency has changed dramatically, but for a significant period, all were deckers.

To add to that, you also had the 638 between Harlow Green and Wrekenton.

I've got very fond memories of the old 27 and 51/52, back in the days where Sigmas, Deltas and Metrobuses were a very common sight.

Final bus stop relocation at Newcastle Central Station - 10th April

http://www.simplygo.com/news/final-bus-s...10th-april

Closure of Chester Road in Sunderland

http://www.simplygo.com/news/closure-of-...sunderland

Years ago, the Easedale Gardens section was served by the 25 (similar to the route the 1 does now), the 27 (current 51/52 route between Gateshead and Beacon Lough) and the 51/52, which went via Old Durham Road and Beacon Lough.

Post 86, I think they all went to/from Newcastle - not 100% sure on the 51/52. But they did go to/from Heworth, via Sunderland Road.

It will be interesting to see how current loads and seats ph, compare with those then. Frequency has changed dramatically, but for a significant period, all were deckers.

To add to that, you also had the 638 between Harlow Green and Wrekenton.

Almost immediately after de-reg, services 51 and 52 were renumbered 67 and 68 and extended to Dunston via the old 58/59 route and onto Metrocentre. 

The 67 and 68 didn't last very long. The East Gateshead section became the 51/52 again, terminating at Gateshead, while the Dunston section was renumbered 64/65 but without the Metrocentre extension. 

67-68.png (Size 515.62 KB Downloads 55)

Some more registrations.

PB0003954/31 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA

Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle Eldon Sq and Middlesborough BS given service number X10/X9 effective from 31-May-2015. To amend Stopping Places and Timetable.

PB0003954/31 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA

Variation Accepted: Operating between Newcastle Eldon Sq and Middlesborough BS given service number X10/X9 effective from 31-May-2015. To amend Stopping Places and Timetable.

PB0003954/565 - GO NORTH EAST LIMITED, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA

Cancellation Accepted: Operating between NEWCASTLE PILGRIM STREET and HEBBURN TOWN CENTRE given service number 27X effective from 31-May-2015.

Sure Bazza will be pleased about the last one [emoji23]

nope i am not happy about the 27X being took off

Hahahaha Bazza isnt going to be happy, probably the only who uses it.

wrong the passenger numbers are decent

Almost immediately after de-reg, services 51 and 52 were renumbered 67 and 68 and extended to Dunston via the old 58/59 route and onto Metrocentre. 

The 67 and 68 didn't last very long. The East Gateshead section became the 51/52 again, terminating at Gateshead, while the Dunston section was renumbered 64/65 but without the Metrocentre extension.

I have had a look in the Bygone Era, but can't find anything apart from the via Racecourse Estate - Gateshead services.
I am pretty sure there was a route that went via Southend Road AND Whinlatter Road, Whinbuy Road, Church Road and on to the Metrocentre.
Any record of it in your collection?
Not sure if it was a Big Orange service, or if my memory is playing tricks on me.

The 2 normal cricket services are out again in June for the New Zealand One Day International Cricket Match

B0002400/561 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Durham Railway Station
Finish Point: Chester-Le-Street, Emirates International Cricket Ground
Via:
Service Number: 500
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 20-JUN-2015
Other Details: To run on Saturday 20th June 2015 only for the England v New Zealand One Day International Cricket Match

PB0002400/562 - GO NORTHERN LTD T/A GO NORTH EAST, 117 QUEEN STREET, GATESHEAD, NE8 2UA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Lambton Park
Finish Point: Chester-Le-Street, Emirates International Cricket Ground
Via:
Service Number: 501
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 20-JUN-2015
Other Details: To run on Saturday 20th June 2015 only for the England v New Zealand One Day International Cricket Match

wrong the passenger numbers are decent

If the passenger numbers were decent, then it won't be getting withdrawn. 

I have had a look in the Bygone Era, but can't find anything apart from the via Racecourse Estate - Gateshead services.
I am pretty sure there was a route that went via Southend Road AND Whinlatter Road, Whinbuy Road, Church Road and on to the Metrocentre.
Any record of it in your collection?
Not sure if it was a Big Orange service, or if my memory is playing tricks on me.

It may have been the 61/62 circular service you remember, however it didn't serve Southend Road, Whinlatter Road, Whinbury Road or Church Road.

61-62.gif (Size 48.68 KB Downloads 37)

The 'Big Orange' services may have been operated by a company called Easyway. Initially, they had services 60 and 61 which operated between Gateshead and Metrocentre only but I do recall the route being extended towards Felling Square at some point so it is possible, I guess, that one of these services went via the High Fell area. 

I also vaguley recall the 60 being operated by North Eastern with an extension to the Team Valley Retail World via Durham Road and Low Fell. GNE may have also ran another service in competition with this but, unfortunately, I don't have the timetables to corroborate. 

It may have been the 61/62 circular service you remember, however it didn't serve Southend Road, Whinlatter Road, Whinbury Road or Church Road.



The 'Big Orange' services may have been operated by a company called Easyway. Initially, they had services 60 and 61 which operated between Gateshead and Metrocentre only but I do recall the route being extended towards Felling Square at some point so it is possible, I guess, that one of these services went via the High Fell area. 

I also vaguley recall the 60 being operated by North Eastern with an extension to the Team Valley Retail World via Durham Road and Low Fell. GNE may have also ran another service in competition with this but, unfortunately, I don't have the timetables to corroborate. 

It was definitely a service via those roads I mentioned and it was when Go-ahead were painting a lot of the nationals Orange. http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=leyland+national+gateshead&tbm=isch&ei=OQkoVdOXI4TXasu1gIAN&start=40&sa=N#mhpiv=12
I can't remember Easyway at all, but remember these services (in their different guises) all going the way of the QE and Felling.

Eventually, they ended up at the Minilink services, going down Belle Vue Bank, Racecourse Est and Gateshead Interchange.

It was definitely a service via those roads I mentioned and it was when Go-ahead were painting a lot of the nationals Orange. http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=leyland+national+gateshead&tbm=isch&ei=OQkoVdOXI4TXasu1gIAN&start=40&sa=N#mhpiv=12
I can't remember Easyway at all, but remember these services (in their different guises) all going the way of the QE and Felling.

Eventually, they ended up at the Minilink services, going down Belle Vue Bank, Racecourse Est and Gateshead Interchange.

Here's an Easyway Bus pictured back when Metrocentre Bus Station was temporarily located next to Marks and Spencer.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/busfreakbr...0181158738

In shot, you can just see a Big Orange bus parked behind. When I think about it now, I'm sure Big Orange were Go-Ahead Northern's budget brand for Gateshead designed to compete with the likes of North Eastern and Easyway - much like the TyneRider brand in the 1990s.

The destination on the Easyway Bus states 'Felling Square'. 

Big Orange was for sure a Go Ahead Northern product.

Any more memories or details?

I can only recall Big Orange being allocated to service 61 which competed with Easyway's service 60 and both services were withdrawn by 1989 so the venture was short-lived. 

picture of orange 4662 at metrocentre:

Attached Files

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4662,.jpg (Size 684.81 KB Downloads 58)

4662 at Gateshead Interchange

Attached Files

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4062.jpg (Size 114.04 KB Downloads 36)

Here's an Easyway Bus pictured back when Metrocentre Bus Station was temporarily located next to Marks and Spencer.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/busfreakbr...0181158738

In shot, you can just see a Big Orange bus parked behind. When I think about it now, I'm sure Big Orange were Go-Ahead Northern's budget brand for Gateshead designed to compete with the likes of North Eastern and Easyway - much like the TyneRider brand in the 1990s.

The destination on the Easyway Bus states 'Felling Square'. 

The Metrocentre opened in 86 and I remember the Nationals seemingly being without vinyls for a long time. It seemed as soon as the vinyls were attached, the brand vanished.
So if the bus station is in its temporary location, it must have been 86/87 that the Nationals were painted.

Racking my brains and cannot remember those two independents you mention at all.

However, something is telling me the vehicles allocated to the big orange, ended up in the first Supershuttle livery.
The introduction of that onto stand A, saw a massive re-jig of stands at Gateshead.

wrong the passenger numbers are decent

In all fairness, the residents of Hebburn requested an express service, they've already got the 27 and the Metro. Even one of your photos backs up GNE's decision to withdraw the service.

I'm surprised that the 27X lasted this long, it's just the equivalent of Arriva's 34. It doesn't even carry enough people to allocate a Smart Fortwo.

626 Go North East Optare Solo SR on Nexus Bus on Service 27X by Diamond One, on Flickr

The Metrocentre opened in 86 and I remember the Nationals seemingly being without vinyls for a long time. It seemed as soon as the vinyls were attached, the brand vanished.
So if the bus station is in its temporary location, it must have been 86/87 that the Nationals were painted.

Racking my brains and cannot remember those two independents you mention at all.

However, something is telling me the vehicles allocated to the big orange, ended up in the first Supershuttle livery.
The introduction of that onto stand A, saw a massive re-jig of stands at Gateshead.

The first bus station was located next to Carrefour (old Asda) on the incline leading up to the A1 (then A69). The Red Quadrant was the first bit of the Metrocentre to open and this bus station lasted for around six months (maybe less). The second bus station was located next to Marks and Spencer's shortly after the Green Quadrant opened (13th October 1986) - this lasted for about a year. The cinema opened on 16th October 1987 so I'm guessing the third (and first permanent) bus station would have been opened around the same time. The Nationals must have been painted Orange sometime in 1987.

Easyway weren't that visible only operating on the routes discussed in this thread. However North Eastern Bus Services had a few services operating around the Gateshead area including one - the 92 - which served Winlatter Gardens etc. They had Nationals and Coaches which were in a green and cream livery.


(Credit: John Law)

 

The first bus station was located next to Carrefour (old Asda) on the incline leading up to the A1 (then A69). The Red Quadrant was the first bit of the Metrocentre to open and this bus station lasted for around six months (maybe less). The second bus station was located next to Marks and Spencer's shortly after the Green Quadrant opened (13th October 1986) - this lasted for about a year. The cinema opened on 16th October 1987 so I'm guessing the third (and first permanent) bus station would have been opened around the same time. The Nationals must have been painted Orange sometime in 1987.

Easyway weren't that visible only operating on the routes discussed in this thread. However North Eastern Bus Services had a few services operating around the Gateshead area including one - the 92 - which served Winlatter Gardens etc. They had Nationals and Coaches which were in a green and cream livery.


(Credit: John Law)

It is a shame you don't have the timetables for those services.

If the North Eastern went via Whinlatter like you have said; I have used it. Just have no recollection of them at all.
There seems to be a void in my memory, apart from the Orange Nationals and then the Go Gateshead minilinks in the early 90's.
There was a gap, where there wasn't anything operating prior to the Minilinks - guessing this is when the independents gave up.

It is a shame you don't have the timetables for those services.

If the North Eastern went via Whinlatter like you have said; I have used it. Just have no recollection of them at all.
There seems to be a void in my memory, apart from the Orange Nationals and then the Go Gateshead minilinks in the early 90's.
There was a gap, where there wasn't anything operating prior to the Minilinks - guessing this is when the independents gave up.

I do for the 92 - from January 1987. It also includes Easyway services 60 and 61.

60-61-92.gif (Size 236.05 KB Downloads 61)

Beginning:- https://www.flickr.com/photos/23207961@N07/7779606412/

End:- https://www.flickr.com/photos/16581005@N04/5448577699/

and:- https://www.flickr.com/photos/16581005@N04/5453755482/

I do for the 92 - from January 1987. It also includes Easyway services 60 and 61.

Sorry, thought you said you didn't have it.
Interesting... The Minilink (M something or other - 31?), went a similar route to the North Eastern service. There were a few variations, but nowt major. Think it terminated at the QE or Felling.

I like the metro timetable included in the 93 mind.

Sorry, thought you said you didn't have it.
Interesting... The Minilink (M something or other - 31?), went a similar route to the North Eastern service. There were a few variations, but nowt major. Think it terminated at the QE or Felling.

I like the metro timetable included in the 93 mind.

I have a gap in my collection between January 1987 and half-way through 1989. 

I'm guessing the 'Big Orange' brand would have commenced and ceased operations during the interim period. As the timetable shows, services 60 and 61 operate between Gateshead and Metrocentre only. GAN have no competing services when that timetable was printed. I'm also guessing that competing services were introduced by GAN when Easyway decided to extend towards Felling Square. 

By 1989, there are no traces of either Easyway or Big Orange services. The 92 still runs but the service has passed into the hands of Tyne and Wear Omnibus which means North Eastern had probably bit the bullet by that point. The M31 and M32 had also been introduced by then.

I do for the 92 - from January 1987. It also includes Easyway services 60 and 61.

Where do you get these timetables from, is there a place I can view them from?

Where do you get these timetables from, is there a place I can view them from?

The timetables I've shared in this thread (and other threads) are from my own personal collection. I get them from various places, mostly online auctions. I once started a blog with a view to make my all my collection available to all. Unfortunately I think I was being overly ambitious at the time and the blog fell by the wayside. 

If there's anything specific you want to view just ask. Chances are I probably won't have it but you never know your luck 

The timetables I've shared in this thread (and other threads) are from my own personal collection. I get them from various places, mostly online auctions. I once started a blog with a view to make my all my collection available to all. Unfortunately I think I was being overly ambitious at the time and the blog fell by the wayside. 

If there's anything specific you want to view just ask. Chances are I probably won't have it but you never know your luck  ;)

Thanks very much, I was wondering if you have any services that go through Rowlands Gill and High Spen, because this is where I grew up to love buses, but just not in the 80s!  :)

Thanks very much, I was wondering if you have any services that go through Rowlands Gill and High Spen, because this is where I grew up to love buses, but just not in the 80s! 

Coincidentally Rowlands Gill is where I currently reside.

Outside of the 80s, I think I may have one guide from 1993 if that's any good?